The void was endless, yet alive. Swirls of raw mana coiled and danced like galaxies in the dark, their brilliant hues shifting from deep indigo to vibrant gold. Stars hung suspended, their light casting faint reflections on the flowing rivers of energy below. Among this infinite expanse, fragments of the known world floated—pieces of Earth’s greatest landmarks, now suspended like forgotten memories. The jagged peak of the Eiffel Tower rose from a crystalline lake, while a shattered fragment of the Great Wall spiraled through the sky, as though gravity itself were an afterthought.
The soul drifted its form neither fully defined nor entirely formless. It was both weightless and grounded, as if tethered to a place it could not see. Time held no meaning here. There was no fear, no pain, just the quiet hum of existence. Then, like a faint whisper cutting through the vast expanse, a voice called out.
"Come," it said, its tone both ancient and kind, carrying the warmth of understanding.
The soul stirred, pulled gently toward the source of the voice. The air—or what passed for air in this primordial realm—began to thrum with purpose. The swirls of mana parted like curtains, revealing a figure standing at the center of a grand, glowing platform. The Oracle.
The Oracle stood tall, their form a shifting amalgamation of light and shadow, their presence both comforting and imposing. Their features were difficult to pin down, constantly flowing like liquid starlight, yet their eyes held a steady, compassionate glow. Around them, the platform pulsed softly with every word they spoke, as though the very essence of this place responded to their will.
"You have arrived," the Oracle said, their voice a harmonious blend of male and female tones. "You have endured the trials of mortality and crossed into the realm where all paths converge. This is The World’s Core."
The soul moved closer, guided not by force but by a gentle pull that resonated deep within. As it neared the Oracle, the surroundings shifted subtly. A great tree sprouted from the platform’s edge, its roots crackling with vibrant energy and its branches stretching into the star-speckled void. Rivers of mana flowed from the tree’s base, cascading into the open air like waterfalls of light.
The Oracle extended a hand, palm upturned, as they addressed the soul. "This is not the end, but a turning of the page. You have a choice to make, a chance to embrace a new form, a new purpose. Do you understand?"
The soul pulsed faintly in response, as though nodding, but a tremor rippled through its formless body—a feeling of disquiet, of something missing. It floated there, tethered by the Oracle’s words yet lost in the vastness around it. Something was wrong.
“Where am I?” the soul whispered, the sound soft yet resonant, echoing across the glowing platform. “Who... am I?”
The Oracle’s compassionate gaze did not falter. Their voice, warm and steady, wrapped around the soul like a lifeline. “You are where all souls converge after the trials of mortality—The World’s Core. Your questions are natural. The transition often obscures what came before.”
“I don’t understand,” the soul said, its form trembling. It drifted in place, struggling against the pull of a memory it couldn’t grasp. “How did I get here? Why can’t I remember anything?”
The Oracle extended their hand further, their presence radiating calm. “Come closer, and the veil shall lift. Piece by piece, what was lost will return.”
The soul hesitated, its edges flickering like a dying flame. Then, drawn by an unspoken trust, it drifted closer. As it did, a pulse of golden light radiated from the Oracle’s hand, enveloping the soul in a soft, shimmering glow. The void around them grew sharper, clearer, as if the light banished the haze of confusion.
Gradually, the soul began to take shape. The undefined wisps solidified into arms, legs, and a face. The ethereal glow dimmed slightly, revealing the figure of a young man with tousled brown hair, olive-toned skin, and eyes wide with bewilderment. He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as though testing their reality.
“I... this is me,” he said softly, his voice trembling. His gaze lifted to the Oracle. “But why am I here? I don’t... I don’t remember...”
The Oracle stepped closer, their glow dimming to match the young man’s more tangible presence. “The trials,” they said gently. “The last moments of your mortal journey are often the hardest to recall. Let me help you.”
The world around them shifted. The platform dissolved into shimmering strands of light, and a new scene materialized—a forest bathed in the golden light of the sun. The young man gasped as the memory unfolded around him.
He saw himself running, his breaths ragged and his legs burning with exhaustion. The forest was alive with noise: the screeches of monstrous creatures closing in, the snap of branches underfoot. He carried a makeshift spear, its tip bloodied, though his hands shook with inexperience.
“They were everywhere,” he murmured, his voice breaking. “I—I couldn’t stop them.”
“You were brave,” the Oracle said, their tone steady. “You faced the trial with courage, even when the odds were overwhelming.”
The memory shifted again, speeding forward. He saw himself stumble, his foot catching on a root. The creatures descended, their claws slashing through the air. Pain bloomed across his chest, and everything faded to darkness.
He staggered, clutching at his chest instinctively, though there was no wound now. “I... I died.”
“Yes,” the Oracle said softly. “You died, as many do during the trials. But death is not the end—it is a transformation. That is why you are here.”
The young man looked at them, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “So, what happens now? Am I just... gone?”
The Oracle shook their head, a faint smile gracing their ever-shifting features. “No, you are not gone. You have the opportunity to begin anew, to take on a form that resonates with the deepest essence of your soul. You will not be what you were, but you will be something greater.”
The young man’s breathing steadied as he absorbed their words. “How do I... how do I choose? What will I become?”
The Oracle gestured toward a pedestal that had appeared behind them, bathed in soft, ethereal light. Upon it sat an ornate bowl filled with water that shimmered like liquid starlight. “Look into the water. Let your soul connect with its reflection. It will guide you to what you are meant to be.”
The young man hesitated, glancing at the Oracle for reassurance. They nodded, and he stepped forward, each footfall ringing softly against the luminous ground. When he reached the pedestal, he peered into the bowl. The water rippled, its surface distorting as though alive.
The reflection began to change.
The young man leaned closer to the shimmering bowl, the water’s surface rippling as if responding to his presence. For a moment, his reflection stared back at him—human, familiar, ordinary. Then, the image began to shift.
The first form emerged, the water twisting and coiling until it revealed a sleek, aquatic figure. Scales of iridescent blue and green shimmered in the light, fins fanning out from its back like delicate wings. Before he could fully comprehend the transformation, he felt himself pulled into the reflection. Suddenly, he was no longer standing on the luminous platform but submerged in a vast ocean, his body slicing through the water with effortless grace.
He felt the world differently now. The gentle currents pushed against his scaled skin, every shift in the tide relaying information like whispers. Schools of fish darted around him, their movements synchronized as if part of a dance only he could join. He could breathe in the water, his gills filtering life from the depths. Yet, something felt... wrong. The ocean was vast, but it felt isolating, the connection he longed for just out of reach.
The form dissolved, and he was back before the bowl. The water rippled again, pulling him into another reflection.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Now, he stood tall, his perspective shifted. Feathered wings extended from his shoulders, their golden tips catching a light that didn’t seem to come from any single source. His vision was sharper, the colors of the world more vivid than he’d ever known. He spread his wings instinctively and launched himself into the air. The rush of wind against his face was exhilarating, the sense of freedom intoxicating.
But as he soared higher, the world below seemed smaller, more distant. The isolation returned, an ache in his chest. This form, as wondrous as it was, didn’t feel like home either. He descended, and the form faded.
The transitions came faster now, the bowl spinning through possibilities like a wheel of fate.
A towering figure of living stone came next, its surface rough and ancient. He felt solid, unbreakable, as though nothing in the world could harm him. The weight of his steps sent vibrations through the ground, connecting him to the very earth. Yet the heaviness, both physical and spiritual, began to drag on him. His movements were slow, ponderous. The strength was undeniable, but it felt burdensome, a poor fit for the soul yearning within.
The stone faded, replaced by the flickering form of a being made entirely of flame. Heat radiated from his body, his limbs flickering like tongues of fire. The sensation was exhilarating, a raw, untamed energy coursing through him. He felt powerful, unstoppable. But the flames consumed without pause, and there was no sense of permanence. The fire burned too brightly, too fiercely, to be sustainable.
Form after form followed.
A serpentine creature with glistening scales and a sinuous body that moved like liquid silk. Its agility and grace were unmatched, yet the constant motion left him feeling ungrounded.
A figure cloaked in shadows, its form shifting and blending seamlessly with the surrounding void. The ability to move unseen was thrilling, but the darkness felt suffocating, as if it might consume him whole.
An ethereal being of light, its translucent body radiating warmth and hope. For a moment, he thought this might be the one—until the weight of expectation pressed heavily on him. The purity was a burden, one he couldn’t bear.
Each transition brought wonder and awe, a glimpse into the extraordinary possibilities of existence. Yet each left him wanting, the fit never quite right. He began to lose track of time, the boundaries between forms blurring as he moved from one to the next.
Finally, the water stilled, and the reflection showed a form that felt almost... perfect. Standing tall and proud, the figure combined elements of strength and elegance. Horns curled gracefully from its head, and its skin shimmered faintly, as though kissed by starlight. It was humanoid but carried an otherworldly presence, its movements balanced and sure.
As he stepped into this form, the sensations were both new and familiar. His body moved with ease, power flowing through his limbs like a steady current. The world around him seemed more vibrant, his senses sharper. For the first time, he felt a sense of connection—to the ground beneath his feet, the air around him, and something deeper within himself.
But even now, there was a faint discord, a feeling that this, too, wasn’t quite the answer. He stepped back, the form dissolving as he returned to his human shape.
The Oracle’s voice broke the silence, calm and steady. “You are close, but your journey is not yet complete. Trust the resonance of your soul—it will guide you to what you are meant to be.”
The young man nodded, his determination renewed. He turned back to the bowl, its surface rippling once more as the search continued.
The water in the bowl rippled gently, as though aware of the soul’s growing anticipation. The young man leaned closer, his reflection shimmering in the liquid starlight. For a moment, the images flickered—half-formed visions of his previous attempts, pieces of potential that never quite fit. Then the ripples stilled, and a new form emerged.
The figure in the water was humanoid, yet unlike anything he had seen before. Luminous, bark-like skin with faintly glowing veins traced intricate patterns across its surface, as if mana itself pulsed through the body. Moss-like hair cascaded down its back, dotted with tiny blossoms that opened and closed in a rhythmic dance. Its eyes glowed with the light of a thousand dawns, radiant yet grounding. Antler-like structures curved upward from its head, shimmering faintly with hues that shifted like a twilight sky.
The soul stared, mesmerized by the reflection. Unlike the other forms, this one felt right. It was as if the earth, the stars, and the mana flowing through the world had converged to create something entirely new yet deeply familiar.
“You have found your resonance,” the Oracle said softly, their tone carrying a warmth that enveloped the young man like a protective embrace. “This form reflects your essence, your connection to life, to nature. You are now one with the world in a way no human could ever be.”
The soul didn’t need to step into the reflection this time. The bowl shimmered, and the transformation began.
The sensation was overwhelming. The soul felt its body reforming, its structure reshaping into the figure it had seen in the water. The bark-like texture of its skin carried a warmth that pulsed like a heartbeat. Each breath felt like it drew in not just air but life itself, connecting it to the mana that flowed through the world. Its antlers hummed faintly, resonating with the energies around it, while its moss-like hair swayed as though moved by an unseen breeze.
The sensory experience was unlike anything the young man had known. He could feel the gentle sway of the earth beneath him, the rhythm of its pulse syncing with his own. He could see the world more vividly than ever before, the colors sharper, the details clearer. And within his chest, where his human heart once beat, he felt something new—a core of energy, a wellspring of life that anchored him to his new existence.
The emotions came next, surging through him in waves. Joy at the beauty of the world, awe at its intricacies, and a deep peace that resonated with every fiber of his being. For the first time, he felt whole.
The Oracle watched, their glowing form radiating approval. “You are complete,” they said, their voice softer now. “You have become a Trevyn, a race born of nature’s essence and mana’s embrace. Like you, there will be many others, each unique, each a reflection of the earth’s beauty and resilience. Together, you will bring true life to a world that has been reborn.”
The Trevyn looked at the Oracle, the glow of their antlers brightening slightly as they processed the words. “And... what happens now?” they asked, their voice resonating like the rustling of leaves in a breeze.
The Oracle stepped closer, their light intertwining with the Trevyn’s faint glow. “You will rest,” they said gently. “Your soul will enter a sleep-like stasis until the trials have concluded. If the earth is deemed worthy, you will awaken, and your kind will walk its surface, bringing harmony and vitality to its lands.”
A pause lingered, heavy yet comforting. The Oracle’s gaze softened further. “In this rest, you will let go of your human memories, your connections, your past. It will not be a loss, but a peaceful transition. Who you were will shape who you become, but your new form will grant you knowledge, instincts, and understanding that align with what you now are. You will be reborn, free to embrace your purpose.”
The Trevyn nodded slowly, a serene acceptance settling over them. They looked at the Oracle, their glowing eyes reflecting gratitude. “Thank you.”
The Oracle raised a hand, and a shimmering archway appeared nearby, its frame carved from flowing streams of light. The air around it hummed with a gentle song, a calling that seemed to resonate with the Trevyn’s very core. The archway glowed with a peaceful brilliance, its threshold inviting yet final.
“Go,” the Oracle said, their voice like a quiet blessing. “Take your rest. When you awaken, it will be in a world made new.”
The Trevyn stepped toward the archway, their steps steady and sure. As they passed through, the light enveloped them completely, their form dissolving into the ethereal glow.
The Oracle watched as the archway faded, the space around them returning to the vast, flowing energies of the World’s Core.
With a quiet hum, The Oracle turned away from the fading light of the archway, their shifting, luminous form reflecting the ethereal expanse of The World’s Core. In the distance, an intricate crystalline obelisk rose high into the swirling mana, its surface shimmering with countless points of light. Each light represented a soul now resting in stasis, waiting for the world to determine its fate.
Hovering near the obelisk was an AI construct, its shape reminiscent of a crystalline orb fractured into floating segments, glowing faintly as it processed streams of data. Thin tendrils of light extended from its core, feeding into the obelisk and extracting information.
“Status update,” The Oracle said, their voice steady and warm.
The AI rotated slightly, its tendrils pulsing as it responded. “Current stasis population: 250 million and rising. Of those, approximately 65% fall into the top ten dominant races, with the remainder comprising smaller, rarer variants.”
The obelisk shimmered, projecting ten glowing figures into the air, each representing a major race:
- Drellen – Compact and sturdy, akin to traditional dwarves.
- Auranth – Winged humanoids, connected to the skies.
- Draconis – Dragon-blooded humanoids with reptilian traits.
- Beastkin – Anthropomorphic animal-like beings, deeply tied to instinct.
- Elementari – Elementally-infused beings, representing fire, water, air, and earth.
- Felvarin – Agile, feline humanoids, swift and resourceful.
- Tinkarii – Small, inventive beings, driven by curiosity and ingenuity.
- Vorgath – Powerful, resilient warriors with a deep connection to primal energy.
- Hearthling – Cheerful, adaptable folk, renowned for their resourcefulness.
- Manavari – Unique beings composed entirely of condensed mana, their forms radiating a raw magical essence.
The AI’s tendrils pulsed as it processed additional data. “An anomaly has been observed within the Elvari population,” it noted, its tone neutral. “Their numbers are disproportionately low, representing less than 1% of the total stasis population.”
The Oracle tilted their head, their gaze fixed on the obelisk’s projection. “Elvari are an unusual outcome,” they mused, their voice laced with curiosity. “Few souls resonate with their form. Perhaps their essence speaks only to the rarest among humanity.”
The AI gave no response, merely continuing to cycle through the vast streams of data. The Oracle turned their gaze to the swirling expanse of The World’s Core, watching as another soul began to form in the distance.
“Though rare, even the Elvari have their place,” The Oracle said softly. “All forms serve the greater purpose. These reborn souls will bring balance, vitality, and diversity to the earth. They are not artificial creations, but true life—pure souls shaped by their resonance with this new world.”
The AI pulsed in acknowledgment. “Current growth rate of stasis population indicates continual influx. The transformation proceeds as designed.”
The Oracle nodded, their luminous form radiating quiet resolve. “Then we continue. Each soul adds another thread to the tapestry of what is to come. Let the earth be reborn with life worthy of its renewal.”
As the Oracle turned back toward the forming soul, the obelisk’s light pulsed once more, a quiet reminder of the countless lives now awaiting their second chance.