The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow across Aeternum Vale. At the grand altar, encircled by colossal trees that had stood for thousands of years, the elders of the Doliex tribe gathered in solemn silence. The high elders of Aeternum Vale and Lumindale stood robed in hues of autumn leaves, their faces radiant with ancient wisdom.
Rogg stepped forward, his chest lifted with quiet pride. Behind him, Robb, Brisena, and Vuuxi followed with steady, deliberate steps. Yara stood just behind Rogg, her face glowing with the dignity of a rightful wife.
The voice of the High Elder echoed through the trees, deep and sacred:"Today is a day of great honor, when blood is united and lineage is affirmed. The Fountain of Life shall bear witness, and the Pool of Eternity shall receive the blood of those who pledge loyalty to the Doliex tribe."
Rogg took the silver chalice filled with the Tears of Life—a clear liquid that shimmered with a gentle light. With determined eyes, he drank it to the last drop. The air around him seemed to pause, holding its breath as the sacred rite unfolded.
Without hesitation, Rogg drew a small dagger from his belt. With a swift motion, he slit the palm of his hand. Fresh crimson blood dripped into the Pool of Eternity, which mirrored the blue sky above. The sound of each drop echoed, as though it were part of nature's hymn.
"My blood, my life," Rogg declared with unwavering voice."Now bound to the ancestors of the Doliex, and to all my brethren."
Yara stepped forward. Graceful yet firm, she mirrored the ritual, her blood mingling with Rogg's in the sacred pool. After her, Robb, Brisena, and Vuuxi each stepped up in turn, solemnly offering their own vows.
Then came the Book of Lineage—an ancient tome bound in the bark of primeval trees, its pages etched with carvings that emanated an aura of timelessness. One by one, the names of Doliex ancestors had been written within.
With his bleeding hand, Rogg pressed his palm onto the prepared page. The name Rogg Robelix appeared in blood beside Nalan Yara, his wife. The crimson ink shimmered, as if alive.
Robb Robelix followed, leaving his blood-marked imprint. Brisena Aurethia Robelix stepped forward, her face filled with pride and resolve. She pressed her hand to the next page, sealing her name with her blood.
Vuuxi Aedrin—acknowledged as the life-born child of Mother Brigita—was last. He drew a deep breath and approached the sacred page, where a special notation had already been inscribed for him. With solemn reverence, he pressed his bloodied hand atop the entry, sealing his vow to the clan.
The High Elder raised his hand and proclaimed loudly:"They are now part of the great Aedrin Clan. Though their surnames carry the names of their fathers' clans, their blood also flows through their mother's line. The Aedrin Clan accepts them with pride and boundless love."
The crowd erupted into cheers, a thunderous roar of joy. Sacred horns blared across the valley, their call echoing through the sky. Birds soared above as if joining the celebration.
Rogg looked at Yara, his eyes brimming with love and an unspoken promise. Beside them, Robb, Brisena, and Vuuxi stood strong—bound by blood and eternal oath.
That day, the Doliex tribe witnessed more than a rite of passage. It was a celebration of life, love, and unity—one that would be remembered for generations.
The Aedrin Clan stood as one of the noble lineages of the Doliex—founders of the tribe with a long and storied past. As one of the four main pillars of Doliex society, the Aedrin were known for producing individuals of exceptional strength, strategic brilliance, and commanding respect. Yet, the clan's greatness carried an irony: for generations, only one living branch remained—until the emergence of Mother Brigita.
Mother Brigita marked a turning point in the history of the Aedrin. From what was nearly a fading bloodline, the clan flourished again into four new branches: Rogg, Robb, Brisena, and Vuuxi. Many lines had ended without successors, but Brigita changed that—reviving the clan's legacy. Even though Vuuxi was adopted, he stood proudly as the only one to bear the name Aedrin explicitly.
The prestige of the Aedrin Clan extended beyond the Doliex tribe. Within the Whiteheaven Empire, the clan held a place of great honor. For generations, Aedrin descendants had served as prime ministers. Brigita's father, Vortharian Aedrin, had been a revered prime minister, as had his father before him. As one of the two founding clans of the Whiteheaven Empire—alongside the Robelix—the Aedrin were a pillar of governance, their legacy intertwined with the very throne.
But all changed when Emperor Brovon Robelix chose to enter Moksha, abandoning worldly matters to retreat into ascetic seclusion on Mount Lakhsa. He made this decision seven years after the death of the great Vortharian Aedrin, which left the office of prime minister vacant. Overwhelmed by the burden of rule during those years, Emperor Brovon created a new ministerial system—one with six representatives from the empire's five largest tribes.
From the Doliex tribe, Thaldrim Corvathis was appointed—a graduate of the most elite assassin guild from the Corvathis line. And though he filled the role, the Aedrin's absence for seven years led many to believe their lineage had ended.
Until the return of Mother Brigita and the official recording of her four successor branches, the clan's revival was uncertain. But now, a new era had dawned. The Aedrin had risen once more—ready to reclaim their honor and wield even greater influence in the days to come.
Under the soft glow of the setting sun, Mother Brigita stood before her children at the sacred altar of the Aedrin clan. Her face, marked by wisdom, radiated warmth and unwavering resolve.
"My children," she began, her voice gentle yet commanding, "today, you are officially part of the Aedrin clan. I hope you will uphold this name with the honor it deserves. And especially you, Vuuxi, my special child. You alone will bear the name Aedrin as your own. It is a moral duty, a weight of strength and dignity that now rests on your shoulders."Her eyes shimmered with a hint of mist."Forgive me, my child. Today, I entrust this burden to you, as the child of my life. May you never regret this path."
Vuuxi looked at his mother, eyes filled with love and resolve."Mother, this is a great honor that now rests upon me. But even greater is the love I feel from you. I don't see this as a burden—it's an expression of your love, and I will carry it with pride."
Rogg stepped forward with a confident smile."As long as we breathe, Vuuxi will never carry this legacy alone. We are a family—and family always stands together."
Robb, standing beside him, nodded with calm conviction."But life will go on. Our measure isn't just this clan's name. Its grandeur and glory are but symbols. What truly matters is how we fight for our own destiny."
Brisena, who had been listening quietly, couldn't hold back her frustration."Brother, you're too idealistic. I know you've faced hardship and suffering, but this is our shared responsibility. Don't speak of destiny without acknowledging the reality—we must protect this clan's name too."
With a wise smile, Mother Brigita gently stepped in."Your brother is right, child. What he and I have lived through—those were parts of a fate we could not escape. No clan stood beside you when you faced Lagosh, did they? You fought with the strength of your own hearts. That alone proves your greatest power lies within you."
She looked at them with deep affection."But remember this: your strength becomes extraordinary when you are united. That is the true legacy of the Aedrin clan. Not the grandeur of a name, but the unity that allows you to overcome any storm."
Brigita's children fell silent, letting her words settle into their souls. Beneath the vast sky that sheltered them, the ceremony became more than a moment of formal recognition—it became a lesson in life, one they would carry with them forever.