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With Aethel's continents now boldly outlined, Aris felt the urge to give them character, to imbue them with the kind of awe-inspiring grandeur that had captivated him on Earth. And for that, there was nothing quite like mountains – towering, silent sentinels of stone.
"These peaks have to be majestic," Aris resonated, focusing his will on the newly formed landmasses. "Awe-inspiring. The kind of mountains that make you want to climb them… if anyone could climb a planet. A tribute to the Kalas' grandeur, definitely."
He accessed the Genesis System's tools for geological uplift and erosion, now feeling incredibly fluid and responsive to his intent. He could feel the slow, inexorable grind of the tectonic plates, the upward thrust of the crust, and the subsequent sculpting by wind and water.
Aris began by intensifying the collision points of his major continents, coaxing the land upwards into colossal mountain ranges. He designed the main range to be a spine across one of the largest landmasses, a formidable barrier that would define weather patterns and create distinct biomes on either side.
"Let's make this range truly epic," Aris thought, pulling on the deep energies of the mantle. "Peaks that pierce the troposphere, valleys so deep they harbor their own microclimates. And perhaps a few active volcanoes, just to remind everyone that Aethel is still very much alive."
He meticulously shaped individual peaks, giving them dramatic, jagged profiles that would catch the dawn and dusk light in spectacular ways. He carved out vast cirques and U-shaped valleys, envisioning future glaciers slowly grinding their way through them. He sculpted intricate networks of sub-ranges and foothills, ensuring the transition from plain to peak was gradual yet grand.
"Too sharp here," Aris murmured, smoothing a rough edge. "A little more gentle slope there. We want challenging, but not, like, 'instant death' challenging. Unless that's what the Kalas are into… probably not."
As he worked, Aris imagined the future of these mountains. He pictured mighty rivers fed by snowmelt, carving their way through gorges. He saw unique flora and fauna adapting to the high altitudes, the thin air, and the harsh conditions. The mountains wouldn't just be geological features; they would be ecosystems, sources of wonder, and symbols of resilience.
He also factored in the aesthetic appeal. He designed some ranges to glow faintly with minerals, others to have strata of different colored rock, creating natural works of art. He envisioned peaks that would reflect the sun with blinding brilliance, or cast long, dramatic shadows across the land below.
"And for the highest peak," Aris mused, focusing on one particularly prominent summit. "It needs something extra. Maybe a unique crystal formation at its summit, a natural spire that captures cosmic energy. A place where the sky feels closer, a natural temple spire for the Kalas."
The mountains rose, silent and immense, changing the very profile of Aethel. They were a testament to the planet's raw power, Aris's growing mastery, and his profound desire to create a world worthy of the beings who had given him this incredible existence.
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