#❥ au. now we're stumbling through heaven.「 ffxvi 」

[rosahope]

𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 : 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐱𝐯𝐢 .

✧ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 .

Legend has it that many millennia ago, when the planet was still new, Metia watched over the careful balance created by the Mother, Hydaelyn. That tiny, red pinpoint of light, always next to the moon, became prevalent in the lives of those on the planet as it thrived, revering it for what they believed to be its wish-granting capabilities through prayer. Hydaelyn was only the first god to embrace humanity, nurturing its survival as communities and kingdoms were created and populations flourished across the rich lands, but as the planet's life grew, so too did the need for other gods and thus a pantheon of Eikons was born, each cradling the planet and its people. All was peaceful, for a time.

It is said that the first seed of destructive chaos was planted in the hearts of humanity upon the first blood spilled. One god, Ultima, defected from the pantheon and slipped past Hydaelyn's watch, putting the planet and its people on a path that would lead to its own destruction for his own plan to recreate life completely. As events unfolded, Hydaelyn's hand was forced and she — along with the remaining Eikons — bestowed a small portion of their power unto individuals in hopes of destroying this chaos at the root. And thus, Dominants, were born. This did not last, however, and as the years stretched on, Hydaelyn grew weaker. Her final act was to give her everything — forming the Mothercrystals for which the planet became reliant upon for its magic. This final act of love did thwart Ultima's plans for a time and in that interim, the truth behind Hydaelyn and Ultima's conflict became skewed and distorted — only aided by the effects of the Blight.

Upon the signing of the Continental Accord, the world entered a new era.

✧ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 .

Unfortunately, what Hydaelyn and the Eikons did not foresee was the impact their power would have upon a human individual or the land. As their strength was called upon again and again, and magic became commonplace, humanity's imperfect, fragile bodies were slowly petrified, becoming what would be known as The Crystals' Curse. While it had never been Hydaelyn's intention to harm humanity, her immense power — the power of the Mothercrystals — began to seem like an omen among some circles. Fearing that this would only incite further chaos in the realm and bring Ultima's plan of destruction to fruition, another Eikon stepped forward.

Tsukuyomi, the Eikon whom represented the moon and relayed the wishes of Metia.

Though Tsukuyomi was young in comparison to the original eight Eikons, she believed in Hydaelyn's original vision. Humanity was never supposed to rely on magic or the power of the Crystals for survival. Joining humanity on the continent of Valisthea, she assumed a human identity as Serenity, though her distinctly coloured hair and eyes made it difficult to blend in. Serenity's goal is to restore balance to the world by snuffing out Ultima and his collective for good, ridding the world of Hydaelyn's too-powerful magic and restoring abundance to the lands soiled by the Blight.

This is a rehash of my original xvi verse with notable canon-twisting and aspects taken from the lore of sailor moon and other final fantasy instalments. I've left Serenity's current position within the story itself open for plotting, so she can work with a multitude of characters and factions depending on who she meets. Whether anyone believes Serenity's true identity, or the truth behind Ultima and Hydaelyn is up for plotting as well! art credit.

[rosahope]

Serenity is the former princess of Crescere, a small kingdom situated between Sanbreque and the Northern Territories. Though aware of how much of Valisthea treated their Dominants and Bearers poorly, Crescere proved to be of gentler counsel, seeing these people as a boon to the community rather than an abomination. Serenity, herself, is the Dominant of Tsukuyomi.

Crescere had long-maintained peace with the other nations through treaties and peaceful dialogue; however, when the Emperor sought to expand his territory in Sanbreque, Crescere was eventually crushed and absorbed into the empire.

In a move to protect her people from further devastation, Serenity agreed — although, perhaps was not given much choice — to be taken in as a ward of the Emperor.

as the dominant of tsukuyomi, serenity's powers are derived from the moon and as such she is most powerful at night. in contrast, she is at her weakest during the day.

serenity was still a child when she awoke as a dominant, during a rare blood moon, the side effects of which turned her hair a light shade of pink and her eyes a deep red.

when priming, half of serenity's body seems to become veiled in shadow — like a waning moon and her whole body takes on a very pale pink ( almost white ) aura. fully embodying the eikon, she looks similar to the picture linked above.

as a ward of sanbreque, serenity is treated only slightly better than the average servant, if only because of her status and power as a dominant. though considered lesser than bahamut, she is often ordered to fight under dion's command by the emperor.

[rosahope]

❛   ▌┊𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 :   joshua  ( @opyre ) .

𝐒𝐇𝐄  𝐇𝐀𝐃  𝐂𝐔𝐓  𝐈𝐓  𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄.  Had  she  been  even  a  moment  slower,  Serenity  feared  Phoenix  might  have  granted  His  blessing  once  more.  As  the  dust  had  settled,  from  her  periphery  she  could  see  that  the  Dominant  of  Phoenix  had  been  in  no  condition  to  prime.  The  sweat  lining  his  brow  and  the  laboured  breathing  were  testament  enough  to  that,  and  yet  he  still  would  have  done  it  —  she  could  sense  the  untapped  energy  in  the  air.  Like  the  held  breath  before  a  free-fall.  Had  he  done  so,  Serenity  cannot  be  sure  he  would  have  survived  it.

The  girl  to  his  left  —  a  member  of  the  Undying,  as  she  recalls  —  is  frozen  in  place  mid-lunge.  In  fact,  if  the  Dominant  were  to  look  closely  enough,  he  might  notice  the  complete  lack  of  movement  around  them.  Even  the  air  feels  still.   And  yet,  the  area  around  them  distorts  and  undulates  with  a  strange,  but  calming  energy.

As  she  turns  away  from  the  detritus  of  battle,  her  eyes  meet  the  Dominant's.  Something  akin  to  pity  flashes  in  her  eyes  for  a  brief  tick,  there  and  gone  as  quickly  as  it  had  appeared.

You  were  not  meant  to  carry  so  much  power,  she  thinks.

❝   Forgive  me  for  such  measures,   ❞  she  hums.  Her  voice  holds  a  unique  softness  to  it,  yet  still  resonates  with  the  power  of  Tsukuyomi.  Her  eyes,  unnaturally  red,  seem  to  glow  the  same  shade  as  Metia's  light.   ❝   I  seek  only  to  speak  with  you,  Dominant  of  Phoenix.  Privately.   ❞