late winter, year 02 – upper sky forge of eryndor
the sky above eryndor shimmered with silver clouds, as if the heavens themselves were waiting for something to awaken.beneath that light, the machavelli family stood within the sky forge, a colossal platform suspended between floating citadels.the forges roared with alchemical fire, mirror-metal glowing molten white in their crucibles.
lumiel wiped sweat from his brow. "temperature stable. mirror density at ninety percent."laora mixed a vial of glowing liquid, pouring it slowly into the molten metal. "essence ratio steady."the metal hissed, turning from silver to silver-crimson — the color of kain's flame.
"and that," daniel said, flipping his ledger, "is about a billion coins in raw value.""put it on the family tab," kain replied with a grin.
1 – forging the heart
the molten metal floated upward, held by runes carved into the air.acheron stood beside kain, her eyes closed. "the Aeon is watching."he nodded. "good. he'll see what his reflection can build."
kain drew his naginata and slashed across his palm. his blood fell into the hovering metal, glowing brighter until the entire forge chamber pulsed with light.
"from blood and mirror, a bridge between worlds," he whispered.
the metal shifted, folding and spiraling, forming a vast central sphere — the Reflector Core, the heart of what would become their ship.his shadow nihility flame danced across it, embedding sigils that glowed like constellations.
"core stable," lumiel announced. "we can begin the hull phase."
kasumi swung her hammer, driving enchanted plates into place. laora's alchemy seals shimmered, fusing them seamlessly.selene raised her hands, wings unfolding — her divine light etched protective runes over the outer armor.acheron walked the perimeter, her crimson eyes seeing threads of possible futures, trimming dangerous ones with her scythe's edge.
daniel stood in the middle, arms crossed. "and i'm supervising."lumiel smirked. "you're supervising the ledger.""it's a vital role."
the family laughed.
2 – the Aeon's blessing
as the hull neared completion, the molten heart pulsed harder, the air rippling with energy. reflections appeared all around — hundreds of mirrors floating midair, showing scenes from different worlds: forests of blue fire, seas of starlight, cities made of clouds.
then, the reflections darkened. from within them, a voice echoed — smooth, infinite, resonant.
"to travel between worlds, one must first reflect them."
Aeon Ix's form appeared across every mirror, his eyes glowing like twin moons.
"you have accepted nihility without despair. now create meaning from it."
kain bowed slightly. "then bear witness."
he lifted his hand — and the shadow nihility flame erupted upward, flowing into the newly-formed vessel. the mirrors shattered, the fragments swirling together until they merged into the ship's hull.
light flashed. the ground trembled. and when it faded — there it was.
a ship unlike any in existence.its surface shimmered like flowing glass, constantly shifting between silver and crimson.six great wings of mirrored metal extended from its sides, each feather etched with runes of the Tree of Life.
selene gasped softly. "it's… beautiful."laora smiled. "no — it's alive."
3 – the awakening of ixion
a deep hum filled the air. the ship's eyes — twin lights near the prow — blinked open.a calm voice resonated in their minds.
"Designation accepted: Eternal Reflection. Primary link established to Aeon Ix. Secondary to Kain Machiavelli. Directive: Exploration. Reflection. Harmony."
"it speaks," lumiel murmured.kain nodded. "it's conscious — a piece of Ix, but with its own will."
the ship's core pulsed gently. "Request: crew names for system imprint."daniel grinned. "it's asking for payroll."acheron chuckled. "you can manage that."selene clasped her hands together. "then we'll give it our hearts as well."
they placed their hands on the hull — blood, light, and energy merging into the ship's veins. the hull flared once, sealing their bond.
4 – first flight
the forge doors opened to the endless sky. winds howled, scattering sparks across the horizon.kain stood at the bow, his cloak fluttering, eyes reflecting both the city below and the stars above.
"eternal reflection," he said softly, "rise."
the ship's engines — spheres of mirror fire — ignited.the platform shook, then fell silent as the vessel lifted, effortless and majestic.the citizens below looked up, shielding their eyes as the sky split with radiant light.
the ship climbed higher, leaving eryndor behind, breaking through clouds into a sea of starlight.there, the Astral Roads stretched before them — luminous threads linking infinite worlds.
kain whispered, "our journey begins."
the crew gathered beside him, the light of the Aeon glinting across their faces.the machavelli empire was no longer bound to one sky.
5 – the room of meditation
hours later, they gathered within the newly-built Room of Meditation, the heart of the ship.mirrored walls shimmered like still water; a single orb of mirror-liquid floated in the center.
laora placed her hands on it. "projection field calibrated."lumiel adjusted runes along the walls. "synced with the core."acheron closed her eyes. "it feels… alive."
kain stood in the center, resting his naginata beside him."this will be our bridge between worlds. between who we were, and who we'll become."
their reflections flickered in the mirrors — not as separate people, but as one light.the ship purred softly, almost like it was breathing.
and beyond the glass, the Astral Roads pulsed — waiting.
[Status Update]Name: Kain MachiavelliRace: Half Aeon • Half Blood DragonLevel: 34 Exp: 7,600 / 7,800Tree Rank: Gevurah (3rd Sphere)Guiding Aeon: Ix – Aeon of NihilityUnique Skill: Shadow Nihility Flame Lv 9Domain: Nihility Domain – Silver-Crimson Form (80% stability)Title: Architect of ReflectionsVessel: Eternal Reflection (living astral ship)Objective: Map the Astral Roads and begin inter-world trade.
end of chapter 23 – the birth of the eternal reflection