Year 8 – Late Winter, Astral River Realm
The Astral River glimmered like liquid glass, its current whispering in endless crimson ripples. Floating above it drifted a small, untouched island — a shard of crystal and stone that shimmered in reflected moonlight.
Ketsuraku stood at its center, his two astral selves circling slowly, red and blue streams of energy weaving through his fingertips. Behind him, Rosa leaned on her dagger, and Luminous held a floating scroll of mirror-runes glowing faintly gold.
"So this is the spot?" Rosa asked, brushing her pink hair back. "Doesn't look like much.""It's a blank canvas," Ketsuraku replied, eyes closed. "Perfect for construction.""Construction?" Luminous raised a brow. "We're alchemists and mages, not carpenters.""Not today," he said with a grin. "Today, we're creators."
The Red Code Dragon appeared overhead, coiling in vast spirals of red light. Every flap of its translucent wings sent ripples through the air, scattering petals of glowing code.
"Authorization confirmed," the dragon rumbled. "Architectural sequence ready. Input: Blood, Will, Vision."
Ketsuraku inhaled deeply. His hands ignited in crimson aura, tracing runes of Blood Qi and Nihility symbols into the air. The twin astrals followed his motion perfectly — one carving form, the other erasing flaws.
The ground trembled.
The Birth of the Haven
Stone rose from the riverbed, bending and twisting like living flesh until walls took shape — dark, smooth, and reflective. Crimson vines sprouted across them, pulsing softly with life.
Rosa whistled. "That's… actually beautiful."
"Blood is the best paint," Ketsuraku said."Romantic as always," she teased.
She placed her hand to the nearest wall, sending streaks of celestial light flowing upward. Stars bloomed along the surface, forming constellations of protection and warmth.
Luminous moved next, inscribing mirror-seals into the doorframes.
"These runes will stabilize the reflection flow," she murmured. "Without them, the structure would fade when you sleep."
The island brightened, and reality solidified. The three of them stood beneath a newly formed roof of translucent crystal.
The Laboratory
They stepped inside. A wide circular chamber stretched before them — half study, half workshop.The Alchemy Lab dominated the left wing: shelves of floating vials, glowing herbs suspended in glass, and a central cauldron pulsing like a heartbeat.
Ketsuraku tapped the side of the cauldron, activating its core.
[Facility Installed]Alchemy Lab – Tier I (Linked to Astral Storage)
Rosa ran her fingers along the potion racks. "We can brew a hundred vials at once in here."
"If the fire spirits don't burn it down first," Luminous muttered."Don't jinx it."
The Living Quarters
Past the lab was a corridor that opened into three connected rooms — small but warm.Each reflected its owner:
Ketsuraku's Room: Walls of obsidian streaked with faint red veins, an altar of spider lilies glowing beside his meditation platform.
Rosa's Room: Curtains of pale gold fabric, ceiling marked with constellations, shelves of daggers and sketches.
Luminous's Room: White and silver walls covered in mirror glyphs, a single desk filled with scrolls and crystalline abacuses.
Rosa spun in a slow circle. "Feels like home already."Luminous adjusted her glasses, a faint blush betraying her calm. "It's… acceptable."Ketsuraku smiled quietly. "Then it's perfect."
The Summon Hall
At the far end, a wide platform opened to the sky — a circular Summon Hall surrounded by glowing runes.The Celestial Wolf rested on one side, curled among shining stones.The Nine-Tail Fox prowled gracefully near the edge, tails flickering in rhythm with the dragon overhead.
The Red Code Dragon lowered its head to Ketsuraku.
"All three spirits synchronized. Sanctuary ready."
[System Update]
Domain Established – Crimson Haven (Tier I)
Facilities: Alchemy Lab, Living Quarters, Summon Hall
Bonuses: +15% crafting efficiency, +10% meditation speed, +20% summon synchronization*
The Naming
The trio gathered on the balcony as red petals drifted from the sky, the Astral River below shimmering like bloodstained glass.
Rosa leaned on the railing. "We should name it."Luminous folded her arms. "A structure of this magnitude requires a proper title."Ketsuraku gazed at the horizon. "Then let's call it… Crimson Haven."
The name echoed through the astral wind. The Red Code Dragon roared once, sealing the island in a glowing web of red light.
[Domain Registered: Crimson Haven]Resonance Owners – Ketsuraku, Rosa, Luminous
Ix's laughter drifted faintly through the code-filled air.
"A house, hm? How sentimental. Try not to burn it down before you learn to sleep."
Rosa grinned up at the sky. "You hear that? Even a god approves."
"He didn't," Luminous corrected."He will," Ketsuraku said, turning toward them with a rare smile. "Once we build something worth worshipping."
[Skill Progression]
Alchemy level 1 – 63% Mastery
Nihility Magic level 1 – 25% Mastery
Blood Magic level 1 – 31% Mastery
As the three of them stepped back into their new home, the lights dimmed, and the spider lilies outside swayed gently in the crimson wind.Their laughter echoed softly through the halls of the newborn domain — the first true sanctuary in a world built on chaos and reflection.