Lassim returned to his quarters to think. The first step of the process to break through to the Spirit Ascension stage required meticulous visualization planning and the perfect shape for his future constellation. This constellation would be added to the heavens and a beacon to refine his mana further.
Sitting cross-legged on his jade meditation mat, Lassim reached out with his mind to Zaphyrella and Marinelle. He wanted their insights and creativity to help him brainstorm the ideal constellation shape.
"Zaphy, Mari," Lassim called out mentally. "[What do you think? I need to come up with the shape for the constellation. I want it to be something powerful; something that will give me a significant presence or boost to our techniques.]"
Zaphyrella, the Thunderbird spirit, was the first to respond. Her voice chirped out, "[A constellation… So a bunch of stars that you make a picture with, right? I think it should be a big bird!]"
Marinelle, the Royal Dragon Koi spirit, added her soothing voice to the conversation. "If we’re going to play favorites then it should be a big fish… But, it’s best that we find something that resonates with Lassim and our combined elements. If we just chose a single bird then it might create an imbalance. Let’s take the time and consider more aspects…"
They then spent the next few hours tossing around ideas. Zaphyrella finally stopped with different bird suggestions and began offering powerful and dynamic shapes as potential ideas, but again… They were a bit biased, such as a lightning bolt or a storm cloud.
Marinelle leaned towards more serene and flowing designs, like a wave or a koi fish. Though she did have more practical ideas like taking the image of his halberd and using that as the basis.
"[What about combining elements?]" Lassim proposed. "[A design that incorporates both lightning and water, reflecting both dual affinities.]"
Zaphyrella’s voice buzzed with excitement. "[Yes! A thunderstorm over a lake, perhaps? Or a majestic Thunderbird rising from the waters with a fish in its mouth?]"
Marinelle’s tone was thoughtful. "[Or a koi fish leaping over a waterfall into a storm?]"
Lassim nodded, considering their suggestions. "[These are both good ideas, but I need to let them simmer in my mind for a bit. Let’s take a break, and I’ll walk around the sect for some inspiration.]"
He left his quarters and wandered through the sect grounds. The stormy skies above provided a nice cooling effect as the storm let out a light misting that he stepped into. It was still humid but less hot than usual.
As he walked, Lassim’s mind kept turning over the ideas they had discussed. He observed the lightning rods atop the buildings, the way they channeled the storm’s energy. He watched the fountains that spouted out water at various locations along his path through the sect, their waters clear and sparkling.
He continued his walk, unconsciously, he eventually found himself near the Spirit Ascension lecture training area. The large open space was filled with many different disciples projecting their constellations into the sky as they sparred, providing a mesmerizing display of shapes and lights.
Lassim observed the different constellations, noting the variety of designs. Many, or rather most of them, had a lightning theme, with bolts of energy forming intricate patterns for the foundation of the constellations.
He saw even more with constellations shaped like weapons—a sword, a spear, a bow—each one crackling with lightning that mimicked their user’s spirit weapons..
He also saw constellations in the shapes of beasts and animals.
One disciple had a constellation resembling a wolf, its eyes glowing with a fierce light.
Another had a lion, its mane a brilliant cascade of lightning. There were birds of prey, mythical creatures, and even abstract shapes that seemed to pulse with power.
"[What do you think of these, Zaphy? Mari?]" Lassim asked as he watched the sparring.
Zaphyrella’s voice crackled with approval. "[Some of these are quite impressive. The wolf and lion, especially. They exude power and presence.]"
Marinelle added, "[I like the bird of prey. It’s graceful yet formidable. It also seems like, and maybe I’m imagining this, but each constellation seems to empower a certain aspect or boost a particular fighting style for their wielders. Is that something else we should consider for the constellation?]"
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Lassim nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. I need something that embodies both my lightning and water affinities, but also something that stands out. Whatever design I choose, I think there is going to be an implication of a boost to my general power similar to the areas of the entity I create."
He continued to observe, noting a few more interesting designs.
One disciple had a constellation in the shape of a serpent coiled around a lightning bolt. Another had a majestic griffin with wings that crackled with electricity. Each constellation showed the disciple’s creativity and imagination.
"I believe the idea of combining elements and representing them both is the most important," Lassim mused. "I also think having a beast of some sort would boost my overall physical strength more than just the deadliness of my weapons. If only there was something that was strong and controlled storms at such a high level. I wonder…."
Having seen all of the different Spirit Ascension cultivators practicing in the training here, he continued his walk around for inspiration.
His feet led him to the realization that he’d wandered further through the sect than he’d gone before.
He came upon a path with various statues and monuments that dotted the grounds of a small park next to a shopping district where he could see merchants selling goods on their blankets that lined the small street ahead.
Pausing in front of a particularly striking statue—He observed a colossal lightning turtle, its shell covered in lightning runes that made his spirit vision shake, as if the air surrounding it was crackling with such a sturdy energy. Its form radiating intense power and stability, yet, it was only a statue.
"[What about this?]" Lassim asked, turning his attention to the spirits. "[A storm turtle. The plaque says it’s fairly large and it could represent, and increase in endurance and defense?]"
Marinelle’s voice was contemplative. "[It is a powerful idea. The turtle is a creature of immense wisdom and resilience from my innate memories of other sea creatures. Its connection to water and lightning would align well with both affinities.]"
Zaphyrella, however, was less enthusiastic. "[A turtle? It’s too slow, brother! Anything but that! You need something more dynamic, something that embodies a faster speed than a slow, dumb turtle. A turtle doesn’t capture your magnificence brother!]"
Lassim considered their points, appreciating the debate. "[I still think you’re being a little biased again, but I see what you mean, Zaphy. The turtle is powerful, but perhaps it’s not the right fit for me. Whatever we pick should satisfy both of you anyways, at least I think that’s how it should probably be. Let’s keep looking.
The idea for the koi jumping the waterfall into the storm is probably the best idea so far then.]"
He continued his walk, eventually leaving the area with the statues after not seeing any others as magnificent as the turtle at least.
He then entered the shopping district and was somehow unknowingly drawn to a peculiar small merchant stall tucked away in a quiet corner between an alleyway and the corner of the statue courtyard.
The merchant was an older man with a ruddy complexion, his cart filled with trinkets and medallions next to a blanket with even more rings and tokens and other shiny baubles filling the sheet they were laid upon.
Like a moth drawn to a flame, one medallion, in particular, caught Lassim’s eye immediately.
It was emblazoned with the image of a massive sea creature, surrounded by storm clouds and lightning. Lassim’s spirit sense vibrated with peril and his inner heart world thrummed with terror upon staring directly into the rubies that made the creature’s eyes.
The merchant, as if knowing the reaction the boy in front of him was experiencing, called out, "Careful now child, don’t stare directly into the Leviathan’s eyes, lest you wish to fall into the whorl itself."
The words of the merchant seemed to clear the chaos he was experiencing in his mind and inner heart world, which caused Lassim to reply to the merchant, "Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me more about this medallion and the creature depicted on it?"
The merchant’s eyes lit up with a brief and indiscernible spark of violet and gold lightning that Lassim didn’t catch as he was too engulfed with the presence the beast on the medallion radiated.
"Ah, the great Chaoskampf, the one and only Leviathan herself," he spoke with a deep and rich voice. "Now, boy, I see that crazed look in your eye and I see your cultivation level. You’d best not do what I suspect you’re thinking."
As if found out, Lassim replied with wide eyes and scratched his head, "Ah… Is it that easy to tell I’m looking for ideas for my constellation? Why would this be a bad idea? This ’Leviathan’ seems immensely powerful. Just the medallion alone caused me to feel such fear."