Akesha & Taru

"Kesh," as some affectionately call her, has embraced a life centered around spirituality and the study of magical arts, particularly Eidomancy—the ability to conjure ideas. However, her skills in Horomancy, the magic of the Irises, also allow her glimpses into the future and manipulation of time itself. She has made this specialization her trademark, her personal touch. It must be said that this ability always seems to give her a slight edge over her peers, as unsettling as it may be for them.

Many describe her as playful and carefree, even whimsical, although they always end up smiling at her infectious good humor. Behind this frivolous facade, Akesha is a diligent and conscientious Initiate, sparing no effort to learn more about the magical aspects of the world. Hungry for knowledge, always ready to assist other Mages in their experiments, she appears constantly busy, juggling myriads of tasks. Yet, she doesn't mind as long as she's given a few moments to catch her breath. And time, she knows how to find it no matter what, thanks to her magic.

On such occasions, one can see her wandering through the Kadigiran gardens, lost in thought or contemplating the surrounding world, or fasting for several days in the shade of a maple or pine tree, absorbed in intense meditation. She seems so at home in the gardens of the Asgarthan College of Magic today. However, nothing initially destined her for occult mysteries and a career within the Magisterium. Born in the opulence of a splendid troglodyte palazzo nestled in the heart of the aristocratic district of Kuth Kanat, she was trained from a young age with the aim of embracing a more political vocation.

Day after day, she attended classes taught by a cohort of tutors, ranging from music and dance lessons to readings in history, management, or etiquette. Even though constantly surrounded by servants and instructors, Akesha lived a solitary existence. Occasionally, she would envy children playing in the streets of Arkaster when a teacher took her to visit a museum or see a play. But this isolation did not last forever. With the birth of Kumari, three years her junior, Kesh took it upon herself to watch over her, dedicating herself body and soul to her little sister. Their parents, occupied with diplomatic duties, were rarely present, and besides their stern governess—who they enjoyed tricking—it was Kesh who became like a second mother to the young child.

Sometimes, they would sneak out of the palazzo and climb the Kadigir's enclosure wall, exploring the magical gardens of the Yzmir Bastion. The two girls frequented the gardens, trying to dodge the Disciples and Initiates who walked its winding paths daily. And even though they were discovered several times and admonished accordingly, they gradually became the darlings of the Magisterium's teaching staff. To the chagrin of their tutors, Akesha and Kumari were always ready for mischief, basking in the sun and fresh air rather than locking themselves in the dusty depths of their study halls.

At times, they also slipped into the dark underground of Kuth Kanat, exploring the labyrinthine network behind the luxurious residences. They could witness the choreography of cart drivers, moving along the delivery routes, the strange procession of Axiom engineers and workers entering or exiting their metallic elevators with aprons and gloves covered in oil and soot. Each outing was an expedition, every corner of their neighborhood a playground.

During one of these escapades, the two girls stumbled upon a breach in the rock, an opening waiting to be sealed. They entered, discovering behind the wall a network of small streams and channels, but where the water flowed upward instead of downward. They followed the chutes that water had carved into the rock, their steps splashing their dresses and petticoats, taking advantage of their small size to slip where adults would have been unable to pass. Despite the darkness prevailing in these places, a glow seemed to emanate directly from the rock, transforming the walls around them into starry vaults, allowing them to delve deeper into the bowels of the earth. At the end of their journey, the two girls emerged into a large body of water where numerous waterfalls cascaded. Unknowingly and unintentionally, they had entered the Well of Tears, the sacred sanctuary of the Yzmir.

Beneath the surface of the underground lake, luminescent shapes danced languidly—evanescent and hypnotic images that intertwined, combined, and separated constantly. Kesh and Kumari observed these effluences for a long time, fascinated by this unreal spectacle. It was then that Kumari stepped towards the edge of the water, reaching out to touch the spectral emanations. However, her foot slipped on the slick rock, and she tumbled into the dark, iridescent waters. Kesh rushed forward, grabbing her sister's hand to pull her onto the ledge. But her own steps skidded on the mossy walls, and her strength was not enough to pull Kumari out of the water. She called for help, praying with all her might for someone to come to their rescue.

That's when a presence appeared above them: a woman of great beauty, holding an immense sword in her left hand. The Eidolon effortlessly seized little Kumari, pulling her from the icy waters of the lake. But Kumari was not completely saved. She had ingested water, absorbing large amounts of pure Ether. She was taken to the Cloister for treatment, but neither Baku nor Caladrius could fully restore her mental health. Now subject to visions and bouts of gentle madness, she remained within the Kadigir to ensure her condition did not worsen.

Akesha felt terribly guilty, and this regret upheaved her entire existence. As soon as she could, she joined the ranks of the Yzmir Disciples and fervently dedicated herself to the study of esoteric arts. She needed to find a remedy for her sister. She had to heal this "Remanence" causing her so much distress. In this endeavor, she had the support of Kuwat Vasanti, Eidolon and former Magister of the Eidomancy Sphere. The Mage saw in her an unextinguishable flame that could lead her high within the Yzmir hierarchy, and he became her official mentor.

With Taru's help, Akesha hoped to find a way to save her sister. On numerous occasions, she stretched time to learn more about magic and, above all, Remanence. Vasanti noticed the subterfuge, seeing her increasingly strained features and impromptu naps during magisterial classes. The Eidolon offered his help, and the young girl accepted it with relief. With the presence of her Alter Ego and the Eidolon by her side, it seemed for a moment that nothing could stop them, that with their assistance, she would inevitably find a cure for Kumari's ailment.

But months and years passed without any solution presenting itself. Regardless of the efforts and time invested, promising leads inevitably turned into dead ends. On many occasions, Kesh imagined giving up, only to shake her head vigorously to dispel these dark thoughts from her mind. And Taru could only console her in the face of these repeated failures, wrapping its arms around the magician as she sobbed. It was then, reluctantly, that Vasanti proposed a crazy bet to Akesha: to expand their research beyond Asgartha.

Kesh initially categorically refused. She couldn't leave her sister alone. She couldn't imagine abandoning her in such a way. But the idea lingered in her mind. As the disappointments and fiascos piled up, Akesha found it increasingly difficult not to consider this alternative. Could the solution be elsewhere, in an unknown world that still had everything to offer? She stayed awake for long nights, weighing this question, contemplating it from every possible angle. Kumari's condition continued to deteriorate, with no hope of remission, and time was running out.

Before Kesh left, Kumari asked her to make a promise. For years, Akesha had not allowed herself to live because of her. She had become her prison, and that was something she didn't want. In between her ramblings, when her mind was clear enough, she urged her to live fully, not to lock herself away with her, to find her true place in the world. Kumari, on the other hand, wanted to explore the world, and Kesh was her means of doing so. When she returned, she could tell her everything she had seen beyond the borders. Thanks to her, she could then leave her cell for a daydream’s length. It was the best way for her to break the bars of her prison. In return, Kesh swore that she would find a way to cure her: a remedy, an ointment, a panacea.

With her sister's blessing, Kesh summoned Vasanti to inform him of her decision. She went to the Magisters to convey her acceptance. With her renewed determination, she began to develop her endurance, learned everything she could to survive in the altered lands. The rest of the time, she spent with Kumari, her heart heavy with having to bid her such prolonged farewells. But the two sisters were now filled with new hope, and they would do everything to keep that spark alive for as long as possible.