Welcome to Gaia! ::

As always, the Code seemed untouched by anything. It glowed with the same bright light that it always did, and no matter how many pieces of itself that it parted with, it never seemed to shrink in size or presence.

“Cybele,” it greeted, polite and welcoming without being friendly. It seemed practical and contemplative, and though it did not want to alarm her there seemed to be something important about this meeting.

“I called you, yes. I am glad we need no introductions. It will save us time. I need only what you need. The power to protect this universe and drive away the threat of harm. We have both been touched by Chaos. So I have no doubt you understand how important it is to use every resource we have available to us. You know me, so I assume you know what I do. Congratulations are in order, aren’t they? You’ve overcome a lot to earn those wings. How is your world doing?”

“Good,” the Code said simply. The word hung in the air for a moment before it spoke again. It did not need to think, so the pause must have been for her benefit.

“I grant power to the Knights, and create bonds between Wonders and their protectors,” it explained. “It takes a great source of power to make a Knight. Only worlds whose Senshi have unlocked power as you have can maintain the energy needed. I haven’t made a new bond with such a world in quite some time. They are rare, these days. I want to give you the opportunity to protect your world.”

The Code piece glowed a bit brighter, like it was collecting its energy. Like it already had too much.

“You are a Princess, now. You’ll be a greater target. There are those who will try to corrupt you and your world to steal that power for themselves.” It spoke as if it already knew she understood this danger. “If I could offer you Knights to help protect your world, would you let them? The power of your World, and the power I can grant, would give Cybele extra protection, and Earth.”

“I won’t take them from you,” the Code informed, if only because it wasn’t quite sure what understanding she might have had. “I only need to be able to connect with them. In older times, there were rituals. There were people to help with the process. In these days, we have to make due with what we can. If I were at full strength, we would install a Cornerstone Piece on your world–one such as myself. Strong enough to communicate, to take form. I think it’s too dangerous for me to split myself just to travel to your world. But I think there is a way around that.”

It was quiet for a moment, because if her knowledge of Knights was already somewhat limited, this wasn’t going to be easy for her to take in, either.

It was a big decision, an important one.

“I can resonate with your world. But for me to do that, I’ll need to borrow your Crystal. I won’t make you part with it, but I can’t attune with your world if I don’t have access to it. All you need to do is summon it, I’ll do the rest. It’s painless. Once we’ve attuned, I’ll be able to sense those with the potential to become Knights, to guard your world. When I find them, I can break off a small part of myself and plant it on your world. You may feel a bit tired when I do this, it is siphoning the power directly from your world. It won’t be much, but you might notice it. It’s nothing that won’t restore itself. I would never damage you or your world.”

“You may notice,” it answered, fairly noncommittal. The Code wasn’t being elusive, it was just simply an unknown.

The miniscule, misty molecules of swarming light pulsed with energy, and it seemed to grow brighter as it pulled her crystal in towards it. It wasn’t an uncomfortable situation by any means; it wasn’t like someone grabbing her starseed and trying to crush it. There was no sick squeeze of Chaos.

It was a light sensation that she could feel as if it were in her bones. It was warm, and friendly. It might have even tickled a bit.

It was safe.

The light grew brighter, and when it finally peaked, it flashed. A shockwave of power rippled around it–not so much that it disturbed anything, but just enough that it summoned a magical breeze.

“Some Senshi were able to. A little tickle in the back of their mind. Some of them said it felt like an idea had suddenly popped into their head, only disappeared before they could identify it. Some didn’t know at all. If you are aware, if the conditions are right, I think it’s very possible that you’ll be able to pick up on them. I don’t intend to make a secret of it, but sometimes the flow of magic is more cohesive. Sometimes the call is louder.”

It was difficult to simplify what was such a unique experience for so many; there was no standard. The magic manifested in its own way, and only time would tell how Cybele would receive it.

“You can take your crystal back, I’ve finished. Thank you. I suspect you’ll notice for at least the first few. Pay attention to when your energy levels, and be aware of your surroundings. It might happen suddenly, so take note of any changes. And if you have any questions, you are always welcome to visit me. I will do all I can to support you.”

And all the Knights that could exist because of her.

The Code had no form by which to nod or smile, but somehow there was something in the air that felt relieved. Grateful. The light glowed a little brighter, but it was pleasant and warm.

“Thank you.”

Their business had concluded but there was an untold future awaiting them.

“I will keep you on longer. If you ever have need, you can come visit me. I will share what I can.” Though its guidance might have been better spent on Knights, she was a Princess, and she was sharing her world–and her power–with the Code.

They had similar goals; it was a fortuitous alliance for the both of them.

“Rest well.”