Remembrance is a very special Path. It is the one responsible for the "Past" of this world. Once the present comes to pass, Fuli gathers the 'memories' left behind, recording them until Finality descends into this world.
It is also one of the four Paths leading to Finality, along with Destruction, Nihility, and Harmony. It is a part of the infamous Theory of Four Apocalypses from Finality's prophets, the Omen Vanguards.
Remembrance is the fourth and final Path that is yet to manifest. It is precisely why Shi Tian 'borrowed' this Authority.
Nobody else will compete with him for it.
However, this brings forth risks.
Remembrance carries the memories of the past. It is most certainly capable of carrying even the memories belonging to Aeons. Everything the universe had experienced, it exists within Remembrance.
Shi Tian's choice of taking in Amphoreus' memories led to the resurgence of his memories regarding Nihility. Although he could still 'contain' this influence within this 'forgotten cycle', the rest has to be dealt with by others.
"Our presence corresponds to each of the twelve Paths simulated in this world, Amphoreus."
Kiana explained the final phase to the rest.
"We will descend to this world in the form of divine minds. Using our Formlessness mastery in Blade Mantra and Tian's assistance, temporarily assume the identities of these Paths' Pathstriders."
"It seems you already have our positions in mind."
Fu Hua calmly pointed out.
"That's true, Class Rep."
"C-class Rep..?"
Ignoring her stunned look, Kiana enumerated their designated Paths.
"Miss Vita will represent Elation."
The person in question, Vita, wasn't surprised when she heard of it. A "little bit" of snooping (i.e., 100 years of investigation) told a lot to her. Shi Tian is the core of Earth's high-ranking cultivators.
"I will oblige."
The Tuna nodded back before continuing:
"Bronya will serve as Erudition. Seele and Veliona for Equilibrium."
The trio did not have any notable reactions aside from their acceptance. All that mattered to them at this moment was helping Shi Tian.
"Sin will represent Order…"
"Wait a minute! Will that be… fine?"
Sin stood up from her seat. Her rebellious look softened when she looked at Kiana. The latter perceived her worry in messing up things.
"Do not worry. He is the one who said you can do it."
"Alright."
Sin did not kick up any fuss and returned to her seat.
"Rita will take the role of Beauty. Sister Bianka… We entrust the Hunt to you."
The Schicksal duo nodded silently. Being called "Sister" in front of other people made Bianka happy. This 'family problem' had plagued her mind since she knew of it. While she respected Otto, it was also he who turned Kiana's life into a living hell. Their relationship and treatment of each other had always been complex because of it.
Now that Kiana had 'officially' accepted their status as siblings, she could barely hold back her joy.
Rita saw everything from behind and merely let out a smile.
"Griseo will take up Harmony."
"I understand."
Shi Tian's second disciple spoke softly. Nobody could imagine she fought fiercely because of the Nine Yin Locking Seal a hundred years ago.
"Mei and her Queen counterpart will be Nihility."
Compared to her prior fierceness, Mei avoided Kiana's gaze. Queen Mei looked at her with a 'serves you right' expression.
"Class Rep… and the scammer Senti."
"W-w-w—"
"You will be responsible for Permanence."
Kiana did not give Senti a chance to explain herself.
After all…
She really did try scamming Kiana.
It was a huge pitfall. Senti wanted to slap her past self as an idiot for attempting to do so. It all happened because she heard Kiana has a huge stash of treasures. The feeling of playing mysterious on Earth gradually affected her mind, pushing her to the path of a true scammer…
"Aunt, I am leaving Preservation to you."
"Hm."
Theresa crossed her arms underneath her huge breasts. She crossed her legs atop each other, giving Kiana an elegant nod.
"Me and Sirin will represent Destruction."
With that, the final roster is completed.
*****
Each has their own method in entering the Sky Fortress. Hyacine utilized the 'blessing' left by her ancestors, allowing her to fulfill the vague promise they held towards the Dawnbreaker Knight, Seliose.
Cerydra, on the other hand, utilized a technological blueprint producible within Amphoreus' standards.
The two groups are destined to intersect at some point… but not now.
"Eek..!"
Hyacine swiftly grabbed Phainon's arm as she screamed with fright. Everyone else in the group, Anaxa and Trianne, looked at her with varying looks.
"I-I saw something move!"
"This place's eeriness has affected you, ex-student." Anaxa shook his head. "I expected better."
"Don't be like that, Nax. This place is truly eerie."
"..."
He chose not to comment when Trianne called him by a pet name. Tribios' seniority goes back as far as one thousand years!
Anaxa knows he is in the wrong and is willing to admit it.
While his averseness to blind faith remains true, the Flame-Chase Journey is a necessity Amphoreus must take. Only then can they arrive at the Era Nova and restart the Black Tide's progress from the start.
Most importantly…
He had also been Tribbie's student at some point.
Everyone respects this little girl who had sacrificed almost everything for Amphoreus' future—Anaxa included.
"I will have to agree to this one, Professor Anaxa. This place reeks of evil."
Phainon's statement pointed out the Sky Fortress' weird, anomalous atmosphere.
Upon their arrival, they saw nothing but broken buildings. They went through the 'Core Area' of the Temple, the one that housed the Sky Fortress' most precious device. It was said that they had once controlled Amphoreus' day and night with it. The eternal night's descent rendered it mostly useless, only being able to manipulate the weather and skies within the Fortress itself.
Other than that room, they encountered nothing of use. They did not have any Priest of Oronyx that could investigate the past. The group of four can only investigate on their own, finding clues from scrolls and such.
Fortunately, Anaxa is here.
"Let me make this clear. The traces of blood inside this control room meant people died. A considerable number atop that. According to ancient texts, the people living in the Sky Fortress are extremely divided—into believers of day and night. Lady Seliose, the Dawnbreaker Knight, ultimately put an end to this fight by challenging the crazed Aquila."
Anaxa explained the implications behind Seliose's story. The internal conflict within the Sky Fortress, Aquila's inaction, and Seliose's attempt at the Flame-Chase Journey are seemingly random events but are connected to each other.
The internal conflict forced Seliose to descend to the land for the answer she sought for, which she ended up seeing from Cerydra's slaying of the Ocean Titan:
She will replace the crazed Sky Titan and end this once and for all.
"Aquila's domain is in the sky, hence the clues point to a major event that occurred… here."
Everyone looked up at the direction Anaxa pointed. All they saw was the pitch black sky… or not.
"An eye..?" Phainon muttered.
They had all subconsciously ignored the Sky Fortress' ceiling. What they saw above was a closed eye.
This time, even Anaxa felt a sense of chill in his spine.
"Aquila. It must be the Sky Titan! But why is he..?"
Hyacine could not finish her words.
Roar-!
Rustle-!
Phainon tightened the grip on Shamash. The blazing flame surrounding the blade illuminated half of his face.
There, they saw a pitch-black horse. Black fluid kept oozing out of it, dripping into the cold ground.
"Snowy, be careful. She… doesn't seem normal."
"Got it, Teacher Trianne."
*****
A/N: Everyone is in place. The clues from the earlier chapters may or may not reveal Tian's Dao Integration opportunity...