A compendium of the elements, characters used in the book
1. The Aura System
Aura is the fundamental cosmic energy that permeates all existence, the very fabric of reality. For millennia, it existed unseen, unheard, shaping the universe at a distance. However, its true impact on humanity began with the arrival of the Cradle Orb, which initiated the Crimson Rain. This event saturated Earth with raw Aura, fundamentally altering life and consciousness. Aura is not inherently good or evil; it is raw power. Its nature is defined by its use and the being wielding it, embodying a profound duality: a divine blessing that grants unimaginable power, and an ultimate damnation that fuels endless cycles of destruction and rebirth. It is the lifeblood of this new reality, capable of both creation and unparalleled devastation.
2. Ascendants and Vassals
* Ascendants: These are humans who have awakened to and gained control over Aura abilities. The Crimson Rain fundamentally altered human physiology, allowing certain individuals to tap into this cosmic energy. Ascendants possess diverse, often superhuman, abilities depending on their innate connection to Aura and their classification. They form the dominant power structures on Earth, capable of reshaping battlefields and challenging even divine entities.
* Vassals: A specific tier or designation within the Ascendant hierarchy. Vassals are Ascendants who have pledged their loyalty and Aura to a stronger, more powerful Ascendant (such as a General like Kael, an Aura Prince, or a powerful Clan leader). In return, they typically receive training, enhanced Aura understanding, direct infusions of power from their master, or simply protection and a place within a formidable organization. Their abilities are often amplified or specialized to serve their liege.
3. Clans
Clans are ancient and powerful human lineages that predate or adapted swiftly to the Aura system. They are often characterized by inherited Aura traits, unique traditions, and deeply ingrained histories. Many Clans hold significant influence, political power, or control over vital territories. Crucially, many Clans have historically aligned themselves with and worshiped Duality Gods and Demons, forming pacts that grant them immense ancestral abilities and protections, solidifying their standing in Earth's turbulent landscape. The Melanthos family is an example of such a powerful Clan.
4. Dormants and Contractors
* Dormants: These are humans who possess an innate connection to Aura, but whose abilities remain unawakened or suppressed. They carry the latent potential for great power, often unknowingly. The reasons for dormancy vary, from a lack of severe trigger events to genetic predisposition or even intentional suppression. They are, essentially, unignited Ascendants.
* Contractors: Dormants who have successfully awakened their Aura through a unique process or agreement, often involving a pact with a powerful entity (be it a Duality God/Demon, an Aura Prince, or a powerful Ascendant). This "contract" unlocks their latent abilities, transforming them into active Ascendants, though often bound by the terms and influence of their pact.
5. Rebirthers
Rebirthers are exceptionally rare individuals who retain memories, knowledge, and sometimes even their Aura abilities across the recurring cycles of apocalypse and rebirth that plague Earth. They are burdened by the cumulative weight of countless past lives, witnessing the world's destruction and humanity's repeated failures. Unlike others who are born anew with no recollection of previous cycles, Rebirthers carry the full psychological and emotional toll of their existence. Their unique state makes them invaluable sources of knowledge about the true nature of the cycles and the enemies that perpetuate them, but also subjects them to profound weariness and isolation. Aira is a prominent example of a Rebirther.
6. Ascendant Classifications
The vast and varied nature of Aura abilities led humanity to categorize them into broad classifications. These types describe the primary way an Ascendant's Aura manifests and interacts with reality:
* Timers: Ascendants who manipulate the flow of time within localized areas or affecting specific objects/beings. This can range from slowing down opponents, speeding up allies, halting moments entirely (like Priya's ability), or even glimpsing future or past events.
* Spacers: Ascendants with control over spatial dimensions. Their abilities include instantaneous teleportation, creating spatial distortions, warping distances, generating localized rifts, or even bending space to redirect attacks.
* Manifestors: Ascendants capable of summoning or generating physical constructs directly from their raw Aura. This primarily includes weapons (like Kael's Aura Blade), armor, or even living or semi-sentient entities, often referred to as 'Aura beasts' or 'Aura golems'.
* Illusionists: Ascendants who use raw Aura to manipulate the fabric of reality at a perceptual level. They can create convincing visual, auditory, and even tactile illusions, altering perceptions, conjuring mirages, or subtly twisting sensory input to disorient and deceive their opponents.
* Elementalists: Ascendants who wield control over natural elements, channeling Aura to generate and manipulate fire, water, earth, air, lightning, or other raw forces of nature. The potency varies greatly depending on the individual's Aura strength and affinity.
7. Aura Princes
The Aura Princes are formidable and enigmatic figures with a profound connection to the cosmic forces of destruction. They are a group of descendants of Oronas Gods and Demons, inheriting immense power and a shared drive to fulfill their lineage's ultimate purpose. Their primary mission is to retrieve the next Aura Being from humanity. It is believed that an Aura Prince themselves is highly likely to be the next Aura Being, making their retrieval mission a complex, potentially self-serving, endeavor. They are not royalty in the conventional sense but powerful agents, often appearing as harbingers of pivotal moments in the cycle. Their methods are ruthless, their power immense, and their true allegiances and ultimate goals, though tied to the Oronas agenda, are often shrouded in further mystery, making them terrifying antagonists.
8. Gods and Demons
In Earth's shattered reality, Gods and Demons are not merely mythical figures but tangible, powerful, and often terrifying cosmic entities with direct influence over the world and its inhabitants. They are fundamentally tied to the flow of Aura.
* Duality Gods and Demons: These are entities typically worshipped by specific Clans or powerful groups. In exchange for devotion, rituals, or sacrifices, they grant immense Aura abilities, ancient knowledge, or specific boons to their worshippers. Their existence is often intertwined with the cyclical nature of Earth, and they hold a vested interest in the continuation or manipulation of these cycles. Their morality is often grey, driven by their own agendas for survival, power, or influence.
* Oronas Gods and Demons: These entities stand in stark contrast to the Duality Gods. They perceive humanity and its continued existence, particularly its interaction with Aura, as a fundamental "failure" or a cosmic aberration. Their sole objective is the complete elimination of humanity and the cleansing of Earth, viewing it as a necessary step to restore some perceived cosmic order. They are beings of pure destruction, often manifesting as overwhelming forces of nature or terrifying, alien intellects.
9. Cradle Orb
The Cradle Orb is a cosmic, ominous entity, appearing as a colossal orb suspended in the sky. It is the catalyst for the current state of Earth. Its arrival initiated the Crimson Rain, saturating the world with Aura and sparking the birth of Ascendants. The Cradle Orb is not merely a passive source of power; it is an observing, almost sentient entity, capable of subtle influence and communication, as evidenced by its "whispering" to Leo Melanthos. Its ultimate purpose and connection to the larger cosmic order remain one of Earth's greatest mysteries.
10. Aura Being
The Aura Being is a pivotal and mysterious figure/entity within the context of Aurafall. Its nature and role are central to the overarching narrative and are not to be revealed within this compendium to preserve the integrity of the story's unfolding secrets. Its significance, however, is paramount to the cycles and the future of Earth.