Pastella Rose

The guardian of light whose faith never changed throughout her journey. She only desires to end the conflict and spread the words of compassion and understanding of her god. A woman who chooses peace but one who will not stand idle in the face of violence. Paradox is her home, her task of being a guardian a divine right and she will not stop until Paradox no longer needs to hide.

Pre Guardian Era

Raised by a single father and never knew her mother, who had left the family shortly after her birth. The renowned paladin faced a challenging decision between prioritizing his duty to his god or raising his daughter and ensuring her safety in a world without war. Recognizing his predicament, the church offered to assume responsibility for Pastel's upbringing, educating her in their faith and allowing her the autonomy to decide her path when she reached adulthood.

During Pastel's childhood, she remained unaffected by her mother's absence as she had never known her. Similarly, she was unperturbed by her father's decision to entrust her care to the church. Despite his infrequent presence, she sensed his affection each time he returned home, often accompanied by a collection of letters, which she interpreted as a positive indicator of their family dynamic. Although she longed for her father's more consistent presence, she comprehended the significance of his responsibilities. Despite the church's rigidity, Pastel did not experience solitude, as she had the company of girls her age during her education. Furthermore, she engaged with boys and individuals who identified outside traditional gender categories. The doctrinal teachings of the church were stringent yet equitable, an approach that Pastel would later emulate as an adult.

Her life would have been unremarkable had she not been selected as a guardian. Her church was among the few that welcomed the terminally ill. "Build-up" a prevalent condition among mystics who absorb excessive amounts of mana, rendering it toxic to the body. This condition is contagious, dooming the affected individual, as others are reluctant to assist for fear of contracting it. Nevertheless, the church opened its doors to the ailing, providing them a comforting environment for their final days. They were kept isolated, with a physician to observe them from a distance. Despite this protocol, Pastel expressed interest in an ailing individual, approaching and even coming into contact without succumbing to the illness. Upon being discovered, she was isolated, and death was anticipated, but it never came for the young girl.

The church faced a challenging decision regarding Pastel. They had to deliberate whether to isolate her from the sick or to assess her capabilities in aiding them. The issue was contentious due to concerns about being accountable for her potential illness and mortality based on her father's standing within the church. Nevertheless, some believed that Pastel could utilize her gift to comprehend and remedy the illness, viewing it as her divine prerogative. Ultimately, the decision was presented to Pastel without diminishing the associated risks. Driven by her inquisitive nature, Pastel undertook the responsibility of tending to the sick. Remarkably, she remained in good health while also providing solace to those in the advanced stages of illness.

Pastel possessed distinctive traits that deviated from the characteristics typically associated with her race and mana typing. As a light mystic, she demonstrated proficiency in fundamental abilities but displayed a remarkable aptitude for manipulating light. This enabled her to render herself invisible at will and to alter her appearance using light, serving her preferred purpose of avoiding tasks and procuring additional sacks for herself and the children under her care. Her capabilities resemble those attributed to the Saint of Light, a Guardian from a prior era.

Word of Pastel's extraordinary abilities reached the empress, who personally witnessed the manifestation of the child's gifts. At the age of sixteen, she was officially designated as a guardian and was entrusted with the accompanying responsibilities. Despite her outward stoicism and acceptance of her predetermined fate to sacrifice herself for the preservation of others, she harboured an inner desire for a more extensive experience of life.

Guardian Era

It was inevitable that all the Guardians would eventually be located. Rather than continuing to sacrifice themselves to uphold the barrier, the leader of the new Guardians opted to negotiate with the empress. This agreement held the potential to jeopardize the entire mystic species; however, if successful, it would eliminate the need for any guardians to perish and relieve the mystics from confinement within the barrier. It would also allow for the reclamation and expansion of the long-forgotten lands of Paradox. Rivers' words and character resonated with Pastel, leading her to interpret them as an expression of divine fate. She believed that it was crucial for an outsider like Rivers to step forward and broker an agreement with the empress. With the impending destruction of the barrier, they had to conclude the war. Attaining this objective would necessitate Pastel giving up her position within the church for a certain period.

In her role as a guardian, she adeptly fostered a sense of camaraderie within the group, akin to that of a close-knit family. The team experienced both joyous and challenging moments, inevitably leading to occasional disputes due to the presence of numerous vibrant and impassioned personalities. Notably, Pastel discovered her intrinsic value beyond the confines of her religious affiliation and utilized her acquired wisdom to offer guidance to her peers during times of uncertainty. It is noteworthy that she conscientiously abstained from imposing her personal beliefs on others, employing moral precepts wisely and with discretion.

She embarked on a mentorship under Solaria, a council member and a proficient healer known for pioneering medical advancements in Paradox. Under Solaria's mentorship, Pastel evolved into a more adept medical aid for the Guardians. Her compassionate treatment of hunters has resulted in her being widely regarded on both sides of the conflict as a humanitarian figure providing relief to the ailing and the afflicted.

War of Change

During the period of conflict known as the War of Change, Pastel ascended to the position of head of the church, owing to her compassionate actions that bridged both sides of the conflict. Nevertheless, her reputation has been tarnished by certain mystics. Within the church, however, she garners robust support due to her adherence to their teachings.

Guardians, being individuals with a limited lifespan, possess the unique capability to absorb substantial amounts of mana before succumbing to its adverse effects, a threshold that expands with age and mana usage. Over time, guardians, including Pastel, undergo a gradual fusion with their associated elemental force. This fusion manifests in the dazzling luminosity of Pastel's eyes, rendering direct observation challenging and obscuring her eye color. Although this luminosity does not impair her vision during daylight, it renders her nearly sightless in dimly lit environments during nighttime.

Even after the conclusion of the war, her endeavour to guide the church's development and attract new adherents persists. Moreover, she aspires to impart knowledge to the subsequent guardian of light, equipping them to safeguard Paradox.