The Eminence of a True Monarch of the Shadows

[Third Person's PoV] 

The girls were all surprised to find themselves part of this new group, and even more so to learn that they would hold equal status to the Seven Sins.

"Now then," Cid began, drawing their attention back to him. "For the leader of this group, I will assign that role to my dutiful sister. Claire, step forward."

Claire stepped forward gracefully, her head held high as if to say, 'Naturally, I would be the leader.' She knelt on one knee, exuding an air of regal confidence.

'She didn't have to kneel, but it looks like I'll have to improvise,' Cid thought to himself.

Descending the platform, Cid unsheathed a pure white sword from his hip. He began, "Claire, as my sister, I have personally witnessed your dedication, your relentless training, and your unwavering pursuit of strength. Your reasons for seeking power have never been selfish. They have always been noble—whether it was to protect me as your younger brother or to combat the cult. You've honed yourself to such an extent that you managed to take down a Monarch on your own."

Raising the sword, Cid gently tapped it on each of Claire's shoulders. "Thus, from this day forth, you shall be known as the Virtue of Diligence."

As he completed the ceremony, Claire winced, glancing at the back of her hand. A golden Godrune had appeared there, glowing faintly. Her eyes widened as she studied it. "You've managed to create one for us as well? How long have you been planning this?"

"Since I first began experimenting with Aether," Cid replied with a small smile. Then, raising his voice, he announced, "As the Virtue of Diligence, I bestow upon you a unique Virtue ability: Momentum Manipulation. The longer you stay in motion, the more power and speed you build. Once you start moving, your actions become unstoppable—you can smash through barriers, evade attacks, or accomplish tasks with incredible efficiency. However, stopping resets your momentum."

Claire glanced at Alpha and the others, noticing the black Godrunes marked on the backs of their hands. A smirk tugged at her lips. "I'm already quite overpowered. Do I really need this?"

"No," Cid replied with a shrug, "but it doesn't hurt to be stronger."

"I suppose not." Claire bowed slightly, her smirk softening into a grateful smile. "I graciously thank you for your gifts." She rose to her feet and returned to her place.

Next, Cid turned his gaze to Rose. "Rose, if you please," he called.

Rose hesitated, her nerves showing, but she stepped forward and knelt before Cid with a determined expression.

Claire, look at what you've started, Cid thought with an inward sigh before continuing.

"You've no doubt heard the phrase, 'Patience is a virtue.' Of all people, you understand the truth of this better than most. The trials your kingdom faced taught you patience in ways few could imagine. Though it was difficult at first, you held back, waiting for the right moment to strike and reclaim what was yours. For this, I bestow upon you the name and powers of Patience."

As he knighted her, a golden Godrune materialized on the back of Rose's hand, shimmering with light.

"This Godrune grants you the power of Temporal Manipulation," Cid explained.

"Thank you—" Rose started, but Cid held up his hand, cutting her off and confusing her.

"There's… something else," Cid began awkwardly. "Which I may or may not have forgotten to give you. Or inform you about."

Rose's brow furrowed further, her confusion evident. Suddenly, from Cid's shadow, a small white wisp emerged, gradually transforming into the familiar shape of her father.

Rose's eyes widened in shock. "F-F-Father?!" she stammered, disbelief shaking her voice.

The figure of Raphael Geerk Oriana, the former king, crossed his arms and sighed. "So, you finally decided to let me out," he said warily.

"I can throw you back, old man. Don't test me," Cid replied with a scoff before turning back to Rose. "When you… well, killed your father, I took his soul with me. My plan was to return him to you once everything was settled. But, with everything that's happened since then… I sort of kept pushing it to the back of my mind."

'I can't believe I've become a literal afterthought,' Raphael thought to himself with a weary sigh.

Rose covered her mouth with one hand, her other trembling as tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.

With a snap of his fingers, Cid conjured a glowing magic circle beneath King Oriana. His ghostly form began to solidify, his body becoming flesh and blood once more.

As Raphael took a deep breath, now fully revived, Rose tackled him in a fierce hug, nearly knocking him over. Tears welled up in his own eyes as he hugged his daughter tightly in return.

The members of Shadow Garden watched the emotional reunion in silent awe. To see Cid revive someone so casually only reinforced their view of him as a deity.

When their embrace finally ended, both Rose and Raphael turned to Cid, bowing deeply in gratitude.

Cid waved them off nonchalantly. "Don't make such a big deal out of it. I only did this because she's my future wife. Now, get moving—we still have a ceremony to finish."

Rose gave Cid a tight hug, whispering a quiet "thank you" before returning to her spot. Raphael, meanwhile, moved to join the other Shadow members, his presence adding to the group's collective awe.

Cid cleared his throat and addressed the gathering. "Now, let us proceed... Alexia, if you will."

'Finally,' Alexia thought, stepping forward confidently. Unlike the others, she didn't kneel. Instead, she grasped the hem of her skirt and bowed with dignity.

Cid smiled faintly. "Although you don't usually show it and prefer to maintain a strong front, there's a deep sense of kindness within you—"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alexia interrupted, narrowing her eyes. "I am kind. I'm the kindest there is!"

Cid's eyebrow twitched as he muttered under his breath, "This is why I'm giving you Kindness and not Humility."

Alexia's brow twitched in turn, but she held her composure.

"As I was saying," Cid continued, his tone steady, "there's a kindness within you, an ability to empathize with and acknowledge the struggles of those around you. For that, I bestow upon you the title and power of the Virtue of Kindness."

As he knighted her, a golden Godrune formed on the back of her hand, shimmering faintly.

"With this Godrune," Cid explained, "you are granted the power of Empathic Healing and Emotional Manipulation. You will be able to sense and understand the emotions of others, soothing their pain and inspiring peace, joy, or hope when needed."

"I am most grateful for your generosity and this great honor," Alexia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Cid leaned down slightly and mouthed, "You only got Kindness because it's the one part of you that isn't abysmal."

Alexia's hands twitched at her sides as she fought the urge to strangle him. Instead, she straightened her posture, plastered on an elegant smile, and returned to her place with practiced grace.