Because the universe of the Kingdoms' series is complex and detailed, here's a quick reference for some of the terms used frequently within the story.
Activated – A term referencing a Cultivator who is in full possession of their magic and skills.
Arcanery – The proper term for the infinite power inside the Apexes of Light and Dark because they have far more than just magic inside them. Technically both do possess infinite magic but Shanae's actual magic use/capacity is very limited to little more than what her own daughter has a Dual Cultivator (other than Shanae having both offense/defense as a Lead). Sayena, conversely, can use her magic in ways that no other being alive (other than Tasia) can do. Therefore, when Shanae is using arcanery as an Apex, it is easier to see than if Sayena is doing it (because there is the expectation that Sayena's magic can do anything). There IS a significant difference between magic and arcanery, particularly since arcanery—as the name implies—draws on the literal Light and Dark and Hope forces of the universe to make things happen. Therefore, when either Apex is using their magic, the term 'magic' is used, but when they start doing things outside the scope, then 'arcanery' is used.
Arcanistry – The proper term for the infinite power inside Tasia as a sorceress, since she possesses both magic and majik in equally infinite amounts. It acts exactly like arcanery does by drawing on the literal forces of the universe to make things happen. This blend of majik/magic is exceptionally detrimental to evil because it invokes the raw power of Judgment. (Yes, she really is Karma!) Because arcanistry encompasses both a blend of magic/majik as well as what lays outside that scope, the terms 'magic' and 'majik' are still used when Tasia is accessing only those particular powers.
Caretaker – The term used for the soul mate of a Cultivator. Caretakers are specially chosen to have unique traits and qualities that enhance their Cultivator, and they are usually given one magical gift from either the Ruler or the Defender category depending on the need of their mate. Caretakers to Defenders are particularly special since they inevitably have the ability to enter battle at their Defender's side, and have the strength of will to hold their heart and souls together.
Color – Not a term, per se, but worth explaining in more detail in its own section. See Magic and Majik for more color-based information. Shanae, Sayena, and Tasia stand apart from others where color is concerned thanks to the blend inside them. Shanae's black-pink gradient magic/arcanery directly relates to her being the first and only Protea Cultivator to use and harmonize both elements of her world. Likewise, Sayena's white-gold represents the same for her with Delphinium and its two elements. Their color does not change whether they use magic only or their arcanery—but Tasia's does. Tasia will have either a purple and yellow or black and magenta combination—not gradient—depending on whether she uses Ice or True Shadow magic because both Iris and Aria only have one element each. Her majik alone is a silver-gold gradient due to her importance to both her Goddess and God. Her arcanistry, however, is a rainbow-gray gradient that echoes to her possession of every almost Flower Element, including True Shadow.
Core (capitalized) – The soul and life of a planet that gives it will and holds its Flower Element power. Like living beings, a planet's Core is either Light or Dark (or for two, Gray being both). Light Core planets rely on Delphinium to keep them alive while Dark Core planets rely on Protea. This is true for the entire universe, and not just Blossom Field. The two Gray Core worlds of Iris and Aria depend on both.
Core (lower case) – The most basic component of all living beings that helps determine much of their personality. They are also Light or Dark, or in the case of two, Gray. Some cores in people can have speckles or aspects of the other, but never in a perfect blend except for the two Gray.
Cultivator – People with a Seed inside who possess Flower Element magic based on their world's flower/Core. Cultivators are divided into Rulers (who literally rule their worlds), and Defenders (who literally defend their worlds). Both Rulers and Defenders possess very different sorts of magic even when sharing an element/world. Dual Cultivators—as the name implies—fill both roles and therefore possess both types of magic.
Deactivated – A term referencing a Cultivator who does not have access to magic or skills though the potential for such exists inside them. A Deactivated Cultivator is all but completely powerless, including lacking immortality, unless they happen to be a Caretaker for another Cultivator.
Era – The term for a section of time marked by the flow of power within it. Eras change when power levels reach an absolute peak for that era. Typically, power will climb across Eras, plateau, drop, and then climb again higher. The shift of an Era can be tangibly felt by those with magic, especially High Rulers and very specifically those with the Memory Flower Element. Eras can vary in length from a few decades to thousands of years. For the sake of continuity, Era shifts are not 'officially' begun until January of the following year. Typically, the birth of a generation of Cultivators will cause the change of an Era, or at the least, will mark the 'real' start of it. Other times, it will be marked by the first marriage of a Ruler Cultivator of the first generation.
Flower Element – The literal elemental forces that shape all of existence. The Flower Elements determine what sort of climate/landscape a world will have as well as the individual magic or majik inside Cultivators and witches. Nine Flower Elements are considered common as they can land in just about any hands: Nature, Illusion, Ice, Fire, Thunder, Air, Water, Metal, and Glass. The Memory Flower Element is restricted solely to those who are involved with or critical to the Hall of Records. Even more limited are the Dark and Light Flower Elements as they cannot be controlled by anyone except someone with arcanery or arcanistry—because both Light and Dark are technically arcane forces that support the universe. Rarer still is the Chaos Flower Element, which is actually as critical an arcane force as Light and Dark to all existence but it does not have anyone to control it. There exist two 'sub-elements' of Time and Shadow, which derive from Memory and Chaos respectfully. The subs have some similar properties but work in vastly different ways, making them less dangerous to be owned—though no less rare in their own way.
Flower Mark – The mark on a Cultivator that denotes which world birthed their Seed. A Ruler has their Mark on their chest over their heart; a Defender on their upper left arm (Duals of course have both). A Deactivated Cultivator only has an empty outline of their Mark, where an Activated one has full color. A starting Mark will have a single blossom of their world's flower. Rulers cannot evolve, but Defenders can, and each evolution known as a 'tier' adds another blossom. When the Defender reaches their peak, their blossoms open into full bloom. Evolution is a necessity for most Defenders to increase the strength of their magic while fighting against evil. Additionally, if a Cultivator is the only one of their world, their Mark will have sparkling edges. Only the Apexes have a crown wrapped around their Marks, and the crowns sparkle upon their full evolution to Apex, which is separate of their being fully bloomed (though Shana reached both at the same time).
Flower Mark (additional): Touching a Flower Mark belonging to a Cultivator is a very personal thing under any circumstance, but has specific meanings depending on who/how is doing it. A Defender who places a Ruler's hand on their Mark is outright offering respect and protection for that person. A Defender placing their Caretaker's hand on their Mark is asking for love and support from their lover. Likewise, a Caretaker touching their Defender's Mark is showing respect and love and of course support for the role they fill; this is also applicable to Rulers, but more poignant with a Defender given the danger they face. Between non-mated Cultivators, touching Flower Marks is all but casual, and is seen not unlike holding hands or hugging. Suffice to say, a non-Cultivator/Caretaker who dares touch a Flower Mark without permission has effectively violated the Cultivator in question, and has earned a powerful slap in the face—or worse.
Magic – The force of Flower Element power inside all Cultivators (and most Caretakers). Each Flower Element works in very different ways, though there is some overlap, and it can have as much effect on someone's personality as their core. The color of someone's magic directly relates to their world's personal flower rather than any assigned color to the element itself. This is why perverted/evil magic always looks off or putrid in color. A Caretaker's magic—if they do not have their own Seed—will have the color of their Cultivator's flower. All magic, if it is strong enough—usually once reaching full fruition as a skill inside at least a Caretaker—can be used to hold select items like weapons. Nearly all Caretakers and Defenders alike carry their weapons inside their magic. It is far more convenient and secure than any other option.
Majik – The force of Flower Element power inside all witches. It is alike to magic but very different and so called slightly different. It can also have as strong an impact on someone's personality as their core. The color of someone's majik directly relates to whether or not the witch is closer to the Goddess or the God, and this applies even to those not actually in the Faith or following the Path. Closer to the Goddess will make the majik silver in color, and closer to the God will make the majik gold. A subtle under color of either white or black will follow the gold or silver depending on the witch's core, but it is rarely ever noticed by the average person unless something is wrong with it. Majik works exactly like magic in only one way: the ability to carry select objects. In the case of witches, they usually carry their wands or other majikal objects for convenience. In the case of the Resurrection Cultivators, they selectively store items in both their magic and their majik.
Magikry – The term applied to the Resurrection Cultivators (other than Tasia) in possession of both kinds of magic and majik alike, used to imply when they are applying all in conjunction. They do not have arcanistry because they don't in any way or form have access to the arcane forces.
Mask – The item used by a Defender to summon their armor. A Mask is a condensation and manifestation of the Flower Element magic of each world, and donning it will both shield a Defender's identity as well as give them magical armor for protection. A Defender does not need to wear their Mask in order to access their magic or weapon, but it is usually safer to put on a Mask before pissing off evil things. All Defenders of a world have the same Mask, and armor is identical on males as well as identical on females (which is determined by the Defender's identity).
Paradoxal Pivot – An incident where the future effects past events and not the other way around. This nearly always involves time travel, and specifically includes events 'not set in stone' where Destiny will give a Cultivator the choice of how they want their future to go. Related to this, the Memory Lag Delay is a safety function by Time herself that crosses between Eras so that people of the future don't remember the past events happening until after the events conclude in the future. In this way, they don't accidentally stop the event from happening by knowing it will happen.
Power – A catch-all term that can apply to magic/majik/et al as well as the various smaller levels of gifts and skills inside people. Power can either be manifested wholly as a properly named item, or simply exist to make people feel/act/respond differently to stimuli. Typically used to describe someone who either does not yet know what sort of gift(s) they have, or someone who doesn't have gifts strong enough to be named at all. This term is especially used where the planets, gods, goddesses, and demi-god(dess)s are concerned since they don't really fit into any of the categories and not unlike the Apexes use gifts/skills outside normal defined scope. If someone references Shanae's 'Dark power', for example, they are implying a combination of all she possesses, otherwise they would name them specifically. Power is also the term used to apply to musical gifts since those particular gifts are not Flower Element-based. However, Tasia, as a Mystic, could arguably classify her musical gift as being under her arcanistry because of her ability to bend existence. (Note: Holy power specifically refers to god/goddesses/demis, divine power specifically refers to Destiny, and arcane power is Light/Dark/Hope forces wielded by the Apexes and sorceress.)
Seed – The item inside a Cultivator's soul that makes them a Cultivator. Their entire soul comes from their Seed, which is why ripping out a Cultivator's Seed will kill them. A Cultivator can choose to willingly sacrifice or burn out their Seed to release greater and stronger magic/power, but it will kill them. This applies even to the Apexes.
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
Bonus Content - Tasia's Sorceress Awaking Song->
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