#lumian choices

[ratanslily]

i love te, but sometimes I wish it was a classic witch/mage story, with brooms and stuff 🔮🪄

[lover-also-fighter-also]

⭐ Lumian

⭐ I chose Lumian for all the playthroughs

⭐ His name is Candy (no nicknames pls)

⭐ I HC that Anitha never had a pet or anything to take care of growing up. Her caretakers were really strict on that. So when she got her Lumian, it was a big moment for her. She always fantasized naming her pet Candy since she was 6, so hence the name.

⭐ HC that Candy spends his time playing a friendly game of familiar thief in the ether, or taking long naps.

⭐ Candy immediately clicks with Shreya and her Lumian Chi Chi, and Griffin and Zeph adore him. Beckett and Candy did not make a good start at the library scene, but with a couple of nature walks and plenty of treats, he warms up to Beckett.

Tell us about your Familiar!

Feel free to reblog and answer any of the following questions or share anything else you'd like about your familiar.

Which Familiar did you choose? [Poll for this can also be found here]

Is this the Familiar you usually choose or is it new to this play through?

What is your Familiar's name? Why did you choose it? Does it have any special meanings?

Does you have any nicknames or cute "pet" names for your Familiar?

Do you have any headcanons for your Familiar (with or without your MC)?

What do you think your Familiar does in the Ether?

How does your friend group feel about your Familiar and how does your Familiar feel about them?

Do you have any screenshots or edits of your Familiar?

If this is your first playthrough, feel free to answer some now and more later as you continue getting to know your Familiar.

[The Elementalist Book Club]

[the-unconquered-queen]

Tim choosers, lmk whether he was your actual top choice or if you had him because he was free

[drratiosstudent]

(Spoiler) Circle of Inevitability Vol 2 Review

*Initially posted on Reddit Dec 2024 but posting it here so I can have a collection of Reviews here*

*Not posting my Vol 1 review here as it was a yap*

*Feb 2025 COI status: I'm currently still in Vol 3 as I'm taking it slow right now (juggling multiple books and life at once) so please, no spoilers. :)*

------------------------

Hello, my dear Beyonders, heretics and cabbages! Here’s another raving from a Heretic Beyonder who wishes to win against the true creator in the ultimate rap battle. It is time for my review of COI Vol 2… 

I actually finished it a couple days ago and am in Ch276 now but I felt like I needed to process what just happened… and continue my regular reviews as I read. I’ve been doing it since LOTM and I can’t stop now!

First a follow up on my Vol 1 review

My first Vol 1 review was a little messy because I did write it after finishing Vol 1 feeling all those emotions and thoughts, and did not read CF’s author’s notes yet, or contemplate more on the significance of the title and quote. But after reading CF’s author’s note, and having read V2, I have a newfound appreciation and respect for CF for delving into the symbolisms and foreshadowings in Lumian’s ‘nightmare’, creating a bunch of questions for us readers, hooking us in, and building the foundation for the rest of the volumes to come. It was indeed a nightmare. I also have to raise a glass to CF for writing the story he wants and doing all his own research, pushing forth to create the story he wants when he knows there will definitely be backlash, especially with LOTM, and comparing Lumian with Klein etc.  

Vol 2 review

Overall review

ASLDKJFHASLDKFJHASLKDFJHASLKDFHSALDKJFHLKDSAHFJ x1000000.

Ok. That was the rant for all the emotional upheavals I went through because of CF. I already ranted enough in my previous posts so I won’t go on about how sad I am of all the deaths that occurred and tragic fates of the people.

On Volume 2 and Lumian

Personally, I really liked this volume as well. We get a chance to further delve into Lumian’s character, his mindset, and his interactions with other people. Through that, we also get to see how deeply Aurore has influenced Lumian, and I thought CF did a pretty good job at helping us understand Aurore through her impact on Lumian. It helps us stay connected to both Lumian and Aurore, and understand Lumian’s motives. It’s easy to forget a character once they ‘die’ in a book, but this helps us remain connected to the characters, and how Lumian’s character was shaped, and we get to see how he’ll continue to grow without Aurore by his side. But I just love how Aurore  is present in Lumian in all his actions choices, and values. It’s very realistic as after all, we are a mosaic of the people around us, the environment and experiences we have, and our own individual characteristic. Aurore played a big part in shaping Lumian’s life, especially in helping Lumian find some light and hope in the midst of all the sufferings he had in the past.

Lumian’s compassion for the world and its people is not gentle. It is sharp, rough and coarse, moulded by his own experiences from life, alongside Aurore’s warmth. But it is this kind of compassion that the people around him need. It’s also a reminder of what Lumian said to the guards?/The people? when they went to the catacombs to lay Flemeng, Ruhr and Michel to rest - he is a human too. He has a heart, albeit colder and sharper than others due to his circumstances, but through his actions, we get to see that Lumian stays true to his values despite his seemingly more rough words and persona. He isn’t completely selfless, and prioritises his own goals and safety, but he does show his warmth to the playwright, Charlie, Jenna, Franca, and even in Vol 1 with his ‘friends’. But it is in Vol2 when he seeks psychiatric treatment, that we see him slowly open up to others and actually develop a deeper connection, seek help, and help others in return. He is a complex character, and I love we catch glimpses of how he is seen from different eyes, and from his own actions and words.

“I’m a nobody, with no time to notice the brightness of the sun” - Volume 1

Lumian may think of himself as a ‘nobody’ under the cold gaze of fate and those in power. This is more prominent as this volume went on, and how he has also implied how he knows he is weak and small amidst the high ranking people and high sequence beyonders. He is a ‘nobody’ who strives to reach his goals of saving Aurore, seeking revenge, and finding the truth. But in the midst of his busy journey since Vol 1 with no time to notice the ‘brightness of the sun’, the steps he takes is one that leads towards the light he seeks. Like many humans, he too, is a ‘light seeker’, despite the many setbacks he faced. However, like the quote above says, since Vol 1 he is always on the go, he is unable to truly cherish the present in his chase for the past and in writing his own fate. But in this Volume, we can see the subtle growth he has psychologically, as he develops new relationships, seeks solace and warmth in the people around him, from his convos and actions with Charlie, Jenna, Franca, and the tenants etc. He is slowly able to feel the little warmth around him when he uncovers the truth of Aurore being a follower of inevitability, and the challenges he faces. I also remember a quote about how he likes the environment at the basement of Auberge? Compared to the upper class fancy self indulgent people at Salle de something I think? Idk the names folks, I don’t keep up with names lol.

Anyways, I love seeing his sessions with Susie and (We finally see Madam Justice!!!) and we get a deeper insight into taking care of yourself mentally, and in the impact of trauma and losing those you love. It makes the character feel real and reinforces how his past and mental state affects his choices and perspective on the world and people around him.

I just like seeing how Lumian finally embraces the the little brightness, hope and warmth in his new companions, Charlie, Jenna, Franca, etc. It’s very subtle, but you can see it through his interactions and what lies between the texts. CF did mention it in his author’s notes how he doesn’t need to make everything loud, and how things are subtle between texts and silence can speak loudly. 

Inevitability of fate

Regarding the theme of fate and the inevitability of fate, I thought CF expanded on this pretty well. When I read the Vol1-2, it seemed like a good symbolism of both free will and determinism, and how fate lies in the hands of those in power, or in life’s chaotic luck and randomness. I won’t delve in too much about free will and determinism here lol, that’s for a philosophical discussion.

But still, this volume touches a lot on how much power do we have over writing our own fate? How much influence does nature and our environment have on us and in influencing the choices we make? To what extent are we moulded by our experiences, nature, and interactions with others?

Even when faced with the inevitability of fate and the consequences of certain actions, many humans will still seek the light, seek hope, and try their best to change their fate. 

Perhaps the answer lies not in ‘if we can truly change our fate’, but in trying our best, regardless of the answer. It lies in us finding purpose and meaning in our journey, having hope that we can change our fate, because we’ll probably never know the answer if fate is truly in our hands, or in the hands of those above us. Fate is a complex thing manipulated by many people and by life, and the only thing we can do is burn bright until the end.

But anyways, I think all that happened is a pretty good symbolism of how those not in power will have to face the inevitability of fate from those in power. Many victims, like in LOTM, will suffer due to the corruption of power from those higher ups, as these ‘higher beings’ play with the strings of fate. The only way to write your own fate is to be like Lumian and grow stronger.

Thoughts on the themes

Title: Lightseeker  

Quote: For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Just like in LOTM, there’s a big theme of humans finding light and hope amidst despair, despite the inevitability of fate pushed onto them by those in power.

Even though, we know we’ll return to dust, that doesn’t stop us from frolicking around, finding joy and purpose while we are in the air, embracing whatever light that comes our way, and seeking light as long as we are dancing.

I think CF explained his theme rly well in the author’s note so I won’t write more. I agree wholeheartedly with his sentiments, and thought he did a great job at portraying other characters and the life of the people around Lumian. 

The city Lumian lived in and its people served really well as a microcosm of the larger societal issues we face, and how powerful figures play with the fates of the others as we all dance beneath the shadows in hopes of getting a glimpse of light before drowning in darkness.

Hunter 

CF was amazing in changing his writing style to suit the Hunter pathway and a character like Lumian. I have no complaints in this department. I can tell CF put a lot of effort into the principles and philosophies behind the pathway, and how he must weave them into his own writing.

Lumian is very well suited for the Hunter pathway, so I won’t repeat the reasons why as I’m sure many people agree. But I think this volume does pry a little deeper subtly into how, perhaps the hardest prey a Hunter will have to catch and understand is themselves, and the biggest predator they’ll have to avoid falling prey to, is themselves. We see Lumian struggle in dealing with his mental health, his own understanding of himself, and his changing view of the world and life after the incident in Cordu. Admittedly, he hasn’t lived a beautiful life, and has seen the darkest parts of human nature/life. But he is still young, inexperienced and growing - He knows that. Hence, we see him proactively figure out how to grow, adapt and become more skilled in navigating the vicissitudes of life and the madness of the Beyonder world. He is trying to understand his forgotten memories, his own flaws, his own strength. He is learning how to build a team, work with others, strategise, utilise resources and connections for his own needs etc.

Pyromaniac

I haven’t delved deep into this as he just advanced, but based on his actions and story, I think CF was trying to show how fire is but a fuel and a tool. Whether it will fuel your heart or burn your soul, that is up to you. Will you use the rage and ambition within you as a tool, or fail to master it and let it burn you into ashes? 

Utilise your emotions as a good tool or fuel, but don’t let it overwhelm or burn you in your hunt for what you want.

On CF’s author’s notes from Vol 1-2

"Never satisfied, always challenging."

I hope he will always find fulfilment in writing, despite the backlash he may face throughout writing COI. I’m sure like many experienced author’s, he can tell the difference between insults and good critical feedback, and will be able to write the story he wants, and learn from this experience.

Had to also chuckle when CF had to go ‘did you even read’? Lmao. 

It is very clear CF out a lot of thought into the plot, characters, symbolism, messages and emotions he wanted to express and evoke.

He knows there will be people who won’t like it, and people who will.

After all, like the saying goes, you may be the sweetest peach by some people don’t like peach. 

Anyways, after Vol 1, we have many questions. After Vol2, we have more questions. I’m looking forward to finding the answers out as I read on, and I really like where this is going. :) Yes, I do miss LOTM and Klein, but, I also really do like COI so far and where it’s going. :) I really do hope to catch up with COI soon at least by the end of the year and experience the thrilling life of waiting daily for chapters :’) I will suffer, but it will be a suffering filled with much excitement and fulfilment. Thank you once again to everyone who has encouraged me to read LOTM many months back in March :’) I wonder if I can catch up within this year hehe.

Character review (oncology order)

Charlie

What can I say? He’s very loyal and innocent and naive, and I really like his character. I was really happy to see nothing terrible happen to him. *cough* I mean like, he didn’t die, I wouldn’t want to wish his Susanna incident on anyone *cough*. I’m glad to see he’s now part of the Beyonder world, and hope he remains protected and grows well.

Jenna

Honestly, it was a little hard to get connected with Jenna, since at first, she gets pretty irritated and annoyed with Lumian (tbf, mostly anyone would). It’s not that I didn’t like her, I just didn’t get to see much of her character. This changed once she accompanied Lumian in the rain, and followed him when his state was bad. I started to rly like Jenna then, and later began to understand her character. Especially when we get introduced to her family Elodie and Julien, how she cares for them, and her own motivations. I’m rooting for her, and I really like her as a character. She’s a good contrast with Lumian, and I think she’ll provide some good warmth and company for him in this tulmutuous period. She’s provided a lot of good humour and laughter too haha. I also love her advice for Lumian about acting loyal. She’s smart in her own ways, naive and new to the Beyonder world, but we can see her grow from her experiences.

My heart absolutely shattered after Elodie’s death - which some of y’all might recall my post about.

“But isn't it said that the night will pass and light will emerge? Why? Why is it always so dark? Why can't I see any light…”

Perhaps, aside from a fortunate few, darkness was the dominant theme in life. Light was but an occasional adornment.

Why, why is darkness always so overpowering, devoid of light?When will the sun rise again?

These quotes still make me sad. I still feel sad over the incidents. But I think CF did pretty well in showing the children's reaction, and the quotes reminded me of how I felt during some of my darkest times too :( But I really do like that Jenna has Lumian and Franca's support, it gives me hope for their family and for Jenna :') I feel like CF really did his research into grief, trauma, loss and mental health since LOTM, and it really shows in his works. It’s not over the top nor shallow, but quite realistic and leans more to the objective side in terms of story telling, as if we’re seeing it from an outsider’s POV, which, we are lol, but it suits the style.

Assassination principles

While I do like Jenna’s understanding of the assassination acting principles, I feel like a deeper meaning would be the assassination of the self in order to grow and achieve your desires. It is impossible to achieve what you want, especially in this field, without killing off a part of your past identity, values and moral principles. Sacrifices are necessary. You have to be willing to let go of the naive and innocent you, take risks, and accept the new change in you, while holding on to the core values and principles you have. Assassinate who you have to assassinate, kill off what doesn’t work for you and the parts of you that needs to be shed, but do not simply assassinate everything along the way, or else you’ll be left with nobody and nothing left of yourself. The demoness pathway is filled with sacrifices and despair in the reach for their desires and hopes. It’s a hard path to walk for someone like Jenna / well anyone tbh, but, it’ll be interesting to see how she and Franca advances along the way as we discover more principles.

Franca

She was the first character I grew to really love. One of my fav characters until I got to know Jenna more. Lumian, Franca and Jenna are now tied :’) Personality wise I’d run way from Lumian but, I do love them all equally character wise :’)

Franca has such a reliable aura, and I love her protectiveness and care for Lumian, and her loyalty towards those she cares about. She gives great advice, good information, and takes care of those she cares about really well. 

You can imagine my shock, happiness and excitement when I saw her pull out the two of cups and summon Madam judgement!!! I literally reread the scene a couple times. I was so, so excited. I’m so happy Xio got her screen time too and see her skills! I felt really proud of the OG Tarot Club and see how far they’ve come, and seeing their lofty figures from Franca/Lumians’ POV. 

I’m excited to see Lumian trust Franca more now with this reveal, and see them work together!

I do feel a little sad for Franca, as I know what questions she’ll ask Mr. Fool *cough* transmigration, but hopefully by then, she’ll have developed good relationships and support system over here, and have support in dealing with the truth of the world…

Ok I’d write more but, uh, I really do want to continue reading COI now hhehehehehehflkjhfaslkdfhjasdlkfjhasdlkjfhsadlfkjhasdlkfjhasdlkfjhsad

I AM STILL NOT OVER THE DEATHS WTF CUTTLE. CAN I JUST… THROW YOU INTO THE COSMOS AND BACK FOR A BIT?

Final note:

To all you lovely readers who have read this long essay *cough* ravings *cough* or perhaps followed me since my journey in LOTM here - I hope that you may be able to appreciate and notice the small rays of light the brush past your face in your journey, and not have to wait until you’ve reached your destination to embrace the warmth of the sun. The life and impact you make as a mere human being may feel like being a speck of dust floating in the vast cosmos, but I wish that you may still find meaning in the life you live, and in the things you seek. Perhaps you may realise what you seek is not what you need and change along the way, and perhaps, I suspect Lumian may have to let go of reviving Aurore at the end and change his goals, but, may you be embraced with the warmth of the sun from your companions and from the random blessings life throws at you. I hope you may be able to hold on to your own purpose and values in this life, and tread on with fire in your heart, without letting it consume you whole. Ambition and desire is great, but too much of it can burn you. Push yourself, but not so much that you break apart. Be like Lumian! Seek help when you need, and take things in stride.

As for flaws in CF’s writing and in COI - I’ll leave that in the end, if I ever do write about it. I’m just enjoying the journey now haha.

Anyways, take care everyone, and thanks again for listening to my ravings………

PRAISE THE MTOD AND MGOD!!!

*cough*

PRAISE THE FOOL!

PRAISE CUTTLEFISH!

[lover-also-fighter-also]

1, 2, 8, 10, 13, 17 for Anitha and Griffin

1) Will your OC get married and with who?

Yes, Anitha does get married to Griffin some 2 years after graduating from Penderghast. Both of them unknowingly plan a proposal in the same place and say the words at the same time. I am getting some ideas for this and plan on writing a small fiction for this.

They have a small wedding at a temple, inviting only their families and close friends.

2) Will they have any children? What are their names?

Initially, Anitha expresses her reluctance to have kids as she was afraid of the pain she might have to face to abandon them if anything bad happens, just like how Theia had to separate her and Atlas after they were born. Griffin was her rock in that period of self-doubt, and told her that it was okay to feel that, and that having kids was her choice, whenever she felt ready.

Anitha and Griffin end up having twins, a daughter and a son. Their daughter's name is Mahi, after the characters in one of Anitha's favourite films, and their son's name is Louis, after Griffin's grandfather.

8) Greatest strength and greatest flaw about your OC?

Anitha's greatest strength: Outgrowing her fears. She is scared of the unknown, but always finds the willpower to overcome that fear.

Greatest flaw: She is too trusting. She believes that people can be fixed no matter what, even in the case of Kane. It's one of her weaknesses that Atlas scorns on.

10) Does your OC have a family tree? Who are their immediate and extended family if you created ones?

Anitha's caretakers grandparents were Indians who migrated and settled in America. While her dad doesn't have any siblings, her mom has a younger sister.

Biologically, her mother is a source so the other sources would be a part of her extended family and my headcanon is thag her father has an elder brother, Theo who is a professional thief player.

13) Does your OC have a good relationship with their parents or no?

Anitha shares a great bond with her caretakers, who have given her good values and knowledge and made her an empathetic and independent person.

She was initially uncertain of her relation with her birth-mother Theia, but after spending quality bonding time with her, she grows to love her. She likes to say that she has parents who gave life and parents who taught her to live.

17) Does your OC have a pet?

Yes, they have a golden retriever named Apollo and a grey tabby cat named Artemis, who get along great with Anitha's Lumian, Candy and Griffin's Aryulu, Teddy.

[ayasenisan1713]

Second Kira: Reimund Greg (at first)

Random collateral victim: Ava Lizier

Random murderer (Ava’s): Guillaume Bénet

Charlie is either Lumian’s classmate or another policeman. He may be a better choice for the role of Matsuda.

Rem: Mother Tree of Desire (no way this one is sacrificing herself…)

And you’ve still not answered whether L is Albus or not.

[thefarrari]

😒😒😒

Of course. Why did I expect anything different from Pixelberry.

[evilkitten3]

picked a dog for my companion in the elementalists

i named him levke

[griffinsabina]

[scgdoeswhat]

If you evolved Tim all the way, he stays evolved.

I think it's a coding error that keeps the Lumian and Arylu in their second evolved stage.

[helentwombly]

I was more worried with my familiar getting hurt rather than my MC 🤧

[daebom]

The Elementalists | relationships    ↪ my MC & Atlas

[the-light-of-stars]

Okay here it is: the current process on the Shreya drawing!

I still got to figure out the face (obviously) but then I can start coloring , so I suppose it won’t take too long until it’s finished :D

Also, especially since it isn’t finished yet, I appreciate constructive criticism, and don’t worry about being too harsh :)

[the-unconquered-queen]

Bonus points if you say why!

[screw-u-vaanu]

Is it just me or does the Lumian have the same smile as Greyson Prescott?

[impulsivechoice]

JOKES ON YOU PB

THE GORGUE IS THE CUTEST