Doing Your Best

Even though the Seven Shapes had become symbols that helped the Espers develop their StarDust, none of them was perfect.

Each had her own strengths and weaknesses, yet each did her best every day to strengthen her qualities and overcome her shortcomings.

Eklea, the Shape of Awareness, who seemed to see the world differently from everyone else, was no exception.

Indeed, her systemic vision of the planet sometimes drew her away from reality. While it is important to think about the future, she sometimes forgot to fully live in the present moment.

It was during those moments that she, too, turned to the Seven Shapes to remind herself how to nurture her own StarDust.

Shala, the Shape of Time, reminded her that time was precious and that only the present allowed her to act.

Atma, the Shape of Balance, reminded her that even the most aware beings needed rest and that they could not carry the weight of the world on their own shoulders.

During her childhood, Vati, who would later become the Shape of Wisdom, was already Eklea’s friend.

She often lifted Eklea’s spirits, for Eklea was deeply saddened as she watched the civilization of the Espers gradually sink into chaos, eventually giving rise to the War of Chaos.

“The only thing we can do is do our best every single day…,” Vati would tell her.

As Eklea looked at her, she noticed a tear in her friend’s eyes.

She was not the only one carrying this sorrow, and that realization brought her precious comfort.