Tidal Ascension

As one of the oldest anomalies, Tidal Ascension has existed in this world long before paper and pens. Whenever it manifests, it is accompanied by gentle rain falling from the sky and all vegetation sprouting forth into spring. Even the most barren and desolate lands are revitalized. Thus, in an age when every blade of grass was sacred, Tidal Ascension was regarded as an auspicious blessing from the heavens. Simple folk would hold feasts and celebrations of song and dance, commemorating this phenomenon through various ceremonial traditions. Yet one ritual was performed everywhere without exception: the leaping of the Dragon Gate.

When the ritual began, people would construct a towering Dragon Gate. The Skyfish Banners that migrated along with the Tidal Ascension phenomenon would then compete to leap over it, while skilled performers would cleverly maneuver against them, preventing them from crossing the Dragon Gate. Yes, I said preventing, not assisting. This has been the custom since ancient times, and even though the reasons for it have long since faded into obscurity, later generations have continued to follow it strictly. Needless to say, such a fantastical and grand performance won the adoration of all children, and so Tidal Ascension took on another layer of meaning: to fulfill childhood dreams together with the youth, so that they would carry a heart that never loses its innocence.

The ethereal colorful carps have no physical form and cannot actually be harmed or blocked, but they respond to their opponents' actions accordingly. Stopping them is not difficult, as if this spectacle itself deliberately cooperates with humans to present the Dragon Gate trial more romantically to the eyes of eager children. When encountering obstacles, the carp blow bubbles, trapping those who block them from leaping over the Dragon Gate. These light bubbles carry the people inside up into the air before gently floating back down, and so children eagerly join in. Weighing less, children often fly higher, high enough to vanish amidst the clouds and glimpse the homeland of the carp. Such rituals would eventually transform into joyful games, and the carp would complete their Dragon Gate trial amidst laughter. The translucent colorful carp that failed to leap over the Dragon Gate would wave their tails and ascend like fireworks, gradually vanishing into the distant sky. Thus the celebration would come to a perfect close, and the children would continue to grow while cherishing the beautiful memories of that day.

This celebration continued until a certain ceremony in a certain place in a certain year. In retrospect, it was likely that some curious young people deliberately allowed the carp to successfully leap over the Dragon Gate…

A witness once told their children and grandchildren what happened that day: it was an extraordinarily magnificent dragon, rising from the Faraway land. "A great dragon made of countless colorful carp! It circled round and round in the sky, with fish constantly swimming into its body from all directions. Then a river in the sky descended to meet it, and the dragon followed that heavenly stream back into the clouds."

It was not until several days later, when the last of the fish had scattered and vanished, that people discovered everyone who had participated in the ceremony at that place had disappeared. Where the village once stood was now silent, yet the vegetation had grown astonishingly lush… Even the tallest chimney was covered in countless flowers. Some said they were punished for angering the spirits with their irreverence toward the ritual. Others said they were chosen by the dragon formed from fish and taken to the heavens, becoming new colorful carp awaiting the next migration.

However, all we can confirm is that this Anomaly may cause extraordinary consequences after evolving, that is, after successfully leaping over the Dragon Gate. From every perspective, we should do our utmost to avoid repeating this mistake. As recorded in ancient texts restored by archaeologists: "…The shimmering scales came from the nine heavens in great numbers, seeking to cross the Dragon Gate. Wherever they passed, sweet rain fell upon the world and all vegetation was revived. All people celebrated, and this became an established custom, passed down through generations… To prevent disaster, there is but one rule: they must not be allowed to cross the Dragon Gate."

Regrettably, after more and more people learned the truth, it became impossible to approach this phenomenon with the same pure innocence as before. The ritual of leaping the Dragon Gate has gradually become an ancient ceremony only found in history books… The children of yesteryear have long been swallowed by the river of time, remembered by none… Only the colorful carp still return to the human world, and again.

· Accompanying that slender river from the heavens, the translucent fish shadows that migrate here seek the trial of leaping over the Dragon Gate.

· Ignores geographic conditions. Able to revitalize the surrounding area.

· Failed trials result in a 'return to the sky', while successful ones cause the Anomaly to evolve.

Help the Skyfish Banner complete the challenge of leaping over the Dragon Gate, regardless of whether they succeed or fail.

Generally does not attack proactively. Can serve as city scenery.

Cannot be contained.

Not in containment.

Skyfish Banner