Sacrea (サクリア, sakuria) is a mystical element within the Angelique and Neo Angelique series. It is used to foster and maintain the cosmos ruled by a Queen in the Holy Land. There are several cosmoses, but the four main cosmoses introduced within the continuity are the Sacred Bird Cosmos, the Sacred Beast Cosmos, the Commanding Owl Cosmos, and Arcadia.
Throughout the series, this power is known to manifest in a variety of forms.
Properties
A divine power found throughout the universe, Sacrea is usually found in select individuals predestined to harness its power. It is originally a sentient spirit, or a representative image of a cosmos's will, which exists before the creation of life. When a new cosmos is created, the spirits naturally sense worthy avatars for their strengths. They may refuse to nurture a cosmos if they deem that it is premature or unworthy of its protection.
The "mother" foundations for sustaining a cosmos is granted to a Queen and her Queen Aide. They support the universe's will for harmony; to coexist and prosper. The Queen's Sacrea is considered the strongest of these powers and can be used to perform various tasks, such as global shields and time travel. Without her Sacrea's protection, however, her cosmos risks immediate death.
Sacrea is divided into nine different properties which are bestowed to each of the Queen's male servants and protectors, the Sacred Guardians (守護聖, shugosei, alternatively translated as "Divine Saints"). When a guardian grants his Sacrea to a planet, he magically gives emotional inspiration to whatever quadrant it reaches.
Too much or too little Sacrea can be disastrous for a planet's future or development. The Royal Institute was established to give space coordinates and initial readings for problem areas of Sacrea imbalance within the cosmos. The Queen is held responsible for assigning the appropriate guardians to dispatch for personal investigations. Guardians arrive to their location thanks to dimensional teleportation provided by the Royal Institute's researchers or by boarding the Holy Land's ship. Upon their arrival, the guardian(s) can use their respective Sacrea to magically locate and remedy any misalignments. Duty dictates for them to promptly return to the Queen after their task is completed.
A person can be bestowed with a cosmos's Sacrea at any age, but their power will not last forever. Before the power within them runs dry, it is passed onto the next person destined to carry on their duties. A Queen may choose to die with her dying cosmos. Sacred Guardians may have a few words to their successor before they are returned to their home world. Since time flows at a much slower pace within the Holy Land, the guardians will return to a home foreign to them. Their loved ones will have long perished by the time of their return. The Queens and guardians must accept this reality while attending to their duties.
Since Sacrea is a power misunderstood by the general populace across the cosmos, the Queen and her Sacred Guardians are often revered as living deities. Normal people do not have the means of sensing or controlling Sacrea directly and are merely influenced by it. Yet the universe's will seeks for an envoy to foster the birth of a new cosmos. The person chosen is called the "étoile" (エトワール) and is given the duty of acting as the Holy Land's emissary. The étoile can store and transport another cosmos's Sacrea with the universe's assistance.
Types
Light Sacrea
Light Sacrea (光, Clair) brings about initiation, the source of all actions that give way to life. The Sacrea is essential in further developing the social structure of societies. Those with power over it not only have leadership qualities, but also possess an innate ability to expel negative influences. It is directly in opposition to Darkness Sacrea due to its emphasis on action over rest. Its image colors are yellow or gold. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire pride. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as awakening.
Darkness Sacrea
Darkness Sacrea (闇, Noir) offers respite and the cyclical cessation of action. One could say that the Sacrea provides a means of stabilizing society so it can mature at a gradual yet natural pace. As such, it is the antithesis of Light Sacrea which prioritizes more on advancement. Guardians under its influence are sensitive to the presence of dark beings and may discern their true forms. Its image colors are purple or violet blue. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire serenity. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as slumber.
Wind Sacrea
Wind Sacrea (風, Air) invokes mobility to help propagate life. Unlike the other Sacrea, it does not have a polar opposite. Its image colors are blue or orange. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire courage. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as change.
Water Sacrea
Water Sacrea (水, Aqua) provides therapy, the power to heal and replenish. Despite providing succor, too much of it can cause societies to stagnate. Because of its therapeutic nature, it directly counters the effects of Fire Sacrea. Its image color is aqua blue. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire kindness. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as comfort.
Fire Sacrea
Fire Sacrea (炎, Flamme) stokes the will to create and destroy, resulting in war and militarization. Due to its volatile nature, the Sacrea is a double-edged sword that can improve well-disciplined civilizations or ruin societies unprepared with handling power responsibily. Its effects are kept in check by the presence of Water Sacrea. Its image color is red. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire strength. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as passion.
Greenery Sacrea
Greenery Sacrea (緑, Vert) heralds fertility, enabling fauna and flora to flourish. While this Sacrea blesses civilizations with abundant resources, it can repress or even distort their desires if left unchecked. Standing in opposition to it is the Steel Sacrea due to the latter's impact on nature. Its image colors are dark green or yellow green. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire abundance. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as nurture.
Steel Sacrea
Steel Sacrea (鋼, Acier) leads to creation and refinement of metal-based technology. The Sacrea helps foster technological and scientific advances to further strengthen societies. Its opposing half is the Greenery Sacrea which represents nature in its true form. Its image colors are gray, blue gray, or magenta. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire dexterity. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as creativity.
Dream Sacrea
Dream Sacrea (夢, Rêve) evokes immaterial matters like beauty, love, and other positive emotions. An abundance of it can be found in societies where people freely pursue their dreams and express themselves without restraint. It is contrasted by the more grounded and logical ideations of Earth Sacrea. Its image colors are pink or lavender. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire beauty. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as freedom.
Earth Sacrea
Earth Sacrea (地, Terre) promotes wisdom and curiosity, creating the need for knowledge and rules. The Sacrea is necessary for stimulating societies on a more intellectual level. It serves as a counterpoint to the more emotional Dream Sacrea. Its image colors are yellow green or dark green. In the Sacred Bird Cosmos, this Sacrea is said to inspire wisdom. The Sacred Beast Cosmos recontextualizes its inspiration as protection.
Other Traits
In rare cases, raw Sacrea can crystalize to fit within the palm of person's hand. Within the Angelique continuity, these crystals are referred to as "Gemmes". Normally, the crystals are viewed as valued ornaments and sought by collectors. Gemmes' true powers are activated by a wielder's emotional outbursts, unleashing the Sacrea as an uncontrollable force of nature. If used improperly, it could pose a serious threat to the planet's habitants.
The Neo Angelique continuity instead names them "Aubes". Arcadia's crystalized orbs formed naturally over time and are relics of the two Queens and the Sacred Bird's Sacred Guardians. The Artifact Foundation uses Aubes to fuel their research of ancient technology, such as their Purifying Project and the Jinx's operating systems. The protagonist's group collects and harnesses Aubes' powers in their fight against Thanatos. As a result, they are named "Aube Hunters".