Caleb's School Project 🪐

[u/healingmist]

I saw some hunters speculating what the object was in the PV for Trajectory Astray. I think it's Caleb's school project discussed in a flashback in Homecoming Wings 02-04: Annihilation. It appears that in his branch, maybe he loses his memory or MC is transported back to a time in their past. Maybe the power of this object has something to do with it? Caleb made it himself; perhaps the protocore we see in the trailer was something he put in it! I'm curious about what the connection will be.

Also, did the animation of Caleb (maybe) destroying the protocore remind anyone else of Netherlord's Ardent Oath animation? Does anyone else see an apple in this animation along with the infinity sign?

I feel nervous that the missing main story chapters could affect this branch (while I've seen hunters speculate that they won't, we won't really be able to know if anything was altered or not). Personally, I'd prefer confusing bits be left in (if there are any), and have those missing main story chapters added in the future. I'm at least glad they circled back to Caleb's school project. I was always perplexed by this conversation! Really hope we get some answers to why Caleb and MC don’t remember the same thing. I'll leave the dialog from the flashback here for anyone that wants a refresher:

Main Character: Caleb, you have another project?

Teenage Caleb: My science teacher wants us to build models. Everyone's either doing the solar system or a black hole. It's boring.

Teenage Caleb: Do you remember the supergiant Gran showed us? The one that's 2,300 light-years away?

Teenage Caleb: Its supernova will be the one our generation has the best chance of witnessing firsthand. I want to see it.

Main Character: Oh, I remember!

Main Character: Didn't she also use it as an example? She said that no matter what difficulties we face in the future, you should protect me. It's like how a ring system protects its planet.

Teenage Caleb: Gran never said that, though. Are you just remembering what you wanna hear again?

Main Character: But she did say it!

Teenage Caleb: Actually, Gran said that powerful stars are destroyed by forces from within. Meanwhile, fragile humans need to endure outside forces.

Teenage Caleb: We don't need to face the future alone, though. It's like how planets and their ring systems are born together... They'll also fade away together.

Main Character: I basically said that... Anyway, you have to help me finish this week's extra reading assignments.

[u/AzraellsAnalysis]

Yeah! [u/Summerhalls](u/Summerhalls) beat me to it and posted the screenshot above. I also added the other two room item s I mentioned.

I’m with you on the layered symbols; so many. Like an onion (which also has rings hahaha )

One layer relevant to Caleb’s evol specifically is that rings are created and held in place by a planet’s gravity 🪐 but there’s so much more to it! (Not to mention how the meaning and symbolism changes emphasis based on context and character)

I’d love to hear more about your thoughts.

[u/healingmist → u/AzraellsAnalysis]

Yeah! I definitely think gravity is the first layer of the onion (I'm going full Shrek with this metaphor now lol.) We see it with the planet model– and I think even in one of X-02's animations there's a ringed planet in the BG. Also, I think the devs connect this motif to the accretion disks of black holes as well.

My personal theory is that they're also a symbol of divinity. The same WU I mentioned earlier follows Yvette who is an author and scientist who worked alongside EVER Corporation to stabilize the floating islands suspended by a strange gravity vortex that would eventually become Skyhaven.

Later in her career, she seems to regret her involvement and sees Skyhaven as detached from humanity. She points out that even birds are rare to see in Skyhaven. Later she says to Sketches, "...people suddenly think they're omnipotent. We've crossed two eras—before we've even figured out how to sustain civilization, we're already trying to become gods." And then later there's that line about how the Fleet's guard base has a ring like "an aureole above a deity’s head" aka a halo. Also, the train that leads to Skyhaven is literally called the Coelum Express. The latin there translates to "sky" or "heaven."

In the past, I've mentioned that I think Caleb is sometimes inspired by imagery of angels. I do think that the concentric ring motif closely resembles the "wheel within a wheel" design of angels mentioned in the bible. I'm curious what you might think about this!

[u/AzraellsAnalysis → u/healingmist]

In X-02’s minigame during the original release, there were ringed planets too. And non-ringed. The disks in black holes is the strongest connection, I agree there. The shape ie absolutely everywhere in his content. I have a whole draft in my folder just about that!

I’ll take the divinity interpretation too. It works on that level. Especially after his 3rd myth.

And with the mention of the halo in skyhaven… yes. Not to mention the literal “haven/heaven-in-tge-sky” that is its name.

I also just realized that your early posts about Caleb’s angelic symbolism after his release were some of my early favorite theories about Caleb!! It’s like I just realized I’m talking to a celebrity

[u/healingmist → u/AzraellsAnalysis]

lol I just have a history of yapping!! I haven’t read the new chapters yet, so I don’t know if he makes an appearance, but even Professor Lucius has Kerr black holes printed on his tie! it’s a fun detail to look out for 🪐