Back in the village, Aedan took great care to avoid any onlookers as he quietly made his way up the hill to his cottage. It had been months since anyone had dared to challenge him; his days were now filled with diligent work and evenings dedicated to honing his skills.
In the solitude of his room, Aedan focused on manipulating the strands of aura that surrounded him. Currently, he could summon only three distinct auras: red, yellow, and blue, each with its unique abilities, a testament to his months of rigorous training and practice.
Firstly, there was the enigmatic aura, which had nine distinct forms, of which Aedan had mastered only three.
Red (Anger/Hatred): This aura heightened his combat prowess, enhancing every aspect of his physical abilities. It also granted him the power to employ "Infuriate," a technique that drew his adversaries toward him, a perfect complement to the fiery attacks of his Heartspark Armor.
Yellow (Joy/Happiness): Although less effective in combat, this aura made him extraordinarily sensitive to the emotions of others. It had a gentle, healing aspect, capable of mending injuries by channeling the positive emotions of happiness and joy. Its curative effects grew stronger in the presence of greater joy.
Blue (Fear/Sorrow): While not a potent offensive aura, blue offered robust defensive capabilities. Aedan could use it to induce "Fear" in others, sapping their will to fight.
The remaining aura forms were represented by the colors green, pink, purple, black, silver, and gold. Although their specific abilities remained shrouded in mystery, Aedan had discerned the likely emotions they represented:
Green (Hope)
Pink (Affection/Love)
Purple (Pity)
Black (Grief)
Silver (???)
Gold (???)
Though he couldn't yet harness their powers, Aedan's intuition suggested the potential for extraordinary abilities linked to these emotions. As he continued his journey of self-discovery, he knew that unlocking these remaining aura forms would grant him a fuller understanding of his true potential and allow him to confront the challenges that lay ahead.
"One month left, hmm..." Aedan mused, gazing out of the window. The changing landscape before him seemed almost as much a reflection of his own transformation over the past five months.
After a refreshing bath and a change of clothes, Aedan approached the desk beside his bed, where a curious artifact awaited him. It had been a gift, a mysterious object that seemed to pulse with an unspoken energy.
[Help!!!]
As Aedan's fingertips made contact with the artifact's surface, a familiar yet more distinct childlike voice pierced his mind, an urgent plea for assistance that resonated throughout every fiber of his being.
Recognition dawned; he had heard this voice before, albeit faintly. Without a moment's hesitation, he darted towards the mountains, determined to locate the source of the distress call. This time, unlike his previous attempt, Aedan discovered an entrance, a concealed passage that unveiled a staircase spiraling into the abyss of darkness.
With a Heartspark hovering above him, casting a radiant glow that illuminated the unknown, he descended the steps.
After what felt like an eternity, Aedan knew he had ventured deep beneath the village. He continued forward until he felt a peculiar warmth emanating from the artifact in his pocket.
It was as though magic itself enveloped him, for suddenly, it seemed as if he had traversed a solid barrier. The illusion that had masked his surroundings dissipated, revealing an immense underground cavern. At its center lay an enormous entity.
Initially, Aedan had mistaken it for a beast, for it was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Yet, as he drew closer, perplexing details came into focus. Its form possessed rounded contours, intricate patterns etched into its surface, and delicate veins that pulsed with a substance resembling blood. However, interspersed throughout were incongruous elements, such as mechanical openings and protruding weaponry.
The amalgamation of organic and inorganic elements blended seamlessly, as if by design, which only deepened the mystery.
"Yay, you've found me," the voice echoed once more as Aedan approached. This time, it carried a tone of relief and faint elation.
Suddenly, a connection formed in Aedan's mind, and knowledge flooded in like an incoming tide, filling him with understanding. He comprehended the true nature of the enigmatic entity before him—a Starship, akin to the one that had transported him to this world, yet unique in its own way. This was a natural-born starship, known beyond these lands as a Beast-Class Spaceship or only Space Beasts.
Space Beasts were among the rarest and most coveted of celestial creatures, beings of immense intelligence endowed with the extraordinary power to manipulate space, allowing them to traverse vast cosmic distances with ease. The same ability can also be used to create a prosperous and safe environment Whitin it's body, perfect to carry passengers and why it is considered a living ship.
In the cavern's dimly lit expanse, Aedan faced the colossal creature, the Space Beast that had reached out to him with a cry for help. The voice within his mind now took on a different tone, one of shared knowledge and revelation.
With a surreal resonance, Aedan was drawn into a shared experience, witnessing the Space Beast's memories. He saw the beast crash onto this world, much like he had, but it was many years before his own arrival. The colossal entity had landed with an earth-shaking impact, then entered a state of hibernation, waiting in silence, and isolation.
As the memories unfurled, Aedan learned the critical reason for the beast's call for help. It had been tethered to a pilot, a symbiotic bond that Space Beasts relied upon to function. But tragedy had struck. Its pilot had perished, severing the neural connection that allowed the Space Beast to act, move, or communicate.
Aedan couldn't help but inquire, "Why not seek another pilot?"
The Space Beast's response was tinged with solemnity. "It's not that simple. The requirements for a Space Beast's pilot are rigorous. Beyond above-average intelligence, a high level of brain force is necessary. You, Aedan, are the only suitable candidate I have encountered on this world for the last five thousand years."
Aedan contemplated this revelation. The opportunity to become the pilot of this incredible creature and potentially leave this planet hung in the balance. He queried, "If I become your pilot, can we leave this place?"
The Space Beast's affirmative response resonated in his mind, "Yes, but first, I must repair myself. My fall left too many of my abilities inactive to the point it is impossible to cross the atmosphere."
With a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, Aedan requested some time to deliberate. He retreated to his home, weighed down by the gravity of the choice before him. As he lay in his bed, the possibilities and consequences swirled in his mind. The chance to journey among the stars was tantalizing, but it came with its own set of responsibilities and uncertainties. The night passed, and Aedan's dreams were filled with visions of the cosmos, of worlds yet to be explored, and of a partnership that could transcend the bounds of this world.
But it wasn't time yet, he still had unfinished business with Esethia and her people. There's no way he can forget what the Sacred Soul Sect did to him or all those innocent people.