The bustling Freelight City offered a variety of experiences for Aedan as he wandered its streets, the crystalline structures casting a soft glow as the evening descended. As he strolled, contemplating his next steps, he overheard a spirited conversation among a group of individuals clad in attire that hinted at their tribal origins.
"Hey, have you heard about the ruins discovery?" one of them exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, from the Azure Serpent Tribe, right? They're assembling a team for an expedition," another responded.
Aedan's ears perked up at the mention of ruins. Intrigued, he decided to approach the group. "Excuse me," he interjected politely, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. What ruins are you talking about?"
The group turned to him, sizing him up with skeptical glances. The one who had spoken earlier, a wiry man with intricate tribal markings on his face, responded, "We're from the Azure Serpent Tribe. We got word that the Blue Flame Tribe found some ancient ruins not far from here. They're organizing an expedition, and we're looking for able bodies to join."
"Ah, I see," Aedan replied, nodding thoughtfully. "Mind if I tag along? I'm always up for a good adventure."
The group exchanged curious glances. The leader, a stern-looking woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, eyed Aedan warily. "What's your name, stranger? And why do you want to join?"
"Name's Aedan," he said, offering a friendly smile. "I'm on a journey, and a bit of exploring fits right into my plans. Besides, I've got some skills that might come in handy."
The leader remained unconvinced, but the wiry man, Gharak, chimed in, "Well, we do need more hands, and we ain't got the luxury of being too picky. Welcome aboard, Aedan."
With that, Aedan found himself among the recruits, proceeding to the tent where the interviews were taking place. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, with the leader, a formidable woman named Kaela, firing questions at each candidate. When Aedan's turn came, she eyed him skeptically.
"What's your past like, Aedan?" she inquired, her tone challenging.
"Oh, nothing too fancy," Aedan replied casually. "Grew up in Ironwood Forest, learned a thing or two about survival, and now I'm on a journey to see what the world has to offer."
The leader seemed unimpressed. "Skills?"
Aedan grinned, "Let's just say I can handle myself pretty well in a scrap."
Gharak whispered to Aedan, "She's tough to impress, but don't worry, I got a good feeling about you."
As the questions continued, Aedan noticed a few disdainful glances from some of the other recruits. Noticing an opportunity to showcase his abilities, he subtly released a breath of yellow air, infusing the surroundings with a calming energy.
The effect was immediate. The weariness etched on the faces of the candidates faded, replaced by a newfound vitality. Kaela's stern expression softened, replaced by a begrudging acknowledgment.
"Well, you're either a healer or one with a unique way of showing off. Either way, you're in," she declared.
"Thanks," Aedan said with a nod of appreciation.
Gharak patted him on the back, "Good move back there. She doesn't accept just anybody."
As they left the tent, Gharak grinned, "By the way, we're heading to our Tribe's camp just outside the city. Join us there when you're ready. Oh, and the name's Gharak."
Aedan reciprocated the introduction, "Nice to meet you, Gharak. I'll see you at the camp."
Emboldened by the success of his audition, Aedan headed back to his inn for the night, anticipating the adventure that awaited at the ruins.
The early morning sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as Aedan joined the Azure Serpent Tribe for their journey to the ancient ruins. The excitement in the air was palpable, a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Aedan couldn't help but feel a sense of thrill at the prospect of exploring the unknown.
As the group traversed through the dense foliage, Aedan's keen instincts picked up subtle clues in the surroundings. The architecture, the arrangement of stones — everything hinted at the influence of a Zeaphin expert. He shared his deductions with the group, earning nods of approval from the more experienced members.
Rylar, a seasoned warrior with azure-colored scales on his hands and forehead, spoke up, "You've got sharp eyes, Aedan. We'll need every advantage we can get in these ruins."
The ruins unfolded before them, a labyrinth of passages, each twist and turn whispering secrets of a forgotten era. However, the journey was fraught with danger. The group encountered numerous traps, intricate and deadly. Aedan, entrusted with the burden of carrying much of the equipment, navigated cautiously through the hazardous terrain.
Syla, a quick-witted woman with serpent-like eyes, commented, "Watch your step, Aedan. These traps won't show mercy."
Tragedy struck as two members fell victim to the traps, their lives claimed by the ancient mechanisms. The Azure Serpent Tribe, while mourning their comrades, pressed on with heightened caution.
Midway through the ruins, the group decided to set up camp for the night. Aedan, still finding himself on the periphery of the tight-knit tribe, pitched his tent behind a stone pillar, maintaining a slight distance. The flickering flames of the campfire danced in the darkness as the tribe settled down, their camaraderie evident in their laughter and shared stories.
In the silence of the night, Aedan's heightened senses caught the hushed conversation of the tribesmen. They spoke of him, believing the boy was out of earshot. While nothing alarming was said, an undercurrent of caution lingered. Aedan, unperturbed, feigned sleep, deciding to let their wariness ebb naturally.
Jaxen, a stoic man with azure scales on his neck, whispered to Rylar, "What do you make of Aedan, Rylar? He's an unknown element in this equation."
Rylar replied, "He's sharp and agile, but we'll keep an eye on him. The ruins don't forgive the unsuspecting."
Morning arrived, and Aedan emerged from his tent as if nothing had transpired during the night. The group resumed their descent into the heart of the ruins. As they delved deeper, a new challenge presented itself: spider monsters, their grotesque forms scuttling through the ancient halls.
The Azure Serpent Tribesmen, fueled by their lifeforce, rushed forward to confront the arachnid threat. Aedan observed in awe as Gharak and his friend, a robust warrior of similar age, showcased the martial arts unique to their tribe. Lifeforce surged through their bodies, enhancing their physical prowess as they executed precise and versatile maneuvers.
Zara, a fierce woman with serpent-like eyes, called out, "Stick close, Aedan! We fight as a unit."
Aedan nodded, watching the martial dance unfold. As the last spider monster succumbed to the tribesmen's coordinated assault, Aedan couldn't help but acknowledge the prowess of his companions. Yet his guard was still high against them, fearing they would act against him at any time, and this feeling only grew with each passing second.
Approaching what appeared to be a dead end, Aedan watched as the members of the Azure Serpent Tribe exchanged glances before proceeding forward, forming a circle in front of the wall. Kaela, the leader, declared, "It is time."
Two groups emerged, pulling forward two of the natives they had hired and Aedan, throwing them to the front. The nine Azure Serpent tribesmen began chanting in serpent language.
As the Azure Serpent Tribe continued their ritual, Aedan felt a strange and dark energy permeating the air. The serpent language echoed eerily in the cavernous space. The youths thrown to the front, both natives and Aedan, began to weaken visibly. Their life force drained rapidly as if being consumed by an invisible force.
Aedan struggled against the weakening effects, his senses heightened by the urgency of the situation. The Azure Serpent tribesmen, their azure scales now even more pronounced, seemed to draw strength from the draining life force.
Kaela, with a commanding presence, led the ritual. "Urdor!" she declared again, and the ominous energy swirled around the group. Aedan, still untouched by the devouring force, watched as the youths' vitality seemed to be absorbed by the Azure Serpent Tribe.
His mind raced with the implications of what he was witnessing. Urdor, the devourer's path, was a dark and bloodthirsty cultivation path. It was a path he had heard of in hushed whispers, spoken of as a forbidden and perilous journey. The Azure Serpent Tribe, seemingly a group of Urdor warriors, absorbed the strength of others to enhance their own.
Aedan knew he had to act, but his movements were sluggish under the influence of the Urdor ritual. The scales on the Azure Serpent tribesmen gleamed as they absorbed the essence of the sacrificed lives.
"Urdor!" Two words resonated in Aedan's mind. Only those on the mysterious Urdor path could assimilate and absorb the strength and vitality of others. Among the three paths, those who trained in lifeforce were referred to as either Warriors or Healers, those on the Astra Path were Sages, and the few on the Urdor path were known as the devourers.
As the ominous Urdor energy attempted to seep into Aedan's body, he felt an intense resistance from the mysterious power within him. The belt beneath his skin shook violently, and the Urdor's influence was purged almost instantly. "I see things aren't going to be easy for none of us," Aedan mused inwardly.
Recalling the secret conversation he overheard the previous night, Aedan understood the dark history of these ruins. An ancestor of the Zeaphin had defeated a monstrous member of the Azure Serpent Tribe who had indulged in devouring the life sources of serpent-type beasts until he transformed into a colossal, fifty-feet-tall monster. The expert buried the monstrous body in these ruins to prevent its malevolence from spreading.
Now, the Azure Serpent Tribe sought to retrieve that very body, aiming to harness its power for their own growth. Aedan couldn't hide his disdain for the disrespect these clansmen showed toward their own ancestor.
Drawing forward his Enigma Belt, Aedan inserted three gemstones, each of a different color—red, blue, and yellow. Knowing that combining three Heartsparks caused an emotional imbalance, he hoped that using one of each color would bring harmony instead.
"Sorrow, Joy, Anger!" Three words echoed in his mind as a luminous white suit materialized, enshrouding him in an ethereal glow. The suit seemed to ripple with an inner light, an embodiment of pure heart.
Following this celestial garment, crystalline structures emerged, one by one, surrounding him. The first crystal, a deep shade of red, symbolizing Anger, appeared over his heart. Then came the yellow crystal, representing Joy, hovering over his head. Lastly, the blue crystal, a beacon of Sorrow, found its place above his navel.
The crystals shimmered, casting a spectral aura around Aedan. His entire being seemed to pulse with newfound energy, an equilibrium achieved by the harmonious dance of these contrasting forces.
Aedan swiftly pressed a concealed switch on his belt, and the crystals detached, swirling around each other before seamlessly integrating back into the Enigma Belt. Now, the Red Crystal took its place, radiating an intense glow above his head, while the blue and yellow crystals positioned themselves on his left and right arms.
It was a spectacle of controlled fury. Aedan, now adorned with the Red Crystal's intense radiance, moved with purpose. His blue arm expertly deflected the serpent people's attacks, while the yellow arm worked its healing effects, mending any injuries he might have sustained.
As he prepared for a potent counterattack, Aedan crossed his fists, hurling the remaining Heartsparks into the air. Two red crystals engaged in a mesmerizing dance, tracing a crystalline circle of runes before him.
With the incantation, "Heartspark Arts: Fires of Hatred," deep red tongues of fire burst forth from the runic circle, aiming unrelenting fury at the serpent people. Some managed to evade the inferno, but Gharak and his companion were not as fortunate, succumbing to the wrath of Aedan's anger-fueled flames.
Retrieving the crystals, Aedan held one in each hand. Behind his masked countenance, his eyes glowed with a fierce red intensity. The crystals, now conduits of concentrated power, transformed into two ten-inch-long blades of radiant crimson light. The serpent people were scared now, seeing how wrong they were for thinking Aedan was a weak and innocent prey, yet he turned out to be the real hunter and they were nothing but weak sheep waiting for slaughter.