Aelar's journey back home felt longer than usual, and the streets of Andhi, which usually resonated with life and energy, now seemed distant.
Upon reaching home, he made his way to his room, and the dim light of the many moons filtered through the window, casting a soft glow on his face as he sat down, lost in thought.
The fact that his life was in danger, not just from the world outside but also from the very essence within him, was a bitter pill to swallow. "Why? Why is my life intertwined with such peril? Why can't I just be... normal?"
His frustration grew, the weight of his destiny pressing down on him. "Why did I ever wish to learn magic?"
He clenched his fists, feeling the anger, the despair, and the confusion swirl within him. His dreams of harnessing his magical abilities and making a difference in the world now seemed tainted.
In a moment of anger, he swiped the books off his table—those precious tomes that Master Osho had entrusted him with landed with a heavy thud, and he collapsed onto his bed. But even as his eyes closed, sleep proved restless, haunted by the shadows of what he had learned today.
Days blurred into one another—the once-thriving herb stall was neglected. The library, which had been a beacon of knowledge, now stood as a reminder of the unknown, the forbidden.
On the fourth day of his self-imposed isolation, Master Osho's presence pierced through Aelar's haze. "Enough," Osho commanded, voice gentle but firm. "You can't surrender to this abyss, Aelar. Either harness your pain and move forward or let it consume you and give up your life."
Aelar looked up, anguish evident in his eyes. "How can I, Master? When you even had to place a seal on my core?"
Osho's reply was decisive, "Take control. Let the academy be your first step. Grow your knowledge and wield it to overcome this challenge."
Woken up by Osho's words, Aelar sought answers in his studies. The scrolls and books became his anchors, pulling him from the whirlpool of despair.
On the eve of the academy's entrance test, Osho summoned Aelar. "Before you step into the academy," Osho began, "you must understand the forbidden realms."
Aelar's heart raced, and his over-imaginative mind yelled, "What are they, Master? Are they evil? Do they kill and consume anyone who touches them? Will it kill me, too, once the seal is gone?"
Osho sighed, pausing to gather his thoughts. "You are right in part. Some realms can corrode the mind, reshaping one into a being of sheer evil, like the 'Abyssal Void,' which pulls essence from everything around it, turning the user into a vortex that will keep growing until the user is sucked and consumed by the realm. Then there's 'Distortion,' a realm that distorts reality, making the wielder a harbinger of unpredictability and destruction. Another is the 'Heart of Greed,' turning its user into a mindless power-hungry beast, always seeking more, never satisfied. From what we know, all forbidden realms consume the people who access them."
Aelar listened intently, absorbing every chilling detail. Osho continued, "But not all forbidden realms are known to us. They are vast and complex. In the Realm Testing Orb, while common realms appear as full circles pulsating with essence, forbidden realms manifest as hollow rings, voids that hint at their treacherous nature."
The gravity of the revelation weighed on Aelar. "How can I face the test knowing this?" he whispered.
Osho responded, "With caution and a little bit of courage. Remember, knowledge will help you to overcome this challenge."
With a momentary pause, Osho says, "Aelar, come closer." His voice carried a gravity that drew Aelar in without hesitation. Gently placing his left hand atop Aelar's head, Osho channeled a burst of energy. A dark gossamer weave with intricate patterns emerged from Aelar. "This," Osho intoned, "is a mere reflection of the Shadow Weave Seal that binds your forbidden realm. The true seal remains anchored inside you."
Handing the weave to Aelar, Osho instructed, "Examine it. Witness the intricate bindings, the knots, and patterns that imprison the forbidden."
Aelar's eyes widened as he held the weave. It pulsated with a life of its own, its detailed patterns speaking of ancient knowledge and unparalleled craftsmanship. The bindings interlaced in complex nodes, each knot a testament to the power and skill of the one who crafted it.
"As your understanding deepens," Osho said, breaking the silence, "you must keep revisiting this seal. It will help your growth in weaving essence and, with time, will guide you in loosening its hold."
Aelar looked up and said. "Master, isn't that dangerous? Shouldn't the seal remain intact?"
Osho's eyes held a mix of wisdom and foresight. "The seal won't endure forever, Aelar. As you embrace your potential and tap into realms and channel their energies, the seal will naturally weaken. It might last for decades, but it won't be forever. It would last till your final breath if you chose to abandon magic. But that isn't your path."
Aelar's grip on the weave tightened, the weight of Osho's words pressing on him.
Osho continued, "You will grow stronger, Aelar. And when the day comes that the seal threatens to shatter, I'd prefer you to have the wisdom gained from its mysteries. Study it but in intervals. Let your knowledge mature before each observation."
The room fell silent, the gravity of the moment palpable. With the Shadow Weave Seal as his guide and Osho's teachings as his compass, Aelar was ready to navigate the treacherous path ahead.