Two weeks had passed.
A figure lay under the shade of an amethyst mystifir tree, staring straight at another figure who was performing rigorous movements. Each movement seemed interlinked as he performed them consecutively. Every strike seemed to distort the airflow, and his movements appeared to follow a unique rhythm.
As he kicked and punched, a unique force was transmitted from each limb fluidly, without any obstructions. The power contained within each strike seemed to stack up with each movement and stance he completed. Sweat began building up as the figure started panting, but he continued each movement without making a single mistake. A sensation akin to that of burning could be felt from the figure's chest as the heat around him seemed to increase. But the figure paid no mind to the commotion he caused and continued practicing, giving his all in accomplishing whatever he set out to do.
Each movement became more refined with each heave, as his focus gathered. He entered a unique state in which he forgot about all external and internal stimuli, his focus solely on his unknown task.
Stop" the figure laying in the shade said as it stood up with its sword in tow as it left the shade its features could be clearly seen, blue eyes and hair reminiscent of the ocean with a fit muscular body, Mark approached the figure lying sprawled on the purplish leaves with small strides, the chest of the figure which heaved up and down served as a testament to draining exercise which it just went through, as Mark approached the figure it's features could now be seen, silver hair that was neatly trimmed with eyes that contrasted each other.
Athan's body was sprawled on the floor, his chest heaved as if to take in all the air in his surroundings, a toothy grin could be seen on his exhausted face, his gaze focused on the purplish skies before his gaze was blocked by a sudden figure in his line of sight, Mark was standing above him, his gaze was filled with pride as he looked at Athan, the little child was clad in black, as he wore a sleeveless shirt that showcased his arms and short pants that stopped at his knees, his feet was covered by a wrapping cloth similar to bandages as it extended to all his legs.
"You did good," he said as he returned to the shade with a smile evident on his face as he was relishing in the moment, a certain sound interrupted his thoughts,
"Is that all you've got to say" a childish voice could be heard from his back. As he turned his head backward, Athan could be seen walking towards him with brisk steps.
Mark fixed his gaze upon the approaching child and immediately recollected all that they had been through together over the last two weeks.
** Two weeks ago **
Athan was engaged in a fight with a second-rank [aether creature], while Mark watched from the sidelines. The creature had dark scales covering its body, a humanoid appearance, and four arms that ended in sharp claws. It stood at four feet tall, with a slim and muscular body that was built for agile movements. Its long tail was adorned with spikes on the end, which could be retracted and also used as projectiles.
The creature was utilizing it's speed to it's utmost advantage as it easily dodged Athan's strikes while attacking him, Athan was getting annoyed at the situation because he couldn't use his aether due to Mark, as Mark sealed his huge amount of aether something that shocked Athan, although his limited intelligence as his aether could always destroy anything that stood in it's path so the situation was a first for him, as he only relied on his physical strength to face off against the second-rank creature, but although he was stronger he noticed he couldn't cause any damage to the creature since his attacks couldn't hit it which seemed to irritate him the more as the creature always landed hits on him even though negligible, as the injuries were healed within seconds but the continuous healing was starting to take its toll on him as his attacks were becoming slower, a certain feeling of weakness was now bombarding his senses as he couldn't focus and muster up much energy from his body, his gaze drowsy as he started to stagger as the creature was now homing in to deal the finishing strike, Mark then appeared in it's path before grabbing the head of the creature and driving it through the ground which caused the head to explode in a shower of brain matter and blood, which didn't ruin his clothes as his aether was wrapped around his whole body protecting him from the splatter fest but it didn't stop poor athan from being covered in blood.
"So poison does affect him but not the normal ones that only affect the physical body, but those which affect the mind like the one used by this four-armed macabre" he whispered as he gazed at the kid who was mentally paralyzed with care in his eyes before lifting him and placing him on his shoulders.
Mark then continued to venture deep into the [zone] as he headed for the [zone] barrier with little Athan in tow.
"If he wakes up the first thing I'll teach him is how to speak even if I haven't done it before how hard could it be" Mark thought as he continued walking.
**A few moments later**
"Uhm" a grunt could be heard from his shoulder.
"Oh , he's about to wake up,that's pretty fast" Mark stopped his whistling as he muttered, he soon found a nice shade which he then laid Athan under waiting for him to wake up while he took his place leaning his body on the amethyst trees.
As Athan opened his eyes everything first felt blurry as sounds flitted through his ears, he then blinked his eyes a couple of times to regain his composure before noticing the blue haired creature he had a battle with leaning under a tree while gazing at him, Athan then proceeds to sit up before hearing the creature saying something which he couldn't comprehend as he then gave the creature the same dull gaze he always wore on his face, which only earned a sigh in response.
Mark gazed at the child who just woke up while having the feeling that he wasn't cut out for this, before getting off the trunk he was leaning on
"So I'll first teach you how to speak" Mark said before he remembered that Athan couldn't understand him as his without aether being used as a medium.
So he conveyed his thoughts to him through aether which he then quickly picked up, before nodding in response.
Before Mark discovered that teaching an ignorant child is one of the most patience draining things.
**A week later**
A boom was heard as a dust cloud quickly formed which then dispersed to reveal a mind boggling scenario, as a child could be seen blocking attacks from a wooden sword which was being swung by a young man, the impact caused by the collision of both forces caused loud booming sounds to reverberate throughout the surroundings as the child retreated quickly but he couldn't seem to shake off the young man as he had to deal with the continuous onslaught from the young man, as the onslaught kept increasing in intensity the young man saw an opportunity as the child left his chest unguarded, as he noticed the opening the young man quickly swung his wooden sword in a downward motion, as the sword was about to hit the child's chest the child twisted his body in an unnatural way by leaning backwards and then twisting his waist to the right causing the sword to miss the child's chest as the child quickly got back into a combat stance, but before he could attack the young man his face came in contact with a fist which flung him back a few meters before he slammed into a tree causing it's leaves to rustle.
"You said you would only use a blade what was that for" said the kid who was also known as Athan, he was wearing white shorts with his little chest laid bare as his eyes no longer had the same dull gaze they used to.
"You can't expect your opponent to only use a blade" said the young man as he lifted the wooden sword and placed it on his shoulders, with his fingers rhythmically tapping it's hilt as he gazed straight into the eyes of the child.
Mark watched as Athan threw a tantrum, complaining that he would have won if Mark had stuck to the rules.
"Hey Athan, can you keep quiet as today am going to be teaching you about the ranks and also laxarria's power system" Mark said as Athan just stopped speaking with his eyes widening before grabbing Mark's hand and shaking it rigorously while gazing at Mark with expectant eyes.
" I came to this [zone] to unwind, but now am here with a child that I met in the [zone]and took as my child, even though I never had thoughts of getting a family, maybe it was fate that brought me here or brought Athan to me but whichever I'm very grateful" thought Mark as his gaze twinkled before he proceeded to nod in response to athan's earlier question.
As Athan released hold of Mark's hand before rushing to take a seat under an amethyst mystifir tree, while eagerly anticipating the knowledge dump.
"The ranks or the stages of power are divided into five which are still sub divided into three for each rank or stage.
The first ranks also known as initial aether users comprises of the three stages, known as body tempering, core strengthening and aether sensing better known as the F,E and D stages.
***
F stage = Body tempering
E stage = Core strengthening
D stage = Aether sensing
***
The stage also known as the E stage is where the paths start diverging, as each aether users path is different so are their core of powers different.
The [awakened] core of power is known as the aetheric space while those of the [outliers] is known as the aetheric cells
Each aether users path have a core which they'll develop throughout their journey and each inhabitant of laxarria posseses a core of power so that means everyone can pursue the path of supreme power but the E stage is known as the dividing line between the elites and the normal aether user a warning that I believe will come in handy is don't judge an aether user based on his rank" as Mark said all these he proceeded to gaze at Athan's eye which seemed to be igniting in excitement, as a smile slowly blossomed on Mark's face before he continued
"I won't go too deep into the other ranks as all you need to know is about the first rank although you could be said to be a second-rank aether user based on your acclimation with aether, it'll be better if you go through the sub ranks and have a feel of each rank because the journey of an aether user without a stable foundation is limited" Mark took a deep breath before continuing,
"We have the second-rank also known as beginner aether users or aether wielders the stages of the second rank are known as
***
C stage = aetheric body
B stage = synchronization
A stage = aetheric warriors
***
Then we have the third-ranks also known as aether saints the stages in this rank are known as the sainthood stages
***
S stage = Realisation
Ex stage = Expansion
Legendary stage = Origin awakening
***
I don't have much information about the fourth-rank except them being known as aetheric paragons.
They are different powers related to aether but the two major ones are [intent] and [aspect]." Mark gazed at Athan before coming to a stop.
"So how was it" asked Mark as his gaze was directed at Athan.