As Rowen came to his senses, the weight of grief and loss washed over him like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf him in its depths. "Why... Why did they have to die for someone like me?" he shouted, his voice choked with emotion. "Why did this happen to them? Why?"
Tears welled up in Rowen's eyes as he grappled with the anguish of losing those he held dear. The pain of their absence felt like a gaping wound in his heart, raw and unrelenting.
In the silence that followed, Rowen's mind swirled with questions, each one a dagger piercing his soul. But amid the turmoil, a flicker of determination ignited within him—to seek justice for those who had been taken from him unjustly.
In a surge of anger and determination, Rowen's voice rang out, his words laced with a burning resolve. "Morwyn Throne," he spat, his fists clenched in fury. "I will find him, and I will kill him with my own hands, even if it's the last thing I do."
After some time, Rowen's anger began to subside, replaced by a sense of clarity and determination. "But for that, I need absolute strength," he mused aloud, his voice tinged with determination. "I need to become strong. But how?"
After that he started looking around, he found himself in an unknown place with no visible boundaries. He stood on what felt like solid ground, yet it seemed to be made of water.
Rowen observed his surroundings. It appeared to be night, yet the sky was ablaze with stars, casting a shimmering light onto the surface, giving it an otherworldly glow.
Feeling a sense of wonder and trepidation, Rowen took a tentative step forward, his gaze fixed on the mesmerizing spectacle above. As he moved, the surface beneath him seemed to ripple and shift, responding to his every movement with an ethereal grace.
"Impressive, isn't it?" an unknown voice eoched, the voice echoing softly in the stillness of the night.
Rowen, his voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension, spoke up. "Yes it is, But who are you? And where exactly is this place?"
The voice replied "This place resides within the locket, a realm where my essence lingers, waiting to impart his wisdom to his chosen successor."
Rowen, scanning his surroundings with a mix of wonder and confusion, asked, "Where are you speaking from?"
The voice echoed softly yet distinctly, seeming to come from all directions at once. "I speak to you from within the depths of your own consciousness," they explained. "In this realm, the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical blur, allowing us to communicate across the realms of existence."
After Rowen's inquiry, an old-looking figure materialized in front of him, seemingly from thin air.
As the old figure stood before Rowen, his presence seemed to command respect and reverence. "I am Aldric Stormcloak," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of years of experience and wisdom.
Rowen's eyes widened in recognition.
"Aldric Stormcloak," he repeated, his mind racing with the tales he had heard of the legendary hunter from Gavin. "I've heard stories of your exploits. You're the first hunter who comes into existence. You are the strongest hunter who existed on this land, even after so many centuries.
"Indeed," Aldric said with a solemn nod. "I am the first person to harness the power of aether energy, which flows through this world."
"So, young one, what is your name?" Aldric inquired, looking at Rowen intensely.
Rowen replied, "I am Rowen."
"Rowen do you desire strength?" Aldric inquired, his gaze penetrating. "The strength to shape your own reality through your own power and protect your loved ones."
With a firm resolve, Rowen replied, his voice tinged with emotion. "Yes, I desire the strength which is second to none. The strength to protect the lives of those who I cherish with my own hands. And to bring justice to those who have taken everything from me."
Aldric regarded Rowen with a solemn nod, acknowledging the depth of his emotions. "Your desire for strength is admirable, young one," he said, his voice tinged with empathy. "But remember, true strength is not merely about power and vengeance.It is about resilience, compassion, and the ability to overcome even the darkest of trials.
Rowen turned to Aldric, his eyes burning with determination. "Do you know how I can become strong? No, not just strong, but the strongest?"
Aldric regarded Rowen with a knowing smile, his gaze steady. "Becoming the strongest is not just about physical power," he explained. "It requires a balance of strength, skill, and wisdom, and above all, the will to utilize that power as one sees fit. To achieve such heights, you must train both your body and your mind, honing your abilities to their fullest potential."
With unwavering determination, Rowen declared, "It doesn't matter what I have to do or what I have to go through. As long as I can acquire the strength I desire, I will endure any hardship."
Aldric nodded, his expression reflecting admiration for Rowen's resolve. "That is the mindset of a true warrior," he affirmed. "With that determination, there is nothing you cannot achieve."
"Then I will show you the way through which you will acquire a strength which is second to none," Aldric affirmed with a confident nod.
With those words, Rowen's heart swelled And he asked Aldric, "How can I become strong?" Rowen said in a somewhat disappointed voice, "I don't even possess any innate energy, let alone attributes."
Aldric said, "Who told you that you don't possess any attribute? You possess an unique attribute, which only the Chosen one can possess in the whole world," Aldric stated with conviction.
Rowen's eyes widened in surprise, his disappointment melting away in an instant. "The Chosen one?" he echoed, his voice tinged with awe and disbelief.
Aldric nodded solemnly. "Yes, the Chosen one," he confirmed. "You have been blessed with a rarest and extraordinary attribute, one that sets you apart from all others.
I haven't told you why I chose you, have I?" Aldric remarked, a hint of mystery in his tone. "It's because of your attribute, which only you possess after me."
Rowen's eyes widened in astonishment, his mind racing with questions. "My attribute?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aldric nodded solemnly. "Yes, your attribute," he confirmed. "It is a unique and powerful, one that has been seen in so many centuries."
Rowen's brows furrowed in confusion as he addressed Aldric. "But I have already checked that I don't possess any attribute through the magical orb in Nexus of Destiny."
Aldric's expression remained serene, his eyes reflecting understanding. "The magical orb can't detect your attribute," he explained calmly. "Sometimes, the most extraordinary attribute lie hidden within us, waiting to be discovered, just like attribute of Light, Darks, and much more." ."
Rowen asked Aldric, "So, what attribute do I possess?" He asked in anticipation, eager to uncover the truth about his unique gift.
Aldric responded solemnly, "You possess the same attribute as mine: the attribute of Chaos."
"It is the strongest and most unique attribute, which I have been searching for to pass on my teachings all these centuries."
Rowen asked Aldric, "Then does that mean I also possess some innate energy?"
In confusion, Aldric asked Rowen, "What? You do not possess any innate energy? How can it be? Come here, let me check your body condition first."
Rowen stepped closer to Aldric, his curiosity piqued. With a sense of urgency, Aldric began to examine Rowen's body, searching for any signs of latent energy or hidden potential.
"Oh, how interesting," Aldric remarked, his tone filled with intrigue. "You are from another world. So that's why you do not possess any innate energy."
Rowen's disappointment echoed in his voice as he asked, "So, does that mean I can't become strong?"
Aldric explained, "No, let me tell you the reason why you don't possess any innate energy. Because every being born in this world has an affinity towards aether energy, which is known as innate energy or aether affinity.
This innate energy is the purist aether energy one have. The maximum innate energy someone can possess is 100. However, no one has ever reached an innate energy level of 100. The higher your innate energy score, the purer the aether energy you can absorb.
"This purity of energy provides an advantage over others of the same rank, making individuals with higher innate energy scores stronger and more formidable opponents."
He continued, "This is also why monsters are often stronger than humans on the same rank. Because they possess higher purity levels of aether energy due to their innate energy cores, which they are born with and which increases in number as they achieve higher ranks. Humans, on the other hand, must train their aether nodes throughout their lives."
Aldric's tone turned serious as he emphasized, "Innate energy is crucial for humans to achieve higher ranks. We must train our aether nodes diligently throughout our lives."
Rowen's question followed, "Then does that mean I can't become a hunter like you, Mister Aldric?"
Aldric responded, "No, you are the perfect student I have been searching for because I also didn't have innate energy in my time. As you know, I am the first hunter. So, how do you think I became the strongest hunter in all of existence?"
Rowen replied in confusion, "I don't know how you became the strongest."
Aldric smiled knowingly. "I achieved strength through determination, perseverance, and mastery of my skills.
"The skills I have developed throughout my life, through countless experiences of life and death moments," Aldric continued, his voice filled with conviction. "These are the skills I will pass down to you—the strongest skills, along with the wealth I have accumulated throughout my lifetime. But you must be ready to accept me as your master."
Rowen's voice resonated with determination as he spoke, "If... If I can become as strong as you, then I am ready to become your student and I will endure any kind of hardships."
Aldric said " Good" " But first let me check what he have given you, in that seal which is on your forehead ?
Rowen's confusion was evident as he questioned Aldric, "What seal? I don't remember anyone giving me such a thing." His brow furrowed as he tried to recall any instance of receiving a seal or mark on his forehead.
Aldric clarified, "The seal on your forehead was given to you by that man whom you encountered before coming here." He gestured for Rowen to approach. "Come here, let me see it."
With a gentle yet focused touch, Aldric examined the seal on Rowen's forehead, his expression solemn as he delved into the mysteries it held. Rowen watched with anticipation, eager to uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the seal which Cedric Elderwood have given him with the locket when he touched his forehead.
As Aldric examined the seal, a large amount of knowledge appeared before them in the form of a vast network, taking the shape of a circular formation. The intricate web of information seemed to pulse with energy, radiating a faint glow as it hovered before them.
Rowen and Aldric exchanged a knowing glance, realizing that the seal held within it a wealth of knowledge waiting to be unlocked.