"Alma, as the ancient stories tell, is the essence of all creation. It's the cosmic energy that forms the basis of all elements. To master Alma Manipulation, one must first discover their essence. You might possess a Wind Essence, granting you the power to manipulate Wind Alma. Or perhaps a Fire Essence, enabling you to wield Fire Alma. It's important to understand that a being can manipulate only one aspect of Elemental Alma. This aspect isn't a matter of choice; it's ingrained in your very being from creation," the monk explained with clarity.
He then stood, extending his hands to Ray and Ra as an invitation to rise. The brothers grasped his hands and swiftly got to their feet.
Around them, the forest regained its tranquility, alive with the chatter of wildlife and the soothing sounds of the nearby river. The tension from the encounter with the Sinkarrsoru had dissipated, leaving behind a peaceful atmosphere that enveloped them like a comforting embrace.
Ray and Ra absorbed the monk's words, their gaze locked on him with a mixture of wonder and intense interest. Within their hearts, a sea of questions churned, yet a deeper, more primal feeling seemed to resonate with the teachings of Alma. It was as though these concepts, though foreign in speech, were familiar whispers to their souls, echoing through the very essence of their being.
The notion of Alma, shrouded in mystery and seldom spoken of in their society, now unveiled before them, felt both forbidden and profoundly right. They knew that the practice of Alma manipulation was a closely guarded secret, one traditionally held by the Hyarchs. This ancient race, resembling humans in form but distinguished by their vibrant, jewel-like eyes, served as the keepers of Alma knowledge within Helios.
As the brothers stood there, enveloped by the peaceful ambiance of the forest, they couldn't help but feel a connection to the tale. The realization that such power could exist, intertwined with the fabric of creation itself, and the possibility that they might have a place within this ancient and mystical tradition, ignited a spark within them. The Hyarchs' guarded secrets of Alma manipulation, once distant and obscured, now seemed like a path that might, in some way, be meant for them to explore.
Mitzriel introduced himself to the young pair before him. "My name is Mitzriel," he said with a slight proud tone, "I am one of the masters of the Zayma Monastery." He looked at them thoughtfully before continuing, "You are both still young, most do not find their essence till their 18th cycle. You seem within your 14th." He chuckled and gave them a nod..
Ray interrupts Mitzriel with a question, "Isn't Zayma the Hyarch word for brother?"
Ra cuts him off with a glare and turns back to Mitzriel. "Please continue. So, we need to find our Alma type and then you will train us?"
Mitzriel speaks softly but with a serious tone, "Yes, that's correct it does mean brother or sister depending on context. Once you find your essence and travel to the Zayma Mountains, I will meet you both at the summit and your training under me will begin. If The Throne wills it."
They knew the journey to the Zayma Mountains was not an easy one. At the base of the mountains, there are dangerous creatures that lurk, and to reach the Steps of the Ancients, one must travel through the treacherous Oborum Caverns. These caves hold even more dangerous terrain, and some speak of tales of an old monster that has made that cave its domain.
As Mitzriel offered a parting bow and turned towards the mountains, Ray and Ra lingered in place, eyes fixed on his receding figure. This encounter, it was as if a page from the ancient myths had sprung to life right before them.
Magic, yes, they had seen its sparks and flares within the bustling lanes of Alleria, but this... this was something else. Mitzriel's demonstration wasn't just a show of power; it was an intimate dance with the elements, a raw and yet serene manipulation of Alma that left them both in awe. The power's presence was peaceful yet profoundly commanding, a stark contrast to the Arkane they'd known through stories, and it beckoned them with an irresistible pull.
Alma, they realized, was a different beast altogether from the arcane energies they'd glimpsed in the city's heart. It was more than curiosity now; it was a thirst, a need to delve into this mysterious force, to wrap their minds and souls around its essence.
The city wasn't far now. By following the river southward, they'd hit the bridge that arched into Alleria's imposing walls. They figured, with a swift pace, they could breach the city's threshold by dusk.
With a shared glance that spoke volumes of their resolve, Ray and Ra kicked into motion, their strides eating up the distance as they paralleled the river's flow. Alleria awaited, with its familiar sights and hidden shadows, but they approached it anew, fueled by the promise of untapped powers and uncharted paths. The city, with all its layers and secrets, was an old friend and a new challenge rolled into one. And as the brothers made their way, the weight of the day's revelations lent their steps a newfound purpose.
"We've gotta move fast, gotta tell the city guards' chief everything," Ray's voice cut through the silence, a hint of urgency tinged with a deeper, unspoken sorrow. The memories of that dreadful night seemed to surge back, vivid and haunting. Between then and now, with the adrenaline of facing the Sinkarrsoru and the awe-inspiring encounter with Mitzriel, he'd managed to keep the dam of his emotions intact.
But now, as they neared Alleria, the floodgates threatened to open. He fought against the tide of tears, determined to remain strong. Ra, running steadfastly by his side, gave a quiet nod of agreement. Yet, it was clear to Ray that Ra was elsewhere, not with him in the moment but lost in the storm of his own thoughts.
Ra's presence was physically beside Ray, yet his mind wandered a different path. His heart wasn't tangled in the past's pain; instead, it raced ahead, fueled by a singular focus. The power they'd witnessed, the mastery over Alma that Mitzriel had displayed, became a beacon in Ra's storm of vengeance. To Ra, that power wasn't just a revelation; it was the weapon, a means to forge a path of revenge for all they had lost. In his silent resolve, Ra saw not just a tool, but a promise, a promise of strength enough to right the wrongs and protect what was left of their shattered world. To make those man pay for what they had done.
As Ra and Ray quickened their pace toward Alleria, Ra's thoughts spiraled into a realm shadowed by vengeance. The mastery of Alma he'd witnessed, embodied by Mitzriel, had ignited a fierce yearning within him...a craving not merely for justice, but for a revenge deep and consuming. This desire for retribution transcended the mere balancing of scales; it was a hunger to wield a power so vast, it could obliterate the source of their anguish.
Yet, even as darkness threatened to engulf Ra's heart, Ra knew that Ray stood as a beacon, a flicker of light warding off the encroaching shadows. In Ra's envisioned future, where he wielded Alma with devastating precision, Ray was ever-present,not just as a brother, but as the very soul tethering him to the light.
Ray embodied the hope that pierced Ra's veil of darkness, reminding him of the humanity they both fought to preserve. Amidst Ra's storm of vengeance, Ray was the anchor, the constant that tempered Ra's wrath with a reminder of their shared purpose. He knew that Ra could not shake the feeling that, deep down, they were far different.
Ra envisioned vengeance, a scene of absolute dominion over those who had wronged them, which was tempered by Ray's presence. It was Ray, with his unwavering spirit and quest for understanding, who kept Ra grounded, preventing him from losing himself to the abyss of his dark emotions.
Their bond, forged in the crucible of shared loss and trials, now served as Ra's guiding light. Ray was not just a brother in arms but the embodiment of the innocence they sought to protect, the counterbalance to the darkness that called so loudly within him.
Together, they navigated not only the physical path to Alleria but also the turmoil within Ra's soul, a testament to the strength found in their brotherhood and the unyielding light that Ray represented. Even as the shadows of vengeance whispered to Ra, it was the thought of Ray that illuminated the darkness, ensuring that together, they remained anchored.
As Ray and Ra tread the path toward Alleria, Ray's thoughts were a whirlwind of aspiration and determination. The encounter with Mitzriel had not just been an eye-opener,it was a revelation. Alma, with its boundless potential, painted a vivid picture in Ray's mind of a future where it could be a beacon of hope and a bastion of justice. Unlike Ra, whose heart was shadowed by the thirst for vengeance, Ray's was illuminated by a desire to wield Alma for the greater good.
Ray thought mastering Alma was more than an ambitious goal; it was a calling. He saw himself harnessing this cosmic energy to protect the innocent and dispense justice, to lock away the darkness that had crept into their lives. The notion of becoming the most powerful Alma user wasn't about personal glory but was rooted in the belief that it was his duty, his purpose.
He saw himself as a guardian for those who had no one, standing firm against the forces that sought to overwhelm them. Inspired by Mitzriel's example, Ray aspired to be that unwavering protector, using Alma not as a weapon of destruction but as a shield of protection and justice. He was driven not by the echoes of past loss but by a the hope to never allow what happened to him happen again.
The possibilities that Alma presented were endless, and with each step towards Alleria, Ray's resolve solidified. This journey was about embracing his responsibility to wield such power with wisdom and integrity. He was poised to learn, to evolve, and to emerge as a champion of justice, ready to confront any malevolence head-on.
Approaching the gates of Alleria, Ray felt a deep-seated commitment to his cause. He didn't see himself merely as a survivor of tragedy but as an agent of change for the looming battles. The road ahead promised trials and tribulations, but Ray was ready, prepared to embark on the path of Alma, to mold himself into the guardian he aspired to be, ensuring that in the fight between light and darkness, the light would prevail.