Inside the cathedral's grand hall, a gathering of the castle's most influential figures convened under the shadow of impending peril. The air was thick with a palpable tension, magnified by the somber light that spilled through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the assembly. Each person present carried the weight of responsibility, their faces etched with concern and determination.
The Archbishop, a venerable figure whose wisdom had guided the castle through times both prosperous and dire, stood at the forefront. His voice, though steady, betrayed the gravity of the moment as he addressed the assembly. "After more than a half month of scouting, what news do we have of the wolf den?" he inquired, his gaze sweeping over those gathered before settling on Elara, who had just returned from the mission.
Elara stepped forward, her posture betraying none of the fatigue from her long reconnaissance. "The den is nearly at capacity. Given their rate of reproduction, while we may be spared this year, a wolf tide next year is inevitable," she reported, her voice clear and unwavering.
The mention of a wolf tide stirred a murmur among the gathered notables. The Archbishop, however, remained focused, pressing further. "Every three years, we face a minor wolf tide, and every decade, a major one. It has been ten years since the last of such magnitude. This upcoming tide will indeed test our fortifications. Have you determined the number of lead wolves within the pack?"
"Approximately three," Elara responded, meeting the Archbishop's inquiry with a steadiness that reflected her own resilience.
The news hung heavily in the hall, a silent testament to the challenge that lay ahead. The presence of three lead wolves within the pack signified not only a larger threat but also a more organized and formidable enemy. These creatures, known for their viciousness and cunning, could rally the wolf packs into a force of unprecedented coordination and ferocity.
The assembly absorbed this information, each member grappling with the reality of the looming danger. Discussions began to unfold, strategies debated, and plans formed, all with the understanding that the safety of the castle and its inhabitants hinged on their decisions.
Meanwhile, Aidan, having purchased wine from the tavern, ventured out of the castle into the forest for a hunt. The woods, dense and whispering with the secrets of nature, offered a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere back at the cathedral. Here, amidst the serenity and the subtle dance of light and shadow, Aidan found a sense of peace, a temporary reprieve from the undercurrents of rivalry and the burden of his aspirations.
His steps were silent, the result of years of honing his skills not just as a Ascendant but also as a hunter, attuned to the subtleties of the wild. His eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned the underbrush, tracking signs that others might overlook. It wasn't long before he spotted his quarry: two rabbits, unaware of the predator in their midst.
With practiced ease, Aidan set his trap, a simple yet effective snare that drew on his knowledge of the forest's inhabitants and their habits. He then retreated, his presence masked by the foliage, and waited. The wait was short. The rabbits, ensnared by their curiosity and the lure Aidan had set, were soon caught.
After securing two rabbits from his hunt in the forest, Aidan made his way towards the cave, the cave that burried with Malagor. With the dusk setting in and the shadows of the trees elongating, he moved with deliberate caution, his senses alert to any signs of followers.
Aidan knew the importance of discretion, not just for his immediate safety but for all the secrets inside him. His actions, though drastic, were calculated steps in a larger plan to secure his place and power within the tumultuous hierarchy of the castle and beyond. Each move had to be meticulously planned, each potential consequence considered.
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, swallowed by the encroaching darkness, Aidan approached the cave.
Before entering, Aidan scanned the surroundings, his practiced gaze searching for any signs of disturbance that might suggest he had been followed. Satisfied that he was alone, he slipped into the cave, the darkness enveloping him like a cloak.
Inside, the cave expanded into a spacious chamber, illuminated faintly by the luminescent moss clinging to the damp walls.
Aidan had laid Malagor's remains to rest, having acquired Malagor's legacy, it was only fitting to honor his remains, a gesture made in passing respect. With the bones now buried, the cavern appeared nothing more than an ordinary hollow within the hills.Who would have guessed that a ritual of blood magic had once taken place here?
Aidan poured wine upon the ground, and the silver mouse, in the form of a soul, emerged from beneath the earth, slowly absorbing the wine from the ground. Even though the Essence Conduit had been sacrificed in a blood ritual, necessitating its sustenance at intervals to preserve its capabilities.
As Aidan finished all of those things, he started to ventur deeper into the cavern, his senses were heightened, alert to the subtlest of cues that might indicate the presence of hidden mechanisms or traps. The cave, with its rough, uneven walls and the occasional drip of water from stalactites, seemed to him like a giant puzzle waiting to be solved. He moved with purpose, his hands occasionally brushing against the cold, damp rock, searching for any irregularity—a loose stone, a slightly protruding rock—that might betray the existence of a secret lever or doorway.
His eyes, adjusted to the dim light provided by the glowing moss, scanned every inch of the cave's interior, looking for patterns or anomalies. He knew that caves such as this one were often more than mere shelters or lairs for the forest's creatures; they could be treasure troves, concealing ancient essential conduicts or caches of essence stones left behind by long-forgotten Ascendant.
Yet, despite his meticulous search, hour after hour passed with no sign of any hidden chambers or magical contrivances. The cave, it seemed, was just a cave, its secrets limited to the natural formations of rock and the occasional, unremarkable den of some small animal.
Disappointment crept into Aidan's heart, a rare feeling for someone who prided himself on his resourcefulness and his ability to uncover the hidden potential in things. He had ventured into the cave with hopes of discovery, of finding something that could aid him in his quest for power and survival. Instead, he found only the mundane reality of stone and shadow.
Sitting down on a flat boulder, Aidan took a moment to gather his thoughts.
Typically, when an ascender passes away, it's customary for them to leave behind a legacy or inheritance—a set of teachings, techniques, or even treasures that can guide and empower future generations. This tradition ensures that their knowledge and power do not vanish with their demise but continue to influence and strengthen their lineage or selected successors. These inheritances are often hidden in places of significance to the ascender, safeguarded by intricate puzzles or formidable guardians to ensure that only the worthy can claim them.
Motivated by this understanding, Aidan, despite the initial disappointment of finding the cave seemingly barren, could not shake off the sense of there being more than meets the eye. His mind raced with possibilities—could Malagor have chosen this unassuming cave as the final resting place for their legacy? The thought reignited the spark of hope within him. Perhaps his search had been too cursory, his expectations misplaced.
In the world of Ascendants, the passing of an ascender often meant the beginning of a legacy, a treasure trove of knowledge, skills, and, occasionally, potent Gu worms left behind for the worthy or the fortunate to find. It was a tradition, a way to ensure the continuity of power and wisdom across generations. Aidan, aware of this custom, couldn't help but feel that his discovery of the "Steal" essence conduit alone, though significant, was not the entirety of the legacy that had been left behind. Such a revelation, while valuable, seemed insufficient to cause the stir that had surrounded the legends of the past.
The thought nagged at him as he made his way back from the cave, the weight of unmet expectations heavy on his shoulders. The "Steal" essence conduit, while unique, did not seem powerful enough on its own to justify the legends he had heard. There had to be more, something he had missed, a piece of the puzzle that remained hidden, eluding his grasp.
As he trekked through the dense forest, Aidan's mind raced with possibilities. The legends spoke of ascenders leaving behind elaborate tests or challenges, puzzles that needed to be solved to unlock their full inheritance. Could it be that the cave was merely the beginning, a test of his resolve or ingenuity? Perhaps the true legacy was still waiting to be discovered, hidden behind a veil of secrecy that required more than a keen eye to uncover.
The possibility that there might be hidden mechanisms or secrets within the "Steal" essence conduit itself also crossed his mind. The essence conduits were complex, their full potential often unlocked only through a deep understanding and connection with the essence conduit within. Had he, in his haste and frustration, overlooked something crucial about the conduit's nature or capabilities?
Despite his efforts to rationalize the situation, the nagging sense of disappointment lingered. Aidan had hoped to find something that would catapult his power and influence, something that would solidify his position and give him an edge in the cutthroat environment he inhabited. Instead, he returned empty-handed, his high hopes dashed against the unforgiving reality of his search.
Yet, even in the face of disappointment, Aidan's resolve did not waver. He understood that the path to power was not linear, that it was fraught with setbacks and challenges that would test his determination and adaptability. This experience, while disheartening, was merely another step in his journey, a reminder that not all searches would lead to immediate reward and that patience and persistence were as crucial to a Ascendants' arsenal as strength and cunning.
With the night deepening around him and the castle's silhouette looming in the distance, Aidan's thoughts turned to the future. The "Steal" essence conduit, even without the discovery of additional mechanisms or legacies, was a powerful tool in its own right—one that he would learn to master and wield to its fullest potential. The legacy of the past ascender might have eluded him this time, but Aidan knew that the world was full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. And he, with his unique blend of determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness, was more than ready to continue the search.