The aftermath of the battle left Elara shrouded in a somber mood. The once lively village square was stained with blood and littered with the debris of war. Smoke still curled from a few smoldering buildings, testament to the ferocity of the werewolf attack.
Ren stood amidst the wreckage, his mind swirling with the events of the previous night. The memory of harnessing the Warden's power was both exhilarating and frightening. He cradled the blue stone, a constant reminder of his newfound responsibility.
Beside him stood Anya, her brow furrowed in worry. Despite the dust and dried blood staining her clothes, her fiery spirit remained undimmed. "Are you alright, Ren?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Ren forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mother. Just…a little overwhelmed."
Anya reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead. "It's alright to feel that way," she said, her voice softening. "You lost your father, and then you discovered this whole new side of yourself. It's a lot to take in."
Ren nodded, his gaze falling upon the makeshift pyre where Eldor and the other fallen villagers were being prepared for their final journey. Grief threatened to engulf him again, but he pushed it down. He had to be strong, for his mother, for Elara.
Elian appeared beside them, his aged face etched with fatigue. "Ren," he began, his voice raspy. "We need to talk about what happened last night."
Ren knew what was coming. He had to learn to control his newfound abilities, and Elian, with his knowledge of ancient magic, was the only one who could help him.
The next few days were a blur of activity. The villagers buried their dead and began rebuilding their lives. Ren, under Elian's tutelage, spent his days deep within the Elara Woods, learning to control the Warden's power.
Elian's training was demanding. He made Ren meditate for hours, focusing on channeling the energy that flowed through him. He taught him to visualize, to imagine the blue stone as a conduit, drawing upon Aethel's essence and directing it through his will.
The process was frustrating at times. Ren would lose focus, the blue light flickering and dying down. But Elian remained patient, guiding Ren through his struggles. Slowly, Ren began to make progress. He could sustain the blue aura for longer periods, even use it to manipulate objects around him.
One afternoon, while practicing in a secluded clearing, Ren stumbled upon another ability. As he focused on the blue stone, a spectral image flickered around him – a translucent figure resembling a majestic stag. It was a familiar image; he had seen it carved on his father's hunting knife.
Elian, who had been observing Ren from the shadows, explained what he had witnessed. It was a Warden's spirit guide, an embodiment of the animal spirit that resonated with the individual's inner strength. Eldor's spirit guide, the stag, symbolized nobility, courage, and protection.
Ren felt a surge of connection, a sense of his father's presence guiding him. He practiced manipulating the stag's spectral form, learning to move it alongside his movements.
News of Ren's abilities spread throughout Elara. Some villagers looked upon him with awe, others with fear. But Ren remained grounded, focused on his training and determined to use his power to protect his home.
One evening, as Ren sat by the village well, his mind replaying the events of the battle, a young elf girl approached him. It was Elara, her sapphire eyes filled with curiosity.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" she asked, gesturing towards the blue stone hanging from Ren's neck.
Ren hesitated. He wasn't sure if anyone else could manifest the Warden's powers, or if it was a bloodline specific ability. Elian had mentioned there were very few Wardens left in the world.