At dawn, Neral woke to the warm sunlight filtering through the trees, illuminating the field where they had camped. The sounds of birds sang around him, while Eldar and Aryan remained fast asleep, exhausted from the night before. Neral sat quietly, reflecting on the battle, wondering how the aether seemed to respond to him briefly, only to slip from his control.
Moving silently so as not to wake the others, he stepped away from the camp a short distance and began small attempts to control the aether. He focused on his palms, trying to recapture that sensation from the battle—the energy coursing through him. Yet he found himself stuck, with unseen forces slipping past him, resisting his intent to channel them as he wished.
It wasn't long before he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw Aryan watching him with a slight smile. She said encouragingly, "Trying is good, but without the right guidance, the aether could be dangerous for you."
Neral nodded, feeling a bit frustrated. "I just want to understand… how do other warriors control the aether so effortlessly? I feel like I'm missing something essential."
Aryan approached and sat beside him, answering calmly, "It's not easy for anyone at first. Every warrior learns with difficulty and undergoes intense training to master the aether. You have to understand that aether isn't just a force to manipulate; it holds hidden powers that require understanding and harmony."
Then, with a serious tone, she added, "You have the potential, Neral, but you must learn patience and open your mind and spirit to grasp how to handle the aether in balance. It's difficult, but it's essential."
A few minutes later, Eldar joined them, noticing the situation and encouraging them with a smile, "Maybe today is the right time to start more in-depth training." He explained some foundational techniques to Neral, advising him to focus on simple actions, like sensing and gently directing the energy, instead of trying to control it completely.
Neral's training intensified throughout the day; he was taught to breathe deeply and to attune himself to the aether as if it were part of his own being. Sometimes he felt progress, and at other times he seemed to be back at square one. But gradually, he began to feel a deeper understanding, not just of the aether, but of himself and what he could achieve.
As the sun set, Eldar concluded the day's training, praising his growing focus. Neral looked at his friends with determination, saying, "I know this path is long, but I will become stronger, and I will protect you, no matter the cost."
Aryan smiled and patted his shoulder, while Eldar said in a serious tone, "Remember, Neral, true strength doesn't come solely from controlling the aether. It also comes from wisdom, courage, and the ability to make the right choices."
As night fell, Neral felt as though a new chapter had begun in his journey. This night marked the start of something larger, bearing greater challenges and heavier responsibilities, but he was prepared to face them, confident that his future—full of mysteries and dangers—was gradually beginning to reveal itself before him.
As night fell again, the three of them sat around the campfire, its dancing sparks illuminating their faces with a warm glow. The fatigue was evident on Niral, but he felt happy about his small achievements in controlling the aether, even if just to a slight degree. He sensed that the road ahead was long, but he was certain he had the support he needed.
Arian was gazing at the fire in silence, while Eldar seemed lost in thought. After a moment, Eldar broke the silence in a low voice, as if talking to himself, "There's an ancient legend about the aether, known to few. It speaks of an ancient warrior who was able to unite the aether with his soul. It was not just about controlling energy; it was a kind of complete harmony, where the aether became a part of his being."
Niral raised his gaze with interest and asked curiously, "Do you really believe this legend is true? Can a person truly reach that level of harmony with the aether?"
Eldar replied slowly, "It's a very rare thing... even in legends, it's said that those who achieve this harmony risk losing control, for the aether is a tremendous force that can consume a person if they're not fully prepared. Therefore, training alone is not enough; it requires internal purification and complete renunciation of pride."
Eldar's words were profound, leaving Niral in a state of deep contemplation, wondering about the meaning of this journey and his future in this mysterious world. He resolved within himself that, no matter how difficult the path, he would do everything in his power to reach that level of harmony.
As everyone prepared to sleep, Arian suddenly awoke, noticing subtle movement in the bushes around them. She placed her hand on her dagger and signaled to Niral and Eldar to be silent. The four eyes carefully monitored the dark foliage, while feelings of anticipation and caution surged.
The rustling of leaves grew louder, and then a creature emerged from the trees, looking oddly shaped, a blend of animal and plant, with glowing thorns on its back and red, luminous eyes. The beast moved slowly, as if watching the camp, sniffing the rising smoke.
Eldar whispered, "This creature is called a Shidaron… it is known for surprise attacks and has the ability to use aether, so be careful!" Breathing was slow and heavy among them, as if they feared even the sound of their own breaths.
With cautious steps, Arian moved slowly around the camp, trying to stay away from the fire to avoid attracting the Shidaron's attention, while Eldar watched the creature with expert eyes, looking for any signs of its next move.
Neral looked at Eldar, who gestured for him to hold his position and not to move. The tension was evident on his face; he knew that the Shidaron was not an ordinary foe. It was capable of using the aether in a hostile manner, and injuring one of them could be catastrophic.
Suddenly, the Shidaron began to exhale aetheric sparks, as if preparing for an attack. Before it could charge at them, Eldar moved swiftly, grabbing a small piece of metal and throwing it at the beast. As soon as the piece touched the Shidaron's body, it exploded with a burst of aether, momentarily stopping it in its tracks, leaving it disoriented.
"Now!" Eldar shouted, addressing Arian and Neral.
Arian didn't hesitate; she lunged with her dagger towards the Shidaron's leg, taking advantage of the chaos caused by Eldar's attack. As for Neral, he focused on gathering whatever aether he could muster, channeling it into his fist, and struck the beast with a powerful blow. His strength was still weak in comparison, but he felt a faint surge transfer from his hand to the Shidaron's body.
The Shidaron suddenly recoiled, sensing the attack from all directions, then let out a sharp scream that reverberated through the area, like a warning to every creature in the forest. It was clear that the Shidaron would not give up easily, as it regained its balance and began to transform the aetheric energy around it into a glowing aura.
Eldar said seriously, "We need to finish this quickly before it unleashes its full attack!"
Neral tried to refocus, gathering the remnants of aether around him, then looked at Eldar and Arian and said with determination, "This is my chance to prove that I deserve to fight beside you. I will try again!"
Eldar and Arian could only trust Neral's courage, continuing their assault on the creature. Eldar concentrated on stunning it with all his power, while Arian attempted to strike the weak points on the Shidaron's body. At the moment Neral leaped towards the Shidaron for a final blow, he felt as if he was soaring through the air for a moment, concentrating all the aether he had gathered in his fist, then struck the Shidaron directly in its chest.
The sound of the small explosion from his strike echoed, causing the Shidaron to stagger back and fall to the ground, its body writhing before it finally settled, and then the aetheric aura around it began to slowly fade away.