Neral continued his steps, feeling the weight of expectations intensify. Yet, being alongside Eldar and Arian gave him a resolve he had never known before. In the hours following their departure from the lake, they shared their thoughts about their newly acquired powers and the dangers they might face. Arian, with her pragmatic nature, analyzed their abilities, planning how to use them for maximum advantage in the battles ahead.
Eldar suddenly stopped, looked at them, and said, "I think training will become essential from now on. We've gained this power, but we need to master it and bring it under our control. There may be secluded places where we can train without the risk of being seen."
Neral nodded in agreement, though he knew deep down that there was still much he didn't understand about the Aether. While he was ready to face the challenges, questions lingered in his mind without answers, especially about whether using the Aether was only tied to strength or if it held deeper secrets that could help them uncover mysteries of the past and find other ways to harness it.
As they continued their journey through the forest, they felt faint vibrations in the air. Neral, noticing, said, "Do you feel that? It's like something is moving close by."
Arian responded seriously, "It could be a shadow follower, or maybe ancient guardians of the Aether. There are stories that say the Aether attracts unseen entities, and this may be a warning that we're not alone."
Then suddenly, a dark figure with wings shimmering in spectral light appeared before them. It had a massive frame, and its eyes glowed with a deep blue gleam. Speaking in a voice that echoed like the wind, it said, "You are the new bearers of the Aether, aren't you?"
Eldar whispered, "This is a being from the ancient Aether guardians... one of those said to watch over the balance of power in the world."
Neral stepped forward, speaking with courage despite the fear gnawing inside, "Yes, we are new bearers of the Aether. We seek to understand this power and use it wisely."
The dark figure smiled, as if scrutinizing them deeply, then said, "Power is not just a privilege. You will soon be tested, and you will learn that controlling the Aether does not come without a cost."
The figure vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a sense of mystery and a blend of questions about what it meant by those words. The group felt an additional weight on their shoulders and a heightened need to prepare for what lay ahead.
Eldar looked at his friends and said, "It seems our journey has only just begun, and the challenges we face may be more than we expected. But together, we will find the way."
The group continued advancing through the forest, as silence settled over them after the dark entity disappeared. Within each of them stirred a mix of fear and unanswered questions, while the words of the ancient guardian echoed in their minds. Deep inside Niral, a strange feeling began to surface, like a hidden connection with the Aether gently pulsing within him. With each step, he felt a dormant energy igniting little by little.
Eldar whispered, "We need to find a safe place to train. This power is greater than we thought, and we could be in danger if we keep moving without preparation."
Arian agreed and said, "There's a hill not far from here with a natural cave. It's off the known paths, and no one will notice us there."
The group headed toward the hill, and upon arrival, found the cave just as Arian had described. They entered cautiously, observing the walls, which reflected their shadows with the faint glow of Aether rising from their hands. Settling inside, they prepared to begin their training.
Eldar stood in the center of the cave and spoke seriously, "The first thing we need to do is understand the limits of our powers. Each of us possesses a different type of ability, and we can't risk using them in a real battle until we master them."
Niral looked down at his hands and closed his eyes, trying to summon the Aether within. A faint vibration flowed through his veins, though he couldn't fully harness it yet. Suddenly, he felt a warmth spreading from his right palm, and a faint blue glow appeared.
Arian smiled and said, "Looks like you're starting to feel it, Niral. Don't rush—focus on the sensation and follow your inner energy."
Niral continued his attempts, and slowly, a small sphere of Aether began to form between his hands. It was small and unstable, but it was a start. He felt a sense of pride as if he was taking one step closer to understanding his new power.
Then it was Arian's turn. She possessed the ability to control Aether almost transparently, making the air around her ripple gently, like a mountain breeze. As for Eldar, his power appeared as small red sparks dancing between his fingers.
While they were absorbed in training, Niral suddenly sensed a feeling of anticipation. He heard soft footsteps outside, and suddenly, several shadows approached the entrance of the cave.
They all fell silent, exchanging worried glances. Arian murmured, "It looks like we have uninvited guests."
Eldar said seriously, "Stay alert. This might be a chance to test our skills, but we must be ready for anything."
As they prepared themselves, dark figures appeared at the cave's entrance. It was clear they belonged to a shady group, and they looked at Niral and his friends with expressions that suggested they knew more about them than expected.
One of them spoke in a low, threatening tone, "You're the new Aether bearers, aren't you? You won't keep that power for long... we've come to reclaim what isn't yours."
The group stood poised, ready to face their opponents, with the air thick with anticipation and tension. Neral took a step back, glancing at his friends who radiated determination and strength. He turned to Arian and saw a serious gleam in her eyes, while Eldar stood like a rock, muscles tense, ready to pounce like a tiger.
The adversaries began to approach, and their leader, a slender man with gray hair and sharp, disdainful eyes, stepped forward. He spoke coldly, "You're too young to be playing with this power. You don't know what's in your hands."
Eldar replied confidently, "If you want the Aether, come and take it. But I promise, this journey won't be easy."
The man laughed dismissively, then raised his hand, signaling his men to attack. The enemies charged with terrifying speed, and sparks of Aether ignited between the two sides.
Arian stepped forward, gathering her energy, and as she extended her hand, she formed a translucent shield around the group. It was a wall of Aether, shimmering and delicate like moonlight, slowing the enemies' advance slightly.
While the barrier protected them, Neral took the opportunity to try harnessing his power. He felt a warm current surging from deep within him, urging him to release it. Focusing intently, he tried to push the energy outward, and a small, unstable sphere of Aether appeared in his hands.
A massive opponent approached, emanating a similar but dark and twisted energy. He aimed his energy at Arian, striking the Aether shield with a force that almost shattered it, causing Arian to step back slightly as she tried to regain her balance.
Eldar realized they needed to act quickly before losing their protection, so he leapt forward, launching a flurry of red sparks at the opponent. The power of the strike stunned the enemy momentarily, giving Arian the time she needed to strengthen the barrier.
Arian shouted, "Neral, now's your chance! Try focusing harder on releasing the Aether!"
Neral felt more pressure than he had expected, but he wasn't ready to back down. Clenching his fists around the small sphere of Aether, he took a deep breath, channeling all his energy into it. Slowly, the sphere grew, glowing brighter and brighter until it was nearly blinding, and with every heartbeat, the Aether responded, gaining strength.
At that moment, the enemy leader stepped forward again, shouting in anger, "If you don't stop using the Aether, I'll make you regret it!" He raised his hand to unleash a stronger attack, but Neral sensed the danger and moved closer to Eldar and Arian, saying firmly, "It's time to strike back!"
Gathering all his remaining strength, Neral released the Aether sphere directly at the leader. As it approached him, the light grew stronger until it became like a small sun within the cave. Suddenly, it exploded with immense energy, pushing the opponents back and knocking the leader to the ground.
The enemies froze in shock, beginning to retreat hesitantly after seeing their leader fall before them. The group seized the opportunity and quickly fled the cave before the enemies could recover.
After escaping to a safe spot, Neral sat down, exhausted but filled with a sense of satisfaction. He realized that the Aether was not just a source of power, but a bond that deepened with trials and danger.