Leiurus sat on the edge of the wooden bench, marveling at the feeling of cold wood against his skin. It was strange and almost foreign, a sharp contrast to the exoskeleton he'd grown accustomed to. His body, now that of a human — or at least what resembled one — was both an incredible surprise and a source of mild confusion. The simplest sensations seemed amplified, like every brush of wind or chill of the air, each unfamiliar and fascinating.
He was both thrilled and grateful. He had limbs that moved with fluidity and a face he could feel expressions on, something he hadn't experienced in his former form. This sensation of having skin was exhilarating, if slightly overwhelming.
The male villagers gathered around, their gazes full of awe. They murmured amongst themselves, each one marveling at how their small friend had transformed into this elegant yet formidable figure. One of them chuckled, nudging the others, "Who would've thought Blue — or, well, Leiurus now — would become this handsome lad. Quite the change from that tiny little scorpion, eh?"
Another added, "Feels like he's still our friend, even if he's bigger. Maybe even a little more intimidating, but we know he's got the same heart."
The villagers' laughter and warmth reassured Leiurus. He could see their kindness and familiarity, a connection built over the time he'd spent helping them and being there with them. Despite his transformation, their acceptance made him feel grounded.
They insisted he didn't need to assist with the reconstruction right now. One of the older men, his face weathered and full of good humor, clapped him on the back. "You've done enough, Leiurus. We've got the blueprint you left us, and your instructions were clear as day. We'll manage. Just take a moment to relax, alright?"
Leiurus hesitated, glancing back at the dirt-streaked blueprints he had etched into the ground for them. But he nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief as he allowed himself to sit back. With Grimfang by his side and Elyndra nearby, he relaxed, letting the villagers handle the work.
As he settled, Elyndra spoke, her tone thoughtful and amused. "Your body is still sensitive from the recent evolution, Leiurus. You'll find that sensations, especially touch, will be more intense. It's best to take things slow."
Leiurus looked up at her, surprised. "I thought I'd just evolve into a bigger version of myself, maybe a more menacing scorpion form. I didn't expect… this." He gestured to himself, a mixture of confusion and gratitude in his expression.
Grimfang nodded in agreement, scratching his mane thoughtfully. "It's unprecedented. You're right to be surprised. I've seen many evolutions, but none that resulted in a transformation this drastic. But I have a theory." He paused, as if to gauge Leiurus's curiosity before continuing. "Your Nexus core might be the reason."
He continued, "From what I sensed, your Nexus was already potent, even more than you might realize. It could accumulate and harness Essentia at an advanced level. That core within you is not ordinary; it is structured to house immense power, which likely influenced the form you took during your evolution."
Elyndra listened, nodding as she formulated her own theory. "Grimfang has a point. However, I think it goes deeper than just the Nexus. You carry the soul of a human within you, Leiurus. It's possible that your soul itself influenced the shape your evolution took. Your essence is bound to the identity of who you were, and your soul recognized that identity even through reincarnation. When the Nexus and your soul interacted during the transformation, they shaped your body into a form that best suited your inner self."
Leiurus absorbed their words, mulling over the theories. He found Elyndra's explanation especially resonant, something within him instinctively accepting it. He offered a nod. "So, it's like… I evolved back into who I am at my core." He smiled slightly, finding a strange comfort in this thought.
Grimfang, still analyzing Leiurus's Essentia, added, "What's even more impressive is that your Essentia capacity has doubled since we last met. That alone suggests you have tremendous potential… though it also comes with its risks."
Leiurus's eyes widened at this revelation. "Twice as much? Is that… bad?"
Elyndra raised a reassuring hand. "Not necessarily. But you'll need to learn how to properly channel Essentia, to avoid any inadvertent harm. If you're not careful, uncontrolled Essentia could affect the environment around you, possibly even harming others unintentionally." She paused, meeting his gaze with a calm, guiding expression. "But don't worry, Leiurus. I'll teach you."
Understanding Essentia Control: A Lesson from Elyndra
"Essentia is the life force that flows through all things, connecting the body, soul, and spirit," Elyndra began. "In order to control it, you need to understand its pathways within your body and how it interacts with your Nexus core."
"The Nexus core is like a reservoir within you, gathering and storing Essentia. For you, Leiurus, this core is already well-formed. Imagine it as a center that both absorbs and distributes Essentia to the rest of your body.
To start, visualize your Nexus core as a sphere in your chest, glowing faintly with Essentia. Take deep breaths, and with each breath, focus on gathering energy in this core. This will help you sense the flow of Essentia within."
She continued, "The body has natural pathways, much like veins, where Essentia flows. These pathways connect from the Nexus core to every part of your body. Begin by moving small amounts of Essentia to your fingertips. Think of it as letting energy trickle down from the Nexus. The more you practice, the easier it will be to guide Essentia to any part of your body."
She quickly glanced at Leiurus who's clams gaze lingered in her as she explained, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Essentia can enhance your physical attributes. When you direct Essentia to your muscles, for instance, it will strengthen them, allowing you to exert more force or withstand greater impacts. Practice by channeling Essentia into your arms. Imagine it as a warmth spreading through your muscles. With each pulse, feel your strength increase slightly. Over time, this will allow you to control how much power you put behind each movement."
She Continued, "This is crucial, especially since your Essentia capacity is so high. Regulating output means learning to release only as much Essentia as necessary. Visualize a dam within your Nexus. Instead of letting Essentia flow freely, imagine a gate that you can adjust, releasing just the right amount. This will prevent accidental surges, which could have unintended effects on the environment."
She sighed, her eyes conveying a strained expression as she explained lastly, "Emotions can influence the flow of Essentia, amplifying it when you're angry or nervous. Learning to remain calm will help you maintain steady control. Take moments to meditate, focusing on your breathing, letting your emotions settle before channeling Essentia. Practicing this mindfulness will prevent volatile Essentia outbursts. Skills, like Zephalon, are powered by Essentia. However, using them requires concentration and alignment with your Nexus core. When you activate a skill, start by drawing energy from the core and let it flow to the area where the skill will manifest. Each skill has unique demands on your Essentia; the more you practice, the more instinctive this process will become."
Leiurus listened intently, picturing each instruction as vividly as he could. Elyndra's explanations were thorough, and he found himself comparing it to the animated shows his grandchildren used to watch. In those shows, characters would focus their energy, transforming or unleashing powerful attacks with ease. The comparison made him chuckle softly, a comforting reminder of his old world.
Elyndra noticed the soft smile on his face. "Did that remind you of something?" she asked, a gentle curiosity in her tone.
Leiurus's smile wavered, a bittersweet feeling filling his chest. "Yeah, It's silly, but… it feels familiar."
Elyndra nodded, her expression softening. She didn't press further, sensing the lingering sadness in his words. "Those memories are precious. Keep them close; they are part of what makes your soul strong."
Leiurus took a deep breath, anchoring himself in the moment. The ache of missing his loved ones remained, but the knowledge he was gaining here, this new life he was building, gave him purpose.
After a moment, Leiurus closed his eyes, practicing what he had learned. He focused on his Nexus core, feeling the gentle hum of Essentia within, guiding it down to his fingertips as Elyndra instructed. Each pulse of energy felt like a small accomplishment, a step toward mastering his new self.
As he sat there, channeling his Essentia with newfound control, Leiurus felt a profound sense of peace. He was no longer the lost scorpion, nor was he the man from another world. He was Leiurus Quinquestriatus, and he was exactly where he needed to be.