The morning after managing the flood of letters, Ezra stepped outside, his armor glinting faintly in the early light. Fully equipped, he intended to head into the forest for his usual training. The routine was second nature by now—a way to sharpen his skills and keep his mind clear.
As he made his way toward the treeline, a thought surfaced, stopping him mid-step. He recalled a conversation with Korr not too long ago. They had discussed the origins of his unique powers
Elves, with their incredibly long lifespans, often had firsthand memories of the events they chronicled. If anyone could provide answers about his strange abilities, it would be one of them. The idea had intrigued Ezra at the time, but the constant stream of missions had left him no opportunity to pursue it.
Now, standing in the morning stillness, the thought lingered in his mind, more compelling than before. Perhaps it was time to shift focus, to uncover the truth behind the power he wielded.
Ezra set off toward the city's grand library. Finding a historian, especially one as specific as an elf with knowledge of ancient powers, wouldn't be simple. A librarian, however, might be a good starting point—they often had a knack for guiding people toward answers.
He strolled through the early morning streets, a time when the city was just beginning to stir. The cobblestones glistened faintly from the previous night's dew, and only a few vendors were setting up their stalls. He preferred this calm, knowing the afternoon would bring the usual hustle and chaos.
Occasionally, he caught a few glances of recognition from passersby—subtle, but noticeable. It wasn't surprising; mercenaries who became renowned for their strength often earned a place in public memory. Some even climbed the social ladder, gaining noble titles or marrying into wealth and prestige, establishing entire legacies.
But that life didn't appeal to Ezra. Fame, in his eyes, was misplaced for someone in his line of work. Killing was a necessity at times, but it wasn't a profession deserving of adoration or status. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, though he knew not everyone shared his views.
Shaking the thought away, he focused on the task ahead. The library loomed in the distance, its towering structure a symbol of knowledge and history. If anyone could point him in the right direction, it would be someone within those walls.
Ezra approached the towering building, its imposing structure casting long shadows across the bustling street. The Stellaris Grand Library was as grand as its name suggested, with intricate carvings adorning its massive wooden doors and tall stained-glass windows that gleamed in the morning sun.
He pushed through the heavy doors and was greeted by the scent of parchment and leather. The vast interior was even more impressive, with towering shelves filled with thousands of books, scrolls, and tomes. And this was just the first floor.
After paying the hefty entrance fee—earning him a slightly judgmental look from the clerk—Ezra made his way to the librarian's desk. Behind it sat a striking woman who immediately caught his attention. She had golden-brown skin that shimmered faintly under the library's soft light, green hair tied neatly in a braid, and a pair of elegant deer antlers protruding from her head. Her black robe, trimmed with silver accents, gave her an air of authority and wisdom.
Ezra approached her, offering a polite but practiced smile. "Good morning, ma'am. I'd like to ask a few questions."
The woman looked up from the book she was reading, returning his smile. "Good morning to you as well. What can I do for you today?" Her tone was pleasant, but her eyes held a subtle skepticism. She likely wasn't used to someone in full plate armor seeking knowledge.
"I'm from a dwindling clan of people called the Elthar," Ezra began, carefully choosing his words. "Recently, I've started manifesting some... unusual powers. I've also discovered that I can use aether in ways others have told me are impossible for them. I was hoping you might point me toward a historian or scholar who could help me understand what's happening."
The librarian's polite smile faded, replaced by a look of shock. She studied his face intently, her golden eyes narrowing as though searching for something hidden beneath his calm exterior. Then, slowly, a realization dawned, and her expression softened.
"You're Elthar?" she asked, her voice quieter now, almost reverent. "That explains a lot."
Ezra frowned slightly. "You've heard of us?"
"Not only have I heard of the Elthar, but I've studied your clan extensively," she replied, rising from her seat. "In fact, you don't need to look any further for answers—I can help you. When I was younger, I visited the Island of the Elthar. Your people were... extraordinary."
Ezra blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "You've been to the island?"
She nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It's been decades, but I still remember it vividly. If you're willing, I'd be happy to share what I know. And perhaps, together, we can uncover the meaning behind your newfound abilities."
For the first time in a long while, Ezra felt a flicker of hope. He nodded. "I'm willing."
The woman ushered Ezra toward a quiet corner of the library, her demeanor calm but laced with curiosity. She led him to a small, cozy table surrounded by towering bookshelves. A plate of cookies appeared on the table—an unexpected gesture that seemed to put Ezra slightly at ease.
"Alright," she said, sitting across from him and folding her hands neatly. "Start from the beginning. What abilities have you awakened, and what happened during their awakening? The details are important."
Ezra nodded, leaning forward. "The first ability I unlocked is one I can't access at will yet," he began. "It happened while I was on a job, fighting a Chaos Paladin. I was seconds away from death—he was about to strike me down. In that moment, it felt like time... crawled. Not stopped, exactly, but slowed to a crawl. I moved out of the way of the strike, and in the reflection of his sword, I noticed my pupils had changed into a twelve-pointed star. But it didn't feel like I stopped time—it was more like I moved at an impossible speed."
He paused, frowning slightly. "After that fight, though, I couldn't access the power again. It felt like it was locked away."
The librarian tilted her head, her antlers catching the faint light from above. "Interesting. And the second ability?"
Ezra took a breath. "The next one appeared while I was training alone in the mountains. I'd just finished a session and went to sheathe my sword, but instead of it clicking into place on my hip... it vanished. Completely. I panicked at first, but when I thought about getting the sword back—"
He stopped, his eyes beginning to glow faintly. With a subtle flicker of energy, his sword materialized in his hand as if summoned from thin air. "—it reappeared, just like this," he finished, holding the weapon up for her to see. "Whenever I wield the sword, my pupils change again—this time into a four-pointed star."
The woman took a bite of a cookie, savoring it before beginning her explanation.
"I can explain, for the most part," she said, brushing crumbs from her fingers. "The Elthar, as I'm sure you know, were a clan of warriors—renowned ones, at that. Their abilities reflect this heritage, but the most important aspect is their eyes. These awaken in life-or-death situations, particularly in individuals who are deeply in tune with themselves, following their own path. Upon their first awakening, they gain full access to their abilities, represented by the twelve-pointed star. The powers an Elthar gains can vary widely, but the most common are precognition or enhancements to their physical abilities. However, there were rare cases of individuals who could teleport or even become intangible."
She took another cookie, her expression thoughtful. "After the first awakening, though, the eyes revert to the four-pointed star, which is the first stage. Abilities at this stage tend to involve weapons—usually the power to bind a weapon to oneself and enhance it significantly. Your ability to summon your weapon from a subspace, though... that's unique. I've never heard of anything quite like it. I wonder just how far you could push that."
Her mind seemed to wander as she began to speculate aloud about the potential applications of his ability, but Ezra clapped his hands lightly to refocus her.
"Oh, right, sorry!" she said, sitting up straighter. "The second stage is where things get really interesting. At this stage, represented by the eight-pointed star, the abilities vary more than at any other stage. They tend to align with the user's personality or deepest traits, so they can be almost anything. For instance, the first time I saw an Elthar in the second stage, they grew in size—like a giant. But, as I said, the abilities can't be easily predicted."
She paused for another sip of tea before continuing. "Then there's the third stage, the twelve-pointed star again—the one you've already experienced. That extreme speed is just a glimpse of its potential, though. It's likely the ability has more layers or facets that you'll need to experiment with to fully uncover."
The woman's expression grew more serious as she leaned forward slightly. "Finally, there's one more stage beyond the first three. It's incredibly rare, and I'm not entirely sure of the conditions for unlocking it, but it's said to allow the user to manifest their will into a physical shape. This manifested will acts as a weapon, shield, or even something more abstract. During the Demon Invasion, the leader of the Elthar clan unlocked this fourth stage and summoned a massive soldier—a knight of pure aether. It cut down legions of demons in seconds. That's the kind of power we're talking about. There are more abilities tied to the Elthar, but those are the most notable."
She sat back, letting the weight of her words sink in.
"Well, can you tell me about the other abilities?" Ezra asked, his tone steady but eager. "I want to know as much as I can."
The woman smiled warmly, clearly enjoying the opportunity to share her knowledge. She picked up another cookie, nibbling on it thoughtfully before speaking.
"Of course," she began. "The most notable Elthar abilities, beyond what we've already discussed, include incredibly enhanced learning capabilities—specifically when it comes to combat-related knowledge. Martial arts, weapon techniques, and battlefield strategies... an Elthar can pick these up much faster than most people. It's as if their minds are naturally attuned to the intricacies of combat."
She took another small bite of her cookie before continuing. "Elthars also have a unique connection to sunlight and shadow aether. These two seemingly opposing energies resonate strongly with your kind, allowing for abilities that blend the two or amplify one to incredible heights. This connection also extends to your healing capabilities. While not instant regeneration, Elthars recover from wounds at a significantly faster rate than normal people. That's part of why they were so feared on the battlefield."
Her eyes gleamed with fascination as she leaned closer. "Then there's aether manipulation. Elthars can shape aether with remarkable precision, creating complex forms and using it in ways that most can only dream of. Where others see limitations, Elthars see possibilities. This allows for incredibly unique techniques that can be tailored to your own style and creativity."
Ezra leaned back slightly, absorbing everything the woman had told him. The pieces of his heritage and abilities were finally starting to come together, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. Standing up, he gave her a respectful nod.
"Thank you for sharing all of this with me," he said sincerely. "I've been searching for answers for so long, and you've given me more clarity in one conversation than I've had in years. I'm truly grateful."
The woman smiled warmly, brushing some stray crumbs from her robe. "You're very welcome, Ezra. It's rare to meet someone who carries the Elthar legacy. I'm just happy to see that knowledge being put to use again."
She paused for a moment before offering her hand. "By the way, my name is Sariah. It's only fair you know who I am after everything we've discussed."
Ezra took her hand, giving it a firm yet polite shake. "Sariah, it's a pleasure. I won't forget this."
Sariah tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "I'd like you to come back sometime, Ezra. There's so much more I'd love to learn about you—about your journey, your abilities, and who you are as a person. I have a feeling there's much more to your story than you've shared."
Ezra allowed a small smile to cross his face. "I'll be back, Sariah. You've earned my trust, and I think there's still a lot I can learn from you, too."
Sariah's smile widened. "Good. I'll hold you to that. And next time, maybe I'll have some more cookies ready."
Ezra chuckled softly as he turned to leave, the weight of uncertainty about his lineage feeling just a little lighter. "I'll look forward to it."