The first rays of morning filtered through the dense canopy, casting a soft glow over the camp. Orin stirred, his mind still hazy with the lingering memory of the Stoneclaw battle and the quiet strength he had witnessed in Seraphine. As he sat up, he felt a new sense of resolve, a certainty that had been taking root since their journey began.
Determined, he rose, brushing the dirt from his clothes and made his way toward Seraphine, who stood at the edge of the clearing, gazing into the depths of Fir with her silver staff by her side. She turned as he approached, a small, knowing smile on her face.
"Good morning, Orin," she greeted, her voice soft but alert.
"Seraphine," Orin began, a hint of nervousness lacing his words, "I know this might be a lot to ask, but… I need to learn how to use aether. I can feel it in me, like it's there, waiting, but I don't know how to tame it. Will you teach me?"
She regarded him with a steady gaze, her lavender eyes studying his face as though weighing his readiness. After a pause, she nodded.
"You have the potential, Orin. I sensed it the moment I saw you. But learning to wield aether isn't a simple task, and it's not without consequence." Her tone held a note of warning. "If you wish to control it, you'll need to understand its nature and the path ahead."
Lira, having heard their conversation, joined them, her expression a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "What do you mean, consequence?" she asked, looking between Orin and Seraphine.
Seraphine motioned for them to sit around the dwindling fire. She took a breath, the morning light casting a glint on her silver staff as she began to explain.
"Aether users are divided into different classes based on their level of control, strength, and connection to the constellations," she said, her voice calm but laced with gravity. "The classes begin with Novices, who have only a basic awareness of aether but lack control. After them come the Acolytes, who have achieved the first real mastery over their aether. The journey from novice to acolyte is difficult, requiring dedication and focus."
She paused, letting her words sink in. Orin listened intently, his heart pounding with anticipation and a newfound urgency.
"What comes after Acolyte?" Orin asked, his voice hushed.
"After Acolyte," Seraphine continued, "comes the Celestial Squire – Starborn, a rank that is reserved for those who show both skill and promise in harnessing the power of their constellation. From there, one can rise to become a Celestial Knight – Starblade, a position of great honor. Celestial Knights hold true mastery over their aether and can wield their power with precision. They are leaders, protectors, and often serve to guide Acolytes who share their constellation."
Orin leaned forward, intrigued. "Is that as high as it goes?"
Seraphine shook her head. "No. Above the Celestial Knight lies the Ascendant Knight – Moonwarden, an even rarer title given to those who not only wield their aether powerfully but transcend its boundaries, reaching deeper into the mysteries of the cosmos. After it lies Celestial Guardian – Aetherwarden, these protectors embody their celestial sign and can access forbidden knowledge tied to the Astral Gods. There are only 12 persons who bear this title in our kingdom. And then, at the pinnacle, there is the Celestial Paragon—a figure who embodies the very essence of their constellation, with power that can shape worlds. The only known being who attain this rank is King Orion V"
Orin's breath caught at the thought. Each rank seemed grander, more formidable than the last, and yet the path to even Acolyte felt daunting.
Lira's brows furrowed. "But what about this… consequence you mentioned?"
Seraphine's expression grew serious. "For those who carry the potential of aether within them, there is a risk if that power goes untrained. Aether is like a flame—it can warm and protect, or it can consume. If Orin doesn't learn to channel it properly and fails to advance to Acolyte within the next year, he risks succumbing to what we call Fade into Shadow."
Orin's stomach dropped, a shiver creeping up his spine. "Fade into Shadow?"
"It's a condition where the aether inside you, untrained and unstable, begins to break down the mind and spirit," Seraphine explained, her tone solemn. "The person loses themselves, piece by piece, until they fade entirely, becoming a hollow shell, or worse—drawn to darkness."
Orin's face drained of color as he absorbed the gravity of her words. Lira, equally shaken, looked between them, her eyes wide with fear and concern.
"But I've felt aether before," Orin said, his voice trembling slightly. "When I fought the Glimmerfang… and even when the Stoneclaw attacked, it was like something was trying to help me, but I couldn't control it."
Seraphine nodded. "Yes. That instinct is your inner aether responding to danger. But if it remains raw and untamed, it will turn on you."
She allowed a moment of silence before speaking again, her voice gentler. "That's why it's essential to train under a guide. I can teach you the basics, but if you wish to advance beyond Acolyte, you'll need a Celestial Knight born under the same sign to guide you fully. Each constellation has its own traits, powers, and restrictions that only someone of that sign can understand intimately. For you, that means finding a Celestial Knight of Aquarius."
Orin and Lira exchanged glances, both grappling with the weight of this new information. The urgency to train, to survive, pressed heavily upon him.
"Do you know any Aquarius knights?" Orin asked, his voice barely a whisper, hope and dread mingling in his gaze.
Seraphine shook her head. "They are rare, and often in the service of the capital or on missions across the realms. But if you advance, you may have the means to find one. For now, focus on the basics."
Orin took a deep breath, nodding with a sense of determination. "Then teach me. Show me what I need to do to survive this."
Seraphine's expression softened, a hint of respect in her gaze. "Very well. We'll start with the simplest of exercises, but do not underestimate them. Even the basics demand focus and discipline."
Lira watched with a mix of fascination and pride as Seraphine guided Orin a few steps away from the campfire, her silver staff glinting in the morning light.
"Close your eyes, Orin," she instructed, her voice steady. "Find the center of yourself, the place where you feel the aether stirring, just beneath your skin."
Orin closed his eyes, following her guidance. He focused inward, feeling for the faint warmth that had flickered within him during moments of danger. It was elusive at first, a distant hum he struggled to grasp, but as he concentrated, it grew, pulsing faintly in rhythm with his heartbeat.
"Good," Seraphine said, her voice soft. "Now, imagine drawing that energy toward your hands. Like water in a stream, guide it without forcing it."
Orin visualized the flow, his hands tingling as warmth pooled within them. When he opened his eyes, he saw a faint shimmer surrounding his fingertips—a soft, silvery glow that flickered like the reflection of moonlight on water.
Lira gasped, her eyes wide with awe.
"You've done well," Seraphine praised. "But remember, this is only the beginning. True mastery requires patience, discipline, and an understanding of your celestial alignment. Your path will be challenging, Orin, but with time, you will learn to wield the power within you."
Orin clenched his fists, feeling the lingering warmth of aether and the flicker of hope it brought. He was stepping into a new world, a world where every action, every decision could shape his destiny.