The morning sunlight filtered gently through the trees as Kael, Mira, and Lysara continued their journey along the forest path. The memory of the shadowy creature at the Lake of Echoes lingered in Kael's mind, the echoes of its unearthly scream still fresh. But more than that, he couldn't shake the encounter with Erion and the ominous warning from the Black Order.
They walked in silence, each lost in thought, until Lysara abruptly stopped. She knelt down, brushing her fingers over faint indentations in the forest floor. "We're not alone," she said quietly, her tone tense. "These tracks… someone has been following us."
Kael and Mira exchanged a glance, instantly on alert. The forest had seemed peaceful enough, but there was a feeling of being watched, a subtle weight pressing on them from the shadows between the trees.
"Could it be the Black Order?" Kael whispered, a chill running through him.
Lysara studied the tracks with narrowed eyes. "It's possible. They're known for moving unseen. But whoever it is, they're skilled. These tracks are fresh, yet they left little trace."
Mira clutched her staff a little tighter. "If they're following us, do we confront them or try to lose them?"
Lysara considered, glancing around the forest. "The Black Order may be searching for weaknesses, assessing our abilities. If that's the case, letting them follow us might work to our advantage—they won't learn much if we don't give them anything to see. But if they make a move…"
Her voice trailed off, and Kael felt a quiet resolve settle over him. This was the reality of wielding aetheric power—it would draw attention, not always the kind he wanted. "I'm ready," he said firmly, though his heartbeat quickened. "If they try to harm us, I'll do whatever it takes to protect us."
Lysara placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Good. But let's not rush into conflict. Stay alert, and let's keep moving."
They continued through the forest, trying to appear unaware of the shadows trailing them. Hours passed, and the dense forest slowly gave way to rocky terrain. As they reached the edge of a clearing, Lysara motioned for them to stop.
"There," she whispered, pointing toward a shadowed thicket on the far side of the clearing. Kael followed her gaze and caught a flicker of movement—a dark figure watching them from behind a tree.
He took a deep breath, steeling himself, and then reached out, feeling for the aether threads. This time, instead of just focusing on fire, he searched for the earth thread. It was faint, buried beneath the soil and rock, but as he focused, he felt its steady, grounding energy.
"What are you doing?" Mira whispered, noticing his concentration.
"I'm going to draw on the earth thread," Kael replied. "If they're watching us, maybe I can startle them, make them reveal themselves."
Lysara nodded approvingly. "Control it carefully. Earth is powerful, but it requires patience."
Kael nodded, inhaling slowly as he coaxed the thread upward. He visualized the ground beneath the thicket shifting, tiny tremors stirring the rocks and soil. The ground rumbled softly, and he could see the shadowy figure tense, their gaze darting around.
"Who's there?" Kael called out, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Show yourself."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, with a sudden rustle of leaves, the figure stepped out of the shadows and into the light. It was a young woman, no older than Kael, dressed in dark robes with an emblem stitched onto her sleeve—a symbol Kael recognized from tales of the Black Order: an eye encircled by thorned vines.
"Peace," the woman said, raising her hands slowly. "I mean you no harm."
Lysara's eyes narrowed. "You're from the Black Order."
The woman nodded, a guarded expression on her face. "I am. My name is Selene. I've been sent to observe Kael Orwyn and report on his abilities."
Kael tensed. "You've been following us all this time?"
"Only since the Lake of Echoes," Selene replied, her voice calm. "Erion wasn't wrong about you. The Black Order wants to understand your powers, but I am here merely to observe, nothing more."
"And if I refuse to be 'observed'?" Kael asked, clenching his fists. He could feel the earth thread still pulsing faintly beneath him, a reassuring presence.
Selene's gaze softened, and she lowered her hands. "You misunderstand. I was chosen for this task because I don't share all of the Order's views. I have no intention of harming you or your friends. In fact, I think you could use some… guidance."
Lysara frowned. "Guidance from the Black Order? Why should we trust you?"
"Because I've seen what happens to those who resist the Order," Selene replied quietly. "I was one of them. My family… they suffered for refusing to submit. But I learned to survive within the Order. And now, I believe I can help others from within, including you."
Kael exchanged a glance with Mira, unsure what to make of Selene. He could sense an honesty in her voice, an edge of sorrow that didn't feel forced.
"What kind of guidance do you think we need?" he asked, keeping his voice guarded.
Selene sighed, looking around to make sure no one else was listening. "The Order sees you as a potential threat because of your unique abilities. But there are ways to shield yourself, to remain hidden from their detection. If you want to avoid their attention, you'll need to learn these techniques."
Lysara studied her intently. "And you would teach us these techniques? Why? What's in it for you?"
"I don't expect you to trust me," Selene replied, her gaze steady. "But the Order's hold on the realms grows stronger each day. They believe in control above all else, and soon they'll seek to control not just aetherweavers but all magic in these lands. If you can grow strong enough to resist them… maybe others will see that resistance is possible."
Mira spoke up, her voice uncertain but hopeful. "You're saying we could inspire others to stand up against the Black Order?"
Selene nodded, a spark of determination in her eyes. "Exactly. The Order thrives on fear. But if enough people believe in another way—a way that respects the aether's true balance—then the Order's power could weaken."
Kael felt a surge of resolve. The idea of challenging the Order's oppressive grip resonated with him. He didn't want to be constantly looking over his shoulder, fearing they would find him. And he could tell that Mira shared his feelings.
Lysara remained cautious, but she didn't dismiss Selene's offer outright. "If we're to accept your help, you'll have to prove your loyalty, Selene. We can't afford to let our guard down."
"Of course," Selene replied, lowering her head respectfully. "I understand. I can teach you a few techniques to mask your aetheric signature, to make it harder for the Order's trackers to sense your power."
Kael nodded slowly. "All right. Teach us."
Selene guided them to a sheltered grove nearby, where they gathered in a loose circle. She instructed Kael and Mira to sit cross-legged, their palms resting on their knees. The technique, she explained, involved aligning their breathing with the pulse of the earth, using the subtle energy around them to mask their own aetheric presence.
"Close your eyes," Selene instructed softly. "Feel the pulse of the earth beneath you. It's a grounding energy—constant, steady. Breathe in rhythm with it."
Kael closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. He felt the earth thread beneath him, a comforting presence that calmed his mind. Following Selene's guidance, he focused on the steady beat of the earth, letting it lull his senses.
Gradually, he felt his own energy shift, as though it were blending with the earth's resonance. It was a strange sensation, like becoming part of the forest itself, indistinguishable from the rocks, trees, and soil.
"Now, release any conscious control over your aether threads," Selene continued, her voice a soothing murmur. "Allow your energy to merge with the earth's natural rhythm. You're not suppressing your power, only… harmonizing it with the world around you."
Kael felt his energy soften, the aether threads within him fading into the background. It was as though he had become invisible, his presence cloaked by the earth's own pulse.
After a few minutes, Selene instructed them to open their eyes. Kael felt lighter, as though he had shed an invisible weight.
"This technique won't make you undetectable forever," Selene explained. "But it will mask your aetheric signature for short periods. It's a useful skill if you need to escape the Order's attention."
Kael nodded, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Selene. This… this could really help."
Selene smiled, though there was a sadness in her expression. "I hope it does. But be careful. The Order's trackers are skilled. If you draw too much attention, masking won't be enough to hide you."