The group continued through the forest, moving swiftly but cautiously, with Selene leading the way. Despite her claim to be on their side, Kael and Mira remained wary, frequently glancing at each other and back at Lysara for assurance. Lysara's normally calm demeanor was tense, her eyes sharp as she watched their new guide.
After a while, Selene stopped near a secluded grove surrounded by tall, ancient trees. "We'll rest here," she said softly, gesturing for them to sit down. The forest around them was dense, the thick branches above casting a soothing shade over the small clearing.
As they sat, Lysara finally broke the silence. "If you're truly here to help us, then tell me, Selene. What exactly does the Black Order plan to do with Kael?"
Selene lowered her gaze, fingers absentmindedly tracing the hem of her cloak. "They see his power as both a threat and an opportunity. They're interested in recruiting him, controlling him—like they do with all who possess unique abilities. They believe Kael's potential could be… reshaped to serve the Order's interests."
Kael clenched his fists. "So they want to turn me into a weapon?"
"In a way, yes," Selene admitted. "If they bring you in, they'll isolate you, strip you of your will, and train you to follow their orders without question. They call it 'training,' but it's more like… conditioning." Her voice softened. "I know because I've seen it. I've seen strong aetherweavers broken down and rebuilt as mere tools."
A chill passed over Kael. The thought of losing his sense of self, of being forced into the Order's control, made his stomach turn. "I won't let that happen," he said firmly. "I'll fight them if I have to."
Selene met his gaze, an approving glint in her eyes. "That's the spirit you need to survive. But power alone won't be enough."
Lysara narrowed her eyes, still skeptical. "Why would someone as loyal to the Order as you have access to that knowledge? It's a rare privilege."
Selene hesitated before responding. "I was… chosen for the Order at a young age, but my family resisted. My father was a powerful aetherweaver, and he taught me the dangers of the Order's teachings in secret. I've kept his lessons close to my heart. It's how I learned to stay hidden, to survive under the Order's scrutiny. I'm still in the Order, yes—but that doesn't mean I've forgotten what freedom feels like."
She looked at Kael and Mira, her eyes serious. "I don't want anyone else to lose that freedom, least of all you."
The quiet conviction in her voice silenced the doubts Kael had been harboring. For the first time, he saw Selene not as a spy from the Order but as someone trapped within it, desperate to make a difference.
"What would you have us do?" Kael asked, glancing at his friends. "If you're right, then we'll need more than strength to stand against the Order."
Selene nodded, her expression shifting to one of determination. "Exactly. You'll need training—and not just in wielding the aether. You need to understand its deeper principles, the ancient ways of connecting with it. The Order teaches only control, but true mastery requires harmony."
Lysara studied Selene, her eyes flickering with a hint of approval. "You speak the truth. The old ways are lost to most aetherweavers today."
Selene took a deep breath. "There's a place where we can train—a sanctuary known only to those who study the old ways. It's protected, hidden even from the Order's gaze. If we can make it there, we'll have a chance to grow stronger together, without interference."
Mira looked skeptical but intrigued. "But how do we know this place is safe?"
Selene gave a small, sad smile. "It was once my father's safe haven. He created it as a refuge for those who sought freedom from the Order's influence. It's hidden deep within the Mistveil Mountains, guarded by ancient wards. The journey there is treacherous, but if we make it, we'll be safe."
Kael looked at Lysara, waiting for her guidance. She met his gaze, her face serious. "If this sanctuary is real, it could be exactly what we need to prepare ourselves. The Mistveil Mountains are perilous, but I've been there before. I know the paths."
Mira took a steadying breath. "Then it sounds like we have a plan. But how do we reach the mountains without the Order finding us?"
Selene's face grew grim. "We'll have to avoid towns, stick to the shadows, and rely on misdirection. The Order has many eyes, especially near the major roads. But if we take the forest routes, we might stay hidden long enough to reach the mountains."
Kael felt a surge of determination. "Then let's start now. I don't want to give them any more time to catch up to us."
The group packed their belongings and set off deeper into the forest, moving quickly and quietly. Selene led the way, her experience in evasion evident as she guided them through dense undergrowth and around natural obstacles, leaving almost no trace of their passage.
As night fell, they found a sheltered spot beneath a large outcropping of rock. Kael volunteered to take the first watch, unable to shake the feeling of unseen eyes watching them. The others lay down to rest, leaving Kael alone with his thoughts.
The forest was eerily silent, the only sounds the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a night bird. Kael gazed up at the dark sky, his mind swirling with thoughts of the Order and the growing weight of his responsibility. He had never imagined himself as anything more than an apprentice blacksmith in Eldwyn, but now his world had changed. He was an aetherweaver, hunted by a powerful Order, and on a journey to seek powers he was only beginning to understand.
He let out a quiet sigh. His hand drifted to the crystal pendant around his neck—a small gift from his mother before she had passed. It was one of the few memories he had left of her, and somehow, holding it grounded him, giving him strength.
"Kael."
He turned, surprised to find Selene standing a few feet away, her face illuminated by the faint glow of moonlight.
"I didn't mean to startle you," she said softly. "I just wanted to see if you were all right."
Kael shrugged, his gaze returning to the shadows of the forest. "I'm fine… just thinking."
Selene sat down beside him, her expression thoughtful. "It's a lot to take in, I know. This life—being an aetherweaver, constantly pursued by those who wish to control you—it's not easy."
Kael looked at her, seeing a trace of sadness in her eyes. "How long have you been with the Order, Selene?"
She hesitated before answering. "Since I was ten. My father… he resisted them, but the Order eventually found him. They took me in, trained me to follow their ways. But my father left me with a gift—a sense of purpose, of understanding that my power wasn't meant for them to control."
"I'm sorry," Kael said, genuinely moved. "It must have been hard to grow up in a place like that."
Selene's gaze softened. "It was. But I learned to survive, to stay under the radar, so they wouldn't strip me of my spirit entirely. And I think… I think meeting you, seeing your spirit and strength—it reminded me of what I've been holding onto all these years."
Kael felt a strange sense of kinship with Selene, despite her connection to the Order. She wasn't what he'd expected—beneath her tough exterior, he could see someone who shared his fears, his hopes, and his determination to forge his own path.
"Thank you, Selene," he said quietly. "For helping us, even when it puts you at risk."
She smiled, a small, genuine smile. "We're in this together now. Besides, something tells me that helping you might just be my own way of rebelling against the Order."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, gazing at the stars, each lost in their thoughts. Kael felt the weight of responsibility ease slightly, comforted by the knowledge that he wasn't alone.
As dawn approached, he woke Mira and Lysara for their journey to the Mistveil Mountains.