The morning sun bathed the bustling streets of Velarith in golden light as Eragon and Lunara made their way toward the heart of the city. The weight of the locator pressed against Eragon's pocket, but he resolved to ignore it for now. There was too much to learn, too many mysteries to uncover in this strange city where past and future seemed to coexist.
"We should explore every corner," Eragon said, his voice filled with determination. "If we're going to survive here, we need to understand who holds the power."
Lunara, padding silently beside him in her beast form, nodded. "Knowledge is as powerful as Etherion itself. Let's see what this city has to offer."
Their first stop was the noble district, where towering mansions and lush gardens spoke of wealth and influence. The air was thick with Etherion energy, crackling faintly around the crystalline turrets that adorned each estate.
From eavesdropping on conversations and observing interactions, Eragon identified three dominant houses ruling Velarith:
House Daelivar
Known for their mastery of Etherion technology, the Daelivar family controlled the city's infrastructure, from the glowing streetlights to the Etherion-powered gates. Their contracted beasts were sleek and mechanical, hybrids created through forbidden experiments.
House Mordain
Specialists in beast combat, the Mordain family valued strength above all. Their warriors and contracted beasts were often seen patrolling the streets, their presence a reminder of the house's dominance in martial power.
House Syltheris
Steeped in tradition and secrecy, the Syltheris family wielded knowledge of ancient Etherion techniques. Their contracted beasts were ethereal and ghostly, tied to realms beyond the physical.
"Each house vies for control," Lunara murmured as they observed a tense exchange between two noble representatives. "They're bound by uneasy alliances, but the balance of power here is fragile."
Eragon nodded, his mind racing. "And the academies must be tied to them."
"Indeed," Lunara said. "Sponsorship by a noble house guarantees resources and status, but it also comes with obligations."
Moving to the lower district, Eragon and Lunara encountered a starkly different world. Here, merchants shouted to sell wares, children played in the narrow streets, and laborers toiled under the watchful eyes of guards.
The commoners revered Beastbinders, seeing them as symbols of hope and power. Eragon noticed several young aspirants practicing with their beasts, hoping to catch the attention of a noble house or academy recruiter.
"They're desperate," Eragon observed.
"Desperation breeds resilience," Lunara replied. "But it also makes them vulnerable to exploitation."
Their exploration led them to a small training ground where an elderly man was lecturing a group of teenagers. He spoke of Etherion cultivation, his voice filled with both urgency and wisdom.
Curiosity piqued, Eragon and Lunara approached the group. The man noticed them and paused, his sharp eyes studying them.
"Newcomers?" he asked.
Eragon nodded. "I'm Eragon. This is Lunara, my partner."
The man's gaze lingered on Lunara, his expression unreadable. "A Radiant Fenrir. Rare. You must be strong to have bonded with her."
Eragon decided not to elaborate. "We're trying to learn about Etherion cultivation."
The man gestured for them to sit. "Very well. Etherion is the essence of life, the energy that fuels our abilities and connects us to the beasts. Its cultivation is the path to strength, but it's not for the faint of heart."
He drew a diagram in the dirt, outlining the nine realms Eragon had learned about before:
Fledgling Realm
Adept Realm
Arcane Realm
Master Realm
Exalted Realm
Ascendant Realm
Celestial Realm
Mythic Realm
Transcendent Realm
"Each realm has three sub-levels: Initiate, Advanced, and Peak," the man explained. "To ascend, one must refine their Etherion, breaking through barriers that test both body and soul."
"How?" Eragon asked, leaning forward.
The man smirked. "There are many methods. Meditation, combat."
As they left the training ground, Eragon couldn't shake the man's final words.
As night fell, Eragon and Lunara returned to their inn, their minds buzzing with everything they had learned. The city's layers were complex, its dangers real, but they were beginning to understand its pulse.
The system interface appeared once more, listing new quests and rewards tied to Etherion cultivation and Velarith's power dynamics. Eragon felt a spark of determination as he gazed at the glowing text.
"We've got a lot to do," he said.
"And we will," Lunara replied, her voice steady. "Together."