Aeron still stood after the Trial of Shadows; his heartbeat still raced from the terrible encounter with darkness. The shadows were a reflection of his guilt and insecurities, yet he had resisted them. That was a victory, but not an unsmudged one: the doubts, the fears-those things didn't disappear just because he had triumphed in this trial.
Those cold winds of the Shadow Realm had touched him very deeply, and though he struggled against them, the mind was yet carrying all the scars. It would take more than one challenge to heal what was inside.
He finally faced Aeryn, who by that time was already walking away to exit the room, her gait slow, as if she hadn't just seen him struggling with himself. The shadows were gone now, and the cold that had resided in the room had vanished, but Aeron knew that wasn't the end-not by a long shot.
Is it over?" Aeron asked, his voice hoarse from the effort. The shakes in his body subsided a bit, yet he stood strong - refusing to show weaknesses in front of Aeryn. He had learned to trust in his own strength, yet he was still dealing with the aftermath of the trial.
Aeryn looked back, and her face was hard to read. "The Trial of Shadows has ended, but there are many more tests to come. You've dealt with your fears, but the real adventure starts now."
Aeron's eyebrows furrowed as he followed her from the room. "What does that mean?
The path that you tread is not one of easy triumphs, Aeryn said in a low, serious tone. "You must understand: the Aether is no gift. It is a burden. And it is one that is going to require a great deal more than willpower to handle. The trials will only get worse from here. But it is not just about surviving them, but understanding the Aether, controlling it, and finally mastering it.
She stopped in front of a huge, black stone door. There were symbols marked on it, slight illuminations now showing as if it were shining softly, radiating from the life of the stone itself. Aeryn reached out and pressed her hand against the door; the symbols lit up, and creaking, the big door opened.
Large inside, with the ceiling high and patterned with lines of ice and fire entwined in beautiful designs, the air hummed with an impression quite different from what Aeron had ever felt: strange and known, strong yet soothing.
"This is the Chamber of Balance," Aeryn said, entering. "In it, you shall learn to control the Aether in ways you can't yet fathom."
Aeron stepped inside and felt the place settle around him, a heavy place that was like no other. There was a weighing of the elements, an almost-breathed tension evinced in the air. He could feel the fire and the ice, the water and earth, in a balance taken and proffered.
In the room's center was a huge pool of fluid flame, its fire sending shadows to dance upon the walls. Beside it was a river which ran frozen, in ice so clear it seemed like glass, its surface frozen in perpetual motion. Aeron could feel that kind of raw power in each of them-beautiful and deadly.
With that said, Aeryn strode to the center of the room and invited Aeron to follow after her. "This is where you shall learn what balance really means. The Aether isn't a compilation of elements; it's a living force that courses through all things. If you can master the harmony of these forces, then you'll become so much more than you have ever dreamed possible.
Aeron moved slowly, his head twitching back and forth between the two groups before him. Fire and ice, heat and cold-he felt the power of both elements stirring within him, urging him onto some form of action, some need to seize control. Yet something Aeryn had said gave him pause. Harmony-that was the catch.
He spoke slowly, his eyes fixed upon the pool of fire. "I have learned control of fire, but now-what of ice? And how can I do both at once?
"You have to yield to them," Aeryn said, her voice as composed as cold stone. "It is in yielding that you learn balance. The Aether is not to be commanded by you; you are a part of the Aether. Yield to its flow, listen to the rhythm, and then the lessons will start.
Aeron closed his eyes and set his thoughts to the two elements before him. Almost immediately, he felt a strong connection to the fire, an old friend reaching out to him. Within his mind, the flames danced to listen to him. He reached for the ice instead, and it pushed back; it was cold, farther away, almost as if the ice wanted to see if he could prove himself.
He focused his thoughts, pushed his will towards the ice. A light mist began to seep around his hand, cold, like a second skin. Fire inside him shuddered as if warning him. Yet Aeron didn't raise even an eyebrow. The main thing was the balance. Fire and ice could coexist if he was able to keep them on their reins together.
For one instant, he felt himself floating in a sea of fire and ice that were tugging at him, trying to push him. The fire wanted to overpower him with its heat; the ice wanted to freeze his bones. That hurt-the forces fighting inside him-but Aeron kept holding on. He focused on that one place where the two conjoined, where they could connect.
Slowly, with high tension, he got the elements to fall in place: fire simmered down, heat being caught more in his control, while ice started melting, just enough to let a balance between both come into being. He was breathing in short gasps, his body shaking under the strain, and yet, the pool of flame in front of him finally stillened, and the river of ice flowed in perfect harmony.
Aeryn's voice cut through, clear and sharp, snapping him out of his reverie. "Good. You are beginning to get a hold of them. But this is just the beginning. Being good at fire and ice depicts your will, but mastering all those elements - fire, ice, earth, water, and air - will entail much more than mental strength.
Aeron opened his eyes, his heart bucking inside his chest. "What should I do?
"You have to learn the other elements," Aeryn said. "The way to tame the Aether is long and it is fraught with danger. Ahead of you, there will be trials, many trials, but the more you yield yourself to the Aether, the more you will grow in power. And in due time, you will master all five of the elements.
Aeron nodded silently, knowing full well the gravity of what was being asked of him. The Aether was a power not to be used, but understood and respected. "I'm ready," he said, determination filling his voice. Aeryn nodded to him, which was her version of approval. "Very well. Your next test commences.