The stars were scattered like shimmering diamonds across the velvet sky, their light mirrored faintly in the restless waves below. The caravan had stopped for the night, nestled in the protective crook of an old cliffside. A circle of lanterns lit the camp, casting warm golden light that danced on the travelers' faces. The faint murmur of the sea mixed with the crackling of the fire, creating an atmosphere both tranquil and charged with the promise of discovery.
Kaien sat close to the fire, its flickering glow warming his skin, though his thoughts were distant. The words Eldrin had spoken earlier lingered in his mind, like an echo of a forgotten melody. The Sea of Essence… Inner Tides… It was fascinating, but it left him with more questions than answers for it made him understand that his previous knowledge about the Inner Tide was completely shallow.
Eldrin sat across from him, leaning against a log with his legs stretched out, his cup of tea steaming gently in the cool night air. His expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed a sharpness that suggested he was observing everything—Kaien, Lyra, even the subtle shifts of the wind. Lyra had wandered off to the edge of the cliff, her silhouette outlined by the soft silver light of the moons as she gazed out at the sea below.
Kaien cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Eldrin… can I ask you something?"
The old merchant glanced at him, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You've already asked plenty tonight, lad, but go on. What's on your mind?"
Kaien hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "You said there are four types of Inner Tides—the Shapers, the Travelers, the Healers, and the Vortex Users. But… is that all there is? Are there no other kinds of Tides? Special ones, maybe? Something different?"
Eldrin's smile widened slightly, though it carried a tinge of amusement. He set his cup down beside him and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Ah, now that's an interesting question," he said, his tone thoughtful. "You're not the first to wonder about that, you know. The Sea of Essence is vast, and its mysteries are endless. Over the years, many have claimed to discover something new—a fifth tide, or a hidden variation of the known ones."
Kaien leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "And? Were any of them real?"
Eldrin shrugged, his expression turning wistful. "Depends on who you ask. Most of the so-called 'special tides' are nothing more than variations of the primary four. For example, there are those who call themselves 'Elemental Shapers,' focusing exclusively on manipulating the elements—water, earth, air, ice. But that's still just Tide Shaping, specialized in a specific field. Or take the 'Shadow Travelers,' who claim to move through darkness itself. They're still just Spiritual Travelers, using shadows as their medium."
Kaien frowned, his brow furrowing. "So, they're not really different?"
"Not in any fundamental way," Eldrin said. "Think of the Inner Tides like a river. The main current is the same, but there are countless branches and streams that split off from it. These branches might seem unique, but they all flow from the same source."
Kaien nodded slowly, but something about the explanation didn't sit right with him. He stared into the fire, the flickering flames reflecting in his amber eyes. "But what if… what if there's something beyond the branches? Something outside the river entirely?"
Eldrin tilted his head, his gaze narrowing slightly. For the first time, there was no trace of amusement in his expression—only a quiet, probing intensity. "Outside the river, you say?"
Kaien met his gaze, unflinching. "Yeah. What if there's a kind of Tide that doesn't fit into the four categories at all? Something completely different?"
The old merchant was silent for a long moment, the firelight casting deep shadows on his weathered face. Finally, he let out a slow breath, leaning back against the log. "I've traveled this world for over sixty years," he said quietly. "I've walked the deserts of Solreth, sailed the stormy waters of the Azure Strait, and climbed the icy peaks of the Shatterspine Mountains. I've met Tide Shapers who could conjure entire cities from essence, and Spiritual Travelers who could step between dimensions like walking through a door. I've seen Healers bring the dead back to life, and Vortex Users unleash destruction so complete it left nothing but ash."
He paused, his gaze distant, as if lost in some long-buried memory. "But in all my years… I've never seen anything that didn't fall within the bounds of the four Tides. Never heard of a power that couldn't be traced back to the Sea of Essence. If such a thing exists, it's beyond my understanding—and perhaps beyond the understanding of anyone alive."
Kaien's shoulders slumped slightly, disappointment flickering across his face. "I see…"
Eldrin studied him for a moment, then leaned forward again, his voice soft but firm. "Don't let that discourage you, lad. The Sea of Essence is a mystery even to those who've spent their lives studying it. Just because I haven't seen something doesn't mean it isn't out there. Keep asking questions. Keep searching. That's the only way we'll ever learn the truth."
Kaien nodded, a spark of determination reigniting in his eyes. "I will."
Eldrin smiled faintly, leaning back once more. "Good. Now, get some rest. We've got a long journey ahead of us, and you'll need your strength."
Kaien glanced over at Lyra, who was still standing at the edge of the cliff, her hair flowing in the breeze. He made a mental note to check on her before turning in for the night.
As the fire crackled softly and the night deepened, Kaien couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the Sea of Essence than anyone realized and he was a fine example of it. The thought both thrilled and unnerved him, like standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the unknown.
He didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: he wouldn't stop searching until he found it.
And perhaps, just perhaps, the answers he sought would lead him to something far greater than he could imagine.