The afternoon sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as Veyra returned to the cottage, Lira trotting silently at her heels. Doran and Arnav were waiting for her, their faces etched with worry."Did you see Elder Kael?" Doran asked anxiously as Veyra approached.Veyra nodded, her expression grave. "I did," she replied. "He confirmed my suspicions. The vine is indeed Moonlace, and it's a sign of potent Vitalis energy.""And…?" Doran pressed.Veyra sighed. "He said that Arnav's abilities are… extraordinary. He hinted that he might even be… touched by Lysandra herself."Arnav's eyes widened. "Touched by Lysandra?" he whispered.Veyra nodded. "Elder Kael believes that the crescent mark, combined with the sudden manifestation of your powers, suggests a strong connection to her legacy."Doran frowned. "But what does that mean?" he asked. "What does it mean for Arnav?"Veyra exchanged a look with Doran, a silent conversation passing between them. "It means that the Guild will be even more interested in him," she said softly. "They won't stop until they find him."A chill ran down Arnav's spine. He knew what that meant. He had to be even more careful, even more secretive."Elder Kael offered his help," Veyra continued. "He said he would keep an eye out for any signs of the Guild's activity in the area.""Did he say anything else?" Doran asked. "About… about Arnav's powers?"Veyra hesitated. "He said… he said that Arnav needs to learn to control his abilities," she replied. "That uncontrolled Vitalis energy can be dangerous, not just to himself, but to others as well."Doran nodded grimly. "He's right," he said. "We need to find someone who can teach him."A heavy silence settled over them, the weight of their situation pressing down on them like a physical burden. Arnav looked at the Moonlace vine, its blue glow now seeming less magical and more ominous.The following days were filled with a tense unease. Arnav tried his best to suppress his emotions, to keep his powers hidden, but it was a constant struggle. He felt like a tightly coiled spring, ready to snap at any moment.One afternoon, Arnav was walking through the woods near the cottage, trying to clear his head. He had been practicing controlling his emotions, but it was proving to be much harder than he had anticipated. Every time he felt a surge of anger, or fear, or even joy, he could feel the Vitalis energy bubbling within him, threatening to burst forth.He came to a small clearing, where a gnarled old oak tree stood sentinel. The tree was massive, its branches reaching out like gnarled arms, its roots twisting and turning like ancient serpents. Arnav sat down at the base of the tree, leaning his back against its rough bark.He closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing, trying to calm the storm within him. He remembered what Elder Kael had said about controlling his emotions, about finding balance within himself.As he sat there, lost in thought, he heard a rustling sound nearby. He opened his eyes and saw an old man approaching, leaning heavily on a walking stick. The man was dressed in simple, homespun clothes, and his face was wrinkled and weathered, like the bark of the old oak tree."Greetings, young one," the old man said, his voice raspy but kind.Arnav nodded politely. "Hello," he replied.The old man sat down beside him, his movements slow and deliberate. He looked at Arnav with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through him."You seem troubled," the old man said.Arnav hesitated, then nodded. "I… I'm trying to learn something," he said. "But it's difficult.""What is it that you are trying to learn?" the old man asked.Arnav glanced around nervously, then lowered his voice. "It's… it's about controlling my emotions," he said.The old man chuckled softly. "Emotions are a powerful thing," he said. "They can be a source of great strength, but they can also be a source of great destruction."Arnav nodded. "I know," he said. "I've… I've seen what they can do."The old man's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what is it that you have seen?" he asked.Arnav hesitated, unsure whether he should trust this stranger. But there was something about the old man's kind eyes and gentle demeanor that put him at ease."I… I can make plants grow," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.The old man's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't seem surprised. "Indeed," he said. "I can see it in you. The spark of life, the flow of Vitalis energy."Arnav stared at the old man, his heart pounding in his chest. "You… you know about it?" he asked.The old man nodded. "I have walked this forest for many years," he said. "I have seen many things. I have seen the power of Vitalis energy, and I have seen the damage it can cause."Arnav's eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared," he whispered. "I'm scared of what I can do."The old man placed a hand on Arnav's shoulder, his touch surprisingly strong. "There is nothing to fear, young one," he said. "Your power is a gift, not a curse. But like any gift, it must be nurtured, it must be controlled.""How?" Arnav asked, his voice choked with emotion. "How can I control it?"The old man smiled. "That is something you will have to discover for yourself," he said. "But I can give you a hint. True control comes not from suppressing your emotions, but from understanding them, from accepting them, from finding balance within yourself."He paused, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding woods. "This forest," he continued, "it is a living testament to the power of Vitalis energy. It is a place of growth, of change, of constant renewal. If you learn to listen to the whispers of the forest, you will learn to listen to the whispers of your own heart."Arnav looked at the old man, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you for your wisdom."The old man smiled again. "Remember my words, young one," he said. "And never forget the power that lies within you."He rose to his feet, leaning heavily on his walking stick. "I must be going now," he said. "But I will be watching you."He turned and walked away, disappearing into the dense foliage as silently as he had come. Arnav watched him go, his mind buzzing with the old man's words. He didn't know who the old man was, but he felt a sense of hope, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, he could learn to control his powers, that he could find balance within himself.He looked around at the forest, at the towering trees and the vibrant undergrowth. He listened to the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the gentle whisper of the wind. He closed his eyes, trying to connect with the energy that flowed through all living things.He didn't understand everything the old man had said, but he knew one thing: he had to learn to listen to the whispers of the forest, and to the whispers of his own heart. Only then could he truly understand the power that lay within him.