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CHAPTER 199
294 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
Thanks to the countless hours he had spent digging and shaping the channel project, his connection to the earth element was unparalleled. He had pushed the boundaries of his magical prowess, experimenting with various earth-element spells within the confines of his training space. Some of those experiments had cost him dearly, resulting in his own demise within the magical realm.
Creating new spells was a perilous undertaking, and Aermir had faced death more than once in his pursuit of mastery. Yet, each failure had only driven him to refine his craft further, to harness the untapped potential of his connection to the elements.
Now, with the medium earth elemental at his side, he cast another spell—his elemental sight. This magical ability allowed him to perceive the world in ways that transcended the ordinary senses. He focused on the collapsed tunnel before him, peering into the earth's depths.
The sight that met his eyes was astonishing. The tunnel extended far deeper into the earth than he had ever imagined. The Winterfell crypts, rumored to be larger than the castle itself, seemed to confirm their grandeur. The path before him spiraled downward, an intricate labyrinth of passages and chambers hidden beneath the surface.
Aermir couldn't help but marvel at the scale of this subterranean world. The magical presence he had sensed was undoubtedly connected to these crypts, and it beckoned him to explore further. It was a mystery that he could not ignore. But this part of the crypt was fully collapsed.
With determination burning in his eyes, Aermir knew that he had to delve deeper into this underground realm. There were secrets to be uncovered, and the source of the magical power that pulsed through the earth awaited his discovery.
"Aerobula (Air bubble), Melada tegon (meld with earth)"
As Aermir journeyed deeper into the earth using his air bubble and the earth-melding spell, the crypt's mysteries unfolded around him. The air bubble provided him with a pocket of breathable air, allowing him to navigate the underground labyrinth without the fear of suffocation. However, maintaining it drained his mana, much like a parched traveler consuming water in a desert.
The meld with earth spell, Melada tegon, was both a blessing and a burden. It allowed him to pass through the solid earth itself, akin to a ghostly apparition. But this power came at a significant cost. The spell voraciously consumed his mana. Aermir knew he could only delve deeper into the crypt as far as half of his mana allowed because he needed the other half to return, or he risked materializing within the earth's confines, a fate that would surely lead to his demise.
His mana pool was considerable, standing at 480 mana in total. However, a significant portion—120 mana—was dedicated to containing the curse that had been placed upon him by the Night King. It was a constant drain on his magical resources, a reminder of the trials awaiting him.
As he pressed forward through the crypt's unending tunnels, the magical presence he had detected grew stronger with each step. It pulsed like a living heartbeat, resonating through the earth itself. Aermir was drawn to it, compelled by an insatiable curiosity to uncover its source and purpose.
However, despite his determination, the collapsed tunnels that stretched before him seemed insurmountable. He could see nothing but debris and rock for the next 300 meters. The magical presence was tantalizingly close yet frustratingly out of reach.
Time seemed to blur as he walked deeper into the crypt, and 40 minutes passed like a fleeting moment. Aermir could feel the weight of his dwindling mana reserves, a reminder that he could not continue much further. He knew he had to make a difficult decision—turn back or risk materializing within the earth, a potentially fatal mistake.
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The throbbing presence of magic taunted him, a mystery he yearned to unravel. It was then, as he contemplated his retreat, that he saw it—a colossal metal door, standing at an imposing height of five meters. The intricate carvings etched upon its surface depicted two dragons facing each other, with a wolf positioned in the center. At the heart of this double door lay a massive crystal at the mouth of the dire wolf, as large as a human head.
Aermir's breath caught in his throat as he gazed upon this remarkable sight. He knew, without a doubt, that this was the source of the magical power that had drawn him here. It was a tantalizing sight, an invitation to uncover its secrets.
Yet, he faced an agonizing dilemma. His mana had dwindled to a perilous level, and he needed at least 200 more mana to reach the door and explore what lay beyond it. The thirst for knowledge battled with the very real danger of his situation. Aermir didn't even have enough mana to take a few more steps. He had just enough to get out of the collapsed parts.
Reluctantly, Aermir made his choice. He turned away from the enigmatic door, a heavy sense of yearning weighing upon him. He knew that he had ventured as far as he safely could for now. The crypts held their secrets, and he would return another day, better prepared and armed with the mana necessary to unlock their mysteries.
With one final glance at the tantalizing door, he retraced his steps, following the path he had forged through the earth. The crypts of Winterfell still held countless secrets, and Aermir was determined to uncover them all.
...
Emerging from the crypts, Aermir found himself faced with a profound dilemma that hung heavily on his mind. The question that gnawed at his thoughts was whether to reveal the existence of the enigmatic door to Lord Stark and put forth a grand proposal for an extensive excavation project. It was a decision that would have far-reaching implications, not to be taken lightly.
After protracted deliberation, Aermir, though somewhat reluctantly, resolved to keep the knowledge of the door to himself. The endeavor before him was no ordinary mining operation; it was a monumental undertaking that would necessitate a colossal commitment of both time and resources. The more he contemplated it, the more daunting the prospect became.
The earth beneath was unnervingly soft and prone to collapse, a volatile ground that harbored the potential for catastrophic consequences. A mere tremor, a misstep, or a sudden shift in the soil could spell disaster, bringing about the ruination of the structures above. The grim historical precedent weighed heavily on Aermir's mind; a century ago, when the crypts had first collapsed, the destruction had devoured countless buildings in its wake.
As Aermir contemplated the precarious nature of the earth beneath Winterfell, he couldn't help but acknowledge the scope of the challenge he faced. Comparing this endeavor to the relatively straightforward task of digging a mine was akin to equating a child's play with a herculean feat of engineering. The risk was monumental, the stakes were high, and the margin for error was slim. Most importantly, he didn't have any experience as an engineer.
In the face of such adversity, Aermir's decision to refrain from divulging the existence of the mysterious door to Lord Stark seemed more prudent than ever. The notion of taking a gamble crossed Aermir's mind. He entertained the idea of suggesting to Lord Stark that they initiate the restoration of the crypt, with the hope that, in a year or two, they would be close enough to the mysterious door for him to complete the final leg of the way using his magical abilities.
However, upon careful consideration, he dismissed this risky proposition. It seemed unjustifiable to jeopardize the lives of numerous individuals for the sake of reaching a destination he could potentially access in three or four years without endangering anyone, or perhaps even sooner if he could acquire more mana somehow.
As he made his way toward the imposing structure of the Great Keep, Aermir's thoughts swirled with the weight of his decision, a decision that seemed to waver with each step he took. The idea of fortifying the excavation process with his magical abilities did cross his mind, and for a brief moment, it seemed like a viable option. However, the more he considered it, the more he realized the potential pitfalls.
The presence of a multitude of miners and laborers within the crypts would unquestionably elevate the risk of infiltration by spies and prying eyes. Aermir's oath spots, a precious resource to him, were far too limited to cover all those who would be involved in such an endeavor. Even if he had sufficient spots, he harbored no intention of expending them on miners.
The alternative, he contemplated, was to enlist a small group of trustworthy assistants to aid in the excavation. Yet, as he mulled over this option, he swiftly discarded it as an impractical choice. Leading a contingent of individuals into the crypts would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention, a risk he was unwilling to entertain.
In the end, Aermir settled on the solitary path of undertaking the excavation himself. He recognized the arduous nature of this task, but it appeared to be the only feasible course of action. Conducting a quick mental calculation, he concluded that excavating halfway to the enigmatic door would take at least a year of dedicated effort; without digging, it would take too much mana to reach the door.
He could employ his Meld with Earth spell to traverse the remaining distance at that juncture. However, this calculation hinged on the improbable assumption that he could allocate an entire year exclusively to digging—an impractical proposition given his myriad responsibilities.
With a heavy sigh, Aermir resolved to proceed with a slow and careful excavation process, reinforcing the earth around him as he progressed. Realistically, this endeavor would span over two years of tireless toil. Juggling his commitments between Moat Cailin and other pressing matters, he knew he couldn't dedicate himself to this task every single day.
The spark he had ignited among the Sistermen demanded his attention, and he remained uncertain of when they might ignite into a full-blown conflict. Thus, he would need to pace himself, embracing the years ahead as a period of relentless dedication and persistence.