As the moon was rising during our last night in Neyto, I felt a need to go outside, to compare the current state to the illusion the Grandmother had created. Outside, I felt a strange sense of déjà-vu, the scene so similar but so different from the illusion. There was no full moon yet - that was a few days away - so there only was an almost full disc in the sky and its reflection in the Nexus.

Almost in a trance, I walked forward, close to the 'water' and sat down before allowing my mind to wander, entering fully into a meditative trance. Unlike the gentle floating sensation I had during the Grandmother's ritual, now I felt like a leaf in the rapids, trying to keep afloat and not get smashed against the rocks. I felt that the consequences of getting swept away would be dire but I also felt an exhilarating sensation washing over me, like a bath in a cold mountain stream. Cleansing, refreshing and cold but not bad as long as you kept your wits about you. I had to keep a grip on my mind, getting accustomed to the feeling without simply joining the river. The sense of danger sent a shiver down my spine, but somehow, I just did not care, I wanted to stay in the river and feel the sensation some more.

As my situation stabilized, I was no longer in acute danger of getting swept away and my mind started to wander. The first thing it latched on were the spells I had read about. Especially the ritual circles gave me inspiration; I had used my magic to influence the weather before, both with runes and with subconscious use of my Ice Magic. A part of me wondered if those joinings to the storm gave me direction in my search for my domain. It certainly stirred my soul, but it was focused on Ice and Storm, completely discarding my aspects of Darkness and Blood. I had ideas of crafting a large spell-circle in the ground using it to focus my previously unconscious efforts into something bigger. My runes were useable in combat but I had a feeling they would truly shine in ritual-magic.

I thought a while about the possibilities of slow-working, large-scale spells and the possibility to use something like that in Tegi. Thinking about Tegi brought Adra and our sparring into focus. She was, according to my understanding, a mix between spellcaster and martial fighter and I had been seriously outclassed. Without the flying shuttles in our first bout, she would have easily destroyed me. The Eisblumen were truly useful but I wanted something more. In my mind, I saw images of multiple, thin shuttles used in formation. Far thinner than those I used before, more suited to stab into an enemy than slash at them. A short idea of simply using a round shape and purely stabbing was quickly discarded.

I was so entranced into my meditation and imagination that I did not feel my hands moving, but I felt the familiar sensation of Astral Power leaving me. I kept my focus on slowly pulling myself free but the submersion kept dragging at me, making the process slow and almost agonizing. I scolded myself for getting in too deep but after a short moment, I discarded those thoughts as useless, what was done, was done.

Regaining my senses I felt a connection form, tethering me to a glowing runic formation, consisting of Ice-Runes. In front of the formation, slightly connected to me were six shuttles, each slim and deadly just like I had imagined before. As the formation faded from existence, I reached for them with my mind and fully focusing on the six blades, using both processes, I was able to barely keep them afloat. Using them in any serious manner would be impossible but maybe in the future.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Letting them float in front of me, I inspected them.

Weaver's Fury RarityUniqueBase Damage18 Damage PiercingBase Damage14 Damage SlashingStrength Modifier none Special EffectImbued. Due to the process used for the creation of this weapon, it is strongly in tune with the Ice-Magic of the Traveller Morgana. 25% lower cost when wielded by her Ice-Magic.Special EffectFormation – When multiple parts of this weapon are used together, they deal bonus-damage depending on the number of shuttles used.

Impressed by my new toys, I let two of the shuttles drop in front of me and used the other four in formation, feeling them out and realising that using them in a single formation with both thought-processes was incredibly easy, letting me accelerate and move them with a deadly grace.

Just as I finished my trials, a voice floated to me out of the darkness.

“Not bad, child. You connected with the Nexus and survived. You even managed to create something with it's help.” I recognized the Grandmother's voice but even looking around, I was unable to locate her. More of her shenanigans...

I got up, gathered my new weapons and realized that I had gained two ranks in my Astral Meditation and a single rank in Ice Magic, adding a little spring to my step. I already had an idea how to carry my new weapons; angled sheaths sewn into my cloak to allow for concealment and rapid use - I just had to sew them in.

Back in Kallista's house, I showed my new weapon to Sigmir and Adra, both remembered my use of multiple blades against Adra and knew that it would give me a great boost. Kallista came over as well and approved of them before giving me a bottle with a light blue liquid, slightly glowing from within.

“I want you to have this, as we talked about before. I believe it will help you a great deal, if used at the right time.” she said with a wink, indirectly telling me it was compensation for giving Adra a Vitality-Crystal. I inspected the bottle and the system told me what it was.

Lauded Spirit Draught RarityRareA potion designed to strengthen one sense while dampening all others. This one was brewed to strengthen the mystical perception.

I read it and looked at Kallista with a questioning, raised eyebrow.

“When you feel something but are unable to make sense of it, this potion will help you. The Grandmother told me about your search and there will be situations that will baffle you. This potion allows you to shut everything else out and focus on those indescribable sensations and baffling feelings. It will help you in discovering yourself..” she explained. It wasn't a really helpful explanation but I had a feeling that I would know when to use it. I had experienced those strange tugs on my mind, and maybe her potion would help me find my domain. And if not, I had not really lost out by giving a prospective team-mate something useful.

That night, Sigmir and I used Kallista's bathroom for a last time, before enjoying her comfortable beds. We both slept deeply and were satisfied after we were done, knowing that the road was less than suited for our fun. Maybe we would find a hot spring somewhere but I knew that it was not really realistic to hope for one. But as they say, hope dies second-last, just before the patient.

Soon, morning came and we all had breakfast together before heading out. Adra shifted into her goat-form, Sigmir and I mounted our Spirit-Mounts and with a wave to Kallista, we set off into a long and arduous journey. It would be a blast.