I slept through the night without being interrupted by a nightmare. In fact, I slept so well that a small little asshole decided to wake me up by licking my cheeks and nose. Grumbling I pushed the fox away as he yipped, yelling at me to get up. To move. To do something. I felt concern pulse through our connection and sent a thought back that I was okay. Sky, however, was not satisfied with my message to her brother and jumped onto my side, being wary of my arm and shoulder. She yipped loudly, her tummy growling at the same time.

“All right all right I’m up already.” I grumbled loudly and opened my eyes, as soon as I did Luka pounced and excitedly lapped my cheek. I wiped my face off, pushed the foxes off of me, and scratched the goobers from my eyes before rising. It had been a long time since I had to be forced awake, most mornings I was wide awake and ready to start moving far before the sun rose.

Quickly getting dressed, I made my way downstairs to get some grub. The barmaid - no, Kristen - waved at me from behind the bar. She was pouring a drink for an early drinker. I saw Liana looking bored at the usual table and made my way over, a tired smile on my lips. “Morning Liana!”

“Oh you're up. Get enough rest?” She looked up at me with her eyebrows raised.

“I did. How long did I sleep in? Did I miss breakfast?”

“Not quite sir!” Kristen had just walked up as I took a seat. I smiled up at her and she smiled back.

“Wonderful, one breakfast portion with - “

“Extra meat? No worries Mr. Lios. I’ll get that to you right away.” She scurried off before I could respond and Liana giggled.

“Been here a week and she already knows you, aye?” She laughed at me as my eyes trailed after the girl. I pulled my focus from her and readjusted my sling. My shoulder was already feeling infinitely better than before. The healing that Amelia did had to do with blood, so she wasn't entirely able to repair non flesh injuries. That being said, blood still contributed a fair amount to the repair of bones. How much, I wasn’t entirely sure and neither was Amelia. The science wasn’t quite there yet in this world, and it wasn’t anything that I had an interest in previously.

“I spose so. So, what’s on the docket for today?” I looked at her with my head cocked.

“Well.. How are you feeling? Are you up for some mental training?”

“I am. I’m okay.” Luka yipped below me, begging despite the food having not arrived yet. “Actually, do you know of anything I can do to further strengthen the bond with these rascals?”

“Hmm. I don’t. I have a friend in Gilderhall who may be able to offer advice but I’m sure you're aware of the distance?” She posed it like a question rather than a statement. I nodded, pushing aside the thought.

“I see, then mana training it is. If that’s okay with you still Miss Liana.”

“You know, you can just call me Liana. You don't go around calling Elric or Adrien Mr. or sir!” She huffed a little bit, blowing out her cheeks adorably.

“Hmm well, they aren't really sir material ya know? But I’ll try to keep it in mind Miss Liana.” I smirk at repeating it but before she can rebut Sky, in my lap, yelps and starts flapping her tail. I glance up to see Kristen approaching with a steaming hot plate of food in one hand and a mug in the other.

“Um. Mr. Lios, could I pet your foxes?” Her voice shook a little. She looked nervous to even ask.

“Of course, though you may win them over faster if you give them a treat. The boy is especially gluttonous.” I laughed as Luka yipped in protest even as he sat up and his tail flopped back and forth in excitement.

Kristen giggled and took one of the sausages, with my encouragement. She tore it in half and knelt down to give each fox half of the greasy delicious meat. Sky gently took the sausage from her while Luka snapped forward and snatched it from her hand, causing her to squeak in surprise. After she let them lick her fingers free of grease she started to pet them, itching behind their ears much to their pleasure.

“So what are you going to do today Mr. Lios?” She asked, looking up at me from her crouched position, taking another of the extra sausages to feed to the foxes some more.

I smiled in response, in the middle of a bite of egg and potatoes. I finished chewing then said, “My friend Liana is going to be training me today! I have to take it easy to heal my shoulder but I can still improve my understanding of magic.”

“You're a mage then, sir?” Her eyes flicked to the sword that I had resting against the chair.

“A bit of a hybrid. I mostly focus on swordsmanship but I would be remiss not to explore magic as well.”

“Oh thats wonderful! You must be very strong!” She was blushing slightly.

“He is! He would say he isn't but thats only because he’s humble.” Liana piped in, her face serious.

“How long have you been adventuring together, Miss?”

I focused on my food as they started to chat. “Only a few weeks now, but for his age he is quite admirable. With just a little more experience under his belt I fear even I couldn’t fight him.”

“Might I ask your level ma’am?” Kristen glanced at me as I ate, but I paid her little mind. Some might consider the question to be rude, but most did not necessarily mind. Knowledge of a persons power was also knowledge of what it would take to kill them.

“Me? Oh I’m pretty low. Around a hundred.” Liana was vague, and blatantly lying. I knew she was somewhere past level one sixty at least, but I understood the necessity to remain secretive. Even level one hundred was high for rural towns like these.

“Truly ma’am! Thats incredible! My apologies, I fear I may be reprimanded if I don’t make my way back to the counter.” She stood up abruptly and scampered back to the counter so she could wash it down and prepare for the eventual lunch. Her father, also behind the bar, nudged her with a smile and glanced over at me as I watched her. They spoke for a few moments, resulting in her cheeks turning rosy and her father cackling with laughter.

“She’s smitten with you Lios!” Liana teased and smirked in my direction.

“Only because you make me sound so much stronger than I am.” I laughed beside her then faced her, quickly devouring my food and handing the foxes some scraps.

“I would never! That would be rather uncouth don’t you think young man?” She laughed for a few moments before settling down. “Now, are you ready to begin training? Who am I kidding, you’ve been ready since you woke up. I’m rather surprised you’ve sat still for so long, even immediately after breaking your shoulder you went back to training outside.”

I laughed again and nodded, placing the plate on the ground for the pets to lick clean, making sure to leave a few small pieces of sausage for them. “Aye, I am ready. I’m not that bad though, Liana! Also, i didn’t train right after breaking my shoulder, I skinned a dozen large wolves.”

“You are! Now, I’m going to need to sit behind you okay? I need to place my hands on your back to be able to see your core when you delve. Do you know what I mean when I say delve?”

“I can infer that you mean diving into my core space? The space in which my mana and core coalesces? I’m not sure that thats the right word.”

“It fits. And yes. We should probably move to the boys room though, you’ll want to be comfortable. Sitting here will only hurt your back.” Sighing, she got up, and I followed emphatically.

“Sure, lets go.”

As soon as we arrived in the room she motioned to my bedroll. “Sit cross legged there, rest the back of your hand against your knees and control your breathing. It will feel like you’re meditating, but try not to use the skill. Try to clear our mind naturally. I’ll sit behind you, in order to enter your core space I need to feed mana through your pathways and connect with you.”

“Yes Miss Liana.” I muttered before getting into position. Taking deep, slow breaths I closed my eyes and attempted to clear my mind of all the drivel and anxieties that filled it. I breathed slowly as Liana’s slender hands pressed against my back. I felt a coolness worm its way through my chest, causing me to stiffen for a moment. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant, but it was uncomfortable.

Ignoring it, I controlled my thoughts, briefly acknowledging the worries that flew to the forefront of my mind. I breathed slow and willed myself into my internal realm. It took several minutes, similar to the last time, but soon I was diving deep. The world around me swiftly fell away and I felt the climate shift around me.

I opened my eyes before a small, woodland chapel. A place of memories, of joy and wonder. A place I’d oft dreamed of getting married at, of bringing my future family to. I didn’t pay any mind to Liana as I stepped up to the firepit and with a flick of my wrist, lit it. I thought briefly about the time my siblings and I sat in the pews for the weekly ‘Campfire talks’ where some of the park rangers would come and tell stories. Where they’d invite native americans to share their culture with us. Where I met my first wolf. A zookeeper had come one year with a pair of the beautiful creatures. I heard their howl, recalled them pulling a truck uphill by themselves as a show of their monstrous strength. It reminded me of the beasts I had slain only a day before, but I shockingly didn’t feel much in the way of guilt. Despite feeling a pang of sadness, I acknowledged that this was the way of Ravos. The strong hunted and the weak suffered for it. I would not kill for killings sake, nor simply as a means of strength, but I wouldn’t, couldn’t hesitate when the moment was right and I knew that.

I pulled my focus from the memories of the long gone past, and yesterday. I refocused on the world around me, taking in all of the nostalgia. The smell of pine and campfire and barbecue filled my nostrils. I looked around, seeing the campground behind me devoid of campers. No tents filled the empty lots, no people laughing and dancing and singing. The sounds and smells were there, but it was only Liana and I. In a way it was eerie on top of being a comfort.

Liana, to her credit, was silent as we took in the sights of my inner world. The campground my family had a habit of visiting. The creek that was filled with my memories. I started down the path from the chapel to the tree where my family sat while we were here. The rocks and sticks, pine needles and leaves crinkled underfoot. The brook bubbled. Birds sang and squirrels chittered.

I made my way to the large oak we had gathered around, hiding under its shade from the beating sun. Working my way slowly around it, over the roots we’d sat on, past the boulders we’d suntan on. I found my way to the cairn filled with stones and memories and I understood at that moment that this tree. This creek. These rocks. They were my skill, [Distant Recollections]. It made me realize, with the minor revelation, that the rest of my core, my inner world, would have hidden within it my other skills. I’d have to explore more to find the rest.

I picked up a few of the stones, the ones not containing the names of my grandfather and Brioche. With a tiny effort of will I etched the names of my family to individual stones and touched them to my forehead for a second, remembering their faces, smiles, laughter. With a heavy sigh, with some longing, I pulled myself away and started up the path to the kings rock. For the first time since we arrived I spoke. “Thank you for giving me a few moments.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Lios... your world is beautiful. Where is this?” She was looking around as we crested the hill where the Kings Rock was located. It may not have been an official name but it was the moniker I knew.

“Tis but a distant memory, Liana. I hope you can keep my inner world a secret.” I looked up towards the whirling, raging orb of mana above the washtub. Flames, wind, lightning, stone, water, everything was swirling above the basin of water. mana was bursting out, trying to free itself, craving freedom but it was constrained. It was pulled towards my core.

“Of course... Wow, your core is. Well, its rather amazing. I cant help but wonder what it would look like without the seed inside of you. How it may have grown.” She took a deep steadying breath as I sat on the stone, staring at the ball of chaotic energy, admiring the pandemonium.

“So, whats the next step Liana?”

“Okay, so you need to condense the mana in your core. To do this you have to exert your will on it, think about compressing it. Pulling it all towards the center of it., manipulate your mana into a denser core. After that we need to discover your mana pathways, stretch them to allow more mana, teach them to absorb more mana as well.” She took a deep breath. “Okay! Imagine squeezing the mana in your core together, imagine it being pulled by a heavy gravitational force in the center. It may be different for you, but thats how I condense my own core.”

“Yes ma’am.” I took in her words and pictured a dot in the center of the core. It was like a black hole, dense and powerful. I pushed every iota of my will into it, willing it to pull on the mana surrounding it. I felt it crush into itself, watched the mana at the edges struggle ever harder. Sweat crested my forehead as I concentrated. Liana was saying something but I was too focused to respond.

Vaguely I realized she was telling me the rest was up to me, that it looked like I was doing the right thing. It made me wonder if she had actually needed to see my core or if she was simply curious what it would look like, perhaps wondering what a seed did to a core.

I pushed aside the thought before refocusing. I imagined threads of mana tugging at and binding the chaotic mana that was attempting to force its way out of my core. The flames, which I started with, fought against the threads and pulled, aching to be free. No! You belong to me, listen to my will. It felt wrong for a moment, the way I was thinking. But I trusted Liana. I forced down my doubts and pulled harder at the mana.

It raged against me. Struggling and thrashing the mana exploded outward, towards me, towards its captor. The blue mana of my core compressed ever so slightly, but the aspected mana refused to do so. Aspected being the mana that had an affinity.

I tugged at it, forcing it into the center and finally, it relented. The flames held to the core. They burst out slightly but they stopped fighting to escape. Growling from the exertion I turned my focus to the wind mana next.

As soon as I shifted my attention the fire mana revolted, straining against and breaking the bindings I had wrapped around it. It raged against my will, exerting its own. Sweat poured down my face as I focused again on restraining it, on forcing it to obey my command. Calm yourself! You will obey! I growled and pushed against its will. It acted on instinct, acted as fire acts. It spread itself, devouring the threads I had tightened around it. It screeched and panicked and fought. I didn’t relent. I learned to create extra threads to hold the mana against the core, I learned to persevere. I crushed the chaotic mana inward, towards the center where I still had a small dot of a gravitational pull.

Sighing at both the progress I had made and the progress I failed to make I released the hold I had on the fire mana, immediately feeling some relief. As soon as it was free it frolicked around my core and I groaned. This is going to take a while... How long will I have to attempt to tame this element? Still, I smiled at the challenge. This was a wonderful thing to throw myself into while I was injured.

I attempted to form more rigid constructs with my mana, to cage in the element. It slipped through the cages bars and cackled at me. I felt its ire and rage and I frowned. Scowling, I raised my hands up and attempted to pull it back towards my core once more.

Immediately the strain was difficult to maintain. The mana, with its own will, continued to fight me and protest. I was growing frustrated. A small part of me felt wrong about tying it down, but I knew I had to do it. I had to gain some control over my core or else perhaps the core would learn to control me. Mana was, after all, an entity with its own will. At least according to the first rune book I had devoured. I needed to show it that I was in charge, that I would not succumb to its ire and will.

I fought with the fire for hours. Days maybe. The sun didn’t set here, but I knew if I wished it to it would. Idly, whenever I took a break, I wondered where my other skills were located. What positions they had taken in my memory. Where the skills relating to smithing were, where the general skills were. I wondered if they each had a spot.

Eventually, I decided I needed a longer break and walked back towards the chapel. It seemed fitting that I started from the chapel and that I’d return to it. Before waking myself, I thought about Liana, wondering if she had left immediately or taken the time to explore my memory.

I closed my eyes as I sat among the pews. I wasn't ever religious but I had always been spiritual, and this place was the conduit for my spirituality. Feeling at peace despite having fought with the energies inside of me for so long, I took a deep heavy breath and let it go. When I did, I heard voices in the dark.

“So, Liana, what was it like? His core space?” Adrien spoke without an accent. Perhaps because it was just him and the others?

I maintained my breathing, kept my eyes closed, to see what she said.

I could almost hear her pursing her lips, scowling at the man. “I can’t tell you. Its... well its phenomenal but you understand how the boy is with his secrets. He wouldn’t allow me to guide him any longer if he found out I shared it.”

It took an amount of effort to keep a smile from splaying on my lips. A warmness spread through my chest at the thought of Liana respecting my wish. “Hmmph. Fine. Is he a danger to us, though?”

“I don't think he is. He is too kindhearted, it would take quite the event to turn that boy against humanity.” Amelia was the one who spoke up this time.

“Lios isn't even a third of your level yet, Adrien. Also, he hasn’t given any indication that he would harm another person without meeting certain criteria.” Elric surprised me by coming to my defense. He was the hardest to read.

I decided to stop the conversation, having heard enough to feel more comfortable with them. I stretched and blinked my eyes open, my body sore from sitting in a meditative pose for so long. A yawn forced its way out of me, interrupting the conversation.

“Ah, he wakes!” Liana exclaimed. “Soooo. Do tell, did you get the skill?”

I blinked my eyes rapidly, taking in the curious expressions of the four adventurers before me. “Give me a minute, geez.” I muttered under breath, though they could all easily hear me with their increased stats. As I stretched, my shoulder ached but not nearly as much as it had the day before. It was healing rapidly.

I pulled up my notifications, just as curious as Liana. [Distant Recollections] had leveled thrice. [Mana Manipulation] four times. And sitting there, waiting for me to acknowledge it was a new skill.

Congratulations! You have earned the general skill [Syncopate]

[Syncopate]: Compress, condense, and increase the density of your mana. Focus your will and realize strength greater than that which you have already found. Increase the effectivity of your mana and witness the genesis of your understanding of mana, watch bloom the forces of nature under your control. Syncopate, and press the mana into itself. Syncopate and will the world to your fingers, to lift or to crush.

Would you like to accept the skill [Syncopate]?

Frowning, I looked up at everyone and, building the suspense. I glowered slightly before revealing the notification to Liana. Her eyes lit up and she grinned wildly.

“Wonderful! It’s different from my mana condensing skill but doesn't seem overly so. I think this one will fit better than most others though. Otherwise we could try for [Condense Mana], at the very least. Thats the skill I started with.”

I accepted the skill without another thought, knowing it would be getting a ton of exercise over the next few days. I felt a rush as the skill wormed its way into me, filling an empty space in my core.

“How long was I in my core space?” I asked even as I felt my stomach rumble. My face flushed and I looked down.

“‘Roun’ twel hoors.” Adrien had slipped back into his silly accent. Around twelve hours.

“That long? I spose I should get some grub, aye?” I stood slowly, my legs aching from maintaining the lotus position for so long.

We made some idle conversation as we went down into the dining room. I ordered an extra large portion, as usual, and devoured it quickly. After I finished my meal, the pretty singer from a few nights before took the stage and started to sing. I was mesmerized. I knew the people I was with were laughing at me as I watched the singer with a dreamy expression on my face.

She was singing a ballad about a pair of lovers who were separated by the plains when Adrien nudged me. “You know, you should go talk to her when shes done.” his accent had returned but I translated it mentally.

“Yes, yes you should. Nothing comes from staring.” Liana teased and pushed my mouth closed, giggling. “Unless your heart is already taken by Kristen!”

“Oh come off it, I can admire beauty from a distance.” My voice cracked a little and I clamped a hand over my mouth.

The group burst out laughing, and I joined them. A flush rose to my cheeks as I did so but I didn't complain. Even with their teasing, I found myself enjoying the songs and the view for much of the night. She was only there for around two hours, and I soaked in all of it. The songs, the crowds reaction, the dancing, and her radiant smile. So what if I had a crush.

As she made to leave, a number of the patrons crowded around her. I sighed, wishing I could be the gallant knight that saved her from a group of lecherous men, that I would sweep her off her feet, rescuing her. But that wasn’t me, and these folks surrounding her were likely folk she had grown up around, not lechers. Besides, She was a few years older than me anyway. I doubted she’d take some kid seriously, nor that she’d give me the chance to express my maturity.

I thought about her briefly before going to bed. The time spent in my core space had exhausted me more than I had expected, and I quickly fell asleep. I didn’t have a nightmare on this night, but a feeling from Sky bled over to me. I shared in her dream, and my worries faded into the night.

______________________________________________

Sky yipped excitedly. “Big Brother!” She yelped out, but it came out as a bark. Her fluffy white tail swished back and forth as the form of her companion appeared in her dream.

Without restraint she leaped at him, tackling his firm chest. Big brother is so strong. The fox thought to herself as he caught her. His arms wrapped around her and his large, calloused hand pet her head.

“Is this your dream, Sky?” Lios asked with wonder.

The fox yipped in affirmation, licking his cheek to show her affection. He seemed to understand. He slowly spun them in a circle to see the clearing. It was the clearing she had been born in, she often frequented it in her dreams.

There was a difference, though. The trees bloomed with flowers and shivered with birds. Squirrels and other wildlife chased each other through the brush. There was no danger here, never danger. Lios, her big brother, slowly walked over to a tree with roots lifted from the ground, forming a burrow. A den. Her den. She didn’t remember the day well, but she remembered some of it.

The look on her brothers face was hard to read, impossible really. He was frowning, likely remembering this place much better than she did. She yipped to take his attention, and leaped out of his arms. “Chase me!” She wanted to distract him. She knew this place was difficult for her big brother. She knew it was hard for him to remember her momma. But this, even though in reality it was dangerous, this was her safe space. Her last memories of momma were here.

Big brother used to take her here, used to talk about momma. He called her Brioche. A pretty name. She shook her head, attempting to focus. She wanted the show Lios the rest of her space. Her dreams. She took off like an arrow, weaving through some trees.

He wasn’t as graceful as she was, she barely rustled any of the leaves and shrubs and he crushed branches underfoot. He gave chase, and she lead him away. They rushed through the forest, surprisingly not scattering any of the wildlife. The fauna loooved to play here.

Brother Luka always killed his playthings, but Sky preferred to toy with them. To chase, to follow. She didn’t care to hunt unless she was hungry. She just wanted the satisfaction of catching things. This time, though, she designated herself as the prey, and zipped through the forest.

Lios followed her, curious where she was leading him. She yipped so he wouldn’t lose her as she leapt up onto branches above his head, flying through the air as she hopped from branch to branch. He laughed and her heart swelled. It was nice when her companion was happy. It made her happy.

Briefly, she was distracted by a squirrel before her. She chased it as it chittered and ran away playfully. Before she could correct herself a hand scooped her up, out of midair as she had leaped after the fluffy taled friend. She was panting and so was Lios, his face a lopsided grin.

Sky knew Lios had been sad the night before, she wanted to help him but knew not how. She couldn’t even speak, not in a way he understood, but she could at least comfort her companion. She laughed in the way foxes do and rolled over in his arms, a tongue hanging out of her mouth. He started scritching her belly affectionately.

After a little while she pushed off of him again and started the game of tag. This time she told him through their connection he had to try not to get caught. She laughed at the competitive glint in her big brothers gaze, he nodded and took off into the woods. She gave him a headstart. He wasn’t slow per se, but he was not one with the wind. He was not speed personified.

She glowered as she counted down, one bunny two bunny, three bunny... ten bunny GOGOGOGO. She activated the skill [Spurred by the Wind] and took off. Where before she was an arrow loosed from its bow, now she was lightning. A crack sounded behind her and she gave chase, using her nose to find Lios, despite the fact she could easily follow the broken shrubs and find him. She wanted a little challenge after all. Her brother was the strongest, but she. Well, she was the fastest. Even with the head start of ten bunnies, she caught Lios within thirty seconds, launching onto his back and shoulders. She nipped at his ear to let him know she won. After a few moments of cuddling she forced him to chase her again.

They played for forever. It had been a while since they played like this. He was always trying to grow stronger, move better. It was up to her and Luka to make him take time to play, and now that she realized it she would tell her brother. She wanted to see Lios happy, not stressed.

They played well into the night, though the sky never changed. Her white fur was pristine, though if this were real life it would have been all over the place. She played with her big brother, and when they woke up she felt his happiness. She stretched, satisfied that she could help her human.