Sahaqiel and the boys finally found refuge in a secluded cave nestled within a dense forest. The cave was damp and cold, but it offered the safety they desperately needed after their narrow escape from the Jade Forest Kingdom. Exhausted, they huddled around a small fire Gobo had managed to ignite. The flickering flames cast long shadows on the cave walls, giving their tired faces an eerie, otherworldly glow.
Nathen, holding the Dainsleif, stared at the ancient sword with a mixture of awe and frustration. He had tried several times to awaken its power, but the blade remained inert, lifeless. He glanced at Sahaqiel, who was deep in thought, seemingly lost in his own world.
Sahaqiel noticed Nathen’s struggle and sighed. “The sword won’t awaken just by mere willpower, Nathen. You need to reconnect with the Loom.”
“The Loom?” Nathen asked, confused.
“Yes,” Sahaqiel said, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of wisdom. “The Loom is an infinite field of invisible strings. The complex knotting and threading of these strings make up the whole of reality. Weaving is the art of manipulating the Loom with one's mind. Gods must first train their minds and tune their senses precisely enough to feel the movement of the Loom around them. Then, they learn to reach out and exert their own presence on it, re-knitting it to their will.”
Nathen listened intently as Sahaqiel continued, “When learning a technique, or ‘Weave,’ Gods will study the phenomenon in question for months and practice replicating it. They often map actions or spoken words to the Weave to help them learn and eventually become able to execute it at a moment’s notice. However, manipulating the threads of reality is a delicate skill, and one may cause wild and chaotic effects by accidentally re-threading the Loom incorrectly. These are called ‘Tangles,’ and they mainly occur when a God loses focus, becomes insane, or attempts a Weave far above their skill level.”
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Nathen nodded slowly, absorbing the information. “So, how do I reconnect with the Loom?”
“You must first calm your mind,” Sahaqiel instructed. “Feel the threads of reality around you. Only then can you begin to manipulate them.”
Nathen closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. He tried to sense the threads Sahaqiel had described. Minutes turned into hours as he meditated, but he felt nothing. Frustration began to creep in, but he pushed it aside, determined to succeed.
Meanwhile, the scene shifted to Abigale, seated on his dark throne. His face twisted with rage as he recalled the events of the auction. He called for one of his ink men, a shadowy figure that materialized from the darkness.
“Tell the Republic to hunt down those brats and bring them to me,” Abigale snarled. “They will pay for this insult.”
The ink man bowed and disappeared into the shadows to carry out the order.
As Abigale fumed, a voice echoed through the chamber. It was Asomdey, his tone filled with anticipation. “I am ready for the ritual. Irmin has been successfully manipulated. He will allow me to take his soul from his body.”
Abigale smirked, his anger momentarily replaced by a sinister satisfaction. “Good. Soon, everything will fall into place.”
Back in the cave, Nathen’s persistence began to pay off. He felt a faint tingling sensation, as if tiny threads were brushing against his consciousness. He focused harder, trying to grasp them with his mind. Slowly, he began to feel the Loom’s presence more distinctly.
Sahaqiel watched Nathen with a mixture of pride and concern. Manipulating the Loom was no small feat, and the risks were great. But Nathen had to learn, for the fate of their world depended on it.
Nathen continued to practice, his connection to the Loom growing stronger with each passing moment. The threads of reality began to respond to his will, and he felt a newfound power surging within him. The Dainsleif, sensing the change, glowed faintly, its ancient magic stirring.
As the night wore on, Nathen knew he was on the right path. With Sahaqiel and Gobo by his side, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges ahead were daunting, but together, they were ready to face whatever came their way.