As Theon strode through the corridors of Blackthorn Castle, his demeanor reflected a sense of gravity befitting a man burdened with profound responsibilities. With each step, his mind buzzed with newfound knowledge gleaned from the memories of the malevolent soul he had vanquished. Thoughts of future technologies and scientific principles danced in his mind, tantalizing possibilities for the advancement of his family, his soldiers, and the city of Veridium.

Yet amidst the excitement of innovation, Theon's thoughts inevitably turned to the plight of Sir Garrick, once a formidable warrior at the Emperor stage and the unique wielder of Astral Rift weaving.

At the age of 18, each person has the opportunity to choose an Astral spirit, a celestial being imbued with unique abilities, elements, and powers.

For most, this choice was limited to one Astral spirit. However, those with exceptional body and soul power had the rare privilege of choosing two.

It just so happened that Sir Garrick had been one of those fortunate individuals. His chosen Astral spirit was one of unparalleled power—a being with mastery over astral threads, capable of weaving and manipulating the very fabric of reality itself. With this Astral spirit by his side, Sir Garrick had been able to shape and mold astral energies to create powerful illusions, alter the perception of time and space, and even manipulate the thoughts and emotions of those around him. This allowed him to weave astral threads to also open portals of varying sizes and shapes, from small doorways for quick escapes to massive rifts capable of swallowing entire armies and traverse between different dimensions and planes of existence with ease.

However, A couple of years ago he was severely injured which in turn severely diminished his power, leaving him struggling to control the fractured astral energies that once obeyed his every command. Attempts to traverse between dimensions now carries a greater risk of becoming lost or stranded in unfamiliar realms, each fraught with its own dangers and perils.

The problem lies between his soul and his spirit bond. Theon knew that this connection between Sir Garrick and his Astral spirit ran deep, intertwining their fates in ways that went beyond mere mortal understanding. It was a bond that had once made Sir Garrick one of the most formidable masters of the emperor level, and it was this bond that Theon hoped to restore with the healing chamber he envisioned.

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As Theon approached his mother's chamber, his mind was consumed with thoughts of the upcoming family council meeting and the pressing matters he intended to discuss. He rapped lightly on the door before entering, finding Lady Elara seated at her desk, deep in thought, with Lady Isadora standing nearby, engrossed in a book.

"Mother, Isadora," Theon greeted them both with a polite nod, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Lady Elara looked up, her expression one of surprise mingled with curiosity. "Theon, what brings you here?" she inquired, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite her.

Theon complied, settling into the chair with a composed air. "I wish to speak with both of you regarding the upcoming family council meeting," he began, his voice steady and firm.

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Lady Isadora arched an eyebrow inquisitively, setting aside her book to give her full attention to her younger brother. "And what is it that you wish to discuss, Theon?" she asked, her tone guarded yet curious.

Theon took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation to come. "I would like your support during the meeting," he stated plainly, his gaze meeting theirs with unwavering determination.

Lady Elara's brow furrowed in confusion, a hint of disbelief coloring her features. "But Theon, you've always been adamant about avoiding family responsibilities," she pointed out, her voice tinged with skepticism. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Theon paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before responding. "I realize now that our family faces dire circumstances, and our family members aren't doing anything to help overcome these challenges," he explained, his tone earnest. "I may have shied away from such responsibilities in the past, but I see now that I cannot stand idly by while our family struggles."

Lady Isadora regarded him with a mixture of surprise and pride, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I must admit, Theon, I never thought I would hear you speak such words," she admitted, her tone tinged with warmth. "But I am glad to see that you are finally taking an interest in the welfare of our family."

Theon nodded, a sense of resolve burning within him. "I may not have been as involved in the past, but I am prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the prosperity and stability of our family," he declared, his voice unwavering.

Theon cleared his throat, his eyes alight with determination as he continued. "Besides, I have some plans I wanted to implement," he added, his gaze shifting between his mother and sister.

Lady Elara's curiosity was piqued, her brow furrowing slightly as she leaned forward in her chair. "Plans? What kind of plans?" she inquired, her tone a mixture of intrigue and caution.

Theon's lips quirked into a small smile as he leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. "I've been thinking about ways to improve the situation in Veridium," he explained, his voice thoughtful. "But before we can move forward, we need to understand the current state of the city and its population."

Lady Isadora nodded in agreement, her expression serious as she considered his words. "He's right, Mother," she chimed in, her tone earnest. "We need to assess the needs of our people before we can enact any meaningful change."

Lady Elara regarded her children with a thoughtful expression, her mind already turning over the logistics of such an endeavor. "Very well," she conceded, her voice firm yet measured. "I will have someone take a census of the Veridium population and assess the situation of the city. But Theon," she added, her gaze piercing as she fixed him with a pointed look, "you must promise me that you will not undertake any reckless ventures without careful consideration."

Theon nodded solemnly, his eyes meeting his mother's with a sense of understanding. "I promise, Mother," he replied, his tone sincere. "I will proceed with caution and ensure that any actions we take are for the betterment of our family and our city.

With a shared understanding passing between them, Theon turned to his mother once more, a request lingering on his lips. "Mother, there is something else I wish to discuss," he began, his tone tentative. "I would also like access to the abandoned research lab beneath the castle. I believe there may be resources there that could aid in our endeavors."

Lady Elara's brow furrowed with concern, her gaze searching her son's face for any hint of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, she offered him a small nod of approval. "Very well, Theon," she conceded. "But be cautious. That lab has been abandoned for a reason, and its secrets may be more dangerous than you realize."

Theon's expression hardened with determination as he accepted his mother's warning. "Thank you, Mother," he said, his voice firm. "I will proceed with caution.

With his mother's blessing, Theon left her chamber, his mind already turning to the possibilities that lay within the abandoned research lab.