Leaf stood in the forest, letting his Ether flow through him as a small current that trailed through his body. It was not channeled to the extent that he would see its aura, but as it suffused throughout him he was once again greeted by that empowered sensitivity that he felt upon advancing to the Second Layer of Journeyman. Under this influence, he could feel winter’s chill nip at him through his coat, but rather than be directly affected by its effects it was more as if he was… aware of how cold it was. It was like seeing frost form across a pond, but felt through his skin instead. The more he dwelled on the sensation, the further it confused him, prompting a quick shake of his head before he returned his attention to the others that were with him.
Merida stood in front of him, scratching her nose as she muttered something to herself. Leaf could have easily heard what she was saying with his enhanced hearing, but he left the Druid to her privacy and instead met eyes with Helbram, who leaned against a tree off to the side. They were close enough to Geldervale that neither of the men wore their armor, but Helbram still had his sword strapped to his waist. Leaf, for his part, had his bow and arrows resting within reach.
Jahora and Elly had taken Aria to see Serena that morning, leaving the two men to talk with Merida concerning their arrangement. The Druid, upon hearing Leaf was willing to help, directed them to the small clearing they stood in now, but had slipped into her mutter fueled trance along the way. There was a small, mischievous impulse that tempted him to break her concentration with a quick yell, but Leaf decided against it in the end. He had given her enough undeserved grief already. That still didn’t stop him from looking at Helbram with confusion, but his companion just shrugged in response.
Leaf then looked at Merida’s wolf companions, who were at the end of the clearing opposite from Helbram. With his children absent and in the care of Aria, Geroth appeared to be taking the opportunity to get some undisturbed rest. His pure white coat blended with the snowfall, and at a passing glance the large wolf would have been mistaken for a pile of snow. Romina, on the other hand, stood in stark contrast to her surroundings, her deep black coat giving her already massive size a further imposing appearance as she stood up right. The she-wolf's mouth was curved down in a noticeable frown as she stared at the Druid, and Leaf noticed her paw tapping the ground with increasing vigor the longer Merida muttered to herself.
Eventually, Romina lost her patience and broke the awkward silence with an irritated bark.
Merida jumped, “Sorry! Sorry… getting lost within my own thoughts is a terrible habit.”
Romina huffed before sitting down curling next to Geroth, who showed no reaction to the sudden sound.
Leaf couldn’t help but feel his apprehension fade away at the Druid’s flustered expression, “Well before you get too lost I should say a few things. First of which is that I am sorry for my attitude for the past couple of days,” he met Merida’s eyes with a stern expression, “But, I only want to know the basics, leave any grand history of Wardens or some such out of it.”
The Druid gave him a quizzical look, but it shifted to a smile, ‘Understood, only relevant information then. Do you wish to discuss Felix’s request further or the nature of your abilities first?”
“I say request,” Helbram chimed in, “If only so we may know how Leaf’s capabilities factor into its completion.”
The archer voiced his agreement.
“Understood,” Merida said, “As Felix has said, we are to locate an Enlightened Stag that has made this part of the forest their home and establish communication with them. From there we shall ask for its aid in treating Camilla.”
“I do have a question about that, actually,” Helbram said. “Felix mentioned that the stag was brimming with enough Ether that even a piece of its horns could be considered an elixir. Are we aiming to ask for such a piece or a more direct intervention?”
“The latter,” the Druid said, “getting treatment directly from the source would be more effective and I am loath to maim a creature even if they agreed to give part of themselves willingly.”
Helbram gave a knowing nod.
Leaf tilted his head, “Mind explainin’ to me what an elixir is? Is it like a potion?”
“Of sorts,” his companion said, “but where potions derive their effects from Aether elixirs draw from Ether instead. They tend to be much rarer than potions since they are not so easily producible, but their effects can be much more potent.”
“Got it,” Leaf looked back to Merida, “back to the task at hand. Since you’re a Druid, I would think you’d be fine with matters like this.”
“You would be correct to assume so,” the Druid said, “but while I can study and direct the flow of nature’s energies, my sensitivity pales in comparison to your blood’s.”
“Don’t… say my blood,” Leaf bit back his harsh tone and sighed, “Not your fault, it's just a bit of a sore spot.”
“Its no worry, I understand,” Merida said. “Your potential as a Warden means that you would be able to sense abnormalities within the flow of nature much quicker than I, even at the Layer that you are now.”
Leaf rubbed his upper lip and waited for her to elaborate.
The Druid’s brow furrowed, “Before I begin to explain that, how much do you know of Ether?”
“Just the basics,” the Awoken said, “it's an energy that is a manifestation of your will and it's drawn from your Core, which requires you to Cultivate it through higher and higher Layers.”
“Let’s focus on that first point,” the druid started to pace around the clearing, “It is indeed a power that is derived from your willpower, but in the end that is a rather vague way of putting it. Magic can also be described in a similar way. With an effort of will, we are capable of bending the very energies of creation to our desires.”
She held a hand up, displaying the ring of light around her wrist, “And, while it is not a Core, we use Methods to grant our bodies further tolerance in processing Aether. These Methods require a meditation and practice similar to Cultivation as well, and while spellcasters do not separate their proficiencies into Journeyman, Expert, and Master like Awoken do, in the end we both have a total of fifteen stages to our progression. So, with that in mind, what makes Ether so different?”
“It’s very concept,” Helbram said.
Both Leaf and Merida turned to the warrior.
“Aether, for all of its variety, remains tied to the Cycle and no matter how it is used will return to its natural flow and obey its laws,” he started, “Ether, on the other hand, is derived entirely from the person wielding it, and as such can be used to impose our own will upon the world,” he motioned to Merida, “Perhaps a more visual demonstration would help explain this.”
She nodded and held a hand up. The Circle around her wrists glowed with a white light before producing a flame at her fingertips. The snowfall that passed through it did not melt, letting Leaf know that it was an illusion. Soon after the false flame formed the image of an orb of water manifested above it. It lowered to where the fire was just below it, flickering right at the edges. After a moment, the inside of the orb began to bubble like it was boiling.
“Water boiling near flame behaves in accordance to what is natural, and so is this,” the orb of water descended, snuffing out the flame and leaving its shape still, “No matter how much a spellcaster may try, water will smother flames or anything bearing the properties of fire, with Ether, however…” a flame sprouted to life right inside of the orb, flickering within the water and showing no signs of weakening, “it is possible to create a fire that is not affected by water, and perhaps even beyond that,” as she spoke, the water in the orb began to bubble again, but the fire still did not dim.
“You recall Erik, correct?” Helbram asked.
Leaf frowned, “After the thrashing he gave me? How could I ever forget?”
“His ability to turn objects invisible was the result of his Ether,” the warrior explained, “Now it would be possible to replicate that effect with meticulous spellcraft, but for an Awoken of sufficient proficiency, such things are just a matter of thought.”
Merida gave the two men a curious look.
“We’ll explain later,” Leaf said before looking back to Helbram, “So you mean to tell me that I’ll be able to do that with enough training?”
“With the proper training, yes,” Helbram said. “As powerful as it can be, Ether is an energy that requires immense focus to produce its effects, and even then they are temporary without a constant concentration from its wielder. There are of course the more general effects that you are familiar with; enhancing strength, speed, perception, and even the objects we wield, but to go beyond that requires highly specific ways to focus one’s will, which we call Techniques,” he pushed off of the tree at his back, “Such is the reason why you saw Leon producing blades of light while Erik instead made certain objects hidden from view.”
“How specific does it need to be?” Lead asked, “Couldn’t I just think really hard about wanting to be invisible and then let Ether do the rest?”
“If that were the case then Awoken would be capable of breaking the natural order left and right,” Helbram explained, “but it is not as simple as just thinking it. To use the invisibility example further, it is not merely wanting to remove something from sight, it is about knowing how that object is seen from all angles and concealing its visibility from those possible views as well. Any flaw in your intent and knowledge can result in an imperfect effect, such as merely distorting the object rather than hiding it, and that is just for something sitting still. Imagine trying to do that while everything is in motion and maintaining other effects.”
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“Right… I’m gettin’ a headache just thinkin’ about it,” Leaf looked at Merida, “I’m guessin’ that Wardens have their own Technique then?”
“Yes, one that is specialized in its hypersensitivity,” the Druid said.
“I thought as much… but one last question before we move on.” Leaf looked at Helbram, “You said that Techniques can be inherited by parentage, how does that work?”
“I would not say that it is inherited,” Helbram clarified, “it is more a natural inclination to trend towards such a Technique. Mood, temperament, and emotions can all affect will, and how we display such factors is partly influenced by our blood. This tends to form a certain mindset that is more inclined to exhibit the Technique as one begins to Cultivate. It is entirely possible to subvert this through studying a different one, but if left alone those that are part of a long line of Awoken of a particular Technique will most likely develop an Ether that behaves exactly like or similar to their bloodline’s history.”
Leaf gave a slow blink, “That is a lot to take in.”
“Simply put, if your father was an ornery arse you are likely to be one yourself if not kept in check.” Helbram smirked, “Though in your case I would say we are far too late.”
The archer gave his friend a dull look, “And what, is your father a witty prick then?”
“Nonsense, he is far more blunt.”
They looked at each other in silence before sharing a soft chuckle. Leaf shook his head and returned his attention back to Merida, who held a small smile of her own.
“So, what is it about Wardens that you need?” Leaf asked, his tone lighter than before.
“Well, as I mentioned, Wardens have extremely keen senses,” Merida said. “Druids may possess a greater awareness of the world around them due to their knowledge of the Cycle and in turn nature, but Wardens have honed this to an extreme degree given their duty as nature’s protectors. At the height of their Technique, a Warden would be able to detect even the slightest shift in energy from leagues away.”
“And that is what you need to help you find the stag.”
“Yes, but I’m afraid it’s more than that,” the Druid’s face turned grim, “There are traces of another… presence within the forest.”
“Felix mentioned something like that as well,” Helbram said, “Would it have to do what caused the corruption of the Aether of the white cub?”
Merida nodded, “Given how fast things went since we arrived I didn’t have much time to confirm my suspicions, but now that I have had the opportunity to investigate the forest I can feel something corrosive in its depths,” she frowned, “Unfortunately, whatever is causing such a phenomena is adept at hiding its presence, even from me, which is why I need your help.”
Leaf rubbed his upper lip and peered out into the forest. He took in a breath and reached inwards towards his Core. When he breathed out, he channeled the Ether within to not only his eyes, but also his skin. As he did, the chill that he felt before became all the more pronounced, but he still did not feel any effects from its touch. What he saw from his eyes, however, made him shake his head.
He did not know if it was the result of his recent advancement or a willingness to explore his abilities, but the first thing that caught his attention was the sheer mass of lights that he could now see. Particles of red, blue, green, and even yellow light drifted through the air, which he recognized as Aether from the amount of times that he had seen Jahora and Elly channel them. Beyond this he saw a soft white aura flowing from the trees, and even from the spots on the ground that still had some level of vegetation in the middle of winter. Aura pulsed off of Merida, Geroth, and Romina as well, but they held a different look.
The Druid possessed one of a pale blue color, the color of pure Aether, but it swirled around her like a gentle breeze. Geroth, despite his relaxed posture, held a red frosty, nearly white energy that was condensed around his fur. Leaf could feel an underlying tension to the wolf, one that was ready to spring at any moment. Romina was more obvious with her intent, exuding a bright yellow aura that drifted from her body like flames.
The sight of all of that was almost enough to distract him from the bigger picture, one that started subtle, but grew more obvious the longer his attention was focused upon it. The energy that flowed from the trees appeared normal at first, but as he stared at them he recognized the pattern in which the aura flowed. It was like flames, but flickering, fading.
Dying.
He pressed his lips thin as the weight of what he was seeing settled over his shoulders.
Merida noticed this and gave him a grim look, “You see it too, don’t you?”
“I do,” Leaf said with a sigh. “There’s no way I could ignore that. Well, I could, but that would be highly irresponsible, isn’t that right Hel-”
When he turned to the warrior, his voice caught in his throat. He knew that Helbram’s Core was small, almost nonexistent, but he still thought that his companion would hold some type of energy to him. Instead, he saw nothing. The air around him was bare, prominent in how little presence he held against the mass of light and power that danced around him. It was as if he was staring into a void, but rather than nothingness greeting him, it was his friend, one who held a perplexed air to his eyes as he looked back.
Leaf turned to Merida, “The stag, you’re certain it can treat Camilla?”
The Druid also looked at him with confusion, but answered, “I have not met it in person so I cannot confirm that, but in theory it should work. Camilla’s condition is not unlike the one that the little one was in when you first found her. A cursed power corrupts her very Aether, corroding body and soul alike. It is far more severe than the cub’s ailment, beyond my scope or even my elders, were I to be honest. Since the stag is an enlightened beast that utilizes Ether for its healing capabilities, it is not out of the question that it could contain properties unique enough to purify her of that energy.”
“That’s good, what do you think it could do for other ailments?,” he asked.
Merida raised an eyebrow, then glanced over to Helbram and a knowing look came over her, “Are you asking about Ether Stagnation?”
Helbram moved forward, “Now hold-”
Leaf cut him off with a raised hand, and waited for Merida to answer.
“I can’t say for certain,” the Druid said, “Ether Stagnation is not a disease in the normal sense, and until we meet the stag there is no definitive answer.”
“Right, then we’ll just have to find it as fast as we can.”
“For Camilla,” Helbram stressed, “I am thankful for your concern, Leaf, but our priority is to her and her family.”
“I understand that,” Leaf said, “But-”
“Whatever it is that affects me has done so my entire life,” the warrior said, “and it has not been a detriment to my physical health. Even if the stag could cure me, should it only be able to do so between me or her I would choose her without question. You know this.”
As Helbram spoke, Leaf let go of his Ether. He could no longer see the void within his companion, and instead found only the resolution that blazed in his eyes. It was something that he could only meet with a sigh.
“Fine,” Leaf said, “but you’re not stoppin’me from askin’ when we find it.”
“I will not, but only after we have fulfilled what we have promised.”
The two men shared a nod and looked back to Merida.
“So, are you goin’ to teach me how to train like a Warden then?” Leaf asked.
“I am not versed well enough in their methods to give you the full course, but I can guide you through the basics and let instinct take over from there,” Merida explained. She looked back towards the forest, “But first I would like to do a more thorough investigation of the surrounding woods. Take today to make any preparations you need and tomorrow I will give you instruction while tracking the stag.” She gave him a knowing smile, “You seem like the sort that learns better through practical use anyhow.”
Leaf met her with a smirk of his own, “You’d be right.”
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Helbram walked behind Leaf as they made their way back to The Tree’s Root, leaving his companion to his thoughts, mostly.
“You know, I can feel you starin’ at me,” the archer said, “feels like a damned itch.”
“Good, perhaps with enough effort I can bore a hole through that stubborn head of yours,” Helbram said in a dull tone.
“Was it wrong to ask?”
“No, but I would rather we focus on what was asked of us first before thinking of ourselves.”
Leaf stopped and turned around, “You never think of yourself, if I didn’t ask you sure as hells wouldn’t have.”
Helbram frowned,“You have me there. Consider it a habit after a lifetime of receiving the same answer over and over.”
“This could be a different answer, you never know.”
“Possibly, but I would rather not get my hopes up.” He caught up to Leaf, “For the time being, focus on what you can learn from Merida. Worrying over me is only a distraction.”
“You don’t understand,” his friend said, “with the Ether runnin’ through my eyes, when I looked at you it was like-”
“Like you were looking at nothing at all?”
Leaf turned to him, a look of surprise coming over him.
“I have spoken to many people about my condition, remember?” Helbram marched a short distance ahead of Leaf, “They all said the same thing. That looking at me was like looking into a void, a complete absence of presence within the flow of the world.” He snorted, “Yet here I am, stubbornly pressing on as always,” he turned around and held his fist up to Leaf, “and will continue to do so, if you will continue to entertain my whims.”
Leaf sighed, then smiled, “Of course I will.” He tapped his knuckles against Helbram’s, “But we’re goin’ to find a cure, mark my words.”
“With your stubbornness? We just might.”
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When Helbram fell asleep that night, he found himself standing in the darkness of the void. The sight of it gave him more relief than he thought it would have, and the appearance of The Figure only reinforced that notion.
“You’ve come to me with a lot of ideas running through that head of ours.”
The Figure was a near complete reflection of Helbram’s appearance, but rather than wear the armor that the warrior was currently adorned in, he was dressed in a simple shirt and pants. His eyes were also green in contrast to Helbram’s blue irises, and as opposed to the slight smile that the warrior always had, The Figure’s was of a more jaded air with flat lips and downturned eyes.
“Yes, but I think I need to give you a name first,” Helbram said, “even if we are the same person calling you me while talking to you is quite the mind scratcher.”
The Figure snorted, “Fair enough, what name… Id? I suppose that’s appropriate.”
“You could at least let me say it.”
Id scoffed, “Nonsense, it would just waste our time. On that note, which of your ideas would you like to entertain first? Unless you would like to mope about past memories some more.”
Helbram’s eyes narrowed, “You are a right prick sometimes, you know that?”
“Well, what does that say about you?” Id countered.
“That I have remarkable self control.”
“And humility, but we are just spinning wheels right now,” Id’s shape distorted, bending and twisting until the form of Leaf was standing in front of Helbram. He started to pace around, shifting to the forms of Elly, then Jahora before cycling through the images of his companions, “Shall we begin an evaluation of your friend’s abilities, and their weaknesses?” His voice remained similar to Helbram’s own, which only made the warrior shake his head.
He sighed, “That would be productive, but I would like to focus on them one at a time. We are going to have to stretch our imagination quite a bit for what I have in mind.”
Id peered at Helbram in the form of Elly, a knowing expression on their face, “I see, not only do you wish to fully understand their strengths and weaknesses, but you also wish to see how they could develop to make up for them.”
Helbram nodded, “Perhaps it is arrogant of me to think I could provide insight this way, but I have to try.”
“And try we will, it's what we’re best at, after all. So, who first?”
“Actually, I was hoping for a moment of selfishness first,” Helbram said. He held his hand out and formed the image of a spear in his mind. The void responded to his intent and apparated the weapon into his palm. As it did, a grin flashed across his face.
“How about a spot of spear tossing?”