Chaos. That which flows 'within' and 'without'. The essence of all things.

Chao is what people would refer to as the soul or consciousness, the very essence that separates the animate from the inanimate, the thinkers from the thoughtless. It is the unseen force that breathes life into the world, a force so powerful that it can bend reality to the will of its wielder.

Tapping into the chaos 'within' is the foundation of all magecraft and witchcraft. It is the unseen river that runs through the veins of the universe, a force that whispers secrets to those who dare to listen. It is the very essence of creation and destruction, the dance of light and shadow that brings life and takes it away.

To wield chaos is to embrace the tumultuous balance of the cosmos, to understand that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. It is the principle of equivalent exchange, where nothing is gained without something being lost, where the fabric of reality is woven from the threads of possibility and impossibility.

Creating an apple from nothing is a deception, a sleight of hand played upon the uninitiated. In truth, the apple is drawn from the very essence of the caster, a piece of their soul given freely in exchange for the fruit's existence. It is a testament to the power 'within', the unseen force that shapes the world around them.

Understanding one's chaos, then, is understanding the very fabric of their existence. It's a dance with the infinite, a delicate balance that can tip the scales of life and death. Each spell, each incantation, is a thread woven into the tapestry of their lifespan, a thread that can be pulled tight or left to hang loose, shaping the pattern of their days and years to come.

This is why elves and demons, with their long lifespans, are so adept at wielding chaos. They have longer lifespans, which allow for more intricate deals of equivalent exchange to be made. Their souls are like ancient oaks, deep-rooted and robust, capable of withstanding the storms of time.

"So, what you're saying," Arteus began, his eyes scanning the ancient texts with a furrowed brow, "is that because I'm human, my chaos is... limited?"

Ava nodded, her expression a mix of understanding and something else. "In a way, yes," she said, her voice gentle. "But it's not about being limited. It's about... efficiency. Humans burn through chaos much faster than elves or demons. Our lifespans are like candles to their bonfires."

"But also," Ava added, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "you're not completely human."

"Because of your divine heritage," Ava began, her voice carrying the weight of her words, "you're able to tap into more chaos in a way that most people can't."

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"Which brings us to chaos without," Ava said, her eyes shimmering with excitement as she flipped through the pages of the book.

"Without?" Arteus echoes, his eyes darting from the book to Ava, the question hanging in the air like a storm cloud waiting to break.

Ava nods, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Chaos 'without'," she explains, "It's the foundation of witchcraft. It's when you offer something else in exchange for what you seek, something other than your soul."

Her words hang in the air like a promise, a hint of the power that lies just beyond his grasp. "The world is full of life," she says, gesturing to the snowy wilderness around them. "Trees, animals, even the very air we breathe. And all of it holds chaos, a piece of the divine spark."

Ava's eyes lock onto his, her gaze intense. "Those who learn to wield chaos without... they can draw from that spark without depleting their own lifeforce. The plants and creatures around us, they offer up their energy, in exchange for a brief taste of something greater."

"That's what Tobias did with those children," she says, her voice turning solemn. "Offering their lifespans in exchange for more years. It's a dark, twisted way of using the chaos without."

"That's the difference between chaos within and without," Ava said, her eyes never leaving the text. "Magecraft is about drawing from your own well of chaos, while witchcraft is about making pacts with the chaos around you."

"And that's why witchcraft is taboo," Arteus murmured, piecing together the puzzle that was Ava's world. "Because the more power for your exchange, the darker the path you have to walk."

Ava nodded solemnly. "But chaos without isn't all bad," she said, her eyes alight with a fierce determination. "When you understand your chaos, when you treat the world around you as a partner and not a sacrifice, then it's not just about power. It's about balance."

"So chaos, is all about borrowing life force in exchange for something?" Arteus asks, his eyes widening with understanding.

"More like taking," Ava says, her voice a gentle correction. "You don't get back what you give. But it's not about taking more than you need, it's about giving back, keeping the balance."

"So older mages, they're weaker because they've burned through their chaos within?" Arteus asks, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Ava nods, her expression serious. "It's like a well," she says, her eyes distant. "When you're young, your well is deep and full, brimming with the power of the universe. But as you get older, it starts to run dry. That's why so many mages turn to witchcraft the older they become, and as we know, witchcraft is taboo."

Arteus considers her words, the gravity of the situation weighing on him like a heavy cloak. "Interesting..."

"So," Ava began, her eyes searching his face, "are you ready to learn how to harness that chaos inside you? And outside, the choice is yours."

Arteus was silent for a long moment, his eyes scanning the pages of the book but not truly seeing the ancient runes and diagrams. Instead, he saw the faces of those he had fought for, those he had lost, and those who had placed their faith in him. The weight of his birthright pressed down on him like a mountain, and the chaos within him swirled like a storm, yearning to be unleashed.

The realization that his power was born from a force as ancient and primal as creation itself was both exhilarating and terrifying. He had been wielding it like a blunt instrument, not truly understanding its nuance or cost. But to become a god-slayer, he knew he would need to master this chaos, to bend it to his will like the very gods he sought to topple.

If this is what it's gonna take to become a god-slayer, then so be it.

-To Be Continued-