Elliot was a renowned scholar across the system. His expertise in archaeology and deciphering ancient languages had earned him a legendary reputation. There were ruins, sites, and entire civilizations whose mysteries had only been unlocked through his work. Yet, despite his fame, Elliot was notoriously reclusive, rarely answering calls unless they directly pertained to a new archaeological discovery.

"Thanks for waiting, young man," Elliot said as soon as he spotted Vas, his voice carrying the weight of years spent unraveling the mysteries of the past.

"Don't worry," Vas replied with a faint smile. "I ran into my friend here, and we were having a good time."

Elliot raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity passing across his features. "Oh? And who is this friend of yours?"

"She's Zola, a good friend of mine," Vas answered, glancing at her as if to silently introduce them.

"Nice to meet you, Doctor Elliot," Zola said, her tone slightly more formal now, the weight of meeting such a figure making itself known.

"Oh, so you're familiar with my work?" Elliot asked, his interest piqued by the recognition in her voice.

"Of course I am," Zola responded with a bright smile. "Your work is fascinating—unraveling the mysteries of the past, discovering lost languages... it's like piecing together forgotten stories."

Elliot's eyes gleamed. "It's always a pleasure to meet someone who appreciates the pursuit of ancient knowledge."

After exchanging pleasantries, Elliot turned back to Vas. "Now then, young Vastian, would you mind coming with me? There are a few things we need to discuss."Vas gave Zola a farewell glance, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you later tonight," he promised, and with that, he followed Elliot.

They began to walk, leaving the bustling atmosphere behind as Elliot guided Vas toward a park. The park itself was a marvel, a deliberate creation to mirror the wild beauty of Gaia's dense jungles. Its towering trees and vibrant foliage were designed to give the people living in The Canopy a sense of the world below without ever having to venture there and risk the dangers that lurked in the deep forests.

Once they reached a quiet clearing, Elliot finally spoke. "So, how much do you know about the Occult?"

Vas shrugged slightly. "I guess I know the basics. It's been part of my family's teachings."Elliot nodded, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Good, then tell me—what are the six basic principles of the Occult?"

Vas answered almost immediately, as if reciting from memory. "The Principle of Resonance, the Principle of Reflection, the Principle of Entropy, the Principle of Sacrifice, the Principle of Veils, and the Principle of Duality."

Elliot paused, seemingly impressed. "And do you understand what each of those entails?"

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Vas began to explain. "The Principle of Resonance means that Anima and Amrita react more strongly when they are in harmony. The Principle of Reflection states that whatever you do to Amrita will reflect back on you, the practitioner. The Principle of Entropy deals with how all manipulations of Amrita eventually decay over time. The Principle of Sacrifice... it's tied to unlocking greater powers, often requiring symbolic or real sacrifices. The Principle of Veils suggests that some knowledge is hidden, inaccessible without lifting certain 'veils' of reality. And finally, the Principle of Duality... it's about balance. For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction within the flow of Amrita."

Elliot chuckled. "Well, it seems you've got the very basics down. But the deeper truths... those are a bit more elusive." His eyes turned serious. "Now, tell me, what do you know about The Void?"

Vas tilted his head slightly. "I know it's where Forgotten things go... beings, knowledge, things not meant for this world."

Elliot gave a solemn nod. "Yes, but it's more than that. The Void is not just a dumping ground for things left behind. It's alive—a dark, enigmatic dimension that actively holds what it swallows. Everything there is bound by the laws of Oblivion, making it nearly impossible to retrieve what has been lost to it. Forgotten beings, lost languages, forbidden rituals—each is locked away in a prison of sorts. But it's not just a prison. The Void is also a living repository. The law known as the Binding ensures that Forgotten knowledge stays Forgotten, unless someone dares to break the rules. However, doing so comes at a steep price—madness, for most. Those who try to reclaim what's been exiled risk becoming Forgotten themselves."

"Sounds... ominous," Vas said, frowning slightly.

"It is," Elliot confirmed. "The Void isn't bound by the same principles of the Occult. It operates under different laws, the most important of which is the Principle of Oblivion. Unlike the Principle of Entropy, which governs decay, Oblivion represents complete erasure from existence. The Void claims things that are too dangerous or disruptive to the natural order. And then there's the Law of Banishment—Amrita itself sometimes deems certain things too sacrilegious to exist. When that happens, they are banished, cast into the Void."

Vas raised an eyebrow. "Wait... so Amrita decides? Is it alive?"

Elliot hesitated. "That's the subject of endless debate. Some say Amrita is simply a force, reacting to the flow of the universe. Others believe it's something more—something sentient, guiding the balance of reality. What's undeniable is that Amrita has its own laws, its own determinations about what can and cannot exist."

Vas mulled that over for a moment. "Interesting... I wonder what Amrita thinks of me, considering I was sealed off from it for most of my life."

Elliot looked at him curiously. "Sealed off?"

Vas nodded. "The Archivist broke the seal when we bonded."

Elliot's face darkened slightly. "If you survived that long without access to Amrita, then you must be... unique. Most wouldn't survive such a separation. Perhaps Amrita has its eyes on you after all."

Vas chuckled humorlessly. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just waiting to see what I do next."

"Time will tell," Elliot mused. "But in the meantime, you'll need more knowledge than what you have now. I can guide you through the Occult, and Morrigan—well, she'll handle your training as a Spirit Forger and warrior. She excels in those fields."

At that, Morrigan's voice interjected in Vas's mind. "Thoth will teach you the deeper aspects of the Occult. I'll focus on your path as a Spirit Forger. Between the two of us, you'll be well-rounded."

Vas nodded, feeling the weight of what was being laid before him. "Two teachers, huh? I guess there's no harm in that."

"Good," Elliot said, standing up straighter. "Then we'll meet again tomorrow. There's still much for you to learn."

Vas agreed, and as the conversation ended, his mind shifted. He needed to prepare—Zola would expect nothing less than his best tonight, and he had a feeling she wouldn't let him get away with showing up without cleaning up first.