The next day, Morrigan advised Vas to take a break from searching for spirits. With some free time, he decided to attend one of Elliot's lessons on The Occult. This time, Elliot chose an observatory in the Middle Tier, an advanced facility designed for stability, perfect for deep contemplation and study.

As they arrived, Vas looked around, impressed by the observatory's design. Elliot stood there, hands behind his back, gazing up at the stars projected onto the ceiling.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" Elliot asked, his voice calm but carrying a weight of importance.

"No, not really," Vas admitted.

"Humanity has not always reached for the stars, Vas," Elliot said. "In fact, sometimes, it has forgotten that it could. Just like how humanity has lost and rediscovered knowledge of The Occult over the ages. The knowledge we're exploring isn't new—it's ancient, forgotten, rediscovered, and now, shrouded in secrecy once again."

Vas tilted his head, trying to grasp the connection. "So, you're saying we tend to forget things with time, even when they're important?"

"Exactly," Elliot said with a small nod. "Ages ago, The Occult was studied through rituals, sacrifices, primal practices. Now, with the advancement of technology, we have a new frontier—melding these old traditions with modern tools. And it's proving… effective."

Vas listened intently. The blending of mysticism and technology had always intrigued him, and hearing it from Elliot seemed to reinforce the gravity of it all.

"Remember this, Vas," Elliot continued. "Always return to the basics. No matter how advanced you become, the fundamentals are the foundation of all mastery. When things get complex, it's those basics that will save you, guide you."

Vas nodded, absorbing the lesson.

"The Occult is at a crossroads of mysticism and technology," Elliot explained further. "Where once we worked with candles, sigils, and incantations, now we have devices that enhance rituals, tools that amplify our connection to Anima and Amrita. The journey is no longer just spiritual—it's also technological. The world you navigate requires you to understand both."

"Thank you," Vas said after a pause. "For showing me this. It's... a lot to take in."

Elliot smiled softly. "It's my role to guide you through this. Do you understand why I'm telling you this today?"

Vas thought for a moment. "You want me to start incorporating more technology into my Anima work, don't you?"

"Exactly," Elliot confirmed. "Look at your CipherLynk, for example. Imagine if you forged a spirit into it. The spirit could manipulate the data stream, filter communications, or even enhance your awareness of the world around you in ways you haven't yet considered. Think beyond the traditional. You're going to need that flexibility as you grow."

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Vas felt the weight of the words, realizing that Elliot wasn't just teaching him facts but preparing him for something far greater.

"Keep your mind open, Vas," Elliot added. "Don't just follow the old teachings—blend them, evolve them, and make them your own."

"Do you know how dealing with Amrita works?" Elliot asked, his tone serious.

"Dealing?" Vas repeated, his brow furrowing.

"As you know, Amrita is something of a living entity. We're not entirely certain of its nature, but what we do know is that we can make deals with it. These deals have gone by many names over time—vows, communions, things like that," Elliot explained. "I prefer to call them The Concord of Sacrifice, or simply Amrita Pacts."

"Never heard of them," Vas replied, his surprise evident.

"That's to be expected," Elliot continued. "Most people enter into these pacts without fully understanding them. And those who do know the details? They're a rare breed." He paused for emphasis before adding, "But this is one of the basics I want to instill in you."

"I'm listening," Vas said, leaning forward slightly.

"To form an Amrita Pact, the first thing you need to understand is The Principle of Equivalence. For every power or boon granted by Amrita, there must be an equivalent price. Nothing comes for free," Elliot said, his eyes sharp. "Once you've grasped that, the next step is defining the duration and scope of the deal. This part is critical. The details matter—messing up here can have serious consequences."

Vas nodded, processing the weight of Elliot's words.

"If you can get these basics down, you'll have formed an Amrita Pact. But trust me, there's much more to it than just that. We'll go into the finer points later, but for now, focus on understanding these fundamentals." Elliot finished with a small, encouraging smile. "Think about how you can combine your knowledge of Amrita with technology. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with."

Vas stood and shook Elliot's hand. "Thanks, Elliot. I'll think on it."

"Take care, Vas," Elliot said, before turning and heading out, leaving Vas alone with his thoughts.

As Vas stood there, the conversation replayed in his mind. It dawned on him just how little he truly understood about Amrita, Anima, and the many layers of power that shaped his world. He'd barely scratched the surface.

"Morrigan," Vas called out to his spirit guide. "What do you think about forging spirits into technological advances?"

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Morrigan replied smoothly. "In fact, I already have a couple of spirits in mind that would be perfect for that. How do you feel about getting a nanobyte tattoo?"

Vas raised an eyebrow. "A nanobyte tattoo? Where did you hear about that?"

"I did a bit of research, thinking about how to help you advance more effectively," Morrigan replied. "So, are you up for it?"

"Sure, why not?" Vas shrugged. "I'm in."

"Excellent," Morrigan said, sounding pleased. "So far, you've collected a Geospirit, an Aetherion Spirit, a Synthespirit, and an Umbra Spirit. You've already forged Tenebra, Biolux, Thundershard, and Vibrion, which give you the blades, the cape, and two sets of piercings—one for summoning Thundershard and one that helps you sense environmental changes. Tomorrow, we're going after a Specter and a Technospirit."

"You sound like you've already tracked them down," Vas remarked.

"Of course I have," Morrigan replied with a confident edge. "I know exactly where to find them. And don't forget, tomorrow, take all the modules for your CipherLynk with you. You'll need them."