I could see the outline of Orga who was a dark green color and Ipnerslei who was a brilliant white. The world had these cascading rays of yellow with swirling colors sweeping across a solid brown. I looked at Hoggdin, who was eclipsed the sky as this massive black cloud. Everyone was still shaped the same but were differing colors rather than the details when I was physical. I moved around, feeling this odd sense of weightlessness. I tried speaking, but no sound came out. Wait, why was nothing happening? I wasn’t struggling to breathe like when I messed up ; this was something different. I noticed small, blue wisps moving around. What were these?

Spirits. Furthermore, child, do not mistake being incorporeal with being invisible nor invincible. Something like an or highly developed can still see you. It is also possible to still attack you while you’re like this with . Hoggdin explained mentally.

Is this why exist? I asked. This was so cool.

That is possessed by all the have . I think it is a gift and warning from the Lords that all beings are connected by ; we are all tied together by our . Hoggdin told me.

How do I switch between here and being physical? I probed. I looked around, seeing how amazing this place looked. I did a few circles, and in the distance, I could see a shining star. What? What was that? It couldn’t be a star, it was too small and radiated this odd black light.

You get a feel for it. You should try learning how to properly first and foremost. Hoggdin answered. That answer was not exactly helpful.

What’s that shining thing? That star? I checked as I tried switching back to physical. In an instant, the world looked like how it usually did.

Nil. It’s probably why you went to him as a baby. Saw the shiny light and went to investigate it. Hoggdin teased with a light chuckle.

Why is he shiny? I asked as I tried going back into which was proving to be much more difficult.

His . The shinier and brighter the color, the higher the . Most beings assume that because two individuals are in the same they have the same quality of , which is not true. Hoggdin told me. I remembered parts of the lessons Orga gave me.

I thought could be measured by purity, density, and . I said to Hoggdin. I did another half as I was still doing something wrong.

It is. is a bit of a misnomer. How to explain this? It is measuring how close to origin is. As you have probably noticed, can turn what you picture into reality. as Nil and by extension Krahinn have shown science can be used to create complex and devastating , but what about like ? Hoggdin explained. Science was that boring stuff Nil rambled about, and Luna would listen to it with those googly eyes like the topic was actually interesting.

I don’t think it’s possible without to walk in the air. I replied. I kept only doing half as I was trying to fully shift. What was I doing wrong?

But makes it possible; it can turn concepts and fantasies into reality. How close to the concept it is named after is what is measuring. The reason it uses cut-off points is that closeness to the concept it allows for more potent effects. As the measurement itself is abstract, most don’t bother measuring beyond what it lands in. The issue is, some like are quite large so even within the not all are created equal. Hoggdin lectured. That was interesting, and the closer it got the brighter it shined.

Thanks for the clarification. I told Hoggdin. Orga and Ipnerslei were talking to each other about something now.

Still struggling with properly going into ? Hoggdin checked as he leaned a bit more on his fist.

Yes. I’m a , so why can’t I do it? I pouted. What was I doing wrong?

You are trying too hard. You do not switch into , you ease into it. Hoggdin instructed me.

So, imagine the and relax? I envisioned the feeling of , trying to ease into the sensation. After a few moments like that the world returned to the kaleidoscope of colors. I forced myself back to being physical. I then relaxed back into . This is so cool! Hoggdin was so insightful! I did a bit of moving around in full , admiring the spirits moving around. As I admired them, I realized they were gathering around me. Why?

Be more wary the day the spirits don’t gather by you. Hoggdin warned. I looked over, seeing they all actively avoided touching him.

Why? Why are they avoiding you? I asked him, noticing even as he moved the spirits avoided him.

As I have said, power and strength tend to come with sacrifice. When you need to amass the kind of power needed to stand at the top quickly, you are going to be paying a price; just make sure it is one you can afford young one. Hoggdin warned. His aura became an eerie black for a moment as he talked.

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What price did you pay? I checked as I rolled around in the spirits.

Several over time; I can live with my choices. One of them made the spirits scared of me, but if I wanted to rule it was necessary. You may make a similar one eventually. Hoggdin answered. He was going to dodge the question. Fine.

I explored around in the proper , enjoying the weightless feeling. I tried making a , seeing it become much larger than I intended. What? Why was it nearly twice the size I intended. I noticed spirits were dancing around the blade. Is that why? I had no idea what the spirits exactly entailed. How basic was this stuff? I need a tutor for how to be a . An unpleasant sensation boiled up within me as I thought about that. Hoggdin flicked me, sending me flying. I used to sprint back to where we were, wondering why he did that.

Do not measure yourself by what you have not had time to learn; measure yourself by what you have accomplished. Hoggdin snapped at me. Hoggdin needed a beard to go with all his wisdom he felt like giving out; I did appreciate it though.

But I know nothing about spirits, and I think I am really behind on what most know about being a . I told Hoggdin. He readied his finger to flick me again, so I ducked for cover as I didn’t want to go flying again.

Your only reference point is me as far as I know, and that is beyond an unfair comparison. I am over one thousand years old. I rule a Realm. You are a kid learning who they are and what they want to be. If you still feel this way in a few years after you have had time to learn, we will address it then. For now, take it easy on yourself. Life will kick you plenty, you do not need to help it out. Hoggdin lectured in a much sterner tone than before.

Yes sir. I replied. Nil’s family appeared.

“We have decided it is in Lux’s best interest to go with you to Phestia after rewriting the contract between her and Nil. It seemed obvious, but we just wanted time to think it over and make sure we were not being impulsive as it was suggested to be roughly five years.” Mama stated politely.

“Perfectly understandable. I will suggest that we leave as soon as possible. I know it is sudden, but the four of us will be able to visit occasionally.” Hoggdin told them. What? Immediately?

“We suspected that would be the case. Can you please get Nil?” Papa requested. I did want to get training, but this was short notice.

“Give me a second.” Ipnerslei quipped. She pulled out a ring, put it on, and snapped her fingers. Moments later Krahinn appeared with Nil in tow.

“Finally came to a decision, have we?” Krahinn taunted with a smirk as Nil walked over to me. He could see right through thanks to that blasted of his.

“So, do you know when you are leaving?” Nil probed as the adults talked about the plans.

“As soon as the contract is rewritten.” I told Nil. It was odd seeing him as a radiating black form.

“That is sudden.” Nil mumbled. He did something with his in response.

“I know. I didn’t think it’d be so sudden either.” I agreed. Ipnerslei walked over to the two of us, kneeling down.

“This will take but a moment. Can both of you pull up your version of the contract?” Ipnerslei directed us. We both summoned our version of the contract as she constructed numerous in an instant. There was a brief flash, and it was over. That was anticlimactic.

“That’s it?” Nil checked, sounding a bit disappointed.

“Can you show me how to do that?” I requested. Who knows, it might be helpful.

“I can sprinkle some into your lessons from me.” Ipnerslei told me with what I think was a smile as the light around her got brighter. Luna, Nautilus, and Helga walked up with Luna running over to us. I switched to physical form.

“I’d recommend saying your partings, as Hoggdin does wish to get moving.” Ipnerslei prodded us as she blinked away. Nil instantly hugged me.

“I am going to miss you.” Nil told me as his arms tightened.

“I am going to miss you too.” I replied, hugging him back. Luna joined the hug.

“You’re coming to visit once in a while, right?” Luna checked as she set her head on mine.

“Of course. I need fish.” I answered immediately.

“I’m going to miss stealing fish for you.” Nil added on.

“It will only be for a bit.” I informed them as the hug was tightening.

“I know. Doesn’t make it easier.” Nil replied. Why was my head getting wet? I peaked up, realizing Nil was crying. My eyes weren’t leaking. My eyes weren’t leaking. I wasn’t crying too.

“Why are you crying?” I deflected. My voice was not cracking at all.

“I don’t know. This is my first time seeing a friend off. I don’t like it even if I know it’s temporary.” Nil sniveled as he hugged me harder.

“I’m going to come back and kick your butt. Don’t worry.” I told him as I hugged them harder. My head was definitely getting wetter.

“You two better not fight first thing upon seeing each other again.” Luna demanded. Her voice let me know she was crying too.

“We all know we’re going to.” Nil confessed. The three of us did a half chuckle at that.

“This is very touching, let me tell you, but there are schedules to keep.” Krahinn interjected. He is such a jerk.

“Fluffball, thin ice. I’ll overlook this as you children do not seem to grasp the concept of temporary go- ow ow ow ow ow!“ Krahinn began before Ipnerslei dragged him away by a fist full of feathers.

“You can have a few more minutes. Krahinn, do you always have to be such a bomslog?!” Ipnerslei lectured as she just marched away with Krahinn.

“He kind of killed the moment.” I sniffled, leaning against Nil.

“Doesn’t change I am going to miss you.” Nil retorted as he hugged me again.

“I’ll miss you too.” Luna told me as we remade the hug circle.

“We can visit in about six months on Tenebrae. Using Tenebrae time for measuring will be easier moving forward.” Hoggdin informed us.

“How long is that on Phestia?” I asked as I hugged Nil and Luna.

“No idea. Krahinn helpfully made a between him and I that has time elapsed on Tenebrae. Once we are on Phestia I can give you a much better answer. I do apologize for Krahinn ruining the moment.” Hoggdin confessed. We tightened the hug before letting go of each other.

“We know it’s temporary.” Nil grumbled, glaring at Krahinn. Ipnerslei was clearly barely containing her voice as she was tearing into Krahinn.

“Saying goodbye to a lifelong friend is hard, especially when you will be apart for a while.” Hoggdin replied while giving Krahinn a sideways leer.

“I think I’m good to go now.” I told Hoggdin.

“We can take a few moments, despite what some people might say.” Hoggdin assured me. I looked at Nil and gave him a soft nuzzle.

“It’s fine. It won’t be forever.” I stated. The rest of Nil’s family quickly hurried over gave me their goodbyes. Ipnerslei and Orga walked over, with Orga bouncing up and down a bit.

“Someone is excited.” Nez teased Orga.

“This is going to be excellent for my research.” Orga shot back immediately.

“Alright, time for us to go.” Hoggdin chimed as he cast the to open a . Ipnerslei and Orga both stepped through.

“Goodbye everyone!” I yelled as I followed Hoggdin into Phestia.