Chapter 9: Awakening Aether

Jamie completely understood and didn't have any questions with regards to the changes.

Okay, that wasn't true. After spending half an hour convinced he was dying, he allowed Daniel to speak and actually explain what Merium had mentioned.

Despite the usual "Wait, what's that?" and "Magic?!" he eventually managed to wrap his head around some semblance of what this new reality had in store.

When everyone was somewhat stable, they left the room to go and meet up with Merium. She had managed to set aside her responsibilities for a few hours to help the family learn more about what was happening.

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Merium led the party through the bustling streets of Sylvara, the vibrant forest city teeming with life and wonder.

The towering trees that made up the city’s structure stretched high above them, their leaves shimmering with an ethereal glow.

The air was thick with the scent of herbs and the faint hum of magical energy that permeated everything.

It was a city built upon ancient traditions and arcane knowledge, a place where the boundary between the natural and the supernatural was as thin as gossamer.

Their destination was the Alchemists' Consortium, a grand building nestled among the oldest trees in the city.

The structure itself seemed to pulse with energy, its walls woven with vines that glowed faintly in the dim light.

As they approached, Merium glanced back at the group, her usual jovial yet rough demeanour replaced by a more serious expression.

“Moras Kespar is the one you need to see,” she explained, her voice carrying a sense of purpose. "He’s a sage and an alchemist, knows more about aether and the mysteries of this world than anyone else I know. If anyone can help you understand what’s happening to you, it’ll be him."

The party exchanged nervous glances, but Daniel took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the next step.

Since their arrival in this strange world, they had been thrust into a series of events beyond their comprehension.

Now, however, they were on the brink of discovering what one major part of it meant.

Merium led them into the Alchemists Consortium. The scent of dried herbs and burning incense filled their senses as they passed through the entrance.

Inside, the labyrinth of rooms and corridors seemed to stretch on endlessly. Each space was filled with alchemical instruments, ancient tomes, and strange concoctions bubbling away in glass containers.

Daniel's gaze lingered on the murals covering the walls, depicting the rich history of Alchemy—from its noble uses to its destructive potential.

Finally, they reached a small, dimly-lit chamber tucked away at the back of the building.

A single table occupied the centre of the room, surrounded by shelves crammed with books and arcane artefacts.

Seated at the table was Moras, a man whose appearance seemed as ancient as the knowledge he held. His robes were worn and frayed at the edges, and his long white hair was tied back in a loose knot.

Moras looked up as they entered, his gaze sharp and intense despite his frail appearance. His eyes gleamed with an intelligence that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality.

"So," he began, his voice unexpectedly strong, "you’re the ones Lady Merium has been telling me about. The newcomers from... Beyond?"

Daniel stepped forward, his heart beating slightly faster. "Yes, sir," he answered, still feeling somewhat out of place in this world of magic and mystery.

"We’ve been… well, told that we may have some sort of… aether inside us now? Our world is called Earth, if that means anything to you."

Moras leaned back in his chair, the creases in his brow deepening as he pondered the information. "I see," he murmured thoughtfully, fingers tapping against the armrest.

"Hmm… I know not of this 'Earth' of which you speak." After a moment, he gestured for them to sit.

"Nonetheless, my curiosity burns bright. First, however, let us ascertain the state of your aetherial systems. We must make sure nothing is wrong."

The group exchanged hesitant glances before taking their seats, curiosity piqued. Moras began explaining, his voice calm and steady as though he were reciting from an ancient text.

Daniel slapped himself and let out an adorable squeak, allowing an uncomfortable silence to wash over the room.

“Ahem… Apologies. Please carry on.” he apologised, the usual wave of embarrassment crashing into him.

“Ae... Aether is the fundamental force that permeates the Prima, the world you now inhabit,” he said, his hands moving subtly as if to punctuate his words. "It is what allows beings here to perform magic, to heal, to create, and sometimes, to destroy. Without aether, life as we know it would cease to exist."

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The group leaned in, absorbing the information with a mix of awe and confusion. Moras’ calm demeanour helped make the overwhelming concepts more digestible.

“In every living being, there exists an 'aetherial system,’” Moras continued, folding his hands neatly in front of him. "This system allows the absorption and management of aether. At its heart is the 'Life Well,' which sustains your lifeforce, and the 'Aether Well,' also known as the 'Experience Well.' This is where aether is condensed and stored, enabling a process we call 'levelling up.'"

He paused to let the gravity of his words settle in. Daniel shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed as he tried to fully grasp the implications of what was being said. "So... levelling up is tied to our aether?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Moras nodded solemnly. "Indeed," he said. “When you level up, the condensed aether can be allocated to specific attribute nodes in your 'Attribute Subsystem,’ enhancing your abilities."

His voice grew a touch more intense as he listed the attributes. “Vitality, Stamina, Strength, Agility, Perception, Cognition, and Mind—these are the building blocks of your being in this world.”

The group remained silent, processing the magnitude of it all. "This is wild," Daniel muttered under his breath before offering an apologetic smile. "But please, continue."

With a patient nod, Moras pressed on. He stood up and moved toward a shelf cluttered with glowing crystals and ancient scrolls. “Let me show you,” he said, extending his hand.

A faint glow began to emanate from his palm, and within moments, a small, shimmering orb of blue light formed in the air. "This is aether, externalised in its purest form—condensed, controlled. I’m not showing you this for combat purposes, but to demonstrate how one's aether can be manipulated."

The group's eyes widened in amazement as the orb hovered, pulsing softly with light. Daniel, in particular, found it hard to tear his gaze away from the surreal display.

"Now," Moras said, his voice breaking through their collective awe, "I want you to try. Focus inward, toward your Aether Well, and visualise the flow of energy that connects it to your essence."

Daniel swallowed nervously, exchanging glances with the others before closing his eyes. He concentrated as best he could, trying to block out the myriad distractions swirling in his mind.

At first, there was only the darkness behind his eyelids and the distant thrum of his heartbeat. Then, slowly, he felt something—a faint warmth flickering deep within his chest, like a small flame waiting to be fanned.

“Focus,” Moras instructed, his voice calm yet encouraging. “Feel the aether flowing through you. Draw it out, shape it with your will.”

Daniel furrowed his brow, focusing harder. The warmth began to grow, spreading through his body like liquid fire.

It was exhilarating. With a deep breath, he tried to direct the energy into his hand, imagining it coalescing into a small orb like Moras had demonstrated.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a faint glow began to form in his palm, flickering erratically like a candle in the wind.

When he opened his eyes, he saw it—a small, flickering light hovering just above his hand. It wasn’t perfect, but it was there.

“I did it—holy hellfire—I did it! Kind of,” Daniel whispered, more to himself than to anyone else.

He glanced over at the others. Izabelle managed to produce a faint glow, much more stable than his own, while Jamie’s attempt flickered out almost immediately.

Moras nodded approvingly, folding his arms as he observed their progress. “Good. Very good. This is just the beginning, but you’re on the right path.”

Daniel grinned, though his arm trembled from the effort of maintaining the orb. His confidence grew with every passing second.

Moras’ calm yet commanding presence made him feel like this whole aether manipulation business was something he could actually handle.

“The main focus of this exercise,” Moras continued, “is to help you envision and manipulate the aether within your ‘Experience Well.’ Once your well is full, you'll need to condense it, which will trigger the level-up process. From there, you’ll allocate the condensed aether to your attribute subsystem.”

He let the information sink in for a moment before adding, “It may seem daunting now, but with time, you will grow more proficient. The key to mastering aether is control, and with practice, this will become second nature.”

Daniel wiped the sweat from his brow, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Control, right. Got it."

Moras leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. “You’ve done well today. But there is much more to learn, and time is not on our side. As you grow stronger, you will face greater challenges. The knowledge you gain here will be your greatest weapon.”

Merium, who had been quietly observing from the doorway whilst restraining the children, stepped forward, her usual grin returning. “Thank you, Moras. We appreciate your guidance.”

Moras waved a hand dismissively. “'Tis my duty. The aether flows through all things, binding us together. The great flow brought you to me, and it has blessed me with the knowledge to impart.”

He rose slowly, his movement deliberate. “I will be here if you need further guidance. But for now, go. Practise what you’ve learned. The more you understand your own aetherial systems, the better prepared you’ll be for what lies ahead.”

The group stood, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration.

As they made their way back through the winding corridors of the Consortium, Daniel couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of purpose growing within him.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like they were beginning to understand what they were up against.

Outside, the city of Sylvara was bathed in the soft light of late afternoon, the red-hued sun casting long shadows across the ancient trees.

The streets were still bustling with activity, the sounds of life and laughter echoing through the air.

As they walked, Merium fell into step beside him, her brash demeanour back in full force. “Not bad for a first lesson, eh?” she asked with a grin.

Daniel chuckled, though his mind was still racing with everything they had learned. “Yeah, not bad at all. I'm just going to try and not change as a person now that I've unlocked the power of a slightly lit hand.”

Merium clapped him on the back, laughing. “You’ll do fine. Just remember to take it one step at a time. No one becomes a master overnight.”

He nodded, appreciating her encouragement. The path ahead was still uncertain, but with the knowledge they had gained today, it felt a little less daunting.

They were no longer just strangers in a foreign world—they were beginning to understand, to adapt. And that, Daniel thought, was the first step toward finding their place in this new reality.

As they made their way back to the inn, the last rays of sunlight filtering through the trees, Daniel allowed himself a small, hopeful smile.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, for the first time since their arrival, he felt a flicker of confidence—a belief that they could not only survive in this world, but perhaps even thrive.