Chains Of Eternity: Awakening

JOURNEY TO THE CAPITAL

One month went by so quickly that it felt like a blur. As the days passed, I realized just how anxious I was becoming. I spent most of my time with the encyclopedia open on my lap, reading and rereading the sections on the power system until I finally understood it all. Yet, no matter how much I studied, I still couldn't fully grasp the concepts of cultivation and breathing. When I asked my mother for help, she simply told me that everything would make sense once I awakened and experienced it for myself. She said that the innate understanding would come naturally when my Lunaris formed.

Lunaris are special veins that appear after awakening, allowing a person to see and feel Aether. These veins are essential during cultivation because they help absorb Aether and are linked to the innate spiritual realm that forms after awakening. Honestly, the explanation was so complex that I found myself dozing off at one point. But the more I learned about Aether and its vast world, the more eager I became to awaken and experience it for myself.

Woo!!!

I was so damn eager, constantly daydreaming about what it would feel like to harness the power of Aether, to awaken as a knight and discover my true potential. The possibilities swirled in my mind endlessly—would I be strong enough to join the royal army, to stand among the legendary knights that Uncle Benedict spoke of with such admiration? His stories were always so captivating, painting vivid pictures of these elite warriors who held the highest ranks in the kingdom. According to him, they were beyond cool, each one a force to be reckoned with. They wore silver armor that shone like a beacon of hope on the battlefield, their very presence commanding respect and awe. Their swords were enormous, the kind of weapons that seemed impossible for any ordinary man to wield, but these knights were anything but ordinary. Their blades, engulfed in the mystical energy of Aether, could cut through the strongest of enemies with a single, precise swing. 

Uncle Benedict had a way of telling these tales that made me feel like I was right there with them, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the knights as they defended the kingdom from countless threats. Every time he shared one of his stories, my excitement grew, and so did my impatience. I longed to leave the quiet confines of Igdeel and set foot in the capital, to see these warriors with my own eyes, to feel the energy of the place where so many legendary battles had been fought. The capital, in my mind, had taken on an almost mythical status, a place where dreams and reality intertwined, where anything was possible if you had the strength and courage to seize it.

Yet, despite my intense longing, I had never been to the capital, not once in my fifteen years of life. Even when my father made the journey, I remained behind, stuck in the routine of our small town. The entrance to the capital was notoriously strict, so much so that it deterred even those with legitimate reasons to visit. There were countless steps involved, a rigorous process that was particularly grueling for those who lacked the necessary passes. I remember my father coming back from one of his trips, exhausted from the ordeal of just getting through the gates. It was no wonder I had never accompanied him.

This system of checks and restrictions was the result of a dark chapter in our kingdom's history, one that Uncle Benedict had mentioned on more than one occasion. The capital had once been the target of a devastating attack by a dark faction, an event that had shaken the very foundation of our kingdom. In response, the current king had implemented a strict security system designed to prevent such an atrocity from ever happening again. It was a necessary precaution, but it also meant that visiting the capital was no simple feat, even for those like my father, who had the status and connections to get in. 

My mother, too, rarely visited the capital. Despite the allure it held, the journey and the procedures involved were enough to keep her away. Instead, our travels took us to other towns, places that, while decent, could never quite compare to the grandeur I imagined the capital to possess. Some of these towns were a step above Igdeel, offering a glimpse of a world beyond our small community. The town I was about to visit for my assessment was one of these places, and though it wasn't the capital, it still stirred something within me.

Raigdeel…

I picked up my backpack, a small, rugged brown leather bag with a single main compartment and two side pockets, worn from countless adventures. Carefully, I packed two sets of clothes for the journey, ensuring each was neatly folded, before sliding in the heavy encyclopedia. I paused for a moment, double-checking the contents, then added a crystal-clear plastic bottle that my uncle had gifted me before my awakening. This bottle was special—it was imbued with cooling magic, ensuring the water inside remained refreshingly cold no matter the temperature outside.

Satisfied, I turned to put on my boots, the well-worn leather creaking softly as I laced them up. Next, I adjusted the long, cotton trench coat that had been a treasured gift from my father on my fifteenth birthday. Its fabric was soft yet durable, and I only wore it on special occasions like this one. The coat draped perfectly over my shoulders, making me feel just as cool as I wanted to look. Underneath, I wore a crisp, grey shirt tucked into brown pants, completing my outfit.

As I walked out of my room, I found both my parents waiting for me with wide smiles. My mother held Jolt, in her arms. Jolt's small face lit up with excitement as she reached out for me, her tiny hands waving eagerly as she squirmed, wanting to hop into my arms.

Just then, the distinct sound of horse wolves echoed through the air, followed by the creak of carriage wheels coming to a halt at our gate. We walk out to see Mr. Alfred, seated between the reins and the carriage. He tipped his brown bucket hat, removing it with a flourish, and waved at us, a warm smile on his face as he held the hat in his palm.

"Good morning Mr and Mrs Welder, hope am not too early," he waves it.

"Not at all, Mr. Alfred. The little man is so eager," Dad says as he ruffles my hair. I pull away, offering my good mornings.

"Tristan," I hear Mom's gentle voice. I turn to see her holding out a small handbag. "I packed you some lunch," she says, trying to be heard over Jolt's frantic cries. My little sister is desperately trying to reach me, pinching and pushing at Mom as her cries grow louder. I offer her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, Jolt. I'll be back before you know it."

She looks down, her struggles quieting as she hangs from Mom's arms.

Promise... her eyes say it clearly.

Yeah, I promise... I wave back at them and rush toward the carriage.