Greg The Golem
With the thought crossing Ethan's mind—whether Greg still recognized him after re-entering the stone-shadow body—he paused for a moment, recalling the mental link he had established earlier. Through that connection, Greg had been able to sense his presence when he was in his pure mana form. It stood to reason that Greg would understand that this form—the stone-shadow body—was still Ethan, just in a different shape.
To confirm, Ethan focused on the Mind Element and sent a thought to Greg. "You know this is still me, right?"
A subtle pulse of acknowledgment came from Greg. Though its understanding was still simple, there was a clear recognition that Ethan and the stone-shadow form were connected, even when he shifted between different states of being. Greg knew that it was following the same master, regardless of the form Ethan took.
Satisfied with the confirmation, Ethan turned his attention to what came next. The grove, while peaceful and well-hidden, wasn't an ideal long-term base for working on his mastery of the elements. He needed somewhere more private, more secure—a place where he could experiment without interruptions and begin building a base of operations.
The mountains came to mind. He had seen them in the distance during his earlier scouting—a range of low mountains beyond the forest, with rocky terrain and the possibility of caves hidden within the slopes. A cave would provide the perfect hideaway: isolated, defensible, and filled with natural resources like stone and earth, ideal for his work with the elements.
Turning to Greg, he issued a simple command through the mental link. "Greg, follow me."
Greg responded immediately, stepping into place behind him, its small stone form obedient and alert. Though still learning, Ethan felt confident that Greg could handle the journey and continue to follow his instructions.
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Ethan began the trek toward the mountains, his heavy feet thudding softly against the forest floor as he led the way. The air felt cooler as he moved through the dense woods, and the terrain gradually became more uneven, sloping upward as they neared the foothills. Greg followed dutifully behind, its movements slower but steady, keeping pace without issue.
As they moved further from the village and deeper into the wilderness, the forest thinned out, giving way to more rugged terrain. The mountains loomed ahead, their rocky peaks partially hidden by mist. Ethan could feel the Earth Element growing stronger here, the weight of the stone beneath his feet humming with raw, ancient energy. This place of power, untouched by human hands, made the natural magic of the world more palpable.
After some time, they reached the base of the mountains, where the ground became rockier and more uneven. Small cave entrances dotted the slopes above, hidden among jagged rocks. One of these could serve as the perfect hideaway—a place where Ethan could work in peace, far from prying eyes.
Ethan began exploring the mountain's base, searching for a suitable cave deep enough to offer privacy yet accessible enough for his work. The air here was cooler, and the rocks were sharp beneath his feet, but the energy of the place felt right—isolated, powerful, and rich with natural resources for his elemental mastery.
Eventually, he found a cave entrance that looked promising. The opening was wide enough to allow him and Greg to enter easily, and the darkness within suggested it went deep into the mountainside. He sensed no immediate danger inside, though the cave felt untouched and ancient—a perfect place to claim as his own.
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Ethan stepped inside, the shadows growing thick around him as he ventured further. The cool air was refreshing, and the walls hummed with the raw power of the Earth Element. It was quiet, peaceful, and filled with potential.
This could be the perfect place—a hidden sanctuary where he could experiment with the elements, improve his mastery, and perhaps even work on plans to create more complex living beings. It was private, well-protected by the mountain itself, and close enough to natural resources that he wouldn't lack for materials.
Greg stood beside him, its presence comforting in the silence of the cave.
As Ethan stood in the cool, shadowy cave, the thought of making it feel more like home settled in his mind. If this was going to be his base of operations, he needed to shape it to suit his needs—a place where he could experiment with the elements, rest, and plan without worrying about outside disturbances. Greg had been a loyal companion so far, and Ethan wanted to make things comfortable for him, too.
First, Ethan focused on the Earth Element around him. The cave walls were rich with solid stone, and he could feel the natural magic humming through the rock beneath his feet. This was the perfect environment to practice and strengthen his control over the Earth Element—shaping the stone, carving out spaces, and crafting objects from the very ground itself.
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He began by envisioning how he wanted the space to look. The cave was naturally enclosed and hidden, but Ethan wanted to make it more functional. He focused on the Earth Element, drawing energy from the stone beneath him. Slowly, he directed his mana into the ground, shaping the stone into a flat, smooth surface where he would be able to move and work easily. The rough, uneven rock began to shift and smooth out beneath his feet, forming a wide, level floor that felt solid and stable.
Next, he turned his attention to the walls of the cave, shaping them to make the space feel less like a raw, untouched cavern and more like a workshop. He molded the stone into smooth, even surfaces, creating shelves and alcoves where he could store materials or display items later. The rock bent to his will, forming natural stone shelves that flowed seamlessly from the cave walls, ready to hold whatever he might need for his experiments.
He also carved out niches in the walls where he could sit or rest, their smooth surfaces inviting and practical. The more he worked with the Earth Element, the more comfortable and natural it felt, as though the stone itself recognized his intentions and responded to his touch.
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Once the main space was ready, Ethan turned to Greg, who had been patiently standing by, watching his work with quiet curiosity. Ethan decided it was time to give Greg a seat—a place to rest while he kept an eye on things. He focused again on the Earth Element, pulling from the rock beneath him to create a simple chair.
Ethan molded the stone, shaping it into a sturdy, solid seat with a high back, making sure it was comfortable for Greg's size. The stone moved under his direction, rising up from the ground and forming into a smooth chair that seemed to flow naturally from the floor. It was simple but well-crafted, designed to last. Ethan even added a few small details, like a slightly curved back and smooth armrests, so Greg could sit comfortably while keeping watch over his experiments.
Once the chair was finished, Ethan stepped back and admired his handiwork. The cave now felt more like a workspace, ready for whatever experiments and creations he planned to undertake. The smooth stone surfaces, shelves, and Greg's new seat all blended naturally into the environment, giving the place a sense of permanence and purpose.
Greg, ever obedient, stepped over to the chair and sat down. His stone form fit perfectly, and Ethan sensed a flicker of contentment through the mental link. Greg was ready to keep watch while Ethan worked, his small form resting in the chair as if waiting for whatever came next.
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With the cave now taking shape, Ethan felt a sense of accomplishment. He had made the space his own, and it was the perfect environment for honing his mastery of the Earth Element—and eventually, all the elements he would need to create living beings or more complex magic.
He settled into the cave, feeling the smooth stone beneath his feet and the cool air around him. As he thought about the Earth Element, he realized that it wasn't just about stone and dirt—there were other aspects of the earth, like wood and plant life, that were vital parts of the natural world. While wood and plants were living things, they still drew their essence from the earth, and manipulating them felt like a natural extension of his mastery over the Earth Element.
He decided to start with wood—a material that was strong, flexible, and living in its own way. Though it was different from stone, it still drew its energy from the same core of elemental magic. To test his abilities, Ethan decided to create something small and familiar, something that reminded him of his old world. A simple wooden animal—perhaps a small figure like a dog or cat—would be the perfect starting point.
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He stepped into the center of the cave and reached out with his mana, focusing on the Earth Element but shifting his awareness toward wood and plant life. The energy was different from stone—softer, more organic, but still deeply connected to the earth. Ethan could sense the life force within the plants, the way they grew and bent, their roots reaching deep into the soil for strength.
He found a patch of the cave where a few roots from the nearby forest had made their way into the rocky walls, seeking water and nutrients. Ethan focused on these roots, feeling the wooden structure within them. Gently, he channeled his mana into the roots, drawing the wood upward and out from the walls, shaping it as he did. The roots responded, twisting and growing under his guidance, the texture of the wood becoming more defined as he molded it into shape.
He decided on a dog—a simple, familiar animal from his old world. He began by forming the body, pulling the wood into the shape of a small, sturdy creature. The limbs came next, then the tail and head. The wood flowed naturally under his direction, its grain bending smoothly as he shaped the figure, adding small details like the curve of the tail and the shape of the ears.
It was a slow process, but as Ethan worked, the wooden figure began to take shape—a small, detailed model of a dog standing on four legs, its body carved from the wooden roots that once grew through the cave wall. The wood was smooth and polished, its natural grain giving the figure a warm, organic appearance. Ethan focused on making the details fine—small paws, rounded ears, and a slight curve to the tail. It wasn't just a rough shape; it was a representation of the animal he remembered from his old world.
Once the figure was complete, Ethan stepped back to admire it. The wooden dog stood there, lifelike in its simplicity. It wasn't a living creature, but it was a clear example of how he could manipulate wood and plant matter as part of the Earth Element. He could still sense the life that flowed within the wood, though now it had been shaped into something new, no longer just part of the forest, but a creation of his own design.
The success filled him with confidence. If he could create wooden figures like this, perhaps he could push it further—working with plants to create living things, or even using wood to craft more complex structures.
For now, though, the wooden dog stood before him, a small reminder of his growing abilities with the Earth Element.
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Ethan glanced over at Greg, who had been watching silently from his stone chair. He wondered what else he might be able to craft with wood and plant life. The possibilities were expanding, and with each experiment, Ethan was getting closer to mastering the elements in new and creative ways.