Chapter 5 - Inner Storm

After Sylvas explained everything to his family, his mother and father talked about the matter in the small sitting area on the upper floor for a while. After a long discussion, they came downstairs and sat in Sylvas's living room. "This week, we will go to the Aetherion Guild. Also, we can only be sure of what you said when we are there. Your father will handle the car, since it will be a long journey," said Elaris, gesturing towards Father Kaelan.

Father Kaelan nodded with a reassuring expression.

Unlike them, Lyra silently listened to their conversation.

They talked for a while longer, and then, as usual, returned to their work.

"Four days have passed since that day. Today is the day we go to the Aetherion Guild," Sylvas thought, sitting on one of the cushions upstairs.

"I wonder how they will find out the type and power of the tree in my soul," he muttered, with a curious expression.

After distracting himself for a while, his sister rushed upstairs. "My stupid little brother! Quickly, put on something warm. We're leaving for a long journey soon!" she said cheerfully.

"Alright," Sylvas responded as he entered one of the doors on the right.

When Sylvas entered the room, he looked at the wooden bed in the center of the room. The bed was simply but elegantly made; dark brown oak wood with finely carved patterns. The purple and gray blanket on top looked soft and comfortable.

His sister's voice came from the door: "Come on, quickly put something warm on, the journey is about to start!"

Sylvas quickly went to his wardrobe, took his thick coat, and put it on. While changing, he also felt the excitement and curiosity of going to the Aetherion Guild. He wanted to learn the type and power of the tree in his soul, but there was a sense of tension within him.

With his sister's cheerful gaze, he went outside. His mother Elaris and father Kaelan were preparing at the entrance of the house. His father was packing up the supplies, while his mother was getting ready to carry a few things on her back.

After the couple finished the necessary preparations for the journey, they boarded an old but sturdy horse-drawn carriage. The first thing that caught Sylvas's eye were the magical carrier symbols next to the horses. The carrier stones were used to ensure the vehicle's speed and safety. The carriers, moving slowly but steadily, were ready for the journey.

Sylvas took a deep breath and slowly stepped outside. He felt that today everything would change.

Sylvas, his mother, and his sister climbed into the back wagon of the carriage. Kaelan mounted the horse at the front to drive the carriage. Then, the journey officially began.

Sylvas and his family lived in Greystone City, in the Terranova Kingdom, on the Arboris Continent. Despite being a city, it was an irregular one. Unlike other cities, there were no concrete roads or crowded apartments. Instead, there were endless fields, small or large houses, small local shops selling food, drinks, clothes, weapons, and armor. The kingdom's guards also maintained the city's peace.

Another feature of the continent was that it had lush forests, fertile plains, and plenty of streams, with a temperate climate. It was the most balanced continent in terms of agriculture, trade, and quality of life.

Currently, Sylvas was traveling to Rivergate: in the west, on the shore of one of the continent's largest rivers. The center of trade.

Sylvas, sitting in the carriage with his mother and sister, looked around for a while. As the trees and green plains passed like a painting, his thoughts slowly began to spill out: "Mom, how long do you think it will take to find out which tree is in my soul?" he asked, his eyes lingering on his mother's green eyes for a moment.

Elaris smiled and looked at Sylvas, placing her hand on his shoulder. "It's hard to say for sure, but the Rootbinders and experts at the Aetherion Guild are very skilled. Even ordinary people like us can discover the tree in their soul with their help," she said reassuringly. "Be patient, Sylvas. When you find out, everything will become clear."

Her sister's mocking voice interrupted: "Of course, unless a bonsai tree comes out of your soul," she said with a mischievous look in her eyes. "I don't know what you'll do with a small and cute soul tree."

Sylvas rolled his eyes and replied: "Oh, sis, you're always so funny," he said dryly. "But what if your soul tree turns out to be weaker than mine, what will you do then?"

Lyra laughed and nudged his shoulder. "Sure, sure, we'll see little brother. Even if your soul tree is powerful, it won't do any good if you don't know what to do with it. I'll prove I'm superior in practice."

Just as Sylvas was about to respond, his father's voice came from the front. "Hey, you two, don't wear each other out too much," said Kaelan, glancing back while driving the horses. "We have a long journey ahead. Don't waste your energy already."

Elaris turned to Kaelan and nodded lightly. "Kaelan is right. It will be an important day for all of us. During the journey, learn to support each other quietly," she said gently but firmly.

This prompted a short silence. However, Lyra couldn't hold it for long and turned to her brother.

"Okay, Sylvas, let's say your soul tree turns out to be huge and powerful. What kind of powers would you want it to have?"

Sylvas thought for a moment and then a slight smile appeared on his face. "Maybe I'd have a tree that could heal people," he said sincerely. "Or... maybe a tree powerful enough to control nature."

Lyra raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "That's not fun at all. You should think about using your soul tree to bind your enemies by their roots," she said with a teasing tone.

Elaris laughed and intervened: "Every soul tree has its own purpose. Sylvas, what's important is learning how to use your power correctly."

At that moment, the carriage hit a small bump, and Kaelan called out from the front again: "Be careful, don't fall off the carriage! We'll be shaking a little now."

As Sylvas listened to his family's heartfelt conversations with the excitement of the journey, he felt a sense of determination deep within his soul. He knew that when they reached the Aetherion Guild, everything would change.

Time passed, and as the sun was about to set, Sylvas and his family saw a wooden and stone structure rising over the green plains ahead. It must have been an inn where travelers stayed. "Oak and Stars Inn," it looked warm and inviting with its high roof, moss-covered walls, and the sound of laughter coming from inside.

It had a large stone door, with finely carved star figures on it. The wooden beams were sturdy and dark-colored, and the small cracks and wear showed that it had stood there for many years. On the wooden sign next to the door, it read "Oak and Stars Inn," with a star symbol etched in one corner. In front of the inn, there were several places to tie horses and a few horses and carriages left by the travelers.

Sylvas and his family tied their carriage there and approached the door to enter.

As soon as they opened the door, a warm air, the crackling of a fireplace, and the smell of stew cooking on the fire greeted Sylvas. The wooden floor creaked lightly, and the ceiling beams were low, simple but reassuring. The long tables in the center of the room were filled with merchants, some warriors, and adventurers sipping from their mugs. The candlelights on the tables flickered, creating a dim atmosphere.

On the left, there was a small window leading to the kitchen, where the innkeeper's cheerful voice could be heard. "Welcome! I'd gladly accept a nice story or a few coins from travelers!" shouted the innkeeper. A short, chubby man with a huge smile greeted Sylvas and his family.

Kaelan immediately took the lead and went to the innkeeper to rent a room.

Meanwhile, Sylvas decided to observe the surroundings.

In the far corner, the massive stone fireplace was the heart of the inn. The warmth of the fire embraced every traveler who entered. An old sword hung above the fireplace, next to a warrior's cloak and a few old maps.

"Interesting," Sylvas muttered as he looked at the mysterious table in the corner.

At the table, a Rootbinder was sitting, deeply focused on the papers in front of him, struggling with the writings. His body seemed to disappear in the dark corner; only the movements of his hands and the writing on the paper were visible. His face was mysteriously covered in shadows, but the old, worn robe he wore seemed to indicate that he had once been a high-level Rootbinder. It wasn't clear what level he was, but the chilling aura around him screamed that he was not an ordinary person.

At the other side of his table, a group of mercenaries polished their armor, flaunting their egos as they swung their spears in an open space. The sound of their steel armor echoed, creating a buzzing noise throughout the room as their conversations grew louder. They were immersed in their own world; they hadn't noticed Sylvas at all.

At the center table, a group of merchants was having fun, shouting and laughing loudly. Bottles of wine and gold coins scattered across the table, glittering dazzlingly. Their laughter made the room feel even more tense; it seemed like here, only money and power mattered, and everything else was secondary. Music was playing, but the melody had turned into an annoying cacophony.

As Sylvas scanned the room with his eyes, lost in his thoughts, he slowly walked toward the room his father had rented. A voice echoed inside his mind: "As far as I know, there are 5 levels, but I'm not even at level 1 yet. I don't know the power or type of the tree in my soul." The weight of his thoughts slowed his steps.

Just then, the Rootbinder at the corner table suddenly looked up and turned his cold eyes toward Sylvas. His eyes locked with Sylvas's, as if he was looking from afar, deep and cold. "That brat..." he muttered, his words almost turning into a faint hiss. Sylvas felt he needed to read something from those eyes, but he only met those cold gazes and deep silence. In the airy room, the echo of this gaze and murmur hung in the air.