A Friend

Since that day, Sylvas and his family had stayed in the city for about three months. During this time, they strolled through the streets, shopped in the vibrant markets, and spent delightful moments by the riverside. However, the most important thing was that the Rootmasters at the Aetherion Guild helped Sylvas understand his soul tree and begin to control his powers.

"It's time to go home now," Sylvas muttered as he stepped out of the inn. He glanced at the heavy books in his hands, briefly recalling what he had learned.

"Yes, we've done everything that needed to be done," Kaelan said as he loaded the luggage onto the back of the cart. "We've done extra shopping, had fun. I think that's enough. Maybe one day we'll return, but for now, our finances don't allow it." Kaelan's voice, as always, was reassuring, but the slight weariness on his face was noticeable.

After settling into the cart, the journey began. Sylvas sat in the back with his mother and sister, his eyes drifting toward his father.

"Father, what kind of soul tree do you have?" he asked curiously.

Kaelan glanced over his shoulder with a faint smile while steering the cart. "My soul tree… isn't anything special. For now, it's enough for you to know its name: The Great Tree. It's a common type."

Sylvas frowned and lowered his head. "But why won't you tell me its traits, Father?" he asked, his tone growing a bit more impatient.

Kaelan remained silent for a moment before speaking in a reassuring tone. "Actually, it's something I wanted to keep as a surprise. I had planned for you to discover its traits yourself during training. But since this type of tree is quite common and you might come across it in a book, there's no harm in explaining it now."

Sitting next to Sylvas, his mother Elaris and sister Lyra smiled as they listened to the father-son conversation.

Kaelan took a deep breath and began explaining, "This type of tree enhances a person's physical strength, endurance, and agility. The Great Tree provides benefits like strengthening one's physique, gaining incredible speed, or acquiring new abilities connected to nature. However, as it grows, it places a great strain on the body. Pushing it too far can result in physical harm. My soul tree is currently at the 3rd level: Maturity. Advancing beyond that has been quite challenging."

Sylvas listened intently to every word his father said. "Father, what about Lyra's and Mother's soul trees? What are they like?" he asked, this time with a more apparent curiosity on his face.

Lyra chuckled mischievously at her younger brother's question. "Little brother, you're so curious! But that's okay, I'll tell you. Just be prepared—when you hear about my soul tree's traits, your jaw might drop," she said in a teasing tone.

Elaris chuckled quietly at Lyra's playful demeanor, while Sylvas turned his gaze to his sister. "Go on, tell me!" he said excitedly, a faint smile forming at the corners of his lips.

Kaelan nodded slightly. "Alright, but let's wrap up the conversation as we go. I'll need a little quiet to focus and rest," he said. The cart swayed gently as lush green plains began to line the path.

Lyra, noticing her brother's curiosity, smiled brightly. "Okay, okay, I'm telling you," she said, leaning back with her arms crossed. "My soul tree is called the Silver Blossom. As you might guess from the name, it's quite elegant and rare."

Sylvas raised his eyebrows. "What does this Silver Blossom do?"

Lyra tossed her hair with a smug air. "The Silver Blossom stands for sensitivity and grace. But it's not limited to that—it sharpens my senses, allowing me to perceive everything around me more clearly. It also has healing abilities. Little brother, remember that if you ever need saving, I'm your person!" she said with a teasing grin.

Sylvas rolled his eyes. "Great, I'm sure you'll never let me forget it if you save me one day."

Lyra burst into laughter. "Absolutely, little brother!"

Elaris smiled as she watched her children's playful banter. "Now it's my turn," she said. "My soul tree is called the Pearl Leaf. It's not particularly flashy, but it's very useful. It excels in protection and resilience."

Sylvas looked at his mother and smiled softly. "So, you're like the family's shield, huh?"

Elaris nodded. "Yes, something like that. The Pearl Leaf helps reduce physical damage and provides protection to those around me. But I have to be careful not to overuse it. Balancing my energy is crucial."

Kaelan, listening to the conversation, smiled and glanced over his shoulder. "See, Sylvas? Everyone in the family has their unique strength. Your soul tree is also something special, and over time, you'll understand it better."

Sylvas nodded and replied with a genuine smile. "Yeah, but my soul tree still feels so complicated. Thankfully, the Rootmasters at the guild gave me plenty of books. Maybe I'll learn more once we're home."

Elaris glanced at the books in her son's hands and nodded gently. "But don't try to learn everything at once. Your soul tree is a part of you, and your journey with it shouldn't be rushed."

A brief silence fell over the cart. The gentle sound of the breeze and the wheels rolling over the rocky path created a warm sense of calm.

Lyra was the first to break the silence. "So, what's the first thing you'll do when we get home?" she asked.

Sylvas shrugged. "I guess I'll rest for a bit and look through the books. But having a meal with you all sounds like a good start."

Kaelan nodded with a smile. "That's a great idea. We'll have a nice meal together and relax. We've earned it."

The family continued their journey with warm conversation. The lush green scenery outside made their trip home even more peaceful.

The journey passed peacefully over seven days. As Sylvas and his family moved through the lush green plains, they approached close enough to see the roof of their home from afar. When the sun began to set on the horizon, the familiar sight of their house brought them both comfort and joy.

When the cart stopped in front of their house, Kaelan immediately secured the horses in a safe place. While Sylvas and Lyra carried the luggage, Elaris opened the door, and the familiar scent of wood filled the air. Despite their fatigue, there was a look of satisfaction and relief on everyone's face.

Unpacking took some time. Sylvas carefully carried his books to his room, while Lyra groaned, "I'm so tired, I need to sleep immediately," as she headed upstairs.

Elaris called out from the kitchen, "Lyra, come here! We'll eat first, and then you can sleep as much as you want."

Reluctantly, Lyra returned and joined the rest of her family at the kitchen table. Elaris brought out the food she had prepared and preserved during the journey and placed it before everyone. The conversations during the meal were brief but heartfelt; the weariness was visible on everyone's faces.

About an hour later, dinner was over, and everyone helped clean up the table. Stretching as he headed to his room, Kaelan said, "We'll get everything sorted tomorrow. For now, everyone should rest."

Soon, the house fell into silence. Elaris, Kaelan, and Lyra retired to their rooms and drifted into deep sleep. But Sylvas remained awake.

Lighting a candle in his room, Sylvas stacked the books he had brought from the Aetherion Guild on the small table beside his bed. The thick covers of the books, with their intricate designs, hinted at the depth of knowledge they held. Picking up the first book, Sylvas flipped through its pages, his expression a mix of melancholy and curiosity.

"There's so much information. I can't understand most of it yet," he muttered to himself. The descriptions of roots, branches, leaves, flowers, costs, rituals, levels, and spiritual powers seemed overwhelmingly complex. After skimming through the book for a while, his initial bewilderment gave way to a slight determination.

"I should focus on the basics first," he thought. Then, his attention shifted to another book. Among the shelves, he found a thinner book with the title "Spiritual Power Enhancement" written in bold letters.

Taking the book in hand, he opened it and began turning its pages in the flickering candlelight. The pages were adorned with simple yet impactful illustrations on meditation, connecting with nature, gathering energy, and performing rituals. Sylvas read each word carefully, engraving the information into his mind.

"Even though it's complex, this could be a starting point," he thought. Rubbing his tired eyes, he continued to process the knowledge he was absorbing.

As the night wore on, the flickering light of the candle danced on the walls of the room. Sylvas was immersed in the pages. With each new piece of information, he felt something awaken within him, realizing he was taking a step closer to understanding his soul tree.

The first section of the book stated, "The roots of the soul tree are nourished by exploring one's depths. Meditation and self-discovery are pathways to confront your soul. As you make sense of your pain and mistakes, your spiritual roots grow stronger."

Sylvas recognized how challenging this would be. He would not only revisit his past but also have to find a way to make peace with it.

The next page discussed the moral choices that grow the branches of the soul tree. "Every difficult decision forms a branch," it read. "But these branches can only bear the weight of the decisions you make if they are strong enough."

For Sylvas, this was a clear message: the consequences of his choices would either support or hinder his spiritual growth.

"Nature shapes the soul tree," stated another heading. "To gain spiritual power, you must understand nature's cycles. Every wind, every rain, and every bloom nourishes your tree."

Reading this, Sylvas glanced out the window. The moonlight lay over the lush terrain like a blanket. The calm strength of nature felt more real than ever.

The section on dreams was one of the book's most fascinating parts. "Dreams are a gateway into the inner world of the soul tree. Here, you can confront your roots and glimpse the future of your branches. However, dream journeys are dangerous; the shadows in the depths of your mind may deceive you."

Sylvas found this idea both intimidating and captivating. The thought that his dreams could serve as a tool to understand his soul tree sparked a newfound curiosity within him.

The next page explained how rituals shape the soul tree: "Rituals create a bridge between your soul and the physical world. Each ritual can lead to the growth of a branch or the blooming of a flower."

Sylvas recalled the rituals performed by the Rootmasters at the guild. Their meticulous movements and words now held greater meaning.

"Art is one of the purest ways to nurture your soul tree," read the final chapter of the book. "A song, a drawing, or a story broadens the branches of your tree and gives depth to its roots."

Sylvas closed the book and took a deep breath. These texts offered him not only knowledge but also a roadmap. Yet each chapter reminded him of the challenging journey ahead. Slowly, he extinguished the candlelight and delved into his thoughts in the darkness.

Sylvas placed the book on his desk and lay down on his bed. As he rested his head on the pillow, his body relaxed under the weight of the day's fatigue. The faint light of the remaining candle flickered gently before it began to fade.

As he closed his eyes, the words he read in the book swirled in his mind. "It will take time to learn it all…" he murmured, his breath becoming calmer.

The soft sound of the wind outside and the peaceful silence of the house soon lulled him into a deep sleep.

The night forest was silent. Only the faint rustling of the wind brushing through the tree branches could be heard. Yet this silence carried tension rather than peace. The shadows whispered of something stirring among the dark trees.

A man, kneeling on the ground, was breathing in uneven, shallow gasps. His bloodied face blended with the darkness around him. His hands were bound, and the surrounding shadows enveloped him like a web. His eyes struggled to focus on the figure standing before him.

The mysterious man looked down at the helpless figure with a cold, indifferent expression. To him, this was merely a way to pass the time—a game for his amusement. Slowly, he knelt and leaned close to the man's face. "You know," he said, his voice as soft as a whisper but carrying an underlying menace, "aren't the shadows so silent? But believe me, they'll listen when you're in pain."

The man pleaded with a trembling voice. "Please… tell me what you want from me. I've done nothing to harm you…"

The mysterious man tilted his head, his face taking on a childlike curiosity. "Harm? Oh no, this isn't a punishment. This is… just a game."

As he raised his hand, darkness began to curl around his fingers. The shadows flowed like liquid, then took the shape of serpents. One shadow slithered toward the man's face and gently touched his cheek. The touch felt like the edge of a cold blade slicing through skin. The man began to scream.

"Is that all it takes to break you?" the mysterious man asked mockingly. "Just the touch of shadows… and you're already afraid."

The man's screams echoed as the shadows tightened their grip around him. Slowly, they lifted his body a few inches off the ground, their strength unmistakable. The mysterious man moved his hands gently, controlling the shadows.

"You know, watching someone cry is fascinating. Every tear that falls from your eyes gives my shadows a new flavor," he said, a faint smile spreading across his face as he watched the terror grow on the man's features.

The shadows moved toward the man's hands. They sharpened into thin, blade-like edges and began carving small, shallow cuts into his skin. "This is just a scratch," the man said with a mocking tone. "But every scratch tells a story, doesn't it? The story of pain. How it etches itself into the tree of your soul."

The man began to moan. He struggled, trying to scream, but it was as if his vocal cords had been paralyzed by fear. The mysterious man tilted his head, continuing to watch him.

"The more you struggle, the tighter the shadows grip," he said. The shadows tightened around the man's arms, causing his bones to crack audibly. A pained scream escaped the man's lips.

After a while, the man's breathing began to slow. He seemed to have resigned himself to despair. But the mysterious man noticed this and spoke in a low voice, as if offering a chance:

"If you really want to stop me, say just one thing. But know… it might be your last word."

A look of anguish settled on the man's face. "W-why… why are you doing this?" he asked weakly.

The mysterious man let out a deep laugh. "Why? Because it brings me pleasure. Because weaklings like you were made for my amusement. And because the shadows… they love pain."

With one final gesture, the shadows dropped the man's body to the ground. The man lay there, motionless, barely able to make a sound. The mysterious man dusted off his hands as if shaking away dirt. "Yes," he said to himself. "Tonight was quite entertaining."

The shadows enveloped him as he vanished into the darkness of the forest. All that remained was silence and the lifeless body sprawled on the ground.

The first light of dawn slowly crept across the lush green landscape, filling the house with a soft glow. The sunlight streaming through the window painted delicate patterns on the wooden floor. The cheerful chirping of birds replaced the night's silence with a sweet melody.

Kaelan was, as usual, the first to wake up. He stretched lightly, got out of bed, and quietly walked toward the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water from a pitcher and looked out the window. The farm was just beginning to wake up with the cool morning air. A gentle breeze swept across the grass, and a flock of birds soared in the distant sky.

Elaris woke up to the soft sounds Kaelan made in the kitchen. She slowly sat up, tidied her bed, and made her way downstairs from her room on the upper floor. With a slight smile, she greeted Kaelan. "You're up early," she said softly.

Kaelan shrugged. "The weather is nice. If we finish our chores early today, we might get some rest."

Elaris began preparing breakfast, taking a few things out of the cupboard. Fresh bread, cheese, and herbal tea made with herbs from the garden were soon set on the table.

Lyra, as usual, was the last to wake up, being fond of her sleep. An upstairs door creaked, followed by the sound of footsteps. Lyra came down to the kitchen, rubbing her eyes, and plopped into her chair. Her hair was messy, and traces of sleep lingered on her face. "I could've slept a bit more," she grumbled.

"You wouldn't want to miss breakfast," Elaris said, gesturing toward the tea on the table. Lyra silently picked up her tea, conceding with an expression that her mother was right.

Finally, Sylvas emerged from his room upstairs. His eyes were still heavy with sleep, but his face held a sense of resolve. The books and the soul tree he had pondered the previous night lingered in his mind. As he descended the stairs, he found his family gathered at the table and joined them with a faint smile.

"Breakfast is ready," Elaris said to her son. "You'll need your strength. We've got a lot to do today."

As Sylvas sat down, he paused for a moment. In this peaceful moment of the morning, the turmoil inside him gradually subsided. The sunlight streaming onto the breakfast table his mother had prepared, combined with the warmth of having his family together, made everything feel fleetingly forgettable.

The early hours of the morning quickly passed as chores began around the farm. After breakfast, Sylvas helped his family by weeding the garden and tending to the animals in the barn. Yet, throughout it all, his mind remained fixated on the book he had read the night before and the concept of the soul tree.

By midday, the sun hung high in the sky, its warmth blanketing every corner. Sylvas decided to step outside to clear his head and take a breather. "Mom, I'm heading out for a bit!" he called out before walking toward the nearby woods.

Following a path through the trees, he came upon an open clearing. In the middle stood a boy, hitting a stick into the ground as though it were a makeshift ball. Sylvas stopped and watched him for a moment. The boy's hair was messy, his clothes a little worn, but his eyes shone with an unmistakable liveliness. To Sylvas, he appeared to be about the same age as himself.

As the boy struck the stick again and spun around dramatically, he noticed Sylvas. He looked up and grinned. "Hey, if you're gonna watch, you gotta pay!" he called out cheerfully.

Sylvas was taken aback for a moment before smiling. "If you've got money, why are you playing with such an old stick?" he replied, his tone light and teasing.

The boy threw the stick to the ground and spread his arms wide. "Because this isn't just a stick. This is the Dragon Executioner!" he said with a serious expression.

Sylvas couldn't help but laugh. "The Dragon Executioner? It doesn't look all that impressive."

The boy grinned and picked up the stick, walking toward Sylvas. "It might not look impressive, but it works for me. Who are you? I've never seen you around here before."

"Sylvas," he said, extending his hand. "I live nearby. And you?"

The boy shook his hand and nodded slightly. "Name's Caelum. My family lives by the river a little further ahead. I come out here sometimes to have some fun."

Sylvas gestured toward the stick. "You think that's fun?"

Caelum shrugged. "Yeah, but only if you've got a Dragon Executioner. But I guess you're not a dragon slayer, are you?"

Raising his eyebrows, Sylvas considered this. "I'm not… but maybe I could learn."

Caelum, eyes lighting up with excitement, held the stick out to him. "Then you should try. The rules are simple: You have to take down the imaginary dragon. But be careful, these dragons can be tricky!"

Sylvas took the stick and thought for a moment. He realized he had never done anything so ridiculous in his life, but he couldn't stop himself from smiling. He swung the stick in the direction Caelum pointed.

Caelum let out a theatrical cry. "No! The dragon swung its tail! Quick, counterattack!"

As Sylvas made a few more moves, the two burst into laughter, eventually collapsing onto the ground. The sun shone down on them, their joyful voices echoing through the clearing.

Finally catching their breath, Caelum lay on his back, gazing at the sky. "Sylvas, you'd make a good dragon slayer. Maybe one day we'll hunt a real dragon."

While Sylvas considered how absurd the idea was, he couldn't help but smile. "Maybe," he said. "But first, we'll need a better weapon than the Dragon Executioner."

Caelum laughed in response. "Alright, we'll figure that out too!"

As the afternoon passed with their silly but entertaining games, Sylvas realized he hadn't felt this at ease in a long time. Perhaps having a friend like Caelum could bring a little more meaning to his new life.