Realm of Ethervale

Lyssira raised her hand slowly. A shimmering light swirled around her fingertips like dancing fireflies wrapped in mist. The air trembled gently, and before Caelum could even speak, the world around them melted.

In an instant, they stood in an ethereal plane a boundless, glowing realm. There was no ground, no sky. Only a vast emptiness filled with soft, pulsing energy. Threads of glowing spirit light drifted through the air like rivers in space, bathing them in serenity.

Caelum blinked. "Where are we?"

"A realm of Ethervale also known as spirit realm," Lyssira answered, her voice echoing like a gentle bell. "Here, you can feel without distractions. Now listen carefully, Caelum."

She stepped closer, her silver hair flowing like silk, her eyes glowing with spiritual depth.

"Once more, her hand lifted a swirl of light responding to her will."

The air hummed with power. "Feel this energy, Caelum. It's one of the forces shaping our world alive and pulsing around us."

"This world is shaped by five forces. You must understand them."

---

First – Spiritual Energy

"The essence of spirits and the blessing granted to elves at birth. We do not choose it it chooses us. It flows with empathy, healing, and life."

She spread her arms. The air around her shimmered in response, calm and warm.

---

Second – Celesters Knights

"Chosen by the Archangels through the Rite of Celestara like your grandfather, Caelum. He was the heir of Archangel Urien, and he wielded divine light, sacred flame, and the wisdom of the ages."

A faint vision appeared beside her an image of a proud knight with a glowing sword bathed in radiant fire.

---

Third – Magic

"The magic core that every one of us possesses"

"Mages manipulate particles magic molecules born from ancient Dysill trees that surround us."

Only four exist across Aetherion. One stands in Elyndor, your homeland."

Caelum's eyes widened. "So that's why our kingdom is so gifted with mages..."

Lyssira nodded.

---

Fourth – Dark Energy

"Humans who form pacts with the Sins—greed, wrath, envy. They are gifted terrible powers... and are often lost to them."

The light dimmed briefly, shadows coiling in the distance.

---

Fifth – Dual Core: Light and Dark

Lyssira's voice softened, but her tone became serious.

"Then there's you, Caelum. A Weilder of both Light and Dark. Given by Michaelos and the Ophanim spawn."

She turned to face him fully.

"You carry a core that defies this world's order. It can bring salvation... or complete ruin. That is why you must never let the Empire discover what you hold. Not until you're strong enough to control it."

Caelum lowered his gaze, his fists trembling. "Why me...?"

Lyssira placed her hand gently over his heart.

"Because fate chooses not the strongest, but the one who dares to carry the burden."

Lyssira placed both hands gently on her chest, her expression serene, like a priestess preparing for a sacred ritual.

"Caelum," she called softly. Her voice, calm as the wind through ancient trees, wrapped around him like a lullaby. "Wait… listen to me."

She paused. Her tone was different now soothing, yet commanding.

"Close your eyes," she whispered.

"Don't think. Just breathe. Let go of everything. Listen to my voice… and follow what I say."

Caelum obeyed. The noise of the world faded. In that stillness, her voice was the only thing guiding him.

"Feel your core," she said gently.

"The magic core that lies deep within your center. Now feel the other two the ones that make you unique. One of Light… and one of Dark. They rest on either side of your chest, like twin forces guarding your heart."

A soft hum echoed through the dimension as Lyssira's hands glowed faintly. Spiritual energy wrapped around Caelum like a cocoon of calm.

"Let the currents flow… don't resist."

Inside his mind's eye, Caelum began to see it.

A warm, golden light glowing from his left side… peaceful, steady, calm.

A swirling dark flame on his right… cold, fierce, wild.

And in the center, a steady blue energy pulsing like a heartbeat his magic core.

"I… I see them," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

"They're... flowing, like rivers. All three. But they're pulling in different directions."

Lyssira's voice remained soft. "Good. Now listen carefully this is only the beginning. Your training starts with understanding the harmony between the three. Balance them… and you will awaken your true power."

"People have two cores," Lyssira continued, her voice echoing in the vast spiritual plane.

"But you… you have three, Caelum. Light. Dark. And Magic."

She stepped back slightly, watching him intently.

"This won't be easy."

Caelum's eyes stayed closed. His breath grew heavier as he tried to focus.

"Let the cores merge into your presence," Lyssira instructed. "Let them sink together, naturally like rivers flowing into the same sea. But be careful… don't let one overpower the others."

At first, he felt the warmth of the light core, gentle and reassuring.

Then the icy burn of the dark core surged in more aggressive, more demanding.

Finally, the magic core pulsed steadily in the center, trying to balance them both.

But something cracked.

The dark core surged violently. His body tensed. The golden aura of light dimmed, flickering like a candle in the wind.

"I… I can't hold it " Caelum clenched his teeth.

The spiritual world trembled around him. The peaceful aura began to warp, streaks of chaos rippling through the realm.

Lyssira's eyes widened. "Caelum, stop.. ..don't force it!"

But it was too late.

A violent wave of dark energy erupted, sending him flying backward through the empty space. He crashed onto the unseen ground, panting, sweat dripping down his brow.

Silence. Then… a hand reached out.

Lyssira helped him up, her expression gentle but firm.

"You let your dark core take the lead," she said softly. "That imbalance will consume you if you're not careful."

Caelum looked down, fists clenched. "I thought… I could handle it."

Lyssira shook her head, placing a calming hand on his shoulder.

"You will. But not by force. These powers are not tools they are you. They must trust each other… as you must trust yourself."

Caelum nodded slowly. The first step had been rough.

Even as Caelum struggled to his feet, shaken from the overwhelming surge of energy, Lyssira's voice remained steady calm, yet filled with quiet power.

"Even if you get knocked down a thousand times…"

"Remember, Caelum a true Celester always rises. No matter how many times they fall, they get back up… and do what must be done."

Caelum looked up at her, breathing heavily, but something in his eyes had shifted resolve beginning to form.

Lyssira smiled gently, her silver hair flowing as the spiritual wind stirred.

"And don't worry about time.

Here, in this spirit realm, it flows differently. One year here… is equal to a one day outside."

She turned slowly, the soft hum of her aura fading as she walked toward the edge of the dimension.

"Train well. Grow stronger."

Her voice echoed one last time.

"I'll be watching you."

And with that, she vanished leaving Caelum alone in the vast realm of spirit and light, with only his powers… and his determination.

"As he started his training alone in the spirit realm"

Caelum gritted his teeth as he collapsed to the ground again, his breath ragged, body trembling from the backlash of the cores rejecting balance. But still… he stood.

Again and again he failed.

And again and again he rose.

His teacher's words echoed in his heart.

"Let them flow like rivers… that meet in the same sea."

Caelum stared at his hands, energy flickering wildly between light, dark, and magic.

"What did she mean?" he muttered.

Rivers... different, chaotic, yet… they all end up in the same place.

"The sea…"

His eyes widened, realization striking like lightning.

"The rivers don't fight each other. No matter how different they are, they flow. They merge. They become one."

He closed his eyes, this time not forcing the energy. Not commanding it.

But guiding it. Like a stream… like the wind… gentle, patient.

Light… dark… magic.

Not three forces pulling apart

But one soul, one current.

In that moment Caelum understood.

The cores pulsed in harmony, no longer in conflict, flowing into each other like rivers into the vast sea of his spirit.

He opened his eyes, and for the first time

All three cores shimmered as one.

Caelum collapsed onto the soft, glowing ground of the spiritual realm, sweat rolling down his brow, chest rising and falling slowly. The three cores light, dark, and magic had finally become one.

Even if it lasted only for a short while… it was enough.

He smiled.

It had taken everything in him. The endless trials, the failures, the pain but this moment… it was worth it.

He didn't care if it faded. He was just happy.

Happy that he had done it.

The first day had been brutal.

The second day… he discovered something strange.

The air here wasn't just air. It held energy pure spiritual energy.

It fed him, sustained him, as if the realm itself watched over his journey.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into years.

In the realm where time flowed differently three long years passed.

He trained, slept under the shimmer of ever-shifting stars, and ate the food born from light and breath of the spirit realm itself.

He never gave up.

And finally finally the three cores no longer existed as separate forces.

They had become one.

Whole. Balanced.

His own.

A familiar voice echoed behind him warm and proud.

"Well done, Caelum. You did it… even earlier than I expected."

Lyssira stepped forward with a calm smile, her silvery hair flowing like moonlight.

"You've grown, Caelum."

He turned and gave a small nod, his eyes filled with quiet confidence.

"It's been three years, after all… teacher."

Lyssira placed a hand over her heart, the aura around her glowing softly.

"You understood the true meaning that controlling the flow… means letting them become one. Balance, not dominance."

Caelum smiled.

"It's all thanks to you."

But Lyssira gently shook her head.

"No, I didn't do anything. I simply told you the path. You walked it.

You did this on your own, Caelum. You truly have a strong will."

"Now, you can move on to the next pillar," Lyssira said softly, her voice like the wind through crystal leaves.

"I've taught you all I could… the path to controlling your core."

But Caelum shook his head.

"No, teacher… you didn't just teach me to control my core.

You taught me patience… self-control… how to trust in myself. I'm truly grateful."

Lyssira said nothing for a moment. She simply offered a small, gentle smile the kind that carried pride, warmth, and quiet farewell.

They stood together in silence… until it was time.

She turned away.

"Now go, Caelum. Your next Guardian Pillar awaits you."

"Thank you… again, teacher."

Caelum gave one last bow as she walked into the shimmering light of the realm, her figure slowly fading.

He stood there for a moment, letting the silence settle.

Then, a soft breeze passed through him gentle, refreshing, full of life.

The sun of the spiritual realm rose on the horizon, casting golden hues over the endless sky.

"Ahh… I feel alive again. So refreshing."

He stretched his arms, taking in a deep breath.

But then he paused.

Looking at his hands… his height…

"Wait… I'm back to being a kid again?"

A soft laugh escaped his lips.

"Guess since only three days have passed outside… my body returned to its former state."

He took a step out of the realm lighter, stronger, and more determined than ever.

"Next pillar… here I come."