The Road of Niederwald

The road that led to Niederwald wound through rolling hills, bordered by centuries-old oaks whose branches formed a natural vault above the travelers. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a play of shadows and light that danced upon the beaten earth path.

Isaak walked with steady steps alongside Aldric and Theresia, his tall silhouette moving with that natural grace which never seemed to leave him. He carried a simple bag over his shoulder—a few provisions that Claire had insisted he take—and observed the landscape with that quiet curiosity that characterized each of his discoveries.

The initial silence of the journey was broken by Aldric, who walked with measured steps, hands clasped behind his back.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Tell me, Monsieur d'Averno... did you feel something this morning? While we were speaking of the Graces?"

Isaak slowed slightly, reflecting on the question.

Isaak: "Something... yes. But I couldn't say why."

Theresia walked a little behind, listening attentively to the conversation. She had brought her own bag, smaller, and wore over her usual dress a traveling cloak of discreet brown.

Theresia: "Father, do you truly think Isaak could develop a Grace?"

Aldric stopped for a moment, picking up a fallen branch which he examined thoughtfully before placing it gently at the foot of a tree.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "The question is not whether he could, my daughter. The question is which one would manifest."

He turned toward Isaak with that piercing gaze that seemed able to read beyond appearances.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "You see, Monsieur d'Averno, the Graces are not distributed at random. They are the reflection of the soul of the one who receives them, a divine manifestation of his profound nature."

Isaak frowned slightly.

Isaak: "But how can one manifest something one doesn't know oneself? If I am ignorant of who I truly am..."

Aldric smiled, a smile imbued with wisdom and patience.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Ah, but that is the whole point! The soul knows truths that the conscious mind ignores. Your amnesia does not erase your essence, Monsieur d'Averno. It merely veils it temporarily."

They resumed their walk, and Theresia drew closer to them.

Theresia: "Father, remember when my Grace first manifested. I was fifteen, and I had no idea what was happening to me."

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Indeed. You suddenly began telling people they were lying, even when they weren't conscious of it themselves. Your mother and I first thought you were going through a difficult phase."

Theresia laughed softly.

Theresia: "I caused so many problems... Especially with Father Marcus in the village. I kept telling him he didn't truly believe his own sermons."

Isaak listened to this anecdote with interest.

Isaak: "And how did you learn to control this ability?"

Theresia: "Through meditation, prayer, and above all... through understanding its true nature. My Grace doesn't exist to embarrass people or to give me an advantage. It exists to serve truth."

Aldric nodded approvingly.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Exactly. Each Grace carries within it a responsibility. The more powerful it is, the heavier that responsibility."

He paused, observing a flight of birds crossing the sky above them.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "That is why I wonder about your case, Monsieur d'Averno. Your presence... it emanates something unusual. As if you carried within you an immense potential."

Isaak felt a shiver run down his spine at these words.

Isaak: "An immense potential... what could that mean?"

Aldric Kreuznacht: "In our most ancient texts, mention is made of exceptional Graces. Manifestations so powerful they can alter the very course of events."

Theresia suddenly seemed worried.

Theresia: "Father, you don't think that Isaak could develop a Major Grace?"

Aldric Kreuznacht: "I think nothing, my daughter. I observe. And what I observe intrigues me."

Isaak stopped walking, turning toward his companions.

Isaak: "Forgive my ignorance, but... what is a Major Grace?"

Aldric and Theresia exchanged a glance, as if wondering how far they could go in their explanations.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "The Graces like those of my daughter, Henri, or Claire are what we call Minor Graces. They are precious, useful, but their scope remains limited."

He resumed walking, inviting them to follow.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Major Graces, on the other hand, can affect reality on a much vaster scale. Legend speaks of a man who could heal incurable diseases with a simple touch, of a woman capable of growing entire forests in a few hours..."

Theresia: "Or of the one who could see not fragments of the future, but complete visions of what was to come."

Isaak listened, fascinated despite himself.

Isaak: "And you think I could...?"

Aldric Kreuznacht: "I think nothing, as I told you. But when you were in my office yesterday, I felt something. My own Revelation abilities... resonated in your presence."

He stopped near a small stream that crossed the path, kneeling to drink from his cupped hands.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "It's as if you were surrounded by a potential still dormant. Something awaits awakening within you."

Isaak knelt in turn near the stream, observing his reflection in the clear water. For an instant, he thought he saw something else in his eyes—a depth that hadn't been there the moment before.

Isaak: "And if this potential were... dangerous?"

The question hung in the air like morning mist. Aldric rose slowly, wiping his hands on his robe.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Monsieur d'Averno, allow me to share with you a reflection that has guided my life for many years."

He turned toward him, his gaze filled with peaceful gravity.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Power is neither good nor bad in itself. It is neutral, like water or fire. What determines its nature is the intention of the one who uses it."

Theresia sat on a rock near the stream, listening to her father with the attention she always gave him during these moments of wisdom.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "I have seen men use Minor Graces to sow chaos and suffering. I have also heard of possessors of Major Graces who chose the path of humility and service."

He sat down as well, legs crossed.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "The real question is therefore not whether your potential could be dangerous. The real question is: who are you, in the depths of your heart?"

Isaak contemplated the water flowing peacefully, carrying with it dead leaves and reflections of the sky.

Isaak: "How can one answer such a question when one remembers nothing?"

Theresia spoke up, her voice gentle but assured.

Theresia: "By observing one's present actions, perhaps. Yesterday, when you asked to help me in exchange for clothes. This morning, when you accepted without hesitation to accompany us. These choices reveal something of your nature."

Aldric approved with a nod.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "My daughter is right. Amnesia can erase memories, but it cannot fundamentally change who you are. Your reflexes, your instincts, your spontaneous reactions... all of this comes from deeper than conscious memory."

Isaak closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the sound of water and the song of birds in the trees.

Isaak: "I have the impression that my reactions come from a place I don't recognize. As if someone else were guiding my choices."

Aldric Kreuznacht: "Or as if the deepest part of yourself, the one that amnesia cannot reach, continued to express itself."

They remained silent for a moment, each lost in their own reflections. Finally, Aldric stood and brushed off his robe.

Aldric Kreuznacht: "We should resume our journey. Niederwald awaits us, and with it, perhaps some answers."

As they set off again, Theresia drew closer to Isaak.

Theresia: "Isaak... may I ask you a personal question?"

Isaak: "Of course."

Theresia: "When you pray... well, if you pray... do you feel something?"

Isaak reflected for a moment.

Isaak: "I haven't really prayed yet, to be honest. But sometimes, when I'm calm and looking at the sky or water... I have the impression of being connected to something greater. Is that prayer?"

Theresia smiled.

Theresia: "It's perhaps the purest form of prayer there is."

They continued their way, the sun rising slowly in the sky. In the distance, one could already distinguish the first signs of Niederwald—columns of smoke rising between the trees, and the faint but distinct sound of human voices carried by the wind.

Isaak felt a strange anticipation growing within him. Something awaited him in this village, something that might well change the course of his new existence.

Who am I really? he asked himself once more. And above all... who am I destined to become?

The path stretched before them, winding toward the unknown like a promise and a threat combined.