Daiden shuddered and followed the sound to the heavens. The thunder struck once more, in the presence of dark clouds and fierce lightning. It shattered the ground at a distance from the forest and sprinted towards Aelius; Daiden cried in desperation at the sight, but the lightning stopped without effect. The dust settled, some pulling away to Nilheim even. Daiden cleared his eyes and observed the existence of a silhouette. It slowly shaped to a humanoid presence.

As the crackles muted, a short man, with a sturdy body, emerged from the debris – battle-hardened, scarred, and with significant visual strength. His thick fingers brushed against his beard, brown and just as thick. He walked with pride, heavily armoured, and with the mark of an erupting sun. Daiden noticed it then, eyes reflecting years of wisdom, exhaustion as well. He shook with surprise, when the latter knelt in complete subservience to Aelius.

“Your Humble Magellan apologizes for the interruption,” the dwarf said, with a lowered gaze and a low, rough voice. “But the matter requires your urgent attention.”

In that moment, Magellan turned and lowered his head to Daiden as well, “A guest; I must seek your forgiveness also.”

“At ease, General; the boy is merely an Awakened,” said Aelius, with a wave, dismissing the dwarf’s respect of his charge. “I trust you have good reason to bother me at this time.”

Magellan nodded in a hurry and rummaged through a small bag that clung to his waist. He extracted a sealed letter and offered it to Aelius.

“A noble request, how interesting,” murmured Aelius, with a smile. He flicked the seal and read through the contents of the letter. His expression gradually worsened. “Ah, the rats dare bite us when cornered.”

Aelius spat a tired sigh and rubbed his eyes with some discomfort. He made a choice then.

“My apologies, Daiden Lost,” said Aelius, genuinely. “I must take leave, in haste. It wasn’t meant to be like this, not until the handover, at least.”

Aelius turned to Magellan and then asked, “Who’s currently on duty at the smithy in Mutuba Village?”

“Our Young Awakened is fortunate,” said Magellan, with a smile; Daiden noticed it despite the beard, now alert at the mention of his name. “It’s the Lord of Fire, Zane Morgul.”

Aelius raised an eyebrow and laughed. He calmed his heart and addressed Daiden once more, “It’s unfortunate, but you will have to make the journey to Mutuba Village alone.”

Daiden perked at the opportunity for an immediate adventure. He wondered about the mention of a new name, Zane Morgul, and more so his presence as fortunate. But given the situation, Daiden feared taking any more time than was necessary from both Aelius and Magellan.

“It’s a straight path from the Sea of Trees; you should be able to handle the hostilities inside,” said Aelius, carefully. “Treat this as your first step towards understanding a little more about Mioverold. And yes, do mind your manners. The Lord of Fire is a titled blacksmith, a Vulcan.”

Daiden minimized his curiosity, but guessed the importance of Mutuba Village and its titled blacksmith. He remembered the pact that allowed the existence of his old gods, from the Earthen Realm, within Mioverold.

“They appear to have stagnated at a time well before the Industrial Revolution,” assessed Daiden, with interest. “But I shouldn’t judge the matter with haste; it’s almost subjective, their concept of evolution with the fantastical. Vulcan, titled blacksmiths, the Roman God of Fire? I appear to have stumbled onto something here.”

Daiden snapped to reality and nodded excitedly. Aloud he said, “Yes, I promise to be on my best behaviour!”

“Remember to look for the Lord of Fire,” reminded Aelius. “Mutuba Village is home to several experts, but your performance recommends the path of weapon-based combat, you’re a Wielder.”

“Yes, yes!” repeated Daiden, with an almost childlike demeanour.

“It’s almost a little irritating,” whispered Aelius, with a mild smile. “Your enthusiasm, that is.”

Daiden stopped for a moment and cocked his head with an innocent expression. “I’m sorry. Could you say that again, please?”

“Nothing, nothing important anyway,” said Aelius, with a shrug. “But come here, will you?”

Daiden obliged without suspicion. He narrowed the distance, scratching the back of his head with nervous energy, and stopped at an arm’s length from Aelius. It was enough. Without warning, the latter raised a finger and flicked at Daiden’s forehead. It pained him a little, briefly. In that instant, Daiden noticed a flood of energy swell and mix with the aeter in his body. He felt it burn around his fingers, enough to urge release. His eyes noticed it then, with a tremble – the appearance of a parchment, aeter-made and afloat. He gently tugged at the edges, with care, and pulled it closer. He recognized it, the alphabets in use, the script. It amazed him.

[Citizenship and Affiliation: The Godvildian Empire]

Daiden gulped as the words disappeared. His aeter prompted for more information.

[You have earned the gratitude of Takshaka, for its return to Mioverold.]

[You are now entitled to experience the Book of Dancers. You have met the conditions to embrace one of seven chapters.]

Daiden felt his aeter tremble in that moment. His radiant white dulled to collude with a gentle, green source of energy. The chapter pressured his mind towards acceptance, forcing a change without permission. He resisted at first, but the echo of a whisper convinced him otherwise. It was Takshaka. He heard it with clarity, the voice of his weapon.

[You have now learned to breathe like the Jade Serpent.]

[You have learned the first verse of Takshakan Swordsmanship. Your techniques will evolve based on the path of your growth.]

[Your Evaluator congratulates you on your transition to Mioverold. You have been awarded spoils in proportion to your performance]

Daiden felt a warm light embrace his body. It ripped away at his clothing, now a mere remnant from the Earthen Realm. He hugged the light to hide from the nakedness. In time, the warmth responded with clothing and armour suited to Daiden’s form of combat. The transformative magic tugged at his heartstrings; it awakened an odd sense of happiness from within his heart. His mind scoffed however, in assessment of the new items as light and cheap, almost insignificant even. It surprised him almost, his inherent knowledge of the awarded armour; the echoes from Takshaka clarified.

“Is this the advantage of a named weapon?” thought Daiden, in awe of his situation. “I must investigate. This is for me to find out!”

[God Ehedus congratulates you on your transition to Mioverold. You are now an object of tranquil affection.]

Daiden frowned with disappointment as the words moved to erasure once more. He revealed his impatience when confronted with little more than a congratulatory message. His face relaxed almost immediately after, veiled in a familiar embrace. He sulked in an apology, realizing the significance of his early reward from Ehedus. His eyes then shifted to the parchment with renewed expectation.

[Currency: 1,000 Bloodstones]

“With the creation of your Mioveroldian Page, I have completed my role as your Evaluator and Guide; as a soldier and citizen of the Godvildian Empire, you are now expected to maintain decorum and address your betters with their titled honorifics,” said Aelius, suddenly. “Allow me to reintroduce myself…”

Daiden retreated on instinct, faced with an aura of authority from Aelius. He knelt as Magellan did, out of genuine respect.

“I am Aelius Bloodheart, High Lord of the Godvildian Empire, Pillar to the mighty Kingdom of Suntaria, and Master to the Ikshvaku,” said Aelius, proudly. He pointed his finger at Daiden and added, “You will do well to remember this!”

Daiden swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded, in quiet agreement.

“Good,” said Aelius, favourably. “I wish you the best of luck on your journey to Mutuba Village. And yes, let me repeat this again – a straight path, ensure a straight path.”