Valiants were more than just artefacts, more than shape-shifting magic weapons. They were born from Primordial Crystals, gems only found in particular places in Elthea, which were not available for most eltheans. This was because these minerals were capricious, so magical that they chose only those who could really wielder them.

"Valiant are among those most prized weapons, as are their users," Aer explained after breakfast.

"They're volatile; they change their appearance according to what their possessor needs, making them as difficult to master as the most advanced magic," Ead said.

Not to mention that they were not anywhere. Because of how complicated it could be to get one and use it, many would not even contemplate the possibility of getting one, as they influenced too many aspects to invest time and effort into something like that. His particular case was, once again, a riddle that they did not understand.

Ailfryd had scanned him with his magic several times, noticing a mysterious connection that went beyond his companions. It was one of the few times where they were both alone, without frionach or witches or other elthean nearby, each focusing on other tasks. After the heated discussion, he left them one day to investigate what they could.

"There is a Primordial Crystal that is claiming you, protecting you in the distance," Ailfryd said.

"Although you can't figure out its origin, right?" Finnian said.

The only option they would have at their disposal was to reactivate it, and it was not something he would even control like their other capabilities. As far as Ailfryd was narrating him, there was a cave in Issey where they could find the gems; although it was not the only place, it was too far from his path to deviate from such a place.

"Besides, it would be quite dangerous for you to go now."

Anyone could figure out their fate and ambush them, and in the northern lands, the climate was very harsh for those coming from the south. He had obtained a more detailed Mithra map, adequate to moving without feeling lost at every step they gave.

"Issey is not the place I should go now," Finnian whispered, sure of his words.

His vision, the same one he had in the lake, led his head toward the Silver Orchid. He ignored whether he showed him details of the past, the conflict his predecessors had to face, or something new would happen in that dorean. Regardless of which case it was, his instinct told him that the mountains of the north did not claim him, but the lands of the east did.

"You may not be able to perceive that connection now, but the closer you are to your valiant, it will change," Ailfryd promised. "Also, the crystal that is calling you must be in someone's possession.

The Gathering was a custom made by the valiant wielders. It was a test in which an elthean demonstrated whether or not it was worthy of acquiring a primordial crystal and that he was passed from generation to generation for those who had some potential. Ailfryd's three gems, one on his forehead and one on each of his two tails, were part of a complete one he acquired at the time.

"The former Guardian transmitted to me what was necessary to try to get my crystal when I was still his apprentice," Ailfryd said.

That's why he knew Finnian didn't have to go to any of these places to get tested. With their current missions, wanting to go through something like that, but some elthean must have achieved more than one and would know that its possession was only temporary until someone claimed it.

"The Silver Orchid's Guardian, Leander, should be able to help you with this."

Although time would be what would give you the answers. Three times they felt that his valiant was activated without him pretending, although there was one where he obeyed him, even when Finnian didn't know he was using it.

"The bow of the other night, which Aer used to send the arrow through the stars," Ailfryd said. "At first, I wasn't sure, but your magic managed to call it, even if it was a part of it."

"Couldn't Lelile help us with something like that?" Finnian said, twirling a smile.

"I think you can't solve everything by a spell. Let life flow without trying to force it with every step we take," Ailfryd said.

"Don't you trust her because of her past?"

"Not at all," Ailfryd replied, denying with his head. "Good and evil are too extreme terms. No world would be sustainable without the existence of both."

No one was perfect; neither was he free of bad behaviour, nor were they perfect. They all made mistakes, no matter how old they were, but what they learned from them defined them. Ailfryd's fear of the witch was not due to her teachings but what she could seek with them.

"I don't deny that I want to help you, but many will want to take advantage of you," Ailfryd said. "Rumors have spread since you released the Ellery Forest. A Signer with three partners?"

"They may try to use me."

"I'm afraid of that," Ailfryd admitted.

Far from being a question, it was a statement. The Guardian's words were of concern, and perhaps he wanted fo afraid him. However, there was a precise purpose. Everyone wants to get a bit of power or influence. Some will try to take it with their claws, while others will use different means.

"And what about you?" Finnian said, raising an eyebrow.

"What does your instinct tell you?"

His role as Guardian made him focus on his territory, on the people in charge of him, but what happened abroad was not indifferent to him, unlike Lelile thought. His role was unconventional from that of other leaders, and although his job was to protect that dorean from any danger, he would not look elsewhere if he had the opportunity to improve the future.

"But you are the one who must make the decisions," Ailfryd said. "Trust your friends. They are for a reason. Just as you strengthen them, they also help you."

It was not a one-sided relationship. If he reminded him how they were strengthened as a group in the past, other methods would help them improve. After all, Aer, Rune, and Leith knew more about Elthea than he did, and that was the tip of the iceberg.

"That's why you didn't want anyone to know where I was," Finnian said. "That we could hide us, to go unnoticed."

"You're as powerful as the sun and as bright as the moon," Ailfryd said, containing the breath. "That draws anyone's attention. From those who just seek a challenge or from others who want to see you lose. "

Because he could be Elthea's Saviour, a Signer chosen by a tradition that went back to its beginnings. Although everyone understood the value and strength, many got rid of those beliefs and took away significance. After all, he was not a god, nor would he be venerated as such, as there were opinions as varied as colours.

After that, Finnian asked him to teach him how to scan, just as he had done with him. While it was a skill that his companions possessed, each in a different way, he needed to apply it in another way. Since the darkness puddle happened, something did not abandon his thoughts, focusing on those affected by the chaos, like in Ellery.

"Why that interest?" the Guardian wanted to know.

"I don't quite understand how anyone can... do something like that," Finnian admitted.

Subdue others, turn them into puppets that do not even have control over their acts or thoughts. Contrary to what he initially thought, that the cause was too much power, the elthean fairy revealed a different idea.

"It's not about how powerful one is, but what is done with those abilities," Ailfryd said. "Would you like to see Aer, Rune, and Leith turned into pawns?"

"Not at all," Finnian said, feeling his heart was oppressed with such an idea. "But I think that acts of this kind leave a mark that needs to be healed."

The magic of Lelile when he crowned himself as Queen of the Forest affected both the place and its inhabitants. And even though the trolls did not denote malice, they were so wary of that subjection that they could not leave without doing anything. Perhaps he was not responsible, but there should be an alternative if those events were repeated throughout Elthea.

Ailfryd kept his gaze, staying in the air with hardly any movement. Sometimes he didn't know if he was explained accurately or his words were as confusing as his thoughts.

"I'll show you what you ask, but please be very careful," Ailfryd said. "You can't save everyone, and there are some that won't allow being rescued. Do not become involved in your cause in helping the one who crosses your way with you. Promised?"

"Promised," Finnian said.

However, the elthean grabbed him from his hands, transmitting a warmth that went beyond his temperature. He was not reading his mind but touching his essence with a bit of magic. It could be compared to sending a note to another person, asking him how he was, but words were not used instead. The spell collected information without being intrusive, but something like that could expose him to future attacks, especially if he tried to connect with someone too stubborn to achieve such an act.

After leaving the house, allowing him to walk without the obligation of extra training, he went straight in search of the same elthean who arrived there a few days ago. Finding them near the alasdair, the trolls saw him reach from far, already accustomed to their presence.

"I'd like to try one thing, but only if you trust me," Finnian said, surrounded by Embar, Kuel and Onyx.

In general, he explained that he only wanted to understand what they had lived in Ellery while under the domain of evil Lelile. None understood why his interest in something like that, but they agreed to let him use his magic. Perhaps it is because of their words, their sincerity, or he will not treat them as monsters but as equal to the rest.

"Are you ready?" Finnian said, smiling.

And, after counting up to three, he let his magic flow. The trio's connection with the earth was undeniable, as their senses captured more information than they could at any other time. The humidity of a cave, the smell of a forest, or the sound of water expand inside. Then, a crack was left to be seen inside them, although it was not a physical wound but an emotional one caused by the abuse of magic.

He didn't know if there were spells that could cure something like this or a magic formula that would fix everything, but that emptiness, even if it was minimal, would not disappear from one day to the next.

"It is not pain that we feel, but the helplessness that we could not control our own lives," Embar said.

"Everything will get better," said Finnian.

"Why are you so sure?" Kuel said.

"Have you had a vision of us?" Onyx said, pointing his finger to them.

"Not at all," he admitted the Signer, releasing a slight laugh.

But they were there, alive, trying. The alasdair helped them when they thought no one else would, and they wouldn't be the only ones who would have done it.

"As a Signer, I don't know if you're naïve or suspicious," Embar began to express, groping her words. "I think it's the latter that we need most now."

Perhaps a warrior, one who put an end to the reign of the destroyers, but someone who did not solve everything through violence. That was what could make the difference.