4 | Etherea

“So, what exactly is etherea? I mean, I know it’s something that’s in the Everwood’s air and not in Throne’s but beyond that?” Nito began the interrogation as he sat down on lush fur cushioning.

“Breath of the gods perhaps, or a force of life. I’ve never met one who knows for certain. It simply exists, though it’s concentration can vary. Even in the Everwood etherea isn’t equally spread everywhere. Once you enter the stream you’ll have a better sense of it. Are we done?” Volan answered.

“But why can’t I already feel it? What do you mean by the stream?”

“Well, you’ve got to open your ethereal gate before you can do that. Most folk here do that by sixteen.” He said, placing a finger on his solar plexus.

“I opened mine nearly ten star-cycles ago. How come yours isn’t open? Have you not even had your gate dream yet? That would be pretty unusual,” Rivana piped up.

“Dream? I just had a weird one yesterday night! There were these two giant doors and the light-”

“Stop! You shouldn’t tell others the details, it can be extremely advantageous to knowledgeable foes. You must have arrived from Throne not long ago, that would explain your situation,” Volan interjected.

“Yes, I was first brought here about five days ago.”

“You’re from Throne! I’ve always wanted to visit since we’re so close by. What’s it like?” Rivana said intrigued.

“It’s not all that great, constant war between Hyburn and Valfort, struggles for resources, people claiming they know the only true way to the Immortal Palace left and right. Glad I escaped that cesspool if nothing else. But how do I open my gate?”

“It just takes a bit of conscious effort and connection to the world to open, once your gate is fully developed. And when it’s open, you’ll be able to absorb etherea into your bloodstream.”

“Wait, but Devrik said you could convert it into ethereal energy. He even made some crazy floating ball of light come out of his hand. I want to do that, not have it swim in my blood.”

“You must first absorb and activate it before igniting etherea into its energy state. From there, casting ethereal energy with the properties of light is a simple matter. That is how nearly everything in this town runs,” Volan held up his finger. On its tip, an orange light danced to life as he continued, “The burning braziers by the entrance, the heat for cooking, the light in our lamps, all of these are powered by ethereal energy cast to emulate fire without its destructive properties.”

Nito watched the flame flicker wide-eyed, “But you could make it burn if you wanted to, right?”

“Of course. Ethereal energy is only a prisoner to the user's mind and gate stage. Within the attributes of casting, condensing, and conjuring, anything can be done with ethereal energy except for creating real substances. You can condense it to be hard as rock, but it will never become a real stone.”

The flame died out and Nito was left in a state of bewilderment. To think that such a fantastical power existed and he could use it was beyond any dream he had. If he went back to Throne with such an ability he could live any life he chose.

Sensing Nito’s growing desire, Volan spoke, “However, don’t be foolish. Etherea is not ours but a force of its own, reach too far and your arm will be severed. May the Allfathers enlighten you with moderation and the Many Mothers show you the consequences of your products.”

“May the Parents bless you,” Rivana echoed her father’s sentiment.

“Well, that will be all you get from me,” Volan said, getting up from his chair. “Now off with you.”

“Oh father, please let him stay for the noon meal. I really want to hear about his life in Throne. Surely you won’t turn away a well-meaning visitor.”

“I wouldn't call him a well-meaning visitor, but if I turned him out I would get too much shit from your mother.” He turned to Nito, “I’m obligated to offer you a seat at our table, but you should leave,” then he left the room to go prepare the meal.

With Volan gone, Nito turned to Rivana and lowered his head, “Thank you, I will take your offer since I’ve got nowhere else to go.”

“Great! It’s always fun to have visitors, we haven’t had one in several moon-cycles you know. We can talk about your home over the meal, but what do you plan to do next?”

“I figure I’ll try to open this ethereal gate and get the hang of that first. Then, I’m going to find my way to Mistvall wherever that is.”

“Wow, Mistvall is almost 80 leagues away. If you open your gate first, it should only take you three to four days on foot to get there though. I read that a giant flower grows at the city’s center, it would be amazing to see it in person someday...”

“Wait, how the hells am I supposed to travel 80 leagues on foot in only 4 days?”

After a bit more small talk, the meal was brought out by Volan. Grilled parnash, balls of mig rice wrapped in grovin leaves, and seasoned torga feet were all laid on the center table. After the table was set, the whole family gathered and sat down. Rivana generated an orange flame of ethereal energy in her hand and placed it in the concave table center bringing warmth to the air.

“Come now, let us bring a blessing.” Everyone placed their hands on the table and Volan recited, “Great Parents, in all your ability and knowledge, if we may ask for your guidance and blessings. Thank you Many Mothers for aiding us with good business and the making of the food. Thank you Allfathers for aiding us in the comprehension of these skills. And… Bless our visitor likewise.”

“Let’s eat! Let’s eat!” Mina said excitedly as the blessing ended.

Before she grabbed any food the mother quipped, “Fantastic, Rivana brought a man home! He looks strong but not too wise, how will he teach the children? Haha! I’m only teasing young man, it’s good to have a visitor. Putting up with just these three all the time is quite troublesome.”

“Mother!” Rivana cried helplessly. But Nito paid no heed to the comment and quietly went about piling his plate.

“So, I heard you’re from Throne. Tell us, how does your lot live over there? Having rarely left Garden’s Gate, I’m quite fascinated in the rest of the world,” the mother asked and Rivana quieted, being just as eager to know.

“Truthfully, I’m not too sure what normal life in the kingdom is. I was taken in by a mercenary band at the age of seven after my family was killed. I’ve lived wherever Burning Lance set up camp since then. I never got to know many people outside the band, but I assume they got along just like anyone else.”

“Oh… I see. What brought you all the way here then?” Said the mother.

“Just chance really. I can’t go back to Burning Lance, and it would be difficult to get back to Throne anyways. Since I’m stuck in these woods and have no better idea, I figured I’ll become an explorer.”

“It’s tempting, being an explorer. So many new sights and treasures. You’re certain to find things you couldn’t imagine. But, you’re sure to find more suffering. One day you’ll want to settle down with a family, and you’ll have to do it in some foreign city because traveling will be far too dangerous,” Volan grumbled between sips of his drink.

“But you said you don’t regret being an explorer,” Rivana countered. “Besides, maybe the discoveries are worth the struggles to some people.”

“Ah, mister Volan there was something I meant to ask you earlier. Would you be so kind as to help me open my ethereal gate?” Nito questioned with forced politeness.

“Is it that you only retain the information that benefits you!? I said all you get are answers!”

“Well, you said no training, and this won’t be training sir. I only need assistance in opening my gate, once that’s done I’ll leave and never bother you again.”

“Nito, don’t waste your breath asking father. I’ll be happy to lend you a hand,” Rivana offered.

Volan instantly cut in, “You’ll do no such thing!”

“Volan dear, you should just help him. It would only take two days at most. Besides, having an open gate is a basic need for everyone in the Everwood. You’d be killing the boy if you let him leave town without it open,” the mother added.

Being flanked on both sides, rage welled up inside Volan, “Dammit! I’ll help you open your gate! But, as soon as it's open, you leave, not a breath later.”

“Thank you for your cooperation,” Nito said, bowing his head.

◈◈◈

“Alright, you can put your belongings in the storage room down the hall, you can stay there till we’re done. Once you put your stuff down, come outside through this back door,” Volan said, pointing to the door at the back wall of the main room.

As he was instructed, Nito set his spear and leather bag down in the dusty storage room along with the sacks of preserved food and other long-forgotten items. He returned to the main room and a jittery sensation began bubbling in his stomach. He stepped through the back door prepared to begin the gate opening process, whatever that was. Making his way down a small set of stairs, Nito entered a lowered yard. It was a lush grassy area brimming with various herbs and fruit-bearing plants, likely the source of today's meal. Snipods flitted through the jubon bushes and five torgas squawked from a cage in the corner.

“Come sit on the ground. Let’s get done with this as quickly as possible,” Volan commanded, pointing in front of him. He stood in the center of the yard with a broom in hand and a ceramic pot by his foot.

Nito sat down and crossed his legs, “Now what?”

“Close your eyes,” Volan said as he started to circle Nito. “Sit up straight!” Following the yell, the broomstick fell onto Nito’s lower back with a crack.

“What the-” before he could finish his curse, Nito felt another whack on his shoulder.

“Stay focused, you wanted my help so I’m giving it to you! Shut your eyes and breathe. Clear your head, feel the grass under you and the wind around you. Find the center of your being and connect it to the world, that’s all you have to do.”

Nito picked up a rhythm of deep inhaling and exhaling. He focused on the place below the ribs Volan had indicated to be the ethereal gate earlier, trying to find something to connect with. One breath past, then two breaths, then ten, his mind was still black, nothing found. The squawk of birds and the buzz of insects reverberated in his ears, disturbing his peace.

“I can see you fidgeting. Don’t think, just feel. Ignore all distractions. Etherea is a stream flowing all around you, feel it and step in.”

He continued his breathing cycle while reaching his mind out into the surroundings. Then he felt something. Something cold and hard pressed heavily on his head.

____

World Note:

A month on Ophon is one moon-cycle which is equal to roughly 45 days

Explorer Log:

Torga

Danger Level - [Elfin] ★

Appearance - a flightless bird; usually 1 nanoleague tall; they have two wings and light blue feathers; they have long yellow legs and a stubby yellow beak; their three-toed feet are clawed; they have a feathery fan-like tail

Behavior - omnivore; they eat seeds, nuts, and berries from the ground as well as insects; while they are flightless they are fast runners; they lay eggs but only about 4 per moon-cycle; when they feel endangered they jump at foes and claw with their feet while flapping their wings for slightly more air time; they are often domesticated for their eggs and meat

Habitat - Jabber Garden