"Close your eyes, Raven, and take a deep breath," Omega said calmly, it's voice steady like a guiding light through a fog. Raven obeyed, inhaling deeply and feeling the cool air fill his lungs. He held it for a moment, then exhaled slowly, letting go of his doubts and distractions.
"Now, imagine a warm light within you, deep in your core," Omega continued. "This light represents your Aethon, your very essence. As you breathe, visualize it growing brighter. With each inhalation, draw energy from your surroundings and funnel it into this light."
Raven concentrated, picturing a flickering flame inside him. Initially, it remained small, barely a flicker. "Is it supposed to feel this faint?" he wondered aloud, doubt creeping back in.
"Patience," Omega reassured him. "The Aethon is like a seed; it must be nurtured. Do not force it. Simply allow it to expand naturally. Let your breath be the nurturing wind, and your focus the warm sun."
Raven took another deep breath, allowing the air to fill his mind with clarity. He tried to push away any thoughts of failure, remnants of his past insecurities. Slowly, he felt a change. With each inhale, the warm light began to pulse, gently resonating with his heartbeat. A sense of calm washed over him, confidence mingling with the warm glow.
"Good. Now, try to reach out," Omega guided, his tone shifting subtly, infused with encouragement. "Extend your awareness beyond your physical confines. Imagine your Aethon as tendrils, reaching out into the world. Sense the energy around you."
Raven envisioned those tendrils branching out, searching for connections. He felt the pulse of life around him—the rhythm of the wind swirling through the trees, the soft hum of the earth beneath him, and the infectious energy of the stars above. It was exhilarating.
"Excellent. Now focus on one particular aspect of your surroundings. It could be the warmth of the sun or the sound of the wind," Omega instructed. "Identify it and pull on that energy. Transform it and infuse it into your Aethon."
Raven zeroed in on the chirping song of a nearby bird. He felt its vibrant energy, radiating freedom and joy, and he began to pull it toward himself. A thrill shot through him as he felt the energy entwining with his own.
"Now, let it flow into your core—the light within you," Omega urged. "Feel the connection deepening."
Raven inhaled sharply as the energy surged inside him. The flickering flame in his core burst into a warm glow, illuminating the darkness that had engulfed him for so long. He felt more alive, more present, on the brink of awakening something profound.
"Good, Raven! Now, try to shape it," Omega said. "Use your will to transform that energy. Imagine it cascading through your body, directing it to your hands. Visualize it manifesting as a tangible form."
With gritted teeth, Raven knelt and extended his hands, visualizing the energy flowing into them. He imagined it coalescing into a shimmering ball of light. Almost instinctively, he clenched his fists, and to his shock, he felt a surge of heat pooling between his palms. He opened his eyes, seeing a soft, glowing orb forming—a halo of Aethon emerging as a testament to his newfound awareness.
His breath caught in his throat. "I did it!"
"Yes," Omega confirmed, pride lacing his voice. "But remember, true mastery comes with practice. Energy can be fickle. It requires focus, intention, and balance. Keep honing your skills; experiment with this newfound control."
Raven smiled, exhilarated and determined. His journey was only just beginning. There was so much to learn, and he felt a sense of purpose surge within him. Each moment spent mastering the Aethon brought him closer to realizing who he truly was.
~~~~
A week went by and Raven continued his Aethon Cultivation training in secret order to strengthen it. His mother came by dailey to check on him and he hid the fact that he could use Aethon now from her, not to fool her, but rather he thought it wasn't time to tell her as of yet. "Did you hear?.....you're fathers coming back today." She said with her voice lowerd.
"I don't have a father." Raven said in anger Instantly.
"You can't say that, Raven. " his mother continued. "He may not show it, but he really does care for you. So, please don't doubt it." Ahe said before coughing up a small amount of blood.Raven's expression softened slightly as he saw his mother's coughing fit. He quickly moved to support her, concern etched on his face.
"Mother, are you okay?" Raven asked, helping her sit down.
Elara nodded, wiping the blood from her lips with a handkerchief. "I'm fine, Raven. Just a bit...under the weather."
Raven's eyes narrowed, his concern deepening. "You need to rest more, Mother. You're always pushing yourself too hard."
Elara smiled weakly. "I have to, Raven. With your father's return, there's much to be done. But I want you to be prepared for when he arrives. He can be...distant, at times."
Raven's expression turned guarded, his emotions complex. "I'll be fine, Mother. Don't worry about me."
As his mother continued to prepare him for his father's return, Raven couldn't help but wonder what his father's arrival would bring. Would he finally acknowledge him as his son, or would he continue to ignore him?
Raven's thoughts were interrupted by his mother's gentle touch on his arm. "Raven, promise me you'll try to understand your father. He's under a lot of pressure, and sometimes that makes him...prickly."
Raven hesitated, then nodded. "I'll try, Mother."
Elara's eyes seemed to bore into Raven's soul, as if searching for something. "I know it's hard, Raven, but your father...he has his reasons for the way he is. He's not a bad man, deep down."
Raven nodded again, though he wasn't entirely convinced. He'd grown up without his father's love or attention, and it was hard to reconcile the man his mother described with the one he'd never really known.
As they sat there, Raven could feel the weight of his father's impending arrival bearing down on him. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he was determined to face whatever came his way with courage and dignity.
Just then, a commotion outside the room caught their attention. "My lady, the Arch-Duke has arrived," a servant announced, bowing low.
Elara's expression turned serious, and she stood up, smoothing her dress. "Very well. I'll go greet him. Raven, you should come with me."
Raven hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face his father, but he knew he couldn't avoid it forever. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and followed his mother out of the room, his heart pounding in his chest.