The air hung heavy with silence as Reve stood still, the mist of the graveyard slowly clearing. Eiran took a cautious step forward, his old eyes scanning the boy's face.
"Are you alright, Reve?" he asked, voice low.
Reve nodded. "Yes... just needed a moment."
But Eiran knew. Something had changed. Something deep.
They walked back through the Forest of Gray Shader in quiet steps, the blade at Reve's side pulsing with a subtle energy. Once they returned to Yaneth Village, the rising sun cast golden streaks through the clouds.
Mina was the first to stir.
"Big bro...?" Her voice was sleepy but filled with concern. "Weren't we... at father's grave? What happened?"
Arel sat up beside her, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah, I remember standing there. Then... nothing."
Reve gently patted their heads. "You both fainted. But we're home now. Everything's okay."
The siblings looked at him with trust, and with that, the conversation ended.
Later that evening, Eiran called Reve to the back garden. There, under the dim lantern light, the old man handed him a stone cup of steaming tea.
"So," Eiran said, "you've changed. That sword… you didn't just find it, did you?"
Reve met his eyes. "It chose me. I don't know why. But... I've made my decision. I want to reach the pinnacle of this world. I want to bring peace. Real peace."
Eiran stared for a long moment, then slowly smiled. "Then you've truly begun your path. We live in the Draekhara Region—but it's only one of the eight. Each has its ruling clan, but only one region truly rules them all. The Supreme Region."
Reve listened intently.
"Within Draekhara are seven major clans. Their names are whispered in every village: Caelora, Duskwind, Veylthorne, Ironshade, Nightrune, Solvain, and Embergrave. Each holds power... but each desires more."
Reve nodded. "And this sword…?"
Eiran leaned closer. "You're lucky, boy. Aura Swords are rare. Most never even see one, let alone touch it. They choose their bearer. Not the other way around."
Reve looked down at the blade resting against the wall. It felt like it was watching him too.
"You know of aura, but you've only scratched the surface," Eiran said. "There are eleven known aura levels. And beyond aura... are Aura Arts—techniques shaped by the soul, passed through bloodlines or forged alone by rare geniuses."
Reve's eyes gleamed. "I want to learn. Everything."
Eiran stood. "Then we begin. Level 1: Base. And from there... upward."
The training would start at
dawn.
The Path of Aetherion had truly begun.