Faera smiled weakly, the faint curve of his lips betraying both exhaustion and quiet admiration.
"As usual, despite the simplicity of your spells, your use is creative, Ed."
His voice was soft, edged with respect and a hint of warmth that had not been rare between them lately.
Edmund returned a slight smile, memories stirring beneath his calm exterior.
He recalled how Grievous had once suggested these spells, how the older master's voice had guided him patiently through each incantation and gesture.
'Dad believed in simplicity,' Edmund thought, 'but also in the power of ingenuity.'
A shadow crossed Edmund's heart, a sudden pang of sadness that he quickly pushed aside.
He refused to be weighed down by regret or nostalgia now.
Instead, he shifted his focus, speaking with quiet authority.
"Put on the spiritual water and the magical fruits, and start breaking through the rank."
Faera nodded calmly, his expression steady despite the gravity of the task ahead.
There was a sense of ritual in his movements as he reached for a large glass tank.
The tank gleamed under the dim light, filled with bright, redcolored spiritual water that shimmered with an inner glow.
The liquid seemed alive, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat contained within glass.
Faera's fingers closed around the tank's rim, steady and sure, as if drawing strength from its depths.
Next, he took out the first of the magical fruits, their surface smooth and vibrant.
One by one, he took out thirty-four of them, their scent sweet and earthy, filling the air with a faint aroma of ripeness and power.
He placed the fruits carefully into the spiritual water, watching as they slowly sank, their skins dissolving and blending into the glowing liquid.
The water's brilliance deepened, the red light intensifying as the fruits vanished beneath the surface.
Faera's eyes gleamed with quiet resolve as he shed his clothes, revealing the lean muscles taut beneath his skin.
He climbed the rock with a practiced ease, the cold stone grounding him for what was to come.
Then, with deliberate calm, he descended into the water.
The spiritual water enveloped him like a warm embrace, its energy seeping into every pore.
He closed his eyes, shutting out the world, and began to absorb the abundant spiritual energy.
Inside, a calm stillness spread through him, a quiet pulse syncing with the rhythm of the water.
He could feel the Shen flowing, thick and potent, weaving through his veins and settling deep within his core.
'This is the crucible,' Faera thought. 'Every breakthrough demands surrender.'
The hours stretched on, each moment passing ever so slowly.
Slowly, he sensed the Shen within him swelling, reaching an appropriate threshold.
But he did not stop.
He continued to draw in the spiritual energy, pushing beyond comfort, beyond limits.
The magical fruits in the water disappeared quietly, the last of their power absorbed into his being.
Faera opened his eyes, now sharp and bright with renewed vigor.
He rose from the tub, droplets cascading down his skin, catching the light like liquid rubies.
"I will break through to the third rank," he said, voice steady but charged with determination.
"Protect me, Ed."
Edmund nodded silently, a solemn promise in his gaze.
Faera dressed swiftly, the fabric clinging to his damp skin as he settled on the ground.
He closed his eyes once more, retreating inward as the breakthrough began.
Edmund approached, standing quietly beside him, his presence both watchful and reassuring.
The surroundings were still, the air thick with anticipation.
Faera's body began to tremble subtly, the Shen inside the Basin stirring and swirling like a storm contained.
Slowly, steadily, the energy rose within him, climbing toward the elusive third rank.
Time seemed to dilate, each second heavy with effort and hope.
Edmund's eyes never left Faera, reading the subtle shifts in aura and breath.
After about an hour, a strong aura burst forth from Faera, radiating power and accomplishment.
He opened his mouth, breath steady, and declared, "It is done!"
A wave of relief and triumph washed over them both.
The breakthrough was complete, and with it, a new chapter of power began.
Faera's eyelids fluttered open, the dim light of dawn casting pale shadows across his face. He flexed his fingers slowly, feeling the new, electric strength coursing through his soul and body. The power was tangible, a heavy weight in his veins, yet unlike before, the sensation did not stir joy within him. Instead, an icy silence settled in his heart, a cold determination fixated on one thing: revenge.
He did not yet know who had slaughtered his father and family, the dark void of that mystery gnawed at him relentlessly. But deep inside, beneath layers of grief and pain, Faera was certain. The truth would come to him, crystal clear and unyielding.
Whoever had done this would not slip away. No matter what it took, no matter how long the road, Faera vowed they would pay.
He opened his mouth and spoke, his voice steady but edged with quiet fire. "Empty the rock, Ed."
Edmund's eyes sparked with a flicker of excitement, a brief flare of anticipation lighting his face. Yet just as quickly, that light was swallowed by shadow. The memory of his own father surged forth, his mentor, his protector, the one who had guided him through countless trials as a fledgling kid. The desire for revenge mirrored Faera's, a burning ache that tightened his jaw and darkened his gaze.
"Okay," Edmund said softly, his voice almost a whisper.
---
Together, they turned toward the stone vessel that held the spiritual water. Edmund knelt beside it, examining the rock's surface closely before finding the place to work.
Methodically, he created a small hole near the bottom, careful not to crack the vessel. Water began to filter out slowly at first, then in a steady stream, pooling on the rough earth beneath.
Faera watched silently, his thoughts swirling like a storm beneath calm waters. The rock emptied steadily, minutes stretching into a quiet ritual of patience and resolve. When the last drop fell, Edmund sealed the hole with practiced precision. The stone vessel was empty now.
Faera reached into a space ring and took out forty-four magic fruits, their skins glowing faintly with an inner light. He dipped them carefully into the spiritual water, watching as the fruits shimmered and pulsed, infusing the liquid with potent energy.
Then, he gestured toward Edmund. "Take off your clothes and get into the water."
Edmund complied without hesitation, the cool liquid embracing his bare skin. His calm demeanor masked the tempest inside him.
The water shimmered around him, alive with the essence of the magic fruits and spiritual energy.
Time seemed to stretch and blur. Minutes passed like hours as Edmund sat silently, absorbing the Shen.
Faera remained close, standing guard and watching the subtle shifts in Edmund's aura. The air was thick with quiet intensity, the only sound the steady drip of residual water from the vessel. Edmund's breathing slowed, his body relaxed but his mind focused. The transformation was occurring within him, a silent evolution that would catapult him beyond his limits.
Finally, Edmund rose from the water, droplets cascading down his skin. His eyes were sharper, brighter, alight with newfound power. He dressed quickly, his movements precise and deliberate.
He looked at Faera with a steady gaze. "Protect me, brother."
Faera nodded without a word, standing firm by Edmund's side. The bond between them was unspoken but unbreakable, forged in shared pain and the fire of vengeance.
Edmund seated himself on the ground and closed his eyes. A deep calm settled over him as he began the breakthrough process. His body trembled slightly, the spiritual energy surging and twisting inside. Faera watched, every muscle tensed in silent support.
The breakthrough was excruciating and beautiful all at once. Edmund's breathing hitched, his form shimmering as he ascended through the ranks. Sweat beaded on his brow, but his focus never wavered.
Time passed, slow and deliberate.
After what felt like an eternity, Edmund's eyes snapped open. His aura blazed with intensity as he leapt to his feet. "We're done here, brother."
Faera smiled faintly, the faintest crack in his stoic facade.
"Let's go to the capital," Edmund said, his voice firm and resolute.
Without hesitation, they rose together. A simple, practiced gesture from each summoned fiery wings that burst forth from their backs. The flames flickered and danced, casting warm light on their faces.
They took off into the sky, the wind roaring past them as they cut through the air. The world fell away beneath them, fields, forests, rivers glinting in the morning light.
As they flew, the two spoke in low voices, their words carried away on the rushing wind. The bond between them was more than blood, it was a shared path, a shared purpose, and a shared thirst for justice.
The capital awaited, and with it, the answers.
"According to the map, if we want to go to the capital, it will take about half a month of flying," Edmund said, his voice barely audible over the steady rush of wind and the fluttering of their cloaks. The world below blurred into streaks of green and brown, the sprawling forests and winding rivers shrinking into a distant tapestry.
Faera nodded, eyes fixed ahead as he adjusted their flight path. "Indeed, it will take a lot of time, but the solution is simple."
The words hung in the air, calm and confident.
"All we need is to reach the city of Halera," he continued, "and from there we will move to the capital by a teleportation formation."
Edmund's brow furrowed as he absorbed this plan. "I forgot about that," he murmured, the weight of the journey pressing down on him again.
"But do we have enough money to use it?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice. "According to what I read, it is very expensive. Each person needs to pay three thousand pounds."
Faera's expression softened, a reassuring smile touching his lips. "Don't worry. Father left several million pounds in the space ring."