"But, your description suggests something deeper, something… unnatural?"
Draven nodded. "Indeed. It should not be possible, completely nullifying dream energy, without leaving a single trace of it behind.
Though his control was lacking. And non-existent, meaning we still do not know the full extent of his ability, not even close.
But even then, he was able to completely cancel out dream force around him, we even felt a complete disconnect from dream energy, if only for a split second."
Solenne raised her brows in surprise, "That effective, huh..."
"Yes, I propose he be granted access to the ascended training rooms, to refine this core, explore its nature, under both Elara's and my guidance."
Solenne regarded him, weighing. "You know our protocols: no one is admitted lightly. But this..." she circled a fingertip in the air, as if tracing at an invisible object, "...could be more than an extension of self. It may be a bridge to a new source of power."
She sat back. "I want to meet this boy, Draven. As soon as possible. But not now, when the time is right, after he has some sort of grasp on his power. And I will test his worth."
Draven's chest tightened upon hearing of her request. "At your convenience, Master." This was definitely more than he had hoped for when he came here, which was good.
She inclined her head. "Very well. Prepare him. And when he arrives, I expect both demonstration and counsel."
He bowed again, deeper. "It shall be done, Master Solenne. Your grace knows no bounds; I shall not disappoint your expectations."
With a final nod from Solenne, Draven turned and departed, the sanctuary doors closing behind him.
The torchlight faded as he descended toward the exit.
...
Kael trudged along the winding path, dusk-pale light slipping between broken clouds.
His gaze was low and unfocused, looking at the ground, as if he were pondering something, up until a foul, pungent smell assaulted his nostrils.
"What is that smell..?"
It was the smell of rotting flesh, wet cloth, and some sort of drug mixed in. It got so repulsive that Kael had to cover up his nose with a piece of his clothing.
His face twisted in disgust as he raised his head to look at his surroundings.
"A white building, I seem to recall hearing about it from somebody... Oh, the suspicious merchant. He said to steer clear of a white building. Is this it?"
Ahead, half-hidden by tendrils of grey mist, stood a white building, probably the same one the old merchant had mentioned.
The structure gleamed faintly, sterile and silent. Kael paused, his eyes tracing its clean lines.
Not wanting to have his breath fouled any longer, he walked away quickly, back the way he had come from earlier.
Eventually, he had walked far enough up the valley. The basin's scattered shanties gave way to sturdy, orderly quarters.
His pace was deliberately slow, taking his time to look closer at the people who lived in Raventhorne.
Most of whom were working and conversing. He heard bits and pieces of their conversations, nothing useful, mostly talk of the latest affairs outside of Raventhorne, meaning updates from the other strongholds, and the capital.
He stopped when he spotted a structure that he would describe as a restaurant, or tavern, or inn; he was not sure what the difference was, but that was close enough.
Kael was about to enter when he realised, "What kind of money do they use? I forgot to ask." He didn't have a penny on him.
He was about to walk away when he heard something.
"Have you heard, the kids are coming back from the academy in two weeks? I'm so excited, I haven't seen my boy in two years."
Kael stopped and turned to see a middle-aged lady practically beaming with happiness as she spoke to another lady sitting beside her on a table outside the tavern.
"Ah, yes, I have, I wouldn't know how you feel since I do not have a child of my own, or a family, but I understand your excitement, he is fifteen this year, right, your son?"
"Yes! I can imagine what a wonderful young man he has become, ahhh!" The lady started giggling to herself.
'Interesting,' Kael thought to himself.
Now he was interested in finding out how proficient kids his age were at wielding their abilities.
Kael was very poorly informed on the power scale dream energy worked on. It was not like he was supposed to figure all that out with the few experiences he had with the energy.
Apart from that time he had seen Draven and his cohort in battle, and the highlight of watching the passive use of abilities by the construction workers, he hadn't seen much else.
But he could take a guess.
'I should ask the others about that, I can bet they have data and info or a ranking system of some sort, hopefully.'
He walked away from the tavern and started walking towards the upper district.
Eventually, he made it back to the living quarters.
At the entrance, Draven and Luke stood face to face, in the middle of a conversation. They stopped when they heard footsteps.
They had spotted him. Draven's posture straightened; Luke fell silent. Draven stepped forward to address Kael.
"Kael," Draven said, his voice even but firm. "I have come to the conclusion that you need guidance, to nurture your ability, if you are willing. I can turn you into a capable ascended."
"Oh, that's what you decided on. I must admit, it's surprising. But I am more than happy to start improving my nonexistent ascended skills."
Draven nodded, clearly pleased with Kael's mindset.
"Good, your training begins later tonight. Let's push your strength to the limit. You lack control, that much is clear, we will mostly focus on polishing that before you decide on going to the academy, which I have no doubt you will, after all, they are better equipped to helping ascenders grow, which unfortunately I am not qualified for, not to mention resources to make your ascension smoother and faster."
Kael inclined his head, wind-tugged robes settling like ripples. He did not know how Draven had come to that conclusion, but he was not going to refute his claims, because he was right.
And he was even more curious about these resources he mentioned. 'I should definitely have these guys explain things a little bit more.'
"I was thinking the same. I appreciate your help. I will be in your care, Draven." Kael nodded lightly to Draven in respect.
"Remember, we are treading on uncharted waters, it won't be easy, it was never meant to be. But, if the road is easy, that means you're likely going the wrong way."
"I understand."