Aetherion stood at the edge of the sanctuary, overlooking the valley that stretched out beneath him. His eyes glowed softly with the light of the Primordial Flame, and the ring of fire that circled his body flickered gently in the wind. The new city he had created for his followers shimmered in the distance, its white stone structures glistening under the sun.
His thoughts, however, were focused beyond the sanctuary.
"Astralis. Celestaris," Aetherion called, his voice calm but commanding.
The two Primordial Eagles appeared instantly, stepping forward with their newly gained human forms. Astralis, tall and broad, with glowing white hair, bowed deeply, while Celestaris, graceful and ethereal, mirrored the motion beside him.
"You have served me well," Aetherion began, his eyes meeting theirs. "But now, I need you to venture beyond this valley. I want you to find the nearest human kingdom. One that is known for its academy—a place where knowledge and power are cultivated."
Astralis nodded, his golden eyes gleaming with understanding. "We will find this kingdom, master."
Celestaris tilted her head slightly, her voice soft but firm. "And when we find it, what would you have us do?"
Aetherion's lips curled into a small smile. "Observe. I need to know what kind of strength this kingdom holds. We may need allies in the future, or... we may need to challenge them. But for now, simply gather information."
With their orders clear, Astralis and Celestaris transformed back into their eagle forms, their bodies shifting into massive, majestic birds with wingspans that blocked out the sun. Their feathers glimmered with the white light of the Primordial Flame, and their eyes burned with intensity.
They took off into the sky, their powerful wings propelling them through the air with incredible speed. Aetherion watched them go, his gaze lingering on the horizon for a moment before he turned his attention back to the sanctuary.
The valley was protected by a veil of flame, a shimmering barrier made from the Primordial Flame that Aetherion had created to shield his people from outside forces. It was nearly invisible to the untrained eye, but anyone attempting to breach the valley would be met with its immense power.
With his followers settled and the eagles on their mission, Aetherion moved to the center of the valley, his form hovering just above the ground. His body radiated light and fire as he assumed a meditative position, hovering silently beneath the veil of flame that protected the valley.
Hovering above the valley, Aetherion closed his eyes, allowing his mind to sink deeper into a state of meditation. The Primordial Flame burned within him, steady and powerful, its energy flowing through every fiber of his being. As he meditated, he extended his senses, connecting more deeply with the flame that shielded the valley.
The veil of flame shimmered above him, invisible to most but palpable to Aetherion. It was an extension of his power, a barrier that would protect his people from any who sought to harm them. As he meditated, he fortified it further, feeding it with his energy and ensuring that it would remain impenetrable.
The air around him was serene, yet charged with power. His followers occasionally glanced toward him, watching in awe as their god meditated above the valley, his divine presence filling them with a sense of security and peace.
Meanwhile, Astralis and Celestaris soared through the sky, their keen eyes scanning the landscape below for signs of the human kingdom that Aetherion had sent them to find. Days passed as they flew over forests, mountains, and plains, their powerful wings carrying them across vast distances.
But instead of finding a kingdom, as they had been tasked, the eagles discovered something far more significant. On the third day of their journey, they saw it—a sprawling empire with towering walls and grand cities. The empire stretched far beyond what they had expected, its borders guarded by well-armed soldiers and its streets bustling with activity.
In the heart of the empire stood an academy, larger than anything they had imagined. The academy was known throughout the land for producing the greatest mages and warriors, and its reputation had reached even the distant corners of the mortal realm.
Astralis and Celestaris exchanged glances as they circled above the empire, their sharp eyes taking in every detail.
"This is no mere kingdom," Astralis remarked, his voice carrying through their mental link. "It's an empire. Far more powerful than we anticipated."
Celestaris nodded. "We should return to Aetherion and inform him. This could change everything."
As they finished their reconnaissance, Astralis and Celestaris turned back toward the sanctuary, their wings cutting through the sky with renewed purpose. It had taken days to find the empire, and now they had valuable information to bring back to their master.
When they returned to the valley, they descended through the veil of flame, landing gracefully on the ground before shifting back into their human forms. Aetherion, still meditating above the valley, sensed their presence and slowly descended to meet them.
"We found more than a kingdom," Astralis said, his voice steady. "We found an empire—far larger and more powerful than what you sought. They have an academy that produces the most powerful warriors and mages in the land."
Aetherion's eyes gleamed with interest. "An empire, you say? That is... unexpected, but potentially useful."
Celestaris nodded, her expression thoughtful. "They have strength, Aetherion. But whether they are friend or foe remains to be seen."
Aetherion stood in silence for a moment, processing the information. An empire with a renowned academy was an opportunity he hadn't foreseen, but one that could be incredibly valuable. If the empire's leaders could be swayed, they could become powerful allies—or, if necessary, powerful enemies to conquer.
"The presence of this empire changes things," Aetherion said, his voice calm but calculating. "If they are as strong as you say, we will need to approach them carefully. They could be a great ally in the future, or a formidable opponent."
Astralis folded his arms, his eyes glinting with determination. "What would you have us do?"
Aetherion smiled faintly. "For now, we wait. I will send you back when the time is right, but I want to observe them further before making any decisions."
As the eagles settled in after their long journey, Aetherion returned to his meditative state above the valley. His mind was filled with thoughts of the empire, the opportunities it presented, and the challenges it might bring. The Primordial Flame burned steadily within him, its energy feeding into the protective veil that shielded the valley.
For now, he would continue to strengthen his power, drawing from the Primordial Flame and preparing for whatever lay ahead. His followers remained safe under the protection of the flame, and his power continued to grow.
The empire might hold the key to the next phase of his ascension, but for now, Aetherion would wait. He would watch. And when the time came, he would act.
The chapter ends with Aetherion floating above the valley, his eyes closed in meditation, the flame flickering softly around him as the world beyond the valley continued to move.