In the mist-cloaked Grayveil Mountains, where ancient pines pierced the clouds and starlight-infused stags roamed, stood Skyreach Peak—the heart of the Voss family's fading legacy. Three thousand feet tall, its slopes held crystalline flora and three precious Aether Springs, where the power of aether—lifeblood of the Gifted—flowed strongest. Here, the Vosses had clung to survival for generations.
Beneath the Moonrise Pavilion, sixteen-year-old Kael Voss knelt on a rune-carved stone cushion. Before him, an Aether Spring bubbled, sending silver aether tendrils curling upward. He breathed deeply, guiding the energy through his meridians with precise hand gestures. His chest rose and fell; pale vapor slipped from his lips, and his skin flickered silver to amethyst as aether gathered at three brow points—the threshold between Initiate and Awakened.
A faint smile touched his lips. This morning's restlessness had spurred him to seize his rare Spring rotation, and now he felt the barrier shatter. Aether surged through newly opened pathways, warm and vital. But he didn't rush—one misstep could rupture meridians, ruining everything. He let the energy settle, steady and controlled.
"Silver-purple at the brow chakra… impressive, nephew."
Kael didn't open his eyes. Uncle Gideon's voice, steady but weary, echoed from the path. Footsteps crunched closer; when Kael looked up, his uncle stood nearby, dark robes brushing mossy stones, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
"You've breached the third seal," Gideon said, nodding at the lingering aether around Kael's forehead. "More progress than any Initiate in thirty years."
Kael rose, dusting his tunic. "Progress means nothing without resources to finish Awakening." His tone held dry realism—he'd watched the family decline too long.
Gideon's gaze dimmed. "You always saw too clearly. The Patriarch would've been proud—said you had Alden's talent."
Kael stiffened. Grandfather Alden, their last fully Awakened, had shattered his core in the Blackpine Gorge skirmish decades ago. Now he wasted away by this Spring, aether fading. Without him, the Vosses crumbled: trading posts in the Lowland Bazaar fell from twenty-four to eight; their second aether node at Ironwood Ridge was seized by the Thorne clan. Now they clung to Skyreach, teetering on ruin.
No new Awakened in sixty years, and when Alden fell, Skyreach would be next. They'd become wandering hedge mages—if they survived.
"The Spring stabilizes," Gideon said, turning to the fading mist. "You used your hour well."
Kael nodded. Third-tier nodes were fragile: six hours daily, six days on, four off to regenerate. Overuse drained them, and restoration was impossible for their dwindled fortunes. With Alden occupying the primary Spring, two others fed a hundred Initiates. For Kael, three monthly rotations were a luxury—most his age got half that.
Gideon leaned against the pavilion pillar, posture heavy. "You know our straits. We can't wait for your scheduled training."
Kael's jaw tightened. "The council wants me to cut it short."
"Not the council—me." Gideon met his eyes. "Raiders hit northern caravans again. We're short on aether shards, and Thorne's circling our posts. We need you."
"An Initiate fresh off breaking his third seal?" Kael scoffed. "Cannon fodder against Thorne's three Awakened."
"Which is why we can't wait." Gideon softened. "You're ahead of schedule. Field work—guarding caravans, managing trade—might get you Awakened within a year. Spring rotations stay yours when you return."
Kael stared at the Spring, mist now thin. The Path demanded focus, not bandit roads. But the truth bit: no shards, no Skyreach.
"You'd send a sixteen-year-old to the Lowlands?"
Gideon's expression hardened. "I'd send my son if he had your talent. He doesn't. None do—except you." He lowered his voice. "Alden has a year, maybe two. No Awakened by then…"
The unspoken fate hung heavy: loss of Skyreach, family scattered.
Kael closed his eyes, feeling aether hum in his veins—fragile, but alive. What choice did he have?
When he opened them, his voice steadied. "When do I leave?"
Relief slackened Gideon's shoulders. "Three days. Southern caravan to Brightmarket. Marcus meets you there."
Kael nodded, turning back to the Spring. A final wisp brushed his cheek—a farewell. He'd dreamed of savoring this breakthrough, Awakening safely in Skyreach.
But legacy waited for no one.
As Gideon left, Kael sank back onto the cushion, savoring calm. Beyond these mountains, the world was cruel. But here, now, aether still sang in his veins—a promise. Whatever came next, he wouldn't fall without a fight.