5 Ley Lines (Part 2)

The moon was almost at its highest peak when my family walks to a temple church structure located deep inside the grounds of Winchester manor. I did not realize that the manor extends into the forest and mountains. This just provides a preview of Nova Lunes' lands and my family's power. No wonder there would be many who would covet this position. I am sure there were plenty of assassination attempts that I have not noticed since I was reborn a baby. This reinforces my plans to get stronger sooner and learn whatever these "ley lines" and "elements" are.

The air gets colder the deeper we go. I cannot help but shiver in my mother's arms. She notices, of course, before wrapping me tighter with the thick cardigan. I sense a wave of heat and look around curiously.

I stare in awe at the floating fire ball in my father's hand. My father can see how interested I am and moves closer. It looks like an actual flame but the temperature is warm instead of scorching.

"Wow Dad. Do you have an affinity for fire?" Kaon asks. He was walking ahead but turns back to talk to father. Father laughs before rubbing Kaon's head affectionately. "I do not but I chanced upon a spell when I was younger. I might not have an affinity for fire but I have the constitution." Kaon nods delighted. He seems even more excited that he's glowing. On the otherhand, I am confusd and getting tired of it. I wished I read more fantasy books in my past life.

As I keep pondering on the information, my family reaches our destination. The temple church is not as grand as the manor itself but still impressive. It's a cross between the Grecian Temple and the Catholic Church. It seems Twilight Haze's architecture is always a hybrid of famous architecture back in my past world. There are major differences in style though.

"This is the Auror Bell where the ley lines coverges and where they are the thickest," Father announces for Kaon's, and by extension, me. Aerik goes closer to the entrance of Auror Bell. He takes off his glove on his right hand and places it on top of a symbol that I can't see clearly. Father continues his explanation. "There are only three known locations where these ley lines are purest. Places where ley lines converge like this are even rarer. Additionally, there are also conditions to open these locations." He then points to brother. "You can only access the inner chambers through the keyhole. You have to send a bit of your energy into it and it will then open."

Aerik lead us inside. The inner chambers look like something from a medieval church. There are torches on the outer edges, but most of the light, comes from the opening on top. I thought it was a dome, but there is a thin, see-through magical layer. The moonlight was shining down to a specific point. As my family approaches the center, I notice symbols and lines on the ground taking a circular shape.

The atmosphere feels heavy with pressure and high-strung with power. I notice my brothers sweating a bit. Even my parents seem to be tired yet I feel fine. Perhaps it is the barrier surrounding me? I can see a thin white layer covering me. However, I do not see the same for my parents and brothers. Maybe it is related to the amount of cultivation? And my parents' protection?

My mother did not continue with my father and brothers. We remained a couple of feet from the symbol-marked circle. She bends her knee until she's sitting with me on her lap.

I was going to express my intention to get closer to my father and brothers, but my father has already started explaining.

"You must have felt that pressure," he starts. "This is where the ley lines converge. The closer you are to the center, the more pure it is. Since we are here to open your first connection to a ley line, you need to first learn how."

"Dad, I'm going to cultivate while I have the chance," Aerik interjects. Father briefly glances at him and nods. "Of course, Aerik." Aerik stands up and moves closer to the center. I can sense the air shift directly toward Aerik as he starts to cultivate. He started to glow. I wonder if that is a normal phenemenon.

I turn my attention back to my second brother. Dad guides him through the process. "Close your eyes and visualize a ball of light at the center of your stomach. This is where your dantian is located and where you will be storing the energy." I notice my brother closing his eyes, breathing in and out methodically. I also close my eyes and follow my father's instructions. As a former assassin, this breathing technique comes easily and I am able to slip into a meditative state.

Although I do not qualify to make connections yet due to my age, I have a feeling that I am capable of opening a connection with the ley lines. No one would be paying attention to me anyways.

In my meditative state, I visualize a ball of light in the pit of my stomach. To my astonishment, it is more of an endless ocean of light. "When you cultivate the energy, it will be stored here and where your power will come from. The ley lines you are going to open will be your main power source. The more connections you make, the more spells and energy you can output from the dantian."

Father finishes his explanation before looking up at the opening. The moon is positioned a couple minutes away from its highest peak. He moves toward Aerik and tells him "Prepare yourself to form those new connections." Aerik nods in response, his eyes still closed. Then Father comes back to us and continues the lesson.

"When the moonlight shines down on the circle, that is when the ley lines completely converge. You will notice various lines of light in the air. There will be some that will attract you. This is when you can make a connection. I will warn you that it will be painful at first until you are able to cultivate the energy into your dantian."

The moon is now at its highest. I close my eyes like my brothers and wait patiently for the various lines of light that father described. One minute passed then the next. I am beginning to think this was a sham when I finally see a glimmer in the distance.

I move toward the glimmer cautiously. Father's warning that it will be painful fresh in my mind. I reach out my hand tentatively then everything went black.