Sea Breeze

"We are almost there," Said Zireael taking the entire bottle of whisky to his lips. With a searing flame upon his heart, the young boy laid deep within his world of silence with unfocusing eyes.

Noticing the odd reaction of the Young Lord, Aurelia turned to Talia, "Is he alright? Papa drank like that and spent an entire day in the gutters. When Aurelia found him, papa had a large poo upon his head."

Covering her mouth in both laughter and shock, Talia nodded, "He will be fine, but can you tell me about yourself? And do you know the Stages of Power?"

"Aurelia doesn't know anything. I only remember when papa picked me up in the middle of a large forest after crawling for a few days." said the young girl drawing attention to herself.

"You said days. How old were you?"

"Thwee day!" Aurelia exclaimed, sticking up three fingers with pride, "Aurelia remembers clearly."

Hugging the adorable girl, Talia giggled, rugging her cheeks against her's "AAAAH~ I wanna have a baby like you!"

Nodding at her own greatness, Aurelia basked in her own glow. "EHEHE~ AURELIA FOR THE WIN~"

Rolling his eyes towards the fools, Zireael didn't miss the fact that a small infant no more than a few days old was crawling around a forest without any help. Her knowledge of the First Tier Powers was not surprising, but her entire being was a mystery.

Putting aside her origin of birth, Aurelia was also absorbing information faster than anyone he had ever met before. Simply by following Zireael's movements, the young girl had begun her journey.

Noticing Zireael's regard, Aureilia's eyes began to brighten when the carriage suddenly came to a halt. Waiting for the doors to open automatically, the young girl charged out of the carriage. However, a pair of quick arms were there to hold her collar before she took one single foot out of the carriage.

SHOOM!!!!

Watching an arrow pierce through the air, Aurelia gasped, grasping her small head that would have been removed by that cold single arrow.

"For a girl with no form of training or skill, you seem quite eager to die!" whispered Zireael, pushing her back as he fearlessly disembarked from his carriage. Shooting her a challenging expression, he beckoned with his palms.

Taking hold of her hand, Talia led her down while Zireael took note of the small battle against the local guards. A pool of blood could be seen while two guards stood on their knees in a pool of crimson. Their faces were ashen like snow, covered in dirt with two large arrows clung to their chest.

Covered in tears, one of the guards looked up towards the large group of brutes dressed in crimson robes with the emblem of a wolf upon their chest. Desperately grasping for air, the two guards looked around for help. Only to be met with the indifferent stares of onlookers. Such a sight was common within Valmor. It did not matter if one was a guard or noble; within Valmor, a blade upon your neck made everyone the same.

Turning his attention to Aurelia, who appeared rather indifferent, Zireael figured it was not her first time seeing someone die. Recalling she was traveling with someone like Eachann, he grew even more assured that she had seen her fair share of combat.

Not bothering to interfere in the battle, Zireael ignored the skirmish leading the group through the narrow streets into the only Tavern within Valmor that held up to his ridiculous standards of cleanliness. Talia did months of research to find this place, known by all as Sea Breeze. The only tavern the Young Duke would frequent.

Staring at the clean oak floors and tables, Zireael took in a large whiff to be safe like he did each time. Taking quick note of the young duke, a deep silence echoed from the tavern.

"Lord Blackwater, you have returned!" Said an aged woman with short crimson hair and colorless eyes. Stepping closer towards the Lord, she bowed, revealing a deep elegance rarely seen in Valmor.

Tilting her head, Aurelia frowned. Touching her chin in bewilderment, "Aunty, are you blind?"

"Aurelia, isn't it?" Stated the Woman, to the young girl's surprise. " I am, but I make it my business to know when Lord Blackwater enters my residence."

"How do you know my name?" Asked Aurelia

Arching her lips, the aged woman covered her mouth with a rather ascetic white fan depicting a flaming dragon, "It's my business, Young Mistress. It's a Pleasure; I am Innis. Owner of this establishment. Please follow me. I have a private room awaiting Lord Blackwater."

Glancing back at Aurelia's silence, Zireael smirked, "She is one of the strongest people within Valmor. However, when her eyes were destroyed, the Kingdom of Ferrum abandoned her. Why she stays in this city is beyond me," said the young Lord turning his attention towards Innis, weaving through tables and people with the ease of someone with eyes taking them up the stairs towards a secluded table.

"Come now, Lord Blackwater, no need to tell everyone my business." Hummed Innis with glee. "Although it's surprising you know of this. I have been lost to history for years now. Far longer than you have been within Valmor."

Coming to a quick stop, Innis gestured towards the empty table, "If you will, I shall have your usual order taken care of."

"We thank you, Lady Innis," said Talia, with a hint of guilt, knowing it was her kingdom's fault.

Finding his seat, Zireael rested his palm upon his cheek, "Talia, go on and explain the First Tier Powers to Aurelia."

Clearing her throat, Talia nodded, "If you did not know Aurelia, our world is composed of something we call Arcana. It is the building block of the reality we know, and by absorbing this Qi that resides within the Air, we are pushing our bodies past our limits in hopes of achieving The Ultimate Goal of Immortality."

Rolling his eyes, Zireael waved his hands, "Stop! Just stop! Immortality isn't shit. It's just something people who don't have any dreams crave. Arcana follows the path of the Elements. By finding your origin within yourself, you can begin your path. However, some rare people simply lack the affinity of a single element or are capable of using all the elements. "

With a glow within her Golden orbs, Zireael smirked, continuing, "There are seven stages in total. Arcane Refinement, Arcane Warrior, Arcane Soldier, Arcane Master, Arcane Lord, Arcane Sage, and Arcane King. With each stage, your power will grow a little stronger, but the main benefit is the quantity you gain with each stage. It's a bit more complicated when we start talking about the first powers on spells and magic, but the principles are the same."

Nodding in understanding, Aurelia tossed up seven fingers, "So what comes next? Big Sis Tal said this was only the First Power."

Shaking her head, Talia shrugged, "No one knows."

"It's the Second Powers; they have to do with Godhood and achieving Divinity." Siad Zireael, without much thought.

Rising for her chair, Talia's eyes widen, "You know of the Second Powers?"

"Yeah, and the Third. mother crammed them down my throat." Zireael hummed in nostalgia, "But you can wait. Any more and the Heavens may strike you down for knowing too much."

"Huh?"

BOOOM!!!

Hearing the crackles of thunder striking the land. Talia shuddered, falling back into her chair while Aurelia stared out the window upon the second floor. Watching the skies turning dark and murky while the air held a rather pungent odor. Sure enough, the heavy noise of rain pouring over the city began. Bringing the powerful claps of thunder and lightning with it.