A New Sensation

Elderond saw someone chasing him: an infernal gaze stayed locked at his back- as the earth was burnt away by the purgatory-like flames. He felt his breath come out rasping, weak and without oxygen. His body was at his limit; he couldn't keep going. He saw a woman in the distance running in front of him- he felt a warm sensation regarding her but couldn't make out her face. However, the flames grabbed at her ankles, dragging her down into the abyss on either side of the path. In a rage, Elderond turned, facing his foe; however, he never finished the movement; the sabre cut through his armour.

"No, this can't be how it ends!"

…

Elderond woke up with start-damp wet clothes clung to him as a cold sweat ran down his forehead. A panicked breath escaped his mouth as he remembered the nightmare.

"What the hell was that?"

"Hmm, it is peculiar, Master. I am sensing fluctuations within your cerebral system- there seems to be something forming."

"Medea, can you show me?"

"As you wish."

Elderond's perspective changed again as he entered his cerebral space: his mind. He could feel Medea's presence but could not see her. But, the most shocking thing was the floating lock within the cerebral space.

The lock was a golden colour and had pulsating lines upon it with ten faint circle-like indents laced into its structure. One of those indents was slowly filling up with light: 1/10th of the way through.

"Master, I cannot scan it. It is beyond my capabilities. What do you suggest we do?"

"Just monitor it- we need to figure out what this is."

As Elderond's vision returned, displaying the original location, he couldn't help thinking about the lock. Was it just a coincidence that a sudden golden lock type object appeared in his mind? There was no way. There must have been a deeper meaning behind it; yet, Elderond would need to wait to find out what it was. Fate would lead him on the correct path when necessary.

While in a state of contemplation, he heard a knock at the door. The demon instructor had returned.

"Aren't I missing something, though?"

"Indeed, Master, though if your one brain cell can figure it out is another debate altogether."

"Ah fuck! My leg!"

Elderond looked down, expecting to see the trouser leg flapping open, half of it empty.

However, his leg was still there. There was no sign of impalement.

"Ah, the red vial! Grandpa is a saviour."

Elderond was thankful to Grandpa Lex. Even if he did put Elderond through hellish training, he would always have a recovery method.

"Come in, Grandpa."

"Ah, Elderond, seems you've recovered well. If you're wondering about the leg, all I did was use a body mending potion. It's a mid-tier potion allowing for healing of damaged organs and limbs."

"Thank you, Grandpa I didn't deserve such an item."

"Nonsense, it's hardly considered anything within the Universe."

"I've been thinking brat; you have nearly done all the introductions of body fundamentals training; why not try something new?"

Elderond's brows raised. Was this another wolf in sheep's clothing?

"Hmm, new? What exactly?"

"Let us find out your elemental affinity or if you can sense aura yet. I think you are ready."

Elderond's mouth froze. Holy shit! What he was waiting for had finally come. It was time to enter the next level of mastery.

"Don't get too excited, Master. You could end up getting a low tier version of that element he-he. It would be comical if you got an F-tier elemental affinity."

"Jeez, Medea, way to ruin the mood."

"Someone's got to keep you grounded, Master."

Lex shook his head. The chances of harnessing the will of the Universe this early was near impossible. He didn't have much hope. It would be unlikely that Elderond would be able to learn his elemental affinity. After all, most geniuses could barely manage it at 18 years of age after body fundamentals training.

"Eat, and come join me down by the stream. It is the perfect place to enter a tranquil state and connect with the Universe."

Elderond was excited, finally something other than body training! He swiftly gobbled up the breakfast, leaving no scraps.

Lex noted this.

"Hmm, he's enthusiastic but will it be all for nothing?"

Shaking his head, Lex headed out with Elderond in tow.

The sun was bright as it resided high in the sky with an omnipotent attitude. The calm blue sky shook its head at the sun's arrogance. One day it would take over the mantle of the ruler. However, the two beings below them would never know of the rivalry between the two created domains.

The grass crunched under Elderond's shoes as he walked forward, kicking away loose twigs and rocks that stood in his path. It was a typical journey through the forest. A nostalgic sensation filled him as he stared at the stream, and above it stood the waterfall in all its glory.

"If it weren't for this waterfall, I would have never met Grandpa Lex."

"Funny how fate works, aren't you amused, Master?"

"Well, it certainly wasn't funny getting hunted by the Grazing Hound."

"Pff, I thought it was hilarious seeing you run like a headless chicken, Master."

"Oh, lovely Medea, you just love to see me in distress."

"I wouldn't call it love, more like I find it amusing."

Elderond shook his head- he still hadn't figured out if the interface was here to help him or destroy his confidence. Frankly put, it had simmered down his ego after an accomplishment 9/10 times.

"Well, we are here, now stop thinking about your idle teenage thoughts and get over here, Elderond."

"But, I wasn't thinking anything!"

"Oh, you can't fool me, boy."

"Damned teasing demon Grandpa! I will show you real teasing one day!"

Elderond vowed this.

"Keep dreaming, now watch me."

Lex fiddled with his mysterious robe. What appeared was surprising. Instead of some vial or metallic object, a quill emerged, imbued with a strange aura. Lex began to increase his aura output as he willed his stream of aura energy into the quill.

Time stopped.

A barrier formed around them.

Elderond shook. Shivers went down his spine as his ears began to bleed.

"What the fuck is going on? Is Grandpa trying to kill me?"

"Don't be foolish, Master. It is merely connecting with the Universe's will."

Gritting his teeth, Elderond watched as a rune began to appear within the stream, radiating off the waters. The rune displayed an odd pattern.

It represented the infinity sign encased within an oval- that had a horizontal line across it from top to bottom.

The rune began to pulse- sucking in both Elderond and Lex towards the centre of the stream.

"Elderond, prepare yourself... you're not going to like this."

"Wait, what you mean…"

Bam! Both Elderond and Lex got propelled into the middle of the infinity within the rune.

Elderond felt his stomach re-arrange itself several times. Vomit was travelling up his throat as the g forces were exponentially increasing and decreasing.

"This is ridiculous."

"Bear with it, Elderond- we'll reach the elemental zone soon enough."

As if to confirm Grandpa Lex's words, both Elderond and Grandpa Lex materialised within a space that was neither alive nor dead. It was a space that wasn't feasible without the influence of a higher level being.

"Welcome to the elemental zone. What you see before you is where the essence of the Universes' elements reside. The elemental essence was both created and found within this place. You have the best chance of resonating with an element here."

"Sweet, well, what do I do to try and sense one?"

"It's simple, imagine you are in the stream and not this domain which contains floating elemental essence. When your mind is empty and tranquil, something will call you. That will be your element.

Elderond nodded. He sat down and crossed his legs, entering a meditating state. Closing his eyes, he calmed down his breathing and emptied his mind of worries.

It was like a gentle breeze had blown across his face- his mind was calm like a river. A tranquil smile coated his face.

Lex was shocked.

"He's already entered a tranquil state this fast?! Incredible!"

Gifted Hysitan's or geniuses would take a one-hour minimum to enter such a state- the speed that Elderond has done it in was representative of a master level aura user.

"If he could be this calm, how can he get so irritated from the presence in his mind?"

Lex shook his head. This boy was one weird anomaly.

Whilst Lex was observing, Elderond was slowly getting calmer, his heartbeat slowed to a snail's pace. It's almost as if he no longer existed in the place.

What seemed fast for Elderond was not the case Grandpa Lex.

"He entered the state very quickly; but, I see no elemental aura emanating from this boy or any movement within the elemental essences. It won't be long before the aura I stored within the rune runs out, and we are to leave from this place."

Another hour had passed, and the quill was shaking as it was on its last vestige of sored aura.

Elderond still hadn't felt anything call him. He was getting repeatedly depressed.

With a shout, his state broke, and he got up. The rune was rejecting his body within the space.

Grandpa Lex gave him an apologetic look. After all, it was unlikely to get an element calling you at such a young age.

"Shit, nothing, guess I am just useless."

"Don't fret, Elderond! we can always return when you're 18 and try again."

As the rune's energy dissipated, the gravitational force fluxed, repelling both Elderond and Lex out of the elemental zone.

However, at that moment, a tinge of bright light erupted from the elemental zone and attached itself to Elderond's right hand, forming an intricate rune. Elderond had no idea.

The only thing that he felt was a burning sensation; but, he assumed it was due to the gravitational flux.

Bang! The rune popped them out onto the bank of the stream, disappearing into nothingness.

"You did well, boy."

"But, I still failed Grandpa."

"Elderond, the chances were far too low; however, you should be proud for entering the tranquil state so fast within that space; even geniuses take one hour."

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up, Grandpa."

As if waiting to let loose, the vomit released out of his mouth.

"Urgh, what is this sensation?"

Lex patted Elderond on his back as he trudged back to the wooden house.

Unbeknownst to both of them, a sliver rune glinted in the light.

Its true meaning was yet to be known.