Chapter 19: Betrayal

Chapter 19: Betrayal 

Darius gazed across the library, now restored to its former order. The books that littered the floor were back on their shelves, the ashes were swept, and the tables and chairs put back in place. The only things out of place from before was a few less books in the library's collection, and the rug, moved to cover the array he carved. 

 A sudden, deep rumble from his stomach broke the silence, mimicking a growling beast. "I wonder if there's any breakfast left," he wondered, making his way to the library doors. He opened them, pausing briefly as he noted the chair outside that usually sat to the right of the entrance now oddly positioned to the left. Shrugging off the anomaly, he stepped out, his thoughts already drifting to the possibility of finding some remnant breakfast.

 Darius pondered his next steps, his mind abuzz with possible solutions. "I need to find external, purer sources of mana. Absorbing ambient mana from just any area won't suffice for further refinement," he thought. The possibility of Fang Root Forest as his next destination dawned upon him. "Father probably doesn't have many Beast Crystals lying around," he jokingly concluded, thinking about the resources at his personal disposal.

 Mana crystals are the cornerstone of Gaia's existence, underpinning every facet of its arcane and technological realms. Their influence flows through every aspect of life on this planet. These crystals generally form through two distinct processes. The first, and most common is a natural formation, a common occurrence in nature where they typically harbor a low concentration of all five elements. However, when formed in chaotic mana regions, these Chaotic Crystals contain a singular, pure element, making them incredibly valuable for cultivation by mages and knights of Gaia.

The second process involves mana beasts, creatures from which these crystals can also be harvested. Beast Crystals formed within mana beasts are coveted for their elemental purity, reflecting the elemental affinity of the beast they originate from. While not quite matching the pristine quality of naturally formed chaotic crystals, they are still highly prized.

 Occasionally, mana beasts yield what are known as mana cores – these are even more exceptional, offering a concentration of mana purer than any chaotic crystal. Such cores are rare treasures. Not much is known about the conditions required for a beast to produce one, but these beasts are usually immensely strong. However, strength isn't always a determining factor.

 Darius recalled a passage from the estate ledger about a glen far beyond the estate grounds, deep within Fang Root Forest. The ledger claimed the earth mana there was exceptionally pure, yet its source remained unexplored. The forest was also teeming with wildlife, this included elusive mana beasts, it was a literal treasure trove of natural resources at his fingertips.

 As he made his way towards the kitchens, contemplating this information, he narrowly evaded a well-timed ambush. Leaping back, he just managed to avoid Haku's sudden pounce. 

 "Hakuuuuu!" he called out, his voice playfully stretching the last syllable, a mixture of amusement and mock surprise in his tone.

 Amidst the grandeur of the noble household, Haku presented an awe-inspiring figure. His size rivaled that of a larger fox, his coat a deep black, akin to the midnight sky, sprinkled with star-like speckles that grew denser towards his tail. Ghostfire, an ethereal blue flame, flickered softly at his feet, adding a mystical aura to his presence. Now over six years old, Haku had found himself more at home in the woods than indoors, especially during Darius's recent intensive research sessions. Despite his preference for the wild, he never failed to return home, maintaining his bond with Darius.

 In a burst of playful energy, Darius made a mock charge at Haku, pulling up short with a laugh just before they collided. They circled each other, each step light and teasing, a mock battle between friends.

 Suddenly, Haku sprang into action, using Darius's head as a springboard to vault towards the kitchens. "Serious?!" Darius's voice was full of mock indignation, trailing off into a chuckle as he gave chase. There was a warmth in his heart as he pursued his only true friend, a bond that spanned not just this life but echoed back to his previous lonely existence. It was a friendship that brought a genuine smile to his face, a rare moment of unguarded joy in his eyes as he chased through the halls.

 "Stop scuffing those floors!" Tilly, her hazel eyes scowling, peeked out from the kitchen, spotting Darius and Haku running down the hall. "You too, Haku," she said sternly, pointing a wooden spoon at Haku. Both Darius and Haku skidded to a stop, their faces registering shock. "Morning, Tilly," Darius greeted with an exaggeratedly big smile. "Morning, I'm sure. Now, why don't you and your little brother come in here gently and get some eats," she instructed, her voice softening as she retreated back into the kitchen. "Your father managed to save you some bacon this time..." Darius and Haku exchanged a glance, and Darius chuckled softly as they walked into the kitchen.

-------

 During breakfast, Darius learned from Tilly that his parents were at the estate's training grounds. After Haku and Darius finished their breakfast of bacon, bread, and cheese, and of course helping Tilly finish the morning dishes, Darius and his four-legged companion set off to the training grounds.

 Traversing the estate grounds, Darius, with a reflective look, absorbed the serene backdrop of Valdene Estate. An tinge of sadness ran through his thoughts. "If my birth had been like this time, how different life's path..." he daydreamed silently. His previous incarnation, Xue Feng, emerged from humble origins, a miner's son in a world governed by gods and immortals. His early years were shadowed by loss—his father's untimely death in the mines, his sister's disappearance, taken by a passing cultivator.

Life for Xue Feng and his mother was a relentless struggle, a daily battle for survival amidst poverty. At the tender age of 8, his mother, driven to prostitution to provide for them, ultimately succumbed to a cruel, untreated illness. Just before her death, in a desperate attempt to save her, Xue Feng sought help outside an immortal sect, clinging to the faint hope of someone's aid. His vigil, spanning a fortnight, ended in heartache and loss.

In the ensuing years, Xue Feng's life was a tale of survival on the unforgiving streets, sustained by petty thievery. At the age of 14, fate led him to a drunken man slumped on a mountain road. Oblivious to the man's true identity, Xue Feng seized the opportunity, stealing his bag. Inside, he found gold and an unassuming jade bead. 

 The gold, though a brief fortune, quickly entangled him in a dangerous encounter with a gambling den. In this critical moment, the bead revealed its extraordinary power, radiating a divine light. From it emerged the spiritual remnant of an ancient and eccentric cultivator, who intervened to save Xue Feng. This fortuitous encounter propelled him onto a path rife with danger and discovery, marking the beginning of his tumultuous journey in the heaven defying arts of immortal cultivation.

 "Old fart," Darius muttered, his face contorting into a grimace. Haku glanced up at him, his head tilted. "Not you, Haku. Just some bad memories," Darius clarified, shifting his gaze back to his surroundings. 

 The estate's Training Grounds were intentionally built away from the mansion, a necessity given their purpose. As they neared the grounds, Darius's eyes were drawn to the Fang Root Forest in the distance, its ancient, twisted trees standing densely as far as he could see. "You'll have to be my guide in there," he said to Haku, contemplating his parent's potential objections. 'I might have to sneak in if they don't agree,' he thought, mentally preparing counter strategies for any argument they might present. Energized by the sight, Darius exclaimed, "Come on, Haku, let's see who's faster!" Cycling his water mana, he burst forward with surprising speed, leaving Haku momentarily startled before the excited Ember Fox let out a yip and dashed to catch up.

 To Darius's astonishment, his newfound speed far exceeded his expectations, and the ease with which he maintained it was remarkable. It felt almost effortless, as if he could sustain this pace for hours. He gauged his speed to be around 48 kilometers per hour, a estimate that exhilarated him. Unexpectedly, a burst of childlike laughter escaped him, a sound so uncharacteristic of his usual reserved demeanor. In these moments, Darius didn't notice a monumental shift within himself. Over the years, the identity of Xue Feng, once so dominant, was gradually blending into the background, giving way to Darius's own persona, enriched by the memories of his past life. This transformation was evident in the joyous laughter that rang out from the young boy now sprinting with youthful glee, a symbol of two souls merging into a new, singular being.

 At their finish line, a twenty-acre expanse dedicated to the martial and arcane arts, stood a perimeter marked by a four meter tall embankment. This mound of earth served a dual purpose: deflecting wayward spells and muffling the sounds of clashing steel and explosions.

 As Darius and Haku approached this bulwark, preparing to ascend, a familiar voice pierced the air. It was Darius's father, Jarek, known in hushed tones as the Blue Wolf. His voice was laced with the sting of betrayal as he bellowed, "You promised!" At the same time as his outcry, a burst of frost erupted over the ridge like a winter explosion, followed by Jarek's flying silhouette.

----

In the Valdene Estate's training grounds, Jarek and Amara Valdene faced each other, their eyes reflecting a deep, shared affection. They were clad in matching attire, a crisp white tunic paired with black trousers. "Same rules as usual, my love?" Jarek's voice carried a hint of a smile, though a keen observer might have noticed a single bead of sweat tracing its way down his brow, an unusual sight for a Tier 4 Steel Knight. 

 Amara gripped her staff firmly, an ancient relic of brown wood adorned with turquoise twine around the handle. At its top, a sphere of blue mana pulsated, its light undulating like ocean waves. "Of course, dear," she replied with a playful roll of her eyes, "you hold back, and no crystals." 

 "You promise?" Jarek asked, his usual composure giving way to a rare mix of fear and doubt.

 Springing into action before Jarek could receive a reply, Amara's boots gripped the rough terrain as she chanted, "Arcaventus!" Instantly, she was propelled forward on a jet of water, rapidly closing the distance.

 "Knew it," the Blue Wolf whispered, bringing his training sword forward. Lightning swiftly converged around Jarek, forming energy constructs of gauntlets, vambraces, and sabatons.

Riding the jet stream with fierce determination, Amara's face twisted in an accusing glare as she pointed at Jarek. "Hey!"

 Jarek sighed, in a flash his sabatons dissipated into his aura, leaving behind only the spectral gauntlets and vambraces.

 Satisfied, Amara began to whisper along the length of her staff as she rapidly closed in. A mystical blue frost quickly crept along her staff, advancing until it engulfed the orb of mana, transforming the staff into a crystalline spear.

 Mustering extraordinary strength, she swung her ice spear. It met Jarek's sword with a force that birthed a strange collapsing boom, deafening in its intensity. The impact sent a shockwave tearing through the air. 

 Jarek, bracing with his limited spectral armor, used his free hand to reinforce his sword. Pain surged intensely through his hands, leaving him no time to recover.

"Celerum Magnus," Amara intoned. A shimmering wave of water materialized, driving Jarek backward, his feet carving deep trails in the earth.

 After three meters of struggling against the wave, a bolt of lightning descended, in sync with Jarek's downward swing. The collision vaporized the wave in an instant, releasing billowing steam from the point of impact. 

"Your casting's quicker now," Jarek's voice carried a playful teasing.

"Humph," with a huff, Amara executed a perfectly timed motion, her foot stomping down in mock protest, simultaneously bringing her staff to the ground. As the staff made contact, the frost raced away, slithering along the ground towards Jarek.

 With a slash of his training sword, Jarek unleashed a blue bolt of mana at the advancing frost. The impact resulted in a spectacular explosion of ice and lightning. Undeterred, he charged through the elemental storm separating them.

 Due to his elemental affinity to Lightning, the Blue Wolf specialized in explosive, and unpredictable combat. Radiant, blue arcs of mana danced along his legs as he instantly closed the gap.

 Initially, Amara moved skillfully, parrying and evading Jarek's onslaught with her staff. However, Jarek quickly gained momentum, shifting the dynamic.

 After a few more tense exchanges, for a split second, Jarek smiled in a gloating manner. Seeing this sent a fiery glow erupting from Amara's eyes and aura, causing a split second pause from her husband.

'I fu...' before jarek could finish his thought, he was cut off. In that moment of hesitation Amara reached into her top. Now holding a glowing blue crystal she yelled, "Aeon Fluxia!" 

 In the blink of an eye, Amara retreated, and Jarek found himself encircled by raging torrents of water, each capped with a menacing wolf's head. They converged on him with explosive force, unleashing a magnificent blast of water and ice. 

 The aftermath was a enchanting spectacle of nature. Shimmering crystals of ice floated down gently over the training grounds. While mid-air, Jarek's screaming heart was preparing for impact.

----

Ascending the slope, Haku and Darius entered a scene resembling a winter fable. Haku instantly darted off, his joy evident as he frolicked in the pristine snow. Darius, meanwhile, paused to make sense of the transformed landscape.

Central to this frosty tableau stood Amara, her aura pulsating with untamed energy. Jarek, who Darius expected to find, was conspicuously absent. "Wasn't that father's voice just moments ago?" Darius pondered, scanning the area.

His gaze then shifted to a storage building adjacent to the field. The structure's roof lay in ruins.

"Come on, Haku," Darius called, patting his hip as he began to jog towards his mother. Haku, emerging from beneath a snowdrift, swiftly scanned his surroundings before spotting Darius and eagerly chasing after him.

 'The aftermath of a battle is evident; the mana in the air is turbulent and carries a hint of char.' Darius scrutinized his surroundings, though the unusual snowfall obscured much of his view. Approaching Amara, her aura, previously a wild flame, softened into its usual nurturing warmth when she noticed Darius.

 "Mother!" he called out. As he drew near, her silver hair caught the sunlight, blending magically against the snowy backdrop.

 "What a rare sight," Amara teased with a smile, "when did you last venture outside?" She commanded Haku to heel, and the usually playful fox sat obediently beside her, his demeanor shifting to one of seriousness. Amara affectionately scratched behind his ear, "Good boy. What brings you away from your studies, little wolf?" Her eyes, a deep emerald, seemed to pierce through him.

 Darius's response was cut short by the sound of splintering wood and muffled curses emanating from the damaged storage shed. Jarek emerged from the debris, dusting off his ripped attire. "You promised!" he bellowed, frustration clear in his voice. "No crystals, remember? How can I help train you if you're constantly sending me flying?" He marched towards them, his expression a mix of annoyance and exasperation. His clothes bore the marks of their recent skirmish – singed, soaked, and ragged.

 "I don't recall making any promises, nor do I recall inviting you to bully me!" Amara retorted with a huff, swiftly redirecting her focus to Darius. "Now, what were you saying, honey?" she inquired, her tone shifting to one of curiosity.

 Observing his parents' interaction, Darius pieced together the events of their earlier skirmish. A smile played on his lips as he began, "I've made a break..." However, his words were cut short as a snowball suddenly struck Amara on the shoulder.

 "Ha!" Jarek exulted in his vengeful triumph, poised to launch another snowball. But as he readied his throw, the snowball in his hand began to disintegrate. Snowflakes began to gather overhead, the whole training field was being emptied of snow, forming an ominous, larger snowball.

 In that instant, Darius and Jarek exchanged a look, a silent understanding exclusive to father and son. Through his new life with his loving family, Darius had learned countless lessons, but none more crucial than this: never, ever anger Amara.

 The colossal snowball plummeted, burying Darius's father beneath its weight. Darius watched, a mix of concern and sympathy in his gaze. Clearing his throat, he turned to his mother. "Well, Mother, I've had a breakthrough, but I've hit a bottleneck. I'm short on resources. Could I have your permission to venture into Fang Root Forest? I need to gather materials to continue my research." His voice held a blend of respect and urgency.

 "Impossible!" Jarek's muffled voice, echoed from within the snowy mound. Abruptly, the snow pile split open, revealing the blue wolf, steam rising off his body. "It's too dangerous for you, son. Forget this idea for now. Just tell us what you need." Jarek, his playful attitude vanished, strode over, assuming the solemn air befitting the family's patriarch.

 "Darius, your father speaks the truth. Even I tread cautiously when it comes to Fang Root Forest," Amara said, her voice soft yet laced with an unmistakable tone of finality. 

 Darius weighed his options, 'I could always slip into the forest unnoticed if necessary,' he considered. Settling on his approach, he decided to reveal more. "I've developed my own power system," he said, allowing his water mana to cycle freely as he waited for their response.

 Darius, his mana circulating and aura rising, was taken aback by his parents' reactions. "You have?" Amara's voice carried a note of surprise. Jarek sounded just as bewildered, "We thought you hadn't succeeded yet." Their words left Darius momentarily speechless.