Chapter 24: Root of Possibilities

Chapter 24: Root of Possibilities 

 Back in the cellar, familiar smells enveloped Darius. Beside his parents, with Haku now down at his side, he felt the earth's coolness underfoot. His body hummed with an eagerness to cultivate, meridians pulsing in greedy anticipation. Darius, containing his excitement, stood patiently, waiting for his father to explain their abrupt departure from his new cultivation grounds.

 Jarek and Amara, observed the portal's closing with an air of reluctance. Their expressions hinted at something unspoken, a shared understanding. As the last glimmer of the portal faded, they turned to face Darius, their eyes meeting his. There was something in their gaze that suddenly unsettled him.

 "We need to transfer ownership of the Vault to you," Jarek said, his voice heavy. "Traditionally, only the family head can access the Vault. Its purpose is more than safeguarding treasures; it's our last refuge in times of peril." His gaze shifted to Amara, a silent exchange of resolve passing between them. "Darius, we're in the shadow of such a threat now," Jarek continued, locking eyes with Darius, an intensity burning in his gaze that Darius had never seen before. "Once the mages learn about your abilities, our family will be hunted. They won't rest until they've killed us all. This is the harsh truth we must confront." 

 "Father, I—" Darius began, but Jarek cut him off. His voice thundered, "Darius! You are a Valdene!"

 In that moment, Jarek's presence became immense. His aura burst forth, his spectral armor materializing around him amidst a storm of crackling lightning. "We are left with no other choice, son. Our only path is to place all our hopes on you. That's the stark reality we face." His tone gradually softened, but the intense gaze he fixed on Darius never wavered.

 Darius felt his blood and guts in disarray. The golden child feeling he had earlier was suddenly replaced with the sensation of being a bad seed, as if he had been an unfilial son. He had been too selfish, aware he would be hunted one day, aware this was his path. Yet, he hadn't considered those he was dragging along with him—his mother and father, Tilly, Haku, the villagers. Everyone was his accomplice in this, that's how they would be seen. The ends would justify the means, no matter how brutal.

 Amara restrained herself from rushing to comfort Darius. Her inner conflict was visible on her face, her fingers tightly gripping her husband's arm without her realizing. She understood the necessity of this moment. Despite his young age, Darius had always shown remarkable maturity. It was essential for him to grasp the true burden he now shouldered.

 Jarek stepped toward his son and removed the heirloom from his finger. After a moment's hesitation, he extended his hand to Darius, holding the ring. The Valdene family crest, a wolf's head over a broken crown, faced Darius. "You must understand, son, we do not resent you or our position; we are proud," Jarek began, smiling as his aura blazed further, causing the air to crackle and Darius's arm hair to stand. "This is the moment our family has awaited—a chance to rise again, to emerge from the shadows of our enemies. You have given us that hope, Darius." 

 Darius managed to hold his father's gaze steadily, feeling his pulse slow and his emotions stabilize. 'Once again, I'm too weak, losing control over myself.' He recognized a shift within; his self-control, once ironclad as Xue Feng, now constantly wavered, easily swayed by the moment. Doubt crept into his thoughts more readily than in his life as Xue Feng.

 Gazing intently at his father, Darius reached out without hesitation and grasped the ring. "I will be the strongest," he declared firmly. As he held his family's future within his hand, his eyes began to emit a piercing light. Simultaneously, he channeled his Arcane Talisman Technique to its maximum, filling the space with an invisible but palpable force. Though his aura remained unseen, his parents sensed an overwhelming presence, as if Darius had transformed into a figure of immense power. "I will forge a path where I reign supreme, where my strength dictates the course. I won't let you down, father, mother." His words, uttered with deep conviction, left Jarek and Amara momentarily speechless, struck by the sheer determination in their son's voice.

 "Good, good! The words of a Valdene carry weight, son. Remember that," Jarek continued, his voice was loud and rung with satisfaction.

 Amara, reaching into her robe, drew out a parchment and handed it to Darius. Her gaze was firm and full of pride as she watched her son.

 "I have already relinquished my ownership of it when I took it off and handed it to you. That is the condition for the ring to be transferred; it must be given freely, and by hand by the owner. This way, it can never be used if stolen. To others, it would just be a normal ring. You will need to memorize the spell to bind it to you, the spell to set the permanent portal location, a spell for a single-use portal, and the final spell to collapse all portals in case you are compromised," Jarek explained. 

 Darius listened while he examined the spell formulas for the ring. Fortunately, these spells weren't based on the user's abilities; the ring itself would act as the caster for the spells. 'It seems there might be more to this ring; this is giving me a new respect for Tilly's multitasking abilities,' Darius thought to himself, as he added investigating the ring to his list of to-do's.

 "Take your time to memorize them. Once you do, destroy the parchment by ripping it in half; it will then burn itself to ash, so be careful," Amara warned. She could see Darius had already begun to analyze the contents of the paper.

 "Done," Darius declared, tearing the paper in half swiftly before his parents could react, leaving them gaping. The paper ignited as Darius tossed it to the floor.

 "What?" he asked, a hint of defensiveness in his tone as he noticed their prolonged stares.

 Jarek encircled Amara with his arm, drawing her close. A confident smile played on his lips as he mused, "Honestly, I'm not sure why we're still surprised."

 Amara took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and shook her head briefly. "Okay!" She patted her husband's broad chest. "We should leave him to it then. We also have some things we need to get started on." She pulled away from Jarek, walked up to Darius, and hugged him close. She whispered softly, "You are not alone, little wolf. We will always be here for you." After kissing Darius on the forehead, she started walking towards the stairs.

 "Do not hesitate to ask for anything, Darius, I mean it. You have our full support," Jarek looked at his son for a moment longer before joining his wife.

 After a second of hesitation, Darius called out, "Mother, Father," making his parents pause. He stood with his back to them for a moment, his shoulder quivering slightly. Then, turning to face them, he said quickly, "I love you," his face gradually flushing a shade of red.

 Both parents' eyes widened in unison. "We love you too, Darius," Amara replied, her voice wavering as tears brimmed in her eyes. Slowly and reluctantly, Amara and Jarek turned towards the stairs, leaving their son alone in the cellar.

 Together, they ascended the stairs. Jarek, in a tone mingled with wonder, murmured, "Twelve years..." 

 Reaching the top, Amara responded with a soft whisper, a smile lighting up her face, "I was beginning to believe he'd never say it." Her step became buoyant, almost dancing as she moved up the final step.

----

"Shut up," Darius crinkled his brow as he looked at Haku, "I've never said it before, ok?" Haku tilted his head side to side as Darius unfairly accused him.

 "Alright, no more waiting," Darius declared, slipping the oversized ring onto his finger. It dangled loosely, almost humorously large. "Ceangail." Instantly, the crest on the ring glowed, and the ring began to resize, snugly fitting his finger.

 "Now, where to place the entrance?" Darius pondered aloud, scanning the cellar. "Tilly wouldn't be too thrilled with me appearing out of thin air down here." 

 "I've got it!" he exclaimed, dashing up the stairs, Haku yapping excitedly as he followed.

 Racing around the final corner, Darius and Haku arrived at the library doors, his sanctuary within the estate. He pushed the doors open, stepping into the familiar space. Closing the doors behind them, they made their way to the secluded back corner of the library, hidden behind towering shelves brimming with books.

 Darius pressed his hand against the wall, uttering, "Marchaiocht." His signet ring flared up, emitting a brief burst of white light. As he removed his hand, a white rune lingered on the wall, its glow gradually diminishing until it disappeared from sight.

 Darius pressed the crest of his ring into the center where the rune had been, his hand moving in a unique pattern, distinct from his father's. After a series of twists, he withdrew the ring and stepped back, gesturing for Haku to join him at his side.

 Moments later, the familiar array on the wall started to glow, expanding into its full form. It pulsed rhythmically a few times, emitting a low, harmonic hum that resonated through the library. Gradually detaching from the wall, the array began to spin, slowly at first, then rapidly gaining speed. The soft whirring sound grew louder, harmonizing with the hum. In a swift motion, it condensed into the black portal, the sounds fading into a quiet echo.

 Darius knelt and scooped Haku into his arms. Holding Haku close, he strode towards the swirling portal, his gaze fixed on the unknown riches that lay beyond.

----

 "Please be here," Darius desperately pleaded, his voice echoing slightly. The moment he and Haku had stepped through the portal, he had made a beeline for the second chamber – the resource room his father had mentioned. The air was thick with anticipation as he remembered Jarek's words, guiding him towards this treasure trove of natural wealth.

 Upon entering the resource room, Darius was immediately engulfed by an overwhelming blend of aromas. Rich scents of herbs and a medley of floral fragrances swirled around him, momentarily dazing him. He quickly circulated his Arcane Talisman Technique to steady his senses, allowing the refreshing water mana to cleanse the sensory overload. 

 As clarity returned, he found himself in what could only be described as an apothecary's paradise. The room, though compact, hosted a simple table and chair at its center, surrounded by walls meticulously covered with compartments of various sizes and shapes. Each section was clearly labeled, signifying the careful categorization of their contents. A smoothly gliding ladder rested against the walls, providing access to the higher compartments. But what truly captivated Darius was the ceiling - soaring at least six stories high, creating a sense of boundless space within the small chamber.

 "Alright, this is ridiculous." Darius strode over to Haku and crouched, presenting his arm. "Bite me," he instructed, his voice flat. "Don't worry, I won't...argh!" His words cut short as Haku bit down before he finished. "Okay, okay, it's real," Darius hastily retracted his arm, nursing the bite. "Straight for it, huh?" He grumbled, waving his arm at Haku, who gleefully scampered away, his nose leading him to explore the cupboards.

 "Brat," Darius muttered, still rubbing his arm. He turned his attention back to the table, where a large book rested. "I hope this is some sort of catalog." Approaching the table, he saw that the book was substantial, bound in leather with a plain, unmarked cover. Opening it with a sense of anticipation, Darius found, to his surprise, that the pages were completely blank.

 "A memory tome?" Laying his hand on the tome's pages, he knew memory tomes were a distinct feature of Gaian magitech, where authors imprinted information directly from their memories, rather than writing it down. This method meant the content was accessible only if the reader knew exactly what to search for, adding both ease of access and a layer of secrecy. "Please be here, Mandrake Root," Darius murmured, focusing on what he needed. The tome began to tremble slightly under his touch, prompting him to withdraw his hand.

 As Darius watched, the tome's pages began to flutter rapidly, eventually settling on a specific page. Words materialized on the once blank page, revealing "M-116, Mandrake Root, Quantity 1." A surge of excitement raced through Darius's veins at the revelation. "It's here, Haku!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the room as he leaped away from the book.

 As Darius scanned the room, he repeated "M, m, m, m," methodically searching for the relevant section. The walls were organized in rows, labeled a, a-1, a-2, and then b, b-1, b-2, etc. He located the 'm' row on the back wall and smoothly slid the ladder to the correct position. 

 Climbing the ladder, Darius felt waves of diverse auras and elements emanating from the compartments. The urge to explore each one tugged at his curiosity, but he resisted, focused on his mission. As he ascended, he passed a compartment emitting a spicy aroma so intense it made him cough, tears forming in his eyes.

 Scaling the ladder, Darius's eyes finally landed on the small compartment he sought, labeled M-116. About the size fit for a mouse, it featured a plain copper knob. He pulled it open, revealing a drawer within which lay his target. The Mandrake Root, a shriveled red root with lively brown hairs, emitted an earthy, potent aroma that filled his senses, distinct and slightly pungent.

 Darius swiftly descended the ladder, landing with ease. "Haku, come here," he called out, kneeling down. Haku approached, visibly unsettled by the myriad scents in the room. "Here, eat this," Darius coaxed, extending the Mandrake Root towards Haku. The root's lively brown hairs brushed against his palm, tickling his skin as he offered it to his companion.

 The instant Haku caught sight of the root, his attention fixated on it. His eyes widened, and he began to drool, his tail bushing out in excitement. Darius, noticing Haku's eagerness, tossed the root towards him. In a swift motion, Haku snatched it mid-air and gulped it down eagerly.

 Darius, employing his Arcane Gaze, examined Haku closely. As a normal animal, Haku naturally lacked a Mana Crystal, a trait exclusive to Mana Beasts. Despite this, Haku's innate mana, a characteristic shared by all of Gaia's lifeforms, besides the human race, was present. His elemental affinity, Fire, was subtle but unmistakable. Darius watched as delicate strands of mana within Haku converged around the Mandrake Root nestled in his stomach.

 As the last wisp of mana within Haku gathered around his stomach, a serene calm overtook him. He nestled onto the ground, easing into a deep, peaceful slumber, marked by gentle snores. The quiet rhythm of his breathing filled the room.

 Gently cradling Haku in his arms, Darius whispered, "When you wake up, everything will be different." He stepped into the All-Room, careful not to disturb Haku's slumber. Standing at the center, he spoke softly to the array, "Bedroom."

 The room began to transform, with a series of subtle whizzes and gentle pops, echoing softly around them. He carefully cradled Haku in his arms, feeling the fox's steady breathing as the room shifted. The space filled with furnishings - a bed, wardrobe, desk, and chair.

As the last piece settled into place, Darius cautiously approached the bed, still cradling the slumbering Haku. He tenderly placed him down, ensuring not to disturb his peaceful sleep. The room was now fully transformed, a comfortable sanctuary, but Haku remained blissfully unaware, lost in dreams.

 "Now it's up to you, buddy." Darius gently placed his hand on Haku's head, watching him with a mix of concern and hope. He decided to stay by Haku's side as the fox processed the Mandrake Root. According to what he'd read, the transformation should take no more than six hours. Pausing his own cultivation to ensure Haku's safety was a small price to pay for his friend's well-being.

The Mandrake Root, known for its potent effects in potion-making, primarily influenced mental faculties. Yet, one of its lesser-known properties was the enhancement of animal intelligence. The effectiveness of the root varied, some believed it depended on its size, others argued the number of hairs was key. Darius wasn't certain of its impact on Haku, but he hoped it would be substantial. "I hope this is enough. I want you to come with me," he whispered softly. "You need to get stronger too."

 Settling in beside the bed, Darius kept a vigilant watch over his only true companion, determined to support him through this pivotal change.