Chapter 22: Golden Core

Valara turned her gaze towards Elara, her brows slightly furrowed in thought. "Elara," she started, "I do have a few more questions for you. If you don't mind, that is."

Elara met Valara's gaze, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Of course, Valara. I am here to help, after all."

The elder cultivator nodded, acknowledging Elara's cooperation. "Firstly, now that your race has been revealed to us, what should we call your people?"

After a brief moment of consideration, Elara decided on an answer. "Let's name us after the royal family. We are the Impris."

Valara nodded, mentally noting down the name. "The Impris. It has a certain ring to it. Now, another matter of curiosity, if you would indulge me, Elara. How old are you, exactly?" Valara's eyes moved between Elara and Caden, her expression curious yet slightly teasing.

Elara giggled softly, her bioluminescent skin shimmering with mirth. "Well, in terms of human years, my physical age would be around 25. As for my race's years, that would be 250. But if we consider my cultivator age, it would be around 650. And if we consider the time I've been in stasis... well, technically, I'm around 5,650 years old."

Valara's eyes widened slightly at Elara's reply, her gaze turning back to Elara in surprise. "You certainly have the advantage in experience," she remarked, her tone full of admiration. She then continued, her gaze becoming more focused, "And for my final question, once we get back to the Order Hall, would you consent to a private examination of your cultivation level?"

Elara nodded, understanding the importance of this request. "Yes, I think that would be helpful. I'm curious to see the potential changes after so long, too."

Throughout the conversation, Caden listened carefully, a quiet smile on his face as he watched the two most important women in his life interact so comfortably.

As the conversation between Elara and Valara started to wind down, Orion, the ship's AI, chimed in with an update. "Caden, Valara, Elara," Orion's smooth voice rang out, "We will be exiting warp space shortly. Arrival at the Order Hall will occur in approximately fifteen minutes."

Caden nodded, his fingers dancing over the ship's controls in anticipation of the end of the warp. "Alright, Orion. Get us ready for reentry into normal space," he instructed, eyes focused on the panels in front of him.

The order hall was a familiar sight, a beacon of knowledge and safety for Caden and his fellow cultivators. His heart throbbed slightly as he thought about the upcoming challenges and changes. But for now, he was home, with the people he cared about, and that was enough.

As they touched down, Valara had pointed out another private room adjacent to Caden's for Elara's use. The offer seemed to delight Elara as she agreed enthusiastically.

Just as they began to disembark, Caden turned towards Valara. His voice carried a seriousness that caused her to pause. "Valara, there's one more thing I haven't told you yet..." he said, letting the sentence hang in the air. The tone in his voice made it clear that whatever information he was about to divulge was of considerable importance.

Valara's gaze lingered on Caden and Elara as Caden began to share the previously omitted details. "We discovered an Artificial Intelligence, Xerath, who managed to survive the ruin of Elara's world. Elara has known it for quite some time. And, that's not all..." His words trailed off momentarily, his eyes meeting Elara's as if seeking silent confirmation.

He then continued, "We also came across a fully functional long-distance warp ship. With Elara's help, we were able to load it with a trove of precious artifacts from the royal family's palace vaults, artifacts of cultural and historical importance to the Impris people." Caden's voice carried a sense of gravity as he handed over a small device to Valara. The screen lit up with a set of spatial coordinates and a timer ticking down.

"In around 14 years," Caden explained, "that ship will arrive at these coordinates. We set it on an auto-pilot course to ensure its safe arrival." His words filled the cabin with a sense of anticipation, creating an understanding of the significance of the cargo aboard that distant ship and its role in the restoration of the Impris civilization.

With a nod of approval, Valara announced her plans to accommodate the incoming ship, her authoritative tone signaling the end of the discussion. "You both have been on a long journey, take the rest of the day to relax and regroup. Training and testing for Elara will begin tomorrow morning as usual!" Her words were the final notes of a song that signaled an end to their extraordinary mission. With that, she ambled off, her steps echoing through the expansive ship as she retired to her room.

Caden, in turn, took Elara's hand and led her to their adjoining quarters. The two rooms were nearly identical, both tastefully furnished and spacious, save for the shared bathroom that connected them. A sense of camaraderie washed over Caden as he showed Elara her space, a sign that this would be their new normal.

With a tender hug and a chaste kiss on her cheek, he bid her goodnight. "I'm just next door if you need anything," he said, his words hanging in the air like a comforting lullaby. He then walked through the connecting bathroom into his room, closing the door gently behind him.

In the solitude of his room, Caden perched himself on the edge of his bed, taking a deep breath, he finally allowed himself to relax. His mind replayed the events of their incredible expedition, the triumphs and heartaches of the past week finally catching up to him. As he exhaled, a sense of peace washed over him. Their journey was far from over, but for now, they were home.

In the tranquility of their adjoining quarters, Elara and Caden began to let the weight of the day slip away. For Elara, the sensation of being in an entirely different galaxy was a heady mixture of awe and trepidation. Her mind danced with thoughts of the future, her people's rich culture, the possibility of bringing back the Impris from the brink of oblivion. It was a heavy responsibility, one that she bore with grace and optimism. She stood at the precipice of a new chapter, her heart thrumming with anticipation.

On the other hand, Caden felt an anchoring sense of relief upon returning home. Yet, his heart was aflutter with the new bond he'd formed, a profound connection with Elara. He found himself carrying the last vestiges of an ancient civilization within him, a testament to their journey together. His mind wandered to the possibility of a future filled with nurturing these seeds of a lost civilization, an endeavor that he was eager to undertake.

Their thoughts mirrored each other, a quiet symphony of hope and anticipation. There was a palpable energy in the air, a promise of a future that was as expansive and diverse as the universe itself.

The night was tranquil, an exquisite calm that they both hadn't tasted in quite a while. Elara, unable to find solace in solitude, quietly slipped into Caden's room, finding comfort in his nearness. Nestled on the floor next to his bed, she fell into a deep slumber, her chest rising and falling rhythmically with each serene breath.

In the early twilight of dawn, Caden stirred awake, his eyes fluttering open to find Elara slumbering peacefully beside his bed. A soft chuckle escaped him, the sight of her sprawled out on the floor was endearing. Moving with practiced ease and care not to wake her, he gently hoisted her up into his arms. Her body was warm against his, her steady breath a comforting rhythm. He placed her tenderly on his bed, tucking the covers around her sleeping form.

Standing back, he took a moment to gaze at her, an affectionate smile curling on his lips. Then, he turned his attention to the new day, slipping into his training outfit. The familiar feel of the fabric against his skin, the anticipation of a challenging workout, it was the welcoming routine of home. And with Elara's soft, rhythmic breathing as his background melody, Caden was ready to face the new day.

With a final glance cast over his shoulder at the still slumbering Elara, Caden quietly stepped out of his room, making sure the door shut gently behind him. He padded down the hallway, his steps silent and unobtrusive, moving through the early morning tranquility of the residence.

Valara was already seated in their usual meditation spot, a serene space adorned with an array of flourishing plants and a soothing water feature. As he joined her, their ritualistic morning routine began. The air was crisp and clean, the first light of dawn peeking in through a nearby window, the peaceful ambiance acting as a natural balm to the spirit.

Valara's eyes remained closed, a testament to her profound concentration, but she acknowledged Caden's arrival with a nod. He took his place next to her, legs folding into the traditional meditative pose. With a calming breath, he began to focus, his mind reaching outwards, seeking the balance between body and spirit. As the quiet hours of the morning passed, they sat together in meditative harmony, readying themselves for the challenges of the day ahead.

A gentle sigh slipped from Elara's lips as she slowly stirred awake, her long eyelashes fluttering open. The room was washed in a soft, warm light, evidence that the day had already begun outside. The first thing that caught her attention was the surprising softness beneath her; the sensation of a mattress, not the hard floor she remembered drifting off on.

Sitting up in the bed, she stretched her arms out, an appreciative hum slipping from her lips as she relished in the feeling of the plush sheets and the comforting warmth that still lingered, a testament to Caden's recent presence.

Her gaze wandered to the open door, and she noticed something new. Hanging neatly was a suit, an elegant, form-fitting design, its material shimmering under the morning sunlight that filtered into the room. Below it, attached to the hanger, was a small holonote.

With an intrigued tilt of her head, Elara gracefully slipped out of the bed and padded over to the door. Picking up the holonote, she activated it, Caden's handwriting materializing in mid-air. It instructed her to take a shower, dress in the provided suit, and then meet him and Valara in the courtyard.

A smile tugged at her lips as she read the note. Setting it down, she glanced at the suit once more, her fingers brushing against the high-quality fabric, before heading to the bathroom, ready to prepare for whatever the day had in store.

After a much-needed shower, Elara donned the suit. It was a perfect fit, as if it had been tailored just for her. Its sleek design and material were unlike anything she'd ever worn, but it made her feel strong, empowered, and very much part of this new world.

Stepping out of the room, she navigated the corridor, guided by the house's AI voice directing her to the courtyard. The building was grand and filled with natural light, with bioluminescent flora dotted here and there adding a magical touch.

Eventually, she reached the courtyard. An oasis of greenery within the grand architecture of the Order Hall, it was a tranquil and serene space, filled with trees, flowers, and a central water feature. Caden was already there, immersed in meditation under the guidance of Valara.

Not wanting to disturb them, Elara quietly made her way to a stone bench nearby and sat down. As she gazed upon the peaceful scene, she felt a sense of calm envelop her. She was eager to learn and start her new life in this strange and beautiful galaxy. And she was thankful for Caden, who had not only saved her but was guiding her through this unfamiliar terrain.

As if sensing her presence, Valara and Caden came out of their meditation simultaneously, their bodies gently descending from their floating lotus positions. Opening their eyes, they exchanged a brief glance before turning their gaze towards Elara.

Caden's face lit up with a warm smile as he noticed her, walking over with an aura of tranquillity. Valara, too, greeted Elara with a composed nod, her stoic demeanor softening.

"Good morning, Elara," Caden said, his voice echoing the serenity of the early hours. "Did you sleep well?"

Valara added, "Welcome to the training courtyard. This is where we start each day, centering ourselves before the tasks ahead."

Their synchronized welcome created a welcoming atmosphere that enveloped Elara, making her feel more at ease and part of the order. It was clear that they had been expecting her, and were prepared to include her in their daily routine.

Valara began, "The first thing we're going to do is to assess your cultivation level. For that, we will use an artifact known as the Resonating Celestial Bell."

She gestured toward a crystal bell resting on a simple wooden pedestal. It looked plain, unassuming even, but Elara could feel a faint vibration emanating from it, a whisper of power that tingled her senses.

"The purpose of this bell," Valara continued, "is to gauge the strength of your Stellar Core, which is what we call the cultivation base in this galaxy. It essentially measures your connection to the celestial energies."

Elara nodded in understanding. "In my galaxy," she said, "we referred to it as the Golden Core."

Valara raised her eyebrows, a hint of intrigue crossing her face. "Golden Core... Interesting. Different galaxies, different terminologies, but it seems like the core concept remains the same. Well, let's see how your Golden Core resonates with our Celestial Bell."

She motioned for Elara to approach, the anticipation palpable in the tranquil courtyard.