Chapter 2 — "First Steps into the Unknown"
The world was different now.
Erik could feel it in every fiber of his being. The Glyph of Initiation pulsed gently in his palm, as if alive, and the energy flooding through his body didn't abate. His senses, sharpened by the sudden infusion of Aether, felt the room in ways he hadn't expected. The stone walls seemed to breathe, the arcane symbols glowing faintly with hidden power.
But his head throbbed, the force of the Aether's infusion still making his vision blur. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to focus, to steady himself.
The Archivist was still standing before him, silent, as if observing Erik's struggle. Then, finally, it spoke again, its voice low and measured.
"The Aether does not reveal itself easily, especially to those who have never known its touch. It will be a burden for you at first. But in time, you will grow accustomed to its flow, its currents. And you will find that the more you embrace it, the more power you will possess."
Erik gritted his teeth, his hand still trembling around the crystal. The words echoed in his mind, and despite the overwhelming flood of energy inside him, he forced himself to take a slow, steady breath.
"What… what happens now?" Erik asked, his voice strained. He wasn't sure how much longer he could stand this overwhelming connection to the Aether.
"Now, you begin your journey." The Archivist's voice was almost unreadable. "The world you now inhabit is a place of immense potential. But power here is not easily won. There are forces—beings, entities—that have long shaped Velhraz. You, Erik Stahl, are part of that shaping now. The Aether flows through you, and it will be your responsibility to master it. Or be destroyed by it."
Erik swallowed. This wasn't the peaceful, ordinary life he had imagined when he was living on Earth. There were no simple answers, no easy path. He had died, and now he was here—alive again, but in a world that was nothing like what he had known.
"Master it?" Erik repeated, trying to steady his breath. "How? How do I even begin to understand all this? I don't even know where to start."
The Archivist did not answer immediately, its form flickering in the dim light. But then it stepped aside, its motion almost fluid.
"The path of the Transmigrant is rarely simple," the Archivist intoned. "But there is one place where all such journeys begin—the Verdant-Wyrm Academy. It is a place of learning, a place where you can begin to understand the ways of the Aether, of the systems that govern this world. If you wish to find your purpose here, that is where you must go."
The name Verdant-Wyrm Academy echoed in Erik's mind. It sounded… significant. And if this place was where people like him—transmigrants—went to learn, then it was his best shot at figuring out what was going on.
But before Erik could respond, the Archivist raised a hand, halting him.
"But be warned. The path ahead is fraught with danger. The Aether can be as much a curse as a blessing. And your journey will not be without its enemies. Many will seek to control the power you now hold, and many will try to stop you from reaching your potential. The world you now walk is one of constant conflict, of ancient powers battling for control. The Aether may lead you to glory—or to destruction. Your fate is yours to decide."
Erik's chest tightened. This was it—the world he had been thrust into, the responsibility laid upon him. He could no longer be the carefree college student he had once been. His journey in Velhraz would be fraught with peril, filled with unknown dangers.
But there was a fire in his chest—a drive to understand, to survive, and perhaps, to thrive.
"How do I get to this Academy?" Erik asked, his voice steadier now, his resolve firming up.
The Archivist gestured to the open chamber, its ethereal presence emanating a sense of finality.
"Follow the path you choose. But know this: Your first step will take you into the Ashen Plains—a dangerous wasteland, filled with wild Aether-infused creatures and remnants of ancient battles. It is the place where many have fallen. The Academy lies beyond, but you will need to prove your worth before you can even enter its gates."
Erik nodded. His hands, though still trembling, clenched into fists at his sides.
"I'll do it," he said, his voice resolute. "I don't care how dangerous it is. I'll find my way."
The Archivist's gaze lingered on him for a long moment, and Erik couldn't read the expression hidden behind the figure's helm. But then, with a soft breath, the Archivist spoke one last time.
"So be it, Erik Stahl. May your path be one of light. Or may the darkness consume you."
And with that, the Archivist stepped back into the shadows, fading from sight as Erik stood alone in the vast chamber.
End of Chapter 2