The training room was silent, save for the faint hum of energy that lingered in the air. Kael stood at its center, facing the shallow basin carved into the polished stone floor. Its edges were lined with intricate runes, faintly glowing in a rhythm that seemed almost alive. The water within the basin was unnaturally still, a mirror reflecting the soft, flickering light of the runes.
Darius stood tall on the far side of the basin, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was sharp, steady, and carried the weight of expectation. "The Water Paths are not just disciplines, Kael," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "They are ancient, living threads that bind you to the essence of water itself. Each path is a reflection of water's many faces, its dualities, its contradictions. To walk a path is to understand not just its power, but its truth."
Kael swallowed, feeling the weight of his father's words settle over him like a tide. He'd heard of the Water Paths before, but never in such depth—never with this kind of reverence.
Darius began to pace slowly, the heavy sound of his boots echoing against the stone floor. "There are three primary paths. The Path of the Healer is the gentlest and yet the most enduring. Those who walk this path wield water's innate ability to nurture, to restore what has been broken. They channel the purity of streams and springs, using water as a vessel to mend wounds and cleanse corruption."
Kael tilted his head, curious. "What makes it challenging?"
"The Healer's power demands precision," Darius replied. "To mend flesh or purify sickness is no simple act—it requires mastery over water's finest details, shaping it down to its very essence. And it takes a considerable amount of mana. A true Healer balances both control and endurance to sustain their abilities in the face of immense challenges."
Kael let the words settle in, his respect for the Healer's path growing. There was no inherent price to be paid other than skill and strength, but he could already sense how demanding it might be.
Darius stopped pacing, his expression shifting. "The Path of the Tempest," he said, his tone gaining an edge, "is water unleashed—raw, unrelenting, and unstoppable. It is the fury of storms, the chaos of crashing waves. Those who walk this path become conduits for destruction, commanding water as both sword and shield."
Kael's hands unconsciously tightened into fists. There was something enticing about the power described, something that whispered of freedom. But Darius's next words tempered the allure.
"The Tempest is a path of control," he said, locking his sharp gaze onto Kael. "Without mastery, it consumes the wielder as surely as it does their enemies. It is not enough to summon the storm—you must become the storm, your will unbroken, your purpose clear. The reckless drown in their own power."
Darius's expression grew more solemn as he turned toward the basin. "And then, there is the Path of the Deep."
Kael leaned forward slightly, caught in the gravity of his father's tone. The room seemed to grow quieter, as though the air itself was holding its breath.
"The Deep," Darius murmured, "is water's enigma, its quiet and enduring strength. While the Healer mends and the Tempest destroys, the Deep adapts. It is a path of strategy, of versatility. Those who walk it become tacticians, weaving water's currents to serve countless purposes—binding, obscuring, fortifying, or attacking when least expected."
Kael arched an eyebrow. "So, it's more… practical?"
Darius's eyes glinted faintly. "Practical, yes, but also profound. The Deep grants its wielder a mastery over water's most subtle traits—its ability to infiltrate, to endure, to reshape and adapt to any challenge. A practitioner of the Deep can turn a battlefield into a labyrinth, create defenses no enemy can predict, and even deceive the senses through manipulation of water's reflections."
Kael tilted his head, intrigued. "And it's connected to water's memory?"
Darius nodded. "More than the others, yes. Those who walk the Deep can tap into the echoes held within water—fragments of what it has touched, the moments it has carried. This makes it a path not only of adaptability but of revelation. It is a path for thinkers, for those who seek both knowledge and power. But the Deep is not forgiving. It demands patience, discipline, and a mind capable of seeing beyond the surface."
He paused, his expression growing sharper. "It is important you understand, Kael. Just because you align with one path does not mean you are barred from the others. The elements do not confine you. They allow you to reach into any path. But your alignment determines your strength. Your capability, your power, and your mastery over paths outside your primary one will always be reduced. That is the nature of essence—it reflects who you are at your core."
Kael nodded slowly, his mind buzzing with possibilities. The Deep called to him in ways he hadn't expected, its strategic potential sparking ideas even as its mysteries left him unsettled. He wasn't sure which path would align with him, but the thought of testing his limits against them all filled him with quiet determination.
Darius walked to a control pad in the training room and while he did that he said "Now, we will see where you stand".
The training room shifted as Darius approached a platform at the room's core. With a wave of his hand, the intricate runes etched into the floor began to glow brighter, their light spreading outward in rippling waves. The platform itself rose from the floor, its surface morphing and expanding, revealing a smooth, crystalline sphere encased in interlocking metallic rings. The rings thrummed with energy, symbols carved into them pulsing with life as they rotated in perfect synchronization around the sphere.
"This," Darius said, gesturing to the construct, "is the Orb of Resonance. It was created centuries ago, a fusion of magic and ancient technology, designed to uncover the truths hidden within an individual's essence. The water within the orb is not ordinary—it is imbued with the essence of the paths, attuned to their unique traits. It will reveal where your alignment lies, as well as the level of your aptitude."
Kael stepped closer, his eyes widening as he gazed at the orb. The crystalline sphere glowed faintly, its surface swirling with shimmering light and liquid movement. Each metallic ring seemed to hum at a slightly different frequency, creating a resonant harmony that filled the room. The construct felt alive, as though it were waiting for him.
"What do you mean by 'level of aptitude'?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Darius turned to face him, his expression solemn. "Not all alignments are equal. The orb doesn't just reveal which path calls to you—it measures the depth of your resonance. There are ranks that indicate how strongly a path aligns with your essence. They are as follows:
Echoing rank the path's response is faint, like a distant ripple in still water—a presence barely felt but undeniably there.
Resonant rank the path vibrates with increasing clarity, its energy steady and alive, like a growing harmony building toward something vast and powerful.
Harmonic rank the path aligns deeply with your essence, its resonance steady and strong, a bond that carries strength and clarity.
Exaltedrank the path fully embraces your essence, its power flowing through you with unparalleled clarity. This rank is extremely rare."
Kael let the explanation sink in, the idea of being ranked adding both a sense of excitement and dread. "And if none of my paths are above Echoing?"
Darius's gaze hardened. "Then you will struggle to progress. But the water always answers, Kael. The question is not whether it will respond—it's how strongly."
Kael nodded, stepping onto the platform. The air around the orb grew heavier as he approached, the hum of the rings deepening, resonating in his chest. He hesitated for a moment, then placed his hands on the surface of the crystalline sphere. It was cool to the touch, and as he closed his eyes, he released his mana.
The orb glowed brighter, and the Trial began.
A gentle warmth spread through Kael's hands, radiating up his arms and into his chest. The orb pulsed softly, its interior filling with a golden light that swirled like liquid sunlight. Kael felt an overwhelming sense of calm, as though the energy itself sought to mend and comfort him. Images flashed in his mind—hands mending broken flesh, streams purifying tainted lands, life renewed from the brink of despair. The resonance was clear, steady, and strong. The orb pulsed once before dimming, marking Kael's Healer aptitude as Exalted.
Without warning, the orb's glow shifted, the golden light giving way to an intense, electric blue. The sphere's liquid core churned violently, its energy lashing out in sharp bursts that sent tremors through the platform. Kael's breath quickened as he felt its power—chaotic, unrelenting, and exhilarating. It wasn't just destruction—it was determination, raw and unyielding. The Tempest called to him with a ferocity that demanded control, daring him to harness its strength. The connection deepened, the energy crackling through him. The orb pulsed twice, brighter than before, marking his Tempest aptitude as Exalted.
The orb's glow dimmed once more, its interior darkening to a deep, endless blue. The liquid core grew still, its surface reflecting something vast and unknowable. Kael's breath caught as he felt its pull—a profound, quiet strength that sank into his very core. It was immense and unyielding, its presence steady and all-encompassing. Whispers echoed faintly in the back of his mind, fragments of memories and truths just out of reach. The Deep didn't just call to him—it consumed him, resonating so strongly that it felt like an extension of himself. The orb pulsed three times, its glow lingering longer than before, marking his Deep aptitude as Exalted.
Kael withdrew his hands, his chest heaving as he opened his eyes. The orb's rings slowed their rotation, the hum quieting as the Trial came to an end. But the energy of the paths still resonated within him, their echoes undeniable.
Darius stepped onto the platform, his gaze sharp as he placed his hand on the orb. It glowed faintly, cycling through the golden warmth of the Healer, the crackling storm of the Tempest, and the profound stillness of the Deep. His expression shifted, and for the first time, his voice carried a rare note of pride that he didn't entirely suppress.
"All three paths," he murmured, his voice steady but tinged with something deeper. "Exalted in the Healer. Exalted in the Tempest. And Exalted in the Deep. This is beyond rare, Kael… this is extraordinary."
Kael blinked, his mind racing. "What does that mean?"
Darius exhaled slowly, meeting his son's gaze. "It means you are not bound to a single path," he said, his tone both stern and reverent. "You have the potential to walk any—or all—if you have the strength. But make no mistake. To claim all three paths at this level… it is unheard of. The burden will be immense."
Kael straightened, his resolve hardening. "Then I'll do it. I'll master them all."
Darius studied him for a long moment, his lips pressing into a line that was almost a smile. "The Trial was just the beginning,"