The son of Cragar approached the dark altar at the center of the void and observed the strange floating crystal. Upon closer inspection, he noticed it wasn't merely a mineral—it was a pulsating sphere, brimming with energy. The magic of the object traveled through the air, then coursed into the grooves of the pedestal on which it floated, seemingly reaching a lower section below. Shirei first stepped onto the altar, aiming to get a better view of the surroundings, then turned to his replica.
"This is supposed to be the manifestation of my Evanescent Trail?"
"Calling it an Evanescent Trail would be an insult."
Shirei didn't understand what he meant.
"We'll get there. No need to trouble yourself."
The boy nodded and looked around. Absolute nothingness. No sound, no living soul.
What am I supposed to do now? he wondered.
He would have liked to venture into the deepest darkness, but he suspected it would only be a waste of time. If he truly was inside his subconscious—and the presence of his double only reinforced that theory—then there was no reason to conceal his path.
The mist must be just a signal warning me not to go that way. I'd probably end up back at the altar.
His replica floated into the air and landed gracefully on the same platform. "You're very quiet."
"Can't you hear what I'm thinking?"
"Of course I can. But since I'm here, you could take the opportunity to speak out loud, work on your social skills, don't you think?"
The violet-eyed Blendbreed decided to ignore him for a moment and focused on the energy sphere, then resumed the conversation.
"What's my name?"
"Shirei."
He hesitated and looked at the spirit. "My real name. If we're going to talk, I'd rather not call you 'double' or 'other me.'"
"See?" the specter teased him. "You're already improving."
"Why won't you reveal it?"
"In due time. For now, call me whatever you prefer. You can use my title, Placid, if you don't find it too long."
The boy gave up hope and went back to considering his next move to progress through the Evanescent Trail.
Reno, I need your help, he tried to call upon the Tenebrae, but it did not manifest.
He received no response either, a sign that his bond with the dark creature was temporarily disabled.
The only point he could focus on was the mysterious sphere of radiant energy before his eyes. Before he could ask, Placid came to his aid.
"This is your Divine Core, at least figuratively. You can think of it as a doorway to your paths."
Shirei didn't miss the fact that he had used the plural, but he chose to bury that information for now. The particle was a gateway to be opened in order to proceed—he just needed to find the key.
The core was the living heart of a Blendbreed, the organ where mana was contained, stored, and released. If he had to imagine it as a door, then the only way to open it was with energy.
Mana is the key.
The spirit beside him said nothing, but its violet eyes watched him intently. Shirei stepped closer to the sphere of energy and raised his right hand toward it. He couldn't feel mana flowing within his vessels, but it had to be there. After all, this was his body.
The Evanescent Trail seemed to resonate with his intent, releasing tiny blue particles from his arm. The mana swirled around the Divine Core, like two animals cautiously observing one another after being brought together for the first time, then it was drawn inside.
The sphere glowed with an intense azure light, threads of energy began to stream downward and drip over the altar like ichor. The entire rocky structure lit up with concentric cerulean rings, then there was a slight tremor. All at once, Shirei saw the ground around him dissolve, and he began to hear a sound. He had heard it before—not an organic noise, but something born of nature. The rush of a river.
"Water?"
The Blendbreed approached the edge of the altar, gazing at a vast expanse of water in the distance. The mist in that direction had cleared, a clear signal inviting him to continue along that path.
He was about to descend when another doubt made him hesitate.
If the Divine Core absorbs mana to reveal the path… what might happen if I try to fill it with aether?
He turned once more to the crystal and decided to attempt an experiment. His replica continued to stare at him in silence—Shirei took it as a good sign, confirmation that he was on the right track. He raised his hand and touched the sphere of energy, then closed his eyes to concentrate.
Channeling aether through his body was something he still hadn't mastered. The long days of battle against the Equinox Flowers had disrupted his training, preventing him from developing that skill.
But if it's just about absorbing it and then releasing it… I shouldn't have too much trouble.
He took a deep breath and forced his core to contract—perhaps more than necessary. Particles the color of chlorophyll spread into the air like pollen and dispersed almost randomly.
Apparently, I was wrong.
The boy lowered his hand, disappointed, and was about to head toward the distant river when, like a powerful gravitational force, the Divine Core absorbed all the aether. A shockwave rippled through the entire trail, and the base of the altar shattered.
What the…
Beneath the rocky platform appeared marble-carved steps, forming a long spiral staircase around the altar that descended into the darkness of his subconscious. When the tremors ceased, Shirei stood upright. If he had been capable of showing emotions on his face, he was sure he would have been smiling.
Now, however, he had to choose which of the two paths to explore first.
Maybe I should check what's down there…
He didn't want to admit it to himself, but the whole matter of the aether intrigued him far more. If he was the only Blendbreed truly capable of controlling it, then there had to be something special.
"Check this level first. The next one won't be nearly as simple."
His younger version placed the gauntlet of the black armor on his shoulder to stop him. Shirei felt the cold touch of the metal against his skin and marveled at how real this place seemed.
"I thought this was the path you spoke of."
"It is. The one down below, at least."
"Then let me go down," the Blendbreed retorted.
"That one," he pointed in the direction of the sound of rushing water, "is Cragar's path. It'll be an easy journey for you."
Shirei couldn't follow Placid's reasoning.
"Why are there multiple paths? Is it because of the aether?"
The replica took a step back. "You don't actually think the gods consider you a threat just because you're the Forbidden Heir, do you?"
"I thought it was because of our past. Isn't that the reason?"
The younger version shook his head. "Not even close. You have no idea what kind of power lies in this place."
Without waiting, Placid began heading toward the distant river, and Shirei, though a little reluctant, followed. The two reached the shore in relatively short time. The water lapped at the boy's now bare feet, making him flinch slightly. It was icy cold, but relaxing all the same. He looked up and stared into the distance, trying to spot anything that could guide him toward the next objective. He turned his head right and left—nothing.
"Now what?"
Placid floated beside him and asked, "Don't you see it?"
"See what?"
The spirit drew his attention by pointing at his own eyes, which had lost their dominant color in favor of a greenish hue. Shirei looked at him for a moment, then understood.
He's infused aether into his eyes to enhance his vision.
"You get it?" Placid asked.
The Blendbreed shook his head. "I can't manipulate aether."
He didn't bother wondering why, in the past, he had mastered that ability and then lost it. At first, he believed he had only been stripped of his memories, but now he was beginning to realize there was more to it.
"You're right," the other replied before snapping his fingers in front of Shirei's face. "What do you see now?"
Shirei's eyes widened—a bridge extended into the void. He turned toward his double to ask for an explanation, but he had vanished.
The son of Cragar took a deep breath. "I'm alone…"
There was no point in standing still, so he stepped onto the modest, rain-slicked wooden tiles. He felt a thrill at the thought of uncovering something more about himself—and maybe becoming stronger. He advanced with measured steps across the bridge suspended above the calm river. The wood creaked beneath his feet, and the air was heavy with moisture. A faint mist rose from the surface of the water, wrapping the landscape in an ethereal veil.
His violet eyes scanned the horizon, searching for a sign—any hint of what lay ahead. The bridge stretched endlessly, swallowed by the thickening fog with every step he took. The wind swept through his black hair, carrying the damp scent of the river… and something more subtle—a fragrance from the past, yet familiar. He drew in a deep breath, letting the aroma fill his lungs and sharpen his senses.
This place is just a creation of my mind, and yet it feels so real in every sensation.
He had no choice but to accept that truth and continue.
After what felt like an eternity, a detail caught his attention. In the distance, emerging from the mist like an island in a sea of clouds, appeared a rocky ground.
Shirei felt his heart quicken in his chest.
Is this the sign I was looking for? Am I meant to go there?
Without hesitation, he picked up his pace. The bridge swayed beneath him, but he kept his balance with the grace of an assassin. His eyes never left the small islet as it grew closer and closer. For some reason, he feared it might vanish like a mirage if he looked away even for a moment.
At last, he reached the end of the path and stepped onto solid ground. The terrain was firm, yet seemed to hum beneath his weight.
He looked around, trying to get his bearings in this new space. The fog had lifted, revealing jagged rocks that rose toward a sky of deep, dark violet.
That's when he saw it—a door.
It seemed out of place in such a landscape, and yet the missing hinges and blurred edges made it blend in flawlessly. It was a modest structure, made of a material he couldn't identify. It looked as dark as pitch, but gleamed with an inner light, as if gemstones had been embedded within.
The Blendbreed approached cautiously, scanning the area for other paths, but the desolation all funneled toward that one door hanging in the void. With a deep breath, he extended his hand and touched its surface, feeling the coarse material under his fingers—and a shiver ran down his spine. He gripped the handle and turned his wrist to open it, then froze.
Was there always a handle?
He tried to recall, but his thoughts were becoming increasingly blurry. He wondered if that was a side effect of the Evanescent Trail.
Ada warned me… but I can't stop now. I haven't seen anything yet.
Having made his choice, he opened the door, revealing an impenetrable darkness beyond.
A portal…
Without hesitation, the son of Cragar stepped through the threshold.
Passing through the door felt like diving into a frozen lake. For a moment, he was disoriented, unable to tell up from down. Then, the sensation faded, and he began to adjust to the movement.
The darkness regained tangible form. He now stood in a vast, shadowed chamber. The horizon remained veiled by dense fog, but the ground beneath him had changed—it was now a floor polished to an obsessive degree. The air felt different—thicker, saturated with an energy that made his Divine Core tingle.
A soft light illuminated the area above him. Shirei followed the faint beams and lifted his gaze toward what might have been the ceiling of that place, discovering a wall covered in glowing crystals.
He took a few cautious steps, his eyes trying to adjust to the dim light.
Now I need to figure out where to go.
That was when he noticed a second light entering his vision. The floor beneath his feet had begun to emit violet sparks—subtle, yet unmistakable. Shirei recalled his arrival on the trail, when he had infused the sphere first with his own mana, then with aether. If the light had guided him before, then these gentle glimmers tracing a path ahead would likely do the same.
Without hesitation, he followed the glowing line. His steps echoed through the chamber, creating a rhythm that seemed to accompany him in this introspective journey. As he advanced, a feeling began to swell inside him—an excitement he couldn't contain.
Why do I feel this way?
Anyone would long to grow stronger, especially someone like him. Gaining a deeper understanding of his powers would allow him to improve, to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
I wouldn't have ended up alone…
They weren't his thoughts, but the confusion of the moment made him overlook it. The Evanescent Trail was speaking to him in secret.
As he moved forward, the landscape shifted to resemble the earlier zone. The light led him through winding passages, deeper into the mountains. The air grew colder, denser, so charged with energy that blue particles of mana began to freely condense in the atmosphere.
Shirei kept going, trying to rein in his thoughts. He was struggling to think clearly. He blamed the Evanescent Trail, though perhaps something else was waiting for the right moment—a beast ready to take over when he least expected it.
The feeling has faded… even quieted. So suddenly… it almost didn't feel like mine.
Then, abruptly, the glowing path stopped, snapping him out of his thoughts. He was standing on a small island suspended in the void, halfway between human craftsmanship and raw nature. The floor was unchanged, as was the fog—but before him stood a wall of solid rock, seemingly impenetrable. The violet light ended precisely at his feet, as though it had been cleanly severed.
Shirei came to a halt, confused.
Was this what awaited me, Placid? To be led here only to face an insurmountable wall?
He decided to try climbing. Placing his hands on the cold surface of the rock, he searched for any tiny protrusion or indentation he could use as a foothold. His violet eyes scanned every inch of the wall while his sensitive fingers explored the rough texture. With a smooth motion, Shirei lifted his weight off the ground, pressing his feet against the rock and pushing himself upward. For a moment, it seemed his attempt might succeed. His hands found small imperfections in the stone—enough to support his weight briefly.
But soon, the reality of the situation became clear. The wall was too smooth, too vertical. There weren't enough holds to let him climb more than a few meters. With a frustrated sigh, Shirei let himself fall back to the ground, landing gracefully despite his disappointment.
The Blendbreed ran a hand through his black hair, his mind working frantically to find a solution. He couldn't have come all this way only to be stopped by a simple rock wall.
There had to be more to this. Growth was the very purpose of the Evanescent Trails—a dead end would make no sense.
Then it must be a test…
That was when an idea struck him. If he couldn't climb it… could he break through it? Shirei knew he possessed superhuman strength—a legacy of his divine parent. Maybe it would be enough to create a breach in the rock.
Sometimes, there's no need to overthink things. Maybe Havel's approach will work.
Without further hesitation, he stepped back, preparing for impact. He focused all his energy into his right fist, feeling the power flow through his body like a surge of electricity.
The sound of the impact echoed through the area, shaking the wall and sending a rain of small stones from the ceiling. Shirei expected to see the rock shatter beneath his blow, expected a passage to open toward whatever lay beyond.
Instead, to his surprise, the wall merely vibrated from the hit, producing a hollow sound. Shirei grunted at the pain and looked down at his hand, now stained with blood.
This isn't what I thought would happen…
A single blink was all it took—his wound vanished. Shirei furrowed his brows, confused. Not by the healing, which he assumed was a result of the Evanescent Trail.
The wall made a strange sound.
He placed a hand on the rocky surface, feeling its cold solidity. No cracks. No signs of a hidden door or secret mechanism. Just a simple wall.
And yet, Shirei was certain it concealed something beyond.
Beyond…?
There was something familiar about this place—he had already felt it before. He could sense it echoing deep within him, like memories he so desperately wanted to recover.
If his younger self had led him here with purpose, then this place had already been traversed once before. And if what stood before him was some sort of trial, then he had already passed it.
I just need to understand how I did it.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation he'd felt earlier, when his double had guided him. He let the particles of mana in the air flow through him like a rushing river. And as they did, a second energy stirred within—a power he knew he possessed but had never learned to command.
It must be the aether. The problem is learning how to channel it at will.