"Three days," he whispered to the empty room. The night stretched before Cid like an endless canvas, hours of solitude that others would spend in slumber. Sleep, once a necessity, had become foreign to him—another human trait shed in his evolution. He sat cross-legged on the floor of his quarters, the Aegis of the Inner Light spread before him, its intricate patterns pulsing gently in the darkness like a living thing.
"Kaelira," he murmured, tracing the name etched into the armor's inner lining. "Noxian Artisan."
He shut his eyes and extended his awareness, utilizing his newly enhanced senses and Qi abilities. He could detect the lingering Qi of the forger. It is said that if a forger is truly skilled, they unknowingly infuse their craft with Qi. He searched for any trace of connection between himself and the creator of this remarkable armor.
To his surprise, he felt something—a faint resonance, like a thread of spider silk stretching across vast distances. Following this ethereal connection required a different kind of concentration, not the focused determination he was accustomed to, but a fluid awareness that reminded him of Bellera's presence within him.
As he sank deeper into this meditative state, the walls of his quarters seemed to dissolve, replaced by a swirling vortex of stars and cosmic dust. He was traveling—not physically, but through some higher dimension that connected all points in space. The journey lasted both an instant and an eternity before resolving into a new location: a workshop unlike any he had ever seen.
The space was vast and open, its walls formed from living trees that had grown together in perfect harmony. Sunlight filtered through a canopy of iridescent leaves, casting rainbow patterns across workbenches fashioned from polished stone. Tools hung from branches, each one a masterpiece in its own right, crafted with loving attention to detail. The air was rich with unfamiliar scents—metallic and floral, earthy and ethereal all at once.
And there, in the center of this remarkable space, stood a figure that could only be Kaelira.
The Noxian artisan was a striking figure, adorned with elaborate attire that showcased her artistic prowess and cultural heritage. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her shoulders, interwoven with vibrant feathers and intricate accessories. The bold patterns painted on her skin—deep charcoal in hue—were not static designs; they shifted and flowed like living calligraphy, responding to her emotions and thoughts. The swirling whites and oranges revealed a dynamic artistry that pulsed with life.
Her movements were as fluid as water as she bent over her current project, each gesture imbued with purpose and grace. Her piercing orange eyes glinted with a fierce energy, glowing with an inner light that seemed to pierce directly into his soul when she glanced up suddenly, as if sensing his presence. The ornate decorations in her headdress, featuring horns and precious stones, gave her an air of dominance and authority within her craft. Golden bangles adorned her arms, enhancing the elegance of her movements. Each element of her design not only served as a personal statement but also honored her heritage, revealing the complexity and depth of a culture rich in history and artistry.
"A visitor," she said, her voice melodious and complex, containing harmonics that human vocal cords could never produce. "How unexpected. And from so far away."
Cid found himself fully manifested in her workshop, though he knew his physical body remained in his quarters on Barrow. This was a meeting of minds and spirits—something made possible by his draconic awakening and the resonance of her creation with his essence.
"I am Cid Walker," he introduced himself, his voice carrying the depth and resonance of his transformed nature. "I've come seeking the creator of this."He attempted to pull out the armor but quickly realized the futility of his efforts; he wasn't technically present and certainly wasn't wearing it. A hint of embarrassment crept into his voice as he murmured, "I'm sorry, this is my first time connecting with someone through Qi like this."
Kailira paused her work, a smile breaking across her face as curiosity flickered in her eyes. She stood and walked toward him, her movements graceful. "Is it really your first time? Your spirit feels so strong, and you can converse with me. This connection is common among my people, though it's often frowned upon, as it leaves your main body vulnerable. You're intriguing. If you need my help, I'm willing to come to you. I don't usually do this, especially since I tend to shy away from others, but I feel like we were meant to meet. You haven't once judged me based on my appearance, like most do, and that makes me happy."
"Where are you now?" she asked, her interest palpable.
Cid smiled back, warmth filling his chest. "I'm on the planet Barrow for a military school tournament."
"Ah, the tournament! I'm on Barrow too," she replied, her tone shifting slightly as if revealing a secret. "I have a hidden place since I'm a bit of an introvert. I can come see you around 10 a.m. tomorrow. No one knows my face, so I should be fine," she added, a hint of nervousness threading her voice.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he replied, feeling a sense of excitement. With that, he withdrew back to his body, reflecting on the cool experience. Before he tried connecting again, he thought he should ask Bellara for more information later.
Back in her workshop, Kailira felt a small smile tugging at her lips. It had been ages since someone had looked at her with kindness instead of disdain, and the warmth of their connection lingered in the air.
The morning dawned on Planet Barrow with its characteristic amber light filtering through the perpetual twilight. Cid, having spent the night in meditation rather than sleep, rose from his cross-legged position on the floor. His muscles showed no stiffness despite the hours of immobility—another benefit of his transformed physiology.
As he prepared for the day, Cid's mind raced with everything that had transpired. The dragon blood awakening, Sera's pledge of loyalty, the warning about the Other Ascendant's impending arrival, and his unexpected connection with Kaelira. So much had changed in such a short time.
A knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. He opened it to find Lucy standing there, her bright eyes and eager expression suggesting she'd recovered well from her exhaustion.
"Good morning! The others are already gathering for breakfast," she announced. "The tournament brackets were just posted—we're all in different preliminary rounds, facing off against students from the other academies."
Cid nodded, following her toward the mess hall. "Good. That gives us a chance to assess our competition before we potentially face each other."
As they walked, Lucy studied him with curious eyes. "You seem different today," she observed. "More... centered, somehow."
"I had a productive night," Cid replied with a slight smile, careful not to reveal too much just yet. He wanted to brief everyone together about the developments from last night.
The mess hall buzzed with excitement, students from various academies sizing each other up across tables laden with food. Cid spotted their group at a corner table, already deep in discussion about the tournament brackets.
"Look who finally decided to join us," Aria teased as Cid and Lucy approached. "We were beginning to think you'd sleep through the first round."
"Not a chance," Cid replied, sliding into an empty seat beside Zeph, who gave him a knowing look. Sera, in her human disguise, sat across from them, her expression carefully neutral though her eyes held a new deference when they met Cid's.
Cayden was the center of attention, still riding high from his victory over Kraxis the previous day. Students from other tables kept glancing his way, whispering among themselves.
"Word's spread about your little exhibition match," Cindy informed him with a grin. "You've got quite the fan club forming."
Cayden shrugged, but his pleased expression betrayed his satisfaction. "Just warming up for today."
As they ate, Cid observed the dynamics of their group. The training in the time-dilated room had changed them all, not just physically but in terms of confidence and cohesion. They moved and spoke with the easy familiarity of a team that had trained together for years rather than days.
"We need to talk," Cid said quietly, his deep voice carrying just far enough for their group to hear. "Something happened last night that you all should know about."
Before he could elaborate further, Cid took a deep breath and recounted the events of the previous night to Lucy, Aria, Cayden, Vera, and Cindy—their astonishment palpable as he shared his Dragon Blood Awakening and the presence of Bellara resting in his mind.
Vera broke the silence, her brows furrowing in realization. "That's why I felt our connection was strange last night. It flickered for a moment, and now it's still there, but faint—like it's dying out."
Sera, listening intently, added, "That's interesting. I don't feel it with you anymore. Everything inside me tells me that Cid is my Master, and if he gives me an order, I will follow it without hesitation."
Cindy and Zeph exchanged knowing looks. "That's how it felt when we were turned," Zeph said.
Cid interjected, intrigued by Sera's claim. "The weird thing is, I haven't turned Sera, yet she's showing up in the system."
At that moment, a sweet, velvety voice filled the room—a voice that carried the weight of experience and wisdom. "Hello, everyone. I am the Ancient Qi Dragon within Cid. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, and I believe I can shed some light on what has happened."
The group listened intently as the voice continued. "First, the way I'm speaking to you now, even though I'm not physically before you, is through your Qi. I've connected to the Qi in your brains using Cid's Qi, since I am now, in essence, part of him.
"Everyone possesses Qi, even the undead, though it manifests differently in them—like vampires and their kin. This is why Cid could become a Qi vampire; his connection to me made it possible. The undead are often unaware of this life energy within them—referred to as Para—created by the God of Death to transform lives into the undead. But since Cid became a Qi vampire, that connection has shifted. The blood skills vampires typically use, which were aligned with the God of Death, no longer apply. Cid has become his own person, akin to the God of Death himself, possessing his own unique Para or Qi.
"Sometimes Qi reacts based on our emotions, acting against our will. When you experience a powerful emotion, your Qi can manifest those feelings, regardless of the consequences. That's why it's crucial to maintain control. We all face moments of overwhelming conviction that we can't regulate. That's what happened to Sera. Her Para compelled her to serve Cid with all her being. In that instant, her link with the God of Death was severed as she denounced him and chose to revere Cid instead. He had already welcomed her into his family, solidifying that bond. It's the first time I've witnessed something like this, but it makes perfect sense."
The group sat in stunned silence as Bellera's voice faded, each processing the implications of what they'd just learned. Cid felt the weight of their gazes on him, a mixture of awe, confusion, and—in some cases—a hint of wariness.
"So," Aria was the first to break the silence, her voice carefully neutral, "you're essentially creating your own... lineage? One that's independent of the traditional vampire hierarchy?"
Cid nodded slowly. "It seems that way, though it wasn't my intention." He glanced at Sera, who sat with perfect posture, her disguised human form betraying none of the ancient vampire queen beneath. "The implications are... significant."
"Significant is an understatement," Lucy muttered, her quick mind already racing through possibilities. "If what Bellera says is true, then Sera's defection from the traditional vampire order could be seen as an act of rebellion against Bazar himself."
"Which might explain why the Other Ascendant is suddenly very interested in finding you," Zeph added grimly.
Cid was about to respond when a strange sensation prickled at the edges of his awareness—a familiar resonance that he'd felt only once before. He glanced toward the entrance of the mess hall just as a figure stepped through the doorway.
Kaelira had arrived, and her presence immediately commanded attention. The Noxian artisan moved with fluid grace, her charcoal skin adorned with shifting patterns of white and orange that seemed to dance with each step. Her glowing orange eyes surveyed the room with quiet intensity, finally settling on Cid with unmistakable recognition.
The mess hall fell silent as students from all academies stared at the alien visitor. Many had never seen a Noxian in person before, and Kaelira's striking appearance—the curved horns adorning her head, the elaborate clothing woven with living technology, the feathers and beads in her flowing black and violet hair—made her seem almost mythical.
Cid rose to his feet, feeling the pull of connection between himself and the creator of his armor. "Kaelira," he greeted her, his deep voice carrying across the suddenly quiet room.
"Cid Walker," she replied, her melodious voice containing those same complex harmonics he'd heard during their Qi connection. "I sensed you would be here."
As she approached their table, whispers erupted throughout the mess hall. Noxians rarely ventured into human spaces, their reclusive nature and advanced technology making such visits unnecessary. For one to appear now, specifically seeking out a student, was unprecedented.
"You honor us with your presence," Cid said formally, gesturing to an empty seat at their table. "These are my friends and companions."
Kaelira nodded to each of them in turn, her orange eyes taking in details that others might miss. "The armor I crafted has found its rightful bearer," she observed, Her eyes carefully examined Cid, as though she was trying to figure him out. Cid retrieved the new armor he had bought from his shadow storage and laid it out before Kaelira. "You made this," he said. "I haven't worn it yet because I feel like it will make me too powerful, so I'm saving it for later."
Kaelira's eyes widened slightly as she gazed at the Aegis of the Inner Light laid before her. Her slender fingers hovered over the armor, not quite touching it, as if reconnecting with an old friend.
"You were right to wait," she said softly, her melodious voice carrying undertones that vibrated in the air. "This armor... it was one of my greatest creations. I crafted it during a time of profound connection to the universe, when the boundaries between shadow and light revealed themselves to me."
She looked up at Cid, her orange eyes glowing with intensity. "It will not just make you powerful—it will transform you. The armor responds to the wearer's essence, becoming an extension of their very being. For someone like you..." She trailed off, studying him with newfound wonder. "Someone with dragon blood awakened... the results would be extraordinary."
The others at the table exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by Kaelira's presence and her connection to Cid. Lucy leaned forward, her scientific curiosity piqued.
"How does it work?" she asked. "The fusion of technology and biological components in Noxian craftsmanship is legendary, but rarely documented."
Kaelira smiled at Lucy's question, appreciating her genuine interest. "It is not technology as humans understand it," she explained. "We do not separate the natural from the artificial. All things are connected by the same cosmic threads. Our craft is about finding those threads and weaving them into new patterns."
Before the conversation could continue, a chime sounded throughout the mess hall—the signal that the tournament would begin in thirty minutes. Students began to rise from their tables, gathering their belongings with varying degrees of excitement and nervousness.
"The tournament," Cid said, carefully returning the armor to his shadow storage. "Will you stay to watch, Kaelira?"
The Noxian artisan nodded, her patterns shifting to reflect her interest. "I would be honored. It has been many cycles since I witnessed human combat rituals. And..." She paused, her voice dropping slightly. "I am curious to see how the dragon blood manifests in your fighting style."
As they left the mess hall and made their way toward the Crucible, Kaelira fell into step beside Cid, her presence drawing curious stares from other students and faculty alike.