Fay looked at the small marble resting in his hand as if a white cloud had been compacted within it.
The energy inside it felt far more condensed than the one he had given to Grin. It must have gone through some kind of refining process—one he didn't understand yet.
He began to think about what he should do next—the possibilities of the monsters he could create.
With Jolt, it had been simple. He'd created the lizard after defeating one—it just felt natural at that time. The same had happened with Grin, born after a battle with a hyena monster.
But this one... he didn't know what it came from—or what form it was meant to take.
[ I know what you're thinking, and you're right—it's hard to get a grasp on the creature you want to create,] Elaruîn's voice echoed gently in his mind.[But that's part of the wonder of summoning. It doesn't always need to reflect the beast it came from. As your creatures grow, they'll begin to resemble what you need from them... or what you want them to become.]
[Your lizard may look as it does now, but with time, it might evolve into something else entirely—like the bird the Ravari are running from.]
[There are no limits here. Now close your eyes, and imagine what you want to awaken from this gem.]
Elaruîn raised his hand, and a gentle haze began to form around Fay's face. It curled in slow spirals, soft and dreamlike, muffling the world around him. A calming effect washed over his body, quieting his thoughts and pulling him inward—toward the gem, toward the illusion of a dream.
Fay couldn't give the creature—this embodiment of dreams—a definite shape. He tried to imagine something fitting, something that could move freely and defend itself… but nothing felt right.
At first, he considered a monkey. Then a lizard. Maybe a rodent—or even a dog.
But each option stirred discomfort in him. Some reminded him of past fear, others simply didn't match the feeling this gem gave off. He didn't want to create something he might grow to fear.
The illusion haze Elaruîn had placed around him helped narrow his thoughts, shaping them into fleeting images. Within the mist, visions of creatures flickered in and out—some he had seen in books, others newly introduced by Elaruîn from this strange world. His thoughts swirled like dreams, slipping between memories and imagination.
And then—there it was.
A single shape hovered in his mind. It wasn't fierce, or fast, or loud. It was gentle. Graceful.
He had seen it once on Earth: a floating creature with long, flowing tendrils—a jellyfish. It drifted slowly, seemingly fragile, but Fay knew it could be useful. Its limbs could reach from a distance. It didn't even need a mouth.
What if, Fay thought, it passively absorbed aether from the air instead of feeding like other beasts?
It might be weaker at the start because of that, but it would be safe, silent, but eventually... it would become strong.
The moment that thought settled, the marble in his palm began to pulse.
Light spilled from the gem in the center of his pierced palms. The Dream core was being drawn in—absorbed.
Soon, he heard Elaruîn's voice again.
[So, you have chosen... That is an interesting creature you've made. There is a tradition in my tribe. As your master, I shall help you name it—since you are still young, Somniella… shall do, of course, it is your choice in the end.]
Fay opened his eyes to find a small jellyfish floating beside him, no larger than his palm. It was translucent, its bell pulsing softly like a slow heartbeat. Two long, thread-thin tentacles trailed from its body, each extending as far as his arm. Tiny flecks of light glowed within it, as if small stars were inside its body.
"Yes, no problem, Somni shall be what I will use though,"
The little creature lifted one of its tendrils slowly as if trying to touch him.
"It looks cute… in a way. I think I wanted something like this. It's perfect for now."
Fay raised his hand and made contact. The tendril wrapped gently around his fingers, and he suddenly felt sleepy. He quickly let go.
"Well, it'll be useful… but I doubt it can do much. I easily avoided its effect just by not touching it."
He turned to his mentor, who was watching the jellyfish with interest.
[I have one question. Do you feel it draining your aether? You see, most creatures do that—it's how they survive. Since you now have three of them, maintaining them like this little one will gradually consume the aether I stored in your staff.]
Hearing that, Fay tried to sense his energy, and noticed nothing was being taken.
"I think I made it able to passively feed on the ambient aether around me. It seems stable to keep around. It might even grow stronger the longer it stays near me."
Fay's words made Elaruîn nod, visibly impressed.
[To think a new summoner could add such a trait… It's difficult to implement without proper knowledge. There's more to this than you might realize. Remember— the Seers are not the only ones with power we don't fully understand. It is important to know that they are not the only ones who shape this world, young summoner. I believe one of those other forces is helping you… for some reason.]
Fay looked at his new mentor, a trace of unease crossing his face. Those weren't words he wanted to hear. The idea that someone—or something—was interfering with his powers felt unsettling.
"Will I be okay?"
[Worry not. At least for now, everything is fine. Just make sure not to let them take over your own path or ideals. They must remain what the Seers call themselves—simple guides, old spirits that only share wisdom.]
Fay nodded at the explanation and turned back to play with his creature. But before he had a chance, Elaruîn showed him one more gem.
"I have this one left to test. Mind you, there are others—for example, blood—but I don't have those, nor do I want them. They're far too dangerous. Most are forbidden or unstable. They could harm you instead of producing a proper creature."
The last gem he held was clear. It had no color or form—it looked like simple glass.
Elaruîn made sure not to bring it close to Fay. He held it at a distance, just near enough for it to resonate with the boy.
[Interesting…]
The long-lived, silver-haired elf pulled the gem back without offering it.
[You are compatible with it. But as I said, it's unstable. I won't be giving it to you… at least not yet.]
Fay gulped, a little disappointed.
"What is that one… supposed to be?"
His teacher squinted his eyes as if weighing whether or not to tell him.
[You have power over illusions and dreams. This one is a bit stronger than those—it might even encompass both. That's why it's unstable. This gem holds power over the mind. A very powerful and dangerous affinity. One that could even change who you are.]
Fay swallowed again but couldn't help imagining the possibilities that came with such a powerful ability.
[And that is all I will show you for now. You still have to uphold your end of the bargain—to fight the creature that's terrorizing this forest alongside me. Once the Ravari are safe and well, we'll depart. There's no time to waste in finding this beast.]
Elaruîn suddenly jumped off the branch.
Fay nearly shouted after him, thinking he had lost his mind—until he noticed the thick vine coiling beneath him. The elf simply grabbed hold, letting it gently lower him to the ground with effortless grace.