Simon was given a bowl containing a liquid that looked like blood. He looked at it, then at Aaric. "Drink it, Dad." Simon nodded and drank the liquid in one gulp.
He then sat in a meditative posture, his wand in his lap, as red veins appeared on his body. His mind was transported to a dark place where a man who looked like him stood.
Nyxthar and Chaya were in a circle beside Simon as they worked to convert the energies of the crystals and cloak.
The man had a sword in hand and smiled gently; Simon looked down and saw his sword in his hand as well.
They both grinned at the same time and swung their swords. They danced around each other and swung; Simon was cut again and again but would regenerate.
After what seemed like an eternity, Simon was able to connect his sword with the flesh of the man, but it made no mark and the man just laughed.
"How?" Simon asked.
"I call it Aether Veil," the man said. "It is an art that required the manipulation of your magical energy from every fiber of your body."
They both sat down; Simon listened intently as the man taught him.
After what felt like a month had passed, Simon bade farewell to the man and started walking in a random direction.
Suddenly the environment changed and he was in front of Makara. He smiled at the God and waved.
Makara chuckled, a sound that was heard throughout the realm. "Welcome, Son. Tell me, how is life?" Makara asked, and Simon smiled.
As they sat and Simon ate some food, Makara made a motion and a red drop floated in front of Simon.
"This is my blood," Makara stated, and Simon's eyes widened. "The ancestry of your blood is being awakened at this moment." Makara stated, and Simon nodded.
"This will help you and add to that process—adding my blood to your own," Makara said, as the blood drop merged into Simon.
"So… can I make another trip there?" Simon asked, curious.
"Right now?" Makara asked. Simon nodded.
"Why not," Makara said, making a shrugging motion.
After his time with Makara, Simon started walking in a random direction again, tossing a silver coin with a golden sword carved at its center.
He then suddenly entered a room and saw Aaric looking around.
Simon grinned. "Are you ready to train with your father?" Simon asked as Aaric looked around and saw Simon.
Aaric stepped back, looking at the smile of his father, and shook his head. "I think I entered the wrong room… see you," Aaric said and started to run, his father's laughter never fading.
Simon woke up from his meditation and looked around; his wand was nowhere to be seen. He looked questioningly at Aaric.
"You do not need it anymore," Aaric said with a grin.
Simon stood up and raised his hand as an orb of light manifested on it. "Try flying," Aaric added from the side as Simon raised an eyebrow.
He then looked up and concentrated as he slowly floated upwards and then landed back down in front of Aaric and Edwina.
Aaric nodded in satisfaction. "What did you get?" Simon ruffled his hair. "You will know…" he smiled mysteriously as Edwina walked forward.
During the rituals, Nyxthar and Chaya worked to contain and convert the energies of the crystals and cloaks, making them most beneficial for the one undergoing the ritual.
Aaric rearranged the materials for Edwina, who smiled and sat in the center after giving Chaya a kiss on her head for her hard work and Nyxthar a hug.
Edwina was also given the bowl of the red liquid, and she drank it after getting a thumbs up from Aaric.
Edwina felt a tingling sensation in her eyes as red veins appeared on her skin, just like Simon.
She opened her eyes, still a little uncomfortable, and as she looked ahead she discovered she was in front of an old woman with green eyes that had pupils shaped like flowers.
The old woman smiled at Edwina. "The discomfort will pass in some time." Edwina nodded.
"You have very pretty eyes, my lady," Edwina commented, and the woman chuckled.
"You are awakening something similar as well; they are called the Oculi Viridiflora. And I am here to teach you how they work."
Edwina sat beside the woman after hearing her words. "Thank you for your guidance," she added as she sat down.
After about a week, Edwina was walking in a random direction and the scenery changed to a grassy field with Vasuki standing there, waiting for her.
Vasuki smiled as she saw Edwina and hugged her. "It has almost been a year since we met; tell me everything," Vasuki said as they both walked around and Edwina did most of the talking with a smile on her face.
A/n: Power stones and reviews please.