The valley was quiet, almost unnaturally so. Mist hovered above the river, curling through ancient roots and mossy stones. Kaelen walked along the riverbank, his fingers trailing just above the flowing water. He had slept little since Karma's lesson, yet the excitement of what he had learned the day before kept him moving.
Flow, Root, and the faint whisper of Breath pulsed under his hands. The subtle wind teased at his hair, brushing against his skin as if encouraging him to focus, to listen, and to act.
Kaelen stopped to observe a tree's roots curling into the river. He pressed his palms lightly to the soil, feeling them respond with life beneath his fingers. Water rippled in tandem. The faint gust of air around him responded now consciously, not just instinctively. Breath—it was no longer a whisper; it was a pulse he could guide, a current he could influence.
So this is it, he thought. Breath… it's awake.
Aiyana's words echoed in his mind: Intent, Kaelen. Harmony. Discipline. Control the currents, or they will control you.
He exhaled slowly, allowing the three elements to flow together. Water arced around his hands, roots bent gently to guide its path, and a subtle gust of wind carried both forward. The currents twisted and danced in perfect harmony, responding to his will. For the first time, Kaelen felt like he was truly guiding multi-elemental power—not just reacting, but leading.
Kaelen's focus was broken by a sharp sound—the crunch of leaves and snapping twigs. His heart spiked. From the treeline emerged a squad of seven Noxian soldiers, stronger and more disciplined than any he had faced before. Their leader barked a command, and the soldiers advanced in a tight formation, weapons raised.
Alone, Kaelen realized. I have to rely on all three now.
He pressed his hands to the soil, the river, and the air around him. Water rose in twisting arcs, roots surged subtly beneath his fingers, and the wind began to stir intentionally, lifting leaves and mist in patterns that disoriented the approaching soldiers. Breath had finally joined Flow and Root as a controlled, deliberate element.
The first soldier lunged with a spear. Water spun to intercept, wrapping around the weapon and deflecting it. Roots surged beneath the soldier's boots, tripping him slightly, while the wind nudged him off balance. The man stumbled, barely recovering before another attack came.
Kaelen ducked, rolling to the side. He extended his palms again. This time, he combined all three elements in a flowing spiral: water arcing to form a shield, roots curling in a lattice to restrain motion, and a gust of wind weaving through the arcs to amplify reach and speed.
The soldier swung his axe—but the wind altered its path, the roots blocked his footing, and the water arcs forced him sideways. Kaelen's pulse surged. This was different from the previous skirmishes. Here, all three elements responded simultaneously, guided by intent, not panic.
Another soldier charged from the left. Kaelen's hands moved in a sweeping motion, water spinning outward to intercept, roots rising to trip him, and a controlled burst of Breath pushing leaves and mist in his favor. The coordinated assault forced the Noxian to stumble and retreat.
Yes… this is it, Kaelen thought, feeling the exhilaration of mastery, however fleeting. All three. Flow, Root, Breath. Together.
The Noxians hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. Kaelen noticed that their formation was breaking; they were unprepared for someone who could combine multiple elements with such control. He pressed the advantage, sending water arcs forward like ribbons, roots spiraling in precise patterns, and gusts of wind guiding the Flow.
One soldier attempted to flank him from behind. Kaelen spun, extending water and roots while the air carried the force to intercept, striking the man off balance. Another soldier, seeing their companions falter, tried to charge directly at him—but Kaelen directed the three elements as a single motion, lifting water to strike, roots to ensnare, and wind to deflect. The Noxian tripped, falling into the shallow river.
Exhaustion washed over Kaelen as his chest heaved and sweat dripped from his brow. But the Noxians finally faltered. They exchanged curses, and their leader barked an order to retreat. Kaelen's hands sank slowly, and the currents of water, root, and wind settled around him, almost like obedient pets returning to their master.
He sank to his knees beside the river, gasping for breath. His hands tingled with energy, and the subtle vibration of the earth, water, and wind beneath him reminded him that the land itself had witnessed his trial.
From the treeline, a soft voice called: "Impressive."
Kaelen looked up to see Karma, standing silently, staff glowing faintly with blue light. "You have awakened Breath fully, and for the first time, you guided all three elements intentionally, with intent rather than instinct. This is a milestone few achieve so quickly."
Kaelen swallowed, exhausted and exhilarated. "I… I never thought I could do it alone. They were strong… but I… I controlled it."
"Controlled is the key," Karma said, approaching him. "The Noxians you faced were skilled, but predictable. True mastery will be tested when you face chaos without pattern, when instinct cannot guide you. You are ready for the next stage of your journey, but do not mistake this victory for completion."
Kaelen pressed his hands to the soil and river, feeling Flow, Root, and Breath pulse beneath him. "I understand. I'll keep training. I'll become stronger."
"Good," Karma said. "Tomorrow, you will leave the valley and travel toward the eastern cliffs. There, you will encounter another who can guide your path further—Yasuo, the Unforgiven. But beware, Kaelen… the Noxians are aware of your awakening. They will hunt you, and you must rely on both skill and judgment to survive."
Kaelen nodded, determination burning in his chest. For the first time, he felt the full weight of being the untethered seed: alone, powerful, but responsible for guiding the currents of life, land, and air around him.
The river whispered beside him, roots pulsed faintly under his fingers, and the wind teased his hair. The elements had begun to answer, but they demanded more than instinct—they demanded mastery.
As night fell and the stars pierced the mist, Kaelen pressed his palms to the river and earth once more, feeling the harmony of Flow, Root, and Breath. The untethered seed had survived its first real solo trial, fully awakened its third element, and learned the meaning of intentional control.
Tomorrow, new allies, new dangers, and new lessons awaited.
The journey through Ionia had truly begun.