Chapter 28 – The Pillars of the Aethell
Chapter 28
The Pillars of the Aethell
Date: Day 24 of Harvestmoon. 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The golden light of Sol and the silver glow of Luna began their descent toward the horizon.
Hyoren and Elise found another spring in the grassland. A small pool of clear water. Bubbling up from the earth. Surrounded by smooth stones and patches of moss.
They decided to camp here for tonight.
"Let's camp here, Elise." Hyoren stopped walking. Scanning the area.
"In the end, our second day in the grassland is peaceful. There are no green wolves. Or even other monsters."
He dropped his leather bag with a heavy sigh. Grateful for the flat, dry ground near the water. His shoulders ached from the day's walk. His legs burned with fatigue.
Elise set down her own bag. But her expression was troubled.
"That's an eerie thought, Hyoren."
She spoke slowly. Her brow furrowed.
"I said before that green wolf population is small and their packs are sparse."
She turned in a slow circle. Scanning the darkening horizon.
"But not this sparse. Not this empty."
Her hand hovered over her bow. Her instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"I can't even hear any howl of wolves from the distance. The grassland shouldn't be this silent.”
She put her hands on her chin. Thinking.
“When there’s no Green Wolf, the grassland will be populated with Horned Rabbit, but we also don’t find any. And now that I think again. The Ramtauro yesterday seems to running from something."
Hyoren considered her words. The silence did seem unnatural. The only sounds were the wind. The water. Their own breathing.
"Maybe they're afraid of the movement of goblins? The goblin army has heightened their activity, right?"
"Maybe… but Ramtauro actually moved towards the forest. Approaching goblins territory."
Elise's voice was unconvinced. She continued scanning the horizon. Her eyes narrowed. Searching for threats that weren't there.
Hyoren watched her for a moment. He could see the tension in her shoulders. The worry in her posture. But he didn't know what to say. He didn't have the experience to offer insight.
He decided not to argue. Instead, he focused on preparing the camp.
He gathered the dry grass and twigs from nearby. Weaving them into comfortable mats. Stacking the wood for a fire. He made the beds side by side. Just as they had been the night before.
The work was familiar now. His hands moved automatically. The repetitions of the past few days had become routine.
Elise finally snapped back from her thoughts. She saw Hyoren working. Setting up their camp. Building their beds.
She moved with brisk steps. Placing the four square Ward Stones around their campsite. The barrier shimmered into existence. She lit a fire next using her fire starter magic tools.
Hyoren took the wrapped meat from the bag. The last of the wolf meat from yesterday. He divided them evenly. Poured a bit of salt and pepper he received from Elise. Then skewered it on a stick. Held it over the fire prepared by Elise.
“Let’s roast this last of wolf meat we got yesterday before it spoiled.”
The scent of roasting meat began to fill the air. They ate in silence. Enjoying the fire.
Elise seemed to still be thinking about the emptiness of the grassland. Her eyes occasionally drifting to the horizon. Her brow furrowed in thought.
But Hyoren couldn't do anything about that. He didn't have the knowledge or the experience.
So instead, he thought about their declaration. About becoming Platinum rank. About the goal they had set together.
He looked at Elise across the fire. The flames danced in her emerald eyes. Her silver hair caught the light.
He was truly, deeply grateful to this elf woman. She had become his anchor in this new world. His guide. His mentor. His partner.
Elise didn't laugh at my impossible goal. She even said she would come with me.
For the first time since he had arrived, he felt a sense of peace. Of belonging. The fear of the unknown. The loneliness of being stranded in a hostile world. It all seemed to fade away in the light of the fire and the presence of the elf sitting across from him.
I don't know who to pray to in this world. But if god is real. If meeting with Elise is fate woven by god of this world...
He closed his eyes. A silent prayer forming in his mind.
Thank you. Whoever you are. For making my first encounter in this world... this warm.
And then, something strange happened. It was subtle. But undeniable.
His eyes snapped open. He looked down at his chest. Then around the campsite. Then at Elise.
"Elise?"
His voice came out strange. Quiet.
"I... I just felt something."
She looked up from her meal. Her expression curious.
"I feel... noticed. It's not like noticed by a monster that triggers my instinct. It's more profound. Deep in my soul."
He pressed a hand to his chest.
"It's... A warmth. And it feels... Divine."
He looked at her. Confusion on his face.
"Is that... normal?"
Elise looked at him. Her expression curious. Then a slow, knowing smile spread across her face.
"It can't be. It's a sign that the gods are listening."
She set down her meal. Gave him her full attention.
"It doesn't happen often. But it mostly happens to devout believers. Or to those who have just performed a selfless act."
Her eyes softened.
"I've felt it before. It's a sign of their favor."
Hyoren blinked. Processing her words.
"Right. If I recall correctly, you have Blessing of the Verdant Mother."
She nodded.
"Yes. And that is after I prayed to Her a lot. And followed her teachings. Her teachings struck a chord with me. And in the end, She gave me her blessing."
She looked at him with wonder.
"That's why it's even more surprising that you felt it. You're an otherworlder. You haven't even known a single god of Kresneger."
She tilted her head. Thinking.
"Or perhaps... A god has taken a special interest in you for reasons we can't understand."
Her eyes widened slightly as the implication hit her.
"You might even have a blessing already and just not know it. Some blessings are subtle. A slight boost to your natural talents that you would never notice without a Guild card to identify it."
She leaned forward. Her voice growing urgent.
"We really, really need to get you your Guild card as soon as possible. It's not just for identity anymore. To see if the gods have already marked you."
Hyoren contemplated. The concept felt so distant. So alien to the modern, pragmatic life he had lived on Earth. Gods. Blessings. Divine favor.
He had never been particularly religious. Never prayed to any deity. Never believed in higher powers.
And yet.
"Elise. I don't even know a single god here. Please tell me about this world's pantheon."
He paused.
"Maybe knowing their name might trigger something. And I can understand who actually noticed me."
"Right. You should know them too. As you say, knowing the gods' names is the first step of understanding them."
Elise finished her meat. She took a rainlume from her bag. Popped it into her mouth. Munching on the sour fruit to clear the thick taste of meat from her tongue.
"Gods are the pillars of this world." She began.
"The ones who support the world."
She gestured vaguely with her hand. Raising her hands and moving them around.
"They are pure manifestations of the Aethell. Theology says they first came out as the Aethell split into the six elements we know about."
Elise paused. Letting Hyoren digest the information before continuing.
"There are five gods in this world."
She held up a finger.
"First. Sylvana, the Verdant Mother. She governs the elements of Water and Wind. She is Goddess of Nature, Fertility, and the Hunt."
Hyoren nodded. Connecting the dots.
"Verdant Mother. It's your blessing, Elise."
"Yes. Sylvana is the patron goddess of elves. Most elves worship her as her aspect is nature and harmony."
Hyoren nodded in understanding. The connection made sense. Elves lived in harmony with nature. It was natural that their patron goddess would embody those values.
Elise held up a second finger.
"Next, patron God of dwarves. Gravok, the Stone Father. He governs the elements of Fire and Earth. He is God of Strength, Craft, and Endurance."
She gestured broadly.
"Dwarves and craftsmen worship him as his aspect is craftsmanship and resilience."
Hyoren continued listening to Elise's lecture. He took the last bite of his meat. Chewing slowly. Absorbing the information.
"Then the most widespread and worshiped goddess."
Elise held up a third finger.
"Luminara, the Sun Queen."
Hyoren asked.
"Most worshiped? Why, Elise?"
She nodded.
"There are a few reasons. Firstly, she is the goddess which governs the Light element. She is Goddess of Life, Justice, and Purity."
She took another rainlume from her bag. Popped it into her mouth.
"Her aspects are law and order, healing, and protection."
She chewed. Swallowed.
"Her worship is widespread especially among humans. But Luminara is also worshiped by other races too. A lot of people see her as the ultimate source of virtue."
She reached for another rainlume. But her bag was already empty.
Seeing her start pouting, Hyoren reached into his own bag. He had collected plenty of rainlumes, Elise’s order. He pulled them out. Handed them all to her.
She beamed. Her pout instantly replaced by a bright smile. She started munching on the fruit immediately.
"It's expected..." Hyoren nodded with a solemn expression.
"People would want to worship a goddess who rules over life itself."
Elise nodded. Her mouth full of rainlume. Seeing that he understood, she continued her lesson while munching on another fruit.
"Okay, next."
She held up a fourth finger.
"Luminara's twin. The Whisper in the Void, Goddess Noctynara."
Her voice grew quieter. More subdued.
"She is Goddess of Darkness, Knowledge, and Ambition. Her aspects are necromancy, curses, gravity, and time-space."
She paused. Her expression growing serious.
"And Noctynara..." she threw another rainlume into her mouth.
"She is hated in human society."
Hyoren blinked. Stopped chewing. He held up a hand.
"Wait, Elise. How is a Goddess hated?"
Elise swallowed her fruit. Her expression troubled.
"Because there is a misconception. And because of Noctynara Heretics."
She spoke carefully. Choosing her words.
"Some of her worshipers only look at her and see Darkness. Especially her aspects about curses and necromancy. The heretics ignore her knowledge and ambition."
She shook her head.
"They did a lot of dubious experiments. Human sacrifice. Rituals of curse. And many more. So they made her infamous."
She looked at Hyoren. Her emerald eyes serious.
"Most people will think all Noctynara worshipers are the heretics. Even if they practice the true faith."
Hyoren was speechless. The injustice of it settled over him.
"It's a true misconception. As Noctynara is also a pillar of the world. And she is Luminara's twin."
She sighed.
"But most people forget about that fact. And only think about the heretics. Both Luminara and Noctynara are patron goddesses of the human race. Both of them often give blessing to humans."
"That is..." Hyoren spoke slowly.
"Sad."
He shook his head.
"But misconception is truly hard to dismiss. Unless all the heretics are rooted out, then she would keep having a bad name."
Elise nodded.
"Yeah, Hyoren. For other races, they all know the fact that Noctynara is not an evil Goddess. So she has some true worshipers there."
She sighed again.
"It's irony where she should be worshiped mainly by the human race."
Elise reached for another rainlume. Her hand found only empty space. The fruits were all gone. She pouted again. Her brow furrowing.
"Sigh. No more rainlume!"
Hyoren chuckled. The sound escaping him before he could stop it.
"Don't be like that, Elise…" he grinned.
"Just hope we find another patch of rainlume bushes tomorrow. Or we can buy them in the city, right?"
Finally, Elise relented. She nodded. Her pout fading into acceptance.
Seeing her already placated, Hyoren asked again.
"That's all, Elise?" he counted on his fingers.
"That's all elements of Aethell, right? Sylvana's water and wind. Gravok's fire and earth. Luminara's light and Noctynara's dark."
She shook her head.
"No, Hyoren. There is one more. He didn't govern elements. He governs skills."
Hyoren realized. That's right. As elements and magic had their gods, skills should also be ruled by a similar god.
"Last but not least..." Elise held up her thumb. The fifth finger.
"Zalkier. The God of Skill, War, and Trade."
She spoke with respect.
"His aspects are proficiency, combat, martial arts, and commerce. He is patron God of Beastkin."
She gestured broadly.
"And a lot of warriors, adventurers, and merchants from other races also worship him."
Hyoren nodded slowly. Processing the information. Five gods. Each governing different aspects of the world. Each with their own domains. Their own followers.
And one of them had noticed him.
***
They sat in front of the campfire.
Hyoren stared into the fire. The flames were mesmerizing.
Elise sat beside him. Her knees pulled to her chest. Her arms wrapped around them. Her eyes also fixed on the flames.
The shadows played across her face. Highlighting the tension in her jaw. The furrow of her brow. The tightness around her eyes.
"Hyoren…" her voice cut through the silence. Quiet. But heavy with concern.
She didn't look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on the fire.
"Let's sleep early."
She finally turned to the side. Her emerald eyes gazed toward Hyoren.
"I know it might be just me being paranoid. But I still think the current grassland is too eerie. Too... silent."
She glanced toward the barrier. At the darkness beyond.
"I want us to wake up early. Then rush tomorrow. Reach the road before midday."
Her voice grew firm. A decision made.
"I want to exit this grassland as soon as possible."
Hyoren studied her face. The tension of her shoulder. The way her fingers gripped her arms.
This was a veteran ranger. Someone who had survived in these lands for years. Someone who knew the rhythms of the wilderness. The patterns of the monsters.
If she felt unease, it was worth listening to.
"I won't dismiss your instinct..." He spoke quietly.
"Let's sleep then."
He paused. Looked at her beside him.
"Good night, Elise."
He didn't try to argue with her. Didn't try to dismiss her concerns. In this world, paranoia was often just another word for survival instinct. The veterans lived because they listened to their gut.
"Night, Hyoren."
She lay on her makeshift bed. Her back to Hyoren. Her body curling into a protective ball.
Her breathing slowed almost immediately. The day's exhaustion. The emotional weight of their conversations. The constant vigilance. It all claimed her quickly. Dragging her down into the depths of sleep.
***
The fire crackled softly. The barrier hummed. The wind whispered through the grass. While Elise was already fast asleep, Hyoren still lay awake.
He stared up at the sky. The stars were hidden behind a veil of clouds. The three moons on the sky became his company for a while.
His mind moved, turning over the events of the day. The conversations. The warmth that had spread through his chest.
The thought echoed in his mind.
Five gods. So who noticed me?
He sat up slowly. Carefully. Not wanting to disturb Elise beside him.
He picked up a stick. Poked the fire. Sending a shower of sparks spiraling up toward the unseen stars. They flickered and died. Brief moments of light in the vast darkness.
He murmured. Trying to not wake Elise up.
Is it Zalkier?
The God of Skill and War.
Hyoren had spent every waking moment since his arrival grinding. Practicing. Analyzing. He had treated his survival like a craft to be mastered. Every day was a lesson.
He had pushed himself relentlessly. Learning to craft. Learning to fight. Learning to survive.
Was that enough to draw the attention of a god?
Or was it Sylvana?
The Verdant Mother.
He had lived in the woods for a month. Blending into the bush with Forest Walker Skill. Learning the rhythm of the wild. Eating what the forest provided. Drinking from springs and streams. Sleeping in trees to avoid monsters.
Was there a connection? Had Sylvana noticed me through Elise?
And Elise was her favored. Her follower. Her blessed.
Or maybe… Noctynara.
The thought came suddenly. A whisper in the back of his mind.
She noticed my ambition to become Platinum rank?
The Whisper in the Void. Goddess of Darkness, Knowledge, and Ambition.
Ambition was her domain. And his declaration to reach the pinnacle of power. To defy the odds. To become one of the legendary few.
Was my ambition to become Platinum Rank enough to draw the gaze of a goddess who was often misunderstood? A goddess who was hated by humans because of the heretics who twisted her teachings?
He stared into the fire. The flames offered no answers. Only more questions.
And then there was Elise's instinct.
Is there any threat looming over us?
He looked out at the darkness beyond the shimmering barrier. The silence was absolute. No wolves howling in the distance. No distant calls of monsters. No rustling of small creatures in the grass.
The anomaly with the goblins. The wolf attacking alone. The grassland so empty that even the scavengers seemed to have vanished.
He threw more stick into the fire. Trying to make the fire last until morning.
He lay back on his bedding. Staring at the sky.
I won’t dismiss it. But it’s no use worrying too much about it. I need to sleep.
He closed his eyes. Eventually, the heavy pull of unconsciousness claimed him. His breath evened, matching Elise’s rhythm