Chapter 40 - Frostveil Eirnalis
Oriana... She had already unlocked an advanced form of the Water element, the Ice Element. A feat that marked her as exceptional.
However, her true potential was still dormant, waiting for the moment she would ascend to the rank of Gaia Grand Master. That would come around level 51. Until then, her core simply couldn't fully sustain the overwhelming energy demands of her advanced element. It flickered within her, powerful, but restrained.
Her sigil, interestingly, didn't entirely align with her elemental path. It was the Tideheart Sigil. Upon activation, it summoned a flowing suit of water-elemental armor that wrapped around her body like a living current.
At her current stage, the sigil granted partial damage resistance, absorbing a modest percentage of incoming harm. But its true strength would evolve as her Gaia level advanced. One day, it would grant her powerful passive abilities, shifting with her growth and mastery.
Her relic was a blade, Frostveil. Forged around the bound spirit of Eirnalis, a frost warden who once ruled the northern continent. It was a relic of ice, elegant and deadly.
In battle, the sword reacted to ambient water in the environment, amplifying Oriana's control. The more moisture present, the more devastating her strikes became. With enough water gathered around her, every slash began to apply chilling effects. Freezing enemies in place, slowing their movements, and draining their stamina with each breath.
Oriana's full strength was still on the horizon. Most of her potential remained locked, waiting to be unearthed as she progressed. And yet, even now, she stood stronger than most Gaia Guardians. Balanced, dangerous, and only just beginning to show the storm that lay beneath her calm surface.
And in the end, Tave realized something with a wry smirk. His meditation had failed. Completely. Instead of finding clarity, his mind had spiraled into thoughts of everything else. He hadn't even begun to sense the elemental particles around him.
Damn, focus really wasn't his strong suit today.
He opened his eyes, and there she was. Oriana, standing quietly before him. The woman with the soft brown hair raised her hand in a casual wave.
"Lady Oriana..." he greeted, his voice low.