The scenery unfurled before the young man like a tapestry, with mountains in the background and fields that went on forever. The air was fresh and brisk, carrying with it the aroma of the earth and the hope for new starts. With each step he took, he inched his way closer to Etrium, where his mission awaited him.
As Erik made his way along the winding road, he paid attention to the sights and sounds of the environment around him. Birds were flying around the treetops, and their cheerful chirps could be heard floating through the air.
The sound of his footsteps was accompanied by the rustling of leaves as if the forest itself were urging him on with words of support and motivation.
The road in front seemed to go on forever, like a never-ending serpent road that faded away into the horizon. But Erik kept marching.
He was well aware that difficulties lay ahead of him, but he now possessed a newly found strength that was the product of the challenges he had already conquered. He felt strong enough for the journey.
The landscape subtly shifted in colors and shapes with each kilometer walked. The meadows were covered in vivid splashes of color provided by the wildflowers, which gently swayed in response to the wind. The music of nature continued, creating a tapestry of peace and harmony around him as it did so.
<Traveling after the Heniate's attack has been a good idea, there are not many thaids around these parts... Most of them probably died.>
The sun's radiance illuminated the landscape, which cast a hazy, ethereal glow as it descended below the horizon. The land was shrouded in a mysterious haze as the length of the shadows increased. The once bustling meadows and fields appeared quiet in reverence as if paying homage to the approaching twilight.
As the last rays of sunlight lingered on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Erik concluded that the most prudent course of action, after all the walking he had made, would be to eat something and then go to sleep.
"Better start making a shelter…" The young man said to himself. He decided to use his powers to create a wooden shelter to protect him from the eventual rain and a little bit from thaids.
After he found the place he was searching for, Erik activated the Plant Master's brain crystal power. He concentrated his willpower and directed his mana to flow through his neural links.
He could feel the surge of mana coursing through his veins. It pulsed and danced, a shimmering current of mystical power that connected him to the world around him. The mana flowed like a river, fueling his senses and enhancing his abilities.
With each inhale, he drew the ethereal essence from his brain crystal to the rest of his body, and he could feel its resonant vibrations coursing through every part of his being. The awakener released the mana from his body and channeled it towards the vegetation around him.
The plants woke up in response to his mana's touch, and their development sped up due to his influence. The ground was quickly colonized by thick and pliable vines that began to entwine with one another and ascend toward the canopy.
As if in response to Erik's wishes, the leaves unfurled in a kaleidoscope of verdant green tones that were lustrous and full.
The plants started to change when he exerted his will over them, bending and interweaving themselves to form a protective shelter. The leaves grew thick and numerous, intertwining and overlapping one another to create an artificial canopy. Meanwhile, the vines extended and arched, forming a sturdy framework.
The plants continued to expand in size under Erik's guidance, and their combined frames eventually formed a dome-shaped structure. The shelter's framework was strengthened as the vines became denser and more intertwined with one another.
The leaves became more elongated and expanded, and they grew to overlap one another to form a barrier that was impervious to the rain that was forecast to fall.
The result was a tall and imposing wooden structure, and the form it took fit in perfectly with the forest that was all around it. The domed structure offered protection from the outside elements, and the organic walls provided a sense of security and tranquility.
As Erik entered the shelter, a pleasant breeze and an aroma reminiscent of the earth greeted him. It was a safe haven, a sanctuary, and a place where he could relax and regain his strength. The plants buzzed with energy.
"All right, now it's time to check whether my logic is correct," the young man said to himself.
Erik carefully removed the plant from the bottle and then cradled it in his hands as he did so. He located an appropriate location out in the open ground, where the earth appeared more eager to take in the plant's roots.
Placing the plant down, he pressed his palms against the earth, channeling his Plant Master power and redirecting his mana into the ground.
He could feel the mana responding, intertwining with the plant's essence. The surrounding area gave off the impression of coming to life with a spectral glow, which reflected the pulsating radiance that had once emanated from within the deteriorating house.
The thin stems of the plant reached upward, directed by Erik's will, winding and coiling like serpents in a complex dance around the dome he just created.
New leaves emerged from the plant's stems, and each one had a delicate surface that glistened with the same entrancing glow. The iridescent tones illuminate the open area with ethereal light, creating a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the surrounding area.
On the branches, clumps of tiny orbs with a translucent appearance started to form. These orbs began to emit a soft pulsation of mana, and they resonated with a harmonious hum.
The cosmic force that permeated the air, the mana, caused the orbs. At the very center of the plant, a multitude of magnificent flowers started to unfurl, and their petals began to spread outward in a manner that resembled the wings of an ethereal being. There was a blooming of a mesmerizing combination of iridescent blues and purples hues that looked like a starry night sky.
The air was filled with a light fragrance, which carried a hint of sweetness and added to the plant's allure.
"All right, it looks like I'm good to go with this..."
The young man was uncertain as to whether or not the plant would effectively keep thaids away. There were no threats in the immediate area of the house where he found the plant, and that was the only piece of information that he had regarding the matter.
The awakener had no choice but to wait and watch what would happen. In the meantime, Erik planted an apple and made several trees grow from its seeds. He then ate the sprouted fruits and placed some traps around his temporary camp to make the place safer.
"I'm curious as to what Amber is up to..."
***
Amber was sobbing quietly inside her room as her fiery red hair fell in a cascade around her tear-streaked face. The bedside lamp gave off a warm glow that created an inviting atmosphere and illuminated the books and trinkets strewn about on her shelves.
She buried her face in trembling hands as her sobs reverberated throughout the tranquil environment. Her glasses perched atop her nose as she sobbed.
However, the room also seemed to reflect her anguish, with shadows moving across the walls and reflecting the turmoil that was going on inside her heart.
Amber's eyes, now filled with tears, looked into the void as if searching for answers that were just out of reach. Her despair and yearning were only exacerbated by the eerie stillness surrounding her. The space, formerly a haven of tranquility and inspiration, was now merely a receptacle for her sobs, soaking up all of her anguish.
Amber's tears continued to fall as the room remained still, its atmosphere tinged with sadness.
Caiden, Amber's father, entered her room and stood there in silence, his presence a reassuring anchor amid her tears. He watched her with concern, and his eyes showed compassion and love. In the hushed space, their connection conveyed a great deal, providing her with some consolation in the face of her suffering.
Amber's room was filled with heaviness as Caiden approached her, his face etched with an ashen sorrow.
Amber's red hair was disheveled, and her glasses were slightly crooked as she cried, reflecting a mixture of hope and despair on her tear-streaked face. Caiden inhaled deeply before starting to speak, but it was clear his voice would be shaky as he spoke.
"I'm sorry. We searched everywhere but didn't find him; there was no trace of him inside the city. I'm so sorry, my dear," Caiden said.
When Amber's father said those words, Amber's heart sank, and she began crying even more freely. She sobbed uncontrollably while clutching her chest and stumbling over her words.
"No... No, Dad, you must be wrong! He can't be... he can't be gone!" Amber shouted amidst sobs.
As Caiden reached out to console his heartbroken daughter, tears welled up in his eyes, but he held them back.
"I know, Amber, I know. It's devastating. But we searched tirelessly, and there was no sign of him. My men have done everything they could. Even Becker's men searched, and we also asked for help from the clans. It's possible... it's possible that he's... that he's no longer with us," her father replied with the most reassuring tone he could muster.
Amber's cries grew louder, her heartache echoing through the room. She struggled to comprehend the enormity of the loss, clinging to the last threads of hope.
"But... but how can we be sure, Dad? What if he's out there, hurt or lost? What if the Crystal Cross Gang got him? We can't give up on him!"
Caiden's voice cracked with anguish as he gently held Amber's quaking hands. Amber's hands were trembling.
Amber's father's voice quivered with anguish as he gently held Amber's trembling hands. "I understand your pain, my dear, but we must face the reality. It's been weeks, and no one has seen or heard from him since that day. We can't keep holding onto false hope."
Amber's sobs did not stop, and her grief weighed heavily on her heart. She desperately sought comfort in Caiden's embrace as the pressure of the unknown continued to mount on them. She clung to him tightly.
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