Origins: The Absolute

Chapters 26-28: Origins Part Three (Finale)

I sat in my mother’s chambers, the soft light of the setting sun filtering through the large, ornate windows, casting a golden hue over everything. The gentle warmth was a stark contrast to the cold, gnawing sensation that had taken root inside me since the revelation of my powers. My mind was a whirlwind of questions and uncertainty, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to make sense of it all.

My mother, Empress Eryxia, sat across from me, watching with her ever-calm, composed demeanor. Her regal presence was a comfort, but even she couldn’t quell the storm raging inside me.

“Mother, how do I even begin to control this power?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something vast and dangerous, and I don’t know what to do.”

The Empress studied me for a moment, her eyes soft yet serious. “You are stronger than you realize, Aerith. This power, your power, is a part of you. It was always meant to be yours, and you will learn to master it.”

I wanted to believe her, but the fear of what I had done still lingered in my mind. The man I had… destroyed, his life had been snuffed out in an instant, without me even understanding how. I didn’t want to be responsible for that kind of destruction.

Before I could respond, the door to my mother’s chambers opened, and in walked Sage Elder Maron. His heavy robes trailed behind him, the air around him carrying a weight of wisdom and mystery. He bowed deeply to my mother before his eyes settled on me, filled with a knowing that made me uneasy.

“Maron,” my mother said, her voice as composed as ever. “We’ve discussed Aerith’s growing abilities. I trust you have some insight to offer.”

Maron nodded gravely. “Indeed, Empress. Aerith’s powers are awakening at a pace we could not have foreseen. The Elrandium within her has begun to fully integrate, and with it, she will face many challenges, both within herself and from the outside world.”

I shifted in my seat, the weight of his words pressing down on me. “So what am I supposed to do?” I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. “How am I supposed to control something that feels like it could destroy everything?”

Maron met my gaze, his expression unreadable. “There is no simple answer, Aerith. But there is a path you must take. A path that many before you have walked. I believe it is time for you to go to the Heart.”

The room fell silent. I could feel the tension ripple through the air. My mother’s usually serene expression faltered for a moment, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

“The Heart…” I repeated, unsure of what Maron was suggesting. “What is that?”

“The Heart of Eldoria,” Maron explained, his voice steady. “It is the source of the Elrandium’s power. A place that few have visited, and fewer still have returned from unchanged. It is a place of great revelation, and also great danger. But I believe it is where you must go to fully understand your connection to the Elrandium.”

My mother’s eyes darkened, her voice firm but careful. “Are you certain of this, Maron? The Heart is not a place to be taken lightly, especially for one so young.”

Maron inclined his head respectfully. “I understand your concern, Empress. But Aerith’s power is unlike any we have encountered before. She cannot learn to master it without fully understanding its origin. The Heart will reveal to her what she needs to know. And I will guide her through the process.”

I looked between my mother and Maron, confusion and apprehension swirling within me. “You’re telling me I need to go to this place, the source of all this power, just to figure out how to control what’s already inside me?”