The Last Dainv

Chapter 289

Gale led the way through the snowy forest, his tendrils mapping the terrain ahead. Not only did he not know what exactly to look for, he hadn't seen anything in his tendril radar yet that screamed of 'look at me, I'm Crystal Falls.'

Wilderness survival guide #2 by dad, if you don't know where you're going, pretend you do until you figure it out if you don't wanna get hit by the woman pushing you to move. And currently, he was operating on this rule with his utmost sincerity.

"Erin," Gale said as he laid his head back on his two hands.

"Young lamb."

"How do you know the native language?"

"I partook in the war in this realm against the tide."

Turning his head slightly to hers, he asked, "How old are you exactly?"

"Do not ask meaningless questions," Erin said. "I no longer count."

"You no longer count? What does that mean?"

"It means the number has become irrelevant. Time passes differently for those who have lived through multiple epochs. After a certain point, tracking the stars through which I lived no longer served any purpose."

Whatever she just said sounded like a very long time. "But if you knew Vianne, that means you're very old, like dinosaur level old."

"Halt your jesting, child. I am older than the animals which you call dinosaurs."

"Can I call you grandma?"

"No."

"But you're basically my grandma. Teaching me stuff and making those disapproving noises."

"Address me by my proper title."

"Grand General Dominatus Erin?"

"I am yet to attain that title! Do not make light of it," Erin shouted. "Address me as you normally would or as Grand Researcher Erin Weber."

"Were you like a scientist or something in our culture?"

"I research the rules and laws of the universe. It is of a vastly different scale," Erin sighed. "Halt your meaningless idle conversation."

Gale knew one thing, though. He was getting to her. Her emotions were starting to show. Nevertheless, he kept on moving forward to where she pointed, scanning the vicinity for any hostiles with his tendrils just in case.

But it couldn't fight against the boredom he was feeling right now. There wasn't even anything hostile to kill or fight or put his valour to the test on.

To pass the time, he started experimenting with Distort. The orb formula Erin had given him earlier worked well enough, but he wanted to try variations.

Access. Shape. Orb. Apply. Distort.

A small sphere of refracted light appeared around his hand. Invisible to outside observers, but he could feel it there.

He dismissed it and tried again.

Access. Shape. Square. Apply. Distort.

A cube this time. The edges were sharper. It was harder to hold due to feeling the ambient compression of the atmosphere against the distortion.

Access. Shape. Triangle. Apply. Distort.

A pyramid. A bit easier than the cube, but still harder than the sphere. It would mean that creating a shape has a constant pressure going against it in all directions. The sphere was the most resistant as it spread it across its shape evenly compared to other shapes.

"Erin," he said, releasing Distort. "When are you going to teach me more stuff?"

"When the situation demands it."

"Can all skills be applied like that? With the formula?"

"No." Erin adjusted her floating to turn her head at him. "There is more nuance to skill construction than a simple formula. However, for your kind, there are three basic spells that serve as foundational elements."

"Three?"

"Distort, Alter, and Phase."

Gale nodded. "That would be mostly correct, but I have something called Phase Touch."

"Phase Touch?" Erin said as her eyes ever so slightly widened. "I have not encountered that specific skill. However, the underlying principle is likely identical. Regardless, these three spells act as building blocks for more complex abilities."

She paused.

"Distort is the distortion of the immaterial. Light, sound, perception, essence flow. Anything that lacks physical substance can be bent through Distort."

That would make sense why Distort could do that. Reflection was a product of Distort and Alter as well. It made sense in his head, but the science of the mundane could not explain it. Maybe he'll ask Mia or someone smart, like Ollie.

"Alter is the manipulation of physical attributes. Size, density, weight, structure. The material world responds to Alter. Phase is the movement between multiple planes. The physical, the immaterial, and the voidal, as long as the Dainv of Cev knows which plane of reality he or she wishes to hold."

Gale clapped at the knowledge that she was sharing. Finally, he was actually learning more about his stupid skills that gave him nothing of the sort. Guide was supposed to do that.

"Guide, why didn't you tell me this instead?" he asked.

[Query accepted.]

[Host did not ask.]

"WELL, YOU'RE STUPID AND DUMB AND I HATE YOU," Gale shouted.

[Query rejected. Threat level: minimal]

Gale crumpled at the answer. One of these days, he'll beat the unliving guts out of this guide.

"The guide Vianne has given you is for combat guidance and utility. Its knowledge is restricted and limited compared to a real living teacher such as I," Erin said.

Dropping his arms, they hung from his sides as he continued to trudge through the knee deep snow. "Stupid guide... then is the One Step skill based on Distort and Alter?"

"Correct," Erin said. "Erebus has given you knowledge on the formula needed to create One Step using Distort and Alter. However, Erebus adds the Phase attribute to all skills, thereby completing the formula of One Step. Should you learn how to apply Phase, you may create the skill in a lesser form on a different weapon."

"So One Step needs all 3?"

"Correct."

"That makes sense," Gale said. And it was true. Whenever he did use One Step, pathways inside of Erebus lit up to take in his essence and push it through specific paths. Simultaneously, Alter and Distort activated on his pathways, though the information was incomplete.

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"But it also doesn't make sense at the same time," he said.

"Enough," Erin said sternly. "The barbaric children of Cev will not understand theoretical foundations through explanation alone. You must learn with your body. I will provide instructions when the situation demands practical application."

Gale grumbled but kept walking. He wasn't that dumb, was he? Barbaric sounded cool, though. Gale the barbarian. Maybe he should've chosen that instead of dark hunter.

As they kept moving, the trees began to thin. Snow covered trunks grew further away, allowing more of the snowy field to come into their view. Ahead, Gale could see a vast expanse of white, unmarred snow.

There were no trees, no grass, or anything that disturbed the snow as more slowly fell onto flat land.

"We must cross," Erin said.

But Presence Between's tendrils felt the depth and softness of the snow. If they stepped on it, they'd sink right to the bottom. "It's too deep."

Erin snapped her fingers. Blue light coalesced around Gale's feet, forming ice onto his shoes until it became something that looked like snowshoes. Technically, ice snowshoes.

"Thanks," Gale said, testing his footing. "But why not just fly over it?"

Suddenly, he felt Presence Between tug at him, snapping towards the north. A signature, one he was familiar with. A divine beast of massive proportions. At least the size of a garbage truck.

It sat at the peak of the mountain, watching them. And he watched it back with his tendrils from far away. He couldn't quite make out its appearance, but he knew it was there.

"I get it," Gale said.

"We walk," Erin said.

Moving forward, Gale's snowshoes crunched on the snow. Erin walked with him, unusual given her preference for floating everywhere.

He moved faster with glee and a smile on his face. "This is kinda fun, hahaha."

As they moved through the snow field, instead of paying attention to Erin, he played a little game. If he didn't pay attention to his steps, his snowshoes would sink at a random rate. But he tried to get the depth as close to each other as possible.

For minutes, there was complete silence as he played this game of controlling his steps on the crunchy snow.

Presence Between then sent jolts of adrenaline into his spine as a signature came at them at a rapid rate. The moment he felt it, the divine beast was already there above them.

A gryphon above them hovered, flapping its wings that scattered the soft snow everywhere. It dropped softly to the ground, not even making any tremor as it touched the soil.

Up close, it was even more impressive.

The body of a lion, powerful and muscular, covered in feathers instead of fur. Black feathers that ate up the light with tips of gold, reflecting the light from the snow. The head was that of an eagle, its beak tipped with black of the same colour as its feathers. Its intelligent eyes were sharp, turned directly at Erin.

And on its forehead, that single horn. A prism of light that bent colours into spectrums Gale couldn't name.

It has been a long time, Grand Researcher Erin Weber.

The words didn't come from sound waves, yet he heard them in full strength, shaking Gale's very core. It was telepathy of a scale that was louder than Erin's.

Erin floated forward slightly, her usual deadpan showing a slight softness. "It has indeed been a long time, old friend."

Gale tugged at Erin's sleeve. "Who is this?"

The gryphon's head turned toward him. The seemingly ancient eyes seemed to poke a hole through his existence.

This young Dainv child is rather cute. May I have the honour of meeting him?

A rumbling noise could be felt thumping from the chest of the gryphon. It could only be attributed to the entity in front of him laughing.

Erin smiled. A genuine smile Gale had never seen before from her. For the first time he met her, she had not shown such an expression to him or any of his friends.

"He is rather cute," Erin said. She gestured toward Gale with one hand. "Allow me to introduce him properly. This is Gale Hathie, son of Faeren and Reyler of the House of Hathie, vanguards of the edge of Quadrant 753."

What? Gale almost tilted his head. That was completely new information to him.

Ah... The gryphon's presence grew warmer. A child of the vanguards. That explains the strength I sense within him.

The gryphon lowered its massive head in a bow.

This humble one's name is Youmir, Guardian of Kair. It is my honour to meet you, young master Hathie. I am deeply thankful that you and the Grand Researcher chose to walk across our sacred lands rather than fly. Such respect for our ancestors is rare among travellers.

"How have you been, Youmir?" Erin asked. "Thousands of stars have cycled since last we spoke."

Many stars have passed indeed, Youmir said. It has been quiet here in Kair. Peaceful. The corruption no longer reaches our borders. The native people flourish in valleys below. My children grow strong on mountain peaks.

The gryphon's eyes narrowed slightly as they focused on Erin.

But you, old friend, are damaged. I sense the fractures in your core. Do you require healing? Our shamans have grown skilled in the restoration arts.

Erin shook her head slowly. "It is damage that your healers cannot repair. The fractures run deeper than the physical. But I appreciate the offer, Youmir. Truly."

Then at least allow our best to try.

"I'm appreciative of it. However, we must continue our journey," Erin said softly. "We travel to Crystal Falls. The conversation must come to a halt, as pleasant as it has been."

Youmir's head tilted as it closed in at Erin. You seek the old battleground?

"We do."

Then allow me to carry you there. The gryphon spread its regal wings. It would be my honour to bear the Grand Researcher and the young vanguard across my domain.

"We cannot disrespect the Guardian by treating him as a beast of burden," Erin said. "We shall walk. Additionally, the child beside me must learn of your world with his own hands and feet. Experience cannot be substituted."

Very well, Grand Researcher Erin Weber. I shall not argue with your methods. The gryphon rose to its full height, closing its wings back. But please, do visit our mountain sometime. The others sensed your signature when you passed through the open rift. They have missed you very much.

"If the winds allow, I shall," Erin said softly. "For now, it was nice to see an old friend again."

See you again, old friend. May Aurumn's warmth embrace you.

"May Vianne's wisdom give you guidance," Erin said with a smile.

Youmir launched into the sky with a single powerful beat of its wings. The force of the takeoff sent snow swirling around them in a miniature blizzard. Within seconds, the gryphon was a dark speck against the pale sky, returning to wherever it came from that the Presence Between couldn't reach.

Silence returned to them once more.

Erin turned to Gale. "Continue to move."

"What was that introduction about?" Gale asked. "Vanguards? Quadrant? House of Hathie? Like, what was all of that!? How come you never told me any of that before?!"

"You never asked."

Gale crumpled his whole body. She was just as bad as Guide when it came to giving him any actual things he cared about.

"Then I'm asking now." He straightened up. "What else do you know about my parents?"

"You may ask as long as the question is specific," Erin said.

"What is Quadrant 753?"

"Quadrant 753 is the very edge of the explored universe." Erin waved at him to keep moving, and he did. "A highly hostile area where its inhabitants actively rejected Dainv protection."

"And my parents were there?"

"Your parents were vanguards assigned to that quadrant."

"What happened to it? To Quadrant 753?" Gale looked back at her as he moved through the open field.

"The corruption took hold of that quadrant. The inhabitants' rejection of Dainv protection was their downfall," she said. "The entire quadrant fell within a single star."

"Did my parents survive?" he asked.

"Your parents survived." Erin's voice softened fractionally. "Otherwise, you could not be here right now. Is that not obvious, child?"

Gale nodded. That was a dumb question. Of course he wouldn't be here if they had died, which would mean that that was their assignment before going to Earth.

A future father, hoping to pave a better path for his future son.

He suddenly remembered those words dad said in the journal from the underground bunker. Clenching his fist, there was still a part of him that wanted to see him again. It didn't really matter what was real or what wasn't anymore. Maybe all he wanted to say was 'thank you' for giving him the chance to be strong.

Gale sighed. Whatever it was, they did love him and didn't want to abandon him. Vianne even said so, and Erin proudly introduced them as his parents.

Looking up at the sky against the single star of this world, he thought to himself. He'll continue to get stronger to protect those that matter to him.

His steps moved faster through the fields, slightly outpacing Erin. Tendrils fed him her expression. The slight micro-expression of a smile on her lips.

Once again, they continued their travel.

The flat field eventually gave way to rising terrain. They climbed a mountain peak where the air was growing thinner but the slight warmth that emanated from his fingers was thanks to Aurumn's warmth.

From the summit, Gale could see the landscape of forests, meadows, and more mountains before them.

They descended into a giant crater where the snow at the bottom was tinged with blue crystals that hummed with faint energy. Similar to essence, but lesser.

Beyond the crater, after a small tree line, was a field of flowers, but not one that Gale recognized. Spiral petals made him dizzy when he looked at them. Erin had put ice glasses on his eyes to prevent him from getting vertigo. Something about the appearance of the flowers created a passive mental attack.

Soon enough, day turned into night.

Yet the darkness didn't seem to be so dark compared to Earth. Stars filled the sky in a density Gale had never seen before. Different constellations with hazy, gaseous shades of red and blue covered the stars. The starlight above was bright enough to illuminate their path, casting everything in a serene hue of blue.

They crossed another forest, this one different as the trees were encased in the same blue crystals from the crater.

A river stood in their path. When Gale took a sip of the water, it was hot rather than cold, creating clouds of steam. Erin said it was ok to drink, so he took more sips.

Finally, they entered a valley.

The walls narrowed as they progressed on the path. The sky became a thin strip of stars above them. And then the sound of a waterfall came from in front of them.

The canyon opened suddenly, revealing their destination: Crystal Falls.

A waterfall cascaded down from a cliff so high Gale couldn't see its top. But as the water bounced from the bottom, the fog rose rather than fell back down.

As the fog floated up, droplets formed and froze into crystalline shapes that caught the light from the stars above. Each one created twinkling shades of blue, teal, and red, slowly falling to the sky into the river of stars.

It was the most beautiful thing Gale had ever seen.