Ethera had been looking forward to this oca.s.sion. Her parents had been preparing her since she was born. Long hours of combat training and meditation to deal with the underworld and other ent.i.ties. The training had been exhausting, but she knew it was due to the fact that they really loved her and wanted her to have a good chance at survival. And the following day, would be the day that her life trials would truly begin. "World of a deity."
She gave an apprehensive smile as the memories of the past came flooding in. Of a time when she would sit, unbearably, in front of her parents as they meditated. She was a little mischievious then as meditation wasn"t her thing. Sitting in one place with eyes closed as she freed her mind, simply beyond her endurance. Pfft. But now, she appreciated all the effort of her parents more. Though, meditation was still not her main thing.
"Inner peace."
She thought to herself as she slowly closed her eyes. She would need a lot of inner peace as she prepared for the rite. There was nothing she could do about the rite since the awakening wasn"t in her hands. She could only try to impress during the combat trials.
Moments later, she headed towards the training center at the back of their mansion.
Martial arts!
Now, that was her main thing. She loved practising martial arts and engaging in mock combats. Though, she didn"t practise with any weapon since she didn"t know what weapon her soul awakening would acquire. Nonetheless, her hand combat was incredibly powerful for her age. The power in her hand martial arts was truly a wonder. Also, she knew how to vary her combat power"s output as taught to her by her parents. The general basics of martial arts.
With eagerness, she continued towards the training center, unaware of her parent eyes on her.
They had been cautiously observing and monitoring Ethera. Afterall, she was their only child. Despite them trying to hide all these, they still couldn"t care less if others were watching them or not. They knew what they had gone through before they could have her. So, whether they over-watched her or not, it was perfectly justified.
They stood by the opened window of the upper living chamber as they used their divine sight to continue watching their daughter. Lady Amarodia, gently squeezed the arm of her husband while resting her head on his shoulder. Her sight fixated on her child who was going in the direction of the training area.
"Look at her, my husband. Our own child, all grown up now."
"Yes, my wife. She is."
"And do you see how wonderful she looks everyday? That"s my true essence in her."
"I couldn"t agree more with you, my beautiful wife. But you see how strong she is everyday? That"s because of me. Don"t you agree?"
"Can"t argue with that at all."
Said Amarodia with a wide smile on her face. It might be a joke on the part of her husband, but Amarodia knew the level of her husband"s power. Especially, when he was a stellar deity before the battle that got his core shattered. Even now with an amended core, he was still a powerful deity. But what could have been without the tragic incident? She knew what he had sacrificed to be here today with her.
Hargoven could see a mixture of joyful and grateful expression on Amarodia"s face which made him smile broadly as he jokingly shook his head.
"Where would I be without you, my true strength?"
"On the throne of the underworld?"
"In my dreams, surely in my dreams."
They both laughed softly before turning their attention back to Ethera who was now practising her general hand combat. They couldn"t teach her any named combat technique since they didn"t know what her awakening would be. A named technique must be in alignment with the manifestation of a deity. Tomorrow after the rite, they would know the way forward for her. Oh, how good would it be if she could get a manifestation like her father
Amarodia gave a soft sigh as she gently patted the hand of her husband.
"How fast the time moves. I still can"t believe she"s ten now."
"Yes, she is."
Hargoven responded while patting his wife"s shoulder in a soothing way.
"And, I know your mind wonders about tomorrow."
"Yes, I am worried. How will her rite go? What manifestation would she have? Which school will take her? You remembered her essence energy when she was born? The dark silver energy?"
"How can I forget that, my wife? Still, I want you to rest your mind, for one thing is definitely certain. No matter what her awakening is tomorrow, our daughter will surely be fine."
"I hope she does."
"She will. Now, should we go and see how her day was going?"
"Alright."
They joined Ethera at the training center where they all practise for a time before calling time on it. They moved to the dining chamber where a special delicacy of the Nine Mountain spirit deer was steaming on the table. The night was dedicated to Ethera as she began her immortal deity journey.
After the meal, they all departed to their various ways as Ethera made her way to the silent cultivation chamber. Despite not being able to fully cultivate until after her awakening, she sat down and closed her eyes in meditation.
Oh, how good would it be to be like her parents, one day. The journey would start the following day. A journey of no end, she was told. How far she would go would depend on her as from the next day.
She began to relax and free her mind of anxiety and expectation"s burden. The following night would be the big day for her and the other kids. She wanted to be ready as much as possible for the events.
Inner peace!
After meditating for few hours, she left the chamber and went looking for her parents. She bid them night and left for her room.
As sleep took over, Ethera began to have a calling dream. A soul-drawing dream about the void.