After about two hours of continuous running, Asher finally slowed to a stop as the first rays of morning light filtered through the dense canopy. He doubled over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath. The adrenaline that had fueled his escape was fading, replaced by the sharp awareness of his body's needs.
His stomach rumbled loudly, the sound almost comical in the quiet forest.
"Man, maybe I should have at least stolen some food before escaping," he muttered to himself, then immediately reconsidered. "No, that would have been too risky."
As he caught his breath and looked around, Asher noticed how the forest had gradually changed during his flight. What had begun as scattered trees near the camp's perimeter had become an ancient, dense woodland. Even with dawn breaking, the light barely penetrated the thick canopy overhead, casting everything in a perpetual twilight.
His stomach protested again, more insistently this time.
"This is bad," he said, rubbing his empty belly. "I don't even have anything to hunt with. Not that I know how to hunt in the first place."
Asher shook his head, pushing aside the self-pity. "Well, standing here complaining won't do me any good."
With that thought, he set off at a steady walk, continuing deeper into the forest. He was far enough from the camp now that he no longer felt the need to run, though he remained alert for any signs of pursuit.
As he walked, a familiar voice suddenly spoke inside his mind.
Oh, you finally left that dreadful place.
Asher jumped slightly, still not accustomed to the intrusion. "I don't think I can get used to you talking in my head like that."
A light, girlish giggle echoed in his thoughts. Hehe, well you better get used to me.
Continuing in the opposite direction of the war camp, Asher decided to use the opportunity to learn more about his mysterious companion. "So now that you're awake, could you please tell me who you are?"
I told you who I am, silly. I am the Sprin you contracted with.
"Sprin? You mean like the ones from fairy tales?" Asher asked skeptically.
Fairy tales? The voice sounded indignant. We Sprin are very real, you know. Humans have lost the ability to see us over the years.
Well, anyway, now that we are contracted, let me formally introduce myself.
As the voice spoke, a crimson orb of light emerged from Asher's chest, hovering before him at eye level. It pulsed gently with each word.
I am Ruvia, a newly born blood Sprin.
"And I am Asher," he replied, his introduction punctuated by another loud rumble from his stomach. Looking down at his abdomen with a frown, he asked, "Do you by any chance know how to hunt?"
Of course not, Ruvia replied, her tone suggesting the question was absurd. Why would a Sprin ever need to hunt? Why don't you use your Weaving to hunt? From my connection to your Essence Core, I can tell you are a Runic Weaver.
Asher looked down at his hands, realizing that in the chaos of his escape, he hadn't even attempted to use his newfound power. "But how do I do that?"
That's a silly question. Do you not know anything about Weaving?
"Up until a few days ago, I thought people using magic was some fancy joke told to entertain nobles," Asher admitted.
Well, that's odd. The last time I was in the physical world, Human Weavers were everywhere. The orb bobbed thoughtfully. Anyway, since we are bound to be together now, let me teach you a few things.
With that, the crimson orb darted away between the trees, leaving Asher momentarily alone. He looked around uncertainly, wondering if he should follow or wait. Before he could decide, Ruvia returned, her light pulsing with excitement.
Okay, I found a safe place for you to practice. Follow me.
The orb led Asher deeper into the forest, toward a rocky cliffside where a small cave was barely visible among the undergrowth. It was a modest shelter, just large enough for a single person to take refuge.
This is the only decent place I could find in our vicinity, Ruvia explained as Asher approached the cave entrance. I must say though, this forest gives off an ancient feel.
Asher crawled inside the cave and slumped onto the cold dirt floor, hunger and exhaustion finally catching up to him. He looked up at the hovering crimson orb.
"By the way, Ruvia, you mentioned we are contracted. What does that mean exactly?"
Oh, that means we are bonded by soul, she explained cheerfully. It's a mutual relationship where you provide me a way to become more present in the physical world, and in return, I become your strength.
The orb drifted closer, its light casting eerie shadows across the cave walls. Just so you know, the only way to sever this bond is by death. Either I die or you die, Ruvia added with a playfulness that made the statement even more unsettling.
"Well, that sounds bad, so let's try to avoid that," Asher replied, his stomach rumbling loudly once more.
And to do that, you need to not starve to death, Ruvia observed. Okay, let's start with the basics of Weaving.
The crimson orb hovered directly in front of Asher's face. First of all, I only know a bit about human Weaving, and my knowledge might even be outdated. But from what I remember, a newly awakened is imparted with memories upon awakening. So sit up and try to look back at your memories.
Following her instructions, Asher sat up straight and closed his eyes, focusing inward. Though hazy at first, symbols gradually appeared in his mind's eye, their meanings somehow immediately comprehensible.
"Basic element runes," he said aloud, opening his eyes.
Well, I don't know much about Runes, so try it. Let's see what it can do, Ruvia encouraged.
Asher glanced around the cave. "I need something to write with." He walked to a corner of the cave and picked up a sharp rock, then returned to the center and sat down cross-legged.
"Let's start with fire," he decided, closing his eyes again to recall the specific rune. When the symbol was clear in his mind, he opened his eyes and carefully scratched the rune into the dirt floor.
Upon completing a somewhat disfigured version of the symbol, he sat back and waited, expecting a burst of flame. Nothing happened.
Ruvia floated closer to examine his work. You barely gave it any essence. You need to feed it more.
"And how do I do that?" Asher asked, confusion evident on his face.
Try focusing the energy in the core when drawing it, she suggested.
Asher nodded, erasing the failed rune with his hand. He closed his eyes once more, this time concentrating on the peanut-sized core of energy in his chest. He felt it respond, a warm sensation spreading through his body and down his arm.
With newfound purpose, he drew the rune again, channeling the energy from his core into each stroke of the rock against dirt. As he completed the final line, a small burst of flame shot upward from the etched symbol, briefly illuminating the entire cave before fading.
Asher's eyes widened with excitement and wonder. "I did it!"
Well, now that you know how to do that, you keep practicing, Ruvia said, already floating toward the cave entrance. I'm going to go look for something small to hunt.
"Thanks, Ruvia," Asher called after her as the crimson orb disappeared outside.
Left alone in the cave, Asher stared at the scorched mark on the dirt floor where his first successful rune had burned. A smile spread across his face—not just from the accomplishment, but from the realization that his new life, however uncertain, held possibilities he had never dreamed of.
He picked up the rock again and began to practice, determined to master this first small step in understanding his power.
"Now how do I use this to hunt?" he wondered aloud after several more successful fire runes. "Maybe I can combine Fire with Air to create a fire projectile and shoot it." He murmured to himself, thoughts racing with possibilities. "Let's try it."
Asher closed his eyes, focusing more intently on drawing energy from his core into his hands. With careful strokes, he etched the runic symbol for Fire next to the symbol for Air on the dirt floor.
The moment he completed the second rune, a searing pain erupted in his chest. It felt as though someone had thrust a red-hot poker directly into his core. Asher gasped, doubling over as warm blood began to trickle from his nose. His essence core heated rapidly, burning like molten metal against his insides.
Through the haze of pain, Asher realized the dangerous connection. With a desperate swipe of his hand, he erased both runes from the dirt floor, smearing the symbols into unrecognizable patterns. The pain subsided almost immediately, though it left him trembling and weak. He wiped the blood from his nose with the sleeve of his ragged clothes, leaving a dark crimson streak on the fabric.
After catching his breath, he closed his eyes and focused inward. His once-vibrant essence core now felt hollow and depleted, like a well nearly run dry.
"Fuck, that almost killed me," he whispered, his voice shaking. "Note to self, Can't combine two runes."
Just then, Ruvia flew back into the cave in a hurry, her crimson light pulsing rapidly with alarm.
What happened? she demanded, hovering anxiously before him. I sensed danger, so I ran back!