Aaric remained lost in thought following his profound encounter with Death. He glanced at the well once more before moving toward it and gazing deep into the aperture.
His eyes met the cold, black gaze of the Weaver, who was eternally spinning the cosmic threads that connected and sustained reality.
There was no hate, anger, or judgment in the ancient spider's eyes. Only the vast, cosmic indifference of an entity focused solely on ensuring the continuity of the threads of fate.
Aaric did not stay long in that realm and soon returned to the world, reappearing on the Nightshade Island beside the tranquil lake.
He emptied his mind, allowing himself to gaze into the reflective surface and accept the cosmic truths he had argued with death about.
He did not notice when Edwina quietly approached him from behind and wrapped her arms around him, resting her chin on his head and caressing his hair.
Edwina offered no questions; she knew she was the first person Aaric would come to the moment he required any counsel.
A moment later, Aaric turned and wrapped his arms around his mother, overwhelmed with gratitude. He had accepted reality, and with that acceptance, his resolve to walk the path he deemed right solidified even more.
| The next morning, |
Just as Aaric had promised, he sent Nibbin to Hogwarts to retrieve Draco as he invite Draco to China.
"Let's have breakfast here before we depart for China," Aaric said, gesturing Draco toward the dining table where his parents were already seated.
"Good morning, Uncle, Auntie," Draco greeted Simon and Edwina with a smile before taking his seat.
"Good morning, Draco," Edwina replied warmly, and Simon offered a nod and a smile as breakfast was served.
"So, the two of you will be visiting China today?" Simon asked, receiving nods from the two young men.
"Good. It should be a relaxing time for Draco," Simon said, approvingly patting Draco's shoulder.
They were soon taken by Nibbin to the Frostroot Hollow, the place which Aaric had inherited and had their courtyards.
"Welcome, My Lord," Shenlian greeted them with a happy smile when Aaric and Draco appeared before her.
"It's good to see you, Miss Shenlian," Aaric replied with a smile of his own, while Draco gave her a small, respectful bow.
"To the sect, I presume?" Shenlian asked, glancing at Draco.
"Yes. This is my friend, Draco. I wished to show him the sect," Aaric nodded, introducing the young Malfoy.
"Won't you stay for a little?" Shenlian asked Aaric with a slight tilt of her head. It had been some time since Aaric's last visit, and she clearly wished to spend some time with him.
"Well... how about we return for dinner?" Aaric proposed, earning a bright smile and a nod from her.
"I will look forward to it," Shenlian replied, giving Aaric's head a brief, affectionate pat before he and Draco moved towards the sect grounds.
Draco walked with palpable anticipation, gripping a small, ornate wooden box tightly in his hands.
"Have you ever seen a horse walk on water?" Aaric asked Draco with a grin when he noticed a herd of horses grazing nearby.
Draco shook his head. Aaric beckoned two of the horses over. He gently rubbed the head of one and mounted it, then gestured for Draco to mount the other.
"Just relax and form a connection with the horse," Aaric instructed Draco as he mounted his own. "They instinctively know where you wish for them to go."
Draco sat on his horse and rubbed its neck gently as it started walking alongside Aaric's. They soon neared a mist-covered lake, and Aaric instructed his horse to start walking across it.
Draco was delighted and surprised as their horses stepped onto the lake's surface, crossing the water as if it were solid ground.
"Oh! There's one more thing they can do," Aaric said excitedly, moving his horse closer to Draco's.
He patted his horse's back, and it raised its hind legs before bringing them down sharply. The resulting splash of water below them rippled, sending a curtain of spray over Draco.
"Wicked, right?" Aaric laughed loudly, nudging his horse into a full gallop toward the sect.
Draco scowled and followed Aaric, running his horse as fast as he could, keen on revenge.
"If I reach the sect first, you won't do anything about the splash!" Aaric proposed, pointing ahead to the visible buildings.
"Deal!" Draco declared, nudging his horse to gain speed.
Aaric chuckled, easily catching up and blowing a raspberry toward Draco as he surpassed him, reaching the entrance of the sect first.
"Hey, guys! I'm Aaric, the winner, and this is Draco, the loser. Can you take us to an Elder, please?" Aaric greeted the two disciples he found at the sect's entrance, introducing the pair with playful swagger.
The disciples chuckled, and one nodded, beckoning them to follow.
Aaric and Draco dismounted. Draco used a quiet charm to clean himself and smooth his clothes, making himself presentable, before giving Aaric a deeply dirty look.
"A deal is a deal, brother," Aaric told him with a smirk, receiving a sour expression in return.
"Disciple greets Elder Wang," the young man said, bowing deeply to the Elder before gesturing to Aaric and Draco, who offered the Elder a respectful bow as well.
"Thank you for bringing them, Disciple," Elder Wang smiled, nodding at the young man.
"Thanks, here is a little gift," Aaric thanked the young man, handing him a small pouch before the disciple departed with a smile.
"Welcome, Young Master. What brings you and your young friend here?" Elder Wang asked Aaric with a polite nod and a genuine smile.
"This is my friend, Draco. I had a request for you. Would you allow him to undergo the flame ritual with an Ashwinder egg?" Aaric asked the Elder respectfully.
"May I see the egg?" the Elder asked with curiosity. Draco nodded and immediately handed him the wooden box with both hands.
The Elder inspected the box before opening it briefly, then nodded and closed it again. "The egg has been preserved well. It should not be a problem for the young one here to undergo the ritual," the Elder said, handing the box back to Draco.
"Well then, follow me, children," the Elder added as he turned toward a designated direction.
Aaric and Draco nodded and followed the Elder.
"Thank you," Draco whispered to Aaric as they walked, receiving a steadying pat on the back from Aaric.
A/n: Give me your thought on the chapter and reviews on the fic.
And.. you got any power stones? Well, hand em over then.