[Hmm, it's black, all black. I can't see anything….Where am I? What is this place? ...]
A sense of disorientation washed over Aerion. He was enveloped in absolute darkness, a void that pressed in on him from all sides. Panic began to prickle at the edges of his awareness.
[What is this….]
Then, a faint luminescence pierced the gloom. A softly glowing, sphere-like structure materialized in the distance, seemingly suspended in the nothingness. Hope flickered within him. He raised his hand, reaching out towards the ethereal light.
As he tried to move closer to the sphere, an unsettling sensation gripped him. His foot began to sink into the unseen floor beneath him, as if the very ground was yielding like viscous liquid.
[What's this?]
He struggled to regain his footing, his small limbs flailing in the darkness, but he couldn't make sense of the strange phenomenon. The sphere remained his only point of reference in this bewildering abyss.
[What is this? Why is—aghhhh?]
He continued to sink, the darkness rising around him like a suffocating tide. The glowing sphere was now the only source of illumination in this terrifying void.
[Aghhhhhh ahhhhhhhh]
"Wake up… Arya… Aryaaa."
A familiar voice, laced with a hint of impatience, cut through the lingering remnants of the unsettling darkness. Aerion's eyelids fluttered open, and he blinked few times against the sudden brightness, seeing the familiar figure of Adima standing above him, her silhouette framed by the clear sky.
"Enough with slacking off, kiddo," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips despite her words. "Time for the next lesson."
Adima settled back against the trunk of the ancient tree, assuming her previous relaxed posture. With a groan, Aerion pushed himself up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, trying to shake off the lingering unease of his dream.
[What was that… a dream? ….. Yes, probably just a weird-ass dream.]
Adima snapped her fingers sharply in front of him, drawing his attention back to the present. "So, where were we?"
"We learned about the basics of Shaktih and the fundamental types of it," Aerion replied, still half asleep his mind clearing.
"Hmm, yes," Adima affirmed. "And you remember I said that we elves often use chrest to focus our magic?"
He nodded.
"But," she continued, her voice taking on a more thoughtful tone, "I didn't tell you what a chrest truly is, and more importantly, why we use it." She paused, her keen eyes observing him, waiting for a question that didn't come. "And you didn't even ask me why we use them. So, does that mean you weren't paying attention to me?"
She leveled a mock glare at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Aerion, feeling a pang of guilt, looked back at her with wide, innocent puppy-dog eyes. "I'm sorry…"
Adima let out a deep, theatrical sigh. "I truly don't know why I agreed to this," she murmured under her breath, though loud enough for him to hear. "Very well, then. I suppose I will have to delve a little deeper."
She adjusted her robes and leaned back against the tree, settling into a more comfortable position. "In our world, Arya, there are countless different species inhabiting various planes of reality. We High Elves refer to these planes as Lokāḥ and ourselves as Nandanavanavāsī. Some Lokāḥ may be home to diverse species, while others may be inhabited by only one, or none at all. Each species possesses its own unique set of biological advantages and disadvantages. For example, High Elves like us enjoy exceptionally long lifespans and a naturally strong affinity for magic in its purest form. Humans, on the other hand, have relatively short lifespans, but their potential for growth and adaptation is remarkable. Demi-humans often possess more resilient and flexible bodies, along with heightened senses that give them certain advantages. But," she emphasized, "the way each species interacts with and utilizes shaktih can be quite different. We High Elves often employ chrest to focus and channel our magic. Humans, as you may have observed, often rely on enchanted artifacts to aid them. And so on."
"Okay," Aerion interjected, his brow furrowed with curiosity, "but why are these planes separate? Why not just one?" His question, though simple, hinted at a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.
"Well, kiddo," Adima said with a slight smile, "I'm really not in the mood to delve into the ancient history of interdimensional separation right now. It's a rather long and involved tale. You'll likely learn about it in school in the future, if you choose to attend one. Or if not remind me when you get of the age."
Aerion's curiosity was piqued even further by her evasiveness. "But… you know the answer?"
"Suffice it to say for now, little one, that it is all for the greater good of everyone involved," Adima said, her tone brooking no further questions on the matter.
[Oh, I understand the potential social and political ramifications of different species coexisting on a single plane,] Aerion thought, his mind already analyzing the implications. [But well, I really wanted to know the historical reasons… I guess it's just not the right time.]
"Now," Adima said, her gaze becoming more focused, "get back into your meditative posture. I won't leave you until you are able to properly connect with and guide your shaktih."