AETHER BEASTS

I woke the next day feeling refreshed and slightly worn out. I'd taken each of the ladies multiple times and then they'd started to double team me, and at one point had even tried to see who could make me blow the fastest. I was very thankful Zirani had soundproofed the room somewhat with a technique. My aunt did not need to hear that.

"You look like you had a busy night?" My aunt asked as I walked past her on my way to the bathroom.

I rolled my eyes at her question which earned me a chuckle. My aunt still enjoyed teasing me it seemed, not that I cared. I was going to enjoy this day to its fullest because afterward, I doubted I'd see my aunt for a very long time.

The expedition only came once every few years and Zirani had made it clear the only way we were coming back was if we ourselves were strong enough to make it through the scar or via the expedition. Even though I'd been gone from home for a few months, I'd still known that it was never too far away, but after the crossing, they'd been no way back home easily or anytime soon. I'd come to terms with that though.

After a quick shower, I made my way downstairs, following the scent of cooking bacon. My stomach grumbled loudly, alerting my aunt who waved me towards the dining table.

"Sit down, I'll be done in a few."

I felt a feeling of nostalgia and melancholy wash over me as I sat down at the dining table for the first time in months, and for what would be the last time for an even longer while. I had many fond memories of meals with my aunt, times she'd tried to teach me and I'd ended up ruining dinner so we'd eaten out. The time Leyton and I had gotten into a mock fight over the last piece of chicken only to have Thomas snatch it while we weren't paying attention. Simpler times, and precious memories.

The others filled in one by one as my aunt finished up breakfast, and soon all five of us were enjoying another meal together.

"So, what's your plan for today?" My aunt asked. "Going to be teaching more techniques?"

I coughed and almost did a spit-take. "How did you find out about that?'

"After you four went to bed, the new mayor came to visit."

"New mayor." I frowned. "Since when?"

"Since it was found out the old mayor had been sneaking money for himself," My aunt replied, disgusted. "He didn't even have the decency to admit it, instead he just ran out of town spouting something about a deal with the twin horn."

I snorted. "I don't think he'll have any success with them."

"Whose the new mayor?" Misty asked.

Jenna smiled. "Someone you know quite well. Professor Luten, or just Luten now. He doesn't teach at the academy any longer."

"Luten!"

That was a surprise. I'd never taken him for someone who cared about a managing position, not that it was a bad thing. He'd been a great teacher and friend to all his students, helping in any way he could. He'd been like an older brother or uncle to everyone.

"His core was fractured wasn't it?" I questioned. "Is that why he left?"

"Partially," My aunt replied. "But the town couldn't think of anyone more suited. He's liked by everyone and has taught multiple generations. He came here yesterday to ask if you'd be willing to teach some of the townsfolk. Apparently, Leyton per usual couldn't stop his big mouth from running."

Misty shot me an 'i told you so,' look.

That did sound just like Leyton. He'd probably bragged about it to everyone. I remembered quite a few times we would have gotten away with pranks if Leyton had just kept his mouth shut and not bragged about it.

"How many?" I asked. I could teach a few basic techniques that most could learn, but there was no way I had time to teach unique techniques to everyone in the town. Like most places, everyone got at least one core for the extended life span and other benefits, and the population of West Vale was a few hundred.

A thoughtful appeared on Zirani's face and she turned to my aunt. "Do you have cores per chance?"

"A few, why?" My aunt questioned.

"I can create a few ability cores and they can just learn from them," Zirani explained as though it was the most normal thing in the world to be able to create a core that could teach techniques.

"You can do that?" My aunt looked shocked.

"I'll make a few techniques, basic of course, for each affinity, and the mayor can hand them out as he wishes," Zirani said, her face becoming serious. "But he should be very careful that people don't find out. As far as I can tell, ability cores don't exist in the plains. I'll try to mask them as best I can, but if some townfolks go flapping about it to outsiders, you're going to have problems."

"He'll have to deal with that," My aunt said.

We finished up our breakfast and Zirani got to work on the cores. To my surprise, my aunt had taken today off as well as it was the last day she'd seen me for a while. I'd been planning to go hand out with Thomas and Lyeton, but decided I'd spend this time with my aunt. I also wasn't sure I wouldn't be mobbed if I left in the middle of the day. I fit had truly spread to the point the mayor knew, then no doubt most of the town knew.

It wasn't that I didn't think I could handle it, but I didn't particularly even want to get involved in the first place and I didn't want to have to use aether to run away from a crowd, especially not a crowd of people from West Vale. I didn't want there to be any animosity towards me from them.

My aunt and I spent the first part of the day just relaxing and speaking with one another, mostly about past events and stories. Misty had decided she wanted to have a look around the town market and had taken Sandra with her. Zirani said in the corner, listening in with a smile as she worked. I took a few glanced everyone now and then, but she assured me she'd teach me and explain later. I'd asked why she wasn't using the cores we'd got from the tower, but she explained there was no point in using those cores for basic techniques when Jenna had weaker cores.

Hours passed and eventually, Zirani finished with her work, leaving the bundle of cores to my aunt who said she would hand it to the mayor tomorrow, after we left, so no questions would be raised that they'd have to answers. Misty and Sandra came back with a few bundles of clothing and other items. It must have cost quite a bit, but we weren't really talking about funds. We'd looted plenty of coin and crystal from the twin horn, not to mention everything else. I'd spoken about making some money before we left for the crossing, but Zirani had explained that coin and crystals from the plains would be near worthless beyond the scar. The crystals were too low quality and coins weren't a form of trade beyond the scar. It was just different types of aether crystals.

When evening came, my aunt and I both cooked the meal together. Not just fried chicken, but mash potatoes with gravy, a delicious beef stew, and a whole roasted chicken with plenty of sides dishes. It was quite the feast and we all dug in with gusto. After the main course, came the dessert, a vanilla, and caramel cake. It must have cost quite a bit to get the caramel since it wasn't cheap, and since I wasn't aware of anyone in the town who sold it, she must have bought it from a merchant and been saving it.

The cake was finished in minutes and while the other three begged off to sleep, I spent the majority of the night with my aunt, speaking, and just trying to make this time last.

My aunt yawned loudly. "I think it's time I headed to sleep."

I nodded, even though I didn't feel tired at all. "Five more minutes?"

She shook her head and leaned in to give me a hug. "We still have tomorrow morning, Aiden. You're not just going to vanish on me are you?"

I chuckled and my voice sounded shaky. "Never."

The three ladies were sleeping silently when I made my way into bed. It took a long while or me to fall asleep as my mind kept drifting back to the future and what lay ahead. I'd spent yesterday and today pushing it away and just relaxing, but now that it was over, all those thoughts came rushing back in.. I was pretty sure I fell asleep that night due to mental fatigue and my mind running in circles.