[ An account of year 2 and 3 spent in the time chamber ]
Max's days revolved around the sole task of harmonisation. From the early morning sunlight that swept across the plain, to the moonlit quietude that settled over the Time Chamber, Max would sit undisturbed, his every thought focused on melding his energy with the wind.
As the months rolled by, the subtle but significant progress made itself known. Max's energy started to vibrate at a frequency similar to the wind, harmonising in rhythm and tone. It was as if he was tuning his life's instrument to the grand orchestra of nature, aligning his very essence to the symphony of the wind.
In this state of meditative harmony, Max was more attuned to his surroundings than ever before. The whispering rustle of leaves, the tender play of the breeze on the tall grass, the unseen dance of the wind around him – everything was interconnected, and he was a part of this vast, interwoven tapestry.
After what felt like an eternity, a significant breakthrough occurred. One day, as Max was deep in his meditative state, he felt a strange sensation. It was as if the boundaries between his energy and the wind had completely dissolved. He could not distinguish where his energy ended and where the wind began. It was a feeling of unity, of being in perfect harmony with the natural world.
The sensation was fleeting, lasting only a fraction of a second, but it was enough. It was a spark of realisation, a glimmer of the potential that lay ahead. Max felt a surge of joy, an uncontainable excitement, but he did not let it disrupt his focus. He knew that the path to true harmonisation was still a long one, and this was just the first milestone.
Encouraged by this progress, Max devoted himself even more intensely to his training. He did not just practise during his designated meditation time, but at every waking moment. Whether he was eating, walking, or resting, he would focus on maintaining the connection between his energy and the wind.
Max's dedication bore fruit. After almost a year and a half into his harmonisation training, he was able to sustain the state of unity for longer periods. His energy now naturally resonated with the wind, moving in sync with its rhythm. The process was no longer a conscious effort but had become an intrinsic part of his being.
It was during one of these harmonious moments that Max truly felt it – the overwhelming sense of being one with the wind. It was as if he had become the wind, flowing freely over the vast plains, whispering through the forests, and dancing in the skies. It was a moment of profound realisation, a moment of achieving true harmony.
" I can no longer detect you boy, you have finally achieved true harmony with the wind. Your visage doesn't disturb it's flow even the slightest. Good job " Kremeth said as he felt goosebumps on his skin to see Max progress so fast.
It took him a decade to master this phase on his own, yet it took Max only 1.5 years.
Basking in this newfound unity, Max knew that he had accomplished the second phase of his training. He had not just understood the wind, he had harmonised with it, becoming a part of its timeless dance.
By the end of year 3, Max was 2/3rds done with perfecting the second stage of the [ Way Of The Wind ] with the last stage being learning how to fly!
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( Meanwhile Sebastian )
As Sebastian perched atop the fortress walls, he watched the chaos unfold below with a tranquil sense of satisfaction.
' Oh those Barbarians are big, fuck! Very very big ' he thought as he felt lucky that he did not need to engage in hand to hand combat with these hulks.
Within moments, the silent fort transformed into a cacophony of panic and fear. The barbarians, brave and fierce, clashed with the undead in a desperate attempt to defend their stronghold.
A tier4 chief, towering over most men, fought valiantly, cleaving through a handful of undead with every swing of his axe. Yet for every one that fell, ten more seemed to take its place. It was an awe-inspiring sight, though for the enemy, it was nothing short of terrifying.
Whispers of confusion and surprise spread amongst even the Bloodfall clan troops who had just climbed up one after another.
Not a single soul among them knew the true source of the undead army. How could they? Sebastian had always stood as a true and noble light faction warrior, an emblem of good, not someone to dabble in necromantic powers.
"Where did they come from?" one of his men asked aloud, echoed by hushed voices around him. Their eyes, filled with an unsettling blend of dread and fascination, were glued to the scene of bloodshed.
" I'm not a necromancer, it's the power of an artefact I plundered on my last adventure with Ravan " Sebastian said as he assured his men that he was not consumed by the dark side.
On the battlefield, the barbarians gradually began to succumb to the onslaught. Their once robust numbers were dwindling, replaced by the endless tide of undead. Even their tier4 chiefs, once symbols of might, fell to the ground, their bodies riddled with wounds.
The barbarians' defence crumbled, their battle cries replaced by cries of defeat and despair. Yet despite the gruesome sight, Sebastian's spirits remained high. His focus was not on the bloodshed, but on the victory that was within his grasp. He had orchestrated this symphony of destruction, and he intended to see it through.
As the last echoes of resistance faded, the fort fell into an eerie silence. Sebastian stood tall, raising his hand in a prearranged signal. His men, who had been standing by, surged forward to occupy the fortress.
"Begin the clean-up!" Sebastian commanded, his voice echoing off the stone walls. His troops moved into the fort, cautiously stepping over fallen barbarians and undead alike.
The cleanup was efficient. The undead, their purpose fulfilled, crumbled into dust, carried away by the cold night wind. The remnants of the barbarians were moved aside, the fort cleaned and readied for the arrival of the rest of the Bloodfall legion.
Sebastian surveyed the scene, the fort now under his control, his army advancing under the morning sun. The mission was a success, the confusion caused by the undead adding an unexpected, yet beneficial twist to the conquest.
As the dawn approached, Sebastian couldn't help but wonder about the lingering consequences of the night's events. But for now, his focus was on fortifying his new stronghold, the fallen barbarian fort now firmly under the control of the Bloodfall Clan.
" Prepare a mission report, it's Sebastian the coward's time to shine now! " Sebastian ordered as he began grinning from ear to ear.
Today was just a test of his newfound power and he had not even expended 30% of it.
If this was what the ring was capable of, with some planning Sebastian could wipe the entire planet off Barbarians and become a hero of the vampire race just like Ravan.
Well….. that was never going to happen, since in the end he was but a dwarf and would never be celebrated like Ravan by the vampire's, but his name would surely resound amongst the vampire society and he would bring honour to the Bloodfall clan!
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/// A/N - Chapter 6/6 ///