As they walked through Glimmerglade Forest, Ryder couldn’t shake the image of Nox from his mind. The name Void suited him all too well. Ryder hadn’t been able to make out anything beneath that blinding glow.

“I see why they call him the Void,” Ryder muttered.

Alice turned, the clank of her armor pausing with her. “What do you mean?”

“His whole body was just… glowing,” Ryder said, his brow furrowed. “Like he was made of pure aether.”

“I thought it was because of his eyes,” Erys offered.

“His eyes? He didn’t—”

“Pure aether?” Eon cut in, fingers tracing his chin. “Now that’s interesting. The rings they wear are already saturated with stored aether, but if that’s all you could see, he must be beyond powerful. I’ve seen some strong auras, but his? Off the charts.”

Ryder let out a breath, heavy and frustrated. “He’s definitely the Void.”

The memory replayed itself behind his eyes; Nox’s relentless barrage, the sheer force behind every strike. He’d nearly died. Even Eon, usually calm behind his wards, had started to falter beneath the weight of that magic. From a magical standpoint, it was astonishing. But from Ryder’s, it was absolutely terrifying.

After a few quiet hours of walking along the winding dirt path, the dense walls of Glimmerglade Forest finally gave way, and the world beyond began to open up.

In the distance stood a large stone building, bustling with people. Streamers of woven vines and blooming aeiablooms draped between its beams, their vibrant colors catching the light. Ryder squinted. He could see faint wisps of aether curling off the petals, dancing softly in the air.

“What’s going on?” Erys asked, her curiosity piqued.

Eon tapped his chin, eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. “You know what…” He suddenly stopped, jaw dropping slightly. “It must be the Aeiaris Festival.”

“Aeiaris… Festival?” Erys echoed, blinking.

“Yes. This is the Temple of Aeiaris,” Eon explained. “The festival is held every year in Her honor, a celebration of life and gratitude for Her continued blessings. By Arcaenion… I haven’t attended in ages.”

“Maybe this is why you’re here,” Alice said thoughtfully.

Eon gave her a puzzled look.

Ryder tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Alice continued, “maybe it’s not a coincidence that we arrived during the festival. It might be worth looking into. Who knows, it could hold a clue. And if not… at least it’s a festival.”

Ryder considered that, eyes drifting toward the temple. “You’re right, Alice. What do you think, Eon? Erys?”

“I think it sounds absolutely perfect,” Eon said, smiling.

Erys hesitated, her expression falling. “I—it sounds wonderful, but—”

“Your brother,” Ryder finished gently. “I get it. I’d feel the same. We should keep moving toward Oberon… the Grand Luminary.”

Eon nodded. “Yes, of course. Besides, the festival lasts all week. If I’m remembering correctly, we’re only a few days in.” He blinked, brows lifting. “Actually Alice, you might be onto something. I believe the festival started the same day you all arrived.”

Ryder’s voice steadied. “Then we’ll come back. As soon as we help Castor, we’ll return.”

They continued along the path, passing a lively group of festival-goers chatting excitedly about the events inside the temple. Ryder caught mention of Aeiavael. Apparently, some planned to visit later that evening.

His curiosity stirred, but he knew they had more pressing matters. Answers first. The sooner they found Oberon, the sooner they could return and explore. Still, part of him hoped Alice was right; that there was something waiting to be discovered in all of this.

As the path wound upward, they crested a tall hill, but instead of clear sky on the horizon, a strange bloom of color met their eyes. A cloud of shifting flora stretching as far as they could see.

Ryder’s steps slowed.

As they reached the hill’s peak, the sight came into full view.

It wasn’t a cloud at all.

It was a tree; massive, towering, and ancient. Its roots carved deep into the land, and its branches stretched high enough to touch the heavens. A living mountain.

“Wow…” Ryder breathed.

“That’s the Mother Tree,” Eon said, his voice light with awe. “Aeiaris.”

“It’s… massive!” Erys said, wide-eyed. “I never could have imagined anything like that.”

From afar, the tree looked surreal. Its immense branches swayed gently in the wind, casting long shadows over the vast open fields surrounding it. Golden and blue aeiablooms blanketed the landscape, glowing softly beneath the midday light. Carved into the tree’s enormous base was what looked like a large building, dwarfed completely, emphasizing the scale of what they were seeing.

But for Ryder, the wonder came from something no one else seemed to notice.

Aether.

A thick, swirling cloud of it pooled around Aeiaris’s roots, billowing up from the earth like fog. It rolled and pulsed, alive in a way that made Ryder’s skin tingle.

And then… a memory.

Or was it a dream?

The image struck him like lightning. He’d seen this before—or something like it. But where? In one of his visions? In a dream? Or had he imagined it entirely? It was like being pulled into a memory he didn’t know he had.

“Beautiful,” Alice murmured, stopping at his side, her armor quiet for once.

“She is,” Eon agreed, his smile bright. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Her… I almost forgot how magical it feels to stand here.”

“I don’t think I’ve told you about Aeiaris and the Bloomfolk, have I?” Eon asked suddenly, whipping around to face Ryder.

Ryder shook his head. “Bloomfolk?”

“Yes,” Eon said with a nod. “They’re the ones born of Aeiaris. Aethereans come into being in different ways. Bloomfolk are said to be reincarnated souls; echoes of lives once lived. Some consider them more… worthy of existence.”

“Yeah,” Erys added with a roll of her eyes. “They say Bloomfolk are more in tune with Aeiaris, which, sure, kind of makes sense. But Kinborne are just as Aetherean as anyone else.”

“Kinborne?” Ryder asked, puzzled.

Erys turned to Eon with a smirk. “He’s like a child, isn’t he?”

Eon chuckled and nudged Ryder’s arm with his shoulder. “Feels like I’ve had this conversation with him before. Must be strange coming from another realm.”

“I’m right here, you know,” Ryder called, frowning.

That earned a round of laughter—everyone except Ryder.

“Kinborne,” Eon continued, “are those born through unions—parents have their children. It’s not shameful to have children, but some believe those born of union are a step further removed from Aeiaris, and can never truly bond with Her. Personally, I think it’s nonsense. But the more zealous among us cling to that idea like scripture.”

“Yeah, and they don’t let you forget it,” Erys added bitterly. “Every time my family went to Sanctum, there were these other families who always looked down on us. Said things like, ‘The further down the lineage, the further from Aeiaris’s grace.’ A bowl of Dunkel dung, if you ask me.”

“That’s horrible,” Alice said quietly.

“It’s the way the realm works, unfortunately,” Eon replied with a sigh. “I just wish more people understood that life isn’t linear. We’re all branches on the same tree, all one beneath Aeiaris.”

Ryder fell silent. There was something unsettlingly familiar in what they were saying.

He thought back to the one time he met Reuben’s family; and how that meeting ended. The tension, the judgment, the way they looked through Reuben like he didn’t belong. Ryder hadn’t known what to say then, and even now, hearing echoes of it in this world, he still didn’t. Maybe he’d never understand people like that. Maybe he wasn’t meant to.

And maybe… that was okay.

As they made their way down the winding path toward the base of Aeiaris, Ryder noticed the silvery-blue mist thickening ahead. Dense and shifting, the aether clung to the air like fog. His steps slowed.

“Are we really supposed to walk straight into that?” he asked, trying to mask the unease in his voice.

Eon let out a light chuckle. “What do you mean? Ah, I’m sure there’s some residual aether here, no doubt. But yes, it’s perfectly safe.”

“Some?” Ryder mocked. Still, as they descended into the haze, Ryder felt his chest tighten. Each breath came heavier than the last, like the very air was pressing in around him. The aether swirled too thickly, wrapping around his limbs, clinging to his skin. He raised a hand to swat it away—and froze.

It moved with him.

The aether didn’t resist him. It danced at his fingertips.

A sudden clarity washed over him. He could control it.

Without thinking, Ryder focused his energy and swept his hand in a small arc. With a simple thought, the aetheric mist pulled back, forming a gentle barrier around their group. A clear pocket in the dense aether. Safe.

Even if Eon said it wasn’t dangerous, Ryder wasn’t going to take any chances. He had experienced aether poisoning not once, but twice since his arrival here and he hoped it wouldn’t happen again.

They continued forward, the bubble of clear air moving with them as they passed other travelers making their way to and from the base of the great tree. Small groups chattered excitedly, giddy with anticipation for the festival.

Ryder watched as others approached Aeiaris’s trunk. Some bowed their heads, some whispered quiet prayers. Tokens, trinkets, and coins were laid at the roots as offerings. A few individuals etched delicate runes into the bark with reverent care, their hands steady, movements precise. The reverence in the air was palpable.

And Ryder couldn’t help but feel it too. Like he was approaching something sacred.

As they neared the structure carved into the base of Aeiaris, a tall woman stepped out to greet them. Her silver hair cascaded like liquid moonlight, and her skin was pale and luminous, almost otherworldly. She moved with grace, her presence gentle but unmistakable.

“Greetings,” she said with a warm smile, stepping through the veil of aether and into the bubble Ryder had formed.

Her eyes were a deep, tranquil blue, and her long, flowing gown matched them in hue and elegance. There was something about her; a kindness Ryder hadn’t yet seen in this realm, a stillness that radiated from her like the first light of morning. He felt drawn to her instantly, the aura she carried was like standing in a sunbeam. Safe. Comforting.

“Hello,” Eon replied with a respectful smile.

“My name is Maeryn. I’m a Bloomkeeper,” she said, voice soft and melodic. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you to our Mother Tree.”

She stepped to the side and motioned toward one of Aeiaris’s great roots breaking through the earth nearby.

“Come, travelers,” she said. “Rest your hand upon Mother, and feel Her embrace.”

Without hesitation, Eon walked over, pressing his hand gently to the bark. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, a serene smile settling over his features.

Erys followed, curiosity lighting her face. As she touched the root, a quiet smile spread across her lips.

Alice and Ryder exchanged a glance, then stepped forward together.

Ryder reached out.

The moment his fingers touched the bark, something deep inside him stirred. A wave of calm rushed through him completely, soothing, and inexplicably warm. Though the bark was rough beneath his fingertips, it felt like the most comforting thing he had ever touched. It soothed something in his soul he hadn’t known was aching.

The aether bubble around them rippled softly, pulsing with Ryder’s shift in focus.

“Magnificent,” Eon said, eyes still closed.

“Truly,” Erys added, her voice just above a whisper.

“That’s the calmest I’ve felt since we got here,” Ryder murmured to Alice, glancing up. With a wave of his hand, he parted the mist above them, revealing the towering trunk of Aeiaris reaching into cloud like branches and leaves.

“If you’d like,” Maeryn said gently, “please follow me. I’d be happy to give you a tour.”

She turned and began walking toward the building with the ease of someone at home among the sacred.

The group exchanged brief glances and nodded in agreement. Each of them felt it; the peace this place held, the quiet pull of something greater. Every place they’d visited had felt different… but this? This felt like coming home.

As the group approached the carved entrance, it became clear. The entire structure was woven from Aeiaris’s roots, vines, and bark. Thick slabs of living wood formed the doors, and though every inch of it seemed born from Aeiaris herself, the craftsmanship was precise and sturdy.

“Wow…” Ryder breathed as they stepped inside.

The interior opened into a spacious common hall, warm and inviting. It reminded Ryder of a hotel. Two spiral staircases, formed from twisting roots, rose on either side of the room and curved up to a second-floor balcony. Lining the upper level were carved wooden doors—rooms, he assumed, for travelers and residents alike.

In the center of the main floor sat an oval desk formed from a polished knot of tree-heartwood. To the left, tables and chairs were arranged neatly for dining or study. On the right, long benches invited quiet conversations. But what struck Ryder most was the lighting.

Glyntstone crystals—both cut and raw—glowed with a soft, ethereal blue, suspended from above by vines and nestled into the walls. The room shimmered faintly, like starlight under a canopy. It was beautiful. Magical. Alive.

“This is where new Bloomfolk stay as they acclimate to the realm,” Maeryn said, her voice calm and clear. “By the end of the week, Nym should return with the newest incarnations.”

“Nym?” Ryder asked, turning to her with curiosity.

Maeryn’s serene expression didn’t shift, though her eyes softened on him. “Oh, child. Nym is a Goddess. Many believe her to be Aeiaris incarnate, though she humbly denies that claim. She calls herself a guide—an ambassador of Mother’s will. She built this place long ago out of the very Mother herself and named it Nymara’s Rest. I serve Her, as do my sisters. We are the Nymaen Order. During the months of Her hibernation, we care for this sanctuary, welcome travelers, and tend to all who seek Mother’s embrace.”

Ryder nodded slowly, trying to take it all in.

“Hibernation? Nymaen Order?” Erys raised a brow.

Maeryn gave her a knowing smile. “Surely you’ve heard of the Order?”

Erys shook her head. “I’m sorry… I haven’t been across the Sea before. I guess we weren’t taught that part of history.”

Maeryn lifted a brow in return but let it fall with a gracious smile. “Nym welcomes all, no matter their origin. The Nymaen Order was founded to care for Aeiaris after Nym arrived in Aetherealm nearly half a million years ago. Her arrival marked the Great Blooming. The realm hasn’t been the same since.”

Eon gave a thoughtful nod. “Yes, and through the Vael, she brought forth the first Bloomfolk.”

“Exactly,” Maeryn said, her attention shifting to him. “You know your history well.”

“I’m a scholar at heart,” Eon said with a small grin. “And I do love a good origin tale.”

“Well, that is why we gather each year,” Maeryn continued. “To celebrate the birth of the next generation of Bloomfolk.”

“I thought the festival was to give thanks to Aeiaris?” Erys asked, puzzled.

Maeryn inclined her head. “Of course. We always give thanks to Mother. This week is sacred; for honoring all life in our realm, and for welcoming the Goddess’s homecoming.”

Ryder blinked. “What do you mean by all of that?”

Maeryn’s smile lingered as her gaze turned to him.

There was something different in her expression now—something deeper. Warmer, but… just slightly too knowing.

For the first time, Ryder felt uneasy. Like questioning her was the wrong thing to do.

“Well, then,” Maeryn began with a graceful tilt of her head, “a little history lesson.”

Her voice carried a melodic calm, as though reciting something passed down through centuries.

“Each year, at First Dawn, Nym awakens from Her hibernation and begins preparations for Her journey into Aeiaris. Throughout the seasons, She walks among us—guiding, protecting, and preserving the balance of Aetherealm. But on the 56th day of Duskwane, the festival begins, the Rift of Aeiaris blooms open. On that very first day, She enters it, and it seals behind Her.”

Maeryn’s expression softened.

“Eight days later, on the 64th day of Duskwane—the final day of the festival—the rift reopens; and through it, Nym returns with the newest Bloomkin: newly reincarnated souls, Aethereans born anew. Afterward, She returns to Her sacred hibernation for the entire season of Noctaer, until First Dawn comes again. And thus continues the life cycle of the Goddess.”

Ryder furrowed his brow. “What’s through the rift?” he asked. “Has anyone besides Nym ever gone through it?”

Maeryn gently shook her head. “Oh no, child. Only Nym enters the Rift of Aeiaris. She alone guides the spirits who are meant to be reborn. Without Her… they would be lost, wandering. It is not a place mortals can pass through.”

Ryder’s gaze narrowed slightly. Why was Nym the only one? He’d used rifts before. Was this the same sort of rift? Or something else entirely? Could it be… a way home?

He didn’t speak those thoughts aloud. Not yet.

“And the rift will open again at the end of the week?” he asked, his voice quiet.

“Yes,” Maeryn replied. “Upon the Goddess’ return.”

Ryder’s mind began to race. If the rift opened the day we arrived… and opens again on Day Eight… then maybe…

He didn’t finish the thought. But he had to be there when it reopened.

“Sir?” Maeryn’s voice pulled him back. She reached out, lightly patting his shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Ryder blinked and straightened. “Yes. I’m fine. Just… taking it all in.”

She smiled, stepping back to address the group as a whole. “Would any of you care for something to drink? A bite to eat? Did you get the chance to visit the temple?”

Eon shook his head. “Not yet, though we intend to. And as lovely as tea sounds, I’m afraid we have somewhere we need to be. Still, Nymara’s Rest… it’s a beautiful sanctuary.”

Maeryn bowed her head gently. “Then please, do return. We welcome all back with open arms at week’s end—to celebrate the arrival of our new brothers and sisters.”

“Thank you for the history lesson,” Erys said, giving a small wave as the group turned to leave.

”May Aeiaris guide your path, travelers!” Maeryn called out to them with a warm smile and wave.

They stepped out into the soft blue light once more, the large wooden door closing quietly behind them.

“So, by nightfall, we should reach Luminara if we continue on our way,” Eon said as he led the group forward.

Ryder nodded and conjured the protective bubble once more, shielding them from the dense aether fog that clung heavily to the air near the base of Aeiaris. They moved carefully away from Nymara’s Rest, following the dirt path that curved gently north toward the looming mountains ahead.

As they pressed on, the fog began to thin, and Ryder slowly eased his focus. Soon, the haze was behind them, allowing him to breathe freely again.

He paused for a moment and turned back.

The aether mist still clung tightly around Aeiaris’s base, curling and coiling like glowing smoke. His eyes followed the towering trunk upward, the colossal branches stretching overhead like the arms of a sleeping giant.

Then he jogged to rejoin the others.

“Do you think that’s our way back home?” Ryder asked, voice laced with cautious hope.

Alice glanced over her shoulder. “The Rift of Aeiaris? Maybe. But I wouldn’t count on anything just yet.”

Eon rubbed his chin, walking slowly. “It’s possible,” he admitted. “Your logic is sound. If the rift opened five days ago, the same day you all arrived, and opens again on the last day of the festival… well, that timing isn’t something I’d ignore.”

“Exactly,” Ryder said. “It’s the only lead we have. If it really only opens twice a year, and we miss it… we could be stuck here until next Dusk…wane?”

“Duskwane, yes, I’ll be sure to get you our Aetherean Calendar. We’ll bring it up to the Grand Luminary,” Eon said. “He may have insight into how the Rift works. But it’s a valid theory, Ryder.”

Ryder exhaled, shoulders tense. “It just feels like everything’s suddenly on a timer, and it’s stressing me out.”

“It’ll be alright,” Eon said with a reassuring smile. “We’ll figure it out together.”

Ryder nodded, though his expression betrayed his worry. The thought of missing that rift lingered in his chest like a stone.

Hours passed as they continued uphill. The landscape grew more rugged, the air cooler, and the path steeper. And then, at last, the horizon shifted.

Before them stood the towering outer walls of Luminara, carved of stone. Rising high above them, at the city’s heart, was a single grand tower that pierced the clouds, the Aetherspire. From its peak, it looked as though one could see the entire expanse of Aetherealm. Above it floated the Crown, a large gold metallic structure shaped like its namesake.

“There we are,” Eon said with a breath of relief. “Luminara. Somewhere beyond those gates… we’ll find the Grand Luminary.”

Ryder stared in awe. After everything, they had finally made it. The answers he’d been searching for since his arrival; his connection to this realm and the path back home, were just beyond those walls.

And with that hope, his steps grew lighter.