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Kaipo stood tall, the power of Essence Manifest radiating from his very core. Archanos watched him with a smile that conveyed both pride and awe, but there was something deeper beneath the surface—something unspoken. As the energy settled, Archanos approached Kaipo, his smile widening.
“Incredible,” Archanos said, his voice filled with amazement. “I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to unlock that power, especially with how difficult it is. Based on my experience, I would say Essence Manifest is the hardest technique known to all mages.”
He paused for a moment, then added, “You know, Fate revealed to me how to unlock this power hundreds of years ago. I wrote it down exactly as I saw it, but I always wondered why it was shown to me. After all, it wouldn’t serve much purpose to me now.”
Kaipo, standing amidst the immense aura of his newfound power, suddenly looked down, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “It didn’t work,” he said softly.
Archanos’ smile quickly faded, replaced by a look of confusion. “What do you mean, it didn’t work?”
Kaipo sighed and shook his head. “I tried for years, following every step on the paper exactly as it was written, but nothing happened. I didn’t receive the Essence Manifest through those instructions. I had to create something new... a meditation technique I called The Soul’s Unveiling.”
“The Soul’s Unveiling?” Archanos repeated, intrigued. “Tell me more. Where exactly were you when you came up with this?”
Kaipo’s eyes drifted as he recalled the endless white expanse. “I was in a place... it was like nothing I’d ever seen before. It was called the Infinite Plane. I don’t even know how I knew the name of it, I just did. While I was there, the idea for the meditation came to me. It wasn’t something I invented; it just appeared in my mind like it was planted there.”
Archanos took a step back, his brow furrowing in thought. “That’s disappointing, then. The method on the paper to acquire the Essence Manifest didn’t work after all. I wonder why Fate revealed that specific paper to me if it was never meant to work in the first place.”
Kaipo crossed his arms, considering the situation. “Maybe there’s still a reason for it,” he offered. “I don’t think Fate would reveal something without a purpose. Even if the method on the paper didn’t work, there’s a chance it serves a larger purpose that we haven’t figured out yet.”
Archanos stared off into the distance, his mind deep in thought. After a moment of silence, he spoke again. “You might be right, Kaipo. But there’s something else you need to understand about Essence Manifest.” He turned back to Kaipo, his expression serious. “Since you’re the first to unlock this power, you are the source of it.”
Kaipo blinked, confused. “The source?”
Archanos nodded. “Yes, that means you have slight control over the essence of the power itself. In theory, you could determine who wields it, and who doesn’t. You could even grant others their own version of Essence Manifest. Though, it's something you would have to do first to cement that.”
Kaipo’s confusion deepened. “But how is that possible? I thought Essence Manifest was something only I could unlock?”
Archanos stepped closer, his voice lowering slightly. “Fate revealed something to me—a vision so detailed it frightened me. It showed me what would happen with this power, how it would grow, and the consequences of unlocking it. But the thing is…” Archanos paused, his face clouded with a mix of concern and determination, “I can’t tell you anything about the future.”
Kaipo’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean you can’t tell me about the future? You’re Fate, right? You know what’s coming.”
Archanos sighed deeply, his gaze hardening. “That’s the curse of Fate. I’m allowed to tell you anything I’ve seen about the past and the present, but if I reveal anything about the future, my power will be revoked instantly.”
Kaipo took a step forward, frustration brewing. “But if you know something, why can’t you just tell me?”
Archanos placed a hand on Kaipo’s shoulder, his voice calming. “Because there are rules, and breaking them means losing everything I’ve ever known. But…” His eyes glinted with a newfound resolve. “I’ve found a way around it happening instantly. I can tell you everything I know, all at once, without stopping. Once I start, I won’t stop until I’ve told you everything Fate has shown me. The only catch is, once I finish, Fate and all the knowledge from it will be revoked from me.”
Kaipo’s heart pounded at the gravity of Archanos’ words. “You’ll lose your power?”
“Yes,” Archanos said plainly, “but it’s worth it. You need to know everything to prepare for what’s coming, even if it costs me my gift. Once I stop talking, Fate will leave me, but at least you’ll know everything you need.”
There was a brief pause as Kaipo processed the weight of this decision. Before he could respond, Archanos turned and began walking, gesturing for Kaipo to follow.
“We’re on the 10th planet now,” Archanos said, breaking the silence. “The final planet. The end of the journey.”
Kaipo’s eyes widened. “The 10th planet? Already?”
Archanos nodded. “Yes, and there’s a hilltop not far from here—about five miles. It’s where I spent most of my time... waiting for you.”
Kaipo didn’t question it any further. He followed Archanos silently, his mind racing with the implications of what he was about to learn. They walked side by side, the weight of fate heavy between them, knowing that once they reached that hilltop, everything would change.
The chapter ended there, leaving Kaipo and Archanos on the verge of an earth-shattering revelation as they approached the hill where the future awaited.
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