Vale's mind and body had just gone through the most life-altering journey of self-discovery one could ever take.
While not much actually happened, a lot happened. He gained no Aether, no new Champion, the inventions weren't complete, and the mining wasn't finished. Yet his realizations that day were the spark that ignited and set in motion the branches of fate.
***
Vale, even if Aether were topped out, was exhausted by how long he'd been focused for and meditating. He still lay on the floor while listening to the lullaby that was the worker's claws scraping stone.
Maybe that was why, when his intrusive thought simmered, it sifted through the mental barriers in his head with ease and explained itself with articulate hope and curiosity — It began to barter and reason with the utmost dignity and purpose.
What Vale was thinking about was gambling…
