"Your power will always remain yours. No one can define, steal or break it. It is yours to command and master forever bound to the heart of your soul."
The air within the private practice chamber of the Nexium Sanctuary hummed with the silent ambient sound of latent power. Bioluminescent flora, woven into the living architecture of the chamber, cast a soft, cerulean glow, illuminating walls carved from polished Nexium that shimmered with an inner light. Cascading miniature waterfalls, imbued with iridescent energies, whispered a soothing noise, a natural counterpoint to the profound purpose about to unfold. This place, nestled deep within the verdant heartlands of Eldrath Prime, was a space consecrated to learning, to the patient unraveling of universal truths.
The Voidwalker sat cross-legged on a polished stone slab, more confortable than he first imagined. His posture still somewhat rigid, a stark contrast to the effortless grace of his mentors. Opposite him sat Kallus Eldrath, his eyes, ancient and wise, reflecting the chamber's soft glow. Beside Kallus, Artemis, her fiery spirit tempered by years of scholarly discipline, observed with an expectant gaze. The Voidwalker had felt the weight of the God Emperor's command, the immense task laid upon his shoulders, and the nascent curiosity that now eclipsed the lingering tremors from the Attack on the Nexus Station; however now he felt like it truly stared right back at him. Indeed that calamitous confrontation with Living Darkness and the Aether Dragon had been a crucible, forging a raw power within him he was only now beginning to comprehend.
"Alright let us begin, Voidwalker," Kallus began, his voice a low, resonant baritone that seemed to vibrate with the chamber's inherent energy. "This marks the beginning of your training in Nexomancy, but more importantly, the commencement of a journey into the self, and into the very fabric of the universe. The God Emperor's vision for you is grand, and it necessitates an understanding far deeper than mere spell-casting."
The Voidwalker nodded, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. "Kallus, I still feel… misunderstood. The energy I felt during the Nexus Station attack, it was wild, untamed. How do I master such a thing? What truly defines a Prime Nexomancer, and why is this path so crucial?"
A gentle smile touched Kallus's lips. "Excellent questions, Voidwalker. Curiosity is the bedrock of all true knowledge, the first step on the path to understanding the Nex. The Eldrath Dynasty, for millennia, has been defined by our commitment to that very pursuit. We are not merely sorcerers; we are scholars, explorers of the universe's deepest secrets."
Artemis leaned forward, her eyes bright. "Prime Nexomancy, as practiced by the Nexomancer's Guild and most prominently by our Dynasty, is the art of channeling the Nex through light-based magic. Think of it as painting with pure energy. You've witnessed the sparks, the whimsical blue lights. This is Nexium, guided by intent, shaped into shields, weapons, or the intricate geometric patterns we call runes – the very language of spells."
Kallus continued, his gaze unwavering. "The role of a Prime Nexomancer extends beyond battle, Voidwalker. We are the architects of balance, the keepers of knowledge, and the spiritual guides within the Imperium. We commune with the Nex, that universal consciousness that binds all reality. Our insights are vital for steering the Imperium, for protecting its citizens, and ensuring peace and security in a universe teeming with both wonder and peril."
"But how does one even begin to master something so vast?" the Voidwalker asked, a hint of his earlier frustration returning. "My experience at the Nexus Station… it felt less like mastery and more like a desperate surge of instinct. My mind was chaos, I didn't know."
"Precisely," Kallus affirmed. "And that is where your training truly begins. The first, and perhaps most crucial, lesson in Nexomancy concerns the mastery of the mind and emotions. The Nex responds to clarity, to focus, to a profound sense of equilibrium within the self. Imagine your mind as a tranquil pool rather than a storm. Every ripple of emotion, every chaotic thought, distorts your reflection of the Nex's boundless energy."
He paused, allowing the words to sink in. "The uncontrolled surge you experienced was a prime example of untapped potential, yes, but also a demonstration of the perils of a mind unaligned. To channel the Nex effectively, you must first master the inner landscape of your being. It is about understanding the currents of your own spirit, learning to calm the maelstrom before you attempt to command the winds of the universe."
"And Nexium?" the Voidwalker pondered, gesturing towards the shimmering walls. "It seems… everywhere here."
"Nexium," Artemis clarified, "is more than just a rare resource. It is the materialised breath of the Nex, the foundational element of our universe, imbued with its very energies. Think of it as a universal conduit, a physical anchor that allows us to interact with the ethereal Nex. It facilitates technology, architecture, and of course, Nexomancy. It is a crystalline echo of the cosmic bond that ties all existence together."
Kallus nodded. "Every atom, every star, every living thing, including yourself, Voidwalker, is inherently connected to the Nex. This constant connection fuels the universal equilibrium – a delicate dance of energies, a perpetual give and take. Nexomancy is not about forcing the universe to your will, but about understanding this equilibrium, and learning to guide these existing energies with wisdom and foresight. We are conductors, not creators, of power."
"And my training," the Voidwalker interjected, "will it be like everyone else's?"
Kallus's smile returned, broader this time. "Ah, another excellent question, and one that taps into a core truth of Nexomancy: individuality. While the principles of the Nex are universal, every practitioner's journey is profoundly unique. Your connection, your inherent strengths, your very perspective shapes how you will interact with and express the Nex. There are different levels of mastery, yes, but more importantly, there are different expressions of mastery. No two Nexomancers wield their power in precisely the same way. Your 'wildness' at the Nexus Station, once refined, might become your greatest asset, your specific signature upon the Nex."
He gestured for the Voidwalker to stand before a smooth section of the Nexium wall. "Today, we begin not with grand gestures, but with foundational understanding. Your first Nexirial spell will be Basic Rune Casting. It is the alphabet of our art, the structured intent rendered in pure energy. It demands focus, a calm mind, and a clear connection to the Nex."
Artemis demonstrated, her hand tracing an intricate pattern in the air. A shimmering blue geometric symbol, radiant and precise, materialised for a fleeting moment before dissolving into brilliant motes of light. "Each line, each angle, has meaning. It is a condensed prayer of energy, a command issued to the Nex."
"Close your eyes, Voidwalker," Kallus instructed, his voice a soothing influence amidst the chamber's quiet hum. "Clear your mind, just as you cleared it during meditation. Do not seek to pull energy, but to attune to it. Reach out, not with your hands, but with your inner self. Feel the Nexium in the walls, the plants, the very air around you. Feel the boundless, benevolent energy of the Nex, the universal connection that defines all life. Remember what it felt like to be overwhelmed, and now, imagine that power, but contained, structured."
The Voidwalker closed his eyes. At first, he felt only the echo of his own heart, a rapid drumbeat against the silence. He thought of the terror at the Nexus Station, the desperate, unthinking surge of power. But Kallus's words resonated: contained, structured. He pushed the chaos away, sought the tranquil pool the master had described. He reached for connection.
He felt it then, a subtle thrumming beneath his skin, a resonance with the chamber's energy. The Nexium in the walls seemed to sing, the bioluminescent flora pulsed in gentle rhythm. He felt the expansive Nex, not as a distant concept, but as an intimate embrace, flowing through everything, binding him to Kallus, to Artemis, to the very heart of Eldrath Prime.
With a focused breath, he pictured the basic rune Kallus had shown him—a simple, elegant geometric symbol formed of three intersecting lines. He poured his newfound reverence for the Nex, his burgeoning clarity of mind, and his refined intent into the image.
A soft, ethereal crackle filled the air.
Before him, hovering a handspan from the Nexium wall, a shimmering blue geometric rune coalesce. It pulsed with the vibrant, whimsical energy of Prime Nexomancy, its edges sharp and precise, its glow radiating warmth and a profound sense of accomplishment. It was imperfect, perhaps, a whisper of a master's work, but it was undeniably there, drawn from the very wellspring of the Nex.
Kallus's deep voice broke the silence, filled with quiet satisfaction. "Excellent, Voidwalker. Truly excellent. You have taken the first step in magic, it is clear you understand the delicate balance between inner peace and outer power."
Artemis clapped softly, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "The potential is undeniable. Such clarity for a first attempt."
The Voidwalker opened his eyes, looking at the glowing symbol, then at his hands, a sense of wonder washing over him. This was different from the desperate power of the Nexus Station; this was controlled, deliberate, beautiful.
"This is merely the beginning of your journey into the universal equilibrium, Voidwalker," Kallus stated, his voice resonating with inspiration. "To master the Nex is to master yourself, to understand your unique place within the grand order of existence. For your next session, we shall move to the heart of the Sanctuary, to a place of deeper meditation. There, you will learn to quiet the mind further, to listen to the whispers of the Nex, and to truly begin your ascent through the layers of Eldrath's elemental wisdom."
The blue rune flickered, then gracefully dissolved, leaving behind only the lingering scent of ozone and the Voidwalker's burgeoning resolve. He had taken his first conscious step, not just towards embodying the God Emperor's command, but towards becoming the master of his own destiny, irrevocably linked to the boundless Nex.