Somewhere in the distance a sound like the world was being torn to pieces escaped outwards and a flock of gigantic birds that numbered probably in the billions took flight from that distant location and for the next eight minutes, they passed overhead and darkened the skies.
According to his estimation, each of these birds should be more powerful than a Rank 4 Mage. Hidden among their numbers were more gigantic birds whose scale of power was beyond what Andar could fathom.
Andar was struck by a sense of majesty that emanated from everything here in this place. From the creatures passing ahead and even the wind. It seems like a place that was untouched by time.
"Seen enough my young friend?" a sweet voice of an older woman sounded beside him.
Andar nearly rolled his eyes, were every being of power fond of taking advantage of his lack of perception? Although Andar understood that it was only due to his weakness, if they did not announce themselves then he would never know they were beside him.
Andar saw the kind face of an older woman beside him, standing just a few feet away. She appeared to be in her sixties and what struck Andar deeply were her eyes, which were brown and filled with warmth. He hurriedly bowed to her. She appeared like a mortal, but an instinct deep inside him made him aware that she was anything but one, there was a majesty around her that was impossible to hide even under the fragile form she carried.
"Oh my, you have such inquisitive eyes and they appear not to be dull. Such beautiful silver eyes, I don't believe I have ever seen it kind before, and you are also so young. Let me look at you child."
Andar stood still as she began to touch his face and shoulders, making quiet observations and nodding here and there. He could not help it, his body seemed to follow the wishes of this woman without any hesitation.
The old woman looked at him with a bit of perplexity in her eyes that Andar failed to notice. She had detected that the young Acolyte's body had felt the touch of her intent. This was already ridiculous, it would be difficult for even an Archmage to detect her touch, this child was a monster!
She was unaware that Andar had felt the touch of Labaletai, The Chaos Door, a being of Supreme Power, and although Andar had no memory of that encounter, his unique constitution remembered the touch of Intent.
"When they told me about an unparalleled genius born inside a young material universe, I took no mind of it, geniuses are like weeds. They sprout up from any corner given the slightest opportunity."
She pointed to her side at the lush greenery, "Those are just the barest fractions of geniuses in just one universe, talkless of the many universes sailing through the dark, but I can see that Erick is playing his cards close to his chest, and has undersold your worth even when I thought he was bragging. By the Supreme One, it is true, that you are not a genius, but a monster. The kind that appears once in an Era. One that I would believe was created rather than born,"
Andar's eyes lit up and his Spirit shook at the mention of the words— Creation, but the older woman smiled, "You don't have to worry about that child if you have ever been afraid that your talents were given to you by others for nefarious purposes, then you can put your fears to rest."
"I have checked your body and there is no mark of power placed on it, although I can see many that are trying to dig their claws into your Spirit. Your road ahead will certainly be very interesting. Let me show you a portion of what is inside of you."
She paused and touched Andar's arm, and to his shock, his flesh parted but he felt no pain, however, his expression did not change and his heart was steady, the old woman nodded in appreciation at his temperament.
His bones were revealed, white and gleaming, and even that was raised up and underneath the bone was a growing lattice of gold and silver wires, that was slowly replacing his bones.
The old woman started, a bit of wonder in her eyes, she looked at Andar in his eyes before returning and peering at his insides, "For a change like this, it would have to involve an Old One, and if they had touched you their eternal stench would be branded on your body, impossible to erase, there is none on you. This change was not made by an Old One."
Her eyes were filled with speculations but she continued speaking aloud, " I know of no mortal power inside this material universe that has the capability of an Old One, their touch is forbidden from touching this universe as it is still in its infancy. This universe is still very young and no Old One roams inside except for that bastard Labaletai, but he is a coward and a merchant, his powers do not fall under creation. That would only mean you are a unique creation of this universe."
Noticing Andar's confusion, she smiled at him, "You don't have to worry about what I say for now, but I have noticed that your body is quite unique and you have a perfect memory, so keep my words in mind. You are an extraordinary treasure from this universe, and even though some fools among our rank deprived you of your rightfully earned Meditation Art, you may have gotten something better."
"I was among those who argued in your favor so that the Endless Vault would be granted to you. It is a shame that your transgressor is beyond your might… for now. Seeing you now, I am optimistic about your potential. One day when you are strong enough, you shall seek your justice."
Andar breathed a sigh of relief, whether for the fact that she had not detected the signs of his main body or that there were no longer any invisible chains binding him that he was not aware of. If she was lying there was no way for him to know, so he just proceeded with her hypotheses, he saw no reason for such a powerful being to lie to a mere Acolyte. Even if she did, he had no way of knowing for now.
