Frostbound

~~

Anything regarding the Spirit or its advancement has always been shrouded in mystery. For as long and as far back as recorded history spans, Spirit Advancements and what is now known as the Path of Power through the Spirit has laughed in the face of any codification.

It has bucked convention, spit in the face of comparison, and all around undermined any attempts to regulate the process or its effects.

The other paths, Body and Mind, can both be distilled down and systemized quite easily. Laws of the Universe can be understood through meditation or enlightenment. A Lesser Law of one aspect is generally the same as a Lesser Law of another. While there are nuances in that comparison, they are not nearly as nebulous as the Spirit.

Body is even simpler, if only more convoluted because of its two halves. Each Mana Core, Heart, or other construct can be strictly evaluated and compared with any other. Body levels as well.

Unlike Spirit, where each Step one makes is inherently not equal to another.

Another difference about the Spirit that sets it apart from the others is the Rank requirement to advance upon it.

Comprehension of higher-tier Laws requires a suitable Mind to handle it. To peel back the veil of the Universe and gaze upon its inner workings isn't something lowly F-ranks can do so easily.

Tier 1 Laws are considered Least for a reason, or else no one lower than D-rank would be able to comprehend them. Each ascending Rank can peel back further, look deeper, and comprehend more.

For every Rank, there is a general limit for how far one can go for every Path. Tier 1 Laws, Body of Wood, and First Step Mana are generally as far as F-rank can go.

It should be noted that the System aids those who have only done One of the above-mentioned three with their evolutions.

As one evolves further, that general limit expands. Tier 2 Laws, Body of Stone, and Second Step Mana for E-rank. Tier 3 Laws, Body of Copper, and Third Step Mana for D-rank.

That limit isn't ironclad and there has been exceptions by various outstanding individuals. Tier 3 Laws in E-rank are not unheard of nor having a Body of Copper.

It takes great effort, time, and dedication to break those rules and become an exception, but it can be done.

That does not apply to the Spirit.

There are no 'limits' or exceptions. While unheard of and never occurred in written history, an F-rank being could, theoretically, advance their Spirit indefinitely.

It does not take a robust Mind that only further evolutions will give. It does not take a nourished Body or Cultivated Mana through the accumulation of Essence.

Advancing the Spirit relies entirely on the internal, with no use for external comprehension, Essence, or Mana. Theory stipulates that because of that lack of external need, it advances regardless of Rank since it does not rely on what further evolutions can give.

While that sounds great, and many young hopefuls jump at the idea of advancing their Spirit far along the Path to becoming a powerhouse for their Rank and Level, it is very rarely accomplished.

It is considered the hardest Path for a reason and a great many never set foot upon it. Most who do manage it never take another. Each Step has no guidelines. There are no 'Tiers' or 'Levels.'

It can be written about endlessly and has been, by those who've explored its depths, but those accounts can only provide examples, never guidance. Such personal and individual expressions are always unique.

That being said, one thing can be summarized from all the various accounts.

There is a reason it begins with an Anchor.

-Excerpt from "The Paths of Power" by Grixi Manaborn.

~~

"Chris!"

The book snapped shut as my name was being called. Days passed quickly as we traveled and it allowed time to finally sit and explore.

I'd spent a lot of time on the Message Stone Tracy gave me along with the Communication Formation from Fitzwallace. Both were novel and an expression and application of Runes I hadn't thought of.

My main focus was always on power when it came to Runes, not finesse. How to make the strongest Ward, how to make the strongest weapon. Which configuration of Runes would make what I was creating both Strong and Durable.

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That experience didn't apply to Communication. Sure, there were ways to make the device itself stronger, but that didn't help the function at all. The strength of the crystal didn't affect how far or fast it could send messages.

It took days to figure out how my thought process was wrong but even after gaining that enlightenment, I was no closer to creating one of my own.

The way I drew Runes was inherently different from how the person who made the Messaging Stone drew them. I was so focused on the augmentation of the material that it was all I could see.

The Stone didn't work that way. The Runes carved into it didn't augment the Stone or change its properties, but the Mana that flowed through it. If any of my past experience was of use, it was my familiarity with the Frost Rune.

The way it changed the mana from one affinity to another.

That wasn't even close to what the Stone was doing, but it was similar in that all of the Runes strung together were focused on the mana, rather than the material.

In my frustration, I gave it time to settle and explore other things. That being the advancement of what was considered the Paths of Power.

We knew generally how it was done from the tutorial, but that wasn't enough for Abigail. She wanted, in exacting detail, how every Step was made.

While I spent Points on Formation and Rune knowledge, she bought up books on further advancement.

Jonathan and I had both formed our Anchors long ago and were left in the dark about how to go from there. Now that Austin had done it, there were three of us that were now stuck.

I wasn't sure if Abigail purchased the book more for me or Jonathan, but both of us were grateful for it. Even if it wasn't very helpful.

"Chris!"

Must be important then. I managed to finagle my Bed to a cart that I had Icebreaker pulling. The gifted bison pushed on like he didn't even feel the weight of so much ice. Lying upon it made me not want to get up, but if they were calling me twice, it was necessary.

I hopped out of the cart and meandered my way towards where I was being called.

"Yes, my dear Sister," I snarked.

After resting and lying on the Bed, I was fit as a fiddle. I didn't need to continue lying on it, but it was comfortable.

"The detachment has come back," Abigail informed and pointed toward where a small grouping of carts wheeled back toward us.

"So they have," I said looking at all the food. We had run low and I was starving for a good meal. My mouth was salivating just thinking about it. "Did they have any trouble?"

Elliot was heading the detachment so I trusted him to protect them if things went wrong.

The City of Storms was deemed the better option of the two Cities to resupply. That being the case, we delegated a small team to the resupplying effort. I didn't want to go and cause a scene and Abigail was more than happy with my desire to stay away.

"No problems." She said, "They said he hasn't even made it back yet."

Odd. How did we beat him to his own City? Did he run into problems?

"Well, that's great news!" I said, "That means we won't have any further trouble."

The visit to resupply was the last hitch on our way back. It could have gone a lot worse but the fact he wasn't even there made it all the easier to get in and out without issues.

Abigail's face constricted slightly, "Are you sure you wish to stay?"

Oh, this again. "Yes, I'm sure. Someone has to keep the Ice frozen and make sure the wounded stay safe." I said. And the treasure.

She geared up to combat me but I raised my hand, "I'm not changing my mind on this, Abigail."

"Fine," She huffed, "Then I will see you when you get back."

I was surprised, "You're leaving now?" I thought she'd wait another day or so at least.

"As soon as we pack the necessary food." She nodded at the carts bursting with the stuff. That was the last thing they were waiting on before they broke away from the rest of us.

Abigail was antsy being away for so long. The trip South took nearly three months and we were only a few more on our way back. She was not thrilled to be away from her children for so long and neither was Jonathan.

I suspected she was also rearing to get back and check on everything, but Anna and Josh were her main worries.

That being the case, along with a few other parents of young children, they were setting off ahead with less luggage. They hoped to double-time it back with lighter loads.

Now that we were out of 'ambush' range and far enough North a skirmish was unlikely, they were due to set off.

The discussion of who was leaving early was rather heated. Some said to bring the most valuable treasures with us while we book it back, but I didn't wish to leave.

Sure, I could sprint home as fast as possible to get smithing and evolve, but I didn't want to do that. This was a rare chance to sit back and catch up on the things I'd been putting off.

I knew a storm was brewing and it would eventually come to pass, but I had time before it broke. Time to let things settle and cool off rather than keep pushing full steam ahead.

After what we'd just gone through, I wanted -needed- to spend some time alone. I'd caught myself yelling and anger getting the better of me more often.

Now that it had such an effect on others, it was much more noticeable.

I didn't like their pale faces or shaking hands. It made me feel... out of control. According to Gabriel, our Aura was an extension of us and if that was causing people to fear me, something was wrong.

Fresh air and a nice, long, relaxing trip back was what I wanted. Spending every moment rushing for levels to evolve would only worsen the problem.

At least I thought so.

Austin was hounding Ashley and the other Healers every chance he had to fix up his arm. Even though they told him his healing limit had been reached, he still insisted.

Healing his arm was the only thing stopping him from evolving. He had his Laws at Tier 2, his Body at Stone, and his Anchor Formed. He was also capped in both Class and Profession.

I wouldn't be surprised if the second Ashley said he was fixed, he'd evolve right then and there.

"Then I will see you when I get home," I said.

With a hug to Abigail and a nod to Jonathan, they set off. I wasn't surprised to see the Merchants going with them. Those conjured horses of theirs could keep up with us easily.

I'd yet to see them tire.

I wasn't worried about what they would do. Both Jonathan and Abigail could handle themselves. Honestly, them fighting together was something I wished to see.

Other than Abigail and Jonathan, only Rachel left with them. She was eager to go see her husband, as Brayden had stayed behind in Frostheim. Hal wished to stay with the main group and his Order. Ashley didn't want to leave the wounded and Austin didn't want to leave Ashley.

Because Austin was staying, his Mother did as well. Mitchell spent all his time next to Allison. His eyes barely left the icy coffin and no one had the heart to ask him to.

Gabriel didn't want to leave his books, which were staying, and my Mother stayed with him.

Our arrivals wouldn't be that far apart, but some felt the urge to hurry home and I wasn't going to tell them not to.

The Twins were only a few months away by this point and Frostheim would come soon after.