"Oblivious To Oblivion" (Private Roleplay with Brudikai) (Trisell)

Intro
For whatever reason, Maxi had been sent to learn how to better control his abilities. Maybe some incident caused it. Maybe it was just advice from the Nigami Freedom Fighters in general. However, the means by which this came about? A strange little imp man.

Axel, the leader, knew this strange imp, some strange reality-warping entity who claimed omnipotent knowledge of the "plot". Today this entity--Urd by name--claimed he knew where Maxi should travel to for proper training. It would be a foreign zone, and he was to return to the moment of his departure.

The strange imp gave Maxi a warp ring of his own design, but explained that it would not return him until he had completed the timeline. He could however use it to skip further into the future of the zone he would travel to.

His instruction was to find a group of people called "The Chisai". He was dropped off in the middle of an Orient forest, chilled but not snowing. There was a lake nearby and a village not far ahead of this.

Participants/Characters
??? - Trisell - Host

Maxi - Brudikai - Participant

Start
What happens next is up to you

Maxi studied the wrap ring for a minute then started on his way towards the village. "That creature seemed sketchy but if Axel trusted him I shall as well. Ok first things first, get to civilization!" His pace quickened until he hit a full sprint.

The village ahead was mostly carved from various rocks, quite lovely in fact. The inhabitants were mostly reptiles, ducks, and meerkats, but the occasional owl was also in view from time to time. It was very spread out, with large sections of open land between houses, but at least the shops and other businesses were more close together. Despite being a very Oriental area, the culture and people did not seem dominated by Asian influence. It seemed to be more of a blend of general areas.

Maxi entered the village taking in the sights and sounds for a moment then headed over to a random shop. "Excuse me."

"Yeeeeeessir!" A perky young teenager lizard girl greeted, waving her ponytails about behind the counter. She kept looking at an older lizard man in the corner of the shop instead of Maxi.

"I'm kinda lost, do you mind telling me where I am?" Maxi said glacing around the shop for a moment.

"Chozin Village," she informed. "Lost in what way?"

"Chozin Village....Ok thats in the vault." Maxi tapped the side of his head. " I was told to look for a group of people known as the Chin Sore I think." Maxi butchered the name due to his lack of memory.

"Chin Sore?" She rose an eyebrow, chuckling. "How you spell it?"

"I think the guy I spoke spelled it C-h-i-s-a-i. Ya'know that doesn't spell chin sore at all. Gosh now I sound like an idiot!" Maxi stomped his foot on the ground and a small current of electricity went through his body.

The girl blinked, immediately forgetting the spelling and now becoming entirely focused on the electricity.

"So do you know of them?" Maxi asked. getting over his brief anger.

"U-... How... how is it spelled again?" She half-attentatively asked.

"C-h-i-s-a-i .-C- Chisai." Maxi tapped the side of his head once again to remember the name.

"Oh!  Them... Yeah... I guess that's what everyone comes here for," She gave a weak sort of chuckle. "Their temple is across the lake.  You have to walk over the bridge and keep walking.  No other way there."

"Thanks you, oh by the way I'm Maxi nice to meet ya!" Maxi said waving as he turned and ran off.

"I'm-... Bye," Maxi was soon back at the lake bridge where he heard a sudden splash underneath.

Maxi stopped. " Please be a fish so I can eat it." Maxi bent over the side of the bridge. "Helllooooooo? Fishy fishy!"

"Funny..." A grumble replied back. From the water rose a black meerkat with blue tips. He was young, probably in his mid-teen years, with a somewhat long torso.

"Sweet Freya protect me!" Maxi screamed falling onto his butt. He formed an ball of lighting just in case the new face attacked.

The meerkat just slowly blinked at Maxi with a rather tired irritated expression: the slight blue glow of his eyes gleeming along his eyelids. "Really?"

"Wha?" Maxi said calming down a bit but not letting go of the ball.

The meerkat sighed before trotting out of the water to the shore.

Maxi got up and started fixing his clothes. "What were you doing down there?"

"I was dropped here..." He replied. "Punishment."

"Punishment? What did you do to get thrown under a bridge?" Maxi said finally getting rid of the lighting ball.

The meerkat just groaned out a deflective “What is it you want, stranger?”

"I honestly don't know, I was told to go to a temple, I guess this Chisai is there." Maxi said.

"Yeah, I thought you'd be one of those kinds... Alright, well I need a 'good deed' to 'redeem' anyway, so..." he walked around till he was back on the bridge. "Guess I'm your guide now."

"sure I guess. I'm Maxi whats yours?" He extended a hand for a handshake.

The meerkat was reluctant, but with a long sigh, he shook Maxi's hand. "My name is Noctis..."

"SO "guide" Do you know of this Chisai?" Maxi asked.

"I...  yes," He spoke plainly. As they walked across the bridge completely, they found that the pathway ahead was... straightening, flattening to a white road.

Maxi followed at a normal pace. "Well, share what you know.

"Why are you looking for them?"

"I was told that they would train me."

"What's your motivation?" The trees and hills started to fade. "Revenge?  Being the best fighter?"

"To be great hero like my mentor Axel Kiowa. To bring justice to those who cry out for it. Hey whats happening to the...... everything?"

"Stay calm, it's not dangerous," Noctis assured. They started to see some white and blue pillars grow upward ahead of them, the ground crumbling away behind them.

" How is this even happening?"

"The Aethair," Noctis named. "Think of it as a mirror world of the real world, placed in its separate dimension."

The pillars began spreading until a large temple of white was completed, glowing blue water surrounding it: passing past Maxi and Noctis's feet and over the cliff that formed behind them, which stopped eventually about a 1/4 mile from the temple.

Maxi didn't say anything he just took in the sight with a small chuckle.

“Alright, wait here,” Noctis held up his hand before walking inside.

"Okie Dokie Loki" Maxi replied.

About a half-minute later, Noctis walked back out, accompanied by a tall male wolf of grey and white shades, wearing a robe.

Maxi just continued to stand there looking around at the environment.

"You are the one who seeks us?  Maxi?" The wolf addressed, Noctis remaining silent.

"Yes I am sir." Maxi said trying his best not to sound nervous.

"You seek to become a Chisai?"

"I wish for training but if that is what it takes, yes."

"That is not so easily decided.  To enter our training, you must have our approval, and to do that we must look into your core."

"My core? Like my heart?"'

"Your soul."

"Oooooh. SO how does that work?"

"We will see what you can do and decide if this knowledge suits you," He motioned for Maxi to follow before walking into the temple.

Maxi followed without hesitation. "If you'll allow me good sir, might I ask a few questions?"

"Ask," He permitted as they reached the dim blue interior of the temple: the walls humming low in the mostly-empty room.

"For my first question, am I on Mobius? Second, What is a chisai, are you heroes too? And third, how was that whole changing scenery thing created, cuz it was both frighting and cool.

"You are on a Mobius, yes.  We are keepers of stability for the universal cores.  The change was done through entry into our Aethair."

"Cooooool!" Maxi looked around. "So if I become a Chisai I can help stabilize universal cores?"

"If you do, yes... But this is not a place for those who want the quick and easy.  From you I sense... determination.  Pure for the moment, but what say if you were to be rejected?  After years of our training."

"If I do get rejected hm? Well I'll be honest I'll be bummed, but that doesn't mean i'll stay that way. I think Ill be more useful on Nimagi anyway. This universe stuff is more of my teacher's deal."

"Describe your teacher."

" Where do I begin.." Maxi looked at his feet then looked up as he found the right words. " He's the greatest hero I know, constantly fighting to protect the peace of the Mobius I'm from. His name is Axel Kiowa, a hedgehog that...... is veeeeeery... energetic. Sometimes too energetic. But thanks to that energy he did save the Cross Roads three times. Sorry I'm getting off track. My teacher is kind hearted goof ball who trains his butt off to keep his Mobius safe." Maxi finished.

"... Noctis," The wolf addressed, turning to the meerkat. "You wish to repair your reputation.  You will-"

"I figured," Noctis nodded, which was responded to by a stern stare for his interruption.

"Sit," The wolf gestured as he sat as well.

Maxi did as he was told without a word.

"We will determine how much... time this will take.  Be assured no harm will come," The wolf extended out his arm. Maxi began to feel a slow rippling in his chest.

"WhaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT" Maxi thought to himself as he felt it.

There was a burst, and suddenly, Maxi saw a glowing blue orb of energy floating in front of him. Depending on how... stable his spirit was, or personality as it were, it may have some small sparks of purple about it.

"Is that my soul?" Maxi asked. "What would happen if I touch it?"

"You would feel a sensation of all your memories at once."

"There are some memories in elementary school that I wish would be deleted: Maxi said stopping himself from touching the orb. "How long would this take?

"Concentration is key," The wolf informed before returning the core to Maxi's body. "Luckily, your core is mostly untainted."

"Thats good, wait mostly?" Maxi huffed. I need to do more good deeds then."

"That's not... how it works," Noctis sighed, clutching his face. The wolf raised his hand for Noctis to calm himself before turning back to Maxi. "What abilities do you posses?"

"Lighting magic and slight Mantra manipulation." Maxi answered.

"Demonstrate," The wolf stood up, stepping back.

"Ok then.? Maxi closed his eyes and a a bolt of lighting struck him. The bolt transformed him. His white hair was swapped with a spiky bright yellow aswell as his fur. He also gained a red mask and camo pants "I am the light that shines in the darkness. I am the golden gate, MAXIMUM THUNDER!" Maxi exclaimed his motto. Electricity flowing around his body. "This is my lighting magic and for mantra manipulation I am still a beginner so I don't have good control over it."

"You physically transform?" The wolf asked.

"Like one of those super hero types," Noctis noted.

"Yep like I said before I'm going to be the best super hero ever, like my teacher!"

"Where does this source come from?" The wolf asked.

"My lighting magic comes from a source called the Omega Star in my universe. But Mantra comes from inside me. Axel says that Mantra is the life force of all beings he didn't say if it reaches out to other dimensional clusters but maybe just maybe it does. Oh I'm rambling again. Mantrra is a inner energy source that makes up the life of my Mobius." He replied.

"Your teacher spoke accurately," The wolf nodded. "What you call 'Mantra'... What many do, we call the Core.  What I brought out from your body is the inner energy of your life force."

"My Mantra...." Maxi said to himself. "SO can you guys use it was a weapon like Axel has been teaching me?"

"Not a weapon, but a tool," The wolf sternly clarified. "If you only think of it as a weapon, then you limit yourself.  A weapon is useful, but a tool is infinite.  Your connection with lightning is fortunate.  It is one of the most common traits and easily-adapted abilities to the core.  However, you will need to be able to separate your world's magic from your elemental power and core to full unlock your Coreplex."

The wolf extended his hand out: a ripple in the space next to it extending like water in the air, transparent. It stretched to a square of five feet. "Project your power here."

Maxi did as he was told charging his lighting magic then unleashing it onto the space. "So what you mean is to forget about my lightning magic and focus onto my mantra?" Maxi turned back into his non super hero persona.

"Lightning is an element.  Magic is a director.  Unlike the element, it has rules that may conflict with others.  If you can project your element with your mantra, you can utilize the magic freely.  Users of magic, chaos, and other powers, can have issues balancing the powers as they conflict.  Your core allows you to better hold them all."

"Push harder," Noctis suggested.

"I'm giving it all I got!" Maxi said "My magic comes from the Omega Star, would it replenish what I lost?"

"If you rely on that power source, you cannot fully depend on it," The wolf instructed. "Your core is with you always."

"Shouldn't we just switch his source to that for a bit then?" Noctis suggested.

The wolf once again looked sternly at the meerkat speaking without turn, but his gaze showed he was considering the idea. With a small "mm..." he nodded, turning to Maxi. "Alright, you can stop."

Maxi stopped and looked at his hands. lightning surged around them. " Switch my power source?"

"It will start small, but it will grow."

"How though?"

The wolf gestured to the walls: a green tint forming around them as the room darkened a bit. Maxi would feel the magic start to drain out from his system.

"I hate this feeling." Maxi said as his hands shook due to being drained.

"Think of it like being in a robot suit, and then being pulled out of the suit and having to work out to get as strong as the suit," Noctis mentioned.

"Alright then." Maxi stopped looking at his trembling hands. "Ok whats next?"

"Let's see what your output is now," The wolf instructed, flexing the spacial construct again.

"So you want me use my lighting magic.... but without the help of the Omega Star?"

"Imagine yourself as someone who has never smelled something before.  When you do for the first time, it's a sensation you would never have been able to imagine.  Transfering your power from an alternate source to your own stamina is a similar situation."

"Alright." Maxi said nodding his head. "By the way I've been here for what seems like hours and I'm starting to get hungry."

"It's been literally seven minutes since I met you," Noctis retorted.

The wolf raised a hand before bickering could start. "We will eat after this demonstration."

"I said it seems like hours." Maxi mumbled to himself.

"We await," The wolf prompted.

Maxi focused but was only able to produce a small spark a finger length outward.

The wolf nodded. "As you train, you will be able to produce more.  Your training with your 'mantra' as you call it will help you speed the process."

Maxi nodded his head enthusiastically but stayed silent.

"Hm... Well this should suffice for now," The wolf nodded. "You may call me the Elxior.  Noctis will bring you through the grounds and direct you to food."

"Nice to meet you Elxior, can't remember if I introduced myself to you so I'll say my name just in case. I'm Maxi Harris Ashton, and that lighting transformation is known as Maximum Thunder........ which is currently locked off from me until I learn better control of Mantra."

"Once you exit this room, the blocking will subside," the Elxior informed. "I suggest exclusively training in that form, however."

"Alright, ready?" Noctis prompted.

"Ready!" Maxi replied.

Noctis motioned for him tfo follow as he walked through a back hall.

Maxi followed. "What kind of food does this village have?"

"We're a temple, not a village," Noctis replied as they exited into a white and blue garden. Various plants were organized in square spiral walkways about in layers leading down and up, but everything had a blue tint. "Really you eat whatever.  It all has to do with your comfortability of morals."

"Chozin village, it was called. I just assumed that this temple was part of it."

"We may as well be, but no, we're technically separate.  What kind of food are you looking for?"

"Anything with chicken really."

"You're one of those, huh?" He sighed.

"What do you mean by that." Maxi said taking offense.

"Different zones handle food differently.  This world has different kind of meat, but we've had so many people lik you that things like 'chicken' are expected here."

"well I don't know what animals exist in this universe. I doubt you guys have the weird animals like on Nimagi."

"We can make chicken," Noctis quickly answered, as if trying to avoid hearing the entire description of every foreign creature. He motioned Maxi further onward to another hallway past the garden.

Maxi continued to follow. " So how long have you been a Chisai?

"Seven years," The hallway was wide, like everything in the temple. They saw no other people for the moment strangely enough, but something made it feel like there was a population of some sort. A plate here, an item there, or even teh brief sound of scuffing feet against the floor.

They were soon in a room with lined tables: each having varying shape and style.

"Elxior seems like a chill teacher, what type of training did you go through?"

"There's a lot of exercising involved.  You exhaust yourself each day physically, and you study mentally so you can increase the core energy you can manifest."

"Seems hard but fair."

Noctis sat down, cupping his hands around a space on a table as a blue glow began sparking out.

Maxi sat down as well. " Soooo universal cores huh... How many are there?"

"Everything with life has a core," Noctis informed, a glowing skeletal structure forming between his hands.

Maxi stayed quite for a heartbeat or two. " So what did you do to get punished?"

The skeleton shattered with a scraping glass-cracking noise. Noctis closed his hands.

"Touchy subject, sorry."

The skeletal structure started to reform. "You've had consequences for training with your teacher in the past, yes?"

"Axel does take training seriously, he says that one day he might not be there to protect Mobius so it would be up to me. His punishments aren't terrible. Like one day I woke up late and he had me run through Death Flower Valley twice."

"What, is that filled with toxic fumes or something?"

"Yes and with giant carnivorous plants that can eat a mobian."

“What caused him to put you there?”

"I told you, I woke up late for training. So do we get a menu or something." Maxi said changing the subject back to food.

Noctis didn't answer more than a small gesture to the forming structure in his hands. It seemed as evident by his lack of memory of the previous situation that he wasn't entirely actually interested, but going through the process as he needed.

"Hm..." Maxi started to tap his fingers on the table.

A large flash went off as a large raw chicken plopped on to the table.

"WHAT IN ZARUTH'S NAME!" Maxi yelped in surprise as the chicken hit the table

"Who is that?"

"Hes a very very very VEEEEEEEEEERY important person from my mobius." Maxi said smoothing out his hair.

"So what?  A hero?  A deity?  A... 'president'- are you going to eat your food?"

"Biggest deity in my dimensional cluster- WAIT! How can I eat this, its raw!"

"You can't cook it?"

"I probably could if I had my powers besides I'm twelve I'm not allow near fire..."

"... You're twelve?" He rose an eyebrow. "... You... how?"

"I'm not a regular hedgehog, I guess you knew that since the lightning powers and all. I am from a race of cosmic beings. Our bodies age faster than we really are. I look eight teen but I'm twelve."

"So... what- you're in... a younger grade?"

" don't know what you mean by that, but I guess." Maxi said poking the chicken.

"Alright, well if you can't cook it with your powers, you'll have to take it up the hill and make a fire to cook it."

Maxi looked at Noctis with disbelief. "You can't cook it?"

"I can," he nodded, "but if you're the guy who survives killer flowers all the time, this shouldn't be a problem."

Maxi just grabbed the chicken glaring at Noctis. "I bet you secretly planned this."

"I really didn't," Notis shook his head, his monotone noticeable. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"I don't care honestly. What would a Chisai do?" Maxi mocked as he left towards the nearest hill.

"I'm assigned right now to show you around," Noctis reminded as he followed Maxi out. The temple had no hills visible, which meant they had to leave back to the normal land. "He hadn't told you how to exit did he?"

* I'll just retrace the steps we took." Maxi said looking back only to smack into a wall.

"... You must be hungry," Noctis pulled him away from the wall. "Come on," he sighed, heading to the outside.

Maxi groaned in anger as he rubbed his face the lighting he charges when he gets mad was absent.

Thundering Urd sounds

Notcis went out to the waterfall ends outside the temple.

Maxi followed quietly clutching the chicken.

Noctis soon jumped down off the fall.

Maxi jumped down as well. "We have to go down a waterfall to get to a stupid hill?"

"Separate plane of existence remember?"

"No I don't.  Memory isn't that good anyway."

"That's going to be your vice if you don't work on that.  vices are important here."

A few seconds later, the two were suddenly standing just next to the bridge in the outskirts of the village from earlier.

" Oh right there was this girl that pointed me to this place. I haven't gotten her name though, hope her shop is still open."

"We're going to the mountain, not a girl," Noctis replied before turning toward the hills behind.

"I know that. I just didn't thank her properly."

"Did you thank her before?" Noctis inquired, more just to make sure Maxi was still behind him as they arrived at the hill base.

" Yeah but it was a half baked thank you. When I'm able to return back to my universe I'll thank her again before I go." Maxi took a deep breath. " SO when we get to the top I guess one of us will have to get firewood?'

"One of us, yes," Noctis replied as  they started up the dirt path leading to the top. "I'm just the guide."

"Of course. I don't even know why I even asked that question. Can you "guide" this chicken up to the top while I get some?.

"Do you also look for ways to avoid work with your master?" Noctis shot back.

"My master doesn't make me work for food." Maxi replied.

"Does he work for his?"

"He has servants so no. the oly thing he worked for was his powers and to modernize his island."

"Well he sent you to us, so you'll have to learn how to change from that pattern.  Nothing not earned is worth having."

"whatever." Maxi carried on at a faster pace.

"You seemed far less complacent when the Elxior was with us," Noctis noticed as they neared the top of the forest-lined hill.

" Not complacent just hungry." Maxi said quickening his pace.

"And argumentative," Noctis added. They were at the top, a small park-like area in view. "Alright, now we can make the fire place."

"Alright I'll get fire wood." Maxi scanned the area to find some good trees.

Most of the trees looked fairly strong. It would take a while to get them dry enough for wood. However there were quite a few dead bushes about. If anything, they would make good kindling.

"If only I had my powers and I could just zip over there and be back in 5 minutes." Maxi ran off into the direction of the trees.

"You do ha-" Noctis's voice cut off as Maxi ran off.

"With this one kick I'll take this tree down like my master! MAXI KICK OVERDRIVE!" "Maxi leaped up drop kicking the trunk of the tree only to fall down. A few pieces of bark chipped off as a result.

Noctis walked over. "Your form isn't bad I guess."

"Yeah Axel had me practice this against Yggdr-- trees all the time."

"... What?" Noctis approached the tree, feeling around its trunk.

"what?" Maxi asked pretending to forget what he just said.

"Yggdr...!" His ears straightened up. "asail... The tree..."

"Wow what is that?" Maxi still pretending to forget. "I'ma continue trying to knock this tree down"

"I am going to be telling the Elxior how you act you know, including lies."

Maxi stopped. "Snitch!" M My master told me not to reveal key features of my dimensional cluster... I kinda forgot.."

"You're not the only Nordic Mobius," Noctis replied in a deadpan tone. Strike here," he gestured to a spot at the tree.

"We're more than Nordic but that is cool, so do you have Nidhogg or Ratatoskr in your lore as well? YOU SHOULD TALK TO MASTER AXEL YOU BOTH COULD HAVE GREAT CONVERSATIONS!" Maxi eyes lit up. like a fan boy meeting his idol. "Is this Mobius part of the nine realms?!?"

"I have an answer for that, but considering how excited that gets you, it might not be a good idea."

"Please please please please please please pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me!"

"You're not ready for it yet.  You need to complete your current task."

"Right!" Maxi started to repeatedly punch the tree getting faster and faster with each strike.

"Are you punching the part I pointed?"

"Yeah. I'm cut-- punching down the tree another thing Axel showed me." The trunk of the tree started to chip away with each strike.

"Alright, well that's progress.  Keep going."

Maxi chipped enough away to leave a crescent shape hole in the trunk. He went around the other side and gave it a swift kick making the tree fall. He zipped around to catch it. "Hey do you mind if I call you Noct?"

"... Why?"

"It saves time when talking." Maxi lifted the trunk over his head.

"It's two syllables..."

"But Noct is one." putting the tree down

(They're at the top of the hill already)

(ok thought they're at the bottom, Cuz Maxi moved to a tree.)

"Hey you got anything to chop this up. I'd use my hands but they're sore from punching."

(They walked UP the hill to the top)

"Are you completely exhausted?"

(sorry thought the trees were at the bottom)

"Kinda, drop kicking and punching trees does wear you down. Besides I don't think punching will help again."

"You're not really panting, and your hands aren't bleeding.  Looks like you can do more."

Maxi sighed. "You lack empathy." Maxi started to punch the tree again getting faster. After the tree diminished in size about half way Maxi stopped. "Ok I think My knuckles are broken.":

"What tools do you have to break down the wood?"

"None what so ever. Axel says that tools will only weaken my body"

"You can't always rely on your body, but if that's the case, you'll have to split the wood yourself."

Maxi massaged his knuckles for a bit then took a deep breath. "OK if I if I complain how can I call my self a true hero? I will take on any task, if I can train my body I'll be one step closer to that goal.Mantra give me strength " Maxi rolled up his sleeves then began to strike the tree.

"Much better," Noctis nodded. "The Elxior would appreciate that attitude."

The tree's remains piled up when Maxi finished. "Done!" Maxi shouted massaging his knuckles again. "Now we can set it on fire and cook this raw chicken that has more dirt on it than a dead body."

Noctis nodded. "We can use the dry bushes for kindling."

"Thats great mind if I just sit for a while?" Maxi sat on the ground I need Axel to teach me a more efficient way to take down trees."

"You'll learn," Noctis assured. "Watch," He walked over to a tree: hovering his fingers over it for a moment before jabbing his hand through it: causing a split. The meerkat then swiped his hand upward: causing the split to spread to the top of the trunk: cutting the tree in half.

"That...............Was.....................AWESOME!" Maxi shouted getting back to his feet. "Like ten dragons in a free for all death match!"

Noctis turned back to Maxi, giving a small nod as he flexed out his arm to the side: the scrapes on his hand healing instantly as the dripping blood was sucked back up into his fist. He opened his hand with some cacking noise coming out as he slowly moved his fingers back to normal. "You can learn to sense the structure of the tree and its weaknesses.  Then you can easily destroy it."

"Alright I'll keep that in mind. Now what?"

Noctis placed the wood. "This wood will not burn for days with the moisture still inside of it."

"Sooooooo we gotta find something to help it?"

"In the village, there is a special kind of salt. That may work."

Maxi groaned slumping to the right. " This feels like a side quest to an rpg......."

"Rpg?" Noctis questioned while carrying some wood down the hill.

"Its type of game." Maxi said getting up. "So where is this salt?"

"A shop in the village," Noctis replied. "You mean which shop specifically?"

"That would also help." Maxi confirmed.

"One of the general shops should suffice."

"OK I'll be back in jiffy!" Maxi said running down the hill.

Noctis continued walking, calling out "It looks like you still have energy." It didn't take long to get back toward the village, though it as now a bit later in the day. Not as many people were out this time.

Maxi walked right up to the first general store he saw. "Hello?"

"Hello," an older lizard man greeted at the counter. The store seemed to be the same one Maxi had first gotten directions from. More people were inside, looking at various wares and foods.

Maxi walked up to the counter "Excuses me sir but I'm looking for a type of salt that can evaporate moisture."

"Masen Salts?" The lizard asked. "Are you soaking up a lake?"

"Just moisture from trees so that they can burn to cook with." Maxi explained.

"Oh," The man chuckled. "Well you can always just purchase some wood here.  It costs far less."

Noctis watched from the corner of the store as the conversation went on.

"That would be great!" Maxi said with a smile. Then it dawned on him. "CRAP! What if their currency is nothing like my Mobius'. I'm gunna get laughed at or kicked out the store." He thought to himself as he reached into his pockets.

"Alright, so that'll be some... well how much wood do you need?"

"Probably five pieces."

"Twelve should be fine then."

"O....K"

He could almost feel Noctis's stare on him... or maybe he was finding this humorous. The lizard just waited a bit for Maxi to hand out the money that he probably didn't have the right type for.

"I'm a foreigner sir, so I have money just not this lands currency, is there a place I can exchange for some?"

"Well that depends," The lizard scratched his chin. "What kind of money do you have?"

"Its a coin called an Isroth found on the island Nimagi." Maxi took out a quarter sized coin with a triangle hole in the middle.

"Hm, gold?" The lizard extended his palm out.

Its made from metal found on the island I think it was called Veraim.

"Hm..." The lizard poked the metal a bit. "I'm not sure we can accept just any metal currency."

"Its denser and tougher, not sure that will help."

"Hm..." The lizard kept pinching at the coin, examining it. It took him a while to decide on the coin, and Noctis appeared to be at the end of his allowance for this delay as he started to approach the two, but both stopped when a cheerful voice called "Oh you're back!" from the back room: the lizard girl poking her head out before quickly heading out to meet them.

"Oh hey!" Maxi waved at her with a smile. "Thanks again for directing me to the temple."

"No problem.  I didn't think you'd be back so fast though," she noted.

"I only stopped by to pick up some wood to cook with, and as it turns out I might not be able to buy anything with the coins I brought."

"Oh?  Can't he just cook it for you?" The lizard girl looked over to Noctis, who looked at Maxi as if this were a test,and he was awaiting the correct answer.

"Thats what I asked him, but then I thought of this as a good training opportunity, Breaking trees with my fists and all."

"Why do you need more wood then?"

"I was coming to get salt actually I honestly don't know how I ended up almost buying wood. I need more fish to help my memory."

"Salt?  W-"

"He wants to dry the wood he broke," the older lizard informed. "His coin isn't from here."

"Noctis, do you have any money or do chisai believe in material possessions weigh you down like zen Buddhist do?" Maxi looked towards Noctis' direction.

"We believe in being resourceful.  Perhaps you can trade with them?"

"I think I have the sword a friend of my master made for me." Maxi said digging into his pockets. "AH here it is." He pulled out a capsule and pressed a button that unfolded it into a Scimitar which ignited with electricity.

Both lizards looked quite surprised by the sword. "Yeah that would work," the younger one nodded. "How much wood?"

Maxi pressed a button on its hilt and the sword folded back into a capsule. "Five pieces please,"

The older took the sword capsule. "... This looks to be worth much more."

"in that case maybe eight then."

"How about twenty?" The younger lizard prompted. The older one looked at her, blinking. She shrugged back "It's a nice sword."

"It's a deal." Noctis smirked, patting Maxi on the back.

The older lizard nodded, then walked into the back room.

"Haggling is not my strength." Maxi said raking his hand down his face in relief.

"Your master made th- what kind of master?" The lizard girl asked.

"A friend of my master who's really good at science like things made that."

"Do you have more?"

"Nope." Maxi said simply. "But when I get back home I'll find a way to come back and see if he can make some."

The older lizard soon came back with the wood. "Here we are.  I hope what you're cooking tastes well enough."

"I hope so as well" Maxi looked to the lizard girl. "Thanks again, sorry I didn't ask your name earlier."

The lizard girl groaned a bit at this prompt but winced out "Nonya... Please just call me Nony.  It gets annoying otherwise... Y'know, people saying things like 'Nonya business' jokes."

"Ok Thanks again Nony!" Maxi grabbed the wood and jogged out with each piece over his head.

"You're wel-" but once again he was already gone.

It was about five minutes later. Maxi and Noctis were back up the hill, and cooking the chicken. In the distance, the Exlior began to approach.

Maxi waved at him with a mouth full of chicken.

"Assessment?" The Elxior asked Noctis.

"He isn't the worst I've seen." Noctis shrugged. "Shouldn't be hard."

The Elxior nodded. "Come, Maxi. We will return to the Aethair.  Your training begins."

Maxi Swallowed and let out a cheer. "Getting pumped!"

The Elxior motioned the two to follow, and they began walking down the hill. Maxi was brought back to their temple and shown to the living quarters: a wide room completely empty.

He was informed by the Elxior "Your possessions may appear here, but each must be placed on a structure you create in your training.  You will learn to construct your coreplex as a unique signature of yourself.  For now, you may rest."

They weren't heartless thankfully. Maxi was given a cloth cushion to act as his bed for the night. He wasn't handed any change of clothes, nor was he instructed to dress differently.

Sleep was peaceful, temperature medium, night calm.

First Year
The first week went by rather quickly. Maxi would have no progression until he could properly tap into his core. Each day he would spend four hours with the Elxior in a training room where his electric abilitiy was blocked out: being pushed further to manifest the power of his core.

Each time Maxi would have a question, the Elxior would say "As you progress in your training, we will answer more of your questions.  There will come a point where you are trained enough that you will be able to ask freely." and of course Noctis was also instructed not to answer certain questions.

After the four hours of pushing his body to manifest the core energy, Maxi would spend one hour of meditation, shown how to regulate his breathing in such a way to quicken the relaxation and healing in his body.

After this hour, Maxi would spend 4 hours physically exercising. Noctis would oversee him, making sure that he remained constant in his tasks. As long as he remained physically active, he passed for the day, but he would be given a little more to do each day to push his limits.

After this, Maxi would have the rest of the day free. The Aithaer did not follow time. Maxi would be quite exhausted at first of course: having little time to do anything in his free time before just going to bed to recover for the next day. However, over time, he would be slowly getting longer stamina.

He was allowed to leave the Aithaer but under specific conditions. He was to return before midnight in the Mobian world, and if he did not have an escort, he would need to write down all of his activities before resting. Were he to be found lying, there would be consequences. Noctis being his designated supervisor, Maxi would need to ask him to come with him if he didn't want to write down a report.

Maxi's progression with his core abilities was very small at the moment, but this was expected. He could manifest small streams of core light--in the shape of electricity due to his past experience--but only for short seconds. The Elxior assured him that this was progress.

In his free time Maxi stayed in his room with a sketch book he brought with him, drawing new costume art and team logos if he ever where to create one. "I wish there was a away for me to talk with master Axel and my other friends. But I can't let my home sickness distract me. I'm training not just for me but for them as well!" Maxi said to himself."

The first day of the second week. Elxior's core training would begin. Maxi was summoned to the training room.

Maxi entered the training room fully rested and ready.

The Elxior approached from another room. "You have progressed well in these first days.  What is your first inquiry?"

"How long has the Chinsai been around?"

"The answer is very complicated and challenging to accept.  Are you prepared for that knowledge?"

"Definitely"

"... The Multiverse that you exist in is not the first to exist.  There have been at least fifteen others in the past.  At some point, every multiverse is destroyed, then recreated.  Each is different to the one before it.  The Chisai exist regardless of each of these events.  These Multiverse Restarts are called Ecrations.  To answer your question, the Chisai have existed since the first Ecration, for at least many entireties of time."

"So you don't reincarnate as welll?" Maxi said writing the information down in his sketch book.

"Not everyone is reincarnted, but many are.  The Chisai strive to exist regardless of the Ecrations, but not all are left unaffected."

"How old are you?"

"Old, but that is enough questioning for today."

Maxi put his notepad away. "Ready to learn!"

"Let us see how you've progressed in your projection of the energy."

(Not lightning remember?)

(honestly I did not so what energy does Elxior mean? Mantra?)

(I would suggest re-reading the first part that the two spoke together where it explains that.  If you don't understand after that, I'll try to re-explain.)

Maxi focused his Mantra into his hands and a small blue orb manifested in between is palms. "Is this that core energy?"

"The same energy you've been projecting for a week, yes."

"Ok so what now?" Maxi said losing focus and the ball disappeared.

"You need to transform that energy into separate matter, like a construct."

"Like reality warping?"

"No.  You've proejcted your energy out.  It has a level of mass when you project it out.  You need to be able to concentrate it enough that the mass is tangible." The Elxior waved his hand out to the left, some glowing blue blocks falling from his fingers and clinging against the floor.

"Constructs...." Maxi repeated to himself.

"Try to mold the energy to a particular shape."

Maxi focused the energy again making a single brick, which made him groan in disappointment.

The Elxior reached down and picked up the brick. He then tossed it to Maxi.

Maxi caught it.

"Try to mold it."

Maxi nodded and molded it into a lighting bolt to his best ability.

The shape flattened after some pressure, but it was difficult to get it to mold specifically.

"There!" Maxi held it up.

The Elxior took it. "Progress..." He turned the shape about in his hand. "You've noticed that only Noctis and I are the only ones here so far?"

"yeah I've only seen a few people outside the temple in the village. Why is that, is the Chinsai a dying organisation or does everyone else exist on another plane of existence?"

"Very good.  There are many more in the Aethair.  You will meet them in gradual time.  Very soon I would imagine."

"Ok soo what now?"

"Well you still have energy, so let's work on making more Coreplex constructs.  If you make it right, what you shape might transform to the actual thing, like a butterfly or a tree."

"Creating life? AWESOME! When can we start!"

"We are starting now.  Let's begin simple.  Start with a basic element.  A basic wood."

Maxi focused and the energy formed his hands. He then stretched it out a bit into a log."Basic wood, like this?"

"You have the shape.  This might help." The Elxior walked over and picked up a small wooden lamp-holster, handing it to Maxi.

Maxi took it. "So to be clear you want me to mold it into this shape?"

"Feel the wood, and use that to replicate the element into the core.”

Maxi sat on the floor and closed his eyes focusing on the texture of the wood. The shape, color, and size he replicated in his mind until his core reflected it.

The wood in his hand faded a bit as the core in his other began to take the texture of the element until it fully changed. It didn't take the shape, basically being a brick of wood.

"I used the meditation method Axel taught me but I'm not sure if it worked. Did it?"

"I'm sure that your master has given you a useful method, but here you will act as we instruct unless otherwise given.  With that said, your form of meditation does seem to be paying off.  Do you feel you can do more?"

"Sure." Maxi replied.

"Practice your shapes then.  Use the material and try to make a tree."

Maxi shaped the material trying to stretch it out into the bark of a tree. "Please be an oak, please be an Oak." He repeated to himself.

A blue glow stretched out more and more as the tree slowly began to take form.

"Its working!" Maxi said putting the thing down.

"Make sure you don't feed too quickly into it." The Elxior warned. "You may feed it too much and drain yourself."

The tree began piercing into the floor and taking root.

"I just... created life, I don't know how to feel about this." Maxi said just staring at the tree.

"If you did know then I would be worried." The Elxior noted. "Think of it more of an extension of life."

"Is it too early too stop for today, I need to wrap my head around this." Maxi said not taking his eyes of the tree.

"That is best." The Elxior nodded. "You should spend some time outside of the Aethair.  Go to the town or walk through nature.  Make sure that Noctis accompanies you."

"Alright." Maxi got up and exited the room. Only to pop his head back in. "Do you know where Noctis is?"

"He was in the garden, but he may have moved.  Try to sense for him."

"Thank you!" Maxi left the room again and made his way to the gardens calling for Noctis along the way in case the meerkat moved.

Noctis soon appeared, walking in view from behind a lamp-post. "Yes?"

"I was allowed to spend some time outside and Elxior said you should go with me."

"Right... So to the village?"

"It doesn't matter but maybe the forest?" Maxi asked.

"That's fine, I guess."

"Great, lead the way!"

"You didn't forget how to get out, did you?" Noctis asked as they suddenly appeared at the edge of the Aethair.

"I did forget, didn't put it in the vault."

"You should have because I'm going to let you re-firgure out how that works now."

"No prob, anyway lets go." Maxi said walking out but then stopping himself. " uuh.... there is ground out there right?"

(They're at the edge of the Aethair.  Do you recall what is at the edge?)

(I do not, the village maybe?)

(Waterfall.)

Noctis responded to this by tilting forward and falling off to the side of the waterfall.

"If I had my lightning powers I would flash down." Maxi said before taking a deep breath and jumped down. He let out a scream as he descended.

(Reminder: Lightning powers are only blocked off in that training room with the Elxior, as stated earlier in the roleplay.)

Maxi found himself suddenly standing atop the water of the lake he first met Noctis at, next to the bridge leading to the village.

Maxi screamed for a bit longer not noticing but stopped then looked around. "Heheh ignore the screams."

"I wish I could." Noctis replied as he stepped across the lake and to the pathway leading to the village.

Maxi followed. "So how did you learn of the Chisai's existence?"

"I saw them pass where I used to live.  Later on I looked for them, and found them." His answer was distinctly vague.

"But what intrigued you to look for them?"

"They were, free f- this isn't about my life story." The meerkat shook his head, putting up his social defenses. "We're almost at the village.  Maybe you'll want to talk to that lizard girl or something?"

"Alright ya brick wall." Maxi said jokingly walking to Nony's family store.

Nony's grandfather(?) was hosting the store at the moment, with the lizard girl not in sight at the moment. (I'll probably sketch her in not too long).

Maxi walked up to the counter. "Excuse me." He tried to get the man's attention.

"Ah, hello again." The elder man smiled. "More to buy?"

"Not this time, I was told to clear my head for a bit. So I was thinking I could talk to Nonya or if you have anything you need done around the shop I would be happy to help." Maxi replied giving a short wave.

"Oh.  Well she isn't in the store at the moment, but you'd probably find her further in the village.  Right now there is not much I need help with, but I appreciate the offer."

"Ok see ya mister." Maxi waved goodbye as he exited the store  with Noctis.

(Noctis didn't vanish.)

Maxi turned to Noctis again. "Welp She wasn't there but I'm going further in the village, if you wanna accompany me you can. I know the way back to the temple from here.

"I'm supposed to be accompanying you, so I can't really go anywhere else." Noctis replied.

"Ok, I guess this way." Maxi walked further into the shopping district.

Sturdy houses and other occasional shops,with many having multiple stories scattered the stone-tile streets. There was an open center with five fountains, a tree gated off at the middle of these.

Maxi looked around taking in the sights and sounds. He had to stop himself from going into one of these random stores. He continued onward. "Exlior said that the other Chisai exist on another physical plain, have you been there?"

"Oh he told you that." Noctis cleared his throat. "It's more that you just can't see them.  They're at the same area as we are mostly.  People used to get kind of overwhelmed when they walk in and the Chisai are everywhere so we give them time."

"Cool so do you use some freakish eye power to see them?"

"I can sense them.  Frankly I don't think it would be an issue if you could see them now."

"So you sense their Mantr- I mean core energy? How many are there usually? Are they mobians like us or are they aethereal beings."Maxi bombarded Noctis with questions.

"Yes, at least thirty at our location, most are Mobian or human."

"When will I be able to learn this ability?"

"Sensing cores?  It shouldn't be long.  Honestly if you concentrated, you could probably sense around here.  We're looking for the lizard girl right?"

"yeah." Maxi replied. "Before we head to the forest."

"Well if you try to focus, you might be able to tap into the cores around you.  If she's close by, you can sense for her."

"I didn't expect this to be a secret training session." Maxi joked before sitting down and closing his eyes, trying to sense anything.

He felt... emotions, all about him: like sensing personalities. It was faint due to his level of experience. "Let's try walking while you concentrate.  Your range probably can't go that far yet."

Maxi didn't respond as if he was enthralled with these new senses.

"Maxi." Noctis addressed.

There were indeed many different personalities he was sensing, though nothing as of yet matched with what he knew of the lizard girl.

Maxi then woke up with a jolt when Noctis called his name. "I was gone! I could sense their emotions, their thoughts. What I could read of it anyway." Maxi got up. "Noctis, do you think anyone could have used "core energy" for nefarious purposeless in the past?" He asked.

"There are people who do that, yes." Noctis nodded. "The anti-core are called Brenth."

"Brenth? They're all wiped out right?"

"Unfortunately no.  You're not likely to meet one though."

"But not impossible to meet one." Maxi said in a dreary tone. "I think I had enough clearing of my head. I'm going back to the temple."

"You didn't find the lizard yet." Noctis reminded. "If the Elxior wants you out here, going back after twenty minutes isn't going to sit well."

Maxi stopped for a moment. " I'm suddenly feeling unmotivated."

"Because you know there are bad people now?"

"No, well yes. I mean, there are vile people in my dimensional cluster who use mantra just like me. But mantra doesn't create things from nothing or sense emotions like core energy. It kinda scares me ya'know, evil people having this kind of power. Who knows what they could do."

"Then on the chance that you do have to fight someone with core influence, or a Brenth, this is what preparing for that looks like."

"Which is why I'm heading back to the temple."

"Against what you were told to do.  Your funeral." Noctis shrugged.

"I suggested to clear my head, Elxoir agreed. I wasn't told." Maxi replied "I;ll explain to him that I want to continue my training a.s.a.p."

Noctis didn't argue the matter further. He wasn't there to make Maxi do anything, just look over him, so he just followed casually along as they went back to the Aethair.

Maxi stood on he bridge. "So how does the temple appear in that aether thing"

"I'm not explaining that to you again." Noctis non-answered. "You should remember."

" I don't think you explained anything. You just started to ask me why I can here then everything started melting." Maxi replied.

"Well you're wrong." Noctis replied bluntly. He just started walking across the bridge again, and slowly vanishing. There had to be something behind this constant bitter attitude.

"Hey, You can't just leave me!" Maxi huffed and walked across the bridge to hopefully trigger what Noctis did before,

A thundering of fourth wall is heard.

Maxi began to see the bridge flatten in front of him as he crossed.

Maxi pressed on hoping to catch up to Noctis.

(Read that as Nicole for a second X{D)

Eventually, Maxi arrived once again in some white landscape with flat ground. Ahead was a temple of sorts with white and blue pillars.

Maxi ran over to the entrance of the temple. "Noctis!" He shouted. "NOCTIS!"

The meerkat was seen just entering into the temple as Maxi ran up.

"Hey!" Maxi managed to catch up. "You're so salty because I couldn't remember how to get in again?"

"Salty?" Noctis turned slightly to Maxi with a raised eyebrow. "... If that means annoyed then I guess."

"There something else to that isn't there."

"Forgive me for not understanding the terminology you use." Noctis replied passively, clearly misunderstanding the statement. "Well we're here and you want to talk to the Elxior."

"I'm saying that there is a different reason why you just stormed off like that. You know you're my guide."

"Exactly.  I don't want to be your guide, or anyone's for that matter, but I was told to.  So I do my part to do a satisfactory job.  You're new, Maxi, so I've given you a lot of leeway so far, and I'm not going to act like you being... a kid in an older body or however you described it, is a limitation or disability.  But it's been over a week now, and-" The meerkat started listing off with his fingers, "-so far you've managed to forget how to enter and exit the Aethair, then make the excuse that it's just your memory or not your fault.  If you were taking this seriously, you wouldn't forget those things.  Then, after being sent out to... cool off from what I know, you decide to go look for that girl... then you give up and want to come back less than an hour in."

The meerkat sighed. "Do you see why that might be bothersome to witness?  Especially when I have to escort you?"

"Yeah I see." Maxi said. "I'll change you just wait." Maxi's tone souring. "I'll show you how serious I can be." He walked past Noctis.

Noctis just nodded while walking off himself, leaving Maxi to stroll the grounds. He did say something about talking to the Elxior.

Maxi walked the halls. "Master Elxior! Master may I speak with you?"

The Grey Wolf appeared about seven yards in front of Maxi, and approached. "You've returned, Maxi." He noted. His tone did not seem upset, simply stating what he saw.

"Yes I am ready to resume training as soon as possible." Maxi's tone went from sour to calm.

"Your training does not continue until tomorrow.  I believe we agreed that you need some fresh air to clear you thoughts?"

"I have spent sometime outside, thank you for letting me do so. If you'll excuse me, I'll be heading to my room now." Maxi bowed then began to walk off.

The Elxior watched Maxi leave. He peered for a moment, but said nothing to this. Soon he just returned to walking elsewhere.

Maxi returned to his room and sat on his bed. He took his notebook from under his pillow and began drawing costume ideas.

(Skip ahead?)

(sure)

'''The next day arrived. Maxi awoke. He heard someone talking outside his room, mentioning "At the back end of the village." before walking on out of earshot.'''

Maxi opened his door. (If i remember correctly Maxi still has his lightning power just not in the training room?)

(Correct)

No one was out there now. Maybe this was Noctis or the Elxior, but it didn't sound much like them. It could have been one of those other Chisai who were in that different plane, but why would he hear them now?

"Pure lightning." Maxi said to himself. His body dissipated leaving only a small spark behind. The spark flew around the halls hoping to find someone.

It didn't take him long to come across the Elxior, who was walking down the halls some distance away. Somehow the wolf took notice of this lightning form, addressing "Maxi?"

The spark grew bigger til it took the shape of Maxi's body. His fur and other features returned as well. "Morning Master Elxior."

"I've not seen you using this lightning particle form often on the grounds.  Are you in a hurry somewhere?"

"I heard someone talking about "At the back end of the village." So I decided to go investigate."

"And this lightning form was meant to be a type of stealth?"

"Correct."

"Because you believe you cannot trust us completely?"

"No its not like. Yesterday Noctis told me about the Brenth. I'm not saying they're among us but whispers in the hallway sounds sketchy."

The Elxior chuckled a bit. "I assure you, we would all be aware if a Brenth was in the Aethair.  What you heard was one of the Chisai not currently visible."

"I have no reason to disbelieve you, but if you don't mind I still wan't to investigate the location the Chisai said."

"That will have to wait until after your daily training is complete of course." The Elxior reminded. "Make sure Noctis goes with you if you do go over there."

"Right, I'm ready to learn." Maxi said bowing.

"Indeed." They travelled to the training area where the Elxior requested "Let us see how far you have progressed in constructing."

"What will I be constructing this time?"

"Let us see how far your creativity can go."

Maxi focused on trying to build a small replica of the village. Small blocks started to form. (if thats how core energy works I'm still a bit confused about its rules)

(Right now, just think of soul energy being used to make physical shapes)

"Can you expand it?" The Elxior challenged.

The blocks started to grow in size as more was placed in.

"This is very good.  Your output has improved." The training room began expanding as well to make more room.

Maxi stopped once the model was completed. "Satisfactory yes?"

"Verily.  Though..." He looked over the details. "How often have you travelled to the village?"

"Twice since I first came to the temple for training."

"I can tell.  Your map is impressive, but lacking detail.  You should add to this as you explore the village more."

"Will do."

"Let us test how far your output can go." He materialized a metal rectangular plate in the air.

"You want me to rebuild up there?" Maxi asked.

"I want you to concentrate your energy against it."

"uuh." Maxi didn't understand but tried his best anyway.

(Shooting his energy at it, like they did earlier in the roleplay.)

Maxi shot core energy at the plate.

He found that his increase in stamina was quite substantial, exhausting him far slower than when he first started.

"Show me how much you can impact this material.  Stronger."

Maxi grunted in anger as he forced his body to comply.

"Maintain your stance.  Aggression can be productive, but don't allow anger to be your source of strength."

Maxi continued but stopped once He felt strain in his arms

The Elxior lowered the plate, showing that the core usage caused it to layer and grow these sort of bubble domes, pulsing with the same energy.

Maxi sat down breathing slowly. "How......was that.?" He said between breaths

"What emotion do you believe you associate the most with, Maxi?"

"Determination." Maxi said without hesitation.

"Could you name the poor qualities determination can cause?"

Maxi thought for a minute. "No. I can not."

"Impatience.  Those who are determined to do something are often impatient.  If they become impatient, they are easily frustrated.  When you build a bridge, impatience will make the bridge built faster, but when you try to cross, the bridge collapses because it was rushed through."

"Oh" Maxi replied. "Being too determined will only destroy my body." Maxi's eyes widened. "Like master Axel's limit breaker."

"Your body is a tool.  Your core is eternal.  Be determined, Maxi, but never look for a substitute path when going after your goals."

Maxi said nothing, he only nodded.

"Let us go through your practice again.  More shapes and forms."

Maxi nodded once again and thought of a something new to create. A small urban city started to form and slowly grew bigger as he added more to it.

The training went on as before, until it was time for Maxi's free time again.

"Thank you for the training today Master Elxior." Maxi bowed and turn to leave.

"Before you go, Maxi." The Elxior quickly called. "Some time this week, there is a special task for you at the top of the hills near the village."

"Ok, thank you for letting me know." Maxi replied exiting the room. "Pure lightning!" He then said to himself. His body dissipated into a spark once again and flew towards the exit of the temple.

(Out to the village area now?)

(yes)

Noctis was seen standing around the edge of the village once Maxi arrived back at the bridge.

The spark flew past Noctis into the village dodging trees along the way..

As Maxi zipped into the village, he started to see Noctis just standing there over and over: in the samd slightly-slouched position, somehow always just ahead, disappearing as Maxi passed him, and then somehow being there ahead of him.

"Noctis?: The spark stopped and reformed back into Maxi's body.

"Maxi." Noctis nodded.

"You never answer that friendly. Whats going on with you?"

"Nothing is." The meerkat deflected. "Where are you off to?"

"What was that about!?" Maxi looked around. "That teleportation thing.

"That depends on if the Elxior has taught you much about the Aethair."

"He hasn't taught me how to teleport yet. Wait what am I doing standing here? Noctis gotta go to the back end of the village, I'll talk to you later! Speed of lightning!" Lightning surged through his body and he blasted off.

Noctis continued to somehow be there near him as Maxi went on. It took but a moment to get to the back end of the village, where a bit of charred forest laid. Thankfully the rest was untouched.

"It isn't teleportation." Noctis explained. "What is so interesting about the back of the village?"

"Then how are you catching up to me?"

"I'm still waiting to know if the Elxior taught you more about the Aethair.  Unless he has, I can't tell you much."

"He hasn't. He and I practiced some more and then he told me that I actually got in contact with the other Chisai, only for a brief moment though."

"Hm.  Well I'll ask him if he wants me telling you about that, but it's not teleportation I'm using.  For now, think of it more like I have a rope tied to you and it pulls me along.  Now, what is so interesting about this?  The burnt trees?  That isn't recent."

"When I woke up I heard whispers about "The end of the village."

"From one of the other Chisai?  Hm..." Noctis started to trail about the area. "That's all you heard?"

"Thats it." Maxi said sitting down. "You can see if they're there I can't." Maxi closed his eyes and focused on his core energy if that was the key to sense them.

He felt Noctis, and somewhat the trees and other plants untouched by the old fire, but that seemed to be it. "Maxi, I'm the only other Chisai here right now.  Whatever was here probably left... though I suppose we could look around."

Maxi opened his eyes. "End of the village.." Maxi repeated. "Maybe this is what I'm looking for, the burn marks or something." He got up and walked over running his hand over the dirt.

"What are you feeling for?" Noctis asked.

"Anything, the Chisai wouldn't tell me to come here if nothing was important. Right?"

"They actually told you to look here?  You said you heard whispers."

"It felt like they were telling me. I can't listen to them anytime I want."

"You probably overheard a private conversation..." The meerkat stepped about the area. "... There's nothing here.  If we're going to search, we should d- oh." He looked back toward the village.

"Huh?" Maxi did as well after Noctis. "What?"

"The lizard." Noctis held his hand up. Suddenly Maxi's vision zoomed in ahead as Nonya was running toward them some blocks away.

"Hey Nonya!" Maxi waved.

Nonya couldn't hear him considering she was about 2-3 blocks away, or really make out him waving, which Noctis briefly touched upon by saying "I only zoomed in your vision.  She's still a distance away."

"Oh... WAIT WHAT! You zoomed my vision?! Thats both weird and scary that you can use core energy to control someones bodily functions!" Maxi rubbed his eyes.

His vision returned to normal now. "Just be glad it's not being done by someone with poor intentions."

"I'm surprised there isn't someone who wants to eradicate core energy all together." He stopped rubbing his eyes.

"There probably are... except that would mean everybody dies so... yeah."

Nonya was closer now, slowing as she panted.

"Daily workout? Maxi joked.

"Huh?" Nonya finally stopped, bracing her hands on her knees. "Oh... No..." She shook her head between pants.

Maxi stayed silent looking back at the burned spots. "Noctis how did this fire start?"

"The fire?" Nonya looked back. Noctis had opened his mouth to speak, but the lizard got to it first. "Oh you mean with the burnt- that was... a year ago?  Six months?  I think it was just from a storm or something."

"It isn't recent exactly." Noctis clarified.

"Hm.." Maxi walked back over to the the site and scooped up some ash. He just held it in his hand for a minute then spoke. "If it was a storm it would be clear that a tree was struck by lightning. "He then scanned the trees if one was singed.

(Part of the forest is charred, as said when they arrived, and there isn't ash on the ground seeing as what burned the trees was months ago.)

"Nope none of them..." Maxi said turning back around and letting the dirt slip through his fingers.

"Are you doing Chisai stuff?" Nonya asked. "Can I help?"

Maxi looked at Noctis to see if it was ok with him.

"... The moment anyone sees anything, I'm sending you out of here." Noctis warned. "I don't need to get reprimanded again."

"Noctis can't you contact the other Chisai?"

"I can, yes."

"Can you please ask them whats so important about this area?"

"I have a feeling if I do, we'll all be sent away from this spot.  I mean, if you want to leave it to them, sure I can do that.  If you actually want to find out what happeneed though..."

Maxi sighed. "What else could we possibly do?"

"Well if it's not in the village, and it's not right here, then it's going to be beyond our current area, further into the forest."

"We don't even know what we're looking for though."

"You're right.  Well there was an attempt.  Good hussle, all." The meerkat began slowly walking toward the village.

Nonya just looked between the two.

"Why is he acting like that? I didn't ask him to come." Maxi said before turning back to the area.

"I think he's trying to get you to... keep trying..." The lizard girl noted.

I was gunna do that anyway." Maxi sat down and meditated. 'Please talk to me." He said out loud hoping the chisai would hear.

"What would you like me to say?" came Noctis's voice back immediately.

"Not you!" Maxi said breaking focus.

"Who then?  The Elxior?" Noctis's voice still came.

"The Chisai that reside in the other plain of existence."

"Sorry.  You're stuck with me for now."

"Which is why I'm trying to contact them." Maxi joked again before returning to his meditation.

"So you're ignoring me now?"

"Only for a little while ya'know trying to focus here."

"Focusing on trying to contact other Chisai."

"Yes" Maxi abruptly.

"Other than the Elxior."

"You're doing this on purpose arn't you?"

"Talking to you?  Yes.  Blocking you from the other Chisai?  No.  They're doing that.  Remember, you're not really at that level yet."

"Then how come I heard them?" Maxi asked himself. "There has to be a reason."

"They slipped up?  Honestly, I think they might be testing you to see if you'll follow breadcrumbs to some big mystery."

"Do you honestly think they would slip up?" Maxi asked in earnest.

"No, and thus I refer you to my second suggestion."

"mhm." Maxi got up and walked over two the burnt trees. He started walking deeper.

Nony walked over. "Are we still exploring?"

"Yep." Maxi said confidently as he continued on.

"What are we looking for?  More Chisai stuff?  Have you been in the woods before?  Like the old well?"

"Old well?" Maxi asked not looking back.

"Yeah, it's deep in the woods.  It looks cool.  Tons of vines."

"No ghost girl right?" Maxi pressed on pushing a few leaves and branches out the way.

"Oh I don't think so?  It's about a mile or two in.  You can walk a lot though I'm guessing."

"Ugh too long, here grab my hand I'll run there." Maxi said extending his hand to Nonya.

"Uh, okay." Nonya took his hand.

"Make sure you hold on tight your body might get ripped apart from light particles as we pass." Maxi's body surged with electricity, he and Nonya bolted off before she could say anything. The surrounding area became blurry as Maxi broke through the sound barrier into the speed of lightning.

Nonya gasped as they transformed and such, not being able to do much else than keep still. There was a clearing ahead, but not a well. Passing through it, Maxi started to see some stones about... no these were stone bricks.

Maxi came to a dead stop. "Thank you for traveling with us, please take your barf bags and other belongings." Maxi put his hand over his mouth like he was talking on an intercom.

Nonya promptly collapsed to the ground, panting as she rolled over on her back.

"I guess it wouldn't help to tell you that was my slowest." Maxi said sitting down beside her.

"nnnn... Are we, at the..." Nonya looked about. "... Wait... wait wait wait-" she stood up. "This is the spot but... It's not here?"

"maybe you made a mistake?"

"Well I didn't tell you to stop." She pointed out. Nonya started walking about. "Okay... let's just try to find it normally.  I'll run this way." She started to jog back toward the village direction.

"You looked like you was gunna puke hence the barf bag joke." Maxi got up. "Alright I'll head over here....I guess." He walked in a straight line. passing through trees

About ten minutes passed before the two arrived back at the same spot. "This has to be it." She noted. "It's all partly cleared and all.  Maybe this is what the whole thing was-"

"That seems to be accurate." Noctis agreed ahead of time, sitting in a tree above.

"I thought you was going back to the temple?" Maxi looked up seeing the meerkat.

How do you know I'm not there?"

"Your using an after image technique?"

"Considering I'm able to acknowledge and respond to your current statements, I'm going to say no."

"Guys, the well is gone!" Nonya reminded. "That's not normal!  The hole isn't even there!"

"I'm sure he heard as well. So Notcis what do you think o this?"

"I think this is what they were talking about.  Someone might have messed with reality here.  It's likely that something in the well was important." Noctis hopped down. "It could still be underground, whatever it is."

"The only way for a well to fall underground is through a sinkhole. BUUUUUT as you can see there's nothing but flat grass!" Maxi said zipping around the area.

"Then I suppose we should start digging... unless we have another idea?" Noctis seemed to prompt. "... Wait, Maxi, did the Elxior teach you anything new for this sort of thing?"

"No, we just went practiced my core powers." Maxi responded as his body surged with lightning preparing to dig.

"Have you made any constructs?"

"I built a small scale model of the village."

"How about a drill?"

"Easy." Maxi said confidently. He focused on his core energy trying to make the shape of a drill.

It wasn't difficult luckily, though requiring focus.

"Nice.  Alright, start." Noctis gestured.

Maxi turn the drill on and began drilling a spot in the middle of the clearing.

The ground sort of exploded upon contact with the construct, plants growing outward but all the same a hole did start rather easily downward.

Maxi backed away for a bit then started again. "Noctis can core energy be used to teleport things?"

"You don't want to try that yet." Noctis replied. "You'll be lucky to have enough stamina to finish the drilling."

"I don't even think I have the ability yet., I just asked."

"It's possible, yes." Noctis nodded.

"Is it deep enough yet?" Nonya looked over the edge.

"I don't know, how does 4 meters down sound?" Maxi said climbing back up.

"You've demonstrated well enough." Noctis noted. "I'll take care of the rest here." A thin glowing tube started to poke into the hole, going underneath the soil far below.

"whats happening now?"

The tube expanded out into a pillar of energy, forcing open the hole and leading into the sky before vanishing. A near-perfect cylindrical hole was left about 40 or so deep.

"I....WHA..WAIT WHAT HUH?!" Maxi rolled out the way.

"Alright, let's go." Noctis jumped into the hole.

Maxi opened his mouth about almost being caught in what ever Noctis did but just sighed and jumped in after him.

They stopped on a stone floor in the dark. Nonya could be heard calling down "Uh guys?  I don't want to break my legs..."

"Just jump I got ya." Maxi called back.

"Which side?"

"Just jump.  We're both here." Noctis ushured.

With an echoing sigh, Nonya dangled uncomfortably over the side for a bit before finally dropping, giving a rather high-pitched "Yiiiiiiiiiiiip!" on her way down.

Maxi mega jumped with the help of his lightning magic and caught Nonya bridal style. "Welcome aboard hold on tight and most importantly don't look down." Maxi started falling at a controlled velocity.

Nonya nodded rather violently as they plopped back down at the bottom. "This would be where the bottom of the well is." Noctis noted. "There isn't even a water way approaching.  I don't hear a current."

"Couldn't have just evaporated, made we should dig a bit further or outwards?" Maxi suggested.

"No... I think we should try to rebuild it..."

"Fair enough, care to help this time?" Maxi began to focus his core energy.

"Is that supposed to imply I didn't help just twenty seconds ago?" Noctis rose an eyebrow.

"I don't know how to make a well." Nonya pointed out. "How are we supposed to do that?"

"Well ignoring the water source situation... we need stone..."

"You didn't help with digging, and why do you need stone can't we just "core energy" the material?"

"I literally made a hole multiple times the width and depth of yours." Noctis argued. A very important contest to win this hole challenge. "And yes, we could in theory, but that would need some high-level concentration, detail, and stamina.  Think holding a bunch of weights on your shoulders for a few hours."

"We could at least do it bit by bit or something, right?" Nonya asked.

"I was was about to suggest that."

"Alright, well Maxi." Noctis stepped back a bit. "Would you like to start with the walls?"

"Already ahead of you." Blocks made of core energy started taking shape.

"And you're going to convert those into stone, yes?"

"Nah I was gunna turn them into granola." Maxi said sarcastically.

"That'd be impressive.  Less back-talk, more demonstrating."

The walls of the well started to fall into place. "whatever."

"Maxi if I were to punch you right now, would you hit me back?" Noctis asked bluntly. Nonya rose her hands up at this question and stepped back, prompting Noctis to sigh out "I said if.  I'm not punching anyone."

" I don't think Exloir would approve of such an action, but I would get angry then question why. I'm not a violent person but you don't want to make a cosmic being your enemy." Maxi stopped focusing on his core energy. A bright flash of lightning surged through him.

"You don't know the Elxior, and you're letting your ego get to you.  It's a normal thing for teenagers." Noctis stated bluntly. "Keep going."

"Ego he says." Maxi said to himself as he continued working on the walls.

"Should we move out while this is being made?" Nonya sked.

"You don't have to unless you're afraid I might crush you."

"... Are you afraid you might crush me?"

"Not at all."

"Then I'm fine."

"Good Cause I'm already done."

(So the walls and the floor are complete?)

(Yes, Sorry I thought I typed what happened.)

The walls and floor transformed into stone as soon as they fell into place.

Noctis brushed his hand against the stone. "What stone is this?"

The stone's color turned black a streak of purple ran through then like veins "This is a kind of stone from my dimensional cluster. Its called Meldrum the only thing in existence that we know of that repels mantra. Ts incredibly heavy as well, three stones can be about half a ton."

"This is the wrong stone... We need to figure out what the original stone was."

"True, but I just thought this stone would be harder to steal or break or make disappear."

"That was a smart idea." Noctis nodded. "But two things there.  First, if we're restoring the well, it's going to need to be as close to as before as it can be.  Second, you just manifested this core-repelling stone using core.  If you can create it with core, I'm sure others can affect it the same way."

"Well most wells are made out of a concrete mixture so I'll try that." Maxi transmuted the stone.

"Maxi, it needs to be the same stone.  Do you know it's a concrete mixture, or are you assuming it's a concrete mixture?" The meerkat... quizzed?

"I was assuming." Maxi admitted. "Do you know what stone it is? You know this place better than I do." He asked the both of them.

"Uh, it's been around longer than I've been alive?" Nonya replied.

"I'm not native to here." Noctis added. "We can always find out in the town."

"Fine by me." Maxi prepared to jump out but stopped himself. "Cmon Nonya."

"Please just call me Nony." The lizard girl pleaded as she went to put her hand on Maxi's shoulder. Before she could, however, a blue light sent them all back to atop the side of the hole.

"Oh thanks Noctis!" Maxi stood up from his crouching position.

Noctis gave a brief nod while turning to Nonya. "Your grandfather knows anything?"

"Probably." Nonya started jogging back toward the village.

"I'm not walking or running back. Lightning of Justice strike me!" A lightning bolt hit Maxi and he turned into his Maximum Thunder alter ego and flew above the trees.

"... So are you go-" Nonya was interrupted as she and Noctis suddenly arrived back at the rear of the village.

Maxi touched down a few seconds after. His Maximum Thunder spell wore off. "Alright, lets go ask around then."

"We can just ask my Grandfather." Nonya repeated.

It didn't take long to get back to the shop. Upon being asked, Nonya's grandfather had to think over it all for a moment. "Well... it was quite a while ago.  I believe the original stones came from parts of the mountains.  There was an earthquake, and they took the boulders and carved them to fit."

"Do you remember who carved them and if they're still around?" Maxi asked

"Oh no, they've been dead a good couple decades now." The older lizard shook his head. "Are you trying to make another well?" The man's expression seemed to look a bit more serious...worried, when he noticed Noctis waiting at the doorway. "... Is this, did something..."

Maxi looked at Noctis asking if they should tell him.

"So, we're going to the mountains then?" Noctis gave a little snap, and once again the three vanished, now at the side of some cliffs on a beach

"Can you at least warn people when you're going to do that?"

"Look out." Noctis replied dryly.

"Do we just start carving out stuff from the mountain?" Nonya looked around the cliff. "Can you guys cut it?"

"We can try." Maxi said walking over to a bolder that came up to his chest. His ignited a spark of lightning and started to draw on the rock. Small sparks followed his hand as he went.

Nonya leaned over to watch. "So you're gonna use the laser to carve it?"

"Yep" Maxi said as he was finished carving the rock into a rectangle.

"You're carving it wrong." Noctis commented with a pause. "... Nah, I'm just kidding.  Keep going."

"... I don't think I like it when you try to make jokes." Nonya responded to the meerkat.

"PFFTT" Maxi forced air out his mouth as he tried not to laugh at Nonya's comment, but he failed.

"We'll need quite a few." Noctis looked over the cliff. "I'll just transport what you carve over so we can build after that."

"Sounds like a plan." Maxi said while starting on the closest rock he could find.

Nonya reached out to pick up one of the carved stones. "You can just carve these like that?  That's... really cool."

"Heh thanks I wonder what Master Axel would say about my progress."

"You should be more concerned with what The Elxior would have to say." Noctis noted almost like a snap.

"I've... never met either of those so..." Nonya stepped back a bit.

"Elxior's opinion matters as well but Master Axel is the person that got me into harnessing my powers for good. He's my idol!" Maxi said passing down another carved rock.

"You should never have idols." Noctis went to grab the rock, but Nonya rushed over and grabbed it herself, likely to feel like she was contributing.

Noctis gave a pause at this, stepping aside. "This Axel is probably very impressive, powerful, and more, but you can't put anyone on a throne..."

"I guess it would not be wise to say that he does sit on a throne." Maxi passed yet another rock down. "But I did anyway."

"You understand what I'm saying though, right?" Noctis prompted, taking the rock.

"Yeah I understand completely. How many stones we need?"

"At least two-hundred.  How do you understand?"

"How do I understand?" Maxi questioned. "Are you asking me about not idolizing Axel?

"Did the topic change?  Yes."

"Okay, are you the teacher?" Nonya asked the meerkat.

"I don't see what tha-"

"Are you?"

"I'm assigned to watch over him."

"But you aren't the teacher." Noctis had to answer for this, so Nonya continued "Then maybe you should just let the teacher person teach him and give him a break?"

Maxi said nothing as the two talked. He hopped up and down in place as lightning surged through him. "Two hundred stones coming right up."

"Just let us know if you get tired!" Nonya called.

"Not a problem I'll be back before ya miss me." Maxi said before zooming off to another part of the mountain.

"...Oh." Nonya started walking after where he went.

Maxi got to his destination. He charged up a lightning bolt and started  cutting the side of the mountain until he had 200 stone blocks.

His body pulsed with lightning as he grabbed one. "Full speed of lightning!" He said to himself and zipped back and fourth bringing all 200 blocks one at a time.

Nonya fell over as Maxi rushed back and forth, only getting back up after he stopped.

"200 blocks ready and waiting." He then got into his knees and laid on the ground. "Just let me recharge my Mantra."

"Your Core." Noctis sounded while approaching. "This is why you'll need to learn how to separate the element from the energy."

"He got a lot." Nonya pointed out.

"Yes he did."

Maxi sat upwards. "Now we gotta find an adhesive to make sure the well doesn't collapse."

"We aren't in the dark ages..." Noctis pondered, "so they probably just layered a kind of cement... Wait, n-"

"Oh!" Nonya hopped up a bit. "They used glass!  I remember that!"

"Is it possible to buy glass from the village market. I don't feel like heating sand." Maxi asked getting up.

"Well it would need to be melted..." Nonya replied. "We could figure something out though."

"How much time are you willing to kill cuz it could take hours, or days. I not a hundred percent sure on the process  of making glass."

"Maybe we could speed the process." Noctis vanished the stone as the three reappeared at the well sight. "First, let's place them."

"Alrighty then." Maxi picked up a stone.

"Do we just... how do we..." Nonya started positioning around the top of the hole. "I don't know how we're going to..."

"You just place them in a circular wall pattern.  They support each other." Noctis picked up a stone and jumped into the hole.

"Hey think you can push the stone closer to the hole? If you can't that's ok, NOT that I think your weak or anything I mean lots of...  heh.. I'ma stop talking now." Maxi jumped down with hole with the stone he was carrying.

"Maybe one of us should be down here, and the other should pass down the stones?" Noctis suggested.

Maxi put the stone down. "Ali-oop" He jumped back onto the surface and began to pick up stones and placing them near the hole

"You can drop them all." Noctis assured. "I can handle them.  Just don't do like... ten at a time."

"We're going to not be in the well when this is done, right?" Nonya asked. "Like, what if it explodes?  It just vanished before."

Maxi pushed them in 1 at a time occasionally looking down the hole to make sure Noctis wasn't crushed or something "It shouldn't. I think someone would have to physically touch it in order to do anything." Maxi responded to Nonya.

Noctis caught each one, the stones somehow slowing as they fell.

"Yeah but how does a well just vanish like that?" She asked. "Like, not just the well--they'red just be a hole--so it m-"

"Someone messing in the Aethair." Noctis interrupted. "It was likely that."

"Dude what if it was a giant wind harpy named Garuda or something." Maxi said. After pushing down the last one and taking out his note pad. "I drew sketches of what one would look like.

It looked like a normal harpy but its head was adorned with jewels across its forehead.

"... It's dark in here so I can't exactly see- Is this an actual harpy that exists or something you came up with?" The meerkat asked.

"I made it up, but you never know one could exist."

"Well someday you might actually be able to design it.  You know, Nonya-"

"Nony." The lizard girl peered.

"... Nony, sorry.  If you want to help more, you could... no that wouldn't make sense."

Nonya looked to Maxi, as if he was supposed to know what Noctis meant.

Maxi looked at Nonya then at Noctis, confused as well. "I think he means that it probably won't be safe after we finish this well."

"I'm trying to figure out how we're going to set up the water." Noctis called up.

"If I could somehow go back to my dimensional cluster I would've gotten a friend to help. We would have to transport it from a near by river somehow or wait for it to rain. Although that could take months if not years." Maxi pondered.

"Well, we need a reliable source." Noctis replied. "An aquifier..."

"Can't you sense the water or something?" Nonya asked.

"Yes, but... I guess we'll just have to go with what's closest, make a tunnel path and all."

"So one of us will have to to dig a tunnel find some source of water. The source will have to have to have enough water for the well but to not completely dry up."

"That's the annoying part.  Wells aren't just made anywhere you want.  You have to find a constant water source and make the well there, but it's like that vanished too... so yeah we'd need to tunnel."

Nonya looked up at the sky. "It's... starting to dark all sunset-like, guys..."

"Its that late?" Maxi looked up. "Guess we'll pick it back up tomarrow."

"Indeed!" Called a rather glorious voice from... somewhere in the air.

"... Okay..." Noctis rose an eyebrow before focusing back on the two. "Yeah, I guess so.  The Elxior won't be happy if you're back late."

"Oh... well, good night then I guess..." Nonya said.

Maxi looked at the sky when he heard the word "Indeed"

The Night...
Maxi was in his room. It was late at night now,  Whether or not Maxi was asleep, he wouldn't be soon. The whole temple had lit up suddenly, and for once, Maxi actually heard the sound of more than two other people in it, rushing about in the halls.

"What? What's going on now?" Maxi once again turned his body into a lightning sprite and phased through the door.

A woman rushed past him, then a man, then other back and forth before they all just vanished. Crackling was heard outside the temple. Maxi followed the noise outside. The Elxior was standing at the edge of the temple grounds with his arms out. These yellow sparks were striking at the building but there blue pulses kept shooting out, stopping the sparks. Across the way, Maxi saw Noctis running around the exterior.

The lightning sprite floated in front of Noctis. The sprite followed in front until it grew in size. After a couple of seconds it reached Maxi's body type. "What going on?!" He asked, looking at the sky.

"The Brenth are here." Noctis answered. "Whatever we did to the well did something to bring them here."

Maxi said nothing he only looked to the sky. He lifted a hand and his magic lightning struck him turning him into his Maximum Thunder alter ego. "What's the plan? Do we destroy the well?"

“We don’t... yet at least. We’re waiting. You want to see what is happening right now?”

"I guess. Wait the village is in trouble as well?" Maxi began to float in case he needed to hurry there.

"Others are taking care of that." Noctis gave a little flick of both hands, spreading them outward as the whole scene got revealed. These little sparks were soon shown to be hulking armored figures glowing blue and yellow, clashing with each other all over the  Aethair.

Maxi just watched. His eyes unable to keep track of everything.

The vision faded out back to how it was before after a few seconds, with Noctis lowering his hands. "You think you can deal with that?"

Maxi nodded and flew over zipping in the middle of the action. "Just for clarity which ones are kn our side?"

Maxi found himself immediately struck back, his body cracking as he indented next to Noctis on the ground. "That... wasn't a go-ahead..."

"Well what was it?" Maxi said getting back up.

"Me, hoping you realize you're out of your league."

"Well what am I supposed to do if I can't help with that!?" Maxi's body surged with lightning.

"You can leave it to the professionals.. We aren't... ready for this."

"But we caused this, we have to help somehow!" Maxi protested.

"The Elxior will tell us what to do when he feels we are needed."

Maxi paced back and forth. Being on the sidelines killed him inside but he remained where he was.

Noctis remained as he was, breathing slowly. Eventually he stopped seeing the sparks, and not a second later, the Elxior stood in front of the two.

"Its all over?! Is everything ok?!" Maxi stopped as soon as he saw Elxior.

"For now." The Elxior nodded. "Come with me." He gestured while walking toward the edge of the temple.

Maxi followed, only a step behind.

The three left the Aethair, arriving at the entrance of the Chozin village. It appeared unharmed. "What exactly happened with that well?"

"You know about it?" Maxi asked.

"I do, now what happened?"

"I wanted to investigate what the chisai said about the end of the village. Noctis followed along with a friend from the village, and the three of us walked through the forest to where the well was. It was completely gone so Noctis and I rebuilt it. We honestly had no idea this would happen."

"How did you know we said anything about the end of the village?" The tall wolf asked further.

"I woke up that morning and I heard the chisai outside my door. I even told you about it during my training session.

The Elxior was silent at this statement for a bit. His expression grew more dire. "... Maxi, I am going to need to read through your recent memories."

"Why?" Maxi's voice sounded a bit distressed.

"I will tell you, but first I need to be certain.  I won't modify anything."

"Ok then how long with this venture through my subconscious take? Will I feel anything?"

"Maxi, do you really think he-"

The Elxior raised his hand, silencing Noctis for the moment. "The most you will feel is reliving the memory."

"Ok, proceed." Maxi said calming down.

Apparently he didn't even experience the memory again because the Elxior barely had to lift his hand before putting it down again. "... Maxi, you did not speak to me about the well."

"That's because I didn't know of the well when I told you about hearing the chisai. All they said was the end of the village." Maxi explained.

"No, Maxi." The Elxior responded. "What I'm saying is that someone else talked to you.  Someone impersonating me."

"A Brenth maybe?" Maxi asked.

"What happened to the well was likely of some Core-influencer's doing.  Brenth or not, this could suggest... Both of you, we must return to the Aethair at once.  Stay with me at all times."

The Elxior clenched his fist to the air, a purple light blasting over them, changing the area to some kind of strange glowing variant before they found themselves floating overhead.

Maxi said nothing through out the ordeal.

They soon arrived back at the entrance of the temple. "Noctis, you and Maxi will remain in your quarters until we determine who the infiltrator is."

"How do you know neither of us are?" Noctis rose an eyebrow.

"I already investigated both of you."

Maxi only bowed and walked back to his quarters without saying anything.

Noctis went with him, leaning against the wall oif the room. "You don't blame yourself, right?"

"A part of me does. The well had core energy influence like Exlior said, so rebuilding it could have triggered that attack. On the other hand someone impersonated him. Which could be another reason why the attack happened."

"They were trying to see if we were here.  If they infiltrated then they obviously knew we were here already."

"You're saying whom ever attacked waited for us?"

"Probably, and we fell for it."

"But why wait for us? Are we their targets?"

"They were probably waiting for anyone... Anyone with Core powers."

"We're not the only ones with core powers though." Maxi sat on his bed.

"No, but we were the ones who... Wait, did the Elxior say if Nonya was safe?  She was with us at the time."

"I don't  even think he knows she exists."

"She's from Chozin village.  I'd imagine he's aware of her... We should find out."

"We're confined to our quarters till further notice. Maxi replied.

"I can still contact him mentally unless he closed us off..." Notis sat down to concentrate.

"Let's hope." Maxi said lying down on his bed.

Time passed, like an hour at least. Noctis was still in that strange meditative-like state when the Elxior opened the room door.

Maxi sat up, waiting for Elxior to speak

"Whoever had infiltrated our temple must have slipped out during the attack, or before." The Elxior informed. "They were careful not to leave a trace."

"Are we allowed to look for the culprit?"

"Outside of our territories, no, but it may be good experience to have you interact more with the Chozin village.  As before, Noctis will accompany you."

"Ok then." Maxi said laying back down. "I think I had enough excitement today."

"Good.  We will inspect this well situation further tomorrow."

Maxi fell asleep almost instantly.

As Maxi slept, he began to hear a voice. It was familiar, but he couldn't tell why. It just asked "What is it you want?"

"I don't understand the question." Maxi replied. "I guess to eventually master core energy so that I can further my goal of protecting everyone."

"Then you cannot limit yourself." The voice replied.

"How am I limiting myself exactly?"

"You'll realize soon enough."

"Who are you?!" Maxi questioned.

Maxi woke up as he questioned this, with Noctis looking over at him rather confused. "What?"

"Sorry, weird dream." The kid sat up and stretched his limbs.

"Well it's morning now, so we should get to the village."

"Right." Maxi replied standing up. "Hope everything and everyone is ok."

The village appeared untouched as the two entered. Noctis was making a B-line to the general store Nonya and her grandfather ran. There were these taller mobians standing about in place throughout the village, looking over the people... Were these the other Chisai?

Maxi followed Noctis. "Seems like we got some new faces, unless you know them?"

Noctis nodded. "I do.  Don't worry, I'll know if they aren't Chisai... actually, while we're walking to the store, try to see if you can sense the cores around you.  Good practice to differentiate them and all."

"If it's all the same to you I'd like to focus on checking the people of this village first."

"That is literally what I just suggested but whatever you say."

"I ment like seeing if any casualties occurred."

"We're on our way to do that with the shopkeeper and Nonya."

Maxi didn't say anything, he just kept walking.

The shop looked unchanged, with Nonya's grandfather at the front desk as always. Upon seeing the two, he asked "Ah.  Patrolling?  Or here for Nony?"

"We're patrolling. There was.... a huge storm and the temple was slightly damaged. So Noctis and I wanted to make sure everything was ok."

"Oh.  Well yes, we saw a storm, but I don't believe anyone was harmed.  How was the temple damaged?  Surely the temple can;t reach into... that other dimension of yours?"

"A good part of it does." Maxi was astounded that he knew of the dimension thing.

"Is Nony here?" Noctis prompted.

"No, she's with Gerald... ! He's a boy from the village."

"Ok, good to see everything is ok. Have a great day!" Maxi waved goodbye and turned to leave.

Noctis just put an arm out to block Maxi as he went to leave: prompting the grandfather "Do you know where we might find the two?"

"Maybe Gerald's house." The lizard replied. "Or just roaming the village."

"Why Noctis? Don't like the fact she hangs out with other people?" Maxi joked.

"Thank you, sir." Noctis turned to leave now, motioning Maxi to follow... even though originally it would have been Maxi leading.

Maxi only shruged and followed. "Something on your mind?" He said when they exited.

"You're referring to something other than us needing to look after the people we probably endangered, right?" Noctis replied.

"I didn't take you for someone who legitimately cares for those outside the Chisai order."

At this, Noctis stopped walking. He just stood there for a bit.

"Your almost like a brooding hero type of person. Not letting any emotions slip,  not letting anyone poke at ya' past something like that."

"And because of that, I don't care about people." The meerkat breathed back.

"You're a hard guy to read. Don't take it personally."

“You expect me to not take it personally when you say you think I don’t care about people.”

"I'm just gunna say sorry for the wrong impression  and just move on." Maxi said blankly while walking ahead.

Noctis didn't give a further remark, simply walking with Maxi before turning in the village toward some other direction., closer to the populated areas.

"So you got the directions from the old man?"

"I doubt he'd appreciate you calling him that, but you were there when I asked him.  I'm just sensing around for Nony's core signature."

"He's Nony's grandfather and we don't know his name. Until I remember to ask him I'll call him old man. Not within ear shot though"

"Not within ear shot?  What?"

"Not within ear shot. Y'know not in his range of hearing...."

“Do as you wish. It isn’t respectful to speak to someone one way and about them another.” They were near a founding statue now, with seven figures using their bodies to cradle something beneath as the art piece of the same material.

"Whats the story with this?" Maxi asked.

"It was during some kind of attack." Noctis explained. "They all cradled something to keep it from being destroyed.  Their bodies got charred--glazed more like it--and it's assumed whatever they were protecting was destroyed as well.  Some people think it was a child, some think it was a book or something."

"Think it could have been one of those universal cores the chisai protect?"

"It's possible.  The Chisai have been here for longer than the village... She's close."

"Cool." Maxi said before closing his eyes trying to use his core training to sense for her also.

Maxi felt something quite familiar, but a second later- "Oh, hi guys!" Nonya was approaching the mountain from the left.

Maxi's eyes shot open. "In the name of Freya!" He screamed. "I didn't think you were this close!"

"My grandpa said you were looking for me." She replied.

"Yes." Noctis turned to the lizard girl. "After the well, there was an attack.  We wanted to make sure that you weren't targeted." He gave a slight nudge toward Maxi.

"Its good to see that you and the village is ok." Maxi said with a sigh of relief.

"Well I'm fine." Nonya replied. "Is that all you two wanted?"

"Well we were possibly going to see what happened with the well." Noctis shrugged. "Likely the Chisai are swarming it to undo whatever happened."

"We're heading down there I presume?"

"... I just said we were." Noctis started toward the back of the village. "Are you coming, Nony, or are you not allowed?"

"I guess, it's fine.  My grandfather didn't really do anything." Nonya shrugged before following. "Alright then, off we go." Maxi said getting ready to bolt off.

'''When they came to the spot the well had been at, there was a woman in its place... the well was gone again.''' '''The woman herself was this pale-mint fox with large purple eyes, and a plum-and-black dress. She wore sandals and these long arm-muffs. She looked somewhat like a mixture of Oriental and... Celtic?''' She bowed when the three arrived, greeting in a very distinct Irish accent "You three were expected."

Maxi stayed silent for a moment, then responded. "Another Chaisai, its nice to meet you"

The woman nodded back at this. "I've been requested to patrol this area considering what happened recently."

"Did you remove the well?" Noctis asked.

"No, it was already gone." She replied. "We believe it was actually an Ecration remnant."

"Ecration remnant?" Maxi questioned.

"Something that survived a previous Ecration." Noctis answered. "Does that mean the Brenth that attacked were as well?"

"It would follow." The woman nodded. "If it is true, then both they and the well are gone forever."

"So the universe fixed itself?" Maxi  questioned yet again.

"That is certainly how it looks."

"So we're all safe?" Nonya asked.

Noctis and this vixen woman didn't answer.

"I don't like that silence, please say we're alright!" Maxi pleaded. "No more Brenth attacks right?!?"

"We won't know for sure, Maxi." Noctis responded. "And don't yell!" He hissed. "Even if these Brenth are gone, there are still others in the Multiverse from THIS Ecration."

"So they can bleed into dimensional clusters?"

"They exist like we do." The woman answered. "Some are born from this multiverse.  Others may have done as you suggest."

"Neat....." Maxi sighed. "So do we just leave the area like this? What if a villager comes by and wonders where the well went?"

"That is why I am here." The woman replied. "You have more training I would gather?"

"I do, I've only been a chisai for a year.  I just wanted to make sure village was ok."

"You've been with us three weeks." Noctis replied.

"How did you get picked for being a Chisai anyway?" Nonya spoke up.

"Well I met Noctis at the bridge and we introduced ourselves. After that we went inside the temple, had a chat with the headmaster and then boom I was able to train there." Maxi simplified his experience

"So they just randomly-"

"Maxi's original mentor sent him to train with us." Noctis clarified.

"Oh..."

"We should get back to that training, speaking of which." Noctis noted.

"Right, well nice meeting you miss......." Maxi paused to get her name.

The woman opened her mouth to answer, but there was this purple light that went over both Noctis and Maxi before she could fully answer. Seemed that her name started with a C. The two appeared back at the Aethair temple.

"How much you wanna bet that was Master Exlior bringing us back"

"How much would we bet?"

"Maybe tomarrow's lunch?"

"That is not nearly worth it.  I brought us back here.  You should go talk to the Elxior all the same."

"No heads up when you're about to teleport someone? You could've waited a few seconds so I could get that lady's name." Maxi walked off to the training room to see if Elxior would be there.

The Elxior was standing near the entrance when Maxi arrived. "Now that these recent surprises are over, are you ready to resume training?"

"Yes master, I am ready."

"Remind me of your skills so far.  Project your core essence outward."

Maxi nodded and focused his core energy into remaking that small scale model of the village he did the day before the well incident.

"Let's delve further." The Elxior stated immediately. "I want you to project out a shape that comes from your own personality."

"My own personality...." Maxi thought to himself. He focused his core energy once again and tried for form a single block.

"Think of your strongest  trait and emotion, perhaps interst."

Maxi took the advice and the block started to transform. He envisioned himself looking over a city that he protects and the block took shape.

The room itself sort of changed as Maxi focused further, mimicking the city he thought of.

"I was think of a statue but this will do." The boy said amazed at what he conjured.

"Endulge me for a moment." The Elxior gestured to the  city. "Where is this?"