AetherFall

Celeste stood in the center of the dimly lit chamber, The underground resistance had wasted no time—if she was to fight back against the Pantheon, she had to re learn everything she knew about Aether.

The masked woman, introduced herself as Lyra, paced around like a assassin . "The gods gave Aether to mortals under strict rules," Lyra said, her voice cold. "We're going to break those rules."

Celeste raised an eyebrow. "I've been using this Aether my whole life. I know how to use it to fight."

Lyra scoffed. "You've been surviving, not fighting."

She raised her hand, and without warning, a pulse of raw Aether lashed out. Celeste barely dodged, twisting her body in time to avoid the impact

Lyra smirked. "Good reflexes"

Celeste eyes narrowing. She Smirks

The other members of the resistance murmured among themselves. The man from before—Elias, the leader—nodded "You are strong, girl. But Aether is more than just power. it must be mastered."

The First Lesson: Unchained Aether

Lyra lifted her hand again, but this time, she didn't attack. Instead, she let Aether swirl around her fingers. "The gods made Aether rigid, forcing mortals to shape it through sigils or rites. But what do you think would happen if you ignored their laws?"

Celeste watched closely. Lyra's Aether moved unlike anything she'd ever seen—shifting like liquid , weightless yet dense.

Celeste hesitated, then reached inward, calling upon her own Aether. The familiar light flared to life, but as she tried to shape it, Lyra struck.

Aether tendrils lashed toward her—not solid attacks, but waves that disrupted her concentration. Her control wavered, and her Aether flickered.

Lyra's eyes gleamed. "You control Aether like a Pantheon lapdog. Let it breathe."

Celeste gritted her teeth and tried again. This time, she didn't force out the Aether. She let it flow, guiding it rather than restraining it. 

Elias let out a sigh. "Now we're getting somewhere."

Celeste exhaled

she wasn't just using Aether.

She was becoming it.