Eternal Empire - Kingdom Building

David returned to the site where Fording was busy working. Logs lay stacked around, their surfaces treated, and Fording was gathering up the cleaned branches and leaves—good firewood for the village.

“Back already?” Fording exclaimed, wiping sweat from his brow. He stood there, shirtless, revealing the powerful muscles that rippled across his torso. “You look like you’ve been through it. Run into trouble?”

David shifted the weight of the gray wolf corpses on his back, his clothes stained with dirt and grass. “Just a pack of wolves. No injuries, though.” Luck had favored him today, and without the boost from Goldfinger and Laura's archery talent, he might have ended up seriously hurt—or worse.

Fording raised an eyebrow, his tone half-impressed, half-worried. “No injuries? You killed several gray wolves, didn’t you?” He gestured to the carcasses, noting the multiple arrow wounds. “To hit that many targets in a chaotic situation... you’ve improved.”

“Guess I’m getting the hang of it,” David replied, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. But the thought of future encounters with the wolves weighed on him.

“That’s good,” Fording acknowledged, “but you should know: the trouble doesn’t stop here. Wolves don’t forget easily. They’ll come back, day after day, relentless.” His gaze shifted, recalling the nature of wolves from his own world. “Trust me, they’ll be a nuisance.”

A chill crept down David’s spine. He understood the gravity of Fording’s words. Though he had improved, a pack was different—a dangerous adversary, especially if they ambushed him.

“But you don’t have to worry too much,” Fording added, a hint of a smile crossing his lips. “I have a special power that can help you handle these kinds of problems. If you’re interested, I can teach you how to master it. Once you learn, those wolves won’t be a threat anymore.”

David’s heart raced at the prospect. “Really? What kind of power?”

Fording's eyes glinted with determination. “It’s a technique that amplifies your instincts and physical abilities. With it, you’ll become a force to be reckoned with.”

“Count me in!” David exclaimed, feeling a surge of hope.

David had hinted at this before. Maybe he hadn’t intended to steer the conversation toward the "Holy Light," but Fording's mention of its power sparked a flicker of hope in him. “I want to learn about the Holy Light,” he said, confidence edging into his voice.

Fording raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. David didn't think he’d refuse. The Church of the Holy Light was known for its openness, especially under Archbishop Alonsus Faol, who had dedicated himself to spreading its teachings across Azeroth. Their motto was simple: if you were willing to learn, they would gladly teach.

Before becoming a paladin, Fording had been a priest, a role dedicated to spreading the faith and guiding believers toward the Holy Light. With that background, David felt certain his request would be met with enthusiasm.

“Really? What kind of power are we talking about?” Fording asked, curiosity brightening his gaze.

“It’s a righteous power,” he explained, a hint of warmth radiating from him. “It heals wounds, banishes diseases, and gives you strength to combat evil. It can even help against ordinary beasts.”

David’s mind raced. The Holy Light was one of the fundamental energies of Azeroth, but he understood that similar "light" existed in many realms, not just in his own. He knew that this power, though filled with positive attributes, didn’t inherently mean it was righteous. Yet now wasn’t the time to debate its essence. He would play the part of a humble novice and soak in everything Fording had to share.

As Fording described the wonders of the Holy Light, David listened intently, absorbing the teachings mixed in with practical wisdom.

“The Church encourages goodness,” Fording continued, “teaching people to confront life positively. We help those in need—whether it’s sorting out family disputes or facing down bandits, we stand against the forces of darkness.”

David nodded, intrigued. It made sense that performing good deeds would invite the Holy Light’s favor. Those who embraced its tenets were often seen as champions of justice.

“Now that you have a basic understanding of the Holy Light,” Fording said, his tone turning serious, “are you ready to try feeling it for yourself?”

David’s heart raced. “Right now?”

Fording’s expression turned thoughtful, a hint of uncertainty crossing his features. “I can guide you, but... I’m not sure if you’ll be able to perceive it. Do you want to give it a shot?”

David took a deep breath, determination building within him. “Let’s do it.”

Now that they were no longer in Azeroth, Fording couldn't help but wonder how far away this world was. He had no idea if David could truly grasp the Holy Light. A series of hypotheses played in his mind: maybe David had worked hard and gradually started to understand it—or perhaps not.

Regardless, Fording doubted this attempt would yield any immediate results.

Then, as David knelt on one knee, straightening his back and placing his hands on his knees, Fording witnessed something he never anticipated. A soft glow began to radiate from David’s body, the golden light growing clearer and brighter until it enveloped him completely.

Fording's breath hitched. “How can this be?” He stared in disbelief. Not only had David managed to channel the Holy Light on his first attempt, but the light emanating from him was entirely unexpected.

David experienced a sensation of the Holy Light—an energy that should descend from the void. He had learned that typically, after feeling the Holy Light, a beam would come down, bathing a paladin or priest in its embrace, marking them as a true follower. But this... this was different. The light was rising from David, weak yet undeniable.

Fording’s thoughts swirled like a tempest. Was David truly the incarnation of the Holy Light? “Holy Light, is this a test for me?” he pondered, grappling with the possibility that this encounter was a manifestation of his faith. Had he wandered into this world only to meet a being like David, sent to challenge the firmness of his beliefs?

Meanwhile, David remained blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding in Fording's mind. Eyes closed, he reveled in the warmth of mastering the magical power of the Holy Light. Following Fording's guidance, he felt the light flowing through him like a gentle hot spring, a warm current washing over him, soothing every ache and fatigue from the past two years.

“This feels even better than a bath!” he thought, the sensations invigorating him. Not only did his exhaustion evaporate, but a sense of rebirth coursed through him; strength returned, and his mind felt sharp and alert. Lost in the bliss of this transformation, David savored the changes until he finally opened his eyes.

“Tirion, are you alright?” David asked, concern masking his surprise.

“No, it’s nothing!” Fording quickly reassured him, a mix of awe and newfound resolve settling in. “I didn’t expect you to connect with the Holy Light so quickly. It's rare.”

David beamed, feeling a rush of pride. “Really? Guess my talent isn’t so bad after all.” It dawned on him that this newfound ability was a gift from Fording—a sign of the talent of the Holy Light blossoming within him.

“It’s more than just talent,” Fording said, marveling at the revelation. Rather than diving into instruction, he decided to probe deeper into David's experience. “What did you feel? Was there anything unusual?”

David hesitated, considering the waves of warmth he had felt. “Some minor issues I had are gone, and I feel stronger. Even my spirit seems lifted...”

Fording nodded, piecing together the puzzle. David had indeed tapped into the Holy Light. Despite the peculiarities he had witnessed, the essence felt right.

“Not only that,” Fording explained, a new glint in his eye, “the Holy Light will enhance your physical training, making you stronger.” He paused, gauging David’s reaction. “Do you want to focus on mastering the Holy Light, or would you prefer honing your body and learning to wield weapons? The choice is yours.”