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Last but not least was the main reason, besides revenge, why Erik and Elora were happy to be on Earth. The instability of aetherium and its integration with the world would allow for much faster strength growth compared to other worlds, not only in the absorption of aetherium but also in understanding glyphs and runes.

After all, the aetherium integration caused the world\'s elements to be in constant flux, allowing for a much quicker understanding of those elements.

While elemental understanding was not particularly important for a person\'s strength, it did influence the speed by which one would grow to understand their glyph or rune.

The only reason most people in Europe were still only first-rank initiates was that they had spent the last seven years focusing primarily on survival. That said, now that the council was stabilising the continent, there would likely be an explosive growth in power among the population.

In fact, if the other continents stabilised earlier than Europe, they might have a severe power advantage over them.

Meanwhile, Erik still needed twice as much time as anyone else to advance because he had two systems to work on, so coming to a world in its saturation phase was like a golden goose falling in his lap.

Just in time, too. During the past seven years, Elora has been heavily boosting Erik\'s growth with the resources she gained from her mother before she left the obsidian enclave. Which was the only reason Erik had managed to become a rank two, despite his limitation.

But those resources were quickly running out, so finding this world was a great opportunity. Unfortunately, everyone on Earth gained the same benefits, so Erik still had to work harder than anyone else. The benefits would only really show if he returned to Söl.

Yet, they couldn\'t simply find a place somewhere and quietly grow stronger, assuming Elora could convince Erik to put his revenge on hold, because the saturation phase would simply not last forever.

Which meant they had to prepare for phase two.

Luckily, phase one would last for a few more years. Even if it was uncertain how long it would last exactly.

Meanwhile, Erik and Elora still had plenty to do.

Their ship sailed around the North Cape[1] and now cruised close by the coast, mere moments away from reaching Kirkenes. 1

Emily was currently captaining the ship after learning everything she could from the old man she had enslaved back in London. As it turned out, Emily had a talent for many things, sigils and sailing included.

The old captain had already been left behind on the Danish coast, with all his memories wiped.

Since he was a relatively good man, and simply dumping him on a beach somewhere took little effort, Erik thought it unnecessary to kill the guy. Elora grumbled a little about the extra time, however slight it was, but Erik managed to placate her in the end.

Perhaps leaving him alone in the wilderness signed his death warrant anyway, considering the way the world is now, but at least he stood a chance. They certainly didn\'t want to alert anyone by dropping him off in a more inhabited area.

Along the way, the ship came across several other small docks but never noticed any signs of life. That wasn\'t entirely unexpected, though. They knew from Seraphina that the council hadn\'t reached this far North yet, and the population had always been sparse here.

It was not too much of a stretch to consider the possibility of most, if not all, of the people here simply exploding when the awakening happened. That said, the few vampires and werewolves that lived here should have survived still.

Perhaps they had all killed each other? Only time would tell.

Finally, they saw the coastal port of Kirkenes appear in their view.

Emily was at the helm, her hands navigating the ship with surprising grace, considering her inexperience. Emma, Elora and Erik were leaning against the railing, their eyes fixed on the little town gradually approaching on the horizon.

An eerie silence enveloped the port. Several ships, some nothing more than half-sunken relics or aimlessly drifting vessels, painted a haunting picture of the world that once was.

Sails reeled in, the electric motor hummed, and their ship glided past the haunting metal skeletons of icebreakers, fishing ships and trading vessels.

"It\'s a little spooky," Emma commented, breaking the silence. Erik nodded before a frown appeared on his face, and his gaze drifted to something ashore.

Soon, they were aligned with a docking port. Erik jumped ashore and tied the boat to the cleats before casting a distant look at the familiar yet not-so-familiar surroundings.

Nostalgia and sadness surged as he surveyed the town he\'d once visited with his father. How long had it been since those carefree days of simply buying supplies for their community?

Their small and remote village had been a tight-knit, closed-off community. For good reason, of course. And young, somewhat timid Erik didn\'t mind so much back then. He enjoyed the simple lifestyle and wasn\'t interested in exploring the wide open world.

Things were different now, of course. In his seven years on Söl, he had learned to crave adventure, challenges and fighting.

Yet even back on Earth, the monthly trips to Kirkenes were a highlight for him. Not so much for the chance to witness a part of the world beyond, but more because… Edda always wanted to come along.

So he went along to spend time with her.

Memories of youthful love and laughter flashed through his mind. His father busy with goods on the docks, and a carefree Edda grabbing his hand, pulling him along to see if any new wonders had appeared from faraway lands.

Her golden hair, bright blue eyes and infectious smile filled the young Erik with love and affection. Yet, the older Erik, recalling these moments, felt only a bitter mixture of sadness and fury.

At some point in the past, when her betrayal was not so fresh anymore, a part of his fury had transformed into a yearning for understanding. Understanding of how a young, seemingly innocent child deceived not only him but their entire community?

But the older Erik\'s eyes turned cold. Those doubts were all in the past. Eventually, that yearning had made way for fury once again. In the following years, it only became stronger and more entrenched in his being.

As he set foot on the familiar docks of Kirkenes, Erik couldn\'t escape the raw emotions conjured by these memories. The town that once symbolised innocent joy now stood as a backdrop to a betrayal that had cost him everything. His fists clenched involuntarily.

Despite the seven years that had gone by, his past was an unyielding spectre. Now, amidst the remnants of civilisation, Erik couldn\'t shake the feeling that he was walking back into the heart of his deepest wounds.

There was a reason he almost ran off without even thinking when he realised they were on Earth. He was eager to put it all behind him. But for that, he first had to find Edda… and pay respects to the fallen.

He didn\'t make himself any illusions about being able to find bodies after all this time. But perhaps he could still make a symbolic grave in memory of his parents.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by two small hands that encircled his left fist. He looked beside him with some surprise, but his expression quickly softened when he looked at Emma\'s encouraging smile.

"I don\'t know why we\'re here, but you seem distressed. No matter what happened in the past, you\'re not alone now. Please let me help however I can."

It was true. Erik had never mentioned the reason for their travel to Kirkenes. Yet, Emma had never asked, happy to just follow along.

Meanwhile, Emily had been too preoccupied with other things.

Elora appeared on the other side and grabbed his right hand, yet instead of an encouraging smile, there was a playful smirk. "Honestly, that girl is much too sweet. I hate it. Yet, it\'s almost impossible not to like her! Truly, it\'s a conundrum.

I almost find myself hoping she\'ll pass the test."

Erik could feel the concern and support flowing through their bond despite her actions and words. Meanwhile, he couldn\'t help but smirk at Elora\'s mention of her test. He had to admit he was curious about the results.

So far, no one had passed, but he really liked Emma.

Putting those concerns aside for later, he unclenched his fists and took Emma and Elora\'s hands before turning to the white-haired girl on his left with a smile. "I used to live not far from here before the awakening. We\'ve come to pay a visit."