Born in Blood

"I have to note that you won't naturally get stronger just because you kill more things," Kerian said. "But fighting against stronger opponents might force you to evolve." Liam looked disappointed.

"In fact, when you awaken your core, your Path will take some time to develop and make it into something of your own. It took 31 years of being a Zenith just for unique traces of my Path to appear… and I'm considered above average."

That didn't make Liam worry too much. If there was anything Liam had, it was time.

Right now, he was roughly 30 years old.

But he was nearing 31.

But the resources, opportunities and reach that he had was nothing short of amazing. Of course, it was no match for Royalty or the big-hitters. But Liam outgrew the nobles of Echoria by a lot.

For the next few minutes, Liam listened intently as Kerian explained Paths on a deeper level. In short, it consisted of several things. She had given him the same idea as Eyes of Knowledge — studying 'Ora' and how it interacted with the environment and more. After all, Paths came from 'Ora' – the source of cultivation itself. Afterwards, she told Liam about 'Qualities' – the building blocks of a Path.

If the Path was the road, the Qualities were the materials it was made out of.

Qualities could also go by Principles, Concepts, Laws, Ideas or even Fundamentals.

They were the properties and specializations that one's Path consisted of. For example, Kerian's flames had the Quality of Hate – which made her fire wild and violent. They also had the base Qualities of Rage, which made her flames blaze and burn for longer. They also had the Qualities of Loyalty, which gave her flames a healing factor, but only when used on herself and her Abominations. It went without saying that she had the Qualities of Heat, to further bolster and raise the temperature of her flames. All Qualities differed in utilization, and some were simpler than others.

Kerian's flames even had the Qualities of Greed, which allowed her fire to spread further and hunger for more things to burn. She explained how her hatred led her to understanding this Principle, which meant understanding some Concepts could actually pave the path to another. Sort of like how the roots of a tree could branch out. The sky was the limit.

Of course, as the Ranks rose, these Qualities would be incredibly difficult and hard to develop.

And just how some Qualities made it easier to comprehend others, it could also block the path to another Concept.

For example, if one were to comprehend the Quality of Chaos, they would negate their understanding of Order.

Otherwise, the powerhouses would have already mastered everything behind them. Liam was beyond excited, but several questions formed in his head.

"What about the bigger Qualities, like… Death? Can it be a Quality, even?" Silence.

Kerian nodded firmly. "That's another issue," she said. "The bigger and stronger the Quality is, the more difficult it'll be to understand and manifest it."

"Death is… in a league of its own," Kerian said. "I don't mean to discourage you, Sire, but I don't think you should aim for that as of now. Many have tried."

"No one has succeeded?" Liam asked.

Kerian shook her head.

"None." Well… He'd be the first, then!

"Starting off your Path is very important, Sire," Kerian said firmly. "If the Foundations are not built correctly, everything else will fall apart. Please take your time and don't rush things."

"I'll figure it out," Liam said casually. Of course, he had every intention of making it to the Celestial Ranks, and impatience was the bane of all that was good. Thus, as much as Liam wanted to get to the juicy bits straight away, he could afford to take his time.

Of course, he already had quite a few ideas for what his Qualities were going to consist of. Chaos was surely one of them. Not only was it one of his strongest abilities, Liam embodied it. It was part of his nature. Whatever place he ended up in was marked for ruination and discord.

"I recommend starting with what you're most familiar with, and what you want as the cornerstone of your Path." Hmm…

What was Liam's cornerstone?

Well… there wasn't just one.

Chaos.

Fear.

Death.

Murder.

Corruption.

Pain.

Discipline.

Sharpness.

Instinct.

Invention.

Sadism. Cruelty.

There was much to choose from.

Liam just gave her a nod.

"Thanks." After Kerian had laid down all the basic information about Paths to him, Liam dismissed her and brought in Kamjin to tell him about his Path.

Kamjin puckered his lips and raised his chin in pride as soon as he entered Liam's room. "There he is," Kamjin said with a broad smile, showcasing his missing teeth. "Whaddya want?" Liam used Spirit Sight on Kamjin's body.

Unlike the Kerian and most of the other Zeniths that Liam had laid eyes on, Kamjin was special in the sense that his Path was most prevalent on his body.

Mostly, his hands!

No wonder. He was a blacksmith, and his hands and hammer were probably dearer to him than his family.

His Path came in the form of a silverish essence that weaved over his fingers and palms. "Tell me about your Path," Liam said.

Kamjin groaned, raised his head and scratched his groin for a few seconds straight.

"Dunno much. Kept making things and got better at it." A pause.

"It has to be deeper than that." Kamjin groaned. Liam was clearly not satisfied with a vague answer.

"I never focused on myself," Kamjin said with a sigh, crossing his arms.

"I couldn't care less about popularity, or glory, or honor. All I cared for was the weapon, and how mighty I could make it out to be… and time passed." Kamjin uncrossed his arms and outstretched his calloused, overused palms.

"I don't know when it started," he said. "But these hands of mine just grew a will of their own. They forge and shape on their own accord."

"I just give them the material."