The Heathen

Aos woke up back in the wooden cave while the old man sat cross-legged on the other side of the cave. His gaze had constantly been checking to make sure that Aos was still fine.

Witnessing her wake up the old man stood up and walked towards Aos.

Once the old man reached Aos he asked with a tired tone, "What took you so long?" Aos could see tired bags under the old man's eyes, appearing physically fatigued. She couldn't help but thinking that this old man had made sure that Aos was fine during the entire time she was knocked out.

The old man, having not received an answer as he had not expected one continued, "You've been out for a week. If not for your improved physique you would have died long ago."

Aos understanding the old man's words couldn't help but feel out her own limbs. The stiffness she had felt in the darkness had faded and been replaced with contradictory precision and strength.

She couldn't help but feel ecstatic at the new developments but before she could get carried away her stomach betrayed her, loudly complaining, releasing a *growl*.

The old man chuckled as he asked Aos to follow him outside again. He then said, "It's only natural to be hungry after not eating for such a long time. Let me show you how to replenish yourself and your energies."

Aos followed behind the old man until they reached the same stump that they had used just prior to her passing out. Aos, having experienced such horrific pain and torment on the stump physically cowered as they approached the stump. The old man patting Aos on the head and comfortably saying, "Don't worry little one. You won't feel any pain". With those words, the old man effortlessly lifted Aos and placed her on the stump. The old man then said, "Before I forcefully attuned your body to nature. This allowed you to perceive both the hidden energy of nature and its networks. Now let me show you how to fully meditate." the old man waited for Aos to sit cross-legged and close her eyes before he continued once more, "In order to meditate and increase your capabilities you must attempt to siphon energy from these networks and add it to your own network. This network will support all kinds of abilities as long as it has a large enough reserve."

While in the midst of the explanation, Aos began to attempt to manipulate the energy within the networks inside the trees. Using her concentration and focus to provoke the energy. Causing it to harmlessly disperse.

Aos witnessing that she did have some ability to somewhat manipulate the energy within a network felt beyond delighted.