(Third-person perspective)
Because he spent countless hours excavating and shaping the tunnels, his connection with the earth element was unparalleled. He constantly pushed his magical limits, experimenting with various earth elemental spells in his Training Space. Some of these experiments came at a terrible cost, causing him to perish in the magical realm.
Creating new spells is a dangerous undertaking, and Aermir has faced death more than once in his pursuit of mastery. However, each failure only spurs him to further refine his skills, utilizing the potential hidden within his connection with the elements.
Now, accompanied by a medium earth elemental, he cast another spell— Elemental Vision. This magical ability allowed him to perceive the world in a way that transcended ordinary senses. He focused on the collapsing tunnel before him, peering into the depths of the earth.
The sight that met his eyes was astonishing. The tunnels stretched deep underground, far beyond his imagination. The legendary Winterfell crypts, supposedly larger than the Citadel itself, seemed to confirm its grandeur. The road before him spiraled downwards, concealing a labyrinth of intricate passages and secret chambers beneath the surface.
Aermir was awestruck by the scale of this underground world. The magical presence he sensed was undoubtedly related to these caverns, beckoning him to explore further. It was a mystery he could not ignore. But this part of the cellar had completely collapsed.
A determined light shone in Aermir's eyes; he knew he had to delve deeper into this underground world. Many secrets awaited him to uncover, and the source of the earth's pulsating magic awaited his discovery.
Aerobula ( Air Bubble ), Melada tegon ( Merge with the Earth )
As Aermir used Air Bubble and incantations to Merge with the Earth to delve deeper into the ground, the mysteries of the crypts unfolded around him. The Air Bubble provided him with a breathable air pocket, allowing him to traverse the underground labyrinths without fear of suffocation. However, maintaining the Air Bubble drained his magic, much like a thirsty traveler consuming water in the desert.
The spell Melada Tegon, Merge with the Earth, is both a blessing and a burden. It allows him to pass through the solid earth itself, like Ghost. But this ability comes at a great cost. The spell greedily consumes his magic. Aermir knows he can only venture into the crypt within half the range of his magic, for he needs the other half to return; otherwise, he risks solidifying within the earth's constraints, a fate that will inevitably lead to his death.
His mana pool was considerable, totaling 480 points. However, a large portion of it—120 points—was used to control the curse the Night's King had placed on him. This constantly depleted his magical resources, a reminder of the trials that awaited him.
As he ventured into the endless tunnels of the cellar, with each step he took, the magical presence he sensed grew stronger. It pulsated like a living heartbeat, resonating with the earth itself. Aermir was drawn to it, driven by an insatiable curiosity to uncover its source and purpose.
However, despite his determination, the collapsed tunnel before him seemed insurmountable. For the next 300 meters, he could only see rubble and rocks. The wondrous presence was so close, yet so unattainable, a disheartening sight.
As he ventured deeper into the tomb, time seemed to blur, and forty minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Aermir could feel his magical reserves dwindling, a reminder that he could go no further. He knew he had to make a difficult decision—to turn back, or risk materializing underground—a potentially fatal mistake.
A throbbing magic mocked him; he yearned to unravel the mystery. Just then, as he considered retreating, he saw a massive metal door, five meters high, imposing and awe-inspiring. The door's surface was adorned with intricate carvings: two dragons facing each other, with a wolf in between. In the center of these double doors, a gigantic crystal, the size of a human head, resided in the mouth of the Direwolf.
As Aermir gazed at the extraordinary sight, his breath caught in his throat. He knew without a doubt that this was the source of the magical power that had drawn him here. It was an alluring vision, an invitation to unveil its secrets.
However, he faced a painful dilemma. His magic had dropped to a dangerous level; he needed at least 200 more points of magic to reach the door and explore what lay beyond. His thirst for knowledge was intertwined with the perilous reality of his situation. Aermir didn't even have enough magic to take a few more steps. He only had enough to leave the collapsed section.
Left with no other choice, Aermir made his decision. He turned and left the mysterious door, a heavy longing weighing on him. He knew he had done his best. The cellar held secrets, and he would return another day, better prepared, armed with the necessary magic, to unveil its mysteries.
He took one last look at the alluring door, then resumed his journey along the path he had carved underground. The tombs of Winterfell still held countless secrets, Aermir was determined to uncover them one by one.
Emerging from the tomb, Aermir found himself facing a heavy dilemma: whether to reveal the existence of the Mystic Gate to Lord Stark, or to propose a grand plan for a large-scale excavation project. This question troubled him deeply. It was a far-reaching decision, not to be taken lightly.
After much deliberation, Aermir, though somewhat reluctant, decided to keep the knowledge of the door to himself. What lay before him was no ordinary mining operation, but an enduring undertaking requiring a vast investment of time and resources. The more he considered it, the more daunting the prospect became.
The ground beneath his feet was unsettlingly soft and prone to collapse; it was an unstable land with the potential for catastrophic consequences. A mere tremor, a slip, or a sudden shift in the soil could bring about disaster, destroying the buildings above. Grim historical precedents haunted Aermir's mind; a century earlier, when the cellar first collapsed, countless buildings were destroyed.
As Aermir contemplated the precarious terrain Winterfell, he couldn't help but realize the immense challenge he faced. Comparing this task to the relatively simple task of mining was tantamount to equating child's play with a monumental engineering feat. The risks were enormous, the stakes were high, and there was little room for error. Most importantly, he had absolutely no engineering experience.
Faced with this dilemma, Aermir's decision not to reveal the existence of the Mystic Gate to Lord Stark seemed more cautious than ever. A gamble flashed through Aermir's mind. He suggested to Lord Stark that they begin repairing the cellar, hoping that in a year or two, they could approach the Mystic Gate and allow him to use his magical abilities to complete the final leg of the journey.
However, after careful consideration, he abandoned the risky proposal. It seemed unreasonable to endanger countless lives in order to reach a destination he could possibly reach in three or four years without endangering anyone, or perhaps even faster if he could somehow acquire more magic.
As he walked toward the magnificent Citadel, Aermir's thoughts swung with his decision, which seemed to waver with every step he took. The idea of using magic to enhance the excavation process did flash through his mind; for a moment, it seemed like a viable option. However, the more he considered it, the more aware he became of the potential pitfalls.
The presence of numerous miners and laborers in the tomb undoubtedly increases the risk of spies and spying infiltration. Aermir's Oath Points are a valuable resource, but very limited, and cannot cover everyone involved in the work. Even if he had enough Oath Points, he had no intention of using them on the miners.
Another option he considered was recruiting a small group of trustworthy assistants to help with the excavation. However, upon careful consideration, he quickly abandoned this impractical choice. Leading a team into the cellar would undoubtedly attract unnecessary attention, a risk he was unwilling to take.
Finally, Aermir chose to dig alone. He recognized the difficulty of the task, but it seemed to be the only feasible way. He quickly calculated in his mind and concluded that it would take at least a year to dig halfway to the mysterious door; if he didn't dig, reaching the door would require too much magic.
He could use the spell "Meld with Earth" to traverse the remaining distance at that crucial moment. However, this method of calculation was predicated on the fact that he couldn't possibly dedicate an entire year to digging—given the weight of his responsibilities, that was unrealistic.
Aermir sighed heavily, determined to continue the excavation slowly and carefully, reinforcing the surrounding soil as he went. In fact, this work would be a relentless effort that would last for more than two years. Knowing he couldn't dedicate himself fully to the task every single day, given his responsibilities at Moat Cailin and other urgent matters, he was determined to keep track of everything.
The spark he's ignited among the Three Sisters requires his attention, and he remains uncertain when a full-blown conflict will erupt. Therefore, he needs to maintain his own pace, viewing the years to come as a period of relentless effort and perseverance.