The revelation of Xylos's true nature cast a new light on his interactions within Oakhaven. His quiet observations, his occasional uncanny knowledge, even his physical weakness they all took on a different meaning in Lumi's eyes. She saw not a simpleton, but a fallen deity navigating a world utterly foreign to him.
They agreed to keep Xylos's true identity a secret for now. The villagers would never believe such a tale, and it could put them both in danger. Pipkin Featherbottom would remain the unassuming weakling, a perfect disguise for a god working in the shadows.
Over the next few weeks, Xylos and Lumi spent hours by the Whispering Spring, trying to piece together the fragmented memories and the nature of the looming catastrophe. The spring acted as a conduit, its waters resonating with Xylos's divine essence, slowly unlocking more of his past.
He recalled the name of the encroaching darkness: the Abyssal Blight, a primordial entity that consumed worlds, leaving behind only empty husks. He remembered the frantic discussions among the dying pantheon, their desperate attempts to find a way to combat it, and his own vision of a nexus point in this new world – a place where the Blight might take root.
"It felt… tainted," Xylos explained, his brow furrowed in concentration. "A place of unnatural stillness, hidden from the natural flow of magic." He couldn't pinpoint its exact location, only a vague sense of direction towards the shadowed peaks of the Serpent's Tooth Mountains in the north.
As Xylos's memories returned, so too did flickers of his former power. He could now sense the subtle flows of magic in Aethel with greater clarity, and occasionally, a faint spark of his oceanic control would manifest a barely perceptible ripple in a nearby puddle, a fleeting coolness in the air. The "System" diligently tracked these developments:
[Memory Resonance Progression: 81%]
[Partial Recall of Abyssal Blight Lore]
[Emergent Ability: Minor Water Sense (Activated)]
[Emergent Ability: Faint Aura of Divine Presence (Suppressed)]
The suppression of his divine aura was crucial. Any overt display of power could draw unwanted attention, especially if there were other entities in this world sensitive to such energies.
Lumi, meanwhile, proved to be an invaluable ally. Her deep knowledge of Aethel's lore, its hidden places, and its magical energies complemented Xylos's fragmented memories. She researched ancient texts in the village library, seeking any mention of a creeping darkness or a place of unnatural stillness in the north.
However, their clandestine meetings and Lumi's unusual attentiveness to Pipkin did not go unnoticed. Vexian Malakor, a charismatic but ambitious leader from a neighboring settlement, often visited Oakhaven on trade missions. He possessed a sharp intellect and a keen eye for detail, and he had begun to observe the unusual dynamic between the respected herbalist and the village weakling.
One market day, as Lumi and Pipkin discussed their findings near the Whispering Brook, Vexian approached them, his smile smooth and his gaze piercing.
"Lumi, always a pleasure," he said, his voice carrying a hint of authority. He then turned his attention to Pipkin, his eyes lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "And Pipkin. You seem to be keeping good company lately."
Lumi's demeanor shifted subtly, a flicker of defensiveness in her eyes. "Pipkin is helping me with my research, Vexian. He has a… knack for finding certain herbs."
Vexian's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Indeed? A surprising talent for one so… unassuming." He paused, his gaze flicking back to Lumi. "Your interest in local folklore has always been admirable, Lumi. But one must be careful not to chase shadows."
His words, seemingly innocuous, carried a veiled warning. Xylos, despite his weakened state, sensed a subtle probing in Vexian's gaze, a hint of suspicion that went beyond mere curiosity.
As Vexian moved on, Lumi turned to Xylos, her expression troubled. "He's sharp, Xylos. And ambitious. He has his eyes on unifying the surrounding settlements. We need to be careful."
Xylos felt a cold dread creep into his heart. Their secret was already attracting unwanted attention. The useless god in the weakling's body was not only facing a looming cosmic threat but also the growing suspicion of a shrewd and influential mortal. The shadows were indeed gathering, and they were closer than he thought.