Zerine spent hours with Terrinixis and Varino. They flew, practiced ambient magic, and just talked. Something that Zerine realized she didn’t do that often at home. Sure, she would talk to Bernard, Zara, Kelly and others, but not like this. It was like the conversation she probably would have had with the Goddess if she could have spoken. This relaxed, open conversation was what she needed, no expectations, just her friends talking. Granted, their group certainly talked about things that would confuse people if they didn’t know about dragons or Varino’s odd fascination with explosions.
Zerine leaned back against Terri’s scaley side as the dragon and spirit chatted about some magic channeling that Zerine didn’t understand. Varino replied vocally to Terri’s telepathic communication. The spirits, whistles, chirps, and chimes weaved a pleasant melody as they chatted. She still wasn’t sure why, but Varino hadn’t quite figured out how to speak telepathically or even use that type of magic. She had to admit that she would miss Varino’s speech once she did.
With the melody from Varino, Zerine let her mind wonder, enjoying the moment, knowing that Ava would want to discuss what had been bothering her.
***
“Zerine, let’s chat,” Ava said, leaning against the wall as Zerine and Varino tried to escape after the household’s dinner.
Zerine sighed, but nodded.
“Varino, this won’t take long, but maybe you should play with Estel. I heard over dinner she wanted to show you something new with her fire affinity,” Ava suggested.
Varino was sitting on Zerine’s shoulder and burbled a question.
“Yeah, go have fun. I’ll catch up when we’re done,” Zerine said.
Varino patted Zerine’s cheek, then drifted off on a cloud.
There was a blinding flash and Zerine found herself in Ava’s and Callahan’s study.
“Do you want to explain what happened earlier today?” Ava wondered as she made tea, something that Zerine didn’t expect, but accepted the warm cup.
“Remember my nightmares,” Zerine said after taking a sip. The tea had some sort of magical property because Zerine felt calmer. There was even a slight tingling sensation flowing through her.
“Yes, we talked about what happened during the attack, but that hasn’t help has it?” Ava wondered.
Zerine nodded, “I kinda had a flashback of it during the lead up to Grandpa showing up. I…” she hesitated. Should she tell Ava about how she felt towards Grandpa? She decided to take a longer sip of tea to give herself more time to think.
“You know your father and I haven’t told the family about your little instinct,” Ava said, sitting back in her chair. “The reason is that it’s your secret to tell. Not ours. So, I can imagine that you have picked up some tension amongst the family directed towards you.”
“Grandpa frightens me. And I don’t really feel like he sees me as family,” Zerine said in a small voice.
Ava pursed her lips. I wonder, her instincts help during fighting as much as when she talks to people and clearly, it’s stronger than it was when she was a child. Hmm, what will it turn into? she thought.
“Before I answer that, just how much do your instincts give you for insights during conversations?”
“It honestly can make conversations in large groups overwhelming for me. When I was going to class, it was like a constant itch. I can roughly determine a person’s mood, their intensions with their words hidden or overt, and some other things. Which now I say that, makes me realize it might have had something to do with me avoiding the drama and sticking to myself more often. Huh, kinda obvious now,” Zerine said thoughtfully.
“Fascinating. Well, back to your grandfather. It’s because the family is very, very protective of the family name. And you being crestless and focused on becoming an adventurer means there are expectations, lots of expectations. That is why your training is so much harder and we are pushing more because it’s not only the household you have to prove yourself to. It will be the family.”
Zerine frowned, but nodded.
“I should have guessed as much. The household will be the first hurtle, while the family will be the final say,” she said, then sighed. “The Goddess did say one thing to me, mom. She said I will have to work harder. And something about me using my willpower in a dark time. So, I guess she said two things to me,” Zerine said sheepishly.
“You lied to me? Why?” Ava wondered, not offended, not even disappointed, but curious.
“I don’t know. I followed my gut on it,” Zerine said, shrugging.
“Well, thank you for telling me now. And I can tell you why you didn’t before. Your gut felt your grandfather’s attention on the room,” Ava replied.
Zerine stared at Ava in shock for a moment. She picked up her teacup, still wide eyed and drank deeply.
“I’m not entirely sure what your instincts are or if it is one instinct with many aspects to it. I believe it will only give some sense of who is watching below a certain power or ability. But subcutaneously, you were aware. And you don’t trust your grandfather because you are aware of his disapproval of your chosen path.”
“If he gets what he wants, then I’ll be put in some corner of the world, never to be seen or heard from again,” Zerine muttered. Then realized she said that out loud and embarrassment rushed through her. “Sorry, I-”
Ava put up a hand. “Don’t worry about it. You have every right to be annoyed at him. He doesn’t treat you like he does others in the family. Just don’t say that whenever you believe he will be around. But let’s shift the topic to something more positive. Your old room has been repaired, but is empty right now because pretty much everything, but the bookshelf, was destroyed. Do you want to move back in there?”
Ava carefully watched Zerine’s reaction, but didn’t have to worry about Zerine masking her emotions because she shook her head.
“I don’t think I could go back there, even if it looks different now…sorry,” Zerine said.
Ava leaned across the table and squeezed Zerine’s hand.
“I fully understand. We will move your old bookshelf into the guest room. I suspect it won’t be long till you fill its shelves up like you did the other two,” Ava said with a smile.
“That sounds nice. That also brings up some questions of mine. I am rather lacking in clothes after the attack disintegrated my other stuff. I’m fine with the sets of training clothes I wear, but it would be nice to get some more normal looking robes, pants, oh, and a new pack or utility belt than my old worn clothes. Plus, I lost everything that wasn’t being cleaned that night, which was pretty much everything.”
“We can go shopping. We have been meaning to do that for some time now, but everyone has been so busy,” Ava said thoughtfully.
“Great, also this tea was really nice, and the side effects are much appreciated. What’s in it?” Zerine wondered.
“That tea is a mixture Bernard made. Practically everyone in the household that needs to relax takes a cup or two and is set for a well-rested night. You normally don’t drink tea other than in the morning, but maybe you will want to add this to your routine. With the Goddess’ advice, we will push you harder, hopefully enough that when you drink this, you will have a dreamless night.”
“The training pat sound terrifying, but a dreamless night is exactly what I need. Thanks mom,” Zerine said.
“Your father and I are here if you need anyone to talk to other than your friends, of course. But you should go and catch up with Estel and Varino. I fear they will try to combine their magic and gods know what chaos that would bring.”
Zerine giggled, “good point. Thanks again. See you bright and early for training, or is it Zara?”
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“It’ll be Zara, but I should be back in the evening,” Ava said.
***
Raoul rode along with his caravan. Large, colorful birds moved the wagons at a good pace through the gates of a border city between the Triarch Coven and the Heartstone kingdom. Kachirho was a bustling metropolis for trade, nature magic, and training because of its proximity to the Great Forest and tall mountains that lead to what many called the Roof of The World. Also known as the Land of the Endless Light. It was said that the great dragon called Lord of Light lived in that area. The city also was used to train adventurers because there were adventurer academies that were a two or three-week ride from the city, making it ideal for training excursions.
Raoul nodded to a hooded and cloaked figure he spotted amongst the crowds. The individual nodded in return, then vanished in a swirl of darkness.
“Another rather calm trip, right, Raoul?” Thom said as he moved to sit next to Raoul on the bench.
Raoul glanced towards the adventurer as he pulled on the reins to slow the birds down as a cluster of people hurried across the street. Thom was a beastkin with dark gold fur covering most of his body, unlike the other beastkin Raoul had interacted with in the past. Not unusual, but it was clear to Raoul that Thom was some kind of lion. He even had whiskers, which glinted slightly as Thom gave Raoul a toothy grin.
“Because Metal-heads and ruby eyed giant wasps are the hallmarks of a calm trip,” Raoul said, getting a chuckle out of the man.
“At least the trainees got some action with the wasps. The Metal-head monsters were a bit of handful, but fun,” Thom said.
“True, it is good exposure for them. I still find it concerning that you veterans just watched them, not interfering even when…what was his name?”
“Max,” Thom said helpfully.
“Max, got a stabbed in the leg with that poisonous spine.”
“Max learned from it, and so did his team. In fact, they improved greatly over this trip. But injuries and danger come with our job. Just like bandits, monsters, and creatures are just the normal hazard of doing yours.”
Raoul nodded in agreement, then smiled.
“That or bankruptcy,” he said.
“Speaking of bankruptcy,” Thom said, taking the opportunity and held out a credit card size slate of metal with a flat crystal embedded in the middle of it. “Standard affairs for being your protection for the trip. Plus, the discount for allowing our little shadows,” he said.
Raoul chuckled as he tapped a similar card to Thom’s.
“That amount isn’t bad. I will probably throw a little extra because of those Metal-heads and, as always, your team’s company on the long journey. The funds will be dropped off at the adventurer guild’s office once I sell off the goods and haggle the payment from those that got on at our last stop. I will miss our conversations over the campfire. But will look forward to hearing your new tails next time,” Raoul said.
“It’s always a pleasure working with you, Raoul,” Thom said, glancing back at the covered wagon’s interior. “Looks like our teams will teleport out before your destination. So, take care of yourself, ya hear?”
“Will do. Tell your team farewell for me.”
A chorus of calls came from the wagon, making him smile.
“Safe travels Raoul and thank you.”
Raoul felt the magic take effect as the adventurers and their students vanished. He smiled as the four wagons made their way through the city. The wagons were heading towards the merchant part of the city that had warehouse and other offices and buildings used for businesses. It took half an hour until the wagons came to a halt. Then it took easily over three hours as he got manifest coins from his passengers and haggled with merchants for his wears.
He paid his employees, made sure his birds would be taken care of during his absence, and then headed towards his destination. Raoul walked along casually. The city shifted from regular buildings for housing Dwarfs, Humans, and beastkin to be a mix of houses made from or weaved around trees. This section of the city was shrouded in the shade of an enormous tree that pierced the sky hundreds of meters tall.
The tree’s branches and massive leaves created a false twilight. Floating glow stones lit the streets with warm light. Kachirho was one of the oldest cities on the continent in no small prat because of the massive tree. Nature magic was incredibly strong in the region, making field yield better crops and nature magic was incredibly effective.
He was finally home. The sight of the tree always made him feel relaxed and nostalgic. Raoul had an incredibly strong affinity for nature and shadow magic, which he attributed to the place of his birth. He had been born in this city under this very tree to a human father and dark elf mother. Shadow and nature magic were a rather unique mixture of affinities, but it never bothered him. In fact, those affinities helped him find a place where he felt like he belonged and knew his actions made a difference.
A subtle pulse of shadow caught Raoul’s attention. He headed towards the energy, which led him down an alley.
“I have the delivery. Hopefully, both will find a home with your young ones,” Raoul said to a shadow.
“That remains to be seen, if any, will have an affinity for the catalysts,” a shadow spirit said, as the shadow manifested into the outline of a feminine figure. “Did you have any troubles this trip?”
“None at all. There were some more monsters than normal, but we expected it because the ley lines are shifting again. So, we were ready for trouble, and it was handled. As for the other trips, they weren’t that bad. I’m just glad I got out of Esteron before the war broke out.”
“Yes, you were wise to leave when you did. The war has been what many would consider as…massacres. And of course, it’s the innocent paying much of the price. But enough depressing talks. Leets bring you to those eagerly waiting.”
The spirit held out her hand, and Raoul clasped it. He felt a slight tingling sensation from the contact with the spirit.
“Here we go,” the spirit said cheerfully.
Darkness swallowed them, teleporting to them.
When they appeared, Raoul was standing in a nicely furnished living room. Three couches were facing one another in an inverted c-shape, with a table placed in the middle of the three. Glow stones gave off a warm glow, making the room feel even more cozy.
“Please make yourself comfortable. The others will be brought to the testing room. Then we shall see who, if any, gets the mythical catalysts,” the spirit said, before turning into a puff of shadow.
Soon Raoul was brought to a large, empty room. There was a complex magic circle carved into the middle of the room. A cluster of about fifty people were awaiting his arrival.
“Frist, we will test who amongst you may be compatible with the cube,” an Elder of the Shadow Legion said.
Raoul rummaged around in his soul bound dimensional storage and pulled out a cube. Like most catalysts, the cube was made of a crystal-like material. This cube contained bright, colorful nebula clouds with stars and swirls of energy. From afar, the cube looked to be made out of the cosmos itself. He had fondly called the catalyst the Cosmic Cube.
It had been a constant companion of his since he began his duties of bring catalysts to different branches of the Shadow Legion. Mythical catalysts were rather unique compared to the others. Not only did they have so much more energy than the others, but had concepts intertwined with the energy. This meant that one had to be extremely compatible with the catalyst, far more than what the lower catalysts required. It was even theorized that mythical catalysts had some sort of opinion about who could absorb them. Magical experts theorized it had something to do with the sheer amount of magical energy concentrated in one spot. The energy created odd reactions with the concepts, allowing the catalyst to almost form a resonance with the one it chooses.
Raoul wasn’t sure about the validity of the theories around mythical catalysts, but he knew that this cube was picky, very picky. There were so many concepts that it wasn’t hard to find someone compatible with some of them, but not all, and that could poss a rather large risk when attempting to absorb it. The process normally requires the individual to control the entire process and fighting against conflicting concepts, while trying to control the rest and energy was asking far too much. The person was more likely to explode from the process than successfully absorb this catalyst.
The Shadow Legion had long ago created a process to test their members to see who would fit the best with a catalyst, even a mythical one. Raoul watched man and women, elves, young fairies, beastkin, humans, and more stepped into the magical array. All the people ranged in age from just getting a crest to those well along with a path, only needing one more catalyst.
He watched a child excitedly step into the magical array and shook his head.
Even if she is compatible, it’s not like we would give it to her now, he thought.
If she was compatible and somehow absorbed a mythical catalyst as her first catalyst, it would force her to have to find six more mythical catalysts. Many weren't entirely certain why that affect occurred, but there had been cases of someone absorbing one early in their path and needing to find three or four more. Needless to say, few that did that ever gathered the seven catalysts required to fully unlock one’s soul.
Raoul thought people were overthinking it. If someone absorbed a mythical catalyst too early, it would bring so much change to their soul and their magic that other lesser catalysts would be like a drop of rain in an ocean, so obviously it would mean the individual would have to find others to round out the set.
The girl failed just like all the others and another hopeful took her place.
“Raoul, can you remind me of this…cosmic cubes origins,” the spirit said. She was the same spirit from earlier and had appeared without him even sensing her.
“Hmm, my predecessor passed it to me. It happened at the start of an era near the city of Emerald Sky. There were some rather…rare event’s that occurred around that time. Planets aligned, there was a solar eclipse, the twin moons had a lunar eclipse. Then there were constant shooting stars. During that time, I believe Starlings visited our world too. All of those events probably had an effect on the catalyst’s manifestation. This catalyst was found by the Lord of shadows herself, near the end of the two great ley lines intersecting.”
“Hmm, fascinating. And over the eras, no one has dared absorb it?”
“It’s too risky. The Lord of shadows has said that only someone who is compatible with half the concepts may even attempt it. We have had a few that met this requirement, but they never felt a resonance from the catalyst, so never dared to try,” Raoul replied, just as the last one attempted it and failed.
He brought legendary and pinnacle catalysts out next just to uplift the mood. Then it came down to the last mythical catalyst. This one was an orb of swirling darkness with flecks of red, silver, and gold. When he pulled it out, he already knew someone was resonating with it. There was energy in the air and not just from the overwhelming presence that the catalyst emitted.
***
Raith was leaning against the wall watching the Shadow Legion’s catalyst ceremony. Her disciple had gotten two legendary catalysts today and… she felt just like the other elders in the room did as the last mythical catalyst resonated.
She looked through the crowd of hopefuls and raised an eyebrow. Her disciple was looking around, confused.
Congratulations, Frey, too bad you will have to wait till you're much older, she thought, grinning from ear to ear.