Over the next month, Zerine trained and had classes. The classes became tedious for Zerine, who just wanted to keep training. Sure, it left her exhausted, but at least it felt like she was making progress, then just sitting in class doing work she already read about or even had done ahead of time. To make it worse, Varino had to stay in the household while Zerine was in class. Varino would come to say goodbye and be there when they left class waiting with one of the household members or her father. They would update one another about their day on the way home while talking with Shara and Naro.
During this time, the ambient magic in the region had grown, reaching a point that even Zerine could sense there was a difference. Mostly, she recognized that her ambient magic training was easier. Instead of feeling like she had run a mile, it felt more akin to her doing a quick jog. As the energy grew, so did Zerine’s excitement for the Emerald Sky festival, which was rapidly approaching.
Varino woke Zerine, lightly tapping her head.
“wha-?” Zerine mumbled.
Varino chittered and whistled.
“The intersection is going to happen this morning,” Zerine murmured, her eyes closed. Her eyes shot open. “Really? Like soon or what? Also, how do you know?”
But Zerine didn’t need Varino to tell her how she knew. She could feel the energy in the air. There was a thrumming in the ambient magic. Just focusing on the ambient magic made her even more awake. It felt like being painlessly shocked as energy shot through her.
Varino chimed, pointing at her closet. She didn’t need her instincts to tell her what Varino meant.
“Yeah, you're right. I’ll get dressed and then we’ll watch the intersection,” Zerine said.
When they left their room, Ava was coming down the hall with a large platter. The aroma of cooked eggs and pastries washed over Zerine, who perked up.
“Ah, dear, you're up early. We were going to wake you up when the intersection was closer,” Ava said.
“Varino woke me up because it felt close,” Zerine said, Varino chiming a good morning to Ava.
“Morning Varino, well come to the study. Raith, Gary and your father are there, and you’ll see what he we set up yesterday. It will give a perfect view of the sky changing,” Ava said, leading Zerine down the hall.
They entered a room that was more of a small library than a study. Glow stones floated in the air, lighting the room with a warm golden glow.
“When can I come here alone and read all these books?” Zerine wondered.
Ava chuckled. “Hmm, when you're fourteen, does that sound good?” Zerine sighed but nodded. “Good. Now the intersection won’t happen for probably an hour or two, but if that changes, we will get the others up.”
When they stepped out onto the balcony, Zerine heard the rumbling of conversations. She gasped as the courtyard had a flat structure that matched the height of the study’s balcony. A piece of wood with a railing led to the large structure. The entire household was awake and getting ready to watch the intersection. Although as she looked around, it appeared that none of the other children were up.
Zerine looked out towards the ocean as she followed Ava on to the structure. The sun had only started to rise based on how the horizon was slowly brightening.
“Morning kiddos,” Gary said. He was sitting on what Zerine would describe as a small couch to fit his enormous frame.
“Morning all,” Zerine said cheerfully, echoed by Varino with a whistle.
“Up early huh,” Callahan said, taking the large plater Ava had brought placing it on a long table laden with food and drinks.
“Yeah,” Zerine said, distractedly. Her gaze was still on the horizon, which had swirls colors instead of the greyish blue one would expect at this point in the morning. As she watched, arching red and green lightning shot across the sky.
“There is still plenty of time before it will happen,” Raith said. Zerine absentmindedly nodded.
Varino whistled, getting Zerine’s attention.
“Yeah, let’s play a board game while we wait,” Zerine said.
Soon Zerine, Willow, Umbra and Varino were playing a game similar to chess, but for four people. The goal was twofold: control the center by having a piece stay there, not in danger of being taken, while also trying to take out the other players’ pieces. They played it by using only ambient magic to move the pieces around. Zerine and Varino had made playing games like this as their primary way to practice ambient magic control.
Zerine had improved her ambient magic control over the month. She had triumphed over that evil pebble and moved to a devious rock barely able to levitate it. With more effort, she could move smaller objects a short distance, which is how Zerine brow furrowed, moved one of her pieces, taking one of Willow’s pieces out before it reached the middle.
The wisp blinked.
“She did a perfectly valid move,” Umbra commented. Varino, laying down on her cloud, chimed in agreement.
“Your move Varino,” Zerine said.
With a peep, Varino moved her piece, taking out one of Zerine’s pieces.
“Hey, I thought we had an agreement,” Zerine half complained.
Varino whistled teasingly.
“Ah, the betrayal,” Zerine said, clutching her chest. Varino chimed and burble, which made Umbra and Zerine laugh, while Willow flickered.
Ava watched the group playing, shaking her head with a smile.
“At least she is practicing and having fun,” Callahan said.
“Yeah, I’m just happy that her training and hard work are paying off,” Ava said.
“She is still has plenty of hard work ahead, but is making steady progress,” Raith said.
They were all sitting around a small table a little away from the group playing their game.
“Belvina said she noticed something while working with Zerine,” Gary commented.
“Really, what?” Callahan wondered.
Gary shrugged. “You should ask her. She worked with Zerine on some fighting stances and said something about Zerine having like a sixth sense, but she didn’t go further.”
“We already know she has something that allows her to understand Varino instinctually,” Ava said.
“Yeah, that’s why I am not sure,” Gary said.
They all froze as the ambient magic became noticeably denser.
“Time to get the littles up,” Raith said.
“Yep, less than an hour, that is certain,” Callahan said, getting up with Ava, heading to the balcony.
When they returned, Ava was carrying a sleepy Estel in her arms. Naro headed towards Zerine after waving to Raith and Gary. Callahan had more food on a platter, which he offloaded on to the long table. The household conversation was getting louder as anticipation grew.
Soon it was time. The sun was low in horizon, but the sky was a shining light on to its own. Colorful lightning shot across the sky, a glimmering aurora twisted and swirled filling the sky. Sparkling lights like stars ebbed and flowed, matching the pulse of the ambient magic.
Zerine was on Ava’s shoulders, with Varino sitting on her head. Callahan had Estel on his shoulders, while Gray had Naro hosted on to one shoulder and Shara on the other. They all watched in awe as the incredible display continued.
“It’s about to happen,” Ava said.
A moment later, a blazing emerald star appeared on the edge of the horizon out shinning the Sun. Streaks of emerald shot across the sky. There was a blinding flash as the entire sky turned emerald. Sparkling multicolored motes of light fell from the sky like snow.
“Oh, wow!” Zerine said in awe. She reached her hand up to a tiny spark of light and felt the tingly sensation from the magic as it touched her skin.
Bells rang out throughout the city, followed by a verity of fireworks. A cheer went up from the household.
“Let's party!” Gary roared, carrying a laughing Naro and Shara along with him as he headed to a growing group, dancing as music started playing.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
“Let's go, Varino!” Zerine said as Ava put her down. With an ecstatic chime Varino and she ran towards the dancing group.
“With this and the moons entering the phase of renewal, a new era begins,” Ava said, leaning against Callahan.
“That’s an old tradition,” he replied after kissing her cheek.
“Hmm, and yet the dragons and fairies still follow it,” Ava said.
“Fair point, but instead of worrying about what a new era means,” he paused and moved away, holding his hand out to her. “May I have all the dances to come?”
“Always,” she said, taking his hand with a laugh. “But you will have to fend off Ratih or Zerine if they ask,” she teased.
Callahan laughed.
***
The city celebrated for two days before everything went back to a new normal. The port was bustling, ships coming and going landed with an assortment of magical materials, items, and more from the ley line intersection. This also meant the entire household was extremely busy, not just doing administrative work, but many would go out as mage escorts for the vessels to ensure they didn’t get attacked or to attack monsters. Callahan and Ava were especially busy, as they were leading the fight against monsters that spawned because of the change in magical density.
A verity of quintessence, catalysts, and rare materials flooded the market. This was such a massive boon for the city that it was all anyone was talking about.
***
“With the ley line affecting the region’s magic, who can tell me about how and why monsters spawn?” priestess Ai asked the class, looking around. Her gaze fell upon Zerine, who was looking out the window, her note-taking crystal hovering over her hand. She was clearly practicing ambient magic control instead of focusing on class.
“Zerine, how about you explain?” Ai asked.
The crystal fell to Zerine’s palm.
“Hmm, monsters spawn due a verity of reasons. Some based on the environment, like undead or specters, rise in areas where innocent people were killed or sacrificed. Many monsters spawn from lay lines and take on similar forms to natural creatures, and that is because all creatures are composed of magic. The theory is that life’s energy influences the ley lines in some manner. This influence then leads to monsters spawning from that energy.”
Priestess Ai smiled. “Good, but you are also forgetting about the world beyond ours. This realm is where summons come from. Some creatures may find a breach and enter our world, and they can cause havoc when they do. The main difference between creatures and monsters is that we can actually call all monsters energy vampires. They require magical energy to live and kill anything and everything they can to absorb the energy. Now who can tell me how quintessence factors into-”
The lesson went on and Zerine went back to practicing ambient magic control. She wanted to extend how long she levitated an item. Her gaze went back out the window. The emerald sky was incredible. She only wished that her parents and the entire household were less busy, but they were doing important things, she was certain. Zerine smiled to herself, looking forward to tomorrow’s day of training, where she would be able to actually see her parents.
***
Callahan swore as a beam of energy bore down on them, shoving waves out of its path.
“Seli, protect the ship,” he thought to his familiar. He only got a confirmation feeling in return.
He gathered energy, then released his own beam of energy. The two spells collided, creating an enormous explosion blasting water high into the sky. The barrier around the ship flared to life, absorbing energy from the blast wave.
“That is certainly a gold rank monster,” Callahan muttered.
With a step, Callahan appeared in a gust of wind floating above the ocean. The water was rough, with no signs of the creature.
“It scarpered!?” Callahan said, surprised. He did not like the fact that this monster was smart enough to flee. He couldn’t even pick it up with his senses.
“Hmm,” he grumbled, annoyed, but flew back to the ship.
Better check in with Falkor when we get back. He and his flight should be in the area by now, he thought, landing on the deck.
***
Zerine’s fist lashed out, hitting the leather bag with a satisfying thud.
“Good,” Umbra said. He was holding the bag. Just like the rest of the household, Gary was out helping with intersection cultivation, so Umbra had filled in, while Ratih continued magical training with the others.
“H-how do you even know how to fight hand-to-hand? Your elemental spirit of shadows?” Zerine panted.
“When you live as long as I have and been to many places, you pick things up. But now let’s run a drill,” Umbra replied.
“And somehow your training is harder than Gary or my dad,” she grumbled, but got ready.
“Because they don’t know what I know,” Umbra remarked. “Drill three and four combined.”
“And, that, is?” Zerine asked, releasing a breath every move.
“They don’t know just how often or how long you actually practice. Every morning and before you go to bed. If you find yourself bored, you end up doing some sort of training,” Umbra said.
Zerine nearly stopped, but moved, landing a solid kick on the leather bag.
“I have not spied on you, but Varino is very talkative,” Umbra answered before she could ask.
After running the drill, a panting Zerine stood with her hands overhead.
“Why is Raith here and not out like everyone else?”
“She is a rather rare type for a healer. She can regenerate limbs and, with her most powerful spell, save someone from the brink of death or, if done soon enough, after death reviving them.”
Zerine starred in utter shock at the shadowy figure.
“I didn’t know she was one of those types of healers.”
“Yep, she has already had to regenerate limbs for several people who were attacked a week ago. There was some sort of flying creatures with lamprey like teeth and you can probably guess what happened.” Zerine shuttered. “But so far, it has gone rather smoothly. Especially noteworthy since the entire household has been working towards this since before you were born.”
“Really?” Zerine wondered.
“Yes, but time to do thirty burpees. I can cover some history about this region,” Umbra said.
“I already know that this city was named by the first empress. There was some legend that she met the Lord of water out in the ocean. She came to the port while an intersection was going and hence the name,” Zerine said before starting the exercise with a light jump then diving to the ground.
“She renamed the city changing it from the tyrants that had once ruled before she came along and deposed them,” Umbra lectured. “Before the city was pushed on to your family, it went through phases of boom and bust. Every time the intersection came and went, this cycle would occur. What the greedy and power hungry see from an intersection isn’t something that helps rejuvenate magic and life in the region, but the chance to obtain riches and power.”
“But there are laws about balancing out what can be taken,” Zerine said before starting to do more burpees.
“Well, that is the reason the position of baron was open. Merchants and nobles would take as much as they could and leave with the wealth and power. They left behind the city and region to recover for them just to come back and do it all over again.” Umbra’s shadowy form moved, pulling out a wooden sword. “Your father broke the pattern. With the help of everyone in the household, fields are prosperous, spirits have come back, and more. The intersection will be around for a few years, but if everything keeps on track, then the region will only continue to improve.”
“I never knew,” Zerine gasped, finishing the last burpee.
“Now you know why this is so important for your family. But enough history. Time for sword practice.”
***
“Alright, who is ready for your first sparring match with magic?” Raith asked, which got excited cheers from three. “Good, Varino, you get to choose first who you will fight.”
Varino cheered, pumping her fists in the air. She walked over to Naro, putting her hands to her hips and burbled a challenge. Naro looked like Raith was asking him to kick a puppy.
He looked pleadingly at Raith, who grinned back. “Go on, accept her challenge.”
“Alright, Varino, but no lightning magic please,” he said, which got bright chimes in response.
“Varino says and I quote, not afraid of a little zappy zappy,” came Umbra’s voice from Raith's shadow, which made Shara and Raith laugh.
“Yes, I don’t like zappy zappy. Zappy zappy can hurt,” Naro grumbled.
“Here,” Raith said, tossing a bracelet to Naro. “Put this on, and a magical barrier will appear around your skin and clothes. If she does enough damage for it to break, she wins. If you break her barrier, you win. You won’t get hurt or feel pain from attacks, so no need to worry about zappy zappy,” Raith said, handing a ring to Varino, who put it around her arm. The ring shrunk, which got an “ooh,” sound from her.
Naro and Varino moved, so there was plenty of space between them.
Naro analyzed Varino. She was small, which at this point in his magical career was an advantage because his accuracy was lacking in some areas. He continued formulating his attack strategy. Meanwhile, the little spirit seeming just waited for the fight to start. She even stretched her arms, an odd gesture that Naro was fairly certain had no effect. After all, her body was made of magical energy.
“Begin!” Raith shouted.
First, Naro gathered energy. He blinked Varino was gone. What? How? He would have to-
A force slammed into his chest and the world spun as Naro went tumbling away, sand flying.
“Wow, Varino, one strike,” Raith said, impressed, while Shara clapped.
“Nice one,” Shara added.
Naro lifted his head, sand falling to the beach. Varino stood a few feet away. She bowed to him, then skipped to Raith.
He got up, brushing himself off. “What happened?” he asked Raith.
“Varino appeared in front of you and did a wind infused jab strike,” Shara said, lightly punching the air as demonstration.
“Here,” Raith said. An image formed in the air, showing Raith’s perspective of the brief bout.
Varino crouched then like a springboard launched herself with a blast of air, sending sand flying behind her. She covered the distance in a moment, landing a tiny punch that was combined with a wall of air that slammed into his chest.
Varino burble and whistled as she sat on a cloud.
“Yeah, you did great,” Raith said. Which got a cheer, two fists in the air.
Naro grinned and bowed to Varino.
“Great match. Next time will be a fight,” he said. He started feeling a tingly from a tiny hand patting his head.
Varino chimed.
“She says she looks forward to it. And this time she had a power advantage because of her absorbing a natural treasure. She is certain next time you will beat her,” Umbra said.
Naro smiled, standing up straight giving Varino a smile. “Well, looks like I get to spar Shara now, right?” he asked.
“Yep, then whoever wins that spars Varino,” Raith said.
***
Later that day, Zerine was with the others, doing ambient magic practice, but reached her limit. Raith made her stop when she began bleeding from the nose, pushing a bit too far past her limit. So, Raith let Varino and Zerine go off and play, while the others practice more magic.
“Stay on the beach, you two,” Raith called after Zerine and Varino.
“I will send a clone after them,” Umbra said. A shadow detached from Raith’s and shot after the two who were now running down the beach.
Zerine followed Varino soon they had quickly left their group behind. Varino pointed at a large stone outcropping jutting into the ocean and whistled.
“Yeah, let’s go explore that,” Zerine agreed.
While they explored the rock, Varino stopped, peering back at the forest.
“What is it?” Zerine wondered, looking at the forest.
Varino pointed and burble, then jump on to a cloud and started flying to the other side of the rock and towards the forest.
“Wait up!” Zerine called, carefully sliding down the rock before running after Varino.
***
Umbra’s shadow followed the two, but the clone vanished as it passed an unseen barrier.
“Um, Raith,” Umbra said, but at that moment a cry of pain made Raith rush towards Naro.
Naro was clutching his arm, which was bleeding and looked to be broken.
“Sh lad, it’ll be alright. That wind move is difficult, and this isn’t too bad. You will be up and running in a few minutes,” Raith said. Whatever Umba had been saying, completely forgotten. She didn’t notice two more shadows fly off towards the direction that Zerine and Varino had gone.
***
Zerine followed Varino into the forest. Varino's chimes seemed to say that Zerine would find this very interesting. Sometimes Zerine heard breaches break or the sound agitated leaves ahead of them. She followed Varino a little way into the forest, enough so that all she could hear of the ocean were the louder waves crashing on the beach. Varino slowed her cloud as they came upon a shallow cave carved into a massive boulder.
Varino flew to Zerine’s shoulder, landing lightly, and pointed at the cave chiming.
“Something you followed is there? Is it a dangerous something? Or wha-” Zerine trailed off as a small form emerged from the cave.