It has been six days since Nathan arrived at the Phankard families farm. He has been slowly learning about his temporary home world. He was lucky enough that Peter had his bi-anual check up with the Agriculture guild tomorrow, and was allowed to go with Peter to see for himself how the Essence Orb and everything worked.

Marcilio and Nathan have grown closer, their constant questioning of each other, learning more about each other. Nadiel and the rest of the family started to join in, including Zizi.

Her favorite questions always involved the giant flying machines or boats that could transport hundreds of people.

Nadiel and Peter wanted to know as much as they could about the farming and foods from Nathan’s world, taking great interest in the power of a microwave.

“So, a tiny box, bounces around energy that too much could kill a man, to warm up food for people quickly?” Peter asked.

“Correct, but don’t worry too much about the killing part. If someone wanted you dead, using a microwave is at the bottom of that long list.”

“No wait, I thought you were going to explain horsepower that has nothing to do with horses today?” Nadiel butted in.

“Son, who cares about horsepower. Imagine not having to go inside to eat soup! We could bring it with us when we travel to visit your cousins and have a warm meal on the go!”

Nadiel’s eyes widened at the thought of a warm meal while traveling.

Nathan couldn’t stop himself from smiling at their innocence. “I’ll avoid telling them it’s attached to the wall for now.”

The farming family wasn’t the only one interested in another world's unique ways of life. Today, there was going to be a performance in Twin Oaks for the public to watch. El and Peter told Nathan it would have a slew of people using magic to tell the story. So he could get to see more of it first hand. The free food that would be given out was just a small bonus.

Before the sun started to set, Nathan found himself in a large crowd, sitting on a small bench and waiting for the show to start. The Guards have started to call him Uncle Nathan in response to his claim as being Peter’s brother.

Nathan took a glance at his pretend brother, sneaking a peak at the almost fully healed scab on his arm. Peter claimed that was his slightly improved Constitution. The ability to heal some wounds a little quicker than others.

Nathan wanted to believe the man, but at the same time was suspicious. Hopefully tomorrow he could get more answers as to how all of that worked.

A man walked onto the stage, lit up by a few glowing balls of light. The crowd got really quiet.

“Everyone, we thank you for showing up. Seeing so many brilliant faces gives me and my family tingles of joy. We always enjoy stopping by this city during our travels to perform for you all. Today we are going to be sharing a story about two brothers, and learning what really matters to them.”

The man threw something at the ground, and his entire outfit changed. He was now wearing a purple robe and a white mask. His voice seemed to be closer, but softer spoken. Nathan swore the man was right next to him as he spoke.

“We find ourselves in the far away city of Kornel City.” The curtain pulled away to show a house with two men inside. On the left a man was painting, on the right a man was sculpting marble. The first man wore a Green Snake mask, while the one on the right wore a Red Fox mask.

“There were a pair of rival artists: Brath The Adroit and Torme The Crafty.” Each man waved, Brath wearing the green mask, and Torme wearing the red one.

“These two artists both grew up here since they were but babes. This city was known for its beauty and wonder.”

The stage seemed to shift into a viewpoint of someone looking down from a mountain peak. Showing the natural sprawling land. Rolling hills, a rushing river, and dots of color from flowers.

“Yet, even in this city filled with the most beautiful sights, Brath and Torme were both regarded as the greatest artists the city had ever known!”

A flock of people both swarmed over Brath and Torme equally. Both of them showing off their art, and either giving it away or selling it to people. Every now and the, the two would take glances at the other in envy.

“People would travel for weeks just for a glimpse of their works! But despite, or perhaps because of, their great talents, they grew to hate each other. Over time, they considered the other to be their greatest rival.”

Both the men started to create more elaborate or grand works of art. Nathan couldn’t believe the magic he saw. Physical objects seemed to form in thin air, or come to life and walk on and then back off stage.

Chunks of material would fly above them with no wires or strings, to show the crazed speed the two worked.

“At any opportunity, they would attempt to one up the other. When Brath created a sculpture so life like some wondered if it even was alive, Torme painted a painting a work of art so beautiful that emperors and kings almost waged war for it.”

“When Torme wrote a song so lovely that the entire city fell silent when he sang it, Brath directed a play so moving that for weeks, there was no crime!”

“But tragedy is not limited to art and much too soon, Brath fell ill. Torme took the opportunity of his rivals weakness, and continued to create work of art after work of art. He was working so hard that he failed to realize Brath passed away.”

“When he heard the news, Torme celebrated! For he could claim the title as the greatest artist of all!”

The stage showed Torme standing on a pedestal, more and more people surrounding him, and his works of art.

“Time went on, and Torme continued to create wonderful works of art. But as time passed, he slowly started to lose his motivation. He no longer felt the need, or even desire, to pain, sing, sculpt, or even create. And when an entire month went by when he created no art, he finally realized why that was.”

The stage scene moved to Braths grave.

“His rivalry with Brath is what gave meaning to his works. Without his rival, then why create anything? He didn’t do it for the people. He didn’t create art simple because he could. Without his rival, then why create anything at all? Who was there to prove what he was doing was his best?”

“Four months passed after that, Torme grew ill himself, and soon passed away. The city mourned his passing for days. But in the afterlife, Torme found Brath waiting for him, halfway done with a painting.”

“Brath looked at Torme and smiled. ‘Come Brother. We have eternity here, and I have a head start.”

The scene ended with the two of them returning to where the play started, in the room on opposite sides. Nathan had to wipe away a tear from not the story, but how it was portrayed to him.

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The use of magic to depict emotions in a physical way was not something Nathan had ever expected to see. It was truly beautiful, along with the story itself.

Nathan made idle chatter with a few close by people about the event, before he was dragged away by El. Dale was asleep in his carry on her pack.

“I’m surprised the little guy didn’t wake up the entire time.” Nathan commented.

“You didn’t realize? The Storyteller used an ability so only the people who wanted to listen could hear. Nobody who wasn’t watching could hear anything at all.” Elderade said.

“No way, that’s impossible!” Nathan said, refusing to believe such a thing can be easily done with magic. “You can’t make sound only travel toward certain people. It travels outward in all directions. There was no way I could hear it, but Dale couldn’t. I am sure the guards could hear it as well even this far away.”

Peter shook his head. “I figure you would learn by now Nathan. Magic is always the answer.”

Nathan groaned and rubbed at his eyes. He hated that answer. “It is, but does not explain the ‘how’. How does a spell allow for only targeted people who want to hear the play hear it? How does it know? Is it the person casting the spell? Is it the spell itself? Does it only work if the person started to want to listen? Could they stop at any time?”

Nathan continued his line of questions and stopped as the family tried to stifle a laugh at him. “Nate, that’s something a Mage would have an answer for, or anybody who studies specific types of magic. You could learn the spell yourself and figure it out, although that would require joining the Bard’s Guild more than likely.”

“Ugh, fine. But I swear, if I learn magic, I am going to get these answers.”

“If?” El asked with a raised eyebrow.

“We don’t know if I will be able to become Awakened as you called it. I’m not exactly from this world.”

“We know, but Peter and I have full faith you will be able to. If not, then you are welcomed to work at our farm, until you find a way home that is.”

Nathan nodded, his thanks not needed to be said. As they traveled to their home, using a torch Peter and Marcilio carried to light the path, Nathan heard a loud screech that wasn’t human.

Everyone stopped and Nadiel gasped. “The animals! That was Sneezy!” Nathan was confused, but when Nadiel darted forward toward their home, everyone else took off after them.

“Go, you three. I’ll bring Zizi and Dale right behind you.” Peter said, taking the baby from his wife.

Nathan and Marcilio were able to keep pace with each other, but El darted ahead of them, going almost three times faster. It was only a couple more moments before she out ran Nadiel.

As they got closer, Nathan could heal growls and a lone howl. “Shit, it’s wolves.” Marcilio gaps between breaths as they ran.

“Follow me to the shed. We got a couple weapons in there. Mom probably already has her bow.”

It was another seven minutes of running, and Nathan was glad to have his young body. He wouldn’t have made it five steps without it if he was still just as old. The two of them soon caught up to Nadiel, and all three of them turned to see a pack of wolves surrounding the barnyard.

“Shit, that’s a lot!” Nadiel said. Marcilio was too focused to remind his brother for not cursing.

They ran to the open shed and each grabbed a weapon. An axe for Marcilio, a spear for Nathan, and a shovel for Nadiel. Nathan saw the quiver and bow were missing from the rack. Showing that El was already there. A high pitched yelp from a wolf further confirmed that.

They headed toward the farmhouse, Nathan gripping his weapon with white knuckles. He saw a figure jump high in the air and land on the roof of the farm. Arrow after arrow was launched down to the pack of wolves. Only a couple missed their moving targets.

“Boys! Stay back! It’s an Alpha Pack!” El screamed.

Sadly, her shouts caused a couple wolves to look around and two wolves saw them. Nathan held the spear in front of him, having no clue what he could do against a wolf, let alone two.

“Nate and Nady. You two fight one. I got the other.” Marcilio ordered right before the two wolves rushed them.

Nadiel took his shovel and tried to whack the wolf in the head, but missed. The wolf took the moment to jump at Nathan.

Nathan stepped back and jumped to the side to dodge, yet the wolf still was able to rake his claws over Nathan's leg. Letting out a scream, he turned and stabbed at the wolf with his spear, but completely missed.

Distracted by Nathan, the wolf received a shovel to it’s back, causing it to fall to the ground. Nadiel wacked it over and over not giving it a chance to get up.

Nathan winced from his leg pain, but started to stab down with his spear. Giving out a scream while doing so, five stabs later, Nathan was huffing and puffing. He took a glance over to Marcy and saw he and the wolf looked bad.

Nadiel didn’t hesitate and rushed to help his brother. Nathan took a glance at El who was now in melee with a dagger and short sword. “Where did she get those?” Nathan asked.

The two weapons were a purple metal, slightly glowing in the moonlight. He watched in amazement as El danced between wolves, not even taking a single hit. Nathan shook his head and went to go help her.

She took but a fraction of a moment to glare at Nathan. The look was different from the motherly one he has grown accustomed to. This was a look of someone who is fighting till all who oppose her are dead.

It was the look of a warrior.

Nathan instinctively knew not to go near her or the wolves, and doubled back to help Marcy and Nady. But by the time he got there, the second wolf was dead.

“Are you both arlight?” Nathan asked.

Nadiel gave a thumbs up while Marcilio nodded. “Yea, bastard got me a couple of times, but didn’t expect a shovel to his head. Good job you two.”

Their short victory was soon ended, as a larger wolf ran from the treeline toward the three boys.

“NOOO!” El shouted, unable to get to them in time.

Everything happened in slow motion for Nathan. The giant fur missile came at them faster than he could expect. Nathan felt a hand push him backwards and he saw Nadiel was pushed as well.

Soon a wall of gray filled his vision where Marcilio was standing.