Chapter 5

I come to my senses on Talion’s back, my body feeling weak and my head more heavy than usual. Whispers leaking out from all around us, I run magic into my eyes I stare into the crowd. Their murmurs become quiet shouts of surprise as they continue to stare at us, or more accurately me. Attempting to make sense of the situation I begin to listen to the whispers

“Is it that new boy, he got a pair now, how strange.”

“They are the cause of this without a doubt, I’m not sure if I should thank them or strangle them”

“It hurt so bad, I’m surprised that no one died”

Talion continues to drag us deeper into the village towards the elders dwelling, a rather humble abode. Talion carries me in and gently places me on the floor in front of the elder, who is grinning from ear to ear. Turning around I see the rest of our group filter in, Meld, Akalia, Keshat, and Vedoah who is currently seething in rage. Catching her eyes she seems to twitch almost, her glare doubling in strength, I think I made her mad somehow.

“Great Job! Guys you guys really did well!” The elder shouts in joy

“I’m sorry what exactly did we do,” Akalia ask incredibly confused

Sharing her sentiment I nod my head along with her, almost falling forward from the unexpected weight, what is up with my head right now.

“Well, as you guys may have noticed is that boost in power, just check your mana”

“Woah your right! It must have been from that shit the trespasser did” Vedoah yells out surprised.

Clearly, I’m not in the loop of what's going on, but I’m pretty sure I got this power boost too. My eyes don’t feel any strain right now.

“What you guys did was re-establish the connection we had between our ancestral home. By breaking the seal, our bloodline is strengthened” The elder says interrupting my thoughts.

“That is cool an all but why did I get stronger” I state filled with confusion

“Well you must be a Develios of a different tribe” The Elder laughs out “Can’t you tell from your horns and ears boy”

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“Horns and ears?” I slowly grab at my head and feel a smooth pair of horns jutting from my forehead curving up and back on my head. “Why do I have horns?” Grabbing at my ears, a shiver runs down my spine, note very sensitive. They are sharp and elf-like just like the rest of the village. “How long have I had these”

“The ears since you’ve been here, I don’t know how the hell you got those horns!” Vedoah yells clearly upset

“Calm down Ved, ain’t no reason to be mad at the boy for his blessings.” Keshat sharply warns Vedoah

With a quiet grumble she leaves the tent, Akalia full of concern runs after her. Turning my attention to the elder he begins to give a set of plans and actions he’s prepared for us. The elder thinks that soon we should be getting ready to mobilize the village now that we found ‘our’ ancestral home and redevelop it. He knows that it would take a while but still, we should be working towards it. And the elder wants me to begin training myself to be useful.

Walking out of the elder’s house I begin to wander aimlessly around the fortress-like village, admiring its tall wooden walls and odd house style. Very few of the houses are actually on the ground. With the trees being so tall they have a series of houses bridged and connected to larger wooden platforms between trees, the whole thing comprising of 4 total layers. With my sight back it's so easy to see why I need more colors or magic, this place is absolutely beautiful.

Thinking on it now I’m not sure where anything is, I know where Keshats house/clinic is, as well as the elder’s, but everything else is a mystery. I need someone to guide me if I’m going to be living in this village for an extended period. While walking around I once again luckily stumble where I need to be, the training field.

It’s oddly expansive, a spot with dummies for hand to hand combat, a range for those skilled in archery, a few dueling areas to test your skills against others, and finally a weapons area with dummies. Akalia is in deep focus slashing at the training dummies with her wooden sword, occasionally bashing with her shield. A series of complex movements burst out, more like a dance than a gritty fight. Her style is odd like she is trying to open them up to bash with her shield, which I doubt the effectiveness of.

“Why are you just standing there?” Akalia turns toward me interest on her face “Are you gonna train, or just stand there”

“I’m thinking more learn than train, to be honest,” I mumble out

“Well I’d be happy to be your teacher, It’s a great way of checking my own knowledge” Akalia walks over picking up a sword and tossing it to me. “Plus a moving training dummy is rather nice.”

“That's great news, I’m excited to learn something. I don’t have to call you master right?” I ask as I catch the sword by the handle, surprising myself. “Also don’t hit me too hard alright”

“Akalia works just fine, and don’t be a baby.” She yells out while walking towards one of the dueling areas.

Quickly I follow her into the small ring carved out in the dirt. Akalia takes a stance, her sword out in front and her body lined up behind it. She begins to shuffle around almost uncomfortably.

“Stay here I just can’t seem to work out the right style for your size, not to mention I’m not sure where your specialties lie.” She says looking incredibly flustered “Just sit tight for one second I’ll get Talion he’s really good for this kinda stuff” Running off towards the second layer.

I guess a good sword fighter doesn’t mean a great teacher, I’m just glad she is honest about it. Saves a whole lot of time that way. Not to mention that if I learn poor technique I might as well

With my time I decide to begin working with my magic. I begin to search for it deep in my core, that light airy feeling. Sensing it I begin to guide it unsure of what to do I circulate it around my body, first into my legs. With it circulating into my hands, I begin to wave my hands trying to get it to leave my body. After 5 minutes of hopelessly flapping, I move more wind magic into my hands specifically my fingertips, I compress magic into the tips. Feeling my magic swirl powerfully, either my fingers explode or something cool happens. I swing my arm downward and a blade of wind flies out cutting some of the dirt training circle, barely visible from its tint of green. Feeling noticeably drained I sit down on the dirt to catch my breath.

“That boy ain't using no sword” A familiar grumble spit out from behind me “All he’s got going for him is piss poor magic. I think he would be a decent spellcaster.” Talion mumbles out from behind me “Doesn’t really seem built for close-quarter

“I barely know magic at all, and what do you mean not built, I’m tough as rocks”

“Hmm, We’ll see then.”