Chapter 25
In the wake of victory
I awoke in the infirmary room of Sanctuary. Baker sitting next to the bed in a chair with his head down. His chest rose and fell rhythmically. Shyft snoring on the small couch in the room. Shade was perched on my bedside table, his head tucked under his wing. Uruz who was much smaller than I remember was curled up at the foot of my bed. My stomach growled like I hadn’t eaten in months
"What’s a guy got to do to get something to eat around?" I said weakly as I sat up in bed.
"Wingless you are awake." Shade said loudly
Uruz moved up the bed to sit looking at me her emerald eye happy. "Master, I’m so happy you are ok." Baker looked up and jumped out of his seat and swatted Shyft's foot making him wake up.
"Dude, you had us worried bruh." Baker said
"How are you feeling Wing?" Shyft asked after shaking off the rude wake up.
"Hungry. How long was I out? What happened after I passed out?" I asked
"You have been out for a week man. We had the docs here working overtime to figure out what happened. They couldn’t figure it out. More of that later. Can you walk? Shyft asked and then helped me stand and kept near incase I needed help. I started walking slowly. We headed out of the hospital to the mess hall. Many people gave me well wishes and expressions of joy that I was fine.
We entered the mess hall dusk light was coming in through the windows and the hall was empty minus Allie and her crew. They were remorsefully looking into their beers when Clint looked up at the approaching steps. His eyes widened
"Wingless, you’re awake, I’m glad you are ok. You are ok, yes?" he said breaking the others out of their own worlds. Allie stood and hugged me.
"You scared the shit out of us. " She said and lightly hit my chest as she let go.
"Sorry about that. It’s been a week, so I’ve been told, why are you all still here. Wont you get in trouble." I asked
"Well actually, our leadership saw the whole battle through our recording devices, and they were so impressed by Sanctuary, that we have been made intermediaries between The Organization and Sanctuary. So we are free to work with you and be here as long as we are welcomed. They also sent this, Baker and Shyft refused to open it till you were better." she handed me a sealed envelope. It was heavy and thick.
I placed it on the table and sat down. Baker disappeared into the kitchen. A happy scream echoed, and the kitchen door burst open as Liana came running out. She ran up and hugged me as well
"Master Wingless, I’m so happy you are ok. Are you hungry? Of course, you are it’s been a week, Ill fix you all something special." She said, tears in her eyes. She quickly disappeared into the kitchen. Soon a gorgeous roast beef dinner with a veggie medley, some honey butter biscuits, and a new blackberry and horehound beer they had dubbed Spectre's Ale was laid before us. A small plate for Shade and a full-sized plate for Uruz was also brought. After the first bite, those of us that have energy, felt a slight bolstering to our energy pools. The others just looked extremely happy with the food, but I noticed small scars and defects slowly disappear from each of them. Even Allie, who was gorgeous, her skin had a healthier glow. I looked over at Liana and she smiled happily. "I found what my awakened gift is. I’m an alchemist. It surprisingly mixes with my cooking all so well. Now I can make dishes that will bolster, protect, heal, cure, and calm. We can make pre and post battle or mission dinners mandatory, that way everyone is at their best."
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"Wow congratulations, it is a wonderful ability." I said and he others also offered congratulations. Allie and her crew were a little confused and envious. I was the only one to see those looks.
“Seeing as you folks are going to be pseudo members of Sanctuary, how about we talk more about these powers and discuss seeing if you have the potential to awaken.” I said to Allie and the others. They immediately got wide eyed, and Cliff was the first to speak up.
“Wait you mean we would be able to become like you all? We don’t have to be changed or dabble in demonic rites or whatever?” He said excited but nervously as he looked over at some of our numbers that still had the marks of the Onclave.
“Well Cliff, yes and no. You do have to have the potential, which is caused by having energy in your body or by infusion of energy which was a byproduct of the ritualistic nature of the Onclave. It will surprise you to know there are a lot of humans that have supernatural blood running in their veins. Bloodlines kept dormant and unable to flourish due to the dark ages. We can test you and see if that is the case. If it isn’t we can come up with a way to either infuse you with energy safely and without the need for what they did, or we can make sure you are geared and outfitted with the best arcanium gear thus making you on par with a beginner Awakened.” I answered to him but all of them were looking very interested.
“How does this testing work exactly?” Allie asked intrigued. I look at Baker and Shyft
Shyft jested back
“You know having a mental conversation about us while we are looking at you is rude.” Allie stated
“How did you know that is what was happening?” I asked
“You guys always get this pensive look when “talking” to each other.” She answered crossing her arms
“Fair enough, you really are incredible perceptive and very smart Allie. Let’s get you all tested.” I said reaching out my hand to Allie. “Give me your hand Allie. Cliff and Roger, Baker will test you. Bianca and Steve, you are with Shyft.”
“No problem.” Said Roger
“Ok….” Said Bianca
“Copy that.” Both Steve and Cliff said
Allie took my hand and started to stand when I pulled her back to sit. I slowly started to spread energy from my hand into hers. For a few minutes nothing happened, and then Allie’s hand started to get a small glow like a like evergreen in color. I pushed some sensory magick into her body and was surprised to find that she was of the Elven bloodline like Jasper, but has the nature of Wood, an offshoot of Floura magic making her versatile in a few areas of magick. I let go of her hand and smiled
‘Well Allie good news you have Awoken and you are some combination of Human and Elf. Seems you have the energy nature of Wood. Once you have developed some you will come into what that means for your abilities but until then you will get a boost to all physicality, and you will start to gain more and more energy as you grow.” I said congratulating her
Baker and Shyft quickly finished with the others and out of the 4 only 2 had potential to awaken this way, Cliff and Bianca. Cliff was a fire user and Bianca a wind user. Steve looked relieved but Roger looked a little depressed.
“Hey now this isn’t anything bad you just need to be infused with energy. We will work on a way to help with that if you like or like I said we can arm you with items that will allow you to be close to their newly acquired parameters.” I said trying to ease their disappointment.
“I am fine with the weapons and armor. I’m not sure I want to be changed just for more ability.” Steve said, “No offense guys.” He added
“None taken man.” My brothers and I all said at the same time.
“Well now that that is done, we will get you three with Doran in the morning and he will get you your arcanium weapons and new gear. Roger if you are willing to try a few things we can attempt to help you awaken, and Steve you will be the most outfitted, but it will be worth it. Now I am going to bed” I said getting up to call it a night
I excused myself. All the food and everything that had I was tired. I slowly made my way to my room with Shade flying overhead and Uruz at my right. We entered my room. I laid down in my hammock finally comfortable and immediately fell asleep.