Interlude

Errrkkkk was overwhelmed by everything Era had shared with him. To finally know his parentage was something he never expected to learn and yet he had been right all those years of his short life. He had always said that if he was meant to know then Era would make it known to him and on that night she had done just that.

Errrkkkk could tell they were nearing the end of their conversation. They both had sat among the soft green grass of Bo’s backyard as they exchanged stories. Era listened intently when he spoke about his life growing up at her temple.

When the dark sky showed signs of the impending dawn he knew his time was just about over. Despite his desire to continue their discussion Errrkkkk had to respect Era’s time. Even with everything he had learned his faith in her as his goddess had only been tempered.

Era rose to her feet and brushed the stray blades of grass and leaves from her long red sundress. After her ministrations she turned her attention to Errrkkkk.

“Errrkkkk, I have one more thing for you. I spoke with your father before coming here. It was only fair that I tell him I was going to meet with you. He is unable to return to this plane of existence so he asked that I give you this.” She said producing a large purple feather.

Errrkkkk looked on in amazement, the feather was as large as his forearm and dazzled in even the slow light.

“Go on, take it. He wanted you to have it.” Era encouraged him,

Errrkkkk reached out and took the feather from Era’s dainty fingers. He immediately felt the wind around him surge and buffet his robes. He felt himself being lifted off the ground and cradled by the wind itself. It was then he heard a voice in his own language.

“My son, I am sorry I cannot join your mother at this time to be there with you. Instead, I have sent this message and gift with her in the form of one of my own feathers. To our people, I am known as the First Wind. As my son, you too are part of the First Wind. It is time you take on your part in what that means for our people. My gift to you is just the beginning. You must journey to the Plane of Air and show your people who you are. Your people need you to save them from what is to come. I love you son, you are and have always been a part of me. Until we reunite, be strong and live free as the wind.”

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He heard the winds as if they were carried on the wind itself. He felt a warmth radiate through him. The wind around him carried him higher and higher as he listened to his father’s words. Errrkkkk watched as his feathers slowly transformed from their usual white to a dark purple. The color bleed from the deepest part of his feathers lightening until it reached the tip which remained nearly white.

The overall transition in color gave his plumage a regal appeal as if he were a king draped in the most expensive clothes. The gradual transition of color gave him the exotic look of a tropical avian that dazzled tourists as they flitted about the trees.

Errrkkkk could feel a power well up within him separate from his ki. The feeling came from deep within his being. He felt a connection to the very air around him as if it were a faithful dog at heel. Unable to contain himself Errrkkkk launched himself into the air.

The wind came to his unconscious call. He flew with an ease that was almost foreign. He soared high above the trees and into the clear sky. He paused at his peak and looked to the east. The bright orange and purple shades of the early dawn nearly took his breath until he realized such a feat was unlikely given his new relationship with the air around him.

“I see your father has granted you a gift.” Era said from behind him.

Before she even spoke Errrkkkk knew she was there. He felt the change in the wind as it moved around her.

“This power is unreal, cacaw.” He said with genuine awe in his words.

Errrkkkk heard Era let out a huff from behind him. It sounded as if she attempted to stifle it, but he was able to catch it.

“If your dad is giving gifts then it is only right your mother grants you a gift as well.”

Era raised her hand to the side. In seconds, Errrkkkk’s staff appeared.

“This staff is from a branch of the tree I blessed at the temple. The tree that I put there so I could keep an eye on my disciples and eventually my son.”

Era ran her hand over the top of the staff, which caused the weapon to glow a faint green. The wood began to wriggle and twist. The staff grew under her tender care. However, instead of simply growing longer. Errrkkkk watched as small branches grew out of the bottom and top.

The staff slowly took the shape of a small tree. The top had grown out like a bonsai tree while the bottom had taken on roots that clung to the tapered base.

She held out the staff for him to take, which he did greedily.

“There you go.” She said with a nod of approval, clearly satisfied with her creation.

Errrkkkk marveled at his new toy like a kid receiving a present on their birthday.

Era raised a finger in caution, “now be careful with that. I have given it a divine connection to nature. It will allow you to draw on the magic of nature itself. I must warn you though, that is a very powerful magic that none other than my Champion ever gains access to in this way.”

At the mention of Champion, Errrkkkk shot to attention.

“Your Champion, cacaw?” He said barely containing himself.

Era giggled, “Of course my son, who better to bear the title?”

The sparkle in Errrkkkk’s eyes was all Era needed to see to know he was elated at her gift.

“What does it do. cacaw?”

Era smiled.

“That is for you to figure out. Happy training, Errrkkkk. Never forget your parents love you and always have.”