Eloken awoke, his head thundering as if it were a drum beaten by the gods themselves, each pulse seemed to orbit around his skull. With age, the aftermath of his nights out had evolved into a more punishing ordeal, each hungover morning feeling as though he'd been stampeded in the furious charge of a great buffalo. The reckless mixing of ale, wine, and schnaps from the night before wove a particularly vicious punishment this time.

Before he got up from his bed, Eloken reached for the Vit from his reserves, administering just a fraction of it from the reserves, and cast a small healing spell to dispel his hangover. As the spell took effect, his vision cleared, and the pounding in his head ceased immediately. He felt rejuvenated as he had slept for five days straight on the cloud. A smile flickered across his face before the memory of last night's encounter with the old woman crept in. That encountered rendered him powerless for a brief moment and that sliver of vulnerability wedged a subtle unease back into his thoughts.

Heaving himself from the bed, Eloken cast a glance toward Dalamir's, expecting to find his friend incapacitated from the heavy drinking. Yet, the bed lay empty, with no sight of Dalamir. Moments later, the door swung open, and Dalamir entered, bearing two mugs from which steam gently curled.

"Aha, the dead stir," Dalamir quipped, offering one of the steaming cups. "Try this tea; They said it puts our coffee to shame."

"Loas tea," Eloken noted, accepting the mug and taking an immediate, appreciative sip. "A preferred morning ritual here," he added with a nod, enjoying another sip.

"By the way how are you standing and in such a good mood if I may notice?" Eloken asked, marveling at Dalamir's ability to avoid hangovers.

"Just a tiny gift from the Gods," Dalamir replied with a grin, "Some are graced with magic, I, on the other hand, can drink anyone under the table without feeling it the next day."

"Lucky indeed," Eloken chuckled. "Not all are so fortunate."

With a nonchalant shrug, Dalamir took another sip of the tea, the taste was too sweet for his taste, he preferred his coffee without any sweeteners. They left their room in search of Yaub and Zoras who were next door. Yaub answered and told them they would meet at the breakfast in ten minutes.

Dalamir and Eloken walked down to the restaurant where there were no clues of last night’s party, the maids had worked their magic in the time they were asleep. They found a secluded table for four and went to check the rich buffet that the Drunken Dragon Inn had to offer. Eloken preferred a strong breakfast after the nights out, he did cure his hangover with the Vis, but some habits never left.

Ten minutes on the clock Yaub and Zoras joined them at the table, “Can you cure my headache?” Zoras asked Eloken.

“I wish I could,” Eloken said with a sorrowful tone.

Some of the people who could channel magic and use Vit powers could dish it to others, normal humans, without any drawbacks. Eloken could only use Vit on himself and heal the wounds on his body. They were still trying to figure out if Eloken could learn to heal others, or if it was something completely different. One of the students at the academy, Irvir, could heal both himself and others.

“Let him suffer,” Yaub said palming Zoras over the back with his large hand. The big man cracked a comically large grin, he loved to tease Zoras at every opportunity he got.

They enjoyed their breakfast in silence, finishing their full plates before going back for refills at the rich buffet.

Once the eating slowed down, Eloken spoke. “Guys I was thinking the whole night and the morning, I have to leave with Haraz for Azarim today.”

“What about the festival? Dalamir asked.

“I was thinking of leaving Yaub in charge of the students and the showcase and bringing you with me.”

Yaub nodded, “It’s not a problem for me.”

“What do you want me to do?” Zoras asked.

“You stay with Yaub and help him out,” Eloken said and glanced toward Dalamir, looking at his expression he could see that Dalamir wasn’t happy with his decision but didn’t say anything.

“Fine,” Dalamir muttered with the last bite from his now empty plate.

“I have a meeting with the Moiran council at noon and with few other representatives and we leave by three,” Eloken said. “I’ll take one of our ships and you return home with the other one if I am not back by the end of the festival.” All of them nodded in agreement.

“Good thing I didn’t unpack fully,” Dalamir said with a passive-aggressive tone and Eloken just gave him a small smile.

Before the meeting with the council Eloken had gone to confirm with Haraz that he would be following him into Azarim today, Haraz was already all packed up and ready to leave and they agreed that Haraz would wait for him at the port in Azarim sometime late in the night.

The Island of Moire never had a king or a single ruler in its history, they were governed by a council of thirteen people all history. Thirteen council members were selected each three years from various castes of the society including members from military folk to ordinary citizens and merchants. Each of the council members was the main chairman for one of the months, rotating like that for three years, each of them got to be chairman three times. The chairman didn’t have any executive functions but was the main representative in the meetings with the other nations in that given month, the council still had to vote on the matter before any decision was made.

The council members were closely watched during their mandate and it was not uncommon throughout the history of the island for some of them to get removed from the council before their mandate was up because they were bribed by foreign administrators. So in the recent few years, councils were almost impossible to bribe or nudge to your side.

They resided in one of the oldest buildings in the heart of Thalasyn, only a short walk away from Drunken Dragon Inn. Eloken made his way there navigating the main streets and seeing the aftermath of the festival’s wild night.

In front of the large council building, there were dozens of royal guards, to Eloken’s luck one of them was the commander from the port, Galam. Eloken approached the entrance and two guards crossed their large spears blocking his path before Galam approached.

“State your business foreigner,” He said as if he didn’t recognize Eloken from the day before.

“Hello Mr. Galam, commander of the Royal Guard,” Eloken said formally, but in a condescending voice. “I have a meeting with the council at noon.”

“Let me check,” Galam said and went inside the building.

Moments later he returned and gestured towards the guards to let him in. “You came here to get for financial aid like most of the foreigners?” Galam asked for Eloken to go in front of him before he patted him down for hidden weapons.

“Quite the contrary, dear commander,” Eloken said.

The commander just shot him a look and called for one of the assistants to show Eloken the room the council resided in. He was told to wait before one of the foreign ambassadors, from Elidor, finishes his meeting and then to walk in. Luckily he didn’t have to wait long before an ambassador from Elidor in their recognizable purplish gowns walked out and nodded in curtsey to him.

Once inside the large room with a high ceiling and marbled stone pillars, Eloken took a stand in the middle of the room, where in the ground carved inside the shining tiles was a literal circle.

“State your name and business,” the Current chairman of the council said, a dark-skinned bald man with a neatly trimmed goatee and a friendly smile that didn’t match his rough tone.

“I am Eloken, founder of the Academy of Magic. But you may know me better by my family name, Thormwol, son of Mythral and Calla” Eloken said channeling his most formal voice. “I come on behalf of Isari Kingdom, our King sends his best regards and wishes but unfortunately he could not attend this year's festival and this meeting and for that, he is truly sorry.”

“Ahh Mythral’s little boy,” One of the older council members chimed in. “You’ve made quite the ruckus on the Continent, we hear.” He said in a shaky voice. “Can’t say we blame you, but still, your reputation precedes you. But if you are half as man as your father was, we owe it to you to listen to your request, what is it you want on behalf of your kingdom?”

Eloken didn’t like when others mentioned his father, but this man at least had a high opinion of him, so he composed himself and said, “I came here today before you, to offer you my protection in turn for greater trade margins and a large quantity of Titanwood.”

First quiet chuckles started, then full-on laughter engulfed the large oval room. Council members couldn’t contain themselves over the Eloken’s offer. “Settle down, settle down,” The chairman said.

Finally, the laughter died down and the chairman addressed Eloken.

“That’s quite the offer Mister Eloken, but why would we need your protection, the Island of Moire was never conquered and has been standing proudly for over two centuries, what protection do we need from you is beyond me?” Chairman said.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Sorry I never caught your name,” Eloken said catching the chairman off guard.

“I don’t see how that’s relevant?” The chairman said. “But it’s Reoryn.”

“Chairman Reoryn,” Eloken continued. “I am guessing you have heard about the appearance of the magic in the past year?” He asked but then continued without waiting for an answer. “And as most people, you are most likely afraid of it, but also slightly curious. I know some people are still denying magic completely, there might be some amongst you, so let me demonstrate it briefly for you.”

Eloken said, and the council members tensed a little bit. Four guards that stood at the door must have interpreted it as a threat as they straightened their weapons and postures. Eloken took a few steps to the side, walking close to one of the large marble stones, and channeled a quick spell using the Vis that was running through him. He drew his hand back and in a quick motion he punched the large marble stone and it broke in half.

Shock and awe painted over the council member faces and the four guards that were inside the council room rushed towards him, before yelling for help from the outside. Eloken casted another spell using his Vis source, this time enchanting his speed and in quick fluid motions moving almost four times faster than the average human disarmed the four Royal Guards. Before anyone else could enter he dashed towards the large wooden doors and jammed one of the spears in the door handles.

After the initial confusion guards rushed Eloken, he took all four spears from them, but they had their side weapons ready. Eloken renewed his haste spell and disarmed the first three guards with ease, using their holsters to tie their hands in the process. He left the fourth guard alone before turning to him and spreading his arms wide. The guard swung his machete at Eloken and struck him between shoulder and neck. A moment of silence took over the large room but was broken by the sound of shattering machete once it collided with Elokens skin.

In the moment he was jamming the spear into a large door, Eloken had touched the Titanwood the door was made of, and using Exo he turned his skin into the tensity of the famous Moiran wood.

Once he tied the last soldier he took one of the spears and tossed it with incredible precision hitting a depiction of Dragon right above the council member, who was the previous High Commander of the Royal Guard. All of the council members stood from their chairs unsure if they should run or attack Eloken, fear of the unknown painted over their faces.

Eloken rose his hands above his head in a surrender motion. “Calm down and sit. If I wanted to hurt you I would have already done that.” He said in his calmest possible voice trying to de-escalate the situation. “This was just a quick demonstration so we don’t waste time before you start taking me seriously.”

“You can’t just attack us like this and expect for us to listen to you,” Reoryn said. “We don’t react well to threats.”

“Chairman Reoryn, as I said this is not an attack, but rather a quick demonstration,” Eloken said, smugness breaking through his voice. “I just disarmed four of your Royal Guards in the middle of your city and took thirteen of you hostages without breaking a sweat, so just listen to me I mean you no harm, if we can’t reach an agreement, we can’t so be it.”

Reoryn sat down and gave Eloken the podium. “The times are changing and you should be with them. Your Island stood proudly for almost two centuries because of your policies and rigorous controls, but I just passed all those controls and here I am. Yes, we turned our weapons away, but you didn’t count on one thing, I am the weapon now.” Eloken said with a devious smile, proud of the way council members were watching him in awe, shock, and terror all at the same time.

“And I brought eight of my students with me, who are not as proficient as I am yet, but they can do damage on their own.” Eloken continued addressing the council, looking at each of their expressions trying to gauge what they felt. “So your ways won’t work for too long, as more and more people are starting to get touched by one of the sources and we all know you can’t completely shut off your island to the visitors. Even if you do I believe that your cliffs won’t hold off the people for much longer. There are already individuals that can jump as high as those cliffs already, possibly even shatter them.” Eloken spoke gesturing with his hands along the way.

“Now don’t get me wrong, and I hope I make myself clear enough, I do not threaten you, and nor will I or Isari empire ever invade you. I have too much respect for you because of everything my father ever spoke about your island and there is too much history between our two people to even consider that.” Eloken now spoke in a slower pace and more friendly tone.

“So what are you saying?” The older council member said.

“I am guessing as most of the mainland, you still don’t know much about magic, do you?” Eloken asked.

The council members shook their hands up and down, “Right, so I am willing to share all of the information we already have on it and the things we learn along the way. We are still far away from understanding it fully, I believe we barely scratch the surface, but I have almost five years head start compared to almost everyone.” Eloken continued his monologue.

“Hmm,” Reoryn started relaxing a little bit as Eloken slowly de-escalated the room. ”That’s something we might be interested in.” The rest of the council nodded in agreement, but before Eloken could continue the former High Commander of Royal Guard spoke.

“I would be lying if I said that was not one of our concerns,” The man said in a straight military voice. “But what you are offering doesn’t seem nearly enough.”

“Of course, it’s not,” Eloken said in agreement. “That’s just the surface to ease you into the conversation. What I had in mind was that I would take on all of your gifted people and be willing to accept them into my academy where we would teach the team everything we can. But, for each two Moirans we teach we get to keep one for us, and we return one to you.” The council didn’t like the last part so Eloken continued right away.

“There are much larger things at play in our world, that I can not discuss with you or anyone else at the moment. But don’t worry, before we teach enough of your people we will send you reinforcements of our best to keep you company and safe. Also, if any fool would be crazy enough to try and invade you we would all come to your aid right away.” Eloken continued and saw the former High Commander liked what he was offering.

“I said I have too much respect and admiration for the Moirans to let anyone attack you even if we don’t strick the deal, but with the deal no one would be crazy to look at you side ways, magic or no magic.” Eloken finished his pitch.

He untied the guards he humiliated earlier and unblocked the door. Galam and reinforcements rushed right in and charged him. Eloken didn’t resist but before they reached him, former High Commander Fopit dismissed them all from the hall.

Eloken came prepared and gave them a document of what exactly he wanted to get in return with this alliance and what he would be offering. The council asked for half an hour to go over the deal before they formally voted for it. Eloken spent the time in front of the hall where he was shot unpleasant looks from Galam and the Royal Guard before he was called back in.

“We’ve reached the agreement Mister Eloken,” Reoryn said. “We would like to sign this deal, with slight changes here and there.” Reoryn continued and went over the changes they wanted to make.

Few higher prices, few lower quantities, but nothing that didn’t work for Eloken. “That works for me,” Eloken said with the friendliest smile he could muster.

A few minutes after an assistant came with a drafted contract that Eloken and Reoryn signed after going over it one more time. Eloken shook hands with each of the members and thanked them in a Moiran way, a slight tilt of the head to the left with the left hand touching the temple of the head.

“Welcome to the Coalition of the Willing,” Eloken said after he finished shaking hands with all thirteen members. “You are our first, but I would say the most important member.”

Before Eloken could leave council member Fopit pulled him to the side. “Do you mind if we talk in private?” He asked.

“Of course not,” Eloken said looking up at the large man. Now that he wasn’t behind the desk Fopit towered over Eloken with both height and width.

They left the council building, and on their way out Galam shot Eloken the dirtiest look he could, if looks could kill that would be the one for sure, Eloken thought to himself. Once they were a safe distance away Fopit spoke.

“If you didn’t offer this now,” He started. “I would have come looking for you. You see, my son started acting weird lately and completely shut himself in, I barely got through to him a few weeks ago and he admitted he started to gain some extraordinary abilities.” Fopit said in a hushed tone.

“He can reach one of the sources,” Eloken said. “What can he do?”

“He cut himself in front of me then concentrated hard and the cut healed almost immediately,” General said with a mix of worry and fear in his eyes.

“He can reach Vit,” Eloken said. “That’s always good and welcome.”

“That’s how you call it? Vit?” He asked but continued before Eloken could answer. “I wanted to ask you to take him into your academy, he is a good boy, but he is scared. You must know how religion looks on the appearance of magic?” He asked.

“Yeah, they don’t seem to like it at all,” Eloken said.

“Well his mother is a devoted follower of the Church of Moire, and well to put it lightly, they think you are all devil spawns.” Fopit said trying not to sound disrespectful. “And so are most of our close friends and family, that’s why he shut himself down and why he is still hiding his abilities.” He said with a pleading expression.

“Don’t worry about it,” Eloken said. “We will take him in with open arms, and tell him to be at the Drunken Dragon Inn in two hours I will introduce him with the team and explain everything to him. Unfortunately, I have to leave for Azarim tonight, but he can go to the Academy with one of our ships later this week.”

Fopit nodded in appreciation and shook Eloken’s hand before they parted ways. Eloken used some of the remaining free time to run a few errands around the Thalasyn and to visit a house where he and his family lived on the Island. Looking at the house a flash of loving memories appeared in his mind, but were swept by anger, sadness and sorrow quickly. Getting revenge for them a year ago only eased the pain a little bit, three of them were still gone.

After his former house, he went straight to the Drunken Dragon Inn, where he packed his things before he met with the crew at one of the Inn’s private rooms. Cel was there before anyone else came, sitting at the furthest table away from the door playing with the fruit bowl on the table. As soon as Eloken came, the rest of the team followed, and moments later Fabrisos brought a young shy-looking boy, who introduced himself as Wrion Tarrop, son of Fopit.

Eloken introduced Cel and Fopit to the rest of the crew and students. Wrion shook everyone’s hand with reserve, while Cel did it with utmost confidence making each hand shake a little bit too long while maintaining eye contact.

“As you might have heard I have to leave for Azarim after this meeting,” Eloken started. “Dalamir will be coming with me and while we are gone Yaub is in charge, if he is not there you have Zoras.” Students nodded in understanding.

“I want you Lorian, Utran, Bastian, Nylla, and Kaelena with me to Azarim I might need your help.” He said and they nodded and Eloken saw a little pride in their look that they were selected.

Before leaving he pulled three of his friends off to the side, “Look, the deal we went through, we are in official alliance with the Island of Moire.” Eloken said proudly.

“That’s fucking great,” Dalamir said unable to hide his enthusiasm.

“Good work boss,” Yaub said and Zoras joined in the praise.

“That little boy there is sone of one of the council members and former High Commander of their Royal Guard,” Eloken continued. “He is a little bit shy and scared of his powers, so please take it easy on him, and watch out our students don’t bother him too much.”

“You got it,” Yaub said. “And what about the girl.”

“That one is special,” Eloken said. “She can reach at least three sources as far as I could see in a short interaction I had with her. But there is something else about her, I don’t know.” Eloken said with a distant look. “She wants to go to the academy, so make sure she is on that both when you leave if we are not back by then.”

“Of course,” Yaub said.

“Pack your things and meet me in port in one hour for those who are leaving with me,” Eloken yelled so everyone could hear him. “Rest of you enjoy the festival and make us look good at the showcase.”