Chapter 9 - Magic Growth

It has been a week since the cave incident and nobody's spirits were any higher than that fateful night a week ago. Everyone just kept walking along through the forest. Maria and Sylvia walked behind everyone at the back of the group while Rona led the group. Hikari looked the worst out of the group. His white hair was tinged brown from the dirt, his clothes were ripped and he smelled terrible. The life and energy had been sucked out of his eyes and he walked around dragging his feet on the ground. His katana and the Infinite Azure rested on his hip while his father's greatsword laid on his back. Rona stopped the group and turned to Hikari who was in the middle of the group. "Hikari, we need to speak about how you've been dealing with Alduin's death. How you've been dealing with your grief.". Hikari turns away slightly and softly says, "We should keep moving." in a rough voice. It is clear to Rona he is trying to deflect the attention off of himself so she walks over to Hikari and grabs him by his arm. Bringing some light back to her eyes, Rona stares into his eyes and finds almost nothing there. It was almost like looking into an abyss. He tries to pull his arm away but fails. "Let go of me, Rona," says Hikari but Rona continues to hold his arm. Frowning Hikari snatches his arm away saying "Let go!". Rona is taken aback by the harshness of his tone. Sylvia marches over to Hikari and slaps Hikari across the face. "What the hell has gotten into you boy, she's only trying to help you." and Hikari holds his face in shock. With a firm voice, Sylvia says "Look at yourself Hikari. I miss your father more than anyone else here and I'm very sad but at least I haven't let myself go." Sylvia grabs Hikari's face and turns it towards her own. Hikari avoids her gaze overcome with shame. Sylvia lets go of Hikari's face, sighing before saying "I am mourning your father as well but don't fall to pieces. Do you think your father would want to see you like this, filthy and broken?". A single tear creeps down his face as he says no, his voice full of sadness. Hikari stands up straight and determination creeps back into his eyes. Maria, who had been as quiet as a church mouse says "I smell roast," turning to the right, she runs through the brush while yelling "Where there is roast there are people!". Rona tells her to hold on and the group gives chase after Maria. They rush into a clearing and see a cottage in the middle of the field and Maria is rushing towards it. She knocks loudly on the door and by the time they reach Maria the door is opening. An old man steps forward and all of them step back. "Well, would you look at what we have here. Some lost souls on my doorstep.". The old man turns to go back into his house and offers for them to enter. Hikari looks at Sylvia and she gives a nod of approval. They enter and the old man offers them a seat. "I'm sorry sir, but we must decline your offer. We have gone many days without washing ourselves." Sylvia says. The old man smiles and says, "Then go bathe in my hot springs downstairs. I rarely have company so you are welcome to stay for a little." while showing them to the basement. Hikari frowns and walks up to the man. "Why are you being so nice to us. You just met us and you are already giving us access to your house. It doesn't make sense." Sylvia walks up to the old man and shoots Hikari a dirty look. "I'm sorry that my son is acting this way. We've been in the forest for some time and he's still on edge." The old man chuckles and sits down on his couch. "I understand why you would be warry. If you want to know why I'm helping you, it's because ever since my wife died, I've had no company in this place. It feels nice to know this old man can still be of some use." Hikari softens his expression and rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry for being a jerk, um, sir what's your name?" Hikari asks. The man pauses for a moment finally saying, "My name is Magnus.". Magnus points to the basement "The offer still stands for all of you to use my hot spring. Leave your clothes on the floor and I'll have them washed, ok?" Hikari gives a small bow of gratitude and is almost dragged downstair by Maria. There was a wall that separated both sides of the hot spring. One side for men, one side for women. The party split up and went on either side of the wall. By the time Hikari had started to dip his foot into the water, he saw clothes flying from the cover of the women's side. Hikari stripped himself, exposing his muscles and slowly stepped into the water. A sigh of relief escapes his mouth as he lets the hot water melt away the tension in his body. He caresses his hair gently, washing it thoroughly to get out all the dirt. A stream of brown slowly leaves his body as time goes on. After about 30 minutes of washing his body, he steps out of the hot spring. Hikari goes to the changing room and finds his clothing freshly cleaned and folded. All of the rips in the fabric mended to such perfection you could never tell if they had been ripped in the first place. Hikari slips his clothing and takes in a deep breath. "Is that lavender?" while smiling, something he hadn't done all week. Hikari walked up the steps and back into the living room to find the whole group eating some roast beef with a side of rice. Rona smiles and swallows her food. "Hikari, get over here! You've got to try his cooking, It's amazing!" while excitedly beckoning him forward. Hikari is dragged to the table by the aroma of warm, seasoned food. Hikari sits down and takes a bite of food from his plate. The flavor explodes inside his mouth and he lets out a groan as he swallows his food. Hikari sheds a tear. The food tastes of warm memories and love, It felt like his grandmother had prepared this meal. Taking in a deep breath Hikari dives into his plate, devouring every grain of rice and not leaving a speck of meat left. When he finishes, he leans back in his chair and sighs. "That food was amazing, truly worthy of a king. But I've gotta ask, how did you make all of this food?". Maria speaks up and says, "He made it with magic, we all saw him do it. Well, everyone except you because you were taking so long." while smirking smugly. "He can use creation magic.". Rona gets up from the table and puts her hand on Hikari's shoulder saying, "He even said he'd give us free lessons before we head to the capital." Hikari dons a confused look "Why would he offer me magic training? You receiving training I understand, but me, I've got no magic potential, remember?" Maria chuckles softly and gives Rona a knowing look. Rona says, "Hikari, you recently went through an awakening when your father passed. You blew the top off of a cave. You did that with your awakening if anything, you have more magic potential then me!". Hikari is shocked, the thought of him being able to use magic sends a tingling sensation through his body. Magnus clears his throat to grab all of their attentions. "Well, there ain't no time like the present, let's start training immediately." Hikari is surprised and it shows on his face clearly. "Like, right now, right now? I don't know anything about magic besides gathering it for the mana cloak and-" Magnus cuts him off by saying, "That why we are starting now, so you can learn." Rona and Hikari head outside with Magnus and go behind his home. Magnus takes in a deep breath and begins to speak. "The very essence of magic is older than mankind itself. We harness mana as fuel to create magic and do things that can't normally be done. It is a natural force that is inside everyone that we need to live." Magnus looks at Hikari in his eyes and says, "I will teach you to harness mana the proper way." Hikari looks at Rona and sees her beaming with happiness. Hikari thinks to himself, "How in the world is he making us so happy. We were just roaming the woods for a week, hungry and dirty, and mourning the loss of my father. Now everyone is content and happy". Magnus turns his attention to Hikari and signals for him to come closer. "Hikari, for someone as new to magic as you are, it would be best if you took off your gloves." Hikari takes off his gloves and his heroes mark is revealed to Magnus. "Well, this is quite the surprise I thought all of the heroes were in the capital. However, that makes no difference to me as long as you learn something." Magnus walks into the center of the field and begins to speak. "Today you will be learning to make a fireball Hikari, it is the most basic of spells to learn. Rona, you will be learn something a little bit more advanced." Magnus holds out his right hand and a fireball ignites in the center. The fireball can be as versatile as the user, and with enough mana put into one," Magnus looks at Rona "It can even destroy a country. But all of this power comes from the basics." Hikari looks in awe as the fireball slowly grows in size, the heat rolling off of this basic pyromancy similar to the intensity of the heat of his burning village. He closes his hand and the fireball vanishes. "Hikari, I want you to try and make a fireball by nightfall. Concentrate on the mana in your body flowing to your hand. Once you feel it, imagine the fireball, its size, heat, and even color. Although, it would be best to stick to a red fire now though." He leaves Hikari's side and goes over to Rona and begins speaking with her. Hikari holds his right hand out in front of his body and begins concentrating on the task given to him. Over the next hour, Hikari stands in that same spot and creates a fireball, the flame isn't very strong and it's about the size of a tennis ball but Hikari was still proud of his small achievement. "Magnus!" Hikari calls out, "I made the fireball! Just as you asked!". Magnus smiles and walks over to Hikari. Hikari is brimming with pride and confidence, that is until Magnus reaches out and crushes the fireball with such ease even Magnus looks surprised. Hikari chuckles a little and he looks at his hand as if it was stabbed. Then came the rage. "Magnus," Hikari shouted, "why did you do that, I worked hard for that fireball!" but instead of Magnus getting angry and retaliating Magnus stays calm and says, "So I could show you the flaw of your fireball. It had barely any heat and it very weak." Magnus turns his back and says to Hikari, "On the battlefield, you won't have an hour to make a fireball, its do or die. Make another one, but quicker this time." before walking back to Rona. This pattern goes on for the rest of the day, the creation and destruction of a fireball. The day bleeds into a week. Maria isn't just doing nothing, she has also been training by herself to push her physical limits too. The sun rises on a new Sunday and Hikari can summon five fireballs at once and control them all easily and precisely. He gets out of his make-shift cot and baths downstairs in the springs. His heroes' mark is glowing again, but there is no danger. Everything seems perfectly fine, truly at peace. Hikari goes upstairs and eats the food prepared by Magnus. Everyone sits at the table, eating and laughing when Magnus clears his throat to get everyone's attention. "Sadly today is the last day you stay in my home," heavy breaths are given from everyone in the room. The air hardens and no one wants to speak but Magnus continues by saying, "We all knew this day was coming but you all are destined for great things. You all will do great things but there is one thing I should mention." Hikari leans forward in curiosity. He had learned that if there was a time to listen, it was when Magnus spoke. "There is a spell on this household. One that erases emotional pain and suffering. I know you've all felt the pain of losing Hikari's father fade away as you've been staying here." Hikari's eyes widen as the realization comes in full force. Hikari thinks to himself, "I should've known that it wouldn't be that easy." Magnus leans back in his chair and continues to speak. "When you leave my land, all of your grief and sadness will come crashing down on you again." Sylvia gets up from the table. She slightly bows and smiles at him saying, thank you for all that you have done for us. We will remember you very fondly." Everyone gathers there things slowly, a silent sadness hangs in the air. After ten minutes of packing, everyone is at the door and on their way out. Magnus runs to the door before they too far away to hear him saying, "If you want to reach the capital from here head north and follow the river." Hikari yells thanks at Magnus before taking a step off of his land. It was almost like gravity had increased by tenfold. Tears seemed to erupt from Hikari's eyes and his head seemed like it was going to burst from the pain. All of them fell out in pain, writhing on the ground and bawling. All of the emotional sufferings that had been lifted off their shoulders hit them at once. This pain continued for an hour, an hour of pain that could be put near the level of childbirth. After the first thirty minutes, his vision went red and he began crying tears of blood. He shrieked like a small child but after the hour passed the pain plaguing his head disappeared. His body felt weak and his sight wasn't straight, but he pushed forward looking back to make sure his mother and Rona were following him. After reaching the river Hikari collapses on the ground. His strength gone and his family close, Hikari closes his eyes. "Maybe I should rest." Hikari internally monologues "Yes, rest." and with that, he fades into a dream.