Crystal signed something to me, and I laughed so hard that I couldn't breath.
"You got him lube," I wheezed. I was having a silent laughing fit now, and Alex was not happy.
"When will he need..." I trailed off seeing the shit-eating grin on Crystal's face.
"It's not like that," Alex protested, his face turning a deeper shade of red. I just smirked at him.
"I'm going to have to leave in a few days. I don't know when I'll be back, you know cuz' of the magic and shit. Don't miss me too much~," I said, winking at him.
"Please! Don't make me laugh! I'm gonna hurt my throat!" Crystal signed, clearly holding in laughter.
After nightfall, I went to bed. Nothing remotely interesting happened in the last few days, as I waited (impatiently, very impatiently) to be summoned. It eventually happened in the middle of the night. I woke up, and boom. I was standing in the middle of a field. No warning or anything. Just boom! There! In the middle of a fucking field.
"Welcome to the Field of Promise," A regal sounding voice said from behind me.
I turned my head, seeing the most powerful Animus Holder. She was someone only 20 years older than I was. She had dark brown hair, light skin and bright green eyes. She was wearing the ceremonial robes, which were thick and white, with patterns made of gold string. She wasn't wearing battle armor, which was expected, because she wasn't fighting or using her ability. It was rare for anyone to become as powerful as she was, with her ability being especially rare. There were only 5 people with the same kind of animus as hers. There was only one animus holder who was more powerful than her, and that Animus Holder was long gone. Died a few days before I was born, actually. And he was the one who trained Layla, the powerful animus holder, for years.
"Long time no see!" I said excitedly.
She glared at me. "You do not have the honor, and you will never have the power to address me as your equal," She hissed in response.
"Sheesh. I don't remember you being this rude," I mumbled to myself.
"After the ceremony, you have 100 years to bring us a new Animus Holder, or you shall be punished," She informed me, glaring at me once again. Wow. She had to be the 'holier than thou' type, huh?
I stayed quiet. I didn't want to, but the faster the ceremony was over, the faster I could go back.
Layla and nine other elders approached the field, and surrounded me. All of them raised their weapons, and in one quick motion, pounded them onto the ground. Layla used her staff to draw intricate patterns. I had to stand there for hours while she drew the appropriate patterns in the correct places. If she messed something up, she (me too, as a side effect) would be in deep shit. Eventually she finished, and instructed me to sit down and close my eyes. She carefully guided me through the process. When it was over there was silence for about 15 seconds.
"Is that it? Nothing?" I asked.
"Quiet! I'm trying to help your animus reveal itself! I swear, you are going to get the beating of your life when I'm finished!" Layla spat.
It took one second for my animus to reveal itself, and let's just say that Layla wasn't so adamant on beating the shit out of me anymore. I saw a mix of shock and fear on her face, as she stared in horror at my animus. The other Elders looked at it in awe. And they looked at me expectantly.
"You have the Time Animus," One of the elders said in awe. On que, all of them bowed. I looked down at my hands. I have the Time Animus? the most powerful animus of all time, in my hands? I knew what the first thing I wanted to do with my power was. I took a deep breath, and time started to slow down, and in about 10 seconds, it completely stopped for everyone else. I walked over to Layla. Time started to go back to normal.
"What was that about not having the power or the honor to talk to you as an equal? Now, I'm more powerful than you will ever be. So you may have been able to get away with treating people like shit because they're not as powerful as you, but I trust it's not going to happen anymore," I threatened, my voice going lower than I thought it could. Nobody should be talked down to, just because their animus is not as powerful as hers.
"Don't be stupid. I have decades more training with my abilities than you do. I am still more powerful," She sneered. I knew it was an act.
"Don't act so high and mighty," I said, giving her the dirtiest look I could muster. I walked back to the center of the circle, where I was provided with a spear. When I tapped a specific part of it, my armor would appear on my body.
It's time to leave this wretched place forever.