Jerry awoke the next morning feeling hungrier than he had in a very long time. After everything had settled down and Tu'Xanz felt comfortable they wouldn't be attacked again. They finished skinning the deer and butchered it for preserving it later. Jerry offered his surrogate family a large portion of the meat. Mel'Imba was happy to accept such a generous gift. They made some steaks that they ate last night and Mel'Imba promised steak and eggs for breakfast with the leftovers. The thing that really had Jerry excited though was the hope of making himself some armor. He knew from what Tu'Xanz said last night the secret to his bow and armor came from a mixture of his families blacksmithing techniques past down in his family and Mel'Imba's sorcery. He was so excited he felt like a kid in a candy store, he couldn't wait to get started. He left the guest bedroom and went into the bathroom down the hall. He washed his face and left feel refreshed and almost normal again. As he came into the kitchen he could hear the family laughing. He stopped for a minute to watch them play around and have fun. The sound of Yen'Shamillia laughing brought back memories of Diane, JJ, and Michael all laughing and playing together. He was truly blest to have such well-behaved, wonderful children. He had pushed his feeling aside for too long, never facing them before. Now they came tumbling back like an avalanche threatening to bury him where he stood. Tu'Xanz's family hadn't noticed him yet so he tried to turn and leave before they did, but a floor board betrayed him. He made it half way back to him room before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked behind to see Tu'Xanz looking at him with great concern.
"I am fine," Jerry said wiping his eyes, "I just miss my family is all. I didn't mean to interrupt you fun you guys were having."
"It is ok my friend. I don't know how I would be if I lost those two in there. I would be useless to the world. My reason for living would cease to exist."
They fell into a comfortable silence, one not wanting to say anything and the other not knowing what to say. With a heavy sigh Jerry reigned his emotions under control and tried to put a smile on his face. Tu'Xanz knew he was still hurting inside but followed Jerry's lead and allowed him to pretend he was ok. As they walked back into the kitchen together Mel'Imba could tell that something was wrong but a quick shake of the head from Tu'Xanz let her know now wasn't the time to ask. Jerry didn't want to darken the mood of the family, so he played with Yen'Shamillia a little while Mel'Imba finished cooking.
Breakfast was delicious, beside the steak and eggs, she had also made biscuits and opened a jar of what tasted like raspberry preserves. As they finished eating Jerry could feel Vrkane and Bengala returning from their morning hunt. He could feel their contentment as they played around together with full bellies. Their jovial mood help to lighten his darker one. His new family and friends help put a little perspective back in his life. His family was only temporarily gone as long as he kept working toward getting them back. No matter how long it took. When he looked up from his little revelry with a genuine smile on his face, he felt his heart lighten. Everyone came over and gave him a hug reassuring him that he was not alone in his struggles. He had friends who were willing to help him achieve his goals. At that moment he released a stress he didn't know he was even carrying. As he stood up from his seat he thanked everyone and wrapped his great big arms around them is group hug. This cause Yen'Shamillia to laugh and point out, "You got bigger Mr. Jerry!" As he straightened up to his full height he realized she was right. He must have grown another two inches last night. As he looked out the window at Vrkane and Bengala playing in the yard he saw that they had grown as well. They went from the size of a very large dog to the size of a small horse. The rags that were covering his body were barely hanging on him now.
"I think it's time we made me some armor before I completely grow out of my clothes." Jerry said with a chuckle. But everyone agreed it was a very real possibility.
"Before we can craft the armor we must first find the raw materials. We must hike deep into the forest to a place that was desolated during the Great War. Everyone avoids it because they think it is cursed. I know it isn't, but I like to keep my supply to myself, so I have furthered people's fears for years now." Tu'Xanz said laughing at his own ingenuity.
"How far is this hike?"
"It will take us most of the day to get there. The ore that I mine is actually right on the surface of the ground. So getting enough for your armor will be fairly simple. Then it will take most of tomorrow to get back."
Jerry looked down at himself and wondered if his clothes, or rags actually, would make it another two day. He figured he could run that distance in half the time it would take Tu'Xanz to hike it. Looking outside at the two of them still wrestling in the grass he got an idea. 'Would either one of you mind carrying Tu'Xanz so we can go and then come back today. I will also need one of you to remain in case trouble comes around while we are gone.' After sharing a look that Jerry had come to realize they communicated with each other Vrkane answered 'I will stay to protect the pack. Bengala said she doesn't mind going with you.' 'Thank you', Jerry said before turning his attention back to Tu'Xanz.
Tu'Xanz had become accustomed to Jerry losing focus and he knew he was communicating with his animal friends when this happened. So he was wanting to see what they had been talking about.
"Bengala has agreed to carry you, and Vrkane said that he would stay and protect your family while we were gone. This should allow us to get there and return all in one day."
"That's amazing! But don't you think she will get tired very quickly carrying the both of us?" Tu'Xanz asked
"No she is only going to carry you I'll be running the whole way."
Tu'Xanz stared wide eyed in disbelief and before he could say something Mel'Imba spoke first, "I appreciate the concern Jerry but I'm not some helpless maiden." she emphasized this by conjuring a ball of blue fire in each hand. As she did so Jerry could see a rainbow aura surround her body.
"That aura you have around you I have that too!" Jerry was excited to see something he could easily recognize and relate to. He opened his chakras hoping to show her he could, but it had and unexpected result. He began to shine so bright he out shone the sun. The energy he was putting out would have burned Tu'Xanz and his family where they stood if Mel'Imba didn't shield them as soon as he started. When Jerry looked over and saw the strain on Mel'Imba's face from holding up the shield he quickly released his power.
"I am so sorry. That has never happened before. Is everyone ok?" Jerry asked bewildered by what just happened
"It's ok Jerry, I shielded everyone in time. But you are a force unlike any I have ever seen or heard of. You snatched hold of the Aether around us in immense quantities. If I hadn't already created and been holding the shield in place before you started I wouldn't have been able to protect me family. Are there no wizards or sorcerers on your planet to learn from? Your power is just as much a danger to yourself as it is to others."
"On my planet wizards and sorcerers are myths or legends, or characters in a video game or novel. They are not real. I was told I was born under and impossible celestial event that awakened me to a higher plane of existence. I don't even know what I am, let alone what I can do. I am so sorry I endangered your family, please forgive me." Jerry said sheepishly
Mel'Imba grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes with a reassuring smile, "Its ok. I may not be able to tell you what you are or the limits of what you can do but I can teach you the basics so that you can develop more control and not be a danger anymore.
"Thank you very much. I can't help but feel extremely lucky to have found you guys. I would be completely lost otherwise."