Chapter 3
The barrghest has been sleeping for nearly a month. This is the same period of time that elapsed with each iteration of the 24 phase experiment. This is also the same amount of time that each of the lesser versions hibernate in between growth cycles after feeding. With all this in mind, Aurelius eagerly awaits for the slumber to be broken.
Aurelius' voice can be heard playing from a crystal ball suspended inside the habitat. This particular recording is describing the different forms of elemental magic and the method which one can draw upon the energies to form their own spells.
The Barrghest wakes from its slumber to this noise, yawning loudly and stretching. His grey fur now has a pale misty tint to it, and parts of his form seem to fade in and out of existence. The biggest change to his form is that of his eyes, a misty grey swirl appearing from time to time.
Aurelius excitedly makes note of the motion from within the chamber and begins extracting the crystal ball when he notices the changes in the creature. This immediately intrigues him, causing Aurelius to produce another small sphere to begin recording the changes while he rushes over to his desk to begin making note of the experiments results.
The Barrghest makes a stop in the pond before heading over to where Aurelius was recording from and sits down, waiting for the elder mage to return. He watches the crystal ball intently, trying to make out the kind of magic that was at work.
"Curious are you? It's an old form of magic, utilizing space and detection to imprint what happens in the programmed location and store it for later use. Seeing as how its uses in direct conflict were overlooked, it took an additional two years before others began catching on to its usefulness." Aurelius spoke, sitting down in a nearby chair and waiting to see if the barrghest would comment.
"Understand .. a bit. Your language ... odd." he responds with, letting out a deep guttural growl before yawning.
"Good! You've made progress. Can I ask if the recordings during your hibernation had any noticeable effect?" Aurelius asks, making his own deductions about how swiftly the creature was learning to speak his language.
"Magic ... Particles ... Willpower. Bend them to your will. Envision. Release inner force." The Barrghest responded, having woken up with pieces of information floating around his head, phrases, and keywords that he could connect to the language he knew by heart.
"Brilliant! What else do you remember?" Aurelius replied, recording the entire conversation on the crystal ball and making notes in the book held aloft in front of him with spatial magic.
"I want out. This cage. Locked up, too long." The Barrghest says in response, causing the joy on Aurelius' face to fade away. He knew that Barrghest tend to be intelligent creatures and that one day he would have to face this exact scenario should his experiments bear fruit, he was just not mentally prepared to face it right this moment.
"I... There's still so much more that i need to document. Can we talk about this?" Aurelius replies with clear panic in his voice. He doesn't wish to cause animosity between himself and this masterpiece, he also doesn't want to give up after having just made this breakthrough, and he really doesn't want to keep something he sees as his legacy and child locked away against its will.
"Trade. Time. For teaching. This power. Worthwhile. Stretch my legs." The Barrghest explains, honestly feeling that having gone through being caged for the past two years is worth it after gaining this newfound ability to devour his prey. Not to mention that this mage has a lot to teach, and if it is possible to learn the magic then he will not pass up on that opportunity.
"Alright. That ... you nearly gave me a heart attack." Aurelius takes a few deep breaths, leaning back in the chair and collecting himself.
"There are woods nearby that you can wander around in, hunt if you like. Though I would advise being careful, as we are far north and the winters here are extremely brutal." Aurelius further explains.
"If I let you out, you must promise to return by the end of the night. I will be keeping track of you with magic should you choose to go back on your word. I understand we do not know each other, but i would like to think we can make a deal." He says, awaiting the creatures reply.
"Deal. Much to learn. Death by old age. Not worried." The Barrghest replies, well aware that his own lifespan is likely to outpace the mages if worse came to worst.
"Alright." Aurelius stands and moves over towards the control panel for the habitat. He then casts a number of defensive spells on himself in case this entire situation manages to get out of hand. He truly hopes that the barrghest will stick to the deal that has been struck, deactivating the barrier around the habitat and awaiting the results.
The Barrghest levitates itself out of the habitat and onto the surrounding walkway that the mage has been using for some time. He begins looking around, making no sign of hostility, keeping to the deal that had been struck.
"Wonderful. Thank you. I have something that i would like to give you before you set out for your stroll." Aurelius breathes a sigh of relief, making note of the barrghest's reaction, and then heading into the back room momentarily. He returns with a bracelet that seems to be glowing a dim red and emanating heat.
"This will keep the weather from harming you in these cold temperatures. Additionally, you can expend the majority of the stored magic to unleash a jet of flame. Though this will deplete the magic for twenty four hours. Take it with you." Aurelius smile, holding out the bracelet.
The Barrghest nods, reaching up and taking it, placing it on his right wrist, watching it resize itself to fit perfectly. He can feel the warming effect washing over his entire body, and after a moment of fiddling with it he can understand how to trigger the bracelet to unleash the magic stored within it.
Aurelius shows him the way outside and without waiting another moment the barrghest dashes out the door and down the side of a large hill overlooking a forest. Taking in the numerous scents of the air, something unique catches his eye. The scent of a large frost wolf lingers nearby, which gives the barrghest the idea to hunt the creature while surveying the land.