Jon hurriedly got up from bed and quickly dressed as he dashed out of his home. His father, Raska, was there with one of his close friends, Sigurd, and a few of the older warriors his father knew. Jon felt excitement growing in his stomach as today was his warrior rite. They all began to talk together and drink, which was very common in the North. As the day went on, his father pulled him aside and said, "Jon, how would you like to be the only other Berskaggr man to learn a spell?"
Jon was like a child in a candy shop. He could not imagine what this could be. Seeing the wild look on his son's face, Raska quickly told him it was the first part of a spell to shapeshift into a large Black Bear. Hence the name, Berskaggr, their family was known all throughout the clans for this war-magic. "The first part of the spell is to gather energy in the center of your body, let the flame grow and feel the strength of a bear in your arms." said Raska coolly. "This is what it should look like", said Jon's father and immediately the arms of Raska Berskaggr grew. His bright blue veins popped out of his muscles and it looked as if his skin were going to pop it was so tight. Without warning, his father started to grow and his clothes became dark, sinking into his form, replaced by matting black fur. He went from being a 6 and a half foot tall man, to a towering 10 foot tall, hulking bear probably no less than 600 pounds. This bear was almost 3 times his father's original size, and probably many times stronger. His father let out a roar that blew back the tops of the trees and everyone was silent. For when this happened many men usually lost their lives.
If Jon had not know that this was his father, he would have made a mess in his pants. After the demonstration, his father changed back into his original form and said, "When my father wanted to teach me this spell, I sh*t myself." Everyone laughed, including Jon, as most men would have sh*t as well, he was almost one of them.
"I will teach you tomorrow, after your rite of manhood. Today, we celebrate!" cried Raska
Everyone there ate and drank their fill and the rite was about to begin. All in attendance sat on the ground around Jon and began to chant in a different, Older language. Soon Jon felt as if he were floating just off the ground, being lifted by his brothers, he remained silent. Internally, he could feel their energies permeating through his body, enhancing him for the moment.
Suddenly his father got up, while everyone else kept chanting and walked to the middle of the circle, where Jon was standing. Raska looked his son in the eyes, and beating back tears, brandishing the ritual dagger, he cut Jon's single braid in one quick, strong and fluid move. As this happened everyone immediately stopped chanting. Jon felt emotions and energy flow through his body, he felt so good he thought he could fly! He felt a small wave exit his body, knowing it to be the personal energy of those attending the rite. He knew after today, his social status had changed. No longer did his father's fame carry with his name, he needed to blaze his own trail, or be forgotten.
The rest of the night was a blur. All he remembered was how the bottom of an empty ale horn looked after he drank the whole horn in one go! Soon the world went dark, even sooner he woke to bright morning light in his yard, cuddling his ale horn. As he rose, he realized his head hurt like he fought a bull. He really had a great night!
"Jon!" his father's voice cried out. "Come into the woods and I will teach you a lesson this morning!" with that, Jon was going in the direction of his father's voice. Still rubbing the crust from his eyes, he made it to a clearing not very deep into the woods surrounding his home.
As soon as Raska saw Jon, he waved for him to come over. "Come, learn our families most closely guarded secret!" he exclaimed. He began teaching Jon how to cultivate his power and change it from mental power, to physical power to enhance and change the body. He had the first steps down, but as soon as he reached new levels, he could almost not comprehend, however his mind was sharp and he could practice even as he was walking.