I took in all there was to see, to smell and to hear, as we went on our way. The sound of our footsteps, the panting of the red fox, the sound of a light breeze in the forest, I could feel my connection with the earth, and the recognition of the fact that it was my time spent out here in the forest, when I felt like I most belonged on the earth.
I could glimpse, through the canopy, the light blue of the sky, and the occasional puffy, white cloud. Where the sunlight filtered through the branches, I could see the light on the deciduous tree limbs.
It highlighted certain spots and made the trees seem like they were gilded with some kind of gold decoration made of light. In places where the light went through the green leaves, I could see the detail of a number of individual leaves. I could see the stem, that became the main vein, branching off further along into the entire network that so closely resembled a human artery and veins. It reminded me of how we are all interconnected.
I took a deep breath in and decided to pay attention to what I could smell. I could faintly sense the odour of freshly turned earth, the smell of my sweat mixed with my deodorant, and the very strong stink of fox urine. If I had to bet, I would guess someone was careless and accidentally peed on his own paw.
A half smile came to my lips as I looked at my red fox friend.
"I may not always understand you." I told him. "But I hope you know in my own way, that I will always love you." I felt my smile reach my eyes and I let out a small giggle.
We emerged from the end of the path into a junction between hiking trail and a paved road. I paused, looked to the left and right, before continuing on my journey.
About 15 minutes later, we reached my favourite clearing. The clearing was a good sized one.
I set down the bag and ended the reality distortion spell as well. I took out my sunglasses case and put my sunglasses in them. I didn't need them as much here, and I also didn't want to take the chance of breaking them. I returned the sunglasses case to the bag and took out my water. I took a few sips and then asked the fox if he wanted some.
"Water." I said, taking off the lid so I could show him. "Here." I continued, carefully pouring some into my palm. Not a lot of water stayed in my palm, but there was enough remaining that he could sniff and be able to figure out what it was.
He decided he was thirsty, and he licked at the bit of water in my palm. Now I had him drinking, I could pour water into my palm slowly, as he lapped it up.
I knew he was done as he sneezed in a very dog- like fashion and backed away from me again. I let the last of the water fall from my palm, wiped my hand on my exercise pants, put the lid back on my water and returned it to the bag.
I walked to the middle of the clearing and sat down cross- legged. The fox took a running leap and worked his way up the branches of a medium- sized dead tree at the edge of the clearing. Finding a branch that suited his fancy, he lay down.
I took some deep breaths and tried to be very relaxed, as I emptied my mind. After about 10 minutes, I felt like I was in a meditative state. I was ready.
I created a new reality distortion spell, but this time, on a much bigger level. It covered the entirety of the clearing. I had never been interrupted by any humans before, but it didn't hurt to err on the side of caution.
That done, I began to pray. I prayed to the Great Goddess of All, to help me to stay focused while I trained. I gave thanks for all I was lucky enough to have, my powers to harness magic, my opportunities, my history, her guidance.
I expressed my need for her help to become better, to become stronger and to become wizer. I asked her to work through me, so I could fulfill all that I was born to do.
That done, I opened my eyes, took my pocket knife out of my sports bra, where I usually kept it safely stowed, and opened the small knife on it. I carefully poked the tip of a finger on my left hand. I only needed a single drop of blood.
The drop of blood fell and mixed with the dirt of the earth. I wiped the blade on some grass, folded in the blade and stowed the pocket knife back in my sports bra.
I went over to my bag and got out my cell phone. I found one of the workout playlists I liked and put it on. Then, I went back to the center of the clearing.
Today was a variety of weight- bearing exercises. In the next 45 minutes, I did push-ups, crunches, planks, side planks, burpes, lunges, squats, and curtsy- lunges.
After all that, I needed a sip or two of water. It was not yet the hottest part of the day, but I still felt overheated. I didn't use any power to make my exercising any easier.
I liked to know what my body was capable of on its own. I wanted my body to be as strong as it could be without magic. That way, even though chances were slim, if anything prevented me from using magic, I would not be completely defenseless. Now, it was time for the last part of my workout.
I breathed in and gathered the power I needed. Then I created some target dummies for practice training.
They all bore the same image, the image of my brother. Or, at least him as I remember him, when I saw him last all those years ago. I always chose his image for my target dummies because I knew that doing so would make me work harder.
If he had been here, he would do his best to push me and want me to get better.