Maric spent a considerable amount of time resting after his "training" with Artemis. Of course when Ishmael saw him she was mortified and quickly scolded Artemis before taking Maric from her arms and putting him in his bed. Although he seemed to be resting peacefully on the surface, in his mind he was placed into an unfamiliar darkness..
"Where am I?"
Maric looked around for any objects or light. There was none. It was a complete void, he couldn't even tell if he was standing on his own two feet or simply floating.
«Oh..?»
Maric felt like he was dunked into a pool of cold water as a strangely familiar voice pervaded the void around himself. He tightened his fists and steeled his nerves before replying.
"You.. You're that voice I've been hearing. What exactly is this place? Am I simply losing it?"
Maric was thoroughly confused, this voice sounded exactly like his own but cold and emotionless. It also held a tinge of curiosity but that curiosity lied in a place of superiority. That same coldness crept further into his body touching his bones and nerves delicately.
«You're still not qualified to know that.. I suppose you could say we're not qualified to be in this place»
The voice trailed off with a hint of amusement in its voice before Maric felt the grand void shudder and wave as if a temperamental ocean. He was forced down to his back before he slowly sank into the dark depths. He couldn't even open his mouth to scream before he was blinded and defended by the darkness.
«Haha.. Soon.. eventually we will reunite. The truth will be revealed whether the father wants it to or not.»
Maric awoke in a panic still attempting to scream and catch his breath. He was covered in a cold sweat and his body shuddered every so often.
"What exactly is happening to me..?"
Maric whispered through his ragged breathing and managed to calm himself while heading to the bathhouse. He undressed and bathed while the thoughts of his dream plagued him. Who was this mysterious voice? And why could it cast for him! Could it possibly be a threat? These things barraged his young mind and because there were still many things he didn't know about Magic the questions outweighed the answers.
After bathing Maric dressed himself in a fresh set of white robes that donned the crest of the Arelle family. He felt like they were a bit tight on him.. and possibly a bit too small. As he inspected himself in the nearby mirror he had grown nearly a full inch and filled out a bit. He was almost 11 but unbeknownst to him most civilians would think he was 13 or 14 due to his appearance.
"Um.. This is unexpected? How long have I been asleep?!"
Maric panicked as he ran into the hallway towards the Manor's central quarters. As his leather shoes dug into the tiles he accelerated faster and faster, narrowly turning the corners. He had a childish smile on his face the entire time as he came to a full stop as the door to the central quarters appeared in his vision. He pushed the door open and was greeted by Ishmael, Seraph & Artemis gathered together talking around a table with an assortment of scrolls and books.
Seraph looked up towards Maric and smiled.
"Oh look here, the sleeping beauty has awakened! It seems that Artemis really did a number on you."
The trio snickered before Ishmael pouted and looked towards Maric with a puzzled face.
"Did you get taller? I didn't expect that children would actually grow overnight! It seems that it's not just a saying huh?"
Maric shrugged before laughing, at least he got confirmation from Ishmael that he had actually grown. It was strange to him as well. As he approached he saw Artemis looking at him curiously but she didn't end up saying much besides he put up a good fight.
When he inquired further on what the three were up to they informed him that his father had tasked them with hunting down the alpha magic beast in the region of Amaranthe Pines and that Maric was to prepare and to come with them in a week's time. Seraph looked towards Maric before asking him in a serious tone.
"Are you ready for your first mission?"
Maric felt shocked for a moment that Sir Seraph was asking him to come along. His father never expressed that he was near ready for a live action mission so why now? While Maric furrowed his brow and began to think the other three veteran Mage-Knights laughed under their breaths.
"Maric, fret not my boy. You are more than prepared for the likes of a magic beast, especially with us coming along!" Seraph spoke up to hush the others. A man's pride was not something to be taken lightly and he didn't want Maric to think they thought him to be cowardly.
"Of course I'm ready. It's just that I wasn't expecting this especially with no forewarning from my father. When will we head out?"
Maric spoke lightheartedly but it did make sense he was a bit surprised. Varys has always told him that his first hunt would be sacred, a defining moment in his passage from child to man and that is the true reason Maric began to dwell, for he was truly wishing that his father would be here to accompany him.