"Your are strong, young mage. But the stronger you get the more wisdom is required to accompany it," Deanna said as they appeared in front of her mansion. By magic she had created a home in a pocket of reality that was only accessible to the gods. The place was an endless stretch of greenery and the source of light wasn't apparent to Damien. It was beautiful. The mansion was made of some kind of white marble and shone as if it was made of glass. Before she could inspect his surroundings more, Deanna opened the door and invited him in. Stepping into the place,he couldnt help but be surprised how...human like the place looked. He was going to comment on this but the goddess wanted to get down to business.
"Your power is unique. I am unable to tell its depth or it's apparent source. As far as I can imagine,it can be limitless," she said as she gestured to him to take a sit.
"You stay alone here?", Damien asked. The question appeared to fluster the goddess as she first appeared not to understand the question.
"Yes indeed, I enjoy my solitude,"
"But doesn't it get boring?",
"Sometimes,but here and again the other gods visit me,"
This surprised Damien a great deal. "I thought you were the only god!", he gashed.
"Then you are not paying attention in class, young mage," she chuckled, gesturing with hand causing a bowl of fruit to appear on the centre table in front of them.
"Oh, you can do magic without muttering an incantation too?", he asked,reaching out to take an apple.
"Yes, only gods can do that. It's an advanced skill that only....wait, you said too. Do you mean to tell me you cast spells without speaking them as well??", she asked, straightening up.
"Yes...ever since I was small. Dad said it's because I'm strong," he said,in-between biting the apple. Deanna stood up suddenly without a word and motioned to him to follow her. They went through the kitchen and out to a back area that had a small clearing.
"Show me what you can do. This place can contain any power....I think. We need to know your limits now,"
Damien wasn't very much convinced. "Are you sure?Do you remember the gorge? I don't want to destroy this beautiful place," he said as a matter of factly. Deanna smiled slightly and considered this, "Yes, I will stop you if I sense you approaching that moment. The reason I brought you here is because your power cannot be sensed anywhere except here. That would be safe as we see what you can do,"
Damien nodded approvingly and proceeded to assume the stance he was taught by his father. He closed his eyes and spread his legs slightly to distribute his centre of mass,bent knees slightly and tucked in his arms. He took a deep breath and let go.
Deanna held her breath looked expectantly at the boy,but nothing happened immediately, except for a slight change in the wind direction. There was no pressure from his intent as she watched. She was confused. A serious release of energy should have caused some visible disturbance in the surrounding. The reason being that an intent weighs on the immediate environment because of the inherent desire to manifest a spell. A spell can be called an anomaly when it's chanted causing an unnatural outcome that temporarily interferes with reality. The greater the casting spell, the greater the pressure on the surroundings to manifest the desire. Deanna was sure Damien was very powerful and expected a serious feedback as a result,but nothing was happening.
Damien then straightened up and looked at her expectantly.
Then it dawned on Deanna. She drew in a quick breath as she finally understood what just happened. If an intent is released with enough power, it suffuses itself with reality as to appear natural,hence the absence of pressure or aura because it isn't an anomaly at that level. Her eyes widened as she remembered that in all of creation there us only one person who could do that. That person was the Supreme deity Orpheus.
As if on cue, Sergei suddenly appeared beside her. The steward was surprised to see a human with Deanna here but proceeded to deliver the message. Deanna didn't immediately acknowledge his presence, shocked by her discovery.
"Forgive the intrusion, Deanna, but the high lord requests your presence, now", he said,looking at the boy curiously. He noticed that the boy's mana pool was suppressed.
"Of course...I Will come just after I return the boy home," said Deanna, snapping out of her thoughts.
"No need, I will take him back. The high lord said so," he said, stepping towards Damien. Deanna nodded at Damien and opened a portal that would take her to Nagus.
"We will talk soon,Damien, " she said as she disappeared into the portal. Damien shifted his attention back to the steward who was looking at him curiously. "You seem....familiar," he said,motioning Damien closer as he opened a portal. "And you seem...strong," said Damien.
The steward shrugged and said "I am actually. But so are you, young mage," he winked.
"We should spar sometime if you like," he added, to which Damien looked down in sadness.
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be a fair fight," said the boy, as he stepped into his room.
Sergei remained on the other side and smiled,thinking how indeed it wouldn't be a fair fight.
As the portal close Damien added," For you,that is".
*************
Appearing in the presence of Orpheus, Deanna felt comforted in the presence of raw power that permeated Nagus reality. It was a comfort that the supreme god will always be there.
"My beautiful Deanna! looking like the bright sun as usual." said Orpheus, gesturing to her to come closer.
"And you flattering me as usual, high lord. To what do I owe the pleasure of summons sire?"
"You were with a boy just now," Orpheus said,his countence growing serious.
"The boy is strong. Stronger than anything you may have come across. Stronger than you or your fellow gods," he said without preamble.
"I don't understand. How can a human being be that strong?I don't understand."
"It will all be revealed soon enough,when the time is right. But you must keep knowledge of him quiet. Let things unfold on their own. Do not tell the other gods of him. Eventually with time,they will know him." said the high lord quietly.
Deanna nodded in acknowledgement. She opened a portal to leave before asking," Is he as strong as you, Supreme god?",
The high lord, smiled at her,"No, my dear Deanna,"
Deanna was relieved and stepped through and the portal closed after her.
Orpheus stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "No my dear....He is not as strong as me. He is stronger than anything you have come across....me included".