Kylexsis POV
A low gasp left my lips when I opened my eyes to a warm steam of sunlight on my body. The warmth enveloped me, bringing in a sense of comfort and the soft breeze blew at my clothes and tall grasses surrounding me. At first every thing seemed strange, until the event of last night flooded into my brain.
"Little cat." I called out and sat up immediately, talking in my surroundings. I was in a land were it was only miles and miles and miles of land of tall, dry yellow grasses. Nothing more, no little cat, no tree, not even my belongings.
My heart raced in fear and my eyes surveyed every direction. I was the only thing in the area so far. Okay, what was happening?
"You really love to freak out as much don't you, Kylexsis?"
I jolted at the sound of that angelic voice and turned to looked behind me, still on my ass. Ekhanto stood behind me smiling that same loving smile, her golden hair and pink dress dancing in the cool soft breeze.
"Ekhanto?" I gasped and gaped at her gobsmacked and amazed at her her evident beauty always seemed to swoon me.
"In the flesh." She chuckled, spreading her arms wide and twirling for me to see." Or...not entirely in the flesh, more like, astral form." She added after she had stopped twirling.
"But.....how are you here? Where is the little cat, or the tree I slept under, or my belongings, or the-" I began to bombard her truly lost and discombobulated. And I didn't also fail to notice the masculine change of my voice, but I was much to interested in what was happening before me now.
Ekhanto rose a palm to silence me, and I instantly shut up feeling the sense of superiority from her."Relax, Kylexsis dear. You are dreaming." She took slow steps towards where I sat in the grass and plopped herself down opposite me." As for how I'm here, it's merely because of the necklace that I gave you. I acts as a bridge between this world's astral plane and the heavens, I honestly didn't think that it would work but.....here I am. However, our time here is limited because I didn't not pack up enough power and energy to stay longer, this was supposed to be a test run but I mistakenly connected to you and here you are."
"What- wait I don't -"
"Don't worry, Kylexsis, I have ordained your future and you both have a lot to do before you die. Not to mention the notion of finding true happy." Ekhanto quickly cut me off again just as a loud trumpet blared to life and the sky instantaneously darkened to a navy blue. I frowned in confusion looking at the sky, what was happening? It looked like what had taken place back at the Rift. Which meant the time was up and she was about to leave me.....again. I didn't want her to go, there were still so much that i wanted to ask her, but she was already beginning to fade away into a thousand sparkling magic dust.
She gave me a reassuring smile." You have said the oath, so when you awake give him the name I know you have within. Lean into him for safety and power, he will teach you all you need to know and accompany you for eternity. And get to safety. Till next we meet again love, just dream. Bye.."
No no no, wait, Ekhanto wait.......WAIT.
"Ekhanto!" I bolted up awake with my arms outstretched as if I was about to grab something. There was no Ekhanto in sight, nor the dry grassland but instead a full beautiful greenery of grasses and flowers greeted me with a clear blue sky above and fresh morning breeze.
The memories of last night came rushing in and I couldn't help the silent tears that slipped from my tear ducts. I looked down at myself noticing that my hands, hoodie and jeans were coated in red blood......His blood, but there was no sign of the little cat anywhere. My eyes widened in panic as my head darted from left to right in search of a bundle of blue fur.... probably dead.
No! My mind screamed at me. I can't think such negatives, there is always hope.
I didn't see him and I knew he couldn't have walked away. He was too wounded to move a tail or open his eyes. Or did I share my life with him and heal him? Even so, I didn't think that he would wonder off much less leave me helpless.
"Little cat?" I called getting up on my feet and walking forward to survey the open field of exotic flowers and green grasses of any sign of him. He couldn't have gone far.....where the hell was he?" Little c-"
I was cut short by the sound of gentle shuffling and a loud huff. My heart went straight to my mouth and I wheeled around almost stumbling with a yelp when my eyes settled on the intruder. And it was huge. Familiar blue fur was curled up in a ball with darker blue stripes like a tigers. It seemed to have been asleep but had awoken to the sounds of my yelp. It rose it huge head, ears flattened against its back and let out a loud yawn. My saliva found it hard to go down my throat at the sight of those huge canines that went down to its jaw. It turned towards my direction and set me with a stoic look in those again, familiar green eyes.
Hold on...... wasn't that-
"Lexi?" His voice was of him, but hoarse and dry like he hadn't drunk water in a while. Standing up, his collosal form towered over my small frame. He was looking thrice the size of a grizzly bear and much more furrier. His tail swished fondly from left to right and he cocked his head to the side with his face crunched up into what was supposed to be a frown. No, this was definitely him." What's happening? And is it just me or have you grown shorter?"
"Oh, my God." I covered my mouth gasped with tears filling my eyes. My heart flooded with relief and bliss at the sight of him alive and healthy." You're alive..."
"Well that's because you saved me, Kylexsis. You saved me. And I am most grateful." He smiled lovingly at me, sharp canines flashing under the light.
I let my eyes study his towering figure again, the shock in how he managed to grow to such size coming back to me." What the hell happened to you little cat? Goodness, your are roughly thrice the size of a grizzly bear."
A small grimace crossed his face in thought as he cocked his head in curiousity." I am?..." His eyes seemed in a trance, thinking through what I had just said before it widened in what I felt was realization." I AM! Oh my God, Lexi, I'm huge. We did it, moved on to the next level." He yipped in delight raising his paw closely to his twinkling and excited eyes. I frowned at this, not quite understanding what exactly he was talking about. Sometimes I feel like there was so much more to what this little cat told me and it would be only later on that I would finally have the chance to figure it out." You said the oath didn't you? Right?"
"Oath...." I murmured itching the side of my head in wonder. Racking my brain from where I had heard that....oh! That oath?"Um, little c-"
Before I could finish my sentence, he bolted past me and into the tall grasses. I stared at him wide eyed and stunned for a moment before making up my mind to start chasing after him across the field to god-knows-where. He was light and swift on his feet like any feline would be, dashing past the pastures with ease and a certain gentleness the movement of his feet possessed. However, I was light too and could easily catch up with him, but by the time I reached his side where he sat at a pond staring at his reflection in the water, I was short of breath.
"Wh-what the hell little cat." I whined holding my slightly burning sides. My breathing was coming out in slow, soft and gentle heaves. He didn't say anything though. He just stared at his reflection for a while, before reaching out to the water and touching the surface with a large dark claw. The touch sent round ripples that stretched far before they faded away. I didn't say anything to disturb him, having a feeling that this quiet moment was his.
"Don't worry Lexi, it's normal for daemons to reach deity forms a little bit earlier." He finally spoke, smiling goofily to himself knowingly.
"Deity forms?" I questioned tearing my gaze away from the water and regarding him with a quirked brow. His smile widened and his head bobbed gently a few times with his tail flicking gently from left to right and slightly brushing the first across my arms unconsciously.
" You see Lexi, the bond between a daemon and its master is so much more than you have knowledge about." He said indistinctly, staring ahead in a trance." There are four strings to a bond. Four strings that connects the mind,power, and emotional state of the daemon and its master. The first string, neutral form." He began to explain, eyes still staring forward and looking like he was thinking deep and not fully aware of his surroundings." It's the stage every daemon must have. My neutral form was the little sabertooth tiger I was, it's a state of weakness or hidden powers, for some other daemons. The second string, the deity form. This is the second strongest state a daemon and its master can reach in high time. Deity state unlocks great abilities and magic affinity. However, there are some daemons who can not have the deity form apart from neutral. The third string, the human form. I suppose you know what that is..... it's both beautiful and amazing to have a daemon with a human form. It is the third most powerful. I wish I would be able to see mine again. And then there comes the last string....... balance breaker."
I rose a brow, sounded something that could be in an anime movie.
"This is the last most powerful stage both a daemon and its master could ever strive to reach. People never enter that stage, and those who do have the ability close to a demigod. They are rare...respected.....and dangerous." He turned to me with a solemn look." Thinking back to our mission we are bound to come across them. Most are merely megalomaniacs with a perchance for all power, few are good people. However, when we do happen to come across them, we cannot fully trust them. It is imperative you know who are your true ally here, Lexi, least you fall and bite the dust."
I nodded solemnly too, taking a mental note of every advice he'd given me so far. The way he talked about the people who'd reached balance breaker made those nasty shivers travel in speed down my arms and spine. Just how notorious were they?
"You've made it this far, you saved my life when I was at the brink of death, rejoice Lexi, one tragedy led us to a bit of progress. Ekhanto would be proud." He smiled now, the serious look on his face fading away to something completely soft and gentle.
I smiled sadly as I looked down at my hands. They were still bloody from the little cats wounds. It painted every corner, even got into my nails. It was disgusting but I didn't recommend it as that. I was glad that he was alive, it wouldn't be the first time for me crying over losing someone. I had lost my real family at a very tender age and I had cried then, but nothing. Nothing could compare to what I had just felt last night when I thought he would die on me. For the first time in my entire life, old or new, I had felt completely and utterly alone. It wasn't a new feeling for me, but it wasn't familiar all the same and I had cried. Cried like the baby I was, and it was okay now.
He was okay now.
However, I was afraid that the events of last night would forever be scarred into my mind. I had been assaulted before, but not like this. What I felt last night was no different from what I had always felt, but for some reason it felt so much more. All my life I had never thought that I would feel such insane array of negative emotions for someone that I had just met. It was crazy, it felt crazy, yet it felt right. And for the ever first time in my life, beside this little cat, I felt like I belonged somewhere. Belonged with him, alongside him.
Yes, I should rejoice after all. She would be proud... right?
"Hey Lexi," The little cat called gently. I hummed in response, kneeling at the edge of the pond to begin washing my hands in the clear water. He had his eyes on a fish a meter away, swimming like it had no business with the world." Do you want to talk about it? Last night?"
At his words, I paused in my action. Last night. Goddammit, he didn't have to remind me of that.
"Do you want to talk about last night too? You were stabbed you know?" I counteracted giving him a sour look.
"Not really." He turned to me with a small smile." It won't be my first time getting stabbed or almost dying. Although the intense emotions swaying out of you and reaching towards me will surely make that night memorable. I'll be fine, I'll live on and forget about it. This mission will only be hindered if I let myself drown in despair. Worrying can ruin your health. You'll understand soon enough. However, I'm going to heal, so you can heal too."
"Then if you're going to move on....." I began with a shrug, facing him with a genuine smile." Then I will too. For me, for you, for Ekhanto, for the world and for this mission. I can't also afford to stray. I promised her. And I'm promising you too."
A promise. I had only ever made a genuine promise to one person in my life. Ekhanto
And here I am again, making another one to the one person on this planet that actually gave a damn about me. To move on was to make this place better. Maybe there was more to everything. Maybe what happened last night happened to show me that there was more to my mission than to save this world from villain. Maybe the people of this world was the villain and the very problem it faced. I wasn't just going to stop some bad guy, I was going to completely purge the land of the evil. Evil of both men and women who strives to topple it to their feet. People like that didn't deserve to life or have a say in any matter. People like that should not be born. So watch out world...
I'm coming for you.
"Hey little cat." I called flicking the water from my washed hands and turning to him again. He removed his gaze from the numerous fish that were now souring momentarily above the surface and regarded me with attentive eyes." I...I think I got a name for you."
His brow instantly shot up, along with his entire body making my fall back in my ass. He turned to me fully now, green eyes glinting with beatitude. There was a slight stinging on my shoulders and the wave of happiness that spread through me was one that could last a lifetime." Really? You do? Are you sure that you're not-"
"I didn't make it up, CERULEAN. I believe it came to me when I recited that oath last night." I grinned brightly, finding joy in the mixture of contentment, excitement and pride on his face.His brows rose at the mention of his name and the words of last night clicked in my head. Forever always,C.....ul...an." Yes, that's your name, Cerulean. Like the blue of your fur.... you like it?"
"Cerulean.I love it." He said bowing his head to me. Smiling, I placed my forehead to his, my face completely sinking into his large fluffy blue fur and making it a little hard to breathe
But I didn't mind. This was an in the moment kind of thing.
"You know....." I began to say, reaching to his head and placing my hand to pat his head but my hand sunk into the fur and buried beneath it's warmth." You really are very furry. Am I required to bath you?"
"Lexi,just because I'm a cat does not mean that I enjoy cleaning myself with my tongue. Of course you are required to bathe me, you are my master after all." He chuckled mischievously drawing back and fixing me with an amazed look.
I rolled my eyes at him." Ugh, buzz kill. I'll make sure to put pepper in your soap."
He threw his head back at my words and released a bellowing laughter not giving a care in the world when his deep tones echoed through empty vast of land. I let out my own laugh to feeling like I really needed the break. And as we indulged in this I couldn't help but be glad I didn't turn him away at first, he was a precious person especially to me. And it scared me, because as of now, he was all I had left. He was just for me, his similar green eyes, fluffy blue fur coat that I loved to touch, the deep sound of his voice that brought me a sense of calmness and his boisterous laughter that made me smile and assured me that he was always here with me. By my side.
Crazy, it's only been for a day yet I feel these things. It's was like I had memorized every corner of his body and every sound of his voice. He was my second half.....I couldn't lose him. I would. I would protect him, as he would protect me, and give my life for him when such a time comes.
"Lexi, it's about pretty early now. We have to move on if we want to reach the next town by nightfall. Being claustrophobic is one usual scare but fear of wide spaced don't do much to ease anything." The happy face that CERULEAN, previously sported was now replaced by that serious look yet again and yet too soon.
I nodded my head in understanding and agreement, a bit disappointed that all traces of the happiness we had was now gone so we could finally focus on the task at hand." I'll go get my bag and then we'll-"
"Wait, Kylexsis, not yet," Cerulean stopped me, taking one step towards me with frowning eyes lost in his thoughts once more. I paused and looked straight into it, waited for him to continue what he had in mind to say." Lexi, last night those men assaulted us because they knew just how weak we were. It is a death sentence to go after a halfbreed without harbouring no harm, your kind are known to be extremely powerful if not rare and manipulative, they wouldn't have come after us if one of them didn't have the magical ability to sense one's magical affinity in which ours is terribly and dangerously low if I might add. So before we go, I would like to teach you a bit on how to conjure up enough electricity for a good defense against bad guys."
"But, I, I don't know how to." I informed with a slight frown feeling doubt gnawing in the pits of my stomach. The thought of magic made my skin crawl, both with excitement and fear. Magic goes two ways, the dark and the light. You can only be on one end of that line, and people who have barely any control of their magic lust will fall......I didn't want to fall.
"But you used it to save me, didn't you. Last night, remember, when you let out your prominent magical element to save me." He said.
A grimace found its way on my face as I forced myself to remember the events. I would admit that it wasn't really planned, it was me being more out of control than aware. Things could have been pretty worse if the flow of power didn't die down the moment it was released. It was not something I was proud of , loosing a bit to the influence of the power, however every one is bound lose it one day, it's my luck that I did a bit earlier." That was unintentional. I didn't mean to. It was....in the heat of the moment and I just couldn't control the urge to... let it all out when you were stabbed. I'm sorry."
He smiled softly at me and shook his head." Uh-uh. You shouldn't apologize for something you simply can't control no matter how pathetic it may seem. That is why I am here, to guide you and assist you in anyway you need. What I'm going to teach you isn't something too complex, it's an easy activity of simply drawing the energy from your core and amplifying the power from it and within it. As easy as that."
I rolled my eyes at his words." Easy my foot, you make it sound like it is simple."
"It is trust me. Come on, let's go to higher ground and then we can start." Cerulean replied and passed by me to make his way towards the small grassy cliff that led down to the pond. I followed silently behind, watching how his body moved slowly and gracefully, his back legs taking the same spot of footprints made by his front legs and his furs moved along with his muscles." So, tell me, what did you feel the moment your power began to rise. What was the drive, what were the main emotions."
I shrugged, my mouth going bitter at the recollection of it." What else, C? Anger, pain, resentment, disgrace, fear, pretty much everything that didn't relate to bliss.....and then there was that burning sensation on my shoulder blade that just fueled it the more."
Cerulean paused in his step making my bump into his side. I recoiled with a frown and in confusion as I stared up at him. His mouth was set in a thin line and his face was also crunched in a baffled frown." Burning you say.....may I see it?"
"Uh....okay....sure." I replied dumbly and proceeded to take off my bloody hoodie and, my polo followed to reveal my black long sleeve. My male form might had had a little meat to make this clothes look just baggy but now I feel like the clothes were wearing me. I pulled the collar down to reveal my shoulder blade so we could take a look at it. A soft gasp escaped my lips when my eyes met with a small black paw tattoo embedded on my skin for all to see.
"As I thought. The mark of a daemon. Don't worry, only masters that had gone into deep connection with to their daemon carries their mark embedded like a black tattoo on the skin. It only strengthens our bond so see nothing bad of it okay?" He assured, only moving on when I nodded.
When we reached to the spot, Cerulean stopped and turned towards me. My heart raced a bit at the thought of my doing a fanatical thing such as magic. If anyone was going to tell me that I would die and get reincarnated as a powered halfbreed I would have laughed in their face and flipped them the bird so they would leave me alone. But here I am, the rush of excitement coursing through my veins.
"Okay, we are going to start with the basic. We need to know which power you have and don't have." Cerulean began taking a sit on the grass and gesturing that I take a sit opposite him. I asked him how we do that and he answered." There are many ways to find out the elements that you carry. I do not know much about this world and it's inhabitants. I only know enough to say, that the system of magic users are distinguished into five. The raw Elementalists, The Dark Magi's, The Light Magi's, The Spirit Magi's and The Grey Magi's."
I straightened up to listen attentively to his words and finding myself quite interested in the information. He continued on," The Faey and the Elvin are all and only raw Elementalists. The warlocks, sorcerers, wizards and witches are the dark magic users. The Magi's are pure grey, very rare are born light and hardly a full-breed mage spirit user is born, although the mages only have a bit of spirit magic, some aren't so lucky. Spirit seers, exorcist, full bred born priest and holy souls are all spirit users."
"Then where exactly do the hybrids fall on " I asked in curiousity cocking my head to the side in wonder.
"There is a spectrum. Ranging from light to dark. Imagine a line, the right end is white and the left end is dark. The white end is the light users, but as the lines keep travelled towards the dark end it begins to darken to grey. The grey middle is for pure blooded grey users which are only the halfbreeds. Magi's can only draw power from that part of the spectrum but can never be a part of it like halfbreeds are. But the one thing about being a pure blooded grey user is that they easily fall to ends of the spectrum. If they cannot maintain the heavy ability to use all powers of the spectrum ranging from the light to the spirit to the grey to the elemental and to the dark, then they fall into one category. And falling into dark magic is like asking for death by the light and spirit users. Like I said, halfbreeds are insanely powerful, that is why they are awed, feared and wanted. This is why you have to learn to control it. Light and the spirit users think that halfbreeds should be eliminated because of what they could become, let's prove them wrong, yeah?"
I nodded feeling Impressed with myself. There were so many things to learn about my kind, and to learn about this world and how it worked. It made me much more eager and awakened the old interested person I used to be before my life went to shit.
"You are on the grey spectrum, Kylexsis, and you are very powerful I can sense it. Last night was an example of the darkness calling to you, I don't know how you managed to not fall into its trap but I am glad you didn't. Most halfbreeds who fall under the dark spectrum loses all humanity and becomes a bloodthirsty beast. It was the negative emotions and that is why it is wrong to use your abilities through that. I could lose you to the dark side. I'm glad you are still here." He smiled down me bowing his head to my eyes level." Now, let's start."
I nodded somberly and straightened up more." You're too tense, let go and relax Lexi." He informed and I immediately relaxed myself feeling an embarrassment blush creeping up to my cheeks like that jackass it was." Now close your eyes and relax the lids. Take two long deeps breaths and one short breath to steady and momentarily slow down the rate at which your heart is beating."
I nodded and did as he instructed. Darkness filled my vision as I closed my eyes and relaxed the lids. I took two long breaths and one short breaths but my heart didn't slow down. I didn't know if it was healthy or a normal case scenario in this place. Or maybe halfbreeds can survive slowing heart beat rate, like cambions don't have a heartbeat and should it not be dangerous to-
"Jesus, Kylexsis, clear your mind. The concentration of your powers works on clarity. I can hear you chatting away in your head." He scowled in irritation shifting but I didn't dare open up my eyes. The exasperation he felt flooded my senses making me physically cringe.
"Sorry, I don't exactly know how to clear my mind. It's all muddled." I complained, putting my lips into a small pout then pulled my lips back the moment I realized how much of a baby I was behaving like.
Cerulean sighed a bit too dramatically." Fine, let me help you. That breathing pattern I told you to do, keep repeating it in an orderly fashion."I nodded and did as he said." Now clear your mind of any troubles. Focus on your surroundings and lend an ear to listen to their sounds. The sounds of the gentle breeze or the shuffling leaves. The sound of the fish splashing in the water. Feel the warm sunlight on your skin, the caress of the wind against your clothes and body and how your hair dances around you. It's a calling, a communication, they are telling you things, focus in your mind, focus on why you are here and let your eager drive lead you towards a dark space with illuminating lights....do you see it?"
I did as he said, counting my breathing. One.....two-three. One..... two-three. I focused on my surroundings feeling and hearing everything. He was right, the way the wind moved and the leaves shook was like a saying. It calmed my nerves and my mind wasn't clouded anymore. It wasn't long till I felt like I had fallen into a trance. My body and shoulders slumped heavily . My breath evened out and my mind drifted. It felt like I was being spun around and around and around. Eventually it all stopped and I found myself standing in a dark abyss similar to the Void. It was completely pitch black and I saw that I was treading upon dark waters that had a ripple effect after every step.
"Open your eyes, Lexi. Find your inner sanctum and let the grey magic in you overflow and only will you see the true colours of your power and then tell me exactly what you see." The soft reverberating sound of Cerulean filled the empty Void and I felt my heart flutter with comfort and my hairs stand in alert. I nodded at his instructions even if he couldn't see me and focused my mind on his words. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before releasing it all completely that my head felt faint and my body felt light. My ankles and wrists tinkled and my heart only slowed down more. The moment I opened up my eyes a small gasp of amazement left my lips.
The Void was now brightened up by dozens of blueish white light that curved around each other and spread around endlessly like a bridge. The light illuminated on my body and brightened up my path and the water underneath my feet. It was beautiful.
"I...I see blueish white light-like bridges stretching on.... probably endlessly." I murmured out to Cerulean studying my Void, not really thinking if he could hear me. What was this place? The presence felt awfully familiar, like I was surrounding it with prominence. The similar energy from last night without the negativity, flowing out and dancing around the lines. It felt beautifully overwhelming.
"Yes, that is your mana, those bluish white light. There are bridges that lead to a dozen places in your inner sanctum." Cerulean's voice said to me." Now that is just the icing on the cake, Kylexsis, I want you to imagine your power and give shape to it, but don't force yourself to paint a picture, let your subconscious do it for you. It is yours to command and control not the other way around. I want you to bend it to your will and order it to come out. When it does, tell me the colour of the balls you see and I shall tell you your abilities."
I nodded again and began to reel my mind. It was difficult, to stay still and battle with my brain not to bring up a picture. I was about to complain to Cerulean that it wasn't working but when I opened up my eyes, I let out a startled gasp at the magical sight before me. Yes it was truly magical.
I stood on one of the bridges that led a a large cerulean blue orb that brightened up the place. It seemed to be the strongest light of all the other orbs lined straight at each sides, but to them there were no bridges to reach them yet. "I see...a cerulean blue orb, Cerulean." I called, my voice echoing into the darkness.
"Yes, that is the signature colour for rare lightening magic." Cerulean's voice filled my ears, echoing around the stretched out abyss." What else do you see?"
"I see..." I began, looking to the next ball at my left." A glowing flaming red orb. From this distance it feels kind of hot, is that bad?"
"No, it is your fire power. Which means you have the affinity to be a fire and a lightening user. Anything else?"
"There's this lighter shade of blue orb, with dots of tiny white and red swirling within." I said studying the next orb carefully, amazed by the profound beauty and magic.
"An affinity for water magic, with a bit of blood bending. The white in the blue must be the healing properties. That's fantastic." His voice sounded pleased with the results.
"There is this.....reddish brown granite...I can see some patches of green on it. The reddish brown granite isn't so prominent, but the green seems to be." I said craning my neck towards the ball of my power, wishing that there was a bridge and I wouldn't have to stretch my neck.
"The affinity for earth and wood. Your earth on the weak side though, but your wood will suffice for support."
"Then there is a grey glow, with some patches of cerulean blue and light blue swirling in it.....does....does that even make sense." I narrowed my eyes curiously towards the ball, and awaited for Cerulean's point of view.
"Apparently, it's not common for people to create storm through the use of the air elements, but because of your high affinity for lightening and water, it seems that you have air, with the affinity for storms." I could hear the pride in his tone and I smiled." Anything else?"
"yeah, there is this ash orb, too, it's colour contrast is much more lighter than my air orb. What's that one?"
"The power of mind. Every Faey posseses those." he answered " anything else?"
" Um...yeah it's......oh, woah...." I shocked gasp left me as I stared at the last orb. As it swirled I could see purple glows from in-between, a small whisper of a soothing yet menacing and dangerous voice as smooth as velvet call to me. It gave me the jitters, fearful goosebumps making its way into my skin." I see a black orb, with glowing violet swirling around it. There are voices calling to me...it's creepy."
"Don't worry, Lexi. That is your dark end of the spectrum. You are a halfbreed, from the dark side of the Elvin, it's only normal to have pure dark and shadow magic. Don't worry, you'll be fine, but I'd like you to refrain from using it in public. People don't appreciate your kind." Cerulean warned. And I nodded again, taking note of that." Anything else?"
"Um, no...no.....I don't think so-" I murmured to myself scanning the black Void surrounding me. I was about to call quits when I found a ball glinting in the distance. It was heavenly white and glowed lonely at the far end." Uh, hold on I...I think...." I began to say subconsciously reaching out for it. The moment I squirted my eyes to its direction, the swirling stopped as if it knew that I was staring at it and it rippled filling the void with some light before bursting into a tremendously bright light that covered the Void. I had to cover my eyes not to get blinded by it, but the moment I opened it up, every where wasn't a void anymore. It was white. I wasn't standing on black waters anymore but levitating over bright glowing waters. It was warm with comfort and a sense of safety and purity. There was golden and white tiny balls of light floating up in the air. Some seemed to be alive as they zoomed around the space around and above me with a soft zooming sound. It was beautiful.
"What is this place.... Cerulean I-" I began to call on to him, genuinely confused on what had just happened.
"I know." Cerulean's voice said from behind me. I whirled around with a skip of beat of my heart to find that giant sabertooth tiger smiling up at the zooming balls of light." I very much know."
"Little cat?" My eyes nearly popped out at the sight of him. He couldn't come with me into my void and what ever this was all along and he didn't do so?!" What are you...how are you here?"
"I'm your daemon, Lexi." Cerulean stated as a matter of fact looking at me like I had suddenly grown a second head." We share a bond so of course we would share one mind. Your void is still mine, we share power, Kylexsis. God, I thought that you would understand that by now."
I rolled my eyes at his hidden criticism." If you could enter the Void with me then why didn't you do it and like help out?" I questioned feeling annoyed, but I knew it wasn't from me. It was from him, and the feeling made my tattoo mark sting a bit and my head reel.
Cerulean snorted rudely."Help you? With what exactly? The only helping you need is training and support when you have nothing left in you. That's the mistake everyone find it hard to correct. They depend too much on their daemon and when shit turns the fan, and their daemons are out of the picture they fall. I want you to learn to cater for your needs until you're completely and utterly helpless before I can step in. I have a goal to make you the strongest mage to ever live, so suck it up and learn to do things yourself."
I rose my brow in utter understanding, slightly taken aback by his outburst." Okay, sure I understand." I murmured turning away to study one golden light that had the courage to come up right in front of my face. I couldn't see the body through the light though, it looked as if it was constantly phasing and vibrating." They're spirits that reside in your spirit space." Cerulean explaied walking up beside me." Apparently, you half the blood of a pure blooded spirit user in your veins too, baring that we are here right now."
"Over there." Cerulean gesticulated towards the side. I followed the direction of his paw and let out an amazed gasp at the sight before me. My bulging eyes scrutinized four colored balls of light surrounding on smaller white ball of light. The surrounding four ball were of different colour, there was red, pink, purple and yellow that emitted colored magic dust that the spirit seemed to collect like they fed on it." Those are the orbs obtaining your spirit ability. The purple signifies the spirit of life. It can act as a type of adrenaline momentarily boosting the physical, mental, and magical capabilities of a mage for two minutes, or more depending on how stringent your body can be . However, excessive use can lead to certain untimely and fast death. In the ancient history, it is known that there was a practice concerning the purple spirit to be used in a ritual to bring a person back to life.....that practice had been lost for decades."
"The pink signifies, protection. It strengthens the air around to create a thin pink but insanely strong and formidable shield. The yellow spirit signifies illusions, it's not strong and physical contact will shatter the image. And then there is red. That signifies creation. You can find that spirit mostly flying around the air, but it takes a strong mid of will to wield it. I can be able to materialize into any form the mind wants. However, red spirits, just like any other spirits, shatter if concentration is lost."
"Then what about that white ball in the middle." I mused, pointing towards the mesmerising ball of white, feeling drawn to its power.
"Your astral.....one of the most powerful magic in all of Tundran." He answered in a soft whisper, as if people would hear us if he didn't. His eyes glinted with reverence as he stared at it.
"And what is the astral?" I muttered dumbly, cocking my head to the side, the question residing mostly for myself than for Cerulean.
"I'll explain later, as of now we are burning daylight. I have found what ever your abilities are and now we must move on to the stage of amplifying that power." Cerulean shook his head with a frown, his face turning somber once again as he faced me." Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking out a door and out onto the greenery of the field, then utter the word "Reboot".
Nodding, I closed my eyes and imagined so hard that my head hurt. The door was as white as the spirit space, with a bronze knob. It opened on impulse when I walked closer to it, finding the greenery of the field. When I walked past it, a bright light engulfed my sight into nothing as I murmured the word, reboot.
My eyes shot open almost immediately but an unfamiliar force tugged me down and unto the grass. I groaned when my back collided with the soft earth, hands flying to cradle my head that wasn't spared the pain." Ouch." I moaned rubbing the aching spot and sitting back up.
"Lexi, are you okay? Are you hurt?" The gentle worried sound of Cerulean's voice filled my ears. It pounded and gave me that horrible ringing noise that eventually died down after a few seconds. My sight was blurry too, but it came into focus when the ringing in my ear had stopped and the voices were now back to their normal pitch.
"I'll live." I said, blinking at him." My sight was really blurry, my ears rung and God, why was your voice so loud."
"Sorry, must be the after effects of staying so long in there despite you being a beginner." He winced guiltily." But don't worry, just give it a few weeks of intensive meditating and you'll be perfect in no time. Now come on and let's get this lesson over with. Stand up and face away from the lake to face those few trees."
"Okay." I said excitedly, springing to my feet and feeling my heart race with pumping adrenaline. It was an ecstatic feeling, to find out that you were about to do magic, lightening no less. I wouldn't have believed this would have happened in such a very short spam of time but here I am on a mission to save a world I barely knew but yet I call home.
"Now, listen and listen carefully." Cerulean began, the lesson." Seeing the fact that you possess the affinity for more than five magical ability on every point of the spectrum, you are declared as a Vox Mage. Before you ask, a Vox Mage is a magic user who can communicate with all or more than five forms of magic on the spectrum. All halfbreeds are Vox mages, however because keeping themselves steady on the middle of the spectrum is a difficult task so they usually result to suppressing one side of the spectrum and using the other half. That however makes one side of the spectrum weaker for them or remain dormant forever, it might be a bit difficult for you to handle both sides but there is this technique you can use to switch. I'll explain more about that later. Now as I was previously saying, their way of training is by far difficult from the normal Mage. For Vox's their words are their power and their will is what makes what ever they wish come through. In a way, the power of a Vox is limitless, yet it's full of limits. Without strong will....I'm afraid your power will have an unbreakable limit. You, have strong will Kylexsis, and not just because Ekhanto told me but because as your daemon I can feel it burning within you like a blazing wildfire. It takes people days to find the right wavelength to connect with their void, yet you did so under the spam of of ten seconds and stayed longer than three minutes with still enough energy left to perform a spell. You really are something Kylexsis."
I smiled at the ground bashfully, feeling a bit insecure about his compliment. For so long I had lived the rudimentary life of a teenager who had nothing and no one, and now I was something important. Splendid life I have. But my will. I knew I had strong will, how else did I survive through teen and college years with all the beatings and insults and ego depletion and homelessness. I had survived long enough, I know I will survive longer now.
"All you have to do now is grab on to that will and bend it into how you want it to be used." He instructed." Close your eyes and connect with your Void but I want you to be aware and awake to your surroundings."
I nodded silently and closed my eyes and begun to drift back to my Void space
It was easier now a second time. The only difference was that I had split half of my consciousness so that I was both aware of my surroundings and my void space. I felt strange, I saw myself standing on the bridge of mana but I could hear the faint sound the wind and trees rustling. I felt as if I had just closed my eyes and the picture of the void was painted behind my lids.
"I'm there Cerulean" I called unto him, making my way over to the only bridge leading to only the ball of my lightening ability. There was a small surge that rushed through me making me halt and double check, it was if it knew what I was going to do it and it felt more like it was saying it was... excited? Is the void space alive?
"Good, now I want to you to grab your mana. You can't do magic without activating it. Reach down to the bridge you tread on and place your hands on it. Tell me what you feel."
I did as he said, getting on my knees. Without being asked what to do( #after watching lot of anime movies) I pressed my palm on the warm yet peculiarly cold mana bridge and sunk my mind into it feeling like it had a mind of its own. I wasn't disappointed. The moment I reached out my mind and presence to it, it pulsed and tiny blueish white tendrils of mana shot out of the bridge and wrapped itself around my arm. The tendrils pulsed with power, sinking into my skin and filling me with energy. It felt just like last night but much more clear, clean..... purified. There were no voices, no menacing whispers or demands to do harm. There was only a silent request and ecstasy as it fill me completely.
And then everything fell away. I wasn't aware of my surroundings anymore and it was just me and the mana leaving me in a vulnerable state. Nothing was recognised except for the mana and I in the empty space, the spiritual body within it, calling to me. I breathed in, then out, in then out, enduring the little pain from too much force of power all at once.
I felt everything around me lift, my hair, my clothes my body up in the air, but more glowing tendrils shot out to grab me and keep me from floating too high. Too much. It was too much, it was.....
Everything exploded. The mana gave one last massive burst of power into my body and I screamed, blasting whatever that couldn't fit, through the Void sending avalanches that shook the space also sending a painful shiver racking through my body. The tendrils let go off me and slipped back into the bridge leaving me to drop to my knees. My body felt weak and drained yet alive and strengthened. When I got up to my feet and looked at my hand, there was a glowing translucent Cerulean blue fire all over me. There was also a bit of electricity, cracking and popping around me. It was beautiful. It was my mana. Then everything began to come back to me tenfold, my senses heightening. I could literally feel where the direction of the wind went: East. I could hear the grass shuffling beneath me and the tress dancing along with the breeze. I could hear Cerulean's heart, thumping healthily in his chest and the slow controlled sounds of his breath. I could smell the air carrying a hint of lilacs and Snapdragons. There was the blood from my hoodie and the familiar smell of fresh rain from Cerulean's fur. The calming smell of wet soil and the smell of rain clouds coming along.
"Excellent Lexi, you did well." Cerulean cheered from above, I could hear the smile and pride in his voice. He sounded more like a big brother to me and it made my heart flutter at his tendency to compliment me on everything."But before you do anything, I want to you to stop the flow of your mana upwards and command it downwards."
"Downwards?" I almost chocked on the words." But.....but that's almost impossible. It takes a master kind to do that." I stuttered, knowing well enough that even in the anime universe, downward flowing mana, or ki,or qi, meant loss of concentration,but some people used that to their advantage. I didn't know how to do that.....
"And it takes a beginner to be a master. And plus it is like you said, almost." Cerulean snipped." You came from a very mundane world with nothing to your imagination but here you are in a magical world you never knew existed and you call merely practicing downward flow of mana almost impossible. Don't let me come in there and kick your ass now do as I say and will it Kylexsis. Fucking control your WILL."
His voice echoed through the depths and I found myself being motivated by his annoying forceful tone and tried to bend it to my will. It was a tremendously horrible experience. The mana threatened to disobey and resist me until shots of hot raw mana began to spill out of me.
"Control yourself Kylexsis, now!!!!" The panicked, warning voice of Cerulean boomed in the depth but I could hardly register it. It surrounded me like a cocoon, making me feel trapped and smothered. I needed to focus, I needed to fight back but it hurt. It fucking hurt. The power gnawed stubbornly at me resisting my authority and trying to apply it's own. But I wouldn't let it.
"For the love of God, you will bend to my will!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed, commanding the mana and forcing its movement to come to a stop only to push the direction downwards. But everything changed from there. My mind blew with power that my body could not handle too easily. My body rippled like I had broken every bone in my body, and blood trickled down my nose. My mind immediately disconnected with my Void space and I was flung out to the real world. When I opened my eyes I also found that I was flying backwards towards a tree, like the force of my mana had thrown me.
" Kylexsis!" I heard Cerulean's shriek behind me before I felt myself land on a very soft surface, the smell of rain invading my nostrils an indication enough to know that it was Cerulean behind me." Are you okay, Jesus!"
A low throaty moan- and no not the pleasurable kind- left my lips. The collision wasn't hard thanks to the softness of his fur but my head and muscles were still reeling from the strain. The power wasn't done building up in me and trying to reach the surface. My body and face felt like it was on fire and a pang of energy surges my heart. That was a disaster, and an overbearingly agonizing incident but something about the stubbornness of this power, and my power intrigued me. And I wanted nothing more but to tame the beast inside. I wanted to be that greatest mage this world has ever known.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." I lied in assurance, as I got up with a pained wheeze and faced him. A weak smile curving on my lips." That was a challenge, let's go again shall we?"
"Oh, my God, Lexi." Cerulean screeched standing up straight to look down at me with a mixture of shock and fear in his green orbs. His gaze travelled from the tips of my shoes to the top of my head. My face glowered, not liking the look of his fearful face directed to mine." Look at yourself."
I quickly brought my eyes to stare down at my form, wondering what made him so spooked. I gaped, flabbergasted at the sight of my mana visible for the world to see. It coursed greatly around my body, raising higher and higher as the power in me surged and increased almost reaching to the peak, pleading, requesting that I let go for a moment, but I didn't. I didn't know what would happen if I let go, I didn't know if Cerulean would be caught up in it and get hurt. I wasn't ready to cry over him.....not yet....not after Ekhanto gave me hope. I just had to hold on, even if it killed me. I'd rather die than him.
But my mana wasn't flowing upwards or downwards. It was coursing at all angles, shooting hot beams of energy around like arrows.
"Lexi control yourself for crying out loud." Cerulean screamed jumping out of the way when a beam of mana shot at him, and scorched the ground." Overflowing mana with no course of direction can lead to a huge explosion. You're a ticking time bomb now Lexi, control yourself or we both die, or you loose your power if your void is affected even if we do survive."
"H-how, the energy keeps rising in me and I don't know how to stop it. I can only let some go but I don't know if that a good idea." I screamed in fear too, tears blurring my eyes. I didn't know what to do, and it scared me.
"Let it go, Lexi. Let it all go. Draw the power and let it draw you. Hurry!!!!!" Screamed Cerulean.
The moment I found myself acknowledging the concept of letting go, the void flashed into my mind and I was standing before that huge ball of cerulean blue. It was pulsing and shining brightly like it was about to explode. Without thinking, without apprehension, I stretched out my hand towards it and ordered that it came to me. Instantly, cerulean blue tendrils shot out from the orbs and latched onto my body like a bloodsucking parasite. My hands, my legs, my waist, even my head,it sunk past my jeans, shirt and into my skin where it laced with my veins and imbued my blood with overflowing magic.
My vision flashed and I saw it. I saw her. I saw the image of a a female tiger. Her eyes were a bright shade of gold, looking like it held a unique wisdom of a lifetime. It's fur was creamish white and her stripes were a beautiful shade of liquid gold. I felt like I knew her, like I made her into my life. LIke she was chosen for me. She gave me a smile and I knew that it was nothing more but in solace.
Her presence lit a comforting spark in my heart and I knew I was going to be fine, and then her sweet voice whispered to me." Let go, Kylexsis. I'll be the navigator of this power, I will guide you, so let go."
Something about her voice felt trusting and felt more like family. And when I touched her forehead I felt the entirety of my lightening magic residing in her. That was when it dawned on me. This tiger in front of me was the humanoid form of my lightening magic and I could rest by her for she would guide it, help me thrive in it,so all I could do was put my trust in her, believe her. And I did. I dipped into the power within her and collected the amount she gave me that would help in reliving me if I were to let it go.
I turned away and looked at the start of the bridge in the Void space, the tiger now as big as the huge ball of power stood behind me for guidance. More tendrils of mana from the bridge and from her body gripped onto me for support and connecting us on a higher level. I turned my body away from Cerulean and towards the open field having a couple of trees and finally let go.
The field met a catastrophic end.
At first it was just the tiny, unnoticeable sparks of blue running, crackling and buzzing around the tips of my fingers. Then without out warning a humongous bolt of lightning fired from my palms and barreled through the plain of grasses and trees. The destructive force of the power left nothing to my imagination. A long path of scorched earth ran down a large gaping hole, the trees were severed in half and smoke rose from the burning bushes that had caught some light. It was a disaster. However, it didn't stop there. The remnants of the power that still etched in me shot out mana and electricity from my body. Every one that escaped and hit the ground had a force that sent me jolting back.
"Lexi, the mana isn't so prominent anymore, absorb the rest and stop it from escaping. You'll feel tired if you don't." Cerulean screamed from a direction I didn't know where. I was busy being jerked back by the force of the power shooting out of me that I hadn't realised that I was reaching the end of the tiny cliff that led down to the pond." Oh, Lexi watch ou-"
Before Cerulean could finish his sentence a beam of mana with a force greater than the last shot out and jerked my boy over the edge. I dropped down the cliff and into the water. The pond water filled my nostrils and mouth running disgustingly down my throat. The water tasted of dirt and a bit of fish and just more dirt. My electricity was still shooting out and probably shocking every fish I'm the pond. I managed to swim to shore, but when I looked back at the waters, my guess seemed right. All the fish in the pond lay straight and unmoving at the surface, there were some scorched black with blood smeared on their shiny scales.
"Sorry, may Ekhanto have you all reincarnated." I winced a murmur and fully got out of the water. Cerulean was running towards me with pure panic contorting his facial feature. I gave him a smile when he had reached my spot and squeezed out the water from my hair." Hi, sorry i-"
"Are you okay?" He cut me off, he was frozen now, his eyes worried and scared for me.
"I'm fine, little cat. Really, just a bit wet." I gave him am excited grin to help pacify him." So how did I do. Practice to your liking?" I teased grabbing the ends of my clothes and wringing out the water from it. I was going to get sick if were to sleep in these clothes .
He rolled his eyes playfully, the worried expression replaced by a sense of relief." Much better than I had expected. You haven't learnt to flow your mana downwards, but practice makes perfect. It wasn't supposed to go like this, but I just thought that I'd use this to my advantage. I'm sorry for forcing you to do something you weren't ready for."
I snorted waving him off." Nah, it's cool, I'm okay. Just wet. And plus the experience was crazy, I got to use my powers now." I said looking at my hands." I can still feel it you know, the electricity running through my veins. I can see the power coursing with my mana if I wish to. I know I can do it on instant demand now. Like this." I clicked my fingers and willed the electricity to spark in my fingers. I dipped into my orb of lightening power and drew some magic. My fingers sparked with whitish blue electricity. I looked back at Cerulean with a smug grin." Impressive?"
"Impressed. Now that you have enough power for defense we should keep going don't you think. Your clothes should dried bit with the breeze if we move on." Cerulean offered leading back to the tree. I followed him quietly giving one last look at the disaster my bolt of lightening caused. Oh well, at least no one would know it was me.
"You can ride on me if you want. It would be a bit faster." Cerulean offered with a smile, when I had looped my bag on my shoulders." I'm just hanging it in there you can disagree if you-"
"Cerulean, it okay. I'd love to ride you." I smiled at him but after some seconds my face immediately crunched up in embarrassment at the thought of how sexual that remark was.
"You're thinking something perverted aren't you." Cerulean commented with an amused raise of a brow. I blushed.
"S-shut up. I wasn't." I shot back with an angry pout and stomping my feet.
Cerulean chuckled and shook his head, his amusement never faltering." How mature. Come on you, get on me we don't want to waste too much time." He said lying down on the ground so I could get on him. I slowly held on to his fur and basically threw myself over his back. He was so huge that my legs only reached halfway towards his flanks. As he stood up, I squealed in fear of falling and grabbed on to his fur harshly on instinct. He let out an anguished hiss tilting his head away from the assault of my fingers.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry I don't know where to hold on to you." I said releasing my grip and stroking that place in apology.
"It's all right. I'll hold on to you instead then." He said and immediately long furs at each side of his neck rose."grab on."
"Whoa." I gently gripped the two sides and Cerulean's head straightened. I made mental note to braid them later so I could distinguish it from the others.
"They are connected straight to my nerves, and they will connect straight to yours so will be bonded." He explained and the furs wrapped itself around my wrist like my mana tendrils and pressed into my skin. There was a slight sting as it pierced my pores but the moment it did, I could feel every part of Cerulean, just like I did with my mana and lightening magic. I could see the world from his eyes too, I could smell what he smelled, taste what he tasted, feel what he felt, and his magic. It was there, just as bright as mine. It was like we were truly one.
"Whoa!" I exclaimed in shock, looking around the surrounding. I could see things from far if I wanted to, the vision was in a way clear, however, the edges of it was a bit blurry but that didn't bother me. It was amazing." This is awesome."
"I know." Cerulean chuckled and began to move." I can feel you too, even your magic."
"It's just like that golden tiger I saw in my lightening orb....yes about that, Cerulean I saw-"
"Yes I know." Cerulean cut me off gently." I saw her too. Don't worry, it's normal. Power has a mind of its own, it is how they choose who will be worthy enough to wield them. They have no form and it is rather rare to see one with one. Giving a form to a power if very hard, so people settle with inanimate objects like a hearth for fire power, a pond for water, a storm for lightening, a rock for earth, a forest for wood, a potion for healing, and so on. However, you might have given your power a form during the process. Don't worry, it's okay, she's okay. You feel her don't you, rubbing at your core in reverence."
"I do." I smiled bringing my hand to my chest as a fluttery feeling racked it. She was there. I could sense her clearly." Can I speak to her if I wish?"
Cerulean hummed a response." You have to enter your void to speak to her then take one of her tendrils and connected it with the bridge of your mana, then you can be able to summon her form and hear her voice in your head freely."
"Then I'll do just that the moment I have time." I promised her, rubbing at my heart, she seemed to understand because another one of those flutter appeared again and my stomach churned with delight. I felt like I was falling in love. Is this what a bond feels like. With Cerulean it's on a different level, with my magic she resides in me. I love them. I love them both.
"What is she? Is she like you?" I asked running my hand through the furs that literally covered my hand and thighs and almost my waist. It would take hours to comb this through.
"In a way, I'm a what they call a lightening sabertooth tiger. But her kind is called a chrysafenios. They aren't any sabertoothed chrysafenios. They are also extinct too." He shook his head." Do you have a name for her? You are connected, I'm pretty sure you do."
I smiled at him. And rubbed my chest." How about Amber. Like her eyes."
Cerulean smiled as a burst of affection rushed in my heart and then I knew that she liked it.
"*********************
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Yours truly,
Author-san