Months flew, and Aether blossomed into a prodigy at understanding magical theory. As a child, he'd regale his mother with fantastical spell concepts, leaving her awestruck by his potential. However, a magical awakening required bathing a young child in small doses of mana or in his case a huge jump start, something Mary, burdened by her own condition, couldn't risk. Torn between protecting Aether and nurturing his talent, she raised him magicless. A pang of regret often struck her as she watched him tirelessly pursue his dream of becoming a mage.
One afternoon, Mary found Aether engrossed in her magical notes, his brow furrowed in concentration. He was lost in a world of hypothetical improvements, oblivious to his mother's sudden presence. With a burst of uncharacteristic energy, Mary slammed his desk – a gift from the village craftsman to aid his studies. A wide smile bloomed on her face as she approached him, but Aether, startled by her outburst, flinched. "Aether, let's go for a walk, shall we?" she suggested brightly. "Just a minute, I think I..." Aether began, but Mary, her cheeks puffed with playful determination, cut him off. "Actually, never mind," he said, "lead the way, Mama." Aether conceded with a hint of a smile, finally emerging from his world of magical theory.
As they strolled past well-built cabins, testaments to Aether's ideas that had invigorated the village, he exchanged greetings with the locals. "How time flies," Aether mused, observing the positive transformation.
Suddenly, Mary grasped his hand, startling him. "Huh! Mother?" Aether exclaimed, feigning offense. "So, 'Mama' is out of fashion now?" A playful glint lit up Mary's eyes. She was a constant source of teasing, but that was part of her charm, something Aether secretly cherished.
"I never said that," he stammered playfully. But Mary wasn't finished. "If only the villagers could see how tightly you hold me in your sleep," she chuckled, leading the way up a gentle slope.
Aether mimicked her tone, calling out, "Mama!" His face, as always with his mother's teasing, burned with a familiar heat. He wished he could hide it with his hand, but it was firmly held.
"Alright, dear," Mary conceded with a mischievous smile, "I'll stop... for now."
Within minutes, they emerged from the dense trees onto a small hill, offering a breathtaking panorama. "Stunning," Aether breathed, unknowingly echoing his mother's sentiment. "This view never gets old," Mary remarked, her voice filled with contentment.
Mary gripped Aether's hand, her touch urging him to sit beside her on the weathered log. "Aether," she sighed, a yearning in her voice, "I wish we could freeze this moment in time."
Aether simply squeezed her hand in response. "I love you, dear," Mary whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"I love you too, Mama," Aether replied softly.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in a warm glow, Aether found his worries melting away. He drifted off to sleep for a brief moment, only to rouse himself, wanting to stay awake and cherish this moment with his mother.
"Come here, little one," Mary cooed, gently guiding Aether's head onto her lap. It was his haven, a place of pure comfort and love.
"Mama," Aether mumbled, his voice drowsy, "I think I'm close to unlocking my magic. Maybe by personally feeling my mana..."
This wasn't entirely wrong. Traditionally, mages are awakened by experiencing a surge of mana, either through a controlled dose or by chance encounter with a huge surge when they are old. But there were no documented cases of self-awakening.
A thought flickered in Aether's mind. Perhaps the key to understanding the unknown, like mana, was to disconnect from the familiar. Could he block his perception of the everyday to sense the extraordinary, the unseen force of mana?
Before Aether could elaborate on his theory, Mary began to hum softly. Her voice, a melody fit for the gods, rose in a gentle chant. Aether, captivated, held his breath, entranced by the sound when Mary broke the hum with a song.
a song that children of Sineru rhyme....
(Verse 1) The wind whispers tales through Sineru's grand halls, Of heroes and dragons, where courage recalls. A tapestry woven with love, loss, and might, A song of our home, where shadows take flight.
(Chorus) Sineru, Sineru, our hearts ever yearn, For solace within, where the hearth fires burn. Though dragons may soar, and battles rage on, Love's ember will guide us, 'til the coming of dawn.
(Verse 2) We fight for our kin, beneath skies ever vast, Where dragons of old breathe fire that burns fast. But love binds us stronger, a shield and a flame, A promise we whisper, etched deep in each name.
(Chorus) Sineru, Sineru, our hearts ever yearn, For solace within, where the hearth fires burn. Though dragons may soar, and battles rage on, Love's ember will guide us, 'til the coming of dawn.
(Bridge) Though some fall in battle, their spirits take flight, Joining the stardust, bathed in moon's gentle light. Their memory lives on, in stories we tell, A testament to courage, that echoes like a bell.
(Chorus) Sineru, Sineru, our hearts ever yearn, For solace within, where the hearth fires burn. Though dragons may soar, and battles rage on, Love's ember will guide us, 'til the coming of dawn.
(Outro) Sineru, Sineru, forever we stand, United by love, in this magical land.