Chapter 5 - Magia

Chapter 5

Temujin walked over to Liz, his eyes curious. "What is it, Liz?" he asked, sitting down beside her.

"I've been thinking," Liz said, her eyes serious. "You're getting older, and it's time you learned more about your magic. You have a natural talent, but you need to learn how to control it."

Temujin nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "I want to learn," he said. "I want to be able to protect my mother and our friends."

Liz smiled, her eyes warm with approval. "I know you do, Temujin. And I'm proud of you for wanting to take responsibility. But magic isn't just about protecting people. It's about understanding the world around you, and using your powers to make a positive difference."

Temujin thought about this for a moment. He'd always seen magic as a way to defend himself and those he cared about. But Liz was right - there was more to it than that.

"What do you want to teach me?" he asked, his eyes eager.

Liz stood up, her movements fluid. "Let's go for a walk," she said. "I want to show you something."

Temujin followed Liz as she led him through the forest. They walked in silence, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. Temujin felt a sense of peace wash over him, and he realized that he loved being in nature.

As they walked, Liz pointed out different plants and animals. She explained how they were all connected, and how magic could be used to help or harm the natural world. Temujin listened intently, his mind soaking up the information like a sponge.

After a while, Liz stopped in front of a large tree. "This is a special place," she said, her eyes shining with a deep respect. "The ancient ones used to come here to connect with the natural world. I want you to try and feel the energy of the tree."

Temujin reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against the trunk of the tree. As he did, he felt a sudden surge of power run through him. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before.

As he touched the tree, Temujin felt a sudden surge of power run through him. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before. The energy was raw and wild, and it seemed to be calling to him. He closed his eyes, letting the power wash over him.

Liz watched him, a small smile on her face. "Feel it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Temujin nodded, his eyes still closed. He was trying to make sense of the sensations coursing through his body. The energy was like a river, flowing through him and around him. He felt connected to the tree, to the earth, to the very fabric of the world.

"Try to harness it," Liz said, her voice a little louder now. "See if you can control the energy."

Temujin took a deep breath, focusing his mind. He reached out with his magic, trying to grasp the energy of the tree. It was slippery, like trying to hold onto a fish. But he persisted, his mind working to understand the power.

As he concentrated, the energy began to respond. It swirled around him, forming a vortex of power. Temujin felt himself being drawn into the center of the vortex, the energy building to a crescendo.

Liz stepped back, her eyes wide with excitement. "Temujin, you're doing it!" she exclaimed.

The vortex grew stronger, the energy pulsating with an otherworldly power. Temujin felt himself being lifted off the ground, his body glowing with a soft, blue light.

Temujin's vision blurred, and when his eyes refocused, he found himself standing in a familiar realm. The air was sweet with the scent of blooming flowers, and the sky shone with a radiant light. Before him stood the goddess with golden hair, her alabaster skin glowing with an ethereal beauty.

"Welcome, Temujin," she said, her voice like music. "I see you have been learning to harness your powers."

Temujin's mind reeled as he tried to understand how he had returned to this realm. He had been with Liz, learning to control his magic, and now...now he was here.

The goddess smiled, as if reading his thoughts. "You have been brought here for a purpose, Temujin. Your powers are growing stronger, and it is time for you to understand the true nature of your magic."

Temujin's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice firm.

The goddess gestured, and a shimmering pool of water appeared before them. "Look into the pool, Temujin," she said. "See the truth of your magic, and the path that lies ahead."

Temujin hesitated, unsure of what to expect. But the goddess's words sparked a curiosity within him, and he leaned forward, peering into the pool. The water's surface rippled, and an image began to form...

The goddess's expression changed, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Temujin. "You have been clever, Temujin," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of anger. "But perhaps too clever for your own good."

Temujin felt a shiver run down his spine as the goddess's words hung in the air. He knew that he had taken a risk by secretly connecting with the Magia of Shadow and Flame, merging their power within him.

The goddess took a step closer to him, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "You were given a choice, Temujin," she said, her voice low and even. "A choice between three runes, each with its own unique power. But instead of choosing one, you chose to deceive me, to take all three runes for yourself."

Temujin stood tall, his eyes locked on the goddess. He knew that he had acted out of a desire to protect himself, to ensure that he had the power to survive in a new and unfamiliar world.

The goddess's anger seemed to grow, her face pale with rage. "You have upset the balance, Temujin," she said, her voice trembling with fury. "The runes were meant to be chosen, not taken. And now, the consequences of your actions will be dire."

Temujin felt a surge of fear run through him as the goddess's words hung in the air. He knew that he had acted impulsively, without thinking through the consequences of his actions.

The goddess's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, her gaze piercing and unforgiving. "You will have to face the consequences of your actions, Temujin," she said, her voice cold and detached. "And you will have to do it alone."

As the goddess's words faded away, Temujin felt a sense of trepidation wash over him. He knew that he had made a mistake, and now he would have to face the consequences. The goddess's anger seemed to still be building, her eyes flashing with a fierce intensity...

Temujin's eyes dropped, his head bowing in a gesture of contrition. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to deceive you. I just...I wanted to be prepared, to have the power to protect myself and those I care about."

The goddess's anger seemed to falter, her expression softening ever so slightly. "You were given a choice, Temujin," she said, her voice still firm but no longer trembling with rage. "A choice between three runes, each with its own unique power. Why did you feel the need to take all three?"

Temujin's shoulders slumped, his eyes still cast downward. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I was afraid, I guess. Afraid of not being able to protect myself, of not being able to survive in a new world. I didn't think about the consequences, I just acted out of fear."

The goddess's expression remained stern, but her voice took on a hint of sadness. "Fear is a powerful motivator, Temujin," she said. "But it can also lead us down a path of destruction. You must learn to control your fear, to think before you act."

Temujin nodded, his eyes still downcast. "I'm sorry," he said again, his voice filled with remorse. "I'll try to do better, I promise. I'll learn to control my fear and think before I act."

The goddess's expression softened further, her eyes taking on a hint of compassion. "I hope so, Temujin," she said. "For your sake, and for the sake of those around you. But for now...for now, you must face the consequences of your actions."

Temujin's eyes snapped up, his face filled with a mixture of fear and determination. "I understand," he said, his voice firm. "I'll face whatever consequences come my way. And I'll do my best to make it right, to prove myself worthy of the power I've been given."

The goddess's expression remained stern, but a hint of approval flickered in her eyes. "We'll see, Temujin," she said. "We'll see."

Suddenly, the vortex dissipated, and Temujin fell back to the ground. He stumbled, his legs shaking with the aftermath of the energy release. Liz rushed to his side, helping him to steady himself.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

Temujin nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "Yeah, I think so," he said, his voice shaking slightly.

Liz smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "You did it, Temujin," she said. "You harnessed the energy of the tree."

As they stood there, catching their breath and grinning at each other, a sudden commotion erupted from within the town. Shouts and screams filled the air, followed by the clash of steel on steel.

Temujin's head snapped towards the town, his eyes narrowing. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Liz's expression turned serious, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. "It sounds like an attack," she said, her voice firm. "We need to get back to the town, now."

Temujin didn't hesitate, already racing towards the town with Liz by his side. As they approached the outskirts, the sounds of battle grew louder, and the air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke.

They burst through the gates, Temujin's eyes scanning the chaotic scene before him. Buildings were ablaze, and people were running wildly through the streets, screaming and crying. The sound of clashing steel echoed through the air, and Temujin's heart pounded in his chest.

Liz grabbed his arm, her eyes locked on his. "We need to find Shea," she shouted above the din. "Make sure she's safe."

Temujin nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "Let's go," he yelled back, already charging into the fray.

"Up there!" he shouted to Liz, pointing towards the figures.

Liz followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing. "Those are no bandits," she said, her voice grim. "They're monsters"

Temujin's face darkened, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "Let's take them down," he growled, already racing towards the nearest building.