Black_Paladyn
patreon
Last of The Fae Chapter 13: Night School
🕑 Added 2024-08-07 15:23:37 +0000 UTCThe entire time Thalion spoke his voice never rose above speaking volume however it didn’t lessen the impact his words had on Thane.
There was a moment of silence as Thane grappled with Thalion’ speech and his own emotions. Fortunately it seemed the Fae King wasn’t in a rush and gave Thane time to formulate his thoughts, “W-what can I do?”
Thane’s voice wavered as he asked the simple question but it carried the weight of all his fears, hopes and aspirations.
“I understand your desire to belong, Thane” Thalion replied as his posture relaxed, “Your childhood was far from pleasant, so you escaped into a fantasy with the hope of one day discovering a perfect world. Only to find that your dream reality is afflicted with the same venom and now you're starting to wonder what’s the point of it all?”
Thane didn’t respond but Thalions words resonated with a cord inside of him. Thalion let out a sigh, “You are afraid of being labeled as different, as an irregularity. But you forget that only those who fall outside the norm have a chance to become extraordinary. Do not hide from the limelight Thane, cast your shadow across this world and ensure every step you take is felt across the globe.”
Thane’s heart couldn’t help but pound in his chest as Thalion’s inspiring words washed over him, “B-but what if I stumble and make a fool of myself?”
“You must understand that no being is without flaws, the only thing that separates a coward and a hero is how they respond to failure and times of misfortune. So tell me Thane will you run, or face whatever fate awaits you?”
Thane swallowed hard as his heart practically hammered against his ribcage all while Thalion’s silver eyes stared into the depths of his soul, “I’m tired of being afraid.”
Thalion smiled as Thane’s emerald eyes shone and the hidden tattoos along his arms came to life, “I’m tired of hiding what I am. I want to see the world and I want the world to see me!”
Thalion’s smile turned into a full on grin as the very air shook with Thane declaration, “Very well, but the world is vast. If you truly wish to be seen by all you must have something worth displaying.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” Thane responded almost immediately, making Thalion chuckle, “Very well, then I see no need to keep my wives waiting.”
Thalion snapped his fingers and in the blink of an eye Thane was standing in the middle of a training arena with a packed dirt floor.
“I see my husband has finally managed to knock some sense into you.”
Thane looked over to see Elara standing across from him, her previous flowing robes had been replaced by a tan colored shirt and padded leather pants with her long black hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. Looking down Thane found himself dressed similarly.
“You saw that?” Thane asked a bit embarrassed, though he quickly suppressed the feeling which didn’t go unnoticed by Elara as she smiled, “Yes I did, I also saw the Wild Magic you used to save that girl from falling. A hero in the making indeed.”
“I didn’t mean to, I-” Thane rushed to explain but Elara raised her hand cutting him off, “There is no reason to feel shame, the only reason to hide one’s magic is to surprise a potential enemy. Besides, it is a good sign that you can instinctively use Wild Magic.”
Thane nodded as he schooled himself, and recalled what Elara had taught him the previous night. Being creatures born of magic Fae had their own branch of magic, unlike others which required certain movements or incantations Wild Magic used sheer willpower. Elara explained that it was the world responding to his mana acting as a vessel to carry out his will.
“Enough wandering, you are here to train!” Elara shouted breaking Thane out of his reminiscing and he looked over to see the Fae queen was now holding a silver spellblade almost the exact same as his own, “Summon your blade.”
Holding out his hand Thane tugged on the dormant connection in the back of his mind which surged to life at his touch. Between one instant and the next a familiar weight and warmth settled into Thane’s right hand.
Elara nodded as stared at the blade grasped in Thane’s palm, “Good, now let’s see what you remember from last night. Fighting stance!”
Thane’s arms snapped up as his legs spread apart, his main hand was raised in front of him holding his spellblade in a reverse grip while his spell hand hovered a few inches back. Matching his arms Thane’s right leg was in the lead with the left lagging behind, the staggered stance narrowed Thane’s front profile making him all that harder to hit.
After Thane the stance for a second Elara nodded, “Good, now before we do anything dangerous we’ll focus on your ability to defend and counter.”
Then without warning Elara pointed the tip of her spellblade at Thane, “Your goal is to take as little damage as possible. Use your judgment to choose the best response.”
Before Thane could even have a chance to refute her a basketball sized orb of fire flew from the tip of Elara’s spellblade and shot through the air with a soft woosh ready to burn Thane to cinders.
----
“I see Elara did not spare you in the slightest,” Solara’s musical voice commented as Thane appeared in the middle of a classroom seated at a lone desk with the Fae queen standing in front of a chalkboard made out of a slate of green glass, “I hope your not too tired to learn.”
Thane shook his head, making Solara smile, “Excellent, now normally I would start with a review of what we learned yesterday, but I heard you have a potions class tomorrow. So why don’t we get a head start on that?”
“You can teach me potion making?” Thane asked, making Solara frown.
“Yes I can and first things first from this point forward you will refer to ‘potion making’ and anything related by the proper name of Alchemy. Am I understood?”
Thane nodded and Solara’s frown transformed into a radiant smile, “Good, now while everything we cover will be recorded in your Grimoire for you to review I still want you to take notes. Building good studying habits is key to an organized mind.”
