Of Magic And Men

Peter had made his decision, gripping the crystal tightly in both hands, he closed his eyes. He used the same technique as when he pulled the sword, visualizing what his motives were, and visualizing the power pouring into him from the crystal. He wanted to save the suffering and protect the weak, he wanted to have the power, yes, but only so he could be a better person. Someone people could look up to, a real hero like everyone expected him to be. He could feel that familiar warmth of the magic, it worked its way into his hands up his arms and into his heart. It felt like fire in his veins, so warm it was almost burning. He kept going, he knew he had to absorb all the power from the crystal in order for it to work. The heat spread up into his head and down into his legs, filling him completely with magic. He could feel the flow from the crystal starting to slow, so for one final push he focused with everything he had clearing his mind of everything except the thought of protection. He heard a crack, than another, than another. Finally the crystal burst into pieces which fell out of his hands to the ground. The pieces then turned to liquid and was absorbs into the earth. He felt strong, stronger than he had ever felt before, with every breath he took it was breathing new life into himself. He felt a rush of knowledge enter his mind words he had never heard before, he knew spells and how to use them. “Peter, are you okay? Are you still with us?” Alaya questioned. Peter opened his eyes, everything was so clear, he could see and feel things he hadn’t before. He could feel the earth pulsing below his feet, like it was alive. He could sense something else something far away, growing ever closer, a darkness looming over the land, killing everything in it’s path. “Yes, I am alright.” looking at Alaya, she had a concerned look upon her face, but he could also feel something coming from her, she was more than concerned about her colleague, she was worried about peter, he felt a closeness to her. “Alaya, is this what you feel all the time? The understanding and appreciation of nature and everything in it? It’s incredible.” Peter felt alive. “Peter, you absorbed the entire crystal, that was only but a fraction of what my power used to be, but it seems to have done the trick. As one last gift, I shall bestow upon the both of you the last of my power.” Said Elathor. “What do you mean the last of it, Elathor? You’re not dying are you?” Alaya asked. Elathor nodded in response. “Stand in front of me I haven’t much time, I have been alive for hundreds of years, and it is finally time to rest.” Taking a deep breath Elathor exhaled one final breath of electric energy and then collapsed to the ground. Her body slowly turned to ash and blew away in the breeze. The air filled with lightning surrounding the two, and an arc formed between them. He could sense Alayas sadness at loosing her friend, how she missed her father. When the energy dissipated Peter decided to try something. He held his hand in front of him and spread his fingers wide, golden lightning burst forth from his hand and flew deep into the cave. He could wield lightning! “Alaya, you have to try this!” Peter exclaimed. “Peter, my friend just died can you not give me a minute to grieve.” Alaya responded. He realized how insensitive he was being, he knew she was upset. Walking to her he embraced her and could hear her start to sob into his chest, she embraced him back. They were good friends and that’s all they would ever be he thought, he needed to respect her grief. He liked her but she needed him as a friend right now and that was okay. “I’m sorry, I know it’s hard but I think I have some good news about Merlin.” Pulling back so he could look her in the face, he kept his hands on her shoulders for emotional support. “When Elathor sent that electricity through our bodies I sensed something, other than you. I could sense Merlin. I don’t know how but I think he’s alive.” said Peter. “I thought I sensed him too but I couldn’t be sure, thank you peter, you’re a good friend.” A pang of pain shot through Peter, now he knew for sure she wasn’t interested in him, it may hurt but this is the way it has to be, he thought. He was okay with this. “Maybe if we focus together we can figure out where he is? And I was wondering do you know where Silicont could be? I haven’t seen him since before I arrived at the camp. I was thinking he could make it easier to find your father.” Peter was energized, literally. Peter could still feel the power flowing through him, though not as strongly as at first. “Silicont was sent on recon to the edges of the corruption, it is a little odd that we haven’t heard anything from him though. Focusing together is a good idea, like a way to increase the range of our magics.” Alaya looked as if she was hopeful again, Peter had cheered her up a little so he was happy. “I suggest we find Silicont first, he might have some much needed information, and possibly a way to find Merlin, then we look for your father, he’s alive we know that now.” Peter put forth. He had to be supportive and confident, Alaya needed him to be there for her, and he knew it. But he was really concerned about the location of Silicont. Didn’t he have telepathy, wouldn’t he just be able to tell them if he was in trouble? Silicont wasn’t just an animal, he was a personality with a mind of his own, and he could be in trouble.