Reunion

The day had been exhilarating. Aaron’s body pumped with adrenaline, thinking back to the power he could now wield. Even more he stood now as a symbol to his initiates of power. His competitors had now quickly become allies in training up their skills. As he reflected on Aodach, Saighdear and Eibhinn he realized he hadn’t crossed paths with Joy since their bumping into here. With no other classes to attend Aaron resolved to head into the Windspeakers sector and try to track Joy down.

As he headed out from the Tower and crossed the bridge into the Wind sector he noted immediately how different the sector was from his own. He marveled as he walked down the streets of marble, massive sculptures of great Magi seemed to adorn nearly every corner. The homes and businesses seemed less like separate structures and more like one long interconnected row. Perhaps most surprising of all was the pace of the sector. It seemed so much slower than the Tower of Fire sector. The crowds wandered through the streets, most of them with their nose in a book. Occasionally you would see an Initiate dart passed, no doubt rushing to a class or appointment.

As Aaron meandered through the streets he came into a large garden in the center of the sector. The entire area was covered in trees adorned with beautiful silver bark and white blossoms. The wind blowing through the branches caused the trees to seem as though they we alive and dancing. Each of the trees had a stone bench encircling the base and nearly every tree had a handful of beautiful ladies sitting underneath. As Aaron weaved through the garden he at last spotted Joy sitting and speaking with a large armor-clad Earth Former.

“Joy!” Aaron exclaimed as he walked towards her interrupting her conversation. Startled Joy did a double take in the direction of the voice. The Earth Former as well seemingly surprised turned to look and see who was calling out across the garden and as he turned Aaron realized Joy had found Jason.

Jason jumped to his feet with a big stupid grin on his face. “How’s it going peacock?” Jason poked. As Aaron drew closer he shot a friendly punch at Jason’s shoulder and realizing that punching armor may not have been the best idea, shaking the slight sting on his aching hand off. “That’s Firespinner to you!” Aaron shot back.

The three friends, finally reunited, sat down and shared their stories of their short time at the Tower and all that transpired. Aaron sat shocked listening to the tale of how Aaron had been able to join the Earth Clan. Joy and Aaron sat with looks of puzzled amazement as Aaron shared the story of his Initiation, appointment as Head. Joy shared he excitement to be part of a Clan that relished equality and wisdom above all else. When all was said and done the three friends simply sat silent, staring at the beauty of the garden around them and the backdrop of the might Magi Tower in the distance. So much had changed for the 3 in such a short period of time and yet here in the moment it felt almost as though they were at home. That so little had changed as again the friends were together again.

After a time, Aaron’s curiosity finally took hold of him as Iosgadh’s mention of ‘Omni’ echoed in the back of his mind. “So, what is this Omni business about then Jason?” Aaron blurted. Jason’s lips pursed as though to indicated he knew he was to be tight lipped. “What do you mean?” Jason attempted to feign ignorance at the unexpected inquiry. “Again, with this Omni infatuation Aaron, what is it about this fairytale that has you so riled up?” Joy scolded.

There was a pause as Jason thought through the events of the past couple of days. Clearly the Bastion had told him to focus on his position with Earth Clan for now, but these were his closest friends. Surely, he could trust them he thought. Joy scanned the two and at this point realized there was something more happening.

“Jason what is he talking about?” Joy probed.

Now with both of his friends seemingly peering into his soul he felt that he no other recourse then to divulge the full story of what had happened within the Bastion. “So, remember the long version of the story...” Jason muttered. Joy nodded her head and Aaron leaned in intently preparing to finally get a grasp on what exactly was going on. Jason recounted the story of the Scry and the Bastion’s decision that he should be admitted to a clan of his choosing while they gauged his role within the Tower.

“You aren’t kidding.” Joy chortled stunned at the tale that had been recounted to her. “You can actually wield all the elements?” she said.

“Not quite, I am just like you guys. I don’t have some innate ability to just wield all of the elements. I suppose in time I could learn but for now I can only wield Earth and barely at that.” Jason stood and took the position he had learned earlier in the day showing them what he was capable of, focusing as he had before he pictured a blossom from the trees around him and as he did, so he could feel a light brushing across the palm of his hand. As he opened his eyes again he held a beautiful blossom just as he had pictured it formed of earth and vines. “Not much but I am learning.”

Joy smiled at the two young men sitting across from her. “So, you are saying if you were to take lessons from the other clans you would be able to possibly learn to wield those elements as well. “she inquired. Jason did not like the look in her eyes, she was scheming something. “The archives here might have some details on the Omni, I will require of Eòlas where I might find the texts on the matter. Since this is such a rare opportunity I propose we take advantage of it.” Jason grew even more uneasy. “During the day you can continue your Earth Former classes but what if Aaron and I were to help you in the evening learn to wield Fire and Wind as well? Do you think you could learn?”

Jason honestly had no clue whether it was possible but knew that Gliocas had encouraged him to focus on his training with the Earth. “I…I am not sure.” Jason said reluctantly. Aaron remembered his task to stay close to Jason and keep an eye on what he was up to. This suggestion from Joy presented him not only an opportunity to stay close to him but also to watch how quickly he was progressing. “I think we should give it a shot.” Aaron announced. Joy and Jason both seem surprised, Aaron was not known for wanting to take on extra work at the best of times. “I for one still have a hard time accepting you can do it. I want to see it with my own eyes. It’s no small task to Firespin and very much doubt you are going to be able to do it, but at the very least I want to see if you can.

Jason felt trapped, even though they stood in an open garden and without walls he felt as though he was being boxed in. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try?” he said, more of a question than a statement of affirmation. With this Joy began planning out a schedule as to how they would begin their training of the young Omni and Jason just sat there dumbfounded nodding along like a puppet on a string.