I was inspired by Red mages in FF games to make this character.
Two years before Sora gets the Keyblade.
"Magic is an emotional art, channeling your heart, mind and body into power. Magic is a cerebral art mostly, for even without a heart one can cast spells, but having all three aspects allows for one to have full power. The Heart gives power, the body gives form, the mind gives direction." Merlin said as he handed his student a book. "This book will allow you to channel the arts of magic, it will act as the focus of your craft until you no longer need it. It holds within it the four fundamentals of magic. Cure the healing spell, Fire, Ice and Thunder. With mastery of these spells, you can cast any basic mystical form of magic.
It will take time, maybe six months before you are able to cast any spells beyond the basics. Spells that allow for enchantments, scrying, teleportation between places and even world, any so many other things. Now, to start, we will work on the mastery of the basics. I will not be your only teacher, however, three good fairies I am friends with will also teach you many things, mainly their forms of mastery which are enchantment and blessings."
Sage nodded, holding the book he had given. It was leather-bound, with a crystal on the front. He felt warmth from it, the power of magic oozing from it. "This is a grimoire, that's what it's called, right?"
The man nodded. "That is what it is called... now, beyond the craft, you must also learn physical combat. I refuse to lose you, or let you lose yourself because you could not fight back." The man waved his hand and grey smoke appeared around Sage, when the smoke cleared, he saw that he was garbed in leather garb with an omega sign on his chest. He had a rapier in his left hand and a buckler in his left. "The spell I cast allowed me to garb you in whatever you would most excel with, which would be these weapons. How do they feel, my boy?"
The boy flexed and swung his weapons. "They feel good."
"These are just training weapons, spelled to prevent you from harming yourself."
"Awesome... how will I be learning to wield my weapons?"
"I will generate physical illusions for you to combat them, with magic and your rapier."
"You got everything figured out, don't you?"
The man smiled wryly. "Yes, I do, my boy. I spent hours thinking of it from the moment I found you..."
Sage smiled at the man who had saved him, just yesterday. It had been a horrible ordeal but one Sage thought of often.
"RUN!" He heard, waking from his slumber to rush out of his apartment. The air was filled with screams and darkness, swarms of dark creatures were rushing through the streets, attacking people. Each one faded under their assault, and a heart was torn from them. In their place came another dark creature. Sage heard and felt a beast rushing from behind him, he threw himself to the side, dodging the strike.
"What are you?" He barked out before throwing himself out of his window and onto the fire escape. Quickly he rushed down, and into the streets, making his way through and too the nearest ally only to see a dozen others slaughtered by the beasts Fear filled him, however, a quick look skyward made him redefine fear. A massive orb of black energy was swirling, tearing chunks off of the earth, swallowing it whole. The Dark gravity was too much for even Sage and soon he found himself screaming, flying through the air into the mass.
Darkness filled his every sense... and then, he felt a warmth surge through his chest and light exploded around him as well as a feeling of anger, annoyance and the desire to live.
"Child,.. my boy... my boy, please... open your eyes." Slowly, he did as he was told, seeing an ancient old man in a blue robe and spiky blue hat, looking at him warmly. "We thought we were going to lose you... how are you, my boy?"
"Confused, where am I?" And he looked around, seeing a town that looked sort of victorian and nothing like the vast skyscrapers of his old city. "Wait, what happened, the shadow monsters and..."
The man sighed. "Your world was destroyed by the Heartless, creatures formed of the Darkness in the Hearts of the living. You have such a strong heart you survived and were cast aside to a world between light and dark, this world. Traverse Town." The man helped Sage to stand. " What is your name, my boy? And how old are you?"
"Sage, thirteen... and you?"
"Merlin."
"Wait, the sorcerer Merlin?"
"The very same!"
"I... can... can you teach me magic, so I am never so in danger of those creatures again?" he gave his best puppy dog expression, hoping it would work.
Merlin gave him one look and sighed. "I...I cannot say no to teaching magic, teaching is my passion alongside magic. I would be honored to teach you, dear Sage. But for now, you must rest. You went through a terrible ordeal. Rest and we will begin in the morning. I will take you to my house, and we will get started there."
And so that is what they did, Merlin took Sage to his house and the boy rested for a long twelve hours before rising and getting ready for his first day of training.
Merlin waved his hand and in a puff of smoke, a series of heartless appeared. "Now remember these are just illusions. Your sword is spelled to teach you the proper movements and motions to master your blade. Follow them. We will work on swordplay for at least an hour a day and your magic for at least three. You will be studying books and scrolls and so on to get a larger mastery of magic like enchantment and so on. Now, let's get started, shall we?"
Smirking, Sage followed the magic in his blade and fell into a low stance. Then, without any hesitation, he moved forward and his new life began. One in which he would have little to fear and would fight anything that came his way... one in which he would thrive.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
