This is becoming a very fun, powerful, interesting story. I hope you are all enjoying it as much I am.
It took three days before Aaron was cleared to leave the Infirmary, the damage from whatever Agnes had done to his mind and soul had ensured that he healed a lot slower from the forceful astral projection. To say he had been bored was a drastic understatement but he held it together and was the model patient the entire time, only groaning a few dozen times. Finally though he was allowed to leave, and with no caveats to boot. He was free!
Excited and nervous, Aaron hurried back to his room, eager to rebegin training with his magic. To start learning from Agnes' presumably vast well of knowledge, and whatever the other spirits had offer. The mere notion was incredible to behold, no matter how he came across the power and knowledge.
Sitting on his bed, he opened his grimoire and instantly felt a surge of Agnes's sickly sweet, ice cold magic rush through him. He could tell, somehow, that she was looking through his eyes.
"So, this is how you are learning, from a musty old book with only the basics of magic... "
"More or less, this is all I have access to now that the other mages have defected to the Darkside."
"Hmm... the content seems appropriate for now. I will guide you, correcting your form or power as I see fit. You must also practice your necromancy daily, starting with your purification rituals, and that is best cast at night under the moon's light. So it can wait."
"I also have to practice my sword play and archery. I refuse to be bound solely to magic, our brand of magic is not meant for combat."
She sighed, long and hard, a sound that made it clear she agreed. 'Your not wrong, unlike the Egyptian who have an entire magic type dedicated to combat, we are far too ritualistic for that kind of directness. Now, let's get started. I want to see what you can do, so I can asses how to start your training."
Oddly eager, Aaron happily showed her what he knew. From starting fires with simple spells to lifting small objects with his mind to reviving dead flowers and casting low grade detection spells to crafting potions and casting runes, he showed it all. It wasn't much, he hadn't made too much progress over the last month since he was teaching himself but he was still proud of what he could do. He hadn't the advantage of divine blood, so this was something to be proud of as far as he was concerned.
Eventually he stopped, having finished the last part of his training. "... And as you know, I can cast a prayer spell, though apparently not well enough to be heard by Hades."
"No, he would have definitely heard that call, it was filled with desperation and just enough power to be heard loudly. No, it is my guess that he heard you and allowed us to communicate with you. He would be acutely aware of our gathering, there is no way he does not know of our pact."
"Well remind me to make a sacrifice to him later... and speaking of, do you all need sacrifices? I mean your not gods but I know that in the past people offered sacrifices to their ancestors."
"It would strengthen the connection and help us maintain power and awareness, so yes I would do that if I were you." Her tone, oddly, lacked it's normal snottiness and edged on desperate. He realized in that moment that, just maybe, he had more power in this arrangement then he realized. 'You are making progress, reasonable for your lack of blood, which I am sure you are tired of hearing but it is true. Magic is the art of learning, of practicing, you can only improve by doing it. Do not despair." Her words were so oddly kind, a natural deviation from her earlier behavior, that he could not help but gape at her. "Oh shut your mouth, if you cannot handle compliments then you will never be able to handle my power. Get that look off of your face and prepare yourself, we need to work on channeling our power to mimic the same powers you have already managed to accomplish. Ghostly power is different, it has a different feel, so you'll need to at first prepare yourself. There are rituals that you must perform regularly to bestow yourself with the strength needed to endure our power, our thoughts and so on. Purifying yourself first, then crafting a talisman or having one crafted for you by a child of Hephaestus, either way it needs to have your blood as a part of it, charged with our power. The talisman will focus our powers and act as a medium between our powers, lessening the strain on your body and soul... you will also need to practice exercises to increase your tolerance for magic entirely. Your Grimoire had some great exercises from what I could see but I have better ones, ones I crafted myself. You'll need to collect sand and water."
"So basically, I am going to be very, very busy."
"More or less."
"Well nighttime will take a while to arrive, so we can work on other things. Hell I am pretty sure we could get my talisman made by the end of today. " The advice of Hades stirred in his mind, and a smile rippled across his face. "I think it should be made of bone, since they channel magic well and I can actually touch them. Any suggestions?"
:::
With some pride, Aaron walked towards the Hephaestus cabin, eager to get started with his new plans for power. He felt their power, the warm peppery feeling that left one feeling creative and bold. It was a strange feeling, the aura of which rippled around their cabin. As he approached the cabin, he quickly saw his target, a specific son of Hephaestus that he knew could create what he needed.
" Charles?" He called out, catching the ear of the boy in question.
Charlie Beckendorf was a big black boy with squinty eyes but handsome features otherwise. His skin was a deep black, almost the color of the coal he burned to craft his creations. He radiated more power then most Demigods, period, a mark of his father's favor. "Yes, Aaron?" His voice incredibly deep for his age, being a mere fifteen or so years old. " You need something?"
"A favor, yes, a project that needs a delicate touch. Everyone knows you are the best among your siblings, so I need your help, if you please."
Naturally intrigued, the older boy nodded. "Sure, what can I do you for. Let's see your design."
Approaching closer, the Mortal boy handed a piece of paper with a loose, rough sketch his talisman on it. "I need a talisman, made from some monster bones and my blood. It needs to have runes carved into it to channel the power of the dead, as well as my power. Can you do it?"
The boy squinted at him, an amused smirk on his face. "Can I make it? Duh, but do I have the materials... no. We have monster bones but if you want to channel the power of the dead, which I cannot believe I just said, you need specific bones. Bones from a Hell Hound or other Underworld monster. Something connected to death already, otherwise the object will disintegrate and be unable to handle the power of the Death itself.
Can I ask why you need it?"
"Long story short, I am now channeling the power of the dead but since I lack divine protection against the dead I need to make it. This is one massive step, and will help with the strain of their powers. And before you ask, no Necromancy wasn't something I exactly chose but I am making the best of the situation."
"Fair enough... your going to need a quest... to go and get the pieces you need." Charles offered a smile. "I'd offer to go with you but I am needed here."
"That's fine, I can go on my own... I think. I guess I am not really alone anymore, like ever." Sighing, he turned his attention towards the Big House. "Do you need an Oracle prophecy for every quest or... can I just consider this an outing?"
"You should be able to just consider it an outing, it isn't something assigned by the Gods so... you should be able to go. Besides your not a Demigod, so your not bound to the same rules we are."
"Fair point... I guess to Chiron I go... any other piece of wisdom you want to tell me?"
"Don't die?"
;;;
"So you want to go on an outing to get bones for a talisman,... I guess Beckendorf was right, it isn't a divine quest so there is no need for a prophecy. You'll be unable to get others to go with you, you will need to be on your own. I cannot risk my campers for this." Chiron said after hearing of Aaron's request. The Centaur looked at him with a sense of disbelief and doubt. "This could still be deadly, are you sure you want to risk it?"
"I kind of have too, the Spirits demand it and all that... They can guide me, teach me. Think of it like a pilgrimage, a way to better study the craft and get the supplies I need to cast myself as a powerful enough Witch."
"Then you have my blessing. We will equip you as we did before, but we cannot overly support this. The gods would not allow it, I am afraid."
Aaron nodded. "I expected as much to be entirely honest, but I appreciate anything I can get. When should I go?"
"Tomorrow. rest tonight and cast your purification spells that way you can at least tolerate their power if you need to fight off something more dangerous then you can handle. Meet me at the Tree around nine and we will drive you into town. If I were you, I'd cast a spell to search for Underworld monster to slay. You should have enough skill on your own to cast it and enough power with the Spirits to make the spell accurate. I wish you well child, I truly do."
"So do I... pity I will be alone. If I find anything the camp could use, I will try to bring it back."
"That would be appreciated. I will give you some tickets for Hermes' delivery service, so that if you find any divine metals he can transport then here. They are often scattered when Lord Hephaestus casts them off of Olympus. You may very well run into them, but even if you don't you can transport your prize here with the tickets. Should save you time and effort."
"Thank you, That should be a big help."
"I would also remember to offer a sacrifice, to your spirits and to the Gods to bless your journey. It will not be an easy feat for you, in any case."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a fun chapter to write, I am really enjoying this new path.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.