The Training, part 2

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Crystal Moon

"Begin your meditation," said Odomus. "Let yerself relax." He waited and watched as Goliath straightened his posture, relaxed his shoulders, closed his eyes and began to meditate – although it was clear that even after three days of this he felt rather ridiculous. "Good. Now, what I want ye tae do is focus on that little tingle ye feel deep within yer bosom. Once ye find it, I want ye tae reach for it and ease yerself intae a trance. Reach out tae things that are beyond ye. Don't just search yer mind and body, build strength from that which is around ye."

Goliath quirked his eye ridge at that, not quite understanding what his father was talking about. Nevertheless, he did his best and slowly began to 'feel' his way towards that tinkling inside his bosom. But it was difficult. He felt like a fool standing there and doing nothing. At least he was able to get in to it a little faster than he had three days ago.

"Take yer time, lad," Odomus said gently as he walked around his son. "Let yerself drift. It will not happen immediately. Patience is yer key." He paused a moment to think of a better way to help his son relax and imagine his powers into being. "Imagine yerself floating, and don't be afraid tae allow yourself tae do just that."

Goliath quirked an eye ridge, but nodded and intensified his concentration. And then, he felt something; a simple tingle in the back of his mind. He concentrated on it, hard, and willed it to grow. It did. A strange sensation, like the chill of delight, trailed down his spine, eliciting a gasp of surprise from his lungs.

"Good, lad! Excellent!" Odomus said in excitement."Ye're getting there. But just a little more now, a little more . . ."

Goliath's brow furrowed. He continued to focus on that small amount of energy until it exploded forth and expanded, almost like the universe itself.

Odomus gasped and raised his arms to shield his eyes as a brilliant light exploded from Goliath, causing a fierce wind and a boom of discovery to crash through the small clearing. Goliath nearly stumbled out of his meditative trance at the noise.

"By the Dragon!" he gasped, nearly losing his concentration from the shock of his own strength.

"Don't lose it, lad! Don't lose it!" Odomus cried as he circled around Goliath even quicker now. "Hold that power! Think calm. Think peace! Yer power canna run away with ye if ye do not let it. Concentrate, my son. Concentrate!"

Goliath breathed deeply as he obeyed. The last few times he'd tried this nothing like the explosive release he'd just experienced had occurred. It was a monstrous amount of energy! How was he supposed to wield it?

"Peace, my son, peace," his father soothed. "All things come with time. Yer control can be mastered, just be patient. That is what these meditative sessions will be for."

Goliath nodded, swallowed and fell even deeper into the trance. He felt his strength intensify and suddenly it was like he was in a separate dimension; a world of light and energy in its purest form. It crackled with a sense of purpose and a will that was almost intelligent.

"Ah, very good, lad!" Odomus grinned with satisfaction. "Yer power is but an extension of yer own soul. Ye are the one that is in control, nay the power itself. Yer acceptance of that power is yer first step tae conquering it, tae wielding it."

Goliath blew out a breath. For the first time he was feeling excited. This was nothing like the Eye of Odin.

"Now," said Odomus as he stopped in front of Goliath, "I want ye tae try something new. "Open yer eyes."

Goliath hesitated but obeyed.

"No, no!" Odomus cried with a chuckle as he placed a hand on Goliath's shoulder. "Not literally. Open the eyes of yer mind. I want tae know what ye can see, what ye can hear, or what ye can feel – if anything."

Goliath's brow furrowed with confusion. What could that mean? He thought a moment and decided to try an experiment. He wasn't sure what it was he did or how he did it, but a moment later visions of the surrounding woods, his father's face and forest creatures skittering to and fro swirled to life in his mind. He focused on them and slowly the fuzziness cleared. It was like he was looking at the world through his eyes.

"Amazing!"

Odomus smiled. "It is, isn't it? But I must admit, ye're leaving me little tae do. Ye're learning this quicker than I did."

Goliath cocked his head in disbelief. "I seriously doubt that."

"Now, what do ye see?" asked Odomus excitedly.

"I – I can see the trees above me," Goliath reported softly. "The sky, the clouds . . . everything that is close, even you!"

"Good," said Odomus as he watched Goliath's feet barely lift off the grass.

Goliath immediately wavered.

"Nay, son! That is normal! Ye almost want that tae happen," said Odomus as he placed a calming hand on Goliath's toes, which were at arm's length now. "Nevertheless, this is spectacular! Ye've come much farther than I originally thought ye would. Just remember that the most important part of using magic is learning how tae control its strength, to moderate its use. Tae much at once can harm ye – or someone else."

Goliath frowned as memories of his time wearing the Eye of Odin crossed his mind.

Odomus resumed his pacing. He watched carefully as Goliath's aurora grew just a little brighter and he suddenly became curious. "Can ye sense anything?" he asked.

Goliath's brow furrowed. "I do not understand," he said.

"Can ye sense anything?" his father repeated, and tried to think of a way to explain himself so Goliath could understand. "Can you 'feel' what is around you? Not by touch, but by perception, by instinct. Think of yerself in battle and how ye're mind and body almost knows when there is someone behind ye. It will be a little bit like that only more intense."

Goliath nodded and delved into his concentration again. He tried to decipher what it was his father meant, and then after a few moments he understood. "Barely," he said at last.

"Can ye tell me what it is?"

"Yes. I can – I can 'feel' the trees, the stream . . . and it is strange. It is as though I am touching their souls, their very essence."

"In a way ye are, Goliath," Odomus told his son. "Everything that is upon this world has a soul, a purpose. In being a Guardian ye will need tae understand that purpose and more. Ye must always remember that the Earth is a living thing and it must be cared for, just like one of us."

A few moments of silence passed between them. And then . . .

"Do ye think ye could lift something?" Odomus asked Goliath, thinking back to his grandmother's tactics and deciding to apply them here. "Something like a small stone?"

Goliath seemed confused.

"Reach out with yer hand, Goliath," Odomus instructed, and Goliath did as told. "Look for a small round, polished stone near the streambed across from ye. Try tae grasp it."

Squinting in concentration, Goliath extended his hand as though he were reaching for something. There was a soft splash and Odomus spied a small, current-smoothed stone lift out of the water and float in the air. It moved with the motion of Goliath's hand, just as it would had it been inside his fist.

"Can you feel the stone in your hand, lad?" Odomus wonderef and Goliath's face twisted in confusion.

"No," he replied. "I can see it in my hand, I can -" He hesitated on the next word. "I can sense the stone, but I cannot feel it making physical contact with my hand."

Odomus nodded and reached up to grasp his son's hand. "Do you feel that?" He asked, and Goliath nodded. "My son, the stone was never in your hand. This was an exercise, one my grandmother taught me. Open your eyes, lad, but slowly. Very slowly."

Goliath did as told, though with great difficulty since he did not want to break his meditative trance, and became amazed at what he saw. His hand was held in a fist as if he were holding something, but the object he had reached for was not within his hand at all. It was floating several feet away above the stream, moving in time with the motions of his hand just as it would if it really was in his hand.

"Close your eyes again, lad," Odomus said, and Goliath did so. "This was tae help demonstrate the things ye will need tae learn over the next few months. Over time ye'll be able tae lift an object telekinetically while looking on it. These meditative sessions will no longer be necessary, but for now, take full advantage of them. Learn that everything in life is connected and that ye must somehow harness it peacefully."

Goliath nodded, but the movement was difficult. He was becoming exhausted. It was getting difficult to hold his concentration.

"Now, place the stone back in the stream and slowly come out of yer trance," Odomus instructed.

Goliath's hand twisted as though he were placing something on the ground and then he straightened. Odomus watched the stone slowly sink beneath the water and smiled with satisfaction. "Good. Come down slowly, lad."

Goliath did as told and sighed with relief when his feet touched solid ground. He stood there for a moment until the dizziness went away and slowly opened his eyes. Coming out of the trance was much easier tonight than it had been the first night. He'd fallen on his butt then.

"Stars! I haven't felt this exhausted in years!"

Odomus smiled and patted his shoulder. "It's natural, but ye did very well indeed. If we're lucky we'll get ahead of schedule. Ye have a natural talent for understanding and learning, lad. That will help us out a great deal."

"I hope so," Goliath muttered as they walked towards the stream. He splashed his face a little and shook the cobwebs from his mind. He stood again and looked towards home – and realized a moment later he was looking towards Castle Wyvern.

Odomus sighed. "Ye'll see them again, my son. Don't worry. Now come. Let's return home. Ye need rest."

Goliath nodded and followed his father along a path leading back to the palace. If he could he would have fallen asleep where he was but the conforming mattresses and pillows in the rooms were sounding very pleasant right about now.

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Avalon -

Titania turned from her mirror to gaze at Oberon expectantly. The Lord of Avalon was stunned at what he'd seen and heard, yet somehow he seemed to have expected it. Goliath was taking the bold new steps he'd been dreading for eons. Soon, he'd be ready to become a Guardian, but more than that the gargoyle was connected to them. He had Fay blood and was entitled to Titania's protection and care. He hated the idea but he could not argue with his wife when she was in that protective mode of hers.

He looked at his wife who waited patiently for him to speak.

"You know what must be done, my lord," Titania told him coolly.

Oberon sighed. "Yes, my queen, I do," he muttered and took her hands in his. "And, although it is against my better judgment, you are in fact, needed."

"He is my grandson," Titania reminded him. "And the leader of the clan of gargoyles who are your honor guard. He protects Alexander and will one day be a vital part in the wars against the dark ones. He must remain alive to ensure the dark one's defeat. And so much more."

Oberon nodded, seething and yet growing sorrowful at the thought of his evil brother, Madoc. His brother had been one of the dark ones, but one that had appeared early. "Yes, he has an important destiny to face," he said. "There is a certain order to the world which must remain as it is. Destiny cannot be ignored by anyone – not even by you or me. Go, my lady Titania, with my blessing."

Titania nodded gratefully, and gave him a kiss before she turned back to the mirror and prepared to walk through its magical light.

"Go bravely, my love," Oberon said. "Protect your Guardian, and - and, do take care of yourself?"

Titania nodded again, this time with a large smile of understanding. And then, she turned towards the mirror and was gone.

To be continued . . .

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A/N; I don't comment on these stories very often but I didn't like this chapter at all. I hope people are enjoying these no matter how hokey they are. I need to know I have at least a small chance at writing good stories. This is practice for the big time – I still gotta go to school. :P

Folks . . . please leave me some reviews. Please? Thanks.