The Training, part 3

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Ishimura

Gargoyles swarmed the skies. None of them were familiar. They were clad in strange armor and wore a symbol over their left breast representing a gargoyle crouching within a golden sun. Several of them were spiraling down towards the temple carrying weapons and small pouches holding unknown items. Kai, the leader of the Ishimuran clan, stood in the center of the temple's courtyard waiting as these warriors landed. He held to a hope that they didn't come as enemies but after the disastrous attack by the Unseelie, he was a little weary of strangers.

The leader of the descending warriors landed softly no further than three feet away. He stood slowly, holding Kai's gaze and offered a low bow. His arms were spread wide and he folded his wings over his shoulders in an effort to show he was not a threat. He had the unique beak-like face so many gargoyles shared, fan-shaped ears and an unusually long tail with spikes and a tuft of hair at the end. His wings were a strange mixture of feathers and leather. He was a handsome warrior and something about him put Kai at ease.

The newcomer touched the symbol on his chest and when it began to glow, he spoke. "Greetings Kai, leader of Clan Ishimura. My name is Jacob. I hail from the island of Crystal Moon. We bring ill news."

Kai frowned as his clan tightened their protective net around him. "What news, Jacob of Clan Crystal Moon?"

"An ancient enemy who once tormented our ancestors has risen again and seeks to dominate this world," Jacob explained. "Our steward, the Lord Odomus, has sent us to warn you and offer our service in battle should he send forces into the world as we feared. He has cast a spell on Constantine's domain in hopes to keep such an invasion from happening but we would rather be prepared. His son, Goliath, told us not long ago of the disastrous battle against the Unseelie. We hope to avoid such tragedy a second time – especially since we were among the lucky few who the battle did not reach."

A soft murmur ran through the clan and the few humans who stood with them.

"A new enemy has stepped forth you say? And his name is Constantine?" Kai asked slowly and Jacob nodded. He sighed and thought a moment. "You said Goliath had spoken to you. Is he well?"

Jacob nodded and smiled. "The Son of Odomus is fulfilling his destiny. He trains now to confront our old foe. The impending battle can happen at any time but it is our greatest fear that Constantine will take advantage of our kind's one weakness when he attacks."

Kai's face paled. "Sleep."

Jacob nodded and pulled the pouch Kai had spotted earlier from his belt. "We have brought these, enough for every warrior of the clan. They are talismans, pendants, and it is advised that they be worn at all times. They will keep us all from turning to stone."

He handed his pouch to Kai as the rest of his strike force came forward and offered a pouch to other warriors of Kai's clan. Each took a small pendant for him or herself and then passed the pouch along.

"Is this necessary?" one asked suspiciously.

"I've never even heard of anyone named Odomus," agreed another.

"And why are we able to understand each other?" another asked from the back of the clan. "You hail from a completely different land. Language barriers should be an issue, shouldn't it?"

Jacob gestured at the symbol on his chest. "This works as a translator. Even as you speak in your tongue I understand it as my own, and vice versa."

"I never did trust magic," the same warrior muttered.

"I have been raised to appreciate it for the good it can do," Jacob told them. "But I have also seen the bad. Constantine's rising strength will be worse than the power of the Unseelie. Thankfully, the forces he intends to send out have little or no magic. They are creatures of his making who are like us; warriors of flight and might. It is their sheer numbers and ferocity that will make them a threat."

"Are other clans being prepared the same way?" Kai asked, still feeling suspicious as he looped the pendant around his neck.

"Even Goliath's clan in Manhattan, yes," Jacob confirmed. "Constantine despises our kind. He believes that by destroying our race first, he will stand a better chance at conquering the world."

Kai looked at his clan. "We lost many warriors to the Unseelie attack. We cannot afford to lose more."

Jacob nodded sympathetically. "I understand."

Kai regarded Jacob imploringly. "I am taking a risk in trusting you. But I believe gargoyles are inherently good. If you say Goliath sent you it is good enough for me. But please, do not destroy my trust."

Jacob offered a disarming smile and bowed. "I have dreamed of meeting gargoyles from other clans all my life, friend Kai. I will do nothing to endanger your people. We are here to help, to protect this clan, and we will."

Satisfied, Kai bowed back.

**********

Crystal Moon

"How does it feel, lad?"

Goliath looked up from his soup; a delicious mildly spicy dish the cook had called gumbo. "I'm sorry Hudson. I did not catch the question."

Hudson shook his head. "I was simply asking what it is like tae wield yer magic? In all my experiences it has been nothing but a nuisance, yet here, we rely on it as a necessity."

Goliath nodded and rumbled thoughtfully in his chest. "It is . . . interesting," he said slowly. "It has been weeks now but it almost feels as though I am touching the very edges of my soul, as though I am a living piece of energy."

"In many ways ye are lad," Odomus said from the head of the table. "We all are, really. Our souls are who we are. Our physical bodies cannot live without them. And as living beings we each have a particular strength or ability that gives us power and confidence. That is what makes us individuals."

Goliath nodded. "Yes, but somehow – this is unique."

"Indeed it is," agreed Odomus as he sipped herbal tea. "Not everyone on this world can touch their inner self as ye have. It can be very humbling at times."

"Any word from the strike force leaders?" Hudson inquired after a moment of silence.

"They have made successful contact with the clans and are awaiting further instruction," Nassiah replied as she stood. "They've been watching the skies each night for any sign of attack. Luckily for them nothing has happened yet."

"How much time has passed for them now?" Hudson wondered as he finished his roll.

"Only a few days," Nassiah replied as she handed a servant girl who plate of food. "That spell of yours seems to be working father. Perhaps the attack on the clans will be delayed until Goliath is trained."

"That is the hope," Odomus said with a contented sigh. "Ah, wonderful soup. I believe that's the first time I've ever had it. We must tell Cookie thank you."

Goliath cocked his head. "Cookie?"

Odomus chuckled. "That is her nickname. She prefers it sometimes."

"Ah."

Lady Dragon smiled from her seat beside her mate and then stood with a sigh. She'd finished her own meal earlier and had enjoyed the conversation at the table. It relieved her that Goliath was settling in so well. He was becoming familiar with the island. Hopefully in time . . . but no. His home was in Manhattan. His clan and his beloved were there. But maybe someday, some way, he could call Crystal Moon home as she did.

Or at the very least a home away from home.

"Well, I believe I will head to the gardens," she said as she looked at her son. "Goliath, once you have finished please join me there. I have some exercises for you."

Goliath nodded and sipped more of his soup as she left. He ate the last bites of his salad, swallowed his tea and then stood. "Tell your, uh, Cookie, thank you. It was delicious."

Odomus nodded. "I will," he said and stood to help clean up. "Good luck, Goliath."

Goliath nodded his thanks and left the dining room. Hudson stroked his beard and watched him leave. "He's beginning tae feel the weight of it, isn't he?" he muttered. "He has circles under his eyes."

"Aye, I've noticed," Odomus sighed. "He's not sleeping well. Tae worried I think. I may need tae suggest a trance tae help him relax. If he doesn't sleep he won't do as well with his training."

Hudson nodded. "The most difficult thing about Crystal Moon is learning tae adjust to new sleeping patterns. It is a most alien sensation and yet . . . I see the sun almost every day now." He looked at Odomus. "How long before others of our kind receive such a blessing?"

Odomus shook his head sadly. "I honestly do not know. The world is a big place and there are many more humans than there are gargoyles. It may be years perhaps even decades before the world is peaceful enough for the spell to break. We'll just have to make do for a time, I suppose."

Hudson frowned and looked outside. He would really miss spending days in the sun. He'd miss it more than he could say.

* * * * * *

Lady Dragon waited. She watched the effects of Goliath's previous spell fade away and nodded approvingly. "Try casting another spell," she said, frowning when she noticed the dark circles under his eyes. After this, he is taking a long rest, even if I have to drug him for it.

"You've done better with this than I anticipated, but you've cast spells before I think," she observed and noticed him flinch. "The Phoenix Gate however is very simple magic, though potent. Stronger spells, like the Delayed Time Spell, take much more strength and concentration. Do you think you can manage it now? You look exhausted."

Goliath rumbled a sigh. "I will have too."

Lady Dragon frowned. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I'm not sure," he replied honestly. "I have had troubling dreams but . . ." He shook his head. "The time change, the new ways of resting . . . I almost wonder if my body doesn't know when and if it should be sleeping at all."

Lady Dragon smiled. "I see," she said. "Well, in that case, I'll prepare a special tea for you. It helps clear insomnia; calms the mind so it can rest. You are on edge as it is. I think you need to be pushed into sleep."

Goliath nodded. "Perhaps."

"Well," Lady Dragon said. "While we are here we might as well finish with the lesson. I have one last spell I'd like you to try. Listen closely and observe."

Goliath nodded and waited.

"Stones of cold, hard earth,

I beseech you now to assume new birth.

Take on the form that I now choose,

And gift us now to be amused."

Goliath watched as six large stones lining a small flower bed near a pond jumped to life. They danced and twirled in place until they assumed the forms of little creatures he had never seen before. They almost looked like mice but their back legs were much longer, their tails ended in a tuft and their ears were twice the size of their heads. They wore clothes too and danced to a tune he could not hear.

He stared at his mother who only shrugged. He turned back to the tiny mice-like creatures and started when they suddenly reverted to their true forms. He glanced at his mother. "Tiny magic folk who are cousins to mice," she explained. "We believe they came to life when touched by a pocket of magic somewhere in Scotland. They are as intelligent as people and build their own homes and hunt and cook their own food. When you go out into the woods next time look closely and you might see one."

"What are they?" Goliath wondered.

"They call themselves Whispers."

"Hmm."

"Now, you try the spell my son."

Goliath started. "Me? Now?"

Lady Dragon nodded.

He hesitated. "What exactly am I supposed to turn them into? Uh, the stones, I mean?"

Lady Dragon thought a moment and then whispered it in his ear. He blanched but did as told. "Cast the spell slowly," she reminded him. "You are fatigued and even a simple mistake can have terrible consequences. Try to pull the energy from within you. Use the meditative trance if it helps."

Goliath nodded, focused and opened his mouth to speak.

"Stone of cold, hard Earth,

I beseech you now to assume new birth.

Take on the form that I choose,

And gift us now to be amused!"

The collection of small stones he'd singled out near the pond jumped to life.

Just like with his mother, the stones pranced in place until a magical energy surrounded them and turned them into tiny animals. Most were large harmless white rats and the rest brilliant butterflies, not quite what he'd had in mind, but the successful transformation was pleasing enough.

"The rats I suggested because they are small, the butterflies because they are rare," Lady Dragon told him. "I don't know how but a few of them found their way here and now we have a small population of them. I think they call them, oh I don't remember . . . The Bird Butterfly?"

Goliath studied the creatures as they fluttered skyward. "They are beautiful," he admitted. "Must be some of the largest butterflies I've ever seen."

Lady Dragon nodded. "You cast the spell well. It is like they have always been alive. Look at them scurry for shelter and search for food." She giggled. "Still, they do need to return to their proper form."

"How do I do that?" Goliath asked.

"Call the creatures to hold and then command them to revert," Lady Dragon replied, still giggling.

"What?" Goliath said, irked. Had he done something wrong?

"I think you'd better hurry," she replied, pointing. "Our little critters are getting away."

Goliath turned and sighed. He felt quite foolish as he leaped over the garden and stood near the pond. He had to call them back quickly. "Creatures, hold!" he commanded, his deep voice reaching far and sounding loudly in the gardens. Immediately, the little critters froze in place. There was no twinge of alarm, no struggle to escape. It was as if they knew. He made a sweeping gesture with his hand, not completely sure he needed it, and called out; "Revert!"

The shape-changed stones returned to their true forms in an instant. He ducked when the stones-turned butterflies-turned stones again fell from the sky. Growling in irritation, he did something unexpected; "Return!" he bellowed, before any more small stones could leave bruises on his touch skin.

But his mother was still giggling. He frowned at her. "I missed some, didn't I?" he grumbled and she nodded. He turned to watch as some particularly clever stones-turned mice skittered towards a small hole in a nearby garden wall. They wanted to test him it seemed. Well, they'd chosen to irritate the wrong gargoyle.

"Revert! Revert! Revert!"

Thrice more he made the command as he landed in front of them and blocked their escape and thrice more the little creatures returned to their true forms. He almost felt like laughing himself but he felt too self conscious. He stood staring at the tiny stones for a long moment wondering what he should do with them. He was not a lazy warrior but he didn't want to bother with picking them up and returning them to the pond.

He lifted a hand and shouted; "Return!"

The stones leaped to life and arched through the air until they fell into the pond with a soft 'plunk'. He sighed, satisfied and joined his mother at the bench.

She smiled appraisingly. "That is the second time you did that," she told him proudly. "That is very clever. You've done well, my son." She giggled again, a teasing glint in her eyes. "But I especially loved the part when you pounced on them like some cat out of hell."

He sighed patiently. "I just didn't want them to get away, is all."

"Of course," she patted his arm and then turned to head inside the palace. "Come. Let's get you inside to rest. I will have Cookie prepare the tea I told about you."

"Thank you," Goliath said and followed her inside.

"You are very welcome," Lady Dragon replied pleasantly and took his hand. "Very soon now you will start training in hand to hand combat with magic as your ally. And it will be imperative. Constantine is superb at magical dueling and to defeat him you must outmatch him. With enough time and training the fatigue you suffer will diminish all together. The magic will come to you when you call and it will flow as easily as you breathe. Ultimate mastery, my son, or all is lost."

Goliath shook his head as they turned a corner and ascended a flight of stairs. "No," he said determinedly. "I will not fail."

She smiled. "I know."

Later that evening, Goliath woke from the first truly restful sleep he'd had in a long while. He breathed in deep and then let it out with a wide, quiet yawn. He sat up, stretched and climbed off the bed. He would have liked to sleep a little longer but something had alerted him. It was like a feeling, a sensation and it was coming from another room.

After combing through his thick mane – yes, even the mighty Goliath groomed himself, he left his room and proceeded down the hall. It was difficult tracing the odd sensation. It was fleeting yet strong, almost imperceptible, but it was there.

"Ah, good afternoon, lad," greeted Hudson as Goliath entered the family room. "Rest well?"

Goliath nodded and looked around the room. "I did, thank you, Hudson," he replied, distracted.

Hudson's left eyebrow ridge lifted a notch. "Something the matter, lad?" he asked.

Goliath stood with his back to Hudson for a moment before turning to him, a perplexed look on his face. "I – I am feeling something, Hudson. Sensing something."

Hudson sat down the book he was reading, stood and approached his Leader. "Sensing something, lad?" he asked, now as confused as Goliath looked. "What do ye mean?"

Goliath rubbed his head. "I cannot explain it old friend," he replied. "But if I could guess, I would say someone has just arrived."

]

Hudson stroked his beard. "I have been in this room all evening and I've nay seen anyone."

Goliath looked around. "Where are Lady Dragon and Odomus?"

Hudson patted his shoulder and approached the dining room doors. "Yer parents and sister went in tae the dining room about an hour ago. They've been preparing dinner with Cookie. I was tae wake ye once they were finished, but ye woke early."

"Ah," said Goliath as he followed Hudson. "Perhaps we should join them, then?"

The dining room doors opened before they reached them. Hudson stepped back, staring in stunned silence at the woman who regarded them in the doorway. "Then come inside, Goliath," she said. "Come inside and eat."

Goliath stared in disbelief. "Titania?!"

"What are you doing here?" Hudson asked with barely contained suspicion.

Titania just smiled. "I am here to aid mutual friends," she told them. "The return of Constantine is a threat for everyone on this world." She looked at Goliath. "I know of your destiny Goliath and I offer you my services as a teacher." She paused. "If, of course, you would have me."

Goliath and Hudson exchanged glances. "All the help he can get will be greatly appreciated," the older gargoyle remarked, following her into the dining room.

Goliath followed them in with a frown. Was it Titania's arrival he'd detected earlier?

"Come in and eat, my son," Lady Dragon called from the table, studying him. "You look well rested. Good."

Goliath bowed his head and joined his family at the table. He could ponder on it later.

* * * * * *

A few days later, Goliath found himself in the same grove where he'd battled Thailog. In the absence of the oppressing storm the place was rather quaint, the perfect place for some solitude and reflection. The pond's crystal clear reflection of the sky and the sound of the wind whistling through the trees were calming. He almost believed he could see anything in this pond, even visions of what were to come.

Taking a deep, calming breath, he sat at the edge of the pond and closed his eyes. Magic, he reminded himself, worked best if one was calm, at peace, passive. Impatience made it wild and uncontrollable, dangerous. Learning to control his temper was becoming the key to mastering his power and it was slowly working.

Unexpectedly, a vision formed. He saw many things; the creation of the universe, the past, the present and even glimpses of the future. He saw Castle Wyvern, his clan, but he didn't recognize the children he saw playing in the courtyard. They were playing with Graeme and Arianna and were about the same age. One was a human boy with strong oriental features and striking red hair that reminded him of the swordsman, Himura Kenshin, but the others . . .

There were five of them all together, three males and two females, each baring a strong resemblance to himself and Elisa. The oldest of the five children were triplets. The oldest boy had dark brown skin, the other a beautiful pearly white complexion much like that of Lady Dragon and the young girl bore a copper skin tone much like Elisa's. The other young female was none other than Venus, but she was changed. Lavender speckles danced on her flesh and her horns were a little less pronounced. At her side was a hatchling. His flesh was a lighter shade of lavender but his hair was a dark as Elisa's.

Standing off to the side was a warrior about Angela's age with Goliath's proud features and Demona's striking colors. At first he'd been almost invisible. It was like something was trying to hide his existence. At his side was another similar aged warrior with dark grey to lavender flesh and blond hair. Behind him stood another older warrior, Goliath's literal twin but with blond hair, like his son. He seemed trapped in shadow, reaching out for help . . .

The vision started to fade as his anxiety tripled, but the last thing he saw was Elisa, and she didn't quite look like herself. He realized with a start that she wasn't human anymore. She was gargoyle.

He came out of the trance with a gasp and leaned over the pool, shaking. What was this? What did it mean? Was it a vision?

He drew a calming breath and sat up. He knew so little about visions except they were fleeting and often misleading, and yet they often help some sort of warning or hint of things to come. What was the warning of this vision?

His thoughts were interrupted by the same odd tingling sensation he'd felt just before Titania's arrival. It was a little different this time, more distinct. He could clearly gather that whoever approached him was male and rich with age. His spirit overflowed with wisdom and strength. He was also surprisingly close, literally right above him on the ridge peering down with delighted surprise, interest and pride.

Curious, even a little unnerved, Goliath looked first into the pool and wasn't surprised when he saw the figure of a warrior standing on the ledge above him, looking down. He gazed up into the face of a warrior he'd seen before. The features were very much like his mother's; horse-like, ancient and graceful.

The warrior chuckled warmly. "My apologies, lad," he said. "I did not mean to disturb you."

Goliath continued to study the stranger, unconsciously dropping his guard. "Who are you?" he asked slowly. "You look like . . . Have we met before?"

The old warrior sighed. "Perhaps, once upon a time."

Goliath quirked an eye ridge at that. "Who are you?" he asked again.

The stranger gave him a sad smile. "I will tell you, with time," he replied. "For now I just wanted to look on you. You bring much hope to the island."

Goliath released a weary sigh. "I am uncertain of that, stranger. Constantine's powers are far greater than my own."

The stranger shook his head. "More practiced, perhaps, but not greater. Not greater." He was silent a moment. "Well, young friend, I will let you return to your practice."

He turned to leave. "Wait!" Goliath called and the stranger paused. "May I at least ask your name . . . if, of course, you have one?"

The stranger smiled. "For now, 'friend' will suffice," he said, bowing his head respectfully. "Farewell for now, my young Guardian."

Goliath watched the wizened gargoyle depart, a strange regret filly his bosom. Who was he?

To be continued . . .