Here we are at Chapter 10!

Enjoy! And don't be afraid to leave a review!

Chapter 10

Osia

I don't know how long I was unconscious, but I'm pretty sure it must have been a long time. For when I came to, I was still lying against the tree from where I sitting. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. Everything in the forest around me was dark with the only light being the bright stars twinkling and the white glow of the moon, all glowing above me.

"It must be nighttime by now," I thought. "Guess I slept for quite a while."

I unsteadily got up on my feet, my body feeling like jelly. As I did, I felt a dull aching pain on my arm. I looked and I saw the big bruise I had from my fight with the gorian. The imprint was still there and it was still a purple color. It made me cringe just from looking at it.

"Man. That creature hit me hard..." I thought. "I better use a healing spell."

So I placed my hand on the bruise and I started to the spell. As I cast the spell I started to glow, but the glow was faint and weak. It was like a candle slowly dying out from the wind. I looked at my bruise to see if it was healing. Sadly it wasn't. Due to me not having much magic power or water, the spell was barely working. All it was doing was numbing the pain and only healing my bruise a little. Eventually, I felt weak from just using it and I stopped using the spell. The bruise was slightly less purple but still looked bad.

"Darn it... I'm too weak to cast a complete spell..." I thought. "I don't have enough magic power or water in my body. I need water right now...or at least some food..."

To make matters worse, casting that spell made me feel even weaker. I even felt a little nauseous and wanted to puke, but I held it in. Then after a few minutes of rest, I started walking again. I walked through the endless darkness with the moon and stars being my only light. Most people would have keeled over by what I was going through, but for me, there was one thing keeping me walking and that was finding Aquadia. I told myself that I would find her no matter what and that was what I was gonna do. Even if I had to starve myself to death. Well... hopefully, it won't get to that point.

Anyway as I walked through the forest, my stomach growled wanting food.

"I know... I know... I hear you. You can stop complaining you know... Oh great... I'm talking to my stomach. I'm practically going crazy with hunger. I gotta find something to eat now before I keel over..."

I made my way past bushes and trees once more, walking through the endless night. I listened to the sound of the wind blowing through the forest as well the sound of crickets and other creatures. You would think it was a little creepy to me considering that before when I was walking through the dark part of the forest, but for some reason it didn't seem so scary. It was actually kinda peaceful. If only I wasn't starving to death to enjoy it.

Suddenly I heard a noise which made me turn around behind me.

"Who's there?"

No one answered. I slowly turned back around and started walking. I heard the noise again. This time, it sounded closer.

"Oh no, not again... Why does it always have to be something that comes after me? Is this ever gonna end?"

I should have started running, but thanks to my bruises, hunger, and complete lack of water, I couldn't run or even power walk. All I could do was walk. The sound grew closer and closer until something came out from the trees. It zipped past my head and then turned around and came flying straight for me.

I braced myself and prepared to fight if I had to, but then I noticed something. The thing that came at me was a lot smaller than I expected. It was about the size of a small bird and for some reason looked familiar. Then the thing came into the light and I saw it. It was the green bird-like creature that I helped out before. It slowly came down and landed right at my feet.

"I know you... You're the little guy I helped out before with the berry right?"

The bird creature nodded and smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile at it as I kneeled down and gently stroked its head.

"You rascal... you scared the heck out of me. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

The bird-like creature nuzzled it's head against my hand apologetically.

"Aww... it's OK... you just surprised me is all."

Then once again, my stomach began to growl very loudly. The bird-like creature jumped a little in surprise thinking I was going to attack it.

"Oops... sorry about that little guy. I'm just hungry is all. Hey. I don't suppose that you got another berry on you do you?"

The bird-like creature shook its head.

"I figured not. Oh well. I guess I better keep moving. I can't exactly sleep since I'm wide awake now, but I need to find some food and water or at least a place to stay, but where? There's nothing but trees around here."

Then the bird-like creature began to fly around me trying to get my attention.

"What is it? Are you... trying to tell me something?"

The bird-like creature let out a caw while it hovered in front of me. At first, I didn't know what it was trying to tell me. I mean I didn't speak bird or whatever this creature was, but then I started to understand.

"Do you... want to help me?"

The bird-like creature nodded and flew into a tree. It sat on a branch and then it pointed at a direction with its wing.

"You... know a place where I can stay?"

The bird-like creature cawed again and nodded and my face lit up a little bit. It was almost too good to be true.

"Seriously?! You do? Please... will you take me there?"

The bird-like creature squawked and nodded then it took flight and I followed close behind it. I had no idea where the bird-like creature was leading me, but it was better than wandering around aimlessly completely lost. Plus it was nice to have some company for once.

I walked past trees, rocks, and other creatures as I kept my eye on the bird-like creature flying above my head. I was feeling tired and weak with hunger and dehydration, but I kept on walking. Hopefully, it would all be worth it once I have arrived at my destination. Wherever it may be.

Pretty soon, the bird-like creature came dipped down from the air and then landed by a bush by some overgrown branches. It cawed and pointed at the branches with its wing. I pushed the branches out of the way and looked through them.

I couldn't believe my eyes. There a few miles away in the distance was a town. A freaking town! My eyes immediately lit up and I had a big grin on my face. I was saved! All thanks to this little bird creature. You took it into my arms and hugged it gently close to my face. Also, even though I was feeling dehydrated, a single tear of joy fell down my face.

"Thank you... thank you so much... you saved me little guy... thank you..."

The little bird creature cawed and nuzzled against my face as it's way of saying 'your welcome.' Then it flew away up to the trees until it was out of sight. Now that I had a place to go, I headed for the town with the hopes that I would be able to get some food, water, and a place to sleep.

As I approached the town, I was expecting to finally get something to eat or drink or at least get some rest, but then the weakness that I left before came back. My vision began to blur slightly and my legs started to feel like jelly. My body had finally had enough of walking around without any energy. It needed rest yesterday.

I looked around and tried to find a place to sleep. Then I saw an old abandoned building. It didn't look like there were any people in it nor did I hear anyone. It didn't matter to me at this point. All I wanted was to rest, so I went inside.

Inside there wasn't anything much, just an open room with an upper platform of hay. There were also strange shadows in front of me, but I just walked past them. I climbed up the ladder and lied down on the hay. It surprisingly felt very warm and soft and had a distinct scent that I liked. It wasn't anything fancy like a bed, but it was gonna have to do. Frankly, I didn't care. All I needed was a place to rest. I lied on the hay and before I knew it, I had fallen fast asleep.

NO POV

The next morning, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. Everyone in town was starting to wake up and getting ready for a brand new day. A man came out of his house and called out to his wife.

"OK, hon! I'm gonna go out and feed the cows OK?"

"OK then!" a woman called inside.

The man headed to the barn and opened the door. He greeted his cows with a pat and headed over to a lever. The lever is what releases the hay to feed the cows. The man pulled on the lever and the hay dropped down in the trough in front of the cows. Normally the hay rustling as it was dumped in the troughs was music to the man's ears, but today he heard a different sound.

Thud!

"What the... what was that?" the man wondered.

The man looked at the trough and his eyes went wide with shock and surprise. There lying on one of the troughs was a little boy. The man rubbed his eyes and opened them to check to see if he was seeing things, but he wasn't.

"What the heck is a boy doing in my barn?" the man said slightly annoyed. "Hey, kid. Nap times over. Get up."

The boy didn't respond. The man went over to the boy and shook him trying to wake him up, but then he saw the bruise. He also saw how pale and how cold he felt.

"Holy shit! This kid needs help! Jessica! Call a medic!" the man yelled running back to the house.

WILLY'S POV

The first thing that I became aware of was a cold feeling on my arm. When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a bed in a small room staring up at a green ceiling. I stared up at the ceiling for a minute and then I slowly sat up and looked out the window. I saw a city made entirely out of stone with buildings from what I could see with the view. I rubbed my eyes and happened to take a look at myself. My arm was wrapped in gauze and I was wearing a white gown of some kind. I must admit it felt better wearing different clothes than the ones I was wearing, but at the same time, it felt strange.

"Where...the heck am I?" I thought.

Then the door of the room opened. I looked to see a young man with short orange hair stepping into the room. He was wearing some kind of white coat and had a stethoscope around his neck which meant that he was a doctor. The man that came in saw me sitting up on my bed and smiled kindly.

"Ah. Look who's finally up." the man said with relief. "You gave us quite a scare young man."

"Um..." I was about to speak, but then I felt an itch in my throat and I started to cough. The doctor went to the sink and filled a cup of water and handed it to me.

"Here. This should help that dry throat."

I took the cup and I gulped the water down greedily. When I finished drinking, I let out a contented sigh feeling refreshed. The doctor then walked towards me and placed the stethoscope on my chest checking my heartbeat.

"How are you feeling today buddy?" he asked. "You feeling better?"

"Um... Better. I think, " I replied.

The doctor smiled as he recovered the stethoscope from my chest. Then he placed his stethoscope on my back listening to my heartbeat again.

"That's good," the doctor said. "I was getting worried about you. After all, you've been out for quite a while."

"What happened to me?" I asked. "How long have I been unconscious? And where am I?"

"To answer all of your questions," the doctor replied. "I have no idea. You were found in Old Man Johnny's barn in the hay. You were completely starved and dehydrated. Also, you've been unconscious for almost two weeks now, and you're in a town called Osia."

I stared blankly at the doctor a little overwhelmed at having my questions answered so quickly and what he said. "I... was unconscious for two weeks?"

The doctor nodded.

"Yes. Your hydration level was very low and you almost looked like skin and bones," the doctor said, "In fact, you were lucky Old Man Johnny found you. If he hadn't you would've died from malnutrition."

The mere thought of almost dying made cringe a little. He was right though. I was lucky to be alive right now. I didn't even want to think about what would have happened if I hadn't been found by the old man the doctor mentioned.

"In any case, I'm glad you're feeling better," the doctor said as he continued examining me. "I am surprised that a little boy like you came into a place like this. You're certainly not from here. Tell me, where are you from?"

Hearing the doctor's question made me think about my village which made me feel a little uncomfortable for answering it. The doctor answered again as he bobbed a rubber hammer on my knees making them jerk a little.

"Well, the reason why I ask is that we should probably give your parents a call. They must be worried sick wondering where you're at."

I squeezed my hands in my lap upon hearing that question. Then memories of my mother and father as well as Aquadia came into my head making me remember the pain and suffering I went through for losing them.

"I... I... I don't have any parents," I mumbled. "I'm all by myself."

The doctor stopped. He looked at me with surprise and concern written on his face. I simply turned away and avoided his gaze. There was a brief silence before the doctor resumed the exam once more.

"Well, I'll try not to pry about it," said the doctor, "but if you ever need to talk, feel free to talk to me about it and I'll try to do whatever I can to help you. Okay?"

The doctor placed his hand on my shoulder which made me look up at him. His face had a smile of kindness which helped me ease up a little. Then the doctor went to my arm which was bandaged up with gauze.

"Okay. Now I'm going to check on your arm now. Sorry that it was bandaged up without asking, but I had to cover it with gauze so it wouldn't feel the extreme cold of the ice pack that was applied," he said, "I'm gonna take it off now. Let me know if anything hurts okay?"

I answered with a short nod and the doctor proceeded by removing the gauze on my arm. It didn't hurt, but it still felt cold.

"You had quite a bruise on your arm. May I ask how you got it?" the doctor asked.

"I... was fighting some strange creature in the forest," I told him, "It got mad at me when I fell on top of it and then it attacked me."

The doctor stared at me in surprise. "What did this creature look like?"

"Let's see...," I said thoughtfully trying to remember what the creature looked like. "It was big, had giant arms and tiny legs, looked like a monkey, green with a purple chest and face and it also had pupilless eyes."

If the doctor wasn't surprised before, he certainly was now. His eyes went wide like saucers and he stopped unwrapping my bandage.

"A gorian?! You got into a fight with a gorian?! A little boy like you?!" the doctor gasped. "How were you able to beat it?!"

"Well it certainly wasn't easy," I said with a slight chuckle. "That gorian or whatever you called was pretty tough. I had to resort to using my magic to beat it."

"Ah," said the doctor as he resumed undoing the bandage looking a bit calmer. "That explains a lot. I was wondering how a kid like you could have beaten a monster like that."

Then the doctor removed my bandage. It was still purple, but it looked better than it did before. The doctor inspected it.

"Hmm. Let's see... it's still purple, but it's getting better," he said. "I think a couple more days of rest should do you fine. At least until that bruise heals up."

"That won't be necessary," I said. "I can just use my magic to heal it."

The doctor laughed. "Hahaha. If only that were possible. Sadly, that kind of spell is a lost magic. No one's ever been able to do such a..."

Suddenly when the doctor turned back to face me, he gasped in surprise to see that I was using my healing spell to heal the bruise on my arm. My hands were glowing a bright blue and I was in deep concentration trying to muster up some energy.

"Hey. Take it, easy kid," the doctor said trying to stop me. "You still haven't fully recovered yet. Even if you know magic, you shouldn't be using it in your condition."

"Just... a little more..." I said trying not to lose my focus, but I started to get that weak heavy feeling again. Not being able to keep it up any longer, so I had no choice but to stop using the spell. I lied back on my bed feeling a little weak and tired.

"I told you," the doctor said. "You may be raring to go, but your body isn't. You need to give it time to recover."

I wanted to argue back with the doctor, but my body felt too weak to answer. To add to that, my stomach grumbled a little making blush bright pink. I had no choice, but to listen.

"OK fine," I mumbled pouting a little.

The doctor chuckled and ruffled my hair a little.

"Good. And don't worry. I'll have the nurse see that you get some food. You are hungry right?"

My stomach answered in response and my mouth began to drool. "Yes! I mean...um sure. I could eat."

The doctor chuckled. "Very well then. Now, I have to get back to my duties. I'll stop by again sometime to check up on you okay."

I nodded as the doctor left the room. As he opened the door, he stopped and looked back towards me.

"By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Finn. Doctor Finn."

"Willy. Willy Falconer."

"It's pleasure to meet you, Willy," Finn said.

Then as Finn was about to leave the room, his eyes went wide again. This time he was staring at me like he saw a ghost.

"Is... there something wrong Mr. Finn?" I asked him a little worried.

Finn shook his head shaking the cobwebs out of his mind and gave me a quick smile. "No, it's nothing. Don't worry. Just lie down and get some rest."

And then Finn left the room shutting the door behind him. As soon as he closed the door let out a sigh and wiped his brow.

"I... I don't believe it..." he muttered. "Did I... imagine it?"

I didn't realize it at the time, but Finn happened to look at my bruise again. This time, my bruise was even less purple than it was before and it even shrunk a little. That was the reason why he stared at me before. Then a nurse came down into the hallway and came across Finn.

"Hello, doctor. Is there something wrong?" she asked.

"No. It's nothing," said Finn. "Just do me a favor. Make sure you keep an eye on that boy OK? Make sure he gets plenty of rest nurse."

"Will do sir," answered the nurse and went on her way leaving Finn by himself still thinking about what he just saw.

"That bruise on his arm... it was purple a moment ago, but now it's almost completely gone. But how...? It must have been when that boy's hands were earlier...but that would mean... "

The doctor thought and he thought and he thought some more, but then another nurse came up to Finn.

"Doctor Finn. There you are."

"What is it nurse?" asked Finn. "Something you needed?"

"Yes. I have a message for you," the nurse said as she handed him a note. "The person who sent it to you told me to send it to you as soon as I could. It was also important."

"Thank you nurse," said Finn. He took the note, opened it and quickly read it. When he finished reading, he put the note away and sighed to himself. "Looks like she wants to see me," he thought. "I guess now will be a good time as any to tell her what's going on. I better get there straight away after I get off."

A little later, Finn had just gotten off of work and left the hospital. He was wearing his causal attire in the form of a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He walked down past a cafe, a store, and then a fruit vender stacking up some fruit. When he saw Finn, he smiled, waved at him, and spoke in a Scottish accent.

"Hey! Finn me lad! How ya doin'?"

Finn smiled back. "I'm doing great Cameron. Thanks for asking."

"Heading for you-know-what as always?"

"You know it."

"Well then, since you'll be heading for that place, have a little something on the house boyo."

The man named Cameron threw an apple to Finn and Finn caught it.

"Thanks, Cameron. Much appreciated," said Finn as he went on his way eating the apple.

Finn kept walking while nibbling on his apple until he was close to the edge of town. Then he walked down a path that led towards the edge of the forest. Wherever he was going, he didn't want to be followed or noticed by anyone. Soon Finn came to the edge of the forest. He looked around and made sure no one was around. Then he resumed his walk entering the darkness of the forest. He walked in the forest for quite some time until he came to a running stream. He followed the stream until the stream led to a lake and there was Finn's destination. There floating a few feet away from him was a floating dojo. It looked like one of those palaces you hear about in a fairy tail.

"Whew. Finally. I really wish that this place could be a little. Then again, I guess it's good exercise for me. Well then, don't want to keep her waiting."

Finn closed his eyes and a blue magic circle appeared on his back. Then a pair of wings made of water appeared on his back and with a mighty flap, he took flight. He flew across the water until he was in front of the door of the dojo. He landed gently on the floor and his wings disappeared as well. He came up to the door and gently knocked.

"Hello, master? It's me."

There was a brief pause, then Finn opened the door and went inside. Inside was one big room with a giant pool in the middle. In the middle of the pool, there stood a wise old woman standing in the middle of the pool. She was on top of what looked like a staff and was immersed in deep meditation. Finn quietly entered and shut the door behind him not wanting to disturb the woman. He walked to the edge of the pool and bowed with his hands together.

"Master. You wished to see me?"

The wise old woman who Finn called master remained motionless not saying a word. She slowly opened her eyes and then slowly turned around and face Finn. She leaped off from her staff and dove straight toward the water. Now any normal person would be expect something like this. A person dives into the water and then he or she disappears beneath the water right? Well, not this time. Before the wise old woman could hit the water, she landed on the water and stood on top of the it like it was the ground itself. Then she walked across towards Finn.

"Is there something wrong of me wanting to see an old friend of mine Finn?" she asked.

"No. I suppose not master," said Finn chuckling. "I just got your message and I was wondering why you wanted to see me is all."

"All in good time Finn. First, would you like some tea? You did come all this way after all."

"Sure. I'd love some," said Finn.

A little later, Finn and the wise old woman were sitting in a separate room quietly sipping their tea.

"(sigh). Your tea is quite delicious as usual master," said Finn. "Now then... as you were saying. Why have you called me here?"

The old woman sipped her tea and gently set her cup down. Then she spoke. "I have had a premonition. Zeref the dark wizard will awaken."

Finn's face paled as white as a sheet. "What?! That's impossible! No one has seen him in years!"

"Nothing is impossible," said the old woman. "He will awaken."

"Then we must do something!" said Finn standing up making the table jolt and the tea on the table spill slightly. "We can't just sit here! We must..."

"Calm down Finn," said the old woman calmly. "Your mind is like this tea right now. See how it looks agitated inside this cup? When it becomes like this, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, then the answer will become clear. Which brings me to the second part of my premonition."

The old woman gently dipped a teaspoon into her tea and the tea settled.

"Second part?" wondered Finn.

"Yes. An individual with the spirit of a dragon will become my student and master my techniques obtaining a great power. However, at the same time, this individual will also obtain another power. A power that will tempt and threaten that person to fall to the side of evil and thus make that person evil. Both of these powers will take a part of this person's life making either a force for good or a harbinger of evil. Whatever path this person may choose, either way, somehow, someway, that person will change the lives of many and the world.

Finn stared at the old woman taking in everything the old man said. "I see," he said. "And who is this certain individual?"

"You should know who it is already," the old woman replied. "He's sitting right at your clinic isn't he?"

"What? I don't know who you mean," said Finn a little puzzled. "There are many people at my clinic. Are you saying that one of them will become your student?"

"Let's just say a little birdie told me who it is. Besides, you'll figure it out about it soon," the old woman said cheekily. Then as if on cue, a certain green bird creature flew in and landed next to the old man. When Finn saw the bird, he let out an annoyed sigh.

"Master. I've told you many times, I don't want Jade spying on me or the people in my clinic."

The old woman chuckled and petted the green bird creature. "She wasn't spying. She was just checking on the person who I saw."

"Wait a sec... You and Jade know who it is don't you master? And the person is sitting right in my clinic? Tell me who it is!" demanded Finn.

"All in good time Finn, all in good time," said the old woman. "As I said before, you'll find out who it is eventually."

"But who master? Besides me who is worthy enough to learn your skills, master your techniques and to be trusted with your legacy?"

The old woman looked to the ceiling deep in thought. After a brief moment of thinking, she answered with a shrug; "I don't know."

"You don't know?" sighed Finn flatly. "I see. Well, in any case, I best be going. No doubt there's gonna be more work at the clinic when I come back. Thanks for the tea master."

Then Finn left the room leaving the old man alone with Jade. She gently stroked Jade's head.

"Oh, Jade. If only he knew," the old woman said to Jade. "So did anything interesting happen today?"

Jade squawked and chirped in response as the old man listened to Jade's response.

"Interesting... I see... Are you sure? Hmm... intriguing. Well then... it looks like my premonition is starting coming to true. (chuckles) Looks like we're going to pay Finn's clinic a visit tomorrow eh Jade?"

Jade squawked and chirped in response as the old woman looked out the window towards the sky which was now dark and filled with twinkling stars.

Hmm... interesting. Wonder what the old woman could mean?

Don't forget to leave a review or if you have any questions for me!

Dragoman out!