To Find A Mage

As soon as we got back from the hunt, Rafael turned on the lights and motioned me to come and sit at the dining table.

"I know that it's late, but I need you to know that we are traveling to find a mage, the best, to teach you. We leave tomorrow morning and will be about a week long. You need to pack well for the length of time that we will be gone."

"Are we taking the car?"

"No, we will be taking the truck in that I have in the garage."

"Alright. I will be ready."

"Good." Rafael got up from the table and went down the hall to his room.

I got up and started pulling things out to pack from the room I have been staying in. I neatly stuffed my belongings for the leave in my bug out bag, and I wasted no time getting to sleep; I needed rest after a hunt and then getting up at dawn.

* * *

When morning came, I got up to the sound of Rafael knocking on my door.

"Joey, it is time to start on our way."

I could hear Rafael's steps go down the hall, so I hurried to grab my stuff and followed him out to the truck. The truck was black and definitely had some wear from the years, but it was still in good condition, all things considered. The truck had seats in the back, but not a door for them, so we pulled the front seat down to put our stuff in the back. The inside of the truck was a super-clean, black interior and the dash was shiny, lacking dust. I got up into the seat and was looking forward to being in the spacious environment that the truck provided, over the car. The car has remained a mess since the first time we used it.

"This is a nice truck, Rafael." I spoke up.

"Thanks. I clean it once a week and keep it specifically for traveling. Last time I took the car it got stuck in mud, so I bought the truck so that doesn't happen again."

"Will there be mud?"

"Yes, there are a lot of dirt roads on the way to the mage I have in mind.

"Who is the mage?"

"She is called 'The Grandmother of Magic,' but her name is Yaoba. I have never seen a magician who could rival her skill. She knows ancient magic from her homeland in Saradel."

I nodded my understanding and got lost in my head thinking about how good I could be at magic, considering how long it took me to learn basic weapon and hand-to-hand combat. I really hope that I can succeed in magic and one be strong enough to not fear any of the umbra. I want to save people like Rafael saved me.

Rafael got in and started the truck, separating me from my train of thought. I paid attention as he backed up the truck through the narrow opening of the garage door. I was impressed with how quick he got out of the garage without bumping into anything.

"We will make several stops on the way to make sure that we are rested and can make it safely to Yaoba. We will be stopping at Nobho, Ansdel, Torobi, and finally we will get to the rural area of Kantundel. Make sure to pay attention and be alert because there will be three different times that I will have you drive. It will be safer that way."

"Alright, I can do that." I have driven many times before this, my car was the main way I got to places.

As the drive got on it's way, I decided to sleep for the rest of the time I didn't get to sleep last night, making sure to be rested when it became my turn to drive. In my sleep I had dreams of umbra consuming myself or people that I care about, so I woke up in a cold sweat several times. The second time, Rafael started checking in on me and making sure that I was okay. I had to really push that I was okay for him to relax and keep him focusing on the road, instead.

* * *

Our trip had been mostly uneventful, until we stayed the night in Nobho. There were swarms of umbra, ready to consume, all around the sketchy motel that I assumed we would be staying at. Once we got out they started coming our way, which led me to believe that the motel was abandoned and we were the only souls around.

"Tonight, we are going on another hunt. This time none can be left, and you must be on your guard, should you value our lives."

Without another word, I took out my swords, unlocked them, and made sure to kill the screamers so that the umbra in back wouldn't be aware of us until we were in range to kill them.

I got really nervous when I saw a massive flesh mound lurking my direction. Each slow step it took, the tighter my chest got with fear.

I saw Rafael finishing off the last of the screamers and came up with a plan to kill the giant flesh mound. I was already on my way around the back of the crowd. I used my surge of adrenaline to climb the side of the one story building, next to the giant. When I got to the top, I pulled my shield off my back. Ran, and, times with the giant's movements, landed with my sword in its core. As the giant was 'melting', I jumped to engage in battle once more.

I turned to fight and one of the flesh mounds whipped its tentacles at me and grappled my arms. I was pulled to the ground and my swords fell on the ground. I started to panic as I was being dragged because I knew Rafael had his hands tied, so I reached over my head, grabbing the shield with both hands, and brought it down on the tentacles, similar to cutting food with a spoon. The flesh mound flailed in pain, which gave me enough time to get back on the beat with my swords.

The rest of the hunt was finished off with a sizable group of flesh mounds. Rafael and I balanced our rhythm with each other, leaving a pile of flesh mounds melting before we took a second to breath.

"Where are we sleeping, Rafael?"

"We are sleeping in the truck."

"Why the truck?"

"To avoid attracting any more umbra with our scent. We are going to drive over to a populated store and sleep in the parking lot."

"Alright. I have already come this far. This mage better be incredible."

"Yaoba is nothing short of incredible, you will see."

We did just what Rafael said, and parked in a grocery store lot and slept through the night in the truck.

In the morning, we made it through Ansdel without encountering any umbra, but the truck had started making funny sounds on our way into Ansdel.

Just as we hit the outskirts on the other side of town, the truck had died, much to our misfortune. Rafael looked over the truck and had determined that the alternator had gone out and quite smokingly, too.

"We are going to have to see if anyone can tow us into town, and, from there, I can fix the truck in about an hour." Rafael relayed the information to me.

Rafael got out from under the hood and started making calls. Eventually he has someone on their way to bring us back to the auto store in Ansdel.

I was grateful that it was a decent temperature as we said in the truck and waited.

* * *

We finally got back on the road by sunset and decided to drive until it got dark.

"So, where are we going to stop, now that we are well past Ansdel?" The concern in my tone was impossible to miss.

"We are stopping in another town, real small, called Oyun. There should be umbra there, but, if we don't get out of the truck, we should be able to rest and leave when the sun comes up."

"What do we do, if they don't leave us alone?"

"We fight until we are safe, as we usually do."

"I will just have to go out on a limb and trust that we won't be eaten in our sleep."

I got more and more nervous on the way to Oyun. I wondered where all the umbra would be. I was scanning back and forth, the whole way, and I didn't see a single one. I finally came to the realization that if there were no visible umbra, then they must be stalkers, remaining unseen. The thought of so many stalkers made me shiver.

"Where are all the umbra?" I pushed myself to ask.

"I haven't seen any, or any stalkers either."

"You can see stalkers?"

"You can see them when you are familiar with their habits. One day you will see them, too."

"So, the coast is clean?"

"That would seem to be the case."

Fires were the only thing I could see as you drove into Oyun. Not a single building was missed. People were on the main road fighting with various weapons, while others were feeding the flames.

"They are cleansing the town, that is why we saw no umbra. The umbra were drawn by the scent of so many people. For the people who don't have weapons, fire is the only way they can protect themselves." Rafael looked over to me. "We have to help them."

Rafael and I got out of the truck and got ready and wasted no time in joining the town to slaughter the umbra. The town had shown that they have done something like this before because as soon as we were near the people our integration into their formation was fluid. We had each other's backs and blind spots. Most of the umbra were killed waiting for the fires to die down, but what was left of the umbra was enough to keep us all on alert. We also had to offer protection to those using fire to burn away the remaining groups of umbra. The slaughter ended with Rafel and I killing the largest of the flesh mounds.

The townspeople motioned for us to follow when the last of the flames were put out.

"We are headed to the bunker, it's much safer there."

Rafael and I followed them through the no burned down town to a large, grey entrance with stairs going underground.

"Is it okay for us to stay the night?" Rafael asked, as we entered.

"Yes, that would be safest for all of us." The man who told us to follow answered Rafael. "Let me introduce you to our fighters."

We followed the man to the small circle of people we were just fighting with. "I am Norin, and I serve as the leader for our people. This is Ayo."

Ayo waved, and I saw his bright, blonde hair and his honeyed skin.

"This is Faelyn."

Faelyn was seemingly shy, as she blushed I couldn't help but stare at her beautiful, bright, and very yellow eyes. She finally caught me staring and looked away in embarrassment. I also took the time to notice her long, white hair that fell past her shoulders.

"And this is Kotoba." Norin's voice pulled me from looking at Faelyn to look at Kotoba, who had a smirk on his face, showing himself off.

I quickly was over introductions and followed Faelyn, as she was walking into a room with kitchen appliances and folding chairs.

"Hey," I accidently startled her. "I wanted to tell you that you are cute and that I love your eyes."

Faelyn went back and closed the door. "Be careful talking about my eyes, it could be dangerous, for both of us."

"I am sorry. I really didn't know."

"Thank you for calling me cute, though. I am glad you like my eyes because the people here don't."

"Why is that?"

"Because it means that I have been tainted with umbra blood."

"How?"

"I was bitten by a wolven stalker."

I looked Faelyn over in astonishment. Rafael had taught me that if I should ever be tainted that I would die, and he left it at that. I still couldn't help but be mesmerized by her gorgeous eyes.

"What are you looking at?" She asked in a soft tone.

"I am looking at you, Faelyn. I can't see anything to segregate you for, you're still a person and not an umbra."

"Oh, I… Isn't it time to rest?"

"I honestly forgot. I will get out of your hair, now."

I left the room, closed the door behind me, and then I searched for Rafael. I came across Rafael as he was discussing where we would stay. From what I caught at the tail end, we would be staying in a room numbered eight, which was the last one on the right side of the first of the halls.

"We are going to be here more than tonight, it turns out Yaoba is coming here, and she sent an advanced notice of her attendance in twelve days. We will be staying longer for you to learn. Make comfortable and, in the meantime, train with the others or make friends. The more hunters you know, the safer this world will be for you and them. I noticed you had an eye out for Faelyn, so do with that what you will." Rafael told me while stepping through the door to our room.

"That's good news. Thank you."

"No problem."

I went back out, not feeling tired yet, and decided I would find Faelyn, again. I found her in the same place we had talked, just moments prior, but this time she was at the stove making something. I saw a sleeping bag neatly placed on one of the tables. I let the door close behind me, which caught her attention. She looked at me and the tension in her shoulders went away.

"Do you need something?"

"I wanted to, at least, let you know that I will be here for a while longer to wait for Yaoba, but I also wanted to spend some of that time getting to know you better, if that's okay with you?"

"Yeah, I guess, but why me?"

"Your yellow eyes hold stories and I want to know them. I am very intrigued to know anything you are willing to share."

"Okay… Like what?" She looked at me, puzzled.

"Your full name, the story of when you got bit, family, where your homeland is, and what home means to you? Those kinds of things."

"So, you came to hear personal things?"

"Yeah, I did, I guess." I chuckled.

"I want the same of you, then."

"For sure! I wouldn't ask so much and then offer nothing at all."

"Alright." She paused and took a breath. "My name is Faelyn Nesa Omecan. I come from Netridel, a land close to Saradel. I ended up here because Yaoba took me in, after my parents were killed by wolven stalkers. The same stalker that bit me just before help camewas the one that killed my mother. This has been my home physically, but, to me, home would be where I am free to live my life without the fear of people seeing that I am tainted, and I would have family, again. Your turn." She looked up at me, wanting to hear what I had to say.

"My name is Joelle Seiz Luroden. I have no idea if my parents are alive or not, I haven't seen them since the night before I almost became umbra chow. I have been with Rafael almost six months since he saved me from the umbra. My life is now learning to be a skilled hunter and to save others, as I was saved. Home where I grew up was Tanasa, Just beyond Nobho, but my home as I see it is having a family to call my own and giving those I love and others the safety we all want, kinda like this bunker." I paused with the weight of not knowing where my parents were or if they were even alive. "Thank you for sharing, Fae. If you ever want to talk about anything without being afraid, I am always here. I just have one more request."

"What is it?"

"Will you train with me for the time that I am here, and will you promise not to avoid me?"

"I can do that, but you can't avoid me, either."

"Never planned to." I smiled at her. The blush on her face and her looking down when I smiled at her was an amazing feeling and I hope she will blush everytime I smile at her in the time to come. Hopefully, she will smile back, too.

* * *

I woke up to the sounds of Rafael making coffee, and started to get out of bed, quickly.

"You're up late, Joey." Rafael said without even looking at me. "It was that girl, wasn't it?"

I was way too flustered to give an adequate response, so I just kept getting ready for training with Faelyn and maybe the other two. That's if they are cool, and not terrible.

I didn't have to spend any time searching for Faelyn because, as soon as I stepped out, Faelyn was smiling and waving at me. She was wearing a dark coat of fur with a hood that covered most of her head and obscured her face, but the gesture was still endearing and didn't help with being flustered.

"Hi! Did I come at a bad time?" Faelyn looked at me with concern.

"No no, you didn't. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

"Okay. Did you still want to train with me, today?"

"Yeah, I was just stepping out to go look for you, actually."

"Well, here I am." She signaled with her hand. "Come, follow me."

I quietly followed her through the bunker, down another hall, and into a big room that had some weapons on one wall and some dummies next to the furthest wall. The floor was made of wooden boards and they were smooth to the touch, as I put my feet on them after taking my shoes off, as Faelyn just had.

"Here we are, this is the training room. It's made in such a way that we are able to practice anything combat."

"I haven't ever trained in a room before, it makes me nervous that I will break something."

"If you could, I would be impressed. So, what is your weakest skill?"

"I have never learned magic before, but I am also weak in hand-to-hand combat."

"Lucky for you, that happens to be what I am best at. The other two won't say so, but put them in a match with me and their stories change pretty quick."

"Show me." I quickly got into stance, as I had with Rafael. As quickly as I had gotten into stance, so had she.

She called the match and waited only a second to see if I would move first, then she came to me with enough speed that blocking took all of the focus I had. Just as her next flurry was starting, I caught an opening and punched her in the hip hard enough to push her back a couple paces, but it wasn't enough to prevent her kicking me in the side and actually knocking me over. Before I was able to get up she already had sealed her victory with her hands ready to punch me in the throat.

"I think I can learn a lot from you." I smiled up at her and noticed her look away while blushing, like she has every other time.

"Thank you. I am proud of my hand-to-hand skills." She smiled back, softly.

"As you should be, you're better than both me and the Muscle Wizard!"

"What do you mean? The Muscle Wizard?"

"That's the person I was with, he has taught me everything that I know."

"I think he was toning it down to teach because he is widely known as the best fighter in all of Obhtharion. It's awesome to know that you'll be trained by nhim and Yaoba. I want to see how skilled you are, if that's only your weakest skill."

"I can definitely hold my own. Well, maybe not against someone so adorable." I made sure to smile before she looked down in embarrassment, again. "We should go see what's for lunch, yeah?"

She nodded back silently. We then walked together towards the commons room. After eating in the commons, Faelyn and I went back to the training room. During that time, Faelyn would make me show off various skills and we also sparred, a lot.

Over the twelve days waiting for Yaoba, we learned a lot about how the other fights, and I found more ways to make Faelyn smile and get flustered. Only one time we were interrupted by Ayo and Kotoba, and they were soon out of our hair when we crushed their egos, via combat. That event helped Faelyn and I bond.

By the time Yaoba came, I already felt at home with Faelyn. She was always at my door in the morning, before I stepped out for the day. It was so exciting to come out the door to her smiling and waving.

When Yaoba came, Rafael came in while we were sparring. We all quickly left to the crowd that surrounded the newcomers. Eventually, the crowd cleared up enough for Rafael to guide us through to Yaoba.

Yaoba quickly recognized Rafael and was very welcoming, as she took us aside and started talking to Rafael.

"So, which one of them is your apprentice?"

Rafael pointed to me and Yaoba nodded.

"She looks like she has been training well, and we can't know how good her magic will be until we try." Yaoba smiled at me and I turned back and smiled at Faelyn, out of excitement.

"When can she begin?"

"Well, I am going to be here for some time. I don't see why we can't start, say, tomorrow?"

"That I can do." I spoke up.

"Then tomorrow it will be." Yaoba left back to the crowd.

"Be ready." Rafael said to me.

"I will, and with an open mind!"

When Rafael left, Faelyn and I went back to the room she has been staying in, so that she could be free of her fears of others saying anything.

"Will we still be able to train together?" Faelyn asked, just as I closed the door behind me.

"I don't know because the training is why Rafael and I are here, but, maybe, you could come with me and be my partner in learning magic."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah! I would love for you to be there. Your cuteness will make learning easier." I winked at her, and when she blushed I couldn't help but look into her beautiful eyes.

"I guess I will be there to wake you up then." A small, flustered smile spread across her face, making my heart melt.

I was lost in thinking about Faelyn, and how much I would miss her when Rafael decides that we would leave. I even thought about making sure to take my time when training, so I could have more time with her. I also have been thinking of asking Rafael if she could come with us or if she would even want to. Maybe I am reading too much into how she feels about me.

"Would you ever be willing to leave with Rafael and I?" I spoke through the silence.

"Would you really want me with you? I would just stall you guys with being tainted and all."

"I would want you with me, and, if I become strong enough, I could protect you."

"If you are sure, then I would gladly go with you and Rafael. I have been wanting to see the world and see what it holds for me."

"I'll bring it up with Rafael, and I will let you know, first thing."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Joey. I get happier each time you do."

"For sure. You are a wonderful person."

"You are, too. You should head to bed or you will be late." Her smiling, again, made me want to do anything she says.

"Alright, I'll see you in the morning."

"See you!"

I stepped out the door and went and got ready for bed, excited for tomorrow to come quicker.