Part 5

Nyx, The Little Bunny lost and a bliss. Grinding her face and body all against the sand. Feeling never felt before, the coolness seeping through her dense matted grimy fur. Her face buried into the sand as she roughly nuzzled up against it. Borrowing inside just a squirm and wiggle all around. If anyone was watching, they would notice clumps of fur falling and grinding off as if heavily shedding. Soft speaks and purrs flowing out as she continued unsupervised.

The narrator clawed at their- my masked frantically as I slowly made my approach yet instantly, as each step they- I appeared several feet closer. Despite Sister Mary and Izeurik never blinking they still missed my movements. Reaching the 50 ft mark where all the others stopped before I continued. Reaching the invisible walls of Izeurik room that was only 10 feet away, yet I continued my approach. Clawing hard, deeper into the mask. Piercing the motionless liquid until it cracks and breaks. Crouching down to meet him face-to-face.

Blood flowing where the pieces around my eye and mouth fell onto the sand. My icy blue eye burning of desire stared into his eyes. A sharp smile that held a twisted warm predatory devouring hunger brimming in excitement. How could I not smile when seeing him? As if I wasn't starved of his flesh, for his eyes to look upon me, oh my love... But...This shouldn't be... He shouldn't hear me... Shouldn't see me nor this place… Why is watching different this time?

"Are you the one in my head? Who are you? Why do you feel familiar?"

Izeurik demanded with a stern tone and glaring at the narrator. Looking into her eye, he felt it was similar, no… Nearly identical to his own third set of eyes. Only that this narrator didn't have a pupil and darkness behind them like his other eyes.

"You… You think I feel familiar? Despite our mind, body, or soul meeting. I'm still familiar?"

I couldn't help my excitement bursting out of me. Such an anomaly this is. Such a joy, to meet him so soon. I just can't contain it. I've already broken my mask, that's no good. I can only claw at my neck, arms, and legs as I stayed crouched to his level. Izeurik just continued staring, glaring at me. 

"Something about you is familiar. Not just your eye. Who are you?" 

Spoken with a bit more aggression wrapped in his curiosity. 

"Oh, how I wish to tell you, My Little Devil. I could, but… no no no. It shouldn't be, it is far too soon for us to meet. but It's already been changed. Perhaps I can? No no, I mustn't. But-"

Mumbling to myself. Wasn't sure which side I was trying to convince myself to take. This feeling felt like it's burning me. Glancing up at Sister Mary, It took over. Quickly standing up and grasping her face, a little less gentle than I attended. Mumbling my hushed Glee. 

"You are far more beautiful than he describes. Joyous it is to finally meet you."

Before I could say another word, I felt a furry hand grabbing the back of my head, fingers wrapping around my face into a gentle but firm grip. I was being slowly pulled away. I whimpered as I accepted the feet, knowing it was a must.

"Forgive for this one-" 

The extremely tall deer head hybrid in a suit Warren casually with nothing on his feet spoke with a deep comforting tone. Neither Alice, Izeurik, or Sister Mary knew how he got there. Suddenly appeared. Even while crouching as far as he could go, the creature was Still a head taller than Sister Mary.

"She is… easily excited. Unfortunately, we cannot answer who we are. Time is ticking before this gate disappears to never return. I can say a few things that should be obvious or would do no harm. This is your domain, nearly every creature here is yours to command. The other residents who either work for you or with you, Young Lord."

Even while talking, Sister Mary and Izeurik remain focused. Alice on the other hand slowly made her way closer. Ignoring everything that was said and started to brush her fingers through its furry foot.

"Are you a Wendigo?"

Sister Mary couldn't help but to ask and was quickly responded with a nod. A very dangerous rare creature residing in the coldest places up north. To ever see one means to never be seen again.

"That I am, Madame. I am one of the pillars and thee primary caretaker of this domain. I can sense the young Lord's mind still trying to process and getting used to the new sensations of being here. If the young Lord wishes for more answers, then it is simple. Grow stronger until you find your way here on your own or strong enough to call one of the residents who could answer questions. But for now, we must part ways. The former would be a lot easier though."

Without waiting the Wendigo rises to his full height. Dropping the narrator who lands onto her feet. Her mask reformed along with her composure. Dusting herself off as she straightened her clothing. The wendigo just glanced down while Alice continued her single-minded focus of petting. Izeurik's mind was swirling with different emotions and voices. Despite his questions it took all he had just to stay focused.

"It was nice seeing you, My Little Devil. I'll leave you with a few more obvious and harmless pieces of information. Look closely at your surroundings. To get stronger you must focus inward. Your blood and bones will be your greatest strength. Now I must go Before I embarrass myself further."

The narrator- I explained while Wendigo with a wave of his finger created a small wave of sand gently lifting and carrying Alice away Go back to the group before he began walking away with a chuckle. 

"See you another time, Little One" 

"Oh and I shall be erasing your memories temporarily. Time works differently here. I don't want you to go catatonic…

I mumbled with amusement. Little by little all the eyes the creatures slowly begin to close as they submerge themselves once more. As the narrator- I got closer, I walked around back of them a few several feet down. Pushing her- my hand into the sand and pulling out Nyx who now looked quite different than what they last saw. 

Nyx looked like she had been thoroughly cleaned of the filth and trimmed completely down showing her new layer of coat. Her pristine white fluffy fur now thin to the skin and was a third matte black. Like sprinkling pepper all over salt. She looked a bit more humanoid as her body grew slightly as well, allowing her to easily stand upright on her hind legs and walk around if so choose. Nyx squealed in surprise.

"Can't have you getting trapped in here, now, can we?"

I chuckled, moving closer and handing her over to Izeurik. All of the creatures from afar slowly disappeared. A deep darkness began to creep closer from the horizon. Izeurik's mind slowly began to ease, his posture and demeanor relaxed from the growing relief. Just when his mind was clear enough to speak, the narrator raised her hand, and the darkness rushed forward drowning everything in sight. Within the darkness the last words of the narrator were uttered.

"It was nice seeing you again as well, Neriah. Thank you for not closing it immediately. I owe you a great favor."

"Wait wait wait- How dare you close this before I can have a word!?"

A second deep aggressive feminine voice speaks to the narrator who was only left sighing. The aggressive voice simply continued to speak without delay.

"My lord, take this and learn my name. I grow tired of this slumber. Oh, and hi Neriah, also bye Neriah. Nice to see you've always been a nudist."

Laughter faded into the darkness just as it suddenly disappeared all that once. Alice, Sister Mary, and Izeurik with Nyx changed form on his lap. They were seated once again with only the vague memory of Izeurik's Fate Stone hologram before it was unveiled. The sun turning into a moon, deep dark shadows, sand, with beach waters in the distance.

"Whoa, what happened to you Nyx?" 

He held her up from the armpits, letting her legs dingle in the air as he examined her. 

"You're clean! And I'm pretty sure you're bigger. Look Alice"

He turned her around to give Alice a proper look whose eyes widened. Softly stating her assessment through excitement.

"Magic"

Meanwhile Sister Mary was left confused on why Nyx wanted to change. Remembering the message, she received from her goddess deciding if anything had happened then it wasn't anything dangerous and ignored the sudden change. Nyx felt like her mind and body was floating. New muscles and sensations traveling through her body. I'm trying to understand the sudden new body she begins squirming around. Falling out of Izeurik's hands continues wiggling, stretching and squirming all over the rug all the while Alice rubs her belly giggling at the weird behavior. 

Izeurik's eyes then finally noticed and long black spear with silver tip and engraving all around. A thick flowy royal purple ribbon wrapped around Just under the blade, with black trim and silver designs. A similar ribbon in the middle as a handle and down at the base. He had an instinct feeling that it was his. Before he could grab it Sister Mary tried to bring it to her but found it to be unmovable despite her strength. When Izeurik touched it, the spear morphed into a small ribbon. Wrapping around Izeurik's right middle finger as a small bow. Before he could let out his excitement Sister Mary cut in with a serious stern tone.

"I better not catch you playing with that spear, mister, or by her mercy I'll ground you until you're out of college."

"But-"

"The only but is on your behind. And that will be the end of it. Now pay attention. We still have more training. You remember your affinities"

Izeurik just frowned and shook his head. Crossing his arms to emphasize his grumpiness. Although it was short-lived, It was just a curiosity.

"You have some Earth, water, moonlight, and dark affinity. Those are the type of spells you work with. But with that heart you can learn more and do more. But for now, Ize, Alice, time for a little basic mana training, A few things normal people do immediately after forming Mana Core. You're going to need to learn how to conceal your Mana Heart and also basic ability triggering. 

You, Ize have two, green and red. After learning this then you're free to do as you please with these colors, as long as you don't fiddle with your Mana Heart. We don't know If you have any Alice Darlin. I would have to ask one of my sisters if they can deliver the proper to us to do so. For now, just stay put, and if you can try to visualize it."

Alice nodded and Sister Mary spoke firmly. She began a small conversation making sure Izeurik can sense the mana, explaining it in a bit more detail for Alice to get a picture. Afterwards she began explaining the overall process of Surrounding the walls of his heart with his own Mana, like putting on a layer of paint with one or both colors.

"Like you're trying to hide it from the inside out. Practicing concentrating until you can keep it on the walls subconsciously."

Izeurik didn't get it right away, but he understood the concept, so Mother Mary moved on to the next. She told Izeurik to focus on the red color mana and try to sense what it can do. While doing so he felt it just better help him since his whole body, this he explained. Mother Mary thought for a moment before speaking to clarify. 

"With this you lack too much knowledge to make it useful. It comes from your father. The more you understand your body, the stronger and more useful this will be. For now, it will probably help you see better, get stronger easier, and minor things like sharper stronger teeth since you love biting so much. It allows you to control your mind and body"

Izeurik took a moment to process what she said before they moved on to the next. The green energy, the more he focused the more of a feeling he got from something fake and also hard. Something there but not really. He didn't quite understand it, something that was obvious by the look of his face. He soon felt it required something else. When he opened his eyes and began looking around for something. Sister Mary held out a silver coin.

"Here, try it on this coin." 

She smiled eagerly, enjoying watching the process of his mind trying to figure things out. 

"Thank you." 

Politely responding as he held up the silver coin. He closed his eyes once again while imagining the green energy doing something. The green energy from his body slowly traveled through his arm until reaching his fingertips. Izeurik opened his eyes while concentrating on the coin. The energy started to coat and soak into the coin before suddenly right next to it another silver coin appeared floating in the air. It was see-through and with a green glow that almost hid the silver. Flickering like an unsteady image. Eventually the bad illusion of a silver coin vanished.

"Whoa, that was kind of cool. So, it makes fake things?" 

Spoken through excited confusion, smiling up at Sister Mary. 

"Yes, pretty much. You get that from your mother. You don't need a coin, you just need a clear image. As you can see, unless you have one and a very good concentration, you can very easily tell it's a fake. You can also be able to create contracts. It's like a coin but you can touch it." 

Sister Mary clarified. She was going to say more until she noticed another bad illusion of a coin floating in the air, this time coming right from Nyx. Quickly vanished soon after as well. Izeurik couldn't hold in his excitement as he cheered along with Alice clapping quietly chanting 'magic' to herself.

"You can use it too? Awesome!" 

Izeurik held her up high while looking at her. Nyx made excited squeaks and chirps. Flapping her ears further expresses glee.

"Yes, from what you told me about your bond. You didn't simply bond, you offered to share her energy in full, and she accepted it. If she had any abilities of her own, you would have a chance of getting them as well."

While explaining, Sister Mary smiled as she watched them together. Then she began to stand up, brushing herself off. 

"That's pretty much all of the basics. You can practice your abilities throughout the day, and we can just focus on your reading and math at night. Now it's time for baths and beds. "

Sister Mary clapped her hands to signal the need for immediate action. While listening to Sister Mary's words, Izeurik and Alice begin making their way to the bathroom. Sister Mary gives them all three a bubble bath. Thoroughly cleaning Nyx, making sure she's actually clean. After taking a quick bath she helped tuck them

 into bed. 

Nyx snuggled again close by Izeurik's head in between him and Alice. After saying they're good nights Sister Mary kisses All three of their heads. Taking a quick shower of her own before heading to bed leaving both bedroom doors cracked open. 

Izeurik said his own good nights to Alice and Nyx who softly purred in response. Alice Said her goodnights and held his hand. Slowly they all fell asleep peacefully throughout the night. When morning time came, they began their new daily routine that would barely change for many years.

Izeurik, Alice and Nyx would wake up and make their way downstairs where they find Sister Mary humming and singing softly to herself. All three of them would sit down by TV until food arrived and they all ate their big breakfast that slowly helped regain Izeurik's strength, although he always remained a lot thinner than he did before the event of gaining a Mana Heart.

After breakfast and despite Sister Mary's objection, all four of them went into the garden to help grow and harvest food. Along with his own ability training, he also tried to learn Sister Mary's gardening ability. With his Mana Sight and a lot of questions he understood how Sister Mary influenced the garden. Even with that he never got close to using it as an ability, although it did help him be a better gardener. 

After gardening Izeurik, Alice and Nyx would watch TV, play around the house and or outside, as well as practice their abilities. As the days passed Alice went back and forth from her home. Talking with Sister Mary about her family, Alice gradually spent more time on the farm until she never went back to her old home. Only Alice joined Mother Mary for church. After a few months when Izeurik properly managed to maintain the concealment around his Mana Heart, they were allowed to return to the church where he was warmly greeted for his return by the others.

Unlike Alice, Izeurik didn't always go to church after gardening, often choosing to practice and play with his illusionary ability, but it was normal to help out in the church. Although he wasn't allowed to show them his ability. After church, if Izeurik and Nyx were both with Sister Mary they would all eat after serving everyone else. If they didn't join, Sister Mary would make a nice quick meal after the buyers left, and she and Alice returned back home. After eating Sister Mary would take a shower and collapse across the couch for a few hours while they watched cartoons.

After Sister Mary was done with her nap, she would spend time with Izeurik, Alice and Nyx. Playing games, watching TV, or just relaxing together. Afterwards Sister Mary would start her teaching lessons once again. Making sure they're more than smart enough for their grade level. When they were, the study time was spent relaxing more with Sister Mary. After all was done for the day, they each would go to their own room for another peaceful slumber under the moonlight.

Month by month as time passed Izeurik and Nyx's illusionary abilities quickly grew. Izeurik slowly learned how to maintain 6 perfect illusions of himself comfortably around the room. Nyx managed to do three times as much with 18 illusions of her smaller body. When trying to do more, mental exhaustion and head pain quickly followed. There were several flaws with their illusions such as being stationary and not making any sounds, but with their illusions it boosted their training and fun a lot more with playing hide and seek. Hiding from each other as well as Alice, who's perception slowly grew as well. Alice also gained her Mana Core with the help of Mother Mary which began their minor lessons in magic. 

Year by year time ticked by. Izeurik and Nyx Only one to church half the time to help out. He never quite understood the religion. Deciding it would be better to spend their time doing extra work in the garden using all they learned to be a better gardener. He wasn't as skilled as Sister Mary, but it did free up time for her. Leaving them more time to bond each morning. 

Izeurik and Nyx's illusionary ability made significant improvements. Although they could create far more illusions of themselves comfortably, they decided it's more effective to keep the original 6 and 18. The decision between quality or quantity, they choose the quality. Although, Nyx's ever-growing body slowly lowered how much you can do comfortably. Over time they gradually become able to make their illusions move all at once and at greater distance. Eventually even making them speak and squeak. The hardest thing to copy was the slight noises, such as walking or breathing. It was the main way they could spot the fakes while playing hide and seek. 

Izeurik and Nyx also learned something by accident when experimenting. The ability to see through your illusions eyes as if they were your own. Izeurik learned It was very easy, embarrassingly easy to spot the illusion when using Mana Sight. Spotting the one not made of mana as the real one. This led to Izeurik and Nyx practicing concealing not only their Mana Heart but their whole body just beneath the skin as well as creating illusions of not only the outside but the whole insides of their bodies. The extra improvements took a while to get comfortable with, all the more believable. Even Sister Mary was having a hard time finding them. 

 When taking a break from using illusions, Izeurik and Nyx would practice making constructs, which was dramatically harder causing a lot more strain. Alice manages to convince Sister Mary to help her go undergo gaining a Mana Heart to become a bender. After months of pain tolerance training, Alice gains Mana heart after being passed out for More than half the day. 

After 4 years, Nyx turned into a big 3-foot bunny tall, with no sign of her growth stopping. Izeurik and Alice were now 10, realizing the time had come to go to school and learn far more than Sister Mary allowed. After many years of homeschooling with Sister Mary making sure they're more than prepared while doing her best to give them a loving home and childhood. As Little Scholars, Untrained Benders, it was time for them to face the world with no protective net.