The Thieving knight (Book 3)

The Crossing (15/16)

Once everyone has fallen asleep, Mephiles connected with Aalis. He again created the grassy terrain to let her feel at ease a bit.

"Did you want to talk about anything?" Mephiles asked. "If not, I'll leave."

Aalis adjusted her quills. "I just thought if you can teach me even in this way."

He nodded. "I do not mind. Let's start with the theory. What do you remember?"

She sat down on a log, while he maintained a safe distance. "It's not like Chaos energy, that is only in the outer world. Black Magic is derived from negative emotions while White Magic from the positive ones. The Chaos energy can be used to enhance one's abilities or to from projectiles. Black Magic differs from user to user."

"Yes," he nodded. "I can create warp holes that allow me to travel thru space. I can become a liquid and travel along the energy paths. I'm as well able to partly transform my body either into tentacles or my crystals into fur."

Aalis turned into her crystalline form. "I have enhanced physique and senses and I can shoot energy balls, right?"

"Yes, that's what you have discovered so far, but that may not be all. Since your orientation is more combat oriented I suppose you will be able to utilize many attacks."

"I was thinking about that emotion part. So depending on how much angry I'm the attack will be weak or strong, right?"

"It's not that simple. What means big anger? Being unable to recognize ally from a foe? That would make you the same as berserk. The strength of your attack is derived from how well you can control your emotions.

Take our first encounter. You have felt many emotions and tho they weren't controlled their mix provided the quite bursting effect. If at that time you were able to control them, I can imagine at least half of my body to be reduced to an ash."

Aalis listened to him. "So the cleaner my head will be, the better results I'll get," she pondered.

"Yes, I have to keep calm in order to use my abilities too. The best practice for it is a meditation."

She nodded, assuming the right position and started to meditate. Mephiles did the same and this session lasted for most of the night.

When Aalis stretched her dream-body she hasn't felt any stiffness. Mephiles stood up, ready to leave.

"Uncle?" He stopped, turning back. "Can you open your mouth?" He fidgeted a bit before he did so. She watched inside, even coming closer. When she looked away, he closed it. "Will I get such mouth too?"

"I don't think so... your body is already formed."

"So, will I live for hundreds of years like you?"

"Hmm, that's quite possible. You have a blood of two long-living races in your veins."

"And what about the 'special' person for me?"

He seemed sad. "Since you have been born from Eclipse I can't tell for sure," he started to think.

"And how did you know big brother Galahad is the one for you?" she voiced another question. Since the talk with her mom, she started to have them and she couldn't get them out of the head.

"The heart of Crystallian will start beat once they... do that... with the right person at least for the second time."

She understood the 'do that' part, but she still had her doubts. "You mean it can be a complete jerk and you can't love anybody else?"

Mephiles was fidgeting. "I... have no answer for that. Galahad is the first one I ever felt love for, but you aren't a herm so I don't think this particular perk of Crystallians applies to you."

"Well, time will tell," she sounded disappointed. He knew why, she was unsure of her blood inheritance and his presence, despite not showing it. Since she asked him to teach her, he was determinate to pass as much knowledge as he can.

He left her dream and opened eyes. The new day was slowly starting and the sun was just minutes away from rising. During the breakfast, they talked more freely and even Mephiles took part in it, but just a bit. Tho he was mostly answering than asking or telling. Moriana stretched herself and said: "I should go. There is a ton of book to translate. We have even got one in Trollish."

"A Trollish book?" asked Mephiles. "Those are quite rare, I myself met only three troll's scholars."

"Eh?" Moriana turned toward him showing interest. "You know the Troll's language?"

"Yes, tho I'm not fluent a written word is no problem."

"How many languages you know?" asked Eclipse.

Mephiles was thinking for a bit. "I think around thirty to forty. With the dead languages it would be five more and some other I only heard about."

Moriana smiled. "Would you mind help me to translate them? It would be a great help."

"I'll gladly help," he said maybe too quick as he was somehow eager to prove himself. He wanted to do it for Galahad, easing his burden because of him.

"Alright, I'll bring some books before the lunch." Moriana left, humming a cheerful melody.

Eclipse smiled, it seemed everyone was slowly starting to accept him.