Chapter Text
Chapter 4: Elgar’an
Zahir blinks xir eyes open , jerking back a step when xe see Honor staring right at xir from inches away. “Don’t do that. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Crossing its arms, Honor looks at xir unamused, “it is a side effect of the possession, we will be within the space of the other.” Xe sigh, “okay, now you were going to teach me magic?” Honor nods, turning around and walking, the green mist and twisted black rock transforming into a sitting room.
Warm wood grains and rich brocades and silks draped over intricately carved furniture. Honor sits down at a pedestal table with two chairs in front of a black marble fireplace. Zahir follows, sitting across from it, “how should I refer to you?” Honor tilts its head and hums, “she/her will be fine. Now to start I must know what you do.”
Taking a breath, Zahir starts, “from what I recall, there are different styles and schools of magic. Spirit, fire, frost, necromancy, storm, healing, shape shifting and Arcane warriors as well as the frowned upon blood magic. I don’t know what style or school is suited to me.” Honor nods, placing her arms on the table to lean forward, “that is a very good starting point. And you are correct about the stigma against blood magic. But some styles are no longer in practice amongst the waking, like shape shifting and the Arcane warriors.”
Leaning forward, Zahir watches her, “do you know which would fit me best, Honor?” She strokes her chin with narrowed eyes, “hmm, I would say either necromancy or the Arcane warrior discipline. While the others would work for you, those specialties are the best fit.” Xe tilt xir head, “either? what about both?” Sighing, Honor looks at xir wryly, “focus on one for now, then you can try the other.” Nodding, xe look at the fireplace, “I think I’ll start with the Arcane warrior discipline.”
She nods, standing up, “then stand up and we’ll start. To be an arcane warrior requires physical discipline as well as magical.” Zahir stands across from her, “so I start with stretching so I don’t tear something?” Honor blinks, “pardon?” Xe facepalm and get to stretching anyway, “if someone doesn’t stretch and they overdo something, they could tear a muscle and potentially cripple them if it heals wrong.” Honor frowns, stroking her chin, “this must be a knowledge gap between those who have forms and those without.”
Zahir nods and finishes xir stretching, “oh most definitely. Now what’s next?” Shaking herself, Honor walks around xir, “get into a fighting stance.” Xe get get into the fighting stance xe were taught years ago. As Honor circles xir, she looks xir up and down, looking for anything to correct and not finding anything.
Humming, Honor strikes out. Zahir blocks her fist and twists it into an arm bar. She taps out and xe release her, stepping back. Honor straightens up and nods, “very good. It is surprising that you know how to defend like that.” Xe mirror her, crossing xir arms behind xir back, “I’ve known have to defend myself and how to fight since I was 8 years old, Honor.” She pauses mid-motion and stare at xir, before a soft laugh rings out. They turn to look and see an elvhen looking spirit giggling into her hand.
Sighing, Honor crosses her arms, “Wisdom, what are you doing here?” She lightly steps closer, “well I wanted to see what had happened to you Honor. I now see that you and your host had very limited options.” Snorting, Zahir relaxes, “that is an understatement. Wisdom, is it?” She nods, “yes, I am called Wisdom. And from what I saw, you don’t need the physical work. Just the magical.” Lifting a brow, Honor cocks a hip, “are you offering to help, falon’Fen’Harel?”
Smiling warmly, Wisdom clasps her hands together in front of herself. “I am indeed offering, since you don’t know the specifics of the Arcane warrior path.” Honor scoffs, “you think I can’t teach such a discipline? To my own host?!” Sighing, Wisdom crosses her arms, “you focus on physical discipline, just like Valor and Justice. Rarely do you deal with magical discipline.” Shifting her stance embarrassed, Honor crosses her arms, “that is true.”
Zahir steps closer to Wisdom, “what magical techniques do Arcane warriors use?” She gestures to the table, which has gained a chair, “it is putting your focus and magic into your weapon. Fighting with both blade and spell, the blade you will work on yourself if you have the training. while the spells will be taught both here and amongst the waking.”
Joining the two spirits at the table, xe lean forward, “it won’t be just the two of you teaching me, will it?” They shake their heads, Honor speaking up, “no it won’t be. Likely there will be spirits of Compassion, Curiosity and Faith.” Wisdom cutting in, “as well as what the waking call demons of Spite, Mischief and Fear.”
A scoff sounds from the shadows, “you always forget Determination.” Zahir turns and sees a winged figure, eyes and feathers glowing a vivid magenta-like purple. Xe tilt xir head, “and you would be Determination?” It nods, flexing its wings, coming closer, “I am. Your determination to not be a liability shines bright.”
Honor stands up, “xe are my host, Determination.” Slinking closer, it grins widely, “I am not poaching your host Honor, that would end both of you.” Zahir sighs and gets between both of them, “enough, both of you. Determination, quit trying to pick a fight. Honor, focus please.”
They huff, looking away from the other. Determination grumbling under its breath, “fun spoiler.” Crossing xir arms, Zahir stares at it, “behave, or I won’t let you help.” It immediately enters xir space, clinging to xir arm, “I’ll be good.” it sniffs xir, “smells of blood, iron and gold. Necromancy uses blood at times, in spells and rituals.” Xe blink, “so I would need to learn blood magic to fully learn necromancy?” It nods, feathers fluffed up.
Honor cuts in, “but not tonight, for the sun is rising.” Wisdom nods while Determination grumbles in agreement. The dream room fades as Zahir wakes up.