ORIGIN

Azrael turned as Emuh returned, standing up taller, proudly - he'd definitely passed the test with flying colors. Not a single scratch on him! But then Emuh had to go and. Insult him. Azrael's eyes widened for a moment before they narrowed in anger. Hot rage boiled up in his stomach and he growled threateningly. "I DID," he countered, hotly. "Your test was EASY." But then, he followed it up with brief praise that had Azrael rumbling, unsure if he should preen or continue being furious.

But then, it didn't matter because a moment later, wings were opening, and his world tilted.

He staggered back, gasping, but he couldn't take his eyes off of Emuh. Something was pulling, tugging in his chest, gem flickering under Emuh's magic, head spinning, stomach churning...and then, just as quickly as it started, it was over and Azrael fell to his knees, panting, the world still shifting around him. He felt strange, like Emuh had suddenly carved out a whole in his chest, dug his gemstone right out and cut it in two. He didn't like it, oh he didn't like it and he wanted to turn back to Emuh and make him come back and rip him apart, tear out his feathers, burn him to nothing for weakening him but then...in the back of his mind, like a suggestion, a whisper, promising something more.

He stumbled to his feet, still breathing heavy, and returned to Forgraves and Banshy, staring at them with wide eyes. "Passed," he grumbled, shortly, before looking down at his gemstone. It was still there, still glowing, and his eyes narrowed. What is this new power, then? It felt locked in the back, a storm raging against the bars of thought. It was there - that was his reward. With a quick jerk of his magic, he closed his eyes and let it free.

Suddenly, he could feel all the lights. Strung high above their heads, the glowing lanterns that illuminated all the caves, connected each to each other for miles upon miles. He could only really sense the ones near them, in Polaris, but now...he had complete control. He reached out, both with his magic and with his arms, and with a twist of magic and a clench of his fists, turned the lights off.

The area was immediately plunged into complete darkness as the lights flickered off. Azrael opened his eyes to admire his handiwork and his face twisted in a carnal smile of pleasure. "This is my new power," he growled, a dark glee rising in his throat, allowing the lights to flicker back on as he released the magic.

For a moment, Azrael was worried that he'd freaked out Forgraves too much with the sudden darkness, but then a moment later relaxed when Forgraves congratulated him. He stood taller under the praise and affection, sweeping his tail behind him. "The test was EASY," he declared. "But it is an incredible power. That, apparently, is my reward for strength and passing Emuh's test." He shifted and raised a hand to his chest, rubbing at his gemstone. "But I am weaker again. I must train to become as strong as before."

He looked down and eyed Forgraves, the smile back on his face. "Thank you, Forgraves. And thank you for coming with me, even if you could not see. I am stronger when I am with you." It was blunt and sudden, but Azrael almost seemed proud of the fact. Proud that he had a son that he could feel strong protecting.

But then, the moment passed a second later and Azrael moved on. He thought about returning to Canis, but, despite the weariness and the sense of hollowness, he felt the need to stay in Polaris a little longer. The air was here was so charged with magic, it made him feel ready to fly and climb and roar and cover the world with darkness. He stared at Forgraves for a second before asking, "But you - Forgraves - do you work your magic?"

It was funny that Forgraves thought that Azrael was the most powerful creature in the caves, considering that he thought the very same thing, and he would continue to actively reinforce the idea. He tried not to let the smile get too wide on his face, pleased to hear Forgraves call him "dad".

Forgraves wasn't fooling Azreal with the mock confidence. He knew the fox too well at this point and he could understand why Forgraves was acting like that, why he was nervous to tell him the truth. To be honest, he was disappointed that his own son would be following in his footsteps, that he wouldn't be pursuing magic the same way that Azrael was. He almost wanted to scold him, to try and get him to change his mind, but then he took a second to think about it.

He suddenly sat himself down so that he was closer to Forgraves' level. With a large, heavy hand, he patted Forgraves on the head. "That is okay. I am sad that we will not get to fight, pit magics against each other, but perhaps it is for the best. If you want to heal, then you heal. You show me your group sometime. It is good that you are growing, becoming independent. I am proud of you." And it was true - all of it. And Forgraves should know it because Azrael always said that he hated liars.

Azrael snorted with faint amusement when Forgraves began to cry again. "You cry a lot," he commented. "Don't cry on your patients." Ah yes, the word of the wise from o mighty Azrael. Still, he was feeling the affection as well, perhaps not in the same way as Forgraves and nor was he displaying it so casually, but he still felt the need to say more, to show that he wasn't going to hold Forgraves back, even if he wanted him to be like his father.

But Azrael wasn't going to be controlled by anyone, not even himself. He didn't want to make Forgraves sad and he didn't want to damage their relationship. That came before any desire to see Forgraves as a powerful, merciless fighter which, now that he looked closely at the young fox, he knew would never happen anyways. "I look forward to it." He tilted his head and pulled his arms back, crossing one across his chest. "You are strong already. Takes strength to make your own path instead of following one laid down. Strength comes in more forms then what I have." That was hard to say, and it still ground something in him, but he knew it was true, however much he hated to admit it. "Me, strength in body. Magic. You?" He jabbed at Forgraves with a finger. "Strength in mind. Heart. You will do great."

Azrael grunted and nodded. "You ever need my help, your village ever in trouble, and I will burn your enemies." He raised a fist and pounded it against his chest, as if this was a seal for the promise that he would protect his son should he ever be in trouble. He didn't voice his thought that maybe Forgraves wouldn't be able to defend himself, but Azrael did not see this as a problem. After all, he could very easily protect both of them.

With another grunt, he got to his feet. "Yes we go." He opened his palm, conjuring a banana in his hand and handing it to Banshy. "If one of you - or both - too tired, I will carry you."