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.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

He had been watching, with a poor view, mind you, but still, watching. it was.. amazing! he heard the chaos, saw a little bit of it, and other than the magicka competition, never fully comprehended how powerful azzy actually was. it was a little intimidating in all honesty.

when Azrael came back, declaring that he had won , he let out a sigh of relief. his father looked mostly unharmed. he was ok. he smiled brightly at him, giving the best applause he could with paws.

however, he did let out an embarrassing shriek when the room went completely dark. wow, forgraves, you're a full grown gembound and you're still afraid of the dark? well.. nobody can blame him. but the chuckle from Azrael, with the soon return of the lights, absolutely stunned him. the power to just.. control an entire room of lights. how much range was there in magic..? if this was just LIGHT magic.... then what else would the test do to someone of a different element? to someone like him?

that was a thought for another time.

he smiled brighter than he ever could've imagined, pretending a few moments ago didn't fully happen, and practically jumped around him in excitement. "That was AMAZING, Azzy!!! that- thats so fascinating, just to control the caves light like that? ontop of all of THAT??? you're incredible!!!" he cheered. he'd have to investigate magic like this one day himself.

@Azrael

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?"

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

He smiled brightly at how proud Azrael seemed to be of himself, he deserved it. "you'll be there in no time, i bet". he was sure to most others the test would not be "easy" as he put it, azrael must just be incredibly powerful. to him forgraves was just the most powerful person in the caves, and in all honestly he could be one of them.

his heart nearly melted at the sudden affection, something he didn't see so suddenly and blatantly too often, 100% soaking it up. "y-you're welcome, dad, thanks for letting us come, y-you're the best..!" he chirped happily, wiping away some sudden tears, returning the appreciation as best he could, his tail swaying happily.

he watched Azrael slip into though for a moment, tilting his head. he paused at the question. he felt silly to answer it after all of.... that. azrael just gave an amazing display of great power and magic and forgraves was about to tell him that, no. he didn't. he hasn't since the first time he used it. maybe once or twice, but not.. not like azzy. he took a deep breath.

"n-no, actually-" he began, hesitantly, but trying to feign confidence in his voice, "i.. i've sworn it off. im no good at it, and i can be just as strong without it. its.. a much more exact science, which is needed to be a medic. there-.." he paused... "i joined a new group. its going to be a town of sorts, and im training to be able to help them in any way i can without my magic, since.. all mine does is hurt people." he finishes. "m-maybe one day i will, but not yet."

@Azrael

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.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

His heart was beating out of his chest, he really was nervous. he almost felt like a disappointment for not striving to be someone as great as Azrael, someone who could run into a fight and almost have no chance of losing simply because he's himself, but he'd also learnt so much. the weakening ache in his leg told him as much. but as he patted his head, firmly and comfortingly, his worries eased.

he smiled, as if he hadn't been most of the day, but he did even so. he felt pride well up in his chest. his father wasn't disappointed, he was proud of him. proud of HIM, of all people, and that made it better. he had a drive to be the best medic he could be now, to prove that he could be as strong as him in a DIFFERENT way. his way.

"thank you.." he sniffled, tears welling up for the second time. "i wont let you down. one day, you can come visit, when everything's set up, and see me work! see what ive been wanting to do since i hatched, heal people, keep people happy, be strong like you! wouldn't that be something?" he chuckled through the tears.

@Azrael

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."

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

He couldn't help but burst out in sniffly laughter at the comment, "i'll try to keep that in mind, wouldn't want that" he snickered, wiping his eyes.

as he paused, he listened to Azzy, and he realized, he was right. he could have easily decided to become something he wasn't, forced himself to fight and train till he was sore for a goal that would ultimately make him unhappy just to make Azzy proud, it wasn't off the charts behaviour for him, but.. he didn't. he didn't want to hurt people, he didn't want to be a feared soldier that could take down enemies twice his own size, he wanted to be a medic with a garden where he studied plants and bugs and their medicinal effects with Fairy, bless her soul, and be a friend to people who needed one. he smiled proudly, genuinely, fully proud of himself.

"yeah. yeah you're right. thanks, azzy.."

he thought for a moment. the magic in his feet from the polaris floors still pulsed and burned, but oddly enough
it was pleasant now. he smiled at that. co-exist with magic, dont run away from it.

"we should probably head home now.. i think Banshy's tired, and as much as i like it here, my leg is getting sore from standing on it so long. he commented, chuckling.

@Azrael

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."

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

He chuckled at the sentiment. "sounds like a plan. lets go, Ban" he chirped at his sibling, getting the hang of his leg before beginning to pad off in the direction of home.

exit