Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 9: Gifts Of A Father

Edger is practically unconscious from alcohol, and Pearl is trying to feed him some herbal medicine and get him to drink some water when I enter the tent.
  Without wasting a single moment, I swiftly grab my backpack and empty its contents onto my sleeping bag, As my belongings fall onto the floor I grab the cloak that was gifted to me earlier today.
  I run my hands around the outside of the cloak trying to find a trace of any pockets of bumps that would give anything away before Pear interrupts me asking if I'm okay.
 
  "Hey Rune, are you alright? I couldn't help but notice you seem a bit frantic. Did something happen during your walk?"
  "Well, you know, I wasn't really planning on it at first. I simply wanted to take a walk, just to escape from the crown of people, my way of clearing my mind from the chaos of everything from today.
  But then, out of nowhere, a voice began whispering in my head. It urged me, almost commanded me, to go and find him. To find him at the place where wood turns to char.
  At first, I questioned if I had drank too much at the feast but the only thing I had was the glass of spirit ale. I decided to follow this persistent voice, unsure of what waited for me."
  "Right, I'm understanding you so far."
  "When I first arrived at the Field, I looked around to see if I could spot anyone Standing atop the wood-cutting building was a figure, seemingly human but with wings protruding from his back and a tail following behind.
   He introduced himself as Eserth, Lord of the Black. he then called me young master of darkness and began apologizing for  the chaos that ensued with the other dragon and that he couldn't do more at the time."

  "Wait, wait... Hiccup... wait!" Edger exclaimed, "You're telling me that you've actually encountered a dragon, but in the form of a human? and he wanted to talk with you?"
  "That's what happened, I'm not sure why but it's connected to my father and to this cloak that he gave me as a gift."
"Ha... Yeah okay, Rune maybe your the drunk one." Edger says passing out at the same time.
  "Is there anything I can do to help you, Rune? Face it, Edger is drunk out of his mind, so let's lay the cloak down and search it and see if we can find anything."
  "Thanks, Pearl I knew I could count on you."

  We set my cloak onto my sleeping bag and began searching the outside of the cloak for anything that seemed suspicious, unfortunately, we came up with nothing.
  We open the cloak and begin searching, I think back to what he said about closed eyes. With my eyes closed I begin feeling around again this time feeling my hand pulled towards a small pocket located on the backside of the cloak.
  I open my eyes and reach inside pulling out a sealed letter addressed to me. unsure to open it or not I look to Pearl who shakes her head at me. Upon opening it I began to read its contents.
"This, it is... I found it, Pearl. A letter that my father had left me."
  Pearl, ever curious and caring, leans in closer, her eyes meet with mine. "That's amazing, Rune! What does it say?"

  "Let me read it. Hello, son. I know you must have many questions about me and the reason I'm not present, so let me start by apologizing for not being there for you when you were a child.
  My heart aches with regret, knowing that I had no choice but to leave you, even though every fiber of my being longed to stay by your side. But my siblings were very clear about not being able to be there.
  Inside the cloak, you will find three precious items, each holding a special meaning. The first is a seemingly ordinary rod, yet it holds secrets and powers beyond imagination. I leave it to you to uncover its hidden wonders, to discover the strength and potential that lies within you.
  The power that flows within you is more than you could imagine right now, the magic and bloodline you carry is something no ordinary person can have.
  The next two items are custom rings, carefully crafted with all the love and affection a father can muster. They symbolize my unwavering support, a constant reminder that you are not alone on your journey.
  I stand before you, as your father, making a solemn vow. We may be separated now, but I promise we will meet when the time is right. And when that day comes, you can count on me to be there, to stand by your side.
  With a heavy heart, I end this letter with the most love and support I can offer at the moment, signed Your Father."

  "I am truly happy to have had the opportunity to read this letter, yet a part of me is still upset. For the first time, I hear from him and I am left in the dark, with no clue of his identity or even his name.
  I suppose for the time being I'll try to find these other gifts that he left for me in the cloak and see what happens. I'm going to take the cloak and go outside for a little while so you guys can get some much-needed rest, although Edgers is already out."
  I understand, Rune. Just please remember to take care of yourself and not push yourself too hard. It's crucial that you get enough rest as well. As you know, we're most likely leaving early tomorrow morning.
  So please try not to stay awake so late. Your well-being matters, and I want to ensure you're in the best possible shape for tomorrow's journey."

  I step out of the tent closing it behind me, the moon's glow mixed with the shine of fireflies and glowshroom illuminating the forest nearby as I walk towards it placing my cloak onto a sturdy hanging branch.
  I reach back into the cloak pocket pulling out a rod alongside two rings that had a golden hue on them, Sliding the Rings onto my fingers they immediately condensed around my fingers fitting them perfectly.
  Something within them seemed to resonate with the mana inside my body like a trigger to activate them. I would have thought it strange if I hadn't just talked to a dragon today if he addressed me as his young lord.
  I'm interested in how this rod functions; maybe if I direct some mana into it, something will start to happen, similar to how the rings resonated with my mana and fit to my fingers.
  I channel the mana within me to my hands similar to creating a mana orb, I feel my mana warm up and begin resonating with it. The golden rod right before my eyes grew into a five-foot staff and shrank back to size at my command. 
  I wonder if I did the same with the rings if something similar would happen, Only one way to find out I thought to myself. Once more, I begin channeling the mana through my body allowing it to freely connect with the rings.
  The two rings transformed into a pair of guns with a curved stock that cradled my forearms and blades that sit underneath the barrel in case of close combat.
 
  I can hardly contain my excitement as I prepare to show everyone what I discovered tonight although, with everything that's happened today, I'll let them get some sleep.
  I should probably too although I don't think I'll get much sleep tonight thinking about everything that's happened and finally having something from my father.
  I place the rod back into the cloak and bring it back into the tent putting it away with the rest of the items pearl already cleaned up.
  As I sink my sleeping bag Pearl rolls over wrapping her arm around me instinctively pulling me close while having a subtle snore. I wrap my arm around her as well as she turns over cuddling into me as I slowly fall asleep.