That's So Wizard

Chapter 71 - Head in the Clouds

Eldrian was a creative boy. Whether his innovations were useful was up for debate, but the fact of the matter is that he definitely had a grand imagination. He had already improved so much since he was little, and even since he first met back up with Kevin, and the insanity began. He took down demons, wizards, and spellbreakers. He even survived the power of the Ley Point, which had such intense magical properties, that it brought a couple back to life.

At this specific time, he invented a new spell. To the rare viewer so high in the sky, they'd see only a small cloud drifting among the rest. It avoided birds and planes, but otherwise sailed among the wind like it was an ocean current. Inside, however, it wasn't just a cloud. It was like being inside a tiny room of pillows. This was where he went to relax, a floating bed in the sky, where nobody could bother him, nor see him. It was the perfect place for meditation.

Despite how comfortable it was, he stirred. There was something bothering him. He and his friends had such outstanding power. It was the Dark Mage dilemma all over again. Out there, people were in trouble, especially other wizards constantly being erased from the scrolls of history. His kind were always on the defensive. Of course, he wasn't thinking about attacking any governments. That would be ridiculous. But he wanted to do something.

His dream was to become an archmage—a master of all magic. It was more than that, however. He wanted to create a world where magic was free, but he had no idea how to do that, but if he became the strongest wizard, he could at least provide a world where his friends were free. Maybe.

There were no distractions in the clouds. His mind continued to race. He had been to the Elf World, and the Demon World, and made friends and enemies from both. They found what was basically another world there on Earth with that city in Machu Picchu... What was it called again? There was a mystical world right beneath the noses of almost eight billion people, yet they had no idea, all because of the people in charge. It could be right. Maybe if every wizard was free, there would be mass destruction and death. But even now, there were both of those things, so maybe wizards could help those affected.

He started to forget how long he had been floating. It was time to head home.

***

Renatta. Daveon. Deena. Eldrian. Arlandria. Kevin. Four wizards, an elf, and a spellbreaker. They stood in a circle in the middle of Deena's living room, with the coffee table moved aside just for the occasion, much to her dismay. It was Eldrian that appeared excited, while the others were confused.

"Why did you call everybody to Deena's?" asked Kevin.

"You didn't even tell Kevin. It must be interesting," Daveon said.

Deena lowered her head. "Why my house again?"

While everybody was wearing what they were beforehand, Eldrian had dressed into his blue wizard garb. With his arms crossed, he spoke. There was something special about his tone. Deena was caught off-guard by it first, but all of his friends looked with great interest. His voice was commanding, but they wanted to listen. His confidence and energy were so powerful that it was infectious.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," he said. "Every since we joined together, we've been living in fear that our congregation of wizards would be our downfall. But we stayed together anyway. We even moved to Edmonton. But that's what we're always doing. Running away. That's all wizards have ever done, and frankly, I'm tired of it. We're more than friends. We're a team. Deena. You said to me way back that a large group of wizards was unheard of, because it always led them to being erased. Well, maybe they never exist because of fear. We have no idea. And none of those teams, if they existed, were us."

"What are you saying?" Kevin asked. "Are we fighting?"

"No. We're protecting. Each other, and anybody else we happen to find. They want us to believe that if we group together, we'll die. So you know what I say? We not only team up, but we embrace it fully by having a name! If we get hunted, we tell them that name. Because one wizard can fall, but a whole team working as one might be exactly what they fear. This might not seem like it changes much. I'm not declaring war. I'm making a personal stand, to change our mindset. If you want to join, put out your hand, and then we'll forever be known as Aegis Arcanum!"

Eldrian threw forward his hand, and stared to his friends.

A smile drew across Kevin's face. His heart was racing. He was the next person to throw his hand over his friend's, and he did so with enthusiasm. "You have my shield."

Renatta chuckled. "Oh. It is like that movie!" She placed her hand over Kevin's. "Then you also have my chakrams. And with all of you, I would share even the most freshly baked tarts."

The druid couldn't help but grin. Daveon brought up his hand, and rested it over Renatta's. He then removed his toque, and placed it over his chest. "And my nature magic. Always, friends. I can't say no to a speech like that."

Arlandria placed her hand delicately over top. "I owe you my life. There is nothing I won't do with my friends after what we've been through, and I hope to journey together for years to come. You have my protecting abilities at your disposal."

Finally it came to Deena. She stood flustered, not from the pressure, but she was lost in her own thoughts. She never had her heart beat so quickly. There was an excitement, something she had not felt in a long time, or possibly ever. But she couldn't figure out why she was hesitating.

"Deena," Eldrian said. "Don't be nervous. We're not just a group of wizards anymore. This is a family. Isn't that right?"

Around the circle, each of them nodded in agreement towards one another.

"So what do you say?" he asked.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Colour came to her cheeks. With one large wind-up, she swung her hand down onto the pile. As her eyes dried and she stared up at her friends, she took deep breath and exhaled. "You have me too. Always. Friends."

Each of them smiled, and after a moment, even Deena did.

"Aegis Arcanum on three," Eldrian stated. "One, two..."

All of them shouted, "Aegis Arcanum!" in unison. Paintings on the walls trembled.

"Hey, Deena. We were all doing like, the movie thing. You should say something like that too. Like, uh. You have my curses," Kevin said.

"I'm not saying that," Deena replied.

"I thought you were infected by our goofiness after that speech."

"No. You ruined it."

"C'mon. Just say it once."

"Get out of my house."

Eldrian was so happy that he felt as if he was floating freely in the sky.

Stay tuned for Chapter Seventy-Two - Out of Control!