The Hero’s Right Hand

It was understandable that the party considered Aisha’s questions innocent. By her age many people had explored their love lives but she was too busy. Even so, it was more important that she focused on training. Weeks turned to months as the party searched for Shusyoun. The best course of action was to train at any time available.

Vofric naturally empowered his magic by reminiscing on the Starcaller’s “teachings.” Long treks through the forest were more enjoyable as he spoke of the adventures Yuna experienced. Though some details were hazy, it provided insight into the hardship Kharim and his allies faced. Each story strengthened the dwarf’s connection with his grandmother. Fatigue could wash away with a wave of his palm. Multiple nights of camping could be easily skipped thanks to holy blessings.

Avant needed only to hunt to improve his skills. Though it was unnecessary to become enraged for small morsels. Even so, the owlbear roared angrily before every chase and barrelled through the trees. The shell of magical energy around him turned his body into a morningstar. As long as he raged, nothing could escape unscathed.

 Sariel was luckiest in that crafting and dismantling tools empowered her combat techniques. The tree houses had at first taken hours to construct. Bending trees to her will was tougher than anticipated. But she didn’t need to do the same thing repeatedly with diminishing returns. Each new tool the party needed was built with Sariel’s abilities. Over time, the forest changed according to the dragon’s whims. Camp would be ready within minutes and other tasks could be focused on.

Aisha had no such luxury. Unlike the others, she needed to carve out time to practice her magic in solitude. Wild magic like lightning could easily go out of control especially while being strengthened. The half-elf could control the path of electricity at a short distance, there was no telling where it would go if traveling far enough. She’d be damned if the others got hurt unnecessarily. To her detriment that involved creating a large distance from them every time she intended to train.

Every night, she’d wait for the others to fall asleep before quietly exiting her sleeping quarters. Avant shared the room and would open his eyes to see Aisha. A quick lie was enough for the beast to return to his slumber. As quietly as possible, the Hero slinked to the rope ladder and shimmied down. Kargon would never believe she could look so suspicious but he didn’t need to ever learn about these moments.

Aisha spent her time dashing through the forest focused on her counterpart. She accepted the feelings she held for him. She needed to. They’d hindered her from focusing on more important tasks. Guilt at dismissing the conclusion weighed on her but that was unimportant. Whatever came from loving Kargon was too distant to consider. But knowing what the feelings meant eased a weight on the Hero’s mind. The very weight that distracted her from Valefor. Intense focus on the sword involved remembering every moment it had been wielded. Unfortunately, many were clouded by previously inexplicable dazzling lights. Kargon fought alongside Aisha at every turn even when she hadn’t registered his presence. At least, she thought she hadn’t.

As she arrived at an acceptable clearing the thoughts once again dissipated. A firm grip on Valefor pulled it from the sheath. With determined steps, Aisha walked to the center of the area and stabbed the blade into the ground. Both palms hovered just above the hilt.

Due to her conduit’s placement, Aisha was always acutely aware when she cast magic. It didn’t hurt but made clear the magical properties of the orb in her right eye socket. Years of training helped her grow accustomed to the feeling. Shaky hands conjured purple crackling electricity. Short, tempered breaths emanated from the Hero’s lips. She normally attacked quickly and stopped the conjuration. The feeling of lightning weaving through her fingers was yet unfamiliar. It sped up with every bit of focus but didn’t go further than her palms. The moment it was released, the bolt would launch at unprecedented speed. It needed to be powerful to have any effect on Valefor.

Months ago, when she first trained with Kharim’s conduit, Aisha tried pouring mana into it. It was the most basic way for someone to cast magic. A conduit connected its wielder to the energy that naturally flowed through the world. The result was disappointing. Even with her refined mana there was no way to empower Valefor. The glow around it had always intrigued others. Only now did Aisha realize it was the final remnant of Kharim’s mana. For her lightning to fuse with the blade she’d need to overpower a legend. Every attempt was met with failure. In frustration she’d launched a bolt of lightning at the sword. The reactive explosion gave her the idea to wreath lightning around her predecessor’s mana. They could fight together through the blade. First she needed to figure out the minimum amount of power needed to cause the wanted reaction.

The magic dancing around her let out a magnificent glow. A tightly packed orb hovered between Valefor’s leather bound hilt and its wielder’s hands. Sweat dripped from Aisha’s brow as she continued to pour mana into the destructive force. No spell in her arsenal could compare to the creation. Even if it didn’t help with her swordsmanship, it would be a boon in the battle against Aeraza. Deep in the recesses of Aisha’s mind, an inkling that this could possibly damage her weapon reared its head. It was enough of a distraction for the orb to free itself from the half-elf’s control.

The time it took for the attack to make contact with Valefor could not be described as a second. For anyone other than Aisha to perceive it would be a miracle. What anyone could sense was the massive shockwave from the Hero’s blade. There was no sound as the sword took on the force and deflected it outward. Seconds later a loud boom shook the forest. The clearing grew larger as surrounding flora was decimated by a powerful chain of lightning. Not a single flame or ember appeared, only destruction manifested around Aisha.

“Dammit!” she yelled.

Wild bolts of electricity flew from her hands as she swung blindly. Each simply dissipated upon making contact with the unscathed weapon planted in the ground. With a huff the Hero sat while staring at her target. Her fingers intertwined and rested under her nose while she grumbled to herself. A figure appeared in the clearing and took note of the damage around them. Aisha was aware of the presence but was too frustrated to worry about it.

“That was quite an attack,” Vofric said groggily. He stowed the warhammer he’d been ready to attack with. “Are you still having trouble using your weapon?”

The dwarf walked to Aisha’s side. The crash clearly awoke the party as Sariel appeared atop the high branches of a still standing tree at the edge of the clearing. Avant lumbered to the base of it and laid down, quickly falling back asleep.

“Kharim’s weapon,” Aisha said. 

“What do you mean?”

“It rejects me every time I try to wield it as a conduit,” the half-elf sighed.

Vofric shook his head and rested a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Flinging magic wildly at a conduit does not constitute ‘wielding’ it.”

Aisha stared daggers at her stout ally but said nothing.

“Do you know what I utilize as a conduit?” Vofric continued.

“Your hammer. I get it. You know how to do this and I should’ve asked for help.”

“You are partially correct. Asking for help was the wise choice but you have made peculiar decisions since the events of Spirefell. None of which I can blame you for,” Vofric explained. He pulled at the front of his haphazardly equipped chestplate and fished a pendant out from behind it. A golden four pointed star hung on a glistening chain around his neck.

Aisha furrowed her brow. “That’s not the Starcaller sigil.”

She was correct. Engraved on Vofric’s shoulder was a crescent moon with two stars connected on either side, one at the top and one below.

“This was a gift from my grandmother. It is in no way a representation of the Starcaller’s disciples but it is my connection to her. Thus I use it as my conduit,” Vofric explained. “I produce holy magic through it, then pass it to my warhammer. It is how I empower others’ weapons as well.” He nodded towards Valefor which now had a golden light accompanying its natural silver glow. “You needn’t force a powerful blast into your weapon. Simply guide your magic through it.”

“It’s still not mine,” Aisha huffed.

“My second argument. Valefor is known as the Hero’s sword. Not Kharim’s. Ask anyone who has crossed our path and they would state that it is your weapon. Do you know why?” Vofric asked rhetorically. His tone reminded Aisha of when she was berated by her parents. “It is because Valefor chose you. You are trying to overpower it when you should be working alongside it. You must accept it as it has you.”

Aisha stared at the shining blade as the golden aura dissipated. Years of using it had never made her so angry. The idea that Kharim’s will was rejecting her weighed more than she realized. But the feeling was familiar. Mentors and citizens alike placed unwarranted expectations on the chosen one. Scrutinizing glances accompanied every minor failure even when she was new to her role. The acceptance of her flaws from allies granted a shield. One that provided the room to grow and master her abilities.

“I guess Valefor has some expectations now that I have to meet.” Aisha muttered and rose to her feet. A quick pat dusted the dirt off her armor as she slowly approached the sword.

Countless times she had drawn the weapon. The unaging leather invited her worn palms. It gave way only a little as the Hero tightened her grip. Drawing it from the ground revealed not a single speck. Closed eyes and practiced flourishes danced the blade through the air. It was a familiar part of her being that Aisha had begun to challenge and reject since leaving Mount Iana. Her free hand hovered with a meek jolt of dancing along her fingertips. Softly, she traced them along the flat of the blade.

This time, the sound of crackling lightning was accompanied by a faint metallic hum. As her hand traveled up the blade, its silver light became surrounded by an unending torrent of purple electricity. Without any effort she could feel the weapon drawing mana from her. It wasn’t perfect; she still couldn’t use Valefor as a conduit on its own. But it was the first real progress she’d made towards mastering the weapon. As long as she had enough time to connect lightning to the weapon, there would be no problem.

“How does it feel to swing?” Vofric asked. The distance between them had grown since he stepped back as Aisha followed his advice.

Silently, Aisha swung forcefully at the air away from her friends. Accompanying the attack was an electric wave that traveled along its arc. The moment one swing ended, another followed. With each swipe the previous aftereffect dissipated. Without thinking, the Hero collided with one and it painfully surged through her. She was stunned by how much it hurt. Though she lacked Kargon’s immunity to his element, her resistance had often protected her from any lightning attuned effects. A curious mind often leads to ill advised ventures. With little thought, Aisha swung in the air and quickly jabbed her free hand at the trail of electricity. After the shock dissipated she produced more energy in her free hand. The faint crackling she felt was an incredibly softer version of what Valefor produced. Not only had her magic empowered the weapon, it had amplified her in turn.

The space in front of her became clouded in a flurry of strikes. Steel clashed with lightning as sparks shot forward for brief instants before disappearing. To Vofric and the others the attacks were faster than any they’d seen before. But Aisha’s return to frustration told them something was wrong. It didn’t make sense. The moment one of her swings ended, another began. Attacks flowed from one to the next with imperceptible time between them.

“What’s wrong?” Vofric asked.

“I’m too slow,” Aisha grunted without stopping her swings.

“Your physical capabilities cannot produce the results you desire,” Sariel snorted.

With a sudden stop and pivot, Aisha stared at the figure in the trees. “Excuse me?”

“I spoke improperly. Allow me to elaborate.” The dragon jumped from her perch and landed softly before walking to the Hero. “You wish to attack as fast as lightning travels, correct?” After receiving a nod she continued. “You can see your lightning but your body cannot produce that speed. However, I believe it can be guided to that speed.”

Sariel held out her draconic hand with an upturned palm. Vines and wood grew from the center and intertwined together until a familiar bow balanced in her grasp. In her other hand an arrow appeared and was shot across the clearing. The sight, while magical, was nothing new. That was until the projectile turned in the air and flew sideways until piercing the ground on an unexpected course.

“Whether within my grasp or not, I feel an innate connection with my magical creations. You intuitively control the path of your lightning. It seems that has caused you to forget the presence it produces in your mind. Focus on the lightning dancing on your blade. Not what it looks like or how it feels physically. Allow your mana to guide you.”

Aisha’s exasperated look had quickly vanished during Sariel’s explanation. Years of training had honed an unconscious ability to maintain a steady flow of mana. First, Aisha launched a beam of lightning from her free hand. Just to get a sense of what to feel for she redirected it to another empty spot in the clearing. It was like a faint pull at the end of a frayed rope. Like her hand grasped the last few fibers and used them to move a rapidly shifting object.

The lightning on her blade danced just out of reach. Multiple unkempt lines demanding her attention but leading nowhere. One momentary presence demanded her attention. The balance point of the blade briefly became prominent at the slightest movement. She slowly moved the sword horizontally to force the sensation. Once she was aware of it again she pulled at the lightning.

Had Aisha not released Valefor at that moment she was sure her arm would rip out of its socket. The speed and force of the redirected attack put immeasurable strain on her. But excitement and frustration both drove her to try again. Hurriedly she picked up the sword. Again, she traced lightning on it. This time she swung as if attacking. Sariel immediately stepped back as the flurry picked up. Aisha tried repeatedly to grab the sensation but missed. But each swing made it clearer. The frayed end was bound into a sturdy point easy to grasp. It demanded her attention.

It was like nodding at a friend’s greeting. Aisha simply pushed her awareness towards the sensation. In the middle of one of her naturally fast attacks, she shifted her attack. Her body roared in pain but she refused to let up. The lightning guided attack was faster than anything the party had ever seen. Aisha groaned in pain but raised her sword to do it again. Though she was successful it was clear the damage would be detrimental if she didn’t take care.

“You both… made this simpler…” she panted while massaging her shoulder. “But it’ll… take a while… to match him.”

Avant let out a drawl of a growl in response. Aisha looked to Sariel who wore a knowing smirk.

“Practice,” she said while tilting her head towards the owlbear.

A small gust of wind escaped the Hero’s mouth as she was in too much pain to laugh. Vofric approached her and handed over a small bag of potions.

“I doubt I will convince you to take a break now that you’ve made strides forward. However, the idea of remaining awake is unpleasant to me.” Vofric chuckled groggily. “Use these as you see necessary. But make time to rest before we depart.”

Aisha thanked her compatriots as they left the alcove. They were right about her excitement. She returned to practice before thinking about touching a potion. It was definitely the wrong decision. Pain overwhelmed her senses, forcing her to the ground. Slow motions dragged her to the bag of potions before she downed one. While it took effect she laid on her back and held her sword above her. Even while resting during training Valefor would remain. Growing accustomed to the sensation of the conduit was crucial. Though her mind was clearly exhausted by now. She could swear the once pristine silver glow had a twinge of amethyst.