Zeph Malston: The Aether Mage

Bernard and Zeph were sitting in the bas.e.m.e.nt lab. Zeph wanted Bernard to monitor him while he transferred his consciousness into the mini-me. After running some tests, Bernard determined that the Aether was changing. It was integrating with Zeph's soul. At first, it was like Zeph was a spirit possessing and controlling the Aether. Now, Bernard could see that Zeph's soul was becoming more attached to the Aether. It was as souls attached to a regular living person's body. They were becoming one entity. He also concluded that spirit magic would indeed help the boy strengthen his connection and control over aether, speeding up the process.

Zeph was excited that his connection to his new body was strengthening. He decided he should test the limits of his shapeshifting ability. Making himself metallic was easy now, so he decided try turning into something softer. First, Zeph made his hand change into cotton. It didn't look different, but it felt like a stuffed doll. Then he switched it back to metal, but he kept it looking like a normal hand. Soon, Zeph was trying to mimic all kinds of materials, like glass, and plastic.

Finally, Zeph tried something he hasn't done before. Bernard watched as his grandson's form melted and turned into a wooden chair. A few seconds later, the chair turned back into Zeph. There was a look of triumph in the boy's eyes. "I did it. I could see, and I could feel. It didn't feel like being in a black void like it used to."

The two celebrated the achievement with a couple of cold soft drinks. They stopped the tests and decided to spend some time together just hanging out. Bernard started talking about his R&D business. He had dozens of magical engineers and researches applying for a position, and he was able to start research on several projects that he never had time for. Zeph chatted with his grandfather happily and they lost track of time. Bianca had to come downstairs and call them for lunch because they were late.

While everyone was eating, Zeph asked Eli and Bianca to make time in the afternoon. He was going to tell them today, and it would probably take a while. Lili wanted to know what was going on, but Zeph told her it was family business. She grumbled a little bit, but let it go.

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Eli was sitting with Relina on the back patio. The two lovers were enjoying the time alone together. Zeph and the girls were playing a game, and Bernard was in his lab. Everyone else was out of the house. Alex and Keva were visiting their daughter and wouldn't be back until morning. Tara had taken Semara and Bianca on a quick shopping trip and wouldn't be back for a while.

Relina was basking in the warmth of Eli's embrace cherishing the peaceful moment. Unfortunately, the moment was ruined the sight of a flying cat speeding out the back door being chased by a ball of light.

Ivy and Zeph followed soon after and watched the two familiars chase each other around. Zeph yelled out to Rin, "Be careful Rin, you should slow down before-" He stopped because Rin flew right into one of the new trees Eli planted. Even though Rin could fly now, she still wasn't practiced enough to control her direction at high speeds. Everyone watched as the kitten slid down the side of the tree for a few seconds before she recovered, shook her head, and resumed her game with Ethris.

"Well, at least they're getting along," Ivy said.

Lili came walking out of the house with a pole. One end had a baggy net attached to a hoop. It was designed so that Lili could swing it at something and catch it in the net. Everyone looked at her confused. She saw their stares. "What?"

"Why do you have that?" Zeph asked.

"Cuz I wanna play too." Lili waved the pole back and forth. "They're chasing each other, so I'm going to join in. You guys want a net, I have extra?"

"Why do you even have that?" Ivy pointed at the net.

"Duh, to catch stuff with," Lili answered with a smile.

"That's not what she meant Lili. We want to know how you got it and what you got it for," Zeph told the girl.

"Grandpa gave it to me before he left. He said it would help me catch Rin. I got several from him in case Rin breaks one. So… want me to get a couple for you two?" Lili wiggled the pole again to entice them.

Zeph thought about it for a moment. He saw Lili's expectant look. "Eh, why not? Wanna try and catch some familiars Ivy?"

"Sure." The half-elf smiled at Zeph. Ivy had a small celebration in her mind. She managed to look at him without blushing.

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They chased around Rin and Ethris until it was time for Zeph to meet Eli and Bianca. Bernard joined them in his lab. It was more secure, and there was more space for Zeph to demonstrate his abilities. After Bianca got home from her shopping trip, she met Eli and Zeph in the bas.e.m.e.nt. Bianca and Eli sat in a couple of chairs and waited for Zeph to tell them something. They knew it was important because they could see his anxiety.

Building up his courage, Zeph started telling them about his circ.u.mstances. Bernard joined in to explain how he accidentally summoned Zeph into the world and how the boy's soul inhabited the Aetherite he created. Bianca and Eli were shocked by the story, especially Eli. He had been around a long time and seen a lot of things. But this, this was crazy. The elf knew just how impossible it was for Zeph to be standing there in front of him.

They wanted to know more details, so they asked him questions. He showed them what abilities he had, surprising them once again. Finally, he started talking about his past life. As his story went on, Bianca noticed his pained expression and the sadness in his voice. Zeph's eyes wandered, afraid to look at Eli and Bianca. If they rejected him or feared him, he didn't know what he would do. It would hurt him deeply.

After he finished telling them about the last bit of memories he had, Zeph finally looked up at their faces. Before he could react, Bianca embraced him. Eli joined her. No words were said, but they conveyed their answer. The answer to his unspoken questions, 'Will you accept me? Will you stay with me? Will you forgive me for deceiving you?'

It was yes. The hug said it all. Zeph felt the tears roll down his cheeks as a wave of relief and happiness washed over him. After what seemed hours, they finally let Zeph go. Bianca was the first to speak.

"It doesn't matter. You're still you, and I would never think you were a monster or anything less than my friend and my family." Bianca wiped a tear from her eyes. "Thank you for trusting us."

Eli didn't know how to follow that up. He was still in shock from the revelation, but he knew one thing. "It's like she said, little dude. None of that matters. We care about you because of who you are. Not, what you are or where you came from."

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While Zeph and company were in the bas.e.m.e.nt, there were a few ladies sitting near a warm waterfall. Eli set up the grotto with the option to create hot water, turning it into an artificial hot spring. Tara, Semara, Relina, Ivy, and Lili were all enjoying a nice soak. They chatted for a while and their conversation eventually led to Zeph, Bernard, Eli, and Bianca.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Lili was the one who breached the topic.

"It does us no good to worry about it Lili, just enjoy the hot water." Tara sunk deeper into the pool with a satisfied smile.

"Maybe it has something to do with top-secret information. Like a new kind of magic or some new discovery," Ivy said.

"That would make sense. Zeph and Bernard are always in that lab doing stuff." Semara put her finger on her chin, imagining what it could be.

"Nevermind that, what I'm wondering about is that cat." Relina pointed over to Rin.

Rin was sitting on top of a glowing ball floating in the water. It was Ivy's familiar, Ethris.

"Why, what's wrong?" Semara looked over at Rin, watching her use the light spirit as a floatation device.

"She shouldn't exist is what's wrong." Relina swam closer to the kitten. "At best, Rin is a low-rank spirit, so why is she sitting there with a solid body and able to gather mana on her own."

"Well, Zeph said he made her. But, he didn't tell me how. He said it was a family secret," Ivy told her grandmother.

"Well, that just raises even more questions." Relina reached over and started petting the kitten. She had an amused expression. "Looks like training him in spirit magic is going to be interesting."