Crystal Lake Part 2
As the first light of dawn kissed the tranquil waters of the Crystal Lake, Oasis emerged from the small cave that had become their home.
His eyes blinked sleepily as he took in the serene beauty of the morning scene, the soft hues of pink and orange painting the sky above.
Nearby, Sir Elias was already awake, tending to a crackling campfire and preparing breakfast.
The aroma of sizzling food filled the air, mingling with the fresh scent of the surrounding forest.
"Good morning, Sir Elias," Oasis mumbled sleepily, his voice still heavy with drowsiness as he shuffled towards the campfire.
Without a word, Sir Elias unleashed a swift motion, conjuring a water prison that surrounded Oasis in a circle.
Caught off guard, Oasis yelped in surprise as he found himself encased in a sphere of water.
With a flick of Sir Elias's wrist, the water prison launched Oasis into the cool embrace of the Crystal Lake.
Splashing into the water, Oasis flailed in panic as he struggled to find his bearings.
His heart raced with adrenaline as he fought against the water's embrace, his muscles tensing with exertion.
"Relax, Oasis," Sir Elias called out, his voice echoing across the lake. "Let the water guide you. Trust in its embrace."
Gasping for breath, Oasis managed to orient himself and began to paddle awkwardly towards the surface.
With each stroke, he felt the water's gentle caress soothing his frazzled nerves.
As Oasis resurfaced, he sputtered and coughed, his chest heaving with exertion.
Sir Elias waded into the shallows, his expression calm and composed as he approached Oasis.
"Your training begins now, Oasis," Sir Elias said firmly, his voice carrying a note of determination.
Struggling to catch his breath, Oasis nodded weakly, his eyes wide with uncertainty.
"I... I understand, Sir Elias," he stammered, his voice trembling with exhaustion.
Sir Elias smiled encouragingly, extending a hand to help Oasis out of the water.
"Good morning lad," he said warmly. "Now, let's begin."
Sir Elias observed Oasis closely as he took out the small magic storage box from his cloak.
From it, he carefully extracted statues resembling people, each in a meditative pose.
Placing them in a circle, Sir Elias positioned Oasis at the center and instructed him to mimic the statues' meditation stance.
Confusion flickered in Oasis's eyes as he glanced at the statues surrounding him. "What are these, Sir Elias?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and uncertainty.
"These statues represent different types of magic," Sir Elias explained patiently, his gaze intent on Oasis.
"We will use them to test your elemental affinity."
As Oasis settled into the meditation stance, his blue aura began to shimmer faintly, reflecting off the surface of the Crystal Lake.
Sir Elias watched closely as the energy emanating from Oasis interacted with the statues.
!!!
One by one, the statues responded to Oasis's presence.
The earth, fire, water, and wind statues stood and bowed their heads, indicating his affinity for each of these elements.
Sir Elias's surprise was palpable as he observed Oasis's connection to four different elements.
"Remarkable," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.
"I've never seen someone with such a strong affinity for multiple elements."
But then, to Sir Elias's astonishment, another statue stood from the circle—the seventh statue, representing lost magic, ancient and forgotten.
Oasis's aura surged higher, enveloping him in a radiant glow.
The realization dawned on Sir Elias, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Lost magic," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore.
"This... this changes everything."
As the seventh statue bowed before Oasis, Sir Elias couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and trepidation.
The presence of lost magic was a rarity, something that hadn't been seen in centuries.
But amidst the awe.
The statues representing light and dark magic remained untouched, their stillness a stark contrast to the others.
Sir Elias's mind raced with questions, his thoughts swirling like the currents of the Crystal Lake.
What did Oasis's affinity for lost magic mean for his training? And what secrets lay hidden within the depths of his newfound revelation?
Sir Elias's hands trembled slightly as he carefully placed the statues back into the magic box, his mind still reeling from the revelation of Oasis's five affinities.
Shock and awe mingled in his expression as he turned to face Oasis, his eyes reflecting the intensity of his emotions.
"Oasis," Sir Elias began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "Your potential is unlike anything I've ever seen before."
Oasis listened intently, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension as he awaited Sir Elias's next words.
"But," Sir Elias continued, his tone firm, "your physical strength still needs to be honed."
"For the first 8 weeks of your training, we will focus on building your physical fitness."
With a swift motion, Sir Elias retrieved a heavy sword from the magic box, its weight evident as he held it out to Oasis.
"You will swing this sword every day," Sir Elias instructed, his voice commanding yet gentle.
"And in addition to that, your training regimen will include running, push-ups, squats, and swimming against the current of the lake."
Oasis's eyes widened in surprise at the daunting task ahead of him, but he nodded in understanding, determination flickering in his gaze.
"I understand, Sir Elias," Oasis replied, his voice filled with determination. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes to become stronger."
Sir Elias nodded approvingly, a sense of pride swelling within him at Oasis's determination.
"Good," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We'll start right away. Follow me."