Tools

Since that conversation with Amar, Oz had been training during every free moment he got. He had already learned a lot from Asmodeus, and Amar added to the knowledge.

Amar taught Oz about the Shadow Children. They were a group of humans who could control the darkness, a celestial element, similar to him. However unlike the Shadow Children, Oz was not human. He was a god.

Oz trained with Amar and Asmodeus every day before and after school. Today was no different. The morning sun reflected off of Amar's white teeshirt, momentarily blinding Oz. The group had just arrived to their training spot in the forest. Oz had mastered rune summoning, and could now do it at will, even creating runes for menial things, such as summoning a pencil for class, or cleaning himself so he didn't need to shower. He had gotten it on lock.

He was not excellent in hand to hand combat, and whenever they would spar, Oz was always the loser. Both Asmodeus and Amar were built, compared to Oz's girlish figure. However he compensated by summoning weapons.

He was about to summon a new weapon when Asmodeus stopped him.

"Today I want you to learn a new skill. I want you to summon your tools. You have a weapon and armor made from the magic of the moon. You can summon them at will."

Oz's face lit up. "A weapon? Like a sword? Is it cool? Ooh ooh! Does it have like a cool sword name? Can I name it? Can I name it?" The questions came rapid fire and Asmodeus barely had time to react.

Amar laughed. "Someone's a little to anxious to get to fighting."

Oz looked at the ground. "I just feel helpless compared to you guys. I just feel that by mastering the use of a strong weapon, I could maybe catch up. This is who I have to be now isn't it?"

Amar noded, turning to Asmodeus. "Answer the boy's question, will you Azzie?"

Asmodeus snorted. "Don't call me that. It's stupid." He turned towards Oz. "The weapon is a scythe. It's name is Jericho and it is made from the essence of the deepest crater on the moon. It's light outside, so you may have a little trouble summoning it. Still, I thought we should try. "

"What a cool name." Oz thought. "How do I summon it?"

Asmodeus spoke. "Picture the word Jericho as a rune, then reach up to where the moon is, make a fist, and pull. It should materialize."

Oz went through the motions, preparing. "What about the armor?"

"The armor is an impenetrable cloak made of moon dust. It has the power to render the user invisible at will. It has a name as well. Aphra Aylin. To materialize it, summon moon dust as a rune and say its name three times to yourself."

Oz took a deep breath. "Should I start?"

"Whenever you're ready."

Oz closed his eyes. The runes for moon dust and Jericho were searing in his brain. He decided to materialize the cloak first. "Aphra Aylin, Aphra Aylin, Aphra Aylin." Oz barely muttered it, when he felt a softness on this neck. Without opening his eyes he knew it was the cloak. Next was his scythe. He reached up into the sky, made a fist, and pulled. Suddenly, he felt a cold weight in his hand. Jericho. He opened his eyes.

Jericho was fairly simple, with a gleaming veined blade, the black veins running along it. It had what seemed to be opalite stones attached where the blade met the long shining handle. At the back of the blade was a branch of smaller, black blades. The handle was wrapped in a thin black fiver. It had a ribbon with various runes the Oz did not recognize. The whole scythe was as big as his body. It would take some getting used to.

The cloak. Aphra Aylin nestled softly on his shoulders. It glowed, the light of the day dulled against the background of the sliver sheen it gave off. It felt smooth to the touch, but textured and layered when you looked at it. It fell around Oz beautifully, but it was a bit too large, leaving Oz in a puddle of silver glow.

Amar whistled. "You got some pretty nice gear there for an amateur."

Asmodeus glared and Amar. "Master is not an amateur. His tools have been with him for over a millennium."

Oz watched as the two bantered. He enjoyed the dynamic of his small group of what he hoped were now friends. He had people standing by him, and now, he was even all geared up.

All that was left was to find Reena. To bring her home.