The sunlight was filtering into Colby Cox’s eyes, as though a black screen was suddenly lifted from his vision. Surprisingly, he was already sitting up straight, he distinctly remembered falling. He was in front of the shrine to Thea in the forest West of the city. His family surrounded him.

“W-what did he say?” His mother asked his father.

“I- I have no idea, but it sounded beautiful. It must be the divine language! Oh, our son has truly been blessed!”

“M-mommy?” Colby asked in confusion. That brought everyone’s attention back to him.

“Colby! Baby, what were those words you said?” His mom asked in a gentle tone.

“W-words?”

“Just now, you spoke in tongues. What did they mean?”

“I- I don’t remember the last few moments… I just woke up.” The only thing Colby could remember was praying to Thea, then something impacted him sending him to the ground. He didn’t recall speaking anything.

“Honey, you’ve awakened! Mana came down from the sky, into the shrine, then into you. Do you feel any different?”

“I-” Colby wasn’t sure how to respond. He did feel different. But at the same time, he didn’t. It was like he was older, like some locked memories tickled the back of his head.

“Maybe he’s shocked. The legends did say awakening like this is powerful. Maybe we just need to give him some time.” His father suggested.

“Will he be ok?” Dana asked.

“I’m sure he will be better than ok. Thea has surely given him her blessing.” His mother responded.

“No fair! Why is Colby special?” Cordell whined.

“Hush now, we must hurry home before anybody catches us. Lord knows what they’ll do to us if we’re seen performing these rituals in broad daylight.” His father hurriedly reminded.

With that, the family began the trek back home, his father shouldering a heavy flaxen sack of firewood so they’d have an excuse for leaving the city in the first place. Colby felt… so tired. He fell asleep as his mother carried him in her arms on the way back to the city.

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He later woke up in his cot. He looked around, he was in the shared room of their house. His family was poor, and they couldn’t afford many rooms, so they all slept together. However, only the twins, Doane and Cordell were asleep next to him ,the rest of the family was missing. He decided to go out and look for them.

As he got to the central room, he found them all sitting at the table in hushed conversation, Uncle Dredrig was there too. Uncle Dredrig was a big man, buff. He was a Blacksmith, which is a skilled trade, as such he had a slightly higher status than Colby's dad, who was a miner, but they were still very close. He had been teaching Colby and Dana to read and do basic arithmetic, now he was at their house once more in deep discussion with his parents.

Their house was small, and the room was dark, lit only from the moon and the lights from the street outside, as they couldn’t afford candles.

As Colby came into view, he immediately drew all the attention of everyone, who suddenly became very quiet. Dana got up from her seat and gently ushered Colby to the table.

“There’s the boy. Hey, kid. I heard you awakened.”

“I- yeah…” Colby responded meekly.

“No need to be humble about it boy, awakening is a big deal! It opens up a whole swath of potential careers for you! Of course, you mustn’t tell anyone how you awakened, just that you did. So, have you figured out what your aspect is yet?”

“Aspect?” His father asked.

“Yeah, like talent. I’m no expert, but from what I’ve heard from the nobles I deal with, aspect is the type of magic you can naturally use.”

“I thought magic was taught?” His mother questioned.

“Well, it is, to an extent. But every person has a talent, and likewise certain magics are harder to use for some than others. Yeah, having mana is what’s important and the rest can mostly be taught, but it’s… there’s layers to it, I guess.”

“Well, how would we find out?” His father asked.

“Good question. Hey, kid, c’mere.” Uncle Dredrig called. As Colby went over, Dredrig picked him up and put him on his lap.

Pointing a finger to his chest he said “Try to feel the warmth here. It’s where your mana is supposed to be.”

Colby closed his eyes and breathed in, trying to feel it. It wasn’t easy, but he thought he felt something.

“Try and let it flow, like water into your hand. Don’t try anything fancy, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to control it enough to cast a spell, but even any reaction will allow us to figure out your aspect.”

“How do you know so much about this, Uncle?” Dana asked.

“I’ve had to work with quite a few mages in the past to forge magical weapons. You pick up on a few things.”

The conversation was quite distracting, as Colby was trying really hard to move the heat into his arm, then his hand. It was like trying to knead stiff dough, though that isn’t exactly accurate.

After a few moments of tense silence, he tried a little harder, and his mana slipped from his control back into his chest.

“Ouch, what in Uncle Sam’s left fist-?”

Colby heard something and gasped, opening his eyes and completely letting go of his attempt.

‘Woah, easy kid. Don’t force it, or you might hurt yourself.” Uncle Dredrig warned.

“D-did you guys hear that?” Colby asked nervously.

“Hear what, honey?” His mother asked gently.

“S-something about Uncle Sam…?” Colby asked.

“No… we didn’t hear anything” his dad responded.

“Uncle Sam, eh? Can’t say I know anyone by the name of ‘Sam’” Uncle Dredrig responded. “Odd, try again.”

Colby repeated the previous steps and this time he got a little farther. The heat traveled up his arm, then his forearm, suddenly it started flowing to his hand, out of his control. His hand started to burn, and he tried to pull the mana back but he couldn’t. Oddly, one half of his hand burned much hotter than the other half, the feeling traveled up his pinky finger and ring finger. Then he heard noises again.

*crack* *whistle* “Get down!” “Look out!” “Aufladen!” *screaming*

Colby started to panic, hyperventilating.

“Get artillery cover on our positions damnit!” *Crack* *boom*

“Kid, kid! Easy, control yourself!”

Colby was crying. But then his mom hugged him and all the noises abruptly stopped.

“It’s ok, it’s ok. Calm down, son.” His mom cooed.

“Saldia.” His father whispered, but his mom didn’t seem to hear him.

“Saldia, look. The room’s lit up!” Uncle Dredrig got her attention. As Colby and his mom looked to his outstretched hand, a small, clean flame was rising up from the fingers that were burning. His mother gasped and his Uncle let out a quiet, but excited woop.

The flame was small, but it was strong and it lit up the previously dark room with a soft orange glow.

“I’d reckon that means his aspect is fire.” Uncle Dredrig said.

“Wow” Dana whispered, and everyone similarly admired the magical flame playing across Colby’s fingertips.

“Oh, Honey, I’m so proud of you.” His mother exclaimed. But Colby began having trouble focusing. He was getting very tired, very fast. Soon, his flame died out and he dozed off to sleep at the table.