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Chapter 40 - What Burns Beneth

As promised Anecus started his work with the local irrigation team. With the condition he'd have to make up with training late. 

Right now was one of those nights as Red started teaching him the basics of controlling the Pillar. 

'I really wish my father knew of the idea known as sleeping in...but no, morning meditation before even the birds are awake was my calling.' 

Anecus sits cross legged on the hill overlooking the orchard, shirt loose with his arms resting on his knees. Red stands nearby arms folded watching basin of cooled water beside him. As faint steam surfaces he say 

"You understand what we have to do right?" 

Nodding slowly, "keep it hidden…the fire" his fists clench 'and what I am. Whatever that is.' 

Placing a firm hand on Anecus's shoulder "I know it doesn't feel good hiding who you are…but if anyone out there starts to realize what you can do, they'll try to use you. Or worse, take you."

 

Anecus "I won't let them."

Red "That's not your call to make yet." leaning closer "You train. You learn to control it and until then, water only. Fire is a secret we keep inside this house."

Red was still trying to wrap his head around the fact his own son somehow has two Pillars, it was a breakage of the rules that they all understood.

 Anecus looks into his father's eyes and sees the worry, his jaw tightening, "Yes, sir."

On the other side of the house another more gentle conversion was taking place. 

Cassia sits near the window, knees pulled to her chest, looking out as the last bits of sunlight flicker behind clouds. 'They are speaking again.' 

Jane enters with a small tray of tea for their etiquette training. Setting it down she pauses, Cassia still hasn't moved. "You've been quiet today." 

Her gaze still on the clouds outside "They talk to me."

Jane tilts her head, curious. "Who does sweety?" 

"I'm not sure, they start as whispers in the wind and motes of light in the corners of my eyes, like something is waiting for me." She finally turns to her mother, wide eyed, not afraid but puzzled.

"And I see little lights like tiny stars even when my eyes are closed."

Jane's had a jolt travel up her spine and felt her heart quicken. She walks over and kneels before her daughter, cupping her cheeks. "Oh, sweet girl...you've awakened."

Cassia blinks not once but twice. "Really?"

"The whispers those motes of light. Those are spirits reaching out to you. You're ready, all that's left is to choose and make a bond."

Cassia's eyes light up but then just as quickly a flicker of worry. "But I didn't feel anything like Anecus did."

Jane laughs softly and brushes back a strand of hair. "You're not Anecus You're you and every awakening is different." Placing a hand on Cassia's heart "They already hear you. All you have to do now is listen back."

While Anecus learned to bury the flame within, Cassia began her journey toward calling one forth and somewhere nearby, watching, waiting. Spirits stirred...drawn to the quiet fire of a girl with silver hair and soft defiance in her bones.

Back over with Red and Anecus. 

"Every pillar has what's known as a control function. Something used as the basis to call upon the Pillars curse"

Anecus was sitting cross legged overlooking their home atop the hill, listening intently. 

"Vectors use analytical observation and mathematics, contractors have their Bond." Both of these rely on external forces to cooperate.

Anecus breathed in, feeling the flow of his essence. 'Flow...' 

"Are you paying attention?" Red asked with a tap on his head with a stick.

"You were about to explain Enhancers and Conduits next." Anecus said with a little sass. 

Red narrowing his eyes a little, "mmh..." he let it slide. 

"Enhancers need harmony of mind, body and soul. If one falls behind they will burn out. Some think Enhancers are lucky that all they have to worry about is self mastery." 

Those who know better know that self mastery is something not just anyone can achieve. 

"Now we have Conduits..." 

Anecus 'Finally, the interesting part.'

"They are the most versatile and individually dependent. Each elemental pillar focuses on an emotion, state of mind or idea." 

Chiming in over his father he asked "Is the flowstate one of them?" 

Red looked at his son, "very good, it seems your alignment with your pillar is progressing well." 

Red went through the rest of the element, earth is pride or honor, wind was progression and self confidence, lastly was electricity that relied on adversity or efficiency. 

Red left fire for last on purpose. "Could you tell me the control mechanism for fire?" 

Anecus thought for a moment, 'I haven't had that many opportunities to use it. What is father so afraid of anyway?' 

After a moment he shook his head. "I'm not sure...it's not as present right now." 

Red nodded as if expecting this, "If I'm correct it's because you are in a flow state of mind and that is counter to what fire needs." 

"Well what does it need?" 

Red placed a hand on his shoulder, "Passion son. Unbridled Passion." 

On the far side of the orchard Jane was helping Cassia summon her spirit. "Sit here, clear your mind. Focus on your internal monologue and if you feel something trying to reply back and let it in." 

As excited as she was Cassia was equally nervous, 'what if I can't do it? What if it's not a strong spirit?' her shoulders shook. 

Jane placed a warm hand on her shoulder and back "there's nothing to worry about, you are stronger than you realize." looking into her daughter's sky blue eyes "you are my daughter after all." 

Cassia POV

'I take a large breath in trying to clear my mind, almost forgetting to breathe out, making my breath stumble slightly. However, with my mother next to me I feel the security and peace I need to fall into this strange state where the only thing I'm aware of is my own inner voice. 'Strange, is this what Ane was talking about?' 

I had gotten lost in my own mind, has it been Minutes, hours? Why can't I hear anything? Over my shoulder I hear her voice "try to reach out."

'Is it as simple as that? Reaching out…I wanna do it my way. Instead of waiting for something to come to me I yell out into the void that was my mind.' 

'Hey! Are there any spirits out there!?'

At first I felt so stupid I was yelling at nothing just the emptiness of my own empty mind but then there was wisps of light 'huh? Is someone there?' 

Somehow I could see this pale bluish gold wisp settle before me. Taking a closer look it was a ball of swirling mass, one half water the other fire. I wanted to grab it…but I had a feeling it wouldn't like it much.

Following my intuition I opened my eyes and there it was, sitting a few inches in front of me. I gently offered my index finger of my right hand stopping just an inch away. "Hi there little one. Would you like to be my contract?"

after a beat the word contract didn't feel right "no, my friend?" looking back to the little one "would you like to be my friend?" 

The little wisp quivers slightly, almost happy at the idea of having a friend. The spirit closed the distance and hung my finger. It was warm but wet at the same time. I felt a small connection be formed, like something inside me clicked

To the right side of me I saw something shimmering into perception [Would You Like To Accept Tefnut el Ra As a Contract?]

 [Yes] | [No] 

Not really knowing how to accept, I just thought of hitting the 'Yes' option. A ding sounded in my head.

[Contract Aligning….] *ding!* 

[Success!]

Before turning to mom another message appeared.

[Pillar Alignment Detected] [Welcome Accursed Cassia] 

Jane, sitting just a few feet away sipping on some tea, had an amused look 'is that what I looked liked when I first saw my Circuit?' Seeing Cassia's looks of bemusement and waving her hand through the air. 

"I have such a cute daughter."

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