Unmotivated Deity

The dark hue of the disk began to intensify as the very air around the group seemed to hum with a power that the young heirs couldn't even begin to fathom. The hair on their arms and neck seemed to stand on end as a barrier of static that felt suffocating enveloped them. They knew this was a sign of their imminent departure and couldn't help but smile besides themselves.

It had been a long year in some aspects and felt like a short few moments in others. They were all looking forward to taking a break and seeing their families once again. The suppressed longing for to spend time with their loved ones was rising to the surface after being buried by the endless struggles of survival in this dangerous wilderness.

It wasn't long before the static around them reached a fever pitch. If not for them keeping a firm hold of the horses the animals would have likely bolted despite their training as war steeds. The visions of everyone present went black for an instant before a sense of severe vertigo hit them in a tidal wave before receding just as quickly.

It took them several minutes to gather their bearings after the fact. Their bodies seemed to want to collapse, their stomachs roiling and their eyes watering. The movement through such distorted space was even harsher than when they had first entered. Perhaps this was due to the fact that entering the forest was easy enough but it was said that exiting was impossible, though they obviously knew better of this rumor now. What they did know was that the likelihood of ever finding their prior base of operation after the break was slim to none. With the way that entering the forest would drop them off in a random location they had known that even finding a hint of their prior stomping grounds was highly unlikely.

Nobody was bothered by this fact. The mentors had used their own camp away from their students, using a simple length of rope as a way to ensure that nobody would get lost in the fog between the two camps. The heirs had known from the very beginning that their temporary home would be abandoned and so had made sure to pack everything that they could from their stay. All that remained were the structures, the ever-gathering pool in their main hall, the hand crafted wood table and an empty fire pit.

Once the group had regained their bearings, their bodies settling once more, they were able to feel the difference in their location. The air was dry as opposed to the constant dampness of the fog. It was warm, sunlight kissing their long paled skin. There was sunlight in the warping woods at times but it was never strong, struggling to breach the trees and endless fog. If they wanted to enjoy the suns warmth they needed to climb as high as possible and even then they would only reach it for but a few long moments. It was a wonder to them how anything was able to grow in such a place but it never truly seemed to be a problem for the woods.

When they opened their eyes they had to squint at first, their eyes sensitive to the unfiltered sunlight and the disorientation of the travel via spacial magic. What they saw once their eyes had fully adjusted though brought broad smiles to their faces. Even the ever stoic and quiet Barret seemed to have a slight curve of the lip. Before them was the other walls of Afrem City only a small ride in the distance. However what truly caught the children's attention was the group of adults standing in the open field that they had ended up after their teleportation.

Standing in a group before them were their parents, waiting patiently with smiles on their faces. Only once their children had acclimated to their new position and had spotted them did the adults move, walking briskly toward their children and taking them into their embrace. Their warmth bringing tears to some eyes and a true sense of both comfort and accomplishment.

They had survived the struggles of their first year of training and made their way back to their homes. Lord Losler didn't hesitate to invite everyone back to the manor to rest before they would head out their own ways for a short while. The break was just that, a break and while the families would be able to spend a few weeks together they had resolved to make the best of the time that they had afforded themselves.

Once they had arrived back at the manor via carriages that the families and left on the road outside the field the heirs and mentors had landed in, each family separated to the prepared guest suites. Nobody seemed to even say a word, as if by prior agreement, just splitting off in various directions.

Once Jien reached his room with his father in tow a certain hint of something entered his eye, perhaps a long suppressed longing, or a vast homesickness, not even he could tell. However, as he ran his hand over the smooth, well varnished dark wood of the door and felt the warmth of the room within through it he truly knew he had made it back home.

He moved his hand slowly to the brass door handle and opened it with a well oiled click to see his old room, perfectly well kept as it had been when he left it and impeccably clean. Standing there, in the center of the room itself, was Runa, waiting for him with a gentle smile on her lips and eyes glistening with unshed tears. This had been the longest she had been away from Jien since he was born and it had perhaps been the hardest for her to see him leave on such a long journey.

Seeing her after so long, waiting for his return Jien couldn't help but smile once again as he walked up to her and gave her long hug. He had finally made it back to those he considered his family. It had been a long long year.