Compromised

"The name of our world, is Eos. It is filled with magical creatures and many diverse races. It is made up of three vast continents. Develdion, home to the demons, a magical race descended of Typhon, the last son of Gaia. Acacia, the continent we live on... Elias. Are you following dear?"

"Yes granny Sophia."

Sitting on the floor opposite to the chair where Sophia was, Elias nodded profusely. Sophia looked at Elias gently, dismissing the fact that he was hiding the bow his father gave him this morning behind his back.

"Elias, focus on this next part and then you can practice with your bow in the yard."

I looked at her and nodded repeatedly motioning for her to continue. Sophia lightly chuckled as she continued her lesson.

"Where were we now? Ah, yes. Acacia is home to a number of races, among which are humans, elves, and dwarves. Not only that, but plenty of other sentient magical races reside here, but choose to live in seclusion. Finally, Silva Intractabilis, home to the most savage beasts ever known to magic kind. It is a continent where the most savage of races reign supreme. There are no laws but one, the law of the jungle."

The lesson went on for another hour before she released me. Ever since I turned three years old a couple months ago, granny has taken it upon herself to teach me etiquette, history and geography among many other topics that are considered general knowledge.

I sighed as I exited the room and made my way towards the yard. Although a child my age would rebel and make a fuss about studying, thankfully I am much more mature, in a terrifyingly literal sense.

'Granny sure is a slave driver to force that much information on a three year old. Then again, thanks to her I have learned so much.'

I stood in the backyard surrounded by trees, almost forming a natural barrier. Notching an arrow and getting into stance, my mind kept re-visiting yesterday's lesson about the magic elements.

'Earth, Fire, Wind and Water; space and time and the variation elements. The variation elements stem from the basic ones, an example of such is lightning, an advanced form of fire magic. Another is Magma, an incorporation of both the earth and fire element.

I wonder what element I'll have '

Taking a deep breath, I drew the bow and aimed for the target five meters away. I Exhaled and held, waiting for my aim to steady. My hands were trembling from the weight of the string. I am not yet strong enough to handle this bow.

Releasing the arrow, it flew shortly and landed on the target, yet far away from the bull's-eye. I took a deep breath and grabbed another arrow my quiver intending to fix it on the bow string, but a rough hand and on my shoulder startled me.

"Strong arms you've got their kiddo, just like your father, BAHAHAHAH."

The rough hand belonged to my hulking father. I turned to him and stretched my small neck upward, trying to look him in the eye.

"It didn't even hit dad, I'm still too weak to use this bow."

"Nonsense, you are plenty strong for your age, you only need to practice more. Anyway, make sure to finish up and come back inside, lunch is almost ready. I brought back a big moose today BAHAHAHA". Father used his humor to console me, making me break out a smile.

Watching his silhouette recede into the house, my smile turned wry watching this man's antics. He truly is a big clumsy bear.

Clearing my head of my thoughts, I notched the arrow I took the quiver on my side. However, Instead of directly taking aim, I closed my eyes and cleared my mind.

From the lessons I took from granny Sophia, I learned that humans do not have a focal point of magic in their body, rather it inhabits every one of their cells. Throughout the years, I have felt much more in tune with the material that fuels magic through my meditation, thus I tried to feel said material, which turns out to be simply called Aeter.

As I took my stance and held my bow upright I felt a strange strength coursing in my body, I snapped my eyes open and drew the bow. To my surprise it extended easily. I quickly took aim and let the arrow loose.

###

Watching this scene from the patio of the house, Aurora's eyes widened as she witnessed her son harness the Aeter and augment his strength. 'Impossible!' she gasped silently.

'One awakens their magic abilities at five years of age. I have never heard anyone use magic before then, much less augment themselves!' Aurora could not believe her eyes, her son was a magical prodigy.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts astonished by her son's actions, her husband's loud laughter echoed in the house, breaking her out of her thoughts.

Returning inside curiously, she spotted her husband in the front yard of the house cuddling a huge bear with enormous antlers.

"Otso, you big buffoon, I've missed you."

The buffoon in question, Otso pinned Isaac to the ground whilst rubbing his face all over Isaac's. Abruptly Otso sniffed the air and looked at Aurora in the distance. He rushed to her side and carefully held his muzzle close to her so she can pat him. Aurora chuckled lightly and rubbed his snout warmly.

"Welcome home Otso, We've missed you dearly. If you are back that means that Kyra is not far behind."

Otso growled softly, nuzzling closer to her hand before turning around and continuing his wrestling match with Isaac, his growls drowned amidst his companion's laughter. Aurora smiled fondly, as her gaze moved back into the house, yet she seemed to be perceiving something behind it. Her lips curved into a mischievous grin and her emerald eyes held curiosity.

###

In the house's backyard Elias was marveling at his own strength, unaware of the new guest.

I watched my arrow sail the air and fly towards the target, or rather completely through it.

I looked at my small hands and then back at the impaled target, wondering where such strength came from.

I walked towards the now skewered straw dummy to pluck my arrow and I noticed a long black furry tail hanging from a tree behind the wooden dummy, swaying from side-to-side.

As my eyes climbed the tail bit by bit, I saw a black panther perched upon a tree. Its midnight black fur was so dark it practically swallowed the light. The large feline had golden lining that marked its face and torso, save for her limbs and tail. Its bright green eyes looked at me with curiosity and intrigue.

In a heartbeat, whilst I was still admiring the panther, I lost sight of it for a moment only for the panther to appear right by my side. The panther's tail swiftly wrapped around my bow and threw it to the side. I couldn't move, the absurdity of the situation was shocking

'What the hell is a panther the size of a horse doing in my backyard!'