#298 - Magnum Opus
Challenge: #298 - Magnum Opus
Title: Potential
Word Count: 596
Notes: This took far longer to write than I thought it would. Also, I will never get tired of being able to draw on so many different worlds’ characters, backstories and legends to make an ever-expanding patchwork of fanon/canon. ^_^
Yen Sid surveyed the training area and did not react when the owl landed on his shoulder. She preened, pretending his lack of interest didn’t bother her. Owls were notoriously proud, vain birds, which made their long history with wizards all the more perverse. Wizards, as a rule, had little truck with vanity or pride, prizing practicality and utilitarianism above everything except a desire for impractical long robes and pointy hats. Yet, no matter what, every wizard had to have an owl.
You took your time, he said through bond of magician and familiar.
I’m surprised you noticed, she replied haughtily. You barely acknowledge I’m alive anymore.
Don’t tell me your feelings are hurt.
Pah! She let out a screech that was the equivalent of laughter for poor, beak-less creatures. The figure on the training ground didn’t look up at the noise. My feelings have nothing to do with it. I simply don’t understand why you’ve chosen such a weakling as a student.
He has hidden depths.
Extremely well hidden. One might even say invisible?
Yen Sid shrugged, dislodging her hold. She flapped her white wings and chided him by pecking at his hair.
You did that on purpose!
Did you complete your task? he asked instead of recognising the accusation.
She grumpily ruffled her feathers. Of course. Don’t I always?
And what did the Oracle say?
Nothing.
He turned his head in surprise. It was very rare for a wizard to be surprised, especially one as old and powerful as him. Nothing? The Oracle told you nothing?
I didn’t say that. I said she said nothing; as in she was silent. She gave me this for you instead. She opened the claw she had kept drawn close to her chest and dropped a small, many times folded piece of parchment into his waiting palm.
He unrolled the message and quickly read it. A smile tugged at his mouth. He raised his gaze to the training ground again and fixed on the tiny figure jumping around. It was a message from the Oracle of Delphi that had prompted him to seek out his new pupil in the first place, and though he had nursed reservations, he knew enough to heed the words of a power so great it could summon his attention from across worlds.
Well? prompted the owl.
Well what?
What did it say?
You actually care? I thought you despised my new student.
She shifted her feet and preened some more, refusing to admit anything. I’d prefer to know what you’re getting me into. So what’s in store for the mouseling prince?
Yen Sid held out the message in his open hand and allowed a curl of magic to burn it to cinders. Everything and nothing.
Excuse me?
He will be the most powerful keyblader ever, but it will mean nothing. He will not save the light from the dark.
Then why bother to train him?
Because he needs to have the knowledge.
But why? You wingless creatures are too illogical for words!
He needs everything I can teach him so he can pass it on to those who will save the light. He is not a saviour, but he will find them and bring them together. That makes him even more important than I anticipated.
It makes him sound like a tool.
No, Hedwig. Yen Sid shook his head; eyes fixed on the figure as he came to the end of the training course and danced around victoriously. He was still so young; so naïve. It makes him sound like my greatest work ever.