Chapter 10: Empty-Handed
The old man's actions of sundering the ground had deeply scared Aos. The sheer force used in a passing moment of frustration profoundly worried her. Aos shaking from the confrontation and just as she began hoping to get rescued by her mother and return to the tribe she heard her mother loudly say, "Fine! I will leave but you must bring her back before she turns 6. Otherwise, she will never be accepted as one of the clansmen."
The now scared and disappointed Aos looked towards her mother and with tears welling in eyes just stared hopelessly. Brenna who felt heartbroken seeing her daughters grief-stricken face couldn't help but embracing Aos and in the midst of the embrace state, "You are my daughter. No matter what please remember that. I may not be able to be here for the next while but when we meet again you must tell me everything. I will count every day until we meet again." with the conclusion of the embrace, Brenna headed back towards the dense woods back in the direction she had come. She would have to return to the clan empty-handed. Hoping that she would see Aos once again in the future.
Aos who now was left alone with what she thought was an evil man who separated her from mother couldn't help but begin repeatedly yelling and screaming at the man, "Why did you make her leave! I want my mommy!" Aos began wailing both verbally and physically on the old man.
The old man just stood motionless as he waited for Aos to tire herself. In what seemed to last a very long time eventually Aos eventually tempered out. She then returned to her seat and sat in begrudging anger.
The old man witnessing Aos' actions transpire couldn't help but remember some very ancient memories. In order to properly calm Aos he began regaling her of his memory.
In a calm and soothing voice the old man slowly began, "When I was very young I lived in a small village. The village itself was small and peaceful. Everyone knew everyone and no one was mean. Many, many years ago when I was no more than 3, I awoke my abilities. Even then countless years ago when magic was still somewhat practiced I was shunned," the old man's eyes showing a faint emotion as his eyes watered over the dark memory. "in my small village everyone I knew, turned against me, because I was different. I wasn't powerful, I wasn't cruel, I wasn't mean, I wasn't even dangerous. All I could do was minutely nudge small plants at great effort and cost. I wanted my parents to protect me but then their superstitions overwhelmed them. They couldn't even stand by me as I was ever more neglected and despised. I spent years being forced further and further into depression." the old mans face now welling with tears. "When I was 4 I was cast out from my family. When I was 6 no one in the village would feed me and I had to forage in the forest for food. When I was 8 I was actively chased out of town as some evil being who was filth upon the land." then with a gleeful smile proudly across his face with the tears slowly fall down his face he continued, "then one day while I was foraging for food on the edge of town I saw this odd hooded man walking in the distance. I had never seen such an intriguing cloak in my entire life. A deep green cape embellished with gold like threads along the edges. In desperation for food, I ran towards the man. When I finally caught up to the man he noticed my long-tattered and worn clothing a few times too small for me and my frail body from constant starvation and barely surviving. He looked into my eyes and as I looked into his I could see a profoundness in his gaze that shook me to my core. This man who had managed to with a mere gaze pierce through my life and my story said two words to me. Follow me."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aardae
Aardae This chapter was very much a "story time" esq chapter. More to develop the story of the old man and of the world through the development of characters backstory.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone