First Breaths of Eternity - part 11

First Breaths of Eternity - part 11. Liwen finishes shadowing Edward and then spends some time with Progenitor.

(Reminder, this is a WIP, there will be spelling and writing errors. | Join me for live writing streams on Twitch. | If you like what you see, consider supporting me on Ko-fi and/or Twitch so that I can continue making more content for you to enjoy. https://linktr.ee/GoldThornGuild)

(Note: I'm testing out different pronouns for Liwen, so you may see a mix of pronouns throughout this WIP.)

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They walked along the road for a bit before reaching a smaller trail that branched off to the left. A small stream ran along that trail as well; connecting the spring at the life tree to the main stream that they had been following. Edward led the way onto the new trail, examining the stream as he went.

Soon Liwen recognized where they were as the life tree clearing opened up before them. The life tree was as beautiful as Liwen remembered it. This time it wasn't alone because there was a figure sitting under it with their back leaned against its trunk and their fingers swaying lightly over the surface of the spring.

"Progenitor!" Liwen said excitedly as ze and Edward walked up to the life tree.

"Hello Liwen and Edward," Progenitor said with a smile, "How have things been going?"

"Everything is as it should be," Edward said.

"Good job. I knew everything was in good hands with you on the job."

"Thank you."

"Have you been enjoying the experience, Liwen?"

"Yes," Liwen replied, "I have learned so much. Water-magic is such a useful and adaptable skill. Edward can do so many different things with his magic."

"He is quite talented. Though water-magic isn't the only magic like that. All types of magic can be used in a variety of ways. The more creative the mage, the more that magic can be used for. That's part of the reason it is so important for you to see magic in use outside of the classroom. Magic shines best in the hands of those who use it everyday. Books can teach you much, but there are somethings that only first-hand experience will teach you."

"Lee offered to let me shadow them, so I'll probably take them up on that offer soon. Then I'll be able to see what a fire-magic mage does."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea."

"Are you going to be heading back to the village soon?" Edward asked.

"Hm, depends on your definition of soon," Progenitor mused, "Are you in a hurry to get back?"

"Not a hurry exactly, but I still have to check the pond and I should probably check with Jia to see if she needs any help with her gardens."

"Well don't let me keep you then. I'll probably stay here a little while longer but you are free to go, or stay, as you will."

"Liwen, are you ready to move on?" Edward asked as he turned to Liwen, "Or maybe you would like to end the lessons for today and stay with Progenitor instead?"

"Um... Do you mind if I stay?" Liwen asked shyly.

"Of course not. I'll see you both later."

Edward then waved goodbye and began walking towards the path that Liwen had traveled while first visiting the forest. Everything was quite for a moment before Progenitor spoke.

"Would you like to sit?" Progenitor asked, "There is plenty of room for two under this tree."

Liwen nodded and moved to sit next to Progenitor.

"Have you been sitting here long?" Liwen asked.

"Hm. Hard to say. Time always seems to move both slowly and quickly while you are relaxing in the forest. Don't you agree?"

"Yes. The forest does seem like another world in many ways."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. I don't think I will ever get tired of it."

"I guess I made the right choice in bringing you to this village then. It is practically impossible to escape the forest here. Well, at least without traveling for a couple days."

"Was there any doubt that you made the right choice?"

"No," Progenitor laughed, "I knew that you would like it here."

"I still find it kind of mean that you also know what my magic attunement will be but you won't tell me what it is."

"You'll thank me later."

"I know but I don't want to wait for later..."

"Life is best lived one step at a time, my beloved."

Liwen nodded. "Have you been having a good day?"

"Yes. Nothing to complain about. I just checked in on a few people and then came out to the forest to relax. I will admit that I miss the forests when I spend long amounts of time in the capital."

"Can you not leave the capital whenever you want to?"

"Of course I can. But sometimes I am needed in the capital and it isn't exactly fair to the people who can't leave on a whim if I am jumping around the world whenever I want to."

"I'm sure no one would be upset or hold it against you."

"That's true, but that's not the point. I know they wouldn't be upset which makes me want to respect their feelings even more."

"You really care about us."

"I do. Very much. You are my beloved and I love living as close to you as I can."

"Is the capital nice? Do you like it there?"

"It is nice. Though in a different way to places like this village. There are less plants and green spaces but more people. The capital is always bustling with people, events, and activities. People from all over the world visit the capital to do business or hone their craft. There is always something new to see or experience there.

"There is also a lot of work to be done. It is the most centrally located place in the world, which is why I spend most of my time there. Being in the center means that I am easily accessible to everyone and the people who help me manage everything can do so easily without as much travel time."

"It sounds like you work a lot."

"I carry my share of the responsibilities just like everyone else."

"Will I be able to visit the capital some day?"

"Certainly, if that is something you want to do. Though, I'd suggest waiting a bit longer before you do. The capital can be overwhelming for someone newly awaken. I almost never awaken people there because of that. Find your footing a bit more and then once you are ready you can visit the capital."

"I can do that."

"Speaking of which, how are you feeling? Are you starting to feel more grounded and like you are starting to know yourself better?"

"Yes. It does feel like the more I learn about magic, the less I'm sure about which type I want to learn, but I'll narrow it down eventually."

"That you will. What about your personality and identity? Have you started making any progress on that aspect of things yet?"

"Hm, I think so? I haven't come to any decision yet but I think I like feminine things more than masculine things. At least based on what I have seen so far. Though that's basically as far as I have gotten so far."

"That is a good first step. Keep exploring and experimenting. You'll figure out who you are soon enough. Who knows, maybe by the next time we see other face to face after I leave tomorrow you will have your name and pronouns chosen."

"That's right, you're leaving tomorrow..."

"I am. I'll be leaving in the afternoon. I managed to convince everyone to stick with an informal send off, so there will just be some tables set up in the square for people to eat lunch together and speak to me before I leave. I'll be sitting in the square most of the day tomorrow, basically from after breakfast until I leave, so you are free to do whatever you want."

"I suppose I can't stay with you?..."

"You can sit with me if you want. Through you will be sharing me. I often have a few people sitting with me leading up to my departure. You may join them or do your own things elsewhere. Again, don't worry about us being apart. You will get used to it and we will always be connected. Even if you can't see me, I am with you in spirit and we will meet in person again before long."

"I know. But I am still going to miss you. Even if we are connected, surly it won't be the same as when we are together in person."

"That is true. But I doubt you will miss me too much. You have lots of adventures to go on and lots of things to explore. Speaking of which, we still have a while until dinner, want to go home and do some studying? If you have any questions, I am the best teacher you could ask for."

"Yes! That sounds incredible!"

"I thought you would enjoy that. Come on, let's go."

~~~

"Liwen? Liwen."

"Huh?" Liwen looked up abruptly and looked around the dining table to figure out who had spoken.

"Welcome back to the present," Lilian teased, "Having a good daydream?"

"I wasn't daydreaming, I was just thinking about stuff."

"I suspect it's my fault," Progenitor offered, "We were studying together in the library before dinner. I probably filled Liwen's head with too much information to be processed in such a short amount of time."

"Don't break your new beloved," Lilian said.

"Lilian isn't you," Edward cut in, "Some of us can actually look at a book without our brain shutting down."

"Alright you two, that's enough," Jia said.

Progenitor smiled lovingly at Lilian and then Edward. "You two be sure to take good care of Liwen when I am away."

"Of course," Lilian and Edward said in unison.

"You are in good hands, Liwen," Progenitor laughed, "They may play-fight and bully each other constantly but they know how to take care of those around them."

Edward and Lilian both got shyly quiet and focused on their food.

~~~

"Nights are probably going to be the hardest to get used to after you leave," Liwen said when ze and Progenitor were alone in zeir bedroom after diner, "I am so used to having you with me."

"Would you like me to leave?"

"No! That's not what I meant. Please, let me have one more night..."

"Of course, beloved. Whatever you want."

"Thank you. Did you do this with everyone? Spend every night with them I mean."

"Most people, but no, not everyone. Some people preferred having the room to themselves after the first night or two."

"Really? But your presence is so peaceful and relaxing."

"It is but some people prefer more personal space. And there are others who would barely let me go while I was with them. Anytime they could touch me, they would. You are in the middle of that spectrum which is where most people land."

"That makes sense. ...What were Edward and Lilian like?"

"Lilian was running off on her own and doing her own thing quickly. Edward spent as much time as he could brushing and playing with my hair."

"That does sound like them," Liwen chuckled.

"They haven't changed much. Though Edward hides his love of playing with my hair a bit more now. He learned some self-control over time."

"Which is impressive. He clearly loves styling hair and yours is the most beautiful hair in the world," Liwen said while brushing zeir fingers lightly along the soft strands.

"Would you like to play with my hair?"

"Oh, I'm fine. That's not what I was implying."

"Would you mind taking it down for me anyways? I put it up to keep it out of my way earlier, but I don't need it up anymore."

"Sure, I can probably do that."

"Thank you," Progenitor said as they turned their back to Liwen.

Liwen carefully reached up and removed the hair sticks that were holding Progenitor's hair up in a soft pile. With the sticks gone, the hair fell in tousled waves which Liwen proceeded to straighten out with zeir fingers.

"Time for bed?" Progenitor asked after Liwen yawned.

"I don't want to go to bed..." Liwen pouted.

"But you are tired aren't you?"

"...Maybe..."

Progenitor chuckled and kissed Liwen's hair. "Sleep beloved, I'll be here when you wake up."