Unending: Mage's Academy III

didn't simply pass around me, it felt as if it went completely through me. I became filled with the energy of the air that was rushing inside and all around me. I could see what they meant about the food. It wasn't dangerous but it did feel like a letting go. I was lighter and the wind reminded me of all the things that I had lost. When I looked down, I had a moment of panic because I realized that I was invisible. It was not that I had ceased to exist, but I had become part of the wind. No longer a solid piece, I was dispersed in millions if not billions of particles. I would have been scared, but I could no longer think that way. I had become the wind.

I felt myself flowing upwards, a breeze pushing through the gardens. I saw everything, and not just with eyes. My entire being could see, every part of myself experienced vision. It was the most free I had ever been, and also the most unattached. I drifted past the palace and felt myself being pulled into the desert sands. I flowed with the movement of the breeze across the empty wasteland for hours most likely. I met Nox out in the desert. Together we danced a soaring ballet in the sky.

I didn't know how to return exactly. When I felt myself drifting back towards the palace, I attempted to solidify myself once more. At first, my attempts were unsuccessful. I was spread out in infinite pieces. How could I ever be one person again? I drifted towards the cool pool of water in the center of the garden. It was strange to float above the water. It felt like a cold prickling sensation as the water droplets splashed between the different particles of me. Finally, I began to feel my molecules clustering together. Then it happened all at once. I felt myself falling hard and fast into the water below. When I pulled myself out of the water I couldn't help but laugh. The gift of the desert shrine had been the power of the wind. It would be much easier to travel across the liminal world now. Anywhere I chose to go, I could get there on the winds. I was learning more here than I ever had from any of Lucian's training exercises. Still, if I could choose to go back, I would. I missed everything from my old life.

Alice Mistlethwaite was right when she told me to come back to school. I had been so ready to give everything up, but now I was realizing that all those things were what made me human. I wasn't sure I wanted to give up being human just yet. I had to find my mother. She had to be alive somewhere.

I entered the Palace once more, lighter on my feet, but with a heavy heart. The complex feelings battled inside me until I reached the table of Arzaan and Aaliyah.

Arzaan asked, "Where will you go next?"

"I'm not sure," I replied. "I need to find the next of my mother's shrines, but it isn't safe. Lord Morningstar has his servants tracking me. "

"If you are open to accepting our counsel, we may have a solution for you." He offered.

"I'll gladly hear it," I responded smiling.

"There is a great city to the west of here, called Umbrion. You may seek the shrine hidden in the city. The location hasn't been known for centuries, but you may be able to find it yet. The city is full of danger and shady dealings, but the servants of the Lightbringer will not pass through the city walls for their own fear."

"What are they scared of?" I asked, not sure if this sounded like the kind of place I wanted to visit.

"They are scared of their own end. The city of Umbrion is where all those go who wish to truly die. They who are buried there do not rise again. They enter a new kind of journey, unknown to any who stay here in the Liminal World." Arzaan explained.

"I see," I said, trying to hide the chill that had run down my body. It was a real city of the dead that they were sending me to.

At that moment Nox swooped into the room and landed on my shoulder.

Aaliyah said, "That is quite a loyal familiar that you have there."

I smiled, "Yes, he's a good friend."

She continued, "He was the one that alerted us to your presence in the caravan. It has been many years since we have seen a witch's familiar within the city walls."

"Did my mother visit you here?" I asked.

"Yes," said Aaliyah. "She was our honored guest on a few occasions. Your raven once belonged to her you know?"

"Really?" I asked. Feeling the emotion welling up inside of me as Nox nuzzled against me.

"He was her constant companion as he is now yours." She explained. I felt somewhat strengthened by that knowledge.

"I think I will go to Umbrion," I said. "Thank you for everything you've done for me."

Arzaan and Aaliyah bowed silently and I returned the gesture. I ate with them one last time before my departure. I rested and planned to depart in the morning. As I was laying that night, I took out the fragment of mirror. Knowing that I could see Kairn's face was a relief. I fell asleep with the mirror in my hands and when I awoke I was still holding it. By the morning it had returned to being just a mirror. I placed it gently back into my pocket.

Before I left I went to Arzaan. "I am so grateful for everything, but can I ask one more favor?"

"Certainly you may," He said, his eyes flickering with light.

"May I have a new set of clothes and perhaps a weapon?" I asked. I thought of the cuffs that had bound my magic. I didn't want to be in a position like that again. Plus these