Understanding

It’s later that week, and you’re just finishing up lunch with the girls when your doorbell rings. You all stiffen in alarm, then laugh at your shared paranoia. Anna answers the door, and leads in your guests. Rachel you’re not surprised to see, but Marcus, the mage from the council is a bit of a shock.

“Rachel, Marcus! What brings you here?”

Marcus speaks first. “I hope we’re not intruding, we just wanted to test something. We’ve been trying to work out why your power is growing so fast. We have a theory we’d like to check, if that’s ok with you.”

“As long as no one gets hurt, of course!”

Rachel nods, “We wouldn’t suggest it if it was harmful. It’s mostly just Marcus enhancing my aura sight.”

Marcus bares one of his rune-tattooed arms, and drags his fingers across in a pattern. He explains, “I am a runic mage, this is how I cast spells. Different combinations cause different effects.”

Marcus places a now glowing hand on Rachel’s head, and her eyes flash blue for a moment. She looks at you for a moment, and you see her looking around the room, following things only she can see. “We were right. He’s drawing strength from his bonds with other magical beings. It most likely is a side effect of being an absorption mage. Josh, you’re drawing power literally from the bonds you have with the girls.”

You look at the two of them, surprised. “Am I hurting them? I don’t like the sound of this...”

“Not at all, you’re not pulling from them, it’s literally the fact that they care for you that gives you more power. It seems that you’re able to use your bond as an extra power source. In fact, from the looks of things, it works both ways. You’re enhancing them as well, albeit in smaller amounts.”

Maya grins, “That’s the only reason we are still here, of course!”

Rachel rolls her eyes. “Oh right, I’m sure. I’ve seen you hanging off him, Maya. You too, Lynn.”

Both girls giggle and shrug. You laugh, “What can I say, I’m just a lucky man, surrounded by beautiful, loving women, that apparently make me more powerful!”

Rachel and Marcus nod, and Rachel stands, speaking, “If it’s not too much trouble, could we do some more tests later? We’ve never seen something like this before, and we’d like to test your capabilities more seriously. Say, tomorrow?”

“Sure thing! I’m guessing you want us all at your office, right?”

“Correct. Trevor will want to be a part of this as well. This is an important breakthrough, at this point, you’re going to be our best weapon against this Kali. We need to understand how you work.”

You nod. “I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow then!”