"Isaac? Is thou coming or what?" Comes an impatient shout from outside, voice floating through the open window. A cool breeze streams through with it's icy fingers, brushing Isaac's face as he reads. Fall was almost upon America.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdqWX6psjP
With a sigh, he closes his book and stands from the couch. He sets it down on the coffee table and takes a quick sip of his coffee. Stopped at chapter 5, he notes.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG0IKu8Ka3
Mercury had been outside for almost an hour now, practicing his magic. Of course, now he wanted to show Isaac what he could do. Isaac had been letting him gather his energy, but now there wasn't much point in making him wait any longer.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L54eOFprc
He steps outside the cabin, fingering his triangle necklace unsurely, his thoughts casting back to their first battle. Mercury was strong already, but there was always room for improvement.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzGKEUniXR
The trees around them sway in the wind, leaves rustling. Mercury taps his foot impatiently, arms crossed.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡxavxt9lRvj
You're late, Isaac.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡCorceIWTQV
Isaac resists the urge to scowl.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡChKN3qCMlC
"Finally! Thou came!" Mercury says, voice full of irritation.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqG4pok9WQ
Isaac sighs, slipping on his white gloves. "For the last time Mercury, please stop using 'thou'! It makes you stick out like a sore thumb."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXhWuNNbja
"Tch," Mercury replies, "I can say what I want."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIbsabBrSr
"Not if you want to do your job."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIHBqMxu3
Mercury scowls, hands balled into fists. Isaac could sense his rage as much as he could see it. But Oliver... Isaac heard him think, nothing more than a weak whisper. Otherwise Mercury's mind was still cold, closed off. Isaac thumbs his necklace uneasily. Mercury was a stubborn one.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYH6LfSjzJ
Mercury eyes his necklace. "What is that exactly? Th- You are always wearing it, but what does it do?"copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIA4T6bZ1v
Isaac remains silent for a moment.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRQvFNmKnF
It helps with your magic.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YiEArHO72
He grips his necklace hard, the corners pressing into his glove. His eye twitches. Some days he wanted to kill Samuel.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe1W9MNkZs
"It allows me to use my magic on Earth," He replies simply, turning back to Mercury, "Enough stalling. Your stance?" Mercury stalls for a moment, then jumps into position, looking to Isaac expectantly. "Raise your arms more. Ah... yes, there you go. Move your left leg in a little more. That's good. Now focus."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ0cqGVtmb
Mercury closes his eyes and lets out a long exhale. Isaac watches at the trees around them melt away into a blank space. Thought the white quickly spins into dead grey trees with the twist of his hand. The dirt below was a bare dark brown. Isaac half-expected Devin to appear.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡMal2EY4aFZ
"It's a good base," Isaac says, "Now add some color."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrIicFZ1ap
"This is a lot harder than it looks..." Mercury mutters aloud.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡckIiJTIHqw
Isaac nods. "I know."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJH5DFPGaS
Grass springs from the dirt, and the leaves slowly emerge from the dead branches. The bark of the trees deepens to rich browns and light grays.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv0Qqbh0ne
Isaac shakes his head. "No, color."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWb2YOm6Mp
"I did color!" Mercury replies angrily.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXtVlKas3K
"I mean like this." Amulet flaring, Isaac points to a nearby tree. Vibrant purple and blue flowers burst from the bark, and the leaves turn bright rainbow colors. Mercury lets out a frustrated sigh and waves with an arm. There's a flurry of color as the trees and grass change once again. More flowers rise from the trees and the ground, sparkling in the air. A few trees crystalize, acting like large prisms and shining beams of rainbow light across the Illusion Dome. Others petrify into black rocks. This was more what Isaac expected.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxwVSiCJGF
He nods in approval. "Now, try an animated entity." Mercury's arms drop to his sides, and he gives Isaac an angry glare. Isaac just shrugs. "Do you want to improve or not?"copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO6R5qm7Yz
"Fine." Mercury's hand shoots out to his side. A group of flowers rise from the ground and from trees nearby, stems twisting together The flower petals stretch, marbling together in a mass of rainbow colors. Fur springs from the amalgamation's legs, horns spring from its head, and a face forms. It looked like a satyr, yet...copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUV02TntUj
It looks at the two with a mischievous grin, then skips into the trees and was gone, laughing to itself.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡip8TGxQgKn
"If you just chose to do Puck just to spite me..." Isaac sighs. He still did well for such a being, he had to give Mercury that. He was too invested in Shakespeare.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUfJPpXdUN
"Thou shouldn't be so impatient." Mercury replies.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Joht62RQ
Anger rings in Isaac's ears. He raises a clawed hand into the air, and the scenery shatters, falling to darkness. Mercury's eyes widen in shock. Isaac steps forward, and suddenly he was in front of the young wizard. He grabs Mercury by his shirt collar and lifts him into the air.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtM9WumBdP
"If you ever say 'thou' again, I'll---"copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNiU5EnFgj
If you ever command in my stead again---copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSmHcnIeoN
Slowly, Isaac puts Mercury down again and turns away from him.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1OX8RRigo
"Just don't do it again," He says, distancing himself again, "Continue. Something abstract this time, to affect the mind."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡZunmZwFKV9
Mercury thinks for a moment, then raises his hands again. The darkness around them turns to white again, with streaks of black pulsing across the ceiling. No, not the ceiling, Isaac corrects himself, The sky. The streaks bend in a sharp arc over them, they were still in a dome-like structure. The ground turns glassy, and he could see the streaks spinning below them. Little stalagmites rise every couple of feet in any direction he glanced.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpZO2qVpfq
Isaac was starting to get light-headed, disoriented. He takes a step backwards, swaying. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Mercury beginning to smile, though distantly. Isaac squeezes his eyes shut and breathes. It didn't help his dizziness.copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAMfPT1a4S
"Would you like to lie down for a spell?" Mercury asks, "The floor is quite comfortable."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvqqQieBim
Isaac chuckles. "As much as I'd love to," He waves a hand, and the Illusion Dome shatters. He stands straight and looks at a surprised Mercury. "I'll have to decline. That's enough for today."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiwH6yVOTS
Mercury stands there, dumbfounded. "H-How did you do that? That was my Dome!"copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsQ0boXKK5
"I know." Isaac replies, turning away from him, "Ah, and here I thought you did your research. Come in and have some lunch. Afterwards, I'd like you to practice some more."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bPd9xvkKT
"But how---"copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrnZYxZyEm
Isaac holds a hand up in the air, and a book appears in his palm. He waves it in Mercury's direction. "There's one other book I want you to read."copyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIg3cIPZpH
The original draft was written by Sidelinecopyright protection134ＰＥＮＡＮＡKucOUQ3PAi
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