| Gilead sits alone, out on one of the mountains in the Green Belt, somewhere where he can see the sun, the great blue yonder. He's heard of a technique, something that can bring you further knowledge and magical understanding… and he's ready for it. He's placed himself as best as he's able, even gotten an official overnight pass for the park, just in case…
He closes his eyes, trying to attune himself to the presence of the sky, trying to get closer… trying to -get there-.
And when he opens the eyes, he will see the sky and the clouds in a different color- in every color the human eye can see, and some that can only bee observed with the mind;'s eye. Wind whips at him, as he stands atop this vast mountain, and all signs of civilization are gone from down below, replaced with vast wild lands, bathed in the multi-colored light of the sky. <Gilead> echos a voice, that seems to come from the sky itself. <You believe you are ready?> it asks.
Gilead takes a deep breath as he sees it, stretching as tall as he can, feeling the winds move through him and around him. He extends his arms. "Yes," he says. "I am ready. I have -been- ready. My mind screams for expansion! My power needs grow!"
<We shall see. This test will not be easy- you will meet many guides, many spirits in this place. They will decide if you are ready.> The great voice in the sky speaks again, and then it fades away, leaving only emptiness behind, and the emptiness threatens to pull Gilead's own essense with it unless he can resist.
Gilead's become used to emptiness. He seeks it out. He revels in it. It is part of the sky: openess, letting things flow. His smile grows. "Many guides, you say," he murmurs. "We Shall see. In the pejorative: Bring it On!"
The first guide to come to Gilead is a great eagle, its body easily as big as a horse, and its wingspan many times that. It speaks, though its beak does not move- the voice flowing into Gilead's mind like a gentle breeze- barely perceptible, like a whisper, but impossible to ignore. <I am your first guide, and I will show you what it is to have power. Make yourself an eagle, and fly with me.> It instructs Gilead.
Gilead watches the eagle flying by, and takes it in. "Change into an eagle…ahhh, this is the astral. Anything is possible. Yes, I understand!" He summons his magic to him, suddenly alive with the thrill of it, pulling it through his body, willing the shape to change. He forms his arms into wings, his feet into talons, his face into that of an eagle's… magic comes naturally to him, and here it's even more intense.
Now an eagle of enormous size with great, golden wings, he launches himself from the mountain, chasing after the other bird, swooping low and turning on his side, letting out a great keening cry of joy!
The other eagle leads the way to a thermal, and the two of them swoop in a wide circle, pulling them higher, higher into the sky, until they soar over mountains, over forests and along rivvers, over lakes. It is far into the night before the Eagle speaks again. <With power, comes risks. Those with power must be prepared to face the Danger. This is as far as I take you.> the Eagle informs Gilead, and then he swoops down to land on a rocky path. <You will rest here for the night, and in the morning, you will find your next guide. You will know them when you see them.>
Gilead swoops down to where directed. "As you say, Sky-brother," he keens, and then picks at his feathers a little. "I am grateful for your guidance. I am not afraid of the risks. I can handle them." Cocksure, isn't he?
Gilead turns back into a human, mercifully with all of his clothes and gear, when the other eagle leaves, and he finds himself drawn into a deep sleep. When he awakens, it is the morning again, and standing over him is a Native American Elf, Dressed in a warrior's garb. "Get up." He says, "We have much to do."
The man slaps gilead across the side of the head for his efforts. "Don't mimic me. It's insulting." he says to Gilead then, and begins trudging off into the woods. "The earth gives life, and the sky takes it away. This is the way of things. You're going to hunt." he informs the man as he wanders along, passing a knife back to Gilead. The two of them trudge along for some hours, before they come across their target- a boar is snuffling about and looking for mushrooms or grubs to eat. Quietly, the man says, "Go, kill it. Claim your prize."
Gilead peers at the man, his features melting back into what they were. He doesn't apologize… instead his eyes just flash.
When the man hands him the knife, he stares at it a moment… then shrugs and goes straight -for- the boar. Mistake. While he scores a hit with the knife, he gets gored in return. The wound hurts, a lot, but… but at least he did it! Right? "Gahhhh!"
Gilead lands a rather nasty wound in the Boar's shoulder, but not the neck where he was aiming. As a result, rather than slipping peacfully into death, the bore bucks and charges and gores Gilead, then flings him to the ground, knife still in it. It runs off, trailing blood and letting out pained screams. The guide shakes his head, "I worry that we cannot help you." he says to him then, and he closes his eyes, and seems to simply fade away- leaving Gilead to try and track down that Boar. In the dark forest. Alone.
Gilead's used to being alone, but… not out in the wild, in the dark, alone, bleeding. He breathes heavily, trying to focus himself. It's hard, but… but he forces himself up. He wanders into the forest, alone. And bleeding. He gets lost, confused. Hungry. Thirsty. Tired. But he keeps going, even when his limbs start giving out. He keeps going, because he came here to -win-, not go away empty-handed. He -will- learn. He -will- accomplish his goals.
When he eventually finds the boar, there is a beautiful elven woman standing over it- almost too beautiful to look at, the bloodied knife in her hands, and she speaks a quiet word in prayer to the Sky, that the Boar's life can once again return to the sky, as all things must do. She does not look at Gilead. <Your test is nearly complete, There remains only one thing…> she speaks, once again telepathically, into his mind.
Gilead straightens up a little, trying to wipe some of his blood off. "As you say, lady," he says, trying to be polite, looking at the body of the boar. "I am here to learn. Test me how you will, I will listen."
<It is my task to test the strength of your resolve, to look into the future that lays before you, and to judge if you are worthy.> the woman says, and then she walks towards Gilead, and takes his chin in her hand, looking into his eyes, and peering into his soul.
Gilead's resolve is strong… but his body is so, so weak right now. The last of his reserves drain away, but he remembers how Proud he was to be here, summoned by the Sky Father itself. How he promised he was ready for the tests… and he won't bend now. He won't give in. He stares into the woman's eyes, forcing himself to stay upright.
The woman's stare is so intense, it hurts to gazedirectly into her eyes. Eventually all there is fades away to white, blindness, silence… How you want to sleep, but you don't. You Stay strong. <You are worthy…> her voice finally whispers, and then you find yourself back atop that mountain again. More than a day has passed, how long exactly is not clear at first, but the city is down below, and the sky is pink and scattered with clouds in the early morning- and you are bitterly cold.
Gilead shivers a little, forcing himself to his feet. He looks out over the city, starting to try to feel alive. It's cold. He hurts. Time to find his way back down… and time to find something hot to drink!
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