—I hope you're at least useful...—
There was no answer for a while. So much so that Kayo thought he had actually offended the meerbat this time.
—Sorry, I di-—
The voice interrupted him—You have much to learn before we go surface. I will teach. What you know about magic?—
Kayo's face lit up—You can teach me magic?—
—Eventually. But you must not go in blind—
—Alright alright. Then let's say, hypothetically, that I know absolutely nothing. Where do I start?—
—Pact like our let you reach out and grasp the magic, though you do not own. You borrow from another. Now, that another me—
Kayo awkwardly waved his arms around. Nothing. No wind nor earth, no magic.
—Is not instinctual—the voice said—require focus. You must know what you call, and you must call with conviction. Only then, magic obey—
—Can you be any more cryptic, please? I almost understood that—
—Sarcasm will get you nowhere—the voice muttered.
—Let me cope!—Kayo snapped before calming down again—So I just... shout at rocks, and... they will do things?—
—Essentially. Begin small. Gust or pebble enough for now—
Kayo hesitated. The cavern was silent but for the faint drips of distant water. His hands shook as he dislodged a small shard from the low ceiling—Okay... stone... be something, please?—
Nothing.
—Conviction! Authority! You command element, is not hyperbole!—
With a sterner voice, Kayo whisper-yelled at the pebble—Float or I crush you to dust!—
Still nothing. The meerbat giggled.
—What, is that not how this is supposed to work?—Kayo said, puzzled.
—Not really, but see you shout at small stone very funny—
Kayo sagged—I quit magic—
—Do you wish to die?—
—Is that a threat?—
—Is warning. You will not survive alone. Spirit and holder always more strong together than alone—
—Fine. What do I actually do? One more prank and I'm lobotomizing you out of my head—
—Must call the element with conviction, but proceed with respect. Magic hear your shout, but ignore your arrogance. Treat it like asking for favor—
Kayo turned the pebble in his hand. He drew a deep breath, and with a somewhat steady voice, he pleaded the stone for a miracle. Slowly, dust flaked off as the pebble hovered mere hairs over Kayo's open palm.
Kayo's eyes widened—I'm doing it! That's me, I'm actually-—In his celebration, Kayo lost focus and the pebble dropped.
—Good—The meerbat said—That is beginning. You will grow more good from here. Rest now—
• • •
After a short nap, Kayo awoke to a deep, bellowing noise echoing from somewhere deeper in the tunnel, like something heavy had just dragged itself across the stone.
Please, no more monsters. My phone is out of juice.
He tried to rouse the meerbat by screaming into his own head, but he was only met with silence. Then, a glimmer of light slithered down the tunnel like a snake made of pure glow, spilling over the stone. Wherever it touched, the walls became clear, glowing faintly without the need for those mushrooms.
Convenient.
—Hey—Kayo muttered out loud—Wake up. What is that?—
The voice stirred, groggy—What is… oh. That mana dense. Must be near hub—
—Hub... So that means we can finally leave?—
—No. Hub is pocket. Many such pockets. Some deep, some close surface. Should stay far. Dense mana dangerous—
Kayo tilted his head, still watching the advancing light—Dangerous how? Will it kill me?—
—It can. Not know your talent, cannot judge. Some survive, but only less dense. This too dense—
—I see—Despite the warning, Kayo stepped closer. He wasn't suicidal, but something inside told him he would be fine. That this was the way forward. The moment his foot touched the glowing floor, an image of the cavern system flashed in his mind.
—We can get out if we go directly through the hubs—
—How you know this?—
—I don't. Call it intuition—
The meerbat fell silent, then gave a reluctant hum of agreement. Together, they followed the shimmering trail towards the hub.
Kayo glanced at the empty air—By the way… do you have a name? If you're going to live in my head, I can't just call you "hey" or "bat-ferret" constantly—
—No name. Only minor spirit. You give one if want—
—I'll think about it...—