Page 10 of Tempest Rising

Then, I shifted my focus to the purple light. The moment I touched it, a thrill of unpredictability surged through me. It was wild, untamed – chaotic, but in an exhilarating way.

"The gold feels orderly," I said, my voice filled with wonder. "And the purple... it's chaotic, but not in a bad way. It's like... potential for change."

Thalon's pride radiated through our bond."Excellent observation, Tess. You're absolutely right. This balance of order and chaos within us is part of what makes us both unique. It's incredibly rare for a being to embody both aspects so perfectly."

I frowned, a question suddenly occurring to me. "Thalon, why couldn't I feel this before? During class, I mean. I tried reaching for my magic, but I couldn't sense anything."

Thalon's eyes softened with understanding."It was likely a combination of newness and stress. Your bond with me is still fresh, and your body and mind are adjusting. Add to that the pressure of being in class, surrounded by others... it's no wonder you struggled to connect with your magic."

His explanation made sense, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "That's... actually comforting to hear. I was worried something was wrong with me."

"Far from it,"Thalon assured me."You're doing remarkably well, considering how recently we bonded."

Curiosity sparked within me. "Could you show me what this magic can do? I mean, what you can do with it?"

Thalon's eyes gleamed with excitement."Of course. Watch closely."

He raised his head, and suddenly, a shimmering golden barrier materialized around me. It was beautiful, like a dome of liquid sunlight.

"This is Golden Shield,"Thalon explained."It's a nearly impenetrable barrier that can deflect all harm. It comes from the light aspect of our magic."

I reached out to touch it, marveling at the warm, solid feel beneath my fingertips. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the shield vanished.

"Would you like something more... immediate?"Thalon's voice echoed in my mind, his tone contemplative.

"What do you mean?" I asked, still dazed by the shimmer of the Golden Shield he'd created moments ago.

He shifted beside me, his massive presence a reassuring constant."A Golden Shield, Tess. It could provide temporary protection against magical and physical attacks, but only for a specific period depending on the power infused into it."

I frowned, curiosity tinged with skepticism. "Temporary? How long are we talking?"

"It depends on the source,"Thalon explained."If I create it, it could last about twelve hours with my current strength. A shield you create might last less time at first. But as you grow stronger, so will its duration. Once the magic fueling it is spent, the shield collapses.”

I nodded slowly, understanding. "So, this isn't a one-and-done thing. It’s like... putting on temporary armor when I need it?"

Thalon's molten amber gaze locked onto mine, laser-focused.“Exactly. It’s a tool, not a crutch. You’ll need to learn to judge when to use it and when not to.”

That made sense, and I felt myself leaning toward the idea. In the short time since bonding with Thalon, I had already begun noticing an undercurrent of hostility from some of the otherDragon Rider applicants. The thought of having a tangible form of protection—even if temporary—was reassuring, a lifeline in a world where I wasn't sure whom I could trust.

"Alright," I said firmly. "Let's do it."

Thalon's golden eyes flashed with approval, his expression a mixture of calculated pride and gentle encouragement."Good. Now, hold still. This will tingle."

He dipped his head toward me, and a rush of warmth spread from my chest outward. My body tingled, every nerve lighting up like a live wire. I gasped as a faint shimmer gathered around me—a fluid, near-invisible layer of golden light. The sensation was surreal, weightless yet palpable. It felt as though a second skin of liquid sunlight had enveloped me, amplifying every sense.

"This barrier will protect you for the next twelve hours,"Thalon explained, his voice calm and measured."But be aware—it’s not invulnerable. A strong enough attack or prolonged exposure to significant magical force can shatter it before the time expires. Treat it as a buffer, not an absolute defense."

I ran my fingers along the faint shimmer of the shield, marveling at its texture. It was subtle, a barely-there presence, but the hum of its energy coursed through me like something alive. "Twelve hours," I echoed, committing it to memory.

Thalon’s molten eyes darkened slightly, a shadow of concern flickering across his massive face.“And Tess, once the shield breaks, you’ll be vulnerable until you or I can create another. Be prepared for that. It’s not something to be relied upon recklessly.”

His words grounded me, the stark reality of what he’d given me sinking in. This was a tool, not a solution. I nodded,feeling the weight of the responsibility he had just handed me. “Understood.”

"Good,"Thalon rumbled, his tone lightening once more."Now, let's test it. Take a step toward me."

I hesitated, unsure what he meant, but complied. As I stepped closer, the shimmering barrier flared briefly—just a flicker along the edges—but I felt nothing when the golden energy brushed against Thalon's obsidian scales.

"The shield will respond to threats automatically,"Thalon continued."Minor irritations won’t deplete its energy, but a direct strike or sustained assault will drain it quickly. It's intuitive—an extension of you. It knows the difference between a brush of discomfort and true danger."

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