Six Warriors

Leadership - (Ethan)

Ethan was looking at the ceiling shortly after leaving Eagle's room, wondering what he was doing and which way he was going. He could handle all that pressure, but what about his friends? Would it have been right to put such a heavy burden on his shoulders?

"No," Ethan thought, "they've made their choices, even though they're so young... they have the necessary spirit. I trust them."

Yet Ethan couldn't help but be worried, Sam could be clueless at times, Jack too impulsive, Arthur too aggressive, Miguel even though intelligent was naive and Fenrir was to Ethan a younger and weaker brother who needed protection from the dangers.

How would they fare outside of Ethan's watchful eye? They wouldn't be alone, as far as he knew, but still...

"Worried about something, Ethan?"

"Aretha?" Ethan babbled at the sight of the girl there.

"Looks like you're surprised to see me here, boy."

"I confess that I am." Ethan pulled the comb from his pocket and combed the pompadour for a few seconds, before putting the comb in his pocket again, after which he went to Aretha and held her hands, "I beg you to forgive me for hurting you the other day, beautiful lady and to stop to apologize appropriately invite you to have dinner with me someday."

Aretha giggled and gently removed her hands from Ethan's.

"No need to apologize, Light Crystal Bearer, I could have killed you too, it was a battle after all, but you fought well. I think I was wrong, you are worthy."

"Hmm, yes I think."

"What were you worried about before? Want to tell me while we go?"

"Where do we go?"

"The room in your letter, of course. Yes, I should go there too."

Aretha and Ethan followed, Ethan telling him what worried him, while Aretha listened intently. When Ethan finished, they were facing the room where they should be.

"I understand your concern, Ethan," said the girl, "but just as you did well, so did your friends. You shouldn't worry so much, they're warriors now. And about this boy Fenrir... he almost killed one of my teammates. If anyone doesn't need your concern, well, I think it's him."

"Yeah…I think…I think maybe you're right."

"I'm glad to hear your thoughts, Ethan, caring about subordinates is the hallmark of a leader, yet a leader must also trust his men."

Ethan and Aretha entered the room. There was this big guy Ethan believed had fought Arthur and another guy Ethan didn't know.

"These are Arkoúda Glabro and Mario Julian, Third Class earth magic user and Second Class water magic user, respectively."

"You seem like an honorable warrior, Ethan, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," said Glabro, offering his big, calloused hand to Ethan, who shook his hand.

"Hey, nice to meet you too and stuff" the guy named Julian greeted him. He wasn't very tall, but he had broad shoulders, like he was a swimmer or something.

"Ethan you have your crystal, right?" Aretha asked.

"Aye."

"In ancient language Kerd means heart, I need you to attach the crystal to your chest, I need you to remove your shirt."

"I hope that in the not-too-distant future you'll ask me for it again, in another context and that it doesn't stop only at the shirt."

"Concentrate, Ethan, this is really serious." Aretha spoke now not with the gentleness in the voice of before, but with seriousness and almost coldness. Ethan felt foolish and decided to take things seriously.

The boy took off his shirt, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, holding the crystalline orb in his hands. Ethan felt a gentle warmth on his face, like sunbeams from an early morning, he felt courage and felt very powerful, like a lion. The crystal entered his chest like a familiar and powerful sensation, it was almost therapeutic, when Ethan looked at the middle of his chest he saw a white and gold glow in the middle of a design with the symbol representing the magic of light. After a while the light blinked off and the symbol continued, like a tattoo.

Aretha smiled at that and the other two also looked happy for Ethan.

"Congratulations Ethan, but you better be prepared, far beyond the burden of being chosen as the successor to a line of legendary heroes, you carry the burden of leadership over these new successors...but don't worry about my words I I trust you will do an excellent job." Aretha smiled at him, Ethan returned the gesture.