Harden wasn't awake when Aldric got back to the dorm. Then again, neither was Aldric. The pair awoke together when the light from outside beamed in through the dome above. Harden rose first and sluggishly rubbed the crust from his eyes.
When he glanced around his unfamiliar surroundings, he'd noticed Aldric lying in the bed across from his resting place on the floor. He quickly leapt to his feet and silently peered at the snoozing boy. He contemplated waking him, but didn't know how that would go.
He knew Aldric had probably grown more accustomed to being alone in his room. Meaning, an unknown guest waking him up would most likely startle him. Harden had seen enough of his skills to know that was one thing he didn't want to do.
So he waited. Nothing. He waited longer. He waited so long he'd heard the breakfast rush of voices come and pass. He heard groaning from the ghost crew as they floated past the door. He hoped Aldric would rise, but his hopes were not met.
He sighed loudly, extended his hand, and jabbed him on the shoulder. His nose scrunched, and his head whipped the other direction, but he stayed dormant. Harden poked him again, this time harder. Aldric grunted that time, and his shoulder jerked away from his touch, but he was still asleep.
Harden huffed a breath of annoyance and finally grabbed Aldric's shoulder. He yanked and pushed on the boy so hard he nearly flopped right out of the bed. Finally, he leapt from his resting place and into a fighting stance on his bed.
He scanned the room intently before his eyes focused on Harden. His clenched fists loosened, and his eyes softened. Harden met his gaze with a soft smile and raised calming hands. Aldric's eyes, though still silver, looked like their edges had been dusted with gunmetal, and he looked tired.
"It's just me," Harden said, his voice soft and calming.
"W-what're you doing here so early? W-when did I get here?" Aldric asked in sequence, the second question more of a whisper to himself.
"The architect, he wants me to become a phoenix too. So he wants me to stay with you until I've earned my own dorm," he explained. Aldric's eyebrows raised, and his head tilted softly before a smile grew along his worn out face.
"So, you're trying to surpass me huh?" He chuckled softly.
"Just wait, I'll have my own dorm by sun down," Harden joked back. The two boys laughed together, and Harden knew, he was welcomed in Aldric's dorm.
"You'll have to build you a bed though, floor won't stay comfortable," Aldric advised, pointing toward an almost vacant corner of the room. Harden glanced at the corner then back at Aldric.
"I haven't practiced my crafters rune," he said, fiddling his thumbs.
"No better time than the present right?" Aldric said, shrugging, and sitting back on his bed. Harden gazed back at the empty corner caught in deep thought.
"Don't be afraid, that won't help you," Aldric insisted. Harden walked over and found a decent sized area for his rune. A small chunk of chalk rolled behind him, and tapped the bottom of his foot. He turned around to see an approving nod from Aldric.
He glanced down and grabbed the small clump and slowly drew his rune. A large circle an two parallel lines.
"Now, focus on what you feel most. Don't hone in on fear or anger, few what's within you. Then, focus it into your palms and activate the rune. Picture what you want to create, every detail. Color, shape, size, everything. Then, you just cast," Aldric instructed slowly.
Harden closed his eyes and searched inward. He thought back to his conversation with the architect. He knew his role, and he knew he was meant for more. Again, he felt that determination in his chest. The burning, swelling in his sternum, and the radiating energy he felt all the way in his toes.
"Don't forget, you have to refill your energy as you use it. Otherwise, you'll burn yourself out before the legs appear," Alaric added. Harden breathed an felt a surge of energy shoot throughout his body. He was ready to try his casting.
He narrowed his mind, and focused his determination. His palms warmed and began to sweat again and he placed them flat to the stone floor. He felt the cold rock slightly cool his skin as a large burst of energy left his body.
He felt himself falter for a brief moment and sway slightly. Then, he felt his energy surge again and he regained his focus. He felt this cycle several times through the next few moments. Then, he felt a sort of release, and his palms peeled from the floor.
He breathed through the intensity, and peeled his eyelids apart. In front of him, a red, wooden bed frame rested. It's panels were carved with intricate patterns and symbols. The mattress was decently sized and draped in golden silk sheets.
There were two pillows placed at the head and extra blankets at the foot. He gawked at why he'd done before whipping around to see Aldric smiling largely.
"See, not as hard as it looks right?" He asked, chuckling proudly.
"I don't know, it felt like my soul was being ripped out and put back in, over and over," Harden huffed.
"Exactly, but the important thing is that it was put back. That's the key to exceptional power, knowing how to replenish it when it's gone," Aldric explained. Harden sat with that thought for a moment and nodded approvingly.
"Can we go get breakfast now?" Aldric pleaded
"I don't think I've eaten in three days," he added. Harden chuckled and nodded, and both boys began to get ready for the day. They dressed in their cleanest T-shirts, slacks, and covered themselves in their robes.
When the sun crept over the dome, Aldric pushed the door open, and the pair of them continued into the entryway.