Chapter 9: The Ancient One is a Doting Mother
June 28th, 1989 - Earth
David's Room, Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu - Nepal
"My little David, are you excited?" The Ancient One cooed, her voice filled with affection as she held her child in her arms.
"Mom! Let me sleep!" replied a surprisingly articulate baby, his words tinged with playful annoyance.
"Awww, why do you hate meee?" The Ancient One teased in response, her smile warm and indulgent.
'The difference in the way she acts when we are alone versus when other people are around is a bit too much for me at this point,' David mused silently to himself. His first birthday was just a few days away, and the specific date of his birthday was new information to him, only recently revealed by his mother's explorations into the past using some magic he wasn't familiar with.
The first year of his new life among sorcerers had been surprisingly ordinary, spent mostly in the company of his mother, who alternated between doting on him and teaching him words in various languages, 'she said something about this being the foundation to obtain the all-speak the spell' he thought. David found it amusing to feign ignorance when she spoke English, despite understanding every word she said.
"Hey, why are you spacing out again?" The Ancient One inquired, her gaze filled with maternal concern.
David shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hmm, just bored," he replied nonchalantly, though inwardly, he couldn't help but appreciate the joy their life together brought him, this was the first time he was experiencing what it was like to have a mother.
"Hehe, then maybe I should tickle my little magician into oblivion," The Ancient One chuckled, her fingers wiggling as she playfully threatened to tickle him. David let out a gleeful laugh as his mother's playful antics enveloped him, momentarily banishing any thoughts of boredom from his mind.
July 2nd, 1989 - Earth
David's Room, Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu - Nepal
Today marked David's first birthday, a milestone that filled him with excitement and anticipation. His mother had promised to give him a special gift, and he couldn't wait to know what it was. Stirring awake from his slumber, thoughts of his life up to this point were at the forefront of his mind.
"Hmm, I guess my body is affecting my mind more than I thought," David mused, reflecting on the changes he had noticed in himself over the past year. He had struggled to control his emotions and found himself lacking in restraint, often impulsively expressing his desires and feelings, regardless of how childish they seemed.
With a burst of energy fuelled by his birthday excitement, David climbed out of his crib, ignoring his mother's disapproval of such behaviour, and made his way to the sliding wooden door, his small stature making it a challenge to open quietly. Inside, he spotted his mother in all her bald glory, peacefully asleep. Suppressing a giggle, he darted toward the futon and leaped onto her, shouting, "Wake up!" But before he could startle her, she caught him mid-air with ease.
"A little too young to surprise me, my little magician," she chuckled affectionately, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she held him in her arms.
Together, they made their way to the dining room, where David's gift awaited them. His eyes widened with delight at the sight of the gift, his excitement bubbling over. As his mother gently set him down, he couldn't contain his eagerness and dashed toward the table, ready to open it immediately. But before he could indulge, he was enveloped in an orange glow, freezing him in mid-air.
"Come on, Mom!" David protested, his plea echoing through the room as The Ancient One's hands shimmered with the same radiant hue.
She chuckled at David's impatience, her eyes were filled with amusement as she gently levitated him back to the ground. "Patience, my little magician," she teased, "we can't have you opening your gift before we sing the birthday song, can we?"
David pouted, but his eyes sparkled with excitement nonetheless. He nodded eagerly, waiting for the signal to open the gift.
With a mischievous grin, the Ancient One waved her hand, and the only other sorcerer he had met up to this point appeared in the room and joined in. Their voices harmonised as they sang "Happy Birthday" to David. The air was filled with warmth and joy as everyone celebrated the milestone of the young sorcerer's first year.
As the song came to an end, David couldn't contain his excitement any longer. With a delighted squeal, he lunged towards the gift, his tiny hands reaching out eagerly to rip apart the wrapping paper. Laughter filled the room as the Ancient One gently guided him to the table, ensuring that he didn't make too much of a mess.
The Ancient One watched with a fond smile, her heart filled with love for the spirited yet surprisingly lazy boy who had brought so much joy into her life.
He finished unwrapping the gift, revealing a simple wooden toy carved in the shape of a dragon.
"It's a symbol of your potential, my dear David," the Ancient One explained, her voice soft but filled with pride. "Just like the dragon, you have the power within you to soar to great heights and achieve extraordinary things."
David beamed with delight, clutching the toy tightly to his chest. At that moment, surrounded by love and warmth, he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be, a feeling he never experienced in his past life.
As the birthday celebration continued, David's heart overflowed with gratitude for the Ancient One, his first experience with a family who had welcomed him with open arms, or any type of family for that matter. With each passing moment, he felt more certain that his future was filled with endless possibilities, and he couldn't wait to see what came next in this life.
July 3rd, 1990 - Earth
David's Room, Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu - Nepal
Yesterday marked David's second birthday, a celebration reminiscent of the previous year, albeit with the addition of a new, rather dull sorcerer named Karl. 'I think his name was Karl Mo-something,' David mused, 'he was really boring, he came just to ask mum about magic or something.'
However, today held promise, as the Ancient One had finally permitted him to venture beyond the confines of their main building.
In the courtyard, David observed the practising sorcerers, a sight previously limited to his window view. Despite his advanced mental age, he still enjoyed the simplicity of childhood, readily succumbing to sleep after just twenty minutes.
His uncle Wong, ever the prankster, roused him with a sparkle of magical energy, proposing a visit to the garden – his mother's favoured spot. "Hey nephew, you want to go see the garden, it's your mum's favourite area?" Wong asked, "yeah sure, take me," David, as lazy as ever, held out his arms and replied.
Arriving into the garden, his laughter echoed as he chased after butterflies, clad in clothes he suspected his mother had stolen from god knows where. The only outlier of his outfit was the necklace adorning his neck, a precious keepsake with a blue crystal pendant, a constant companion since birth.
However, amidst the carefree frolic, misfortune struck. David stumbled on the grass, his chest landing with a dull thud. A sharp crack pierced the air, emanating from his necklace.
Before he could react, the crack propagated and the crystal pendant broke, releasing a mysterious mist that enveloped him. "What's happening?" David cried out, panic rising in his voice. His body slowly began turning to stone, terrified and disoriented, he cried out for his mother as the encroaching stone threatened to consume him entirely. His last sight before succumbing to petrification was the Ancient One's serene visage, offering a reassuring smile…
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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stone