A New Journey (Part 8)

Hi! This story further explains the mysteries of magic and the Crystals. I’ve also decided to extend the story to twelve parts instead of ten. Enjoy!

Clara ventured through the woods, on her way to Valerie. She trembled with fear and tripped many times because she was too distracted. Finally, she made it to the grand treehouse in which the Forest Fairies lived. She took a deep breath, and start climbing up the ladder.

When Clara got to the top, she knocked on the door. Five seconds passed. Then ten. Then fifteen. Finally, a fairy opened the door. It was Kate. 

“Clara,” Kate said angrily. “What are you doing here?”

“Uh, I…” Clara hesitated. She could just say that she had a question. Or that she just came to say hi. But Clara decided she should tell Kate the truth. “Um, can I see Valerie?”

Kate sighed. She looked down at a piece of paper she was holding and wrote something down. “No,” she said. “You may not.”

“Why not?” Clara asked, confused.

“You know that your friend Jack stole the Pink Crystal and made himself king, right?”

“Yes. But he’s not my friend.”

“Clara, Valerie is trying to end Jack’s reign. He is working with… ah, I’d rather not say his name. But anyways, Valerie wanted to talk to you, too.”

“About what?”

“Your attempt to take the throne with Jack was very foolish. I’d expect you to know more. Also, you’ll get your power anyway when you turn eighteen.”

“Uh… yes, my lady. Thank you. I… I guess I’ll be going now.”

She scrambled down the ladder and ran away from Kate. Kate was her least favorite fairy. Kate was always scolding her. She said it was for Clara’s best. Of course, Clara didn’t believe her. When she would take Valerie’s place as Queen of the Fairies, she would fire Kate. 

As she walked, she saw a figure. Did it appear to be… a wolf? She shuffled closer to the figure. When she got close enough, the wolf stared at her with its stormy, shimmering eyes.

“Uh, hi,” Clara stammered, feeling silly talking to a wolf. “Nice wolfie. What are you doing here, little guy?”

The wolf growled. Clara slowly backed away.

“I’m a girl,” said the wolf. “Call me Momo.”

Clara stared at the wolf with her mouth open. “You… you can talk?”

The wolf growled again. It seemed to be laughing. “Duh.”

“That’s not something you see everyday.” Clara chuckled and pet the wolf’s head.

“Yes, well, you don’t see wolves often. This kingdom… what’s it called?”

“Magicia.”

“Ah, Magicia. Right. Home of the Forest Fairies. See, this place has way too much magic. The bad kind. Not good for a wolf, or any non-human creature.”

“Why not?”

Momo’s expression darkened. “Every wolf is part of a pack. Mine is The Pack of Dreams. We call ourselves the Dreamers. Anyway, being a Dreamer means legends, stories, and myths about everything you can imagine. And the myths of magic… especially the magic humans use… are the worst. Also, the myths aren’t just myths. They’re true. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and it’s horrible.”

“Why? What do they tell you about magic?”

“Humans aren’t born with magic. Not natural magic, anyway.”

“I know–wait, what do you mean?”

“Have you ever used magic?” Momo looked up at Clara, anxiously waiting for an answer.

“Well, yeah. I used to have a tutor. She… she taught me lots of spells.”

“Did your spell spew black smoke from your eyes?”

“No. Nothing like that happened. Why?”

“You’re… special, then. Very special. Because humans can’t use natural magic unless they have moonlight in their veins. Or, well, any type of magic. But moonlight is the most powerful magical source out there. And this applies for all living things.” Momo paused when she saw Clara’s confused expression.

“Um, go on,” Clara prompted.

“Right, sorry. Humans don’t have any natural magic in their veins. It’s simply impossible. So, they use shadow magic. Shadow mages rob moonlight from other magical sources, modify it, and use it for themselves.”

“That’s so cruel!”

“Indeed. But… you have a connection to another magical source. It’s not moonlight. What could it be? Um, maybe mist, or… No. You can’t…”

“What? You’re making this so confusing for me!”

“I thought you might have a connection with ultimate shadow magic. It sucks all magic–moonlight, mist, and shadow magic–from sources. But… the users of ultimate shadow magic always… uh, they have a sign that tells others that they’re an ultimate shadow mage.”

“What kind of sign?”

“Like… like a birthmark, but kind of different. If you use an ultimate shadow magic spell, then it gives you a black mark on your skin–it shows a crescent moon. It usually appears on your arm or on your forehead. But I don’t see it, so that’s good.”

“Tell me more,” said Clara. She was sitting on a rock nearby, carefully listening to Momo.

“Were your parents mages?”

“No. I never knew anything about them.”

“Oh. Well, have you noticed anything magical happening to you lately?”

“I… have you heard of Crystals?”

Momo hesitated. She was deep in thought as if she were thinking whether to tell Clara or not.

“The Dreamers–and all the wolves–believe that the Crystals were shattered in war, thousands of years ago.”

“What? No, that’s not true!” Clara brought out the Black Crystal, which she has been wearing as a charm on her bracelet.

“That…” Momo’s mouth hung open. “That’s crazy! You have the most powerful Crystal of them all?”

“Uh… yes. See, my tutor which I told you about is the Queen of the Forest Fairies. I’m her successor. Somehow, I think… that I’m connected to the crystal.”

“Crystal magic? Before it was destroyed, or before we thought it was destroyed, it was much more powerful than moonlight. And you have the most powerful Crystal. So, I’m pretty sure that you have more power than both the other natural sources–moonlight and mist–combined. But… the ultimate shadow magic might be more powerful than Crystals. Luckily, only few know how that magic works.”

“Oh, wow. That’s… that’s a lot to take in.”

“Want me to explain mist now, or later?”

“Now! Right now!” Clara was smiling from ear to ear, pacing around Momo.

“Fine. Mist is much more simple and more common than all the other sources. It’s also the least powerful. It’s everywhere–in the air we breathe, on these plants, you name it. Those who are connected to mist magic can use it anytime–but it’s not that great. The most powerful spell from mist magic is to heal. Boring.”

“Interesting. So, what are you connected to? Moonlight, mist magic, Crystal magic, shadow magic, or ultimate shadow magic?”

“Mist magic. Unfortunately, we mist mages… we aren’t treated right compared to the moonlight mages. My pack is mostly made of mist mages. Also, mist mages can’t be leaders. Only moon mages can.” 

“That sucks.”

“Yes, it really does.” Momo gazed at the sunset. “By the way, I never got your name.”

“Clara.” 

Momo smiled. “Clara,” she repeated. “It’s a beautiful name. And Clara was also the name of the first Crystal mage.”