Modern Age Mage

Magic is Real?

For no clear reason, Megan's mind was thinking about magic. She didn't believe in it, so why would these ridiculous thoughts be invading her mind? Question it as she may, they were still there. Nagging, unrelenting, like someone was forcing them to be there. They became overwhelming, causing Megan to hold her head in pain. As the day continued, the pain grew, causing every sense she had to sharpen.

"Heya birthday girl!" a loud voiced woman entered the store Megan worked at. She was about the same age as Megan, and after a quick look over she said, "Whoa, you okay? You look worse than that hangover when we –"

"Shh! You. Are. Way-too-fricken-loud-right-now." Megan said, rubbing her forehead, sighing.

Her best friend quietened to a whisper, "I wanted to talk about the party. You're turning twenty-two, right?"

"Yes... What about it?" She sighed, "Actually, Ashley, can this wait? I just wanna go home and crash..."

Ashley silently saluted and replied, "Of course! I'm working tomorrow, so drop by at the café and whatever you want, it's on me!"

Megan gave her a faint smile, "Thanks, but, no offence, can I be free from you now?" Her tone emphasised her distress.

Ashley nodded, "Sure thing bestie! I'll drop by tomorrow morning if that's okay?"

Megan confirmed as she watched her friend walk away, waving goodbye with the energy of a toy whose battery was on its last legs.

Upon arriving home, Megan inched her way to the medicine cabinet. Each step was heavier and slower than the last. Her pitch-black cat rose to greet her, only to be met with complete silence. He watched as his owner shook out a pill and popped it in, quickly followed by water. She made her way to bed, and without changing clothes, plopped down face first. Rolling over, she looked around at her small apartment.

The small room held everything, excluding the bathroom. Her head flopped over to face the wall holding a patio door leading to a small balcony. Dark clouds stained the sky. Rolling over and looking at the opposing wall, she noticed the pile of dishes in her kitchenette's sink. "Oh right, I was gonna do that today." Closing her eyes, she sighed, "Ugh. Later."

She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Despite the headache, she was becoming drowsy. Perhaps the pain medication was kicking in? She had no idea. Her eyelids became heavier as the sound of rain began to ping on the patio door. The afternoon gave way to night. The rain gently drummed on the door, and her consciousness faded into the land of dreams.

Her mind drifted to a time far past. A place beyond written records, where our world was a completely different place. She had a dream about a childhood memory. This, however, was not her childhood. She recalled being surrounded by her parents as they lauded her magical abilities. But this wasn't her recollection, they weren't her parents, and magic doesn't exist, right?

Her dream then continued a few decades ahead. She was working on a new form of spell. A spell that would change the world as they knew it. She then heard her name, Azuna, as a friend approached her. The friend talked to her, then asked her what she was doing in a language that Megan didn't know but could understand. She enthusiastically made sense of the spell and the incredible enchantment she was chipping away at. Unfortunately, the dream was fuzzy, and she was unable to recall the words or expressions she used. Then the dream blurred into darkness.

She felt her dream self dying. Very early in life too. There was a war, a disaster, something horrible had happened. She was laying on the cold stone ground. Feelings had left her legs, and her chest felt heavy. A tear rolled down her face as she faced a hazy black figure, "My Itaray, my dear, dear Itaray. I will be reborn. In the following life, will you find me?"