The Mark of Aether

Magic lessons~Part I

Each was me but different in some way. I walked closer to one of the mirrors, the room rippling by each step I took. My eyes wandered on its reflection until I could see the faint of a shadow behind it. Squinting my eyes, I peered at what was reflected in the inside.

Through the translucent glass of it, sitting between trees, was a version of me. Slowly reaching with my hand to the glass, I seemed to awaken the me trapped inside. Leisurely, and with a grace I never imagined I could possibly possess, the reflection rose and strode her way to me.

All the reflections encircling me did, and I counted five. Five different versions of my own self. My features were the same, my eyes a vivid green, my hair as black as the midnight sky. But the air around me was different.

The only way to distinct each one was from the dress, each a fully distant color. And as they seemed to exit through the glass, they vanished.

In a mist of gold and silver, two reappeared. Each emerging from one side, they walked to me head high and shoulders back. Sauntering, this was what they were doing. The one on my right was dressed in what looked like a dress sewn by sun rays. Golden runes running the side of her neck and her arms. On the side of her face, beautifully curved, was a sun.

The other would have been the same if it wasn't for the silver enshrouding her instead. On the other side of her face, and in the same manner, was resting a crescent.

Each raised her right palm, showing me the separated symbols tracing mine. I stared at my gloveless hand, my totem reflecting the light from around. And as I raised my eyes from it did I realize that every single reflection vanished.

The glass rippled and cracked, falling to shards on the destroying ground. From far aback, as though another whisper, growls reverberated. Once, twice then thrice until it was no more a whisper.

It became a full, bone-chilling cry of danger. I didn't need to look. I already knew what was behind me. A blur, had Ramos said. A meeting point between my dreams and my worst nightmares. My fears and my memories.

Cries filled the air, the cries of a birthing child. And with it everything in front of my eyes shifted. Warm breaths were blown against my shoulders, and by the corner of my eye, I looked at the source.

Him. The same demon from the nightmares that plagued me for a week back on Earth. And yet, fear was nowhere being found at that instant.

In the very moment where memories took place.

Shadows, I saw. The running figure of my supposed mother screaming and yelling. The flashes of light battling against demons and the yells for a savior to rise. An unmoving body lying on the floor appeared before it vanished, the figure of two running maids replacing it.

And in the depth, a woman strode. Elegant, beautiful and a complete stranger. Eyes, the reflection of the world in them, stared at me for the fraction of a second, and the beast behind me growled.

He had fallen to his knees upon her presence, and within the blink of an eye, she left. The demon rose, and my breathing died. Carrying myself as fast as I could, I dashed, evading the claws he aimed at me.

Another roar filled the air, creating craters in the ground underneath us. I jumped from one side to the other, trying my best not to fall in the nothingness of my mind. And as more destruction seemed to rise, a light in the end appeared. Springing through it, I woke up from my trance.

Blinking, Ramos's face appeared in front of me. Seconds was what it took me to settle my vision. An exhilarating feeling bloomed in the pit of my stomach. Awe took over my thoughts. In the happening moment, I couldn't feel it. But as I calmed, rushes of exciting energy pumped my heart faster.

I looked at my gloved hand and was surprised to see that the white fabric had burnt. Where the trace was left, magic had shaped it as my symbol.

"How did it feel?''

"Amazing,'' I replied, catching my breath.

Ramos smiled. ''You have just unlocked freely the door to your magic. Reaching to it will become easier by each time, but you must be careful. Using too much at once might cause cataclysms.''

"Cataclysms? Like what?''

"Like devastations or an explosion. It depends mostly on the potential of each. But in your case, it won't pass by easily. And in extreme cases, it might possibly be your own end.''

''What?'' I, suddenly, was washed by fear. Something so delightful, so appealing, didn't feel like it could destroy. And yet, perhaps in the deepest of light and joy, darkness roamed. A darkness that was ready to break free from its bonds once pain won.

''Can't it be controlled?"

"It can. By practice, the body develops immunity to the aftermaths. But to reach this point, there must be training.''

''I see. What should I do now?"

"We continue. This time, without closing your eyes, summon magic to your hands.''

''Through the same procedure?"

"Yes.''

Once again, I abided. Reaching for this blur, for the light that swirled around my heart. Disregarding the fear and the dire past, I reached for the light. Grasped it and let it flow between my fingers until I became light myself. Life was a battle, a story written by red ink and memories. And survival was the prize, the final destination.

Numbness sparked in the skin of my hands, the sensation of burning fire spreading in my fingers. Sparks of electricity coursed in my veins, rushing strength in my blood.

The exhilaration came back as swirls of light emerged from my skin, dancing across my palms. It was beautiful. With amazed eyes, I observed as it moved, trailing a line of magical dust wherever it flew. Learning how to control it, I allowed it to dance through the room, to every nook. From between the crystals of the chandelier to Ramos's beard, I allowed it to fly.

And by a flicker of my hand, it died.

"Wonderful,'' said the lord, his fingers swiping away the glowing dust stuck in his hair, ''although, next time, try not to give me a dusted shower. It would be much appreciated.''

He tapped his facial hair once again until it was all clean. ''Anyway, this is a basic spell. If we can call it one. You can shape it the way you like and control it. A type of illusion, if you wish to call it.''

''It can take any shape I want?"

"Anything. As far as your imagination can run, your magic will also.''

''Can we try?''

"Do you have residing strength?''

I nodded.

''Then what are you waiting for?" he replied, relaxing back into his chair.

"You might want to cover well, Ramos. I will not guarantee the possibility of not having some rodents eating down your beard.'' It took me everything to bite my laugh as his eyes widened, his eyebrows shooting to his hairline.

"This is a game you will never win, princess. Not now, not ever.''

''You bet?''

He conjured some light that may or may not have taken upon the shape of a dragon. A really scary one that made me jump to the edge of my chair.

''Alright, you won this round.''

He laughed, and with a motion of his hand, I continued my class.

*****Personal Message*****

Tell me what you think, it would be much appreciated. Did you enjoyed discovering what the world of magic looked like? Who do you think was the woman with the mysterious eyes? Do you believe Celestia will win the second round against Ramos?

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Next chapter will be up on Saturday, first of April. Until then, have a great day.