First thing I noticed is there was no blacktop road heading up to the pavilion. The direction we head is not wide opening to allow cars through. We follow a path that looks more like a wild animal path than a hiking trail.
Being in a different world I figured things would look a lot differently. So far on the path I would swear I was home just in an unused area of woods. I hear the chirps of crickets and the tweets of birds.
The air is a bit cooler than I would expect with the sun at noon. But I have never been in an area of the woods as dense as this. I catch a rustle in the leaves or on a plant, but don't see anything. I can only deduce that it was a lizard or small rodent.
“Moon, do you know if the wild life is different in this world compared to where I come from?” I ask
“I don't know. I have never been in your world so I have nothing to compare to.”
“You never talked to another human?”
“I have talked to a few but the wild life never came up. They were more worried about where they were, and how to get back.”
“Really, I'm just wondering what I need or can do to make a life for myself here.”
Moon chuckles as he goes through a tree which causes strange eddies in his smoky form. “Again that shows how unique you are. Aren't you wanting to get home to your family?”
“Nah, I was never really close to my family. I tended to be the black sheep.”
“Black sheep?” Moon questions.
“Are you asking what the phrase means or what a black sheep is?” I ask.
“I know what a black sheep is. We have them. I just don't understand the reference to them.”
“I don't know about here, but a black sheep is rare or fairly rare. So if you say someone is a black sheep you mean they are different then the rest. Of course it also means an outcast, but that part I'm sure is a human interpretation.”
“I see. It is similar here too, black sheep are not abundant. If a farmer is lucky they get one or two every couple of years. I like the reference as being different, or one that stands out though. Do you mind if I use that?”
“Course not, I didn't make it up.” I say.
“Thank you.” he responds.
I see more of the sun through the canopy as the woods begin to thin out. The air is slowly warming up the farther we progress. I'm not sure if it is from the lack of tree cover, or because it is getting later.
The woods start clearing out quickly as we enter into a grassy area. The grass starts out about calf high and progressively getting taller, till it is chest high. The grass is soft and flexible. I glance back and notice it pops back up as we pass it. I notice that Ghost and Oaky are the only two following.
Then i see Moon walk right through the grass without disturbing it. “Moon do you mind if I ask you why you are able to walk through everything?” I ask.
“Not at all, I have no true form. I am merely thought in a formless shadow. My people try to be neutral like the light people, because no physical object can harm us. But on the counter side we are very vulnerable to magic. That is why we all learn magic at a young age. Without knowledge of magic we are very vulnerable.”
“Interesting. I was going to say neat but I figure that wouldn't be appropriate.” I say.
“Correct. It is very hard to live in a physical world when you cannot touch it.” He says.
“I guess it would. I bet punishing your young is a pain. Can't swat them.” I say with a smile.
Moon chuckles, “Yeah a good spanking is not worth the time.”
“Okay gotta ask this. Off topic, but it just hit me. Are there skeletons in this world?” I ask hoping.
Moon stops because he is laughing so hard. After he finally stops, he continues ahead and we follow. “Walking skeletons no. Although I have heard of one wizard trying. But there is a race that looks like it. Their flesh is transparent in the dark. There is something in the sun's rays that give their flesh color, but when it goes down all color leaves and it becomes transparent.”
“Now that is neat. I'm guessing they look like walking skeletons at night.” I ask excited.
“Yes there is one in the town we are going to.” Moon holds back his laugh.
“What about vampires?” I ask on a role.
“Vampire?” Moon asks.
“Yeah a pale dead person who sucks blood though fangs, and turns into a bat.” I explain.
“Is that what they are called in your world? They are called night children here. And they don't drink blood. Well not just the blood. The fangs are how they feed. They ingest digestive juices into their food and drink the insides of their food. I'm guessing your vampires are unable to stand light right?”
“In most myths yes.” I answer.
“Well that would be night children then. Most have an allergy to sunlight. So to be safe they all avoid sunlight. The allergy trait is passed down easily so most have the allergy. The allergy causes their skin to blister, and if the blisters pop a putrid smoke is released. It smells a lot like rotting flesh.”
“Do they regenerate fast?” I ask?
“If you mean heal no. They don't heal any faster than anyone else, they just know a bit of healing spells. All night children are taught healing spells while very young, just in case they are caught in the sun.”
“What about werewolves?” I ask
“Werewolves?” Moon asks.
“Yeah, humans that transform into wolves at the full moon.”
Ghost chuckles, “I can answer that one,” he says, “My race has the ability to look like other races from childhood. But the illusion is not that strong, so the full moon tends to disrupt the illusion. The full moon pulls the strongest on the earth which disrupts the illusion. That shows us as we really are. I can see how humans with no knowledge of us could see it that way.”
“So it is not possible to transform into something or someone else?” I ask, disappointed.
“Yes,” Moon says “But you will become that which you change into. So if a witch or wizard changes into a wolf, they become that animal and will not be able to change back.
I have only heard of one of my kind changing to another race. It is said that she wanted to be able to touch and she was willing to be a physical. It is said she lived a long and happy life as a human.”
“Weird, why human?” I ask.
“Because she fell in love with a human.” Moon states.
“Oh well that makes sense.” I comment.
“Ah there it is.” Moon says.
I look over him and see what looks like small buildings on the horizon. We walked in silence the rest of the way. As we walked I watched the buildings grow in size till I was able to see they were all single level. The few on the outer rim of the town look to be made a few years ago. The wood shows signs of weathering.
On the outer rim of the town the buildings are about the size of a small cabin. The roof and walls are made of wood slats. The slats appear to be about an inch thick. As I approach I see no windows in any of the buildings.
In the town I can see well worn paths to each door. Moon heads farther in town. It looks to me that each home is placed wherever there is an open spot. I see no pattern to the placements at all.
I never realized coming up to the town how big it was. It feels like we have been walking for some time, but I still see no end to the homes. Eventually I begin to see people, or I should say things moving around. I see several shadow people interacting with each other and other races.
I see a couple of wolves walking around. One meets what looks like a walking tree. The wolf fuzzes out and in its place is another tree like the first. They interlock a branch or two and shake them. They release their branches and the wolf returns to normal.
I notice what looks like a water spout moving through the paths, heading in our direction. It stops in our path and Moon says, “Hi Gushes at Dawn, nice to see you again. I have a human to see the mayor.”
The spout does a shift in its form like it is looking around Moon. I have never heard someone drowning while trying to talk, but the sound coming from Gushes at Dawn has got to be close. “Really, from the woods portal? That’s unusual.” It straightens back up. “Why did you go there? I thought you were waiting for uh … Jode, I think it was.”
“I was, and this is Jode, the one and only.” Moon says and motions to me.
“Hmm, he doesn't look too imposing. I figured by what you told me it would be more hmm, I don't know, scary.”
“Come Gushes at Dawn, you’ve heard the old saying. 'Danger comes in small packages'” Moon says slyly.
Gushes at Dawn does the shift to look around Moon again. “Yeah, but I don't know. Looks kinda wimpy,” it says and then forms back to a column.
“I don't mean to disrupt your conversation, but I can hear you.” I say mockingly. I never had a problem being talked about, but I find it funny that smoke and water are discussing how wimpey I am.
“How rude, you are right Jode, “ Moon says.
“Not rude at all. I can't comment on the conversation because I was not there, but I just like adding my two cents once in a while.
“Two cents?” Gushes at Dawn asks.
“Oh that is a currency in the other world. They use paper and metal coins to help with trade.” I say.
“Oh of course.” Gushes at Dawn says. “ I remember reading about that. I was not trying to exclude you from the conversation. I was trying to understand.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Don't even try. My mother can't ever figure me out.” I say.
Gushes at Dawn begins to shake violently and creates a sound like water shaking in a bottle. “And a comedian. I didn't think humans had humor.”
“Oh we have it, just most misplaced it or the key they used to lock it up.” I say.
Gushes at Dawn shakes violently and the sound increases in volume. Between shakes it says, “I...can't...take...it...gotta...go” I watch it move off in a drunken path. Every so often it would wobble and almost fall over. So I watched it wobble and shake its way out of sight.
“Well that was Gushes at Dawn. That is a new look for him. Normally he is very collected. You do have a way with people, Jode.” Moon says.
“Yeah I have been told that.” I say and pull my attention back to Moon. “Lets just hope I don't cause that in the mayor.”
“Mm-Hm.” Moon vocals and continues on his original course.
“You know, Moon, the more I look around and see the inhabitants of this place I can see how my world got a lot of its myths. You would be considered an elemental in my world. A lot of people call on the elements in their rituals for their religion.” I say.
“Really an elemental? What element would I be?” he asks, very curious.
“I would think, air. If I remember right there are four: air, earth, fire, and water. You would, I'm sure, be air.”
“Air nice. I do like air, but my wife would not like it. She prefers the earth aspect of life. She is a wonderful gardener.” Moon says in thought.
“Nice, but how may I ask does she plant?” I say trying to picture a cloud of smoke planting.
“Use Manipulative magic. We may not be able to touch the physical. But we have ways to still interact with it.”
“Doh, of course, I keep forgetting the magic. Living without it for over twenty years makes it hard to keep in mind.” I say.
“How old are you Jode?” Moon asks.
“Twenty-two, why?” I ask.
“In all the times you have visited me you never would tell me how old you were.” he says.
“Well normally I can't remember how old I am. Every once in a while I actually remember my age you just got lucky this time.” I say.
I look around and begin to notice a few buildings larger than the others. Still made the same way, just look to have more square feet. Some have chimneys some don't. We head to a building that looks to be twice the size of the others if not larger.
We stop at the door and Moon sticks his head in the door. I hear a muffled, “Anyone home?” I then hear rustling inside. After a few seconds the door opens.
In the door stands a woman about five foot tall. Her hair is so blond it verges on pure white. She wears a blue top that looks more like a strapless bra. Her waist is covered with a blue frilly skirt that extends to half calf. Her skin is the color of a delicate peach. Her frame reminds me of a young child.
Her movements are graceful and delicate. “Now Moon, I know you can get my attention other than sticking your head in.” Her voice is, sing-song. A soft delicate sound that would be perfect to listen to as you fall asleep.
“Yeah, but not as fun.” Moon replies.
“Oh Moon, you tease.” She says as her hand waves in a graceful arch. She then notices me. She glides through Moon to see me more clearly. As she exits her home a pair of translucent wings open up and create a multicolored show as the light bounces off them.
“This must be the famous Jode.” she says as she extends her hand, “Welcome to my small town. I welcome all newcomers with open arms and minds.”
I extend my hand and shake, unable to take my eyes off her. Her hand is warm to the touch, and feels like I could break it if I squeeze too hard. As her hand glides out of mine a chill goes up my spine.
She turns and enters her house as she says. “Come let's find you a place to stay till we decide what to do.”
I can only stand and stare till I feel Ghost give me a nudge to get me going. I walk into the house in a daze. I enter a simple furnished room. A fireplace and mantle sits on the outer wall. Wood chairs with cushions face the fireplace. Each chair sits in a way to give an easy view of all the other chairs. Just a slight shift is needed to face any of the others.
The lady sits in a central chair with an armrest and a higher back then the others. As she sits down the chair sprouts tiny flowers of varying colors. Ghost is now a male with wings. He looks almost as delicate and fragile as the lady. His hair is a darker blond. He wears jeans that look fresh from the store.
The lady looks at Ghost, “You flatter me Ghost. You have been practicing and doing a fine job.” she says with a hint of embarrassment.
“Anything for you Lady Light. You have done so much for my pack. I can never repay you.” Ghost says in a singsong voice similar to Lady Light.
“Your pack does more for this town then any of us can repay Ghost. It is I who can never repay you.” She says and Ghost blushes. Lady Light then looks at Oaky, “Young tree spirit you do not look drained. Have you not chosen your tree yet?”
“Yes my lady,” Oaky says shyly, “ My tree vanished.”
“Oh you are one of the blessed,” Lady Light says then asks “What may I call you?”
“Oaky, and I do not mock you my lady, but I see no blessing. I miss my tree.”
“Of course you do not mock young Oaky. Your race cannot. I am sorry you miss your tree. I cannot understand your connection with it, but I know it is strong. I hope you find peace in the understanding that it is safe where it is. Your tree now resides in between the worlds and can never be harmed.”
Oaky looks excitedly at Lady Light, “Are you sure? I was never told that.”
Lady Light glances at Moon then responds to Oaky, “Yes Oaky. You are now eternal. Your tree will never die. One day you will hear legends of yourself.”
“You mean the other tree spirits are still alive that had that happen to them?” I ask, very intrigued.
“Oh yes, Sir Jode. They keep the old ways in our lives. I think you call them historians in your world. Many seek their wisdom in many things.”
I look at her strangely, “Why did you call me sir?”
Lady Light's expression fell, even then she still looked gorgeous. She looks at Moon and asks, “You have not told him?”
“I felt it was not my right, Mayor Light. This is your town.”
She gives Moon an angry glare, “Shadow of the Moon, you have the strongest right of all of us to speak of this. It is your nightwalks is it not?”
“But my lady you are the Mayor, not me.”
I watch as Lady Light transforms in front of me. Her skin changes form delicate to rough and reddish in color. Her hair turns a coal black and matted. Her wings change to bat wings with the same red tint of her skin. Her nails grow to claws, with jagged edges. Her eyes become pits of fire. “You infuriate me Moon, you should be in this seat, not me.”
I gasp as Moon says, “My lady you are better in that position. I have always been better as an adviser. Other than your angry side, you project the calm and dedication needed for a mayor. I merely let you do the speaking to not over shadow you. That would not be good for morale,” Moon says with an eerie calmness.
Lady Light shifts back to her original form. “Of course Moon, I tend to forget. I am still trying to adjust. The stress is new to me. I need you around more to help me.” she says.
“Valentry I am sorry for my absence. Now that Jode is here I will be around more. My wife has been upset about my absence too. We all need to have a luncheon soon. I think we all need it.”
“So true Moon, I will talk with you later on it.” She looks back at me to see utter shock on my face, “Oh Jode I am sorry. I forget that humans are not accustomed to my race. Forgive me.”
“Nothing really to forgive, you cannot change who you are. It just caught me off guard. Course now I know why some myths say fairies are ornery.” I say still stunned.
Lady Light laughs. “Yes that would be the reason. I have heard tails of our kind interaction with humans. Why they called us faeries I do not know, but the name stuck. The name we use to call ourselves has been lost in time. My brother hates the name though. He's made it his life's goal to find our true name.”
I blink rapidly and shake my head, “Sounds like our two worlds interact a lot with each other.” I say.
“Not as much anymore.” Lady Light says, “This is where you come into play.”
“How so?” I ask.
“It started I do believe back in Salem Massachusetts. It was once a hub between our two worlds. Then a group landed from another content. These people feared us unlike the natives who have always been there.
It got so bad that they gave their followers the freedom to kill any of our kind. That is when a great witch was burned at the stake. Her magic extended beyond your world and ours. When they burned her, she spoke a curse never before or since uttered.
She swore revenge on all who burned her. It is said that the ones responsible for her death died horribly, but that was only the beginning.
The portals became unstable. Some would cross over, but were unable to return. Humans lost their ability to see the portals. Eventually even magic was blocked by all humans in your world. Humans were rare to use magic to begin with, but after that, not one was heard of that could use it fully.
Rumors abound as to the reason, but it took a historian and two witches to figure out what was going on. The curse the witch had cast was closing the portals. At first everyone was glad for it. Humans feared us anyway so most thought it was not a loss.
Then came the aftermath. One of the towns on our side vanished. No one could find it. Then another vanished. This caused much fear because it was a trade city. Our most brightest were lost to an unknown realm. Then the outsiders started to show up. I think they are called demons in your world Jode.
These outsiders desired only control. They attacked small towns and took over. They rule through fear and pain. These outsiders were able to move through the portals freely. We got word that they find people to control. They are incorporeal in your world. But they are able to influence and in some cases possess the bodies of humans.
We do not know their purpose or goal. We have sent many through what portals we can to fight them, but they are very strong and impossible to kill in your world. It was thought that sending others to your world in disguise was the only way to stop them. Then one from Moon's race had a night walk and a female spoke to him.
She told him of the horrors yet to come if the curse was not stopped. Ever since then we send as much resources as we can to find how to stop the curse. The curse is so old that no information could be found on it. We waited for the lady in the night walks to come back and give us more that would help, But she never returned.
We thought all was lost till Moon started seeing a man in his nightwalks. This man called himself Jode. He said he comes from an ancient time when the worlds were one. He spoke of a prodigy that will carry his name. He says in this one lies the answer. Moon looked for this prodigy for several years, then you showed up.”
I stare blankly at her. All I can think is that this is all a mistake. “Uh I don't know what I can do?” I hear myself talk, but feel it is someone else talking through me.
“May I?” I hear Moon say.
Lady Light nods and Moon continues, “I know Jode. The man told me you would have no knowledge of what you are to do. He told me that you are the key though. You will find the answer so many have failed at. With you lies our future and even earths.
It has been said that one man holds the world on his shoulders. I believe that man is you. From ancient times has been a saying, 'The awakened will guide the way'. We await your awakening to light our world's future.”
“But I can't do anything,” I say.
“A seed can't do anything till planted either,” Oaky says, “You have been planted, Jode, we just have to wait and see what you grow into.”
I slowly turn and face Oaky, “Huh?”
“I have been raised to nurture. I can raise a seed to the great oak. None is able to match my skill. My mentor told me this. She told me I will nurture all my life. I did not understand what she meant. She would tell me the life spirit would guide me so I listened. It told me to pick that sapling. It was sickly and lost. A one of a kind in a world unlike itself. I healed it and became one with it. Then it vanished and I thought all was lost. Then you appeared. The life spirit said your sapling appears. I thought I must be hearing wrong because you are human, not a tree. But I understand now. I must nurture you as I would my tree. Since I cannot die, I am the perfect one to help you.”
“You are the one Oaky,” Moon says with a tear in his voice. “'From innocence comes a teacher. In her is the light for him to awaken.'”
“Now only one remains. The warrior.” Lady Light says.
“Who?” I ask.
“Three people were talked about by the man,” Moon says, “You Jode, a teacher, and a warrior. He told me that the three will adventure together to find a way to lift the curse. He said in a teacher lies the awakening. In a mage lies the key, and in a warrior lies the means.”
“The means? And in a mage? I am no mage, I can't use magic.” I say.
“But you can Jode. You just don't know how to yet. Only a release of great power can freeze one in stasis. It is a fail safe of the laws of magic. It only happens when a greater magic is released without direction. You drew on magic that hasn't been used in ages. Only ancient magic is bound by the law.”
“But I didn't do anything. I just thought I was dog meat,” I look at Ghost, “No offense, didn't know you then.”
“None taken. It is quite understandable.” Ghost returns.
“I have studied human magic for years, Jode. The only recorded use of that ancient magic was by one other human. No one in this world can wield or control the power of the ancients. Only humans are able to. It is said that is why the ancients blocked the minds of their children from being able to use it.
The power of the ancients could move mountains by a mere thought. They could create a city in the desert by a tear. They could put the heavens on earth. But some were found to misuse the power and claim to be gods. They used their power to subvert and control the others who did not know of the power.
So five very powerful ancients decreed that the power can not be used till all are ready for it. They cast the curse of ignorance on your race.
Since then magic is rare in humans, but some are able to surmount the curse. Merlin was one. And there was one I don't recall his name, who lived in the Mediterranean I believe. He tried to raise consciousness and understanding, but failed. In the end he was killed by his peers. His teachings scared a nation that just sought to control others. I'm sure there are others, but your history is hard to come by on this side.”
“But...” is all I can get out.
“Let me take you to your cabin to sleep on it. Tomorrow we will discuss on it more.” Moon says.