One calm night, the spirits of our ancestors clearly appeared to us in our dreams and they shouted about the danger that was coming to our forest. Faceless strangers came to our lands and were going to desecrate the bonds of the roots by releasing into the light the sealed evil that once upon a time almost destroyed our people.
The shaman of the tribe appealed to the spirits of the forest and they answered him by bringing powerful wolves from the distant outskirts so that they would deliver our hunters to the paths of the roots and save our people. The luminary had already gone out, disappearing behind the tops of the trees, and we, riding the wolves, rushed south.
While we were riding on horseback between the trees, the shaman told us through the spirits that there were those strangers, either anfrops, or real relatives of evil from the very depths of the interworld. At first we did not believe in all this and many of the goblin tribe even laughed, but still prepared to stop the evil, but alas, it was too late.
The ancestors were silent that night, they did not respond to our requests, and the spirits were helpless, as if they were running like rabbits from foxes. We saw a blinding radiance and lightning that pierced through the bodies of our hunters. We didn’t even dare to see these strangers, blinding us with bright white fire.
Now we had no doubt that these were the real servants of evil. They came here to our forest to free their leader, who was sealed by our ancestors in the bonds of roots. We couldn't let them do this, but it was too late, the aliens were too strong. I was already late by this point. Many of our brave hunters have fallen from the strange sorcery of strangers.
The shaman did not even have time to appeal to the elements and died, leaving his young three-year-old student without a teacher. He sat on the ground, stained with green blood and devoured the sparkling eyes of the shaman and cried and cried at the loss of his beloved teacher. He wanted to know more, wanted his teacher to teach him more before he could grow up and become food for the tribe, but he didn't have time.
The wolves helped us by carrying the bodies of our fellow tribesmen home for ritual devouring. Someday in the days to come they will be reborn in the bodies of our little ones, but will not remember their former life due to their long sleep in the womb of a woman. In this way we will honor their memory and keep their souls within us. They will always be with us.
Anfrops are terrible monsters that come to our forest to kill us. Our fellow tribesmen get angry and kill them in response. We remember their atrocities and therefore we are afraid. We don’t want to look weak and fight to the end, because the anfrops don’t eat our flesh, but we do. anfrops burn our bodies, use them as decorations, and we value every piece of goblin meat.
“The witchcraft is strong.”
Said Kushak. The oldest hunter of the tribe led our hunt for evil and was dissatisfied with its outcome. We all saw the consequences of that fiery hurricane, the terrible witchcraft that destroyed many of us. It was just for a moment, like a close thunderclap, raising fire from the depths and sending down a tornado from the heavens, but its power killed so many goblins.
I was lucky to be far from him and survive, but from the others... not even flesh was left. They are forever cursed, doomed to be forgotten and never return to this world again. We were all terribly scared to realize that after death we would simply disappear. anfrops are terrible creatures that make us forget the names of the fallen goblins, it is better to fear and hate them, but never be a victim for them. We will never be weak in front of them and will always kill and eat them.
“Isn’t this an anfrop?”
I asked the old hunter looking around the burned area of the forest around.
"Too strong."
“Anfrops don’t cast a spell on us.”
Kushak said, squatting and squinting, sniffing the ashes.
“They think the goblin is weak. We alone are weak. Together we are strong."
"Together we are strong!"
I agreed with Kushak.
“But it’s not anfrop.”
The hunter began to doubt, rising to his full height.
"Evil."
“Their meat is red. This is an anfrop.”
I objected in turn, and Kushak turned in my direction.
“Witchcraft is not anfrop. Evil witchcraft. Dangerous. Cursed."
Kushak was right. anfrops don't do magic like that. This is how shaman-sages or an old witch of fire from afar cast their magic, but not Anfrops. They live in a stone forest and cover themselves with meat and hair to keep warm and become stronger. We cover ourselves only with meat to show that goblins are strong.
“EVIL ESCAPE! THERE IS NO EVIL!”
One of the hunters shouted in panic, running out from behind the burnt bushes.
He searched the paths of the roots where evil was imprisoned, but the roots were empty. Evil got out and ran away with the strangers to the south to the Anfrops in the stone forest. They know about us, they will definitely return with their entire tribe with sparkling monsters that are not afraid of arrows, axes, or even spears. We must prepare to fight them or perish, to be forgotten forever.
“Raaaaaaa~!!! Nasty! Big nasty! What are they doing here?!”
Kushak was angry.
“Who walked until sunset?”
"I'm walking!"
One hunter came out in front of Kushak, on whom all the anger of the old hunter flew out.
“Are you weak and not seeing them?”
The warrior who went to protect the bonds of the roots was afraid. He was young, five years old, he did not know that evil was so dangerous and poorly guarded the bonds of the roots. Good warriors would not have allowed a worm to get near their bonds, but he allowed a whole flock of strangers in.
I remember when I was five years old, one goblin went to check if evil really existed, and then this goblin did not return. Evil dragged him under the roots and left only bones of the unfortunate goblin.
Evil mocked us. His skin was strong and could not be bitten or pierced. He couldn't be killed. Therefore, we called the witch of death so that she would take evil into the forest of death from where it will never return. She promised to come to us, but the evil came out before she came here because of these strangers.
"I'm good at walking!"
The warrior objected.
“A stranger walks into the night. I can't see him."
"You are guilty! You are weak!
Kushak was angry, creaking his fangs.
“You need to be punished!”
The goblins surrounded the guilty goblin, he was scared and wanted to run away, but everyone immediately attacked him with a shout, starting to beat him to death with clubs and axes. His meat scattered in all directions, he quickly died without even screaming. For his weakness he deserved death. This way he will clear his name of shame and not be cursed in his next birth.
At that moment I went to the place where the servants of evil remained until our arrival. The ground around was trampled down and covered with black, sleeping fire. I smelled the smell of death, which disgustingly made me shudder and cover my sharp nose from the terrible smell.
"House! We need to go to the house!”
I shouted, ordering everyone to go back to the village.
“Anfrops come to us. We'll prepare the traps. We sharpen our spears. Either fight or die."
"FIGHT!
"FIGHT!!
All the goblins chanted, understood me perfectly and began to walk back to the village. If the Anfrops find us, we will die, but we will die in battle. This is how we will save our offspring.
***
The singing of birds and the rustling of leaves deafened the crackling of the fire where my gaze was directed. I didn’t just sit and warm myself by the fire, but I thought about the fire that was blinding my eyes. My teacher's words never left my head.
"Fire."
I said, raising my palm to the blazing flames, feeling the pleasant warmth that enveloped my entire body, which is why I closed my eyes, enjoying the moment and plunging into thought.
What is fire? A great rebellious force that obeys no one. Fire is chaotic, destructive and so bold in its bursts of radiance that it can only evoke admiration from those who have stained their souls with the shackles of mortality. The fire seemed truly free to me, but it only seemed so.
«How to subdue this power?»
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Then the teacher asked me a question.
«An equivalent element.»
Then, foolishly, I answered.
Hearing my words, he only sighed in disappointment in response and, waving his hand with the wind, blew me away from the shelter, punishing me:
«What should I teach a brat like you who doesn’t know the answer to such a simple question? Get out of here and don’t come back to me until you control the fire itself with your will. Go.»
And then I wanted to ask him with resentment in my voice: “But how can I do this?» how I ended up here, deep in the forest and completely alone without the right to return to the teacher until I fulfill his instructions. And so, wandering among the mighty trees, stepping over roots and scratching against branches and bushes, I began my search for an answer to what the teacher thought was a «simple» question.
It was not by chance that I followed the path of magic, because I really long to understand the world around me, its essence and foundations, all this nature and life around me. However, with all my desire, I don’t have enough intelligence to find answers to the questions that my teacher and I ask ourselves. To find the answer to a question, you must already know the answers to other questions, building a chain, the path to the truth.
The teacher is right in saying that there is nothing to teach me since I cannot answer such a simple question. But how can I find the answer? What should I do to understand how to subdue the unruly flame? We need to ask another question. What does it even mean to subdue? Does this mean following someone else's will? Or force the follower to unknowingly do what the leader wants?
Magic in this regard is closely intertwined with philosophy. You need to understand the essence of the nature of the elements, and not just its magical aspects and the results of their crossings. Is the earth always solid, for example? Then why are there sands and swamps? Is the wind always light? Then why do the winds pull mountains down?
And the most important question: is fire really so rebellious and chaotic? Then why is it not everywhere, but only where flashes of thunder and lightning pierce the earth through the sky? So the chaotic fire follows someone's will? So the fire is guided and can be subdued?
And while I was thinking about this, my palm warmed up, feeling warm and this time this heat was burning, giving me an unpleasant sensation. As soon as I remove my hand, the warmth becomes less, and the slight pain from the heat seems to fly away into nowhere, but still touches the corners of my soul through my fingers.
I feel before my eyes this rebellious force that was kindled by my will. So how can I subdue it?
“Why should I subordinate her if she already serves me?”
I said, having found the answer to the pressing question.
As soon as I squeeze my palm, the fire instantly loses its food and goes out, leaving behind only the smell of burning and a flowing haze, but as soon as I return food to the fire and ignite its spark, the flame flares up brightly, as if for a moment having breathed all the air into its empty lungs . This is how to command fire.
"I found the answer, teacher."
I said out loud with a smile on my face. Now I understand what I need to do and with confidence in my soul I can return to the teacher and continue my training with him. He is of course a strict person, but I am sure he will teach me a lot. It was not in vain that people called him to become a court magician.
Suddenly I felt a presence in the distance. It was not a small animal or a pitiful insect, but it was a strong soul and not just one, but several at once. I felt the uninvited guests approaching and heading south.
I instantly put out the fire by rising to my feet and covered my body with a cloak and imbued it with magic, making myself invisible. The light passed through the robe, as if turning my entire body into transparent glass, and this was quite enough to hide in the forest.
On top of everything, I surrounded myself with an air dome so that uninvited guests would not hear the rustle of my boots, or the smell of my body, or even the warmth of my skin. In order not to be noticed, I just need to skillfully hide my open face under the hood, and the rest was already done by the magic that the teacher taught me, for which I will be grateful to him forever.
He told me that these are the most important spells for magicians and when I asked him «Why?» he told me that in many parts of the world magicians are disliked, feared and hated and that is why we must hide in the mystery of comprehending the world around us in search for knowledge and truth. It’s true, to comprehend secrets you need to be a secret, and I remembered this well and understood it for myself.
The teacher always told me that people, weak insects, should not see us or at least know what we can do, because they are afraid of us and our magical powers. I understand the teacher, but I still don’t understand the question of why, in this case, not teach them all magic? Life will become easier for everyone after this, but why does the teacher choose the most worthy students?
What's wrong with teaching people magic? Shouldn't people be trusted with this power? Why? I’m also a human being, but for some reason the teacher entrusted me with knowledge about magic and taught me how to use it? Stupid question. I'm still too young to understand this. I was now worried about something else.
The echoes of the souls of strangers were heard more and more clearly. I did not expect that someone unknown to its inhabitants and myself would come into this deep forest, and therefore I immediately decided to hide from sight.
I didn't understand what was happening. The elemental spirits seemed to be blowing in the opposite direction; they did not accept these souls, they were insanely afraid of them. Are these thinking monsters? I need to check this. But if these are monsters, then I need to get rid of them, because they have no place in this world.
I began to move through the thickets, smoothly, drowning out any sounds that arose along the way. At this time, I began to hear the singing of the souls of these «monsters», which are still worth dismantling, but they did not seem bloodthirsty to me, rather as curious as the souls of people.
Someday a teacher will teach me to parse the words of souls and then I will learn to understand the thoughts of people, but now I still hear inaudible curious voices full of pain, despair and at the same time rebellious aspiration.
Getting closer and hiding behind a tree, I looked at the clearing where these souls were coming out and what I saw made me widen my eyes in bewilderment. These are not some creepy monsters that the elemental spirits fear, but just people in strange clothes, covered with bushes and shiny headdresses in the form of hemispherical buckets. They held mutilated black staffs in their hands and walked slowly forward, stepping over the roots one after another under their feet.
Many of them were injured judging by the way they limped, and some of them were mutilated with metal, as if they were some kind of criminals and that strangely they were talking about something, but the language in which they communicated was completely unfamiliar to me.
Although I don’t know many languages, I didn’t understand what strangers were doing here on these lands. The spirits shy away from them so fearfully as if they really were monsters. Did they really take lives and commit atrocities? But I don’t feel the dark sign of Sod, which means the spirits are afraid of them for a different reason. Why? Their souls don't seem bad to me.
While I was thinking about this, people suddenly stopped. One man looked at some stone that he was holding in his hands and said something, after which a fuss began. The strangers knelt down and pointed their staffs in my direction.
«Can they really see me? How? I hid myself with magic!»
I was surprised to myself. That man looked straight at me, straight into my eyes, as if he knew exactly where I was, as if the bushes were not an obstacle to him, not even the magic that distorted perception. This made me feel uneasy. I didn’t feel any magic in him, so how does he know where I am? Or is he pretending? Or is he just assuming I'm here?
They look at me as if they really see me, although I even lowered my head, I still felt their gaze on me. They are waiting for what I will do, waiting for me to come out to meet them, attack or run away. They are afraid of the unknown, but they are ready to fight.
I winced when I realized this.
«I need to tell the teacher about them.»
I decided and after that I quickly went to the shelter and this time I was not hiding under illusory magic.
Even though those people knew where I was, for some reason they did not pursue me, and therefore I slowed down my run and now walked towards the shelter. I'll get tired quickly if I run, and if these strangers aren't chasing me, then I have nothing to worry about.
Soon I stopped feeling their presence, their spiritual voices were now inaudible to me, and soon after a long time of wandering through the forest, I reached a vast grove that was surrounded by magical trees, and in the center of this grove stood an oak tree shrouded in chains, in the trunk of which a house was carved on the tree. The roots of this oak tree stretched from the round door to a clearing with a trampled path and looked like graceful stairs along which you could climb up.
My teacher has been living here for a very long time since the moment when the Druids walked on these lands and healed the forest with their gift of nature, and now this oak has become our refuge, a place where we could live without worrying about the mortal world that surrounds us.
The grass under my feet tickled my legs as I walked forward through the grove. The plants recognized me and let me go ahead. If there were a stranger here, a swamp would instantly appear, and the roots underground would drag the intruder into the kingdom of the dead. This place was safe, but as long as no one knew about it.
"Teacher!"
I screamed as I walked up the steps.
"Teacher! I have to tell you something!”
The round wooden door opened with a creak, but instead of the teacher, I saw in front only a man with a black cat's head, wrapped in a white tunic. He twitched his mustache and dilated his vertical pupils when he saw me. It was Felix, a cat who could turn into a human and even talk. In his free time, he likes to jump on tree branches and catch rodents when he is in the form of an ordinary cat and his teacher even hung chains around the oak tree for him to make it easier for him to spend his free time.
I hadn’t seen him for a long time and was glad to meet him again. His familiar appearance made a smile appear on my face, which is why I joyfully greeted him:
"Hi Felix."
"Who are you?"
Felix asked indifferently.
“And why did the spirits let you through?”
From such treatment I could only puff out my cheeks with displeasure and cross my arms over my chest.
“We haven’t seen each other for a whole season, and you’ve already forgotten me? How could you? Don’t you remember how we played together?”
"Mrrr~..."
Felix purred, rolling his eyes and twitching his ears.
“So you came to play? I don't want to play with you. The owner is busy. Leave. You came too early."
"I-I know, but I have something important to say."
I objected and tried to rush inside the shelter, but Felix stopped me, blocking the way with his human blackened paw.
“Take your time, girl. Do you remember what the teacher told you? Have you subdued the fire?”
"Almost,"
I admitted, but then quickly shook my head, remembering why I came here.
“But I’m not here for advice! I saw strange people!”
“Made me laugh. All travelers taken by the forest are strange.”
Felix said, still not letting me pass.
“Now leave before the whirlwind takes you away again. You don't want to fly again, do you? Then leave."
"Wait!"
I shouted out, but it was already too late. The door had already slammed in front of me.
“Oh, you’re a hairball! Open the door!”
I started banging my fists on the door, but to no avail. I was ignored.
"Felix! Teacher! Please open! I am telling the truth! I saw strange people! All the spirits avoided them! I ask you to!"
At that moment the door opened and the teacher finally appeared in front of me. An old man with a long thick beard, wrapped in a gray robe with bottles of translucent potions in his hands, loomed over me.
“Did the spirits avoid them?”
Instead of a greeting, the teacher asked me in a hoarse voice, and then got down on his knee and looked me in the face and asked me a question.
“Tell me what you saw. What did they look like?"
It was strange to see real curiosity in the teacher's eyes. Usually he looked as if the whole world was empty and boring for him, and he himself was indifferent to everything. As it turned out, it is really strange that spirits avoid people, all spirits even outside the elements would never avoid any living creature unless it is marked with the dark mark of Sod or is not demonic. I learned about this by reading books that my teacher gave me.
At that moment I decided to tell the teacher about what these people looked like, and only then I would rejoice in the fact that I finally met my beloved teacher again, who forever replaced my natural parents.