Chapter one
“Disappointing, I expected more from them.” He curses under his breath. The hushed tone would have gone unnoticed if not for his artificial companions’ enhanced audio features. He leans forward in his chair and begins to massage his temples. Remembering the lessons of his father, he steels himself and resumes the calm exterior befitting a Commander of the Empire. All doubt, fatigue, and emotion cast aside.
“Alice.”
The image of a beautiful woman in her early thirties materializes above the dais occupying the center of the bridge.
“Yes Sir?”
“Run a scan to determine the growth rate of Chaos currently on the surface.”
“Sir, 80% will be in enemy control within the century.”
“How many of the remaining populace is Manaborn?”
“Estimated to be under 75 for the entire planet.”
“Hmm… and how many of those are actually bonded?”
“Around half. Maybe more.”
“Alice, perform a scan to find Manaborn in the immediate galaxy from authorized planets. Preferably from a different planet than before.”
“Right away Sir.... scanning. 10 individuals located on S-3 locally known as Earth.”
Looking over curiously, he raises an eyebrow and with a smirk he asks, “Who would have thought that they would name their planet after Mother Earth?”
“Yes Sir, quite interesting indeed, they should have no knowledge of her or the origin.”
“Very well, contact them and continue as planned. I will try but once more. After that, Chaos take them all.”
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The morning sun peeking through gaps in the cheap dorm room blinds warms Eriks’ sleeping face, bringing him out of his dreams and into a morning restfulness. Thoughts of staying in bed forever and never leaving float through his lethargic mind. No point in leaving. Might as well stay in bed. It is the weekend after all, and I don’t have anything to do.
Something tugs at the back of his mind, an annoying jerking feeling like he has forgotten what today is. Slowly opening an eyelid, he slides an arm out from beneath the covers toward his cellphone. Glancing at the time, a spark ignites, and he bolts upright. “I’m gonna be late!” he screams in frustration. He and Trevor had made plans to study this weekend. Why didn’t his alarm go off? Why did Trevor want to study this early? He thought as he angrily pulled his clothes on.
Grabbing his bookbag and a snack, he was out the door. At least he lived on campus, and it wasn’t far to the study hall. Preparing for a jog, he bent over to stretch his legs, making sure not to pull something out of haste. Standing upright he threw the bag over his shoulder. Sinching the straps down, he couldn’t help but admire the view.
His campus was comprised of red brick buildings surrounding a common area consisting of a series of fountains, grass, and trees. His dorms being located on the edge and slightly elevated up the hill he was able to see most of the grounds. Beathing in the cool Autum air he could see a tiny glint coming from the morning rays. If he concentrated hard enough, he was able to see more than just a glint. Small amber particles floated down, getting absorbed into flora and fauna alike. What they were or what they did, he had no idea. While growing up, he had asked but when all they did was take him to the optometrist, he stopped asking about them. Coming out of his reverie, he started down the hill.
Walking through the glass doors and angled towards the food court for the scheduled meet up he stops at the café for a quick coffee and breakfast sandwich before walking over to the booths along the opposite wall. It’s not hard to spot Trevor given that the booths aren’t tall enough to hide his large frame. The kid was an enormous 6’5 and when compared to Erik’s 5’6 he looked even bigger. He and Trevor had met during orientation when Trevor had walked up and introduced himself. It turned out that the two of them shared a few hobbies like video games and reading, which was what Trevor was currently doing. Coffee in hand and a book on the table, without looking up he spoke. “You’re late you know.”
Sitting down in the booth across from him Erik sighs. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t know why you wanted to meet so early on our day off anyway. Also, it still creeps me out that you can tell when people are around without even looking up.”
“Heh. My bad. Anyway, I wanted to meet early to show you something without anyone seeing.” Trevor gets an excited look before sliding his phone over. Congratulations Manaborn, you have been found to have a high affinity with mana. Humanity is calling. Prepare yourself. Glory to the Empire.
“The text came in from an unknown number Trevor. What does it mean prepare yourself?”
“I’m not sure but...
Before Trevor could finish speaking a bright light enveloped the two boys with Trevor located at the center. Every cell in his body seemed to be vibrating. He was conscious and aware but couldn’t see anything. Not himself or Trevor that was in front of him moments ago. Color returned to the world in the form of gray. Metal grates beneath him and and and.... His vision started swimming. He closed his eyes. Involuntarily he bent over and emptied the contents of his stomach which passed unhindered through the corrugated flooring. He then proceeded to dry heave. Coming back to reality he noticed that he was no longer standing but on hands and knees. Stomach settled. Erik looked around the circular room. Gray metal panels lined the walls with steps leading to a door on the far side opposite him. He was not alone. He counted 10 others in the room with him. Trevor was near the door! Getting to him feet Erik hastily moved over to him friend.
“Trevor, what the hell is happening?”
“How would I know? We were talking and then we were here, and then I was puking my guts out.”
The others in the room started voicing their concerns as well
var är vi
Dónde estamos
koko wa doko
Où sommes-nous
Wo sind wir
Erik could guess where a few of the languages originated from, but the meaning eluded him.
Summoned by all the noise and commotion, the door slid open and a beautiful woman with short brown hair was standing and the top of the stairs.
“Welcome, I am Alice. It is a pleasure to have you aboard.”
The questions came faster and louder before Alice raised a hand. “Please, before we continue, follow me to the next room.”
Erik and Trevor shuffle forwards with the crowd following behind Alice through the door and into the room adjacent where 10 seats have been set up to face a podium at the far end.
Alice stops at the podium before turning back around. “There seems to be one more present than previously accounted for. Let me get another seat.”
The floor at the end of the row of chairs flows upwards out of four points then coming together for the seat base and extends before solidifying into a perfectly normal looking chair. Erik and the others look over in disbelief. Wondering if this is all a dream, Erik walks over and touches the new chair before sitting down. Whether magic or technology that looks like magic, he wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t in Kansas anymore.
Alice spoke once more. “Thank you all for your patience. I will start off with an explanation of why you are here. Humanity is at war. You have all been chosen based on your sensitivity to an energy we in the Empire refer to as mana. Much the same as from your local legends, myth, and fiction. Mana, or the energy within yourselves, is used to form magic or spells for an action or purpose. I am well aware that most, if not all of you will have no understanding of how to form a spell or utilize your mana. Do not fret, we will assist you in the understanding of the proper way to form your mana into magic. The Empire will be sending you to the planet Terra, where you will be stationed until the enemy has been eradicated. Now, I am sure there are plenty of questions. I will assist in translating in real time for those of you who do not speak the same language.”
The first to speak was Trevor. “Who or what is humanity at war with?”
“Chaos. In the beginning, humanity was born to “Mother Earth” a planet far outside of your Milky Way. From her bosom, they spread among the stars. Along their journey, humanity found that they were not alone. Excitement from finding other life soon died out as colonies were ravaged and obliterated. The early human explorers named these creatures of rage and destruction “Chaos” after the acts of violence they committed against their fellow pioneers.”
Another one of the men beside Trevor who seemed to be just as tall spoke up. “And what if we don’t want to fight this, Chaos? Who are you to take us from our homes and families?”
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“The commander and I are well within protocol to conscript Manaborn from lesser colonies such as your Earth. The threat of Chaos has been quelled but you are far from joining the Empire. What a great gift you have been given! Being able to serve the Empire in such a capacity before any of your fellows. You are all very lucky indeed. Do not worry, your services will be paid for in knowledge and a magical bond.”
“What is a magical bond?” Erik asked with his hand up.
Alice took a second before answering. “Using an ancient ritual, humanity has been able to link the life forces of a Manaborn and a compatible beast, increasing the overall mana reservoir. Compatibility is measured by the magical affinities of the two. If they are not compatible the bond is not possible, and the ritual will fail.”
The possibility of magic and creating spells was totally and completely captivating. No one else seemed to have any other questions and were eager to get on with the bonding and subsequent magical lessons.
Alice, as if noticing the shift from confusion and anger about being abducted to curiosity, and wonder, took the opportunity to change the subject towards our next steps. “We will continue in the next room where we will begin the bonding process with selections.”
Enticed by the possibility of magic Erik was the first out of his seat and already behind Alice as she made her way out of the room and into the hallway. Alice led the group into the room across the hall. The room was large and at the far end, were what looked like large wooden shipping crates with their lids off and behind. Funneling into the room, the group stopped and formed a semicircle around Alice waiting for further instruction.
“Now that everyone is here.” Alice started “I will have you walk up to the crates and select a compatible companion for the bonding ritual. You will know that you are compatible. There is a resonance that occurs when a Manaborn has found their bond.”
Erik chose his target and walked over to the crates on the right. Arriving in front of the crate he released a breath he didn’t know that he had been holding. His palms were sweating as he gripped the edge of the crate to peer inside. Looking over the edge, he was greeted with eggs. Enormous eggs, wrapped cozily in a straw bedding. They must have been twice the size of a football. Different patterns and colors displayed on each egg. They were mesmerizing. Turning to look at the others, they all had eggs in their arms already and walking back over to Alice. Getting nervous, Erik wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be feeling. What was the resonance that Alice spoke of.
Alice noticing that Erik hadn’t selected an egg yet moved over to him.
“Nothing resonated with you Erik?”
“Am I doing something wrong?” He asked
“No no, nothing like that.” Responded Alice “I’m just going to have you wait in the other room while I get the rest of them situated with their bonding ritual, alright?”
Erik did as he was asked and walked back to sit in the chairs from the previous room.
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Alice led the others to 10 small rooms specifically made for the ritual process and instructed them to sit cross legged with their eggs in their laps focusing inwards, trying to feel the heartbeat of their companions. The rooms were just big enough for them to sit comfortably with a ritual circle superimposed upon the floor panels. Alice, after situating the last person, dissipated and reappeared on the command deck.
“Sir, they are ready for the bonding ritual to start. However. there is a problem. We transported 11 individuals from Earth and not the original 10 that scans indicated. The 11th person was found unsuitable. He didn’t resonate with any of the beasts onboard.”
The Commander looked over from his chair. “Understood. Start the ritual. As for the 11th, we don’t have the space or resources for defects. Get rid of them.”
“At once sir.”
Alice accessed the ship’s power source, from there, activated the ritual circles for all 10 rooms. Dissipating once again, she materialized once more in front of the room the others arrived in.
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Erik looked up when the door opened and Alice walked in. Without hesitation or remorse she pulled up a keyboard interface and started typing, before saying
“I’m sorry the Commander has ordered you off the ship.”
Erik, puzzled, he stood and began protesting. “Wha..”
The familiar white light enveloped him, and once again he was nothing and nowhere before he was standing in an open space with nothing but rolling grassland in front of him.
“..at.” he finished. He couldn’t believe that they would just kick him off like that. Who were they to take him from his planet and then just send him back, no questions asked. Dread filled him as he looked around. He noticed a yellow sun, then another smaller blue sun. Oh no, they didn’t send him back to Earth. If that wasn’t enough to tell him he wasn’t on earth, there was what looked like a planet or a moon taking up a vast portion of the horizon off to the right. They had dropped him off on Terra.
Further to the right was a mountain range in the distance, but it didn’t look right. There were the normal peaked mountains but, in the middle, it looked like someone had chopped the top off making it look like some weird table.
“that’s not natural. Not that I expected anything on a magical planet to be normal. Could mean people or something? Not like I’ve got a ton of options of where to go.”
With that, Erik started walking. Unsure what he was going to do beyond just walk. Instead on breaking down he gave himself up to the task. He chose to focus on other things. Other things beyond the fact he wouldn’t see his family again. The idea of magic had blinded him to the fact that Alice and the Commander had stolen them from their home to conscript them into a war that nothing to do with them beyond being human. Was that all that was required of Manaborn? To fight? He fell to his knees. Wiping his tears on the backs of his hands. His idea to distract himself quickly stopped working as all the thoughts of what he had lost came rushing at him.
Magic! Erik stood, eyes red and puffy from crying, determination set on his face. He would distract himself during the walk with trying to feel his mana. He however, had no idea where to start. How does someone feel the energy within themselves? He began walking again trying to focus on his inner self. He given up trying to find it after he had closed his eyes in search of the energy and had fallen right on his face. He would try again when he sat down for a rest.
He had walked until the suns were directly overhead before finding a suitable place to take a break. It wouldn’t be long before he reached the mountains according to the distance he had already walked. Stopping to sit beneath the only tree for miles Erik felt his heart throbbing in his feet. Sneakers not built for hiking through grassland. A fact that quickly became apparent when he almost rolled his ankles on multiple occasions.
Resting his eyes Erik searched within to find the dormant energy of a Manaborn. Looking hard but hardly knowing what to look for. Giving up for a quick nap, he closed his eyes, sleep quickly taking him.
Waking up a few hours later due to the rumbling coming from his stomach, he stretched and continued towards the mountain with the flat top.
Early evening, after hours of walking Erik reached the foot of the mountains. Hungry and tired, he had no desire to start the ascent. Looking for a place to sleep for the night and something to eat were the only things he could think of. Before he could even think of collapsing anywhere, a voice boomed out.
Human, what are doing out here so far from others of your kind?
Startled, Erik looked around for the source of the voice, but found nothing. He was alone at the foot of the mountains.
Don't bother looking around. I am projecting my voice directly to you. Why are you here?
Breaking down for the second time today, Erik started to cry while telling his story. How this morning he was safely at home and got teleported to a spaceship, how they were going to force him and his friend to fight against their will. How he had no idea that magic was real and how they were apparently Manaborn and they were going to be bonded to beasts.
Don’t worry about being Manaborn. You are not.
Erik stopped talking. He stopped crying. Instead, he sat in stunned silence. Before whispering. “What do you mean, I am not Manaborn?”
Are you upset that you are not Manaborn? Do not worry. You are something more than that. It is no wonder they left you. Humans no longer remember what to do with Stormborn or even how to identify them.
“Stormborn? What’s that?” Erik asked.
Before that, let’s get you off the plains before nightfall. You are deep within Chaos territory.
Erik’s blood went cold. If Chaos was as terrible as Alice had described, he would have been dead long before even reaching the mountain. Slowly the air started swirling around Erik’s feet and legs until it was spinning faster and faster and he began to lift off the ground. Eyes bulging out of his head he focused on the torrent of air that lifted him into the air and up the cliff face. Propelled by the air underneath himself, he elevated to a staggering height. Within minutes he was cresting the top of the plateaued mountain.
Atop the plateau was indeed flat with grass and vegetation extending towards the opposite end. With the mountains surrounding on three sides, Erik was standing on a giant terrace. Before Erik could get his baring's or explore the voice once again echoed.
Follow the stream, it will lead you to a cave, where you will find me.
Looking around he found the stream that ran off the side of the cliff. Somehow, he hadn’t noticed it before being told to look for it. The cave was on the exact opposite side of the plateau from where he started, and by the time he reached it, darkness had fallen. The Plateau, illuminated by moonlight? Erik still wasn’t sure whether the giant celestial body was the moon or if he was standing on the moon for that planet.
Come, I will light the way.
“Chaos or a mysterious voice. What could be worse.” Erik joked as he started into the caves mouth that was easily 20 feet in height. True to their word, they lit the cave for him to see as he trekked inside. Tiny balls of light sprung into existence and illuminated the path for him to follow and dissipating shortly after he passed. Rounding a corner, he arrived at a massive chamber. Orbs sprang to life to light the cavern in its entirety. In the center a giant being started to move, shaking the dust off its’ back, causing Erik to sneeze. Looking up after the sneezing fit, seeing for the first time, in all its’ glory a...
“D d d DRAGON?!?” Erik screamed as he fell back covering his head before peeking out when he noticed that he hadn’t been eaten immediately. He could have sworn that he had seen a smirk. With a look of indignation, he stood and patted himself off.
Have you relaxed now? The dragon snorted in amusement.
Erik hadn’t noticed, but the dragon hadn’t been projecting its voice or using vocal cords to speak. Instead, it had been speaking directly to his mind. Now that he had calmed down, Erik took a chance to observe the legendary creature. And to be honest, it wasn’t entirely what he had thought a dragon to look like. He had always seen dragons depicted as giant lizards with multiple giant horns, scales, and spikes down the spine. While he could see scales that covered the lower body including the limbs and chest area, the wings and from the base of its head to halfway down the tail looked more like feathers mixed with fur. Adorned atop its head was a regal crown of spikes that jutted straight back and horns that twisted and arched back more lazily. Each claw was the size of Erik's forearm. While lying down, the dragon was twice again as tall as he was. Just how big was it. To get out of the entrance, it would have to duck.
Welcome human, to the resting place of the last of my kind. I have long been waiting for someone like you.
Nervously Erik introduced himself. “Hello, please call me Erik. I didn’t think dragons were real. Excuse my shock from before. May I ask why you’re here alone?”
A pleasure to meet you Erik, I am Valora, and yes we are very real. However, I’m not sure for how much longer. You see, most, if not all my kind have been slain and I have remained here for eons guarding over the young.
“If there are young, then, you are not all alone?” Erik asked
I understand your confusion. The young I speak of are only those set aside for bonding. I had feared there was no one capable or willing left for what it means to bond with Dragon. You must be ready to leave your humanity behind.