Notes:

While reading and researching the historical stories of the time before the Breaking of the Seals, it did not escape my attention that this was a time when magic was not as natural as the air and rain. Magic had been repressed and contained in the Bastions for eons.

I was born into this world drinking magic from the teat of my mom. Many of my older colleagues were survivors of the zero day of the Breaking of the Seals. This report was only a prelude to a much bigger project on the accounts of that time, but reading the many interviews I decided I couldn't finish this project in my own lifetime.

I also forgot to add definitions to a few things and people who are in this informal report. I will add more when needed.

Definitions:

Bastions: Giant containers holding the magical essence of the earth. Held in many key locations. (See: the map of the world). However, not all the Bastions were found.

Grog: A mutation through magical means. (After the magic was released, many of the human population became a Grog). Each mutation would change the hapless human into fantastical creatures such as a wolf, bird or insect. Note: A scientific inquiry is in progress to determine why so many people changed to these creatures. No progress has of yet has been made in finding a reason for these strange occurrences.

Alpha Wizard: Powerful being who has command of elemental magic. There were only four during the two year reign of terror and they are reported to have been more powerful than the Wizards during the current age.

Magic: The essence of the earth which can imbue a person with command of the elements (air, wind, fire, earth and steel)

***

Breaking of the Seals: Survivors

Survivor: Charles (Charlie) McGee

Interviewer: John Haskins.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Digital Audio: Recorded twenty years after the Breaking of the Bastions

John: Hello, Charlie, I know you have retired from the Army corps of the United Nations. Can you tell me your occupation during the Zero day?

Charlie: Is this thing on? (The sound of rustling and audio feedback)

John: Yes, just speak into the microphone.

Charlie: Oh, sorry. I was a private in the Marines. Oh, that was so many years ago, son.

John: So, Charlie. What can you recall? Where were you stationed in the Marine Corp?

Charlie: (Long pause). Yes, I was stationed in Camp Pendleton close to Oceanside. It’s not there anymore.

John: So, tell me what happened during that day?

Charlie: What day? Oh yeah, the zero day. If I can recall, Camp Pendleton was hit with a large wave. I was eating chow at the mess hall when I woke on the ground, still holding my tray. You know, son, you remind me of somebody. Was your mom’s name Doris? I used to date a woman named Doris in my younger days.

John: No, my mom is not named Doris. Please continue with your account.

Charlie: Oh yeah, right. I forgot where I was. So, my base was destroyed. But I was a marine and we always fight. So, I wandered a bit. I’ve seen some crazy things in my lifetime, son. But when I saw a man, a man from my squad, change before me into one of those creatures I nearly soiled my pants. (A chuckle).

John: A Grog?

Charlie: Whatever that thing was called. It saw me but didn't attack. I was dead to rights if it did. I ran to my barracks. But it was not there. The building was gone.

John: So, what did you do?

Charlie: I did what any good marine would do. I found a gun. But most of them were wet and destroyed. Those blasted beasts were all over the place. I found a marine who been ripped apart by a Grog.

John: Did you help him?

Charlie: You’re damn right I did (a slight crackled laugh). I grabbed an M16 and started shooting. I hit the bastards.

John: How did you know the gun would shoot?

Charlie: I just did. It was my talent from then on. I can tell by looking at things how to fix them and if they will work.

John: When did you learn this talent?

Charlie: It was after that day when the tidal wave hit the base. I was never good at mechanical things, but then I could fix anything. It was great.

John: (rustling of papers) I see that you got a distinguished blue star in the fight at Camp Pendleton.

Charlie: Yes, it was odd. I only killed the creatures that were killing the marines. Anybody would have done that.

John: We will talk later. Thank you.

***

Charles (Charlie) McGee is a distinguished soldier during the new republic. He has lost some of his memory and I will try to induce some recall by an attempting an experimental reading of minds spell.

Side note: Something odd happened today. Two men came into my office. They introduced themselves as New Republic Agents. I have never heard of this division before and I was not going to tell them anything. They asked me if I was working on a book about the history of the Breaking. I had to tell them no. I have hidden my notes and manuscripts in my home from then onwards. I don't trust anybody. I had to tell my students and graduate students not to tell them about my book.

I am going to finish most of this manuscript. The odd thing about the two men who visited me was that they did not look human. I wondered if they were elves. We have not seen them since they were mentioned in the accounts and histories.

I believe these elves are the aliens we are always hearing about in abductions and in old magazines. I wondered how these government agents learned about my small project. The time is late and I am getting tired. I will keep writing these history manuscripts and will complete everything I can before I give this to the next historian, because we have to be the beacons of truth in this age of change and darkness.