Before we stepped out of the library the chief tapped his wooden staff on the dark cement ground three times and it looked as if a mist settled over us.

well I’m guessing that’s what he meant by no one will remember us? Man, if I could get my hands on this spell it would be useful...

The chief looked at me with concern, “Seedling I’m going to be explaining a lot of things to you so please pay attention.”

I gave a slight nod and he proceeded “The book you saw glowing is called the book of blessings and it did not disappear, it only transferred its knowledge. That mark that is on your palms shows that the knowledge resides in you.”

“Knowledge? But I don’t recall anything when it disappeared.”

“Young seedling that’s because the knowledge that book had was not something someone can just learn. It’s a full understanding of mother nature’s blessings. I had the barrier over that library for many reasons, but that book was defiantly one of them. Many people have gone from library to library searching for that book and the power that resides in it. Of course, if any normal person looked at the book it only appears to have blank pages, but it was thought that if you are deemed worthy by the book it would grant you permission to actually read it. However, it seems that the whole book entirely resides in you. The people looking for this book know the mark that you now have on your hands. Neo, I cannot stress enough that you must show no one this, even your family cannot know. “

I stood there shocked I had only wanted a spell not a book within me?

What does that even mean? What does it even mean to have full understanding of mother nature’s blessings? I don’t feel any different!

Seeing the confusion that was evident on my face the chief continued “Neo I know you are confused. Even I didn’t know until now that the book of blessings actually resides in the person it finds worthy. Even if this fact is found out as long as you hide the marks you should be fine. Those markings are the only thing that tie you and that book together.“

“Chief isn’t this just a book? Why would people be after a book that they can’t even read it? And why would a book like that be in our library?” With adrenaline pumping in my veins at the turn of events that have unfolded I was yelling at the chief at this point.

“Well that’s because the most precious things are never hidden in the well know places. “

Is he answering me in riddles now??

After staring at the palms of my hands the whole way I finally looked up when the chief stopped I glanced up to see where we had arrived at, “Why are we at your old house chief?”

With a chuckle the chief led me through an old dingy wooden door. As I walked into the house my jaw dropped I was expecting it to resemble the outside appearance, but it was in fact the complete opposite. Instead of the house being small and slightly worn down it was instead extravagant without it becoming gaudy, the inside was MUCH bigger than the outside and the only explanation was that some spell was used in order for this to be accomplished. The furnishing that decorated the house had a somewhat robust look with intricate detail throughout to make heavy wooden exterior seem more delicate. I would never have expected this from the old man standing next to me, especially considering he walked around town in the most worn out robe I have ever seen.

Did I call his house old? My house would be considered trash if I compared the two…

With my face in the mid stages of resembling a tomato, due to the embarrassment settling over me. The chief didn’t make it any better because as soon as he looked over and witnessed my reaction he started chuckling.

Between light chuckles he prompted me over to the living room where I plopped myself down on the couch.

“Neo I’ll be right back stay there while I go and grab something for you.”

As I looked around my eyes where instantly drawn to the massive shelf of books that covered the entire wall around the fireplace, I slowly got up and started reading the first book that caught my eye. The cover looked slightly worn down, but I could still make out the black lettering that was plastered on the front. It read “The attribute of darkness” my eyes widened considerably, why did this old man have a forbidden text in his home!

As I was about to put it back on the shelf that I just grabbed it from I quickly stopped, realizing I still hadn’t gotten my hands on a spell that could beat Tillett and if I had any chance in finding one this book would defiantly be it. The dark attribute was something most mages chose not to touch and the fact that almost all the books where burned made learning the spells all the more difficult.

This book has to have a spell that Tillett doesn’t know!

However, did I want to learn the dark attribute? Could I even use this? Most people think dark magic can only be used if it is derived from evil. I would probably be with that same group of people if it wasn’t for the fact my mother was a healer, as she relies on the light attribute almost entirely. Add that and the fact that she once yelled at me for believing otherwise…

Zillah and I would often play as good and evil mages when we were younger, due to the fact Zillah wanted to be just like my mother she would be the light mage, and therefore I would automatically be the dark mage. One day my mother saw us playing and got extremely upset that we had associated dark = evil and light = good. She then told us that either attribute can pull from evil or good and that we shouldn’t believe that just because a mage uses light magic he is a good person. Not only did she tell us that, but she even explained how every blessing could have a dark or light attribute so deciding someone is bad based on the attribute they have is prejudice.

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I quickly came back to reality when a hand was placed on my shoulder.

“Seedling I was calling your name but you weren’t answering.” When he quickly realized what was in my hands instead of being mad like I expected he had a smile on his face.

“I see you are just drawn to the most interesting books huh? I suppose I should expect you too at this point... If you want, you can keep this book however that is another secret you must hold.”

I debated for a second but then slowly nodded.

He prompted me over to the couch again and as I sat down I rubbed my hand over the cover of the book wondering just how this book could be here in my hands.

“Chief why do you have a book like this? I thought anything related to dark magic was burned?”

“Well yes you are right the 5 kingdoms did try to destroy all dark magic literature after they found out the one to bring demons into this realm had used dark magic to accomplish it. However the kingdoms where driven by fear at the time, any mage now knows that the same can be accomplished with light magic and that it wasn’t even proven if it truly was dark magic to begin with. Sadly the people still hold the belief that dark magic is evil, so many mages learn light magic instead because they don’t want the people to think they are evil.”

“…Di-d you say demons?” I stuttered out.

“Yes, seedling I did. You should try to stop judging people before you meet them Neo, no one can decide the race they are born as. What defines anyone truly is there actions, people associate dark magic as evil and the same goes for demons. You see how the people are wrong about dark magic so should you really trust all you hear?

“I agree with you Chief however a demon was the cause for many deaths not just in our kingdom but the others as well…”  

“You don’t think humans have done the same? You will associate a whole race by one demons actions?”

I thought about it, the Chief was right we have kings that start wars with neighboring kingdoms because of petty disputes.

Deciding to change the topic I say, “ So what did we come here for old man?”

“We came here so I could give you a gift. However, after you leave this house you must not mention even to me that you have the book of blessings. I’m going to tell you all that I know though it is not a lot. First is that multiple kingdoms want possession of it. Its believed that that book could tip the scale of the power balance we have with the kingdoms, so you can already assume the people who are after the book want it so they can cause war. Secondly there is one origination in particular that is obsessed with it, I don’t know what they call themselves but I believe members have a symbol that looks like this.”

The Chief pulled out a piece of paper that had a drawling of circle and inside there was a triangle and in the middle of the triangle was a very small circle. I was actually expecting something menacing but the only thing that stood out to me was that drawling seemed perfectly symmetrical.

After I placed the piece of paper down he continued.

“If you see anyone with this never trust them. Also this organization is the one responsible for the growing of age rituals that tell you what blessing you have and the amount of magic your body naturally stores.”

“Well guess I really have no chance of knowing what my blessings are.” I mumble

With furrowed brows “Neo this ritual is to see what kids are worth taking.”

“T-aki-ng?” I stutter.

“Ugh…yes even though it is incredibly rare any child that shows to have two blessings is considered a “candidate” for the book of blessings. It’s believe the more blessings you have increases the chance for the book to let you read it…now we know that isn’t true.”

“Wait but this group doesn’t even have the book? Why would they go after kids without having the main piece?”

“Simple they want to be completely ready for when they get the book. However for the past couple years now I haven’t heard about anymore “disappearances” so they could have disbanded.”

“Guess that makes me feel a little better” I say sarcastically.

“I’m sorry seedling but I have told you all I know, and I suppose the rest is for you to discover. I want you to know that once you leave here I will cast a spell to forget the all events that have happened today. If anyone discovers that the book was once here and is now gone I don’t want to be the reason you are in danger. After all the first person they would come for is me. There is magic that can force me to talk against my will so it’s best for everyone if no one knows. So, for your safety and the village I will forget it all. But I need you to promise me you will never tell anyone.” The Chief tried smiling but the statement was too serious for a smile to lighten the load.

“Okay Chief I promise.” Not only was this overwhelming but the fact that I couldn’t tell anyone made it all the more.

Breaking the seriousness weighing down on me the chief started laughing.

what in the hell does this old fart find funny??

After his outburst of laughter, the chief tells me “Well nothing is going to change it, so all we can do is take a step forward. Though who would have thought I would be alive to see the day...well... not ...that I’m going to remembered ha-ha. “as he mumbled the rest he picked up a small box that he must of placed on the table earlier.

He grabbed it gently from the table it was sitting on and held out a small delicate looking box that had incredible detailed work, carvings all throughout and look to be dusted with gold. If the box itself is amazing what could be inside. As the chief opened the box I was speechless.... but not in the good way.

I look up to him as if he is joking “It’s just a pair of gloves....”

“Well that’s what you need don’t you!” Still chuckling to himself

Is this man senile? Should I be even being taking him seriously?

“Ha ha now Neo don’t doubt me, these gloves have some benefits. For one they can never come off unless it by the owner of the gloves. Also, it can amplify all of mother’s nature’s blessings. They are actually a class three level item so, these are actually quite expensive...” as he kept mumbling

“Wait did you say class three?? These worn down looking gloves are a rare class item?” I looked at them again as if this new knowledge would change there appearance. Sadly it didn’t…

Reaching in the book I held up the pair of black leather fingerless gloves and decided that they are probably a hell of a lot better than any other run of the mill gloves. Even though I didn’t want to admit it, the old man was right. I didn’t want to endanger my village or my family and if all I had to do is wear some pair of gloves the rest of my life it seemed like a small price to pay.

After putting on both fingerless gloves I said goodbye to the chief and slowly walked out. With my first step out the door I was finally coming to the realization of what happened today and so I tightly held my new book against my chest and with it my new secrets.