Introduction

Welcome, welcome, to the first chapter of this wonderful story.

This story is set in a fantastical magical world, and while writing it, I’m very inspired by the mangas I read during my life. That’s why there’s going to be a little message at the beginning of the chapter, and some information in the middle – you’ll see.

I also feel obligated to let you know, that I’ve written the story in German, and used deepl to translate it to English. Afterwards I went through the entire story in English and made it my own.

There is going to be a new chapter each month, so please follow the story if you like it and send me comments full of critique, ideas and thoughts. I love hearing how you experienced the story.

Now, I don’t wanna hold you any longer. Enjoy the chapter, and until next month

Ukulele :D

Chapter 1 – The Darkness

53 years ago, on a day that seemed like every other, something incredible happened! Something unbelievable! People had never seen anything like it before. It shook the world like never before.

Hundreds, thousands of orbs fell from the sky. They were different colours and landed on houses and in gardens. In forests and on meadows. They rolled down mountains and were washed into rivers.

It all took just a few minutes. And then?

Nobody knew what had happened at first. But slowly, very gradually, people began to investigate the orbs. It turned out that whoever held one of these orbs was suddenly able to absorb an incredible power.

And so began a new age - the age of MAGICIANS!

‘I'll kill you!’ the boy shouted, running towards James at full speed.

‘Pah! You must be stupid if you think you can beat me!’

In one swift move, James raised his stick to ward off the oncoming attack. Crack! Wood hit wood and the two children stumbled in opposite directions.

There was no time to catch your breath!

James turned around, hoping to have a few more seconds to watch his opponent.

Ben wasn't very clever. He was one thing above all - strong. His stick was about twice as thick as James'. But James also knew that, despite his lack of strength, he had one clear advantage: he was fast.

Before Ben had even turned around, James had already jumped towards him. Ben only just managed to lift his stick. But James wasn't stupid enough to let his stick collide with his opponent's. In one swift move, he pulled it away and aimed it at Ben's legs instead. This attack came as a surprise to Ben.

‘Ow!’

Ben stumbled.

He deserved it. Anyone who wasn't quick enough should get used to suffering.

‘You shouldn't have attacked a member of the council like me,’ James said. ‘I'm too powerful for thugs like you!’

‘Hey!’ said Ben, stumbling to his feet. ‘I wanted to be from the Council this time. You should have been the thief!’

The small group of children had met at the edge of the forest to play. As they always did, they were playing magicians - because what was better than magicians?

‘That doesn't make any sense,’ said James. ‘I know the most about the Council, I'm going to be a member one day, so I should be the one playing it. I need to practise.’

‘You can't always be the Council Member, James!’ said Jessica. ‘We all want to be the good guys sometimes.’

‘But you don't have to,’ said James.

It was perfectly clear to him - how could the others not understand it? ‘You'll just live your normal lives, grow old as farmers or butchers and die a pointless death.’

The other children rolled their eyes.

‘It's true!’ he said, swinging his stick through the air. ‘I, on the other hand, will soon be a magician and join the Council in a few years.’

‘Haven't you been paying attention, stupid?’ said Ben. ‘Becoming a magician is now bad! You'll die if you do it.’

‘And that's exactly why!’

James was glad that Ben seemed to be starting to realize. ‘That's why you're all going to stay as normal and boring as you already are. But I don't care if I die a few years earlier. I'll still do everything I can to become a member of the Magic Council.’

‘Well, GENIUS,” Jessica said. ‘Even if that's all true, why don't you tell me where you're going to get your magic orb? Or have you found another way to get your powers?’

‘I don't know where I'm going to find it yet,’ he said, biting his lip. ‘But it's as clear as day that I will find it. Because I want to. And I believe in that more than anything else. I don't care what you say - I'm going to be a magician very soon. And that's why I should get as much training as possible so I can join the Council as soon as possible.’

‘James.’ Leo finally intervened. ‘You're annoying. You're taking all the fun out of the games. Guys - let's just get on without him. You can go and find your magic bubble or whatever...’

And with that, the other children marched off.

James looked after them with an annoyed expression. They always left him alone after a while. Well, who cared. He was the one who would be the most successful in the end. And yet it wasn't a nice feeling.

James thought of his father. He had warned him. ‘Not everyone will like your dream, James,’ he had said. ‘But you can never let that stop you if you really want it!’

And James really wanted it!

Becoming a magician - he was shaking with excitement. This would be the best moment of his life when he finally held the orb in his hands and... And what, actually? How did one get their powers? Hmm?

He brushed the thought aside. It wasn't that important. Once he had the orb, he could still think about it. And he would certainly have an orb in his hands. ‘Oh yes!’ his father always said, with a broad grin. ‘Don't worry about it! You'll make an excellent magician!’

‘That's right!’ he replied. ‘And I'll build you and mum a huge castle in the capital!’

And then his father chuckled.

James smiled at the thought. His gaze fell on the village. The sun shone brightly on the green meadows and sandy paths. The forest behind him rustled in the wind and the air was fresh. It smelled of fresh grass and leaves. A small bird fluttered from one of the branches to the ground, took a quick look round and then flew off again with a shrill chirp.

James loved Waldtal. His home. Everything here was perfect. Everyone was nice and everyone cared about each other. Whatever happened, he thought, when I'm a Council Member, I'll build myself a nice house here.

A cracking noise behind him startled James out of his thoughts.

‘Hey kid!’

He quickly turned round. A figure stepped out of the shadows of the trees towards him. ‘You're cute! I'll take you with me.’

‘Er... what?’

It was a woman. But James had never seen a woman like her before.

She was tall – taller even than his father, and certainly had more muscles. Long blonde hair fell greasy and shaggy down her shoulders. She wore a large sun hat. The robe she was wearing was grey – James would even call it rather uncoloured. At first glance, he estimated her to be forty or fifty years old. But the weirdest thing was that she was beautiful. James couldn't quite put his finger on it. Perhaps it was her radiant skin, or the friendly smile on her red lips, or it could be the wild fire of freedom in her eyes.

As soon as James saw her, he thought: ‘This woman is important!’

He didn't know what it was, but her aura gave him goose bumps. He didn't want to take his eyes off her for fear she would somehow slip away if he did.

The woman giggled at the sight of his confused face. ‘I'm joking!’ she said.

‘Oh...’

James had lost his train of thought.

‘Er...’ he said. ‘Where did you come from, mam?"

He realized he was staring at her with his mouth open and closed it quickly.

‘Don't call me “mam” again, kid – understood?’ said the lady. ‘And as you can see, I'm coming from the forest’.

‘But - what's a beautiful lady like you, mam – er – you, doing in the forest?

‘Traveling, of course.’

‘Hmm...’

James looked at the lady doubtfully. He didn't really know why, but... ‘I like you!’ he said. ‘You're really great!’

The lady grinned and put her thumb up in the air. ‘That's what I like to hear! I'm Linda – and you?’

‘My name is James.’

‘James’ The lady picked up a stick from the floor. ‘Can you tell me where I can find something to eat and a bed here? And if you're really cool, where I can find some work too?’

Now it was James who grinned. ‘Sure! My dad is always happy to see hard-working hands on the farm. We live just down the road.’

He pointed in the direction.

Maybe he would be able to see a bit more of this pretty woman.

‘That way?’ Linda asked.

Even as James nodded, she stretched out her arm. There was a whoosh, he felt the air flicker as if someone had waved a fan, and suddenly she was standing at the other end of the street. Almost at the Müller family home.

‘Oh my God...,’ James stammered.

His stomach jumped wildly. Had that really just happened? That lady... had she really? No, she hadn't! He must be mistaken. But how else had she got so far so fast?

He ran after her. ‘You're a magician!’ he said.

In his whole life, he had seen a magician maybe once or twice. People rumoured that old Berthold had magical abilities, but James had never seen him use them. Was this his chance to learn even more about magicians? He needed to know everything – EVERYTHING – after all, he would become a member of the Council one day.

‘Knowledge is your most important weapon,’ his father always said. ‘Knowledge is what allows me to harvest crops and milk cows. And it's what will one day allow you to turn your magical abilities into food, drink and a warm bed.’

She put her index finger to her lips and said softly, ‘That's our secret, okay? Only people I really like are allowed to know.’

James nodded eagerly. ‘Of course! Of course!’

And then they walked briskly, side by side along the road home.

Waldtal wasn't incredibly poor, but it wasn't really rich either. Most of the houses were made of dark wood, apart from the smithy and the house of the Brechthardts - Waldtal's wealthiest family. But their house was also at the top of the hill, about 15 minutes away from the rest of the village.

James lived with his parents on the edge of the village. That was normal, because his father was a farmer and needed a lot of space for stables and fields. There were more farmers in Waldtal, but James was proud to say that his father had the biggest one.

It was nothing unusual for James' father to hire travellers. The farm was large and needed a lot of labour. Far too much for a single farmer. And even if some of the villagers worked on the farm, there was still a lot to do, especially during harvest and sowing season.

Nevertheless, his father was amazed when Linda introduced herself. ‘Are you sure you can handle the work?’ he asked. ‘There's a lot of heavy lifting to be done.'

James frowned. Couldn't his father see how muscular Linda was? Even if they didn't hire women all the time, he must have realised how practical it would be to have someone like her on the farm.

‘Don't worry about it,’ Linda said. ‘I'm used to the hard cobbles of the road and can look after myself. I know it's unusual, but I promise, you won't regret hiring me.’

‘You know,’ said his father. ‘Emma can always use help around the house too...’

‘No, thanks,’ said Linda. ‘Housework doesn't suit me. I need the fresh air and the sun on my neck.’

‘Dad!’ said James. ‘She's strong! Give her the work. I'm sure she'll be a good help!’

‘Hmm...’

James knew he had convinced his father. ‘But I'm not going to go easy on you!’

‘That's not a problem at all. I don't want to be gone easy on anyway.’

James grinned. ‘Great! So you're staying with us for now?’

‘Looks like it, kid!’

INFORMATION 037

As stated in previous information, the appearance of magicians leads to a lot of chaos in society. Many magicians do not obey the law, and who is there to stop them?

The government has now paid a group of magicians large sums of money to become the official force in the fight against criminals. This group is now called the COUNCIL OF MAGICIANS.

1. ADDITION:

The Council of Magicians has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. The magicians are known and revered throughout the country. Many children dream of, and many magicians aspire to join this council one day.

There is talk of organising a tournament to help select new members.

Linda was pretty great. From the first moment they met, she and James got on really well. James woke up every morning excited to finally go out onto the farm with her. This was new for him. Normally, he just found work exhausting and annoying.

Day after day they worked together in the fields and in the evening they hid in a barn. There she showed him her magic.

‘So, kiddo,’ she said, ’every magician only has one ability.’

‘The ability his orb gave him, right?’

‘That's right.’

‘And you can teleport?’

‘In a manner of speaking. It's a little more complicated than that.’

She crossed the barn and picked up a wooden bucket from the floor. She carried it to the centre of the room and set it down in an important way. ‘Take a good look at the bucket!’

‘All right.’

She walked briskly to a corner of the barn. ‘ Attention!’

She pointed her finger at the bucket. James felt a tickle inside him. Now he would see magic again!

Whoosh and there she was, standing in the centre of the room. ‘Got it?’

He grinned, excited and confused. She had clearly teleported. There she was, standing in the centre of the room. But what had happened to the bucket? He glanced into the corner she had come from. There it was, still wobbling as if someone had put it down with force.

‘Unbelievable!’ he said. ‘You're swapping places with things.’

‘That's right.’

Linda grinned and came over to him. James had an idea. ‘Does it matter what kind of things?’

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

She scratched her chin. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, is it just small things like the bucket, or really big things too, like the whole barn?’

‘I see! Well, there's something you need to understand. Just because something is possible doesn't mean it can be done.’

‘Okay?’

‘To cast magic, you need mana. Mana is...’ she seemed to be struggling for words. ‘It's hard to explain if you're not a magician. But you take your energy and use it to gain mana. Just like you can use your energy to run fast or lift something heavy.’

James nodded. That was easy enough.

‘If you have the mana, it's inside you,’ she pointed at her stomach. ‘And you can only use it for magic now. That means that the amount of magic you can cast is always limited.’

‘I can only run a certain distance before I pass out,’ James said.

‘Exactly. And because that's the case, I theoretically have the ability to swap places with the barn, the village or even the whole world, but it would use up so much mana that I'd probably pass out or die.’

‘Wow...’

James thought about what he had just learnt. So magic was limited. Not just the ability, but also the amount. But if he understood Linda correctly that meant he only had to get strong enough, and then he could use more magic. That wasn't too difficult. He was only 12 and already quite strong because he was always helping on the farm.

‘Have you ever met anyone from the Council?’ he asked.

Linda smiled. ‘Yes, I have. But that's a story for another time.’

A warm feeling came over him. It really was true. The Council wasn't just a mythical legend, it was a real thing. And he, James, would one day be a member. Excited, he shook from one leg to the other.

James couldn't sleep. Magic was real. He knew and liked a magician. And his father had been right. ‘You know, a lot of things have a way of becoming what we want them to be,’ he said. ‘Don't underestimate the power of your dreams. They shape your reality. They are what makes you who you are. As long as you believe in them strong enough, there's no way you won't become a magician and Council Member one day.’

And he had believed. Believed and believed. Every day, without a break. Every morning when he opened his eyes, he said, ‘Today I am one step closer to being a magician!’

Every day he greeted his father with, ‘I'm going to be a magician soon, Dad!’

And his father replied with: ‘That's right! Never give up! Your dream is closer than you think!’

I have to sleep, James thought, otherwise I won't have the strength to learn anything new tomorrow. He sighed. If only he could shut his head up! If only he could force his eyes to close!

But his thoughts droned on, forcing him into a long, excitingly restless night.

Time was one of those things. On a rainy, cold day in autumn, it seemed to James that he was spending a few months out on the farm. And now, in the bright sunshine, working with one of the most exciting people he had ever met, summer seemed to fly by in just a few minutes.

And so one afternoon, at the end of the summer, he found himself in the stables with Linda.

‘Hey, kid,’ she said.

‘What's up, pretty lady?’

‘You want to be a member of the Council of Magicians one day, don't you?’

James wasn't sure why she was asking. He had told her his dream at least once a day since she arrived.

‘Yes,’ he said, placing a wooden stool next to the horse.

‘But you don't have magical powers?’

Linda just stood there, leaning against the stable wall. Didn't she have anything to do?

‘Yes,’ he said again.

He gave the horse an apple to distract it from cleaning its hooves.

‘And you don't have an orb either?’

James sighed.

‘You know me, Linda,’ he said.

He really liked her and they usually had interesting conversations. But right now she was distracting him from important work with questions he had long since answered.

‘Then explain one thing to me, kid,’ she said. ’Why are you so convinced of your dream?’

James finished his work, stood up and came over to her. ‘We've already talked about this,’ he said. ‘Why are you asking me these questions?’

‘James,’ she said.

He flinched. In their entire time here, she had called him by his first name maybe three times. ‘Summer is almost over.’

‘Oh,’ he said.

There was a wooden bucket in one corner. Was it the wooden bucket? The one Linda had used, so many weeks ago? The incredible Linda. The first person who had shown him that magic was real. And now something like this...

‘You can't stay here much longer,’ he said.

‘Kid...’

‘It's all right,’ James said. ‘I'll be fine without you.’

He turned around to her and grinned.

Just don't show any weakness. Weakness was for losers, not future Council Members.

‘Always forward! Always strong! That's the way!’ James thought of his father.

‘Answer my question, kid,’ said Linda.

‘Listen, darling,’ he said, raising his index finger. ‘It's not a question of whether I achieve my goal or not. Failure is not on the menu. I've been dreaming about this my whole life. Do I have an orb right now? No. But I will definitely find one, there's no way around it. Unfortunately, I'm still too young to go off on my own, but in a few years I'll be on my way. And nobody can stop me!’

‘What about all the dangers involved.’

‘Pah! Dangers, don't make me laugh! As if danger would stop me from doing the right thing!’

‘That's not what I mean!’

Linda now crouched down directly in front of him. ‘Using a magic orb limits your lifespan. Whatever you do, at best you only have fifty years as a magician.’

Wow, thought James. Is that how she thinks? That disappointed him. He had thought Linda knew him better.

He still remembered the great dying well, after all, it was only three years ago. When the orbs fell to the earth, everyone thought they just gave you incredible powers. Countless people became magicians back then. But then, three years ago, thousands of magicians died in one fell swoop and it turned out that the orbs limited lifespans. Since then, far fewer people had pursued the dream of becoming a magician. But James was not frightened by the whole thing.

‘If we let our fears guide us, we'd just sit in a corner all day and never achieve anything.’

His father really was the wisest man he knew. ‘Realising our dreams means facing our fears! With proud chest and full vigour!’

‘Are you trying to make me angry?’ asked James. ‘Are you doubting my honour?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The orb won't change my life. Without an orb, I don't know when I'll die. Maybe tomorrow? Maybe not for another hundred years. Will I live my life differently because of it? No.

All the orb does is show us the end. We all have to die anyway. If anything, it's good to know when you're going to die so you can properly prepare for it.’

James took a breath. He had thought long and hard about this and had put together his arguments many times.

‘Without an orb, all I have is my boring, unimportant life. Yes, it might be 80 years long, but as a member of the Magic Council, I can really make a difference. I can help people who really need it. Even if I only had three days left, I would choose magic. What matters is that I do something and help the people who need it, not that I do anything else for many years.’

Linda beamed. ‘That's what I wanted to hear.’

She stood up. ‘Little one – your courage and your will are unique! I've been travelling the world for many, many years. But I've never met anyone like you! I will stand to my word. I'll persuade your parents and when I leave I'll take you with me. We'll find you your orb and I'll train you as best I can.’

James grinned as he remembered her first words. ‘You're crazy, pretty lady,’ he said.

But something was bothering him. ‘By the way, why did you choose me?

Linda took her time to tie her shoe. ‘I don't know,’ she said. ’I've seen you with your friends and you've got the right attitude. And everything I've seen of you since then has convinced me. I want you to be my apprentice!’

James felt heat in his face. ‘Yes, pretty lady! You're the best!’

‘Hey, kid!’ Linda called out as he was about to leave the barn.

He turned around to face her. ‘Just one more thing. Please let me broach the subject, okay? I don't think it's good if you do it.’

James swallowed. He was so excited, without her warning he would have blurted it out immediately. ‘Er, yeah, sure!’

That evening, James could hardly bear to sit still. He noticed his dad looking at him confused a few times, but he didn't say anything. The night wasn't any better. He tossed and turned, flipping the covers back only to tuck himself in again. He was just SO excited! Linda would take him. The time had finally come. He could finally go looking for an orb.

The next morning they sat together for breakfast. His mum had gone to the well to get some more water. ‘Alfred,‘ said Linda and James’ father looked up. ‘I'm afraid I have to be leaving soon’.

‘Oh,’ he said.

He put his bread to one side and looked at Linda. James looked curious too. He had been wondering when she would finally broach the subject.

‘I'm really sorry about that,’ his father said. ‘You're an outstanding worker and a wonderful person on the farm.’

He scratched his chin a little awkwardly.

‘You know, I don't think I've ever hired a woman. But you, you put even some of my hardest-working men to shame. ’

‘Well,’ said James. ‘With her magic…’

Linda had told his parents about her magic about a week after her arrival. It had made things much easier.

‘True, true. But still, your skills have helped me a lot this summer. I'm going to miss you!’

‘Thank you,’ she smiled, but even James recognised that she was sad. ‘Could I perhaps ask you one more favour?’

James bit his tongue. It was time. He was well on his way to becoming a magician.

‘Of course, of course! Tell me – how can I help you?’

‘I quite like James and it would be nice if I could take him with me,’ said Linda.

The mood couldn't have changed more. They had just been sitting cosily at the table, happy and grinning. But now they were all frozen. His father had forgotten his cup halfway to his mouth and was looking at Linda with ice-cold eyes.

‘Is this some sort of weird joke that I don't understand?

‘Er – no.’

‘Then please explain to me how you can justify such a statement. You want to take my son away from me?’

‘That sounds worse than it is.’

The two adults were deadly serious. How could that be? They should be laughing and joking. It was all about him becoming a magician, wasn't it?

‘I get on very well with James. I am an extremely skilled magician, and it is his dream to one day become one of the greatest magicians in the world. I'm sure you know how important that is to him.’

His father nodded slowly. ‘Yes, of course I do. I raised him, after all.’

The gravity of the situation brought something home to James. It was easy to shout every day that he wanted to be a magician. But actually doing it was another matter. His parents loved him, they didn't want to just let him go. And that was why he had to make a decision here. He could still turn back, he could still let it all go. In a few days, when he and Linda had left, it would be too late, and he might never see his parents again. Was that really what he wanted? He felt a twinge in his stomach. This wasn't how he had imagined it. Why couldn't things just be easy?

‘I think I can be a good teacher to him. I'll look after him and protect him, and I promise I'll bring him back to you safe and sound,’ Linda said.

James took a deep breath. He was going to be a magician. He would not let fear win. Now he had to be strong if he wanted to be true to his word, as a man should be. ‘Realising our dreams means facing our fears! With proud chest and full vigour!’

Alfred crossed his arms in front of his chest. ‘I need to talk to you,’ he said. ‘Alone.’

‘James,’ said Linda. ‘Go to your room.’

Annoyed, he stood up. He didn't really want to leave the two of them alone. He wanted to speak his mind.

He climbed the stairs when suddenly – BOOOOOM!

A gigantic bang shattered the silence. ‘What was...’ he stammered.

BOOM!

Again and again, brutal noises came from outside. James felt himself trembling. His stomach felt very weird. He was scared! Panicky scared!

‘JAMES!’ shouted his father.

He didn't hesitate for a second and came running downstairs.

‘Dad! I'm scared!’

‘Don't worry, dear. We'll manage.’

James looked around. ‘Where's Linda?’

‘She's gone out to look for your mum.’

BOOM!

‘What's going on, Dad?’

‘I don't know.’

They looked outside through the window and James' breath got caught in his throat!

Where the village square had just been – about 100 metres away from them – there was now a glowing black thing. James didn't quite understand how something black could glow, but that was what he saw. And it was pulsating like a heartbeat. Lightning struck the – thing – again and again. That was where the noise came from.

Then James realised that people were running away from the thing, screaming. And in a moment of shock, he saw some kind of black arm come out of the thing, grab a man and pull him inside.

‘Fuck...’ his father muttered.

Whoosh!

Startled, they turned to the sound that had sounded right next to them. It was Linda.

‘We have to get out of here, now.’

‘Where's Emma?’ his father asked.

‘Alfred...’

Linda swallowed.

‘No...’ said James.

He could already feel tears welling up in his eyes.

‘That thing appeared right in the village square. Right around the well. There was nothing I could do...’

‘No!’ said James, as if that could stop the truth.

His mum was gone? James didn't know what to do. It felt like he was being torn apart from the inside. Here he was, surrounded by noise, in a deadly situation. He should run! But his mum... The thought just made him want to curl up on the floor and cry. Couldn't someone stop the time for a moment?

‘What's that, Linda?’ he said, pointing outside.

Linda bit her lip. ‘I don't know James. But it's not good. I need to talk to other magicians to find out more.’

‘But...’

‘We don't have time for this! If we want to survive, we have to go!’

‘NO!’ now it was his father who shouted.

They looked at him alarmed. ‘There's something we have to do.’

‘Now?’ asked Linda. ‘Your village is being destroyed Alfred! Can't it wait?’

His father breathed loudly. Tears streamed down his cheeks. There was fierce determination in his eyes. All this gave him the look of a madman. ‘It can't. It has to be done. Here and now!’

‘Then let's go!’

Without hesitation, he ran for the stairs. ‘Come on!’

They followed him, up to the second floor and then, up the old creaky stairs that James had never liked, up to the attic.

Years of things had gathered up here. James swallowed. He hadn't been up here much. The attic always made him feel uncomfortable, and something told him he shouldn't be here. There was still crashing and banging outside. The air smelled musty, as if someone had hung the laundry in a closed room for too long. There was only one small window, directly under the roof, so everything was shrouded in dim light.

His father knocked over boxes and piles and slowly made his way forwards. ‘What are we doing here, Alfred?’ asked Linda.

But his father ignored her and just kept walking. Finally, he squatted down next to a large pile of things and began to rummage through them.

‘What are you doing?’ asked James.

His father didn't answer, but just kept going until finally... He leaned forwards and pulled something out that James couldn't immediately make out. It was only when he came back that he saw what it was.

In Alfred's hands was a large red orb. It was slightly bigger than a pumpkin. ‘You must be kidding me...’ said Linda.

BOOM!

‘What is that?' asked James.

Could it really be?

‘James.’ said his father. ‘Here. Take it!’

‘Dad, what...’

‘It's a magic orb, James,’ Linda said. ‘We don't have time. Come on now, take it!’

James was shaking. Everything was spinning. A magic orb? His father had a magic orb? And he hadn't given it to him? All these years? Why? A magic orb!

He wanted to scream, to be happy, this was the moment! But nothing was nice right now. The noise outside nailed him firmly to reality. A magic orb. What was going on here?

He took it with trembling hands. He had always wondered how he would absorb the power, but now the question seemed almost ridiculous. Of course he knew how to do it. It was so simple. If James had been asked to describe how it worked, he wouldn't have been able to. The best way was to say it felt like the power was flowing out of the orb like vapour, and he inhaled it with a deep breath.

Hot! So hot! There was heat everywhere! No one had told him it would feel like this. He could barely think! It was as if he had fallen into a pit of flames. Every muscle, every millimetre of his skin was burning like crazy.

‘James?’

BOOM!

Linda's voice sounded worried. ‘Are you all right?’

‘I'm so hot!’ he said. ‘It's so HOT!!!’

‘James, listen to me!’ said Linda. ‘This is your power. The magic is changing you. But you're in no danger. Come on now, please, we have to go!’

The heat clouded his thoughts. He felt like he was standing in the middle of a furnace. But Linda was right. He had no time for weakness. No time to savour the power.

He shook himself and opened his eyes. ‘Let's go then!’ he said.

They ran back to the attic door.

CRACK!!!

The loudest noise yet sounded right behind James.

‘NOOOOOO!’

‘James!’

‘AAAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!’

‘James, come on!’

The house, was shattered right behind him. There was only darkness and dust. James saw his father plummet into the depths. ‘NO, NO, NO!’ James shouted.

‘CLIRR!’

Loud and clear, the pane of glass shattered.

James was small and seven again.

‘Oh my God!’

‘Run!’

‘He really did it!’

James gritted his teeth. This didn't feel good.

Of course he had done it. They hadn't given him any other choice.

But it really didn't feel good.

‘YOU BLOODY BRATS! I’LL RIP YOUR HEADS OFF!’

Oh shit, James thought, running after the other boys.

He glanced over his shoulder. Tiboldt was really scary, he had to admit. The huge muscle-bound figure raced darkly after them.

And then Jaime's foot slipped. He shouldn't have looked back!

The brief moment before he hit the ground allowed him to cushion his fall a little. But it always hurt like hell to fall on these sandy paths.

He hit the ground hard and rough.

And Tiboldt was already standing over him. The other children had naturally moved away. Every man for himself, that was the way of things in these situations.

‘You little bastard, now you're going to pay!’ said the mountain of a man, raising his fist.

James closed his eyes, ready for the pain. He deserved it!

‘One more step and you'll have to deal with me!’ said a calm voice.

James opened his eyes. It was his father!

He was standing between him and Tiboldt. ‘Dad...’ said James.

‘The boy smashed my window!’

‘The boy is my son,’ said his father. ‘And whoever wants to get to my son has to get past me first!’

His father spoke emphatically, but his voice was calm. It was frightening. In a completely different way than Tiboldt was.

‘Yes...’ he said. ‘Maybe I should teach you a lesson so you can finally start raising your brat.’

‘Dare it!"

The two men stared at each other for a long time. For a moment, James thought Tiboldt had raised his fist a little. But then the man suddenly turned around and walked away.

‘You'll pay me for the glass, farmer,’ he called out to them, then he was gone.

James was breathing heavily. His father had saved him. He looked at the figure who still had his back turned. ‘Dad, I...’

His father turned around. James tried to read anything from his face, but he couldn't. His father reached out and helped him to his feet, then started walking towards their house.

‘Dad!’ shouted James, running after him.

‘I don't want to hear anything right now,’ he said.

James swallowed and followed him. If only he knew how his father felt. Sad? Angry? Disappointed? Proud? It could be anything.

After a few minutes, they arrived home. His father led him into the living room and pointed to a chair. ‘Sit down.’

James followed the command.

His father was still looking at him with unreadable eyes. Just as he had thought about what he wanted to say, his father began to speak.

‘James, I've let you down.’

‘What?’

His father - let him down? Where did he get that idea? ‘Dad, not at all!’

‘I can't explain it any other way. How else could something like today have happened?’

‘Dad. They left me no choice.’

‘Explain it to me. What happened?’

James swallowed. He didn't really want to remember. But he had to - for his father.

‘The other boys said I was a wimp, and not really brave at all. They said...’

A burning in his eyes told him that he had started to cry.

‘They said that I could only prove my courage and honour by breaking the window...’

Silence.

Please say something, James pleaded silently.

‘I understand.’

His father sat up in his chair. ‘Courage, strength, willpower, determination. These are all qualities we talk about every day.’

His father's voice was calm and pleasant and helped James to settle down immediately.

‘Son, I think we need to have another talk about the meaning of those words

What is courage? Courage is not doing stupid things like challenging the strongest man in the village for no reason. Courage is doing the right thing even though you are afraid.

Strength is not destructive power, but the ability to help those you love, no matter the circumstances.

Willpower is not when we switch off our heads and do whatever is asked of us, but when we defy our heads in difficult situations and take the hard but right path.

Determination is not knocking down all the walls without thinking about the consequences, but motivating your heart to stand up for what's really important to you.’

James thought about it. If all this was true, then he had behaved really badly today. But his father - his father had shown incredible character.

Courage, strength, willpower and determination had all been needed when he stood up to Tiboldt to save his son.

‘Dad – I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do any of this to happen.’

‘It's all right. We all make mistakes and you're still young. You have many years ahead of you to learn these things.’

His father stood up and took a metal box from a shelf. He opened it and took out a few coins. ‘Now prove to me your courage and strength.’

He came back to James and handed him the coins. ‘I want you to take these to Tiboldt and apologise for your actions. Explain to him what happened and remind him that he'll be in trouble with me if anything happens to you.’

James nodded.

He was scared. Tiboldt was wild. Who knew what he would do if he saw him again. But he would face his fear and do the right thing.

He wanted to help. Somehow. There had to be something he could do.

And still his body was insanely hot!

His father looked at him as he fell, and moved his lips, but James could hear nothing.

And then a shadow appeared in the darkness. A creature took hold of his father, grabbed him by the neck and waist, and broke him in two. James felt his breath catch in his throat. He was too terrified to scream. The creature turned around, and James saw a bright red grin in the darkness, then the creature disappeared again.

‘James, I'm sorry, but I have to save you!’ he heard Linda say.

She grabbed him by the waist and with a whoosh, everything fell silent.