Do you believe in magic?
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1CLrt4EGr
Well, I do. All my life I knew that there must be more to our bland and poor world. Something beyond all the pain and something not reliant on absent sky fathers.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44eEWIgLJ6
No.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWummd23MJ
What I seek is something with substance. Something that can benefit all of humanity. Something I think I found on that day. March 25th, 2025 is the day I rediscovered wonder and uncovered humanity’s sins.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vDVDYCq0k
I walk out of my comfy tent and into the desert ash. I covered my mouth and glared at my poor research assistant.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVsotGQFjp
“Bob, you better not have called me in the middle of the night for something stupid again.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZXCIr7c3N
“N-No mam, I-I’m positive we have something for you to see.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4JaP1PaZ2
“You better, I helped dig all day yesterday. It’s your turn to sweat.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M5Tol5xj6
“I know, don’t worry though. I found something I know you’ll find interesting. Follow me.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8b2U5e5Mg
Bob finally led us out of this fine weather and toward the research cabin. It’s beat up and covered in dust but it’s like a second home at this point.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneuuObVxXp
It’s not much but what do you expect from someone researching “Pseudoscience”?
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibQXQqxOOP
“Mara, I hope you like it.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HiS6W59ad
“Using my name are we? Must really be something then.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QimIXHeMI
He opened the door with his key and revealed the old research room. Scarped together using tape and tissue paper but still in good enough shape. He leads me to the center table that now hosts a normal briefcase.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGGZyDZJYd
“A new briefcase, you really shouldn’t have.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoQRmrsHMS
He says nothing and opens the case to reveal 20 glowing gems that sparkled with the colors of the rainbow. I was going to comment that I wasn’t here for precious gems. But something about these gems screamed special. These weren’t something you’d sell.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa7BJi1xxe
“What are they?”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsJ6j9J2pd
“That’s why I brought you here, to answer that question. Don’t worry, none of us touched it with our bare hands. We made sure to use every precaution. You’ll be the first one to touch these bad boys.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC10Gg63bhS
“T-Thanks Bob, really.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyDMxRn7Fb
I didn’t know what to say. Was all my research and money about to pay off? This isn’t full-blown magic but it’s a start.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeamYT5HQp
Wasting no time, I went to grab one. The closest one that called for me to touch.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvmxlxD1g3
As soon as I touched it, my world goes black and an old man’s voice echos in the void.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSaOoV9CVd
“This once glorious age is dying. Suffocated by the worst of us. Bled dry by a new paradigm that doesn’t glorify magic or science. Passion or logic.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HyFaQmDrR
No.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CSXbfSEiz
What they deem worthy are control and power. The values of the past are an obstacle to the final goal. The domestication of our fellow man.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXdu4tK28N
It was a slow process but the champions of the age of magic and enlightenment have shrunk to one. The last man of the past age is all we have left of the previous age. That last true mage, our hope and light, is being hunted like a dog.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwv1AVBlez
I cut through the thicket, letting it rip off cloth and skin. I ignore the pain and desperately swallow the humid air.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFht1otMuN
“Give up Albus, you’ll be given a fair trial!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNfWgHHnFa
I ignore the traitor’s pleas and continue to run through this now nameless forest. I force my glass legs to move past their limits. Every second slowed causes the rumbling of horses to get closer.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hXRGHfLw4
But the will of a person can only go so far. My legs finally give out and I trip over a branch. My face hits the cold hard dirt and I’m forced to swallow grim. The houses are coming closer.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjQTzDaXKr
“Please, just a few more steps. Not…like this.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELpXn7voQ3
I try to pour my strength into my body. Even if I have to crawl, I won’t let them have me. Inch by blood-paid inch, I drag my broken body out of the forest.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLzNoECktN
“The ocean…”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibOXQOnnSE
The look over the cliff toward my goal. The sea me and my long gone friends used to watch during a sunrise. It still sparkles with magic and life. But even I can tell its well is running dry. Even so, the sight gives me enough strength to barely walk to the edge.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpuluKceMn
“Albus!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTUpaft6i5
When I reach the edge to behold its full brilliance, I hear the call of the traitor. I turn around to see a small army of men on horses. But only one keeps my attention. Look at him, adored with so many awards on his military black uniform.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnssaU2yAq
“Was all the gold and medals worth killing my people, Lucas? I thought you different than the rest.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyIDqIthaN
“Magic has no place in the new world we’re building. If only you would give up the old ways and join us. I’ll be sure to give the commanders a good impression of you. You won’t have to burn like the others.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwAz2A1oaG
“Burning would be better than becoming what you are.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s5O5WQKzv
I look around to see the other horsemen looking at me like some sort of caged animal. Their hands eager to draw their blades and gut me. There is no peace in the path Lucas offers.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l3V2wcUIC
I look behind me and close my eyes. I relive all of the good times I used to have with the magical creatures of this area, my friends and who I thought was family. But it’s all over now. At the very least, I won’t let them have this place.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsMs1MmrDr
I open my eyes and turn to Lucas.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthaR6C22Ch
“Remember that forbidden spell we read about during our first campfire together?”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pq2y1HDj9
“Albus please, I don’t remember-”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ99Qe0rW1k
Instantly, his face goes white. I can’t help but feel happy knowing I’ll get the last laugh.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKMxyVd3Gd
“You’re bluffing. None of you had the power to do that!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VvEkGWQwZ
“Not unless I sacrifice my life for it to work.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoDif48mo0
“K-K-Kill him! Quickly!!!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x1qWUHLuH
The housemen quickly draw their swords and brutally kick their horses to move.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBkA8vFMCY
I clasp my hands together in prayer and get on my knees.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fVNB7VB66
“One more time, old friend. I need your help.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NmeGxQkIp
Blood begins to drip from my mouth as I ask for help and begin preparing the spell.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmnhuEgjxs
“Die scum!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hrg8Sb5fl
Before the blade can remove my head, the horsemen were stopped by an unstable water tendril.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsJrC2GVhY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI4iF4tO7A
“Thank you, Ariel.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lp7Am4qWA
The soul of the ocean we all loved heard my call. Even though this will use up the last of her strength, she still chooses to help me. I will never forget this, even in the afterlife.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDkrWNwHAi
Ariel uses her tendrils formed from the water below to hold back the swordsmen. Despite her waning strength, she still bought me enough time.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq8OB1M1sn
Flames begin to form around me. Beneath me a magic circle depicting the arcane symbols for fire, earth, space, annihilation, and peace forms. Blood explodes from every orifice of my body but ignore I the piercing pain. Instead, I continue chanting the words I memorized from back then.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ14WUIhw60
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDEw44myge
“S-Stop him you fools or we’ll-”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLb7tgktvQ
“It’s too late Lucas.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOntQV11VgE
I wanted to open my eyes to Lucas’s face but I couldn’t. My eyes melted long ago. But it doesn’t matter, I can sense it.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYbunSFv2X
Lucas turns around and looks toward the sky. A gargantuan earthen ball of searing fire slowly descends upon our location. Already the trees begin to catch fire from its approach.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP6rSETHtl
“You won’t have me, Ariel or anyone else. It’s…over.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTSONAREhx
“R-Retreat! Retreat!!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNxUXNsksH
The horsemen and traitor ride back into the forest. It doesn’t matter, I know that won’t escape the devastation.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJirok0PZl6
I force my melted hands apart and finally give in to the pain. I try to scream but nothing but ash comes out. I would’ve gone insane from the burns that scraped the skin inside of me. But I feel sudden relief as I feel one of Ariel's tendrils hold my hand.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGXfREwejr
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRz7md0Gcg
I understand, we’ll face the end together. We wait for the inferno to consume us with bated breath. With every second that passes, I can feel the heat getting more extreme. Enough to even evaporate Ariel.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZBiU1f0A1
For a second, I felt fear and regret. Was this the right choice? Should have joined Lucas. The pain seeps into my mind and gives riise to doubt. But those thoughts were immediately blown away when I felt something in the coming cataclysm.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZIVaQEQ1G
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINFs6GjWcc
Within the fire, through the blind darkness, I could see my long-gone friends. I could feel that they were waiting for us. Understanding this, I let go of Ariel and welcomed it all.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkodSyM9G3N
I open my arms and shed tears that instantly turn to vapor.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAH5vVF1MU
“I’m…coming home.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XhSuvkGPN
As if she saw the same, Ariel raises her water tendrils up toward the flame. Despite the intense pain she must be feeling, she welcomes the end peacefully. We both do.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZuyzZUTOv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXuNjc7GtK
[3]
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFYBdwVQtG
The trees turn to ash.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolaiGcYQrO
[2]
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIHjbtk3aX
The water is instantly reduced to nothing. Ariel is the first to go.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eOF5APXN6
[1]
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dqMc9eyL2
My skin boils.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKaJ9SfsRJ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMz4UzzCkj
[0]317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXrcTCnQHc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cS1eO4NFT
It impacts and I’m obliterated along with everything else around.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt345sFCaQO
…317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5RTxh8f7A
…317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMyhyVm4Q6
“And so the age of magic ended. Our light snuffed out by corruption and lies. One day, I hope someone will find these gems I’ve created from the memories of various points of our once glorious history.”317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCOyOkQKrq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDgegTB6dR
“Please, don’t let us be forgotten. Remember our tragedy.”317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdyN7Cux2M
…317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgtRfzKtQM
…317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcwC4zmB12
“Mara. Mara!”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexslm7CESY
Instantly, my world returns and I see Bob’s stupidly cute face staring at me with concern. I feel a tear slide down my cheek and all at once, I understand what we lost. But…it’s not too late to change things.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsklle9wpo9
“Bob…”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wf0MHPRJg
“Oh thank god, I thought I lost you.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFB5WGHcS8
“Magic is real.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngQzcujtew
“W-What?”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2wGRovND1
“I saw what we lost, what was taken away from us. Who suffered from our past sins.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZag0a3sgC
I gently place the gem down like a newborn baby. My path in life is clear. I’m going learn all I can from these gems and bring back magic! I won’t let them be forgotten.
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF7n8L1rLq
“Bob, wake up everyone and let’s continue digging.”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ylu8ucJfx
“E-Excuse me?”
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcv4pNXMPA
“We have a world to save.”
ns216.73.216.197da2
