EXCERPT

Chapter One

“Die… that is your destiny. To die. One by one, you will waste away, and then there will be no one left to oppose me when I take over this world.” A dark voice cackled to the world below, daring it to answer. “Don't worry, I am patient. I will wait until the last of your kind is gone.”

Crowds gathered in the Center as the festivities began, the colorful decorations and deafening shouts perplexing to the mind. Everywhere there were groups of people; huddled together talking, looking at the various performances or booths put out, or heading toward the northern end of the Center where the main celebration was about to begin. The sound of wandering feet and clicking heels constantly rung against the cold gray stone of the ground as people walked around the large, otherwise empty square.

It was usually a calm place; its only inhabitants were the trees that lined the four corners of the large area. The shops kept to themselves in the neat buildings on the edges of the square. But now it had come alive with the streamers and banners used to decorate the area for the occasion, and the booths and games that had been set up as if it were a fair. Now it had come alive with people that gathered for the tradition they had held for so long.

For centuries, they had carried out the ceremony of the Destruction.

For centuries, they had burned away the wood figures of the Dragons, cursing those who were associated with the Origin of Magic, and those who were still practicing its ways, hoping that with the Destruction of the symbol of the Origin, they would somehow drive away the magic users that they had so come to fear in the past few eras.

“These people are paranoid.” A young boy whispered to his friend, careful to make sure no one else heard.

“It's a stupid thing, if you ask me. Suspicion never got anyone anywhere.” His friend replied with distaste. Absentmindedly he pulled at the sleeves of his long white jacket, being only slightly careful with the silk fabric. He never understood the purpose of wearing one's finery for such an insignificant circumstance.

“Wonder what would happen if they knew…”

“They had better not.”

“Fools.” The distinctly feminine voice growled from her hiding place in the shadows. “They think by burning these little wooden Dragons they can do anything? The people have become too frightened.” Her long dress flowed around her in the breeze that came by, the soft, cool blue color disappearing into the darkness. She seemed to shrink into the tall collar of the dress as the wind brought with it a distinct chill.

“They fail to understand that not everyone who uses magic is evil.” The deep, comforting voice of her companion replied. “They are fearful, and that fear is taking over their logical mind.”

“This way they're hurting themselves instead of keeping themselves safe.” The girl shook her head, brown eyes flashing.

“Still, we had better go out there and act normal least we seem suspicious. Especially since the rest of the school is here.” Was the reply.

“One day, this whole act is going to fall apart.”

“Anima!” Her fiend exclaimed sharply.

“What Aestus?” Anima questioned as she flipped her long brown braid behind her. “Do you think that I'm going to let it all come apart in front of everyone?” She said with some indignance.

“With an attitude like yours I wouldn't be surprised.” Aestus muttered under his breath as he followed her out from the shadows into the busy buzzing of the crowd, having to be careful not to trip over the overly long flaps of his black jacket, which every once in a while got in the way of his ankles as he walked. “Why can't we wear something shorter for the Destruction?” He muttered to himself. “It's not like people don't look nice in short jackets, but no…”

“Welcome, everyone, to the yearly Destruction.” The governor announced this from the balcony of the city house, triumphantly holding up the golden scepter that was a symbol of his power. He said the word 'destruction' as if it were something to be proud of, this tradition of burning wooden Dragons.

“Look.” Anima whispered. The governor droned on, but she didn't pay much attention to him, knowing it was just the usual blah. Instead, she was pointing at two young boys standing in the crowd with a look of boredom on their faces.

“You sensed something too?” Aestus whispered.

Anima nodded. “Something's not right with the two of them. You think they could be…?”

“I'm pretty sure there are no more evil forces left. Don't get as paranoid as they are.” Aestus whispered back hurriedly, ignoring the questioning glances that people were giving them.

“And now… AHHH!” The governor's words were cut short abruptly as he suddenly lurched forward, plummeting from the tall balcony toward the street below. Gasps of horror were heard amongst the crowd, and everyone looked panicked.

“Someone help him!”

“Anima!” Aestus whispered sharply into his companion's ear. The answer he got was a simple shake of the head. Frowning, he wondered if he was supposed to watch as the governor fell toward the hard street. His question was soon answered as the governor's fall seemed to slow down, the flaps of his jacket billowing out like a parachute making him look slightly ridiculous and was finally set on the ground gently.

“The Dragons!” The governor exclaimed once he had mustered the will to stand still. “Bring the Dragons here! They will burn! There was magic in this area!” He seemed stressed, bewildered. The wooden Dragons were brought out by the servants and piled in the center circle drawn within the five-pointed star, and a torch was brought from a nearby temple.

“Did you do that?” Aestus demanded.

Anima shook her head. As subtly as she could, she nodded toward the two people she had been pointing to before.

Sure enough, if he looked with his magic, he could see the residue of magic still lingering around one of them. They used some form of magic. Aestus thought to himself. But were they the ones that caused the fall or stopped it? Certainly, none of us knows enough about our magic to be able to do that.

And then a different thought hit the two of them. There is someone else, more than one someone, who knows magic. As well as us. We aren't alone in this world. There are people who can be our friends, and we can trust them.

Or are they our enemies?