The Mage's Ring

Chapter 1

Magic flourishes all around humanity. It comes in all different types of forms and uses. Some use it for good, some use it for bad, and then of course those that take no part in it. There are those that were chosen to learn the practice, and those blessed enough to be born with it as a gift. No matter the amount of power someone has, it only ever matters that those chosen to learn this way of life in order to make the world better.

It was a peculiarly warm day out in the city of Delphine. A town on the smaller side, but bustling with life as its townspeople ran their daily errands. Sitting in a quiet corner of the main square, sat a small brick shop that really had no outside appeal.

The bell rang as the door opened. It wasn't a particularly busy day at Dusty Chest Antiques, but the small brass bell caught Eric's attention as he walked in, looking around.

"Wow... Fits the name at least..." He said quietly to himself as he walked in, almost coughing on the dust in the air.

There was no one in the store as he walked in, but the crammed shelves made up for it. He adjusted the backpack strapped to his back with one hand, and shoved his hand in his jacket pocket with the other.

Old chests of different woods lined the floors along the shop, and on the shelves were about anything you could think of. Jars, books, trinkets, crystals, incense...a large array of different junk.

"Hello..?" The shaggy brunette said quietly again. There was no real lighting in here, Eric realized. And why was it so hot? It made him feel like he was walking into a dragon's den. He thought about that to himself for a moment, realizing how stupid that sounded. It's a shop. Dragons don't exist. Be a man.

"Uh, hello?" Eric called again, a little louder but not by much. He took a final step forward, sighing when yet again there was no response.

He hadn't paid attention to the curtain hiding a separate room beside him. In the doorway, the curtain was suddenly snatched back and a girl moved into it suddenly, making him jump.

"Can I help you?" She rested her hand on the panel, and the other on her hip.

"Jesus..!" The boy gasped. He took a deep breath and looked at her.

She had black hair pulled back in a messy high ponytail, allowing messy strands of hair loose around her face. The woman had slightly tanned skin, which was extremely visible as she wore a black crop top and camouflaged shorts that her ass almost hung out of, with combat boots to tie it all together.

"I thought you were closed for a moment there..." Eric chuckled slightly, rustling his brown hair a bit. He took a closer look at her, and her mesmerizing purple eyes.

"Was the door locked?" She asked, crossing her arms with a raised brow.

"Well, no." He admitted.

"Then we are not closed."

The girl moved to a glass case where the register sat. She leaned against it and watched him, pushing her black hair out of her face. "What're you in here for?"

"I was just browsing.." What was with her? Did she not want business?

"You gonna actually buy anything? Or are you the customer that wanders for about 5 minutes, picks everything up, but doesn't buy anything." She kept her eyes on him and the stare and brutal honesty was making him uncomfortable.

"U-uhm... Actually, I was referred to you." He walked up to the case sheepishly.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I... Guess it doesn't... I was looking for a magic shop."

She raised her brow, sizing him up. He couldn't have been older than 22, but he was a kid, probably fresh out of school with no idea of what he was doing. Poor thing.