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Zipetlo the Great!

"Who's that?" Asked Kyri, pointing at the short bearded man. Liam followed her gaze and saw who she meant. "I don't know. He's not from around here." The man was standing some ways off, and he was eyeing one of the many concrete pillars that dotted the area. He seemed completely unaware of the rest of the world around him. He turned a little, and Liam noticed that he held a battered old cane made from some sort of dull metal.

He spun around abruptly and faced the two children, "AH HA!" he cried, pointing a crooked, bony finger at them. They jumped and clung to each other in mystified fright. Who is this man? Liam thought. The man had fierce dark eyes that shone with an energetic, crazed light. "You see!? I am not so easily surprised! I, the great Zipetlo, will never be outdone!"

"Outdone? Like how?" Kyri piped. Liam blinked at her then glanced nervously at Zipetlo. That's when Liam noticed the specks of white peppering his black hair, and the crows feet at the corners of his eyes. He seemed slightly confused. A small breeze pushed gently through his trench coat, emphasizing the awkwardness of the moment.

"'Like how?'" He scoffed, regaining his insane grandeur, "Surely you know!?" Both children shook their heads, completely stupefied by the stranger's strange behavior. "MAGIC!!" He bellowed, throwing his arms wide and calling fire to his hands. His cane hung from his wrist, hanging still, as it to mock the wind.

The blaze didn't last more than a couple of seconds, but both Liam and Kyri pulled back in shock and fear. Zipetlo snorted, "When I was your age, all children knew at least a little magic. We all competed with each other, see who was the master of all masters." As he spoke, he made grand throwing gestures with his cane. From the end of the strange metal, sparks and ribbons of colorful light came, dancing through the air to settle in the shape of a young boy wearing a tailored suit and top hat. With a final wave of the cane, the boy broke into a quick little dance. He finished his dance with a majestic flourish, and he removed his hat in a grand bow. Then an echoing laugh resounded through the columns and the boy of light jumped up and burst into a firework of tiny sparks.

Kyri laughed and clapped her hands in delight, "How'd ya do that?" She asked breathlessly. Liam was still gaping openly at the vanishing motes of light. He had to admit, he was curious about this strange magician. "Eh. Quite simple really." Zipetlo shrugged, "You just have to think hard about what you want to happen. Like walking on a wall!"

He leaped into the air, and with a grand flourish, landed on the side of one of the concrete blocks. He stood there smiling down at the two children. It was if gravity had submitted itself to his will, he stood there as if her were standing on solid ground.

Kyri squealed with glee, "Will you teach us?" she called hopefully. Zipetlo blinked down at her, "My dear girl! I've already told you all you need to know to make it work. All you have to do is think about what you want to happen!" Kyri ran to the food of the column and--

Liam clapped his hand over his mouth to stifle the strangled cry that escaped him. She's walking up the block! And so she was, taking one cautious step after another. Slowly making her way to where the magician stood. She reached out with her left hand to wave to him, "Like this?" she called up to him. Zipetlo seemed happy to have someone taking an interest in the skill, and he nodded, "Yes! Yes, that's exactly right!"

Liam watched his sister climbing up the block, and without thinking, started to go after her. It was the most amount of fun he'd ever had in his entire life. Zipetlo taught them all he knew. He taught them what they could do, and certain techniques to help them focus on the more difficult spells. And he taught them the limits, what was right and what was wrong.

Some years later, Liam could still remember that first meeting as clearly as if it had just happened.

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This is a short story I wrote several years ago for a class. I stumbled across it while sorting through my files and whatnot, and I thought, Hey, why not stick it on Wattpad and see what happens? So I tracked down a place with internet and--Well, you know the rest.

In any case, I think I've improved since then. What do you think?

Till next time!