Smoke Rising: Book III

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Eli

"Lets review," Evelyn says, the group of young Shadow Casters gathering closer to her to listen. "In Shadow form, to carry physical objects, the object must first... what?"

Kiki answers first, her hand shooting up. "Touch the physical body."

"Good, Kiki," Evelyn smiles, patting the eight-year-olds shoulder. "In Shadow form, a Caster is able to be seen unless..."

Brett answers this time, without raising his hand. "The Caster stays within the boundaries of a natural shadow."

"Good, Brett. But raise your hand next time. Last one, you can carry another person in Shadow form only if what? Paige." She points to the girl with dark blonde hair and light green eyes.

"Only if you are holding them in the physical realm, and only at night when the shadows are strongest."

"Brilliant, Paige. Now come, children. I have a story I want to tell all of you." I smile at my grandmother, and I'm about to leave when she waves for me. "You too, Eli. You need to hear this."

I make a face, rolling my eyes and sitting with the children. They leap all over me like bugs high on sugar until Evelyn shushes them and makes them settle down.

"Now, the story I'm about to tell you is one our people know well. But my grandson, Eli, has never heard."

A few giggles bounce from kid to kid.

"So you must be quiet so he can learn."

"Yes, Miss Evelyn."

"Now, a long time ago, before the time of the Casters and before the time of the humans, when people were just beginning to build homes and cities and invent new ways of doing things; there lived a woman. This woman was not any ordinary person, she was the first person to be able to absorb the energy coursing through the universe and transform it. She was an Elemental Caster, with the ability to shift earth, water, fire, and air. But she grew lonely, wishing she could share her gifts with others. So, after spending many years alone, the women decided instead of marrying some smelly man and having babies of her own, she would adopt all the orphans of the world. But before she adopted them, she reached out her hand and shared her gifts with them.

"Some of them were able to shift water, others air, but they were only able to transform energy into one elemental form. However, they were all able to cast spells and make potions, which allowed them do incredible things and learn so much about the earth and the connections that run through every stone, every leaf, and every living creature. These children, once they had children of their own, became known as Casters, for the spells they learned to cast. Many of them used these spells to transform their energy into magical forces, and these magical forces unleashed a darkness on the world that no one could have predicted—not even the first Caster herself. This darkness tore families apart, and energy consumed humans, transforming them into more energy. But for every life that was taken, a Shadow was left in their place. Through those Shadows, our people were born. We stopped the darkness, and brought peace to the land.

"As the years passed, more Casters and Shadow Casters tried to show the humans the incredible things they could do, but the humans grew scared of them and began to call them mean names like witches, wizards, and vampires. Many did not understand that Casters were bridges to new understanding and connections with the universe, so they were hunted and forced to live in hiding, never able to openly wield their magic until the time of the Casters. But, today, we still watch and listen, for if a new Caster is ever created, only a Shadow Caster can stop the darkness from spreading death and destruction."