Dragonsoul

Chapter 26

"Where do I start?" Amitola wondered out loud.

"Well, maybe you can explain how is there so much magic in our family's blood when, as far as I know, humans like us shouldn't possess any magic at all," Leonie said.

For her young mind learning about her father's bloodline and the special connection they had with dragons was already too much. The very fact that there was more was mindboggling.

Her whole world had shifted, and she was no longer sure what was true. Her entire sense of reality was tilting on the verge of a precipice. Although she needed to know more, Leonie was also afraid that the knowledge would drive her over the precipice and into the unknown.

What she loved the most about the life they had before her father's death was the predictability of it all, which, in turn, made it all safe and comfortable. The rules of their lives were simple, and it was easy to live her life, to just be herself.

Now, it seemed that there was so much more hiding below the surface.

Their lives were like the icebergs that sometimes appeared on the lake during the harsh winters. They were showing only a small part of themselves above water, while the majority of it was hidden under the water, unknown to many. The same turned out to be true for Leonie's little world.

"Ah, my dear girl, it's more complicated than that. Maybe I should start from the beginning, from the olden times that many of us have forgotten or have started to see as bedtime stories to tell to our children," Amitola said.

She sat down more comfortably and got a distant look in her eyes as if she was traveling to those times long gone in her mind. A dreamy look engulfed her face, and Leonie was even more eager to learn the truth.

"Long time ago, so long ago, that human memory doesn't reach that far back, this land was much more magical than it is now. Every being that was aware of magic was able to channel it in their beings and use it the way they wanted.

It was a time of prosperity and joy. The seasons then were far better balanced out by the use of magic and its incredible power.

Humans and other magical beings, including pixies and dragons, were friends. They were much closer to each other then they are now. Humans and dragons even shared a special bond that allowed them to make an exceptional connection between the two species.

It was the time of peace and abundance, but as you well know, those times can't last forever. Darkness is always there to challenge the light into the eternal fight between good and evil. Yet, it came as a surprise to everyone, the amount of power darkness held over them." Amitola said.

"What happened?" Leonie asked as Amitola paused to gather her thoughts.

"There was a long and bloody war that lasted far longer than any war ever should. In the end, the light prevailed but at a terrible cost.

Magic was almost completely gone. Many of the magical connections forged over centuries of friendships were ruined. All that remained was sorrow for the lives lost.

In turn, they had to find a solution to help magic heal from the wounds which they caused it. Numerous creatures depended on magic as it was part of themselves. So to save their lives and to cure magic, they made a difficult decision." Amitola said.

"What decision was it?" Leonie asked.

"It was resolved that all the beings for whom magic wasn't essential for survival would give up their magic, surviving solely on their strength and skills. The knowledge of ever controlling magic would be removed from their minds to avoid resentment. 

Many saw forgetting as a blessing in disguise, having gone through so much during wartime. It was their chance for a new life.

Of course, they could choose to keep the memories of their loss. The main goal was to remove any memory of using magic. However, many opted to forget all the suffering that was part of their lives for such a long time.

Still, the wise ones knew that there would be a time when this memory would be crucial for defeating darkness. The bravest of the Warriors chose to remember. Moreover, most of the magical creatures' recollections were left intact, to be ready when the time came." Amitola said.

"Were yours and dad's ancestors the ones who chose to remember?" Leonie asked, curiosity carrying her away as a wind would carry off a leaf in autumn.

"Your father's ancestors were brave people but also very wise. They belonged to the rare breed of cunning Warriors who used their brains as much as brute force to defeat their enemies. Therefore, they decided to keep the knowledge of the past, and what was yet to come, it was invaluable.

My family, on the other hand, chose to forget. However, although we gave up magic, magic didn't give up on us. It is part of who we are, whether we use it or not. Parts of magic are deep down in our very makeup. Thus, in the last few decades, the magic within started breaking through for my family.

Yet, they had no idea what was happening until my friend Aqua went to them until she told them what they needed to know. That made it both easier and more difficult at the same time.

That is why I have hidden this knowledge from you for so long. It can help, but it can also change the very fabric of your reality, of your sense of self. Some people can't handle that, but I think you are a strong girl who can handle anything that stands in your path." Amitola said.

Leonie felt dizzy from learning so many things that made no sense to her. What was next? Would they tell her that fire didn't burn, that it was wet, or something as impossible as that?

Of course, she was aware of magic, it was part of their lives, but it was always something out there. It was unattainable to humans. However, Rim's presence did bring more magic into their lives.

"That's a lot to comprehend, but I still don't see how that is related to me, to my nightmares," Leonie said.

"Well, I can't give you all the answers because I don't understand them myself, but what I do know is that since you are a child of Seer and Warrior blood, there is more magic in your veins than there is in other humans. 

While the magic in them will stay dormant, the magic in you has awoken. It had started waking up ever since you were a child, ever since the nightmares began.

I was hoping that they would stop, the way they did for me, but the strength of your combined bloodlines makes that impossible.

It's also possible that because of the growing darkness, individuals with strong magic in them can sense it. I am not sure.

All I know is that there is a possibility of another war. Your father was one of the last of the descendants of the Warriors who remembered. His bloodline, the innate skill of warfare, was probably the reason he was born as a Hunter in the first place. 

As your father's daughter, you have inherited some of the skills, and I am afraid that you are the only one left who has any chance of defending us if the darkness were to come knocking at our door. That's why you have to learn to fight, to survive, to protect your brother." Amitola finally said what she was most afraid to tell her daughter.

It was the truth that Amitola hesitantly admitted since every mother wished to protect her children from all the bad things in the world. Still, this time, the only way to protect Leonie and Nald was to prepare Leonie for what was to come.