Synectica

Chapter 5

        "It was a long time ago," Ryan started, "in a county no one ever speaks of. Either because they don't know about it, or because they don't want others to know. It was a very small country called Quacistria, that had three provinces; Thilas, Castia, and Alit. Technically Lon was part of Thilas, but it was really its own province as well. Each province had certain people who were born with supernatural gifts. These came to be separated into three categories: mind, body, and soul - each corresponding to a different province (Lon excluded). These three categories also corresponded not only with the three provinces, but also with the elements of nature. Castia was known as the fire province. You see, the original Quacistrians could control their element and even use it as a weapon, though they were mainly used for occupational purposes. Every person of the blood line of supernatural powers in Castia had the power of telepathy - that's how we knew what you were. The three main towns in Castia - Eraln, Palic, and Flavalin - had special abilities as well as telepathy that were unique to their region. For Eraln, it was reflecting energy. They were called the Flicos. For Palic, it was the ability to move objects with their mind - very handy if they attended the university there. They were called the Cistans. Last is Flavalin, with the ability to cause pain using energy signals, or, as we call them today, electric signals. They were called the Afflictions and they were the most powerful of the the three towns. They characteristically were very nice people, but you did NOT want to make them mad. They were scary from what I hear and from your attack earlier - no hard feelings by the way, you were just scared. I mean with the glowing red eyes and then uncontrollable pain." Ryan shivered.

        "Well, what are you?" Netta asked.

        "I'm a Flico, and a good thing too. You see, when an affliction directs their energy at a Flico, the energy reflects off the Flico and usually knocks out the affliction. In your case, you were standing right next to the school and so your shock was so powerful it actually knocked me out as well. Well, you knocked all of us out really. Never mind that though. Flicos can also take a lot of physical damage without getting hurt. For example, if James were to punch me moderately hard, I wouldn't feel it. Now, James is strong enough to hit me hard enough for me to feel it - can and has - but you get the point.

        To the left of Castia is Alit, the province of the body, which is known as the water province. All the people with the blood line gift can turn invisible at will. The main towns are Icna, Nora, and Wavolin. Each controlled water in a different form. For Icna, it was ice, for Wavolin, it was water in liquid form, and for Nora, it was electric signals that bounced off of water in the air; they can't control the signals the way Afflictions can, but it's very similar. Afflictions draw on the electric signals from brain frequency waves, where as Tilits, the people from Nora, draw on electric signals from sound waves. They can push the energy at their opponent, knocking them over - sort of like a barrier.  What many of the people of Nora were famous for  was their music - probably something to do with their ability to control sound waves. The people with the blood line gift afrom Wavolin, the Sprites, had the power to sprout wings and fly whenever they wished, often while invisible. They were also characteristically short and mischievous. Troublemakers those Sprites. Ow!" Ryan turned and glared at Sophie. "We'll they are and you know it." Sophie rolled her eyes and Ryan continued. "Anyway, the Icanas, the people from Icna, could shoot ice crystals out of their palm of their hand. Very shy people, but great at ambushes."

        "Have you ever seen an Icana before?" Netta asked.

        "No, not personally. We have a book of different histories of Quacistria. The drawings are incredible. I've seen a generic discription. Icanas are really good at becoming invisible and noiseless when they need to. It would be virtually impossible to find one when they don't want to be found."