The Children of Nihon (BOOK TWO)

Chapter 8 - A Lesson in Magic

Master Zbgi stalked amongst them as if he was hunting for prey. Though he appeared to tread on the ground like every other person, there was something about his steps that gave the impression that he was hovering above it, that he might soar into the air, or dematerialize and suddenly appear somewhere else.

It created a feeling of unsafety, as if he might come to stand behind anybody who for one second forgot to track his every movement. The effect was a diminishment of their concentration, and it was deliberate.

"The past days," he said. "You have been creating objects outside of yourself. Most of the time, you have started out with something real and tangible, but by now, you have learned how to conjure something out of thin air." He looked around with disdain in his eyes. "Most of you have learned it."

A few of the children lowered their eyes. They knew who he was talking about.

Once again, Sofia felt a hot pit of indignation in her stomach at the way he talked to them, pitting them against each other. Once again, she said nothing.

"But what is thin air?" Master Zbgi asked rhetorically. "It is not nothing. After all, you cannot create something out of nothing. There is always a basis, a spark of ignition. Fire does not burn by itself. You may not see it, not even perceive it. But the air is filled with particles, and these particles lend themselves to your creations. They fix them into reality." He let his words sink in before continuing. He had an attentive audience, as always, and he knew it. "Today, you will not look outside of yourselves. Today, you will not reach for the particles in the air. Instead, you will look inwards. The mass you will work with today is your own."

There was confusion all around. What did he mean with these words? There was something unsettling about them, even dangerous. Like it should be forbidden.

Only Orì smirked.

"My favorite kind," she whispered to Sofia, and when Sofia looked at her questioningly, she revealed her wrist and her arm under her sleeve. They were blue.

In an instant, Master Zbgi was at her side, as if he had been lying in wait for just this. He took Orì's hand and lifted her arm.

Surprised, Orì let him do it.

"This is what I mean," he said. "Your own bodies and your own selves are the starting point. And there is no limit to what you can be. Show us, Orì."

For a moment, Orì looked reluctant at being told what to do, but at the same time, she couldn't resist to show off her skill. She shrugged as if she couldn't care less, and her previous appearance, the miniature version of Mother that she had been presenting to them, fell from her like scales. She stretched herself into her lean silvery blue shape. Her eyes gleamed black. Her hair flowed down her back and then, as if in an afterthought, she made it coil up on top of her head into an intricate bun, without the use of her hands. The tips of her ears turned to spikes, and when she opened her mouth, she hissed with fangs and a tongue that was split in two. She made a cackling laughing sound, pleased with herself.

Sofia couldn't keep herself from grinning. After all, there was nothing that Orì liked better than to be the center of awed attention. And at that moment she was it. Even Master Zbgi looked appreciative at the ease of her transformation.

Only Mother's expression had darkened, but she didn't say anything, and Orì - probably by design - didn't look in her direction, preferring to bask in the glow of admiration.

"Now fly," Master Zbgi said.

This made her hesitate. She opened her mouth to ask a question, probably How? but decided against it.