Magia

Magia? The world of magic? Was there really such a thing? As if understanding the look on my face, the old woman smiles and says, "Time does not exist here in Magia. It's a safe haven for us sisters of the night. Anyone who's brought here is brought here by Magia."

I frown thinking about my welcome reception. Her smile grows and says, "You are the first to arrive in such a manner. Most arrive by boat, not by the sky. When you tripped the protection runes, we thought it was an intruder. I apologize, my child."

It was a safe haven, but they needed protection runes? She turns and says, "Follow me." She then starts walking towards the ocean. I blink, standing rooted to the ground. Did she want to go for a swim??

Before I can say anything sarcastic, the magical ocean water starts to part! My jaw nearly hits the ground as she calls back, "Keep up child. We don't want you getting lost as soon as you get here. Ah, don't forget to take off your shoes." Once again, my feet begin moving on their own as I slip my shoes off and follow the woman toward the dark glittering ocean.

The black sand was soft and warm, making it feel as if I was walking on dark clouds. As I follow her in, going deeper and deeper, I can't help but look at the walls of water. A large glowing stingray swims by, turning its body to the side as it glides through the water effortlessly.

Smaller glowing fish swim along, following us as we go deeper and deeper. Now it felt like we were in a tunnel of water! I look up above me and marvel at the sight. Glowing jellyfish slowly move above us like multicolored clouds as the fish swim in bright schools.

When we finally reach the end, it opens up into a large dome. The water looked like the night sky! It looked as if I was standing under a million stars! Several huts were placed around the large dome, making what looked like a village.

The houses looked like something out of a storybook. Covered in coral and shiny stones. In the center of this dome was a large water fountain. Bright blue glowing water poured out of the fountain and trickled down into black sand.

The women behind me, walk past me and head straight for the fountain. They cup their hands, filling them with the glowing water and drinking it. Suddenly, I want to taste it too. The old woman breaks my train of thought as she says, "This way child."

I blink, swallowing hard as I follow after her. She leads me to a rather large-looking hut and says, "Have a seat and make yourself comfortable. I'm going to get us something to drink. When I get back, we'll talk."

I walk into the hut and find hundreds of pieces of sea glass hanging from the ceiling. Even though it should be dark, light glitters off them as they slowly sway back and forth in the same nonexistent wind.

Wait, were they swaying with the tide of the ocean!? The old woman comes back and chuckles before saying, "I told you to have a seat. Sit down child and take a break." She walks over to a small table with a glass vase filled with glowing blue water.

She pours two glasses of it and pushes one to me. I reach out and grab the cup with the tips of my fingers, almost afraid everything will disappear like a dream. She lifts the cup and nearly downs the whole thing before placing the glass down with a satisfied sigh.

I lift the glass and sniff it. It honestly doesn't smell like anything. I take a sip and freeze. It was like the purest water I've ever had. So fresh, clean, and cool. I felt my own magic rising as if feeling refreshed by the magical water.

I down the whole cup and find myself wanting more but I control myself. She gives me a knowing smile and says, "When I first got here, I nearly popped my stomach because I drank so much." She chuckles at the memory before looking at me and asking, "So what brings you here to Magia, child?"

I blink in confusion as I slowly lift and finger and point to myself before saying, "I didn't mean to come here. I was trying to make a bridge back home. Back from where I came from." The old lady's blue eyes twinkle with mystery as she says, "Back where you came from, huh?"

I blink before slowly tilting my head. Was she trying to say that I was from here? I shake my head and say, "There must be a mistake. I know where I'm from and I have... had parents. I was born in that world, in that place. That is where I'm from."

The old woman's smile turns knowing as she says, "Where was your mother from? And your mother's mother? And before them? Do you really think it's impossible to be from here?" I immediately shut my mouth.

What she says... it's not impossible. I know I'm an Alarie, a direct descendant of Nyx, the goddess of night and chaos. My head snaps up as I look at the old woman with wide eyes. She winks at me as she fills our glasses back up and says, "I'm guessing you thought of something."

I look at the glowing liquid before looking up at her and asking, "Do you know who... Nyx is?" The old woman's smile grows larger as a look of mystery and wonder floods into her bright blue eyes. She sips her water and says, "Now that is a name I haven't heard in a long time. I happen to know of her, child. It seems like I found the reason for your sudden visit as well."

Confusion eats away at me, but I can't deny the excitement and fear that now swirled around in me. The reason for my visit? Is she saying it has something to do with Nyx? Or was it my bloodline to Nyx? I never thought of seeking answers for something like this but now that I know this place exists, I can't turn a blind eye to it.

My heart races with excitement as I ask, "What do you mean? Does it have something to do with Nyx?" She gives me a gentle smile before asking, "Are you sure you want to know?" I blink, taken back by her sudden question. Why wouldn't I want to know?

She makes it sound like a bad thing or something...

I watch her intently as I slowly nod my head and say, "Yes, I'm sure."