ALISTER (Tales of evolution)

Tides of Magic

Alister rose to his feet, his mind swirling with questions. A fleeting glimpse of his past had resurfaced, leaving him intrigued. "Wait, this place looks eerily familiar," he muttered, stepping away from the table to survey the room.

As he wandered, his fingers trailed along the spines of the arranged books, seeking sparks of recognition. Suddenly, his gaze locked onto a glass case containing a gold necklace with a striking blue pendant.

"Why do I feel like I've seen this before?" Alister whispered, his curiosity drawing him closer. He opened the case, and as his fingers made contact with the necklace, a blinding white light enveloped him.

When the light faded, Alister found himself standing near the same table, but this time, he was surrounded by five others. The scene unfolded like a vivid memory.

"Thank you, everyone," Alister said, his face aglow with gratitude. "You've gone through so much trouble for me; I'm truly honored."

Tharros stepped forward, placing a hand on Alister's shoulder. "No need to thank us, Alister. It's your birthday, after all."

A soft, feminine voice pierced the air. "Happy 900th birthday, Master!" It was the same girl from his first vision.

"Master, I have a gift for you!" she exclaimed, her face radiant with excitement.

Alister's smile broadened. "Really? What is it?"

With a swift motion, she revealed her hidden hand, presenting a necklace identical to the one in the glass case.

"This is the Crimson sapphire," she explained. "In my homeland, it's said to bring good fortune to the wearer. Please, take it."

Alister's eyes locked onto hers as he accepted the gift. A silent, intense connection built between them.

"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I'll treasure this forever."

The vision dissolved into a blur, leaving Alister stunned and yearning for more.

“wow!, its all coming back to me, but who is that girl?, I just can’t seem to remember, who is she?..., Wait a minute, did she say 900th birthday? Can a person even live for that long?” Alister pondered.

Alister’s hand stretched high in the air as he yawned. “well, I think I’ll just rest my eyes for a bit”.

Alister walked back to the location of the table, taking a seat on the chair, he rested his head on the table, slowly closing his eyes as his mind went adrift, casting him into a great slumber.

……..

……..

……..

……..

As morning’s warm rays pierced the library’s stained glass windows, the room transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors. Golden light danced across the polished wooden shelves, casting a gentle glow on the leather-bound tomes. The air was alive with the scent of old parchment and the soft whisper of pages rustling in the morning breeze.

Alister stirred, his head lifting from the table where he had fallen asleep. He stretched out his arms, arching his back in a languid yawn. A piece of paper, presumably a bookmark, slipped from his face, drifting lazily to the floor.

His eyes, still husky from sleep, blinked open, revealing a fleeting moment of disorientation. Alister’s gaze wandered, taking in the familiar surroundings of the library. The soft morning light highlighted the gentle curves of his features, accentuating the dark circles under his eyes.

As he sat up, his raven-black hair fell across his forehead, mussed from sleep. Alister’s fingers absently swept the strands back, revealing a crease on his cheek from the table’s edge.

With another yawn, Alister picked up the book from the table, its cover creaking softly as he stood. The title, “Magic for Amateurs,” seemed to gleam in the morning light, as if beckoning him to continue his journey.

As he walked out of the library, the soft creak of the door echoed through the hallway. Alister’s footsteps, still heavy with sleep, echoed off the walls. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air, casting an ethereal glow around him.

His facial expressions shifted from sleepy bewilderment to curiosity, his eyes narrowing slightly as he clutched the book to his chest. The morning light illuminated the contours of his face, emphasizing the sharp jawline and the faintest hint of determination in his gaze.

The hallway, lined with ancient tapestries and flickering candelabras, seemed to stretch out before him like an uncharted path. Alister’s footsteps slowed, his eyes drifting to the book in his hands, as if seeking answers to the mysteries that lay within.

He blinked, shaking off the remnants of sleep.

"Good morning, Alister!" Jade's cheerful voice greeted him from the kitchen, accompanied by the enticing aroma of freshly baked pastries.

"Morning, Jade," Alister replied, his voice husky from sleep. "What are you doing?."

Jade chuckled, handing him a steaming cup of tea and a plate of golden-brown croissants. "Behold, the dragon clan’s famous morning delicacy".

Alister's face turned confused. " Famous morning delicacy?, isn’t this just Coffee and croissant." He said within himself.

After fueling up on tea and pastries, Alister headed to his quarters to freshen up. A refreshing bath and a brisk brushing of his teeth, afterwards, he felt revitalized.

He was dressed in a black jacket with silver buttons, his trouser, raven black, Alister struggled with his stubborn black boots. "Come on stupid boots, just fit already!" he muttered.

Jade, passing by the door, laughed. "Calm down Alister, with a little more determination, there’s no boot you can’t conquer."

Alister grinned. "Haha! very funny, if you aren’t going to help, then find someone else to mock”.

Jade's smile was innocence personified. "Oh don’t be a stick in the mud, fine I’ll help you" she said. With the flick of her wrist, Alister’s boots began to levitate and magically fitted itself onto Alister’s legs.

Alister’s mind was blown, his eyes widened in amazement “ho…how did you do that?”.

Jade expression turned shock “what kind of a question is that?, it’s just ordinary levitation magic”.

“Levitation magic?, wow, that was amazing, could you teach it to me?” Alister asked, his expression amazed.

Jade left some seconds of silence, pondering on how someone had never heard of the most simple form of magic. “So Alister, you never quite told me where you are from”.

“Oh actually, that’s a very long story, you see, I’m from….”Alister said.

“Alister!! Don’t!!” Tharros yelled, interrupting Alister.

Jade got angry at Tharros’s, intrusion “you stupid Devil, why don’t I just mind your own gut damn business!”.

“Apologies, but Alister has more important things to do than to be talking to you, Dragon”. Tharros said, his gauze dismissive.

"Alister, I thought we'd head to the sea shores, so you can learn some basic magic” he added.

Jade, with an exited expression. “ really, that sounds fun!”.

Alister’s eyes sparkled. "Good idea! so when do we leave?."

Tharros replied, snapping his fingers “Now!”.

Immediately, a big red circle appeared on the ground, leaving them in the center, a bright flash of red light quickly engulfed them. As the light vanished, Alister’s eyes sparkled in amazement, they where no longer in the old cottage.

Before Alister’s eyes was a deep blue sea that appeared to stretch on forever, the sun’s radiant light shone on the sea which threatened to blind any who gauzed at it.

Tharros, from a long red and black robe, to dark red shorts, his muscular body open to the salty sea breeze. Alister, from a black jacket, trouser and black boots, also turned shirtless, the only piece of clothing was an ocean blue short. Jade, from a black gown to a pair of black bra and panties.

“Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!! you pervert!!”. Jade screamed, squatting, covering her body with her hands.

Tharros expression, unmoved. “Don’t be stupid, Dragon, this is all so that Alister can practice his magic.

Jade’s eyes squinted with suspicion. “sure, that sounds like a really good reason to turn me half naked!” she said her tone sarcastic.

“um!, sorry to interrupt, but do you guys mind, we came here to train.” Alister interrupted.

“Oh yeah, good idea, let’s begin” Tharros said.

The warm sand beneath Alister's feet was a pleasant change from the dusty library floors. Before him, the endless expanse of turquoise water stretched out, meeting the horizon at a perfect line. Tharros, stood beside him, eyes closed, face tilted toward the sea breeze.

"Feel the energy, Alister," Tharros said, his voice carried on the wind. "The ocean's power is vast and ancient. Let it guide your magic."

Alister nodded, though Tharros's eyes remained shut. He focused on the sensation of the sand shifting beneath his feet, the rhythmic pulse of the waves, and the cries of seagulls overhead.

Jade, seated nearby, waved her hand in a fluid motion. A elegant chair and colorful umbrella materialized, providing her shade and comfort. She settled in, observing the lesson with interest.

"Now, visualize the manna," Tharros continued. "The life force that flows through all living things. See it as a shimmering thread, connecting every grain of sand, every drop of water, and every living creature."

Alister's eyes drifted shut as he concentrated. He attempted the levitation spell, but the nearby shell remained stubbornly still.

Tharros offered gentle guidance, "Your will is strong, Alister, but your focus wavers. Try again."

Alister tried repeatedly, but each attempt ended in failure. Frustration crept into his voice, "I don't get it. I feel the manna, but nothing's happening."

Jade's amused chuckle carried on the breeze. Tharros's eyes opened, his expression serene.

"Perhaps, Alister," Tharros said, "you're overthinking the process."

Jade stood, her chair and umbrella disappearing as suddenly as they appeared. She sauntered over to Alister, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Stupid Devil, your methods are... Dumb!" Jade said, her tone playful but teasing.

Tharros raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would a dumb Dragon know about knowledge"

Jade turned to Alister. "You're trying too hard. Think of the manna as a gentle stream. Don't force it; guide it."

Alister's eyes narrowed, considering Jade's words.

"Show me," he said.

Jade smiled. "No, you show me. Just relax and let the manna flow."

Alister took a deep breath and focused. This time, as he reached out with his will, the shell lifted off the sand, hovering inches above the ground.

Tharros's eyes sparkled. "You did it Alister!”

Jade grinned. "Told you he just needed an actual teacher how knows what she’s doing".

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a golden glow across the waves, Alister realized that sometimes, it takes a different perspective to unlock true potential.

Jade smiled, her razor sharp Fang’s displayed mischief. “now! let’s kick it up a notch.”