“I appreciate the opportunity you gave me by signing up for this supplemental course. Sharing knowledge and helping others develop their skills has been fulfilling for me. I know most of you are packing and eager to say your goodbyes.” Kara chuckled, eyeing a corner of the room where a couple graduates were already talking quietly on their plans after class. “Know your time is invaluable and will be respected. As many of you have already gotten what you needed, which was time to focus on your gifts and bond with your peers.” 

Kara turned to her blackboard and began writing. “But before we part ways, there’s one last type of magic to cover.” The class size since yesterday’s graduation had already diminished, but a few curious knowledge seekers have stuck it out to the end. “Some of us long life species will remember a time with earth magic and the beauty it brought. It was a life sustainer like water, a fuel for fire. It harmonized the elements and brought out the best in each magic.”

Kara drew a diagram of a tree with its branches stretching across the board. Near the offshoots she began writing. “There is a deeper magic than just what exists today in the modern world. An origin point. And in my studies, I have come about a theory.” Towards the end of the branch the newer magics were shown, like air, ice, healing and others, with the closer you got to the base of the branch were the older magics, or foundations with earth magic being right up against where the ‘trunk’ of this tree would be. “Like a branch, magic grows from a deep source. A magic that is only described in ancient texts.” She turned to the class, placing her hands on the desk in front of her, taking her time to glance between each student. “A magic from a God older than Immorality, Rebirth, and Perseverance.”

Whispers flooded the room. What could she mean, something older than the creators? The very ones who lived among us for generations, we know who they are, the Gods have been around for lifetimes far beyond any of us could imagine.

“This is a theory I have been cultivating and putting my life into for years after reading about Eisterias roots. But I believe there is a greater cosmic power that created this universe, one that you could say, gave the Gods we know, their very lives and gifts that they then shared with us.” There was an uneasiness to the room, it was a radical idea, one that would turn a lot of ideas on their heads. “I came to this conclusion based on the studies I conducted with some fellow scientists in Archmire. We found traces of an ancient magic in the roots of the trees in Renascent Bramble; it was unlike anything we had ever seen before. It sparkled and almost breathed like a living thing.”

A living magic in the Bramble?

It didn’t seem possible, making it hard to discern if I believed her. But a part of me was drawn to it anyway. Could it be possible?

Kara walked towards the window I sat next to. She folded her hands behind her back. Then her gaze fell to the plant on the sill. A single pink flower on a proud stalk. Her brows raised, flickering to me for a brief moment. “It was dead last week. Did you do something?”

I blinked in surprise. “I only watered it.”

She reached out to touch a soft petal. “Dahlias are very symbolic. In the language of flowers, pink dahlias can represent appreciation and even affection. Perhaps it resonated with you.” She looked back out the window. “Earth magic always knows when it’s wanted. Even if the person doesn’t know they are asking for it.” She walked back to the front of the classroom. “Whether there is a more ancient magic out there or not, earth magic and Rebirth mean far more to the rest of us than we realize. Without rejuvenation and second chances, there simply wouldn’t be growth. Failure is natural, for we only learn by failing and getting back up again. Magic is the same. Do not fear failure.”

-

“It’s raining.”

“I could have this cleared up for you, give me just-” Ezra held his hand out to the rain from the doorway we stood in. It lead to the familiar training field we had found ourselves the last two weeks.

“No. It’s okay.” Ezra turned to face me, a furrow in his brow. There was an unspoken ‘why?’ on his face. I let the silence steep between us, debating how I wanted to explain to him the path that became clear to me after last night with Wren’s panic attack. “I think I know the path set out in front of me. I don’t want to keep pursuing ghosts. The song of the trees just isn’t something I think I will ever hear.” I closed my eyes and listened to the pitter and patter of the rain as it hit the ground and like a beat of a drum as it hit the roof. A melody I hadn’t paid attention to before; I closed my eyes and really listened to it.

“I’m sorry Wilder.” His tone was genuine and quiet; I could feel his gaze. There was a part of me that was at peace with how things were turning out, while I had my hopes it would work out; the chances had been slim.

“There’s no reason to apologize Ezra. What could any of us of done? I reflected a lot of last night, and I found myself weighing two different realities. On one hand, had things been different and I had grown up to accept my gift and lived that life, I would have never met Wren. He carries a piece of me, an innocence that I don’t have anymore, and that burden makes existence bearable. I don’t know how to explain it to someone who has never felt this connection, but there is a bond between us, I know exactly where he is and how he feels at any given time. It brings me peace to feel his strong will when I feel anxious and lost.”

“You don’t think It’s possible to have both? Isn’t there a possibility that you can be more than one thing, more than an anchor to Wren?”

“I thought about that. I really did. But I don’t think there is a scenario where I could.”

Ezra looked like he didn’t want to push the conversation further, he heaved a heavy sigh and leaned back against the doorway.

“Thank you for at least staying by my side, you have given me some wonderful advice. I don’t want your efforts to go unnoticed when I know you could have asked to join the other water magic users. I’m sorry that you didn’t get to learn much from me.”

“Everything is connected, one way or another, I mean Kara told us there’s more out there that we don’t know about. I got what I came for and more. I seek knowledge, everything I can. But sometimes the best way to learn is with a friend at your side. Your journey will be something told years from now... And I’ll be able to say I lived it with you. Value your journey, however that looks for you, magic or not.”

“Wise beyond your years, Ezra.”

He smiled, a soft genuine one. Behind the layers of apathetic glances and general laid-back energy, he was kind and concerned for those around him. “Have you thought to try the rune magic of the witches from Archmire?”

“Rune magic?” 

Ezra rolled up his left sleeve and there on his forearm was a perfectly etched marking. It was a bright red, jagged lines that crossed over each other in a purposeful manner. “I met some humans who showed this to me on my journey here to Darsineka. There’s not a huge demand for it in non-human nations since there’s already more at our disposal with or without magic. But humans are masters at craft, finding a way to achieve whatever they want, especially magic when they don’t have a God that gives them the opportunity.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, the witch who gave me this marking told me it gives strength.” He pulled the collar of his shirt down and there was a much smaller symbol, compact in the center, that spiraled up toward his throat, but could easily be hidden. “I have three runes. This one allows me to speak any language.” Finally, he turned his head to the side and pulled his hair back for me to see another small, red symbol behind his ear. “This one helps my mastery over my mind. It was incredibly painful, but I was glad when I finally got it. They work by drawing out the magic around you, rather than within you. The placement, color, and rune will have varied effects. Like this red one behind my ear, red is a very effective rune color, and since it is for the mind, having it close to my actual brain allows it work better.”

“I’m surprised I’ve never heard of them until now, why doesn’t everyone get them? They sound so helpful.”

“I know of a few people who get one or two, but when you already have magic of your own, they aren’t as needed. Especially since they can be rather painful to acquire and manage. But could maybe be an idea for you. Sure, it can’t make you use earth magic, but it will give you a few extra tools on your belt. It’s an idea.”

“How do you acquire them?”

“Well, I could give you one. I gave myself this one on my arm last year. My adoptive mother taught me how to do them. You would just have to figure out what kind of rune you want, then we could choose a placement.”

We stared at each other, a long pause between us. Was that something I really wanted? What would I even do with it?

Then Kara’s voice echoed. Don’t fear failure.