“Nice.” I couldn’t say anything more. I was certainly happy to hear that and couldn’t wait to find out what I could do. Images of grandeur flitted through my mind, washing away the anxiousness and worry from before.

“And with that I’m bored, so explanations are done for now,” she declared, hopping up and stretching.

“Wait, no… not this again, I still need-”

She shot an annoyed glare my way, “I wasn’t aware I summoned a whiny brat who just tugs on his keeper’s shirt asking for something every five seconds.”

I caught my tongue and my emotions. She was right. I needed to stop with the whining. I was a forty-year old twenty-year old Thalwesse… or something of the sort.

Swallowing, I calmed myself and bowed my head, “Sorry.”

“Forgiven. I’m going to show you how to cast some magic on your own, so pay close attention.” She walked in front of me and stopped.

“Now, avoiding all the specifics, here’s Chaos’s Certified Short And Sweet Rundown on Mortalis Magic,” she announced. A pair of glasses appeared on her face and she smartly adjusted them with two fingers, trying to look more intellectual. “Magic has two categories: Innate and Invoked. Innate magic is magic that someone just naturally has, like a dragon breathing fire without having to even think about it; but, that’s not important right now. Invoked magic is what you’ll be casting. It is unnatural to the body, thus requiring several components to actually succeed.”

She held up a closed fist and after I blinked, suddenly an old brass, wick lantern hung from her hand. With her other hand she tapped the fuel container on the base, an audible sloshing sounding from inside. “Fuel is the first component. You can’t cast a spell without some type of power source to use. In magic’s case, it can be Spirit, Mana, or Chi. More on that later. Second is the construct,” she said, now tapping different parts of the lantern quickly. “This is the actual entity that is able to contain the power, make it flow, control it, and has the actual pieces to make it all work; with magic it happens to be the caster and their body. Next you have the knowledge.”

Tapping her head, she continued, “Without knowing how to actually turn this lantern on, can I get it to burn? Not on your life. So, to get the spell to actually form and cast, you need to have the knowledge to make it all work. Next to last, you need the catalyst. In this case, the lantern’s wick. It serves to keep the fire burning while delivering enough fuel to the fire to ensure it is strong enough. In the magic sense, the catalyst includes things like magical formula, circles, runes, and enchantments, or that staff.”

“Lastly, you gotta have the invocation. That would be the spark that I’d use to light the wick. Without invoking the spell, you wouldn’t get it to cast. Understand?”

I quickly recited the shorthand, “Invoked spells require fuel, a construct, knowledge, a catalyst, and the invocation.”

“Very good, my Boisterous Bubbling Sandy-Beach Boya.” With that she tossed the lantern over her shoulder, causing it to vanish into air. “Now, for fuel types. There is Mana, Chi, and Spirit, as I said. Mana is the most common and prevalent. It also occurs in nature naturally, much like raw energy, and because of this can be harnessed for spells. Chi is a concentrated and converted form of Mana. If you want to compare the two, Mana is like a flowing river that is very good at creating supernatural phenomenon outside the caster’s body. You control the flow and let it leave you, usually. Chi is more like roots. When it flows through, it latches onto the caster’s body and powers them up. Substantially. Mana is for outside the caster. Chi is for inside. Kapeesh?”

“Kapeesh,” I nodded, memorizing the knowledge. Instantly I was interested in both.

“Spirit is the most powerful form and the other two are simply diluted down versions of it. Spirit is generated naturally with life force. It is in your blood. In your cells. It allows you to live.” Her eyes sparkled and she said, “It is the spark of life.”

That made sense, I thought. “So you can use Spirit for more powerful magic?”

“Correct and incorrect, my young Padi-Wan-Wan-San. Spirit is very precious… but terribly hard to manipulate into traditional spells. Impossible really. I mean, its strong enough to let you live, so it’s obviously something that strong. And if you lose too much of it your overall health deteriorates to the point you can die or even turn you to ashes. You know how a succubus likes to kiss her victims and take em to bed? News flash, the more personal you get with a succubus, the more she can drain your Spirit… till the point you die, sometimes. Funny thing is, the human race generates more raw Spirit than any other race in Mortalis. Like right now, I can’t match your raw output at all… not at all… me, an amazing, beautiful, wise, powerful Goddess can’t match the Spirit output of a lowly human man…”

She sighed heavily, looking at the ground and lightly kicking it in depression. Her moods changed so quickly. It matched her chaotic nature, but still, it was hard to get used to.

“Well… you are a Goddess while I’m just a summoned prophet…” I offered in hopes of cheering her up. She perked up, her pointed ears jumping a little. She crossed her arms and nodded, back to her usual self.

“Haha, you know your place well, my Masculine Muppet Muffin.” She reached forward and pat me on the head, “Good doggie.”

Now it was my turn to sigh. “I’m not a doggie.”

“No, you’re my plaything. Thanks for reminding me. Now then,” she looked around and then pointed toward a large tree nearby. “You are going to learn how to formula cast. It just means you draw the magical formula and then invoke it.” As she said this, her hand masterfully swished through the air in a blur, drawing a glowing black magical circle, then an inner smaller one, and filling it with three simple triangles, each with a white rune in the center. “This is one of the most basic spells you can spell and still look cool casting. This is the Shard formula. One stability circle on the outside, one focus on the inside, with three triangles for strengthening the Shard. With the elemental runes drawn in the triangles, you’re ready to go.”

Tossing her finger to the side, she said simply “Invoke” and the magical lines glowed for a moment, then shattered as a pointed ice shard shot into the tree’s trunk, sinking in a foot at least. The icicle was thicker than a man’s arm and longer than one too. I gulped. One hit from that and death would follow.

“Now try to draw this.” She quickly drew an identical magic formula in front of her. “To draw, just push Mana out through your finger. The natural concentration will cause the Mana to be visible to the naked eye, and serve as a formula for spells.”

I nodded and held out my finger. Not entirely sure what I was doing, I began drawing, trying to push out Mana. Or power. Whatever worked. And yet, all that happened was I swished my hand through the air as if I were directing some invisible orchestra. No lines appeared.

She chuckled and commented, “Well, this might take a bit longer than I had hoped.”

“Ugh… I’m going to die…” I mumbled to myself bitterly. For the past several hours I had been incessantly waving my hand in the air in trying to get the Mana to flow. I had thought it’d be easy. The staff had practically pulled the power out of me. But no matter how I tried, nothing appeared at the tip of my fingers. Both arms were already sore from the exercise and my mood was once again low. Sweat glistened on my skin. I wasn’t going to give up. But darned if it wasn’t depressing. Chaos wasn’t helping that either.

For the first hour Chaos had lectured him on how to actually cast the Shard spell, from its formula to the knowledge of its runes and operation, to its invocation. It was pretty simple, overall, I had thought. I just needed to actually draw the Mana lines for the formula. But, that’s where I failed. As my hope dwindled, her interested waned.

By hour number three, she was leaning against a tree casually chewing on a carrot, commenting as usual. “Hmmmm… maybe the legends about the Thalwesse being savants were false? Or just embellished? I mean, you can’t even push Mana. That’s like… the basics of the basics there, dude. Most three year olds can do it.” She had been saying such things before, but by now my patience was wearing thin.

I shot her a glare, “I am currently trying.”

“Trying is different from doing, ya know?”

“I’m aware.”

“Then start doing.”

“I’m trying.”

“Trying is different-”

I barked, “I can’t focus right now, your majesty, when you are talking my ear off.”

“Fine, fine, yeesh, Snapple Dapple. Go take a little walk to cool your head. There’s a stream a half mile thataways. Go wash up. The water there is fine to drink too.”

“You sure…?” I asked, unbelieving.

“Very.”

Not feeling like arguing, I hopped off the rock and headed for the stream. I took my time. Letting my mood brood. Those past hours were so emotional.

I died. Was summoned. Met a Goddess. Fell from the sky. Was attacked. Used magic. Came to terms and filled we hope, marched back. Found out I was Thalwesse. Yadda yadda and supposedly I was super powerful and the slayer of gods and creator of worlds, and yet, here I was totally failing at something a typical toddler could do. In a day! If I was actually Thalwesse and a Goddess’ prophet no less, shouldn’t I be able to do it in three hours?

It was humiliating. Depressing. The day had been an emotional roller coaster and by now I was tired and ready to just lay down and hope tomorrow was a better day.

The forest seemed so peaceful. So calming with its lush greens, vivid scents, and enticing melodies of birds mixing with the chorus of the wind through trees. The shadows were growing longer as the day progressed, giving a nice cooling touch that helped calm my raging emotions. There was so much beauty there. The flowers, large, bright, smiling. The trees tall and elegant. Even the underbrush held its own flair of the greener rainbow.

“Maybe I’ll just become a hermit and live a quiet, peaceful life,” I said under my breath. That didn’t sound so bad. “Or just a quiet life in a small village somewhere. Though Chaos won’t allow that. And would I allow that?” I sighed, shaking my head. “Andy is dead. I am Chaon. Chaon is me. I am Chaon. Chaon is me. Chaon wouldn’t give up. I won’t give up.”

Holding out my hand, I brushed it over some leaves, focusing on the pleasing feeling of nature. “Yeah… this isn’t about the end goal, it’s about the journey. My journey. Chaon’s journey.” Smiling a little, I continued on till I came across the stream.

Though, stream poorly described it to an underwhelming degree. Small river was more like it. The blue, gently flowing waters sliced their way through the forest, curving through overhangs and the occasional rapids, offering plenty of spots for swimming, fishing, or just enjoying the stillness. Without a thought I dumped all but my boxers and walked into the water.

A soft bite of chill circled my ankles, but nothing unpleasant. On the contrary, it felt wonderful and I hurriedly waded deeper, enjoying the mud between my toes and the steadily rising water.

I waded till the water circled my waist, and then, I just flopped down onto my back. Slowly waving my arms back and forth and fought the slow current to stay in place as I stared up at the passing clouds high above. The search seemed to have died in the area; Chaos had mentioned they had expanded the area, giving up on the region near the crater.

“At least I don’t have to worry about them…” I mumbled. A thought crossed my mind. What if something was in the water? This was a magical realm… so there could be all sorts of unpleasant things just around the bend. But then again, Chaos had said it was safe to wash up in. I closed my eyes and simply focused on the water, letting my thoughts and worries flow down the stream.

I lost track of time and space it seemed. My body grew used to the gentle flow of the water. The calm of the forest. The chirps, the winds, the occasional grunt or howl of some distant animal. So when I heard something splashing softly nearby, I noticed.

My eyes opened to look up at the sky. It was darker, slightly, with two ghostly moons hanging in the sky already. The splashing sounded again to my right. Curious, and slightly nervous from the sudden invasive sound, I rolled up so that I was standing in the now chest high water. I had drifted a little deeper and slightly downstream where the banks were more like small, muddy cliffs.

Worried, I quickly looked upstream and immediately sighed in relief as I saw I had not drifted far at all. A quick swim would bring me back to the shore where my clothes still lay.

I looked to the splashing and my voice caught in my throat at the sight.

A woman. No, some type of mermaid-like woman… unclothed with flowing blue hair and a nervous smile peeked out from behind one of the rocks jutting out of the river’s center. Catching her brilliant aqua eyes, she bashfully slid behind the rock for a few moments before peeking out again. Her beauty enraptured me. From what I caught glimpses of, her incredible curves drew the eyes and at her tiny waist I caught sight of a few scales beginning to lead down into her fin.

“…wow…” I mumbled to myself, instantly mesmerized. I had seen beauty before… but she was special. I raised a hand and waved, “Hello.”

Adorably, she blushed and vanished behind the stone. A moment later she peeked out and tried mimicking my gesture. It was sloppy. A cute kind of sloppy.

My heart skipped a beat and I smiled, slowly swimming a bit closer; curious, enchanted, smitten. I couldn’t explain the feeling. She was just so… so beautiful. I just had to get closer. She ducked behind the rock again as I drew closer.

“Hey… hey there,” I called out. “What’s your name?” She didn’t answer, but I saw her slender fingers grip the top of the rock and slowly pull her up so she could peek over it again. I swam a little closer, now just a few arm lengths away. She offered another precious smile and then, shakily, held out her hand and offered it in greeting.

Heck ya! I was going to accept that greeting if it killed me. I quickly swam over, only slowing to reach up and take her hand gently. My fingers laced with hers. My heart skipped a beat. Her skin was so soft. Slightly slimy, but only furthering its smoothness and illustrious touch. I looked at her hand, unbelieving for a bit at my fortune. I smiled up at her. She smiled back, revealing rows of extremely sharp teeth.

I suddenly felt very vulnerable and was barely able to think “Uh-oh” before her other hand slid across my vision. Her sharp nails dove into my arm, gripping tightly. A splash of blood burst from the wound and passed my vision. I was stunned. In shock. Her other hand gripped mine with nails piercing deep into the muscle and even through.

No yell came from my mouth. No scream. I just looked in horror as her mouth opened up, the jaw unhinging, becoming a gaping maw of serrated teeth belong to sharks and not beautiful mermaids. She yanked herself forward. Her nails ripped even deeper. More blood. Pain pulled a haggard scream from my mouth just as she fell onto me.

I was pushed down under the surface. Bloody water stung my eyes. Metallic hues filled my mouth. Water choked my lungs, bubbles rolling up as I flailed in wild manic. Her mouth clamped down on my shoulder. Teeth sinking deep. Using her tail, she pushed me down further to the bottom, my feet hitting sandy mud. With my free arm I vainly beat at her. Muted, garbled screams left me. She rolled, her teeth shredding my arm.

I was going to die. I was going to die!

‘With shark attacks, go for the eyes!’ I thought. I mustered all the power I could with my good arm and poked at her eye. It hit. A sickening popping feeling followed as I pushed in. She let out a guttural, blood-curdling screech and let go, jerking back and holding her eye with both hands and giving me a chance. I crouched, kicked off, and swam toward the more shallow water like a madman. One arm drug me down, but, with kicking and flailing, I made it to the chest high water in seconds.

I splashed my way further up the bank till it was only waist high. But, I soon realized a fatal error. There was no shore in front of me. Only a muddy overhand and partial cliff that curved out back into the deeper water, creating a small bay that served to trap me. I desperately looked for a way up. Maybe roots to pull myself up the few feet it would take to get to safety.

There was nothing of the sort.

Splashing sounded behind me. I spun around, backing up. The creature screeched at me, black blood oozing from its now empty eye, and with that it vanished under the water. I barely saw its shadow. Back and forth. Moving in the deeper section, trying to find a safe direction to leap from, avoiding my one good arm.

My other arm hung weakly by my side. Blood flowing. It was in tatters and just glancing at it made me sicker. The wreaking torment clouded my mind. Fear pumped through my veins. I was going to really die now. It was only a matter of time.

“Well well, seems you really clean up nicely,” Chaos said from above with a giggle. I barely glanced up, seeing her sitting on a tree branch above me, chewing an apple.

I shouted, “Help me!”

“Nope.”

“I’m serious…” I wailed, clenching my teeth and fighting down a wave of anguish. “I’m going to die!”

“That’s your problem, not mine. If you can’t even fight a Water Mimic and survive, then you’re a waste of my time. A shame, really… but eh, I’ll summon another Thalwesse someday.”

I swung my hand out in anger at the Mimic who was still stalking me. “You freaking bi-”

“Ah-ah,” Chaos cut me off. “Don’t blame me. I gave you a second chance. You’re the one who wasted it.”

“Like I had a chance!”

“Life gives you the cards, boya. Either you learn to play by them, or you lose.”

“Tch…” Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fist and shivered. “You knew this thing was here, didn’t you?!”

She just chuckled at that, “I’m a Goddess. Der.”

Terror mixed with rage at that. She had betrayed me! She wanted me dead! No… if I couldn’t survive this, she didn’t care if I died! And I wouldn’t survive it. I couldn’t. Already I was bleeding out. My brain was steadily growing foggier. My body weaker. It was only a matter of time before I collapsed… and then that… thing would feast.

Maybe that was for the best, I thought.

That made me angrier. Spitting angry. I wasn’t Andy Jameson anymore! I was Chaon! Chaon was me! I wouldn’t give up like before. Ever!

“I am Chaon… I am Chaon… I am Chaon… I will rise above all… for I am Chaon… and Chaon is me…” I muttered, using my good hand to raise my dying one. It was a far shot. A shot in the dark by a desperate, dying man. But I would try. I forced my bloody fingers out and began trying to draw in the air. My voice shook from the searing pain. “I-if Spirit… is the breath of life… then… then… I can use it… like Mana… to draw…” Droplets of blood only fell to the water, nothing staying.

Chaos just sighed, “Didn’t I make it clear, my Soon-to-be-Corpse? Spirit is the purest form of energy. The strongest. It can’t be manipulated into a floating formula. Only Mana and Chi can be. You might be able to overcome the level cap, but the laws of magic apply to you just like everyone else.”

“Shut up! I… I… I’m not going to die now! Not like this!” I yelled at her, still trying. I violently tossed my arm about desperately, tears welling under my eyes from the hellish feeling as blood sprayed in all directions. My vision blurred more and blackness began to creep in. It was cold. Colder than anything I had felt before, like snow clung to my skin.

“Good luck with that then,” she said, crunching into the apple. In front of me the Mimic popped its head above the surface, seemingly grinning, knowing I would drop soon. It wanted to crunch my bones like an apple.

Closing my eyes, I focused. I rolled my emotions and anguish, taking them by their throats, shaking them and forcing them to obey. This was my body. My life. I wasn’t going to die!

Opening my eyes, I placed my shaking finger high, preparing to try drawing the formula again. Fighting the pain, I whispered, “M-my name… My name is Chaon… you are my magic… and you will obey me… you will obey your master, for I, Chaon… shall rise… above all!” I slashed at the air wildly.

Crimson splashed across my vision. The pain choked my breath and I screamed in pain. I continued. The arcs hung before me, suspended. Bloody vines in the shape of the formula, glowing a dying sun’s red. I didn’t think. I acted. Thrusting my hand into the magical formula I yelled out one word. “Invoke!”

The sun’s fury burst forth. Screaming flames swept forward, their madness and heat turning even the clouds far above to steam.