Chapter 1

Mel-a-ni

The thunderstorm was approaching in the distance, its low rumble vibrating with long-lost memories. I sat down by the fountain, my fingers brushing against the surface of the water, and its power sent sparkles up my arm. I brushed it off, smiling. It had been a long time since I'd felt it shimmering in me.

I'd lived in this city for years, but never once found a place that held the Force. So my surprise was clear when the Seed had called me as I passed the square, a place I'd traversed countless times before. Why had it decided to take root here, and why now? I'd approached it warily, but the power was unmistakable, the same force I remembered from the old days. Places holding the Seed were a rare phenomenon as it was, and even more so this close to a city centre. But the old songs shimmered in the air as I sat down, and the Power danced before me. I smiled as I let my fingers dip into the water once again. Today, I would play for the darkened hearts of the people, interrupting their hustle and bustle with a much-needed break.

I closed my eyes and filled my lungs with the damp, fresh air. The Seed swirled within me, replenishing my depleted soul. The first raindrops fell, a light touch against my skin, and the air glistened with the magic of old. I placed the flute to my lips and closed my eyes. The shoppers had already started to gather around me, unknowingly drawn by the strength that exuded from the fountain. It had been centuries since the last melody flowed through me, but the music drifted from the wooden vessel as easily as it had always done. The magic weaved itself into every note until only the music and the Seed existed.

I knew without looking that smiles adorned the people's faces. Some had unwittingly taken the chance to let the Power replenish them, closing their eyes and slowly swaying to the music. Soon, more people would gather, not knowing what had brought them here, but unable to leave nonetheless. The Seed sang within me, memories of old dancing before my closed eyes. I didn't know how much I'd missed it.

The first sign that something was off was a slight rip in the weave. At first, I thought it was simply someone in the crowd releasing much-needed tension, but as it grew, I knew something was wrong. The spell lost its force, the Seed retreated and when the note turned sour, I opened my eyes. I searched for the reason the Power had left my song, and that's when I saw you. You stood at the edge of the crowd, an angry scowl on your face. I sighed. It wouldn't be any more playing today.

I put the flute away, letting the magic fade back into the fountain. The people slowly opened their eyes, disoriented after their unknown visit to the world of the Seed. Some looked around, seemingly having forgotten that they were standing on a small square in a city, but as reality slowly came back, they picked up their wallets and left a few coins in the hat I'd placed before me. As the last of them left, I took the hat from the ground and walked up to you. In that short walk, your eyes flickered and for a moment, I wondered if you would turn away, but you stayed, and I halted in front of you.

What are you doing here?, I asked.

I could ask you the same.

I sighed. We were already going in our old patterns.

Am I not allowed to travel any longer?

I was met with a scowl.

What do you want?, I asked, trying to keep it short.

I have news.

After centuries of not seeing each other, I shouldn't be surprised. What other reason would you have to find me? It was ominous.

News?, I repeated carefully.

Yes.

I waited for you to continue, but as always, I never got anything for free with you. I sighed.

What is the news?

They've gathered again.

Your words made me stagger backwards, and I dropped my hat in disbelief. Hurriedly, I picked it up, taking a few coins that had fallen from it with it.

How do you know?, I asked as I straightened out.

I've got my sources.

I frowned. I didn't trust your sources, never had.

Are you sure?

Would I have come to tell you if I weren't?

I stood silent, trying to digest what you'd told me. If this was true, which I assume it must be if you had come all this way, then what did it mean? Was the centuries-old respite over?

What do you plan to do?, I asked.

To my surprise, you simply shrugged.

I don't know yet.

They will be looking for us.

I guess so.

I felt you had something else to share, but there was no way to rush you. I fell silent, waiting until you were ready.

I've heard of a group that has gathered a resistance.

Resistance?

Yes.

What...

The idea that someone would have gathered a resistance against the Masters of the Universe seemed absurd. What would they be able to do against the forces that once ruled our race?

What are they planning to do?, I asked, for lack of a better response.

I don't know, but I plan to find out.

I took a step back. So that's why you had come. To ask me to go with you. I wanted to curse, but a part of me was flattered. I was still useful to you.

When are we leaving?, I asked.

Tomorrow.

So I wouldn't have time to say farewell to my roommates. Shame, but nothing I could do about it.

Where will we meet?

At the edge of the town, there's a rundown supermarket there.

I knew which one you meant, it had been closed for years.

At dawn?

At dawn, you confirmed.

There was nothing else to say, and without another word, you turned and began walking down the street. I wondered if I should call out, shout a goodbye, but you'd never been the sentimental one in this companionship.

I turned and walked in the opposite direction. Dark clouds gathered above me, and maybe it was a sign because I couldn't feel the magic of the Seed within me any longer. I shrugged, trying to brush off the eerie feeling creeping in. So the war wasn't over after all. The Masters had gathered again. It was the last I'd ever thought I'd hear. They were supposed to be gone, eradicated from this world, but they must have managed to weave magic far more powerful than we'd seen into the weave. Maybe they'd planned this all along. The war had lasted millenniums, and shed more blood than I wanted to think about. So what were their plans this time? The spells they'd cast had been broken, and the weave repaired, never to be able to hold them again. But their plans had tricked us before. Once again, I felt Destiny creeping up on me.

I crossed the street, barely aware of the bustle around me. We would travel again, you and me. It was many centuries since we'd parted. In all honesty, I didn't think I would see you again. Old friends, or maybe companions would be a better word, whose mission was done. We separated, and I had no idea what you'd done since. Me, I'd travelled the world, as I'd always wanted. Seeing the places I'd only ever seen on postcards. It was treacherous, being open in the human world, but I got used to hiding my powers, and most of the time I passed for unnoticed. Sometimes I became a bit careless, such as today when I wanted to share them with people. But in the end, there was no harm done. It was a long time since the name of my race was mentioned among the common people, and few people nowadays knew of the legends surrounding us.

The flat was empty when I stepped through the door. I hadn't expected anyone to be home, they all worked shifts and wouldn't finish until the evening. I would be long gone by then. My room was as disorganised as ever, but I wouldn't have time to clean it up. I hastily put my things in the backpack, leaving everything I'd collected over the years. I would be able to gather them again when all of this was over, I hoped.

I cast one last glance at the room. Should I write a note?, I wondered. I decided against it, then changed my mind and scribbled down a farewell on a piece of paper. It wouldn't make sense to my roommates, but then again, nothing would in this situation. I took the backpack, walked to the hallway and put the key on the table. So this would be the last time I saw this flat. I opened the door and, without looking back, walked out.