Lessons

“This is fascinating…” Professor Malphi said as he poured over the schematics his team had drawn up. Saphira happened to be walking by as he did so, causing her to stop and poke her head into the study.

“What is, dad?” she asked, knowing he sometimes made those exclamations specifically to get her curious and talking to him. She wandered into the study, full of old artifacts and machinery which could have been incredibly important or simply sparked the imagination of her geeky dad.

“Oh, I’m sure you’re not interested in a bunch of stuffy old notes about ancient technology and powerful magic…” Malphi said, leaning back in his chair, a knowing smile on his face.

“Dad, spill before I rip it out of you,” Saphira said, hands on her hips.

“Well, you talked me into it!” he said with a laugh. “This machine we recently found might be one of the most powerful we’ve ever discovered. Look here. The way these magical runes interact with the circuitry, these prongs waiting to grab onto something, leads me to believe this might be some type of magical amplifier.”

“Neat! Which means what?” Saphira asked.

“Oh, my dear technologically impaired offspring, it means this might be one of the ways the First originally imbued magic upon the people of the world. This supercharges the sorcite energy running through all of us, and if there is enough, boom! A new magic user!”

“So this could make everyone a magic user?!” Saphira gasped, her mind already overflowing with possibilities.

“Well, no. Two things, my dear. One, we don’t know exactly how it works yet. One wrong move and there could be a big ol’ boom. Two, this thing seems to run on Void crystals. I don’t know about you, but I can’t exactly reach into the screaming nothingness between dimensions by myself. Void cracks are rare. Void crystals rarer still,” Malphi said, using his best combination of dad and lecturer voice.

“Oh,” Saphira said, deflated.

“But, between you and me…” Malphi said, leaning over and whispering to her. “We do have a Void crystal which we’re studying. Maybe if I fire it up I’ll invite you to watch!”

“Oh!” Saphira said excitedly, filing the information away for later.

*

Kraelin and Saphira faced off against each other, the wind battering them as they stood on the roof of the Hall of Learning. They had decided it would be perfect for their practice sessions. Flat, isolated and easily accessed due to Saphira and Kraelin being allowed near universal access to the building because of their parent’s status.

“I still think you should practice on the ground,” Elysia said, looking around nervously.

“What? You think I’m gonna punch Kraelin over the edge here?” Saphira said with a smirk.

“Well, we could also get in trouble,” Elysia said. “We’re not supposed to be up here.”

“Aw, I’m Elysia and I’m worried about being scolded!” Saphira mocked her. “Girl, look, trust me. I’ve got this. My dad runs the place. Worst we’ll get is a slap on the wrist.” She flung her arm around Elysia’s shoulder. “Come on, me hearty boyo! We sail together or we burn together, right?”

“Are we doing the pirate thing again?” Elysia asked, laughing.

“Does it make you feel better?” Saphira asked, messing Elysia’s hair up.

“Yes! Fine! Stop it!” Elysia begged.

“Good! Now, if we’re feeling better, I need to tenderize Kraelin,” Saphira said, cracking her knuckles.

“Don’t you mean toughen?” Kraelin asked.

“Nope!” Saphira said, charging at him.

They began sparring as they often did. As the years had passed Kraelin got more serious in his dedication to being a warrior. Saphira, being a good friend, let Kraelin spar with her. But Elysia always thought Saphira had some hidden goal as well. Not to be a warrior, a defender of the village, but maybe a Sweeper, something which let her wander the world. Or maybe even…

“Good punch, shorty!” Saphira said, on the defense.

“I always remember a move!” Kraelin said, the excited smile of a warrior on his face. “I’ve known you for how long, Saphira? I could fight you in my sleep!”

“You’ll need to when I knock you out!” Saphira laughed.

Kraelin started moving forward. His feet seemed to know where to go, how Saphira’s would respond. He wasn’t going for attacks. He punched and kicked, but in ways which seemed to show he knew she would block his blows.

“You’re messing with me now!” Saphira said.

“Maybe a bit,” Kraelin said with a smile.

“Then I’m gonna have to try a lot harder!” Saphira yelled.

Punches flew. Saphira pressed forward. Kraelin ducked. He kicked her in the stomach. She backed up, and Kraelin pressed his advantage. Precise punches hit. Saphira blocked them, but she was still backing up.

“Hey…hey, watch the edge!” Elysia warned as they started getting a little too close.

One final blow struck. Kraelin ducked a punch he knew was coming. His fist lashed out. He connected with Saphira’s jaw, harder than he meant. She flew backwards. Elysia couldn’t help but scream out as her friend toppled over the edge of the building.

“Kraelin! Grab Saphira!” Elysia screamed.

His hand flew out. He strained to hold her as she dangled over the edge. She was heavy. Grabbing her had wrenched something in his shoulder.

“Lift…lift me!” Saphira pleaded.

Elysia froze. Her little girl brain shut down. She could only think of how useless she was. She had no Talent, only weak energy projections. She couldn’t save Saphira. She wasn’t strong. She wasn’t powerful. She was useless. She…

“Elysia! Help!” Kraelin shouted.

“I…I can’t…I’m not strong…”

“Then get strong real quick!”

Elysia ran over, grabbing Kraelin around his waist and pulling. They both strained as Saphira tried to get a foothold on the smooth surface of the Hall of Learning. Inch by inch they pulled her back up. Her hand finally grasped the lip of the roof, and she hauled herself back over and onto it, safely splayed out on the hot brick.

They laid there, looking up into the sky. The endless blue and clouds and sun continued on, unaware of the tragedy which had been moments away from happening.

“Saphira…” Elysia started.

“Shut up. I know,” Saphira said.

Useless. It was the word of the day. But as Saphira laid there, she remembered her father from days earlier, and the plan which would change everything began to form.