Prologue

Wood, of flexible strength, that breathes new life and overcomes the end.

Fire, of uncontrollable warmth, that protects and explodes.

Earth, of eternal balance, that steadies and reassures.

Metal, of cold sharpness, that fights and perseveres.

Water, of assumed pliancy, that veers to death and signals the beginning.

Magic, of infinite potential, that creates and destroys.

During past eras, mages, witches and wizards were the miracle makers with mastery over the elements, confident and capable of controlling nature, known and adored by everyone.

With the advent of technology, however, whilst magic became a common occurrence, as well as something that could be learnt by everybody with just a good explanation and some effort, its former grandeur started getting forgotten little by little.

Even a story about dying embers, though, can hide stubborn flickers of life.

*

Reisen opened the door of her parents’ shop, sighing to herself: another day of summer vacation, another day of work.

A gust of wind suddenly ruffled her hair, that was long enough to impair her vision for a few seconds, but she thought nothing of it and simply moved the hair strands away from her face, adjusting her glasses at the same time.

She then proceeded to enter the shop, ready – but never enough – to welcome customers as any other day. Little did she know about all the changes that there were in the air; how could she, however? Her magic sense, after all, was as dull as her desire to work at that shop.

Too bad, though: this story’s heart beats exactly there.