Of Magic

“It’s the hero! Tenki the hero!”

Tenki and Aimi arrive at the first town he had ever stumbled upon in Mundi. A small town just south of the nearby kingdom, it was the first sense of relief Tenki felt after arriving in the strange world.

The town is small, but has well made brick roads and thriving businesses as a trade town. People of town wear clothes like dresses or large shirts that allow the constant winds to keep them cool, something that Tenki has become used to wearing himself.

As Aimi and Tenki walk down the main street, Tenki is greeted by everyone.

“Wow, just what did you do in this world?”

“Well, I helped save it from a powerful ruler. But I think most know of me because of helped a lot in clearing many areas of dangerous monsters. It is how I met Cato.”

“Tenki! Bringer of hope! I see you have found a woman at last. It is an honor to see you return.”

“Thank you, mayor, this is Aimi, my wife.”

“Wife?! Haha, congratulations! I hope you enjoy your visit; we’ve only become busier since the roads were cleared by you. And, it is an honor to meet you, Aimi.”

“Thank you, it’s nice meeting you all as well.”

Tenki continues his greetings as they walk down the road. He buys small snacks for them from a lady sharing no animal traits. The snacks are small pieces of bread with chicken inside; one of Tenki’s favorites, and a surprising burst of flavor for Aimi.

“There are humans here as well?”

“There are, though they are the minority as most people here share some animal traits. Oh, look!”

Ahead of them, a fire performer keeps a cheering crowd enthralled. Their suit burst into flames only for them to walk out of the fire unscathed. Then, they toss small flowers of fire into the air, allowing them to burst and using the embers to paint the skies.

“Can you do that?”

“Nowhere near as good. But I can do a few tricks, I’ll show you later. What do you think so far?”

“This is nice, it reminds me of the markets back home. But are you sure about bringing this to our world?”

“There will always be bad actors, but there are also people ready to protect everyone. If I can do it, I’m sure anyone can. Oh! Follow me.”

Aimi keeps her hold on Tenki’s hand tight. Although nothing like they were before, the way he keeps his grip firm yet gentle around hers remains the same.

“No way.”

Tenki laughs as Aimi rejects what he points to. Just across from them is a small dragon. About the size of an elephant on earth, smaller dragons are the only tamable of their kind and are often kept as pets by those strong enough to keep them in order.

“Come on, I promise it will be fun.”

“What if we fall?”

“I can fly.”

“You can?”

“I’ll have to show you later!”

Tenki helps Aimi board the dragon that acts like a massive golden retriever. As it extends its wings, a strong updraft pulls Aimi’s hair onto her face.

“Whenever you’re ready hero Tenki!” The dragon tamer said.

“Away!”

The dragon flaps its wings at Tenki’s command, soaring into the sky with ease that should be impossible for the two-ton beast. Yet, much to Aimi’s surprise, it soars higher with ease.

Aimi wraps Tenki’s arms around her body, keeping her body as close to his as he sits behind her.

“Unbelievable.” Aimi said.

There has been no end of the beautiful sights for Aimi to see, but the world continues to take her breath away. High above, a world of magic is a wonder to see. The floating rivers, dancing flowers, tall towers, glowing cities, even the lines of carriages pulled by colorful animals, the wonders never end.

“You know, everyone from our world could experience this beauty as well.”

“But are they ready for it? Can they adapt without countless losses?”

“If they have the right people leading them, I believe they can. Aimi, would you like to try magic?”

“Try?”

“Yes. Anyone in this world can use the magic within the air itself. Here.”

Tenki creates a blue wisp. Holding one of Aimi’s hands, he places the wisp in her palm.

“Feels strange, doesn’t it?”

“It’s fuzzier than I would imagine.”

“That means you can already sense magic, perfect. Think of it like digging your fingers through something fuzzy, you’ll be able to change the color.”

Aimi does as instructed; visualizing what he describes and squeezing her fingers around the wisps. Nothing changes in her first three attempts, but the last changes the wisp to purple.

“I did it!”

“You did! Great job!”

Aimi giggles as she holds the wisp. Using magic as she just did is nothing like that of the suit, it brings her comfort instead of the dread of the suit forcing magic into her body.

After their journey aboard the dragon comes to an end, Tenki takes Aimi to his old home. A simple house near the outskirts of the town, it was a gift from the town.

“I’m going to do some research about what is going on myself. There are some scholars that may have some ideas.”

“What about your friends?”

“I doubt they will listen to what I want to do. I’d like to find an answer for everyone. You can rest easy here; no will seek to hurt you.”

“Fine. But don’t be long.”

“I won’t.”

Aimi walks through Tenki’s home after he leaves. It’s well kept by the town whenever he is away, though it lacks the familiarity of their home on Earth.

“I wonder if he can see stars here.” Aimi walks for the nearest window, moving the curtain aside to get a view of the sky, “Ahhhh!”

Aimi jumps back, reaching for her gun at her hip but finding nothing. At the window stands a masked figure that remains still as Aimi scans the room for a weapon.

Before she can find anything, the door is opened, revealing five more of the masked figures that stay by the door.

“Who are you?” Aimi takes a step towards the kitchen, hoping to find anything of use should she be attacked.

“It really is you. Lady Aimi.” The masked figures kneel and bow their heads, “You have returned at last.”

“Lady? How do you know my name?”

“You must have many questions; it is understandable as we lost you as a child. Lady Aimi, you are the most important person of our clan. You are the chosen rift bearer.”

“Rift bearer? What clan? I am from Earth; I can’t be part of your clan.”

“May we?”

“This isn’t my home. I’ll step outside but only if you remain on your knees.”

“As you wish.”

Aimi steps outside after grabbing knife from the kitchen, keeping it in her hands as she approaches the masked group.

“Forgive us for frightening you, approaching you while you were with the hero was difficult.”

“Can you explain what you were saying?”

“Of course. We are the Mundus clan. You are part of our clan, one born with the highest honor among us.”

“Which is?”

“The most powerful ability known to our people, you are the rift bearer. A power that allows one to open pathways between worlds. It is how we lost you at a young age.”

“Rift bearer? I’m sorry, but you have the wrong person, I’ve no such power.”

“Your words are full of doubt. You must have seen signs. Perhaps you felt strange at times, or you felt stronger than you should be. It would only be natural for magic to reinforce your body when in need. Or, it is also likely you used magic without even knowing it.”

“I-I have. But that was coincidence. I came into contact with a person of this world when I was young. I haven’t used magic since… But then why am I so adept with the magic suits? Why didn’t I lose myself as Ichigo did?”

“Because you are of magic. Lady Aimi, our people predate even this world. We have crossed many dying worlds over countless histories with the power of the rift bearers. We bring to the world’s knowledge and power; we beg you to return to us. We can teach you what you need in time to protect our people from the collapse of this world.”

“You can?”

“Of course. It is simple, we leave for a new one. Our clan lives on, and we bring unto a new world gifts unlike any they have had before.”

“You’re going to abandon this world?”

“That is the way of our clan.”

“Is there no other way?”

“It is impossible, and a fruitless task. We cannot endanger the rift bearer for a small world. Come with us, you’ve yet to awaken the true depths of your power.”

Aimi takes a step forward but stops herself. “I can’t. I have someone trying to protect both this world and another. Perhaps he can think of a way.”

“Many have tried and failed. We beg you; the survival of our people is only possible with you leading us.”

“He saved this world once; he may be able to do it again. I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you now. Not until he is out of options.”

“Do you trust him?”

“I want to, more than anything. He saved this world, he found a way back to me, it may be possible.”

“Hmm. Very well. Should you decide otherwise, all you must do is call our name. We will be waiting for you.”

The masked group vanishes into the night. Aimi kneels where she is, the reveal of her past is difficult to believe, but the signs are there. With the return of Tenki to Earth, and her arrival to this world, it is now what she believes.