1 My Name is Anna

My name is Anna. I live on the Perival Continent, or more precisely a smaller region called The Great North, but people refer to it as simple North. This is my story, a story I was reluctant to write. Well, it seems I changed my mind, since you are reading this. That's about enough for an introduction, let me start from the beginning.

I was born in the Great North, a peaceful and weird place at first sight. I faintly remember living in a city of some sorts, but we moved to a more secluded area and stayed there. I was about four years old when we moved to our new home. The place had a great view of the ocean and was very serene. We lived in a small wooden house, with a small garden full of vegetables and fruits. We didn't have any animals, but mom always bought meat from somewhere. Although the area was a bit isolated, we received many visitors throughout the year.

Shades were really mysterious, and I was scared of them at first. They had large red eyes, and mouths that made me feel uneasy around them. With time though, I learned that they were really nice people, and I shouldn't judge them by their looks. Lizards were also very friendly. They came in many colours too, which I found funny. I always liked to play with their tails, it was something I didn't have. I was usually asked to play outside when they visited. Mom was very strict about that too. One time my curiosity took over, and I tried to listen in on their conversation. Mom caught me red handed, and told me to clean the house as punishment.

Voltars... I didn't hate them but I didn't find them friendly either. Their skin was blue and they had the ability to command electric energy. Their faces looked mostly grim with no smiles, hence my impression of them was not that great. None of them caused any troubles for us, so I guessed they were naturally gloomy. Atols on the other hand, looked like large monkeys. They were always pretty fun, and played tag or hide and seek with me. They also taught me how to climb trees, but mom wasn't too happy about that. Atols could climb really well, and they were also very good craftsmen. The house we lived in was built by them. The vegetables and fruits in our garden were also provided by them.

Furians were more like family to us. My mom was a Furian, and she was the most beautiful Furian out there. She had beautiful long black hair, her skin was fair and whiter compared to the usual Furian grey, and her eyes were also different. She had black eyes like Furians, but her irises were more grey and distinct. I always admired my mother's eyes, and wondered why my eyes were not the same. Although my hair was also black, my eyes were... weird. Compared to all those people who visited us, I felt like a freak. I asked mom about it, and she mentioned something I hadn't heard before. My mom was half Furian and half Human. She explained that I wasn't that closely related to Furians, but more related to Humans.

When I asked her about Humans, she said they occupied the other part of the continent. I wasn't sure why there were no Humans in the North. "Mom… Does that mean I'm a freak?", I asked her one day. Mom looked at me before hugging me, "Don't ever think like that Anna. You are not a freak, your father…". She stopped at that point and let me go. I didn't know my father. I tried asking where he was, but mother wouldn't say.

I decided to try once more. "Where is father? Why is he not here? Did he abandon us?", I asked. This time mom replied, "Your father… He didn't abandon us, he would never do that. He is… away for now. He will return, we just have to wait, alright?". After that, she retired to her room. I tried to cheer her up but the only reply I got was, "I'm fine sweetie". 'How could he leave us? Mom is so sad, what a bad guy. I don't like him, he deserves the worst', I thought.

My mind conjured up many reasons. 'Did he abandon us because mom is different? He doesn't want us in his life?', I asked myself. No matter what, I didn't like him. No one who visited us, talked about my father. As if he didn't exist, as if mom was always alone. 'If I ever see him return, I will not allow him to make mom sad ever again!', I exclaimed in my mind.

Mom's mood got better the next day, so I didn't ask about father anymore. I had no reason to make mom sad, besides he wasn't worth it. The time slowly passed. At the age of seven, mother taught me some Northern history. She explained a few things, but I felt like something was missing. She also told me about the Perival Continent, where we lived. Mom also told me about the cities and areas where prominent races lived. Cities like Sedon, where Shades resided. Or Apium, where Atols lived. Since we were on that topic, I asked about Humans too. After all, I was one of them, at least in most parts. Humans although not common in the North, their population was huge. Mom told me they had many cities and villages spread throughout their Empire. Mom also noted that the Endrosian Empire was at least two times larger than North, but it was occupied by mostly Humans. I wasn't sure why the Endrosian Empire was twice as big, but housed only Humans. The North was smaller and there were many races living there. Mom didn't explain why, she only said, "That's just how it is dear".

After these few years, I had a basic idea about the world surrounding us. Mother also taught me about seasons, something that was absent in the North for some reason. I was confused about those seasons, especially winter. Mother described snow and ice to me, but I just couldn't imagine those things. That was when she came up with an idea. "Anna, would you like to see some snow?", she asked me. I was really curious, and nodded my head. I wanted to see those seasons, and I wanted to see the Endrosian Empire. Her idea was different from what I thought.

We didn't go to the Endrosian Empire, instead mom invited uncle Lazar, aunt Alicia, their daughter Suly and her little brother Leran. Suly was much older than me, but she treated me like her little sister. She would even show me Formations from time to time. The reason mother invited them was precisely due to Formations. "So Anna, you want to see some snow?", Suly asked. "Yes, I'm curious. Mother said it's really beautiful", I replied nodding my head. She smiled, and placed her hands on the ground. "I can't create a lot of it, but I can at least show you how it looks", she said and the ground lit up.

White strands of what looked like mist, slowly formed over Suly's head. The mist got thicker and thicker, until it formed a cloud. A few moments later, something white fell from it. "You can touch it", Suly said while standing up. I took a step forward, and placed my hand over the cloud. The snow was pure white, cold and melted on my hand. "Woooow…", I said, trying to catch more. I liked snow, it really was beautiful and ethereal. The pure white snow was really delicate, and it would melt the moment I touched it. "Snow is basically frozen rain, or water. It really is a shame we don't have seasons here in the North", she said while the cloud slowly disappeared.

Aunt Alicia stepped in, "You are making improvements, but you are still far away from mastering your Formations. Let me show you how it's supposed to be done!". Aunt slammed her leg into the ground, and a huge cloud appeared over us. Not only did the cloud form much faster, the snow was a bit bigger and more plentiful compared to Suly's attempt. The snow fell onto us and the ground. "What a show off", Suly said quietly while I chuckled and played around in the falling snow. I really liked how delicate it was, and how it covered the ground in pure whiteness.

"Teach me! I want to make snow too!", I exclaimed at aunt Alicia. She smiled, "Anna child, Formations are really difficult. You will not be able to learn them in a day or two. You have to spend many years in order to achieve that". I shook my head, "I want to learn! I will learn!". She looked at my mother, probably asking for permission. I turned towards mom and asked, "Can I learn mom? I want to make snow too". She looked at me for a while, before sighing and nodding her head. "I will not teach you though. Suly is capable enough to teach you the basics, and then we can see how you do. Not everyone is talented with Formations", aunt said and turned towards Suly.

"Are you up for it?", she asked. Suly nodded her head, and agreed. "Great! I will learn how to make snow!", I exclaimed elatedly. "Before you can make snow, you have to learn the basics. I will give you some books, and you will study them. Your mom can help you, she knows a thing or two about Formations", Suly said. I looked at mom surprised, "Does that mean you didn't want to teach me, mom?". She walked over and lifted me up. "Don't be silly Anna. Mommy is really bad at Formations. I have no talent with them, but I can help you with the basics. If that is what you wish to pursue, I will support it", she said with a smile.

"Then it's decided. I will leave a few books with your mom, and both of you can study them. I will return once in a while to give you some pointers and whatnot, as I can't stay here all the time", Suly said and handed my mother some books. "You guys should stay for a while, there is no rush anyway", mom said. Uncle Lazar nodded, "Sure, we can stay a few days". We went back to the house, while I asked uncle Lazar to hold Leran. He was so cute, and had two different colours. The red and grey really made him look funny.

We had our dinner, while I constantly harassed Suly about Formations. She showed me some simple things in the past, but I made up my mind after witnessing the snow. I really liked it from the start, and I dreamed of snow covered North. Since they would stay for a few days, Suly decided to introduce a few things to me. We had to start from the basics, and those were the Runes used in Formations.