2

*Grunt*

*Groan*

I have been climbing this ash laid mountain for a while now and I am about to reach the top. Just

one

more

step.

"I was standing tall on the mountain taking in the air in top of it. After taking a deep breath I looked out onto the horizon. The view was beautiful I could see the forest infront of me and a little bit ahead of it.

'Where should I go now...I have a map of xadia but no land marks to guide me....perhaps I should walk through the forest until I find someone to talk to and get information.' I thought as I began my descent of the mountain.

My thought started to wonder here and their not really focusing on anything important. In my thoughts of CV wondering what to do a thought always came back to me.

'What do I do now'

'Learn about yourself'

'Why would I need to do that? I know who I am, I am Shade'

'Learn and grow strong, learn who I am, I am me...am I not?'

'Learn only then will you understand how to use your strenth like a sharp blade instead of raw ore.'

Thats when it hit me I always wanted to grow who made me and how I came to be.....perhaps I should listen to my thought. Learn, understand, then get stronger with everything you know what to do.

*pat*

*pat*

*pat*

*leaves rustling*

The leaves near me rustled and I looked to see what it was.

*Rustle*

.

.

.

.

*hop*

I nearly attacked it bau it was just a little cute furry thing that was in their.

"*sigh* I nearly killed you little guy. Why don't you hop on out of here ok." I said looking at the fuzzy being with a casual look.

But behind me was another being much taller then me.

*swoop*

With one move he scooped me up and took me away I did nothing since he didn't hurt me or bare any bad intentions.

A few duckjng and weaving in the trees I am in front of a massive tree that I knew was located at the center because I could see it from the mountain I was once at.

In front of the tree was a fire and surrounsing that fire was several tall figures with pointy ears and silver hair. The person carrying me tossed me by the fire as he

"What is the meaning of this" One silber haired elf said in a scottish accent.

"I gound him along my regular path he seems to be human by the fingers.

'Ahh, I forgot I was wearing my hood, if I move now I will risk them attacking me.....I rather not kill elves I just met on my way in this place. I need directions after all.

"I'm not a human." I said like a mature 4 year old

(even if I'm a new born)

"Although I'm not entirely elf either." I said slowly moving my hands to my hood as they watched not really alarmed about a child posing any threat.

pushing back my hood they were more and more confused by new discoveries. First it was five fingers, then elf ears and horns, theeen! it was a elf having black scarla when its only possessed by the rare startouch elves.

"What are you, your not entirely human, not entirely elf. What are you boy." Said the oldest elf and someone who seemed to be the leader.

"I don't know entirely my self and I'm not a boy I'm a baby" I said lying through my teeth exept for the last part

"What do you mean" asked a female elf in curiosity.

"I was born a few days ago, but thats non of your concern, can you reel me where to find someone to help me in my magic" I asked

"I'm afraid I can't help you yet boy I will have to have you approach the court then they will decide what to do. Although you look like a elf you also lokk like a human so come with me for the time being" The leader asked me to follow, I didn't see a problem so I just went with him to at least allow me to possibly obtain a teacher.

. . .

I had a bag over my head to conceal the location of their home however once inside I had the bag taken off and I was able to see the inside of their home.

"Come with us we shall summon the council to decide what happens to you." The old man said

"I don't very much appreciate having my destiny decided by others" I said in slight anger.

'Never will others decide my fate'

"unless you have the power to go against fate you will forever be subject to fates decision" the old man said sharing his wisdom"

'Ghe only reason you and your friends are alive is because I need you to learn my power and how to control it, after I do that I will be out of your eyes unless I have a reason to come back.' I thought in frustration knowing that I will have to bare this until my goal is reached.

. . .

I have been lead into a building located in the center of the largest tree in the area. Once inside the people in this council are all on a second floor looking down on me I waited for one of them to start their questions or what have them.

"Rouren, you said you found this....person out side our borders care to explain." Said a slightly elderly female voice.

"Very well, one of my comrades found him while he had his hood on. Mistaking him for a himan he snatched him up and that's where we learnt he was a being that we've never seen before."

"No matter where I stand and look he is drenched in the smell of dark magic." Said a moon elf with a staff.

"Yes even I can smell it." Commented another who was covered with a well amount of armor.

"You! child tell us what you are" Said the slightly elderly woman.

'There are three here yet two seats are missing....why is that?' I thought in slight boredom as the question was being asked.

"hmm, I wonder I have no idea" I said lying through my teeth once more.

"I have lived long enough to know when someone is lying, but very well tell us your name" commented the elderly woman

"Humph, fine my name is shade" I said with my head held high

"What was your intention of being so close to our borders" The elderly woman seemed to be asking all the questions while the other 2 observed.

"To learn of locations on my map of xadia, and to try to find a teacher in magic" I said trying to keep the knowledge of me using dark magic as secret as possible.

"hmm, what magic do you use" She asked

".."

".."

'Why must I jinx myself' I thought as my secret is out' I thought with a blank face.

"It would be better if I showed you would it not." I said casually. They seemed tense and the mage seemed to get up his seat and about to use magic mut the woman stopped him.

"Very well however should the court mage find you using magic that could potentially harm us then we will be forced to smite you down." She said with a cold glare

I nodded and raised my hand palm faving the roof.

with a drop of sweat running down my four head I managed to produce a black flame that was the size of my small palm. Once in my hand I proceeded to have it slowly dance around in a graceful manner.

I was slightly fatiged because having to limit my self to such small flames, it was like catching a single drop of water from a constant waterfall.

After revolving around me once the flames were extinguished.

"Hmm, to use a flame without an incantation it's only used by mages of extreamly high understanding of magic, however to use them without runes and black flames have never been heard of. What is your acanum" the woman asked

'i was afraid of this' I said before taking a breath.

"*sigh* I use dark magic" I said and instantly the room grew silent as everyone their grew on edge.

"WHAT BLASPHEMY DO YOU SPEAK OF EVERYONE KNOWS THAT DARK MAGIC DOES NOT HAVE A SOURCE!!!!" said the mage

"I have to agree however he used magic. And not only that he used it without taking the magic of other creatures like how humans do." The woman said in her use of rationality.

"You are to say that this monster be left to breath" said the mage knowing exactly the use of dark magic of humans

"I can see where your worried, but I haven't killed any magical creature to use their power, when the dragon at the border heard this he let me in to xadia" I said nonchalantly.

"What dragon on the border" The female said, although it sounded like she knew the answer already

"I don't know his name, he was big and blue had a white beard, and seemed to control lighting in the clouds. He said if he heard of me using the life force of other creatures then he would kill me himself" I said to try and see if this could give me some leverage.

"I recon we follow the dragon kings decision and report to him should anything happen related to the boy" The quiet one in the armor said.

'Dragon king aye, who knew I would meet skmeone of such high stature.' I thought thinking back on meeting the blue dragon.

"Hmm, ok. Shade although there might not be any teachers to help you in xadia or any of the five kingdoms. I will offer you to stay within the silvergrove just until you learn to use your magic. However I do have two rules that you have to follow.

First no damaging structures or hamring others. Second if you cause trouble out side of silvergrive we will not be responsible. Will these be fine to you." She asked knowing that I'm still a child but rules at an early age could help her down the road

"I can follow those rules" I said without much of a worry.

"Very well I will have a gaurd take you to a place to live, it won't be much but its enough to live with. And with that out of the was I can officially say this council is over.