Encounter

Onyx sat on a small rock at the edge of the village, watching the sun set over the hills in the distance. She let out a deep sigh as she watched the last rays of sunlight fade away. As the day drew to a close, the sky took on a mesmerizing display of colors, casting a warm glow across the landscape. The sun, a fiery orb, began to descend below the horizon, casting long, stretching shadows across the earth. The sky was a canvas of warm tones, with streaks of deep orange and reds melting into soft pinks and purples. The clouds, now illuminated with fiery hues, created a dramatic contrast against the blue sky. The tips of the clouds looked like they were on fire, with flames licking at their edges. The sky transformed into a deep shade of blue, with twinkling stars beginning to appear. The landscape was now enveloped in a warm, comforting blanket of dusk.

The 14 year old girl was an orphan and had been left at the doorstep of the village's orphanage as a baby. She had long, jet-black hair cascades down her back in loose waves, contrasting sharply against her fair skin. Her features are sharp and defined, with piercing green eyes that seem to shine like emeralds in the right light, with an intensity that seemed to hint at a hidden strength and intelligence. Onyx wore a grey, beat up cape and leather trousers that were the only pieces of clothing she possessed.

Naturally, she had no memory of her parents, or any other family. She was alone. All she had was the knowledge that she was different from the other children at the orphanage. They had all been born with magical abilities, but Onyx had none : she was one of the rare "Louses", powerless individuals which represented only a very small fraction of the population. She was truly one in a million. Louses were scorned by society, viewed by many as useless leeches that weren't much better than animals. The powerless girl could only rage at how unfair life had been to her.

During her childhood, she watched as the other children in the village played with their magic. Some could summon fire, others create illusions, or even other miraculous feats. They didn't have to worry about anything because their magic protected them. They were chosen ones, and Onyx was a Louse, a worthless human. She felt a deep sense of injustice, and couldn't understand why the world was so unfair. Why was everyone else born with magic while she was not ? It didn't seem right to her that some people could do amazing things while others were only fated to watch them in awe, not capable of doing anything.

As she sat there, lost in thought, Onyx noticed a shadowy figure approaching swiftly from the distance. She tensed up, her heart racing. She had heard tales of dangerous creatures that roamed the countryside at night, and feared this was one of them. However, as the figure got closer she realized it was just an old man. The man bore a long white beard, and wore a long, tattered purple cloak that covered his entire body except for his face, and was carrying a large wooden staff.

The old man's face was weathered and lined with age, but his eyes shone bright and alert, as if he was constantly aware of his surroundings. His hair was long and white, flowing freely around his shoulders. He walked with a slow and deliberate pace, each step deliberate and purposeful.

Onyx relaxed a bit, but she still didn't trust him. She had learnt to be cautious of strangers. The old man stopped in front of her, and looked at her with kind eyes. "What's wrong, child ?" he asked in a soft voice. The man's beard was thick and bushy, with strands of gray mixed in with the white. It flowed down his face and neck like a wild river. As he spoke, his beard seemed to dance along with his words, adding an extra layer of animation to his already lively demeanor. Onyx looked up at him, surprised that he had noticed her. She had become invisible to most people in the village, but this old man seemed to see her.

She hesitated a moment before answering. "I was just thinking about how unfair the world is", she said quietly. The old man nodded, understanding. "Life can be tough sometimes, especially when it doesn't seem fair", he said. "But you can't let that get you down. You have to keep fighting and never, ever give up." Onyx looked at him, and whispered "What can I do ? I don't even have any magic." The old man smiled at her. "Perhaps you aren't as powerless as you believe, young lady." the old man said.