Chapter 4

Koa stepped out into the cool air and stretched before beginning his run. As he ran through the streets, he cleared his mind, allowing his feet to guide him.

After some time, Koa reached the outskirts of the city. As he continued his run into the nearby wooded area tension slowly left his body. The trees seemed to reach out toward him as if to clean him of the pollution left over from the city. Koa felt more elf out here. Less like a caged animal.

Koa continued to run until he came to The Mill Ruins.

Dropping his pack he bent down to pull out his eleven travel clothes. He quickly changed and immediately felt more himself. He slowed to a walk feeling the wild magic gently embraces him as if in welcome. As he walked past the threshold of the mill he could feel a veil being lifted as the magic willingly removed its protective barrier and let him in. The forest faded away, replaced by dark space. Koa was now in the Realm of Magic.

Silently Koa stepped into the middle of the Mill Ruins and watched the dancing wisps of blues and greens. In this place, Koa knew, magic showed its true form in all its glory.

Koa closed his eyes a moment and enjoyed the harmony of this beautiful magic as it danced freely about him. Then he cleared his mind and steadied his breathing. He reached out with his mind to the magic, coaxing it toward him.

Slowly the magic moved closer, hesitant at first. Like a small animal, curious and hungry, but still suspicious of the predator stood before it. Koa waited, his thoughts inviting, his body welcoming. His entire being coaxed the hesitant magic into him until finally the magic reached out. Gradually, it began to flow through him making his heart race as magic filled him. His mind's eye watched as the blues and greens of the magic danced wildly in his body, swirling through him and around him.

Like a clever fox, waiting for the perfect moment, Koa remained docile allowing the magic to run freely through his veins. Giving it the false belief that it was safe and he was harmless. Finally, when the magic moved without hesitation Koa snatched the magic and held it.

He watched as the magic struggled desperately to get free. However, this prey was no match for Koa and soon the colour of the magic changed from blues and greens to a deeper and much darker green with a hint the darkest black.

Koa opened his eyes. Now in complete control of the magic. He took a deep breath and focused the magic in his hands. Then he swept his hands in front of himself drawing two horizontal lines in the air. He ended the sweeping motion by closing his hands into fists. He kept his hands up as the green magic gathered and after a moment Koa held two swords. Without further delay Koa began his training. Focused on his breathing Koa moved gracefully. The magical swords were an extension of himself. Just as the wild magic was a part of him. It was only at this time that Koa felt whole. Only while the magic flowed through him, while he moved gracefully in a deadly dance.