Sparks!

Calliope would not be able to remember when there wasn’t a division of species.

The Mechanical Races consisted of the humans and dwarves. Forged by fire and machines, Magyck was not implicit within these two, and they instead relied upon a more manual, analytical approach. The Natural Races, on the other hand, were made up of elves and fae. Symbolized by water and mystique, they were born with the ability to manipulate the enchanted nature of Uldryn, the very planet they stood on.

Legend had it that centuries passed with the four species living in harmony. The Natural Races practiced their Magyck, and the Mechanical Races were content to create their own sort of magic, engineering machines and uncovering mysteries in the world around them.

This balance was made possible by the Ortus, a device in the center of the four species’ territories that was created by the Ancient Ones. The Ortus was built to maintain and distribute the natural balance of the universe to the Elves and the Fae. For years, the world was tranquil.

Then, there came a ruler. A human named Baldwin Everett had learned to control Magyck, to take it as his own and experiment. With the two advantages of the species united within him, the humans began to thrive and dominate. The dwarves, sensing war on the horizon, swore allegiance to the humans, lending their aid as long as the secrets of wizardry would be taught to them. With the Mechanical Races united, they began an assault against Uldryn, attacking the cities that belonged to the Natural Races, hellbent on destruction and rebirth and possession of the Ortus.

The Massacres of 3686 were infamous. The elves and the fae, hesitant as ever to incite violence to their former allies, lost millions. By the time they came to the decision to strike back with their superior Magyck ability, they were almost too late. However, with a great resurgence, they survived and managed to subdue the attackers and defeat Everett. During this time, a treaty was formed,

Under the mutual agreement among representatives of the Fae, Elvenfolk, Humankind, and Dwarfmen, the Magyck of Uldryn will henceforth be distributed among all four species. The Fae and Elvenfolk will relinquish 25% of their Magyck in exchange for tools and machinery and access to the advancements made by Humankind and Dwarfmen. This agreement is made with the intention of preserving peace among our four kinds.

For fifty years, this treaty has been maintained. Every year, on the week of the solstice, the inhabitants of the planet will journey from their homes to gather their Magyck for the year.

The sun was rising over the horizon. Calliope was a morning person, always had been, and so the birds beginning to chirp was a sound that she was well acquaintanced with. This morning, however, it was particularly important for her to wake up early. It was her Day of Solstice, where she would travel to the Ortus to gather her Magyck for the year. She was luckier than most; the journey was only a few hours on foot, and her friend Puck had invited her to stay with him for the week as a vacation of sorts. She had known Puck for years, and she would already be able to picture his playful smile that always seemed to light up his face when he saw her. His job had separated them, and they didn’t see each other as much as they used to, but she would likely be looking forward to seeing him, even though she was shy by nature. The containers that stored the Magyck were an amber glass that caught the light, casting a soft copper glow against the walls of her house. She was packing for her trip, intending to leave in a few minutes.

(@Metro)

 

The walk was one that she had made many times before. The forest around her smelled clean and fresh and new; it had rained the night before. She was alone with her thoughts and almost an hour had passed before she had arrived at her first village. As she walked, she would be distracted by the smell of the morning scones from her favorite bakery in the world. Tantalizing aromas of orange and sugar and baked bread would greet her, the world around her still waking up, the water that the town was perched on lapping at the docks as the sun reflected across the bay.

 

The early morning air was crisp and chilly, and as she continued along, she would get to see the world around her waking up. She would also begin to notice the decorations. The Week of the Solstice was a celebration throughout Uldryn, and this village was no different. Crescent moon lanterns hung on red string, their candles having flickered out long before dawn. Confetti and streamers lay on the brick streets, being meekly swept up by street cleaners and good civilians. Balloons lazily hung over the ground, half deflated and moving in the breeze, bumping against the floor tiredly. From experience, Calliope would know that the celebrations would resume at dusk, with dancing and music and drinking and general merriment.

 

Her arrival to the city indicated the end of her needing to traipse through the dense forests that surrounded the main communities, but she still had a couple more hours to go. There were two paths to Nettle, the center city where Puck lived. She could either take the main road, the one that was full of travelers and well lit, or she could take the alternate route which traveled through the grasslands, which was virtually unknown, but always calmer than the main road.

 

Moreso than normal, the main road was filled with travelers who had the same idea as Calliope to get a move on to the Ortus. She would see whole families in buggies, or lone travelers like her. The chatter was loud and excited, though, and children would toss toys back in forth to each other, or sing songs.

She walked for two more hours. As the sun hung above them in the sky, the main city came into view, shining with gold and marble. A waterfall cascading down the adjacent cliff would deliver a greatly appreciated mist onto the parade of travelers.

 

The crowd seemed cheered by this, and they surged into town.

Puck was planning on meeting her at the fountain in the center of town, where they would go and get lunch before she went to gather her magic. The city around her was the image of splendor, glowing with warmth and golden light. High above her, sentries flew in the clouds, keeping watchful eyes out for trouble or intruders.

 

She would see him sitting on the lip of the fountain.

His white hair was the first thing she would see, catching the light. His head was ducked, though, and he was jotting something down, his left foot tapping unconsciously. It would take her a few moments to recognize him; he had grown since she had seen him and bulked up a little, although it was hard to tell under his white tunic. His hairstyle has changed as well, less shaggy and more clean trimmed.

 

He glanced up as their shoulders brushed before his whole face lit up and he set down his notebook, pulling her into a hug.

“Cal! You frightened me!”

 

“Way too long,” he agreed, his catlike green eyes shining with eager excitement. “It’s so good to see you. You look great!” He stood up, picking up his notebook and offering a hand to her. “How was the walk? Are you hungry?”

 

He let go of her hand and stretched, looking around at the city before looking back down at her.

“I’ve been good! A little overworked, I guess, but it’s all good stuff.”