"Why can't my spells ever work? Huh!!! Why!!!" She screamed into nothingness. "It's not fair." She curled into a ball by one on the white trees and cried hoping someone would rescue her.
"Your spells don't work because you're still young and have far more to learn." A deep strong voice said.
Raven's head shot up tear stricken. "MERLIN!!" She leapt and hugged the cloaked figure. Merlin hugged her back then pushed her gently away.
"Next time, try not to be late and use the proper portal. You have one at home you know. You don't need to be a mage to use that device" He said with a deep laugh guiding her through the maze of trees. He was like father to her. In no time they were at the Fae village.
Pixies flew everywhere making the town seem like an endless party. Elves and Faes (fairies) walked along side Unicorns carrying fresh fruits and flowers. They only ate fresh fruits and the few edible floras that were around. Seasons never changed, it was always a spring like temperature, never too hot, never too cold. The place was perfect, flawless, a dream come true, that's why she couldn't stand to live there. It was just TOO perfect for her liking which, in an ironic way, made it imperfect. Raven went to earth not only to learn about it but to get away from all the cheerful faces and perfect days. Its fun to visit but it's not a place she wanted to live in. No disasters ever happen, no plagues, no cancer, no murder, no rumbles (fights) on the streets, nothing that caused debate, war, hate, sadness or anything to happen. Gays were accepted as normal people, skin colour didn't matter or species, everyone was equal and looked on by only they're good qualities. It wasn't that Raven didn't like the fact that people weren't killed and everything but it was just lacking something earthlings had that this plane didn't.
Merlin led Raven into his cottage, smells of candles and cinnamon filled her senses. The cottage always made her feel at home and loved. She sat in her usual seat in front of a giant desk filled with books and scrolls. Just another day of studying and spell crafting she thought to herself. Raven gave a silent sigh and waited for Merlin to start teaching. She noticed he was starring at her. Her first worrying was that something was wrong with her face or something like that. Instinctively she raised her hand to her face. He snapped out of it and walked over to his seat giving a little sigh as her did so.
"We're going to work on the magical elements today. Care to name them for me?" His usually fatherly face turned serious like a real professor.
Raven put her hand back on her lap. "Um.... Fire, Water, Ice, Sky, Earth, Plant, Life, Death, and ..." She trailed off, obviously forgetting the last one.
"Spirit." Merlin finished for her and she blushed a little at her embarrassment. "Name why magical elements are different from the four physical elements: Fire, Air, Water and Earth."
She paused for a moment thinking then answered knowingly, "They're different because the magical elements are controlled and created with our mind and soul strength where as physical elements already are real and weren't created by our powers."
"And what about the Spirit element?" He questioned further.
"Spirit .Spirit comes purely from your soul power and few ever master it and its questionable whether or not it exists." Raven played with the fine edges of the desk, trailing her long fingers gently along the carved patterns and designs.
Merlin's eyes lowered. "But I believe it exists..... and I hope one day you will find it, and hopefully, in yourself. It is a great power, one not meant to be in the hands of evil."
Raven looked up into his eyes. Something told her he was seeing something more, a bigger picture, maybe .the future? Merlin's wisdom sometime frightened her deep down. He was a kind man but his power and knowledge was something never to be underestimated.
Later that evening Raven was walking through the streets of the village. The sky was filled with shades of purple and orange as the sun made its way down and the moon rose slowly. It was the most beautiful time of day.
Time...
Her senses started to fill up. Something was wrong .Something was very wrong .Panic came from all directions. Her emotions flooded her mind and sent her running down the streets.
Time is all I need....
Just a little more time.....
She found herself in front of Merlin's cottage. 'No, no, No!!" She rushed in through the door. Several elves were already there. Merlin's body lay on the ground surrounded by a puddle of blood.
To see you,
To talk to you,
To be with you....
One of Raven's friends Mana came up to her and hugged her. "I'm so sorry Raven. We couldn't reach him on time." Mana whispered in her ear. "I know how much he meant to you. I'm so sorry."
Soon we won't have time.
Soon it will fly away,
Raven staggered back in shock. "He c-c-can't be." She stuttered and Mana gave her a sad look. Next thing Raven knew she was running, running as fast as she could. Running away.
like a small dove.
Leaving just a feather behind, a memory.
Tears ran uncontrollably from her eyes. 'He can't be dead, he just can't be. These things aren't suppose to happen, not here .' She repeatedly thought to herself.
For once time is gone,
memories are all we have left.
She ran out of the village ignoring Mana's cries and the surprised stares from the other residents. Raven ran up the hill over looking the village and stopped at the top. She gasped for air, heaving the oxygen through her raw throat. 'He's gone and he's never coming back .I lost the only father I ever had ."
Soon the feather will float away,
as the wind blows,
memories pass,
and fade in the distance.
Hold the feather tight,
don't forget.
She sobbed in pain and heart ache. It wasn't his time to die, someone must have killed him. How could anyone do such a thing to him? It couldn't have been one of the villagers, but who else could've done it then?
When time is gone,
and memories faded,
what do we have??
She had to find the murderer, but was she strong enough to face it? Merlin was a powerful wizard and he couldn't have been killed easily. She was only an apprentice, not ready enough to fight anyone or anything at the moment.
we have nothing,
then we have time,
as it returns,
and then leaves.
"It's not fair!!!!" She screamed into the darkness. Her voice cracked and all she could was silently weep. Falling to her knees she buried her head into her hands. Her body shook with the pain and shock of what happened. So many things she could've said but never got the chance. She could've learned so much from him, she was lost without him.
Time...
Eventually her body tired and she couldn't cry anymore. Her breathing steadied and her muscles relaxed. With her last strength she curled into a ball on her side and shut her eyes.
Time is all I need;
just a little more,
a little more I wish I had...
