Page 9 of Gift from the Stone

“It’s a practice that hasn’t been used in some time now. Why do you ask, child?”

“The gem on the end of the dagger my father used. I could have sworn when I saw it, the red inside was moving, but I’ve just been blaming that thought on the lighting in the room and my state of panic, but what if there was blood in the gem? Is there that sort of thing here?”

“You’re brilliant. This will give me a whole other direction I can follow as well. There are a handful of gems that could do that. Brilliant job, Willow. Never doubt your instincts. They’ll never lead you stray.” His excitement is contagious, and purpose rises in me.

Walking over to the bookshelf, I search the full rows for a book on gems. The knowledge packed in these shelves is endless and I want to devour them all, but they’re not what I’m looking for right now.

Nothing sticks out to me until I come across an old, weathered, cracked spine, the title barely legible at this point, and it’s written in Elema Lingua Vetus, the language of old Elementra.

Since the memory unlocked of my stranger teaching me the language, it comes naturally to read and speak when I see it in text. It’s ancient, beautiful, and romantic, and I, for the life of me, can’t figure out why the people of Elementra quit using it as the primary language.

Opening the book, its parchment is fading, but the ink has darkened with age. Thankfully, the words and illustrations remain legible.

Portas Regnorum. Portals of the Realms.

Portals are enchanted gateways that connect the different realms and distant lands. These magical passageways are not merely physical doorways but are infused with multiple ancient energies, bridging the gap between realities. Each portal is a unique convergence of magical forces, and their appearances vary widely, from swirling pools of light to archways adorned with glowing runes.

As one approaches the portal, vibrations dance along the skin, and a soft hum permeates the air. The air itself is charged with magic so prevailing, it’s tangible. As the transporter steps through the threshold, the surroundings blur and twist, like a mesmerizing spiral of colors and shapes.

During the journey through the portal, time seems to lose its conventional flow. It’s as if the very fabric of reality is bending and weaving around the transporter, guiding them through the vast and interconnected tapestry of the realms.

Well, that sounds like a transport on steroids. I know that it’s become nearly impossible to travel outside of Elementra. Very few can transport beyond, like Gaster, but I have no clue how that’s possible or that there were other methods of travel.

“Gaster, did something happen to the portals? Is that why it’s so hard to travel outside of Elementra?”

“Yes, the portals closed around a thousand years ago. No one knows exactly why, but we’ve always assumed Elementra was trying to protect herself, closing the land off from access to others.” His faraway gaze leads me to believe he’s reminiscing using said portals. Which would be crazy ’cause that’d mean he’s a thousand years old.

I’m prepared to ask him how he’s able to remember the portals when he gives me a sly look.

“Yes, I was around when the portals were still active. No, I will not tell you my age, but to help with your curiosity since we obviously have not discussed this with you, there’s no end to our life expectancy on Elementra as far as I know. We won’t die of old age, sickness, or disease, but we can be killed.”

Fucking hell, we’re immortal.

“Gaster, how have none of you thought to mention this to me?” I’m flabbergasted that this has never been brought up in a single discussion.

Don’t get me wrong, I figured Gaster was older than your typical human life cycle would allow you to live for, but I never would’ve assumed we just don’t die.

“I guess we all just assumed you would’ve read this information on your own. Your curiosity tends to get the better of you, so I figured you’d have tried to snoop around and guess my age by now.” His smirk tells me I’ll never be able to dig that secret up unless it comes from his lips alone.

“No, I haven’t tried to investigate that, thank you very much. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me that little tidbit on your own. I know now over a thousand since you gave that away, but I still haven’t the slightest clue.” I arch a brow in invitation for him to give up his secret, but instead, he just laughs and shakes his head at me. “Fine. So how is it possible you can travel to the nonmagical realm and many others can’t?”

“I’m not completely sure, but I do have a hypothesis. But you’ll need a small history lesson for it to make sense, though.” I close the book on portals and make my way to the couch, spreading out to get comfortable.

“Carry on then.”

Amused by my antics, Gaster sits down in his chair and leans back. “Very well, child. At that time, there were six realms that could be traveled. First, the nonmagical realm. Magic once could be found there, but it was never created from the land itself. It was borrowed from the different portals and the individuals passing through. Now that the portals have closed, the magic would’ve died out, or so we believed,” he says, motioning to me as the prime example of how that’s not completely true.

“The Valorian Veil, home of gods, deities, angels, and demons. Much like us, they possess powerful gifts that come in a variety of possibilities, but none possess the ability to access the elements. Mystara Hollow, where the casters originated. Witches, warlocks, sorcerers, necromancers, and so on. They’re the creators of spells, tonics, potions, enchantments, runes, and wards.

“Essemist Keep, realm of creatures who survive off the essences of others. Most popularly known as the realm of vampires. Colosyree, where the giants live. They have no magical abilities like any of us, but they’re truly massive creatures, their size giving them numerous strengths and power. The average height is around sixteen feet tall.”

Sixteen feet tall? That’s over half the height of Draken’s dragon.

Damn, that’s terrifying.

“Lastly, Elementra. The land that possesses the most magic of all the realms. Our magic is a source directly fueled by Elementra herself. It’s never-ending, self-sustaining, and over many millennia has formed its own system of nearly perfecting its life cycle. We, the inhabitants, or at least most of us, respect what Elementra has blessed us with. She gives to us and so we give back to her. A forever cycle of taking care of one another.” He speaks with so much reverence about Elementra, I can feel his appreciation like a blossoming flower in my chest, something that started small but has grown into such beauty and awe.

“I, as well as many other scholars, believe that Elementra closed the portals because the other beings who were traveling here were beginning to disrespect and destroy the land by attempting to take over with their own beliefs, customs, technology, and so forth, which after a while, would’ve destroyed our magic.

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