this had ever occurred before. Weeks after he had taken the Mazaruk’s stone, it dawned on Babiin that his increase of power had begun after he had put the stone in his pocket. He tested his theory, by burying the stone far away from his home. Almost instantly, the further away he got from the stone, the more weakened he became. He dug up the stone and just as instantly, grew stronger.”
Colby sat on the edge of his seat while listening intently. His father had only recently mentioned the subject of something called a Mazy Stone. But had not told him any more. He kept his attention on the story.
“What Babiin did not realize, was that the increase in his power was not only aided by the stone, but that the stone increased his power by stealing magical energy from the living things nearby, weakening other’s magic. For months, he researched and tested the Stone’s powers. The most important discovery, beyond weakening other’s magical powers, is that the magic could be transferred out of the stone and into a living person, thus permanently making this person stronger.”
Stronger? He knew his father was strong, and old, but now, he wondered just how old. It was something they had never discussed. His father’s skin was leather-like, gaunt and thin.
Yet his mind was sharp. Perhaps he was finally about to find out just how old his father truly was.
“Pay attention, Colby,” his father scolded, seeing Colby’s attention wander. He missed nothing. Fazediin’s mother continued her story.
“After learning everything he could about the Stones, Babiin’s hunger grew. Not just for more power, but for money. He realized that his discovery would be worth a lot, to the right 55
buyer. Babiin also worried that the damage he had caused in his own village would be found out, so he fled. But not before slaughtering every last Mazuruk he owned, and seizing the stones from their dying bodies.”
The stained glass picture now morphed into a map, and then it focused on a part of the map noted as Shogharne Territory. As the territory came into better view, it stopped in a village set near the edge of a vast mountain.
“Babiin traveled to the Shogharne Territory seeking out a clan he had heard rumor of…
one that was infamous for their unending search for immortality. They were called Vetala: Energy Vampires. Their ability to extract and consume the life force from living things allowed them extended life. But not the immortality they desired, as the results were not permanent, and the ability declined with age.”
Colby’s thoughts reeled with this information. Father told me once he was descended from a Vetala clan. Does this mean I am a vampire, like in the story? Or am I an immortal, like my father? Or am I some kind of hybrid? My mother is just a human… from a magical bloodline, but just human…
Colby had always wanted to know the answers to these questions; however, his father had repeatedly told him that this knowledge was something he would learn at the appropriate time. Did his father think now was the appropriate time?
“Babiin approached the clan leader,” the story went on, “asking him what he would be willing to pay for limitless magic. This clan leader scoffed at Babiin’s claims. This leader knew there could be no such thing, as his clan had been searching for hundreds of years already. If there had been such a thing, they would have discovered it themselves.
“To prove what he said, Babiin left one Stone in the hands of the clan leader, insisting he test the Stone’s ability. Babiin then told the leader where they could locate him, once his claim was proven true. The leader, in return, told Babiin that if the Stone did not do as promised, he would not step off Shogharne Territory, alive.
“Babiin had nothing to fear. Within a day, the clan leader realized the power of Babiin’s Stone and sought him out. However, the clan leader had no intention of buying the Stones.
“The clan leader forced
Colby sat on the edge of his seat while listening intently. His father had only recently mentioned the subject of something called a Mazy Stone. But had not told him any more. He kept his attention on the story.
“What Babiin did not realize, was that the increase in his power was not only aided by the stone, but that the stone increased his power by stealing magical energy from the living things nearby, weakening other’s magic. For months, he researched and tested the Stone’s powers. The most important discovery, beyond weakening other’s magical powers, is that the magic could be transferred out of the stone and into a living person, thus permanently making this person stronger.”
Stronger? He knew his father was strong, and old, but now, he wondered just how old. It was something they had never discussed. His father’s skin was leather-like, gaunt and thin.
Yet his mind was sharp. Perhaps he was finally about to find out just how old his father truly was.
“Pay attention, Colby,” his father scolded, seeing Colby’s attention wander. He missed nothing. Fazediin’s mother continued her story.
“After learning everything he could about the Stones, Babiin’s hunger grew. Not just for more power, but for money. He realized that his discovery would be worth a lot, to the right 55
buyer. Babiin also worried that the damage he had caused in his own village would be found out, so he fled. But not before slaughtering every last Mazuruk he owned, and seizing the stones from their dying bodies.”
The stained glass picture now morphed into a map, and then it focused on a part of the map noted as Shogharne Territory. As the territory came into better view, it stopped in a village set near the edge of a vast mountain.
“Babiin traveled to the Shogharne Territory seeking out a clan he had heard rumor of…
one that was infamous for their unending search for immortality. They were called Vetala: Energy Vampires. Their ability to extract and consume the life force from living things allowed them extended life. But not the immortality they desired, as the results were not permanent, and the ability declined with age.”
Colby’s thoughts reeled with this information. Father told me once he was descended from a Vetala clan. Does this mean I am a vampire, like in the story? Or am I an immortal, like my father? Or am I some kind of hybrid? My mother is just a human… from a magical bloodline, but just human…
Colby had always wanted to know the answers to these questions; however, his father had repeatedly told him that this knowledge was something he would learn at the appropriate time. Did his father think now was the appropriate time?
“Babiin approached the clan leader,” the story went on, “asking him what he would be willing to pay for limitless magic. This clan leader scoffed at Babiin’s claims. This leader knew there could be no such thing, as his clan had been searching for hundreds of years already. If there had been such a thing, they would have discovered it themselves.
“To prove what he said, Babiin left one Stone in the hands of the clan leader, insisting he test the Stone’s ability. Babiin then told the leader where they could locate him, once his claim was proven true. The leader, in return, told Babiin that if the Stone did not do as promised, he would not step off Shogharne Territory, alive.
“Babiin had nothing to fear. Within a day, the clan leader realized the power of Babiin’s Stone and sought him out. However, the clan leader had no intention of buying the Stones.
“The clan leader forced
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