The Magical

I

"Come on Sequoia! Push harder!" Markus yelled, a little too close for Sequoia to be comfortable with. But she wasn't here to be comfortable. She pushed harder just as he said and roared as she overtook him in their fight, landing him straight on his back and gasping for air. "Phew, you're getting better at that," he said. He chuckled as Sequoia reached a hand down, which he absentmindedly took. "However you do still need to work on your foo-," he was cut off as the young woman yet again threw him on his back.


"You were saying?" She smirked as he grunted and, refusing her hand, got up for the second time. "You know, if I didn't know any better I would say that I have outgrown you. Surpassed you even." Markus raised an eyebrow, briefly turning to look at the girl.


"You may have surpassed me, but that does not mean that the work is done. You still need to practice everyday and remember what I have taught you. It could mean the difference between life and death for you. Yes, you have bested me. But have you bested yourself?" Sequoia's face fell from pride to determination.


"Yes, of course I am aware of what I must do. And I will continue my training and practice of self-awareness and patience. Just as you have taught me. I won’t forget." She assured the older man.


"Well, good." He said indifferently and continued removing his pads. Sequoia groaned impatiently.


"Come on Mark. It's been a year now. I'm sick of these mountains. This country. I want to go home. Today," demanded the young woman as she crossed her arms. Mark sighed and gave her a knowing look.


"Are you sure you're ready for that Quoia? Are all my teachings yet thoroughly engraved in your brain? Because if not, then I think it would be a dangerous mistake to return now. Especially with the blood moon so close," finally free of his protective pads, he walked over to put a hand on her shoulder. "Sequoia, you have come so far. I would hate to see you crumble because I let you loose too soon. I would never forgive myself. And neither would your mother for that matter." he chuckled at the last bit.


"Mark, I promise you I am ready! Trust me, I think I’ll remember everything you’ve said until the day I die what with how many times you’ve yelled and scolded. I may even have slight PTSD as I often have nightmares of you screaming things in my ear," she giggled. "Come on Markus! Please...?" After a few seconds the man sighed in defeat.


"Fine! You can return home. But under one condition. If anything shall go wrong, anything at all, you will call me immediately so I can coach you through and make sure you keep your conscience. You must never loose control Sequoia. I mean it." The girl squealed and hugged her mentor tightly.


"Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou! I promise I will call you if a single thing happens!" she let go and quickly ran off to pack her things. Markus stood there for a moment longer before smiling and shaking his head.

Sequoia ran around her cell of a room and quickly packed her few belongings that she had brought with her. As she walked through the endless stone corridors she couldn't help the smile on her face. Many passersby saw this smile and gave their congratulations for her leaving. They too were on a journey. In fact, no one ever came to such a place of isolation unless they needed help or safety. It was unspoken by everyone who resided here that you don't ask questions and that you’re respectful.


The young woman gave her goodbyes cheerily, although laced with sorrow. She talked to few people during her stay here. Mainly just Markus and a few exchanges with interesting strangers. But she wasn't just saying goodbye to Markus, she was saying goodbye to safety and to the calming and fresh aura of this little place nestled in the mountains of who knows where. She was saying goodbye to a dream and hello to reality.


For humans, the journey to and from was a lot more complicated and secretive. But for the magical, there was a much easier way. Teleportation. Of course since there is a diverse selection of creatures who somehow come about the place, teleportation is an option for people who have knowledge of the magical side of things. And Sequoia was one of them. In fact, that was what brought Sequoia.


Sitting in a chair, waiting for her chance to be teleported away to freedom, was somewhat nerve racking. She was excited to be normal and free again, but she was also nervous. Nervous that she had forgotten what it is to be normal. Nervous about the encroaching blood moon. And most of all, nervous to see her family again. She hadn't seen them in about a year. She was once very close with her mother. However, they grew distant after her grandmother decided to intrude on their lives.


"Sequoia!" She scrambled away from her thoughts and quickly looked up.


"Yes? Is it time?" She asked, a grin spreading her features once more. Markus gave a nod and gestured for her to follow. They entered a dark stone room, completely empty except for the person standing in the middle. As she got closer, she realized they were wearing heavy robes that hid their face from view. She raised her brow in curiosity but never questioned. She assumed they wanted to remain anonymous and she respected that.


"Take my hands and hold your breath," the mysterious stranger instructed in a monotonous voice. As if they had repeated that sentence a million times before. She looked to Markus for reassurance, who was standing in the corner of the room watching.


When he nodded in approval she did as told. She walked towards him, took both his hands and held her breath as the anticipation began to build up. His hands were cold and clammy, much like hers probably as she was getting increasingly more nervous. She had teleported once before when she first arrived here, but can only recall the experience in vague detail as she was blindfolded the first time and slightly delirious.


But now she was wide awake.


Suddenly the room contorted and twisted, as did her stomach. Colors blurred, wind whipped at her hair, food regurgitated in her throat. Oh, what a fun time it was indeed.


Colors and atmospheres kept blending and mixing until eventually they were standing outside her mother's house. The one she had left a year ago with fear in her heart. And the one she now returns to with that same emotion plus a million more. She realized she was just standing there and turned around to thank her teleporter taxi. However, when she turned he was already gone. She chuckled nervously and turned back around.


"Come on, Sequoia. They're your family. They love you. Just walk in and say hi. That's all you have to do," She took a deep breath and started towards the house.