Abbernathy and Magick's End |Trilogy Now Complete!

(26) - A Golden Past, A Shining Future

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THE WIZARD had taken them to a balcony overlooking the city. In his office he left papers transferring his ownership of the school over to Mandon along with a letter heavily insisting Mandon take Nira on as his assistant, should she desire the post.

Mandon would think the declaration one final jest from the Wizard, but in truth, Kellog could think of none better to take over than Mandon. He kept the storage rooms stocked and replaced the melted beakers in the potioneering labs. He oversaw the Acadium's finances, and plugged the roof leaks and redid the cracks in the floor. He cherished the school as much as the Wizard had, and he knew he could leave it in no finer hands.

"Triad at night, I wished to see it one last time." The Wizard exhaled as he drank in the sight. The dome of the castle reflected the first stars, slightly smaller than the ones to come when the night grew darker, but equally as beautiful. Delicate white and yellow constantly burning with the souls of the deceased.

Lanterns illuminated every street corner, dousing sidewalks in flickering gold. Splashes and laughter rose to his ears as disobedient students broke the school's curfew to take a dip in the lake. The mountains stood sentinel in the shadow. Only when sun fell, did the dragon's teeth look the closest to devouring the sky.

Wisps of clouds drifted lazily overhead. The tang of citrus filled the air, along with the sourness of ale, spilled and regurgitated in back alleyways, and beside tavern doors.

All this, humans had created, and with so little magick. Sure the oil was enhanced to burn and not diminish, and the lake's water was warmed with magickally-enhanced stone, but the stone needed to raise every building, the lumber, all was brought into being because humans dreamed.

So far from magick, Exul was a realm without song. Empty and hollow, and heartbreakingly quiet. But he realized then, how wrong he'd been. The song was everywhere - a chirp, a hum, a bark of laughter, a rowdy dispute, a passionate kiss, a stroke of piano keys played in memorium, a lullaby, muttered prayers for better days.

Exul was a realm that needn't have magick to live.

He turned back to his companions, whose lips had remained rather tight, despite the Wizard's efforts to loosen them up. Seemed the shock of his revelation still left them reeling.

"I know it's not enough, but I find myself without proper words in this moment, so thank you. And know that I mean it." He took another inhale. "I'm off to meet my sis–"

"By all the whiskers!" Margo stormed forward and leaned over the railing. She pointed at the west mountain peaks. "Look at them all!"

The Wizard turned. Sebbi, Lucy and Abby rushed forward, crowding around their Cloudian companion. In the distance, a cloud of gold flew toward them.

"A star shower?" Abby asked, her voice noticeably quieter than it usually was.

The Wizard smiled. "No, my dear. Not stars. Goldenflies."

Her eyes grew wide. "So many?"

He chuckled. "I would not think him capable of remembering, yet he has. I once again find myself in awe of this realm."

Abby and Margo exchanged glances.

"You recall Leshy, from your mother's memories?"

She nodded. "Bugbrain."

A laugh so boisterous, the Wizard's stomach jiggled broke from his mouth. "Yes, yes. He was a wood sprite, tricky and loud and loyal above all else. And Simon, you remember him?"