Magic!

Chapter 1: The stuff dreams are made of...

Magic, a phrase used to explain what couldn’t be explained. A word to relate to a world where a simple chant or a little phrase can result in the moving of objects or control the elements of nature and all its furies. When magic is brought up, a world can be imagined with dragons, mystical creatures, and aged old weapons. A world ruled by the mystic arts and valiant knights rode into battle.

A cloaked figure can be seen wondering through dense bushes that reside in an equally thick forest. Rays of sunshine flutter upon the moist ground that seemed to dance with the sound of the passing wind made my vibrating leaves and hollowed out trees. Everything could be pictured as a masterpiece of Mother Nature; the color, the mood, that is, all except for one figure.

Clasped in silvery-white, she was holding a drawn slender sword. She seemed to be in search of something when she heard a sudden rustle from the bushes; quickly she focuses her attention to its origin and moves into a practiced ready stance. One can tell she has handled a blade more then once in her life, it was a tranquil yet firm stance. Her whole body was at her command, tense, but in control. The blade was one with her mind and ready for whatever was the focus of it.

In short moments a goblin with all its horrifying scream jumped out of the bushes; its goal to pounce the target in front of it. The cloaked girl had been more nimble then she looked, she took a quick step back and moving with grace counters with a low powerful slash on to the unsuspecting goblin’s chest. Surely causing serious damage, the goblin fell to the ground and gave a last groan before it seized all movements. The winner lowered her guard and then heard…

*RIIINNNG!*

Bursting in frenzy from under her covers, Kukuru Kimi, age seventeen, woke up with a shocked but expected expression. Slapping her pikachu alarm clock, she slowly moved out of bed and examined her current position. Everything was as it should. She went into deep thought and briefly remembered her dream, she swore to lay off the accursed late night snacks.

"Gee," she muttered; and then gave a snort, "it was kind of cool though." The teenager chuckled as she dressed. Kukuru tried to relieve her odd dream with mild contempt that she got a semi-happy ending.

Walking around to collect her things, Kukuru finally noticed the time on her clock. In three, two, one seconds, the mind finally aligns with her sight. The thought came to mind, *Late for school aren’t you?* With swift motions faster than the one in her dream, Kukuru grabbed her things and dashed for the door and faster than she could eat an ice cream bar, the speeding girl was out of the house.

Her mother giving a look out the kitchen door said, "You forgot your lunch. Oh well," with that, she went back to her business and wondered out loud, "Wonder why the rush."

Kukuru was a lively girl, full of pep, always having something to say. That is, that's what other thought of her. She, herself, believed that she was shy, and isolated, always doing stuff by herself, closing the phone so her second most favorite thing in the world (sleep) was indulged. The peppie girl, didn't know exactly what her most favorite thing was, so she always put everything second. Sleep was right up there with the 51 flavors of ice cream, fantasies, and daydreams. Ask her what she was thinking and you could write a novel with twenty different clips of her favorite animes.

To get into this girl's mind, one would have to look onto a character named Lina Inverse. Oh, Kukuru and Lina looked nothing alike, besides one being animated; the first was blacked haired and serene while the latter was a debatable red, orange hair. Also Lina was portrayed as a flat-chested, 24/7 PMS sorceress, which had nothing to do with Kukuru.

The similarities were in their personalities and their philosophy. Both were mentioned more then once as 'peppie' even though one denies it and their carefree way of looking at the world. One could also go as far as saying both had similar traits on eating and sleeping habits. You can't say either were fat from such accusations, the opposite really. Where all that food goes after being digested, it's a mystery. But the end diagnosis was that her favorite character reflected Kukuru Kimi.

Kukuru ran with the wind and at her speed quickly took the lead. She was not very athletic, but the age-old saying of 'Mind over body' could use this as a fine example. Surrounding sounds were a blur to her, after all this was a daily routine and one learns to adapt by repetition. But that also applied when someone yelled, "HEY KUKIE!"

Physics 101 stated that with forces there was friction, Kukuru must of took that course when shopping, since she had just suddenly stopped at full force and her shoes were surprisingly still there.

The daredevil shoes took another dive as she turned 180 degrees with a circular acceleration equal to that of…well if we could clock it, we would know. Teenagers, if they didn't surprise you, nothing will, but back to the source of the voice, it could only have been a few things.

Two average girls dressed causally, with friendly expressions usually meant friends. There was also the fact the not many people would call her by her pet name. There was something about pet names that could instantly get one's attention. Maybe it was just from pure embarrassment or it could have been something deeper rather than a casual form of greeting to have such an effect, or maybe not.

"Hiii!!" Yep, she was shy indeed. With the amount of sleep this girl gets, one would think she wasn't much of a morning person; odd isn't it?

"Hey, what are you doing here so late?

Where are your bags?

Oohh, I'm sorry I didn't see you. How are you doing?

We're late!"

Kukuru wouldn't usually act like this, it's just not natural, but then who could say what was normal. Perhaps it was because she was running on caffeine or sugar, high amounts of it, or maybe it was just because she was always in a rush to school everyday, whatever it was it also effected the mind or at least the speech pattern.

"Don't you remember? Today's the school trip," the first one, Amy, said all too casually after the blurb that was asked. She hadn't even been phased by it and neither was the one beside her.

"Oooooh…" Everything came back to her, a field trip to park that just recently excavated a site that was suppose to be magical. She must have been too excited that she completely forgot about it. All too familiar thoughts came back; it was one trip she was looking forward too.

"Isn't it just so cool that it's call Magical Lake Park? It must be such a wonderful place, I even have a map of the area." Taking out a conveniently unfolded map, colorful illustrations could be seen. "Look, theirs is so many beautiful places!"

Amy had one of those cute faces, framed by short brown hair. It was a face that you would usually see at the library with one of those cute dresses; right now she did have one of those blouse and skirts.

"I don't know, it would be better if we went someplace more exciting then a park with a fancy name," Jania put in countering Amy's fascination with nature.

By her appearance and line of thinking, she was more out going and liked an adventure. Keeping up with current trends, she had some stylish Jeans and shirt. Jania and Amy were in a way opposite or more like what the other lacked. Kukuru was the dreamer, together that complemented each other perfectly, and this was a very ideal and odd friendship.

"At least we don't have any school though," Kukuru said, settling the possible argument taking place. *No wonder my bag wasn't as heavy today, I had already prepared* Giving a smile, she was going to have a great day. Fun at the park, no school, and some real life mystic site. It was going to be a great day indeed.

Now going at a leisurely pace to school, the three girls went on to the usual businesses. Little had Kukuru known some things were just too perfect.

< OH MY! >

The trip had been held because the park had just excavated a spot where there was suppose be some historic monument. So the park invited various classes to attend a tour of such an event. It was considered good publicity and asking the city for favors when the time came wasn't very bad either. It was more or less politics, but still no one dwells too much on such things because everyone liked the idea.

Right now Kukuru couldn't care less, everything she had prepared for this day, except one very important thing, food. Out of all the things that had gone through her head, she would have to forget that. Her mother was suppose to prepare her lunch, but the usual routine of a daily school day morning had ruined it,

"Ahh, I'm hungry," whined Kukuru to no one in particular. She never had a problem with over nutrition so the will power of not eating was unknown to her. *I hate when this happens* Had it been the first time, it would be just bad luck, but it seemed like this was a one out of five situation. Maybe her not being over weight was not such a mystery.

The sight outside the bus wasn't great either. They were in a traffic jam, and her window seat had conveniently gave a nice view of a wall that had a big 'I' written on it.

As if her plead for help was answered a sandwich popped in front of her. "I knew something like this would have happened, I always seemed to sit next to you." Amy right next to her had three fingers holding up the display of food, she knew if it had been five fingers, there might not be enough time to pull back before it was too late. Kukuru couldn't be that bad, but in the immortal words of great advertisement, "Hey you never know."

"Thanks Amy, you’re the best." Chime up the satisfied girl. Yep, it was great to have a friend who was prepared. As for Kukuru, she could be called ditzy, to the untrained eye, but in today's world who could tell?

Perhaps she liked the girl called Lina Inverse too much, or maybe Kukuru already had such an attitude and her favorite character just reinforced it.

< OH MY! >

Things got moving, and people started whining. Then a rest stop came. Kukuru just breezily took a stroll around. The air was fresh, with the woodland right besides her.

They had taken a stop at a small restaurant/connivance store/tourist spot place. It had everything a tired vehicle driver needed, or in this case a bus full of students. A place to get fresh air, food, supplies, and rest rooms, they get great business this way.

Kukuru felt all the tension of a cooped up bus melting away with the clear sent of nature and the tranquility of her surroundings. Well it wasn't that tranquil with the restaurant not far back, but it was better then being on the road.

The wind gently breezed and Kukuru had to look into the woods. It was as if something pulled at her toward it. Something was odd. *I thought I heard something…* There was nothing only a gently breeze. It could have been a bird, a small woodland animal, a cricket, but it hadn't sounded like any of those. It was more like a hum, a pleasant but human hum. She has no idea what to make of it.

*Click*

Something had given away under her foot. She gave out a wild yep as her vertical hold went off course. Everything became a blur as she fell. It all happened so fast, she only had the brief feeling of hitting the ground. "--Itte, that hurts..."

Getting up, she found the soft ground had not caused much damage above some minor stains, but she had no idea what made her fell. It could have been a loose rock or a wrong step; all in all it was just bad luck. *That was odd* But Kukuru was not one to dwell on such things. All she cared was that she had better clean up before they were on the road again, a mud stain was not a nice thing, but easily washed off if done quickly. And so she hastily went away, if only she knew...

< OH MY! >

Finally, the park, it was a beautiful sight. She could hear various 'ooh's and 'ahh's around to further prove that thought. Everything was finally going smoothly. No more traffic Jams, no more nagging voices, even if she were part of them, and no more cooped up buses.

They did the entire introduction and the tour was on. First on the list was the site of the excavation. It was a short walk into the woods to reach it. The park was lovely, as Amy had touched on. She felt at peace with the land. The air was pure, moist, but neither hot nor cool. The sun was shining with all its glory but she felt just right in her dress. A wonderful place to come to and forget the world.

At the site, it looked mystical, with some stone formations here and there and some ancient looking pillars around. Some equipment were still lying around and from the dirt it hadn't been completely uncovered yet. It looked like something out of the movies, with secret mystic rituals and chants that would have satisfied any magic lover. Everything looked out of date, but it was to be expected after so many years, thus having such an ancient looking effect.

"From what we have discovered so far, this was a site for a ritual, as you can see there is an almost magical presence from it and the one too many movies might have something to do with it too." The guide teased. "It is perhaps how this park had gotten it's name with people once believing in magical powers and their practitioners dominating this area."

All very nice, and ration explanation. Kukuru wasn't paying very much attention to it however. Even if she had a special interest in magic, something was bothering her. She didn't know what, but something about this site gave her a strong feeling. *How come this feels soo…so odd. It was almost if I can feel a presence around it* Maybe she had too much interest in magic or because she watched one too many magic oriented movies and or anime.

After that they were free to explore and play in the surrounding park. Of course they were shown to the souvenir shop first, but everything else was a standard trip. Everyone abruptly went his or her separate ways.

Just scouting the area filled her day, with her friend by her side. The feeling that she had on the site was quickly forgotten and dismissed as another one of her 'odd happenings'. How should could categorize it so casually was almost scary for most other people. She had a wonderful time, the park was truly beautiful and had justified its name. Little did she know how much, until something happened.

< OH MY! >

Something had happened to the road, it was deemed too dangerous to drive back. The exact details had mostly slipped out of Kukuru’s mind, but nothing important could be done with such information anyway. Of course a bus full of students using it was a problem. If even an accident had occurred it would be a total political disaster. It had been the only road out, detours were not possible, so the park gave fee stay to everyone and with a few calls and mutters, they had an over night trip now. Most of her classmate thought is was cool and she herself was excited about such events.

"Wow, If only I've known this was going to happen, I would have packed some clothes." Kukuru liked such luck. Everything was free was the best part. She idly wonder what her room was lick and went off for more exploration.

< OH MY! >

Walking around she was lost, and annoyed. They had given an ‘all you can eat’ dinner at the Hotel and she would be damned it she missed it. She was mentally laughing madly at the fools who would dare give her such a meal. *I can easily make up for lunch now. Now if only I can find it!*

Walking around aimlessly, the halls were empty, had she took a wrong turn somewhere? This was very frustrating and Kukuru cursed at the turning of luck. The determined girl stalked the halls restlessly. *Arrrgghh! And not even a person in sight for me to get directions.* Then suddenly something happened. She thought she heard something. A voice, like the one she heard earlier. It was much clearer this time, but it also echoed from the empty hall.

A door was opened and she could see the woods not far outside. It could be the wind from outside, but if anyone one was here, she could get directions. Besides she was curious, and she was not one to fear the unknown.

"Hello?" She cautiously asked while slowing stepping outside. It was dark and gloomy. It led to the outside and she could see no one. Usually the subconscious mind would scream of danger, but Kukuru had never had that term applied to her. *maybe whoever it was was further outside* Out of curiously she went out, bad move.

*Click*

Some hit her foot as she suddenly went vertically insane again. This time though it was a bad fall. She tipped over the rear of the side and the woods enveloped below her.

"AHHHhhhhh!"

"Ouch"

"Ooch"

"Ahh!"

"Owie"

Finally stillness came back. Kukuru's head didn't feel good. Rolling down a hill was a painfully annoying experience. Slowly getting up, The fallen girl could see dark woods all around her. Looked towards the way she had fallen, she was not in the mood to climb. *I'll just walk around back up* It was dark and spooky, but she knew this was a tourist park and little of the wildlife could hurt her.

Everything at night was different now; she could not find anything to fimilarize herself with. The sky was cloudy and it was oddly more quietly then usual. Not much sounds were heard except the rustling of three leaves and her foot steps. She kept going on though, as the ‘all you can eat’ buffet filled the starving girls' need to move on.

Having unwanted stroll, she suddenly stopped. It was the spot of the excavation. She had somehow wondered back here by accident. Right now though they seemed to be glowing. This was really getting odd and also scary. That hadn't bothered her as much because she suddenly saw white and blank out.