Dreamers

Netherworld Ice

Time wound, round and around

Netherworld Magic

‘I thought you would say it’s science.’

‘Playing with souls? Unlikely. But the magic is dying, Torrullin, and not just here and not just this magic. Soon folk will rely only on reality and be content with the little time they are allocated…as it should be.’

‘Gods, what happened to you? That is utter bullshit and I cannot fathom how you can make that narrow judgement when you have been beyond the confines.’

‘Come, Torrullin, folk like you will be dinosaurs one day soon.’

‘Come, Lian, what is reality? The tangible, the controllable? Fate, death? The three dimensions your senses deal in? What, then, is a sunset? Oh, nature’s spectacle, the reality of scientific factors colliding, yes, but what does it invoke in those who stop to experience? Do they merely accept the scientific reality or are they moved to tears, awed, uplifted, romanced? There is not one of the five senses there; no touch, no taste, no hearing, no smell, no sight…no, no sight, for even in blindness can it be, and cause emotion. That is magic. Why does a man run out into the first rains after a dry spell? Is he checking that it is real, is he giving thanks to his deity- which is magical also- or is he going out there to glory in the wonder of the water that is life? He cries, he revels, he dances, he kneels. Magic, Lian. As long as there is emotion, there is magic, for neither emotion nor imagination belong to the world of three dimensions. Magic will not die while one sentient lives.’

She sat back in her seat. Goosebumps climbed her skin. ‘That isn’t the magic I referred to.’

He dragged his chair around and sat on it back to front, arms dangling over the backrest. ‘Where is the difference?’

‘Oh, come! What you have described is natural…’

‘Really? Then all would experience it as part of genetic makeup. I have known men and women who have never looked at a sunset and not because they were unable to or there was no sun, but because they looked and did not see. They were unaffected. A sunset is natural, but how one reacts is the magic.’

‘Granted, but then it’s natural magic, if you will. There’s nothing supernatural in feeling uplifted after seeing something beautiful. Hell, how long have you been burning to say all that?’

A grin quirked and was gone. ‘Long enough.’

She smiled. ‘Rebuttal?’

‘You become aware of your insignificance and you are aware what is happening around you is bigger than you, more powerful, that it is beyond your ability to control, touch or change. It happens despite you. That is why you are moved, and say what you will, Lian, that is more magical than anything I can do.’

She did not answer and looked away.

Relentless, he continued: ‘Why do you have a painting of a forest on your wall? You, who shouldn’t know it exists? How do you understand what I mean when I speak of a sunset? Yes, you have seen the sunrise from the windows above, but then how do you understand rain? Is it because you know from your past life? Of course, but then consider Breem, the linguist. He has never left the caverns and had never seen the view from the windows. If you were he, why do you have a likeness of a forest on your wall or a picture of an ocean from whence a dolphin leaps out into the sun? How do you know what it is and understand? Race memories? Perhaps, but is that not supernatural? All of it is bigger than you and is part of your soul and would be even in the deepest, darkest pit. It is inexplicable, complicated and magical.’

‘You have been thinking about this.’ There was a suggestion of tears in her eyes.

‘Gods, Lian, are you not hearing me?’

‘I hear you and your words begin to change me. I’m intrigued by your need to say it, however.’

He rested his forehead briefly upon his arms and drew breath. Then: ‘I see the magic even in my sleep. It will not die and therefore some of us have reached for rebirth. A magic that gives us the magic for longer. Unfortunately the pain and loss eventually overcomes the selfishness, but that, too, I consider part of the magic. In all things there is two, equal and opposite. And, thus, we reach for death, the final magic where loss and love go hand-in hand and in that understanding comes peace. I have died, Lian, and now I can no longer do so. Magic and magic. And nobody knows just how fantastical that is.’

NETHERWORLD (vol VI)

Magic at work

Ophuls put a hand to his mouth and dared not move. It was indeed as per his dream, and the paradox astounded him. He had seen this come to pass in night time visitations, yet he had here, moments ago, asked for it to be made reality. What had come first? Seeing, or asking? He clutched at his armchair and then looked down at it in astonishment. His hand encountered wood rather than fabric…he was seated in a worn rocking chair and under it sweet grass tempted feet into nakedness. Without thinking he kicked his sandals off and squashed his toes into the unfamiliar coolness. It was pure bliss and a sigh of pleasure escaped him.

A massive oak threw dappled shadows across his amber robe and he looked up, afraid now to miss any detail of this amazing metamorphosis, and encountered the glowing emerald of a newly-leafed tree, the rustling like music in his ears. A tear slid over his cheek and then there was more and he wondered if his heart could stand it. A carpet of daisies, white, pink and yellow, waved invitingly in a cool breeze all the way to the water’s edge and he felt the gentle caress of moving air against his cheeks.

No matter how long ago the loss, no matter how many generations had passed, some things could never be wholly forgotten. Ophuls, sitting there entranced, amazed and humbled, remembered the things of a sunlit world as if he had walked it only the day before, and he knew he would hanker for it with a sadness and passion for the rest of his days. He would never, not ever, forget these moments of pure joy.

He held his hands out, fingers splayed to catch the breeze, and laughed, enthralled, astounded, happy and free. Sunlight sparkled on the water, hurting his eyes, but he wanted it to go on forever.

Netherworld

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