Into shadows of the unknown

        Walking through the forest I remembered hearing from my friends is that a solar eclipse was supposedly going to happen  tomorrow around 1 pm. Well I should find out if this is true or not.  When I got back to my parents house from my walk I Grabbed a snack as I headed down to my room. As I came into my room i started up some music on my rock out 2 solar. Finding my iPad mini on its charging dock since i had mercilessly killed it last night I found it at 51% charged, unlocking it I began looking through the boxes, finding chrome I tapping on its icon I began my search by typing “solar eclipse.” I found a couple pages that showed past solar eclipses, a couple predictions, and some rumor about disappearances at the last solar eclipse. Puzzled I searched ‘events tomorrow’ this time it showed a news page titled ‘solar eclipse of 2017’ grumbling to myself at how stupid Google sometimes can be I opened the page Skimming through the page. Finding the bit of information I had been looking through the whole page for I began reading to myself.

 “According to astrologers there will be a solar eclipse on the 17th of November. Something to look forward to at least.” Sighing to myself I got off my bed I noticed the time was 9:43 pm. Walking over to the bathroom my cat Titus being the overly playful pounced on my ankle biting down. Feeling his teeth as he bit me I felt my nerves jump in surprise to his attack. “Jeez Titus, go attack Jewel or one of the dogs.” I playfully scolded him. Instead he just starts rubbing up against my leg as if apologizing for his attack, suddenly bounding away I heard as I was getting my toothbrush I heard a faint hiss of my other cat Jewel.

Heh that silly cat goes from mean to sweet back to being rough again.

Rinsing my mouth I placed my toothbrush back in its rightful place. Stepping back into my room I looked to see Jewel chasing Titus out of my room. Glancing at my fireplace I could see a couple orange-red coals about six inches in size, I did only thing I could really do, put more wood in the fire! Obviously. As I reached for the handle I grabbed a little too high retracting my hand cursing under my breath I shook my hand behind my back (since I burned it). Grabbing the correct part of the handle I shut the door. Turning the heat fan down to about half then I pushed the damper in all the way to let as little oxygen in as possible. Turning back towards my bed I pulled down the string of my light causing the room to become dark except for a nightlight which provided enough light for me to safely to safely jump into my bed. As the night began to claim my consciousness I began reflecting on my rather strange day.

-----Earlier today-----

I had just came out of the main building of some gaming convention my friend had brought me to, after we exited I told them they should go save a seat in the gaming room (where we could fight other people) so I split off from my friends to explore the building a little. Turning right around a corner I found a stand with two swords, walking closer to the stand hopeful that I would be able to purchase them. Nearing the stand I saw the colors of the blades and the gems that were on the end of the swords. One of the swords had a black blade with its hilt curving towards the blade, black leather wrapping left around the handle at the end of the handle held a pointed clear black gem with five edges, one of the longer edges being longer than two of the three shorter edges. Coming fully up to the stand I was able to get a good look at the other sword since it was partially hidden by the black sword and the man running the stand. Now that I could see the second sword I noticed that the second sword had a white blade 3ft. Long same as the black sword its hilt curving towards the handle, white leather wrapping right around the handle, the clear white gem on the end of handle having six edges.

“Would you like to buy those two swords sir?” The man asked with an eyebrow raised.

Looking directly at him I noticed he gave off a weird vibe and he was smiling at me. Smiling back I responded. “Depend on the quality and the price.”

“They are each $300 normally.” Noticing my face become a little downcast he added. “But since I already made enough to cover three pairs of those swords, I will sell them to you for $150 each $300 total.” A little stunned at his offer I quickly agreed to his price, handing him the money he put it inside his pocket then pulled out from under the counter two sheaths both made of obsidian. I could make out that one of the sheaths had the letters DL and the other had AR asking him what they meant he said.

“The black blade is called Demons Light and the white blade is called Angels Rapture. Any other questions?” He responded.

“No, thank you and have a good night.” I said turning and walked towards the gaming room

“Watch out for them on the eclipse!” He shouted after me

-----present-----

Sighing I shut my eyes to dream.

{Dream Realm}

Everything surrounding my was pitch black darkness… I soon took notice that my swords hung at my sides, grabbing DL with my left hand and AR with my right. Simultaneously pulling them out I could feel Demons Light giving off almost gentle waves of cold energy and Angels Rapture pulsing heat.

Well I could see if they work well, in a dream at least.

Curiously I summoned two golems of rock with my mind they were a couple feet taller than me grinning I commanded them to attack me. Without hesitation they charged at me giving little time to react to their moves, ducking the first punch I caught the other golem coming right under the other golems attack dodging to the left I swiped up with my left sword causing a small burst of energy from the golems severed arm. Catching me off balance the first golem backhanded me across the plain earning myself some pain.

Welp the best thing that did was get a little distance. I thought with a pained expression on my face. “Time for some fun.” I said calling down lightning upon the uninjured golem making it implode shooting out pure energy injuring the other golem more. Rushing the golem I easily cut it to Pieces before exploding with energy looking amongst my little ‘battlefield’ I saw the golem's arm that I had chopped off I could see it giving off a little dark energy shrugging I said to myself. “Eh my dream my weirdness.” Continuing the process about five times each practice I was getting better and better with swords play. Ending that I decided to start practicing with more mystical things like magic. Starting with more offensive spells I defeated the golems with ease, switching to defensive spells I made them slightly more offensive like effectively changing a flat shield into a spiked one. And a couple other things I could think of. Feeling the dream ending. “I wish there was someway to make the night last longer.” I said sighing.

{Real World}

Opening my eyes I winced from the pain in my body not all over, but now my sides were mostly really sore. Sitting up in my bed I could see my two swords to my left on my desk where I had left them yesterday. Confused because I couldn't remember if I did anything strenuous, remembering my dream only increased my confusion further. Brushing it off I jumped out of bed to stop myself from falling asleep again.

“Hey Ray!” My mom shouted from upstairs

“What is it?”

“You need to take out the trash today.”

Sighing I said. “Alright I'll take care of it when I am dressed.”

Walking into my closet I picked out a simple white shirt, black cargo shorts with a strong black belt to carry my swords, and a dark gray sweatshirt. Walking out big my closet with my clothes on I glanced at the clock. I should arrive at capitol lake in about an hour for the solar eclipse, since I slept in so much and it should still leave me with enough time to get some snacks! Grabbing my swords I strapped them to my sides Angels Rapture hanging on my left side and Demons Light hanging on my left, also grabbing my solar digital watch I then headed upstairs to take care of my chore. Walking upstairs caused a little pain in my sides, not that I payed much attention to much of any pain in my body. Lifting the trash bag out of the trashcan I carried it outside to the bigger trash ‘bin’. Catching a whiff of the trash bins smell I quickly shut it gagging slightly. What did we put in that?! I thought as I reentered my parents house.

“I should leave a note of where I am going.” I said whispering to myself Turning to the dry erase board I wrote.

I'm going to Capitol lake to watch the solar eclipse today

-Ray

Now that I have taken care of that I can now go to the solar eclipse. I thought smiling to myself. Stepping into my 1975 wagoner I set my swords in the passenger's seat. Starting the cat I plugged my MP3 into my Rock out speaker resuming on the song Epidemic, smiling I drove out of my neighborhood.

45 minutes later >>

Looking at the time on my watch I did some quick math and determined I could probably use about ten minutes for purchasing my snacks. As I neared Capitol lake I spotted a bakery shop on the corner called ‘Izzie's’ parking in front of the store I climbed out of my car avoiding oncoming traffic I locked my car. Opening the door of the shop I heard a little bell jingle above me as I stepped in alerting the employee, taking a deep breath of the sweet smell of all the sugar baked expertly into their large various baked goods.

“Hi, I'm chase anything that you want?”asked chase from behind the counter.

“I would like two emerald cupcakes, one apple fritter, and how about your favorite for me.” I said Looking through the wide selection of baked food before me. Sliding the glass door open he pulled out the three requested items then he shut the door and opened another to the left and pulled out what looked to be a brownie that looked to have a dark chocolate coating on one half and the other side coated with white chocolate. Then he put the four sugary baked goods into a box sealing it with a simple sticker representing the shop, while he was doing that I had pulled out $20.

Handing him the money I said. “Have a good day! And keep the change.” Grabbing my box I exited the store. Climbing in my car I noticed as I set my box next to my swords that the box had the words ‘enjoy and stay safe’ all I could think was. Oh the irony of it all, like I'm going to die today. Looking at my clock I felt my anxiety rise slightly because there was only five minutes left till the solar eclipse would begin. Starting my car I drove onto the road and towards the lake’s park seeing the moon halfway across the sky I quickly parked, strapping my swords back on my sides where I had them before, grabbing my skullcandy headphones I hung them around my neck, putting my MP3 in my pocket with my speaker in my larger pocket, and my solar charger cause I just love killing my devices. Waking up the hill with my box I sat down on the bench without any back support. Setting my box to my left I broke open the seal, lifting the lid I could feel my mouth begin to water just looking at the sweet treats I would soon eat. Picking up one of the cupcakes the instant I took a bite my mouth was flooded with the sweet flavor of green tea and obviously sugar or at least a sweet taste of some sort. Finishing the rest of the cupcake I could see the moon 4/6ths of the way to covering up the sun and starting the solar eclipse. Slipping my headphones on I plugged my MP3 in and selected the song Heartbeat. Moving to the next piece of food in my little box I selected the apple fritter as I began to eat I felt the hilt of AR digging into my side. Groaning I stood up to move my swords to a horizontal position instead of vertical sitting back down I finished off the rest of the fritter. Grabbing the two colored brownie I took a bite confirming what I had suspected in the shop they did seem to taste like milk and dark chocolate, but instead of the dark chocolate being slightly bitter it was more sweet and creamy, while the milk chocolate was almost spicy and overwhelming to my mouth. Well now I know why he likes this so much, it's very good.

Glancing back up at the sky to check on the moon's progress in the sky from my point of view it was roughly 5/6ths of the way from the solar eclipse coming. Finishing the rest of the unique brownie I was eating I could see two figures of black and white fading in and out. I don't think he put anything else in my food then the required ingredients. I thought to myself. I don't think I tasted anything out of the ordinary.

Shrugging I began eating the last cupcake. Must be reflections in the water. Looking back up to the sky I could see the moon begin to overlap the sun. The eclipse i probably the cause of the reflections. Underneath my eyesight I saw a small flash of light. Curious about the cause of the light I looked to see the two figures again, but this time I could see them fighting each other and not fading now that they weren't fading in and out I could make out the dark robed one to be taunting the other figure which I could describe as an angel with a sword of pure fire and light. His armor made of different types of gems. My mind became completely blank as the solar eclipse took place, watching the Demon (assuming that's what he is) forming a sword of shadows that gave off waves of dark energy I began making my way down the path of the hill slowly so that I wouldn't be noticed by either of the beings before me. Quite the opposite of what I wanted, i froze half way down the hill when the demon said.

“This one matches the description of what my employer gave me. Perfectly.” He looked at me filling me with fear of the unknown his eyes were a deep Crimson with slits instead of pupals. “What do you think? Hmm?” The demon said taunting the Angel

“I think that your resistance will end today.” The Angel retorted

“Well then you must stop me. Absolutely must. Hehe you won't stop me this time dear brother, because he will go there.” The demon said taunting the Angel. Turning back to me he locked with my eyes again he pointed his finger at me my legs became chilled looking down I saw that my legs were completely encased in ice. “Wouldn't want you running away now.” He commented when i looked down at the ice.

The instant he finished sentence he began chanting something in another language. When the demon began the Angel moved to intercept but was repulsed by the demon's shadow. After recovering the Angel quickly changed tactics and began chanting in the same language but slightly different in variation. I the middle of the Angels chanting the demon turned into pure shadows and rushed towards me his presence filling my mind my vision becoming black, then another presence entered my mind.

“What are you doing? Get out!” I told them in my mind. Suddenly memories of both entities flooded my mind causing me to physically grip my head crying out in my mind. After the pain subsided I began searching through their memories finding out the demons name was Dark Memory and the Angels name was Phantom Star.

“Hey guys what happened, my head hurts and I would *really*  like an answer as to what happened.” I spoke in my head.

“Dark Memory destroyed his condemned soul in you causing his power to create a pool of dark magic inside of you.” Phantom Star whispered in my mind. “While he may be able to partially succeed in his his plan…” Sighing his voice filled with sadness. “Now I can only stab and wound his plan by destroying my own soul and leaving you to the world with my Lucius magic with you creating another pool of magic.”

“What could your destruction possibly help with?! That will *not** help me at all.” I shouted angrily at him. “How can that fix what Dark did?...” I said quieting my voice a lone tear running down my face.*

“I was supposed to be your guardian angel…” Sadness creeping back into his voice. “And this is the only way I can think of right now. I am sorry this had to happen, even if my soul is destroyed my memories will still be with you creating a remnant. Which won't be me but in the same sense it will be. Goodbye Raistlin.”

As he finished I could feel his presence fade and a new light appeared next to the dark magic pool just as Phantom had said.

Suddenly feeling the ground no longer under my feet I felt my stomach rise I shouted in confusion and terror. “OH SHHHII” Just before I slammed into the ground very hard. Groaning from the pain of my drop I tried to push myself up but dropping down from the pain, trying again I felt a little rush of happiness as I succeeded I found myself in a crater that the impact of my body had created. Feeling feathers brushing against my arm I turned to see a white feathered wing on my right and a black  feathered wing on my left. Did I land on something? Grabbing the wing in my right I was surprised to find the I could feel my touch. Facepalming I realized. The wings are connected to me.

Feeling quite dumb I stood up to find I was in a forest wherever this forest, turning my attention back to my wings I would say the longest feather was about 3ft. Long more than two inches wide on some part of the feather. I also found my two swords at my sides, and my headphones now hung at my neck from the fall.

“I should probably find a shelter somewhere among the trees.” I mumbled to myself. Moving slowly due to what the fall had done to my body. Looking up in the sky I saw that the solar eclipse had just ended.Maybe they just teleported me into a forest near my house. Well how wrong I was.

1 hour later >>

How long I had been walking? about an hour according to my watch. I think the best thing that has come out of this trek was my body feeling better then when I first crashed. Seeing a cave finally my body flooded with relief. Sitting down on the stone floor I rested by back on the wall and I decided to fall asleep till next sunup. Closing my eyes, I discovered a tiny secret of this world. This planet was filled with magic.

{Dream Realm}

Finding myself surrounded by darkness I summoned the memories of Phantom and Dark I began looking to see which one of them had a better way to memorize spells. Phantom Star proving through his memories he had learned the best way to memorize spells. Using Phantom’s method I began to memorize spells that would be necessary for defending myself in a battle one of the spells I found among their memories was the self-soul-destruction. Sighing to myself I began picking out effective defensive and offensive spells listing the spells out in my mind I memorized: dark tendrils, sharp shield, Rapture(a blackout spell), flash, shadow swords, lux Teleportation, shadow form, healing light, shadow shift, light bend(camouflage spell), illusion, reality illusion, rain of fire, possession, shadow possession, speed of light, light pierce, and two mind skills I had absorbed from Phantom and Dark. Dark’s mind skill was an attack and Phantom’s is a mind defense skill. Looking through the spells again I thought. The magical attack comes from Dark memory and then Phantom Star would've had to defend people from other demons attacks.

Reaching out with my magic I could sense the dream ending in about ten minutes. I decided to have an adventure amongst others dreams, my body soon reformed into a place I'll just call ‘the dream hub’ until I can find a better name for it. I found many rows of doors the closest one held a plate that was labeled ‘Luna’ Gently looking through some of her memories finding that Luna had a sister but I could find a specific name, and that Luna had once become a nightmare. Shifting myself away from her memories I entered the dreamscape of Luna I began shifting and changing her dreamscape into the night of her banishment with her sister a shadow of light. Looking around Luna tried calling out to her nightmare receiving no response because Luna’s mind did not create it.

“This is  a nice nightm…” Suddenly realizing I had spoken out loud I quickly silenced myself hoping she had not heard me.

“Who dares to invade my realm?” Luna turned in surprise.

“Oh that's not very kind of you. I'm just visiting.” I said solidifying my form and jokingly accused. “Didn't anyone teach you to be kind to your guests?”

“I was never taught to be nice to invaders.” Luna retorted. “And I suggest you leave before I kick you out.”

“Well then, in that case you will have to make me leave.” I said taunting her. “Cause I always am up for a good fight.”

Laughing from the excitement I was withholding, I drew my swords and moved into a battle ready position.

“I AM THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT.” Luna shouted. Quieting her voice she said. “I almost feel bad about you challenging me.”

“Well I don't tend to randomly challenging other beings before researching them a bit.” I said with amusement in my voice. “Plus I always love to test my limits and what better time than now?”

Just as I was about to began my attack I sensed the dream beginning to end Luna said. “It seems you will have to wait and return to your body mysterious one.”

“Oh I forgot to tell you my name.” I replied laughing. “My name is Raistlin dear dream walker. And I shall see you later.” Sheathing my swords I waved goodbye as my consciousness returned back to into my body.

{Real World}

Feeling the warmth of the sun warm my body is stretched my legs and arms out releasing the tension from my long sleep.

“I should go get something to eat, then I can find out where I am.” I whispered to myself feeling the pain of hunger. “And after that I might be able to have some fun.”

Smirking I stood up and mid stride I felt myself trip on the cave floor I an attempt to stop my fall instead of using my hand I used my wings but unfortunately I had never used my wings before so I failed miserably managing to impale myself on a protruding rock. Why do things like this happen? Why would I try to use my wings before I had practiced?! ...why is this rock perfect for impaling me…

Coughing up blood I bit down on my tongue to keep from crying out from the pain coursing through my body. Probably not going to survive, I wish I could've eaten something. I could still feel the rock that had impaled my body as the pain slowly began to fade and then disappeared completely though I couldn't feel any part of body.

“Why does fate have to be so creative with my torture.” I said inspecting my new ‘body’ I could see that my form was a swirling sphere of black and white colored magic and in between where the two types of magic collided there was a third color of magic silver. Looking back to the rock where I ‘died’ I could see the rock covered in blood shrugging if I even could in this form I floated out of the cave. Well at least I can’t die permanently. I think. I better not die permanently, I would hate that. What is that? I thought looking at a creature that looked to be fused with about ten different animals laying on a lawn chair eating cotton candy. Floating nearer of the creature I used shadow grip to surround and trap the creature.

“Oh? What is this? Dark magic?” Turning his head he looked at me saying. “Who are you? Would you care to free me from these shadows?”

“I am called Raistlin, what are you anyway?” I responded. “And no I won't free you. I want to see if you can escape.”

“Something to tell Tia, I am Discord the only draconequus left.” Discord said looking at his restraints he snapped his fingers he teleported next to me making the lawn chair disappear. “Trying to restrain a being of chaos is futile. Now can you tell me why you are here?”

“No.”

“No? Ok well I was only told to ask whatever I found here in the forest that question.” Discord said outstretching his paw. “See you later Raistlin.”

Using a tendril made of light from my form shifting the end of the tendril into a hand I shook his hand. Seeing electricity start coming down my tendril I panicked detonating it the relatively small blast pushing me back a couple feet I could see Discord’s hand hand had been decimated leaving his forearm bleeding and burned.

“Sorry about that” I said regret creeping in my voice. “Would you like me—”

“NO!” Discord shouted clutching his forearm.  I'll just help him anyway if he doesn't struggle. I thought as I cast the spell ‘healing light’ as I released it pure light began to form into the shape of his hand.

“The nerves should reconnect in a couple seconds so there will be a slight pinch.” I said trying to calm his a little. “This is the best healing spell I know so you should be fine once the light fades.”

“Ok thanks.” Discord mumbled in reply inspecting the healing spell. “Where did you get the lux magic? Did you steal it?”

“No I didn't steal the magic, I have a lux source within me as well as two other sources of magic, the one is dark magic and the other is my natural magic.”

“See you later Raistlin.” Discord said before teleporting away. I wonder who Tia could be? Could be a ruler of the land. Oh finally a body my magic created. Without a second thought my mind was sucked into the body.Something seems wrong here… Opening my eyes I had to squint because my eyes didn't adjust right away, as soon as I had adjusted to the light I could see the ground was a lot closer then I remembered. How cruel I'm shot now. Might as well see what I look like. I thought as I used my magic to summon a mirror. Inspecting my new form I looked to be a much smaller version of Luna except my coat was grey my wings were the same color as before, but my eyes were reptilian and their color was silver. Licking my lips I felt hunger pains again but in the middle of that I stopped. My teeth are sharp… opening my mouth I saw what my tongue had felt. That's cool now my teeth are kinda like a sharks but not as wide. Four of my teeth are longer than the others. How funny. My magic made my four sharp canine teeth even more sharp and long. Very funny. But could prove useful in the future. Still thinking about my new body I continued wandering to the east exercising my wings as I wandered to the east.

“I can only wonder what I'll find next in this new world.” I said happily. “Maybe I won't find anything till I die again!” Just to prove me wrong I tripped again hurting my face as it slammed into wood in the ground. Standing back up I rubbed my nose with my hoof looking on what I tripped on I jumped in joy! I had found a train track! And train tracks lead to towns and they have trains on them (obviously). Putting my ear to the track I could hear faint vibrations keeping my ear on the track for a minute I could tell the train was coming closer with each minute. The train should be here in five to ten minutes. Now I have to find something to do. Great. Oh wait I can just practice my magic!

Looking around I could see the wall of pine trees behind me and in front of me on each side of the train track turning my head to the ground I could see a small flash of light on the ground. Trotting a couple feet I came up to where I saw the light to see a diamond with no color at all. Using a levitation spell I sloppily surrounded the gemstone lifting it along with the grass that grown around it. Rolling my eyes I thought. Well the first time was a success I think. But I should refine my skills with basic levitation. Still holding the gem with levitation I split my hold two ways one part holding the gem the other part held the grass slowly separating my holds on the grass and the gem. Smiling at my success I brought the gem up to my face for closer inspection. Eight total edges all around. I wonder what the limits on shape shifting is. Bringing the gem up to head I imagined the gem fusing in my head so that the gem slightly encased my horn. Feeling a sharp pain I realized the shapeshift was working doing my best not to move I could feel the pain slowly increase from my head then I felt the pain make a wave over my body. Summoning a small mirror I could see the spell had worked I now had the gem infused in my head partially encasing my grey black and white horn. Strange. How did I not notice the colors of my horn? Must have been because I was so interested in my teeth and eyes. From what I can remember unicorns don't tend to have two color horns. Great. Another thing my magic did. At least all the things my ‘rebirth’ did was cool so far.

Looking over my back I ruffled my wings suddenly having another idea. I can make my wings into imprints or tattoos I guess whatever you'd call it when you shapeshift you wings into a pattern of fur on your back the looks like wings but aren't really wings. Picturing my wings turning into imprints in my fur I could feel a slight pinch again but this time without the whole ‘wave of pain’ thing. Looking upon my back the imprints looked pretty realistic if you were looking from the side and for some reason I tried to lick my ‘wing’ only licking fur. Pretty happy with my skills in shape shifting I decided to move on to practicing my realistic illusion spell.

“I should think my teeth and eyes aren't normal, as well as the gem I have now permanently in my head.” I said thinking out loud hearing the train in the distance I quickly stopped my self dialogue I pictured all my teeth flat, my eyes same color but now having pupils, and the top of my head before I stuck the gem permanently in my head. Releasing the image I felt a tiny drain on my magic pick the mirror back up with my magic I could see myself the same way frowning I opened my mouth to test my teeth seeing my tongue go right through one of my longer teeth I thought. Oh well that kinda makes sense I guess I'll have to stay away from mirrors then. At least I didn't fail this time. I'll just leave my horn the way it is. Hearing the train fly by made me jump in surprise. Looking up I saw the passengers trying to point to something behind me. Snap!  Twisting around I was faced with three Timberwolves all of them three times my size. Charging my horn with pure magical power I unleashed the power I had stored within it the blast completely consumed the three Timberwolves a little dizzy from releasing all that magical energy I almost didn't notice that part of the forest had been blasted along with the ground being charred.

“I need to get on the train…” I weakly said. Using the last bit of my power I teleported into the train hitting something hard. Realizing my mistake I thought.Cruel fate… I forgot to factor the trains speed...