From the Depths
Magic & Stuff

Kirea left the elves to their own devices. She knew nothing about magic, or as the mage Riku had corrected them, essence. She would be of no help to them and only prove to be a nuisance and get in their way. She sat with her hands buried in the sand staring out at the ocean, the crashing waves spraying mist over her, oddly it had a calming effect. Though the ocean always did.

Henry had returned several times as the hours began to pass, he was dropping off supplies. Slowly but surely everything she had requested on the list she’d written last night made its way to the beach. He never asked what they were for, though the occasional odd facial expression did appear across his face. Even the occasional shake of the head as he unloaded more and more.

Plants, cleaning supplies, fresh live fish in seawater, a swimsuit for herself, ladders, decorative rocks and a bucket of sea snails all rested in the shade of the cliffside. The trip to bring the supplies to the beach was a long one, Henry couldn’t risk bringing the items down the narrow path of the cliff side. Though in truth she secretly wished to witness the travesty that would ensue if he tried. Instead, he had to trek the length of the bench to the west to the town that surrounded the castle and back again. She’d offered her help but he’d just snarled at her, as if offended to be helped by a woman.

This left her sitting alone on the bench with nothing to do but become lost in her own thoughts. What worried her the most was how she was going to get the Siren down here. She may have to convince the King to let Henry in on his new pet project if she stood a chance of getting him down the cliff. And if the King didn’t want people knowing about his newfound interest in fish people she couldn’t wheel him through the city and along the beach like Henry could with the supplies, she’d cause a spectacle.

She groaned. “I don’t know what to do!” Falling backward with flailing arms she lay down on the sand, replaceing little comfort in the grainy ground cover.

Riku filled her vision as the elf bent over her form blocking the sun. “What has your mind so occupied?”

Looking up at the elf she smiled and half laughed. “The dilemmas of a human girl trying to get something to the beach without anyone seeing it.”

“Cover and carry it?” She offered.

Kirea laughed at the idea, lifting her arms to show off her non-existent guns. “I lack the strength to carry anything down those horrible stairs of doom.”

Riku glanced at the cliffside, running her eyes over the winding path of stone. “Hmmm, you have a point. Perhaps then I could be of assistance.” She smiled down at Kirea again. “You see, water can be a portal, normally between worlds but I should be able to create something that can transport something that is close by between two points.”

“Magic him down here?” Was that even possible?

Riku cringed at the word. “If you will, yes. But I need you to place something into the water where he is currently residing in order to connect the two spots. First, however, I need you to come inspect our work and let us know if any adjustments are needed.”

Rolling over she pushed herself up. “Right! Hopefully, now I can feel a little more useful.”

“You’ll be plenty useful soon enough, your care for the creature is highly regarded.” Riku pointed out.

Making no comment she followed the elf to the cliffside, puzzled she couldn’t see an entrance. They had been working for hours, what wasn’t she seeing?

“Watch closely,” Riku instructed as she raised a hand to the rocky surface. Lifting it away a soft glow remained where her hand was placed. Then the elf stepped right through the stone disappearing through it as though it were made of water.

Kirea gasped, she was completely amazed. She nearly jumped out of her skin when the elf’s hand popped back through motioning for her to follow.

She went to place her hand on the rocky face, but it slipped through like the stone wasn’t even there. Holding her breath she walked through the invisible veil. It didn’t feel like anything as she slammed her eyes shut and hoped she wouldn’t slam her face into the solid rock wall that was meant to be there. Peeking with one eye she caught sight of Riku holding a lantern, a smile of amusement spreading across the elf’s face mocking her. It was pitch black inside, barely able to make anything out, the lantern only illuminated enough that one wouldn’t trip when moving forward.

“We are to install artificial lighting, but I wanted to see your surprise so I insisted we wait.” The elf walked a little deeper into the cavern. “Come, stand here.”

Doing as she instructed she looked to the elf with a gaze full of questions and wonder. She watched as the lantern was blown out, her surroundings completely engulfed by darkness. She felt the air around her warm as a beautiful unexplainable stream of light twisted around the elf’s feet. Her hands were stretched out before her, slowly rising into the air as the lights whizzed around her, flowing higher, twisting, turning and surrounding the elf. Kirea’s hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as the air seemed alive with pure energy.

As the elf’s hands rose above her head, she flicked her wrists, sending her palms to the ceiling. Like on cue the light gathered and burst from her hands exploding in a blinding light and speeding toward the top of the cavern. Her eyes took a moment to come back into focus before she was able to watch as a brilliant blue sky spread across the ceiling. It was like a magical painting coming to life, spreading light to all corners of the cavern. Her eyes and mouth had fallen open in complete awe, it was an unbelievable sight.

“This sky will follow the outside, it is simply a reflection of the outdoors. It is the best I can do with only three of us.” Riku explained.

“It’s amazing...” She could barely speak as she took in her surroundings.

Now with the cavern lit she was able to take in what the elves had created. She stood on a flat surface, just before her was a ledge that dipped into a deep vast empty area, a pool yet to be filled. In the centre of this vast area stood a pillar that reached to the ceiling, it was aesthetically beautiful but was likely there for stabilization of the cave roof. The elf hadn’t just dug out a hole in the wall they had made it a piece of art, the walls were flowing and curved inwards in an artistic manner. The pool had a shallow part near the ledge, which would be very practical for her and her patient.

The other two elves walked over, not paying her any mind, the plants that had been gathered outside now in their arms. They walked to the ledge, pulling the plants free from their buckets and throwing them into the empty pool. Before she could object to the harsh treatment of her plants a gust of wild caught her off guard. Surprising her for two reasons, one, no wind should be able to get in here, and two it nearly knocked her off her feet. The wind caught the plants before they hit the harsh rocks below and were swept up, caught in an invisible current. She felt the air again change temperature as she watched in amazement as the plants grew larger and more vibrant. The root systems entangled themselves around rocks filling the empty space with beautiful green foliage. Vines grew from the ceiling and corals of all colours lined the bottom of the pool before her very eyes.

“Any changes you would like?” Riku asked, though the elf was clearly pleased with herself.

“None, it’s- it's perfect.” She commented. Though she knew there was still a lot of work that needed to be done before it would be self-sustaining, it was a tremendous start.

“Right then, let’s get the water in, then I will explain how the door works.” Riku walked to what Kirea assumed was the entrance.

She watched as the elf waved her hands in an elegant manner, a few moments later a stream of seawater burst its way through the hidden entrance. She gasped as she stumbled out of the way as the water coiled in midair and rushed its way to the empty pool. In a matter of moments, all that was left for the elves to show her was how to summon the Siren.

Kirea blinked up at the elven mages with unbelieving eyes. She had no words for what she had just witnessed. So much information in such a short period of time, she was replaceing it hard to retain it all, let alone understand any of it.

Riku moved on to try to explain the panel beside the entrance, this thankfully let her know where the exit was and how to use the special magical door. A rune-like symbol was carved into a smooth panel to the door’s side, by placing her hand on top of this rune, she or anyone else could pair with it. This allowed the door to the cavern to be opened and closed. She would have to lead the King or another one else that needed access into the cavern in for the first time, show them how to pair with the rune, then they could enter whenever they pleased.

“But I thought you said only the King ordered only two people to have access.” She questioned.

Riku giggled. “Yes, the loophole being that you two actually need to pair with the door.” She winked at her. “Use that information as you will.” Spinning on her heels the elves left the cave, they were done and didn't wish to linger any further.