Hidden Magic:

Prologue: A Beginning

~:oOo:~

An excerpt from the from Change Arrives, Even in the Underground:written by the Watcher Zervan Voresse

Humans are rather fascinating, yet complex beings. One moment full of violence, the next brimming with such magnificence, works of beauty are created. Especially those of the written word. One race of humans in particular, those who possess Celtic blood, are natural born storytellers. One of the most ancient of human tribes, they respected the tradition of passing on myths and legends through the medium of stories.

Since humans eventually came to learn and utilize the power of the written word, over the passage of time, storytellers appeared all over the world. I am considered to be rather young for one of my race, a mere seven hundred years of age, yet I have walked amongst the world of Aboveground during various periods. I have witnessed with my own two eyes, the stories of humans develop into something beautiful. The writings of human storytellers have reached us here, even through the Great Rift, into the libraries of the Underground world.

Not all of the stories crafted by humans are true. Some are made of fantastical tales or of far off worlds, designed to thrill those who read such writings or lift the spirit. I do not count myself amongst those who claim the rank of storyteller.

I am a Watcher, one of those who must undertake a lifelong duty to ensure the balance of magic flowing between the Underground and Aboveground remains stable. In the carrying out of this task, I unwittingly found myself granted the title of 'storyteller' by those who came to read the following pages of this chronicle, rather a history of major changes which occurred in the Underground world.

The story I am about to impart to you, is not based in fantasy, it has a foothold in events that happened right before my eyes. Often I found myself to be involved. Not all of those who played a part in this were human or even magical at first.

Many of those who found they were personally caught up in the alterations found they also experienced an awakening of sorts, whether minor or one that caused life-paths to warp, is for them to relate. The events that are imprinted upon the following pages are truth. Many voices formed the history written upon the pages. My own thoughts are included.

The words, passed to me by others who went through the happenings forever made immortal to history are written on scrolls, printed within leather-bound books all humans are so fond of. For those who aren't possessed of a human body or aren't human at all, the entirety of the following truths have been taken from the memories of those who suffered or lived through what came to be known as the Great Cataclysm, are captured within the cores of memory crystals under the guardianship of the Order of Watchers. A second set of writings and memory crystals are secreted in location known only to a few members of the Crystal Light Clan of Seers.

There is a quote, spoken by a human writer, Anthony Mello, that I find to be appropriate.

"A lost coin is found by means of a candle; the deepest truth is found by means of a simple story."

A coin did not begin this truth. An emerald eyed human woman, of great will and spirit sparked the birth of this chronicle when she conquered the Labyrinth and the Goblin King who claimed the mystical maze as his territory. The events however, were felt outside the confines of the Goblin Kingdom.

I did learn one important truth of my own:

'Nothing is what it seems in this place.'

Even the soul, mind and will of a human cannot be taken for being ordinary. The first human I had the privilege of becoming personally acquainted with, was at first considered to be unremarkable by many, yet she proved to be exceptional. I know her still and count myself blessed to be called friend by her. This true story begins with her. I will not say how her presence commenced the tale. You will find out for yourselves.

Do you wish to know more? Turn the page and find out...