Now this story's going to getting interesting, in my opinion. Please let me know what you think.
Chapter Five- Magic and Evil Intentions
"So," Mirage began once they were in the lab. "Magic is a varied subject and there are many ways in which it can be learned, but there is one essential thing that is needed if any spells are to be used."
"And what thing is that?"
"One must have at least a spark of magic in their soul. Then they must be aware of it and only then can they tap it."
"A spark in their soul? Hmm, I think I have that."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I think so. There was a guy who was trying to take over my body. He was a magic-user and his spirit was trying to defeat my spirit, but I defeated him using the power my spirit possessed."
"Excellent." Though she was horrified to hear that someone threatened her beloved's life, she was pleased to find that this beginning lesson was off to a good start. "So you do possess the spark and you were aware of them enough to use it to defend yourself. But that was internally. We need to bring them out so you can use them externally."
"How?"
"Just close your eyes and focus on them. Once you've located them, try to coax them out." Aladdin followed her instructions and Mirage was prepared to wait for hours for Aladdin's magic to surface. She only waited an hour before Aladdin's body glowed with golden light that changed to the same green color as her own magic.
Aladdin opened his eyes and they glowed green for a moment before he said, "I've got them. My magic's been tapped and I have control of them."
"Excellent. Now that you control them, using them is easy. Just visualize what you want and wave your arm."
"Hmm." Aladdin thought for a moment before waving an arm. He vanished from where he was only to reappear on the far side of the room. He smiled at this first attempt before waving an arm again and reappearing where he had been a moment ago. Aladdin practiced his magic for several days and pleasing Mirage with his tricks.
Then one morning he was standing in front of the full-length mirror in the guest room he was still sleeping in. He hadn't decided on what he wanted the other master bedroom to look like so he decided to stay in the guest room until then. He frowned at his reflection. He needed new clothes. His current attire was all right for his old self. He was different now and he now had magic to change his wardrobe. But, what to wear? He proceeded to use his magic to change various parts of his clothes until he came to a look that pleased him greatly.
I love this look. I think I'll surprise Mirage and see what she thinks. He waved his arm again and teleported himself to the Throne Room. He appeared before Mirage, smiled at her, and held his arms out wide. "My love, what do you think?"
Mirage blinked at Aladdin. He was wearing a cream-colored open coat that was tied at the waist with a braided gold rope. He also had a midnight blue shirt and matching kilt-like skirt under the coat. He wore gold shoes on his feet and his fez had been discarded. A smile slid onto her face. "A very interesting outfit. Cream and midnight blue suits you well. There's just a couple of things I want to add." She gestured and a pair of gold cuffs appeared on his wrists and on his ankles as well. Both of them openly admired these new additions.
"Now, that you've learned all this magic, what would you like to do with it?" Mirage asked after a few minutes.
"Well, I did have an idea. I think we should revive the El Katib."
"Revive the Shadow Walkers? Hmm, an interesting idea. Very well, then. Aladdin, I leave the task to you. There will be a full moon tonight in a snowy town. Go there to begin our army of Shadows."
Aladdin inclined his head in acknowledgement. "I'll return in three days with a report." He swiped an arm through the air, vanished, and reappeared in the aforementioned town's nearby mountains. He grinned as he gazed at the town below, the wind whipping the hem of his coat behind him. "I destroyed the El Katib before. It makes sense that I should be the one to revive them. Surely, there will be some kids in that town who desire power and immortality. I can hardly wait for night to fall."
Kalo scowled at the other orphans who were laughing at him before stalking away. So he, the most unpopular orphan, couldn't ice-skate, but did they have to laugh every time he landed on the ice? It wasn't fair. As he walked, he envisioned horrible things happening to those kids.
"I'm not going to be an orphan forever. Someday, I'm going to make something of myself."
"And so you will," a voice spoke up.
Kalo jumped and glanced around wildly. "W-who said that?"
"I did." A cloaked and hooded figure appeared before the boy.
"Who are you?"
"Someone who can help you make something of yourself. I was like you once: No parents, no friends. But, I took control of my life and made something of myself. My appearance changed slightly and was different than what happened to the others who made something of themselves."
"Your appearance changed? How?"
"Like this." The figure, who by the voice was a man, pushed back his hood to reveal that he had the face and ears of a cat. The boy gave a strangled yell and jumped back.
"Yes, I imagine my face is a shock, but I like it considering that I ended up receiving power and immortality."
"Immortality? You mean you'll live forever?"
"Precisely. The power, in my case, turned out to be magic, but for others the power is being stronger, faster, and able to jump higher."
"I like the idea of being able to live forever. Would my appearance change too?"
"In order to receive the gifts of power and immortality, one must be willing to give up the life they currently know. I was willing and I found a place called The Shadow Realm where I stayed for several years. I learned that others like me entered this place and changed into what those others called El Katib. But, there was something in me that was different and due to that I became a cat and learned the magic of the realm. The Shadow Realm did have a price for me: I was travel to Earth for three nights every month and look for others who wish to make something of themselves and perhaps get revenge on those who laughed at them or looked down on them."
"That's too bad. I mean, about the price you had to pay." Kalo found that he liked this man-uh, cat. Everything he was saying rang a bell inside him. If he had power and immortality, those other orphans would never laugh at him again. True, he would be gone for years and resurface as basically unrecognizable, but considering what he would have, he was willing to make that sacrifice.
"Mister, I want that power and immortality. How can I get it?"
"Oh, that's easy." Aladdin waved a hand and a black portal opened up behind him. "Since I am in service to The Shadow Realm, I have the power to open an entrance to that world. So, just- I'm sorry I didn't ask your name."
"It's Kalo."
"In that case, Kalo just step through the portal and you'll be in The Shadow Realm."
"Aren't you coming?"
"I cannot. I must stay on Earth for tonight and the next two nights, searching for others like you. The ones I met in the realm broke the rules of the realm and died and I don't want you to be lonely in your journey to gain immortality."
"They died? How?"
"They roamed the Earth during the full moon and failed to return to the realm when the moon set. The portal to the realm closed at moonset and without the moon to help them open the portal they died." Aladdin closed his eyes and lowered his head. "I came to know them well and they were like friends."
"Don't worry. I won't let that happen to me." Kalo stepped through the portal with this pronouncement and the hole closed behind him.
Aladdin let out an evil laugh. "I can't believe how easy that was! He bought every word I said. Of course that won't work on every kid I meet. But, coming up with a new story every time will be fun."
Three Days Later
Aladdin appeared before Mirage in a flash of green light, strode forward, and gave her a passionate kiss. Mirage smiled happily. "How did it go?" she asked.
"It went perfectly. I managed to recruit four kids for our army."
"Four. Lovely. Of course, it will take them a few years to fully become El Katib, but we can afford to wait. I'll look around the world to pick our next city to recruit before the next full moon."
Aladdin paced the hallway. Mirage was spending most of her time scouring the Earth looking for a suitable recruiting ground for more El Katib and he was plain bored. He had spent most of his initial boredom, redecorating the other master bedroom which now belonged to him. The space of Morbia inspired him so much in his redecorating and he was pleased with the results. The walls and ceiling were a deep midnight blue that was speckled with silver dots that resembled stars. The floor was also midnight blue but no stars, which gave one the impression that he or she was hanging in the depths of space. The curtains of his four poster bed were deep red velvet. He created a desk and a chair like Mirage's from deep mahogany wood. He didn't go with a floor-length mirror, but instead contented himself with a mirror half that size that hung beside the door. He also decided to have a crystal ball with a matching mahogany stand that he placed beside the bed.
He was still bored after decorating his room and took to pacing the hall. He paused however when he came to the library doors. He stared at them. How could I have forgotten the library? Mirage gave it to me soon after I decided to stay. I can read to pass the time.
He pushed open the doors and proceeded to prowl the aisles, unsure of what he would be interested in reading. He chose a shelf at random and looked at the titles on the spines. His eyes rested on a book titled "Egyptian mythology." This looks interesting, he thought, sliding the book off the shelf and settling down at a table to read. The book turned out to be very interesting indeed. He paused at one chapter when a name caught his eye. He closed the book and stared off into space.
You know, I think I need a new name. I like the name Aladdin, but that's from my old life. I want to be called something else, something that fits this new life of mine. I think I found one, but would it be all right with Mirage to change my name? I think it is best if I ask her before a final decision is made.