The Mages - Chapter 4

Hidden secret

Two days later after Emma's arrival to Iberia, the late morning began with the rise of the summer heat, blue sky cloudless and high humidity that really annoyed the young human girl. Emma wear's her favorite light brown hat, a plain white shirt; grey and white shorts, short lengthened black socks reaching below the ankles, and a pair of ceil color hiking shoes. She wore a light blue sling bag. Brining also her cylinder shaped metallic water bottle, which helped to conserve the water temperature inside. She was covered with sun cream which is starting to dry onto her skin.

Unlike Carten and Zanial who were with her, they didn't need it because of their fur or feathers on their body. The Alsatian had a black sleeveless shirt, light brown cargo shorts, black socks and grey hiking shoes. He has a watch on his left wrist and carrying a messenger bag. He carried a big metallic water bottle, and the cap is attached with a very long rope acting as a strap on his body.     

The white eagle was taking the lead in their long walk; he wore a white buttoned t-shirt and light brown khaki vintage trousers with a black leather belt. White socks and a pair of grey hiking boots. Carten has an electronic watch on his wrist, and a headband on his around his forehead. He carried a medium sized backpack, which was heavier then the bags the other two were carrying, although it did not bother him.  

They left the mansion and went up the hills passing the coastal road; it began with rough rocky land with wild grass, the climb was slightly steep until the inclination slowly brought to a halt making the ground turned flat. They went further from the sea where they walked through paths that led them into a small forest. It took around a couple of minutes for the three to come out most of the trees to see the ground starting to go up again, this time it's higher. Vegetation became less visible with just some grass filling parts of the short brown mountain; they hike to up going to the right.

"Hey… why… we are only ones doing this? What… are the others up to?" asked Emma, she panted from the long walk.

"The ones staying have to do the house chores"

"Oh"
Carten's face was hidden from behind showing a bereft face. For years he was lying to Emma about what they really do; now all this has to stop sooner or later.

Carten stops to look for the direction they needed to take, he points to a part of the mountain where it looked like a huge crack, as if the place as close to being split into two.

"Over there"

They arrive to the crack seeing the beginning was not steep, it was narrow but enough to let a full grown person to stand on the bottom. Continuing to the mountain, the crack widened with the center having the hole a few meters long. The crack then narrowed again until it ended from afar.

Zanial was the first to land down into the narrow opening, seeing for her self, Emma was not expecting them to go walking there.

"Wait a minute; are we actually going to walk inside the crevice?"

"To be more frank, there is more to this crevice then you think." Said Zanial

"How so?" she asked skeptical

"You'll see when we continue walking inside it"

"Uh… ok…"
She was the next to fall down in to the crack and Carten becoming the third and last. They began their walk inside the crevice.
The crack was becoming deeper, since the crevice was climbing up the mountain. At the same time, it started to be less compressed. The place is a bit dark since the light from above found it difficult to shine the whole place and the sun is in a position far from the huge crack. Later, they find some huge stable boulders creating a wall that's blocking their path; the only option was to climb it. While reaching to the very top, right in front of them was the end of the crevice, but there was also a tunnel with a height enough for a man to walk inside and has a series of narrow stairs that go down to the right.

Emma was amazed of what she saw, it was something out of nowhere, thinking at first all these boulders they climbed would just be a simple obstacle on their hike in the crevice.

"There is some stairs going inside the mountain?! That's so awesome, are we going to a cave or something?"  

"Well not exactly, soon we will encounter something more interesting then that" explained Carten

Emma could not wait to see what was next, but was also interested in how and why the tunnel with the stairs was made. The tunnel was darker then the crevice, so all three took out their flashlights and illuminated the hole. The stairs stopped after the right turn, and they continued walking for a couple of meters. Then a new set of stairs were found this time going up and a left turn. This where Emma noticed there was some light appearing from the stairs, meaning that they were almost outside. That made it clear for her they were not going into a cave, this was actually something different. They switched off the flashlights and exit the tunnel with the light shinning brighter, making it clear it was the sun that's illuminating the place.

What Emma would see next is something that completely surprised her, with eyes wide open; the entrance of a huge ancient building was built being carved right on a mountain wall. Every thing was completely in tacked, walls, the two pillars and the few stairs were not broken or had parts that were missing. The big space that was surrounding the building was a perfectly round shape like a cylinder with an opening on the mountain ground above, giving accessibility for sunlight, wind and rain.

Carten saw the amazement in his nephew's eyes knowing she never saw something like this.
"Beautiful isn't it Emma?"

"Yes it is, just so magnificent"
The human kept her vision on the building not even moving her head.

"What is that?" she asked to her uncle

"This was a secret temple centuries ago where a group of people used it for their traditions, rituals and teachings."

"And what did they do exactly?"

"First we need to look inside"

When entering the building, everything was built inside the mountain, rooms, hallways stairs and walls where carved with the use of the mountain rock. There was little furniture and objects inside like pottery, bowls and lamps. Carten explained to Emma the place this is and how it functioned, he pointed to the several holes on the ceiling.

"Those were the lights they had in their period; these people used those holes to get the sunlight from above. If it was raining, they would use the pottery to gather the water or block the holes by using slim slabs of rock on top"

During the tour he continued by stating the use of this ancient building and its purpose.
"…and although a few have lived here, some came from far away to come to this temple, the place would occasionally be filled with at least hundreds of visitors and residents"

Emmy is amazed on what she was seeing: perfectly conserved building, the interior of the place and about its history that's been around for centuries. It was something mesmerizing to look around and hearing the story about this place.

"I gotta tell ya', this is like a perfect place to seek refuge in harsh weather or set camp. But why is it a temple?"

"Come, what I will show you will answer your question."

The three hikers enter a room with huge space that its walls represent a big squared room, the very center was a big fireplace and the walls looked like it was carved written words and art on them, the words were small and came in different shapes. The pictures were in different sizes, from small to big images. Looking around, the view of the walls was magnificent for Emma, carved up writings of ancient language and the portrayal of art designs featuring symbols, objects, people and a few scenes being told as stories with illustration. She watched these similar sorts of encryptions in documentaries or news on TV, but she never thought of seeing something like this in her very own eyes.

"Carten, this is the one you're looking for right?" Zanial spoke out, he was in the opposite side of Carten and Emma's location and directing his hand to a illustrated scene with writing and a huge symbol featured on part of the wall.

"Yes, thanks Zanial" the avian male walked to the wall, with Emma following him.

While the two studied it, Zanial went out to make a phone call to the mansion where Enrique and Yun are still inside.

"So you really did discover this place?" asked Emma

"Yes, I visited here several times; this temple is still a place of investigation and research. So it is not yet a place for tourists, you are a few of the lucky ones to enter."

Emma was pleased to hear that. While looking at the encryptions it was really detailed and clear to see.

"By the way, you said before that I will have my question answered in here…"

"About that, do you see the illustrations up there?" Carten pointed to the scene of some, what look like anthro characters were sitting on their knees and doing something Emma couldn't understand.

"Yeah I do, what does this mean?" she asked

Since Carten and few others who worked on translating the words on the walls, they were able to learn about what was on those carvings that was been shown.

"This scene with the writing, explains about the person who displays his or hers "power" to the other students and master, delivering a technique that needs to please the teacher after the teachings he has given them. All the students watch until one of them is next to show their own technique to the teacher. If one or more students fail to surpass the test, they need to redo it next time and deliver a better technique. It explains that this is a demonstration that is done with other type of "powers" with in the temple. They would organize a contest where all practitioners of different abilities will compete against each other to see which one with the "power" creates the best technique of them all, this would happen four times a year. The winner is awarded a bracelet which represents the winner's power; sometimes a person could win more then one bracelet."

While listening attentively to her uncle's speech, Emma looked at a design which was on the left, next to the scene and dialogue explaining the illustration.

"That's quite a cool symbol up there."

Carten took a look while taking a break from his talking and remembering what that symbol signified, it appeared to be a single flame with a few lines representing it's form and a has a small circle in the center.

"According to the encryptions around here, this symbol represents a special technique from a power the user has. But we don't exactly why this symbol is mentioned and why this is the only one that is told about. There are other sites like this around the country, but their teachings and origins are still a mystery as of today."

"Even if they were a mystery, what actually happened to them?" Emma asked

"These people were called "aura magicians". During their age of civilization, many citizens saw them like "dark witches", for some reason they were seen as dangerous people even though the wielders said to have never hurt the innocent. They were accused of evil deeds which they stated their false and are of bad influence to their culture and some to the faith they followed. All who possessed a power or were related to them got executed or killed on the spot. Millions around the country were killed and continued through out the land, men, women and children, from the young to the old. Before the brink of eradication by this group was coming close, somehow all the surviving members eventually disappear from capture; they completely vanish with out neither a trace, never to be found nor being heard of again. Theories told that they escaped before they would suffer their gruesome fate; they committed suicide or magically ran away from the hunters searching for them. Some say they are real, others believe their powers they had were just made up stories being told".

"I… feel so sorry for them" said the young girl quietly

Carten look at Emma seeing the grief in her face, then looked back at the wall.

"The past is the past now, they just have to learn from their mistakes, never forgetting the act of genocide and hoping something like this won't ever happen again. But this story doesn't end here."

"It doesn't?" she asked

"After the massacre of the aura magicians, the king at the time ordered an investigation to the case of the magician's sinful accusations, seeing skepticism to their actions and behavior. He eventually discovers that the magicians had no relation to the incidents which were pointed at them, thanks to the help of very few witnesses, the journals and the recorded events by those people. Although their case was cleared as innocents, nobody knows who framed them and why."

The educational story was cut when Zanial came back.
"Carten, someone needs to speak with you… alone." He showed him the phone.

"Alright, just a second"

The Alsatian walked back outside while Carten explained to his nephew as to why she can't come.

"Sorry Emma, I'm still some what busy as you can see, I keep getting calls from associates like my agent."

"It's okay; I'll just continue looking around"

"Hope it will only be a moment" he smiled.

Carten walked away while following Zanial heading outside of the ancient temple.

Emma looked back at the wall, she stared at the flame looking design, seeing how precisely carved it is. Having a great liking to the shape, she grabbed her sling bag and opened it. Taking out a pencil with an eraser attached and a sketch book; Emma sat down on the floor and started to create a very clear sketch of the symbol.

The wait took half an hour, when Emma finished her sketch she took pictures with her camera on the interior of the building. Carten finally came back with Zanial and they continued with the tour. The visit lasted for an hour, having finished looking around it was time to go back to the house. All three went in and out of the tunnel, climbed over the boulders again, and exited the crevice.

While walking down the mountain, Zanial walked close to Emma for a question.
"Hey, did you remember to bring a dress for tonight?"

"Yeah, I guess it's for the special party that's happening today."

"Yep, and your invited" said Carten,

"So how did managed to get them anyway?" she asked,

"I have a friend who was able to get some invitations for this occasion. He originally wanted only me to be invited. But since some of his colleagues had other plans tonight, we decided to bring them to you, Zanial, Enrique and Yun to come along as well, since he had enough for all of us."

"And I'm actually allowed to be there?" asked Emma skeptical, she felt that there wouldn't be any people that were her age. It could have only adults in the guest list.

"Only if you have somebody companying you then it's no problem at all. We asked the organizers and they said it was no problem. Besides, you look older then your age, so everyone will see an adult in you"

Zanial was right, Emma looked older by her appearance, so she would not have any problem at all. Before the summer holidays started, Carten asked her parents if she was allowed to go to a party during her stay in Iberia. At first Emma was unsure, but later agreed on going since the hype of her vacation made her want to see more then just what Carten does. After a talk with the parents and the information given about this party, they allowed Emma to be invited. She told them she will be fine anyway, reaching to an age where your old enough to be independent.   

"So what time does this party starts?"

"Eight o'clock, but we will arrive there at nine." answered Carten


* * *

Evening twilight began in the horizon of the sea, from far; the lights of coastal towns shined the area. The light grey moon with no craters and a few lunar mares is in a Waxing Gibbous phase soon to be glowing for the upcoming night.

Everyone inside the mansion was getting dressed for the party ball. The males have all ready dressed on their suits. While Carten was already done with his all white jacket, trousers and buttoned shirt; featuring his black bow tie and dark brown shoes; he didn't have his bandana on. Carten stood in the living room watching the sky while close to him, Zanial and Enrique helped each other on their clothes. Enrique was wearing his black trousers, black buttoned shirt, a red necktie and his pair of black shoes, except his black jacket that was lying on a sofa. He was helping Zanial on his duke blue necktie; the Alsatian wore a white buttoned shirt, a black-striped jacket and trousers, and black shoes.

("You really need to tie this correctly man.") Said Enrique while knotting the necktie,

("It's not easy for me to do so since I'm not use to these ties")

("Guess I should thank my parents for making me practice this all the time, especially my sisters.")

After finishing the knot, he slowly tightened the necktie and fit it under the collar of Zanial's shirt.

("Ok, with that done") He lifted his arm and showed him the right opened cuff of his black shirt. ("Could you help me with my problem? My fingers are slippery")

Zanial obliged, he reached the button cuffs and buttoned the dark fabric.

("Thanks")

("Welcome")

The lynx reached for his jacket on the sofa and put it on him; he looked around to see some of them were not present.

"Where're the girls?"

Carten turned his head to his side while able to look at Enrique with his eyes, "Yun said she needed to go back and readjust Emma's appearance for tonight" he responded.

"Well I hope it doesn't take that long…" Zanial rolled his eyes while he spoke.

Emma sat on a chair staring at the mirror in Yun's room, she wore a dark brown formal dress reaching down to her lower legs, it covered everything except the arms and shoulders, and most of the dress itself was being supported by having it hanged around her neck. Also wearing amber colored dolly shoes and still had her sun emulate on her neck. Emma face is covered with a bit of cosmetics: mascara, foundation, face powder, eye shadow and lip balm. Her hair was combed to perfection by Yun, and at the same time she put some hair spray on Emma's head.  

The feline's is colorful and pretty, wearing a traditional red Jiangshanese dress made from silk also known as a cheongsam, it's length reached down to her ankles and is short sleeved. The lower part of the dress has two side slits for the legs, helping the user to walk around without difficulty. It featured a smooth big diamond opening at the top front reveling parts of her bust size. It also included a traditional collar and with simple frog buttons on the top front as well. The whole fabric is red with the patterns on it in yellow with plum blossoms and a few dragons each flying in a different direction.  Her hair is formed with a small shaped bun featuring a hair stick inserted side ways. The face had more clearly cosmetic work then Emma's; she added with defined brows, emphasized eyelids and put some red lipstick.

"Seriously, is this really necessary?" exclaimed Emma in annoyance

"C'mon now, was I really going to let you go out with that appearance before, no makeup, hair wild and looking the same all day. In these special occasions you must make a nice impression to others, with this you will be shining all night" Yun put down the spray on the small desk and continued to comb Emma's hair.  

"Well I'm really going to enjoy it" Emma said sarcastically

"Alright, let me see you"

Emma obliged, she got up from the chair and turned around to face the female feline. Looking at the girl sharply, Yun gave a satisfied smile to a completed makeover.

"There you have a perfect look!" exclaimed Yun, seeing how beautifully done she did on making the human's appearance. "I guess we should head down, I'm sure the boys are waiting for us"

Emma hummed in approval, the feline switched off the lights in her room and the upper lever floor, and they headed down stairs and reached to the living room where the men were standing there completely dressed up for tonight.  

"Were done" said Yun, all three heard and look to see both girls finished with getting dressed also. Zanial and Enrique were mesmerized by Yun's formal attire, especially when seeing Emma's face; including Carten saw the completely different look of her since the last time she came to them.

"Well, well… it looks like our young human is looking quite different then usual, maybe you might not even be Emma with that face" Enrique chuckled

"Shut up…" she said in embarrassment

Seeing that everybody is here, Carten decided it was now the time for them to go.

"Ok then everyone, let's get going shall we"

The group followed him while heading to the door which led them to the garage, while Carten opened it, Zanial switched of the lights of the living room and the entry. He was also the last to go in after everyone else and close the door behind him.

* * *

The entrance to the building was slowly growing a small line of guests waiting to have their names checked to have permission of entrance for the party. Three guards were standing right behind the main doors; a tall female coyote and a male crow were guarding the entrance only letting the permitted to enter, the third is a dark brown male human holding a flat tablet computer which had the full list of all the guest and VIP's that are coming tonight.  Everyone like the three has a transceiver to communicate and hear conversations or orders they will receive. They wore dark suits with ties and some were wearing dark glasses.

After a couple were allowed to enter, the next person to meet the guard was a light purple female wolf with very long brown hair and a big pony tail reaching down to her back. Having green eyes, she also has white fur on her muzzle, mouth, cheeks, the front of the neck and the chest. She wore a violet formal dress with the length down to her ankles; the lower part has a long side slit on the right leg and a short sleeve on her left shoulder. Her left wrist has a ribbon bell attached and carried with her hand a small handbag.

"Name please madam" asked the human guard

"Mitsuki Tanaka" she said

Typing the full name on the search tool of his tablet, he found her on the guest list.

"Can you give me your invitation as well?"

She opened her handbag and gave the rectangular invitation card, checking it carefully he saw that the card is authentic, and gave it back to her.

"All clear Miss Tanaka, enjoy the night"

"Arigatō" she said in her native language

Next, she went to the coyote girl who did a search on Mitsuki and her small handbag for inspection, finding nothing dangerous she allowed to enter the building. Mitsuki was able to enter the place without problems, now she heads to the huge ball where the party is hosted.