Chapter 1: The Beginning

            “So you’ve decided to join my class now have you Seyloren?” questions Master Draycor.

“It has been so long since I’ve taught you anything worthwhile.”

“But master, sir, you’ve taught me many things as I have grown older.  Everything you have taught me and everything you will teach me are all things I will cherish.” replies the eager Seyloren.

            Draycor, obviously flattered by what his child had just said, keeps his mouth tightly closed in a smile.  They head over to a large clearing behind Draycor’s house and hear a faint voice coming from behind them.

            “Wait up Mr. Draycor sir.  I can’t allow you to teach Seyloren… without teaching me as well.”

This scholar by the name of Veghad Jeduin, VegJed for short, has been Seyloren’s rival since they first discovered they were born just 2 hours away from each other.  Seyloren is the older of the two but is neither his superior nor his inferior when it comes to competing.  No matter what either of them does, the other will undoubtedly show up in order to test his skills against the other.  Both have yet to prove themselves to each other.  However, Seyloren is losing his interest in their rivalry and tends to not compete quite as often as he had before.

            “So you’ve decided to join us VegJed.  I had a feeling you would show up soon.”

“I couldn’t pass up this opportunity Mr. Draycor.  I have been waiting for the time when I could finally learn from the powers of the DarkSpring.  Now that Seyloren has decided to train I thought the chance was too good to pass up.”

            Draycor, Seyloren and VegJed continue off into the open field when Draycor gives them their first lesson.  First, Draycor gives Seyloren a pendant with a CrystLight shard within it.  To VegJed he gives a small ring with a CrystDark shard within it.  The shards within these pieces of jewelry are the power source of mages in training.  The mage in training must never leave his shard because as he keeps his shard on him the shard tunes him into the LifeSpring’s powers.  Until they are fully in tune with the LifeSpring, they can not master their techniques nor can they increase in power more than the shard can handle.  It is an item with extreme limitations, yet it is the only way that a person can become fully in tune with their power.

            VegJed quickly slips his ring onto his finger and stands there with a look of dissatisfaction as though he were expecting something when he put the ring on.  Seyloren, however, took the pendant and slowly wrapped around his neck.  He feels slightly different and enjoys this new sense he has.  After they put the items in their proper places they are told by Draycor of things they can and can not do with their new powers.  They are mostly bored by this speech because most of it is common sense.  However, they do remember this one part.  “You can not use any spells that can seriously hurt anyone until after you have fused with your shard.  Once this has happened, then, and only then can you access the full powers of the LifeSpring.  However, be very cautious and do not use your powers for selfish gain.”

            VegJed and Seyloren are very anxious to start learning spells and tricks and wait patiently for Draycor’s instruction.  Just then, Seyloren and VegJed notice the other student that is waiting for instruction.  He identifies himself as Joseph Pipsian, a 16 year old boy who is rather intimidating with his large stature.  Joseph tells the pair that he is actually a fighter but wants to learn some magic in case he ever needs it in tough situations.  Both VegJed and Seyloren agree that this seems logical and agree to help him along with them.

            Much to the dismay of the trio, Draycor tells them the first thing they must do before they start training.  They must wait for their shard to acknowledge them and start empowering them.  This is shown through a slight glow of the hands, a dark purple glow for the CrystDark and a bright yellow glow for the CrystLight.  Draycor immediately tells them to leave and come back when the glow came.  The three go their separate ways after a short conversation concerning their plans for the future and they return home.  Seyloren however doesn’t go straight home.  He goes by Fiona’s house and drops in to see what she is up to.  He wasn’t expecting what was going to happen inside that house, but somebody else was.