And then his father was replaced by a field of flowers, which withered and died. For just a moment, Traphis fixed his gaze on his father, cherishing every smile, smirk, sneer, and grin. A moment later his father’s face surfaced, which exhibited a variety of expressions some happy, some sad. Deep in his mind he pictured a three-dimensional realm, a fathomless, empty void.

He sat down, shifted on his makeshift wooden chair, and then closed his eyes once again. Traphis breathed deeply of the cool cavern air. Despite the pain and fatigue, he would try again. He tightened his grip on the wooden staff and stubbornly pulled himself upright. This was not the time for sorrow-he would take his father’s place and become the greatest wizard of all time.Ī soft breeze ran through his dark brown hair. It only seemed natural for a wizard to pass down his secrets to his son, but that no longer mattered it was too late for answers. Why his father had prevented him from learning magic, Traphis never understood. When he regained his composure, he leaned against his father’s staff and wiped the dampness from his brow.Īt this rate, I’ll never become a wizard. Breaths echoed throughout the cavern as sweat trickled down his cheeks. He wrenched forward, dropped to his knees, and gasped for air. A surge of power flooded through Traphis’ fifteen year old limbs and then vanished.

THE CAVERN WALLS became visible before fading back into the darkness.

Traphis by James D. Maxon