Chapter 4: Dimensional

Chapter 4: Dimensional

With X’s next thought, he found himself in the heart of the Shape Changer capital city, which was the center of a cave. The area was dimly lit, only a single flame existed, and that flame came from a dragon.

“King of Shape Changers.” X said bowing. “I have brought you a message.”

The dragon turned to face him. Shape Changers had the ability to know who was one of their kind, and so the King knew X’s identity even though he was in bear form.

“You are young. A young one of our species. And you managed to find yourself here in my personal chamber. Perhaps you are simply sneaky. Or perhaps you are a mage. Tell me who you are first. Then I will listen to this message.” the King demanded.

“I am X from the village of Ruin. And I am not a mage...I am more a user of magic. I have not studied magic in any forms, therefore I am not an official mage.”

“Now you may give me the message, X the User of Magic.” the King responded. This Shape Changer was a clear threat. He teleported himself straight into the city, and straight to himself. And now he was saying he never studied magic. This was not possible, so the kind grew suspicious. However he did not fear for his life.

“It is a message from Queen Slzin of the Elves. The demons have turned upon them and are waging a war. The forests are burning and the elves are being crushed. She wishes for us to send help.” X reported. He hadn’t even opened the letter.

“Give me the letter.” said the King. The King took it and read it. “I see. I shall think on the matter.”

“I shall be going then.” X said.

“No.” the King said stopping him. “I would like you to meet with my chief Magical Advisor. His name is Grimstone and you can find him in a chamber not far from here. I trust you won’t have trouble finding it.”

X nodded. With a thought he was once again gone. This time he appeared in a very lush section of the caves. There was a waterfall here, and the air was humid. Large tropical plants decorated the chamber.

“I detect a presence.” said an owl sitting in a tree. The head of the owl turned around and he looked at the bear. “Who are you?” it asked intrigued. This was Grimstone (X was able to detect that immediately) and he was intrigued by X. The power coming from him was not at all impressive, but he sensed a void almost. A void from which he could draw any type of magic.

“I am X. The King sent me to see you.”

“Well make yourself comfortable. What did he want you to see me for?” asked Grimstone as he swooped downwards and landed on a branch closer to X.

“He is concerned about my magic.” X replied, having read the King’s thoughts earlier.

“Why would he be concerned?”

“Because I haven’t studied magic a day in my life.”

Grimstone was curious. Did he mean that he had never used magic before today? If so, then this was an interesting case. Was his magic unstable? Was it natural ability?

“When was the first time you used magic?” Grimstone asked searching for this answer.

“Fifteen minutes ago.” X responded. “I was given this power.”

“By whom?”

“Not a person. I was given this magic by magic itself.” X responded. “I can not divulge any further information.”

“I see. And are you having problems controlling it?”

“Not at all. I am having trouble understanding it. I want to know what I am.” X said. He understood the magic itself, but why it had chosen him was something even he didn’t know. He was not educated as a mage.

“It seems to be a very obscure and rare form of magic. Traditional mages are born with talent or study the use of magic. However in some rare cases, magic must be given and can not be studied. One of these rare forms is yours. Astral, Planar, and Dimensional are the three odd forms. Each one is higher in power with Astral being weakest, Planar in the middle, and Dimensional as the highest. Now tell me how you have used your magic thus far.” Grimstone asked.

“I have used it for teleportation, and persuasion. For reading minds.”

“Hmm. All of those are attainable by regular magic, however you gained them instantly. This is more than Astral magic then...you either possess Planar or Dimensional powers.”

“What are the differences between them?” X asked.

“Planar magic is quite literally the magic of the world. It allows you to do anything that you can dream of.” Grimstone explained.

“And there is something more powerful than that?” X questioned.

“You must truly understand Planar first. Planar is everything wordly..which does not include the Divines, Gods, Goddesses, Deities, however you refer to them. In theory Dimensional would allow one to even control one of those.”

“So I either contain the power to change the world how I want...or I control that and the gods?” X asked hardly believing it.

“Yes. There are other explanations...but you should know. Although I regret the fact you can not tell me, I respect that decision. Based upon how you got your magic will determine what it is.”

“How would one gain Dimensional or Planar Magic?”

“That is something even I do not know.” Grimstone said disappointed. “Perhaps you can help me find the answer to that one day. However I do have some advice before you go.”

“Advice?”

“About your magic. I would advise you only test it on a small scale. Performing larger tasks, if your magic isn’t as powerful as you think, would be bad not only for yourself...but for all of us.”

“This power is too much for one being to control.” X said.

“It is. The fact you can see that is a good sign.” Grimstone said smiling. “I am sure you will be fine. However if you do wish to seek an answer...there is someone who can help you.”

“Who?” X asked eager for help. Despite the fact these powers gave him clarity of thought, he still wanted to learn how to control them and what they were. They did not give him knowledge.

“Your opposite. Everything in this world has a counterpart in the other world, Negatorio.”

“Negatorio?” X asked. He had heard of this place. It was a world of negation. What existed in it was simply a contradiction in our world. It was impossible to explain, it was just the opposite. And true opposites at that. The opposite of the sun is not the moon. The opposite of the sun can exist only in Negatorio.

“Yes. Your powers...I am unsure if they would let you survive the journey. And I wouldn’t risk it.”

X thought to himself. The inner voice within him spoke. “Negatorio can not harm you. Go seek your answers.”

“I am sorry, Grimstone. Thank you for your help...but I need answers. I’m going to Negatorio.”

Grimstone knew he couldn’t stop X. And before he could even attempt, the Shape Changer had left. Grimstone was both saddened and excited at the same time. If X did return...he would return with knowledge of this world that was far greater than his.