Yep, we all have magical or superpowers if we only take the time and look inside.

Read on and you will see what I mean.

Reading, watching, and writing fantasy has been a pleasure of mine for my entire life. My imagination has run wild, and I am still searching for my superpowers. However, when I began writing my series, The Elias Chronicles, I knew exactly how Elias might find, uncover, and use his powers. It was fun to see it unfold. I felt they were my powers too. I’m not the only one who has felt this way– readers too tell me they felt the powers along with Elias.

With intentionality and seriousness, every fantasy writer grapples with how their hero is unique and how best to show this uniqueness. How fantasy heroes find their powers is central to their being as well as crucial to the entire story. Many times it is in how the hero finds their powers or their magic that influences their use of them as well. These actions help to flesh out and define who the hero is and what they stand for.

Here are Some Ways Our Fantasy Heroes Find Their Magical Powers

Some are born with it. That’s the easiest way. Although I love these characters, I feel like I did when I was hanging around with the “cool” kids growing up. Why them? I would ask. I think there are many other ways our hero can become “the chosen one”…

…so here are more ways.

Characters might find their powers from someplace within them. Some event or situation in their lives triggers an emotion, and they begin to use their powers without even knowing it. They realize they have it—they have powers. This is a favorite of mine as I always think that maybe some event in my life with spark my unique power.

Heroes that we love are sometimes the children of a divine or cosmic power or god. These heroes are great, and I love them as well. Unfortunately for me, I won’t be getting any suprpowers this way.

How about the characters who have access to information, and they learn magic? This is an awesome way, as maybe I can find an old book, thumb to the correct page, and learn how to harness the powers that only a few possess. You never know.

Then come the characters who find someone else with magic, and they cut a deal to access this power for themselves. I don’t know many folks who have these answers, but that would be kind of cool.

Magic can be found in our natural world if we only know where to look. Sometimes heroes connect with someone who can guide them to help them find this special place, the spirit or force where these powers flow.

What about the wands, swords, and other artifacts that somehow possess the powers that our hero wants or needs? These heroes are powerless without them, but wouldn’t we all want something like this? I would!

My favorite is when the hero uncovers powers from within, but it has nothing to do with birthright, but all to do about their own will. They are guided by a mentor who helps them by opening a place deep within them. I feel we all possess this kind of magic and can do wonderful things we never thought we could do. It’s up to us.

There are so many great ways our fantasy heroes find their powers

In this post and my next three, I am sharing four chapters from The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok. This is Book III in The Elias Chronicles. Each of these chapters Elias learns more about his powers as his mentor, Tas, guides him to uncovering the powers within and how they are part of a greater source. Pretty cool, huh?

He pulls it together so that he is ready to continue his quest.

The chapters are:

• 5 – Tas
• 6 – The Endless Within
• 7 – The Truths
• 8 – Dancing Souls

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Yep, we all have superpowers if we only take the time and look inside. Read on and you will see what I mean. Look for the next three chapters coming soon.

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5

Tas

Exhausted and out of breath, Elias tread water in the crystal clear and calm waters around him. He looked around the cavern. It was enormous, with high curved walls like the inside of a seashell. It was fragrant like the lavender in Nattymama’s herb garden. A glow came from different points under the surface of the water and threw colors onto the walls and ceiling. Elias spun in a circle as he tried to make sense of it all. 

 He kicked his weary legs to power himself onto a large flat rock. With his last ounce of energy, he hoisted himself up and laid back so he could rest. He still had scraggly tufts and long strands of coarse green hair wrapped around both ankles, and some clung to his waist. After a moment, he sat up and began to pull the gunky strands from his legs. He looked at it in disgust and tossed it to the other side of the stone slab. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a lone man that sat on the other side of the cave. The man was very still. 

That must be him, he thought. Tas had very long black hair, which he had pulled back behind his head. Tall and lean, he wore only red baggy pants that hung from his small waist. He had colorful tattoos that covered his muscular brown arms and back. His eyes were wide and enchanting. They were perhaps his most remarkable characteristic. They were the color of dark shiny gems. 

Tas sat undisturbed. His legs were crossed, and his back was straight. He rested his hands on his knees. He held his hands so his thumb and index finger connected and formed a perfect “O.” He pointed his chin upward toward the ceiling. 

Not moving a muscle, Elias sat still so he could watch him. He did not know whether to call out to Tas or wait for Tas to call him. Elias was still exhausted and knew he wasn’t thinking clearly. The fight he braved had finally caught up with him. He rubbed his arms and legs as his head throbbed. Things began to look fuzzy, so he laid back. His eyelids began to close as the thoughts in his head started to make no sense. He drifted off to sleep.

Whether it was for a few minutes or hours, Elias woke to find Tas standing over him. With one foot on either side of Elias’ chest, he stared down at him. Elias’s eyelids fluttered open, and he tried to focus on the figure above him. His body automatically tensed as he remembered when he had met the Sarkany the very same way. Only the Sarkany had his sword and pointed the tip to the amulet on his chest. At that moment, Elias became fully awake and began to wonder what would happen next. Tas’ face was stern, and he gritted his teeth, but then he let out a guttural, echoing laugh. Elias relaxed and sensed everything was fine—he was in no danger. Tas stepped aside and held out his hand to help pull Elias up. Tas crouched next to him and peered into his eyes.

“So you must be the Elias I’ve heard so much about.”

“Yes, and you must be the Tas I’ve heard so much about, too.

“Why yes. That is who I am to you—today.”

“Today? What do you mean?” 

“I am known differently and by many names to different souls. My Earth mother knows me differently than you, as do my many sisters and brothers. Yet, all seem to choose to call me whatever they want. I despise labels…and names are only labels.”

“I get what you’re saying. People judge, and they shouldn’t, but we all have to have a name.” 

“I suppose you are correct. Tas is as good as any other”.

So tell me…how is Nattymama? Oh, Nattymama—I do love that precious soul. For some reason, she holds me in such high regard. Perhaps that is a label my ego likes. I suppose there is a great deal of truth to the idea that a prophet holds no regard among those who know him or her best—perhaps that is why she sent you to me.”

“Prophet? Are you…”

“Ooooohhhh, please do not get me wrong. I am not a prophet. I would say I am a compassionate soul. I nourish, I connect, I challenge, and I may even inspire… I love, I have faith, and above all, I have hope for our kind—but I’m not a prophet. Perhaps, I am a teacher,” he said as he wagged his finger and laughed. “I say all this to emphasize that we often overlook the value of what is or who is directly in front of each of us at any given time. All of us can do all these things I have said—we just need to listen to one another.”

“I suppose you are right,” Elias answered and said what he thought he should say.

“Labels do us no good,” Tas said as he sat down. All became quiet before Tas went on to say, “But, I will tell you. Nattymama is special.”

“How did Nattymama send word to you about me?” Elias asked. “She couldn’t have made a trip like this to tell you about me.”

“Don’t sell Nattymama short. She doesn’t have a chain holding her to her cottage, although it is quite a lovely place,” Tas said as he looked away fondly and then continued, “But, yes, you are correct, Elias. She did not come here, but she has her ways. If you must know, the Turul told me.” “First Zoltan and then Nattymama and now you…can everyone communicate with that bird but me?”

“In due time, Elias. In due time you will see and hear things you have never witnessed before,” Tas said with outstretched arms. “Now, tell me, have you been meditating?”

“Huh…what do you mean?”

“Meditation—meditation. It refreshes the mind, body, and soul. To understand the world, we must understand the world in each of us. All of our thoughts, feelings, what we do, and why. What’s in each of us is as vast as the universe. Humans would do themselves a great service if they attempted to learn the world inside them before seizing the world beyond them.”             

“WHAT? I don’t understand why you are telling me this. I need to get answers and be on my way. I don’t have time for a philosophy lesson,” Elias said as he shook his head and grew more confused.

Tas boomed with laughter. “My, my…you do have the temperament of an artist now, don’t you? Yes, I was told you might say something like that…in due time, Elias. I remember being young and impetuous like you.”

“What do you mean? You can’t be much older than me. What are you twenty—twenty-five?”

“Let’s leave it at that. Don’t worry about such things. Now, the reason that we must start with meditation is because you will learn how to concentrate and focus. Little things in life that distract will bead away like water on a duck’s back. You must learn to focus. Where you will go, you must know your purpose, and learning about yourself will make this purpose come alive. Alive! Do you follow?”

“Really? Meditate?”

“Oh yes—really,” Tas answered with a big nod and a tight smile. “Yeeeeesssss, you must meditate. Your brain will connect with your heart, and that feeling will always save you.”

 “Okay, okay. I’m not so sure I understood you but let’s get this over with. I’m ready. Show me how,” he grumbled.

“Slow down, Elias. Let us take a walk outside this carved out rock, and let me show you what the world could look like—how it could look, sound, feel, smell, and taste.”         

“I just came in from the world. I saw what it looked like. It wasn’t pretty. I don’t get what this has to do with where I’m headed. Can you give me what I need and point me in the right direction, and I will be on my way?”

As he paid little attention to Elias’ impatient demand, Tas continued, “Bear with me. What exists only exists in your mind. Others tell us things, and we believe them. We even look for it since it has become so ingrained in our thinking. But it doesn’t have to be this way. It, however, has been the way of man for thousands of years. I’ll let you in on a secret—this place, where we stand right now, doesn’t, well, exist.”

“Huh?”

“It’s better to show you what doesn’t exist than to tell you. Please, follow me.”

Tas started to walk toward a waterfall that poured from the ceiling of the chamber. Elias looked up and scratched his head. He looked over his shoulder at Elias, then calmly nodded and continued toward the cascade of white water that flowed down the glistening solid wall. Elias caught up with Tas, and they walked side by side.

With a hiccup, Elias asked, “Hey, Tas, is there an opening up there where that waterfall begins?”

“But, of course, there is an opening—there is always an opening. There is always a way, although it may be so slight and no one sees it.”

They approached the waterfall, stood in front of the pounding water, and felt its cool spray. It felt good on Elias’ worn muscles and bruised skin. Elias looked to Tas, who stood with his eyes shut. 

“Okay, Tas, now what?” 

Tas opened his eyes and looked at Elias. As he did, he extended his arm through the powerful flow of water. Like a proscenium arch, the falling flow of water separated like a curtain, and a blinding blue and white light shone through the opening. Tas stepped forward, as did Elias. They took another step together and were now in a world that didn’t exist. 

Before them was a body of water so still and blue that Elias was surprised. Jutting upward from the surface of the water, and scattered about were countless natural stone pillars many stories high. Wispy trees and other plants grew haphazardly on its uneven surfaces. In the distance, lush green hills separated the sky from the water. The air stirred with energy and lifted scents of lilac and other flowers and bushes. The sun shone brightly in the sky and tingled over Elias’ skin. There were no buildings, houses, or cottages. No other living creature showed themselves, with the exception of the Turul, who, with ease, glided high above on a current. Tas looked at Elias with a grin that stretched across his face. 

“This, Elias, is the world we could live in. This place is good, and it brings joy to me. There is nothing mystical about this place—this that does not exist. Look around. There is nothing here that is not in the world—well, other than man. Here, however, is a balance—a harmony. It is the way of nature.”

“This looks nothing like where I’ve been. I mean, my home is beautiful, but this place is, well, it’s different. It definitely doesn’t look like the path that led me here.”

“The path getting here, or there, is the path. Here is here. They do not have to be the same,” Tas said. “And you, too, live in beauty, but it is an island if you know what I mean,” 

“An island?”

“Why yes. The world is full of islands of beauty—could be a place…or people, but nevertheless, they are islands that could be joined.” 

Elias walked to the edge of the water, knelt down, cupped the water, and drank. “So this isn’t real?” Not waiting for an answer, Elias turned, looked behind him, and continued. “And just right there,” Elias pointed to the direction, he presumed, where he came, “beyond that rock is where I came from, and it was real. This is all very bizarre. What is this place, and why did Nattymama send me here?” 

“In due time, Elias. In due time you will learn about the powers of this nonexistent place, this matrix, and why Nattymama sent you here.” Elias stood and walked to where Tas was now sitting. Elias’ stomach felt heavy, and his mind clouded over. He looked from side to side and then folded his arms across his chest.

“Who are you? Better yet, what are you?” Elias asked. 

“I’m Tas! Simple as that, but I’ve been described in so many ways. Some call me a dabbler in magic, a sorcerer, a magician, and some have called me a mystic. I am none of those or perhaps all of those. I hope I am more. I am a man.”

“Okay, TAS—a man. That’s your answer to my question? I mean, really…” 

Tas bounced up and spun around one time with his arms outstretched, “Okay, okay, Elias, you deserve more. I am a man who works to uncover what could be. I am a man who finds balance. I am a man who learns to come closer to the creator of the universe. I am a man who finds kindness and compassion should drive our actions. I am a man who works for good.”

“So you are a holy man? A priest or rabbi or someone like that?”

“Again, those are mere labels. Ah, ah, you are quite inquisitive. You are a curious soul, and I see you are ready for much more. I will let you in on a secret. Scientists, and the like, know that we humans use a tiny percent of our brains on any good day. You’ve heard that?”

“Yes, I’ve heard something like that.”       

“Well, I have uncovered the truths that allow us to use more than a small percent of what we have upstairs. It is when we connect our thoughts with the most powerful energy in our own bodies—our heart—that moves us closer to realizing what our power really looks like.”

“Awesome. But I don’t know what that means. Now, will you give me what I need so I can get out of here?” Elias asked and shook his head. 

“In due time. I am here for you, Elias. You will learn to help yourself, as I will find joy in being your guide. When we know ourselves, we may truly know our rightful direction. No need for you to be an island in the hideous sea that is the world.”

Clearly, he did not pay attention to Tas’ last words, as Elias asked, “So—this place, you said it doesn’t exist?”

“Let me put it this way. You cannot understand this place because you live in a world where man, too often, makes the meaningless appear to be desirable. This is a shame. Many times, because of his tiny brainpower, man doesn’t consider the water, the sky, the air, the fire, the animals, or the insects that slither about. We need all of these things. Where you are now— this non-place—I would have to say is meaningful and, as such, doesn’t exist. At least it doesn’t exist beyond the boundaries. With exceptions, this is a place that the living rarely comes to.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind that for now…this place is easy to figure out. Your world is confusing. Man, because of man and no other reason, lives in opposites. We have love, so we have hate. We have rich, so we must have poor. We have beauty, and we have what is ugly. We have good, and therefore, we must have evil. It would be absurd of me to say because we have air, we have love, and because we have hate, we have water…man can’t seem to stop comparing. This is all up to a man.”

Elias walked back to the water’s edge, turned to Tas, and asked, “Are you saying we must know how to make sense of these opposites?” 

“Yes, as long as man exists. But I am actually saying much more. First, man must learn to balance the opposites. If not, we are doomed. We must always fight against what is wrong, even though what is wrong may live with us forever. We might never be able to destroy what is evil, but that doesn’t give us any reason to stop fighting for what is good. Our choices make us who we are, not what surrounds us.”

“So Tas, what am I supposed to do about it?”

“In due time.”

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If you enjoyed this post, you may like these: Hero’s Journey Monomyth;Why Fantasy is a Good Read; YA Fantasy Trilogy: Saving the World One Book at a Time; Fantasy Fiction and Real Life are the Same; Storytelling Within a Story, What Mentors Do Best.

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About E.G. Kardos

Okay, okay…for this article, I just had to do it.

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