READ,WRITE & LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Tag: #FantasySeries

  • How Fantasy Heroes Find Their Magical Powers: PART III

    E.G. Kardos

    What’s your favorite way for fantasy heroes to find their magical powers? 

    In my previous posts (Parts I and II), I shared eight ways fantasy heroes find their magical or superhero powers. Thinking more about it, I wonderded of those eight, what do readers/viewers of fantasy feel are the most popular ways heroes find their powers?

    how fantasy heroes obtain their magic or super powers

    Since I don’t really know how anyone could honestly be sure about this answer, I decided to check it out on the internet…so ’ve read on that the most popular way that readers/viewers like their heroes to find their powers in the following way:

    • through some cool magical artifacts,
    • inherited abilities from their magical ancestors,
    • or from divine or supernatural forces that grant them magical or superpowers.

    …and the internet MUST be right…

    Well, that’s for another post. But if these three ways for heroes to obtain their powers are the most popular, then readers/viewers tend to prefer characters who are given their powers.

    I can see that, we all like gifts.

    In other words, it’s desirable for many readers/viewers of fantasy for the hero to be in the right place at the right time and gains incredible powers without much effort. It’s like winning the lottery. Great gig if you can get it.

    But what about this?

    I enjoy these heroes and their journeys as well, but I truly love stories where the hero has to act or work hard to earn their powers. Because if they have the drive to work toward something, their journey will be more compelling, and they’ll become a truly heroic figure in a different, more inspiring way.

    Maybe it’s just me.

    Consider it: if you’re lucky enough to win the lottery, sure, you might do something cool with the money. But say if you don’t win the lottery like 99.99% of everyone, and if you work hard at something you love and good fortune comes your way, you’ll more likely act differently—more thoughtfully, perhaps. Well, maybe.

    Heroes like this are underdogs and you gotta love the underdog.

    In my way of thinking, this describes most of us, or the 99.99% that don’t win the lottery. It makes me feel a connection to hero as maybe–just maybe–that could be me.

    How do you like the hero to find their magical powers?

    Think about your favorite heroes. How did they gind their magical powers? Let me know in the comments section below.

    In my last two posts, The Ways Our Fantasy Heroes Find Their Powers: Part I and Our Fantasy Heroes Find Their Powers: PART II, I listed the eight ways that I felt were popular ways for the fantasy hero to obtain their magical powers. Take a look.

    As promised, here is the third chapter of The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok…

    …where Elias is one step closer to discovering his magical powers. This is the second of three books in the fantasy series, THE ELIAS CHRONICLES.

    ENJOY, and stay tuned—the fourth chapter is coming soon.

    Below is chapter 6 from The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok. This is Book III in The Elias Chronicles. The hero, Elias, uncovers his powers in chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 with the help of his mentor, Tas.

    Each of these chapters Elias learns more about his powers as his mentor, guides him to uncovering his powers and magic within and how they are part of a greater source. Like I said last time, pretty cool, huh?

    The chapters are:

    … the next chapter is coming soon.

    7

    The Truths

    The next day, Elias awoke to Tas standing knee-deep in the lake. He clapped his hands a number of times in a particular rhythm, and a fish jumped up where he could catch it. He did this two more times and walked to shore, where he started a fire. 

    “Let us start the day with brain food, Elias.”

    “How—how did you do that?”

     “Do what?

    “Catch fish like that.”

    “I merely opened my hands, and when the fish was near, I caught it. That was the easy part.”

    “No, no, no. I mean, how did you get the fish to willingly leap up out of the water?”

    “In due time, Elias. Let’s eat.”

    Tas began to clean the fish with a knife and then skewer them. Finally, he laid them on a red-hot stone surrounded by blazing embers. Elias looked on with interest.

    “Elias, the fish will be sacrificed for our nourishment. Appreciation and gratitude for all living creatures is important, and we must never forget to respect all life.”

    Tas flipped the fish and sat cross-legged while Elias sat on his knees. They both faced the lake. A cool breeze filtered in and out of the trees and sent small waves onto the shore. A few minutes later, they ate.

    Tas looked intently at the fire, and with the rhythm of a poem, he spoke.

    “Wood feeds fire,

    Fire created Earth,

    Earth bears metal,

    Metal enriches water,

    Water nourishes wood,

    and then again, wood feeds fire and so on.

    Tas stood and walked to the lake and stood in the water. Elias sat and thought about the words he had just heard. He then joined Tas.

     “I get it. Everything is connected. Everything needs everything else,” Elias said.

     “This rock is the home of every inhabitant from the ant to the antelope. The snail to the sperm whale. Every tree is sacred, and every life enriches another from what we think is the smallest to what we believe is the biggest.” Tas cupped his hands into the water and splashed his face. He took a drink of the fresh, clean water. Tas continued and said, “Come with open hands and drink your fill.”

    Elias jogged to where Tas stood, cupped his hands, and drank. He felt the coolness of the liquid as it streamed down his chin and dripped down his neck. He used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth.

    Tas looked at Elias and said, “Ah, water—it becomes you, my boy.”

    Elias smiled at his friendly remark. Tas nodded his head and began to walk to the edge of the water. He waved his hand, and Elias followed. “Let us sit, Elias.” The two sat on the wet beach and stared out over the water and the stone pillars that stood tall. A breeze rushed in and gave Elias a chill.

    “There is a balance to everything, but when the balance is disturbed, we have chaos and destruction. Sometimes this chaos and destruction are easily seen, and other times it is hidden in the hearts and souls of man.”

     Without warning, Tas sprung up and swiftly walked into the lake, dove in, and swam to the stone pillar that was closest. He pulled himself up and sat gazing off to the horizon. Elias followed.

    “I call this balance The Truths. Alone, the world balances itself. With man, the world falls victim to human desire. What a man wants, a man tries to get.” 

    “Our history books at school are filled with battles and one country overthrowing this country or that—of wars. I think you’re right. Man sees something he wants and goes for it right or wrong,” Elias said as he picked up a stone and tossed it over the cliff.

    “That is troubling if that, indeed, is what man is,” Tas said as he shook his head.

    “I agree—it doesn’t sound good,” Elias said.

    “Only a man with compassion knows the importance of The Truths, and his compassion shows the way.”

    “Compassion? What do you mean?”

    “All humans SHOULD have concern for the suffering of others.”

     “I don’t know…I think you need more than that,” said Elias.

    “Yes, but compassion is where it starts. You can also call it your conscience. Without it, rules mean nothing. This is where the imbalance begins.”

     “Hmmm. I think I see what you mean,” Elias looked at Tas, and Tas looked back at him. “I don’t think this way of thinking crosses their minds,” said Elias.

    “Even when it crosses a mind or two, man sometimes doesn’t try to understand a person’s struggles and disappointments. Man, many times, does not care. Oh, it is too often that man loses sight of what’s in him—how he can make a difference. This is when a man does nothing,” Tas turned and looked into Elias’ eyes.

    “I would never do that.” 

    “I believe you, Elias, but sometimes we are tempted as we are not perfect. Sometimes it is easy to do nothing, to give up. When more and more souls are tempted, give up, or give in, The Truths go out of whack. The two great powers must be in balance—easy as that.”

     “We are all part of the bigger world,” said Elias. 

     “I would say—the bigger cosmos and the larger dream…but you know, it is rather ironic that even as weak as man is, he still has the ability and responsibility to balance the two great powers. This is just how it is.”

    Tas looked at Elias until Elias began to squirm.

    “Why are you looking at me that way?” Elias asked.

    “Elias, you have the Donum.”

    “The what?”

    “The Donum is the gift. It’s been given to you—this gift.”

    “What gift? And what does this have to do with me and my journey? How does this save Zoltan?”

    Tas stood and brushed off his pant legs. He walked a little way from where they sat. He placed his hand over his eyes to shield the sun’s rays.

    “Well, aren’t you going to tell me about this gift I supposedly have?” 

     “In due time, my boy. In due time.” Tas turned to him. “It has a great deal to do with you, but let me first tell you more about The Truths.”

    Elias grew more and more impatient but kept his feelings to himself as Tas continued.      

    “First, Earth. It is stubborn and patient. It has been here for millions of years, taking considerable abuse, but it is steady. It brings life and brings metals, minerals, and beauty. The Earth has volatile powers. It has explosive energy, but in the end, it balances itself. The Earth is special. We only have one, and from it comes all life. This is why we call her Mother.”

    “Ah, Mother Earth,” Elias said with a smile.

    “Trees bring us wood. Wood may be very sturdy but also may be very flexible. Trees give us what we need to breathe. Trees and the wood from the trees give us shelter and fuel. I could go on and on. Trees are generous.”

    “So it is sacred.”

     “Yes, Elias, trees are sacred. As far as metal, it is also sacred as it enriches our lives—in our water and food, as well as provides tools for our homes. It is also precious and highly prized. It turns into tools or weapons. The Truths must always stay in balance.” 

    “I bet my paintings have something to do with this imbalance, I’m sure.”

     “You have finally brought up your paintings. I was waiting for that as I have heard of your paintings. Yes, I think you are right—your paintings have much to do with this imbalance.”

    “Did you hear this from the Turul too?” Elias asked.

     “Of course, Elias, who else?” Tas roared with laughter. Elias couldn’t help but laugh too.

     “What about water?” Elias asked

     “Ah, water. It is so very precious. We must all have it. It must be clean. It must be abundant. It nourishes trees. It nourishes everything, including our souls. As it is vital to life, it may be very destructive, and its force should always be respected.”

     “Tas, I know about fire. I learned this from…”

      “…Gaspar! My dear friend. How is he?”

      “You know Gaspar?”

     “Absolutely. EVERYONE knows Gaspar. He is the goldsmith of goldsmiths. He is peculiar but a very good man. What did you learn from him?” Tas asked. 

    “How hot and how long. When something is precious, he said, one must know how close and how long to expose it to what could destroy it. He said you don’t think it—you feel it. Fire changes things—for good and for bad.”

    “I couldn’t have said it as eloquently as that. Elias. I am telling you something so simple—no secret about it, but to balance The Truths, we must be kind and compassionate souls. Just as catching the fish is the easy part, what gets the fish in the air is different altogether. Tomorrow. More tomorrow.”

    Look for the next chapter when Elias learns about “The Dancing Souls”.

    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.

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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

    Latest Posts

    Most Viewed Posts

    All Posts

    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.
error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)