Tales From Cassiopeia/The Teachings

## The Teachings

"**The Teachings**" is the third chapter and short story of Book One of the *Tales From Cassiopeia* anthology series. This third chapter was released privately on July 24, 2021 and publicly published to the site on May 23, 2022.

The story follows a young Theia Antares as a Student of Magic, learning the ways of the Grand Order of Magic during a time of relative peace in the Cassiopeia Galaxy, and also follows her first encounter with her future master.

## Plot

The Sanctuary was a place of light and honor. Where the greatest wielders of magic would convene and continue to pass down their teachings to the next generation of magicians. The Grand Magicians were peacekeepers, who strove to maintain the balance of the Cassiopeia Galaxy, with powerful magic at their sides to help them do so. The Sanctuary truly felt like the setting of a fairy tale—white blades of grass decorated the plains of the planet, bordering sparkling oceans of pure magic. The blue skies, even during the day, were decorated by millions of stars. This was to be expected, with the planet so close to the center of the galaxy.

Most people never grew tired of the Sanctuary's picturesque scenery. Theia Antares was no different.

Theia was a Student of Magic. At least that's what her official title was, as a child growing up in the Sanctuary. In an open room, she sat down on a comfy cushion, as did dozens of other Students of Magic just like her. All of the students were dressed in fine white robes, trimmed with shimmering blues and glistening golds. The floors, walls, and ceilings of the room were kept nice and tidy, designed with artisanal beauty and patterns that kept the atmosphere of the room gentle and welcoming. Enormous windows could be found on every side of the room, welcoming daylight and life into the already serene classroom. Theia felt like she could stay seated forever.

She recognized her teachers well, at this point. Theia and the other students were taught by Grand Magicians Onu Cazu and Irie Len on a rotating schedule. Today, Master Irie would be the one to teach the children, while Master Onu was off on a diplomatic mission to Darlesta—Theia knew it was common for Grand Magicians to go about such things. Master Irie's way of teaching was open and welcoming, reflecting the way the classroom was structured around them. She often had the young Students of Magic ask any questions their curious, thought provoking minds came up with.

“Master Irie,” began Vid Yarthi, one of Theia's human friends. “How do people learn to use magic?”

And so the butterfly-winged Grand Magician began, with a smile, explaining in simple terms to the children of the classroom, who could not have been older than eight.

“Why Vid,” she spoke, always referring to the students by their first names, “magic is all around us. Those who wish to learn how to use it must be in *tune* with it.”

“Like a song!” cried out a happy Proxim child. Some other students giggled at his enthusiasm, including Theia, but Master Irie welcomed it.

“That's a beautiful way to put it, Naki.”

Naki smiled a big, toothy grin upon getting approval from his teacher. Even the other students felt comforted by Master Irie's presence. Theia felt comfortable enough to ask a question of her own.

“Master Irie,” she asked respectfully, “What makes us different from other sorcerers and magic users?”

Some of the other children looked at her in surprise. Many hadn't considered that point up until Theia introduced it just now. Master Irie seemed unbothered. She actually seemed quite intrigued.

“That's a great question, Theia,” the Nymphalidan master began.

Deep down, Theia was relieved that Master Irie was welcome to answering the question. Things like this genuinely made Theia curious. After all, what *did* make her and the other children any different from the High Mages of Aethra and the many other wielders of magic in the galaxy?

Before Master Irie was able to answer, another master entered the room—a bearded man with skin colored a red like bricks and two long whiskers running down the sides of his face. Theia didn't recognize this master, as did many of the other students. He bowed in respect to Master Irie, and Master Irie returned the gesture.

“Master Irie,” the Jaharian Grand Magician began. “I don't mean to interrupt, but Master Houzi wanted to speak with you.”

“Ah, well thank you Master Zahir. I'll speak with him soon, but…”

She gestured to the dozens of young children seated on the floor cushions around her. Zahir smiled at the sight, even waving back to some of the children who waved at him.

“... I have students to teach, at this moment. Infact, young Theia Antares here asked a very good question that I think you should answer.”

Master Irie gestured over to Theia, who shyly looked up at Master Zahir.

“What was your question, Theia?” The Grand Magician retained his smile. He wanted to seem welcoming and non-intimidating. The last thing he wanted to do was scare the next generation of Grand Magicians.

“I was… Wondering what made us different from other sorcerers and other people who use magic.” Her voice was soft, in an attempt to be respectful to the unfamiliar master.

Master Zahir thought for a moment. It was a very good question indeed, and he can tell that was the case through the curious looks on the children's faces. He knew exactly how he wanted to answer.

“Well Theia, magic is like… An enormous *web.*” He slowly opened his arms out wide in order to encapsulate that feeling. “The Weaver created this web to span across the entire universe. All living things rely on it to use magic at all.”

Master Zahir could already tell the children were in awe by this answer. Master Irie seemed impressed, already knowing Zahir would be able to entertain her students.

“What makes us different from other wielders of magic is how we *follow* the web. We walk the thin paths laid out by the Weaver, closely following and fulfilling the will of the universe's magic.” Zahir motioned to the entire classroom. “And these are paths of *peace.* Our mission is to walk along them as peacekeepers.”

The students kept their attention on Zahir, inspired by his words.

“We're deeply connected to these strands of the web while others might only see this web as a whole… And not by the tiny strings that make up the web.”

To Theia, this nearly made perfect sense. So much sense that she almost found herself embarrassed that she didn't think of it earlier. The Order taught her and her friends to keep the peace, not by using magic as a tool, but as a path to balance.

Zahir smiled at Theia, knowing that his answer satisfied her.

“So as members of the Grand Order, we're in tune with magic.”

*Like a song,* Theia thought. And she would never forget the song.

## Appearances

### Dramatis Personae

* **Theia Antares** - Aetherian. A curious Student of Magic.
* **Zahir al-Bishara** - Jaharian. Philosophical Grand Magician.
* **Irie Len** - Nymphalidan. Kind and welcoming teacher.
* **Vid Yarthi** - Human. Friend of Theia's.
* **Naki Morat** - Proxim. Eager student.

### Other Characters

* Onu Cazu (Mentioned only)
* Jyun Houzi (Mentioned only)

### Locations

* Cassiopeia Galaxy
	+ Inner Core
		- The Sanctuary
		- Aetherian Worlds (Mentioned only)
			* Aethra (Mentioned only)
	+ Central Expanse (Mentioned only)
		- Awkatin Sector (Mentioned only)
			* Darlesta (Mentioned only)

### Organizations and Titles

* Grand Order of Magic
	+ Student of Magic
	+ Grand Magician
* Aetherian High Mages (Mentioned only)

### Sentient Species

* Aetherian
* Human
* Jaharian
* Nymphalidan
* Proxim

### Miscellanea

* Magic
* The Weaver