The Earth was once a happy, beautiful planet. Humans weren’t the only creatures thriving here. Other creatures that lived and walked among our ancestors included magicians, gryphons, dragons, ogres, pixies, fairies, and unicorns. The world lived in peace until humans turned magicians into slaves and jesters. They turned unicorns into pets, gryphons into mail carriers, ogres into hunters, faeries into lights, pixies into healers, and dragons into protectors. The world of human enslavers was happy, but the creatures enslaved were not quite as joyful. A powerful magician soon discovered another planet, which when he did, he vowed to transport all tortured beings there. When the time came, the magician used all his life force and brought the creatures to the planet. This was considered a huge act of kindness and bravery to the magical beings, so they named the planet after him, in honor of his discovery and sacrifice to save the creatures from the dreaded humans. They cursed the planet Earth, and went on to find new lives on Planet Zarkos. The planet Earth is now dark and dull, and danger lurks at every corner. The era of power over all magical creatures is used as a fairytale to calm children down in the night. They don’t end it with the creatures running away; instead, they say that these creatures hide among woods and under the ocean, taking care of little children discreetly. Most of these children usually stop believing in these creatures around the age of seven. Not for Amia. Our new story in this dark and gloomy world of black and white begins with the colored belief of the young Amia Griffin.

Amia was a fourteen year old girl, with brown curls that reached her shoulders and a lovely peach face. She had green eyes and a mask of feelings to match them when necessary. Amia was kind and caring, but had only one friend: her dog, Black fang. Black fang was her protector; part wolf, part dog. He left his pack temporarily to help the lonely orphan, whose parents were killed in a horrible car accident on the day of her seventh birthday. This left her with only her stories and Black Fang, so the stories seemed more real than anything to her and she clutched them tightly in her heart. She learned to fend for herself after that, always keeping close to Black fang when he was a pup and part of the pack. She’d sleep next to him every night, crying herself to sleep, hoping and praying for the pixies to come and revive her parents, just to see if they could turn her miserable life around.

Amia seemed to be able to communicate with Black Fang and the wolves, but for some odd reason liked their life better than the way of the humans. One morning this was all shattered when she awoke with the noise of fire crackling, and realized the forest was burning. The brush fire swept around them in every direction and there seemed to be no escape. She grabbed Black fang into her arms and immediately ran towards an opening. It was small, but it could easily fit two small ones. Black fang was only a pup, and Amia was twelve. That’s when she realized the two orphans had to learn to survive together, for Black fang’s parents were still inside the burning forest. She could hear their howls as their bodies were burned into ashes undeservingly. The two walked away in grief after reaching the end of the forest, praying with their heavy hearts that both of their parents could be resurrected.

The day of Amia’s fourteenth birthday, Amia sat on the swing set in the park, watching all her classmates playing. She wore worn-out blue jeans and a purple tank top with a picture of a glowing green faerie wearing golden flowers entangled in her hair on it. Her shoes were adorable pink flip flops with little crystals that shined with the sun’s reflection. Her classmates thought she was a freak, because they didn’t believe in Zarkos or the creatures that roamed freely there. In the mid-afternoon, Amia went to the middle of the park, where no body ever dared to go. Black Fang sat by a log and started to wag his tail, but his face showed concern for the girl whose sight began to blur. Amia sat down and started to cry, grieving for her hated life with technology and the loss of two sets of parents (Black Fang’s parents were like parents to her)when suddenly a flash of blinding, cerulean light flashes in her eyes. The light swallowed her, and soon surrounded her on every side. She was clutching her faithful friend, Black Fang, but she felt neither comforted nor safe. She felt as if she was falling into blackness that led to nowhere, and landed with a loud THUD on a soft area. She opened her eyes to find herself no longer in the park, but in the loveliest place she had ever seen. The ground she sat on was mossy green and plushy soft. The trees beared fruit that look like apples, but they were the color of the glowing full moon and still looked quite delicious. The sky held three blazing suns that looked quite odd. One she recognized as the Earth’s sun, but the other two were awkward and strange. The setting one was the largest of them all and was blood red, while the other unknown sun was a baby blue and seemed to be the smallest of the three. She stared around in awe until the trotting of hooves turned her attention elsewhere, but they sounded more like a flute gently being played. Bells were oddly heard in the background somewhere far off. Maybe someone was playing a horrible trick on her? People liked to do that at home.

Amia got up steadily and looked around quite angrily. “Come on out and show yourself! I ain’t falling for your dirty little tricks, you nasty old thief!” shouted Amia as she picked up a stick on her right hand. She heard the noise come from behind her, and when she turned, she saw silver mane flashing in the wind, a golden horn in the middle of the creature’s forehead. The eyes were a deep purple and on the hind leg sat a symbol of three suns and a moon. Amia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Was she possibly face to face with a live unicorn? Maybe one of the kids playing baseball had knocked her out in the park and she was dreaming. “Odds bobs, I must be seeing things. Are you what….what I think you are?”

The amazing creature nodded with a snort sounding like bells in replay, and, without moving her lips, snarled, “YOU are a human! A filthy, dirty, little human that shouldn’t be sticking your nose into places it doesn’t belong. And a half wolf, too? I thought creatures like that didn’t associate with pests.” The mare turned back to Amia and spoke again. “We escaped to this planet to avoid creatures like you! How did you get here, you conniving twit?” Amia tried to reply, but only a squeak left her mouth. She was far too awestruck to even be talking at the moment. Black Fang gave her a look of concern, but she cleared her throat and tried again.

“I-I dunno. I was surrounded by a flash of light and…and….well…..” pointing around the strange place, “…ended up here. How am I to know what happened? And how did you just speak with me like that? I didn’t see your lips moving.”

“Horse Lords and burn me up, you’re a magician! Oh, about the thoughts, we of the Aknani clan speak using mind communication. It’s quite simple, really, especially with a magician of your high level. My name is Zaria; I’m head female of the Aknani clan, or head of the Unicorns. You must’ve gotten tired of those dreadful humans and I take it that this mutt is your familiar.” Black Fang glared at the being. “And you’re name is?”

“I’m Amia Griffin, and I’m an orphan-definitely no leader of anything, and definitely NOT a magician. This here’s Black fang. We’re best friends and both lost our parents to death. We were taken by surprise and ended up here, so could you be as kind to tell us where we are, and how we got here?”

“You are on the planet called Zarkos, young Griffin. You are most obviously one of us; those of magic, hoof, and wing. Your blood glows of gold and you even think like us. You are an Immartia, I figure. Immartia are those creatures who are created by magic and come here when their life becomes too horrible and threatening. They are able to blend in with the humans but in reality have a magical form and can look like a human when need be. You must be an Immartia magician, otherwise you couldn’t possibly be here without a magician here, and humans don’t stay in contact with us. Only Immartia and other magical beings can come to Zarkos, and humans don’t have magic.” replied the great creature.

Amia started to back away in shock, tripping over a rock as she worried about what her schoolmates would call her if she told them she visited another planet and communicated with a unicorn. Utter ridiculousness and dirt. That’s what they’d call it. She turned away with wide eyes and started in a little walk, which quickly turned into a run towards the silver trees. “NO!” she cried, “I’ll never be magic!”

“You cannot hide what you are, young Griffin, it is in your name and it is your destiny!” Zaria shouted as she disappeared from sight.

Amia continued at her pace, occasionally speeding up when she heard a twig snap beneath her feet or a breeze run through the leaves. Finally, after it seemed like she had been running for hours, her legs gave way under her and she landed face first on something soft. A man in crimson robes was walking towards her. Then everything fell into darkness.

Amia woke up, possibly hours later, in an elegant room filled with glass items and floating candles. She was sitting on a bed of purple cloth atop a silver bedpost with engravings of fairies floating on clouds. The room made her feel so small, and compared to what she was used to, like a princess. High above her was a golden chandelier set up on a painting of Zaria leading her clan towards a shining light in the distance…

Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps and the opening of an oak door when the man of crimson robes entered the room with graceful movement. “Welcome, young novice, to Zarkos! I see you have met Zaria. I welcome you to Aniba Cortemos.” The man said excitedly with a bounce in his voice.

All Amia could do was stare and twitch her eye. “Wh-who are you? And why did you call me your novice? And what in the world is Aniba Cortemos?”

“Why, young Griffin, my name is Zaktatnost Morshbet Griffin, and I am a magician here at the University of magic, Aniba Cortemos. You are my novice, and my novice by destiny, not choice, for I am your uncle. You see, we of the magical blood were brought to this planet by a very powerful magician during our time of enslavement. His name was Zarkos, and he had a sister. His sister married your father, a mortal, and when all of us were transported to this world, your mother decided to stay behind, so your parents never told you about your magic, simply because they thought they were protecting you. You are young Griffin, niece of the almighty Rachmene Zarkos, daughter of Arnania Zarkos and Tim Griffin. And as your uncle, it is my duty to teach you magic.” He finished with a breath and a smile that crawled across his face.

“But, how? I mean-my mom was never open about anything, she never even talked about her family…and that explains the ‘I don’t know’ part. But dad…” Amia finished her sentence in awe. Could she really be a magician? Could she prove Zarkos was real to her classmates? Would she ever return home? Amia’s thoughts hit hard and took over, so only silence left her mouth for about fifteen minutes. She changed her thoughts to the current conversation. Then came her reply to the one who claimed to be her uncle.

“I’ll stay, but you must promise to help me learn to my fullest while I’m here.”

It was a deal. Amia was to remain on the planet and to learn about all its creatures, history, plants, and needs. She would learn healing, morphing, potions, and spells. She would learn about her own family, and the history of Zarkos’s creation. In return she was to never mention the secrets or anything she learned on Zarkos to anyone. She and Black fang were still going to be inseparable, no matter how long she lingered with her lessons. She promised him this.

Outside of her door, Amia could hear the gentle patter of footsteps walking around in unknown area beyond her glamorous room. Her uncle Zaktatnost beckoned towards the door and she lifted her heavy body to follow him. At the far end of the room was a golden framed mirror and Amia caught a look at herself. Her hair was still in soft, neat curls and her jeans had a few spots of dirt. Her tank top looked a little ruffled, but besides that she looked fine. Outside of the oak doors, people her age, older, and even younger walked around in multi-colored robes, each carrying a wand or a staff. A few turned their head to her as they passed by and continued to walk on. Her uncle turned towards the right and she turned to follow him. They turned and Amia ended up staring into the cold sapphire eyes of a red-headed girl. She wore a blue robe over black slacks and a rock t-shirt. Her necklace was a black collar covered in silver spikes. The girl intimidated Amia as she passed by, forcing her trembling body to walk a little closer to Zaktatnost.

At the end of the corridor was a pine door that no one came in or out of. Zaktatnost just smiled and opened the large doors that led to an even larger room than her own. Above her stood a picture of a large battle between humans and magical beings. The room was like a huge library, with many shelves on the wall and even more books all around. Some were lying open around the floor, but none stood in the middle of the room where they could be trampled. In the middle of the large spherical room, there was a little desk with a tall chair. Next to the desk sat Zaria, almost like a pet dog. Amia couldn’t see who or what sat in the chair, but by the look of all the potions, bottles, and open books on the desk, whoever sat in the chair was really busy. Zaria looked up and quickly gave a gentle nudge to the chair. It gradually turned around to reveal a young woman with black, flowing curls that reached her waist. She had ruby eyes that were gentle and sweet and her smile was very warm and welcoming. She had very dark skin that seemed to have a kind glow to it. She was wearing a long, emerald dress with little pieces of opal encrusted into it. It was a little tight on top but loosened and flowed after it reached the waist. With every graceful movement this lovely woman made, her dress seemed to move with her. Amia caught a quick peak at her shoes and saw cerulean glass heels pop out very quickly and shine in the light. Behind her, transparent butterfly-like wings unfolded and the lights from above went through them and created multi-colored patterns across the floor.

The whole time, all Amia could do would stare in awe. Her mouth was ajar as she looked over this beautiful woman who was gracefully gliding toward her. Her uncle Zaktatnost put a hand on her shoulder and snapped her out of the trance. He gave a short, polite nod at the woman and she returned the nod with a smile. It gave Amia the warmest feeling in her heart and she felt as if her family had never left her. This woman’s smile seemed so welcoming and familiar…

“Amia,” said Zaktatnost, “this is Rubia Emriana, a very high-class magician and principal here at Aniba Cortemos. She will personally be training you, you lucky little demon. Not many get to study under someone with such knowledge and power, especially Immartia. Come to my room at two this afternoon for your beginner’s potions class. I will see you no later.”

Zaktatnost turned tail and walked out the door, leaving Zaria, Amia, and Rubia all alone in the vast and lovely room. Rubia looked towards Amia, who only stood there confused. Why was she doing this? When she returned home, if she EVER returned home, she’d never be able to fit in with “humans” again. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to do that since she first landed on Zarkos.

Rubia put her hands on Amia’s shoulders and her skin seemed to start glowing a little brighter-both hers and Amia’s. Amia felt a ripple of pain throughout her body and screamed.

“What are you doing to me?!?!?!?”

“My dear,” replied Rubia with a smile on her face, “I am forcing to shed your human skin and to reveal your real self. When some one forces you to do it using magic, it is very painful.”

My real self? thought Amia as more pain took a wild ride through her body. As Amia thought these words, reddish, falcon-like wings shot out of her back and she shrieked higher than any bird to soar the skies. And with her cries of pain filling the air, Amia entered a world of blackness once again.