Times of Change Chapter 1

"In the beginning... No thats too far back. There's no reason for you to hear how the world was made. How we KNOW it was made. Everyone knows that story like the back of their hand. What you may not know is how some of the beings were made. Humanity of course was sculpted from the finest granite, with the first men and women having beautiful gems for eyes before Jennowa gave them the first breath. Then the gems turned into the eyes you see around you today." The old man took a small puff from his pipe before setting it down. His own eyes of Topaz glittering in the firelight.

"There were eight men and eight women created, each with a different purpose in life," the man continued. He was the tribe elder, teaching those who had yet to fully live in the times. "One for creation, one for the harvest. One took care of the animals, another was the butcher. Every human had a job, and as you full well know, man and woman are equal in all things. Then came the last one, the eyes of Onyx. We do not know if it was man, or woman whom first had these eyes. But we do know that they held the power of the gods, the magic of them at least. Strom Bringer, they were called, and for good reason." With this, Elysi winced. Standing a fair five foot six inches, and only twelve rotations of the sun old, she carried the same eyes as Storm Bringer. One was born every generation, both men and women had been known to have Eyes of Onyx. But none had been as capible as the first Onyx. "They were able to bring storms to the lands, feeding the thirsting crops and protecting the people from those From Beyond." Elysi winced again, this time her red curls bouncing with the reaction.

"We know you have promise Elysi," the man said with a saintly smile. "On the very day of your birth twelve rotations ago, a storm broke out, once again protecting us, and stopping the drought that had been plaguing us. Do not fret."

"But I worry that such things will be beyond me!" Elysi said sadly. "I haven't been able to control the storms that have come! I haven't been able to call them with any real conviction!"

"And yet, as I've told you before child, your powers will bloom once you've reached the age of majority. Once you are no longer the child you are, then; and only then, will you be able to do the gods work. We do not worry that you will not be powerful, we worry tha you will choose to use your abilities to assist Those From Beyond like our last Onyx had." Elysi gulped, nodding. "And I know that they tempt you already, as they do all from the Eyes of Onyx. For you are the only one that can call them from the Beyond."

Elysi felt like a little girl looking at the man, who knew what no one else could. Such was the curse of the Topaz. He could call your mind, and see what it was that was happening inside. There were more than a dozen of the Topaz walking around and helping those in need in their minds. They were often seen working with those of the Emerald who were the healers. Of course, those of the Diamond had been lost long ago, in the Wars of Beyond. An entire tribe of people, dead.

"If you could chose another eye color Elysi, what would your wish would have been?"

"Either Amythist or Ruby," she said without hesitation. "Of the clan of hunters, or the clan of fire." The man nodded knowingly.

"But as one of the Onyx, why do you think that Those From Beyond taunt you as they do?"

"Because those of the Onyx are the only ones that can control them. We are demon born, like those From Beyond. We are the evil that infests the world since the Eyes of Amber first brought murder to our people." The man nodded thoughtfully, looking into her mind. "And because we can free them, like you said."

"And what is it you think is more important? Keeping them contained, controlling them, or allowing them to do as they see fit?" Elysi shrugged before looking down. "I think it would be using their powers to help those around you."

"But no one knows how to do that!" The man chuckled and laid a wizened hand on her shoulder before taking another puff from his pipe.

"Then maybe it's time we learn how to do that child. And perhaps it's time to show you the truth of the Onyx."