Mr. Hale congratulated, “Well done, Olivia!”
He then picked up his invisible apple and compared it to Olivia’s.
“That’s impressive, acknowledging the fact that this is your first magical attempt,” Hale praised. He then put the apples back. “Make sure that you concentrate. Slowly wave your hand across the apple and picture it invisible. You have to focus. I want you to try again.”
All of the four reattempted the task. Still, none of them were completely successful. Olivia’s apple was the only one changing. It was becoming more and more transparent every time she waved her hand. However, it still wasn’t fully invisible. The four kept trying, but the outcomes never changed.
“This is getting frustrating,” David huffed.
Hale smiled. “Again, magic isn’t easy. You have to completely concentrate and focus. Don’t hold back. Use as much energy as you can, I promise you won’t pass out just yet.”
The four then took a deep breath. They closed their eyes, slowly waved their hands, and pictured the invisible apple.
Once they opened their eyes, they saw that all of the apples slowly started to disappear until they were finally invisible.
Mr. Hale clapped. “Well done everyone!”
“I can’t believe I did that,” Eric said, impressed with himself.
After that, Mr. Hale told the four to try to amplify the second apple and transport the third. It took a while until all of the children masterfully enlarged and teleported their apples. At the end of the day, Mr. Hale was very proud of them and the four were even more excited for their next magic lesson which would be in a few days.
Chapter Ten
A Preternatural Zoo
The next day while the four were eating breakfast, Hale spoke, “There are so many wondrous places to visit in Crow City and I want you to see them all. So I was thinking that today we could all visit the zoo. Magian zoos are much different than the ones mortals have. They are filled with preternatural creatures. Creatures that are enthralling to see. You can learn so much about several of them. So what do you guys say?”
“So Magia also has a zoo filled with staggering creatures? What doesn’t this place have? I want to go,” Vanessa said excitedly.
“Me too, I’ve always loved visiting the zoo in New York,” Eric shared.
The rest of the four agreed, they all wanted to see a sanctuary for animals, especially a magical one.
“Excellent! As you know, a handful of creatures in Magia, such as figons, are citizens because they have human intellect. However, the creatures in the zoo are different. While some of these creatures are also very intelligent, they are less human-like. They are very magnificent to see,” Hale explained.
Once everyone finished their breakfast, Ivy waved them goodbye and they were on their way. After everyone got in the car, Mr. Hale drove off. He drove deep into the middle of the city. Hale finally stopped driving and parked in front of a high building. The four concluded that the zoo was indoors, but wondered how all the creatures could fit inside, even with the building’s massive size. Once they entered the facility, Hale paid fifty crowtins to a small scarlet creature which was a reading a magazine behind the front desk. The creature handed over five tickets for the group and pointed towards the first room instead of speaking since it was eager to continue reading its magazine. Hale led the four to the first room where there was a sign: Bird Exhibit.
Once the four entered the first exhibit, they saw a spectacular sight. The room was very tall and cylindrical. It had stairs and elevators which led to each story. The actual floor itself was white marble. The ceiling was made out of stained glass and it showed a flamboyant bird. On every story were visitors looking at glass displays of birds with information boards next to them. Hale led the four to the nearest display on the first floor. As the four looked closer through the glass, they saw something that should have been impossible. Behind the glass case was a giant forest. There was lush green vegetation and very tall trees. It was very prepossessing.
“It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Magians have advanced so much, that we can recreate an animal’s habitat perfectly. From far away, these artificial biotopes may look like very small spaces, but if you come closer, you can see that they are windows to infinite expanses. This allows us to view the creatures and still allow them to live comfortably in their natural habitats,” Hale explained.
“Respectable, we can admire these creatures without feeling guilty of animal cruelty,” Olivia uttered.
“Yeah, this really is a sanctuary,” Eric agreed.
“Well, where is the bird that lives in this habitat?” David asked.
Mr. Hale grinned. “Who says it’s not here if we can’t see it?”
The four were confused about what Hale meant. Suddenly, a large bird started to slowly transpire. It had bright green feathers and two enormous wings. Its talons were very sharp and its beak was bright orange. It was flapping its wings very vigorously and it looked fierce.
“Wow, I’ve never seen a bird this huge,” Vanessa said, amazed.
“I’ve never seen a bird suddenly appear out of nowhere,” Eric remarked realistically.
Hale looked at the information board next to the biotope. “This is a corium bird. They may look fierce, but they are actually very shy and fearful creatures. They are known for their ability to change their color to hide.” As Hale said this, the bird slowly started to change into a sky blue color and flew into the air. It wasn’t long before it disappeared.
“You would think that a bird with such a menacing demeanor would be some baneful predator,” David said curiously.
“Like I said in the magic factory, nothing is as it seems.” Mr. Hale winked.
Hale then led the four to the next floor to see another bird. This next bird’s habitat wasn’t a forest. It was a desert. The sun was shining brightly all over the resplendent sand. Suddenly, a bird with a tall neck and long legs ran into view. As it came closer, the children saw that it had yellow oval eyes, aureate feathers, and its beak was made out of solid gold.
“This looks some sort of exotic ostrich,” David observed.
Mr. Hale looked at the board again. “That’s a courir bird. Courir birds live in desserts and places with hot climates. They are flightless but can run very fast and for very long. Unfortunately, this doesn’t save them from the hunters who kill them as a sport. The birds are hunted for their beaks which can turn anything into gold. Even though A.S.H. has outlawed hunting the courir bird, some people still illegally do it. This is why courir birds are now endangered and there are very few left in the wild.”
“I feel so sorry for it.” Vanessa sighed.
“Yeah,” Olivia spoke with tears in her eyes. “It hurts that some humans have greed that hurts the beautiful nature.”
The four felt sorrowful for the bird but admired how majestic it looked.
Hale led them to another bird. Its biotope was near a mountain. The ground and trees were covered with snow. All of a sudden, a flock of white birds started flying near the glass. They were small enough to fit in a pocket. They had feathers that were white as snow, a small tail, a black beak, and icy blue eyes.
“They are so adorable.” Olivia smiled.
“Yeah, they’re like tiny balls of white feathers,” David noticed.
Mr. Hale looking again at the information board and explained, “They are, aren’t they? It says here on this board that they are called gelins. Gelins are birds that are known for their ability to freeze anything they touch. They can also only survive in cold climates.”
One gelin fletching stayed in its nest in a tree. It couldn’t fly yet. The four watched through the glass as it slowly stepped out of the nest and flapped its wings. It tried to fly, but it wasn’t strong enough yet. The bird started falling to the ground. It let out a cry.
“You can do it, little chick,” Ol
ivia whispered encouragingly.
Slowly, the bird started flapping its wings and rose into the air. It was delicately flying. Olivia smiled. The small chick then flew to the branch of a tree and landed. Frost slowly started to appear on the branch until it was completely frozen.
“They really can freeze anything they touch,” Eric said in awe.
“Who would have thought that small birds could have been so powerful,” Vanessa said.
After they had visited every last biotope, Mr. Hale led the four out of the bird exhibit and to another room. There was another sign on top of the entrance: Aquatic Exhibit.
The aquatic exhibit was also cylindrical. Its floor was made out of ultramarine marble. The ceiling was also made out of stained glass that was many shades of blue. It showed a giant squid-like creature with long tentacles. In the middle of the room was a massive glass aquarium that was like the spurious biotopes. It was an infinite ocean filled with fish. The four marveled at it. Around the aquarium were more biotopes for each individual animal like the bird exhibit. The four walked over to the nearest one. As they looked in, they saw a small coral reef. The coral was a bright red color and it looked very beautiful, however, there was no fish in sight.
“Where’s the animal?” David asked.
Eric replied, “You’re looking at it, David. The coral is the animal. Most people make the mistake of calling it a plant. I read about it in a book about biology.”
Mr. Hale grinned. “Right you are, Eric. It says here, that this particular coral is called vermillion coral. Vermillion coral is actually endangered because, like corvo roses, it is also a very powerful source of magic, but it doesn’t get the protection from the law as the flower does.”
“Now that I realize it, Magia is very similar to Earth. The people here sacrifice nature for technology and advancements without giving anything back to the world just like mortals. When they do give back to nature such as the corvo roses, it’s only for their own selfish desires,” Olivia noticed.
“It’s the sad truth. Even on different planets, humans are the same. I always fight for the world’s behalf as A.S.H.’s Vice President. Someday I hope our world can be a better place not just for people, but the environment as well,” Mr. Hale agreed.
The four looked at the coral one last time before they went to see another animal.
The next biotope they visited was the open ocean. It looked boundless and mysterious. The four waited intently for a creature to show itself.
“Where’s the animal? Don’t tell me that the ocean itself is the creature,” David joked.
Eric laughed. “Who knows? After all, nothing is as it seems in Magia.”
Suddenly, a giant creature came into view, it looked like a whale. It had a deep blue pigmentation which made it very hard to see as it blended in with the ocean. It also had extensive fins. The most noticeable features were its colossal eyes and huge mouth. As it swam closer, the four saw that it also had a mighty tail which splashed the water. The four marveled at it.
Hale looked at the board. “This is a cerulius giant. It’s very similar to Earth’s blue whale. Cerulius giants are very large creatures that are friendly. They are also very playful. Cerulius giants are known for their peaceful songs. Those who have heard them say that they are the most beautiful sounds they have ever heard.”
The four kept watching the creature. All of a sudden, the creature started making a sound, it truly was the most winsome thing that the four have ever heard.
“I could stand here for hours listening to its song,” Vanessa uttered, mesmerized.
“I could stand here for years,” David said, just as enchanted.
Mr. Hale led them to the next creature. Its biotope was on a sea cliff. There were many rocks and growing from the rocks was the strangest thing they ever saw. It was very long like seaweed and it was a bright carmine color. However, the uncanniest trait was that it looked like a squid’s tentacles. The four were amazed.
“Of all of the things I’ve seen so far, this is the most bewildering,” David said, dumbfounded.
“Is it a plant or an animal?” Vanessa wondered.
“It’s a plant,” Olivia answered as she looked at the information board. “It’s called the calamar kelp. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the fact that it looks like an octopus or squid’s tentacles. They are very common in Magia’s oceans.”
“Hold on, the strangest thing I have seen so far is common in Magia’s oceans? Will Magia ever stop surprising me?” Vanessa uttered and Olivia laughed.
The next creature’s habitat the four visited was near the seafloor. It was very dark and the four could barely see anything. All of a sudden, they saw a bright pink light, and a very strange creature appeared. It looked like a jellyfish or rather many small jellyfish connected. It was bright pink and emitted a rosy glow. It instantly lit up the entire biotope. The creature was magnificent.
“Wow,” all of the four said in unison.
“It’s like a chain of light,” Eric said.
This time, David, who was nearest to the board, started speaking, “It says here that creature is called the candentis siphonophore. It’s a group of jellyfish-like creatures that are connected and all work together to find food. They are known for their very bright glows that can light up even the darkest of places. Candentis siphonophores can grow to be over two hundred feet long and they also have the ability to change colors whenever they want!”
“So it’s like a chain of color-changing light,” Eric corrected himself.
“It’s the flashlight of the sea,” Vanessa quipped.
The siphonophore slowly started to change from pink to a very bright red.
After viewing more sea creatures, Mr. Hale led the four out of the aquatic exhibit and into another exhibit. The entrance to the next exhibit had a sign: Plant Life Exhibit.
The plant life exhibit was much different than the previous displays. It was a very long and very wide aisle with several artificial biotopes for plants on each wall. This time, the flooring was made of red marble. Instead of a stained glass ceiling, there was a painted one with a magnificent mural of radiant flowers. The group went to the first biotope.
Once they were there, they looked through the glass and saw a very substantial field. Hundreds of vivid birds were flying over thousands of eye-catching flowers. The petals of the flowers were the same colors as the feathers of the birds. All of a sudden, a small breeze blew a petal off of one lilac flower. The gust blew the petal into the air and as it did, something strange was happening to it. The petal was slowly starting to get larger and change shape. As the petal grew, a small pair of feet appeared. Then two small wings sprouted and feathers started to appear. Once the petal finished its transformation, it became a small lilac bird. The creature flapped its wings and started to fly. It joined the other birds above.
“Flowers with petals that can change into birds, now I’ve seen it all,” Vanessa remarked.
“I can never stop being astonished in Magia.” Eric chuckled.
All of the four were surprised at the sight and all of them had a warm feeling in their hearts when they saw the birds.
Eric, who was the most amazed, read off of the information board, “These flowers are supposedly called mutare lilies. They are very vibrant flowers that have petals which can transform into passerines. They are admired by all who look at them.”
The four kept watching the petals of the flowers changing into birds. No matter how many times they saw a transformation, they never got bored. Soon they all went to look at the next plant.
The next biotope was a cloudy sky. On each cloud, exquisite flowers with royal blue petals were growing. The four were amazed at how the greenery was able to do that.
“Flowers that can grow in the clouds! Correction, now we’ve seen it all,” David uttered.
Olivia looked at the board.
“These flowers are welkin irises. They are magical plants that grow in the sky by using the water stored in the clouds which they grow on.”
“Magia’s flowers sure do love breaking the rules of Earth don’t they?” Vanessa joked.
As the four looked at the irises, they saw that they were like tiny drops of blue paint on a white canvas. After a while, the four went to look at the next plant.
The next biotope showed the edge of a steep cliff. Growing on the side of it was a mighty tree with a robust brown trunk and bright green leaves. Growing on the branches of the tree were almost every single fruit the children could think of and fruits they had never seen before. There were strawberries, apples, peaches, cherimoyas and many more. The fruits shone like gems and decorated the tree.
Vanessa smiled. “This is an infinite tree. They are known to have every single fruit on their branches. What makes them even more special is that whenever one fruit is eaten or dropped, another one takes its place. They are also the homes of small animals which live off of the tree’s fruits. Not many people get to see them as they only grow on the edge of cliffs. You know, I would like to make a healthy smoothie out of all of those fruits. If, of course, I ever find one.”
“Judging by your personality, you most likely will climb a cliff to find one, Vanessa,” David jested.
Suddenly, a small white finch flew out of its nest in the tree. It flew to one apple growing on a branch. Using its minuscule beak, it started pecking at the fruit. After the bird finished the apple, its core fell off the branch. Then, where the fruit had been, something else was starting to materialize. Another apple was taking place of the eaten one. Once the apple was finished, it was the same size, shape, and color as the original one. It was as if the fruit hadn’t been eaten at all.
“Now I definitely want to climb a cliff and find one,” Vanessa said.
Crow Page 6