[TFM] The Darkness in Light (Prologue)

In every shaman's life there is a time where they are chosen, a time in which the goddess herself selects them. Only a special few are ever chosen, even less from the same tribe. Every chosen have their own destiny for good...

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 It was late autumn when the Tribe Wind Shaman of the Skywatchers Tribe went with his three apprentices out to practice shamening only a few months before their evaluation. He would then choose one of the three to take his place when his years are up. But until then, he wanted them to get some practice somewhere that's the not the usual grassy meadows just east of the village. Where he was taking them was the lowest part of the very rocky mountain beyond the forest.

"How much farther?" complained the youngest apprentice, dragging his feet."We've been walking for hours!"
"For the last time, it's just over this hill," his master answered after a long sigh, the blue feather on his head blowing in the wind.
The other two just ignored the small, dark mouse and continued following. Neither of the two were allowed to go this far from the village and were eager to come, even if it had to be long walk.

Once the group arrived, it was the middle of the afternoon. The shaman watched as his three apprentices ran over to the big rock in the center of the crater, hoping to get a better view of where they were planning to practice. However, after a closer look, the rock turned out to be much larger than it appeared, becoming more of a wall, towering over everything else. The trio then sat and wait for the shaman to catch up.

The Shaman approached, looking over his students, his white fur and blue shaman markings easily standing out from all the grey around them. "Now, you all know why you're training here, right?" he asked, hoping he wouldn't have to explain.

"Because we might need to summon in difficult areas," answered the sham's favorite student, Suki, a young light tan mouse with a pink bow, matching pink hair, and a beautiful smile. Her caring personality and natural talent was perfect for a shaman; she could easily lead the tribe in the future.

"Correct," the shaman acknowledged, "Is there anything you two would like to add?" he continued looking over at the other two who were more interesting in summoning than learning.

The two looked at each other for a second, obviously not having paid attention.

"Exactly", the Shaman said, becoming a little annoyed. "Amy, will you repeat what you said for the boys."

She did, this time the two made sure to listen.

"Now then, how about we begin. I want you three to build to a ramp that can reach the top of the wall," the sham instructed, pointing at the giant rock.

The three apprentices studied the wall, immediately noticing three things: the wall would at least take a long plank to reach; the ground is uneven; and there's enough sides that each of them can use one. Each of them picked a side, going straight to work.

The first one to begin summoning was of coarse, Suki. She began with creating a ghost plank flat on the ground, right next to the wall. She then moved further from the rock and attached another plank to the far end with a yellow anchor so that it also leaned against the wall. From there, she simply walked up the plank and waited on top of the rock for the others to finish.

The second apprentice to build was Seth, a tall dark grey mouse with a little black and white bow-tie. He quickly began summoning three giant ghost boxes next to each other at an amazing speed, though he did have to move a few times because of his low casting range. Then, he connected the boxes with yellow anchors to keep them in place. Soon after, he attached a plank on the last box that led to the top of the rock. Jumping onto the plank, Seth climbed up the plank and sat next to Suki, frowning, jealous that she got there first.

Lastly, the third and smallest apprentice, Clay, began building a way up. Clay first began completely overthinking the whole idea and thought of an elaborate way up... until of coarse he noticed what his fellow students were building. Instantly, he forgot what he was going to make. Knowing he should probably have started summoning already, he created a ghost anvil. Really needing to speed things up, he connected a plank to the anvil then to the top of the rock. The plank barely held, probably would fall if two mice went on it or if it began to slide down the side. Not wanting to start over, he quickly ran up the plank to the top, the plank slipping down in the process. He then gave off a wide smile, hoping no one noticed and turned to face the others, only to find them grinning with amusement at his structure. "Well, it worked," he justified.

"That it did," complemented the shaman, "But next time, try to build someone more like Suki's"

Suki smiled, glad she met the shaman's approval. Seth, however, was hiding his anger that his build wasn't recognized. He already knew that Suki was the sham's favorite, it was plainly shown in how he treats her as if she were special. It's just not fair he thought. Seth had no more time to think as the shaman told them to do another task.

Waiting for his apprentices come down, the Shaman got rid of everything summoned. "We have time for one more activity," he said, glancing at the clouds above. " I want you to summon a cannon ball, preferably pointed at the wall." 

"I wanna go first!" shouted Clay as a water droplet fell on his nose, eager to redeem himself. Clay walked a little distance from the group and began concentrating. A few sparkles around his hands/paws soon followed by the faint sight of a ball in front of him. The ball slowly became less and less transparent, revealing an arrow on it pointed at the wall. With a swift motion by Clay's hands/paws, the newly made cannon ball flung at the wall, making a loud thump sound and causing a couple small rocks to fall off into a puddle. "There", Clay said, trotting back to the group satisfied.

Next to step up to the plate was Suki. Suki quickly got her hair out of her face and positioned her feet, she was ready. Not even the plentyful rain drops hitting the loud stone or the darkened sky seem to slow her down. Mimicking the same motion as Clay, she quickly summoned a visible ball surrounded by sparkles, the arrow on it quite defined. With the snap of her wrist, the cannon launched through the rain, much faster than Clay's, into the wall, creating a boom as loud as thunder? The wall cracked, releasing the ball into the pool below it.

"Well done, well done!" exclaimed the shaman, giving praise to Suki.

Clay and Seth just looked at each other and rolled their eyes as Suki came back. They're used to the sham gloating on and on about her, but today it had just been ridiculous. "Favorites..." Seth  sighed, hardly audible over the sound of thunder in the distance.

The shaman beaconed, really needing to finish the lesson "Seth, you're up next."

Seth walked through the puddle and took position, water reaching his ankles. He began trying to concentrate over the pouring rain pounding the ground. A sphere started appearing, covered with sparkles, as stress was beginning to show on his face. Darker and darker it became, becoming visible in the darkness. The sphere began spinning, building tension and power, but with no arrow on it! Focus, Focus, FOCUS Seth thought horribly, struggling to keep control and take aim with the ball. Out of nowhere, lightning strikes it, causing it to slam the ground, cracking it and sending a shock-wave through the water covering the stone, electrifying everyone. Hastily, the group began to lose consciousness, but not before a screaming figure goes flying in the darkness. All black out, Seth's laughter echoing through their mind.

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or for evil.