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Aldrik: Old and a wise counselor

Akili: Bright and intelligent

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'Mom! Mom! Where are you?', I yelled enthusiastically running into the house. I was a young silhouette of 35 years.

'Coming Cimme dear!',my mom yelled back from the kitchen.

'Come faster mom! You're so slow', I retorted grumpily, crossing my arms.

'Well is it possible that I'll be as fast you now Cimmer dear?', my mom replied with a laugh, coming out of the kitchen and ruffling my hair.

'Yes what is it that you want to show me', my mom continued kneeling down on her knee so that she was at the same height as I, 'did you lose another tooth?', she asked, her eyes lighting up.

'No mom', I replied exasperated. I could never understand what obsession parents have with us losing our teeth.  

'I can fly!', I squealed,my lips pulled into a grin.

'Cimme, you just showed me that last week, did you forget so soon? And I thought I was the one aging', she replied teasingly, getting up.

My mom was referring to the incident when I used to tie a cape my neck and jump from one piece of furniture to the other.

'No mom not that', I replied annoyed and a bit embarrassed, putting an arm around her shoulder,pushing her back down, so that she wouldn't leave and I could show her. 'Wait here, I'll show you'.

Just like I had been practicing for so many days I changed myself into an albatross, flapped my wings and took off. I kept circulating around the room, flying in every corner.

'Look mom! I'm flying!Are you seeing me?', I shouted mid-flight.

I didn't notice the frightened and horrified expression she had instead of the joyous one I had supposed would be there.

'Cimme! Come down this instant!', my mom shouted.

'But why mom? This is so cool!'. I had no clue that shadows couldn't fly.

The door opened suddenly.My father had come home.

'Dad look! I am flying!'.

'Cimmerin cease this right now!', my father bellowed, immediately rushing to shut the windows and draw the curtains.

'But why? Aren't you proud of me?', I asked, finally coming down, forlorn.

My mom immediately wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. Father came and sat beside my mother on the ground and placed a hand lovingly on my head.

'Cimmerin, from where did you learn how to fly?', he asked, stroking my head.

'From the albatross daddy, he taught me',

'He taught you? How?',my dad continued confused.

'When I used to play with him...',

'You used to play with him? You're saying that he noticed you?', dad asked trying to keep the shock out of his face.

'Why wouldn't he dad?', I asked a bit annoyed, 'He used to take his flight position and wait for me to copy him. After a while I got the hang of things', I replied shrugging my shoulders.

'Did anybody see you?',my mom interjected, questioning me.

'No. The kids used to make fun of me saying it was not possible. But today I'll prove to them that it is. In fact I'll go and show them right now ', I answered excitedly, getting out of my mother's hold to go and do exactly what I just said.

'No Cimme', my dad stopped me holding my arm, in a fierce grip. 'You will never mention  this to anyone either'.

'But dad-', I cried out in protest.

'Promise me Cimme', my dad continued cutting me off.

'But why dad!?'. This was so unfair. What did I do wrong?

'You'll understand when you're older. Its for you own safety Cimmerin', dad replied trying to console me.

'Fine', I agreed grudgingly, after a long pause. 'I won't let anyone know'.

Mom and Dad both kissed me on my forehead and headed towards the bedroom. I sneakily followed after trying to eavesdrop as I had a feeling that they were surely going to discuss this. My intuition proved to be spot on.

'How is this even possible Aldrik?', my mom questioned, her voice distressed.

'I don't know'

'You know what this means don't you?'

'Do I? Do you? Does anybody?',my dad fired back his voice rising.

'Aldrik...',

'Let it be Akili. What will happen will happen. Our Cimmerin has a lot written in his destiny. All we can do is prepare him, because one day or the other, he is going to have to face it.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I never understood what my parents meant by that conversation, but its always been at the back of my mind. For some reason I just couldn't forget it.

My parents always thought I was an introvert as I was never seen playing with the other kids of my age. But truth be told, I never really liked them.

As shadows all of us are taught certain rules in life that we must never break. All the parents teach their children to blindly follow the master's movements. While working, not to think or concentrate on anything else but the master's motions.

While on duty not to talk to the other shadows. They were told that humans are horrible creatures who held our strings. That they were cruel,so we shadows must never take in our surroundings, never look at anything at anything else but our masters. They were schooled to believe that it was vile and that enjoying ourselves on duty was a sin.

It was only after a few decades that I understood just why they said so. The parents wanted their children to be in the good books of the Council. So that they could be known in the Council and even possibly secure a job in the Council itself. I was disgusted to say the least.

My parents  however, had a completely different philosophy. So I was nurtured with entirely different morals and values.

I was taught to respect everyone, even the human beings. To work with an open mind and understand my master. To know him as well as I know myself.

Knowledge is Power. And according to my father, knowledge can be gained from anywhere. If only you have the courage to take it.

While my father schooled me in the tougher and ardent ways of life, my mother opened my eyes to the gentler and simple aspects of it. She showed me how similar the humans were to us. They too were kind, loving and intelligent.

Due to all this, I never managed to get along with anyone  my age.

Before I knew it the merry years of my loitering around came to an end. I was two centuries old now and I needed to get an 'education' or as my parents stated 'formal education' because I was already being educated everyday. Silly me.

Finally the day arrived when I had to say goodbye to my parents and the penguins and the albatross.

As I was getting ready to dive into the sparkling waters below where my transportation awaited, my dad pulled me aside, looked me in the eye and said gravely.

'Cimmerin never let others dictate your capabilities. Every challenge is a stepping stone to success so never limit your challenges but challenge your limits. And whatever happens don't let anyone at the phrontistery know that you can fly.

'But remember this; you were able to achieve flight because you didn't know it was impossible. So never let anyone tell you what's possible or not. You be the judge of that. Good luck my boy'.

My dad kissed me on my forehead and hugged me tightly.

Now begins the next chapter of my life, I thought to myself as I headed towards the,

"Phrontistery of Shadowy Affairs". Name's pretty ironic isn't it?

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