Halloween and the Vartija

Halloween, the longest hunt of the year.
On this night, beasts from the other layers roam among us.
It is a duty of the vartija to protect humanity from these interlopers.
But as time passed, the varitja faded from humanity's memory.
The hunt became a delicate game of cat and mouse: in which the cat hid with the mice in order to capture the dogs.
It was a task the grew more difficult with each year as the vartija were slowly hunted by the creatures known as the Higher Races.
Four species, rulers of the creatures living on their layer. Each with their own reason for hunting the varitja.

Revenge.

Dominion.

Power.

Blood.

We have met one of these creatures.
We will inevitably meet the others.
Will Emrri survive?

Fantasy characters you may want to avoid

1. Involuntary shapeshifters.
2. Arrogant elves.
3. Anyone granting wishes.
4. Royal chancellors.
5. Stubborn dwarves.
6. Handsome princes/beautiful princesses.
7. Elderly folk living in strange places.
8. Talking animals.
9. Mythical beasts.
10. Hansel and Gretel.

The Djinn and The Vartija: Aura, part I

Muritage

"What?" She asked as she took another step back.

"I will provide the necessary stimulant to awaken your senses." I answered, no longer moving toward her. "How do you identify the creatures you hunt?" I asked.

The girl offered a shrug. "Normally they introduce themselves by attacking. Some of the less human-like critters show up in the park or by the cliffs. Usually they find me before I find them."

I frowned. "You always let the hunt come to you?"

She nodded. "What else can I do? Its not like critters have neon signs that tell me where they are."

With a soft moan, I shook my head.

How has she survived? How could I have been caught by someone so ignorant?

"Most creatures have a distinct aura. Sensing auras is how the vartija were trained to hunt."

"Okay. How do I sense auras?" She asked, taking another bite from the food she had brought out.

It was possible for djinn to consume the food from this layer, but a majority of it lacked flavor to my species. There was a small selection of delicacies on this layer that I would choose to eat. They were not especially tasty, but the would suffice during my exile.

"Focus your mind on me." I told her. Forsaking the limits I had set at the beginning of my exile, I fully released my aura. By my senses, my aura was the smell of wet charcoal and a lingering mugginess in the air. "Allow your senses to roam. Let them seek for anything out of place, anything that contradicts the surrounding environment."

I waited, considering her aura. I knew that as a vartija, her aura modified itself for each individual that sensed it. Taking a form pleasing to its pray, the aura acted as bait to bring the hunt to the hunter. A wise tactic for one prepared, but idiotic for one as ignorant as this girl.

Pulling myself out of my musings, I spoke.

"Well?"

She frowned. "The air seems more humid then earlier."

"Where? Pinpoint the source."

The girl slowly turned, then met my gaze. "From you. Is that your aura?"

I gave a small nod. "Part of it. Now focus inward, search for something similar in yourself."

Abilities of some mythical creatures

1. Shapeshifting. This ability can be split into two distinct types: voluntary and involuntary. For some, changing shape is as simple a thing as breathing. Others suffer violent transformations and often a loss of control.
2. Petrifaction. Meeting the gaze of many creatures will turn one to stone. In some instances this ability is used for more then protection: which can lead one to a vast stone garden or a business opportunity.
3. Manipulation of elements. The very elements can be harnessed, though to varying degrees. Sometimes as small a thing as encouraging a good harvest or filling a sail with wind. Control of the elements can also lead to devastating events such as a flood or inferno.
4. Captivation. The allurement of some creatures have led the unwary to an early demise. Whether by appearance, sound or scent, attraction is a powerful ability.
5. Communication. With bestial creatures such as dragons and unicorns, you would not expect to have an intelligent conversation. But such a thing is possible. Be it through a telepathic link or actual vocalization, these magical species can be an excellent source of knowledge once a conversation has begun.
6. Healing. Some creatures can be a benefit to those who are ill, wounded, or otherwise in pain. Though the exact circumstances under which a creature may heal another can be highly complex, the opportunity of a second chance may be needed by the more adventurous hero.
7. Bonding. There are creatures whom do not reach their full potential alone. For these, another is needed to support and strengthen. This bond is not always one-sided, however. As the bond-creature gains strength, it also may give its partner use of abilities and strengths that the partner's species would not normally have access to.
8. Longevity. One common ability of many creatures is a lifespan far longer then that of a human. Be it a few centuries or countless eons, the lives of the mythical can surpass the understanding of younger beings.
9. Venom. Many creatures may appear frail, but be warned: the natural defenses of these beasts are not to be trifled with. Some toxins of the mythical have no known cure, while others can only be cleansed by the attributes of another mythical creature.
10. Unknown required secondary abilities. There are some creatures who defy all known logic. While some may shrug and mutter something about magic, others remain dissatisfied with this answer. These individuals claim that it is not merely magic, but subtle abilities that we have not yet discovered. Whether magic or unknown ability, these creatures will continue to awe and inspire others for as long as stories are told.

The Djinn and The Vartija: Breakfast

  Emrri

The toaster popped, and I carefully removed the once frozen waffles. My mother was still asleep, which gave me time to check on Muritage. Carrying a plate of blueberry waffles to the backyard, I walked toward the tree-house. In the dim light of dawn, I was able to see someone sitting atop the flat roof of the tree-house.

“Have you changed your mind?” I asked him once I was closer enough to not risk my voice carrying back to the house.

“I will not relinquish my hold until you release me.” Muritage answered as he continued to stare east. I shook my head.

Well, I had to try.

I lifted the plate. “I brought breakfast.”

Muritage turned his head, meeting my gaze with a scowl.

“What gave you the impression that I would find human sustenance palatable?”

I frowned. It hadn't occurred to me that djinn might not eat the same as a human or myself.

“Okay, then what does your kind eat?”

He turned away. “What sustains me is not your concern.”

I stared at him, then shook my head. “So long as you don't harm anyone in order to feed. What are you doing up there?” I took a bite from a waffle as he replied.

“If given the option of confinement or the outside, which would you choose?”

I nodded, taking another bite. After finishing the waffle, I looked around at the neighbors' houses.

“Could you come down? You're a bit too visible up there.”

Muritage stood. He was wearing umber slacks, a white long-sleeved dress shirt and a sepia waistcoat. He stepped off the roof, walking on air down to where I stood.

“How do you do that?”

“It is a simple manipulation of water molecules. A common ability among my kind.” He answered offhandedly. Meeting my gaze, he continued. “Such an ability could be compared to a vartija controlling their aura. Once one is aware of the mechanics, utilizing the ability takes scarcely a thought.”

As he walked around me, I turned to keep him in sight. “Well, I can't sense my aura.”

I took a step back as Muritage stepped toward me with a condescending smile.

“That is why I will instruct you, little tamer.”

Things you can do with cardboard

1. Use as a box for holding things.
2. Make a large card for someone.
3. Cut out a sword or shield for a child's Halloween costume.
4. Hold excess thread or yarn.
5. Stiffen a tatted snowflake.
6. Practice constructing a castle.
7. Map the area your story takes place at.
8. Bind a book.
9. Make a deck of playing cards based on your characters.
10. Practice your smashing abilities.

Unearthed

Far away, there are a series of tunnels trailing underneath the land of goats.
Though dangerously unstable, these tunnels were the favored route of kittens for leaving their homes undetected.
One day, a black kitten was traveling though the tunnels. Suddenly the ground shook, and the roof of the tunnel collapsed!
Dirt covered the kitten, getting into its eyes and nostrils.
The kitten panicked and fought to get free of the dirt. The kitten succeeded in freeing its head, popping out into the open.
But the kitten's body remained stuck, despite all of its efforts to get free.
The kitten cried for its mother, but was ignored by the small herd of goats nearby.
Time passed, and the cry grew weak as no help came.
Then the goats began bleating as a human arrived.
The human offered the goats a short conversation, then turned as she heard the kitten cry.
Kneeling next to the mostly buried kitten, the human began to dig.
The kitten shut its eyes against the loose dirt the human moved, wiggling its forelegs once they were free.
The human lifted the kitten out of the hole and brushed dirt out of the kitten's fur.
Seeing the kitten was weak, the human took it with her; choosing to care for it until it grew strong enough to return home.