This story is rated G for general viewing.
I hum as I float through the realm of dreams. Now, do not ask me how a being with no physical substance can hum, but I do it just the same. I wonder if people can hear my humming; I know that if I project my will strongly enough, I can make them understand my voice. But I do not do it often, it tends to scare people, whatever species they are.
I move through the blank whiteness that is the astral plane, seeking no particular destination, and finding none. A shape materializes near me. Another astral shade? A sentient spirit? Often the spirits of sentient creatures, wise Mages who know much of the Zen arts, appear here. I have spent much time in philosophizing with them. Of course, that is harder for me to do, since they have their entire existence and world to puzzle out, and I have neither world nor affiliation nor memory of my origin. I drift closer to the form, greet it casually. It is a sentient spirit, but of a kind I have never before seen or heard about. It seems ordinary, just--powerful, strong. I find myself almost instinctively drawing a connection with it, sithing.
Oh, yes, I can sith. I have to, it is my only means of communication. Direct mind to mind communication. I am skilled at it, from long practice, and the air of this (woman?) tells me that she is too. With the bond, I know who she is: --Terra!-- I cry mentally, sending her my emotions of surprise. The Elementmaster of this world, I have heard of her. She is troubled, why?
It is typical of sithing that few words are used. Telepathy entails the sharing of concise thought, sithing is sharing your emotions. Terra sends me a story--five elementals, broken free of Mars. That is easy enough to understand. I’ve met Mars sentients before, for the astral plane is universal. But I hang around Earth; I just seem to like it better. Terra shows me how the five came to Earth, killed her own elementals, scattered the crystals. They must be found, and quickly. But how? Of course, five new elementals must be chosen. Obviously.
With a shock of insight, I realize her true intent: she has selected me as one of the five! My shock and amazement must have hit her in a wave. I’m a sither, and a being of the astral plane. She offers me the power over aether. Total power over the astral plane, over the souls and minds of an entire planet’s people. I am not tempted by the power, but rather by the fascinating prospects of such an adventure. I would like to see more of Earth, to learn more. As well, I crave focus.....I do not know for what purpose astral shades exist, and to find a purpose for myself makes me very happy.
The consideration takes hardly a moment. And my thoughts flood over Terra all the while, so when I reach my decision, there is no need to tell her directly. Her apparition smiles at me and vanishes. I feel her spirit being sucked away from the astral plane, away from our contact. I float back along my unmarked path, humming, but now with a destination in mind.