The Goblins aimed their wands, the Elves their bows, the Dwarfs their mini-canons. The Trolls readied boulders, the Tree-Folk covered themselves in thorns, and the Owl Tribe circled above, talons at the ready. The Humans stood behind them watching, waiting. The various races rarely, if ever, came to an agreement. The peace never lasted long. Yet, now all it took was one man to bring them together and that man was fast asleep in front of them all.

     Henrick Forge was passed out and the glow cast by the Wizards revealed a young man with haphazard hazelnut hair, bare feet and despite the chill, wasn’t shivering. He was wearing the robes of an apprentice wizard; an even patchwork of various colors. Seeing this made the High Wizard, Forewin, sigh. He had tried his best to contain the boy’s magic but nothing worked. How could it? “Remember,” whispered Forewin to the representatives before him. “Nothing will work when he is awake. We need to strike while he is asleep.”

     The Goblin’s representative Worq scoffed. She was a short one, even by Goblin standards, but Forewin knew better than to judge a Goblin by their stature. Worq had been solely responsible for the loss of countless Wizards during the last Human-Goblin territory battles. “We kill now,” came the calm voice of the Tree-Folks’ representative. Forewin looked up into the tall tree’s eyes. It was hard to say if this tree was male or female, or if they had genders all. They certainly didn’t have names. None that Forewin had ever heard but then the humans’ overuse of wood had made the two races bitter foes.  “Yes, I suppose you can,” Forewin said staring into the Tree-Folks eyes.  Without another word the Tree-Folk sent thorny vines shooting towards Henrick’s sleeping form. In unison the other races attacked as well. Forewin was surprised by the silence of the Dwarfs’ mini-canons. The Dwarf representative grinned at him and Forewin understood why she was named. For Ore Goldtooth had, well, multiple gold teeth. She was famous across the lands for her creativity. It was no surprise to anyone when the Dwarfs named her Chief Miner. Her inventions and ideas pushed the Dwarfs far past the Humans to say the least.

     However, the Elven arrows and the Dwarfs’ metal pebbles simply vanished when they approached Henrick. At least that was how it looked to Forewin, who wasn’t using magic, lest it wake Henrick.  It was the same for the Trolls’ boulders but at least they could be seen with the naked eye. What happened to the Tree-Folk and the Owl Tribe was what was scary. They simply vanished. No poof of smoke, no warning, just gone. Worq cooed, “Impressive.” Forewin just stared. No matter how many times he saw it happen, it still made him stare in amazement. The Owl Tribe representative Whylet put her beak to Forewin’s nose. “Hoooow?” Her voice, like that of her people, sounded as though she added in a few extra o’s. “I tried to explain before-” Forewin attempted before being interupted by the Elven representative. “Oh yes, you did. However, you said that when he was asleep was the best time to attack. Yet, had those warriors not been soulless recreations created for this purpose, then they would be dead.” Like most Elves, Takee was arrogant and dismissive. He stood tall over Forewin and lived up to his people’s tendency to look down on others. “But you wouldn’t listen then, would you?” Forewin dryly thought aloud. “If I remember correctly I suggested Worq use her magic to copy warriors in case something like this happened. And might I add, I did say something like this might happen.”

     The Troll representative started to chuckle. Trolls were simple creatures and the ones least involved in the fighting. They only agreed to this collective because they would get what they promised, a mountain or two to carve. They cared not for land battles or race wars. All they wanted to do was sculpt the earth. Forewin raised an eyebrow at the Troll. “Yur funny,” was all the Troll said. Much like the Tree-Folk, Trolls also seemed to have no gender or name. Truly all they cared about was their sculpting. “You know, I rather agree,” Worq cackled. “I see what you mean though, truly a fascinating style of magic.” Forewin nodded, he knew that the Goblins would be interested. They were, without a doubt, the world’s greatest users of magic. Any type of magic unknown to them raised their curiosity and they couldn’t help themselves but to find out more. “Seems to be an offshoot of creation magic, maybe destruction? No, either one would give off some form of magical residue. You said he doesn’t believe, right?” Worq said aloud. Forewin knew the question was for him, for you cannot become a High Wizard without approval from the Goblins. Forewin answered, “He doesn’t believe that magic is real, no. We thought it was denial, maybe stemming from some childhood incident-” “Much like your own backstory hmm.” Worq cackled. Forewin coughed. “You could say that, yes, but it’s more. He doesn’t see your races. Not due to any stereotype or bad memory, you just don’t exist to him.” Forewin’s words settled on the group. Worq was with one hand copying herself and with the other hand destroying the copy. “What are we gooooing toooo doooo?” Whylet moaned softly. Takee just stared into the night sky. The Troll and the Tree-Folk seemed bored. “Too bad really, Forge is such a good strong name,” growled Ore as she tinkered with a mini-canon.

     “A type of thought? No. Belief magic, I suppose. Oh. Oh yes, I wish to learn more.” Worq’s words got serious, then with one hand wave came 20 copies of herself. “Incredible, as always,” thought Forewin who looked down at his yellow robe. Even using his light magic it took time to bend light to create a copy but Worq made it look so easy. Not to mention no wand in hand. A Goblin using magic without a wand was impressive, but to this caliber? Even he could barely create a ball of light without his staff. Worq floated into the air, landing on a branch above Henrick. Once she was settled, the copies attacked. First fire balls were thrown, but they vanished. Then a stream of water shot towards the sleeping figure, the water along with the copied Goblin that launched it disappeared. The earth shattered and rose in an attempt to smother Hendrick, it was as though it wasn’t there at all. Forewin suddenly understood why Worq had created so many copies, most of them were using sound magic to ensure no noise was made. Forewin made a mental note to never make the Goblins angry. He had never seen this level of magic from them before and suddenly realized in all his interactions with the Goblins,  that they had been holding back. It was a scary thought. Then all of Worq’s copies jumped in unison at Henrick; they all vanished.

     Worq came floating back down beside Forewin. The representatives all stared at her. “No residue, no outright energy,” muttered Worq, yet her eyes shone with intrigue. “Belief magic, never would have thought of something like that.” Worq then turned and shot a huge beam of light at Henrick. The light was blinding. “What are you doing?!” hissed a wide eyed Takee. “The only thing I can think of,” said Worq, “Nothing.” This comment seemed to be the wrong answer to the Elf, who rose higher with dismissive pride. The others weren’t as worried, or at least they didn’t appear so. “If you aren’t going to take this seriously then I will,” Takee hissed before snapping his long fingers twice. From the shadows appeared three Elves. Takee nodded at them but before they were gone, a yawn caused them all to turn.

     Henrick sat up yawning. “Man! Come on body just let me sleep for more than an hour at a time!” Henrick got to his feet slowly. “Every blasted night! I’m always tired!” While complaining Henrick patted the leaves and the dirt from his robes. Then Henrick noticed Forewin and looked ashamed. “Hey there Master Forewin. Umm, look sorry for just running off like that but the lies you lot were telling me…I just don’t want to be a part of some cult you know?” Forewin sighed, “You still think that do you? You can’t see anyone one else here next to me?” Henrick looked around before smiling, “I think old age is playing tricks on you Master-” “Enough!” barked Forewin. He had had enough. All he wanted to do was study and teach magic. This collective and this man had finally gotten through to Forewin’s anger. His angry reply took Henrick aback. “They are real, boy,” growled Forewin as he raised his staff, creating a brilliant ball of light at the tip. The light caused all but Henrick and Worq to shield their eyes.

      “No, they aren’t! You’ve had enough? How do you think I feel?! Having a bunch of robe wearing weirdo’s tell me magic is real or goblins exist. You lot always looked at me like I was crazy, but really it’s you who are crazy!” Henrick stared angrily as Forewin slowly paced towards him and in a calm, rage filled voice said, “Neither of us is crazy, boy, but you have caused enough trouble. I don’t like having to deal with arrogant Elves. I find the way the Owl Tribe speak irritating, yet because of you I’ve had to hear it for weeks! Do I hate them and the other races? No. Do I like them? Most assuredly not.” A face of pure rage stared at Henrick. Henrick’s face was getting redder and redder and he finally screamed, “You don’t have to deal with them because THEY! AREN’T! REAL!” His words carried across the land. As simply as that the Elves, Dwarfs, Owl Tribe, Tree-Folk, and the Goblins vanished. Their homes, their acomplishments, gone. As though they had never been there at all.

     Forewin stared in shock at Henrick. “Boy, you just killed hundreds of thousands of lives.” Forewin was angry no longer, now he was afraid. “Can’t kill what doesn’t exist,” muttered a resentful looking Henrick. “But they did…,” Forewin said softly. “Oh and no, magic isn’t real either,” spat Henrick at his former master. “Boy, you use magic-” Forewin’s weak attempt at talking was immediately interrupted by Henrick’s shout. “Magic isn’t real, AND NEITHER AM I!” Once more Henrick’s words carried across the land. He vanished at the same time as Forewin. So did the rest of the Humans, for they had embraced magic as a way of life. All their magical accomplishments, gone without a trace.

     However, not all life was erased. Scattered throughout the world were tribes of nomadic hunters and scavengers who knew nothing of magic but were resourceful in their own way. For they had just recently, discovered fire.