#4 Life Stages

Encantado generally have three periods of time in their life. We live as old as we wish, and the time periods are not defined by age, rather by state of being. We call the stages or time periods: Youth, Coming of Age, and Accountability. My grandfather defined the stages and set the parameters that each fall under.

Youth is the time before you come of age, which is spent in study and observance. This is the time where you learn the way the world works, ours and the surface world. It is the time where you learn how your powers work, and how to use them.  And, it is the time to learn and memorize the rules of the society. The rules the Elders put in place to govern our race.

Then you come of age. Once you come of age, you make your oath. After the oath is made life is far less strict. You leave the school, and choose or are given a home in the city. Then you are allowed to live as you please, as long as you follow the rules of society. You can visit the surface world, stay in our world, travel between the two, and pretty much do as you please. I am in this stage.

The third stage of life for the Encantado is the age of accountability. This is an age where you have either stopped progressing, or have come to find no more enjoyment in life. At this point, you choose service or death to allow new life. During this third stage inhabitants work in the city hall a minimum amount of time each week, and the rest of the time is spent however the individual chooses, although most pursue the study of our race, and development of it. If at any time you wish to allow new life through your death, you can make that choice, otherwise you continue serving for eternity. It has proven to be an efficient system.

I sigh, “An eternity of service,” I think this somewhat bitterly. There are very few choices among my race, at least none of consequence. I have reached the outer gate, and look once more over my shoulder at the city. It is beautiful. I can’t help but see the hall and all of its splendor, and dread the day I have to make that choice.