Everything was different after that night. Once the next day arrived, the atmosphere was off. The air was heavy, the sky was dark with clouds, everyone clearly affected by the loss of a great man. Word had spread quickly the next morning about the death of Magnus Steele. A representative from the Capital had set up the hologram in the town square, ready to broadcast the ceremony for Zephares’ father. The device that would project the hologram was a large grey box with a blue dome at the center. It was something very few citizens in this town had seen.
The people had gathered, lining the outer edges of the square while Zeph and his mom were closer to the projector. Everyone that had come was dressed in black, showcasing how much Magnus meant to Prodon. Nercostes was lying down next to Zeph, his head and neck leaning lightly against Zeph. Nercostes could feel his Ajaiyi’s grief for Magnus, and while the Dragon would miss the man- he had lost someone who had grown to become a mentor to him. Draven, Magnus’ Ajaiyi. Draven had been there for Nercostes when he first arrived in this world since he was nothing but a youngling at the time. Draven always knew how to help Nercostes when he was learning how to be a good Ajaiyi. Even when the Dragon became much bigger than him and they had begun training, Draven was there.
A small humming was heard, shaking Nercostes from his memories and the hologram came to life, projecting high above the crowd. The King, dressed in a blue and gold robe with sparkling jewels was shown standing on a large balcony. Below the balcony was a pedestal with a large wooden box, covered in flowers and ribbons of blue and gold.
Zeph finds it hard to look at the hologram. Watching this funeral would force him to accept the truth. His gaze is focused hard on the ground, not able to look anywhere else without seeing the look of pity. Even without making eye contact he can feel it. But he feels a set of eyes on him to his right, one that brings him comfort. Behind the crowd, stands Rayzil with Soren standing on her back. He wants to be up there with his friend, and Rayzil wants to be with her brother.
Earlier that morning, Lyra had come to Rayzil to deliver the news of Magnus and Draven’s passing. When she told Soren, he immediately wanted to go to him. But Lyra told them to wait, that Zeph didn’t need to be swarmed right now. Reluctantly he listened. He would help his friend once things settled. Soren’s dad was in a similar line of business as security for hire, so he knew there was always a possibility it could be him standing there while the town mourns. And he knew he would also want to be left alone. Eventually, the buzz of a microphone was heard, and the voice of The King followed.
“My people of Astrico. Today we come together, to mourn the loss of a great hero. Five days ago, there was an attempt on my life. An assassin from Uraison had been sent to sneak into the palace. There goal was to leave our glorious country weak and open for an attack.” The crowd starts to whisper amongst each other. Worry evident on their faces, hopeful war would not see these lands like 200 years ago. “But before he was able to make it to my chambers, Magnus and Draven intercepted him. But what he did not know is that not one, but three had been sent. They were outnumbered and even then, they killed every last one. But their wounds were too great, and they perished. These two brave souls will never be forgotten. Magnus Steele leaves behind his wife Nova Steele, and their son, Zephares Steele. My people of Astrico, let us show these two that although they are suffering from a great loss- they are not alone. Show them your appreciation for Magnus’ sacrifice. Show them your love.” The crowd starts to cheer, an attempt to show the mother and son, just how much they care for them. But Zephares doesn’t care. He doesn’t need or want their love. He’d rather have his dad. “And most importantly, let us show Uraison that they cannot tear us apart. They cannot harm us. For if they try something again, it will assure their death.”
Once the King had finished speaking, he nods down towards the coffin. Two canines that look to be made of fire walk up and stop a few feet away from the pedestal. They both point their noses into the air and release a mournful howl. The two showing their own grief for the loss of a fellow Ajaiyi. After their own tribute to the heroes, they unleashed fire onto the coffin. It bursts into flames; the flowers and ribbons vanishing almost instantly. The King then speaks for one final time. “Let us pray for these two souls and their journey together to Velhara, where they will meet our Gods and be welcomed as heroes.” The hologram stays on for a few more minutes before shutting off. The crowd starts to disperse, but Rayzil doesn’t move.
Soren notices Zeph turn towards his mother, telling her something before he climbs onto Nercostes, and he takes off into the air. Soren goes back to the ground and they make their way over to Nova and Lyra. Soren places his hand on her shoulder and speaks. “I’m so sorry Mrs. Steele. I know there’s nothing I can really say or do to make this better but, if you ever need any help, my family and I will be there.” She looks at him and smiles, eyes bloodshot from crying. “Thank you Soren. That means the world to me. I will be ok, eventually. It’s Zeph I’m worried about. He and his father used to butt heads like crazy, but they were always close. Closer than I ever was to him.” She looks off into the distance as her eyes start to glaze over.
A rumble is heard signifying that a storm is coming. Soren starts to grimace before speaking again. “I’ll watch after him. Keep him being the Zeph we know and love. I’ll go fly with Rayzil and meet up with him. I have an idea as to where he went.” She nods at him before looking at Lyra who flies off in the direction of her house. She looks back at Soren and hugs him tightly and walks off to follow her Ajaiyi. He starts to feel some drops fall on his face, the speed of the rain slowly picking up before it becomes a downpour. Soren walks over to Rayzil and climbs onto her back, and she too takes to the sky.
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There are only two places Zeph would go if he wanted to get away. The Sylvan Lake was the first place he thought of, but they only went there to train and he had a feeling that was the last thing on his mind. That left only one other spot. They had discovered a cliff on the Silverstone Peaks that looked out over the whole town, the sprawling plains that extended past Prodon, and the very lake they train at.
Soren and Rayzil found it more difficult than they anticipated flying through this rain. It has made it more difficult for them to see, even with some practice flying through difficult weather, but nothing was going to stop them. Eventually Soren spotted the cliff side the two had visited many times. Zeph was seen sitting on the edge with his legs hanging over the side. He notices Nercostes is sitting next to Zeph with his wing hovering over him to shelter Zeph from the rain. Rayzil lands gently on the ground behind the two and Soren dismounts. He walks slowly over to his friend before taking a seat next to him, dangling his legs over the side as well. Rayzil joins him and copies her brother’s actions. Zeph doesn’t look at Soren when he takes a seat and Soren doesn’t say anything. The both of them just sit in silence.
It feels like an eternity before Zeph breaks the silence. “Thank you.” That’s all he says, not having the energy to say or do anything else. A sad smile appears on Soren’s face before he takes a glance at his best friend. “Anytime buddy.” The quartet stays on the cliff until the sun begins to set again, not a word being spoken for the rest of the day. With the events that occurred that week, the boys would be thrown into a new era. Graduation was nearly at their front door. Soren was on the cusp of turning 18, and bootcamp was so close they could almost reach out and touch it.
The next few weeks flew by despite the tragedy, and before they knew it, they had walked across the stage officially graduated. Soren hadn’t caused any more trouble since the death if Magnus in an attempt to make the past few weeks easier for Zeph. But today was special for another reason. Today was Soren’s birthday. His parents were going to make a big dinner to celebrate, and Zeph and his mom would be attending. Zeph was slowly acting like his normal self, but his mom had become sparse. She was working extra hours at her job, having to pull more weight since Magnus’s passing. Zephares had offered to get a job as well to help out, but she refused, telling him he needed to focus on going to the Capital because they would leave not long after graduation.
Currently, Soren and his dad were setting up the large table that everyone would sit at for dinner. Rayzil was helping Eloise cook outside, using her fire to make the process quicker and Kellan would carry the finished meals to another table that had been set up. After the table and benches were set, Soren sees his best friend walking in the distance, his mother and Ajaiyi following close behind. Zephares and Soren were both wearing their graduation uniforms made up of a dark green linen undershirt with a black leather vest and brown pants. Once the two made it up to the house Nercostes walks over to Rayzil offering his assistance. Once dinner is ready and everything is set, the two boys rush over to the line off food and fill their plates.
Soren and Zeph take their seats at the table. Nova sits across from the two, Eloise joins her while James takes a seat to his son’s left. Soren takes a bite of the chicken leg on his plate and turns to Zeph with a mouth full of food “So are you ready to head off to the Capital? I know I am. Man, I can’t wait to start training! What do you think training will be like? Think we’ll make any friends?” Zeph looks at him with disgust and puts a hand in his face. “If you talk any faster you may end up choking. You’re an adult now so act like it.” Soren glares at him but listens anyway and swallows. “To answer your many questions; yes, I am ready, training will be hard, and we probably won’t have time for friends.” Soren rolls his eyes at his last comment and continues to stuff his face.
Nova turns her attention to the boys, pride shining in her eyes. The two didn’t know each other before their journey to the Prismalith. But after their Ajaiyi came through the Dragons wanted to find each other. So when the boys finally went to school 3 months later, the twins strayed off from their Veisha on their first day. Once the siblings found each other, they waited until their Veisha arrived, and the rest is history. When her son goes to the Capital, she has faith he will be a greater man than even his father. She just wishes he was here to guide him. Things would be much easier if Magnus were still here.
The night eventually comes to a close. Nova and Zephares help clear the table and the remaining food is devoured by the Ajaiyi, even after they already had their meals. Nova hugs Soren’s parents, thanking them for the meal. She walks over to Soren, wishes him a happy birthday and starts to make her way back home, Lyra flying steadily beside her. Zephares goes to follow his mom, but Soren grabs his arm before he can “Hey, how’s your mom doing?” Zeph gives her a glance before responding “As good as she can when the love of her life is dead.” Soren looks at Zeph apologetically, instantly regretting the question. Zeph sighs “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like that. Everyday gets a little better. But it’s still fresh. She’s working more so she’s exhausted. I don’t know what to do.” “All you can do is be there for her, and I’ll be there for you. But hey, we leave for the Capital in a few days. Our dreams are almost a reality. You’ll make your dad proud.” A smile crawls onto Zeph’s face, and he claps a hand onto Soren’s shoulder. “You’re right, we’re almost there. We’ll be the best Steorra Guardsmen they’ve ever seen.” “We are going to do great things Zeph. I can feel it.” Zephares golden eyes start to shine for the first time since his father died. Zeph turns to Soren’s parents and thanks them for the meal before calling to Nercostes and making their way home.
