A week earlier
Eugene had been scrambling around the large house, scurrying down the open spiral staircase, a leather travel bag in hand, his suit disheveled and in need of straightening out.
"Shit... Taiga have you see the rest of the forms?! If I don't have them then I can't get this job..." he said starting to panic before finally looking in up seeing her sitting at the island table with a cup of coffee and the forms sitting beside a cup for him
Eugene sighed as he took the cup and slowly drank from it.
"You have about an hour and half to make it to the carriage." Taiga reminded him not looking at him
"I'm trying to get you back in the academy Taiga. Please. Just give me a little more time. I'll fix it, promise." He assured but she still seemed to not care for what he said as she looked his way only partially
"Better get going. Don't want to be late." She retorted but stopped herself as she set down her cup "Just be sure you come back safe." She added speaking a little more softly
Now standing she retreated back to the second the floor and slammed her door shut.
Eugene sighed again, annoyed with himself. He couldn't understand, he was working hard to keep her school and make sure she could at least have a future. Even if she didn't favor magic heavily, she could still make a name for herself. Being in the graces of the guild like Juno Tower would improve her odds of acceptance, that is if she graduated first. If he graduated himself then he too could get better work and finally have some time to spend with Taiga.
This seemed to stop him in his place as the reality of late started to sink in. But he couldn't think about that right now was he gathered his paperwork and left without another word. He was always seemingly on the move, never late for anything and always there early or right on time. not to the type to waste his time on nonsense. Juni seemed to get him to slow down, Taiga actually was hanging out with someone for a change, He had even seen Akina around more as she trained them both in their off time. That was all before the attack..
Three years ago the capital was attacked by an unknown group of Dark Mages. The Royal guard was quick to dismiss it as rogue adventurer's who didn't have a guild. but a lot of people still died that day, their parent's among the victims claimed. It had all stemmed from a simple rights issue originally, an undiscovered Aura Crystal vein bordering the territory's of Terra Spire and Castle Tsukuyomi. Both territories having ravaged by countless battles and wars over the centuries left massive gashes and scars on the land exposing new ore deposits and Aura crystal's as well even a few undiscovered and undocumented dungeons. Their parents among the supporters of Terra Spire when during the debate, an explosion was triggered. A dozen or so were killed in the and a hundred or more injured from the fire and rubble. The explosion itself traced to an aura crystal that had been attuned for it's fire properties and attached to a self constructed explosive device. The Royal guard had attempted to apprehend the bomber but were consumed by some kind venom that prevented them from captured they had injected themselves with.
Eugene dropped out of the Academy around two years ago, that was around the time Taiga had started to become more distant. Akina had stopped coming by her shop in the capital, working at another of her ice cream parlor's over in a village to the west from what he had heard. Then last year Taiga herself had all but dropped out, as she barely attended classes, nor had she kept up with her own magic or sword skills. But in truth it was because they were so behind on bills; the tuition alone was drowning the both of them, having to buy groceries for both of them, upkeep and bills for their parent's house. Eugene had taken over most of all of this to keep them afloat and stave off them falling out of a home and school and keep his promise to always take care of his sister. But now he was driving away his sister and was going to lose the house if he couldn't make this last payment.
'Akina, forgive me of my foolishness..' Eugene thought to himself as the wagon lurched forward getting a move on and snapping him out of his thoughts of the last few years
Awhile later...
Taiga now found herself wandering the academy grounds. Having gone to the inner most capital on many occasions with her family, as well as having the privilege to attend the royal mage academy she knew many of the place's by heart, it was her home. Though ever since their parent's died for her she had only seen Eugene take more responsibility upon himself.
The fall holiday's were a week out now and the students would dismissed. Just in time for the upcoming Grand Magic Tournament, then the winter holiday. Exams were just winding down, now was the last week for any potential retakes or revisions. Students were in a hurry to get to their last classes of the day.
'Juni will be too busy studying or in the practice stadium.'
As she rounded the corner she spotted a group of boys she recognized well, Takashi and his gangoons. Other lower class nobles born into the capital, much like her own family. Takashi was roughing up a boy around their age who looked like he'd crawled out some cave.
"You damn commoners cant just mind your own business?! Why must come around here begging for scraps like always?!" Takashi shouted as he raised his fist again
"Hey!! You gotta start something every damn time with someone?!" Taiga shouted in his direction immediately marching his way clenching her own fist
"He started it! He's just gutter rat who cant mind his own business, much like you can't." Takashi said not caring as he continued to shake the boy by the scuff of his torn shirt
The other two boys didn't see it coming until it was too late as Taiga bashed their heads together hard before tossing them to the ground, cracking her knuckles as she sucker punched Takashi, sending him sprawling into the ground as she helped the boy he had been picking on.
"You crazy bitch! My father will hear about this!" Takashi threatened her picking himself up as he bled from his nose, his tow gangoons picking themselves up as well groaning in pain
"And tell him what? A little girl beat you up for picking on some homeless kid? You sure sound like a Duke's son alright." Taiga retorted as they all three scurried off
The boy she had helped looked on her with large curious eyes.
"I know you..." He muttered causing Taiga to snap her gaze to him immediately
"What did you just say?" Taiga whispered in shock as he remained silent and almost like a statue
"Your eyes... I, know them." He said softly
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Juni couldn't respond or think of what to say, standing there just stunned in silence.
"What the hell is going on? Who is he?" She asked finally
"He's... why I'm here." She said exhaling "You used to talk about that Water Dragon or something or other in your hometown." Taiga added as Juni gave her that look
"She's in the fishing town to the south. Wait, why come to me?" Juni started to recall before asking why Taiga was this far out from the capital "Why not just go to my father?" She asked as well
The boy now letting go of Taiga as he limped over to Juni as he studied her eyes. Juni a little confused by this. Taiga herself sighing in frustration and defeat. But now she too could see it, this boy's eyes, a pale blue with black slits.
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"You... have those eyes." He said slowly as Juni was now wide eyed at this, his voice slow and deep, like he was just learning how to speak
"Who are you... really?" She asked again still wanting to learn more
"I am... Aaron. My mind, I can't. Remember much." He said his hand on his head as he struggled to think
As Juni looked on still in disbelief. She could feel a link to him, like Taiga and her brother. As well as Cole himself now.
"Perhaps I can be of some help?" Tigress' voice spoke cracking the awkward silence
Taiga immediately drawing her sword and having it aimed at Tigress' neck. But her hands were shaking causing the blade to quiver.
"My my, temper temper. You shouldn't be swinging around a weapon you aren't prepared to use." Tigress said as he delicately pushed the tip of the blade away
Juni the most irritated by her presence.
"You don't want your father involved. And I'm not supposed to be here." Tigress reminded her as Juni merely groaned in frustration "Clock's ticking." She reminded the three smiling to herself still
"Fine! Just, tell them what you can. I'll be by town in a day or two." Juni said finally giving in "Taiga... you can trust her." She now added holding onto Taiga's shoulders
Taiga truly at a loss herself. Since they'd met, Juni had always been the quiet and reserved kind, always in the library studying or out on the practice field honing her skills. The two of them got along even less when they were assigned the same dorm, but after getting in each other's way enough they became friends by their third year. If Juni was saying this woman could be trusted. It would be enough for Taiga.
"Aaron. We'll find her..." she softly as she took his arm again as he looked her way with big curious eyes but seemed to understand as he gave a small nod
"I give you my word. No harm will come to them while I am around." Tigress assured Juni as she disappeared with Taiga and the boy
Juni sighed again. This not being how she thought her day would go. She quickly hurried back to the others. Her father would soon be here inspecting the area himself no doubt. He could feel when something or someone wasn't from around here. That boy, Aaron, she knew him from somewhere.
She could feel the sun on her skin, sand in her hair, the sound of crashing waves. She could feel the joy of being surrounded by those who understood. Like she was apart of something. The bonfire burned as a group all split in pairs sat around and watched. Celebrating a day of nothing in particular, the way the moon shined down. Everything about this setting felt like a dream...
She came too unaware of what had just happened. It felt like a memory, she couldn't tell whose it was. It felt like her own, but not truly hers. These were someone else's memories...
Finally popping out of the alley, she found her mother and Cole and his companions were now outside the ice cream shop and just chatting.
"Sorry! Karina was fitting a dress." Juni lied playing it off, her tone seemingly casual yet slightly irritated
"Oh it's alright. I insisted we get something. I suggested ice cream." Cole said covering for her as he looked her way, Xylia still having an uneasy feeling about so much
Once again Juni was caught off by Cole, how would know of ice cream. But she put that away for the moment.
"So what type of magics do you three use? I've met a few elves. They mostly serve in the Royal court, though I have heard quite few families of Elven descent have joined the guilds." Juni said as she sat down at last
"Well I'm more of a healer. My combative magic is limited to Wind. Though I am not above defending myself. As a Healer I have duty to preserve life. But those that will do harm and are beyond reason shall be punished." Faye explained as she was careful but grim
"My magic is more tailored to a solo. I have a wide range of types and elements, though it's more secondary. My true strength in my sword skills." Iris explained next "It's also quite taxing using too many elemental types. Though it's taxing even for the best. Unless you're innately born with two or more affinities. Generally speaking." She added matter of factly
Juni had studied this plenty. Her own father had a unique magic that absorbed different elements. Her own magic was an extension of Earth magic. While her mother used Ice magic to a degree.
"As for me... well it's complicated." Cole said as he leaned back some thinking about it
"Try me." Juni said bluntly leaning forward some, a little more confident and bold with her statement
"Juni! You shouldn't pry." Xylia lectured her
"It's alright. I don't mind." Cole assured her as he looked at Juni now
He thought on this hard. He wasn't sure how to explain it.
"Have either of you heard of the Phoenix? An old legend. It was said they were present all over when the gods were still in this realm. Some say they never existed all. Though they're said to appear in times of great distress, like an omen of hope. Only revealing themselves to one who has truly lost hope but still has that fire to go on in their heart." He expanded upon telling them a tale
Juni the most curious and enthralled with this information. She had torn through every volume of Oronia's history she could get her hands on without sneaking into the restricted section of the Academy's library. Only ever seeing brief passages and notes mentioning the Phoenix seldomly, but it was as he said, the great birds were extinct. Xylia had never been much of a believer so to speak, but these sounded like fairy tales, children stories. These surely couldn't be true. Then again, Rin had opened her eyes to the hard truths and origins of magic when he had first trained her. It all sounded too good to be true.
"I posses a sort of, Ancient magic. At its core it's fire magic. But more, primordial. Only a few others in history have been able to use this magic. It's said to trace back to before the great scattering." Cole explained giving some hint to his magic though Xylia was the most confused by the last statement
"I... read about that somewhere in the great library. Though little was said, the only place that would have that kind of information would be the private libraries of the royal family and the restricted section of the academy." Juni now said trying to think of where she'd heard this mentioned
"It refers to when a number of great ships setting sail into the unknown from the land of Eden." Faye added smiling softly "
"Clearly some of the ships found somewhere to settle." Iris joked some
Xylia the most taken aback by all this. She'd never known the truth to this capacity. She had attended school and learned the history of the land, had gone to church when she was younger. But for her this was all still so new. The world of magic was truly something else, but just as well her own world was so much smaller compared to what lay beyond the sea and wall of fog. It truly was mind boggling.
"But my various weapons act as focuser's. I'm not as skilled with raw magic. It's more difficult for me to handle." Cole finished his explanation as he sat back up
Juni was amazed by Cole's magic even more. She'd never heard of ancient magic before. Xylia could still tell there was something Cole still wasn't saying.
"Will there be anything else?" A woman now asked as she approached the table holding a serving platter
"I could go for another." Cole said order another order the ice cream he'd gotten
"I'll just have Whatever he ordered then." Juni said not really minding but then her eyes finally saw their server
She had bright red hair and hazel eyes. The fire Cole had described was engulfing this woman's aura. She and Cole could both no doubt use this ancient magic. There was still something Cole was hiding about his magic.
Soon the group was back home after a little more time out.
"We'll probably need to start scouting come morning. Though I'll need my whole team." Cole said to Rin now as his team had returned to the clan's encampment
"That should be alright. My daughter will escort you to the Village of Misty. But if you'll excuse me. I have matters of my own to attend to." Rin answered as he stood heading back to his own family now
Cole, Iris and Faye now joined the clan for dinner as they fascinated them with tales of Eden.
Meanwhile...
Juni had just finished the last of dishes and was about to slip away to her room.
"And where do you think you're going?" Rin's voice said cracking the silence as Raiden and Xylia were busy in the backyard playing
Juni grunted to herself as she let go of her door handle. He was sitting in his usual spot with a book in hand now, but now setting it aside and turning his attention towards her.
"Alright. What did I not do this time?" She asked as she sat down ready for a lecture
"It's not what you didn't do this time." He said repeating her "It's about what you did. You hid two outsiders. Though you were not aware of the arrangement with Cole's companion and myself. You still know better." He explained further
"I panicked! My old classmate showed up. I wasn't sure what to do. Then Cole's partner butted in. A boy needed healing." She said being honest
"Still not what I'm upset over. I would've at least given you a chance to explain yourself. I know my own reputation. So don't assume you know me better than I do." He said being honest with her
For a brief moment, Juni could feel a chill hit her. Nothing magical about it, just his words alone seem to stop her thoughts completely in her tracks, as she was no longer a prodigy mage trainee, she was a little girl again.
"More importantly, I'm upset you didn't think you could trust me. That you needed to deliberately go behind my back. I may not know everything about you, but I still care about you, and those that share your bond." He exposited on as well
Juni knew he was right. She couldn't admit it. She didn't think it through. She hated when things got complicated, when she thought she could finally do a little good, do something all on her own. But here she was, a half baked planned and not thinking anything through.
"You can escort Cole and his party to the village tomorrow. Make sure your friend and that boy are okay. Have Tigress escort them here when they're okay to travel. I'll evaluate them and test their aptitude." Rin said comprising with her
"Understood... sir." Juni said defeated
"Take what you've done today, and learn something from it. Reflect on it, and tomorrow be better. You're an exceptional mage with a brilliant mind." He said finishing now "Go get some rest. And hey, no matter what. I love you Juni." He said stopping her as she listened to this
"I love you too dad. Goodnight." She said simply after a long moment of silence and gave a soft smile as she returned to her room
Soon Raiden was put down for the night as it was now just Rin and Xylia. Rin himself standing in the backyard now looking off to the forest where his clan resided. So much had changed.
"You are thinking about something I'm not going to like." She said as she wrapped her arms around him managing to sneak up on him for a change
"I am indeed." He said holding her close now "The appearance of these four means what I've long suspected is true." He added
Xylia could feel worry rising up in her. Rin himself sensing this fear welling up in her again.
"Conflict is not something we should fear or shy away from. Conflict forces evolution. For better or worse. It depends on the actions of those involved. We cannot turn back the clock. We can't stop those we care about from getting hurt. But we can make a difference even with the simplest of choices." Rin explained to her being honest
She didn't want to hear this. But she needed to. She could feel it, but she didn't want to believe it. She wanted to hold this feeling of peace she'd come to find. Exhaling deeply as she rested her head in Rin's chest as he ran his fingers though her hair.
"Have hope my love. I know you still have fight in your heart. You don't give up so easily." Her husband assured her now as she was comforted by this
For now she would believe his words and keep his advice. He was generally right with his judgment, that much was still true. But she couldn't deny a gnawing feeling that something was going to happen. What or when she couldn't see, like a glimmer of the future to come...
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