CHAPTER 1

Footsteps echo in the silence.

A menacing silhouette emerges approaching a lifeless form sprawled on the ground. With ease, the man kneels beside the corpse, and in one swift motion, yanks the blade free. As the dagger leaves the wound, flames erupt from within the corpse and consume it.

The figure puts the knife away inside his robe.

“Is everything ready?” Asked the man in a white-hooded robe.

“Almost,” came a hushed reply from the shadows. “Just a few final preparations.”

Another hooded figure’s fingers twitched nervously. “And the souls? Do we have enough?”

“Yes,” a woman’s voice cut in, sharp and certain. “More than enough.”

A moment of silence fell over the gathering. Then the figure in the shadow spoke again. “We are ready.”

“Then, let’s begin.” Declared a man in a low raspy voice standing in the middle.

A purple light pulsed twice from the center of the circle, exploding outward in a brilliant wave. Consuming the darkness surrounding them instantly. It was replaced by an otherworldly glow that seemed to radiate raw power, transforming the chamber into a realm of ethereal pulsating energy. The gathered figures stood transfixed, their forms mere silhouettes against the intense brilliance.

Ten years later.

“Git back here ya little runt!” Shouted a man while he chased down a black-haired boy along the streets of the market.

It was a bustling marketplace with cobblestone streets and tightly packed stalls, where merchants from local and distant lands hawked their wares. It was loud with all sorts of noise and boisterous shouts inviting people to purchase all sorts of baubles and wares. The air was thick with scents of exotic spices, fragrant herbs, and roasted meats, mixed with the scent of wet dirt, piss, and manure.

“Once I getcha, I’ll make ya wish ya wasn’t born!” boomed the man over the crowd as he kept chasing the little boy. The child could not have been more than ten years of age with wide black eyes. His tiny hands clutched a couple of fruits as he ran with a mix of fear and exhilaration.

The man’s potbelly and wide build kept him from catching up to the kid, as the boy weaved through the stalls with an agility and nimbleness befitting his age. Slipping between the gaps in the crowd and ducking through tables laden with all sorts of different merchandise for sale.

When the boy looked back, he stuck out his tongue and pulled the bottom flap of his eyelids in a taunting manner. As soon as he faced the front, he collided with an armored soldier patrolling the town. Knocking him back, and in a daze, looked to the guard and smiled sheepishly.

“Well, this is awkward,” he said nervously.

The man stopped running, huffing and puffing. He looked at the boy menacingly and grabbed him by the back of his shirt and coat.

“It’s aright officers, I gots it from here.” The vendor said to the guards patrolling, tossed them a copper coin and smiled at them.

“What were ya thinking ya little rascal?” He barked as he dragged the boy by his coat.

“You know, just going out for a morning jog, grabbing a few snacks along the way. You should try it sometime.” The boy remarked.

“Ya coulda gotten yarself arrested! And why would ya take them fruits from that merchant? Ya coulda asked me an I woulda gotten some food for ya.” Oren said.

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“Why does it matter? It’s not like I robbed the royal vault.”

Though that is an interesting thought. Thinking to himself.

Oren laughed. “Ya gots a mouth on ya, kid! But best watch out. I ain’t always gon be here to watch out for ya, ya know?” Oren said as he kept dragging the boy through the market. “What’s important is that ya grow up decent and help others!” Oren kept laughing as he kept dragging the boy through the cobblestone streets of the market.

The boy smirked “Ok, so grow up, be good, and save the world. Right, I’ll get on that.”

Oren gave him a sideways look but chuckled as he dragged him through the market. “One day, ya’ll understand. Now give that back.”

Later that evening…

On the outskirts of town, the boy enters a tent. The tent was nestled in between other makeshift shelters in a community for outcasts, refugees, and others shunned by society. As the sun set, tiny little campfires started to show up to light the campsites. The boy ducks through the narrow flap of the tent on the eastern side of the campsite.

“Mom, I’m home.” The boy trudged over to his mother, who lay propped up on a pile of worn-out blankets. Her face pale, cheeks and eyes sunk in slightly, and as she spoke with a raspy voice.

“Welcome home Isen.” She greeted him despite being barely able to speak.

“You’ve been with the lord’s men again today? What work did they have you do?” Isen’s mom asked.

“You know, same as always,” he muttered, avoiding her gaze. “Fetching buckets of water, shoveling manure in the lord’s stable, carrying firewood…” He approached her slowly. His mom was looking at him with a look of concern.

“What?” He asked stubbornly.

She chuckled and said “Nothing.” She knew her son was lying.

He looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Okay mom. You need to rest; I’ll prepare our food. Oren gave me some fruits that we can eat together.” He said while preparing a stew. As the smell of the stew fills the air, Seraphine’s tense expression softened a bit. Isen handed her a portion of the meal, and they started eating. The moment was small, but it was their moment of peace-mother and son, sharing what little they had.

Meanwhile…

“Maxxyyy!”

“MAXX!”

“MAXIMILLIAN BAYSTORM! If you keep dozing off on this lesson, then I will make you regret it!” Demanded princess Marinel as she slaps her teaching stick down at the desk to wake up a sleepy Maximillian. “And you would not want that to happen, would you?” she asked while grinning.

“N-n-no ma’am, I’m awake ma’am.” Maximillian said with a look of shock, and fear in his eyes.

“Pay attention! This is very important. These are the fundamentals of our magic systems. You need to learn at least this much to be prepared for your entrance exams to the academy,” she explained. “Now, repeat what I said before you went into whatever fantasy world you’ve been to.” She said in a strict tone.

“Mhhhhmm… But Mari, it’s sooo boring… Can’t I just practice sword fighting with Charlie instead?” Maximillian said as he fidgeted in his seat. “I’m not planning on being a mage anyways. I’m going to be a knight. So why would I need to know about spells and magic?” Max added.

Mari sighed. “Max, Viviaen is not just an academy for knights. It is also an academy for mages. As a matter of fact, it is in the top three when it comes to magical studies.”

“But it’s the top academy for knights, and I want to become a knight. Just like Charlie.” Max said.

“Did you know, despite Charlie being the top knight in the academy, he is also second from the top in magical studies in the academy?” Mari said.

“Really?! Who was the first?” Max asked.

Mari smiled. “Me.”

So, prince Maximillian and princess Marinel continued the afternoon studying, and practicing basic magical theories and applications.

The next day…

The door to Maximillian’s room flew open with a resounding bang, startling him from his morning magical study. “Hey Max! Put this on. Let’s go to town!” Charlie exclaimed, tossing a cloak at his brother.

“Charlie?! When did you get back?” Max asked while having a look of surprise and a glint of excitement in his eyes.

“Just last night. It was late, so you were probably asleep already.” He replied. “Come on, let’s go now, I’ll be in meetings with Tristan and Father later this afternoon.”

Max hesitated for a moment, as he looked at his spell book. He remembered the look that Mari had when she threatened him the day before. “Well…” He sighed, “you only live once!” He slammed the spell book shut, threw it on his bed, and put on the cloak. With determination in his eyes, he said, “Let’s go!”

Soon, they find themselves walking about town, browsing about different stores and stalls. All the while, Charlie told stories about his adventures as they strolled about. However, one particular store caught Charlie’s eye. “Hey Max, stay here a bit. I gotta talk to someone.” He goes into the store and talks to the owner, while Max, waiting outside, watches the crowd.

As Max leaned against a wall, he felt a sudden jolt. A boy roughly around his age collided with him. Realizing the boy’s grubby hand was reaching for the inside of his coat, Max’s reflexes kicked in and grabbed the boy’s wrist before he could reach the pouch. “Nice try.” Max hissed, yanking the kid toward him, twisting his wrist and trying to flip him to the ground.

To his surprise, the kid was quick on the uptake and twisted his body. He flipped midair and landed on his feet. His black eyes flickered with mischief as he flashed Max a taunting grin. “Oohh. Almost. Well catch ya later, big guy. Nice form by the way!”

Before Max could react, the boy darted into the crowd and disappeared through the throngs of people like a shadow.

“Little rat.” He muttered to himself, watching as the kid disappeared into the bustling streets.