2 months ago…

The capital of Solarium, Sol the city named after the very God it serves, Solaleo the God of Knowledge, Magic and Justice. A city that shows no expense in boasting its prosperity.

A simple stroll through the roads show shops with high profile products on a pedestal displayed through crystal clear glass, well maintained smooth pathways, and proficiently carved statues at the center of the plazas depicting their God bathed in the sunlight seemingly glowingly as the statue’s silhouette is highlighted.

Somewhere in the capital high up into the higher ring, is a mansion owned by the hoplands. A young man sits in a room blankly staring at an opened book as their tutors' ramblings steadily tune out while they mindlessly tap on the book's pages.

“Young master Sylas, are you listening?”

As if woken from a trance Sylas looked back at the older goat with their ears now perked upwards before it dropped slightly.

“Hm? No sorry, what did you say again?”

The goat sighed and closed the book they’re holding and patted Sylas’ shoulders after getting closer.

“You know, let's finish early. It’s almost time anyway and I’m sure you have things to do. The celebration is starting soon..”

Sylas stretched and unwinded their body while the goat picked up their things from the table in a corner.

Sylas took one last look back at the room, his eyes hovering over the old goat only for a moment with a furrowed brow and scoffed.

All these lessons on theocracy are tiring.

Sylvanus (Sylas) Hopland the youngest of three young lords, unlike most noble families who succeeds the house is not through birthrights. As a house that produces successors with consistent compatibility with magic. Heirs are trained since birth the ways of weaving and theocratic virtues.

A hopland must live in service of their God.

A hopland will never be swayed by temptation.

A hopland must always be victorious, they shan’t kneel to their enemies.

These are a few of the unrealistic virtues that are hammered onto the heirs of Hopland. Not even the women born into the house are safe from these teachings.

Wandering the large manor, Sylas looked outside and saw the plaza decorated with colorful banners and ropes hung with flowing long strips of color in the wind.

Right, it's today. The day my eldest brother returns . Last I heard of him was months ago when he went to lead troops out to take care of Therians trying to get through the border illegally or so they say.

Going down the stairs of the empty manor and went out through the main entrance. The high elevation of the manor allows for ease of seeing the large gate where it is most decorated preparing for the return of the heroes of Sol.

Men holding instruments can be seen lined up on the road holding the horns high. On que the moment the instruments start playing, each one starts glowing before mist-like energy comes out and forms into sparkling dust falling and glorifying the entrance of the magic knights.

The glitter got stuck on the dried blood on the armor of the so-called heroes. Even so, cheers continued as if the crowd was blinded by the still glimmering dust almost covering the blood stains

Seems like brother was successful again as expected.

His brother Lucius was tall and more built compared to Sylas, their body was almost the textbook body of a perfect knight.

Lucius while riding the horse waved his hand to the onlooking crowd, occasionally winking at a few women making them swoon in awe as their eyes turned into an intoxicated expression.

Though Sylas was better at magic than his eldest brother, Lucius’ ability is nothing to scoff at. What they may lack in power they make up with speed.

That face of his is as annoying as ever. How the hell does a house of magic weavers produce that monster?

A servant came from around the corner of the hall spotting Sylas and bowed in front of him and spoke after being acknowledged.

“Young master Sylas, dinner shall be ready soon. Your father has demanded that you join them.”

“… Tell father I will be arriving shortly.”

Great…

***

A family dinner, it is safe to say that in a typical noble family eating dinner all together is a rare but welcome occurrence. The same cannot be said for the Hoplands.

The three brothers sat together on the long table with their father, with the two eldest sitting closest to the current head who was seated at the far end side of the table, Sylas sat in front of the second eldest putting him only two seats away from their father.

Clink, Tap-

The silence makes the sound of utensils hitting the plate more audible adding onto the already dull ambiance. Sylas couldn’t dare to make eye contact with any of his relatives and continues to munch on carrots and cabbage.

A stark contrast to the rest of his family who are eating roasted meat, not a single bit of leafy greens are included in the family's normal diet.

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Sylas tried his best to immerse himself in his meal but not long after he took a few bites on the orange sticks of carrots their father finally uttered a few words.

“How were today’s lessons?”

It was clear who the man was referring to, as such Sylas properly let go of the utensils in both hands and replied.

“It was fine, I learned a lot I guess.”

Their father’s blank glare has always given him and his brothers a feeling of being suffocated. Though his brothers seem to have gotten used to this as they continue to heartily tear apart large portions of meat.

“Is there anything specific you can recall?”

There it is, the usual question… though I barely listened I already prepared some answers that might just be good enough.

“Well if I have to pick then I guess Therians and how different they are. I think the way they use their magic is interesting.”

“…”

The two elder brothers stopped eating upon noticing the atmosphere. The second eldest Jack quickly swallowed and coughed before trying to defuse the situation.

“Father, perhaps what Sylas meant to say is.”

Before he could finish he was interrupted by a hand raised, ordering him to stop.

“Different isn’t quite the word I would use, but yes their magic is quite blasphemous.”

This comment made Sylas wince slightly and furrow his brow, but he tried his best not to make his disappointment obvious. Their Father took a drink from his cup before continuing.

“Unlike Therians, we who serve and swear loyalty on Solaleo are granted the ability to use real magic. Not at all like how those brutes would defile it, forcing it through their vines...”

The old man’s face contorts into a look of disgust as if recalling an unpleasant memory.

“To use a God’s gift like that… tch , heretics. One should handle any matters related to magic with utmost care. Well what can we expect from heretics who worship an evil god.”

“You said it father, Unbaptized heretics shouldn’t even be allowed to use God’s gift, especially not in such a savage manner but alas.” Lucius chuckled as he continued dining without a care.

“Ahaha~ right?! You agree, right? Sylas?” Jack nervously looked at Sylas as he did an awkward laugh.

“... How can they? We barely treat them like people in sol in the first place...” Sylas whispered to himself.

The old man’s eyebrows raised as his sharp hearing picked up the words and wanted to chastise him for speaking back but was unable to as Sylas quickly stood up from his chair and walked out. “I’ll get going now, I have something to do.” he said before slamming the door shut.

“Seriously, what is that boy’s problem?!” he shouts as a vein appears popping out of his forehead from rage.

“Father please, cut him some slack he just needs a little more guidance is all.” Jack says in an attempt to calm his father.

“Jack is right, I’ll take care of my precious little brother like usual. You should rest father.”

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you then Lucius, I will return to my quarters. Have the maids clean the table after you finish eating.”

***

Unable to bear staying in the mansion any longer, Sylas grabbed a hood and took off any valuables like jewelry on his person other than a bag of coins containing a few hundred silver coins in case they wanted to go shopping while out on a walk.

They put it inside their sling bag and locked it with the belt holding the flap of the bag. He then flipped the cloak onto himself and stuffed his ears that were pointing up inside the hood.

Sylas then locks the door, and takes out a rope made of bed sheets he has been accumulating discreetly in his locked wardrobe and carries it to a window he opens.

Being on the second floor of the mansion the drop was relatively unsafe to jump off of even for his brother Lucius who can use magic to soften his fall.

He took out his staff which is still shrunk so it resembles a wand, he created five luminescent strings which struck at different points until it all tied together creating a glowing anchor point under the window which he ties the bedsheets to.

After throwing down the rope, he stepped out the window and felt the strong winds almost taking off his hood. He then slowly descended holding onto and stepping on the large knots in between for a more secure descent, finally reaching the bottom slightly out of breath.

“Phew~ ok.”

He then points his wand at the magical anchor point flicking their hand making it disperse as the rope falls from the window and at the same time shutting it close, almost as if no one had just climbed out of the room.

Since they didn't want to be caught by any servants in the mansion, Sylas went out through the backyard crawling behind bushes until reaching the main gate where he saw two guards. Shifts seem to be changing soon as one guard nods to the other before the former leaves.

There weren’t any more trees or bushes from this point so they casually walked towards the gate as Sylas recognised the emblem on the first knight’s armor. Face softening to become less tense as if seeing a friend.

“Young master Sylas, what are you doing here?”

A familiar face, Bernard, a dogfolk guard that has been serving our house for at least a majority of my life. He’s quite young for his position, being a major at the age of 25 is no easy feat. He removed his helmet, revealing his short white hair and his face wrinkled from fatigue.

“Let me through Bernard, I'm only going for a walk. I will return before sundown.”

The knight’s ears drooped slightly as they held firm in their position not moving from the gate. They looked around scanning for anyone who could possibly eavesdrop into their conversation using their sharp senses.

“Sneaking out again? You know we aren’t kids anymore, You can get in far worse trouble Sy! At least let me come with.” he whispered discreetly.

“I’ll be fine, I can take care of myself.”

Sylas went ahead pushing through and releasing the locks of the gate ignoring Bernard’s worries and throwing the hood back on and covering his face in shadow. Taking the stairs into the lower tiers of Sol. The difference between the middle and lower rings weren’t too different but the houses were less extravagant.

***

Occasionally while walking through road Sylas will see a few Therians strolling through the street but it was obvious how cautious most of them are with how they avoid as much as accidentally bumping into anyone in the streets. While welcome into Sol it was obvious there was something much more sinister hidden under it all.

This obviously had an effect on Sylas considering his most recent interaction with his father, further adding onto his already low opinion of his father. Today in particular though it seemed therians in the city were much more on edge probably from hearing from the news of what happened at the border and the distasteful glorification of the events.

Still walking around somehow ending up in a less populated part of the middle ring, something caught his ears. Low pitched pained moans from somewhere, causing him to peak around the corner of a nearby alleyway. Noticing claw marks on the way from the corner before entering.

“Oh gods!” alarmed, Sylas shouts after seeing a person collapsed on the ground motionless apart from light breathing.

“What happened here?” Sylas’ muttered, checking her for wounds, noticing bite marks and cuts. It was immediately obvious that a therian would be responsible for these types of wounds.

“h-help...” The sheep muttered weakly.

“I’m here to help, hold still.” Gently lowering her body and taking out his staff that enlarged as he started casting a spell.

The woman was trying to say something to Sylas, but he was too engrossed in his concentration to notice the threat from behind brandishing their claws. Just as they were about to be jumped, a shiver crept up their neck making them dodge at the last second cutting their nape and at the same time dropping their staff upon landing.

“WOAH!”

A dark leopard therian snarled at the rabbit, eyes glowed red, sharp fangs peaked out from their jaw as the leopard's saliva dripped from its mouth. Looking down at their battered and wrecked clothes stained with blood, whether it was theirs or the sheep didn't matter to Sylas as right now all he could think of was avoiding its relentless attacks.

“RAGH!” The enraged Leopard once again launched itself towards Sylas’ reaching for their neck as Sylas dove to the side making the beast hit the wall instead causing a similar gash like the ones scattered in the darkalley.

The beast followed up with another strike which Sylas narrowly avoided spreading his leg while he moved backwards to safety fumbling to grab his staff while the leopard continued to slash at him with no regard to anything else other than the escaping rabbit that's only narrowly escaping their attacks as small cuts and wounds littered the thin legs.

The therian did one last powered up slash slamming down just missing Sylas before abruptly stopping as if to catch their breath giving the shakened rabbit enough time to jump for his staff and aim at the out of control beast.

The magic strings weaved to form a bolt of lightning that shot at his aggressor, with a bright spark the streak of light crackled indiscriminately bouncing on the wall as it all collected onto the therian. The black figure spasmed under the force of the crackling lightning almost kneeling from the pain.

“RRGHN! Y-YOU!” Struggling to speak, the leopard persevered, slowly stepping closer and closer to Sylas who was continuously shooting out bolt after bolt. It wasn’t enough as the leopard had now pinned him down causing him to let go of his staff while sharp claws pierced his clothes, and in front of his face were large pointed canines dripping down with mucus landing on his cheek.

The leopard took a deep sniff before exhaling, the heat of the breath hitting the side of their face causing uncontrollable shivers slowly making Sylas go into a panicked state. The leopard caught wind of his scent, detecting a familiar odor that they could never forget.

“You smell… like that Hare. You both smell similar, you must be related to him.”

“H-hare?” The dots started connecting as he realized that this therian was probably one of the therians who somehow escaped his brother at the border.

“Everything… I lost everything.” Tears started flowing down from the once angry beast, now showing a face filled with grief and emptiness. “Then wont it be just fair if I take something from him too?”.

Sylas’ eyes widened as his neck was now inches away from being ripped out by the grieving man's jaws. Time almost seemed to have stopped, as they helplessly looked down at the fangs about to clamp on to his throat. A stream of memories flashed as he is reminded of the sins his house has committed up till now, that of which was coming back to bite him in the worst way he could possibly think of.

Just as he was about to accept his fate, he felt the teeth touch him but not clamp. Rather staying there as he wondered what happened. The rest of the body also collapses under him as he sees his brother Lucius holding a sword with trickles of red. Trembling eyes looked down at the body with its head now missing after his brother kicked both of it and the body off him with a look as if he was looking at trash like what he killed wasn’t a person.

“Sylas! Are you ok?!”

There was a ringing in Sylas’ and all the sounds were muffled while his brother carried him, his eyes were still locked onto the severed head from shock, unable to process what happened. He shifts his focus to the sheep he was trying to save and is sent into despair to find that she was also struck by his haphazard use of magic, killing her.

“You could have gotten killed! If Bernard hadn’t told me you were going out… Oh look at this, your hair is a mess and you have cuts everywhere. No worries, let’s get you home. Back where you belong.”

His brother took him out of the dark alleyway, completely disregarding the two corpses as if they weren't there as it slowly left his field of view. A month after recovering in the mansion, Sylas took whatever he could get and ran away.