Chapter 3
It Starts Like This: Part 3
During his long campaign to conquer the Shatter Realm, Abaddon acquired many concubines that bore his children. All of whom share identical traits, Hair as dark as night and deep crimson eyes the man standing before him, was no exception.
Abaddon staggers backward. The realization that he had to pretend to be one of his children’s children was almost too much to bear.
“I guess you still haven’t recovered.” Aiden places his hand on Anna’s head to check her temperature. “You don’t have a fever, but you should probably return to bed.” After a quick examination, Aiden waves Anna away and grabs Aaron, practically dragging him out of the house.
“W-wait.” Aaron reached out to Anna, who was still in a daze. “I think sis wants to come with me!” Aiden stops and looks back at his daughter snapping her out of her stupor.
“Did you forget our previous conservation?” Aiden’s glare returned a memory that shouldn’t exist in Abaddon’s mind. A memory of Aiden belittling his daughter’s weak constitution and her incompetence at magic. “Look at you. The day just started, and you’re barely able to stand You’re unfit to become a mage.”
“Unfit?” Cocks her head amuse. “I’ll show you not only am I fit to be a mage I’m overqualified.” Anna claps her hands together, concentrating the mana in her body into her palms. Slowly, she separated her hands, revealing a small ball of fire hovering in the air.
Aiden’s eyes widen as he stares at the flame. Surprise, the little girl, who could barely manipulate her mana, not only was casually able to cast a spell, but an elemental one.
“Why so surprised? If you came home more, you would’ve noticed my growth.
“Um, Anna?” Olive nervously steps forward. “You shouldn’t talk to your father like that.”
“It’s fine.” Aiden places his hand on Olive’s shoulder. “You’re right. I should’ve paid more attention to your progress. I’m sorry.” Aiden’s monotone voice made it impossible for Anna to tell if he was being genuine, and even if he was, she didn’t care.
“So, have I proven myself?”
“That not for me to decide. You’ll have to prove yourself to the headmaster.” Aiden walked out of the room, still dragging Aaron. Before disappearing around the corner, he glances back at Anna, gesturing for her to follow him. Just as Anna was about to follow the two, Olive grabbed her daughter’s shoulders.
“Please remember to take care of yourself.”
“I’ll be fine.” Anna shrugs off Olive’s hands and chases after Aiden and Aaron.
“Don’t overdo it!” Olive yells at Anna, who rushes out of the house into the cold morning.
Houses similar in design to Anna’s home line the street. In the middle of the snow-cake road a large group of children led soldiers dressed in olive green military uniforms silently march towards the mountain range that loomed over the entire town. Anna’s memories told Abaddon that it was tradition for soldiers to march new mages across the city towards the academy.
“Anna!” Aiden called out to his daughter from the other side of the street, snapping her out of her thoughts. She pushed through the crowd to reach the other street pushing past anyone in her way. “Sorry, I got distracted,” Anna said in-between gasps for air. The small run left her breathless and exhausted.
“You need me to carry you?”
“I’m fine.” Anna brushes past Aiden and continues down the street; her face flushed red from embarrassment and frustration. She cursed as the edge of her vision darkened; she knew this was a sign that she was about to black out. Her body slumps forward, Aiden scoops his daughter into his arms before she can hit the snow.
“It’s good to have pride in yourself, but if you don’t understand your limits soon, I’ll take you back home.” Aiden looked down at his daughter with an expression that said, ‘Don’t argue.’ Anna closed her mouth to keep her boiling anger in check, knowing that gaining information from the academy was more important than protecting her pride.
“Are your kids going to the academy?” A young woman called out from her porch, breaking the tense silence between the family. The woman carefully climbs down her stairs, gingerly avoiding the ice on her steps. Three boys around Aaron’s age follow behind the woman.
“My children start this year. Maybe they can be friends with you-“The woman froze when she noticed the crimson glow in Aiden and Anna’s eyes. “Actually, never mind.” The woman grabs her children’s arms and races down the street.
Aiden pulled Aaron closer to him in merged with the other people in the silent march. The line continues to grow longer as more kids and even some adults join in.
A palpable tension hung over everyone, growing thicker the closer they got to their destination. Suffering from the brunt of the nervous energy that coursed through the crowd, Aaron tightly clung to his father’s leg, sensing furtive stares from people around him. “Why is everyone looking at us so weirdly?”
“Do you see anyone else with glowing red eyes? To them, we might as well be exotic animals.” Anna said unbothered by everyone’s cold gaze. Even in his past life people used to look at him with disgust in fear, although that quickly changed once he took the throne.
As they reached the end of the sloping road. A massive stone structure that looked more like a castle than an academy came into view. It stood in the shadow of the mountain. Several green banners hung off the roof that said ‘Welcome to Dys’ Aegis Academy’ written in bright gold letters.
Everyone walked through the steel gates and down several well-shoveled roads, each one leading to an emerald statue of a winged woman placed in front of the academy. The students broke apart from the crowd and gathered near the statue. Aiden pushes Aaron towards a group of children around his age. The little boy reflexively clung to his father, refusing to let go.
“No need to be afraid. This school is going to help you become stronger.”
“B-But.” Aaron stammers. Spending most of his life at home with his mother and sister, being left alone in an unfamiliar place was far too terrifying for him.
Seeing the fear in his son’s eyes, Aiden gently placed his hand on his son’s head. “It’s time to man up and make yourself useful for once.” Aiden’s cold gaze made him tremble. he wanted to cry but stopped himself afraid that would only make his dad angrier.
“Relax, I’ll be joining you soon,” Anna said to lighten the mood.
“Don’t be so certain; you’ll have to impress the headmaster.” Aiden turned his harsh gaze to his daughter, who shrugged it off and repeated, “I’ll be joining you soon.” Seeing the confidence in his sister’s eyes, Aaron wiped the tears away and steeled himself for what awaited.
“!” A gun went off immediately, destroying Aaron’s newfound confidence. Soldiers march across the snowy field carrying a flag of a bird whose wings are bound by chains. A somber melody fills the air as the soldiers approach the statue.
Aiden carried Anna from the statue towards where the parents were gathering. The crowd had mixed emotions; some were proud to see their sons and daughters enter such a prestigious academy. Others were worried about leaving their kids alone in an academy that also operated as a military base. Some were just curious, using the rare chance the academy gates were open to see the mages.
The parading soldiers stopped. Creating a line that flanks both sides of the students. The soldiers face forward, staring directly ahead at the statue. The somber melody turns into a triumph harmony as three more figures step onto the field carrying the flag of a bird breaking free from its chains. A stern-looking woman with fiery red hair tied in a loose ponytail led the march. Behind her was a blonde-haired man whose expression was just as dour as hers. His cold blue eyes scan the students, weeding out the capable and the weak. Behind him was a balding old man who stuck out like a sore thumb. Unlike everyone else who wore a green uniform, he wore a yellow suit that barely fits his plump frame. A dozen medals were adorned on his outfit, proof of his long and successful military career. The old man energetically waves to the crowd with a goofy smile until the red hair jabbed him in the side. The old man immediately straightens his back and walks awkwardly onto the stage with a stiff smile.
The music stopped, and everybody waited in anticipation for the words that would open the academy this year.
“Welcome, to Dys’ Aegis Academy!” The old man shouted. Fireworks soar into the air exploding into a myriad of colors that brighten the dark morning sky for a brief instant. “My name is Ozlan Witts, the proud headmaster of this academy.” After the introduction, Ozlan paused and scanned the children before him. Some of them were attentive and eager, most nervous, and fearful.
“I know many of you don’t want to be here. In fact, many of you were forced to join because of your potential. It would be cruel of me to say you should be honored that you were chosen. So instead, I ask you to understand.” Ozlan points to the academy behind him as he continues his speech.
“Behind this building, beyond these mountains, is a land unclaimed by man, teeming with aberrations called spirits. Further still lies the country Orgo, ruled by slavers who worship the Lord of Order: Orcus. We are the first and only line of defense against these threats who wish to harm our beautiful nation.
“Orcus…” Anna angrily bit her nail at the mention of the Celestial name. While the other kids trembled in fear, even those who joined voluntarily weren’t aware of the daunting task that awaited them.
“I won’t lie to you. There’ll be hard times. But know that you’re not alone on this journey. While we’re here we’ll be your teachers, guardians, and in time, hopefully a friend.” A warm smile spread on his face.
“Many of my peers will ask you to fight and die for honor or for leaders you never meant. I don’t expect any of this from you. In fact, I don’t want you to do that. What I do want is for you to see this place as more than some military academy that teaches you how to fight and kill, but rather a school where you can learn and grow, where you can make friends and have fun. And if a time comes when you have no choice but to fight, I want, I hope you fight for your comrades, for your friends you made at this academy, and most importantly, for your loved ones who are waiting for you back home.” Ozlan clasped his hands, white vapor slipped from his lips as he took a deep breath.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“Since it’s pretty chilly out here, So, I’ll end this by saying I hope you enjoy your stay at Dys’ Aegis Academy.”
The crowd erupted into cheers as Ozlan walked off towards the academy along with the blonde and redhead that flanks his side. Fireworks again flew in the air, brightening the sky with colorful explosions.
Anna blankly watches everyone celebrate, her mind still on Orcus. The world around her suddenly becomes a blur as Aiden dashes through the cheering crowd.
“Hey, what are you doing?!”
Aiden ignores his daughter’s shouting and weaves through the crowd, swiftly catching up to Ozlan as he enters the building.
“You know you don’t need to carry me anymore!” Anna wiggles out of her father’s grasp falling face-first into the snow.
“Oh, are you okay?” A hand reaches out to Anna.
“I’m fine.” Anna waves the hand away and forces herself back to her feet. The embarrassment from falling turned into bewilderment. The snow that should’ve been on her face and clothes was gone, and a soothing warmth washed over that felt strangely reminiscent of the blanket she woke up in.
Anna knew someone cast a spell on her, but she couldn’t believe that not only had she failed to sense it, but she didn’t see it happen either. Confused, Anna looks around only to see a rotund man towering over her. Ozlan gave Anna a soft smile before turning his attention to her father.
“Sorry to bother you, Colonel.” Aiden bows slightly to Ozlan, who awkwardly scratches the bald spot on his head.
“Please, no need for formality. I’m just a principal. So, what do you need?”
Aiden pushes Anna in front of him. “My daughter wants to enroll in the academy.”
“Ha!” The blonde-haired man chuckles. “You want us to accept her? Didn’t you say once she has no talent as a mage?”
“Callan.” The blonde immediately closes his mouth the moment Ozlan glances at him. “Sorry about that. Keep going. The headmaster said, still wearing his warm smile.
“I’ll admit I thought she was incapable, but she has recently proven me wrong.” Aiden taps his daughter’s shoulder, whispering, “Go ahead, show them.”
Anna sighs and examines the four adults, debating what spell she should use.
It would be strange if a girl who struggled to use magic in the past could suddenly cast a high-level spell. Anna thought to herself as she raised her hands. She squinted her eyes and gritted her teeth to make it seem like she was struggling when truthfully, she was easily manipulating her mana. The energy seamlessly flowed out of her body and gathered between her palms, turning into a sphere of light.
“That’s impressive.”
“I’m not done yet.” Anna interrupted Ozlan's praises and focused on the spell in her hand. The ball of energy flew into the air, exploding into a rainbow of lights like fireworks earlier.
Ozlan slowly claps while looking up at the lights in the sky. “Impressive, Anna; most mages your age can barely cast spells. Not only have you passed the requirement to join this academy, but you’ve exceeded it.”
“Sir!” The blonde took a step forward. Ozlan raises his hand once again, silencing him.
“Claire.” The red-haired woman instantly straightens her posture at the mention of her name. “I’m sorry, but can you handle the students for me?”
“No problem, colonel.”
“No need to be formal, I’m just a….” The headmaster's voice trails off, noticing that Claire has already marched away, clearly not paying attention to him.
“Callan, check security, especially around the mountains. It's around this time of year that…” Ozlan pauses. He looks down at Anna, trying to find the right words. “…people we don’t agree with tend to become noisy.”
Callan glares at Aiden briefly before saying in a low growl, “Yes, sir.”
Ozlan lets out a sigh letting his chest deflate before turning his attention to Aiden and his daughter. “Let’s discuss your enrollment, Anna.” The headmaster opens the door gesturing for the family to enter.
Anna enters a warm, brightly lit hallway shaped like a T. A dark green banner hung off the ceiling saying, ‘Welcome to Dys’ Aegis Academy’ or ‘Let's have a good year.’ The two adults walked ahead, leaving Anna behind before she could fully grasp her surroundings.
“Anna shows quite a bit of talent with her manipulation of magic. It’ll be a waste to start with the beginning course. I plan to put her in advanced classes if she joins the academy. Is that okay with you?”
Aiden nodded and looked at his daughter, who was falling behind. She peeked into every room and office in the hall. Hoping to find a place that might have the information she desired.
“You find anything interesting?” The headmaster walks up to Anna, still wearing his smile.
“Not yet,” Anna said, still looking through a window. Ozlan chuckles, he kneels to look Anna in the eyes. “Maybe I can help. Tell me what you are interested in. Why do you want to join the academy?”
Abaddon fell silent, sensing Ozlan's inquiry was some test. He wasn’t sure how much this man knew. For all he knows, he could’ve been the one that trapped her in this body. “I want to find a cure for my sickness.” Anna's chest tightens. It was a lie, but she could feel the body’s previous owner's frustration and anger with her sickness welling inside.
Ozlan pats Anna on her head, sensing her distress. “You’re quite talented. I’m sure you’ll eventually find the cure.”
“Of course I will.” Anna huffed. She slapped the headmaster’s hand off her head and stormed off. Once she was a decent distance from the adults, she took a deep breath to calm herself. This sickness is annoying, but I didn’t come here to find a cure. All that matters is finding my body and learning the spell that trapped me in this one.
After reaffirming what his true goal was, Abaddon rejoins the two adults with renewed vigor.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject.”
“It's fine.” Anna waved off Ozlan’s apologies.
Ozlan worriedly studied her expression before opening the door labeled ‘Headmaster Officers.’
The office was small, the desk taking up most of the space. The walls were decorated with pictures of children posing in front of the academy. In the center of the wall was a massive painting of a woman in a green dress approaching an empty throne bathed in green light. The back of her dress was open, revealing her flawless porcelain skin and jet-black wings open wide like she was preparing to take flight. On the bottom of the painting was the title ‘Our Lady in Jade.’
“Ah, do you remember this, Aiden?” The headmaster chuckles as he points to a young boy with red eyes and black hair. “You have changed so much since then.
Did he? Anna thought as she took a closer look. Everyone was either smiling or posing except Aiden. He stood stiff, wearing a stern expression that looked exactly like his current one.
Yea, I see no difference.
“Can we get started?” Aiden stood near the desk, waiting impatiently for the two to sit.
“I’ll show you more of your dad's school pics later,” Ozlan whispered to Anna before sitting behind his desk. As the headmaster started shuffling through papers, Anna peered over his shoulder, searching for any clues that might explain what happen to her. Although deep down she knew, something so convenient wouldn’t be found on a desk with student reports. Eventually, her eyes fell upon what looked like a calendar buried underneath a pile of books.
Realizing she wouldn’t find answers anytime soon, she decided to figure out how much time had passed after the battle at Adilvun.
Anna carefully pulled the calendar out of the pile and was greeted with a picture of a well-endowed woman in a bikini that seemed too small for her. Anna silently praises the headmaster’s taste before focusing on the dates.
The calendar was set in the season of harvest. Anna didn't remember when exactly she launched an assault on Adilvun, but she knew that it took place during the summer. Which meant only a few months had passed. -Or at least that’s what Anna thought until she looked at the year.
1220 A.S (After Shattering.)
Anna banged against the desk. The weight of what she discovered made her faint.
“Is everything okay? Ozlan looks over at Anna. His eyes widened when he saw her holding the calendar. “That’s not what you think it is!” The headmaster snatches the calendar from Anna, his face flush red.
“The dates, are they real?” Anna looked up at the headmaster, her face paler than usual.
“Yeah, it is.” Ozlan embarrassment quickly turned into concern.
Anna's mind went blank, unable to comprehend the current situation.
It was year two hundred. Or, more precisely, two hundred years after the moon shattered into several pieces when Abaddon was at the height of his power and declared war on the Celestials.
Which means…. Anna stopped. Too afraid to finish her thoughts.
Anna stumbles out of the room. Aiden and Ozlan called out to her, but none of it reached her ears.
No, it can’t be. Eight hundred years couldn’t have passed! Pain surged through Abaddon’s head as memories of his defeat came rushing back to him so vividly, he could feel the cold chains digging into his arms, the burning gaze of his horrified subjects, and the weight of the Celestial silently judging him from above.
(Abaddon, for all the sins you’ve committed, everything you love. Your family, your kingdom, and your ambition will end.)
Sedna, Eris, and Orcus loomed over his kingdom, bathing the entire country in chromatic lights. Four humanoid silhouettes floated in the sky, three of them standing perfectly in the center of each celestial.
“You arrogant bastards.” Abaddon growl. He tried to lunge forward, but the chains digging into his skin yanked him back to the pole he was tied to. “You think you can look down on me just because you reside in the heavens?! I will surpass you one day! I will reach you!”
(The only thing you’ll ever reach is our shadow.)
The three celestials’ bodies glow brighter and brighter until the chromatic glow turns into a blinding radiant light that washes over the entire kingdom scorching everything in its path. Screams of pain and fear filled Abaddon’s ears as, one by one; his citizen was disintegrated.
“How dare you do this to my people! My Kingdom!!” Abaddon roared at the heavens. The light melted the flesh off his body and ripped the muscles off his bone. “I will reach you!” Abaddon screamed, the blistering pain driving him mad. He reaches through the light, his arm swiftly turning into ashes. “I will reach you!” He gargled out of his melted mouth. “I will reac-“
“Anna!!” Aiden shouted, snapping Anna out of her mind. She found herself convulsing in the snow, her mind fading away. “That can’t…. Can’t be… that….” Broken words came out in between desperate gasps for air.
Aiden scoops his daughter in his hands. “Anna! You need to breathe!” He shouted, but none of his words reached his daughter. Anna's vision grew darker and more clouded until, eventually everything faded.
.
.
.
One last memory visited Anna’s fading mind. One of Abaddon's oldest memories. Before he was a king, before he was a proud warrior, he was just a boy abandon and left to die along with the other dregs of society.
His gaunt body was tossed into a massive pit filled with the dead and the dying. Weak and on the verge of death all Abadon could do was stare at the bright blue sky and wait for his end.
“My lord!” someone cried out. A silhouette of a woman steps toward the edge of the pit. “You need to get up! Please, you need, you have to, you must rise!” The woman’s voice rang through Abaddon’s foggy mind. he crawled towards her using what little energy he had left to climb up the pit.
“That’s it, my lord! Rise! Rise!” Abaddon’s heart races. He could feel himself growing stronger and faster the higher he climbed.
“Rise! Rise! Rise!” The woman’s plead turned into a fervorous chant as more people joined her side.
Abaddon lets out a roar as he leaps out of the pit and into a blinding light that engulf his entire being. “Rise, my lord.” The woman’s voice was fraught with love. “And claims what rightfully yours?” The light faded, and Anna found herself lying in a hospital bed, reaching for the ceiling light. In the corner of her eyes, she spotted Olive sitting by her bedside.
“Thank goodness you’re awake.” Olive grabs her daughter, pulling her into a tight embrace. “The doctor told me you were fine, but I was so worried.” Olive squeezes her daughter harder, afraid if she lets go, she will vanish. “I told you to be careful! Olive shouted, tears streaming down her face.”
“Right,” Anna said weakly, her eyes downcast. Olive pulled away from Anna, surprised to see her daughter look so defeated.
Anna has always been a prideful and energetic girl. Even when the doctor told her there was no cure for her condition, she proudly proclaimed she would find one.
“Anna.” Olive stopped and bit her lip. Initially, she planned on reprimanding her for not properly taking care of herself. But now she didn’t have the heart to do it when her little girl looked so depressed.
“The headmaster has already finished your paperwork. He said you can go to class whenever you recover.
“Okay,” Anna said, still looking at the ground. The room fell silent as Olive sought a way to cheer up her daughter. "Oh, I know, how about I get you your favorite yogurt?" Olive’s chair scraped the floor as she got up. "Stay right there, I'll be right back."
Anna nodded her head and watched as Olive left the room. With nothing but deafening silence accompanying her, eventually, her thoughts consumed her.
I lost everything: my people, my kingdom, and even my body.
Anna's body trembles as she chuckles madly to herself.
“Do you think this is enough to stop me?!” Anna shouted at the heavens in the distance she could see a small green light in the night sky.
Please, my lord, you need to rise. The woman’s voice echoes in Anna’s head.
“I don’t know why or how I’m alive, but just like how I crawled out of that grave all those years ago, I’ll rise once more; from downfall.”
image [https://i.imgur.com/adsP2AU.jpeg]