Several days later, I awoke in my bed, head and limbs throbbing and every breath scratching at my throat. Pressing my palm to my head to help alleviate the pain, I noticed to my right my mom passed out body half slumped over on my bed, other half seated in a chair pressed up as far as it could to the bedside. Her normally pinned up long black hair sprawled in all directions, and her normal prim and proper way of dress lacked the care and attention she normally put in, the guilt that washed over me upon seeing her that way hurt worse than any of the pain resulting from the incident. Sensing the shift of weight on the bed, my mother slowly opened her eyes, shooting up once she noticed I was awake.

“Raffin my sweet baby you're finally awake. It's been three days, I've never been so worried in my life. When we found you lying outside the woods my heart nearly jumped out of my chest I was so worried.” - She said, taking my head into her arms in a tight yet gentle embrace while failing to stifle her tears.

“Gylas he's awake come quick!” - She shouted towards the door, covering my ear closest to her mouth.

As if on cue, my father entered by pushing the door open with his back. Filling his hands was a small tray with two small glass bottles on it, one a bright crimson red and the other a light sky blue.

“What was that Elild my dear? I couldn’t hear you very well through the door.”- Spinning around and seeing me upright surprised my father, causing his body to jump, slightly lifting the bottles into the air before plopping right back down on the tray. With the same wide grin I had come to associate with my dad, he hobbled his way over next to my mom and placed the tray on my lap.

“Oh son thank the gods, you're finally awake. Here drink these, your old man spent the last three days brewin these up for ya. Secret recipe I came up with myself. Red one first okay.” -

Taking the first small bottle into my hand, I chugged it down as fast as I could. Extremely bitter with hints of berries and sugar to mask the sickeningly sour aftertaste that made my stomach heave as it tried to escape back out the way it came. A moment later the pain from my limbs and throat subsided, leaving only a deep exhaustion. Fearing the taste of the second concoction I paused as the glass rim touched my bottom lip.

“Ah my apologies son, seems the fruit didn't mask the herbs as well as I hoped, quickly now the second one.” - my dad said, chuckling to himself at my reaction.

Sucking up my disgust, I chugged the second bottle even faster than the first, leaving me surprised when the taste was surprisingly smooth and minty. Several moments later I felt the exhaustion fade from my body, as if a large weight was lifted off my shoulders. Eyes wide, I looked at my father for an explanation.

“Health and mana potions my boy, old Itsamar family secret, much better then the drek the guild sells nowadays. I’ll teach it to you one day soon.” - my father replied proudly before jumping up to seat himself at the edge of my bed.

“Now son I know you’ve just woken up but, well I think we have some things we need to talk about.” - he said uneasily.

“Gylas, are you sure now is a good time? He might note even be able to think straight.” - my mother quickly snapped at my father, visible terror in her eyes, something amiss beyond my condition, obvious even to me even at that age.

“Darling” - my father began, cradling one of my mothers hands in both of his. “We have to know, and we have to know now.” - My father replied somberly, not once breaking eye contact with my mom. She nodded back, I could feel her tremble through her other hand that was placed on my shoulder.

“Now son, I think we should start with this.”- Taking his large pointed wizard's hat off, my father reached his arm deep inside as a soft light shined from inside, and pulled out a small cage housing the rabbit from a couple nights ago.

“ Pulling a rabbit out of a hat, oldest magic trick in the book. Although normally they're not so gnarled.” - He snickered, trying to inject some humor into the situation, although visibly nervous.

“OH! Mr.Rabbit you're safe. I accidently really hurt him, but I was able to bring him back so he's all alright.” - I said beaming with my soon to be shattered joy and ignorance. Locking eyes with each other once more my father turns back to me and replies once more in his somber tone.

“Why don't you start at the beginning son?”

In response I started recounting the night of the fire. How I figured out how to conjure flames, how I snuck out to practice away from the house, the guard almost finding me,running into the forest, and finally my unfortunate anger spell leading to the ‘healing’ of my furry friend, at that time whenever I tried to remember the voice in my mind it would go fuzzy, blanking completely on its words or what it sounded like, so unfortunately for all of us, it was omitted at the time. Upon finishing my explanation of that night, both my parents were white as bedsheets, my mother recoiled back from me slightly before the color returned to her face and the light returned to her eyes, evidently processing something unseen in her mind.

“Honey, I'm sorry but that ‘thing’ isn't alive anymore.” - My mother whispered mournfully.

“It's..well..undead. When a creature's soul moves on, that's it. It can't be brought back, not without heavy sacrifice. And animal souls move on much quicker than ours. What you’ve done is something similar…but different,” - She continued staring at the ceiling lost in thought.

“What you did is fill this creature's body with mana. It can move, and breathe, it can maybe even think. But it can't ‘feel’. It has no soul. And because you were the one that made it, it listens to every command you give it. It didn't leave because it wanted to be safe, it left because you asked it to.” - my mother said, holding me tight once more. Mulling over something in her mind before continuing.

“But sweetie, and this is the most important question I have to ask, when you were ‘reviving’ him, what were you trying to accomplish, what was your thought process sweetie. We need to know the Aspects for the spell because it could be really bad.” - She said locking eyes with me, wearing a saddened and sympathetic yet stern expression.

“Well I…I thought that maybe I could borrow some ‘life’ from the plants and stuff around me to help heal the bunny. I think I took too much though because they got all dry and crunchy. I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I’m really really sorry.” - I somehow iterated through my tears, trying everything in my power not to bawl my eyes out.

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“And you never once thought about replacing its soul?” - My father chimed in, a hint of hope in his voice. I shook my head no in response, elated he proceeded.

“Oh thank whatever gods are listening. I’m sorry about the fifth degree son, that's usually your mothers department.” - My father joked, earning him a sharp stare mixed with a sly smile from my mother. Scooting up closer to me and wiping the tears from my eyes, my father continued.

“Your goals were noble son, you were trying to right a wrong. I'll never fault you for that, but what you've done could have turned out much much worse.” - my father said shaking his head solemnly

“What do you mean, I don't understand.” - I replied sheepishly

“Well son, what you did, …well it’s a form of magic known as Necromancy. It’s a dangerous magic that plays with the very ideas of life and death itself, skirting the line between the two. In the wrong hands it's done horrible, horrendous things. Oftentimes playing with forces that should be considered sacred.”

“It’s a vile and disgusting magic. Used by demons and monsters and detestable villains the world over.” - my mother interjected, Jaw clenched tightly speaking through her teeth. Her glowing, emerald green eyes peeking over top of her glasses shimmering with rage.

“Now, Elild dear, I know how you feel but we cant have the boy getting the wrong idea.” - My father replied. Causing my mother to turn her face towards mine. I remember the terror rushing down my spine worrying that I had somehow turned into a monster. That must have come clear across my face because upon seeing it, my mother lowered her head in understanding and shame at her outburst. Pulling me in for a reassuring kiss on my forehead.

“I’m sorry son, your mother was severely wronged in the past by those who practice it. It's not outlawed per say but it is taboo or forbidden in many parts of the world. It's a legitimate field of study accepted by both the adventurers guild and magic academies the world over but it is … dangerous. Many men have been warped and their souls turned black due to it. But there also have been a few who study it for reasons more benevolent, they are just few and far between. But there is one thing, no matter if you decide that you want to study this arcana or not you must never do, a line you must never cross.” - grabbing both of my shoulders, his eyes appearing from beneath the forest of hair normally blocking them, locked with mine.

“Never, Ever try to remove, or worse, bind a soul to a dead or dying body. The poor thing will be in agonizing pain, unable to move on from this world and live with the gods, a fate worse than death son, do you understand?.” - he said not once breaking his stare. I nodded yes in reply. My father let out a sigh of relief, slumping down onto the edge of the bed every muscle completely relaxed like gelatin.

“Uh thank the gods that's over. That has been eating at your mom and I for days.” - my mother chuckling at my dads newly relaxed demeanor continued where he had left off.

“It’s indeed a burden off our mind, but dont think youre getting out of trouble for sneaking out and burning down a large part of our woods young man. You’re going to be doing a lot of help around the manor from now on to make up for it.” - she said sternly with a smile.

“Yes mom, I'll do whatever I can. I’m sorry.” - I said, wiping the tears and snot from my face, mind and body finally at ease once again.

With another kiss on the forehead my mom stood first, followed by my dad.

“Well son, get some rest. You have a big day of house work ahead of you.” - he snickered at me as he approached the door. On his way his hand reached for the cage.

“Wait!” - I shouted, causing both of them to stop in their tracks.

“Can I…keep the rabbit, just until his mana runs out.” - I murmured sheepishly.

Looking at one another worriedly they met each other's gaze. My father's eyes pleading with my mothers.

“Fine, but keep it far away from me.” - my mother snapped before retreating out the door.

“I'll just leave this here son…just please be careful from now on.” - he said, placing it down on my bedside table before exiting the room, shutting the door behind him.

“I’m sorry.”- I murmured once more to myself and the rabbit.

For several years I helped around our manor, As far as punishments go, it was honestly kind of fun. Every day I would meet with one of our staff leaders for a list of duties. My parents made it expressly known that I wasn’t to use any magic but as time went on the rule became softer and softer, the staff marveling at the prowess of the child before them whenever I did things like enchant a broom to sweep on its own or reignite the hearth with my conjured flame. Over time I began to know each of them quite well, on my very first day my father introduced me to our head guard for ‘guard duties’ he told me although I don't think I ever did any actual guarding. His name was Amos, a large, burly, muscular human man who stood nye 6 and a half feet tall. clad in armor with a large insignia of a winged lion clawing at the moon, a book clenched in its jaw and upon his head a jeweled crown draped in front of a red shield splayed across his chest. ( a crest I would later come to learn that it was my family Insignia). His face was rough with the signs of age and battle, although strangely, he had visible smile lines under his eyes. He sported a long well groomed mustache and a large equally well kept, brown beard braided on the ends. Introduced by my father on our first meeting, I remember freezing in place at the very sight of him looking down on me, his glare being enough to send a shiver down my spine. Most of that fear washed away however, when he smiled and began addressing my father with his thick northern accent.

“Finally gonna let me whip your kid into shape Gylas, look at the poor lad he's pale as the moon from bein kept up in his room readin.” - he boomed, keeling down on a knee to ruffle my hair. My father let loose a heavy belly laugh, returning his jest in kind.

“Careful not to go too hard on him Amos, he is still a little wizard. That makes him extra squishy like his old man.” - my father replied, snickering the entire time.

“Aye I see, so ya got yer moms hair and glowin green eyes but you're still a little nerd like yer pa. Well that's alright me and the boys will fix ya right up.” - I couldn't help but go red in the face with embarrassment, glaring at the giant man in front of me.

“Seriously though, if he gets hurt Elild will incinerate me, so go easy on him at first alright?” - my father said hints of fear in his voice. Picking up on his terror Amos let out a deep belly laugh of his own.

“No worries old friend, I'll be as gentle as my dad was when he was teaching me how to fight, Elild has nothin to fear.”

“That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence Amos, please don’t break my son.” - my father quipped back. With another thunderous laugh Amos punched my dad ‘lightly’ on the shoulder causing him to temporarily lose his balance, stumbling to regain his footing he mouthed ow while rubbing his sore shoulder in response.

“No worries ya little blowhard, I’ll have the boy fighting like a Norden in no time. Come on ‘young master’ let's go see what we’re workin with” - Amos said, placing his large hand on my back pushing me down the hallway leading outside the manor. As I stumbled trying to keep my footing I shot a worried look back at my dad, in reply he snickered and mouthed good luck as I was whisked away to my doom. Upon reaching the courtyard outside, I noticed a large rectangle of land was sectioned off with large pillars that were dug into the ground, standing well into the sky, white and smoot like marble, rounded in the middle and pointed like lances at the top, etched into the sides where runes glowing with a dull blue light, the grounds they enclosed was about 78 ft long and 27 ft wide.

“Yer father set up this little playground for me and the boys a while back. Man can’t take a punch but he sure does know how we like to have fun.”

Confused, I craned my neck as if gawking at the sky to address this mountain of a man.

“I just see a field, I don’t know if that counts as a playground Mr.Amos?” - I questioned. With another ear drum pounding laugh, Amos led me over to a painted white line on the ground stretching the length of the field.

“That’s because you don't know how talented yer old man is squirt. Pass the line and it’ll show ye.” - Amos said, smiling from scarred cheek to scarred cheek. As my foot passed over the line a light began rippling around my leg. Evermore curious, sensing magic behind the phenomenon, I excitedly threw my whole body beyond the line. Now inside I took in my surroundings, Looking on, I noticed the ‘walls’ of the court were a dim white, the outside still visible yet muted as if looking through a window covered in a thick frost. What looked like lush grass from the outside turned into a brown rocky scape, uneven with craters and boulders littering the length of it all.

“Go on squirt, launch whatever ye want at the wall, fire, lightning, whatever yer ma and pa taught ye. No holdin back, it can take it.” - Amos said as he passed through the wall himself. Excited, I summoned a small bolt of fire to my palm and sent it hurdling upward several feet above Amos’s head. Upon impact with the ‘white wall’ it rippled like a raindrop hitting the surface of a pond, the flame sprawling out in all directions before burning out. My excitement quickly faded however as I looked beyond where my spell had hit, through the rippling wall I could see the length of my manor, and beyond it trees and bushes burned to ash, visible for miles, trees standing barren of leaves and charcoal black, lifeless like headstones in a graveyard causing my stomach to tie into knots and my mind to become muddled with guilt and regret causing me to choke back tears. Picking up on my distress, Amos piped up.

“Aye, given a day or so yer pops may have let you use this place to practice.” - Amos expressed solemnly.

“But today isn't about the mistakes of yesterday, it’s about the strength of tomorrow. Take this and we’ll get started.” - Amos exposited, smiling with determination as he shoved a small wooden sword hilt first into my stomach knocking the wind out of me.

“And I’m going to make sure you’re plenty strong squirt, I promise you that.” - He said, taking up a much larger wooden sword, eyes fierce with purpose. Pulling my sleeve up passed my fingers, I wiped one eye then the next. Gripping the wooden sword tightly I mirrored his stance, determined to take on whatever came my way.