January swept in as the celebrations died down and the snow melted away. Kassius packed his stuff, having only clothes and his books and gifts that he got from Eden. Ashe stood on top of a table at the side of the window near the end of the room, his tail wiggling back and forth with excitement for the journey ahead of them.
“You gotta calm down, Ashe.” Kassius said gleeful, as he watched Ashe’s adorable happy face and his tail wiggle. Kassius went up to Ashe to pat his head, and Ashe rubbed his head on Kassius’s hand in return. “Kassius time to leave.” Fara yelled from the ground floor.
“Alright.” He yelled back, he closed his bags, put on his backpack and put the strap of the other on his shoulder.
As he went down the stairs, he saw Fara and Meos waiting all dressed up and ready to go. Kassius grabbed the cage by the side of the stairs and led Ashe in it, causing the joy from Ashe to temporarily disappear. He handed Ashe’s cage to Meos and they went out the front door, and headed out. Kassius was deep in thought as to what this school he was going to was going to be like. His imagination went to numerous places, from a castle in the sky, or a city-like structure deep in the ocean. He even thought of a floating building with rockets beneath it, even though most of the things he has seen don’t suggest any kind of futuristic technology.
He was anxious to be going to the school as he had never experienced being taught by professionals, what’s more is that he had to live in the school. He constantly thought about what was going to happen, who he would meet, how he would even begin to start his new life. He was extremely deep in thought, so much so that he didn’t know what was going on around him. He snapped back when he noticed that he bumped into Meos, who was in front of him, finding himself on a structure of wood, at the edge, surrounded by boats. They were at the docks, as it was still the morning there were not many people at the docks, just a few people tending to their boats.
Kassius learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to Gaia and its people, however, he couldn’t help but wonder what they could possibly come up with. They stood at the edge of the dock, Kassius confused, and the siblings still and waiting. Meos took out his pocket watch to check the time and turned to Fara, nodding. Fara nodded, seeming to understand what Meos meant, as she took a step forward from the edge of the wooden port and vanished. Kassius stood shocked, turning side to side if anyone noticed but no one did, still minding the work they did.
“Go on, it’s alright.” Meos said to Kassius, gesturing his head, telling Kassius to step forward. Kassius took a deep breath and slowly put his right foot forward hoping to step on something on the edge of the port.
Kassius instinctively closed his eyes as he took his first step forward, and found that he wasn’t falling and was standing on something solid. He opened his eyes to see a much bigger dock with crowds of people gathering. He saw many kids with adults that seemed to be their parents waiting and causing as much of a stir as the crowds were during Christmas on Eden.
Kassius saw kids his age, eagerly waiting for whatever was coming. Some with excitement and enthusiasm, others with anxiety similar to Kassius’s. A little of Kassius’s anxiety went away with the fact that he wasn’t alone in his. A lot of the kids were his age, with a few younger ones. Similar to his time in Eden, he saw people of all kinds, humans like him, people with gills, half-animal people, and people with wings. He even noticed people with white and gold attire, reminding him of Adonis. He hoped that he wasn’t going to see Adonis anywhere in the dock or at the school. While he was glad he didn’t as he and the siblings passed through the crowds, he wasn’t holding his breath. Among the crowds, a group of people in black robes stood out to Kassius. There were two tall figures in robes conversing with each other. While they were definitely a suspicious site, people only bumped them on purpose, looking disgusted and murmuring something.
Kassius remembered his conversation with Fara and Meos, as well as the story he read about the war, and concluded that the figures in black robes were some of the Farathore. As Kassius looked at them, he noticed that one of them was a woman. He didn’t know what to expect from their reputation as the evil kinds of people. He saw that the woman was red haired and quite pretty, but she had an ominous aura from her that Kassiuse couldn’t quite describe. The other figure stood a little taller than the woman and kept their appearance hidden in their robe and wore a hood to hide their face. The woman looked up and noticed Kassius among the sea of people and her expression shifted from a neutral expression into a shock that could only be associated with that of discovery, but a little more devious. Kassius turned away hoping he was just imagining it and put it out of his mind as best he could.
Fara and Meos stopped near the edge along with many other people. As they stared off into the empty horizon, the crowd near the edge began to step back, Fara and Meos pulled Kassius back to follow the crowd. Kassius saw a shadow at the bottom of the water before he was pulled away. The crowd stood silent, seemingly waiting anxiously. Suddenly a ship emerged from beneath the water. Startling a lot of the kids, especially Kassius.
As the ship landed and steadied on the water, a big splash reached the very front of Kassius’s shoes. The ship was enormous, a clean wooden hull and white sails with an insignia of a shield on it, a white flower in the middle. The crowd resumed excitement as parents began to say their farewells and kids began to board the ship.
Kassius stood frozen, not knowing what to do. He never thought he would reach this point, scared at the fact from this point on, he would be all on his own. “Cold feet?” Fara asked, looking at Kassius. “A little I guess.” Kassius answered.
“It’s alright, but you’ll like it in Baelvaire, you’ll see.” Fara reassured Kassius. “Baelvaire?” Kassius asked. “Yes, that’s the name of the school. It's big and beautiful, you'll get to experience a whole bunch of things there, and make new friends.” Fara said.
Kassius has never been able to make friends with other people, as much as he wanted to he was always thought of as a freak, an oddball. Kassius was afraid that being an outsider, he would be treated the same in a school for kids that were natives of Gaia.
“You belong in this world, my boy, and you belong in Baelvaire.” Meos said kindly, putting his hand on Kassius' shoulder. “But I–” Kassius tried to talk but was interrupted by a loud horn from the ship prompting the kids to hurry.
“You better get going Kassius, your life is waiting.” Fara said, smiling gently towards Kassius, with Meos doing the same. Their smiles comforted Kassius, while he didn’t know them for very long, they had given him more than anyone, besides Miss Jean. Kassius nodded, and made his way to the ship with his stuff. As he reached the ship he took one last look at Fara and Meos, and waved them goodbye.
After the last of the kids came on board, the ship unfolded the rest of its sails to set sail, the dock getting smaller and smaller. Kassius looked away from the fading dock and saw the other kids roaming around, some in groups, and others alone. There were a few seats along the wide deck of the ship. Kassius got his stuff and made his way through the crowds of kids on the deck. As he made his way through the crowds, he saw many groups and kids that caught his eye. Among those were a group of half-animal kids pulling pranks on the other kids, and a group of kids with gills staying by the edge of the ship to feel the ocean breeze. The one that caught most of his attention, however, was a group from all kinds of people, human and otherwise, gathering near a fair skinned, silver blonde haired girl with wings measuring her, glittering white. Along with a lot of her audience, Kassius was mesmerized at the sight of the girl, completely forgetting that he was walking, only snapping back after hitting a wall near the left stairs leading to the upper deck.
As he snapped back to reality, he saw a boy, skin nearly pale, and with silver long hair parted evenly, sitting by the staircase all alone. The boy looked gloomy, and reminded Kassius a little bit of himself, when he’d try to avoid the other kids from his orphanage. Due to this, Kassius felt a little bit more assured with his presence than the other kids.
“Mind if I join you?” Kassius said, speaking before thinking. The boy looked up at him with a slightly startled look and quickly shifted to a confused expression. “What?” the boy asked. “Mind if I join you?” Kassius repeated. The boy simply nodded in response, and Kassius sat by him. For a long while they sat in silence, the boy looking off into the distance, ignoring Kasisus, while Kassius was trying to find a way to start a conversation without forcing it.
“I’m Kassius, by the way.” said Kassius, trying to make a smile to make the conversation a little comfortable to no avail, as the boy just remained staring and ignoring. The boy didn’t seem to like to talk to anyone. He seemed to long to be away from people as he tried to avoid the rest of the kids in this corner of the deck . Before Kassius could say more, a voice spoke from in front of the two boys.
“If it isn’t the pompous peasant boy from the park?” the voice said with a chuckle. Kassius looked in front and saw an unfortunate sight, the slicked back blonde hair of Adonis Kaiser, the arrogant boy from the park, joined by two other boys as pampered and arrogant as Adonis.
“I’ve been to many parks, you gotta be more specific.’ Kassius said, trying to ignore Adonis. “Don’t be smart with me, I still owe you for the insolence you paid me last month.” Adonis said angrily to Kassius. “I see that you really make a habit of finding freaks.'' he continued looking towards the boy, ignoring the entire ordeal. However, Kassius noticed the boys’ posture hardened the moment Adonis acknowledged his presence.
“I can spot one of you from a mile away, your disgusting magic is noticeable anywhere, Farathore.” Adonis said, arrogantly with his friends looking disgusted at the sight of the boy. Seeing the boy’s fist clench and his expression changing from indifference to annoyance, Kassius felt the need to say something.
“You can spot one from a mile away, for someone who hates them you really enjoy looking for them, huh?” Kassius said, hoping that Adonis will turn his attention to him. “You have no idea about their kind, you’re but an outsider.” Adonis responded angrily, calming down almost immediately after, with a deep breath.
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“I am willing to educate you properly about how things are and how things work around here, maybe you will properly respect our ways.” Adonis said, attempting a kind tone towards Kassius. Adonis extended a hand for Kassius, this gesture, however, regardless of whether it was genuine proposal or not, it felt like an insult to accept whatever this was.
“Tempting, but I’d rather find smarter people to teach me than you.” Kassius said. Adonis abruptly stepped towards him and Kassius stood up, both boys furiously staring at each other.
Adonis’ friends stood behind him ready to back him up, Kassius wondered if he would be able fight them, the friend on Adonis’ left was the same height as they were and much more fit, while the other stood a little taller and looked a lot more menacing the Adonis and the other.
“I think you should find some other person to add to your little group, Adonis.” a voice said. Kassius and Adonis turned to see the boy standing up as furious as they were.
“Unless you’d like to see how “disgusting” my magic really is.” the boy continued. Adonis looked at him in disbelieving delight, seemingly laughing at the threats. “You think you can threaten me?! The audacity!” Adonis yelled and half the kids turned to look at the commotion.
The boy stepped forward to start his own stare down with Adonis. “Give me an excuse, it won’t just be threats then.” the boy said with more confidence than he had when Kassius first conversed with him. “Do you want me to put you in your place?” Adonis said, his smile and laughter fading.
“I’m beggin you to try.” the boy said, keeping his composure with a slight eagerness showing. “Adonis started to sweat and smile was gone and he stood silently looking at Kassius and the boy.
“We will settle this another time.” Adonis said, turning away from the two boys angrily and gestured his pose to follow him. As he left the audience went back to mind their own business.
“You are an idiot.” the boy said to Kassius, with the same tone and the same expression he gave Adonis, expecting another confrontation, this time with someone he didn’t even want to fight. Suddenly, the boy softened his expression and let out a small chuckle, Kassius could look at him in confusion.
“You really are just another outsider huh?” the boy asked with a much brighter tone. “Yeah, I guess.” Kassius responded. “Well I guess you’re stuck with me after that. So might as well introduce myself.” the boy said as he sat down on one of the stairs.
“My name is Fenris.” the boy said, extending a hand and Kassius shook it and said “Kassius.”. “I know,” said Fenris. Kassius chuckled in response and leaned on the rails on the side of the boat. “So you’re a Farathore?” Kassius asked, hoping that it was okay to. Fenris nodded,
“Which is why I’m wondering why you even chose to approach me, let alone defend me.” Fenris said, looking at Kassius confused. “Well you’re not the only one who was treated as a freak.” Kassius said jokingly. “You don’t look all that terrifying.” Fenris shrugged with a small smile.
“He looks a lot nicer come to think of it.” a voice whispered from somewhere nearby. Kassius jumped slightly looking around for the source of the voice. “Relax.” Fenris said laughing. A white snake appeared, emerging from his sleeves.
“This is Cecil, the hissing came from him.” Fenris said, presenting his snake. “Pleased to meet you.” the snake said, bowing his head. “Hello, sorry you just scared me a little bit.” Kassius said, looking at Cecil. Cecil and Fenris looked at each other surprised, Kassius wondered what was the matter. “You didn’t understand me….did you?” Cecil asked. “Just a little but yeah I do.” Kassius responded. “That’s weird.” Fenris said.
“Why?” asked Kassius. “Only I could understand or talk to Cecil, the only other ones who could understand him are the Vidacaris.” Fenris explained. “But I don’t see you sprouting out scales or a tail.” Fenris jokes. Kassius looked at the other half-animal kids and thought, “Was I like them?”.
“Don’t stare at them, they look nice but they aren’t the friendliest when they get the wrong idea.” Fenris explained.
Kassius turned away and towards the sea with nothing but clear skies and the ocean breeze. For the majority of the trip, Kassius and Fenris exchanged stories of their past, mostly information about the two different worlds that they had lived in. Kassius told him all about New Hampton and the orphanage, from what little he could remember of the town as he spent most of his life in two places of the town. He also talked about Miss Jean, his only friend, and someone he considers his own mother. There was not much he could talk about other than the general gist of how he was treated by everyone else and his meetings with the first few people of Gaia. Fenris seemed to understand, however, as he shared stories of his family. He had a little sister that he cared for more than anything, and he would protect her from anyone. His parents were a more sensitive topic. He talked about how it was like to grow up with Farathore. Fenris described it as “free, but a little too free.”.
They practiced all kinds of magic to improve their lifestyle, however, that also included some that are forbidden. Most notable among them were life and death magic, the practices of meddling with the natural cycle of life and death.Creatures from legends such as vampires, werewolves, goblins, and many more horrific sights were inspired by creations of the Farathore. Other than those horrors, the Farathores are less the villains, Kassius had heard them to be, rather they are a free people that are willing to take the risks no one else will, according to Fenris that is.
Kassius noticed, however, that he only mentioned his sister and never said a word about his parents, if he had any. Kassius didn’t want to raise the subject, knowing how sensitive it could be. “Only a few were ever into the whole “creator” fantasy among the Farathore. I, sure as hell, never tried.” Fenris said with disgust in his voice. The topic seemed to have been very personal to Fenris, more so than a person who would be proud of their race. Kassius sensed an animosity in his words. Kassius did his best to change the subject in order to avoid anything personal.
“Do you know anything about Baelvaire?” asked Kassius. “I only know that it’s a school for people like us, Gaians, humans or others.” Fenris responded. “Other than that, nothing really.” Fenris said, shrugging.
Surprisingly, Fenris’ lack of knowledge about the school reassured Kassius a lot more than he thought, at least he was not the only one who would experience this school for the first time. Kassius then heard a sound of metal clunking and rattling beside him. Ashe was still in his cage. “What’s that?” Fenris asked. Kasisus picked up the cage and took off the sheet of cloth covering it, showing Ashe restless in the cage. Fenris widened his expression with surprise and Cecil retreated into Fenris’ sleeve, only peeking with his flat head.
“It’s my griffin, Ashe.”. Fenris was in awe of Ashe, as if he had seen a griffin for the first time. Kassius then let Ashe out of his cage and told him to stay near, he didn’t want to lose Ashe while they were still on the boat.
“Woah, where’d you find him?” Fenris asked with as much excitement he could show with his usually monotone expression. “I found him in the park at Eden, hungry.” Kassius answered. “He was the first friend I ever made when I came into this world.” Kassius said softly and happily.
Kassius turned to Cecil, who only had his eyes peeking out of Fenris’ sleeve. “He doesn’t bite, don't worry.” Kassius reassured Cecil looking at him with a smile.
Kassius looked at Ashe and gestured him to go towards Cecil and he walked forward towards Fenris. Fenris tried to do the same for Cecil but Cecil remained hidden. As Ashe arrived beneath Fenris’ feet, he began to sniff Fenris’ sleeve. Cecil popped out and hissed at Ashe, and Ashe recoiled back to avoid a potential bite, but Ashe still tried to get closer, slowly. Ashe stopped a few inches away from Cecil and sat down, wagging his tail, indicating that he’s happy or excited. Cecil looked at Fenris worryingly, and Fenris gestured to him to go on and meet Ashe. Cecil slithered out of Fenris’ sleeve and met Ashe. After a few awkward movements, Ashe and Cecil became comfortable enough to play with each other. Kassius and Fenris smiled at their two friends getting along.
After talking for a few more hours, the sun had reached the very top of the sky, and a vast cloud of mist lay ahead of the ship. Kassius looked toward the mist expecting the ship to turn around, but the ship stayed its course. “Are we going through that?” asked Kassius anxiously. Fenris shrugged, seemingly nonchalant at the fact that the ship was going into a mysterious mist that no one could see through. A loud horn let out a rumbling sound signaling something. Kassius covered his ears at the loud sound and opened them as the sound immediately disappeared. He then saw the other kids gathering their stuff and huddling in corners, most of them in groups. Kassius and Fenris gathered Ashe, Cecil and all their stuff and followed suit with the others, and huddled themselves into the nearest corner of the ship clenching tightly on their belongings, as the ship entered the mist.
Kassius didn’t know what to expect in the mist, holding on to everything that he could as tightly as he could. Kassius kept Ashe beside him and Fenris kept Cecil in the sleeve of his shirt. Kassius and Fenris looked at each other confused, silence fell on the entire ship, then they heard small noises from nowhere and everywhere. The other kids began to scream and noises from both the kids and something else were heard all over. Stuff being dragged on the deck of the ship and thuds of large objects as bags were dropped and large luggages were also dropped.
Kassius felt his bag being tugged from behind him, and he pulled himself forward to try and stay on the ship. As he pulled, the thing tugging on his bag let go and Kassius turned to see what it was but nothing was there. Chaos ensued on the deck, belongings were grabbed and each student held on to their belongings as tight as they could, some even cast spells to fend off whatever had been trying to get their stuff. Kassius even saw a student getting carried off for a moment and dropped with their shirt hanging on the hooks of one of the poles.
As the ship reached the end of the mist, the chaos mulled over and the voices that filled the air grew silent. The mist began to clear and the deck was a mess. While the ship seemed to be mostly intact, the same could not be said for the passenger. Kids were on the floor of the ship clenching their belongings. There were bags hanging on the hooks of the poles and lying on different parts of the deck. Even a girl was hanging on the hook of the middle pole screaming “Someone please get me down!”.
“Fucking Jinxes.” Fenris said with an annoyed tone. “Jinxes?” Kassius asked. “Invisible creatures, they’re attracted to magical items and like to play pranks on those who have them.” Fenris explained. Kassius looked through his backpack to check if any of his stuff was missing. He sighed in relief as he felt his rune still in his backpack, as well as the handle of his invisible blade. Kassius, Fenris, and the other kids gathered the stuff lying around the deck and the girl, still hanging on the hook, screamed something. “I see it! It’s there!” she pointed ahead of the ship.
The rest of the kids looked towards the front of the ship and saw a huge island just ahead. Kassius stood awestruck at the sight of the deep green island, seemingly untouched by any being, exemplifying nature’s beauty. The whole ship stood silent, and Kassius asked. “Is that Baelvaire?” Fenris put his hand on Kassius' shoulder and said “That’s the Land of the Youth.”
“Is that building Baelvaire?” Kassius asked Fenris, pointing at the structure at the distance. “I guess so.” Fenris responded. The white structure barely visible from the ship, was gleaming white. They didn’t know if they were just imagining it or if it was really there, as the structure seemed to disappear every now and then from their eyes.