Caleb was exhausted, and probably even less so than the others. The group had been forced to jog for nearly two hours before Reinhard had let them stop. And that’d only been because the group had started to spread too thin, the less fit and those without stat points lagging far behind.

He took another deep breath, still lying on the floor as he struggled, stars blinking across his vision as his side throbbed dully.

Caleb didn’t know whether it was because the captain thought they were holy, or if he just assumed they’d have as much stamina as him because they had magic, but the man definitely didn’t have realistic expectations for the group.

The points in strength and speed helped him not have to put as much energy into jogging, but they didn’t improve his stamina a lick. He was still just as unfit as before.

He sat up, glancing to the others as the final stragglers reached the group that’d come to rest. The others all laid on the ground around him breathing heavily, only Sierra and the Brigadiers somewhat fine.

Finally, James, the last of the group, slumped to the floor, the light of his glowing hair ebbing and flowing with each tired breath.

[There’s no point taking a break] Reinhard said. [We’ll get going soon]

“I don’t think… we can go much… further” James mumbled, slumped against Angelina.

[Do you need a long rest?]

“Yes” multiple group members said in unison. Reinhard seemed to consider them all for a moment before nodding, still expressionless.

[Fine] he said. [We’ll set up camp now and rise when night comes. I’d have preferred to arrive before dusk, but it’d be pointless if you’re all exhausted. I doubt our enemies will expect us to come for the town at nightfall. They’ll believe us too honourable]

Caleb nodded, not taking in most of the words except for the agreement to let them rest.

[Cut you help organise the tents.] Reinhard said. [We’ll organise dinner and rotation of guard afterwards]

-

He’d sat with his dad, in a park, eating ham sandwiches. They’d come from the cinema, just watched the most recent Super Man film with his mom before she’d had to go to work.

They’d sat in silence, which’d started happening more now. Caleb couldn’t tell if that was a good thing. Sometimes he liked the silence. Other times, he hated it.

That day he’d hated it. So, he’d talked.

“Do you remember that time we went on the beach? Back in Bertioga?”

“How could I forget?”

“You let me win our games of tag, didn’t you?”

“Oh, come on, I had too”

“I hope you don’t do that anymore”

“I would never” his father had said, half joking.

“I still remember what you told me back then.”

“About money?”

“No. About the horizon. How sometimes the distance is what makes a thing special”

“Hah. Right, I did say that”

“Wow, you didn’t even remember”

“No, no, I remember. We were on the beach, and it was just the two of us and the sea. I chased you across the sand then pulled you into the tightest hug as you giggled happily enough to make my heart melt. Then we’d sat down in silence, watched the sun set, and just listened to the sea” his dad said wistfully. “It was nice. Fun”

“Yeah” he’d replied. “It was”

Then his dad had laughed, a heart and sudden one, as if suddenly remembering a joke.

“What’s so funny?”

“From back then. What did you call it again?”

“What?”

“The horizon? You called it something funny. I think it was hoyzon?

“Ah! Stop remembering that”

“Was it Hizen?”

“Dad, stop” he’d grumbled embarrassed as he’d pulled his cap over his face. “I was four”

“Or maybe Hozyzon? Oh, you said it with so much confidence I’d almost not corrected you” his dad had joked.

They’d laughed over the joke for a while, before his dad had spoken again.

“I think I said that line, the one about the horizon, trying to be weirdly profound. I’m not sure it even means anything”

“I guess” Caleb had said. “I think little me got it though. In a way I don’t quite do anymore”

“You’re still my little guy” his dad had laughed. “Still so sweet and innocent.”

“No. I don’t think I am anymore”

His dad had looked to him and frowned.

“Why’d you say that?”

Caleb had been silent for a moment, memories of the monster surfacing. They’d never done that before, not when he was enjoying something with his dad.

But he guessed it was getting easier for the two to overlap. Easier to see the similarities, to allow himself to remember.

He’d felt a tightness in his chest, a constrictiveness that felt like his own body was at war with itself.

He hated it. Hated this feeling more than anything.

His dad was nice. Nice to him at least. A part of him didn’t want to hate him. Not like this. Not now, at the very least.

“I don’t know. I guess I do still like ice cream” he’d laughed.

Someone was shaking Caleb awake.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

He blinked, opening his eyes slowly. Ryan shook him gently, grinning from ear to ear.

“What?” Caleb mumbled, wiping at his eyes.

“Come on, the sun’s setting. You’ll want to see this” he said. Caleb sat up slowly, ruffling his hair before yawning loudly.

There was chatter coming from outside, everyone else already awake. Caleb frowned, and quickly pulled the cover off himself, pulling himself forward to the now open tent door as Ryan left.

He yawned again, then stepped out of the tent, pulling the sword belt, sword still sheathed, on as he stepped onto the grass. He froze in place, looking up to the sky.

The sun had started to dip below the horizon, and although it’s brilliant rays of sunlight still graced part of the sky, the majority of it had fallen into darkness. To his right stars filled the sky, and to his left.

But above him in the gap between them both, like a ripple across a lake, was a shimmering pattern of colour, like the northern lights. But instead of simple lines the colours danced forming a ever shifting kaleidoscope of colours and shapes, that graced a thin strip in the sky.

It was like looking at a mirror, the world beneath it reflected in the everchanging, ever shifting colours but also more.

The shapes of memories, places, people, faces and more. Like the strip was something shared but personal for all. It was just as beautiful as looking at magic.

Caleb simply stared up at it, breath taken.

“Is it like this every day?” Caleb muttered.

[Yeah, though the symbols change] Roeca said. [Is it not like this where you’re from?]

[No] Kana muttered. [We have something similar but not like this]

[Interesting] Cut said, yawning. [I for sure thought you guys would have more interesting skies]

“Why’s it like this?” Sierra whispered, eyes still fixed to the stars.

[It’s been like this since the old age. A remnant of the god’s power on display for all to see] Roeca said. [I forget sometimes, how beautiful it really is]

They all watched in silence for a few moments longer, as the strip curved along the sky, before finally it faded over the horizon with the final remnants of sunlight.

“Well… I can’t believe we missed that last night” Ryan said.

“Yeah. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that” Sierra said. The others nodded, muttering words of assent, as they looked down from the sky, a few looking as though they’d been physically wrenched back down to reality.

[So, captain, are we setting off now?] Cut said, looking to Reinhard. The captain glanced at the group then shook his head.

“We’re not as far as I first thought” he said. “Start a fire. We’ll eat first. Then we move”

-

Caleb sat around a fire, this one deep in a pit, with the top partially shielded to hide the light.

The sky above him was completely dark now, lined from north to south with unfamiliar stars. The others all sat around the fire too, talking amongst themselves and eating.

Right now, they were going around the circle, playing an icebreaker game. Caleb was only half listening, more interested by the stars in the sky above.

[You’re turn James] Olivia said.

“Uh… I used to play for the Arsenal youth team” James said, his glowing hair covered by a hat Reinhard had given him.

[Really?] Markus said, intrigued.

“Yeah, but it was only for like under thirteens. A lot less cool when I mention that” he laughed, before looking to Angelina.

[I’m related to the Belgium royal family. It’s quite distant but we did an ancestry a while ago] she said, staring at the fire.

[That’s amazing] Kana said,

[Not really] she replied, her expression flat. The atmosphere grew a bit awkward before Olivia turned to him.

[You’re turn Caleb]

“Uh… I don’t know, I’m not… uh… my middle name is Martin” Caleb said.

[Oh, come on, give us something more interesting] Olivia said.

“Uh… well… I’m kind of boring”

[It can be anything. Like… where are you from?]

“LA”

[No, I mean, ethnically]

“Oh. My dad was born in US but lived in Brazil for a few years. His dad’s American and his mom was from Bertioga, it’s a place in Brazil. And my mom is half African, half Arabic, I’m pretty sure, but she was born in France”

“Seriously?” Sierra said, turning to him wide eyed.

“Yeah. I guess they never really talked about it that much so I don’t really think about”

[Wow, you’re from everywhere] Kana said.

“I guess. Uh, what’s your fun fact Ryan?”

“I have been stabbed on two separate occasions” Ryan said, grinning.

“Wait what?” Sierra said, turning to him.

Ryan continued grinning then lifted up his shirt, to show a red mark on the lower left side of his torso, and then rolled up his sleeve, revealing a scar on the back of his elbow.

“Holy shit” Sierra said, even wider eyed.

[How did that happen?!] Kana said. [And why’re you so happy about it?]

“I’m not happy, but it’s kind of cool”

“Sure. So, how exactly did this happen?” Layla said, her brow furrowed.

“My older brother’s. I’d say we were playing with knives, but my mom never let us anywhere near them. It was scissors both times. First one was an accident, the second one to prove that I could really take it. Mom nearly killed them when she found out”

“… right”

[How many brothers do you have exactly?]

“Six. The oldest three are half-brothers. I’ve got a sister too, but she’s way older than all of us”

“Oh wow. That’s pretty interesting”

“Yeah, but that’s enough about me. What about you Markus?” Ryan said, turning to him. Markus glanced to Ryan, sipping at his drink quickly.

[Uh… well… I… I’m not that interesting] he said.

[Oh, come on]

[No really. The most interesting thing about me was that I was an identical twin] he said, his face growing sadder. Everyone went silent, an awkwardness permeating the group.

[I’m sorry] Kana said.

[No, it’s fine] Markus said. [Really. I… it’s fine]

Everyone went silent again, a few glancing to Markus and others looking away.

[Uh… Roeca.] Markus said. [How about you tell us something interesting about yourself?]

[Umm… I trained under the Great Master Rohann.]

[Trained?]

[Yes. We all train] Roeca said.

“Because of your powers?”

[Yes. We’re taken from our home when we first display signs of them and are trained to use our blessings effectively in Divin.]

[Divin?]

[It’s a holy city for people like us. In the mountains] she said.

“Wait, you’re taken from you homes?” Layla said alarmed

[Yes. I was born far North and Cut was born here. Reinhard’s parents were born in Divin.]

“Why?”

[To retain the divinity of our bloodlines. We’re sent there so we can all have kids together] Cut said.

[Wait what?]

[People like Aima, Roeca, and I are rare cases. Most people with remnant blessings are born in Divin because their parents have blessings. But even with everyone with any divinity breeding, numbers are still dwindling. My older sister doesn’t have a blessing, and most people in Divin have a sibling, cousin, or Uncle who doesn’t either. We’re going to die out eventually, this cultist thing has just sped it up]

[Cut] Roeca warned.

[What? I’m not wrong]

[I apologise on his behalf] Roeca said, looking to the chosen. [His childhood was difficult, and he didn’t receive the right education]

[Ouch] Cut said dryly. [Anyway, I was just on watch, and no way am I going into battle tired. I’m going to bed. Wake me when we set off. Or don’t, you’ve got the demigods so you probably won’t need my help]

They watched as Cut disappeared into one of the furthest tents from the fire, closing the door quickly.

[What’s his deal?] Eriana said.

[He’s not dedicated to the cause] Reinhard said. Roeca glanced to him then looked to the fire, silent. The others glanced at each other, their expressions a combination between confusion and intrigue.

[He and Aima are part of the last generation] Roeca said suddenly. [Their lives have been difficult]

“Last generation?” Caleb asked.

[I… it’s a difficult subject to talk about] she said, glancing to Caleb. [I wouldn’t want to offend any of you]

[Offend us?] Angelina said confused.

[Yes] Roeca said, shrinking into herself somewhat.

[It’s ok] Kana said. [I doubt we understand enough about the gods to be offended]

Roeca nodded though still seemed somewhat apprehensive, glancing to Caleb.

[You appear to have the old markings on your skin. I don’t want to appear rude, but are you a child of Novea?]

“Novea?” Caleb

[The god of runes]

“No” Caleb said.

[Where did you get them?]

“I was given these by a person. It was a gift.”

[They are very beautiful] she said.

“T-thank you” Caleb said, awkwardly.

[I’m so confused right now] Olivia muttered.

“Yeah, what does this have anything to do with Cut’s age?” Ryan asked.

[The old binds] Reinhard said suddenly. [There are three. They use runes to create are large scale spells too complex for us to understand, and were deactivated during the sever. The cultists we are hunting messed with one and partially activated it in an attempt to get the attention of the gods. In the process they eliminated the person’s ability to reproduce across the continent. Cut's generation were the last born. I apologise for the blatant disrespect to your kind’s works, the actions of the cultists don’t represent general opinion of you or your ancestors]

There was silence throughout the camp.

[So, nobody in the world can have any children?] Angelina said.

[No]

“What happens when people Cut’s age start dying?”

[Then we all die]

“I-is there a way to fix it?” Layla asked.

[Well, you’re here, but you don’t appear to be familiar with runes] she said. [I wouldn’t presume that you’d do something for us, but… maybe you could ask the gods directly?]

[I’m not sure if it will have any impact.] Kana said. [But if we get the chance we will]

[Really?]

[Yes] Kana said firmly. She glanced to the others, and everyone nodded, though the uncertainty was clear on their faces. Caleb frowned and looked to the fire as the conversation continued around him.

This entire world is dying because of magic, he thought. If I’d known, I would’ve taken a rune skill in a heartbeat. But we weren’t even told about it. Why? Why don’t the arbiters seem worried about it at all?

He looked up at the stars once again, his eyes narrowing. He felt like he understood better now, saw more of those above.

And he didn’t like what he saw one bit.