It was Tuesday when the event occurred that would change my life forever. I was nine at the time, narrow minded and headstrong. An open and cheerful child. For the longest time, I would gather berries in the lush forests that surrounded our quiet village and eat them on the hilltops, overlooking the domed houses of my neighbors. On one of these days, the sun was suddenly shrouded in darkness. I looked up to see a Leviathan made of steel and wood flying overhead. From its base fell chunks of metal and debris. A small bit broke off and crashed in front of me. I fell back in shock and stared at the sky for awhile, completely ignoring the metal ball in front of me. I stood up shaking and walked over to the rubble. I pushed back some of the straps to find a square glowing blue. My curiosity peaked, I took it home in secret.

Ten year later, Deep in the woods, I was clumsily chopping at a chunk of timber. The sun, starting to rise, slipped between the trees in bright fashion. The mornings tranquility was calming but lonely. I finished up quickly and gathered the small amount of kindling I’d managed to cut. I walked through the tight gaps in the trees while the morning dew fell upon my collared shirt. The sun shone a little higher through the leaves when I reached the border separating the woods from civilization. The gravel path became smooth stone as I stumbled down the sudden hill by the forest edge.

“Damien!” My younger brother, Agravain, ran up as I caught myself but dropped all my wood.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, picking up the pile.

“I was just wondering if you were having any trouble with that?” He leaned down to pick up some of the wood.

“I’m not that weak.” He ignored me and started towards the house. We went through the back entrance to avoid town and I bumped my head on the door frame.

“Hey mom! We’re home!” Agravain said. My mother gave me a sad smile but I said nothing. “I’ll put these over here.” He took the pile from my hands and set both of them by the fireplace. I tried to think of something to say, anything, that would get me out of this unscathed. Any word of criticism from her would send me into a spiral of misery which I would rather not have on full display to the household. Without breaking her smile she said,

“How about I make you two some lunch?” As she moved stiffly to the kitchen, I made my way across the living room to the spiral staircase. Every time I came up there I felt like a wizard in his lone tower or a mad scientist away from the world. It always felt safe in that room, with nothing but the clock rhythm in my ears. It wasn’t really tidy, but I didn’t need to be. I had piles of recycled scrap and unforged metal. On my desk lay my one blue cube.

“Hello kybos,” I said, collapsing on my mahogany bed, “you’ll get to see Ami again today! Isn’t that exciting?” Hopefully it will work this time… I said while eyeing the piles of useless metal leftovers. My stomach growled I forgot to eat lunch today. I went to my door and found a few pieces of bread against the wall. I ate in silence while writing all sorts of strange equations that even the most brilliant minds could not replicate. I threw this now full notebook into the pile and started another one. I had barely started designing my next device when I heard a knock on my window. Sitting outside on the latter was the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Of course I couldn’t say that to her directly so she is only to be known as, Amira. She gave me a friendly wave while I opened the window to let her in.

“Phew, it’s hot out today!” She exclaimed, fanning herself. I simply nodded.

“You’re here earlier than expected…” I mutter.

“Oh yeah, really sorry about that. My dad has been getting a little suspicious activity, and there are so many guards around now. It’s Crazy!”

“I haven’t noticed any increase.”

“Are you kidding me?” She drags me to the open window and I see a giant vessel landing by the lake. “You better hope all this stuff doesn’t get you in trouble. Anyway, here’s your order!” She picked up a box of smithed metals in intricate designs to fit my every need. She kissed my cheek. “Please be careful.”

“I will.” And just like that, she was gone. I didn’t know that would be the last time we met.

I snuck downstairs. It was late afternoon, everyone was huddled in their rooms. I thought I could grab some leftovers. I crept into the kitchen, grabbing some wrapped bread and shoving it in my mouth. Walking back to my wizard tower, I heard my mother talking in the next room.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“This is the second time he’s snuck out this week. And other than that, he never leaves his room. I can’t even get a word from him.” There was a growing strain on her voice. “Is he avoiding me?”

“It will pass, we just need to give him time.” My father’s booming voice sounded so sincere.

“I just wonder if maybe I’m too soft.”

“That boy needs to be taught a lesson.” I left before they said anymore. I ran out the Unusable door.

◇ ◇ ◇

“I won’t give up on him. I’ll bring him back to us.” His mother was brought to tears. Agravain was walking back from his hunting trip when he saw his skinny brother running into town.

◇ ◇ ◇

Here I was again. Running from my problems. I’ve never really faced something head on. It was only when I passed the Unusable Gate that I noticed my arrival in town. I was spared the occasional glance, but even that proved too problematic. I was already at the point of crumbling into a ball right there on the street. Any more stress would probably lead to—

“Damien Bala Potestus?” In front of me stood three guards dressed in a royal blue, each carrying a halberd with a bronze tint uncoordinated with the common color scheme. The one in the middle was badged with amethyst and sapphire that was blinding in the orange sun’s light. He looked aged and experienced. I grew quite embarrassed about my attire in their presence. I could hear my heart beating from inside my chest, I hoped I wouldn’t stutter.

“Quite the name you got there…” he handed me a letter that somehow also seemed to glow, “you have been formally invited to permanent placement, by our governing body. You may come with us, or stay in this…” He looked around as though trying to decide what my village would be categorized as. “Anyway,” he continued, “The Founder wanted this delivered to you in person, please do not insult him. Even we don’t know the consequences.” He took a step back and continued even with my shocked expression, “we will give you three days before our ship leaves.” The sentries turned and walked down the pathed meadow in perfect formation, I saw one spit on the ground as they reached the docks. Slightly dazed, I looked down at the dazzling note in my hand. I didn’t even get a say, it’s not that I was complaining, just a little flabbergasted. On the front is signed “The Virium '' in large golden cursive. With more awe than fear, I opened the envelope to find a small paragraph of formality reading,

Dear Dr. Potestas,

By decree of the council, you are to be given work and residence in the great city of Arcanus. We will schedule your meeting with us after four weeks of your arrival. Please have your mask decorated before that date.

Signed -The Virium Authority

The letter was short and precise, though the thought of the authority giving such care seemed rather unbelievable. I assumed forgery until I saw the distinct virium seal near the paper’s base, a circle in a gold finish with an engraved sapphire making a V shape, I had no choice but to see reality. By this time the streets have emptied and I wanted home in silence. When I reached the front, my mother was outside waiting for me. She had a worried look on her face.

She asked, “what did they have to say?”

I speed walked inside towards the stairs, bumping her shoulder and slammed the door shut. I sat in a chair made of cedar and looked dimly at the chestnut colored carpet. With only one soft lamp, the room was left in darkness for the most part. I waited there for an hour or so until the sun started to set. A knock came from the door and the stern tone of my father called me down for dinner, which I ate quickly and ran back up afterwards, the sky already dark. I picked up the letter from my desk and fell back on the bronze sheets. Through my muddled brain I almost didn’t hear the soft voice of Agravain through the door.

“Dami?” He asked sweetly, “could you let me in?”

“The door’s open,” I say a little too sternly. He entered dramatically and hopped on the bed as though it was his own.

“You left faster than usual today,” he noted, “did something happen?” He looked at me with curious eyes and a sly smile.

“Must you know everything?” I asked with a sigh.

“Well of course, or else you wouldn’t say anything.”

“Fair enough,” I said before going quiet, “I-I’ve been asked to leave…”

“By the council? Can they do that?” He jumped up on the bed in shock but quickly fell and hit his head on a pillow. “When did this happen, And why!” He got louder as he spoke.

“Be quiet, they found me just a few hours ago when I went out the unusable door.”

“The what?”

“The front door. I haven’t told anyone else yet. I need you to do the same, at least until I make a decision. Please?” He hesitated before reluctantly agreeing. “Give me your word,” I said. I wasn’t about to be deluded.

“Fine. Just don’t stay up all night with those experiments, you need your brain power.” Despite his warning, I didn’t sleep much that night. When I did finally drift off, it was not a pleasant experience.