Red Regrets
an excerpt

Red Regrets

Chapter 1

I cannot say I am proud of my actions, but they are something I cannot deny. To this day they still haunt me, what caused me to do these things that I regret may not justify my actions, but surely they’ll explain them…

The sunlight blaring from my windows slowly illuminated my room, bringing color to the complex designs on my carpeted floor. I slowly rose from my slumber and then took my first step out of bed. Walking to my closet I could hear Gerard knocking on my door.

“Come in, I’m awake.” I hollered.
Gerard stepped in, “Good morning Francis, you’re awake on time as always.” He was a servant hired by family, but to me he was much more. Gerard was like a guardian. Well more of a guardian than my parents were. He took care of me, cared for me, and prepared me for the world. Also he served as my teacher and physical instructor. He had dark hair with a purple tint, and gentle but strong dark blue eyes.

My family was one of the richest families within the country of Melas. My father being a Duke, we had many privileges and powers. I personally do not like the lifestyle but understand its values and significances.

“Francis, I have your clothes ready,” Gerard handed me my suit, “I’ll meet you out in the east wing for physical activities after first meal.” With that he left the room.

I changed into my suit placing then made my way to the meal room. As I stepped down the large staircase, I took a moment to view myself in the mirror. My determined scarlet eyes glimmered with the sunlight’s reflection, my combed crimson hair, two fringes of hair hanging on down along each side of my thin face. I looked just like my mother, but I had my father’s hair and eye color.
On the other hand, my little brother Gabriel had my father’s traits, but with my mother’s blonde hair and blue eyes. If you looked at us you could not tell that we were siblings.
The clock struck 8:00 I ran down toward the meal room to find the table set. Across the tables were several plates topped with various foods such as foreign breads and fine meats. I sat down at my usual seat, between Gabriel and my father. Across from me my mother sat, her gentle Azure gaze, it made me smile. The presence of Father made me uncomfortable; I quickly abandoned my grin and replaced it with an emotionless frown. We ate in silence for a while, then father started a conversation.
“Our shipment from Alkurtz will come in tomorrow, just in time for your 15th birthday Francis.” Father stated.
“Oh, Frank. Don’t give him any ideas. Let him wait, for his birthday, not knowing will make the wait better.”
“I know Gabby; I just like teasing him a little.”
Our servant James walked in and picked up our plates. As he was walking away, Gabriel grabbed a fork and tossed it towards James. Our servant turned and saw it approaching, His arms were full so he stomped his foot upon the ground, the marble floor beneath him distorted and a stalagmite rose shielding him from the projectile.
“You aren’t going to surprise me Gabe.” He smiled.
“I will one day.” My little brother smirked.
James made the marble floor return to its original shape with a glance, and then resumed his mission to the kitchen.
“I wish I was a mage too, with a power to control something, anything! Preferably wind, like Gerard, I love how he can make things soar through the air.”
Mother nodded her head.
Gabriel continued his rant. “… and remember that one time he saved Carson, he fell off the roof, and Gerard caught him with a gust of wind…”
I stopped him, “You know as well as I do, we aren’t ever going to be able to do those things, we don’t have any mage blood, no one in our family has had magic.”
“I know…” He sighed glumly.
The bell clock rang signaling 9:00. Gabriel and I dashed out of the meal room, then toward the changing room.
“You lucky you have Gerard as your servant. He has cool mage powers, and does cool stuff for your physical practices. I get Henry; he makes me run all the time.” He said stripping down to his undergarments.
“Well that’s a good thing. I’d rather be running then swimming out in our cold lake.” I retorted.
“Yeah, but you don’t always swim.” He pulled on a shirt, re-laced his boots.
“I know…” I mumbled putting on my shirt.
“Well, Henry is waiting. Bye Francis.” He went out through the door.
I finished changing and then traversed through the hallway out to see Gerard waiting for me. Everyday he surprised me with a different activity. I meet him out in the east wing’s garden.
“What are we doing today?” I asked.
“Archery.” He handed me a bow and quiver.
“We’ll start with stationary targets, and then move to mobile ones once you get the hang of it.”
“What are the targets?” I asked looking around with a puzzled look.
Gerard walked back to the door, and then opened it, our gardener Cecelia came out. Gerard whispered something in her ear, she nodded her head yes. Then she pointed her hands outward, I could tell she was using magic. Trees shout out of the ground. Then vines grew in a circular target shape on the front of each tree.
“There you go. Try hitting the center circle on each tree.”
I thought it would be easy, so I grabbed an arrow and placed it on the bow, just as I saw others do. Pulling on the thin drawstring, I eyed the target. After a few seconds of concentration I released the arrow. To my surprise and embarrassment the arrow didn’t even hit the tree.
Again I grabbed an arrow and equipped my bow, pulled the drawstring, and again my arrow didn’t even fly within an inch of the tree. Frustration drove me to attempt again, and again I failed. I heard a chuckle from Gerard and glared over at him.
“You’re doing it wrong. Try instead of focusing on the Target’s center, aim for the top of the tree.”
Easy for you to say, this isn’t something new to you. I disdainfully thought.
Listening to his instructions, I glanced upward, the aimed my arrow toward the tree’s leaves. I liberated the arrow, it soared through the air, then descended landing within the outmost ring of the target. Although I was happy to finally hit it, I decided I was not fond of archery.
After 2 painfully miserable hours of archery, I was able to hit the center of the targets.
“Good job, our time’s up for now, you need to go to bathe before second meal.”
I tossed the bow on the ground and walked off toward the western wing. Dolphus used his fire magic to immediately heat the bathtub for me. My tired and sweaty body enjoyed the relaxing warm water. Humid air filled the room, as I sleepily soaked. Dolphus interrupted my bliss, “It’s about time you get out, Master Gabriel needs to bathe and you need to get dressed for second Meal.”
“Fine…” I mumbled parting with the warm paradise, and stepping the changing room. I put back on my suit, and then went to the meal hall. Father was there already discussing something with a stranger.
Father sounded angry, “Sorry, but no, I do not believe that way, and I don’t want my family exposed to that. Mages are just like us, they may have a power we do not, but that does not make them inferior to us, if anything they are superior.”
“Please you do not understand. These powers are curses given to them to bring torture and misery to our world. This magic will be then end of us all! We must get rid of it!” The man said.
“Leave my house now!” Father screamed pointing toward the door.
The man attempted again, “Sir please consider the…”
He was cut off, “James show him the exit please.” Father winked.
James who was beside father kicked his leg forward, the marble floor broke and a plate of it rose, propelling the stranger backward, he slammed against the wall. I could not help but wince at the pain he may of felt.
“How dare you do that to me you filthy Scum!” Shrieked the man who struggled getting up, then ran out the door, holding his back to ease the pain.
James waved his arm; the floor reshaped itself to the original state.
Gabriel ran into the room to see what all the commotion was, his eager look turned to a sad frown when he saw it was over and he missed the whole event.
We returned to our seats at the table, and our chefs brought in soup.
“Who was that man?” I inquired.
Mother quickly responded in a concerned tone, “Nothing you need to worry about you’re much too young to understand.”
“Bah! The boy’s fourteen, soon to be fifteen, he should be aware of the faults in our world.” Father commented.
“Then you tell him, but Gabriel is still 9 he doesn’t need to hear this. Take Francis into the other room.” She dispensed rapidly.
My father brought me into our large library, it had a deep maroon carpet with red curtains, and thousands of books lined the tall walls. Three large windows parted the outer wall, giving visibility to landscape outside. From there one could see the city of Carzoln, the Repid Forest, or even the western mountain range which divided Melas from Lazu.
Father prepared to explain something to me, which began with an awkward silence, then was fallowed by clearing of the throat, and ended with a cough.
“Son, Fancis, well…” Father attempted to explain to me, but was not good at these type of conversations. At least this was better than his talk explaining the source of life.
I politely sat quietly.
“Some people in this world don’t believe like us. They don’t believe in the same customs and practices, these are the bases of religion. One thing that really divides our religions in this world is the status of Magic. We believe that all people whether they are mage or not, are equal, we are called Alliancests. That man was a Supremist, believing that magic is brought to our world to bring misery, and thinking mages are inferior beings, they try to kill mages. He wanted us to let them take our mages away to their deaths. That’s why I said no.”
I was horrified at this. “How could they believe such ways?”
“I do not understand them, and most likely never will.” Father sighed, “There are few other religions, like Magists who believe magic is supreme, a reverse side of the other religion. Depending on what region it is, the practices vary, but I heard in some countries that Magists treat people without magic like animals. But that’s all I’ll explain for you today, it’s almost 14:00 you need to go start your studying.”
“Goodbye Father.” I said hugging him.
“I love you Francis, nothing won’t ever change that, but please understand that they are normal people like us.” He hugged me then left the library.
I noticed the clock was nearing 11:30 so I ran to meet Gerard in the study for my lessons.

The dimly lit study was shaped like an octagon, each wall was different, the first had a door, then the second had a very large map of the world, next was a book case ( containing various text books, under it educational literature), after that was a window, fallowing the window was a wall completely covered in cabinets, A bulletin board of newspaper articles (which I never cared to read), Then there was a bookcase of novels, lastly a large mirror. The room often gave people a claustrophobic feeling. But one thing I knew, the room gave me the opportunity to expand my world. The ability to soar through knowledge, and that I did. Gerard was my teacher, and he was tough on me. Most people would love to have a personal tutor, give you a one on one, the better chance to understand your weaknesses and where you need to improve. But that is what I disliked, he often challenged my weak spots, often giving me lessons on where to locate inability, and use it to my advantage. He did that to me, my horrid memorization, he often tested over that, forcing me to improve, I guess it is better for me in the long run. Although I’d much prefer to go to commoner’s school. That way the teacher could handle the class as a whole, and never have to get to know me.
He started the lesson off with having me recite the Melas constitution, fallowing it with a annotation check for the book I’ve been reading, ‘Chronicles of the Great Tree’. After finishing that, he assigned me a paper. Much to my relief the clock showed 14:45, Schooling was over for today. It was time for Gabriel and I to go to the nearby city of Carzoln.
Today Henry took us to the city; we rode on our family’s white horse drawn carriage. We smiled feeling the cool October air chilled us, causing a minor shiver. Gabriel grabbed on my arm. Leaving the mansion everyday felt like a paradise, free from the stress of our highly economic lives, just a chance to be kids. We jumped off the carriage and ran down the alleyway behind the bakery, there was our usual rendezvous. Lucas and Carol were already there waiting for us, along with a few other village kids.
Lucas was tall, and a month older than me. He had long blonde hair hanging equally on both sides, He childish expression often didn’t match with his mature face. But his auburn gaze was comforting like the adult or leader of our group’s should be. He had always had his left arm wrapped in many thick layers of bandaging. What happened or why it was this way was a mystery to us all, we never dared asked. He was muscular, and often wore thin black or white tank-tops, and always wore the same thick brown overly pocketed pants.
Carol on the other hand, was a very thin and had dark curly hair. She was very athletic unlike other girls, so she often stayed with us. Tea and Dolls weren’t her thing.
“I got our ball repaired by my mother.” Said one of the little kids, he held up what was the most stitched together ball ever, It appeared as if it had been revived a thousand times. Thanks to our powerful kicks the cause of its condition was never a mystery.
“Same rules as last time!” Carol hollered grabbing the ball then kicking it toward the wall, It bounced off, then everyone dodged it accept for me. I caught it then, kicked it back, this time Lucas caught it with his good arm before it hit the wall.
“You’re out already France.” He smiled. Then resuming the game he slammed it to the wall, it bounced off and Gabe failed in an attempt of catching it.
After we finished in the yet again destruction of the ball, I decided to be kind enough and purchase everyone a cake from the bakery, then we all ran out to the lake by Repid Forest. Stripping down we all jumped in and swam till Henry came by telling us it was almost 18:30, we needed to return home. We redressed then me and Gabe got on the carriage glumly waving goodbye to our friends.
Henry felt bad seeming like the bearer of bad news, so he gave us advice that would possibly change our views on leaving. “You know, it may seem bad only being able to see you friends for four hours every day. But being separated makes each time you see them even more wonderful, something to look forward to, a purpose to go about your day for that sweet reward.”
“I guess,” I said in dismay.
Gabriel remained silent.
We rode back up the hill to our mansion in an awkward silence.
We ate third meal, I changed, and then I returned out the east wing’s garden to do another session of physical activities. To my disappointment it was archery again.
“Since you are a quick learner, and to my surprise a VERY quick learner, we are now moving to mobile targets.” Gerard presented me the bow, and Cecilia breathed, She pointed her hand forward and an enormous root shot from the ground, and danced through the air. I fired an arrow, the arrow hit it. Then several more came. I hit some and missed others. Then some started coming in and out of the ground on timed patterns. When I shot them they died and withered quickly as they came into existence. After an hour the ground was nothing but fresh mud and holes where the roots came from. I was exhausted from dodging attacks from rapidly appearing roots, tired from pulling the drawstring, sweaty from physical activity, and covered in thick mud.
“I believe you should visit Dolphus again.” Gerard said, “ I’ll let you off early today. Please send leave you training clothing outside the bathing room doorway. With that I left to the bathing room, Dolphus heated my water for me and then I immersed myself into the warm tranquilizer. I sat there pondering my day.
…How will Archery ever help me when I am in my father’s position, he barely does any physical activities as it is… no wonder he’s plump. I can’t believe father actually instructed James to hurt that man, father has never done anything violent on anyone, or have wished pain upon others…What was with that man, I don’t see anything wrong with magic. How can it be some way to bring misery and pain upon our world…
I got out of the bath and looked at the clock, it showed 20:00, I was free to do as I please in till 22:00. I decided to go around and learn about magic, thus leading me to the library.
I looked around and grabbed any book that had to do with magic, I then sorted through the books, removing any that were fiction. Then I divided them into groups, starting with “Magical Philosophies and Sciences”.
I looked through and took notes on a piece of parchment.

“What is Magic? Magic is a general term that labels any usage of Magus. Magus is an otherworldly energy that exists only in another plane of existence; it is highly powerful and is impossible to completely comprehend. Certain people have a trait that is sometimes passed down through their blood that enables them to be a gateway between our world and the plane of existence we call Magus. These people are referred to as Mages. How they handle Magus varies. Some are able to do it using words from Ancient Magistic [Of or relating to Magus] languages. Some have Magus in their blood from birth. Most Mages have a certain type of Magus in them that allows them to have Magistic control over certain things. In some of these cases they also have the ability to generate the controlled, also.”

“Aha, that’s why Gerard can only control air, and Cecilia can control and produce plants!” I realized.

I flipped through the book to learn about spells…

“Using Magus in the form of spells is a very complex tactic, it requires years of practice and experience along with superior understanding. But when doing so, Magus converts into a tangible form that is shaped into characters from the Ancient Magistic languages, these create even more powerful gateways into the Magus realm, that summon the requested Magus from the spell. There is a way by using Spells that non mages can become mages by the use of several spells, more information on this is stated in chapter thirteen.”
Immediately I tore the book to the thirteenth chapter, I began skimming through the pages.

“The art of MutoMagistry, has been practiced on many throughout many years, but so far only there are two recorded successes to this date. The first success required the Omnibus of Darkness, a book that contains all Dark magic ever recorded and that ever will. Just by opening it, the reader is instantly exposed to thousands of Dark Magi,” [Magi is a measurement of tangible Magus]
“If they are not already a mage, this will instant bestow them the power of one.”

I was amazed and wanted to go on, just then father stepped into the library.
“Francis! What are you doing?!”
“I was studying magic, I feel if it’s a big part of our life and that in order for me to be accepting of it I should be able to comprehend it!”
He ran over to me to see what I was reading, “This is dangerous information, I forbid you to look at this.” He snatched the book along with my notes.
“Father… I!” He cut me off.
“Becoming a mage is not wonderful like you think it is, especially through those tactics, the omnibus is lost and will only cause pain and misery. The other way involves the killing of many! I don’t want you exposed to those Ideas!” With that he left slamming the door, taking the books and my notes with him.
I screamed at him in anger, Why did he not want me to learn of MutoMagistry? If only he’d explain why it’s so bad maybe I would avoid it?
Distressed I left to the library then returned to my room once again, venturing off to sleep.

I awoke again, stared at the clock which read 7:15. I awoke earlier than usual, thus driving to attempt to sleep again, this prove useless for I could not return to my state of slumber, after another 15 minutes I gave up and climbed out of bed starting my new day. Gerard knocked on my door.
“I’m awake.” I grumbled in an irritated tone.
Aware of my unpleasant mood he entered my room silently, handed me my suit, then stated, “I will not take this attitude during physical training today, it better change.” He left knowing I got the message, and I saw no more of him in till after first meal.
I changed into my physical training clothes and met him again in the east wing garden. To my sorrow he again held a bow and quiver, and Cecilia was by his side.
I noticed that I was getting better, the only thing that encouraged me to do this was the idea that once I perfected the sport I would be done with it and never have to do it again. Cecilia manipulated the colossal plant roots into attacking me by throwing rocks and other objects this time, not only did I have to hit the plants mobile targets, but now I had to avoid them and their projectiles.
I fired the first shot of many; it pierced through the green, the roots instantly withered into a brown lifeless organism. Just then I noticed another root lifting a large boulder and hurling it in my direction, taking the mud to my advantage I slid by falling into one of the deep holes made by the root. This was a mistake, I saw the giant plants gather above the hole, about to cask me down inside the pit. I quickly grabbed three arrows and shot them all upward at once, then climbed up out of the pit. Gerard and Cecilia clapped for my great effort then dismissed me. Later in the day after second meal and studying, Gabriel and I headed back into the town and meet in the alleyway behind the bakery with Lucas and our friends.
“We’re here!” I shouted gleefully.
No one really responded they were all huddled around something. Gabriel crawled under them to see, leaving me behind unable to tell what the commotion was. I walked around the other side to see a small furry creature. It resembled a cat but had longer ears, smaller legs, and very large tail.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I’m not sure.” Lucas frowned.
“I know!” Gabriel smiled, “It’s a Sheekah. They’re native to the Repid forest, but it’s really rare to see one, especially in a city.”
“Why do you think the poor thing’s here?” Lucas asked.
“Maybe it’s injured,” I said scanning it for possible signs of injury, “Right there, see how it’s curled up around one leg, there are signs of blood, I believe his leg is broken!”
“Can someone fix it?” Carol asked.
“I believe we can, we just need some bandage and two small equal sized pieces of wood.” I said.
“I’ll go home, I believe I got some extra bandages.” Lucas explained dashing out of the alley.
“What do you mean by Equal sized pieces of wood?” Gabriel asked.
“Like this,” I held out my hand forward creating about a 3 inch space between my thumb and index finger, a length equivalent to that of the Sheekah.
“Oh,” Said a little boy from our group, he looked at his shorter friend, “Don’t we have some sticks about that long in our tree house?”
“Yeah! Let’s got get them!” The shorter one said.
Within twenty minutes they had returned. I braced the poor animal’s leg and then tied it with the bandages.
“We should keep it.” Carol smiled.
The group nodded in agreement. Lucas enquired, “If so what will we name it?”
“Carmen!” Carol laughed.
“No what If it’s a boy?” Gabriel disagreed.
“Well what if it’s a girl?” Carol taunted Gabe.
Lucas picked up the small creature from behind and examined it. “It’s a boy alright.” He laughed.
“So then what do we name it?” I asked.
“How bout Fluffums?” The short boy suggested.
“Where in the world did you get a weird name like that?” Gabriel glanced disapprovingly.
“Why not Samual, like Sam who was with us before, before he left us and joined Malth?” I suggested, which I now regretted. It gave everyone a melancholic mood, the memory of our friend who left us to join Malth, to later die in a battle in a foreign county.

Malth was a special Government Military group, what they did I was unsure of, but We never asked about it, rather we never cared to ask about it.

“Yeah, Sam sounds like a good name.” Lucas smiled.
So we played around Sam for the rest of the four hours Gabe and I were there. We constructed a small shelter for the Sheekah out of a broken crate and we feed it some bread from the bakery.
Lucas grew particularly fond of Sam, they both had a bandaged limb.
When it was time for us to go home Gerrard came to pick us up in the white carriage. After more dreaded archery practice, I used my free time to study more about sheekahs.
Returning to the library reminded me of last night. Father’s anger was a side of him I saw rarely, but lately it has been occurring more frequently.
What is it about mages that causes so many problems? Everyone seems to act strangely over the topic of magic. The Supremist loath them with all their hearts. People try to become mages. Father freaked out when I read that book on MutoMagistry.

The research on Sheekahs proved unproductive. So once again I went to bed distressed and disappointed.

Unknowingly why I awoke quite suddenly in the middle of the night, I had a feeling something was wrong. I glanced over at my clock which read 1:00. My room was illuminated by the full moon shining through the windows, but an eerie dark feeling came from out in the hallway. Leaving me room, I could feel the eerie presence grow stronger as I ventured further down the hallway.
It radiated from Gabriel’s room, fearfully I opened the door to see the dark silhouette of a man standing above Gabriel’s bed. His left arm was radiating with a dark lavender visible aura.
Magus…
His hand was pointed at Gabriel.
“Stop!” I yelled.
He turned to face me, It was too dark so his face wasn’t visible but I could see his eyes glowing, radiating with the same Magus that his left arm was emitting.
I didn’t understand why, but he decided to retreat. Screaming the unknown figure made his left arm grow, it grew into a large black arm, which seemed to belong on a demon, its veins were visible, glowing with the same Magus. The fingers turned into Claws, It darkened into a deep midnight black. He tore through the wall Then Jumped out the hole, disappearing into the night.

The loud sounds woke Gabriel up, and seconds later Gerard, Henry, and James ran in, they were shortly fallowed by Mother and Father. I was questioned on what happened.
“A large demonic arm you say,” Father said in a fearful tone, it showed some remorse, I wonder if he knew anything about it, but when I asked he denied any prior knowledge of the intruder. I knew father was hiding something, I was determined to find out.

Chapter 2

After First meal I left out to the East wings Garden.
“I bet you must be overjoyed, today we are sparring!” Gerard stated.
In an overjoyed tone, all I could dispense was the word, “WHAT?!”
“That’s right, we’re fighting.” He through a long wooden pole in my direction, I caught it, “And what better way to learn than the hard way?” He swung his wooden pole before him making a wave of wing push me off my feet.
I got up grabbed my pole, he made another wave of wind, I ducked under it, then thrusted my pole at him, he did a back flip, and then slammed my head with his pole.
“Ow!” I screamed, I decided I disliked this fighting too.
“Pain is the best teacher, if you’re gonna learn to fight, you gotta dislike it.” He made another wave of wind; I wasn’t prepared so it pushed me against the garden’s stone walls. The impact was so strong it shattered the wall, “Don’t fret over that, James can fix it.”
It pained me to stand up, “I think my back is injured.”
“Don’t worry about that, we can get Mrs. Alison to mend it, you need to learn to fight through injuries. I fought in the war of Alkurtz, I had a broken arm but I was victorious, and I’m still around today at the age of Forty-Eight.”
“But you’re a mage you have an unfair advantage over me.”
“Yes but my opponents were also mages, and I had been fighting for days and was temporally handicapped. You see being in a tough spot brings out people’s true strengths, you just need to learn how to find an opening in a tough moment.”
It stressed me, he always challenged me to do more to succeed, and to achieve a goal, he made a hard working person out of me. Gerard never gave me the answers to my questions, he made me figure them out. He never showed me the shortcuts, he made me go the longer routs.
I grabbed my weapon and Attempted a swing at his side, he blocked then smacked me with his pole. I feel backward again, this time my back hurt even worse.
“Come on Francis, hit me with all you got, don’t give up!”
He angered me, he didn’t understand the position I was in.
I tried another thrust, but he deflected my blow again. It angered me, he kept telling me to do more, then I’d try, then he would shatter my attempts and hope, then get on me for not succeeding. Could he not tell I was trying my best?
“Why are you not fighting back hard enough?”
“SHUT UP OLD MAN!” I attacked his legs, He fell off balance, Then I repetitively beat him with my pole.
“Stop!” He gasped.
I hit him again.
“Francis!” He begged.
I struck him again.
“I beg you!” He wailed.
Once again I beat him, anger flowed through me.
“Enough!” He cried.
A bloodlust filled my mind, eminent rage, hatred, and loathing.
I stopped, the feeling left suddenly, Gerard was lying unconscious on the ground beneath me, in my hands a bloody pole, the grey sky loomed over us, it started to leak water upon the two of us. I cried, even though I knew what I did to him was not fatal, I cried for the innocence I once had, had left me.
What drove me to do those actions? Was it hatred toward him? What was happening to me? I have been feeling less compassionate toward mages every day. Did I envy his power? Did I want magic, do I want magic? Or do I believe magic is evil? Am I becoming a Supremist? What is happening to me? Why was I unable to control my raging violent actions? How would I Francis Clance, son of Frank Clance the Duke of Melas, a civilized young man commit such a violent action? Wait He made me do it! It was his fault he pushed me, antagonized me, he drove me to do such things. It was all his fault. But wait! I have self control I was brought up that way! No! He raised me, he knew my weak spots, and it was a part of his plan! He wanted me to snap, He did, he did, I know he did! Is he using me? What would a man like Gerard Simmons be plotting to use me for?
I brought him to Mrs. Alison, our families’ personal healer. She was also a mage her power enabled her to heal injuries and mend bodies with just a touch. I said nothing, leaving him before her door, knocking then walking away.
I locked myself in my room, not speaking to anyone, not answering the knocks from Mother, Father, and Gabriel, not even acknowledging my own self. Just sitting in cold silence, pondering upon what I had done, why I had done it, it nearly drove me to the brink of insanity. The next day I still refused to come out, Gerard was better, he came and knocked on my door at 7:15 as always, acting as if the incident yesterday had never happened.
He is messing with me, I bet the moment I come out that door I’ll be battered by him. He is probably plotting revenge; I will not succumb to his mental games!
By 15:00 I grew hungry, lonely, and disheartened. Just then I heard another knock on the door.
I could Lucas’s voice transmit through the door. “Francis get over it, what’s done is done. You cannot change the fact you went a little cuckoo and attacked your servant. But from talking to him, he said it was his fault for pushing you over the limit. He wanted that reaction out of you, so you could succeed but he just wasn’t excepting that. If you learn a little self control, then you can apologize, put this behind you, and live your life to its fullest again.”
I unlocked the door and dragged him in without saying a word; I then locked the door behind him. There was silence, he stared me directly in the eye.
I finally broke the gauche silence, “It’s easy for you to say that, you’ve never committed a violent act like that before, and then have to be with them for a majority of your every day life.”
Lucas looked down at his overly bandaged arm. “I have been in a similar situation before, although mine has a bit different state of being. The person does not know what I did, or that it was me. It still pains me being around them.
I wanted to ask him about it but knew it wasn’t a good moment. “Even if I did go out there I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye. Much less speak with him.”
He turned to me and smiled, “Sometimes you have to be bold, blunt, and to the point. Instead of beating around the bush, just come out and say ‘I’m sorry!’”
I smiled and thanked Lucas, gave him a hug, and then stepped out into the hallway. Knowing Gerard he was most likely where he would be with me at the time of day usually. Right now he’d be in the east wing’s garden so I headed there.
And as I expected, He was standing solitary in the garden. I paced up toward him, he did not react.
“I’m sorry.”
“You do not need to be sorry.” He said.
“But I was unable to control myself; I really do not know what happened to me. It’s as if I felt another personality blossom within me. But none the less, I harmed you beyond your wishing. It was not right of me!”
“I am giving you the opportunity to put this behind you. You better take it, we could stand here debating this all day, but I wanted you to be able to attack me, you were unable to control yourself now if you can mutter yourself a little self control we can both go along with our lives.”
I didn’t understand how he could get over it so quickly, but then I decided I needed to get over it, realizing that I’m the only one who is having problems over it, due to my insecurity.
“I’ll excuse us from sparring for today, but tomorrow we both go all out, not even refraining from mortality. I have a special surprise that will enable us to ‘Fight to the death.’”
I was about to ask about this surprise, but knowing Gerard he reveals no secrets.

Gabriel and I left to the Carzoln with Lucas. I looked around, noticing that Gabriel had a bad in his arms. “What’s the bag for Gabe?” I enquired.
“Well after some research I was able to find more information about Sheekahs, I learned that the name Sheekah was applied to them very recently so any books older then ten years you would not locate information on them under the name sheekah, they were originally called Tree Beasts. So I researched them and found what types of food they eat, and the extent of their abilities. Did you know that Sam can jump up to thirty feet in the air and glide?”
“Obviously he didn’t.” Lucas smirked.
“Wow I gave up after ten minutes of unsuccessful research.” I muttered with humility.
“Their ears have special light wait muscles that they stiffen causing the ears to act as wings, this is what enables them to glide through the air after jumping. Also in some very rare cases, the ears have an extra few muscles which enables them to flap the ears like wings. The color of their fur changes depending on the climate they are exposed to. Sheekahs from the north have lighter fur than ones from the south.”
He droned on about Sheekahs for the next few miles, once we arrived he closed the notes he had taken. We met at the ally way, Again everyone was gathered around Sam, but this time instead of curious tones of voice, everyone seemed mortified. Gabe and I pushed our way through, we were shocked. Gabriel started crying, I wanted to join him, but I knew I had to be strong.
“Who could do such a thing?”
“How did this happen to him?”
“Why!”
“Some people are just cruel.”
Before us, the body Sam lay drenched in blood; His face displayed a look of terror. There were no cuts, or signs of puncture in on his skin, but his body had blood all over. Then I noticed, glowing on his skin was a faint hint of Magus. It was in the shape of an eye.
“Look!” I said pointing to the Magus eye, “There is an eye on it, well it looks like one. It looks like Magus.”
“How do you know what Magus looks like? More importantly how do you know what Magus is?” Lucas asked.
“Well, I researched Magiology the other night. Father got mad at me, but I needed to know, that’s how I learned what Magus was.”
“But how did you know that this is what Magus looks like?” He pointed to it with his bandaged arm, His voice showed fear.
“Well the night after that, someone broke into my house, He were in Gabe’s room, his arm and…” It hit me, “IT WAS YOU!” I Screamed, as I charged at him, ripping the cloth that concealed his left arm.
What was beneath was a smaller version of the demonic limb I saw the previous night. Everyone gasped in shock after seeing it. The thin black arm that had pointed edges, claws for fingers, and purple veins radiating Magus. Most of the kids in our group forsook the alleyway, leaving only Gabriel, Lucas, and I.
“Does this mean that you are a… a Mage?” I questioned.
“No I am not a mage; I am a victim of MutoMagistry.” He explained.
“Then what is wrong your arm, why is it your arm that emits Magus?”
“MutoMagistry without the Omnibus of Darkness is an unperfected art. It Generated this.” Lucas pointed his palm out forward, on it was the same eye that I saw on Sam.
“What is it?” Gabe asked.
“A Shucko.” He grimly stated, “I am unsure what happened, but in the process of MutoMagistry, we learned that Magus brought into this world through a mage can only be used by a mage, I was unable to use Magus then, for I could not make a Magistic gateway, nor could I gain it from a mage. Then they thought of an Idea, he tried to generate Magus. At first it was successful but then it was given to me it turned into this.” He glared at the demonic arm.
“Who are they, who is He?” I asked.
“Oh you didn’t know?” He laughed.
“WHO?!”
“There are so many things you don’t know Francis. Like what your Father did before becoming Duke of Melas, He was a Magologist. He study and experimented with Magistry, then his team wanted to experiment with MutoMagistry, so they took me an orphaned young boy and tried to turn me into a mage, it’s not completely their fault though. I agreed to it, for I wanted to be a mage so dearly thinking I could bring back my dead parents. But no, I was wrong I later learned that resurrection of life is nearly impossible, not even the strongest mages can do it, unless they use dark necromancy, but even what they bring back isn’t human, it’s just a boney dead puppet, but it was too late, they had gone so far, and messed up so bad. Cursing me with this infernal life sucking demon, that hungers for life. I must feed it life or it’ll consume me.”
“Father did that to you?!” Gabriel cried.
Suddenly the arm started pulsing, waves of Magus radiated from it, increasing in intensity.
“No not again! It’s the third time this week!” He screamed as the arm grew.
“What’s happening?!” I yelled.
“Like I said, it hungers for life. For some reason it wants Gabriel’s life, I tried giving it Sam’s instead, but there is just something every time it gets near Gabriel. I’m sorry Francis, I can’t deny Gabriel to it anymore!”
The arm Grabbed my brother, It held him with the single fist. Gabriel Screamed and cried out my name. I ran up to save him, but Lucas grabbed me with his normal arm and through me back. I was slammed against the wall. I was about to give up, but then I remembered what Gerard taught me. You have to find a weak point for your enemy, even if you’re in an unfair or in a disadvantageous situation.
I scanned the surroundings, looking around for something I could use as a weapon. There was nothing in plain sight.
“Francis!” my sibling screamed.
I watched in horror as Gabriel’s life was taken through the arm of the one who was once my best friend. The Demonic arm shined with Magus, moans of pain left Gabriel’s mouth, blood dripped from between the dark fingers. The hand dropped my brother’s corpse onto the ground; he caused a splash landing in a puddle of his own blood. I could see the hint of Magus left on his stomach from the eye in the palm of that malevolent abomination that served as Lucas’s arm.
Gabriel was gone, no longer part of this world. Never to laugh, cry, or smile ever again. He was taken by Magic. At that second I was able to comprehend why the Supremists loath mages. Mages really do bring pain, agony, and suffering into this world. But it was too late to save Gabriel. I must punish Lucas for allowing such heinous action to happen.
Refraining from crying I left the alleyway, I walked home passing Gerard unnoticed, not speaking a word. The images of that atrocious sight I saw kept replaying through my head Gabriel screaming my name, the Blood dripping, his body falling. I entered my home; once again I locked myself in my room. I sat upon my bed, terrified such things as mages exist in this world.
Magic took Gabriel’s life, and most likely has taken many others. Magic must be destroyed. The Supremists already have realized it, but they do not act on it. Why?! Why do they not remove the magic from this world? Because the foolish Magists and Alliancests blinded our world. Made them think magic is okay, showing only the good and bright side of magic. I guess it is up to me to deliver Judgment, I will work and Exterminate magic from this world, starting with you Lucas.
I heard my mother’s scream fallowed by loud crying, then the repeating of my brother’s name with the occasional, “why” and “how could this happen.” Then Gerard and my incredulous and crying parents muttered the emotional strength to come to me.
Gerard knew that I had known what happened, for as I found out he was the one to first locate the body, he had looked for me, then came home showing my parents. They had asked me if I knew what happened. So in chronological order I explained to them starting with my discovery in the alleyway, then how I found of father’s previous occupation, but I left out the fact of my newfound mission.
Father sighed stopping his crying, “ I knew this was going to happen.”
“HOW!” mother turned screaming.
“When we discovered the Shucko, we learned they hunger for life, and they sought out young for they have a longer life span. If unfed the Shucko grows and consumes the host. On one test subject it fully covered the being. But anyways, Gabriel has a very long remaining lifespan, for he is a mage.”
“What!” I asked in shock.
Mother wearily said, “There was a hybrid trait of healing Magus in my side of the family, the chances of it occurring in you two were very slime, but somehow you got it. Gabriel couldn’t have used it on others like Cecilia but he would have lived for very long.”
Then Father started, “The Shucko eye is a very power eye. It has more than one type of sight. They can see into your soul, they can see heat, in the dark, they can see Magus. They can see in almost any way, shape, or form possible. Lucas’s Shucko could see they high concentration of life Magus in Gabriel. Unlike Gabriel, this Shucko can use it.”

“Is there any way to destroy a Shucko?” I asked, in order to beat an enemy one should know all about their enemy.
“Yes, the eye. If the eye is destroyed then Shucko is dead, for the only thing keeping the Shucko in this world is the eye.”
“If you knew this was going to happen why did you not do anything to stop it?!” I yelled.
“Doing so would have killed Lucas,” my father grimly stated.
Well Lucas is going to die now anyway. He deserves it for letting such thing happen. The easiest way will be to kill the Shucko.
After my family left, I mentally prepared myself, for tonight I will punish Lucas and his Shucko. But why do I say “and”? That thing is him, by letting it take over his judgment it is in control of him, so now I view them as one!
At 23:00 I left my room, dressed in black, for in this night, there showed no moon, so I was invisible. My first destination was the family’s armory. Inside I saw countless numbers of weapons. Weapons from all over the world, an Alkurtzian battle axe, an Ellanish bow, a Lustrian spear. I picked up the bow and headed over to the table to restock on arrows for my quiver. Then I looked at the Kernish belt, It was a belt crafted for holding weapons, I strapped the bow onto it, one knife, then slid in two small daggers into the attached sheaths on both sides.
Then something caught my eye. It stood out for it was a fluorescent pink, when everything else in the room was a dark brown, black, or silver. The object was a heart shaped pendant cut into it was an octagon. I removed the pendant from the case beneath it were a small amassment of yellow crystals, each cut into eight sided shapes that would fit perfectly into the heart pendant. I placed the yellow crystal into the heart pendant, I felt a wave of Magus flow through me, and I saw it glow around me for a split second, the shock from this caused me to topple backward landing on a spear, I screamed in pain then ceased realizing that I felt no pain. I got up and felt Magus flowing through my back.
I remembered Gerard’s words, I have a special surprise that will enable us to ‘Fight to the death.’ I presumed this is what he meant.
I looked on the table where I obtained the pendent beside it was a letter.

Dear Frank Clance,

You should have received the life pendants, but with them I suggest keeping them secret. These are new MagiTechnology that could turn wars if found in the wrong hands. With this I shall explain how they work, the Magus crystals that I supplied you with have a certain capacity and are not rechargeable. They must be cut in a perfect shape to fit inside the pendant. They use Magus to consume any damage that may be caused to the wearer. The damage adds up, but after a certain amount is taken the crystal shatters and must be replaced. The Magus crystals are very rare, so I suggest using them in moderation, for I have only supplied you with these. Also after this mission I refuse to steal from Malth anymore. It is getting too dangerous and I think they are on to me. I’m sorry dear friend, but I must warn you, Malth is on the verge of publicly spreading Supremacy. They have already killed Samuel Bakers, for he

The rest of the letter was illegible. I pondered the message,
Spreading Supremacy? Does this mean the government is becoming Supremist too? And Samuel… He was killed by Malth? Why? I guess he was for mage rights also…
I was surprised yet joyful that Malth was taking part in my action, but with this I was reminded to resume my task. I placed the pendant around my neck and left toward Carzoln. Along my way the dark sky started raining, no stars were visible making the night a near pitch black. The new moon, the dark rain clouds, and the absence of starlight would make this task not only easy but give me a good opportunity of escape.
I traversed through the rain as it increased in strength and thickness. As I approached the room above the bakery that Lucas called home, I climbed upon the rood of a building nearby. As I expected he had left the window open. Lucas told me how he loved the calming effects of the rain, whenever it rained he would try to expose himself to it as much as he could, for the rain reminded him of his single memory from his childhood. I never learned the full memory for he only mentioned that it was with his mother and father, and the last time he saw the two. I prepared my bow, looking into the window, and then aiming for him, I saw that he was not inside.
“Looking for someone?” A voice called from behind me.
I turned around to see him standing on the roof of the building behind me. The Shucko grew farther on Lucas, It now covered the left half of his face. The once gentle and comforting auburn eyes were now crazed, and the left one was replaced with the wicked purple eye of the Shucko.
“I could see you coming from a mile away; you have a high body heat.” His voice also had changed, the deep masculine yet friendly voice was now doubled with the sound one could only imagine coming from a demon
“You let that thing take over you more, it doesn’t matter to me anymore. I will now take your life as punishment for committing such heinous act, and bearing magic the source of all things evil in this world.” I shot an arrow Lucas. He expanded the arm and deflected the arrow with its’ tough shell.
He roared swinging his arm which shot enormous spheres of dark Magus at me. In an act of avoidance I ran and jumped on the room of the neighboring building. The previous home upon which I stood was demolished by the Magus spheres which combusted on impact. I grabbed another arrow and fired, again he blocked. He threw another barrage of dark Magus spheres at me. I dodged them again, and again attempted another shot at him, and again he blocked it.
The arm’s shell is too powerful, a weak arrow like this can’t do anything to it. In addition that arm is enormous and fast, he can block himself using it. I gotta find some way to use his attacks against him.
I waited for another barrage of dark magus spheres, when they came I shot an arrow into one. It sent the sphere with the arrow back at Lucas. I could tell the explosion was effective for it cracked the arm. He roared in anger and leaped off the crumbling building onto another.
“You will pay for what you did to Gabriel!” I screamed firing another arrow into his stomach while he was in midair, the arm could not be used as a shield for he was grabbing onto the roof of another home.
By now people were aware that something was going on due to the loud explosions and or demolition of their homes. People ran to escape and most people left the parameters of the city. Ignoring the chaos below us we continued our battle. I repetitively fired arrows at him until I was completely sure that he was able to guard again, then I awaited a move from him.
“I have grown too weak to resist the darkness any longer; I sadly must say goodbye for now the Shucko will gain complete control over my heart and mind. It’s a shame that you were not able to see that I was not who you think I am. But please do destroy this Shucko for me. I sadly accepted it to continue my life selfishly; not thinking of the pain it would cause others. Please kill it Fran…” with those final words the last remaining consciousness of Lucas had left this world.
He generated a sword out of the dark Magus and swung it in an attempt to kill me, I grabbed the on of the daggers and blocked it with my free hand. Meanwhile I strapped the bow on my back, then reached for the other jamming it into his side.
Shucko Lucas ripped back his weapon and again tried to hit me, I slid on the wet ground backward causing him to slam his weapon against the soggy ground. I ran into one of the forsaken buildings and then started up the stairs. He tore through the wall with the atrocious arm and roared again. Pointing his hand at me, I gazed into the eye, it sent me into an immobile trance. Out of the eye he fired a ray of magus, the pain causing me to awake.
I through one of the daggers at the eye, but he quickly closed his hand protecting the eye with the claw like fist.
I resumed my way up the stairs, looking around I found the window and climbed out.
Gosh I never expected the tables to turn like this, now the hunter is becoming the hunted.
I returned to the roof of the building, to my surprise his sinister hand pierced through the roof, He tore a hole in it then pulled himself up on top of the building. I escaped onto another roof, and switched back to my bow and arrows. He fired the dark Magus Spheres at me, and I shot my arrows into them, but then to my surprise He deflected them back at me. I jumped off the roof and to my horror I saw him generate another sphere this one he slammed onto me. I had remembered the shielding pendant and considered faking my death. But the Eye could still see I was alive, so instead of wasting time I got back onto my feet and resumed our fight.
I shot arrows at him, this time I noticed the shielding around the arm was breaking off. In order to avoid another attack like before I climbed back on the roof, I was above him with and thinking I had aerial advantage. But I was wrong.
The Shucko Lucas dashed through the air and grabbed a hold of my body; He suspended me in the air with the enormous arm just as he did to Gabriel. But when trying to absorb my life, it started to scream in pain. When blood would normally fall out of the Eye and leave a Magus residue, liquid Magus fell out, and Magus acting upon the Magus shield caused a horrible chemical reaction. There was an explosion between us. I flew out of his grip and was sent soaring onto a far out shop. After a minute of pain I stood up noticing that crystal broke. Quickly I retrieved another Magus crystal and placed it in the pendant. I ran back toward the center of the city. There he was, the arm was now thin and shriveled, He no longer had any fingers just the dark eye in the palm of his hand. Lucas was severely weakened, his clothes reduced to poorly strung together shreds, his hair ripped apart, and his eyes bloodshot.
I walked up to him, and grabbed the knife and impaled it into the eye. The whole body started burning into nothingness through dark flames. After the process was over there were no remains of Lucas except for memories and the pains he caused. I felt a sensation like no other, I had destroyed a mage. I had protected our world from a potential evil, no not potential. A great evil that caused pain, grief, and suffering. I wanted to protect the world more and that I would do.

Chapter 3

I got home before I could be seen by anyone, I hid the weapons and wet clothes in a locked box beneath my bed. Deciding it may prove itself useful I hid the pendant around my neck but beneath my shirt.
Gerard knocked on my door, and I let him in. Then we went through my routine day. First meal started, Father and Mother were mourning still. We ate in silence except for the occasional cry from mother fallowed by a few comforting words from father.
I excused myself unable to sit there; I wanted to tell them of the vengeance I had achieved for Gabriel. Yet knowing them I couldn’t, they’re Alliancests and would not approve or understand my actions. I had a half hour before I needed to meet Gerard in the east Garden.
Leaving the table I passed James.
He too is a filthy mage. I find it likely he too will bring pain to this family; I must stop him before it happens.
I closed the door then turned to hear Henry and Cecilia talking of the destruction at Carzoln.
“It has to have been a mage battle for there to be destruction like that. Only Ellanish have weapons that can cause explosions. They don’t share weaponry, it’s amazing that Master Clance could even get that bow from them; I heard it required a lot of haggling.” Henry said.
“I didn’t know there were any mages with power like that, the only two mages who lived in Carzoln are Van and Michelle, one of them is a healer and the other can control water. I don’t believe either of them have power to cause explosions.” Cecial continued.
Henry replied, “Well some people who witnessed a portion of the battle before fleeing to safety said that one of them had what they described as a Demon arm.”
“A demon arm?”
“I don’t get it either, I remember master talking about something to do with Magistry and an arm. I don’t remember what it was exactly was.”
“Was there anything else you heard?”
“No but I’m curious, if there is stuff like this going around it’s only going to further agree with Supremacy and give us mages a bad name.”
It’s okay I’ll get you two also, mages like you don’t deserve to be around, all you do is bring suffering to this world.
I left out toward the changing room. Dressing ready for battle, I pondered if I should keep on the pendant. Gerard most likely knows about it, but it’s a lot better than getting hurt. Then again I need to conserve the crystals for mage killing.
I left for the garden deciding to temporarily abandon the shielding necklace. Gerard awaited me standing very properly.
“Your thirty-seven seconds late. It’s not like you to be late. I’ve noticed you have been changing Francis.” He said.
“Sorry…” I couldn’t think of any excuses, normally I blamed a tardiness on Gabriel needing help with something, but it would be hard convincing him that a dead body needed assistance in any action.
“We were going to spare to the death today, to bring you to a newfound strength but seeing as is one of the tools I was planning on using is missing, We will go help out in restoration of Carzoln. I’m sure you’re well aware of last night’s incident by now. Go change back into your normal clothes Francis, meet me by the front door, you have twenty minutes.”
I changed back into my clothes and left this time bringing the pendant, I wrapped it around my upper arm, hiding it beneath my sleeve, this was I was wearing it but without it being noticed.
From the view on the carriage I could tell from three miles away that the center of the city was in ruins. Seeing it in day was worse then at night, in daytime I was familiar with most of the buildings. I could see the house I landed on after the magus induced explosion was that of friend I knew. The buildings that were hit by Lucas’s dark magus spheres were nearly burnt completely to the ground. Once we were in the center of the city we could see even more damage done.
The place where I was knocked onto the ground and blasted directly with a magus sphere was now a crater. There was a crying family whose house we tore through. The bakery’s roof had many punctures and burns. Three other houses were reduced to ashes.
“It’s a shame what Mages can do with their power.” An unfamiliar voice said to me from behind.
I turned around to see a stranger whom was not residential of Carzoln. He was tall, and had fierce blue eyes; His uniform was a light color between blue and green, mostly green. He had very long hair of the same color, a big group of it hung in front of his chest tied together with what looked like a bracelet. His uniform consisted of that green colored jacket, green pants, a black undershirt, and a flat black side leg guard with the Malth emblem on it on his right leg.
“You’re from Malth?” I asked in surprise.
“Yes I’m General Nathan Sarus, head of Malth actually. We received a report of Magical attack and came here to stop it. We are unsure how but it was ended. It’s a shame your town still allows mages, we are trying to get a government ban on mages in Melas.”
Looking around to make sure Gerard was no where near I said, “Actually what happened was… well I killed the mage, he had murdered my little brother, so I punished him, and in self defense he tore apart half the town.”
“YOU DID WHAT?!” He yelled in surprise.
I whispered, “I killed the mage here last night. I punished him for his heinous crime.”
I trusted this man for some reason. I do not know why, probably because he has the same views as me. I remember how in the letter to father it stated that Malth was Supremist, and by judging what this man had said he was against mages too. Maybe by telling him this, I can help put an end to mages everywhere by joining Malth.
“Well you must have superb skills in being able to destroy a mutomage like that.”
“What do you mean?”
“A mage who was transformed, Judging by the damage we were able to determine the type of magic used. These are marks from types of spell that can only be produced by either Dark Magus spells or a Shucko.”
“Well yes, Lucas was a victim of MutoMagistry. I punished him for letting the Shucko take over his better judgment, he was no longer Lucas. He became the Shucko’s puppet.”
“I’m still amazed someone young as you was able to kill a Shucko.” Nathan smiled.
“Well I believe so strongly against magic…” I was interrupted.
“Sir, we found the location of its death, we detected a strong residue of dark Magus, meaning that it burned away there.” One of the Malth soldiers explained.
“Okay kid, If you can show me where you did the fatal blow, and it’s the place of the dark Magus residue, then I’ll believe you.” Nathan decided to test me for verification, and so I showed him the spot where the Shucko Lucas was standing when I impaled the knife into the Shucko’s eye.
“Sir he’s correct, that’s right where the Magus is.”
“Well kid, I believe you, now what’s your name?” Nathan asked.
“Francis, Francis Clance.”
“Well Francis, I can see you have amazing talent, how would you like to join Malth, you can be directly under me. You can learn from me. I can teach you how to kill mages without such large commotion.” He offered.
This was it the perfect opportunity for me, under them I can grow more powerful. I can remove the evils that contaminate our world. I can become a savior. But joining them means leaving father, he would never approve of this. Then doing this means leaving the family. It’s a sacrifice I must make, besides after removing our mage servants from this world I most likely will be shunned by the family anyway. It’s what they deserve siding with these filthy mages.
Another Malth soldier ran to us, “General Nathan, we have received permission to damage the area, it is now illegal for any mage to live here.”
“Looks like its mage hunting time.” He smirked, “So Francis, will you join us?”
I was no longer afraid; the government said mages were bad, so now I can be at ease with my feelings. “Yes.”

This was my first step into becoming the monstrosity I would grow to be.

The walls in the homes of the two mages in Carzoln, were now decorated in blood. I soon learned the punishment for breaking the mage law is death. The sight of the blood was a sedative for my rage toward magic. Magic has caused so much pain and suffering, it is wrong to exist, that’s why we must remove it. Or at least that’s what we thought.
“Are there any other mages left here?” Nathan asked.
“Yes Gerard most likely fled to my home to warn the other mages.” I predicted.
“Your home? You allow these beasts into your own home?” Nathan enquired.
“My Alliancests father does. He still has faith in them, he hasn’t been exposed to the terrors they cause.”
“Even after one took the life of his own son, he allows them to enter his home, what a fool.” Nathan laughed.
“He was the one who created that Shucko. He knew it would happen too, he should be punished.” I said not knowing of the horrors I would cause
“Then he will be, one who assists mages and homes them is guilty, one of the mage laws.”
“What is to become of me then?” I asked.
“We’ll make you an exception; you redeemed yourself by joining us.”
“Just to let you know they won’t go down without a fight. Father has been prepared for this day for a long time.”
“That’s what we’re ready for, we’re Malth after all, just wait and see what we can do. Now do you have a weapon?”
“Not with me, but if I am able to get to my room, I have some in there, also we have an armory in the west wing. But most important is for me to get into my room.” In my room were the remaining Magus crystals. I wanted to get those, the weapons that I used against Lucas, and a few other belongings before leaving.
“Okay, you know your mansion the best, so we’ll be fallowing you.”
We arrived at the front door, as we expected it was locked. The Malth soldiers placed a small box in front of the door, they advised to me step far was from it, so I did. One of them pulled out a small box and inside was several little sticks. He slid the stick along the side of the box, igniting a small flame. He then threw the flame onto the larger box before the door and ran to us, the box combusted destroying the fine door.
“What was that?!” I asked in surprise.
“Matches and explosives, the matches are from the future, one of the mages we captured supplied them to us before betraying us, we killed him. The explosives are Ellanish technology.” Nathan said, we entered the house with the soldiers. Nathan and I ran to my room, while the soldiers scavenged the house for mages.
In my room I slid the box for beneath my bed. Inside were a few precious treasures but more importantly my weapons and a small satchel containing the remaining Magus crystals. I strapped on the belt and slid the weapons into their appropriate straps, pockets, and sheathes. Then I ran toward my closet I took anything a truly needed then folded a few outfits and packed them away into a rucksack. Which I left by the front door. Then Nathan and I meet with the soldiers in the meal hall.
“We only found these two mages. The others we are still searching for. As for the family they too have yet to be found.”
I looked at Henry and Alison in disgust, the putrid beings I once trusted. I discovered that they were truly evil, looking back I was sure that their ‘kindness’ was all an act.
“There is a locked door in the east wing. We can hear people on the other side of it!” a soldier yelled running in.
“Okay let’s head there.” Nathan commanded.
The door was the entrance to the library, it would not open at all, then Nathan told us to turn around, we did so. There were screams on the other side then the door opened, we turned back around he had opened the door. The soldiers ran into the room, my family, Gerard, James, and Cecilia were surrounded.
“Francis how could you?” Father moaned.
“How could you?! You still are protective and accepting of these vile beings. These vile beings! They took the life of your own son! Other things have happened because of them. There were wars, murders, and much more due to them. And you still let them in your own home. They make your food; they could poison and kill you. You never know what is going on in their messed up heads.” I screamed.
“No, you’re the one with the messed up head!” James yelled, he stomped on the ground causing the tiles to rip apart.
“Guys attack!” Nathan yelled, then there was shooting of cross bows, destruction of ground, plants attacking, weapons clashing, wind slicing, and much more.
I jumped upon one of the tall book cases and shot arrows down at the evil mages.
Then Gerard flew up next to me, “So now it’s time for us to really go all out, it’s a shame kid. I tried real hard to turn you into a gentle man. But you had to end up like this. The thing is this is one battle you will loose. I know all your weaknesses.”
“And I you.” I smiled as I strapped the bow back onto my belt and pulled out both daggers.
He swung his arms making blades of air fly toward me, I jumped onto the next tall book case. Then I ran toward him, He propelled himself up over me, I swore and turned backward then attempted a slice through his stomach, but he blew air and shot himself backward. Nathan appeared behind him and locked him into place with a full nelson.
“Get him now kid, it’s your chance!” Nathan yelled.
I grabbed my dagger, feeling some uneasiness I stabbed the man who was once the only person who I felt cared for me. But he deserved it, by killing him I saved the world, if only a little bit. The less mages in existence, the less trouble in our beautiful world.
“Good job kid, you proved to me how powerful you really are.” Nathan said.
Nathan was quickly on the ground again. It puzzled me how fast he was able to get upon the bookshelf behind Gerard without him noticing. Now was no time for thoughts. I resumed the battle, it appeared we were winning.
I resumed sniping with my bow. One by one I continually took out Cecilia’s giant roots. The weak plants died on contact with my arrows. The soldiers approached and attacked her but she kept rising trees to defend herself. Finally she was dead, now all that was left was James who was successfully fending off Nathan. I shot an arrow at him, he had that gleam in his eye when he knew something was coming his way, he shielded himself from the arrow by making a stalagmite rise and block the arrow. Nathan took the distraction, quickly he moved behind James and tried to put him in a full nelson just like he did with Gerard but James kicked the ground causing it to break apart into sand and Nathan fell into it, but the warrior instinct inside him told him to remain calm and bring James down with him. I fired another arrow, this one hit James right in the stomach. Nathan quickly climbed out of the sand pit and turned, The last remaining people were mother and father.
“Shall we kill them, the punishment for assisting mages is death.” One of the soldiers spoke grimly.
Then father handed something to mother and a bright flash happened. She screamed,“ I love you Frank,” and was gone. This left father, He looked terrified. I turned around and heard a scream of pain, I winced but knew he had deserved it. Now I had no father, my mother had disappeared and I was alone surrounded by adults who killed mages for a living. Most people would call me insane by now, I probably was. But I was happy. Happy that I can save the world, save it from the evils. I had passed the point of no return. I could not return to my previous life, not even if I desired with all my life. I left the destroyed building, just like the homes of the mages, its walls too were now stained in blood. There was one final thing I did before leaving, I asked for a ‘match’ from Nathan. Then I set aflame the past that I would never see again.