The winds of destiny howled for them, calling for action, calling them to the prize. The contestants are on their marks, the props set, lighting adjusted, and narration done. There is no clear winner; it is anyone’s game. The act is coming to a close; tension rises. Once it ends, applause will thunder as the curtain falls. The beautiful fabric of time was about to be altered forever.

A lone mage of a foreign country marched in the night, accompanied by bright lights. The woods whispered, but the man spoke no words. The dark mantle swayed in the wind, marking his coming. Nothing would make him stop, and his goal was simple. His eye fixated forward; not even snow falling in it would make him flinch. Years of tearful studying, painful living, and cruciating choices had hardened the man to march forward. For himself, the man clenched his teeth in the freezing winter for his honor and brother.

The adventuring boy ran in the dark forest, trying to claim the dream he had waited for. The gleam in his eyes was fueled by indistinguishable curiosity, personal grit, and glistening wonder, chasing his adventure. It was the life he had chosen, the life he had wanted, and the life he cherished. He had heard and tasted the dangers, but it was the part of the journey that needed to be accepted if he wanted to continue.

The hunt was their first step against the dangers that opposed them. If they were going to win, that was. It was not treasure or fame that they sought, but finding the fox itself would mean victory, and in another way, their dream is becoming more of a reality than it has so far been.

Over the hills and past, the trees were where it was meant to be. Orel’s sight was swaying left and right. Finally, there opened a clearing with smaller ferns and old trunks, something sparkling in a hole opening under the most enormous one of them all. The shining was tempting and peculiar, but that was not what bothered Orel. Something felt wrong; he was alone, and the plan wasn’t to face the mages alone. He had to call to find Norman.

“Norman, where are you? I can’t see you here.” Orel looked around.

“I’m sorry, Orel,” Norman said.

“What? Are you going to take longer because I can wait?”

“No, you need to get the fox yourself. Andras can’t walk well. I need to stay with him. Don’t worry about us.”

“I can just come to help you. Tell me where you are.”

“I said it’s alright.” Norman persisted, “Listen, Orel. If you find that fox, just try to make it go away. No one here deserves it, nor does it need to die.”

“Try to talk some sense to it. Maybe it will listen to you if it’s a mythical creature. Whatever it is, you need to go there yourself. Trust in me. Go.” The radio cut.

Norman’s words disheartened Orel. He never set out for fame and fortune; his adventure was born out of curiosity and wonder, so why was Norman saying these things. More than anything, Orel wanted to finish the hunt together.

Even if it was against what he wanted, Orel clenched his teeth and stepped forward. He had to harden his resolve, and he spotted the tiny flash of light on top of the mound. Glistening in the night was a golden spot like no other.

The call had ended as Norman needed to adjust Andras’ arm over his shoulder, for he could not move by himself. Norman, out of desperation, had ripped his shirt and bundled it up to form a cushioned space for Andras to lean. The much larger man was more than a heavy burden to support the back of someone that usually only carried a backpack. His exposed arm made him shiver in the dead of night.

“If there were time, I would tell all about how I specifically told you not to go all out.” Norman panted.

Andras did not want to answer that.

“...Where are we going?” Andras asked.

“To the festival. There are probably some medics there.”

“What about Orel?”

“I need to take you to safety. There’s no way we’ll make it there like this.”

“Is he going to be okay? “

“I’m more worried about you right now.”

It was a desperate march, with neither sure if they would make it. Their pace was slow, sluggish, and pained. It was full of stops to breathe, and sometimes Andras would fall when his legs gave out. Norman could see Andras shaking from the cold. Andras, who usually stood brave and tall, had been lowered where he barely could stand.

“I am sorry, Norman.” Andras could see him becoming more and more exhausted.

Norman was silent, apart from his laborious breathing. He had no time to spare for talking.

As lights began casting shadows from the trees ahead, a hush descended over them.

“Oh no,” Norman stopped.

“Stay behind that tree.” Norman lowered Andras to the ground.

Sensing danger, Norman walked forward. He saw a figure rise steadily along with the lights. It was someone he knew well from his black attire.

Andras peeked from his cover and saw Norman standing with his hands inside his pockets. Before the man’s head had risen to look down in Norman’s direction, Norman vanished in the blink of Andras’ eye. The lights flowed down towards Andras while the man slowly approached.

They were searching like a pack of hounds, looking around the premises and under every tree and stone. Finally, one of the light balls had moved next to Andras, almost peeking behind the tree he was standing behind. Then, there, the ball suddenly popped. The man stopped in his tracks, halting the rest of the lights as he investigated

A couple more lights got vanished, each without an apparent trace or sound, one after another. Finally, only those right next to the man were left. Now he knew it was more than a coincidence; it was an invitation to battle.

“I suppose you won’t introduce yourself formally as a mage, though that was too much to ask from someone like you,” Daniel taunted. “As a self-respecting mage, I shall still give my name to even the lowest of my kind.”

“I am Lord Daniel Apellon Medrawd II, a magnum magus of the Magistrate and leader of one of the twelve great houses of Albion.” Introduced Daniel pompously.

The silence did not cheer him or give their name. Grudgingly Daniel took out his eyepatch. Covered underneath was a glimmering eye in the colors of blue and green, like a jewel sparkling in the darkness. The eye rolled around until it locked in place at one of the trees. It was nothing like the other eye, as it was worse. Rather than spite and hate, it mirrored on its surface a sense of superiority, like a smug smile he was wearing; the eye was like a trophy put on display. It was not a useless trophy either, as Norman discovered.

Norman’s heart stopped. He had just peeked from behind a tree, even entirely invisible, yet the eye looked straight at him, staring intensely into his eyes. He decided to go along with what the man had to say. Perhaps he could get more info. Norman could only grit his teeth and think how he was spotted coming from behind the tree. Of course, he knew it had to be the eye, but like in magecraft, why is always more important than what.

“Good. Would you kindly tell me your name now?” Daniel smiled.

Norman brushed the snow and bark off his clothes, amusing himself by presenting himself as a gentleman in the most ironic way possible.

“Not that I care of it, but guess there is no harm in that.”

Norman decided to go along with the introductions. Perhaps it would make Daniel drop his guard. It was also perfect for his final plan, as it filled one of the requirements.

“The name is Tobias Norman-Alcaeus. Graduated from Atlas.”

“Would not have guessed that someone like you comes from Atlas.” Daniel scratched his beard.

“As I was taken back by your Nazar.” Norman finally saw the eye in full detail.

“It is advantageous indeed. You should be honored to be able to lay your eyes upon it.”

“But that other one, now I know what it is. That eye is a magic item, isn’t it?” Norman paid close attention to the other eye.

“An artificial Nazar, to be precise, made as a substitute for a missing one.”

“Sorry about your loss,” Norman smirked sarcastically.

“Oh, it was not carelessness at all. You see, house Medrawd had fallen from grace, meaning we had to pay for the entrance fee to the Magistrate one way or another,”

“An eye for an eye, huh.”

“It is more than sufficient loss, but not the only one. You people can’t possibly understand what it means to be of a family that almost was lowered to common folk and then try to raise it back to where it belongs.”

“No, I can’t, not that I’m even trying.”

Norman seemed calm and collected, masking his nerves. His mind raced to search for spells to match magic eyes and flicker flares. He did not know too much about the nature of Daniel’s vision and what else he could do with his spell. It was a battle of wits who held the most cards up his sleeve, and Daniel was leading by seemingly seeing Norman even when invisible and knowing his specialty.

Norman knew he could not flee, coming up short on spells to match this mage. That would mean leaving Andras helpless to the powers of Daniel. So, in a desperate bid to delay the battle, Norman kept Daniel talking. He observed the mage.

It is the real Nazar that Daniel needs to use to see him, not the fake eye. The most reasonable answer to why Daniel covered his Nazar was not to fool him but to save magic. A sealing magic item such as an eyepatch keeps it from activating and wasting magic. It could be that Daniel, how gifted he may be, cannot control it well. A more unlikely but entirely possible theory for Daniel’s eyepatch could be that he cannot use his Nazar to use the lights as extra pairs of eyes, meaning he would be dependent on his sightlines. Norman tried to think of ways to use this to his advantage in this situation, while Daniel noticed his thoughtful gaze.

“Desperately trying to figure me out, are you?”

“No, just silently judging your fashion sense.”

“That spell of yours, it’s not about reflecting light, but something else entirely, isn’t it?”

“So you think. But can your little balls do anything about it?”

“My spell is far more than just a light show. While your spell is just simple illusions, mine is like an army knife.”

“We’ll see about that.” Norman waited for him to blink.

Disappeared without a trace, Norman waited for his opportunity.

“You can’t hide from my sight!” Daniel looked around.

Norman stayed behind the tree, thinking about what to do. Daniel’s words stuck to him. He was figuring out how his spell worked and what the Nazar does. It should be not humanly possible to see him, Norman knew that, but perhaps Daniel was sensing him in another way, of another aspect of him. It was a risky move, but Norman decided that he needed to use an advanced form of his magic.

“Enough waiting.”’ Daniel grew impatient.

“Fireball.” Daniel snapped his fingers.

A sphere of light turned yellowish-orange in color and burst into flames. Technically speaking, the energy source multiplied in size and luminosity until it finally erupted with energy and heat. Daniel threw the fireball in Norman’s direction. Though the explosion produced flames, none remained after the blast. However, the fireball had taken out a massive chunk of a tree, making it topple over.

Daniel couldn’t rest. He couldn’t see a body. He knew Norman was still around somewhere, but he couldn’t seem to find him.

Norman confirmed his suspicion as he shot something at Daniel. Daniel was hit on his side - with pain that soared through him like a bullet and stuck in him. There was no time to guard against it with a ward, meaning it hit Daniel straight on through his passive defenses. Daniel felt something stuck and felt around for the object in the hole in his side. In there, he felt something burrowed.

He only took a quick look at it and cast the object aside in his fury.

“What kind of mage throws coins?!” Daniel grew a vein in his head.

Norman smiled again. He had figured out the trick and was ready to tell the good news to Daniel. It was a power shift, as he was a moment ago still terrified from how he could barely get away from the explosion Daniel threw at him.

“So you can see mana particles with your Nazar. Truly advantageous indeed.” Norman tempted Daniel from behind a tree by revealing his location with sound.

As we all know, mana is the basic energy form of magic. By processing it, a mage can produce a spell. Though many mages try to master their efficiency in it, some mana particles always leak out when using magic. By sensing these particles, Daniel could see Norman, even if he couldn’t see his physical form.

Norman had hit a nerve, with Daniel instantly hitting the tree with one of his lights. It was more than a game to him at this point.

“You sneaky little-” Daniel snapped his fingers.

Now it was Daniel’s turn to figure out Norman’s tricks. His eyes were no longer observing but detecting, trying to figure out the puzzle. He was at a disadvantage because he couldn’t locate Norman anymore. Norman used different magic to cloak himself, somehow even masking his own mana particles. Norman grazed past Daniel and disappeared just as quickly. Daniel was disorientated. Daniel could see no trace of Norman and only sensed the coins as they hit him. Those coins would tire him out soon if he didn’t turn the tables. Daniel did not know how Norman could hide his mana particles and couldn’t think of any spells to help him fight this magic. After realizing this, he decided to change his strategy.

“I’ll show you the true power of my magic.” Daniel raised his hand.

“Flicker flare true name release: Ignis fatuus.” The lights erupted with energy.

Norman was shocked and stopped in his tracks. A grand spell was being cast, and he did not know what would happen, only that it would in no way be good.

“Scorching flames that burn to the bone, light as gods had it created, blind them, bring it here...” Daniel continued casting.

Norman tried to shoot a coin, but the lights blocked it before it hit Daniel. Norman was again desperate to try and stop the magic, but he knew there wouldn’t be too much time to think of other ways to do it.

Daniel laughed loudly, anticipating his victory. You could see it in his eyes, the feeling of success, the sadist pleasure of crushing others, and of course, there was one other thing.

“Too late! You cannot stop it anymore with your petty coin tricks!” Daniel’s eyes gleamed with madness.

“Ignis fatuus, the giddy flame of the bog that guides to hidden treasure, reveal all secrets: Lahaina noon!” Daniel finished casting with a bellowing voice that echoed through the trees.

The lights combined before Norman’s eyes, and a great ball of flame formed and rose to the sky. It illuminated the night as if it was day, straight above the patch of land and far beyond it. Bright as the sun, blinding, smoldering. Norman could not escape it and was trapped under the blazing heat. Norman could not raise his head to look at it; The brightness was too much for his eyes. Soon he could not bear the heat. No shade existed, only the snow evaporating from the heat and blinding light that dried the trees and brought drought to the ground. Norman could hardly do anything besides gasping and sweating as if lost in a desert.

“Behold the final form of Ignis fatuus! The miniature sun that burns your throat as it reveals everything and watches over us! Weak shall fall under the blaze while it guides the strong! This is the mark of a true mage! Simmer from the inside and die!” Daniel had taken things too far.

Norman was out of options. He could not even use his coins as they were already too hot to be held. He leaned on the tree, which itself was already cracking dry. The sweat dripping from the strings of his hair would disappear soon as they touched the ground where the grass was turning yellow and withered. His arms and legs started to burn and blister.

“There’s no end to this heat. That bastard’s made up his mind to finish us. I doubt the spell can last long, but neither can I. Orel, Andras, Lisa, I’m sorry.” Norman gave up. “-Wait, Andras...”

“You there,” Daniel noticed someone standing from behind a tree.

A hand reached over to the tree, a terrifying sight. The flesh and muscle growing over bone with steam releasing every stretching fiber was an unsightly spectacle even to the most hardened mage. Andras was recovering, bit by bit, but even he was not sure if it would be enough.

“Fireball!” Daniel snapped his fingers.

Andras was engulfed in flames. Daniel smiled as the fireball hit Andras, but the smile was quickly wiped right off his face as he looked again. It was Andras, only slightly burnt up and noticeably more pissed off.

“Stay right there.” Daniel took out a pistol from inside his jacket.

A small, lean semiautomatic pistol was the right tool for something that wouldn’t need magic. It was an ordinary weapon, but Daniel was confident in the ammunition. He was not usually the one to do the dirty work himself, but he was prepared to commit even the most heinous deeds if it depended on him.

Andras stretched his arm towards the light, increasing the healing process considerably. While it was growing muscle and bone only a moment ago, now the skin was sealing itself towards the fingertips along with the body hair.

Daniel noticed this and could connect what was happening, even if it displeased him. Daniel sensed that Norman was out of the battle nearby, but now he would need to get rid of Andras, a person he knew even less than Norman. What he had figured out was he was the perfect counter for him.

“How dare you use my spell against me!” Daniel dismissed his spell instantly.

The sun disappeared, and darkness arrived again. Norman could take a breather, but he was not in fine condition. Daniel could still see well thanks to his Nazar and was content that even if he had to stop his spell, at least Andras couldn’t regenerate anymore. What he saw through his eye was unusual. The mana seemed to stem from the heart, but the soul itself shone differently from the mana around it. Daniel didn’t know what it meant, but he knew to be careful and keep his distance from the dangerous amount of mana.

Without further warning, Daniel shot him. Andras took a step back. It was not a weapon Daniel had used much, but he could land a shot to Andras’ lung. Andras stood still for a moment but took another step as blood stained his clothes. His look was not that direct, even being confused with being unconscious. His eyes were on the verge of closing, and only a tiny glimmer shone between the eyelids. Daniel was about to smile that his bullets had worked. Slightly illegal, the bursting shots should have ripped his innards full of holes. His smile went away as Andras began walking again. To be sure, he shot again, yet it wouldn’t stop Andras’ advance more than a small moment.

“Stop it! Why can’t you die?”

Six steps had passed, each following another bullet, yet Andras only flinched for a moment and then took another step. Daniel was nervous, the man that stood before him should be on the ground, yet the blood that dripped from his overalls made no difference to him. Norman couldn’t look at Andras and the pool of blood behind him. Daniel was about to aim at his face just as Andras sprung a punch strengthened with a true strike. Daniel tried to block it with his arm coated with a ward, only for the arm to snap with the ribs that it smacked against. Daniel tumbled across the ground, being brought to a halt as he hit a tree. The air had left his lungs, but luckily his consciousness stayed, which was filled with horrible pain for the time being. It took some time for him to stand back up, and loading the pistol with only one hand was a great hustle.

“This is nothing...Pain is only temporary. As long as I win at the end, it’s all that matters.” Daniel showed his resolve. “Flashbang!”

Daniel blinded Andras with a ball of light he summoned right before him. It was effective, and Daniel would have all the time in the world to finish him. He aimed at his head, which was sure to finish him. Daniel could not help but sway in his aim, but he had to hurry before Andras’ sight would return.

A grin widened on Daniel’s face when his aim was on the mark. His finger was on the trigger, ready to pull. He started pressing the trigger. There was a ting, but Daniel was too focused or in shock to be able to hear it. Instead, something rang as it traveled in the air until reaching his index finger. Once making contact, its spin twisted the finger, and Daniel could only shout in pain. The gun fell from his hand, and Daniel was fast to look at what hit him. A silver coin was next to the gun with some blood splattered on it, but it was not from him. Norman had to fling it the hardest he could for the force to do enough damage, which would inevitably tear the sunburnt skin from his fingers. It was the most he could, but luckily it was just enough.

“This makes us even.” Norman gripped his hand.

Daniel desperately reached for his gun, yet Andras kicked it away. Daniel looked up, and a man with an expression reading he was done with this was looking down at him. If it were not for the situation, Daniel would be furious if someone looked down on him, but at that moment, it was the terror that filled his mind with the sudden dread of death and his eyes full of tears. Andras was not one to forgive or spare, as there was nothing in his eyes but pain and anger.

Daniel’s face caved in. Blood spattered against the tree. The tree shook until all of the pinecones had dropped to the ground. Andras took a moment to see if it would move but decided to leave the body there once it fell over to the ground. He turned his arm to see if it worked perfectly but mainly was satisfied with how it had healed. As he turned, the wounds he had suffered started smoking, with the shrapnels dropping out of the scars, each at their own pace.

Norman stood barely against the tree until Andras came to help.

“You healed pretty neatly.” Norman looked at Andras.

“It is easier to heal all wounds at the same time than separately, so I saved my magic until I was done,”

“Pretty risky.” Norman coughed.

“All’s well that ends well.”

Andras picked Norman up and started carrying him towards the venue. Even when worn from the action, Andras moved Norman with minimal effort, almost like holding a toddler.

“Wait. There is something I want to do. Carry me to him.” Norman tapped Andras’ shoulder.

Andras didn’t know what he meant but did as said.

“Just lower me for a moment.”

In front of the body, Andras kneeled over, and Norman stretched his hand.

Carefully, like the touch of God and Adam, Norman moved his finger across Daniel’s brow as he lay in Andras’ arms.

“We can go now,” Norman lifted his arm.

As they walked back, Andras could not resist.

“What was that about?

“You may not want to know.”

“Haven’t we shared secrets between us already?”

“Fine, but I warned you.”

The two shared another piece of information between them. This time Andras had to come to terms with what he heard. It changed his perception of Norman and frankly made him think of more questions.

“So, whose is it? The one you have been using?”

“Lisa’s, my big sister’s,”

“Sorry, that was too much.” Andras realized how sensitive of a subject he had touched.

“It’s alright.” Norman sighed.

“When are you going to tell Orel?”

“When the time is right,” Norman was not sure.

Andras felt terrible for the man. He understood him more and felt something familiar between them, even if he could not say why he thought so.

He then got another idea, which he was not sure to say.

“Um, Norman. Can I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Could you do that to me too?”

“You want me to use it on you?”

“Please,”

“Maybe, but not now. A few things are missing,”

“Then, I’ll ask once more when the time is right.”

“Sure.”

Orel made his way to the top, where a burrow laid underneath the great stump. He looked at the dark hole under one of the branches until suddenly, a furry head popped out. The golden fleece glimmered with the pointy ears, and long whiskers on the slim nose as the small round eyes stared back. Animal’s eyes are slightly different, as the darkness inside them can be both primal ferocity or purity. The staredown was intense, like it was judging Orel. Finally, the fox jumped out of its cave on top of the stump as if it had understood something. The fluffy golden tail circled it calmly as the fox sat down. Orel decided to sit down as well, and without waiting for too long, he could hear a voice echo inside his head.

“I am Sindri, a golden fox of few. There is no malice in your eyes, so what is it that you seek?” Sindri asked.

It was an ominous voice, ethereal and omniscient. Yet, it brought peace to Orel’s heart by just hearing it. The beast stood proud and majestic, magical and enchanting.

“What are you?” Orel asked.

“My duty is of the guardian and granter of wishes.”

“Guardian?”

“Yes, I guard the passage to our realm.”

“Wait, you made the rainbow bridge, so you’re also the gatekeeper.”

“That is correct. Is there anything you wish?”

“...I want to find the seven realms of the world,” Orel answered.

“Very well, Orel Eislandr. Follow me, and I shall guide you to Väinölä, as that is my duty. Please be forgiven, as it is the farthest I can take you.”

“No…Wait.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t want to go.”

“And why is that?”

Orel took a moment to calm himself.

“I wanted to go with my friends, but they had to stay back.”

“Then, why are you here?”

“...They told me to keep going.”

“Well, is this not what they wished? Do you not wish to go?”

“I want to go. I really do.”

“Then you should do what your friends wanted. I am sure they would be proud of you.”

“Okay…”

“Then shall we go?” Sindri jumped off the stump.

The fox stepped lightly on the ground, Orel following near. Suddenly the beast took steps in the air. Soon, the tail erupted in green, blue, and purple and drifted upwards to the sky. It formed vertical wavy lines of unforeseen beauty, flowing like a quiet stream.

“Foxfires.” Orel still found them breathtaking.

“They are the doings of me and my brethren, the firey paintings of the night sky,”

Sindri came down, and a radiant wave followed her to the ground. The myriad of colors was nothing like the fox fires in the sky, closer to the end of a rainbow.

“There, we shall embark on the rainbow bridge.” Sindri turned back towards it.

Orel finally realized it all. This was what they had been looking for. She was the guide. It was like a fairy tale, an unbelievable moment in time. Orel rose to the skies above and saw the forest down below with each. It took almost no time for the bridge to lower to the other side, where a snowy wind blew open the world he had been looking for. The land of the north, keep of the giants, frozen wonder.

“Welcome to Väinölä.”

Tears were forming in his eyes. It was not just the beautiful landscape but seeing the first step of his dream come to fruition. It was a true feeling of accomplishment, a sense of progression, a driving force that no one could ever quench. Moments such as these were the reason for his living, and Orel was sure to remember them even during the most demanding challenges. Happiness overflowed with tears of joy for him, one which he had no reason to stop.

On the other end, someone would be tearing up as well, but not to the tears of anything happy. Instead, it was sorrow, loss, and a snotty nose of someone yelling in anguish. The forest echoed in those cries of a man holding their dear brother in their arms. His grief was almost theatrical and quite frightening if anyone were watching.

“I am so sorry! It’s my fault they did this to you! I couldn’t do anything! All I could do was sit around doing nothing! I am such a waste! You have always been the better heir. How am I supposed to amount to our name? Why was I even born?” Fynn sobbed, holding Daniel.

Daniel was surprised that he was alive and could only gasp as his brother’s dropped tears ran over his face. He could not tell him back and could only bite his lip until blood flowed, both for his brother and how he had failed his family. Anger was in both of their minds for a similar reason, possibly the only reason Daniel had survived.

Fynn looked at his brother’s face, seeing his determined eyes. He was first happy that Daniel was alive, now reading what Daniel had told him before. The eyes said that he should carry on, that this was the moment he needed to change. He should not stay and cry but go and get help for his brother. They would need to get out of here before any police show up. The situation required him to think, overcome himself, and renew what he thought was his limit. That moment of frustration created something drenched in hateful darkness—a surge of magical energy steeped in the deepest depths.

Darkness gathered around his back; a black current swirled to round discs, rotating as they took shape. There they started pounding, pulsing like a black heart that created a melody, a thumping rhythm. He would no longer need any drums, for he had made them himself. His magic progressed to a whole new level that even Daniel could not accomplish.

They beat in a rhythm far more drastic, echoing like a beast’s cry inside a cave. Shadowborn was the darkness around him, amassing a cloak in the countless population of his darkest imagination. Yet, for his best efforts, Daniel smiled, for he beheld the birth of a great magus the Medrawd family could ever hope for. A childish joy, corrupted by the malice of unseen amount at the sight of such wonder. He was now sure who would become the next Duke in the family.