Chapter: 02

When Ken awoke, he couldn’t help but let out a helpless groan. His body was covered in sweat, and when he tried to stand his eyes ached heavily from the nauseating sensation of his vision spinning. He swayed dangerously, as if he was a toddler once again. But soon, the pleasant feeling of solidity returned and the vertigo dissipated.

Stumbling to his dresser, he grabbed a change of clothes before heading to the bathroom. The water woke him up fast, and the cold water helped bring clarity to his mind. He mumbled to himself confused. “What the hell just happened?”

The falling water held no response, but his body held many mysteries. His once clear pale skin was now marred by countless lines. Running down his meridians, thin blue lines lay embedded in in his skin. They were slight, and could possibly be mistaken as blood vessels on his arms. But one look in the mirror revealed their obvious appearance contrasted with the unmarred skin stretched over his chest.

The lines replicated themselves on his backside, and converged on his spine. Running up his neck in a thick line disappearing under his black hair. The lines over his front joined the others on his back wrapping around his collar bone.

More strikingly though, were the eyes. They were previously a muddled combination of yellow brown and green. But now the color was strikingly prismatic, as well as a deep dark blue. A clear line of green ran the edge like trim, and a dim golden hue seemed to emanate out from there, dissipating rapidly into the pure whites of his eyes.

“Seriously! How the hell is that possible…” He dressed in his usual blue jeans, white t-shirt, and black hoody before hurrying back to his room. “How is mom ever going to believe me? Maybe I can blame the school or-.”

The sentence froze on his tongue as the newest surprise greeted him in his room. Near his pillow where he was previously sleeping, a creature snoozed lazily. The little thing was covered in a film, like a newborn calf. More strikingly, was its appearance. Sensing he was coming closer the animal shifted and sat up dazedly.

It resembled a dragon in many ways, wings included. But there were differences, among some were a shorter muzzle, mostly furry body, and feathers along the tips of its tail and across the wings edge.

The color was somewhere close to a dark green with a brownish belly. To be honest, it was actually kind of cute. If he was dreaming, he’d probably cozy up to it in a New York second.

Unfortunately, he just underwent a mysterious metamorphosis, endured severe pain, found some form of magic, and I was hungry. Adding a newborn dragon like creature in my bed was not in the plans. Honestly, he just wanted it to leave so his life could settle down to a semi-freakish level. “Umm, shoo. Get along now, you can leave. The windows right there, go on!” He tried waving the beast towards the only window but instead it stopped observing him curiously and somehow ‘smiled’.

Then it proceeded to make a small *rawr, reminiscent of a squeak before running straight at him. The next thing he knew it was on his chest licking his face and neck tickling him, before crawling over still flailing arms and face to settle on top of his head. Finally grasping the savage beast, he held it up under the front legs as it mewled indignantly. In the back of his mind he noticed it was a female. But in the front of his mind, alarm bells were cracking from ringing so much, trying to figure out what to do.

“Ken, breakfast is almost ready!” His mother’s sing song voice resonates down the hallway. Suddenly his dad said something making him turn frantic once again. “He’s probably got his headphones on, I’ll go fetch him.”

As the footsteps hurried towards Ken’s door, he was turning back and forth freaking out. The little dragon swinging with him, making startled little sounds. Finally, he just shoved her in his large sweatshirt pocket just as the door opened.

“Oh! You’re up, why didn’t you respond the first time?” He moved away from the open door while Ken followed him down the hallway.

“I was just about to come to breakfast, then you opened the door.” I made up a lie, avoiding the question.

When they reached the kitchen, his mom put a steaming plate of food in front of him, before continuing with her own meal. They started talking about something their friends were up to, but Ken was too busy to listen. Eating with one hand he tried holding the animal in his pocket still. He was just about to start into the bacon when crap hit the fan though.

The little rascal slipped past his fingers and ran up his arm snatching the piece of bacon for itself, gnawing with its tiny pointy teeth. My parents stared wide eyed, as the beast lounged on my shoulder, making contented sounds of happiness. “I… can try to explain?”

Their gazes rotated as one, moving to Ken’s face. Then their eyes widened slightly obviously noticing the differences in his appearance.

Judging by their stony expressions, they weren’t taking it well. “Ken… do you know what you did?” He didn’t respond so she continued, leaning back in defeat. What surprised him, was how they were more dejected than surprised.

“Y-you unlocked your power, and summoned a familiar.” His mother looked close to crying, but his father simply clasped her hand in his own. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes. She turned to my dad and buried her face in his chest. “W-we tried so h-hard to stop this! I’m so sorry Ken, we failed you!” She was openly wailing now, causing Ken and his father to both flinch.

“You’re probably confused, and it’s understandable. It’s just… bad memories you know? *sigh* Well you should know we’re not from here first of all. Your mother and I, we came from across the barrier. A completely different world, separate from earth, yet very close. Most myths and gods on earth came from the other side, at different times in history.”

“The Barrier was erected thousands of years ago, when mana was dissipating in this realm due to expansion. Some realms simply grow too large to support themselves, you see? The mages worldwide found it easiest to simply contain the mana of course, so they crafted another dimension of sorts. This also allowed regular humans to live a more peaceful life, away from any large scale conflicts between magi families.”

“How long have you been like this, and how long has the beast been here?” He gestures at the happy dragon on my shoulder making content eating sounds.

“Uh… just this morning I think? Did I do something wrong, and what do you mean? I don’t understand. I mean, it makes sense for other dimensions to exist, but to move between?”

“Oh thank gods, it’s a good thing we caught this early. We’d be dead meat if you hid this for too long. To answer your question, it’s complicated. We came across the barrier using a complicated enchantment tool. What’s important, is that you get back across. If you don’t the council will know, and they will kill us all. An untrained mage can be hazardous, and more importantly, entertaining.”

“Wait what? So… I am a full mage now? If so, I could understand the danger of an untrained mage, but what’s this… entertainment?”

“When you live on the other side, life can be great. The powerful rule the world within a council representing different houses heads, all extremely ancient. Life isn’t all bad, but the weakest do not live long. Once a child has come into their power, or reached a certain age, they must enter the trials. The ages range from seventeen to twenty. After you survive a month in the games, you’re permitted to live and learn in the academy.”

“Of course, your mother and I both attended the academy shortly, and we both survived the experience. I won’t lie though… we struggled through the entire trials. The only reason we lived is because a group of us got together to cover our weaknesses. The hardest part is, the maps change each year. The people are also dangerous, as it is usually encouraged to fight.”

“Besides the monsters or the dangers of remote locations, some families live for the academy. To them, the less competition there is the better. The better one does during the trials, the more resources you can win. Not to mention the prestige of doing well. I just worry for you, because you don’t know anyone.”

Ken finally spoke up, his face long past pale. “Why would it matter if I knew anyone?”

“Because, they will team up with each other before hand. There were a lot of loners my year, but even then I knew them before the trials. Your mother and I tried hiding you from the trials, and the barrier. We failed to explain and stop you because we were stupid. Blind to the chance you might find out your powers on your own. We thought our bloodline might be weak enough to pass your life off as normal. We were wrong, and now… now you will most likely die.” His face turned even more pallid while his father’s gaze drilled into the countertop.

“They will come for you soon. It is probably best you eat and rest a little.” He simply nodded before finishing whatever the little rascal hadn’t eaten, and moved back to his bedroom.

The posters and diagrams littering the walls in chaotic order seemed to calm his otherwise traumatized mind. One mistake was all it took, and his entire world flipped upside down. He leaned back in the overstuffed office chair, at his large desk, setting the small dragon on his lap. She was soft, and he went through hell to get her somehow.

Using his right hand, he flipped open the laptop and went through some documents he was working on translating. The work calmed his mind a little, but in the end it did little to calm his racing heart.

He sent some e-mails to his workplaces telling them he had to quit due to a long trip. The school would be pissed, but he didn’t bother with them. They’d probably send his diploma to his house, since he already merited early graduation. In any case, his parents could deal with the loons.

In the end, he reclined back, staring at the ceiling just thinking. On one hand, he was right. He found a form of magic! Unfortunately, it tore his life into pieces. Also… what caused the dragon to be summoned? Did everyone summon a beast when their magic unlocked, or was he just weird?

Looking back down at her, he decided she needed a name if she was his familiar. Then something really weird happened. His forehead itched, and then a small voice slipped into his mind. “Or you could just ask me what my name is.”

Startled from my thoughts, I jumped in my seat banging my knees on the desk. “Ow, crap! Dammit why me?!”

He rubbed his bruised legs lamenting his literal knee-jerk reaction. Staring at the dragon peering up at him, he suddenly felt like a fool. All the stories pointed in a direction that said dragons were highly intelligent. As well as greedy, magical and usually man eaters.

Considering everything up to date, it wasn’t impossible for something like this to happen. “Ok, what’s your name, and how old are you by the way?”

She rolled upside down in his lap expecting him to pet her belly before replying. “I am called Lapillus. Which means ‘little stone’, because of my heritage. My mother was an earth drake, while my father was unattuned to any particular element. Unattuned elements are stronger physically, but my bloodline doesn’t grow very large so don’t expect a ride anytime soon.”

“Oh, well I guess that’s cool. But you’re avoiding the question of age?”

She tried giving me her version of puppy eyes, which was a devastating attack by the way, but I didn’t waver. Seeing my resolute expression she made a little huff and shifted uncomfortably. “You shouldn’t ask a girls age, its rude you know… A little over twenty years old, although I was reborn in the summoning. It’s quite annoying, do you know how aggravating relearning to walk is?”

So… she was a couple years older than him? Ken was almost nineteen, so theys were technically close in age. Somehow he didn’t feel so comfortable petting her belly. Noticing his hesitation, she glared at him. “Oh no you don’t, scratch harder jerk. You ripped me from my old life, it’s the least you can do. Plus… it feels sooo good.” She rolled back and forth as I continued rubbing the plush fur.

“Oh, well is it common for something like this to happen?” she nuzzled his belly in an attempt to crawl back into the pouch where it was warm.

“Oh, I don’t really know. There were a few times I noticed random animals were summoned away. None of my siblings were taken, though I knew a few fire and wind drakes who were taken. The beast has to agree with the ritual mentally, but an affinity is also important. Some people don’t have enough power built up for their souls to summon a familiar after their awakening. This allows them some preference when summoning one at a later date, though it’s limited to some extent. Naturally, the process is handled by the soul, and a lot of luck. When the soul summons us automatically it shows a perfect match between personality, affinity and soul. Of course, you can also stop the process, but that’s just stupid.”

“So, someone might have a high affinity to fire, but no draconic match. My mother once told me humans were stupid, because earth affinity could be used more often than any other yet it’s looked down on for lack of fighting prowess. Where fire burns or melts, earth can be molded, used to build, used to protect or enhance the body, it even has botanical benefits. Earth mages are often slow learners though, so a stigma formed over the years.”

From her little speech he could understand two things. First of all, he was a little lucky to summon a draconic beast. Secondly, he had a higher earth elemental affinity. It made sense to an extent, since he always liked rare metals like gold and spent plenty of time outside. The stigma was kind of rude, but he could already see plenty of advantages to his affinity.

In the end, some of Lapillus’ feelings seeped over their link, making him feel drowsy. Giving into her obvious plea for a nap, they were soon off in lala-land. His parents checked on him, still surprised by the events going on. They already sent a message for a transport for their son.

Their reply came immediately with a tongue lashing for trying to hide his heritage from him. In the end, they were forgiven with a warning, but they were more worried for their son.

The trials were a serious event, and he had no idea just how savage mere teenagers could be. Shivers ran down their spines as memories flared in their minds. The terror, the sacrifice, and the death were all so vivid. Tears came unbid to their eyes again, as their minds brought forth nightmares. Imaginations running wild, Ken’s parents couldn’t rest once that night. Ken woke near six PM for cold pizza, before going back to bed. He would need the sleep.