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06 - Changes

“Universe is filled with force called mana. It is source of metaphysical energy that binds smallest parts of creation together. It can be in people, animals, monsters, plants and sometimes even in objects. Manipulation of this force is referred as magic – writes in this book” I told to Riley Cohen. “Yes, but there is no way to increase or decrease that amount of mana in any given living being or object...” he continued “when you are born, it is set to some amount unexplainable by science or religion as why it is vast in some, almost none in others and how it determines or chooses which humans it shall grant the power.”

“How spells come into equation?” I questioned Riley. “You chant to give physical form to metaphysical mana. In sense you give life to it”. “So if amount of mana is static, then I can chant unlimited spells, can’t I?” I added. “Theoretically, yes that’s possible. Although in reality, human body has its physical limits so most of mages strengthen their body and minds to be able to maximize their potential” he argued. “Exhaustion?” I replied to him. “Sometimes even instant death...Back in my time there was a student in Monarch Academy who had tried to create an artificial lake with magic and had died in doing so. She had vast amount of mana affiliated with water element, but her body and mind were not ready to comprehend magic of that size which brought madness and exhaustion to her after she chanted spell...” Riley got lost in thought as if everything was happening in front of his eyes right now, right here. “What happened to her?” I pushed another question. “Her flesh dissolved in front of us as soon as she chanted the spell. Only bones were left moments after the incident. She was mummified by magic.”

“Where is Monarch Academy located?” I inquired. “In Astoria. It’s capital city of our kingdom. Most renowned mages, warriors and scientists of our kingdom are employee’s of Monarch Academy”. My first day as Riley Cohen’s scribe was constructive from my perspective. Maids were bringing tea and biscuits once in a while to keep us refreshed while we chatted. Sometimes I exited room when people who I did not know came into library through secret passage behind bookshelf.

Oscar and Leila were filled with joy after hearing my appointment as Riley Cohen’s scribe. Anthony felt jealous and blabbered about Riley’s sanity. “Is this how you repay your master, by backtalking?” was what I told to him that finished mindless talks regarding Riley Cohen’s well-being for once and all.

Kyle joined Riley daily for his home tutoring. I never was directly involved when Kyle was around. However Riley questioned me about what he had taught to Kyle after he left. Days passed fast, months and years seemed as minutes. I was following in Riley’s steps successfully. I learned to never ask useless questions when people of important positions were around. I knew knights and mages under House of Cohen by name and rank.

Kyle was 12 and I turned 7 when Farrel Cohen took him to Astoria to apply to Monarch Academy. It was first time after many years, when Riley left mansion to walk near shore of Sapphire Depths. As his scribe, I was following by his side. He stood still and looked at lake. “Give me two rocks” he ordered. I took two small stones and gave it to him. In all likelihood, reminiscing his childhood Riley threw first stone at surface of lake. Old age was showing its signs, as it was hard for him to accomplish feats that he could when he was young. On first touch stone drowned in water.

“Shall we talk about your future?” he said and threw second stone without waiting for my answer. “You are a special one” he looked at lake avoiding facing me. “I may not have told you, but there are less than handful number of people who can use fire magic properly” he stopped again. “Being affiliated with fire element was a factor in selecting you. But do you know why I have chosen you at such a young age?” I kept my silence. “You are too intelligent for your age”. He bended down, index finger of his right hand pointing at me. “Intelligent kid who is aware that well-being of his parents depends on how he will serve his masters in future.” He waited for another moment and continued “Kain, do you know best dogs are ones who are raised diligently from their moment of birth?”.

“Thank you for enlightening me, my lord” was my reply. I did respect him until that moment. I may have served him and his family until last drop of my blood. Seeing him threatening me brought another idea to my mind. “I shall carve out eyes of your son and grandson in front of you” I decided.

On our way back to mansion, we talked about map that was placed on wall of library. “Visualize the map” Riley told me. “Tell me, what I have explained to you until now!”

“We live in continent of Pyrrhus. It derives its name from idiom ‘red-colored’. In old language, Pyr meant fire. House of Cohen’s coat of arms is an Oak Tree. Our house has most productive lands out of 7 house’s which combined together make Kingdom of Forbes. House of Forbes originates from lands to our north-west, bordering mountains of south, The Molten Peak zone to west and House of Catalon’s to north. Coat of arms of House of Catallon is a monarch butterly with 5 colours embedden on it. It signifies 4 main elements of nature and on top a green circle is made referring to life itself. House of Byron has raging red bull as its coat of arms. They own lands which are the least productive out of 7 houses. More than half of their lands are covered in deserts and inland sea. Astoria is located at total opposite to us, on south-west of continent. Queen Evelyn Forbes rules kingdom from Palace of Queens and Kings in Astoria.” I halted to take deep breathe as we were walking uphill and continued. “Cohen family believes in peace more than war. It is the only family with long history of its own without almost any wars or battles within its territory. Cohen’s have biggest and most powerful professional army in continent”.

“Good on you. Have I ever told you who resides in lands to west of Adamantine Mountains?” He cut my speech to ask. “No, my lord” I replied. “People of Nekyia. They are neither dead nor alive. They have neither bones nor muscles but still live and think as we do. Ambassador of Nekyia people is always in royal palace in Astoria. One day, if we ever go to Palace of Queens and Kings, remind me to show IT to you.” We reached backside entrance of mansion. We rested for some time by sitting on bench for Riley to catch his breathe. “Starting tomorrow you will begin your swordsmanship training with sir Destrian. He is same age as me, and I have personally knighted him long time ago. I am in need of his service by my side for some time. Train and learn fast because in some time you will depart with him to hunt monsters. You are free for today young Kain.” he stood up and turned back at me to tell “Do not disappoint me!” He left me alone.

Facing beautiful view of Sapphire Depths surrounded by forest, I began to make plans of my own. Lovely Leila and Oscar are going to be kept as hostages by Cohen family though I had to find a way to make sure that no harm comes to them. I was in tricky situation. Knowing that I have magical abilities affiliated with fire was not helping me out because I was powerless as of now. Even if I excelled in swordsmanship, noone would follow 7 year old kid with no lineage. I sighed. “I have nothing but time.”

Damien’s POV

It’s been more than 5 years that I have left Temple of Lehman not to return. High-priest Qaffar had urged me to go to village Howe where kid with red eyes was meant to be born. Dreams of an old man I thought to myself as soon as I reached out from underground temple. “How shall he know where I go, if he is not by my side?”. I had vowed to serve Lehman until last breathe comes out of my lungs. I remember that day as clear as sky which is above me right now. “Lehman forgive me thou your son has strayed” I told.

Walking into forest, I found path that would take me to Metropolis. City of lust, desire and aphrodisia. My mother’s job description was “the first profession ever”. A street whore she was. She had told me prostitution is oldest profession on earth. I disagree now though I can’t tell my speculation about oldest profession, because she is no more in realm of living.

Sometimes she had told me that I’m bastard son of some noble, sometimes I was long dead pirate’s only living child and sometimes she had found me on street corner. Did I care about it? Fuck no. I preferred to tell people that my father was a gambler and he lost big at his last game. I was sold to slavery to cover his debt and he was killed on spot. I was freed after I saved beautiful daughter of noble man from death.

Anyhow. I had more than 20 gold, around 50 silver and few copper coins on me. I knew my destination. I had will and courage to go to Metropolis. So the question arises “How the fuck did I end up in Molten Peak?”

Wine is having its effect on me, so it is a bit hard to remember. But if I’m not mistaken it was not even after half an hour walk that I heard sounds of drums. Slow beats, and humans singing. “Am I going crazy” was first thing that passed my mind as my right and left were filled with trees. I stood still and sounds were closing on me. Out of nowhere around 20 man emerged. Few of them had drums at their hands, beating to make the rhyme. Rest were jumping up and down, singing some song. None of them had any weapons on them, which I assured me that they may not cause harm to me. Looking closely they were barefoot with no shoes on their feet. Cloths that they wore may have been in white color upon wearing it for first time ever though right now they were filled with dirt, mud and tored from many places.

One of them departed from group and walked towards me. He stood still few meters away from me. Raised his right hand and made sound of click by pressing his right middle finger to his thumb. Another one began to beat drum again.

“Both worlds can fit within me, but in this world I cannot fit”

“I am the placeless essence, but into existence I cannot fit”

“Stranger where your legs are taking you?” he asked. “To place where this road leads.” I replied. “Shall you come with us, you will have no more care of this world anymore. Wealth and worldly matters are of no meaning to us. We seek favor of God of Fire... Join us and see what’s unseen. Leave us and you may forget us for once and all..”. He began to walk again in opposite direction to Metropolis. Rest of them joined him beating drums and singing. “Lehman, I shall come to you!”

After 5 years, I am still with these idiots. Laying down under rock’s shade, drinking wine, I am listening to their singing.

P.S : MAP OF PYRRHUS

P.P.S: I could not reach 10000 word limit, but this chapter is still a long read..

Next: 07 - Survival of the Fittest