The month of the lion is the first of the Moths of Gold. The wheater would only get warmer and warmer with the following days peaking at the month of the dragon and slowly getting colder by the end of phoenix month.

Today was the sixth day of lion month. The year 783 of the second imperium. And tomorrow was the day of Lucius' name day.

Tomorrow would he would truly become a grown man at the age of 16. Some of the imperial laws would no longer apply to him while others would become open to him. The most important thing being that he would be able to choose whichever way his life would go,

And to go somewhere he certainly had in mind. Although that would have to wait after the celebration tomorrow ends. Until then he would not tell anyone. And certainly not his parents.

Only gods themselves know just how his mother would flip out. It has been nearly 20 days since has awoken from the Passing slumber. And his mother has not stopped coming to look for him since. Asking him if needed anything or if she could make something for him.

Too loving was his mother. Many times overbearing her children with it. But that was just her nature and she would not change even if another 50 years go by.

Nervous from thoughts, he opened the brown leather bag and pulled out the things in onto the bed. There were many things in the bag from a bedroll to a medicine kit. Everything he thought he would need for a lengthy and arduous road.

He checked and counted all of the things to make sure everything was there before he was satisfied and started to put them back.

But as he was doing so there was a sudden knock on the door which made him hasten this process, chaotically putting things back in, from their once orderly fashion.

"Brother? I'm coming inside."

"Wait! Just a minute!"

But just as has she done so many times in the past she entered without bothering to even wait. She entered with a candle in her hand and a hint of amusement in her eyes, seeing her elder brother so flustered and desperate to hide his things and bag under the blanket.

"Brother, were you doing something? Ah! Were you touching yourse...?!"

"Shut up! Why are you up so late at night!?"

Seeing that Ilya has seen through him he didn't bother to hide it anymore and started pulling things out of the bag that he shoved so chaotically inside, trying to get them back in order.

"Couldn't sleep. Your packing things?"

"Yes..."

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes..."

"A rope."

He turned his head, confused at what she meant. Standing behind him and leaning over his shoulder she started listing all the things he was apparently missing from his bag.

"A rope. It's always good to have a rope with you. Also some extra food rations just in case. Oh! And clean underwear! You will definitely need those!"

Her last words being stretched earned her an ugly look, although he did take into consideration what she said.

Not that he would admit it to her.

"I made something for you. It's for a gift for your name day." She sat on the bed and pulled out a small poorly handmade necklace, putting it on his neck. The small yellow crystal hanging from it seemed to give off light as if it was a snuffed-out star that fell from the sky.

"Where did you get this? These things are hard to find let alone get!"

"I found it."

Her simple answer left him in doubt but he decided to not pursue it.

"Now, whenever you find yourself in the dark you can pull this out and it will light the way for you."

"Thank you."

"Don't lose it! It was really hard to find!"

She gave him a tight embrace which he welcomed. Their days of sibling rivalry have long since turned to sibling love.

She understood her brother more than anyone else, even better than their mother. During the last few days, she noticed that he has been acting differently as if he was not really present.

His mind wandering, during their family dinners and meetings. She long since suspected that her brother might soon leave. He has long since been talking about it.

And became more convinced of it after he woke up from the Passing Slumber. Whatever happened or he saw in there must have truly shaken him up. But she would not ask since he refused to talk about it.

Hugging him even tighter she said.

"I don't know where you'll go and you don't need to tell me. Just remember one thing! You'll always have a home here."

"I know..."

"Now! Since tomorrow is your name day! I think your hair needs a little trimming!"

"Huh?"

On the same night, an entire day's travel from Lucius home. A young man sat on a rock in an open field. He had pale white skin and long brown hair. With eyes of icy green, he was almost a head taller than Lucius yet a lot skinnier. He wore a simple tunic and dark pants stained with mud and dirt from their days of travel on the unmarked roads.

He sat there lost in thought as kept looking above him. The celestial dust and clouds painted the night sky in all manners of blue with thousands and thousands of colorful stars shining among them. The two sister moons illuminated the world below them. Isla shining with pale white and blue her dark oceans and craters visible to the naked eye. While Isla shined with a hint of green in her, desperately trying to hide behind her bigger sister.

It was a spotless and cloudless night worthy of a master's painter's attention. The plains below it were calm and peaceful with the occasional wind passing by, rustling the wild grass that grew on it. Crickets played their nightly song while the fireflies of red and yellow danced to the tune.

One of them landed on his hand trying to rest from its wild dance. But would never make it back for it suddenly burned and turned to ash the wind blowing it away.

The fire slowly grew, getting wilder and wilder threatening to devour his hand whole. He sweated nervously and quickly started dousing it out. Madly beating his hand with the other hurting himself in the process. The fire went out unwillingly. The source that fed it, leaving his body and returning back to nature.

He sighed and shook his head disappointed at the results of fire making. But looking at his slightly burnt sleeve hope and excitement filled him. Soon he would learn how to control this great power. He was on his way to the towers and would learn from some of the best sorcerers in the entire Nirland.

How to control fire and water. How to summon the winds and fly. How to read the minds of others and make himself invisible to the eyes. All of that and more! He would be able to learn at the bastion of knowledge that is the 8 towers!

All the things Remus has told him about the place made him filled with excitement. Many times had he pleaded with the high sorcerer to teach him. But other than the basic stuff he refused to divulge more, only dropping him hints and tips along the way, always mentioning the towers every time he did so.

Laughter sounded behind him. He turned around and saw his father's men sitting around the fire. Dressed in common clothes pretending to be traveling merchants, they were some of the best and most capable fighters the Hadrian family had at their disposal.

They were his guardians and protectors along this journey and he was their prisoner. At least that's how he felt like the last 4 years.

For the last 4 years, his father and grandfather made sure to hide him inside the castle. Every time somebody came to visit him Remus would welcome them instead.

Disguised as him with illusion sorcery he would make random excuses. About him being sick, traveling, or learning how to become the next head of the family.

Too many excuses were made and his friends grew more and more distant.

To the point, where when he was finally allowed to go out and join the feast his family organized. His once former friends would only give him a nod and a smile while conversing and laughing amongst each other.

That's when he understood he needed to break free from his family. Ever since discovering his great power, they have tried to hide him. He understood why they did of course.

Every time a person like him or somebody similar would appear. Somebody with great talents or power. Then they would mysteriously die not long after they were revealed to the world.

The competition between the great families of the Imperium grew so twisted and corrupted, that they would do anything to keep each other in check.

Another laughter sounded out behind him. He looked at the men that were his guardians on this journey.

Keeping an eye on him all the time, not allowing him to even take a piss without one of them following him. They were supposed to accompany him all the way to the 8 towers.

But that was not going to happen.

Because he had different plans for his journey there.

A more free and adventurous one.

With a smile, he got up and headed back to them smiling just like he has always done before.