Age of magic

Sudden change

A messenger hawk carrying a small letter has landed in front of ruler Edward while he was standing on a balcony of his fortress.

Edward takes the letter from its leg and opens it…

''Hey my old friend, it’s been a while since my last visit to your continent… So tomorrow we'll finally meet again, and I hope that the shipment you promised me is ready. THE RULER MARDOCHAIOS.''

Edward looks at the letter for a few seconds.

The ruler Edward: That bastard…

…

The next day, ruler Mardochaios is sitting with ruler Edward inside a large opened pavilion outside the capital.

The place was surrounded by tall trees and stone statues while several guards from both rulers were waiting far from them.

On the table, there were fruits, roasted meat, bread and many other foods.

Mardochaios’s face seemed unrevealed while he drinks slowly from a cup.

The ruler Mardochaios: This continent has changed since my last visit.

The ruler Edward: A lot can change in five years.

The ruler Mardochaios: Yeah… Especially when people start forgetting the agreements which allowed them to live peacefully.

Edward stops eating.

The ruler Edward: If you're talking about the shipment, it's almost complete.

The ruler Mardochaios: Almost?

Mardochaios puts the cup down.

The ruler Mardochaios: Almost is not complete, Edward.

The ruler Edward: There was an accident in Redstone Ravine. One of the biggest quarries collapsed three months ago, and many workers died there. The people have been trying to reopen another part of the mountain since then.

The ruler Mardochaios: And why should that concern me?

The ruler Edward: Because most of the sunstones that should be sent to your continent came from there.

Mardochaios looks outside the pavilion toward the trees.

The ruler Mardochaios: So because some rocks fell down, I should return to my continent with empty vehicles?

The ruler Edward: That's not what I said. The other regions have already prepared most of what we owe you. I am only asking you to give the settlement of Redstone Ravine some more time for the missing part.

The ruler Mardochaios: Hmmm…

He takes another piece of meat.

The ruler Mardochaios: Your food is still excellent at least.

Edward gives him an annoyed look.

The ruler Edward: Mardochaios.

The ruler Mardochaios: Relax, my old friend.

Mardochaios stands up slowly.

The ruler Mardochaios: I'll send someone to check what they have. If their situation is really as bad as you say, then maybe I'll become a kind person for one day.

The ruler Edward: Somehow I don't believe that.

Mardochaios smiles.

The ruler Mardochaios: You hurt my feelings.

He walks away from the table.

The ruler Mardochaios: Anyway, thank you for the meal. I have a long road before reaching the border.

The ruler Edward: And the people of Redstone?

Mardochaios turns his head slightly.

The ruler Mardochaios: Don't worry.

His smile becomes strange.

The ruler Mardochaios: I'll deal with them peacefully.

…

Ruler Mardochaios has continued his road with most of his followers.

But one of his Elite Guards has taken another road.

A long canyon appeared between two mountains where the earth was red and dry.

Wooden houses were built on different levels of the rocks while long stairs connected one level with another. Large wooden wheels were turning slowly near the quarry entrances and ropes were carrying baskets filled with stones from the mountain.

This place was Redstone Ravine.

Alvah has arrived there with four guards.

The workers slowly stopped what they were doing when they saw them.

Alvah: All right, everyone. I don't want to stay here for the entire day, so bring the twenty boxes of sunstone which belong to ruler Mardochaios.

An old man steps forward.

**''**Twenty…? Sir, we already explained everything to ruler Edward's men.''

Alvah: And now you're explaining it to me.

**''**The southern quarry collapsed. Eleven people died inside it and we lost most of what was already extracted.''

Another worker comes beside him.

**''**We have only seven boxes ready.''

Alvah: Seven?

**''**Yes, sir.''

Alvah: Out of twenty?

No one answers.

Alvah scratches his head.

Alvah: Aaah… That's really annoying.

A woman approaches him.

**''**Please give us until the end of the season. We already started opening another tunnel.''

Alvah: And if I say no?

The people look at each other.

**''**Then… we have nothing else to give you.''

Alvah closes his eyes.

He remembers what Mardochaios told him before they separated.

"If the shipment isn't complete, take everything they already have. Destroy the quarry so they understand what happens when they fail me. And if someone tries to stop you… deal with him."

Alvah opens his eyes.

Alvah: Well, you heard the man.

The villagers looked confused.

**''**What man?''

Alvah: Never mind.

Alvah points toward the storage building.

Alvah: Take the seven boxes.

The four guards immediately move.

Several workers become angry.

**''**Wait! Those stones are everything we have!''

**''**We need to sell some of them to repair the quarry!''

Alvah: Not my problem.

One of the workers grabs the arm of a guard who was carrying a box.

**''**Put it down!''

The guard pushes him away.

Other workers start moving forward.

**''**You can't take everything!''

**''**Our families will have nothing!''

Alvah sighs.

Alvah: Seriously?

Purple glow starts appearing slowly from his body.

The people stop.

Alvah: I really wanted this to finish without problems.

The glow becomes stronger.

His fingers become longer.

His skin changes into red scales while a long tail grows behind him.

His body gets bigger and bigger until he becomes a giant red salamander with four wide legs and thin wings spreading from its back.

The workers looked up with fear.

**''**A monster…!!''

**''**Run!!''

The flying salamander rises above the settlement.

Alvah: I only need to destroy the quarry, so stay away from it!

Red flames begin to gather inside his mouth.

Some people start running down the stairs.

Others move toward their homes.

Alvah fires.

A stream of red fire strikes the entrance of the southern quarry.

BOOOOOM!!!

The mountain shakes.

Large rocks fall down.

Dust covers a huge part of the settlement.

**''**Get away from the mountain!!''

**''**Move! Move!!''

Alvah looks at the destruction.

Alvah: There. Problem solved.

Then…

A strange sound comes from inside the mountain.

Crack…

Alvah turns his head.

Alvah: Huh?

Several orange lights appeared inside cracks in the rocks.

One of the workers sees them and his face turns white.

**''**THE FIRE GAS!!''

Alvah: What?

BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!

An enormous explosion comes out from inside the quarry.

The fire reaches the wooden constructions connected to the mountain.

One platform explodes.

Then another.

Ropes catch fire and burning baskets fall between the houses.

The wooden wheels break apart.

People start screaming everywhere.

Alvah: Oh…

Another explosion happens.

BOOM!!

A burning tower falls into the lower part of the settlement.

Flames spread from one roof to another because of the strong canyon wind.

Alvah: Well…

The salamander looks around.

Alvah: That wasn't exactly what I planned.

People were running between the smoke.

**''**HELP!!''

**''**MY CHILD IS INSIDE!!''

**''**WATER!! BRING WATER!!''

Alvah lands on a stone platform and returns slowly to his human form.

One of his guards reaches him while covering his mouth because of the smoke.

**''**Sir Alvah! The fire is spreading everywhere!''

Alvah: I can see that.

**''**Should we help them!?''

Alvah looks toward the seven boxes of sunstone.

Then toward the burning settlement.

Alvah: We have what we came for.

**''**But—''

Alvah: Mardochaios told us not to waste time.

The guard goes silent.

Alvah turns around.

Alvah: Take the boxes and let's leave.

…

Far from Redstone Ravine, someone was walking between narrow rock formations carrying a bag over his shoulder.

It was a boy.

He had been searching for red medicinal moss which grows between the rocks after rain.

The boy stops.

Birds suddenly fly from the canyon.

**''**Huh?''

Then he hears the explosion.

BOOOOOOM!!!

The ground shakes under his feet.

Several small stones fall from above.

**''**What the hell was that!?''

He looks toward Redstone Ravine.

Black smoke was rising into the sky.

His eyes become wide.

The bag falls from his hand.

**''**Mom…''

He runs.

…

The boy arrives at the entrance of Redstone Ravine.

He stops immediately.

The wooden stairs which used to connect the houses were burning.

Part of the mountain had collapsed.

Smoke was coming from everywhere.

People were lying between broken wood and rocks.

The boy couldn't move.

**''**No…''

He starts breathing faster.

**''**No… No…''

He runs inside.

**''**MOM!!''

He jumps over a broken platform.

**''**MOM!!!''

A house collapses near him.

The boy covers his face.

**''**Where are you!?''

He finds some people trying to lift a large wooden beam.

**''**Leo!''

The boy turns.

Leo: Mister Thomas!?

The wounded man points toward the upper level.

**''**Your mother was helping people near the storage building!''

Leo immediately runs.

Leo: MOM!!

He climbs through broken stairs and rocks until he reaches the storage area.

The building was gone.

Only fire remained there.

Leo stops.

His eyes shake.

A bracelet was lying on the ground near the fire.

He knows it.

His mother always had it around her wrist.

Leo slowly walks toward it.

He picks it up.

His hands begin to shake.

Leo: No…

Tears start falling from his eyes.

Leo: No… You can't…

Behind him, Alvah and his guards were preparing to leave with the boxes.

Leo hears them.

He turns around.

One of the workers points toward Alvah.

**''**It was him!! His fire caused this!!''

Leo looks at Alvah.

Alvah looks back.

For a few seconds, there was nothing but the sound of the burning houses.

Leo holds his mother's bracelet strongly.

Leo: You…

Alvah raises an eyebrow.

Leo: YOU DID THIS!?

Leo runs toward him.

Leo: I'LL KILL YOU!!!

He attacks Alvah with his bare hands.

Alvah moves slightly to the side.

Leo misses.

He tries another punch.

Alvah catches his fist.

Alvah: Kid, I really don't have the mood for this.

Leo tries to kick him.

Alvah hits him in the stomach.

Leo: UAGH!!

Leo falls to his knees.

He tries to stand again.

Alvah looks at him strangely.

Alvah: You're persistent.

Leo: Bastard…

Leo grabs Alvah's leg.

Leo: You killed them…

Alvah pulls his leg away.

Alvah: The explosion killed them. My flame just happened to find something dangerous inside that mountain.

Leo screams and attacks again.

Leo: SHUT UP!!

Alvah hits him in the face.

Leo falls to the ground.

Everything around him becomes blurry.

Alvah turns away.

Then he stops.

A purple glow begins leaking from Leo's body.

Alvah looks back.

Alvah: Hm?

The glow becomes darker around Leo's right hand.

Small cracks start appearing in the ground near his fingers.

Alvah’s expression changes.

Alvah: That power…

One of the guards looks toward Leo.

**''**What is that?''

Alvah walks closer.

Alvah: Interesting.

Leo tries to open his eyes, but he can barely see.

Leo: I'll… kill…

Alvah shows his claws.

Alvah: Maybe it would be better if Mardochaios never knows about you.

He raises his hand.

But before he could strike Leo, something hits the ground between them.

BOOM!!

Dust explodes upward.

Alvah jumps backward.

A man stands between him and Leo.

A torn traveling cloak covers part of his royal clothes.

Alvah looks annoyed.

Alvah: Ooo-hh…

The man turns around.

Alvah: Of course it's you, ruler Edward.

Edward looks around.

Burning buildings.

Dead workers.

Collapsed parts of the mountain.

Then his eyes return to Alvah.

A white glow appears slowly around Edward's body.

The ruler Edward: What did you do?

Alvah: Hey, don't look at me like that. I destroyed one quarry entrance like I was ordered to do. I didn't know this whole mountain was filled with some strange fire gas.

Edward looks toward the people trying to pull others from the ruins.

The ruler Edward: And you were leaving them like this?

Alvah shrugs.

Alvah: I'm not a healer.

The white glow becomes stronger.

The rocks around Edward begin to shake.

Alvah's smile slowly disappears.

The ruler Edward: Take your guards.

Edward looks directly at him.

The ruler Edward: And leave.

Alvah: Hmmm…

He spreads two red-scaled wings from his back.

Alvah: All right. I don't want another problem today.

Alvah turns toward the boxes.

Edward's voice stops him.

The ruler Edward: Leave them.

Alvah looks back.

The ruler Edward: The sunstones remain here.

Alvah: Those belong to Mardochaios.

The ruler Edward: Tell him I took responsibility for them.

Alvah stares at him for several seconds.

Then he laughs.

Alvah: Hahahaha… You're really making things difficult for yourself, Edward.

The wings grow larger.

Alvah: Fine.

Alvah and his guards leave Redstone Ravine.

Edward immediately turns toward Leo.

The purple glow was still moving around the boy.

Edward kneels and touches the ground near him.

The ruler Edward: This magic power…

His eyes become serious.

The ruler Edward: Can it be…?

Leo loses consciousness completely.

Edward looks toward the surviving workers.

The ruler Edward: My men are coming behind me! Help the wounded and take them away from the burning buildings!

**''**Yes, ruler Edward!''

Edward lifts Leo.

Then white aura surrounds both of them.

They disappear from the settlement with incredible speed.

…

Some hours later.

Edward arrived at a small medical building inside Virelia, the capital of the continent.

It wasn't inside the ruler's fortress.

The building was standing in an old district near the southern gate, between many shops and houses.

Edward knocks strongly on the door.

A tired man opens it while smoking a cigarette.

Dr. Steve: Who the hell is knocking like—

He sees Edward carrying Leo.

Dr. Steve: Ah.

The ruler Edward: Steve, I need your help.

Dr. Steve throws his cigarette on the ground.

Dr. Steve: Bring him inside.

…

A day later.

Leo slowly opens his eyes.

A wooden ceiling appears above him.

Leo: W-Where am I…?

Dr. Steve was sitting next to him, reading some papers.

Dr. Steve: Oh. You're finally awake.

Leo looks around.

Leo: Where is this?

Dr. Steve: My clinic. You're in Virelia.

Leo suddenly tries to sit.

Leo: Virelia!? The capital!?

Pain hits his head.

Leo: Aaagh!!

Dr. Steve: Don't move so quickly, i***t.

He gives him a small bottle.

Dr. Steve: Drink this.

Leo: What is it?

Dr. Steve: Poison.

Leo looks at him with wide eyes.

Steve sighs.

Dr. Steve: Medicine, obviously.

Leo drinks some of it.

For several seconds, he remains silent.

Then memories begin returning.

The smoke.

The mountain.

The burning buildings.

His mother's bracelet.

Leo drops the bottle.

Leo: Mom…

Dr. Steve looks toward him.

Leo grabs his head.

Leo: No…

The pain becomes stronger.

Leo: The ravine…

His breathing becomes broken.

Leo: Everyone…

Tears begin coming out from his eyes.

Leo: It really happened…

Dr. Steve says nothing.

Leo: Why…

His hands shake.

Leo: Why am I here!?

He looks at Steve.

Leo: Where's my mother!? Where are the people from Redstone!?

Steve remains silent.

Leo understands from his face.

Leo: No…

The door opens.

Edward enters.

Leo immediately recognizes him.

Leo: You…

The ruler Edward: You're awake.

Leo: You're the one who stopped him.

Edward nods.

Leo suddenly catches his clothes.

Leo: Then why didn't you come before!?

Edward doesn't answer immediately.

Leo: You're the ruler, aren't you!? Everyone always says ruler Edward protects the continent!

His tears continue falling.

Leo: So where were you!? Why did you only come after everything was already destroyed!?

Edward gently takes Leo's hands away from his clothes.

The ruler Edward: Because I didn't know Mardochaios sent Alvah there until it was too late.

Leo: Then what kind of ruler are you!?

Dr. Steve looks away.

Leo screams.

Leo: My mother is dead! People I knew since I was born are dead! And all because some bastard wanted some stupid rocks!!

Edward lowers his eyes.

The ruler Edward: You're right to be angry.

Leo wasn't expecting the answer.

The ruler Edward: But there is something you need to understand.

Edward sits on a chair.

The ruler Edward: Ten years ago, Mardochaios tried to take control of this continent. His army entered from the eastern border and the war continued for almost two years.

Leo says nothing.

The ruler Edward: We were losing.

Edward looks at his missing arm.

The ruler Edward: A large part of my army was destroyed, many cities were damaged, and I lost this arm during the final months of the war.

Leo slowly looks toward it.

The ruler Edward: Another continent finally interfered before the war could destroy everything. Mardochaios agreed to withdraw, but in exchange our continent had to send his territory a large amount of sunstones every five years.

Leo: Why?

The ruler Edward: Because at that time accepting his conditions was better than letting thousands more people die.

Leo looks down.

The ruler Edward: This year's shipment was incomplete because Redstone's quarry collapsed. I asked him for more time.

Edward closes his hand.

The ruler Edward: Instead, he sent Alvah.

Leo's teeth become tight.

Leo: Alvah…

Purple glow appears weakly around his fingers.

Edward notices it.

Dr. Steve notices it too.

The ruler Edward: That's the second time.

Leo looks at his hand.

The glow disappears.

Leo: What… was that?

Edward does not answer immediately.

The ruler Edward: Magic.

Leo stares at him.

Leo: I don't use magic.

The ruler Edward: You do now.

Leo: What?

The ruler Edward: I don't know exactly what kind it is. But I saw it around you in Redstone, and I can feel that it is not ordinary.

Leo looks at his hand again.

Leo: Can it make me strong?

Edward's expression changes.

Leo: Strong enough to kill Alvah?

Dr. Steve looks toward Edward.

Edward stands up.

The ruler Edward: Heal first.

Leo: That's not an answer.

The ruler Edward: Because you're asking the wrong question.

Leo looks angry.

The ruler Edward: Power without knowing how to use it will only get you killed.

Edward walks toward the door.

Leo: Then teach me.

Edward stops.

Leo: You said I'm a magician, right?

Purple glow appears for one moment around Leo's fist again.

Leo: Then teach me how to use it.

Edward turns his head.

The ruler Edward: Rest.

Leo: Hey!

The ruler Edward: I'll return tomorrow.

He leaves.

Leo looks toward Dr. Steve.

Leo: He's annoying.

Steve lights another cigarette.

Dr. Steve: You grabbed the ruler of the continent from his clothes and shouted at him five minutes after waking up.

Leo: So?

Dr. Steve: Nothing.

He smokes.

Dr. Steve: I think you'll fit well in Virelia.

…

The next morning.

Leo was standing outside Dr. Steve's clinic.

His wounds were covered by bandages and his mother's bracelet was around his left wrist.

Leo: Thanks for taking care of me.

Dr. Steve: Haha, it's my job.

Steve points toward Edward.

Dr. Steve: He's your problem now.

The ruler Edward: I'm standing right here, Steve.

Dr. Steve: I know.

Leo looks between them.

Leo: So where are we going?

The ruler Edward: North District.

Leo: Why?

The ruler Edward: You'll see.

Edward places one hand on Leo’s shoulder.

Leo: Wait—

Both disappear.

…

When Leo opens his eyes again, he almost falls.

Leo: Uagh… I hate when you do that!

The ruler Edward: You'll get used to it.

Leo looks around.

They weren't inside a palace.

They were standing on a huge stone platform built against the side of a hill.

Below them, a large part of Virelia could be seen.

The city was filled with red roofs, narrow streets and tall towers connected by bridges.

Behind Leo stood several long buildings surrounding a large training field.

Young people wearing different clothes were walking everywhere.

Some were carrying books.

Others were training with magic.

Fire.

Water.

Wind.

Small pieces of rock floating in the air.

Leo's eyes become wide.

Leo: What is this place?

The ruler Edward: The First Magic Academy of Virelia.

Leo turns toward him.

Leo: Academy!?

The ruler Edward: You're fourteen. The new year begins soon, and this is where young magicians of your age learn how to control their abilities.

Leo: I told you, I don't even know how to use mine!

The ruler Edward: That's why schools exist.

Leo stays silent.

A voice suddenly comes from behind them.

**''**Dad!''

Leo turns.

A boy with green hair and black eyes was walking toward them.

Beside him was a servant wearing a black suit and carrying two bags.

The ruler Edward: There you are.

Leo: Who are they?

Edward laughs.

The ruler Edward: What a way to introduce yourself.

The green-haired boy stops before them.

The ruler Edward: This is my son, Joseph. He's almost your age and he's starting his first year here too.

Joseph raises one hand.

Joseph: Yo.

Edward points toward the servant.

The ruler Edward: And this is Benjamin. He's been taking care of Joseph for years.

Benjamin shows a pose of respect.

Benjamin: It is a pleasure meeting you, young Leo.

Leo scratches his head.

Leo: Uh… Yeah. You too.

Joseph looks at the bandages around him.

Then at the bracelet.

Joseph: Dad told me something happened to you.

Leo's face immediately changes.

Edward looks at Joseph.

Joseph realizes his mistake.

Joseph: Ah… Sorry.

Leo: It's fine.

For a moment, none of them talks.

Then Edward points toward one of the academy buildings.

The ruler Edward: The academy has residences for students coming from distant places. I arranged a room for you there.

Leo looks at him.

Leo: You're sending me to school immediately after everything that happened?

The ruler Edward: Not immediately. You'll have time to recover before classes begin.

Leo: And what if I don't want to stay?

Edward looks at him.

The ruler Edward: Then after your wounds heal, you may decide for yourself.

Leo seems surprised.

The ruler Edward: I won't force you to live in my fortress or become something you don't want.

Edward looks toward the academy students.

The ruler Edward: But you asked me to teach you how to use your magic.

He looks at Leo again.

The ruler Edward: This is where we start.

Leo stays silent for some moments.

Then he looks toward his mother's bracelet.

Leo: Fine.

Joseph smiles.

Joseph: Good! At least now I won't be the only new student who knows almost nothing.

Leo: You're the ruler's son and you know nothing?

Joseph's smile disappears.

Joseph: Hey!

Edward laughs.

Benjamin tries not to.

…

Later that evening, Edward, Joseph and Leo are eating inside a small dining room connected to the academy guest building.

Benjamin puts more food on the table.

Benjamin: Will you need anything else, ruler Edward?

The ruler Edward: No, thank you. You can rest.

Benjamin: Thank you.

He looks toward Joseph and Leo.

Benjamin: Good night, young master Joseph. Good night, Leo.

Joseph: Good night.

Leo: Yeah, good night.

Benjamin leaves.

Joseph continues eating.

Leo looks at him.

Leo: Do you always eat that much?

Joseph: Training needs energy.

Leo: What training?

Joseph: Magic training.

Leo: You just said you know almost nothing.

Joseph stops chewing.

Joseph: I know more than you.

Leo: That's not difficult. I know nothing.

Edward almost laughs.

Joseph: Dad, why did you bring this guy here?

The ruler Edward: You seemed happy five minutes ago.

Joseph: I changed my mind.

Leo smiles slightly for the first time since Redstone.

Edward notices but does not mention it.

After some moments, Edward looks toward Leo.

The ruler Edward: Have you thought about the nature of your magic?

Leo: No.

The ruler Edward: Nothing at all?

Leo: I tried to make that purple thing appear again.

Leo lifts his hand.

Nothing happens.

Leo: See?

Joseph: Maybe your magic is disappearing magic.

Leo stares at him.

Leo: Very funny.

Joseph: Thanks.

Edward stands up.

Both boys look toward him.

The ruler Edward: Leo. Joseph.

Leo: What?

Joseph: Yeah?

Edward walks toward the door.

The ruler Edward: Follow me.

…