❝ ALONE ❞

Lightweaver.

People gasped as light writhed between the boy's fingers, strands of magic illuminating the night sky.

He was the first light mage in a century.

And the people were greedy.

They swarmed him in suffocating crowds, scrabbling for a touch of his magic. Just a thread of light could heal a man on his deathbed.

The little boy covered his head with his arms, crying out when sharp nails scratched and clawed, desperate for his power. They tugged on his blonde hair, pulling on the strands, and his blue eyes clouded with a fear he had never known before.

The Lightweaver was trapped.

But then it all stopped. Women and men alike were shoved off him, official mages now crowding over the boy. When he realised that he was now free from the chaos, he raised his head and peered at the newcomers.

His tongue felt like sandpaper and his throat was hoarse, but he said anyway, "What," he swallowed, "what happens now?"

A man held his hand out, a gentle smile on his face. "Now, Lightweaver, we take you home."

***

Anwyn huffed when as she walked down the hall, exasperation and fatigue overloading her senses. Those who stood in her path would face the con—

It was him.

Frankly, the fire mage was not very interested in the Lightweaver. He was a normal human, just like her, and she had done everything — everything to get this far up the ranks. Just so her family wouldn't have to live in poverty like some others did.

His blonde hair was wind-swept, blue eyes clear like pools of water. And yet, somehow, he looked troubled, as if he was a king with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Which, actually, was quite an accurate description of the role he held in society. After all, the Lightweaver was the key to keeping the world in balance and peace.

Anwyn didn't know his name despite his fame, which was odd, since, at the highest rank of all the fire mages, she should know everything.

But she didn't.

The girl opened her mouth to ask, but he walked past her, seemingly bothered by something. She shrugged, deiciding that perhaps, this simply just wasn't the time to ask his name.

***

She couldn't sleep.

Anwyn tossed and turned beneath the sheets, thankful that the dorm was hers only. It could be quite lonely, but at times like this, when the moon and quiet sounds kept her awake, she didn't mind.

After a few more minutes of restlessness, Anwyn had enough of it. She threw off the covers, wrapping a scarf around her neck, placing a hat on her head. Her nightgown would have to suffice, an extra layer underneath the warm jacket she shrugged on. Grabbing the bag next to her closet, she swung it onto her shoulder.

Carefully opening the door, she smiled mischievously. Young mages like her had a strict curfew, but it didn't matter as long as she wasn't caught. Her fire would protect her anyway.

Her light feet pattered softly against the wooden floorboards, and when Anwyn made it out of the tower, she breathed out a sigh of relief. Now walking confidently, she barely hid her excitement as she ran to the nearby river, her secret hideaway.

Then her smile slipped away.

Sitting there, right on her favourite spot where she loved to watch the rainbow fish dance, was the Lightweaver.

What exactly was he doing there?

Anwyn held back a groan, knowing for sure that she had to get out of here before she was caught and told on. She crept backwards, slowly taking steps back and—

"I know you're there." His voice was barely a whisper, but her sharp hearing caught the words right away.

She yelped in surprise, covering her face with her hands.

The boy was weaving light with his bare hands, the magic brightening his face in the dark.

"What — what are you doing here?"

He looked up at her, his eyes piercing in the dark. "I needed a break from everyone."

Anwyn was stunned by his honesty, but she recognised his tone, his words. Because he sounded like her.

Taking her bag, she walked up to him and took a seat beside the boy.

"I know what you mean," was her soft reply.

"I didn't even want this." He declared, emboldened by her words.

"Well," she said, "I need to do this for my family. They'll starve if I don't. And I won't make my father proud."

The boy dipped his head, staring at the rippling water where the rainbow fish danced.

"This is my hideaway, you know." She sat there thoughtfully for a moment. "But I suppose, as kindred souls, we can share."

The first smile she saw from him bloomed on his face, and he grinned at her. "Alright."

"What's your name?"

"Stace. I know yours: you're Anwyn. The famous fire mage who's surpassing everyone's standards."

She shook her head, shrugging. "I'm not as great as the rumours say."

"Nor am I," he murmured, "All I feel now is that people only see me for my power and not..." he paused, grasping for words. "Not me."

Anwyn nodded. "I feel the same. You know, what if all my magic goes away? Then I'll be nothing again."

They sat there quietly, the silence comfortable as they watched the fish leap and twirl in the water, cascades of droplets splashing onto them.

"Sometimes it's lonely. I can't make friends in confidence because most of them only want my magic."

"I know what it's like to be alone."

Both of their eyes cast downwards, each with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Breaking the tense silence, he said with a smile, "Your tresses look like fire."

Anwyn grinned. "That's what my father used to say. And your eyes look like a deep pool of water." Her eyes widened. "That's a good thing, of course!"

He snickered. "A deep, murky pool of water? Alright, then."

She playfully shoved him, the corners of her eyes crinkling. Since when had she had such fun at the Academy?

A gasp slipping out of her mouth, she dug into her bag for the books she had brought, showing them to Stace.

"I came here to read these, but you interrupted me." She said mock angrily.

He snorted. "Alright, alright. Do you have a light?"

She dug around once more, emerging with nothing, and sighed. "I must have forgotten."

Stace opened a palm, letting a faint light shimmer out. "You can use my magic, then."

Anwyn narrowed her eyes. "Should I really?"

The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "Go on."

"Alright."

Then they sat side by side, reading beneath the moonlight and magic, a calm peace settling around them, for they were both just that little less lonely now.