Five years before

Golden Bruggen

College of Magic (Academia Magia )

Today was the day that I was going to die, which was funny because I always knew that I was going to die. I knew that all along that I was going to die. It was either going to be by my own hand or by society, and I had been alive for nineteen years to know. My society never trusted me, but it was my entire fault that I was in this mess anyway.

I was sitting at the back row as the lecturer, a tall caramel man with cropped salt and pepper hair with thin wire glasses pressed on his wrinkled freckled nose as his purple robes danced continued his lecture on Shakespeare as I sat with a straight back, leaned forward and wrote all the notes. He snapped his clawed fingers as the three holographic screen flickered to the next slide as his voice echoed all over the hall, amplified by a spell. He talked passionately about the Merchant of Venice as I wrote my analysis on it.

He was a High Mage with those delicate points for his ears and adorned with robes fit for a learned man. I tapped my pen on my lip and drummed my long, black claws on the curved wooden surface. An elven boy beside scooted a few meters away as he eyed me with luminous violet eyes as he pulled his lips into sneer at me with disgust, and his white hair covered his eyes.

"The Merchant of Venice" is a fascinating tale about numerous characters and explores the themes of love, friendship, and human religion. I hope you have actually read it, though."The lecturer concluded passionately with a smile.

I sat back as some people reeled back. With a sad sigh, I intertwined my fingers, long and thin, as the metal rings glistened in the white light .I straightened my back. Unfortunately for me, he wasn't the only one unnerved by my presence but who couldn't feel the heaviness of thin air of the circular hall filled with hundreds of Magicka's, Elves, and Engels. The tension was a thick blanket.It pressed on my back and cackled in the air.

I wasn't surprised about this treatment I got.

I wasn't naïve.

I was different. Elves and Magicka's like me were seen as dirt beneath their golden sandals.'I frowned as I stared intently at my fingers. My joy quickly dissolved.

I was Unnamed—a child without any linked or direct ancestors from any of the Trio Ages. I was just there with no greatness or no weakness. I was a Delinquent---someone who questioned things, didn't conform, and constantly got into trouble. And I was a Conscripted child—a child soldier sworn to the court.

I tilted my head in his direction, and with a cheeky smile that exposed my pointed canines like an ant to water, he reeled back, scooted even further, and glared at me with even more disgust  Where I sat was a huge fillable gap between us, but who would dare sit with such a disgrace such as I.

My ears perked, pointed and curved distinct from the others as the lecturer waved his hands in a gentle arc as the screen flickered as paragraphs of the text alongside Okirian symbols which was far more easier to digest than the complicated Shakespearian English. A grin perked my lips as I gazed fondly at my own copy. It was cracked, broken spine, and used yellow pages after being used, loved, and reread. When we received our copies, I refused the new ones and decided to be my own, which got me stares and whispers.

My obsidian hair, long and shoulder length, was tied into a low ponytail that caught stares of my oddly curved ears. Some girls smiled and waved at me as they pointed at each other. I winked playfully as they giggled even more. More the less, I couldn't go a day without someone sending me hate mail, death threats, or notes requesting a potential hookup. If they didn't hate me ,they found me attractive or just plain weird. They sometimes will come up to me and ask weird questions.

A thin boy retched as they stared me. Oh, Hestia, was anyone in my row not paying rapt attention to what we were learning?

But something was strange, from beyond the walls. A muffled conversation was being inquired around the campus, but I heard my name at least once. Loud footsteps echoed in the hall .Giant footsteps like heavy boulders—the sound of heavy boots. Shit, I had no idea how I heard that, but Goddess, I could hear it. They continued to ask more questions as my eyes darted to the west door. An odd feeling crept from deep inside of me.

Something was wrong.

Then, the loud footsteps stopped. I clenched and unclenched my first as I swung my feet uncomfortably.

"We are looking for a man..."

Then they exchanged some thanks as the heavy boots reached the door. The door yawned open as three burly guards spilled in. The men were tall, muscular dressed in white plastic amour, which hugged their muscular body and were equipped with laser guns strapped behind their backs. My eyebrows rose as my eyes widened.

I knew who they were coming for.

Whispers spread over the class as everyone chatted and wondered why they were here. Others stared at the guards, and the least glared at me.

The professor gaped then turned to the guards with his face red," Excuse me, sirs please, what is going on. You have no right to barge into my class. Where you gotten permission -"

He was instantly cut off by the guard." I do, actually. I have the Golden Seal from the Crown Herself. I have authorized to ask whoever and do whatever I want."He ended from his speaker filled voice. The professor was silent as his eyes dropped to the floor. The guard nodded. His smooth, plastic helmet hiding his satisfied expression. He went forward as his eyes assessed each and every one of us. The others whispered and cocked their guns and held it. It changed till its stripes glowed bright blue. He stood in the middle of his comrades and observed us with his black curved lens obviously imputed with biometrics, facial recognition, and other information of us.

He placed his sensor-tip finger on the arm and typed quickly as a small holo screen lit up. He raised his arm as here slowly rotated it around the room. A black screen passed over all of us. The room was filled with commotion, confusion, and pure loss or words. A lump bobbed in my throat as I took in a deep breath.

"What on the Underworld  is going on?" A man yelled from the back room. The guard raised his chin and nodded at the bigger one next to him.

"Shut up! This is an official investigation. Any words can be used against you." He yelled at the boy as the man chuckled and twitched his lip. His large grey wings perched behind him flapped defiantly.

"Fly, bird, fly," He taunted, anger seeped into his words." I dare you!" Everyone chatted, froze, or tried to use their devices. Gruffed laughter rumbled from his broad white amour. He cocked his gun and aimed it at the man who gasped and gripped his desk like his life depended on it. In this case, it surely does. He placed his eye on the sniper. "If so, I won't hesitate to shoot you to shut you up." His laughter continued as silence washed over the room.

"Is this the boy?"One of them inquired with a long chuckle. "He sure acts like a beast!"

"Everyone quiet. They would be done soon." The professor announced, then he spoke under his breath. "I hope. Goddess, I hope." But luckily, I caught on.

The third one walked top wars the old man and placed his palm on the man's shoulder, keeping him in place. He stood straighter, lips pursed and tensed. "Thank you, sir, but we'll take it from here." He strode forwards and raised his palm up and down for us to scan us with a holographic screen. I tapped my metal caped boot with worry and clenched and unclenched my fist. The air was thick with worry and anticipation as others thought to record audio and videos of all. Then a curious elven walked down the aisle as mutters got louder. The elf barely reached the door when they were sized up, then shoved back into the bleachers.

"No body leaves!" He bellowed.

Why the delay?

And yet, I knew why. With a heavy sigh, I was about to raise when the scanner landed on me. The guard froze, rotated it, and then landed it on me. He compared it to his comrades and nodded. He pointed to me and snapped his fingers.

"You, boy, in the ponytail. Come here." He ordered as others exchanged some surprised, angered, and satisfied looks.

"Wait, they were looking for him?" A girl with light blue hair questioned and two long ears.

I walked down the stairs as it sloped till I neared the three guards who sized me up and placed their fingers on their chins. I knew what a pair of cuffs was at stake as the one at my height removed then cleared his throat. I had to comply if not. Things will go to shit. I stretched out my arms and stared blankly at the men. They exchanged a long, confused glance as if to say I really thought he'd fight, then he announced, "In order of the Crown Herself. You have been arrested for crimes against the Kingdom. For treason, attempted murder, man slaughter, attempted assault of power, and a devious secret. "He proceeded to cuff my fists with a sliver electric cuff that glowed a pale blue. People exchanged glances and gasped as all my past crimes come from the depths of my mind.

My eyes widened as the realization dawned to me. All my past crimes have come to bit me back in the ass, hard. He chucked, long and loud from his mouthpiece, which distorted his voice. I cocked a brow as he swiveled   me towards the audience, and then he proceeded to joke. "Would you like to request a lawyer?"

My jaw tensed, and so did my shoulders. He threw his head back and laughed. It was ironic. I was arrested by the Crown, not the State. My fate had already been decided. I didn't need a lawyer, a court, or a jury. My punishment approaches, but I refused to show any emotion. With one sad glance at the professor sighed as the guards escorted me out and as soon as the door slammed shut. Whispers and shouts exploded in the lecture hall. We walked towards the long, white hallway, which stretched into infinity. They formed a triangle around me as they led me to froward. I ducked my dead so they wouldn't see my gaze as I clenched my jaw tight. Only the sound of our boots echoed in the quiet hallway. The burly one stood behind with the gun pointed at the small of my back as the other two stood beside me.

"Sure, this is him? "He began, his voice gruff. "He sure doesn't look like a killer."

The other man scoffed and turned to his friend," He sure is, but he looks harmless, Goddess. I expected him to fight or rebel."

"Right, "the other responded as the other nodded in agreement and kept my head don as I thought of a plan. I needed to be out and leave. After all the things I did, I was going to be killed, but that is the price to pay for being different. I stared at the guy with my peripheral vision and side eyed the other and our footsteps. They took long strides but seemed easily distracted. "No funny business. "The gruff guy warned. I shook my cuffs and then looked straight ahead. Then, at the sign of weakness, I side tackled, then man beside and pressed his armored back against the wall. towards the wall, then I spun on my heels and shaved the other. The guard in front of me spun and cocked his gun as I glided on my feet as he pointed it to me. Bright blue light glowed, and then I trusted my arms to him . It melted out me and clattered to the floor. I clenched and clenched my fist as a sinister smile played on my lips. With anger that bubbled both hands free and anger on the rise, time crawled at a snail's pace as then man seemed to run in less than twenty minutes per hour.

"Goddess, "I breathed, as a sense euphoria spread all over me as I cocked my head, eyes leveled down like a predator.The world was bathed in a rich red light as my senses sharpened. I haven't felt this way since I was fifteen."I trust my hand forward as his blood gurgled from deep within him  as he groaned in pain. henn, I felt his heart contract and sqyeeze as his eyes burgled out his dead. Then, with one more breath,he collasped onto the ground as blood pooled around him.

I breathed him as a warm feeling washed over me, and then I turned to man stuack to the wall."Please, don't kill me."He begged.
I cocked my head and smiled, teeth out."Let me think about  it."Then I grabbed his wrist and curled it to his back ,slow and excruciating as a bone broke.The man screamed in horror as a smile of satisfaction formed on his lips.I stepped back ,cracked my bloodied knucles as the last  man stood with legs quivered.He moved back and screamed,"Yoyou  are a monster !" he screamed ,staggered and cocked his sniper directly at my chest.A chuckle escaped my lips as I sqared my shoulder."Tell me something I don't know.I've been called way worse."I repiled.
"You need help with serious help even if the Godess won't save you." Then I walked towatrds him as my heart hammered in my chest.
I swiped my hands as he dodeged and I side stepped him.A chuckled escaped my lips as he then he swung way way weak puches which I grabbed his wrist then he kickled my chest as I stagered.Blood dribbled down  my chin ,thick and salty as I licked it  as  grinned."You done yet?"I asked the horrified man.The gun pointed at my foreahead."Burn in the Embers of the Underworld."Then, with a lazy kick, then I danced, then twisted his arrm as a blood curklding scream and pressed it behind his back.His screams  echoed  which was like music to my ears, but he regained his composure.I dropped his broken arm and staggered.I searched my stubble."Don't chase me, or I'll actually kill you."I warned as the man fell to his knees as blood pooled around him."Don't try to find me, or I'll end you."I threatened  and grabbed a bloodied gun and inspected it.This will do.My eyes landed on the man who gawked at his twisted hand and limb and then the body of the other guy as his blood soaked onto my boots.I scrunched my face in disgust of the heavy mass.Then I spun on my heels and boltedd.

My humanity was slipping away ,day by day, and yet I felt nothing.My hair whipped in the rush as the anderline subsided.I ran down the grand stairs of the college as people turned to look at me.Then I heard it footsteps and heavy breathing from at least five metres way.

Shit.

Everyone gaped ,gasped, and pointed out when they saw me.

"Over there."A deep voice cried as I staggered as a thick crowd formed around him.

"He's holding a fucking gun."A gruad screamed as they cocked their guns and watched me.

One of the bigger grands with shoulder pads and badges of a commander.His eyes widened as he forced his way out of the ring of guards.

"Sébastien, what have you done?"The vomnander asked the looked at his  arm, then face in horror.

I gripped the gun  and smiled."I become the monster you wanted."My voice dripped with suppressed anger.

"They should have killed you."He spat."My men are dead because of you."

I dropped the gun with a clatter."Maybe you should have."I bowed my head.His eyes widened as he flicked both of my fingers as my eyes went to my left as others placed their hands on their mouth and whispered among themselves.
Murdered in cold blood.
Killer.
A scream tore from the hallway as everyone snapped their gaze to a Freshman as he ran down the stairs with bloodied hands."T-There's a dead body .There's a dead body."

Then it landed on me as he choked a scream.He screamed louder.

The gruads like a mother to a flame they cuffed me but this time they bowed my head and escorted me then the whole campus have the news as I was bombarded with flashes of lights abd insults.

The world went slow, and all I heard was my thoughts. Then I saw him.My eyes widened to a familiar boy.A tall dark  skinned man with light blonde braids tied into a ponytail as his silvery grey eyes widened  in horror. I averted my gaze.
     Did he rat me off  again ?
I thought as the lanky boy tore through the crowd.We walked down the grand domed ceiling ,the floor-to-ceiling windows, then out of the double doors.Cold air  blew on my face as the other gruads made way.Then my eyes snapped high.My face stared at me with two large screens and different angles at the same time.My wide  violet eyes stared at me and his hardened gaze then the camara changed to me being escorted with the tagline Demon led to guillotine. The trees  blew, and the birds chirped in the concentrated trees around.A pod hovered a few feet as they shoved me .I staggered in, and then the strangest thing happened.They unruffled me.

"Well ,well.Here seats Sébastien, the fireweilder.The man pressed is temple as the helmet twisted open and revealed cold blue eyes.They sat me down on a cold metal chair and strapped me tight.Then they circled around me."You think you are the shit just because you are famous or have a famous lineage."One spat."They should have killed you,piece of shit."I sat quietly as the man's breath fannned on my face.

My hands were bound behind me.But I leveled my breathing.The metal shaft shook as we ascended out all I could see from the pods windows was  the white walls that curved around the nation.We glided over strenches of green feulds and the white walls dhich bisected us.One of them was a white haired guy which pale blue eyes were as icy as his gaze landed on.

He quirked his lips, intona digusted smile."You think you're powerful because of your bloodline.It's cursed."He spat on me as the spit dribbled down my face.With silver claws he clenched my jaw then swiped on it.Fresh  blood dribbled down as he glowered  at me with disgust.The commander crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest.Then he yanked on my hair then forced me to look at you."May the Goddess Herself have mercy on you."Then his fist collided on my side of my face as a spat more blood.They unscripted with pursed lips and cold, dead eyes.These men were my comrades and now they led me to my death.The man unclippred the ropes on me.My chest rose and fell as the mam swing a punched,I dodged and spun only fir another to grasp my lips.He swung and his fist collided on my face as I took in a sharp intake of air.One yanked on the ends of my hair and pulled hard.One hooked my eye abs before I knew it.They  kicked so much.I got to my feet and swiped my clawed One roundhouse kick to  my chest sent me flying and like ants on honey they swarmed around me with hits ,punches and kicks.Too much pain registred on  me till I was a bloodied and bruise mess.My ponytail was united and went passsd my shoulders as my breathing was labored.My eye was swollen purple and shut.Each movement caused me to breathe as I rested my back on the cold metal.The  workd was blurry as ringing echoed on my ears.Sweat dribbled down my white shirt as I struggled to get my footing.One guard kick my already bruised and possibly dislocated knee.The slam cause me to howl on pain.A gruad got down and ripped on my shirt till it fell on tatters around me.A private grabbed---heavy metal chains and bouded my hands.My back was exposed to the bitter cold ,a gruad recoiled as he saw the vertical scars on my back.The pod landed as loud sunlight burned my ears.A groan exscaped my lips as the guards  escorted me to the path.The world was bathed in sunlight as sunflowers danced in the nice breeze but the veiled  inhabitants stopped to gawk at me.Mothers gasped and hid the children as others ran and hid.The cobblestones ground poked my bare  feet as I proweled forward.Two holographic screen showed me ,broken and defeated as the beetles armored guards led me through like a cow led to slaughter.An array of people all dressed in white watched me as I was paraded.

I glanced behind me the great white wall of the west ,giant metal mended together as a blue light whirled as the outside world of interwined.

This was it.The end of my life.After all I did was in vain.Maybe I was naive.Maybe stupid.I grew up with his men.We fought and laughed.Their face was a cold mask.One I had grew accustomed to.

I was led to the great square as a huge crowd of people watched me in horror and disgust.Others bowed their heads  and weeped.The Rich watched with  abstract glasses and a face of indifference.The poor Mage kids saw me abd screaned.My cold face watched from the screen.Over twelve feet  ,stood a massive theatre. They shoved me on one one massive stage as the chains clattered. They're forced my feet down as I sucked in some breathe.

A man walked onto the stage with a smile ,he towered over me and addressed the audience.He was dresed in a snowy white tux and a padyel pink tie.He was devoid if all colour which caused his pale eyes to stand out from Most of them glanced ,all uncomfortable, and others looked uneasy.The tall imposing wall curved to the highest.The Engles all flapped their wings to still afloat.If it wasn't for the cool summer breeze or the amazing blue sky with fluffy clouds which streaked but I knew better.It was all a ruse.To keep us I'm check.

It was a fake.The world outside was hell.People like me were a liability.Guards patrolled by and cowered the crowd   to stay.A stray in tye crowd slipped out  and bolted out.Only to be dragged and beat up by a group.

"We are gathered here today to cleanse our city.A demon has plague our lands and made us uneasy.We shall end  all evil from Okiria by the Goddess at this mass."Then he stepped back.
Far behind on a watch tower was the Goddess,a giant golden fan hid her golden eyes and her red flames danced in the light.The Goddess lips curled into a smile.She was pale as her dress dribbled down like lava.On top of her was her symbol.But she was one of many symbols.The sun.It spun like the actual sun with pleated ends.Or a speture  with two wings.

Godesss, I hated that woman.She who tamed the sun.Her her busted into red flames as her eyes glowed like pure gold.She rose from her feet and smiled.She finally showed her true form ,the third form and it was beautifully frightening.

"Today,"she bagan,her voice boomed like an earhhquake.It caught everyone's attention."we start the Great Clensing.We clean out this man's tainted bloodline to save our selves from his potential."She smiled and exposed the wide array of sharp teeth.She waved her giant fan as from high above me.Two guards shoved a girl.My heart froze in my chest as I yanked on the chains.No ,it can't be.I pulled harder.Goddess,no.Not her.My breathing got laboured.The Goddess  laughed as it the leaves  danced in wind.
 
A  pale slender  girl dresses in a high rise blue dress  overlapped with pastel scales which hugged her body.Her hands were clasped on her.Her face was shiny with tears.Her oval face with pinched with pain. Her pastel pink hair was twisted into braids around her hair like a crown but her icy  blue eyes were wet as black streaks scared her soft features.
"What did  you do to  her ?"I hissed,  the man who announced my presence  only  to smile.My shocked expression was showed on the screen.Frantically, I yanked on chains and spun on my feet and tried to drag it The man chuckled at me."No,"I breathed."She did nothing wrong.She did nothing wrong."
She purses her lips and hicuped.I snapped my gaze to her as her eyes turned glossy.I blinked at her and ranked even harder.The man only averted  then cleared his  his pale throat."Watch as he struggles."

"Look,"The man bellowed and gestured his arms to the screen."Beyound and see his tru colours.This man killed his comrades in cold blood.He could turn on us and destro us.See how he killed them without mercy,"He kneelt down and griined at me ,all teeth exposed to a sneer."Your bloodline ends here."I snapped my gaze to the screen as it played the events from the last hour.I was exposed only in white throuseers now grey with sweaat,ripped and caked with dirt.It showed me with a bowed head,my satistied smile when i twisted that man arms ,my hands trust forwad as the man crumpled and my threat.It was all recodered for all the world to see.

My fault.All my actions came back to bite me and drag me back to the Underwold.My eyes traveled through the crowd as horror and fear stiched peoples faces as one burtested out cryiging as people watchedme with hatred and anger.Some cowered and hide their kids from me.I watched in hoorror of my own actions displayed.The crowd moved like a stormy sea.

Mu muscles screamed in pain as I kept on.She shimmered out of their grasp only for them to yanked her  as she screamed on anger.
"Don't touch me."she hissed as the man gripped her clasped hands tight.He dragged her forwad.
She writhed in their grip as they smiled and shoved her into the booth.Two guards sat beside her to keel her in place.They grinned at her as she recoiled and hissed at them.
"No,"I screamed.
"Set off the flame."The man boomed.Beneth me a ring of ash formed around me.The temperrature rose as I got to my feet.We locked eyes as she struggled to get to her feet.I blinked away the tears as her eyes winded in pain. Then the flames licked my feet then swallowed me whole.All I heard was my screams and hers.