― Eight Years Later ―
The capital of Ragenbird. A massive city full of life and fun. Housing the biggest buildings and castles on the continent. The radiant sun shone brightly over the city. Kids laughed as they played, and parents rushed home with bags full of food. Magic-powered cars raced through the streets, carrying foreigners and tourists.
Outside the large gates of the city, a gold and green carriage drew near. A man in a red T-shirt and black trousers, with a sword strapped on his back, sat at the front. His hands, glowing brown on the obsidian panel, powered the carriage. As the gate came into sight, the man turned around to the small glass window behind him.
"Hey kids, we're almost at the gate."
Inside the carriage, a sixteen-year-old girl and boy sat comfortably. The girl had long, flowing blonde hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a white silk shirt and long green leggings. She had on brown boots, reaching her ankles. Her sparkling bracelet with the letter S was worn on her left wrist. Her white and red sword rested beside her. The girl was lost in the music connected to her ears from her phone.
The boy sitting across stared out the window to his right in excitement. He had pitch-black, messy hair. He wore a large black shirt with the letter M on it and white trousers. A black scarf was wrapped around his neck, the edges dangling on his back. He had on black laced boots with white soles. His dark shining bracelet was on his right arm, just below his black glove. Next to him rested his black sword, this one with a golden hilt.
The two kids were the Aurelion twins – Malrik and Sarah Aurelion. They had journeyed to the capital of Ragenbird in hopes of being accepted to the Evergreen Academy of Ragenbird.
Malrik sat with his feet dangling. "Man, I can't wait. What do you think the Academy will be like?"
Sarah glanced up at her annoying brother. "Trust me, it probably won't be as good as you think it will. Besides, we still have to pass the exam tomorrow to start next week. I have no doubt I'll get accepted, but you still don't even have a Title yet. I'd be worried if I were you."
Malrik scoffed. "Please, I don't need a Title to pass some stupid exam. Dad and I may not be blood-related, but I was still trained and raised by him. That test won't stand a chance." Malrik clenched his teeth, his determination and confidence brimming. Sarah rolled her eyes and put her earphones back in.
"Whatever. Just don't embarrass me there."
Malrik let out a dismissive "Hmph" and returned to his sightseeing. Before long, they passed through the city gates. Houses and shops lined the streets, bustling with life. The distant laughter of children drifted into the carriage, piercing the hum of city noise. Sarah turned up her music in an attempt to drown it out, but it wasn't enough. The city was alive and loud.
"This must be what it was like to visit America back in those days." Sarah raised her eyebrow in confusion.
"What in the world is America?"
"It was one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world before the Twilight War. I read that it was considered to be a land of freedom that offered the opportunity to be anything you want to be in life," answered Malrik, his eyes twinkling with fascination. Sarah rolled her eyes.
"Sounds like a scam to me," she mumbled as Malrik glared at her.
"What do you know!"
"More than you, idiot!"
"How am I the idiot when you didn't even know what—"
"Kids, this is the furthest I can take you now. Come out of the carriage." Interrupted the man driving, gaining the kids' attention. Malrik and Sarah stepped out of the vehicle and marvelled at the buildings three times their size.
People walked past them on the pavement, some even bumping into them. A kid had almost run into Malrik before Sarah pulled him out of the way. The two watched the boy continue his journey past them.
"I've never seen so many people in one place at one time." Malrik nodded in agreement.
"Hey guys." Malrik and Sarah turned to the driver, who was now leaning on his carriage. "Not to interrupt your moment of awe and wonder, but I've got other clients to pick up, so…"
"Oh, yeah, sorry." As Sarah dug out money from her pocket and handed it over to the driver, Malrik pulled out a map.
"Awesome. You kids enjoy yourselves," said the driver. He waved goodbye before driving off. Sarah turned back to her brother, who was currently reading the map.
Sarah placed her hands on her hips. "Do you even know how to read a map?"
"Of course I do!" snapped Malrik. He squinted at the map, turning it in every direction possible. "How hard can it be?"
"…That doesn't give me any confidence." Malrik rolled his eyes and started walking to the left. Sarah followed behind him, weaving through the horde of people like a snake.
"The Reyfield Guild should be this way."
― In another part of the city ―
A long limo parked outside a large white castle with light blue roofs. A man in ninja yoroi with a sword tied to his waist opened the door to the limo, and a brown-haired girl stepped out. She wore a long, luxurious brown dress with dark blue high heels. Her expensive golden jewellery dangled from her wrists and ears.
The girl gazed at the wide gates to the castle and breathed in.
"I'm home," she smiled to herself. The guards outside the gate bowed slightly.
"Welcome back, Mrs Duskveil."
The girl bowed back and thanked the guards. The gates opened, and she walked in with two ninjas following behind her. Inside, two rows of ninjas stood facing each other, tall and respectful, speaking in unison.
"Welcome back, Mrs Duskveil."
The girl bowed and continued between them towards the door.
She opened the door, stepping into the massive entry hall. Her heels clicked on the hard maple-marble floor, making a loud sound. More sounds of heels touching the floor came as a beautiful lady appeared from the stairs in front.
"Valery, is that you?"
Valery bowed in respect to the woman. "Yes, Mrs Duskveil, I have returned safely from my trip to summer camp."
The lady practically rushed down the stairs as ladylike as she could. "Oh come, come, child, you must be absolutely exhausted."
The lady escorted Valery past the large kitchen filled with chefs and into a massive dining room. The two sat on the chairs like gossiping ladies.
"Please, pray tell, how was thy lovely trip to…" The woman paused, trying to find the words.
"Summer camp?" Valery offered.
"Oh yes… that triviality. I trust the peasants didn't give you too much trouble."
Valery quickly shook her head. "No, none at all. In fact, I quite certainly made some lovely friends there."
"Good, good. Well, now that you are back, we can—"
Suddenly, the door opened. The two turned around to see a rugged yet handsome-looking black-haired boy appear with a plate of messy sandwiches. The boy wore a tight-fitted blue suit with golden patterns all over it. Underneath was a black shirt, its rim coloured gold. The top three buttons were undone, revealing his ripped chest.
He picked up his sandwich and prepared to take a bite before noticing two people staring at him. "What?"
"Darien. Don't be rude."
The boy rolled his eyes. He noticed Valery staring at him, but paid no attention to it.
The woman glared at him. "I trust your studies are going well."
"Just wonderful, Mother," mumbled Darien before walking off.
Seeing this, Valery quickly stood up. "Uuh, Prince Darien." She bowed.
The boy ignored her and disappeared into the next room. Valery sighed sadly as the lady shook her head.
"That boy. No manners at all."
The lady turned back to Valery and grabbed her hands. "Now then, that aside, I'm sure you are eager to see your husband. He should be upstairs prepping for the entrance exams tomorrow."
Valery bowed. "Thank you, ma'am."
The woman nodded before walking out.
― Town Square ―
Malrik squinted at the map, turning it in every direction. He looked around. Crowds of people surrounded him. Sarah stared at him from behind, music blasting in her ears. She was currently eating a bagel, enjoying the show of her brother trying to figure out where they were.
"We are lost, aren't we?"
"No! It's just, this fountain next to us isn't on the map. I think Dad gave us the wrong map," grumbled the boy.
"Or you're just terrible at reading them." Malrik glared at her. He was too frustrated to continue their sibling squabble, so he went back to his map. He pulled it closer for a better look, then lowered it—only to meet a boy's face right in front of his. The two blinked.
"Yo!"
"Aaah!" Malrik fell to the floor in surprise. "Wha—who are you?!"
"Me? Uuh, hold on a sec."
The boy brought the phone in his hand to his ear. "Hey, Lucien, gimme a sec, I got some awesome new audiences. Bye!" Cutting off the call, he suddenly pulled out two balls and threw them to the ground. Smoke rose, covering the boy. Malrik shielded his face with his arms as the smoke blew towards him.
"Who is mwah, you ask? I am the great Joker, a ninja's flame. I am the great, the talented, the awesome, Ellion Varric!" The smoke started to dissipate, revealing Ellion in a change of clothes. Malrik and Sarah blinked in confusion as they stared at the boy in clown attire.
"Uuh, where did you get that stick from?"
"It's not a stick, it's a cane!!" shouted Ellion.
He began breathing in and out dramatically to calm himself. "Calm down, Ellion, they are just ignorant customers." Malrik and Sarah looked at each other. Sarah sighed.
"We don't have time for this." Malrik nodded before getting up. The two started walking away before Ellion noticed.
"Wait!" He quickly rushed to them. Grabbing the confused Malrik's hand, he knelt down.
"Young man, will you please help this poor boy out and stay for his show, just a little while?"
Malrik looked at his sister, who shook her head and mouthed, No!
Malrik looked back at the clown in front of him.
"Uuh, sure, why not?" Sarah dramatically sighed as the clown cheered.
A few minutes later, Malrik and Sarah found themselves sitting on the fountain, waiting for Ellion to finish setting up. The boy had laid a red carpet on the ground, brought out a parrot cage, and carried a mirror from seemingly nowhere.
Sarah crossed her legs and groaned. "I can't believe you made us wait for this nonsense. We should be looking for where we're going to stay, not watching some clown."
"And how are we going to do that, hm?" asked Malrik. "We've been wandering around for thirty minutes, and we obviously don't know where we're going. Let's just have some fun, then when we're done, we can ask around for the guild."
"Whose fault is it that we don't know where we're going?" mumbled Sarah, earning a glare from Malrik.
Suddenly, the clearing of a throat rang out from Ellion. The boy stretched out his arms. He clicked a button on his right hand, and suddenly the town square went dark. Everyone around stopped what they were doing, looking around in confusion. Ellion clicked his button again, and a light shone on him from above. Malrik looked at him in confusion while Sarah just rolled her eyes.
"How is he doing that?"
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you—myself—the Flame's Joker!"
A few people gathered around him while others walked off to continue with their days. He picked up his bird cage and brought it in front of himself.
"For my first trick, I shall take this bird cage—and make it disappear."
The cage, along with the parrot, began to disappear into flames.
"Now don't be afraid, I haven't killed the poor fellow, I promise. After all, it's right here."
Ellion clicked his fingers, and the flames materialised back into the parrot cage, sending flickers of fire out in a beautiful display.
The crowd stared in amazement and clapped.
"How is he doing that?" Malrik asked again as he clapped his hands.
Sarah stared at him like he was stupid.
"It's obviously magic. He's probably able to make stuff out of flames or something."
"Hold on!" shouted Ellion. "Where am I?" As if on cue, he suddenly disappeared. Everyone looked around in confusion—even Sarah.
"What's going on?" asked Malrik. A voice suddenly echoed in the air.
"You all might want to check the mirror." Everyone looked at the mirror to see the same boy inside it—only he was on fire.
"Wow!" sang everyone simultaneously.
"Man, this feels so uncomfortable."
The flames enveloping Ellion slowly started stretching his upper body out of the mirror. As he fully emerged, he exploded in flames, making everyone cover their faces. Once the fire disappeared, everyone looked back to see Ellion—no longer ablaze—standing with his arms raised to the heavens.
The crowd cheered and clapped loudly. Malrik stood up and joined in. Ellion took off his long hat and bowed.
"Thank you, thank you. If you enjoyed the show, please drop some money to help with future performances. Again, thank you all!"
Malrik began to walk over to him.
"Where are you going?" asked Sarah. Malrik looked at her, then back at Ellion.
"Isn't it obvious? Going to put some money—man, that was an awesome show."
Sarah groaned as Malrik ran over to Ellion.
"I swear I am going to kill that idiot if we end up having to find a hotel," she muttered.
Sarah leaned back. The lights had returned, and the sun was shining brightly. She closed her eyes, taking a second to bathe in the warmth.
"Hey. I don't suppose you're Sarah Aurelion?" Sarah quickly snapped her eyes open, jumping up. She looked up to see a tall, muscular man who had been standing right next to her. Grabbing her sword, she asked:
"Who's asking?" The man stared at her for a moment. Suddenly, he started laughing.
"Man, like father, like son, I guess. You're just as antsy as he was." Seeing the commotion, Malrik quickly rushed over to them.
"What's going on?" he asked as he watched his sister's hand gripping her blade.
The man turned to Malrik.
"And you must be Malrik Aurelion. The kid Dain picked up."
Malrik widened his eyes before instinctively grabbing his sword.
"Cut the crap. I asked you a question," growled Sarah.
The man raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright, let's all calm down here. Jeez, at the very least, I thought you'd recognise me, Sarah. How can you forget your godfather—and the man who'll be your caretaker for the next three years?"
Sarah widened her eyes in realisation.
"Uncle Kael?!"