A long time has passed from what Kelly has told me, the time exactly as she describes it is a year. My knowledge of language and of public manners or social skills is lacking still. I understand what words mean but applying it in practice remains confusing at times. Kelly assures me that everything will come together with the passing of time. Time is one of the concepts I don't understand yet just like food. Kelly teaches me that she is a person, a human female and I'm a male. Were not food and that I was used in a banished practice called bleeding. A practice meant to create a mage with the power and potential of surpassing the council of arcane. I don't understand such concepts either, apparently I am a mage and Kelly too.
When I am able to leave the walls of my prison if ever Kelly assures me I'll understand the world and meaning behind words I have failed to grasp. Today or present, well both or one of these words is the day or time that could happen.
Kelly has informed me that me or not I but my creation or more accurately upbringing has caused the mages a great disturbance. I'm seen as a monster devoid of reason while Kelly defends me at the so called council of arcane. She tries to explain I'm a child, innocent and willing to help the people of the world. Innocence, an odd word to understand. I've eaten or murdered people, an act that is deemed horrible and evil. Yet Kelly assures me I'm innocent why does is that true? I saw these people as food even her but Kelly only sees me as what she describes a child.
Yet the description of a child is supposed to be younger then me, Kelly is confusing at times but I feel joy towards her. Not joy of food anymore, no an emotion she thought me happy perhaps?
I smell Kelly come close, any minute or moment she'll come through the thing called door. I never used a door however it looks fun. One side is me and the odds walls while on the other is the world with Kelly in it.
The door opens and in comes Kelly. She has creases on her face that I now know are wrinkles. She is a mature woman, elegant and always wear grey, white or black dress.
She comes to stop right in front of the odd wall, "Good morning child. Today is the day, remember what I told you and it'll work out. Also they will bring an artifact nothing scary I promise. It's a custom nothing more than a formality for the end or rather to make sure your a mage. I truly hate how serious and tedious the council are. Oh also bow to queen, well the one I bow to when I bow ok? Oh and also remember that whatever happens I'll be there for you." Before she could continue the door opened and came new people.
I was rather excited to see new people other than Kelly everyday yet I felt hostility from them. Their were five of them, the one leading was a tall, dark-skinned lady older then Kelly. She moved gracefully head held high. A long dress with robes and ornaments with a crown on her. Bright yellow stones embedded in her dress and large on her beautifully made necklace.
She spoke "annotated council member and family member of house Braxe step away from the arceny." She said in harsh voice. Kelly closed her eyes, flexed her jaw and turned "of course high arcana ."
The other four where a combination of three males and a women who all scoffed at Kelly's word. They all moved away to talk in low whispers. The five of them gave their back to be as if I didn't exist while Kelly looked at me every now and then. I think she was describing me to them until the door opened again.
A crowd of people entered rapidly, some with armour others in robes all gossiping in my direction. Then four of them escorted a device which I believe was the artifact Kelly mentioned. It was a metal object, sphere with pictures or hieroglyphics on it while placed on marble table they carried.
I marveled at it's beauty when the door entered and women appeared. She was older then Kelly but younger then the high arcana while wearing more elaborate clothing then her. Were the high arcana moved with grace she moved with authority and pride. Her crown was made of pure white gold with rubies lining its peaks. Blonde hair rolled down her head with curls at the end and rings in each finger matching the design of her crown. Her her bright brown hazel eyes staring at me analysing every aspect of me.
A man spoke in a loud proud voice, "Queen Nora of house Prolyvass, ruler of Alayren, the lioness of the breach." In that instance all bowed and following Kelly's bow so did I.
When raised my chest again I saw the queen ten feet away from my prison squinting her eyes. "High arcana I was told the creature was lacking etiquette and basic knowledge. Yet in front of me I see a boy, Kelly explain yourself and this boys understanding of morals."
The high arcana was about to interject until Kelly spoke quickly to finish the deal.
"Your majesty, the boy is like a child. Ever learning of the world while I have looked after him. I've made sure to remove his twisted vision of his upbringing and now he's just boy. Throughout this past year not once has he use the arcsoul to escape. Please your majesty allow me take him in. I gave my word and place in house and court to guarantee his innocence. I promise he had no understanding of his actions and place in that cave he-" The queen raises her hand.
"Enough, I'll speak to it, to define if he's human or animal. Boy what is your name?"
"I have no name that I know of your majesty."
"What of family, parents siblings your origin."
"All I know of is this room and the cave your majesty."
"If I understand correctly you thought humans or should I say people were food am I correct?"
"Yes your majesty, the people who kept me and the others trained or brainwashed us into believing that the concept of food was people."
She gazes at me for a moment, "how can I know that once you enter the world, food will be meat and vegetables not my citizens? Kelly enter the prison."
Murmurs and looks were exchanged amongst the crowd and then the high arcana spoke.
"My queen surly there's no need for this dangerous act. Kelly is confused about her feels towards this creature please allow my council to deal with this as planned. We can-"
"Silence! My order! Is final! Kelly if you please, prove to me, your queen that your subject is human or a monstrosity."
Kelly bowed and then smiled in my direction. Not once in the whole year I've know her has she entered my jail cell. Will I lunge at her, does her smell bring memories of food, can I prove to her that I am human? I couldn't believe it when my heart started beating frantically, for the first it wasn't for joy of food but of fear. I don't want to hurt Kelly I most control myself. I felt tears starting to pile up. I saw Kelly step in, just a foot at first looking towards me of any signs of violence. Then she entered completely when I didn't move.
I remained frozen, unable to move nor breathe scared of what I could do. She slowly walked towards me, making sure not to cause a reaction in me. She came so close that I could left my arm and touch her.
She closed the gap and spread her arms into a embrace around me.
She hugged me tight, "it's alright, I told you I'd be on your side didn't I?"
Tears began falling uncontrollably and I sobbed from her undying trust in my and hugged her with all the joy in the world. All my fear and worry leaving me like they never existed.
"Thank you Kelly for believing in me, I don't know what I could of done without you. I promise to be good and listen to your rambling theories of the world."
She laughed and patted my head while she broke free from the hug. "Don't worry child, I won't let a thing happen to you. You acted just the way I knew you would. Breathe in and out, calm yourself while I finish the trial."
I did as told not realizing how taken by emotions I was. The conversation she was having with the queen was a distant echo while I thought of the fact that soon I could see the world.
Them Kelly grabbed my hand, "sorry child just one last formality. Remember the artifact? All you have to do is place you hand on it. It'll light up and then that's it we can go home. Our home ok? Just this final step".
I nodded, eager to get out and go home with her. The walls for the first time ever came down exposing the air on the outside. The men in armour moved to a position of combat in case I acted out. Then the four men who escorted the artifact brought it in front of me. The queen stayed back in case of danger, talking with one of her advisors. Something about their next destination.
Once the artifact was laid out in front of me the men who escorted me spoke "annotated one of Vala raised to purpose. Lay tho hand a top the wisdom of Erie so we may find who seek, the chosen."
Once finished they nodded for me to compile with their request and I did as told. Steadily I put my right claw-I mean hand on the smooth sphere admiring it's hieroglyphics. As Kelly said the sphere came to life glowing a heavenly golden color. High arcana began to speek with Kelly in what seemed an argument neither paying attention. I held my hand their until told otherwise waiting for the glow to disappear.
Suddenly the hieroglyphics began to move painting the picture of a battlefield. I suppose it was normal, the battlefield turned into a union or council, I saw figures speak without being heard. Then they turned on one another leaving only one who weeped their passing. Then the image turned to person, golden who was circled by eight or ten no four perhaps more, the number changing. It seemed they defended him from something else, then a brightness surround growing brighter and brighter until it all burned. I felt a burning pain in my palm yet my body wouldn't move. I wanted to yell for Kelly but my mouth was dry as a dessert. It felt like ages and yet the smell of rotten flesh worsened by the second. I tried to look around, to crowd in case this was normal but my gaze was stuck on my hand.
Finally the glowing sphere darkened. I let out a sigh and removed my hand then a beam of light filled the room. The artifact was open and bracelet was within. I analyzed its simple design when flew towards my wrist, branding itself to my flesh. Tried all I might I was unable to move it.
I looked towards to crowd for help and saw them looking at me with disbelief. Everyone who had their back towards turned the head like an owl, astonished by what occurred.
I looked at Kelly who stared with the same disbelief. "Kelly what...am I a monster?"
She blinked as if to awaken from a deep sleep and rushed towards me. She grabbed my hand in hurry murmuring lines I couldn't understand.
Then the queen spoke "guards lock the room. High arcana remove this memory from every soul other then you, me, Kelly and the boy. Now!"
The high arcana summoned a bright gold from the air around her, entangling everything. The people in the crowd stared into oblivion mumbling about the things they did today including my trial. They mentioned everything but the artifact. Then the queen using her own magic closed the sphere with a tie nearly invisible to the naked eye.
As if trained the crowd left room in trance and without saying a word.
Kelly stood to my side holding my shoulders,"this must be an accident, we can't let him be the chosen. My queen allow me to remove the bracelet and heal his wound."
High arcana spoke this time with worry "that is impossible you know this, this is all impossible. He can't be trusted not now at least but still. Kelly can't you see this now set in motion the implications. Oh Vala now what is your wish?" She frowned, rubbing her eyes in frustration.
Then the queen spoke clearing all doubt and stating the future, my future. "He is now the chosen Kelly. No man or women, high arcana nor queen can stop this. Kelly if you love the boy protect this secret. If he is here and the progenitor knows all is doomed before we even start. The boy must be trained in the academy high arcana while there's still time. In fact we should be grateful to Vala to find him so young. We no longer have to worry of him not being capable, now we can make sure of it. Kelly you will proceed as planed, adopt him. He will have your house name as a disguise but we both know his last name is Propheis. Protect him with you life. Now High arcana, you know what you have to do, find candidates to be his sentinels. If needed his bracelet will discern them. I must share this with my family members. Your excused. "
She left, followed by high arcana who gazed at Kelly before leaving, a look with a hundred meanings. Kelly then guided me to the door.
The pervious conversation swayed away to the back of my mind as all I could think about was the world outside.
Like a fever dream the images of the corridor outside, the people dashing through the hall , the blue sky outside seen throughout archways of the this building ran through my head in bliss until we arrived at Kelly's room.
Inside I smell what appeared to be chocolate, a food Kelly gave me from time to time. Books adorned the room, some on the floor, others piled while some on shelfs. Some plants here and their similar to ones in the prison I was stuck in. An elegant wooden styled bed on one side and on the other a marble desk. I saw the widow and heard noises outside. Dashing to it I saw the city Kelly describes to me. Such beauty, tall whitw stone buildings. Some had gold at the top others red tiles. The streets filled with people all different smells while smoke and sound of different creatures could be heard. Lost in the ends city of wonder I was surprised when Kelly woke me from my gaze.
"Child forgive me I've put you in terrible danger. This should have never have happened. "
I was scared from that statement "you, you don't want me?"
"No of course not, that is not what I want. I want you near me child, just not in danger. Please sit down, I must explain what that mark and bracelet mean."
She pointed towards a sofa for us to sit at. When I did she gave me a bar of chocolate she had stashed away "for the nerves ."
I ate it all and Kelly waited till I finished to continue. "Child, do you have any idea what has happened to you?"
"No, all I saw were visions."
She nodded and breathed out preparing herself for what was about to be said.
"You have become the chosen, you Ruvan Braxe are destined for a long bitter journey. A war occurred in the ancient times, a war that leads to your creation. For now I believe it's best to keep this a secret from you. When your ready you'll understand what is at stake or better yet your allegiance with certain individuals. All you need to know now is that your bracelet will indicate or react to show you those individuals. But for now worry about eating, sleeping and most important improving yourself. Understood. "
I looked at her blue eyes, "is my name Ruvan Braxe?"
She smiles, such a kind smile "only if you want. This would mean I'm your mother and only, only if you want. You can be my sweet little son, I promise to love you either way."
"Do I call you mother or Kelly now?"
She began to cry at my remark and embraced me into a hug again, "Mom is fine. I'll never let anyone hurt you, I promise. Ruvan my little boy, how I wished for this day to come and now it's real. If you need anything just ask ok?"
"Yes mom"
"You've made me the happiest mother in the world. Okay, okay, first things first." She said breaking our and bringing a hand to my face.
"I need arrange a room for you. One next to mine oh and also remember that this bracelet must be secret, I'll find clothing to hide it. Also absolutely, I mean absolutely cannot leave the tower without me understood young man."
Startled by her sudden serious I spoke without hesitation "yes mom"
"Good. Now stay here I believe your still too young enough to enter the academy so for the next year you won't leave my sight. Also expect to study all there is about arcane this year as well as combat. Also do not speak to strangers understood?"
"Yes mom."
She grinned and walked towards the door to leave, "I'll be right back with a key to you room okay bye and don't open the door to strangers." And left.
I remained there, sat on top of the bed staring at my hand. Concern with the scar on my palm, a horn. The new world could be my freedom from the cave yet this mark has banned I only hope that it's not a new prison.