The Gang

As Indux bumped in to someone wearing a black cloak, he bounced back where the cloaked person did not. He quickly apologized to the cloaked figure.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking." Indux said. The cloaked figure turned to him.

"Aw, aren't you kind?" the cloaked figure said in a feminine voice. Then the cloaked person reached her slender arms out and grabbed Indux's cheeks. "But that kindness will be your weakness, you know, Algra." she added. Indux became confused from that statement instead of scared.

"Sytha, don't scare him. And his name is Indux." Algra said, walking out of the carriage.

"Sytha?" Indux said.

"Yes, please come inside. There is more I like to introduce." Algra said. Algra, Indux and Sytha walks in the mansion to meet other people Algra knew closely like Sytha. As they reached inside, they meet two more, the same people that attended the meeting previously. A pirate and a warrior covered in scars.

"So, this is the kid you're talking about?"

"Heh, he kinda looks like you."

"Indux, these two gentlemen are Vega Taniza and Terzo Alkrane. Vega is a pirate who does trades and raids on the seas. Terzo is the enforcer who fights enemies with great aggression. The one behind you is Sytha Avaldus, she does covert missions, intelligence, and assassinations." Algra said, introducing the three. Indux was bummed before that he didn't get to see them in action, but meeting them here made him happy in the end.

"Don't pirates wear eye patches, have a hook for a hand, a wooden leg, and a thick beard? Oh, and they have yellow teeth." Indux said.

"Hah! The kid's a little joker!" Terzo laughed. Vega glared at Algra blankly.

"What did you teach him?" Vega said.

"I merely gave him a book about ships for children when he was 3." Algra replied.

"Now, now, Indux, Vega doesn't have those qualities. But I can't help but notice Vega's long black hair covering his left eye. I think he may have an eye patch." Sytha said in a playful voice.

"Really!? I wanna see!" Indux said excitedly.

"I really wanna see too!" Sytha added, looking at Vega, winking.

"Fine..." Vega answered, Indux came close to Vega with anticipation thinking that Vega must have a battle scar or an eye containing a deep secret hiding in plain sight. Vega placed his hand where his hair has been covering his right eye and unveiled it to Indux. It's an eye patch.

"Wow, you really do have an eye patch. I wanna see what's behind it." Indux said.

"Are you sure? It might be disturbing." Vega said. Indux nodded. Vega pulled brushed his hand over the eye patch on his right eye and revealed that he has an eye that is ghostly white and have a black sclera. Indux was surprised and curious at the sight.

"Wow...you must have a hidden ability or a part of a ancient race!" Indux said.

"Wanna see a trick?" Vega said. Indux shook his head yes. Vega then blinked his right eye and it turned back to normal, the same dark brown color of his left eye. That otherworldly right eye was hidden, shown, and disappeared the moment he blinked.

"What? Where did it go?" Indux said.

"Gone, there was no hidden ability or an ancient race." Vega said.

"Then the eye patch..." Indux said, firm that pirates always wear an eye patch. Vega pulled the eye patch from his face and showed it to Indux. Indux reached over and the eye patch became black smoke upon contact, dissipating in to the air.

"What!? How!?" Indux said, eyes wide open as if everything was a lie.

"The black eye, the eye patch? Made by my magic on the fly." Vega said.

"In other words, he made an illusion. Advanced Dark magic." Sytha said.

"When did he do it?" Indux said, still astounded.

"The moment I put my hand over my right eye." Vega said, doing it again and reverting it back.

"Wow...I would like to do that one day. Also, my new friend, Daegus said that those who have Dark element are assassins. Vega is a pirate, but maybe Sytha?" Indux said.

"Nope. I have the element of Wind." Sytha said, she blew her breath, causing a gust of wind which swayed Indux's hair and caused Vega's pirate hat to fly. Vega caught his hat behind his back without looking and puts it back on, glaring at Sytha from the prank.

"Now, now, let's get back on track. I have an announcement to make." Algra said, clapping his hands together. "Xavier Orato has joined our faction, thus the deal is a success."

"Oh ho! That's something!" Terzo happily exclaimed, clapping his hands.

"Did you know the reason why Xavier went silent for a week?" Sytha said, still suspicious.

"The White Swans and the Luster Order came by and basically raided his manor. He burned the agreement to cover his tracks." Vega said, Terzo's expression soured at the response.

"Damn bastards! I bet it's the reason why I got ambushed!" Terzo angrily yelled. To Indux, he didn't hear the outburst because his ears were covered by his mother, Zenna.

"Please mind your language, Terzo while my son is around." Zenna said. Her sudden appearance shocked Terzo as she just appeared out of thin air.

"Zenna!? Oh, my bad. I got a little heated." Terzo said apologetically.

"As I was saying, I expected him to burn that paper so I gave him a copy. Therefore, he will give us his full support." Algra said. The atmosphere became bright at the good news. With this, the enemy alliance would be set back and allow Algra to establish defenses behind Lyse and then prepare for the offensive. However, his goal is to make sure his son, Indux gets to have a pleasant childhood.

[Later...nighttime]

Night falls in Teraxa and the lights of the city illuminates the sky along with the stars. Indux puts on a fluffy green robe that will keep him warm and crawls onto the bed. Zenna sits on the chair and gently places her hand on Indux's head.

"Did you have fun with your father's friends?" Zenna said.

"Mhm, they were fun." Indux said. "About the White Swans and Luster Order, why do they hate people who has the Darkness element?" Zenna deep down wanted to hide it until he was older just as much Algra wanted, but with the possible impending attack of the alliance, it will be bad parenting if they were to hide it until it affects him.

"Because they think those who wield it are considered evil." Zenna answered.

"Am I evil because of my magic?" Indux said, scared that he could get hurt in the future. Zenna shook her head and hushed Indux's lips with her index finger.

"No element should define who you are, you are yourself. To your father and I, you're our light." Zenna said with a gentle smile which reassures Indux. "If you want to protect, you must be strong. But you must have a strong heart as well."

"I want to be strong like Father." Indux said.

"I'm sure you will. If you work hard, you'll stronger than your father and be able to protect what's precious. That I know you will." Zenna said, smiling.

"Yeah...good night, Mother." Indux said, slowly closing his eyes.

"Good night, Indux." Zenna said, caressing Indux's forehead. With Zenna's tender touch, Indux fell asleep soundly. Zenna stood up from the chair and walked to the door normally, but her footsteps were silent. She opens the door and looked at Indux with a smile, but wears a sad expression just like Algra.

"No matter what, don't let your element shape your heart." Zenna said in her mind. She finally exits the room and closed the door gently. She turned to Algra who was waiting.

"Indux is asleep." Zenna whispered.

"Good, we shall meet with them downstairs." Algra said and both of them began walking down to the basement for the next phase for Lyse.