Prologue- Memories

Three people were walking along a muddy trail, trees as high as the eye could see. It was an ominous cloudy night with almost no moonshine to light the path. There was a man standing tall. He had long dark hair, blue eyes that matched the clearest ocean waters. His ears were pointed, wore a long cloak, dark jeans, and a white shirt. He was helping his sickly wife walk as she could barely stand on her own. The wife looked like she was knocking on heaven's door, barely clinging on to what little life she had left. She had dull red hair and sunken hollow eyes. She was wearing a thick wool coat, fuzzy pants, and a scarf around her neck. Her ears were pointed as well but sagging with her condition. Standing next to her was a young teenage girl. She had her mother's hair although it was a bright red, her father's ocean blue eyes, her ears had points as sharp as knives. She was wearing a black leather jacket with a grey shirt underneath, a sapphire necklace around her neck, and grey jeans. One look at these people and you could tell they did not belong here. They looked like nobles with how they dressed and spoke. However the daughter looked troubled, worry could be seen in her eyes. 

   "Dad, is mom gonna be ok? We've been to every doctor in our domain. Not even the most prestigious doctors in our city could heal her. No other peasants in these lowly, rundown villages could heal her. What makes you think this southernmost village has a good enough doctor? Mom can barely walk anymore. I think we should take a break." the girl said, with a sign of annoyance in her voice. 

   "Scarlett, what have I told you about questioning me? I am just as concerned about your mother as you are. Do you really think I want to ask any of these filthy people for help? Do you really think I want help from some filthy fucking animals? They should be on their hands and knees begging us to allow them to assist us. They should feel honored in our presence. But no, we have to crawl to them, fucking begging them to help us, it's sickening" Scarletts father said in utter grief. 

   Scarlett quickly zipped her lips. Her father rarely slips out a curse word from his lips. It's out of his character. Although referring to the common folk as filthy peasants was common among all of them. After all, they're below the nobles.

   "Honey, please don't speak about the common folk in that manner. They may not have nearly as high as an affinity for Serith that we do, but they're good people with good hearts just trying to live their lives with what little means they have. In their own way, that's a pretty noble way to live." Scarlett's mother spoke with compassion in her voice. She was always out of place compared to other members of the Cianis household. How she could feel sympathy for these people was beyond Scarlett. 

   "Elizabeth, these people they're-" Elizabeth quick cut off her husbands words before he could finish his sentence

   "Sebastian, you know I don't like when you speak so ill of them. Nobles should act with more posture than this. Now dear, please illuminate this path. We still have a ways to go." Elizabeth had a sense of playfulness in her eyes as she spoke these words. Sebastian held out his free hand and in his palm, a bright fire appeared, their shadows now dancing on the light. The path gradually became denser with more trees. The sounds of animals could be heard throughout the forest. Scarlett noticed a scaley bird in the tree on her left. It's glowing red eyes pierced her soul. It opened its beak, filled with razor sharp teeth and let out a loud screech. The sound echoed throughout the forest. These creatures were known to steal young children and feast on their blood till the skin of their victims appeared to be glued to their bones. They would attack anyone and have sometimes managed to take out full grown men. The only thing they seemed to fear was fire. Scarlett thought to herself, thankfully Dad possesses an extremely strong fire Serith. They won't bother to attack us. Seeing as how these things hunt in groups. 

   After walking for a few hours a small village could be seen in the distance. One could only get here on foot due to how remote this place was. The trees overhead now laid low as if they had given up on life here. The shadows of rodents could be seen skitting across the path. It had soon begun to rain. Elizabeth lifting her arm up, trembling more the higher she raised it. Sweat was dripping down her brow. 

   "Elizabeth, what are you doing?" Sebastian asked her. 

   "I'm gonna... try to... give us some cover... with my Serith" As Elizabeth spoke these words she was already using her wind Serith to create an umbrella of sorts. It was not perfect and still let some rain through but the three of them remained mostly dry. The actions Elizabeth did, took a lot from her. The sickness she suffers from has weakened her body immensely and thus, has lowered her affinity for wind. She continued to hold it, however over the next few minutes her body could no longer handle the strain. She collapsed in her husband's arms.

   "Damnit Elizabeth. why'd you have to go and push yourself like that." Sebastian spoke these words in monotone. 

   "Dad, we should just keep going. We'll be there in a few more minutes." said Scarlett. The sight of her mother passing out like that terrified her. She still didn't believe anyone in this village could heal her mother but she at least wanted her mom to sleep in a warm bed, if they even had any. 

  They continued to walk in silence for the rest of the way. The trail they had been walking on soon cleared up. When they arrived at the village it looked better than any she had seen so far. Of course not nearly as nice as the Capital City in their domain but for peasants, this place was basically a resort. There were about 40 buildings here, more than Scarlett had ever seen in a peasants village. The houses here were made of a beautiful dark wood. Most of them only had a few windows. They appeared to have running water and electricity. There was a Pearlescent white water tower in the center which even appeared to have a filter system inside. How could such a place look so nice Scarlett wondered. There were stables which housed domestic animals. Gardens growing plants to eat. There was even a field of multicolored flowers, each shining in the dark. 

   "Hey Dad, what's with this place? It looks so nice?" Amazement could be heard in Scarlett's voice. 

   "Well we've never told you this but, this was where your mother was born. She had an extremely high affinity for wind Serith even when compared to nobles. We met when I was travelling our domain. At the time I hated to admit it, but I fell in love with her at first sight. I had arrived here after a few weeks of traveling completely on foot. She was tending to the flower fields you see over there. She had on a blue dress, with pockets. She bragged about the pockets for a few minutes. Of course your grandfather hated it and even threatened to disown me, in front of your mother mind you. Well until she blew him away with her wind. Quite literally actually. She had better wind Serith than even other members of the Cianis household. Your grandfather was impressed and welcomed her into the family." A cheesy grin spread from ear to ear as Sebastian recalled the day he met Elizabeth. 

   "wait... WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?!?!? MOM WAS BORN HERE?!?!?" Scarlett screamed in shock. How could her mother be of peasant birth. She was the most respected woman in the household.

   "Yeah yeah. I know. I talk poorly of peasants but this is the only place where I don't feel disgusted by them." Sebastian said, rolling his eyes. 

   "How long has it been since you and mom have visited? " Scarlett was curious about this. 

   "Your mother and I just found out we were expecting you. She wished to tell her parents." Explained Sebastian. 

   "Wow." Those were all the words she could get out before a dozen men with swords appeared in front of them

   "Who are you and what are you doing here in the middle of the night? Don't move or we'll be forced to kill you" the man that spoke appeared to be the leader. He was wearing chainmail armor, and a metal helmet covering the top part of his head. His eyes glowed red through the eye holes and when he didn't get an answer fast enough he suddenly appeared in front of Sebastian. The point of his blade was touching the front of Sebastian's throat. A small stream of blood trickled down. Sebastian grabbed the blade, and melted it down. The fire he produced warmed the surrounding area quite a bit. 

   "I am Sebastian Cianis, this is my wife Elizabeth and our Daughter Scarlett. As you can see my dear wife is suffering from a severe and deadly sickness. She doesn't have much time left and we've been to every other doctor in my domain. We made this long journey here at my wife's suggestion. Please take us to the best doctor you have. We mean you no harm." Sebastian bowed slightly pleading with them. Even he knew to show respect to peasants when asking them for help. 

   "Wait you mean, the stories I've been told growing up were true?" the man seemed puzzled asking this. 

   Sebastian simply spoke one word. "Yes" They followed the man to the largest house in the village. It was also the cleanest. They walked inside and the walls were lined with bookshelves filled to the brim with books. Presumably, ones that told of diseases and illnesses. And what treatments were known. 

   "Hey Chief. Sorry to come in without knocking but you have a very important patient that must be treated immediately." the strange man. said. The floorboards creaked with the sound of heavy footsteps as a tall man wearing all white approached. 

   "Edward, you really had to wake me up in the middle of the night?" said the chief. He was probably the doctor Scarlett thought to herself. 

   "Yes sir. I'm sorry to wake you but these are people of the Cianis Household. They travelled a great distance hoping for you to treat this woman." Edward said respectfully. 

   "You sir, bring your wife upstairs." The chief demanded. Scarlett was not used to anyone speaking to her father in that manner. 

   "Thank you doctor." Sebastian said in relief. How was he not angry with this peasant speaking to him this way Scarlett thought in confusion. 

   When they got upstairs and placed Elizabeth in a bed the doctor looked over her. He checked her pulse, took her temperature, and put a rag on her head to reduce her fever. He grabbed a bottle of medicine and administered it to Elizabeth. After about an half an hour he finally spoke. Although he looked troubled. 

   "Sebastian, does the sunlight worsen your wife's condition during the day?" asked the doctor. 

   "Yes sir, no other doctors could figure out what this illness is." Sebastian said solemnly

   "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. This illness she suffers from is called Vakurenism. It's extremely rare and named after the first person who had it, Vakuren. He survived for almost two years after getting it. We never found a cure or a treatment. I give her about 6 months to live. Even using my healing Serith there's nothing I can do." The doctor said, clearly not wanting to deliver this news. 

   "STOP FUCKING WITH ME. I CAME ALL THIS WAY TO HEAL HER AND YOU CAN'T DO A DAMN THING. I CAN'T WATCH HER LIVE LIKE THIS. I DON'T WANT MY WIFE TO FUCKING DIE" Sebastian screamed. His words echoed through the house. The pain in his voice was clear. A few moments later a teenage boy walked in the room. Obviously woken up by the ruckus. 

   "Hey dad, can you tell your guests to be quiet. I'm trying to sleep" the boy said tired. He began to rub his eyes. He wore shorts with no shirt on. He was toned, one could tell he works out. He had short blonde hair, and dark blue eyes. He appeared to be the same age as Scarlett mabey a year or so older. 

   "I'm sorry August, this man is distraught. His wife is severely ill and doesn't have much time left." the doctor said quietly. August then walked to the bed side and looked at Elizabeth. What he spoke next left everyone in disbelief. 

   "I have seen someone with this illness before. I can cure her using my healing Serith. I have an ability I discovered when I treated the man who had it. I'll just need you to carry me to the stables immediately after father. Also please don't question me." August explained. 

    "Wait, did a child just say he could cure my wife?" Sebastian said tears beginning to stream down his face

   "Yes sir. Also stop fucking crying. I don't know who you people are but that's not befitting of a man. I'm Fifteen by the way. not a child. And don't tell me who you are either. It'll only distract me when doing this." said August. The way he spoke to her father angered Scarlett. She found him attractive but she couldn't believe a peasant spoke to them that way. 

   "Thank you August. If you really can cure my wife, I'll be forever in your debt." said Sebastian. 

   "Alright well here goes nothing." August placed his hand on Elizabeth's head and it soon began to glow a bright white. Within a few seconds Elizabeth glowed with colors consisting of red and black. The colors quickly made their way up August's arm and soon covered his whole body. Elizabeth now glowed white. She awoke already looking much better than she had been previously. August collapsed to the ground withering in pain, barely able to remain conscious. The doctor carried him out of the house and everyone else followed. Once arriving at the stables August pointed to a sickly animal. It was dark brown and had scaly skin. It was bloated and looked like it was bred for meat. August placed his hand on it's head and did the same thing he did with Elizabeth. The strange creature dropped dead and August no longer seemed in pain. Elizabeth had arrived outside seemingly able to walk on her own although with much difficulty. 

   "August what was that?" the doctor asked with concern for his son. 

   "With my Serith I'm able to transfer someone's illness into my own body and hold it for about 10 minutes. I then have to transfer it to another living animal else I risk death. I couldn't bear to see someone die knowing damn well I could have saved them. Also lady you shouldn't be walking. Rest for the night and you'll be fine in the morning. " August seemed Exhausted while saying this. 

   "August, I can't believe it. You had such an incredible ability." the doctor told his son. 

   "Yes thank you. I'm forever in your debt. There's a prestigious school in the capital. I could get you into it. They have some incredible classes on the healing arts and modern medicine. I'd like to formally invite you to the Cianis Household during your studies. With the things you could learn you could improve the villagers quality of life even further." Sebastian offered. 

   "Did you just say Cianis? Wholly shit. Dad what's your opinion on this?" August asked. 

   "I say if you want to do it, go for it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you." The doctor exclaimed. No one spoke a single word for the next few minutes. The sounds of nature filled the air in the silence. 

   "Alright. I'll do it. I'd like to improve my Seriths even further" said August. 

   "Wait, did you just say Seriths? as in you have an affinity for multiple?" Scarlett asked In confusion

   "Yeah. I have an affinity for Arcane Lightning, Earth, and healing. I've never seen anyone with multiple so I just figured I was a freak of nature." August bragged. Sebastian stood motionless in what he just heard. As if on cue, August blasted purple lightning into the sky and stomped his foot on the ground making a crater a few feet away from the group. No one could muster any words on what they just saw. Scarlett began to blush, her heart racing. This was a feeling she was not accustomed to and thus, turned away hiding her face.

   "Ahem. Well we should all turn in for the night. Sebastian and Elizabeth can take the treatment room. Scarlett can take the spare bedroom. And then the four of you can head out after a few days as you all rest." the doctor offered. Elizabeth was the one to speak next. 

   "Thank you Stephen. My mom always spoke highly of your kindness." Elizabeth uttered.  Gratefulness was written all over her face. She then turned to August and whispered in his ear. "My daughter seems smitten over you.  You're only a year older than her. You'd make a fine husband and would bring up some amazing children." August looked incredibly embarrassed at these words and Elizabeth just chuckled. 

   "Let's turn in now. My feet are weary. Thank you August and Stephan." Sebastian seems to be humbled after these words. 

   Scarlett wouldn't know it at the time but August would bring her hope during the darkest time of her life in some years to come. 

End of Prologue - Memories