Saying Goodbyes

There is a loud crackle sound in the sky then a blinding light fills the atmosphere! A massive storm approaches, shutters rattle against the outside windows. Inside an old cottage lays a man on a bed, old and frail. By his bedside is a young man, with tears streaming down his face as he holds the old man's hand.

He cries out, "Uncle, uncle! Yo-you can't d-die!" Squeezing the old man's hand, he looks over to the crying man.

"E-Enough Damien, my time has come... I've lived a long and fruitful life. No need to cry, here I have something for you." The old man reaches with his other hand underneath him and pulls out an envelope. 

The envelope has a strange insignia on it, looks to be a heavenly gate that appears to have a glow to it. The envelope is sealed shut. 

Damien reaches over and takes the envelope in his hand. 

"What is this, uncle?" he says, staring at the envelope with a puzzled look.

His uncle starts coughing, and Damien places the envelope on the nightstand next to him. He grabs a glass of water, "Here, uncle drink some water." His uncle takes a sip.

"Thanks boy, that envelope is your ticket out of here." Damien's uncle places his hand on top of Damien's. "You have to go. Once I'm gone, promise me you'll leave this place behind..."

Damien looks over at his uncle, choking up on his tears as he nods his head.

"I need to *cough* *cough* hear you *cough* say it, boy." His uncle is barely audible as he is losing his voice.

Damien nods, "Y-y-yes, I-I pro-promise."

His uncle smiles, "Good." 

Damien stays by his uncle's bedside as he watches his uncle slowly drift off into the eternal sleep.

Damien's days after the funeral go by quickly, he wakes up, feeds the farm animals, eats then finally bed, only to repeat this cycle again.

One faithful night, as Damien is cleaning out his uncle's room, he spots the envelope.

Damien goes over and picks it up, "Hmph, I forgotten about you." as Damien waves the envelope around. 

Damien places the envelope in his nightstand as he heads to bed. 

The next morning a loud knock can be heard from Damien's front door. 

Damien puts his pants on and shirt. 

He heads to the door. "Who is it?" Damien shouts out.

A soft but fairy-type voice behind the door answers him, "It's me, Claire! Open up."

Damien chuckles, "Alright, alright." He opens the door for her.

Standing in the doorway is a beautiful woman, blonde hair tied in a bun. Slender figure with a light warm skin tone. She's dressed in blue jeans that are tight to her figure, and a beige blouse, showing off her cleavage. 

She steps into the house, "Hey, Damien. You've kind of disappeared for a few weeks, and I wanted to check up on you." She says as the two of them walk into the kitchen and sit down. 

Damien grabs a cup of water and hands it to Claire, "It's been rough since his passing. And I've been extremely busy with the farm." 

Claire takes a sip of her water, "Yeah, that's kinda why I'm here."

Damien sits down across from Claire.

She clears her throat, "Ahem. The bank is um kinda wanting to buy this place..." 

Damien looks at her with a concerned face. "And..."

"Well, Damien, we are going most likely going to do the offer. Since your uncle's gone, we lost a strong pillar on this farm, and the whole um thing is kind of falling apart. And plus, my parents want to retire and with this money we'd get for the farm would let that happen." 

Damien stands up from his chair, knocking it on the floor, "Woah, woah, woah! I live here. If you sell, I'll have to leave!"

Claire, clearly looking upset, looks up at Damien, "I know, and it sucks but we can't afford to keep this place running for much longer." 

Damien leans back on the counter tops of the kitchen, "Claire..." He pauses for a moment. Then he looks up at her, "Hold up." 

Damien rushes to his nightstand and takes out the envelope. 

He rushes downstairs and meets Claire in the kitchen. He takes out the envelope and slams it on the kitchen table. 

"I got this." Damien points to the envelope.

Claire looks at him then the envelope and says, "Well, open it."

Damien rips up the envelope and sees a letter addressed to him.

Dear Damien,

I trust this letter reaches you in the best of health and spirits. It has come to our attention that you possess a unique and prodigious talent in the realm of magic. It is with great enthusiasm and hope that we extend to you an invitation to join the esteemed Genesis Academy.

Your uncle, a distinguished alumnus of our academy, has spoken glowingly of your burgeoning magical abilities. He believes that the Genesis Academy is the perfect environment for you to cultivate your talents and become the powerful mage that you are destined to be. Your journey thus far has not gone unnoticed, Damien.

At Genesis Academy, we offer a world-class education in the magical arts, with a rich history of producing some of the most accomplished mages in the realm. Our campus is a place where talents flourish, lasting friendships are forged, and the mysteries of the arcane are unveiled.

Should you accept to join us, please leave as soon as possible. The semester starts on September 1st. Your uncle has graciously made arrangements for your accommodation during your stay. Prepare yourself to embark on a journey of self-discovery and magical enlightenment.

Damien, we eagerly anticipate your arrival at Genesis Academy. The world of magic awaits you with open arms.

Instructor Arnold Harness

Damien was shocked as he read the letter; a small tear falls down his face.

Claire puts her arm around Damien's shoulder, "Wow... Looks like you're going to Genesis Academy, THE Genesis Academy!"

Damien shakes his head, "wow... Ok." He sits on a chair as he mulls over the letter.

Claire grabs a drink from the fridge and sits next to Damien. They spend some time in the kitchen just drinking some water and juice.

"Damien, Damien, you remember when you saved my ass from the falling haybale!" Claire says patting Damien on his back, "Thanks to your enhancement magic, you were able to catch the bale."

Damien chuckles, "Yeah, I remember. It was a crazy day." 

A moment of silence falls between the two.

Claire breaks it, "I'm going to miss you, Damien." 

Damien grabs Claire by the hand, "I'm going to miss you too." 

Claire stands up, "Well, its time to go on home. We are selling in a few weeks, so you got time to pack your things and all. We've even prepared you some cash for your troubles..."

Damien stands up and gets close to Claire, he places his hands on her face and then places his forehead on her. "Claire, you mean a lot to me. You've been my best friend since we were children. You were like a little sister to me. I'll always be there to protect you. I promise you this." Damien declares.

Claire face turns red from embarrassment. "D-Damien, I'll be fi-" before she can finish her sentence Damien gives Claire a passionate kiss. 

They kiss for what seems to be several minutes, it's as if the world had stopped moving and time froze still. 

Damien pulls away, "I mean it Claire." He says with a confident and devoted tone. 

  Claire looks down, and Damien takes his hand, places his finger under her chin and thumb right under her bottom lip and lifts her head up. Claire lets out a small squeal. "O-okay, I'll remember that." 

Damien gives Claire a hug, "I'll be in Hope city. Just a few hour train ride."

Claire hugs him back.

They spend a few minutes in each other's embrace before Claire sees the time.

"Oh! Shit! I gotta go! Mom's'll be worried!" Claire gives Damien a small peck on the check and rushes out the door.

Damien waves goodbye to her as she disappears in the sunset.

  Damien heads back inside and gets ready for dinner. 

He cooks up a quick meal and eats it as he ponders on the letter. 

Thinking to himself, "I've known my uncle for so long, but I had no idea he had this kind of influence. I wonder what kind of person he was before the farm, and why the academy allowed me to come even though I don't have a Highschool diploma..."

Damien shakes his head, "Alright! Only one way to find out! Time to start packing!" 

Damien rushes up to his room and begins packing for his journey. 

Days follow and Damien final night at the farm begins. 

He has finished packing his bag and heads to bed, "Can't miss the train... gotta get up early." Sets an alarm for early morning!

Damien falls asleep, anxious about tomorrow.