A Path Divided

The rest of the days were just as normal, with Karl spending time in the fields like the rest of them. At first, it used to be so hard, ploughing and fetching water for the tomato beds. But as time went on, he started finding it a bit more fascinating. On occasions, his parents would go out into town, just so they could sell their vegetables and buy new products whilst Karl had to wait at home, with Lucid and the farm.

And now, Karl finally turned sixteen. He had waited all his life for this. This meant that he was going to be able to do whatever he wanted, to go into town whenever he wanted without anyone holding him back. He only wished Darrel had been here for him—but it seemed circumstances had spoken otherwise.

Karl walked through the woods, the cold wind blowing past him as he squeezed his way through bushes and branches—twigs and leaves. He started sneaking into the woods when he was still around seven, and they always fascinated him in ways he couldn't quite understand. And now, he was with his older brother and they had to get some herbs for their parents.

"There is going to be a carnival in town," Lucid said excitedly, snapping the thin branches that blocked his way. Karl cocked a brow, caught off guard. Every year, there was always a carnival that was held in town, and people from different parts of the kingdom would gather just for it. "And it's going to be fun."

"Wait, you're going?" Karl asked.

"Why should I stay?" Lucid cocked a brow.

"Oh...I didn't know you were going." Karl said. "I doubt mom will let me..."

Lucid cleared his throat. "Yes, I get her. It's not like she doesn't want you to go, but we both know that it'll be the most dangerous time of the year, especially for you. You're an elf."

Karl rolled his eyes. "Oh please.....you don't have to remind me."

"I'm just making you understand the stakes..." Lucid said. "....as your older brother. I wouldn't want you to wake up a slave in someone else's mansion."

"You people make me feel like I'm useless sometimes...." Karl spread his hand, and then slightly curled his fingers inwardly. He felt an odd sensation, a rattling in his bones, and then something exploded inside of him. Flames flickered to life, floating between his palm. The vibrant flames seemed almost alive, reflecting the wonder in his yes.

Lucid's eyes widened in shock. "How did you do that? Wait, don't tell me you've been practicing magic!"

Karl shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't see any reason for me to ignore what I have...and besides, I only do that when I'm bored."

Lucid grinned, impressed despite himself. "You know that your magic can't save you when you're up against hunters, right? There are people who are more skilled in magic than you...so I wouldn't go around flaring my little magic, kiddo."

"It's not about flaring..." Karl said, feeling his magic rattle his bones. "....or showing off what I've got. It's for self defense."

"Against what?" Lucid cocked a brow.

Karl faced his hand at a nearby tree, his eyes locked on the target. The flames twisted and molded into something that blazed fiercely like a stake. "Hunters," Karl muttered, his voice low and determined.

The flame pierced through the air like an arrow, impacting the tree with a loud explosion. Dust and debris flew through the air, and Lucid quickly covered his eyes. As the smoke cleared, Karl grinned, staring at the charred spot.

Lucid uncovered his eyes, his expression a mix of shock and concern. "What was that for?" he asked.

Karl shrugged, still grinning. "Showing you what I'm good at."

Lucid growled, his expression darkening. "Please don't tell me you're still fantasizing about being an Archmage."

Karl's grin never wavered. "Yes. That's my dream."

Lucid's face twisted in a scowl. "Your dream is utterly impossible. I thought you would have grown up by now."

"What's wrong with wanting to become something?" Karl cocked a brow.

"Listen, Karl. You're the son of a farmer, and you don't even know anything about magic," Lucid said, his tone sharp. "If I were you, I'd be teaching myself how to make our yields multiply with that magic of yours... not waste time on some bullshit about becoming an Archmage."

Karl inhaled deeply, trying to push aside the sting of Lucid's words. It felt like a blade had pierced his chest, sharp and jagged. "You're my brother, Lucid. You should be encouraging me, not making me feel like I'm crazy."

"I'm just telling you the truth," Lucid replied, his expression serious. "Sometimes your dreams can get you killed, and I don't want you to die. The farm is everything you'll ever need in life. You should be investing your time in learning some useful magic about agriculture, not making fire shoot at trees."

"Maybe I don't want to be just a farmer!" Karl shot back, frustration boiling within him. "I want to do something more with my life."

Lucid's eyes narrowed. "And what? Become some kind of hero? You're chasing shadows, Karl. You think you can just wave your hand and become powerful? It doesn't work that way."

"I'm not just chasing shadows, Lucid! I'm trying to find my own path!" Karl exclaimed, anger flaring. "You're just jealous because I'm everything you'll never be!"

In an instant, Lucid's patience snapped. Without wasting a moment, he turned and threw a fist, connecting squarely with Karl's cheek. The force sent Karl stumbling backward, stunned. "I'm not jealous of you... and I don't give a damn about what you're doing!" Lucid growled. "I'm your brother, and you should listen to everything I tell you!"

Karl's face twisted in rage. "Go tell that to your broken life, you loser!"

As Lucid took a step forward, Karl instinctively spread his hand, flames flickering to life between his fingers. "Take one more step, and I swear, I'll burn you to death!"

Lucid chuckled, a mix of amusement and disbelief in his eyes. "You'll kill your own brother? No matter how powerful you become, you'll always be beneath me. I'll never be afraid of you!" The air crackled with tension, their faces inches apart, each brother staring into the other's eyes. "You think you know me?" Lucid hissed. "You have no idea what it means to fight for something real."

"And you don't understand what it means to dream!" Karl shot back, his flames dancing dangerously close. "One day, you'll see that I'm not a cock-sucking loser like you."

Lucid's face twisted in rage. "Go tell that to your stupid parents who abandoned you at our doorstep!" he spat.

In that moment, Karl's eyes widened, and his face paled. The insult struck a nerve, cutting deeper than any blade. It felt like a cold weight settling in his chest, a mix of anger and hurt swirling inside him. For a brief second, he was at a loss for words, grappling with the raw pain that Lucid had unleashed.

As the reality of Lucid's words sank in, Lucid realized he had crossed a line. But it was too late; the damage was done. Without saying a word, Karl turned and bolted, running blindly through the underbrush, pushing past twigs and branches that snagged at him.

"Stop!" Lucid yelled after him, but Karl didn't look back. He just ran, fueled by a mix of hurt and anger, racing back to the farm as quickly as he could.

As he approached the familiar sights of the farm, he spotted Henry, his father, milking the cattle. But he didn't stop to chat; he was a man on a mission. Bursting through the door of their home, he dashed straight to their bedroom.

Without wasting a moment, he grabbed a nearby bag, frantically stuffing a few clothes into it. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but he quickly brushed them away, unwilling to let his emotions take over.

Just then, his mother entered the room, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What's the occasion?" she asked, eyeing the chaos he was creating.

Karl wiped off the remaining tear, trying to steady his voice. "You've made it quite clear that you don't want me here..."

"What are you talking about, dear? You're my son, I love you," she replied, her voice soft and filled with concern.

He felt a swell of frustration bubble up inside him. "Ask your stupid sons! First it was Darrel, who told me he hated me... and now Lucid!?"

The weight of those words hung in the air, and for a moment, both stood in silence, the reality of their lives crashing down around them. Karl's heart raced, torn between the love for his family and the pain of feeling like an outsider in his own home.

"Whatever it is, we can sort it out dear..." His mother said, her bright blue eyes sparkling with tears. Karl couldn't keep staring at her, he looked away, trying to hold back the frustration that bubbled inside of him. He knew he was an orphan, adopted by a family of humans who hunted down his kind. They had showed him enough love by taking care of him for all these sixteen years, but he never thought it'd turn up like this.

His mother, sensing the heaviness in the atmosphere, decided to call for Henry. Almost immediately, he arrived, panting slightly, followed closely by a still-breathing Lucid. They stood at the door, their expressions mixed with concern and confusion.

"What's wrong, son?" Henry asked, looking between Karl and his mother.

Lucid, still trying to catch his breath, offered a hesitant apology. "I'm sorry, Karl… I didn't mean what I said."

But Karl felt a surge of emotion. "There's nothing wrong with you... I swear, I love you all—but it's high time you let me go."

Henry's brow furrowed. "But this is your home."

Karl nodded, but his voice grew firm. "I want to become an Archmage. The more I stay here, the more I'm bringing myself grief and sorrow... It's high time you let me go, the same way you let Darrel go."

Henry's expression shifted to one of worry. "You won't survive a night out there…"

"I don't care!" Karl's frustration spilled over, his tone sharper than intended. "Just let me go!"

As those words left his lips, a rattling sensation raced through his bones, igniting a flicker of energy deep within him. Before he knew it, a rough breeze escaped him, sweeping past them with a force that sent a chill through the room.

"I'm a mage," he declared, his voice steady yet fierce. "And I want to start becoming what I've always wanted to be....an Archmage. But as long as I'm with you, I won't be able to do it."

His mother wiped off the tears that soaked her cheeks, before she said softly, "If it's what you feel like you should be doing, I won't stop you dear."

"But mom..." Lucid said, his face pale. "...you know what it's like out there!"

"I agree with your mother..." Henry said. "..but I don't want to lie, it won't be easy out there. If you ever feel threatened, don't hesitate to come home."