Violence. (Short Story)

[Spellblades 751]

Blood dripped down Aelyn’s fist as he stood in front of a shattered mirror, 2 letters sitting idly on his bed next to him - a constant reminder of what he couldn’t protect.

 

“I want to learn this art to protect my family!” a voice echoed in his head, a distant memory at this point, one he had almost forgotten.

 

“You want to be a wizard, do you, Aelyn?” his mother’s voice repeated to him. He always wanted to be one, the ‘ker had read countless stories of wizards protecting the world from evils beyond what his childish mind could comprehend at that age. As he got older and dug deeper into the voidal arts, he found that it wasn’t all great; people would still look at him that way. He was used to it, but it still hurt at the same time.

 

 

 

First, it was his mother, his uncle, and then a close family member. All in such a short time. Aelyn glanced over to the two letters sitting on his bed, walking over to them as he read the last words he would ever get from Alexandria. The Maehr had already accepted that there was nothing he could do, but he still found himself reading it over frantically from time to time

 

“It doesn’t matter how I’m remembered. Just don’t party too hard and join me up here before your time.”

 

A slight laugh escaped the Mali’ker’s lips as he finished reading it over for what seemed to be the millionth time. “God, I’m pathetic.” he’d say to himself before stashing both letters away in a nearby desk. Walking over to his bed, he took a seat and started to contemplate the past few years. A sadness dragged itself across his mind like a sharp blade. Aelyn recalled when he thought that becoming a mage would give him the power necessary to protect those he loves, but time had only shattered that facade. He found himself back where he was standing a few months ago, looking up at the one known as Magister Iudas, deciding what his Penance would be. The ‘ker stood alongside his Uncle Aurus.

 

“You both shall swear by the Citrine Creed.”

What choice did he have? So he swore it, maybe this was what he deserved.

 

Aelyn snapped back to reality. Apparently, quite a few hours had passed, as he heard crickets outside. Pale moonlight shone through his window as he passed by it, heading to the roof of Ildon’s keep to get some fresh air. The Maehr stared up at the moon as he, for once, did not pray to Luara. He questioned if it was even worth it; nothing he had ever prayed for ever came true anyway.

 

Aelyn connected to the void as he summoned a small orb of light to help him see through the blinding darkness. Darkness was all he knew these days. What was the point of having these great abilities if he always managed to fail at the one thing he sought to do? A question he asked himself all the time

 

“I never wanted to learn how to fight, but… that did net last long.”  A familiar voice from the day prior rang through his mind. He never did want to learn violence either; his childhood made sure that wish never came true. He still remembered being tackled by guards in the Imperial Crownlands as a child while other kids got off scot-free 

“What did I do?” 

He remembered asking his Uncle after the incident.

“I do net know…” he responded solemnly

Aelyn stared up at the moon as he made a decision, probably one that his family and friends would try to talk him out of. If he were to protect those he loved, he would have to become a Weapon, not a person. Attachment clearly wasn’t working for him, so he would keep them at arm's length so he could focus on his duty.

 

“Forgive me.”

 

 

Spoiler

Hello! I was bored and wanted to write so here you go.

 

 

[Ambitious 72]

The blue maehr always suffer. An amazing sight to see

 

[TaraJess 2848]