Chapter 25

Seasons in Passing

"How are you feeling?" spoke Iris. She cupped her hand. Grey lay on a warm sleeping bag by the campfire.

"Iris?" said Grey, shakily. Iris smiled. Oswin and Ciara sat next to Grey. They saw him wake up and both moved to towards him.

"Grey!" spoke Ciara, "You made it!"

She pinched his cheeks.

"Ow!" yelped Grey. He was still weak from getting attacked by the spirit tiger and could not move.

"Pain tells someone they are alive!" giggled Ciara, "Welcome back to living."

Oswin put his hand on Grey's shoulder, "Get some rest. It's going to be rough ride in the wagon. Those wounds were pretty deep."

His eyes gazed at Grey's body. He already realized something was amiss when Grey returned in that state. Four large holes that pierced through half his body. Any normal person would have died. This must be...Grey's awakened ability?

Iris saw the look on Oswin's face and nodded. The large claw wound over his chest had nearly healed, leaving a long scar across his body. Iris moved her hand over the wound, healing it further until it faded into his skin. More of a birthmark now rather than a scar.

"I took care of most of the life threatening wounds. You should be okay to sit the wagon tomorrow. "

"Everyone?" said Grey, a trembling in his voice. He dared not ask, but he must know. Did anyone else besides Ciara and Oswin survive?

Oswin shook his head and spoke, "Iris has been here waiting for three whole days. Iris said that if you go too far then you'll most likely be dead. She said to wait another day so we are here."

Ciara eyes looked downcast at these words. In her heart she hoped Alexis would have survived as well, but she had not seen Alexis since the fifth day. Something must have happened to her.

"Sad things again. At least the dangerous part is over," whispered Ciara. Her mind drifting to a memory. "But at least we three have come back. I thought I might be alone, but now I have you two fellows. Now you have to fight over me like those dramas I have seen."

Ciara let a big smile. Her brown hair swaying side to side.

"Eh?" whispered Grey.

"Um..." said Oswin, looking the other way.

"What! Did I say anything wrong?" said Ciara, cheerfully. Her eye glistened as if imagining some scene.

Oswin put his hand up to block his view of Ciara. He wasn't the type to deal with this...kind of thing.

"Good luck. Grey," said Oswin, placing a firm hand on Grey's shoulder. "This is what you are going to deal with for the trip back."

"Eh!" said Grey, surprised. What? What!?

"Hey! What is that suppose to mean?" asked Ciara, her cheeks puffing up. "Oswin you uppity fellow. You think you can shove me aside. Watch me place myself close to your heart. Then you will definitely be sad when I don't give you attention."

"Uh..." paused Oswin. "I think I have to meditate. I'll be far away. Like so far away. No need to come after me you know?"

Oswin cautiously got up and left near the wagon. Getting his things.

"Hmph. That busybody. Grey you don't think like that do you? Don't you think I am quite cute and loveable?"

Ciara pressed herself on Grey's arm. Her chest was....flat..

"Uh..." paused Grey. His brain racing. "Yes?"

"Hmm. That's right. That's the right reaction."

She poked Grey on the head. He flinched.

"I'll talk to you in the morning, okay? It's getting dark soon and I am of tired from scary things. I think I will sleep the wagon. No more nature for me."

Ciara walked up and into the wagon. Oswin giving her space as she passed him.

Iris sighed. Out of twelve only three came back. 25% chance of survival. It wasn't the best, but it was better than the last batch she had sent a few years ago. That one....only one survived out of thirty children.

Iris gently patted Grey's head. Grey felt reminded of the months that Iris took care of him. Those months of weakness, lying on the bed. The warmth of her hands seemed strangely comforting like those of his mother, washing away the fear and anguish from his heart. Was this also magic? He fell asleep. His heart growing more attached to her.

~~~

In the morning, Grey woke up the rest of them. Oswin had finished unpacking the belongings that everyone had left in the wagon. It was bad luck to take a dead person's things so he laid them out in 9 graves. Max, Fritz, Hadu, Rille, Bernard, Madison, Lutz, Alexis, and Richard. Iris, Grey, Ciara, and Oswin bowed, reciting an old burial ritual.

They first bowed to the east towards the rising sun. The Azure Dragon of the East to give the departed souls the strength to move pass their life struggles. They bowed to the north. The Black Tortoise of the North protects them from harm on their journey in the underworld. They bowed to the west. The White Tiger of the West gives souls their purpose, the courage to pass through the Gates of Hell without fear. And last. They bowed to the south. The Vermillion Bird of the South sets them free of this world and into the cycle of reincarnation. To be born in another time, with a better life.

Ciara clasped her hands in prayer. She sings a song.

When was it that I met you? So long ago?

After years, I see you again.

I call you. You call me.

Old names that we used to know.

Fragrant flowers bloom.

Pure and Lovely.

I have longed for so long.

Yet could never touch, nor feel.

My heart it breaks, but it breaks the same.

Even if the seasons change.

Let us remain the same.

Spring turns to happiness

Summer turns to love

Fall calls all things back together.

Winter sets and we are warm.

As Ciara's voice fades. The four of them bowed one last time and set a cup of alcohol in front of each of the wooden cross-shaped graves. One drink for each. A promise to meet them again in another life. When they would one day all sit down and drink together. Iris nodded and the children handed back to her wagon. The wings on the side of wagon open, and the wagon is lifted up back into the plains and out of the forest dungeon.

~~~

A few days later, on the fields of the Undying Plains, the golden flakes of grass around them. Grey stands firm on the ground. His legs shaky. He does not hold a walking stick but attempts to use his aura to guide him forward. His aura presses flat the grass around his body. He walks unsteadily, each step felt as if he were stepping off a cliff. Sweat trickles down his face, but he does it, slowly and steady before tripping over a rock.

"Ow," sighs Grey. He walked for twenty paces before tripping. He could only feel the slightest bump in his surroundings. Only really big things rang out in his mind, the smaller pebbles were invisible to his aura.

"Need help Grey?" said Oswin.

Grey smiled. He reached out his hand towards Oswin's voice. "Yeah, thanks."

Oswin grabbed his hand and helped Grey up.

"Rough being blind," said Oswin. "Always seeing the darkness. Isn't that a little scary?"

"You get used to it," nodded Grey, "It's not too bad though. And I can use magic, even if it is a mess. Compared to people who have to wait till their twenties to use magic. I think I am still quite fortunate."

Grey remembered Baylee's words so many years ago. With his awakening, Grey must be at the elementary stage of magic. It was just he couldn't use any spells yet besides healing....Blind people can't use magic...He had to make his own path, figuring out the secrets of magic one step at a time. Magic that did not need to be visualized to work. What kind of magic would that look like....

Oswin saw Grey thinking and smiled. "Grey you told us that before that Fritz discovered a weird way to use magic. You too have also used a weird magic to keep yourself alive. I'm curious, but haven't you wondered if me or Ciara if we discovered a new way to use magic as well?"

Grey looked astonished. "Oswin? You mean you?"

"Heh," smirked Oswin, "Don't think Fritz was so powerful. Compared to mine. His was rather too simple. Let me show you."

Oswin unleashed his aura. It dampened the surroundings. It was a loud beating deep drums that rumbled along the ringing of harps. "I do not have a name for this magic...but I like to call this ability. All Sense."

Grey could feel Oswin's aura wash over him.

"To perceive oneself and others. My ability allows me to feel someone's emotions and senses. All danger around me is detected instantly. Whether they know I am here. I will feel it. And like you I don't feel like I have unlocked the potential for my magic. I sense emotions now, but what about memories? Thoughts? The potential to mind read your every move and weakness. Can anyone say they will win against me in the future?"

Oswin bent the aura around him. It swirled, energy bursting into small fluttering leaves.

"Fritz could copy things by burning it. But probably when I am at my strongest I can copy attacks by simply looking at someone's face. Is not my power the most fearsome?"

Grey titled his head curiously. His mind in deep thought. It was just as Fritz had said. Everyone was creating their own magic. Who knew what the future would look like in a few years.

"Heyo! What are you folks talking about so seriously over there?" shouted Ciara. She skipped towards them from the wagon, having finished her exercises.

Oswin smiled. "I was just showing off a bit. Aren't I the strongest of us three?"

"Is that so? Hmph. So what if your power is so special. You think I am going to sneak up on you. I'll beat you up head on," pouted Ciara. She unleashed her aura. A flute and piano blew loud and quick notes. Softening into a low arpeggio. Something appeared in her hand. No...the air felt distorted.

Oswin's face changed immediately and grew pale. "Hey, Iris said you are not allowed to use that on us."

"Oh? You look so scared. What? Didn't you say you were so powerful. Come take a taste of my power then," crowed Ciara, swinging around her hand.

Oswin leaped away. His eyes deadened in fear. He dared not approach her and ran backwards. Ciara hand swept across the grass. Everywhere it touched. The thing vanished into thin air, as if it hadn't even existed. Grass. Rocks. All vanished without a trace.

"Haha, that'll teach you a lesson." said Ciara. She snapped her fingers and the strange distortion disappeared. Grey stood there confused. He had not seen anything and could not tell what had happened apart from Oswin running away from Ciara.

"Ayo," said Ciara. She poked Grey on the head. "I forgot you cannot see. Ah, my power makes things go away. I call it wish away. I was in danger a lot so I just wish the bad things away. Isn't it so cool?"

"Huh!?" said Grey. "What kind of power is that? Do things like fly off and disappear?"

"No," said Ciara. "I am not sure what Iris told me, but it was something like they aren't there anymore. It isn't very strong. I can't wish big things or things with lots of mana away. Iris touched me just fine even when I was going full power. But for this uppity fellow. Hmph. He thinks he so strong. We are the same level. So I should be able to do something to him."

Ciara looked at Oswin who was hyperventilating. Oswin looked like he saw death several times over. Ciara took a tongue out at him. "Naa! Teach you a lesson. I am the strongest here."

Ciara looked over at Grey. "Ah, but don't worry Grey. I won't bully you. You aren't like that fellow. You are quite nice, even if your power isn't so good."

Grey felt a pang of pain in his chest. Did everyone have to rub it in that his power was totally useless...Grey smacked his head.

"But," thought Ciara, "I always thought voiceless incantations was something special. Yet, we three here all can do it. Not to mention battle music. Maybe, those stinky teachers at the school were lying to me. Hmph."

Iris approached the group smiling. She had watched the whole thing and was amused. "Haha, don't be so rough on your friends Ciara. Strong people should be humble or else they will attract a lot of attention."

Ciara looked and bowed to Iris. "Yes, Ma'am."

Oswin came running up next to Ciara to hear what Iris had to say. He humbled bowed as well.

Grey turned towards Iris's voice. "Iris. I have learned quite a few things in the forest but...."

He not dare ask Iris again for help with Mylene. The forest had taught him that bad things would happen if he was not strong enough. If he went to save her? What would happen? Someone stronger comes out of nowhere and beats him senseless for trying to take her away. He felt he learned a bit more common sense.

"You are thinking of Mylene again?" smiled Iris. Her hands run through his hair. He turns away embarrassed at having his thoughts read.

"Remember you still have time. I have looked into that matter for you. They do not take children till they are around 12 years old. Even villains follow a set of standards because the place she was taken to enforces strict rules to keep its secrecy."

"Its secrecy? You mean it is backed legally by the law?" said Grey, his voice trembled. Why enforce such a rule if it could be shut down at anytime.

"Yes, it is one of the requirements the prefectural governor imposed to allow it to keep running. All people have certain morals even if they are twisted," said Iris.

"Then?"

"Then work hard," smiled Iris. "I think it is good to send you away for a bit to learn some social skills. Better now while you are young and unsuspicious You will need these skills when you are older while you train your talents. And in a few years, Grey we will go pick up Mylene. I think by then we will have something to get her out."

Grey nodded, thankful.

"Aww," complained Ciara, "Are you sending us to school? School is so boring. You have to follow this and that. I can't wear pretty clothes and the other children will be so much weaker than us anyway. I don't want to!"

Oswin grinned. "I am guessing you don't want us to show our talents either? Not like those teachers will be able to detect something so strange, but how will we hide our magic cores? A simple Anathema Flame Test will show our aura's true powers."

Iris smiled. "No, you're not going to school. And of course not. That's why I have this Jade Chrysanthemum Herb."

She took out a small purple flower the size of her index finger. "One petal is eaten before you take your magical potential tests. It will suppress the nature of your magic core and the music from your aura. Try not to get into any fights. If anyone sees your true powers. You must kill them you understand."

Grey shuddered at Iris's words. Kill?

"But?" asked Grey.

Iris shook her head.

"Grey this might be hard for you but you three have really strange powers. If anyone with any inkling on how magic worked saw you. They would run all sorts of tests and torture you until you broke. Battle Music is also not something normal people can do. It is reserved for monsters and beasts. If you show that bit off. Even save someone. They will come for you, all of you. Experts will think you three were shape-shifting monsters who had changed their forms to children. "

The image of getting stabbed by the knight flashed through Grey's eyes. The hatred of men surpassed reason.

"But I am a child," said Grey. "I...even if I had the will I don't have the power to do such a thing. I can only heal myself."

Oswin nodded in unison. His power even though it had fearsome potential could not harm a fly. The only one who could do anything was Ciara.

Iris smiled. "By the time we've reached our destination, you'll have learned something."

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Editor's Notes: 4/14/15

HELLO READERS. This is tentatively the conclusion of the first Volume in the Dark Lord Saga. The Author wrote subsequent chapters for another arc, but has decided against the direction he was going with. The first volume is still in progress, so please mind the gap. We will update the content here as we go along. If you are a new reader, please go straight to the first chapter of volume II.

Happy reading! :D :D :D