It had been three weeks since the shelter had been breached. All of us resided in a local militia encampment. There were other people brought here from breached shelters. Not all of them were lucky as my group was. During our stay here, I couldn't find Remmy or Belle anywhere.
I began to despair as for two weeks no more survivors of any kind had been brought in. Cecilia, Little Hammer and myself have been doing everything we can to get by. The encampment was mostly a secluded patch of tents. More or less we didn't have much to do around here. The only thing I seemed to be useful for was being a patient kid waiting for news.
Cecilia had not handled the calamity well, I thought she had PTSD. In her case, it was her missing parents that made her blue. I didn't know if there was anything I could do for her. I made a new routine of checking up on her a few times a day. However today didn't seem like it bode well for anyone.
The fallen angel that saved us had returned with all the scouts sent to find survivors. The grim look on their faces spoke volumes. After gathering everyone to meet in the mess hall. The news about the calamity and its current development were about to be announced. The fallen angel stood before everyone in silence and a stone cold expression on his face.
"I want to let everyone know that the calamity is over for now," He stated plainly.
A few faces had glimmers of hope when he said that.
"I won't lie to any of you, the city is in shambles and not a lot of us made it to today," The fallen angel finished grimly.
That was the end of the announcement, a lot of people left hollow or a little optimistic. I stayed a little longer. It wasn't until only a handful of militia and the fallen angel remained, that I was noticed.
"Hey there kiddo do you need something?" The fallen angel asked.
"I never got to thank you properly and I want to make up for it," I answered him.
"You are very well mannered kiddo, my name is Xander and you?" Xander introduced himself.
"Shard and thank you for saving us Xander," I thanked electing a chuckle from Xander.
"I appreciate that Shard now run along and be safe," Xander acknowledged then dismissed.
I left without another word, I knew whatever they were about to talk about wasn't going to be pleasant. I rejoined Cecilia and Little Hammer back at our tent. Little Hammer had laid down and taken a nap. Cecilia had curled up in a ball in a corner. I don't know why, but seeing Cecilia like this felt a sucker punch.
"Hey Cecilia you awake?" I asked in a hushed tone.
"Yeah just tired," Cecilia assured.
"Just don't sleep too much, we still have to eat later," I joked, getting a chuckle out of Cecilia.
"That won't be a problem," Cecilia assured.
We spent about a week longer in the encampment. We had packed up for the long trip to travel to the city. I didn't know what to expect. It seemed like the nightmare was over for now. I still felt off about the journey though, I doubt we'll find a warm welcome.
Even with the escort of the militia, nothing felt right about the trip. We made the trip in a few days. Traveling through ruins of the city and not finding a single body living or dead was ominous. I could see rubble, dirt, dust and garbage for miles all around. Yet there was no one here to be found.
Once we arrived at what was left of the city things started to look up. Little Hammer and Cecilia were reunited with their families. I wasn't as lucky, neither Remmy nor Belle could be found. I searched and asked around if anyone knew anything. No such luck, Cecilia and her parents offered to take me in.
I took them up on their offer, I had nowhere else to go. I had a horrible suspicion that Remmy and Belle may be gone for good. Refusing to believe that suspicion, I tried to have hope. It was difficult in this scenario, there was almost nothing left for me. I was really tired of my bad luck.
Being helpless and useless made a pretty good wake up call. I have to admit that my options are limited. My skills that are valuable in this world are basically none. I figured either become proficient in magic or find something else I'm good for. Those were the real options available to me.
The calamity had done more than enough damage to prove a point. It was going to happen again and again until all of us were gone. The humans saw us as hunting game or vermin to be purged. I enjoyed living this second life, I am not going to give it up. If I was brought here for a reason or some prophecy to be fulfilled. You can bet that I will not be giving victory to those who take everything from everyone.
I failed to invest in my magical studies, I could only finish the common level which was readily available. I needed the next level and the only way to obtain that was a signed apprenticeship. When I went to see available apprentice listings, I lacked credentials to all except one. The militia took in anyone and assigned you a role they deem fits your skill set. The drawback was that I train for a few years and serve eight years in two, four year terms.
I hesitated to take a sign up sheet, maybe it was the commitment or the terms. I didn't really want to make a decision like this right now. I was still a kid and here I was afraid to pick up a sheet paper. Unfortunately a militia recruiter saw me and made the situation worse. He was an abyssal drake, (a different variant of drake) dark gray skin, seaweed green scales, reptilian tail with fins, shoulder length hair and eyes. Dressed in a dark blue uniform and beret.
"Hey there kiddo, interested in joining the militia?" He asked me.
"I... well... don't have a lot of choices," I barely managed to answer.
"Lacking credentials, I've been there kiddo name's Wingston," Wingston said introducing himself.
"Shard," I returned in kind.
"Well Shard I don't know what your circumstances are, but I figured the calamity took a toll on you as it did everyone else," Wingston surmised.
"Pretty much spot on," I grumbled.
"Look I know the militia sounds like it's going to hell and no fun," Wingston admitted.
"Not a pretty picture," I added.
"I can however tell you that there are some things you have to experience yourself to truly appreciate it," Wingston assured me, putting a piece of paper in my hand.
I looked at it and saw it was the sign up sheet. I was a bit confused at first, how the hell did Wingston do that. Talk me through the doubt and regret of my decision. I don't know him and yet I wanted to understand him. If that makes any sense.
" I don't know," I said unsure of what to do.
"Talk it over with your folks and family see if it's a good thing with them backing you," Wingston advised and dismissed me.
I found myself wandering back to Cecilia's place, a tent shelter her family had been assigned. Taking a deep breath to collect myself before I entered helped a little bit. I entered the tent and saw Cecilia with her parents already engaged in a conversation. I didn't want to eavesdrop, but they were loud and excited. Cecilia's parents were very happy about her being accepted in an apprenticeship of low admittance rate.
"You were accepted into the mage tower," Cecilia dad cheered.
"It's going to be tough and you can't slack off," Cecilia mom added.
"Mom," Cecilia complained.
"Oh Shard, when did you get here?" Cecilia dad said, noticing me.
"I just entered," I lied startled.
"What's that you got there?" Cecilia asked, pointing at the paper I held.
"Nothing really," I sighed, folding it up.
"You sure?" Cecilia asked not believing me.
"I'm certain," I lied again.
For the rest of the day we talked about the mage tower, a dedicated group of scholars who master magic for various purposes. There are limitations however, revival of the dead, immortality research, summoning sentient beings from other worlds and anything that can lead to irreversible consequences. Honestly they are completely reasonable, don't ruin the nice things you have. Aside from the rigorous studies you have to take, you also have to reach advanced or specialist level by a certain deadline. The interesting thing about the mages that resided there was that only twelve of the few hundred mages reached the final level of magic.
The founder of the mage tower was known as the trickster of secrets. Their personality was mischievous most of the time and serious when the situation demanded it. No one could deny that they had unlocked the secrets of magic for everyone to use. Unfortunately the name of the founder is cursed and no one is allowed to speak it. The reason behind this was so that they were remembered for their work, no one would use their name for rewards or works dedicated to them.
I oddly found it funny that they want people to surpass them, not be like them. Maybe their sense of humor went above and beyond our understanding. Unfortunately I could use a bit of humor right now. I don't hold anything against Cecilia nor her parents but I had a difficult time adjusting to reality. With my family nowhere to be found, learning how much I lost really sank in.
The infamous quote of "You don't know what you have until it's gone," never rang more true. I couldn't find my estranged uncle either. I thought I had at least a slim chance of finding him. Lacking credentials also locked me to one decision for an apprenticeship. No point in crying or mulling over it now. I can't undo the damage of the Calamity, but I have to make decisions for my future now.
The next day I got up early, signed the sheet I was given and left a thank you/goodbye letter. I didn't write anything special, just thanked them for looking after me and told them where I was going. I didn't want to say goodbye and I couldn't bring myself to do it either. I went back to the militia recruiting area and Wingston in the same uniform stood waiting for volunteers. I approached him and handed him the sign up sheet.
"Welcome aboard Shard," Wingston greeted taking the paper.
I didn't take off immediately as I would have liked. For a while I sat in the waiting room which would be joined by a few others. No one wanted to talk and I didn't blame anyone for not wanting too. Wingston would soon rouse up everyone to head into a wagon. I was in the back of the line and before I could enter the wagon Wingston stopped me.
"Something wrong?" I asked confused.
"No, but some people came to see you off," Wingston.
Before I knew it Little Hammer, Scarlet Rose, Cecilia and their parents were shouting to me. I reluctantly went to see them. I don't handle goodbyes well and oddly enough it seemed like everyone else couldn't either. Other than the usual, write to them and promise to come back after training. I received a journeyman talisman for good luck, and I owe you from Little Hammer and a charm made from Remmy. The latter a gift to Cecilia's parents, now given to me.
"Thanks for the send off and until we meet again," I thanked everyone before heading to the wagon.
I hopped in the wagon and we took off. Wingston surprisingly was also here.
"You got some good friends, kid cherish that," Wingston chuckled.