Year 584, New World
Five more winters have passed since the day Sirius was marked with the family crest of Cromwell. The red blistering skin from that day had turned into a scar on the boy's back; a permanent reminder of where his pride and loyalty should reside. By now, Sirius has an adequate grasp of the language spoken, as well as the culture and quirks of the world.
He had learnt the names of two neighbouring countries, called Jiao Chong, ruled by emperor Tai Zong and Ashira, governed by shogun Kuro and the Toranaga clan. Besides this, the most important thing he had learned, was the presence of magic.
Human magic came in six archetypes; Fotia (Fire), Nero (Water), Gi (Earth), Eurus (Wind), and Fulgur (Lightning), but only a fraction of the human population can use magic. Each magic user's archetype is decided upon birth and can be exposed with an appraisal by the age of six by a skilled magus.
Sirius could not contain his excitement, for today was the day he is going to be appraised. He sat in the entrance hall with his mother, listening for the slightest footsteps near the door. Without warning, the door slammed open as his father and a sour looking man walked through the front door.
"Ah, Sirius, " spoke Fortis "This is the gentlemen we have been eagerly awaiting. Please come, have a seat. I'll have the servants bring some tea"
"Thank you Mr. Cromwell. " Turning to Sirius, the man said "And you must be master Sirius, pleased to meet you. My name is..."
But Sirius did not find out what the man's name is for he turned pale as their eyes met.
As Fortis came into view again, the sour looking man almost sprinted to him and blustered
"You want me to appraise this...this...his eyes they're..."
The man came into a sudden silence when he saw the menacing glare of Fortis.
"Oh, very well, very well...".
"Thank you. Sirius, this man is mister Allen Greyer. He is one of the top Magus in all of Blackthorn...surprisingly" his father stated.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Greyer" said Sirius with a bow and a step.
After the 'welcoming' introductions, Allen Greyer finished his tea and put his hands onto Sirius's back. The sensation made him flinch, despite not feeling any pain. Greyer seemed to mumble words Sirius could not understand for almost a minute, then handed him a stick. Turning to Fontis, the Magus said
"Well, well, its not a complete waste of a trip to Fons. Your boy is a Fotia (Fire) archetype. "
"Congratulations Sirius, you are of the few who can use magic! I knew the gods have smiled upon you since the day you were born" congratulated Bellus.
"Yes, yes, that's good and all." Greyer began "Try saying 'Ignis' while holding this. A small, red flame should appear at the tip."
The magus handed Sirius a stick of polished wood. Holding the stick up with trembling hands, Sirius took a deep breath and shouted
"Ignis!"
Instead of a small flame appearing at the tip, a jet of night black conflagration shot out of the small piece of wood. The dark flame roared with ambition and power, burning a gigantic hole in the dwarven-polished, elvish wooden door of the manor like it was a piece of parchment under a flame. Slowly, the pitch black inferno vanished, leaving behind particles of ash resembling the darkness of twilight.
"Holy shit" whispered Allen Greyer