Hello and welcome to my story. Super glad you're here, but I wanna make sure to clarify a few things before you all get to reading, so just a few tidbits before you get started.
* This is an R-18 story for a few reasons, including but not limited to: Foul language, violence, descriptive sexual content, drug use, alcohol consumption, reference to child abuse, and just abuse in general. This story IS NOT appropriate for minors, and if you are not comfortable reading about these subjects, it may not be the story for you.
* I will try to post as often as I can, but writing is a hobby of mine, and I have a regular job as well as a family that takes priority. I will write and post as often as possible, but if there is a few-day gap, it just means I'm a little busy.
* There are texting conversations throughout the story, and I've had a bit of difficulty trying to make it make sense with the limited formatting options. If our character receives a text message a dash at the beginning of the sentence indicates what was sent to them while a dash at the end will show the response. Here is an example:
- Hello CreateLess, it is I, your good friend texting you.
Ahh, yes this is CreateLess. It is great to hear from you, good friend. -
* I would love to hear your feedback, so please feel free to comment, review and vote for the story, my lovely readers. With all that said, let's get started with a bit of base info about the world I've created for you. This first part is a repeat of the synopsis just in case anyone didn't read it first. This is important for setting everything up, but if you have read it, you can skip to the paragraph after it.
Prolog:
There was a war, a war that destroyed almost everything. The Casters had incantations and spells, but the Norms had weapons and outnumbered the Casters. But as time passed and months of war turned into years, both sides grew weary. Tired of bloodshed and living in fear, they called a truce and decided to coexist, and they did. Compromises were made, and laws were passed to protect those without casting abilities. The Casters had to be marked, and harsh punishments were put on them for using their abilities in unauthorized ways. However, the Casters followed the rules and obeyed the laws, and for hundreds of years, both Casters and Norms lived seamlessly together. Well, almost seamlessly. Whispers spread in the Caster community, complaints about the unfair laws, prejudices, and cruel penalties. The whispers became louder and angrier and the ones stoking the flames were the Draxtons.
Considered the strongest, richest, and most powerful of the 'Original Ten' families, the Draxton's had always been in a position of power in the Caster community and were well respected and trusted. So when the head of the family, Fabian Draxton, called for reform and change Casters listened. He talked of equality, stabilization of power, and taking back the pride and strength that The gods themselves gave Casters. Many followed him blindly, and when the time was right, Fabian started his rebellion, but it wasn't what he promised. Ruthless tactics were taken, and the true nature of Fabian came to the surface. Thousands were killed. Any man, woman, or child who spoke against his methods was executed whether they supported him or not. With the support of his brothers, he took everything, dominating, destroying, and controlling until his own people finally took him down. After having his left hand publicly amputated, Fabian was imprisoned for life in a high-security prison while the rest of the world began to recover with the promise of change and equality. Years later, Norms and Casters coexist again, just like before, but the whispers are back as the younger generation of Casters reaches adulthood and sees the same treatment as before. No changes, only broken promises.
A Caster, also referred to as a Rune Reader, is a human born with ancient runic magic and can learn to manipulate the world around them with incantations. Most Casters are traced back to one of ten families referred to as the 'Original Ten.' A Caster is required to be marked as soon as they begin to show abilities. This mark is a tattoo on the back of their neck in the shape of a Degaz. Any Caster caught without a mark is arrested and immediately tattooed before being imprisoned unless they are underage. In that situation, the underage Caster is given one week to be marked, and the consequences fall to their parent or guardian. A second mark in the shape of an Othala is required for any Caster with an inherited blood trait. If a Caster has a conjuring ability, i.e., fire, ice, electricity, or water, they must wear restraint bracelets in any business if the business owner mandates it. If a conjurer is suspected of losing control over their ability, they will be restrained until they regain control and then fined for causing a disturbance. Any attacks using runes or blood traits that lead to maiming, dismemberment, or death will result in immediate imprisonment, and the Caster will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Depending on the severity of the crime or if the Caster is a repeat offender, their casting hand may be removed. A Caster's left hand is the conduit for their magic; if the hand is lost or removed, the Caster loses their ability to cast incantations.
Short for normal, Norms is a term used to describe a human who does not possess any rune magic. However, they may carry blood traits and/or Caster genes that can be passed down to their children. If a Norm possesses a blood trait without Caster's abilities, the blood trait remains dormant.