The night was almost silent. The only sound was the crackling of the fire. Cyril sat in silence, deeply thinking about something.
Kel was wandering around, trying to gather dry branches to fuel the campfire.
Kel didn't bother Cyril. He knew it could be overwhelming for someone as young as Cyril.
After adding some branches to the fire, Kel sat down, facing Cyril.
"To control the power," he began, his voice measured, "you first have to understand it. Fear only makes it stronger, more volatile."
"Understand it? It's not like it's alive."
"It's more alive than you think," Kel replied. "Magic is connected to your emotions. If you don't take control of it, it will take control of you. You need to command it before it commands you."
Cyril rubbed his chin, trying to make sense of what Kel had just said.
"I don't understand," Cyril whispered. "It all feels wrong, like I am just an outsider and this doesn't belong to me at all. Like I'm not human anymore."
"It's clearly because you are not human."
Cyril's head turned to Kel.
"W-what? What do you mean?"
"Oh, I know humans are stupid, but I didn't expect you to be this stupid."
Cyril quickly stood up and grabbed Kel by his collar.
"Hey, watch your language!"
Kel chuckled before his form, in Cyril's grip, turned into a shadow and reappeared behind Cyril.
"Anyway, look at you. Your wings, your aura, your face, even your skin. They are not human traits, Cyril. They are demonic."
Cyril froze at Kel's words.
"What!? Are you saying that I'm a demon?"
"Yup!"
"No, it can't be true. I thought I was..."
"Human?" Kel interrupted. "Nope, not even once. I will confirm it. You... are a demon."
Cyril was deeply shaken by Kel's words. He seemed to have lost his mind.
"No, I can't be a demon. They are evil, wicked. I... I never even had a single bad thought in my life..."
"Ugh, shut up!" Kel interrupted.
"You don't even understand what a demon is."
"What are you talking about? Demons are monsters... they kill, they destroy..."
"Would you shut up, or do you want me to shut you up?" Kel's voice was loud. He was clearly angry.
Cyril stopped speaking. That was when Kel released a sigh.
"What you said was just superstition made up by humans, Cyril. Demons are not evil beings. They are just a different... species."
"Some demons have done bad things, just like some humans have done. The capacity for good or evil exists in every being. It doesn't matter what species you are. Demons are powerful creatures, but the good or evil they have done were by their choice. You also have a choice."
Cyril went silent for a long time, and so did Kel.
He looked down at his hand. It was like he could almost feel the power flowing through the faint green veins of his hands.
"But... it feels so wrong. I feel so... different. I don't even know who I am anymore."
Kel took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"You are Cyril Van De Veld. You are still you. You are on a journey of self-discovery. Whether you are a demon or a human, good or evil depends only on your choices and your actions... got it?"
"So... I'm not evil?"
Kel's lips curled into a faint smile. "Not unless you choose to be."
"But why?" Cyril asked. "Why did all of this happen so suddenly? And I didn't even want this."
Kel shook his head.
"You didn't want it, I know. But it has always been there inside you."
Cyril narrowed his eyes, and Kel knew he had a new question.
"Then why now? Why not in the beginning?"
"I believe someone cast a spell on you. The spell was meant to kill you. It was a dark magic spell. It didn't kill you because your power exceeded the spell's capacity. The spell didn't kill you, but it broke your seal."
"My seal? What is it?" Cyril asked.
Kel nodded.
"Your parents would have been the ones who sealed your power. I believe they wanted to protect you."
Kel tried to give Cyril a reassuring smile.
"But why would a spell meant to harm me awaken… this?" Cyril said, gesturing to his wings.
"Dark magic is unpredictable. I think the person who cast the spell on you is likely a necromancer," Kel continued, "And the wings—the sudden break of the seal made it out of control. You can't make them disappear, but you can hide them. Hiding them isn't about rejecting them. It is about mastering them... do you understand?"
Cyril didn't answer. He just stared at Kel's cloak.
"That is your wings, right?"
Kel nodded.
"Ah, yes, I can morph them into a cloak."
"What are you?"
"What do you think?"
"You are... a bird. Clearly, you aren't a demon."
Kel chuckled a bit.
"You are right. I'm a shadow mage."
"See? We aren't even the same."
"Yes, we are not the same in terms, but the magic is the same. Now try hiding your wings."
Cyril frowned, and then his gaze dropped to the ground.
"How? I've tried. I even begged them to go away. But they didn't listen."
Kel reached out and gently patted Cyril's shoulder.
"Hey! Don't put your hand on me!" Cyril shrugged, making Kel's hand fall.
"Oh, okay, you prefer my leg?"
Kel morphed back into his raven form and landed on Cyril's shoulder, walking on it with his little raven feet.
"Stop it before I turn you into a roasted bird!" Cyril yelled, but there was a hint of amusement in his tone.
Kel chuckled as he morphed back into his human form.
"Alright. Where were we? Ah, right. First, close your eyes. And focus on the magic inside you. Feel it. Don't fight it."
Cyril reluctantly did what Kel instructed.
All he felt was nothing at the beginning. He slowly deepened the feeling.
Cyril then started to feel the faint echo of the magic and the energy flowing inside him.
Cyril opened his eyes as he started to fear how much power he felt.
"Easy there," Kel said, standing closer as he held Cyril's arm to steady him.
"We can try again. Just focus on the flow. Don't be scared. I'm here. I can control you if you have an outburst."
Cyril nodded as he closed his eyes to try again.
It took Cyril several attempts to finally be able to steady his mind. But eventually, his wings faded.
Cyril quickly looked at his back. He tried touching the air to make sure the wings were gone.
"Wow! I did it!"
Cyril looked at Kel as Kel nodded in approval.
"Yes, you did it. But this is just the beginning. Concealing them is the first step. Controlling them is another."
Kel guided Cyril and taught him some basic magic and control techniques for hours. They worked until the campfire was completely burnt out.
To be continued...