As the trio walked through the bustling streets of Eldoria, the sounds of the seaside city surrounded them. Seagulls cried overhead, and the scent of saltwater filled the air, mixing with the distant hum of market vendors peddling their wares. Bright, colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, announcing festivals and celebrations to come. The city was as lively as Kael had ever seen, its buildings whitewashed and standing tall against the bright blue sky.
Kael couldn't help but stare at the grandeur of it all—the sweeping vistas of the ocean, the graceful architecture, and the energy of the people who walked by. It was all so different from the orphanage or his old village.
But his attention was broken when Orin suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Kael to nearly bump into him.
"You can use magic, right?" Orin asked, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity.
Kael blinked, caught off guard. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. "Uh, technically, yeah."
Orin raised an eyebrow. "Technically?"
Kael's gaze dropped to the cobblestone street, his face flushing slightly. "I've only been able to use magic twice. And both times… well, it caused a couple of problems." He rubbed the back of his neck, a small habit he'd picked up
"Just a random guess, but does your magic have a connection with Ms. Margaret's burn scars?" Dorian finally said after being silent since they left he orphanage
Kael started to look nervous and could feel sweat forming on his forehead
"Don't worry," Dorian said, his voice steady but laced with curiosity. "I'm just trying to piece things together." He gave Kael a pointed look. "You didn't just cause a little fire, did you? That kind of magic... it feels different. Stronger."
"How can you tell?" Kael asked, surprised.
"Well, both my brother and I got our magic from devils, so we can kind of feel... special magic like ours. But yours is more like something we've encountered in another guild member. We can confirm that when we get home. But first, lunch."
"DEVILS?!" Kael almost screamed.
"Yeah, devils," Orin said, his voice low.
"But please, don't scream something like that. You're going to cause a panic."
"Ah, sorry. So, where are we eating?" Kael asked, his excitement creeping back in.
"I know a good place," Orin grinned.
It was the best meal Kael had ever had. After they finished eating, the twins began asking Kael a few more questions.
"Do you know your full name?" Orin asked, Dorian sipping his tea in peace, leaving all the talking to his brother.
"Kael Varnath," Kael answered swiftly.
"Any interest in changing it and getting ours? 'Stormrider' has a nice ring to it," Orin said, giving a small whistle.
"I'm thankful, but I decline. My last name is the only thing I still have from my old village," Kael said without hesitation.
"So, your home before the orphanage... mind telling me what happened to it?" Orin asked, his tone curious.
"Just a normal bandit raid," Kael began, his voice tight. "But seeing the destruction of my home, and the death of my family and friends... it made me so angry that my magic activated for the first time. I thought I felt the pain and anger of someone else, someone who felt the exact same way I did. That's when my magic accidentally activated and erased all the bandits—and what was left of the village. All of it, erased by a black wave of flames."
Kael's voice faltered, pain creeping into his words as he finished.
"Black flames, you say?" The twins said simultaneously, and Kael was surprised at how synchronized they were.
"And you felt someone else's anger and pain when no one was near you, right?" Dorian asked, his tone serious."Yes, to both questions," Kael replied, unsure of where this was going.
"Looks like we won't need our fellow guild member to check. We've already figured out what makes your magic special," Orin said, his tone firm yet gentle.
"You have?" Kael asked, his voice a mix of surprise and worry. The negative feelings he had carried for the past ten years—fear and confusion over his unknown power—had built up, and now, he might finally learn the truth behind it.
Orin's gaze remained steady, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes, something that suggested he knew more than he was saying. "It's not just any magic, Kael. Your power... it comes from something... someone else."
Kael's brow furrowed in confusion. "Someone else? What do you mean?"
Orin exchanged a look with Dorian, and for a moment, the air between them seemed charged. "You're not just wielding ordinary magic, Kael. The power you have—it's connected to a god. A fire god, to be exact."
Kael's heart raced. Fire? God? His mind struggled to process the implications. The anger, the pain... everything that had been tied to his magic suddenly felt far more dangerous—and far more real—than he had ever imagined.
"Yes," Orin continued, his voice steady but with a deeper understanding. "We don't know exactly who it is yet, but this kind of magic doesn't come from any mortal source. I've seen something like it before... from one of our guildmates."
Kael looked between the twins, still trying to process the weight of what he was hearing.
"You've seen this kind of magic before?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Dorian, who had been quiet up until this point, finally spoke. "Yeah. One of our guild members wields the power of a god too. Not the same as yours, but... similar enough. We've learned to recognize the signs."
Kael's mind raced. A god? The thought felt impossible. And yet, the overwhelming strength of his own magic—the same magic that had terrified him—suddenly felt even more dangerous.
Orin nodded slowly. "It's not something we can figure out immediately. But it's clear you're connected to something much older, much more powerful than any human magic. That's why it's so hard for you to control. You've got the power of a god inside you."
"Do you think it's... one of the old gods?" Kael asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Orin shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Could be. There are a lot of old gods, and not all of them are known to mortals. What's clear is that your power... it's not something that can be controlled easily, especially not with how raw and untamed it is."
Kael felt his head spinning. A god... A god inside me? It was as if his entire world had shifted. His power was no longer just a curse—it was something much bigger. But if it came from a god, could it mean he was destined for something... more? Or was he simply a vessel for something dangerous and uncontrollable? Kael was starting to think ahead a bit too much.
As they left the restaurant, the cool afternoon breeze of Eldoria greeted them, the sound of seagulls cawing overhead blending with the hum of the city. Kael was still processing everything Orin and Dorian had told him, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
"So, what now?" Kael asked, glancing at the twins as they walked side by side, their pace steady and confident.
Orin gave him a casual look, his hands tucked into the pockets of his cloak. "Now, we take you to our guild. We'll get you settled in and introduce you to the rest of the team. And don't worry," he added with a small smile, "there'll be no more surprise questions about your magic. At least not for today."
Kael nodded, though the weight of the conversation still lingered in his chest. "I don't really know what to expect anymore"
Dorian, who had been walking in silence, suddenly chimed in. "That's the thing about power, Kael. You never really know where it comes from until it's too late to stop it." His voice was unusually serious, lacking his usual playful edge. "But if you want to understand it—if you want to control it—you'll need to find answers. And our guild might be a good place to start."
Kael nodded again
The streets of Eldoria gradually grew busier as they made their way deeper into the city. Merchants called out their wares from colorful stalls, and children ran past them, laughing and playing. The city was alive with energy, but Kael felt as if he were an outsider, now more than ever before.
"So," Kael began after a long silence, "this guild… Second Dawn, right? What's it all about?"
Dorian let out a soft chuckle. "It's not what you'd expect. It's a place for people like us—people who don't have anywhere else to go. Or, rather, didn't have anywhere else to go. Former criminals, the falsely accused, and those looking for a second chance."
"A second chance?" Kael asked, intrigued. "But… you're a guild, right? Do you guys take on official quests?"
"Obviously," Orin said sarcastically, "We're as legit as everyone else." he added,
He shot Kael a playful grin, his tone light, but there was an edge of truth to his words. "Though, 'official' is a bit of a loose term around here. We don't exactly go by the books, but when it comes to getting the job done, we do it just as well—if not better—than the so-called 'proper' guilds."
Dorian nodded in agreement, leaning in slightly. "We've got our hands in a lot of things. Sometimes it's cleaning up the messes the world leaves behind, sometimes it's jobs no one else is willing to touch. But we do what's needed. And it's all about what you can bring to the table."
"Altough we have a no killing rule, unless it's the only option" Orin put emphasis on that
Kael's brow furrowed slightly. "No killing? Even if it's a life-or-death situation?"
Dorian leaned back, his posture relaxed but his gaze intent. "We don't add to the bloodshed unless there's absolutely no choice. People deserve a chance, even if they've made mistakes."
"Orin chuckled lightly at Dorian's response. "We're not saints, but we know the value of second chances. You'll learn quickly, Kael. You're young after all."
"Oh, forgot to ask earlier, how old are you Kael?" Orin said with an awkward chuckle
Kael scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Fifteen."
Orin blinked, then burst out laughing. "Fifteen?! You've got the vibes of a twenty-something going through an existential crisis!" He put a hand over his heart, pretending to be overcome with emotion. "I can't believe it, you're just a kid!"
"Shut up, I'm turning sixteen next month." Kael said in a flustered way
Orin's laughter died down, but he still had a playful grin on his face. "Ah, look at that, a big sixteen-year-old! That's practically adulthood, right?"
Dorian, who had been quietly watching, leaned forward with a smirk. "Well, look at you being more open and lively now," he pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "Earlier, I thought you were some silent, brooding mystery. Now you're practically a talkative bundle of sunshine."
Kael groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I'm not a bundle of sunshine," he mumbled, completely embarrassed by the teasing.
Orin laughed again, giving Kael a teasing pat on the back. "Come on, kid. You're getting there! Soon, you'll be the cheerful one in the group."
"Yeah, just wait until he's yelling at us to 'get off his lawn' in a few years," Dorian added with a grin.
Kael looked up, exasperated. "You guys are impossible."
He chuckled for a moment, but as the laughter settled, a thought crossed his mind—Margaret's words from years ago. "You're going to have fun from now on."
For the first time in a long while, Kael felt like maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand what she meant. Maybe this strange new path, filled with these oddball guild members and their antics, wasn't such a bad thing after all.
The "Second Dawn" Guild looked like a castle from the outside, it is located next to a potentially private beach, which could be used as training grounds. The logo showed an eye with a crescent moon and sun
As Kael followed the twins towards the castle, his eyes widened with a mix of wonder and disbelief. The grand structure before him seemed almost out of place, like something out of a storybook. Tall stone walls, ivy creeping up the sides, and towers that stretched toward the sky—he'd never seen anything like it.
"Whoa," Kael muttered under his breath, looking up at the towering walls. "This is your guild?"
Orin grinned. "Yup. The Second Dawn's home. We may not look like much on the outside, but inside, we've got everything we need."
Kael's gaze shifted, and his eyes landed on the private beach next to the castle, stretching out into the horizon. The sight of the soft, golden sand and the shimmering water brought an unexpected calmness to his chest. It was a world away from the orphanage, from his past life.
"You've got a beach?" Kael asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "A whole beach?"
Dorian, who had been quiet, offered a small smirk. "You can thank Orin for that. We found it during a particularly... interesting mission."
Kael shook his head in amazement, stepping toward the water's edge. The cool breeze ruffled his black hair as he felt the soft sand under his boots. It was hard to believe this place was real, let alone his new home.
"Guess this beats the orphanage, huh?" Kael said, almost to himself, a little smile tugging at his lips. For the first time in a long while, he felt something like hope—a sense of belonging.
"Hey, don't get too comfortable," Orin teased, nudging him with an elbow. "You still gotta prove yourself here."
Kael laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. But... I could get used to this." He turned his gaze back to the castle, the grand building standing as a symbol of everything he'd hoped for but never dared to dream of. He had no idea what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, it didn't seem so scary.
"I think Margaret was right..." Kael murmured, almost to himself. "This... this could be the start of something good."
Orin and Dorian shared a glance, their grins widening. They'd been hoping for this—hoping Kael would find some peace and purpose here.
"You'll do fine here, Kael," Dorian said, his voice surprisingly soft. "This place? It's all about second chances. And you deserve one."
Kael's heart warmed at their words, and for the first time in years, he felt like he wasn't just wandering aimlessly. He had a place now. A family.
"Thanks, guys," Kael said, his voice quieter now but full of sincerity. "I think... I think I'm ready to see what comes next."
Kael took a deep breath as he stepped into the guild hall, only to be instantly dumbfounded. At the center of the room, a shirtless man with sharp, elf-like ears and a barely more composed figure with piercing deep blue eyes were laughing and drinking like mad.
Dorian sprayed them with his water magic to catch their attention,
"Oi, boss, watch the booze!" said the one with sharp elf-like ears, clearly not bothered by the water now soaking his clothes.
"Welcome back, you two," said the one with piercing deep blue eyes, his gaze flicking over to Kael. "I see you brought someone new with you."
Orin gave a playful shrug, his usual smirk creeping up. "This is Kael, our newest member. Don't mind them too much. They're just the... lively part of the crew."
"The cocky, shirtless one is Davit, and he has lightning magic," Dorian explained, his tone as monotone as always. "The more composed one is Jesper—you can call him Jesp if you want—and he has the power of a wind goddess, like I mentioned before."
"Ay, no spoilers boss!" Davit snickered, tossing a cheeky grin at Dorian.
"Oh, drop it, will ya?" Jesper responded casually, rolling his eyes. "The kid's family now."
"Jesp, this is Kael. He has the power of a fire god, just like you," Orin explained, his usual calm demeanor in place. "But he can't properly control his magic yet. So, you're in charge of training him, since your powers are similar."
"Works for me, boss," Jesper said with a grin, walking toward Kael. "Pleasure to meet you, little dude. Welcome aboard!"
Kael blinked for a moment, clearly snapping back to reality. "Ah… thank you for having me," he said, still a bit overwhelmed.
"First things first, let's show you, your new room" Jesp exclaimed
"MY VERY OWN ROOM?!" Kael exclaimed, he was so used to sleeping in the same room as 11 other kids, being an outcast didn't help much
Before anyone could respond, Davit, lounging carelessly, gave a lazy smirk. "Woah, calm down there, kid," he said with a sarcastic tone. "It's just a room, not some five-star suite. Don't get all dramatic."
Jesper rolled his eyes, clearly used to Davit's antics. "You've gotta excuse him, Kael. He thinks a pile of hay in the corner is luxury living."
Davit shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, simplicity has its charm," he said with a sly grin, glancing at Kael. "But sure, enjoy your 'palace.' Hope you don't trip over your own excitement and faceplant when you see the place."
Kael's smile faltered for a moment, feeling a bit taken aback by the unexpected jab. But instead of letting it bother him, he quickly recovered. "I'll try not to," he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he gave Davit a playful side-eye.
Kael and Jesp walked down a long corridor, the air cool and quiet as they passed rows of doors. Each door had a small sign beside it, some blank and some with names already etched in.
"Welcome to the dorms," Jesp said, sounding unusually proud of the place. "Pick one without a name on the sign."
Kael's eyes scanned the doors carefully. He was used to crowded rooms and always sharing spaces with others. But here, it was different. His gaze finally landed on one door, just a little further down the hall. It felt right.
"This one," Kael said, his voice barely containing the excitement. His eyes sparkled as he pointed at the door.
"Alright," Jesp said with a nod. "Now, place your hand on the sign and say your name."
Kael followed the instructions, pressing his palm against the sign next to the door. He said his name out loud, and the sign glowed faintly. The letters "Kael Varnath" appeared on it, solidifying the room as his own.
"Wow," Kael whispered in awe. "Magic is amazing."
"It sure is," Jesp said with a smile, clearly enjoying Kael's amazement. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll show you around, and we can start training."
Kael beamed at him. "Will do, thank you."
"No problem," Jesp replied with a smirk, then waved as he turned and walked back down the hall.
Kael stepped inside his new room. It was sparsely decorated, but it was his. His own bed, a neat desk, shelves filled with books, an empty wardrobe, and a wide window that let in the soft evening light. A quiet peace settled over him, but there was still a feeling of loneliness—Margaret and the kids from the orphanage felt so far away, but this was his chance to move forward.
Kael sat down on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. For the first time in a long while, the weight of everything didn't feel as heavy. It felt... possible. He lay down, and the exhaustion of the day took over. Before long, he drifted into a deep sleep, a peaceful smile on his face. For once, he dreamed without the shadow of fear.