“I’m so excited,” Yandi giddily made her way around the house, stringing up ribbons. “These decorations are so colorful and pretty. Don’t you think, Kal?”

“Yeah, it’s great,” Kal said, sprawled across the living room floor, nose first in a book.

“Don’t you want to get in on this fun?” Yandi bounced her brows.

“Nope.”

“Spoilsport,” Yandi huffed and returned to putting up ribbons. “I’ve got a secret. Do you know what it is?”

“Nope.”

“Do you wanna know what it is?”

“Meh, suppose so,” Kal shrugged.

“Can’t you at least pretend to be excited?”

Would you quit your yapping, Mom? I’m trying to read.

“Just tell me the secret. I’m guessing you’re not going to be able to move on until you do.”

“It’s your little friend, Arix. He’s coming to the party,” Yandi happily clapped. “How exciting is that?”

Great, Mr. I-don’t-Understand-Personal-Space is coming. 

“Wow, so exciting,” Kal groaned.

What I really want to know is if that mage is coming. That was waay too close last time.

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

“Coming,” Yandi called, patting her dress down and brushing her hair back behind her ears as she made for the door. 

“Yandi!” Tammy said, shooting forward for a hug the moment the door was opened. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, Tammy.”

“Life has been so busy,” Tammy huffed as they broke their embrace. “Getting Ellie ready for school has been a never-ending battle.”

“Tell me about it,” Yandi nodded as she helped Tammy with her bags. “Someone should write a guide.”

“I know, right?”

“Heya,” Ellie said to Kal as she broke away from her mother, who followed Yandi into the kitchen. “What are you doing?”

“Reading.”

“You can read? Really? My mommy is teaching me, but I’m not very good,” Ellie slumped as she sat down beside him.

“Oh, I’m sure you’re fine,” Kal lazily said without breaking from his book.

“Wow, big kid words,” Ellie said, scooting closer. “You’re so smart, Kal.”

“Who said you could come so close?” Kal gritted his teeth as Ellie pushed up beside him.

“Can you read it to me? Please-please-please-please!”
“Fine, fine! Just keep it down,” Kal cupped his ears.

“Okee dokee.”

How does this keep happening to me?

Kal read stories from the book, eliciting gasps from Ellie as she huddled beneath a woolen blanket she took from the couch beside them and pulled up over her head.

He had been reading a book about magical races, and most of them came with excerpts from adventures and mages who had encountered the creatures.

“Soo scary. Do you think those things are real?”

“Of course they are,” Kal said. “This is a factual book. Those stories are straight from the mouths of adventurers and mages.”

“Really?” Ellie’s eyes went wide, and her brows perked.

“Yep. Pretty cool, huh?”

“Cool? Nuh-uh, it’s scary,” her teeth chattered.

“Wanna hear about the Flesh Trail?” Kal turned to Ellie with a devilish look in his eyes.

Pulling the blanket tighter to where she could barely peak through a tiny hole, Ellie squeaked, “Yes.” 

“One moment,” Kal said, grabbing another book he had beside them and clearing his throat. “Deep within the Dimvale Woods of Ebenshire lives the dark secret of a beast most vile. Creeping in the dark, it stalks the unsuspecting through the shadowy undergrowth. At night, it moves, waiting until the people sleep. This monster so vile, known by those who sleep with one eye open. Watch out, for the Flesh Ripper grows hungry in the dark. Its salivating maw of razor-sharp teeth—ever eager to sink into soft and unsuspecting flesh. Those who are young of age take this warning to heart, for the Flesh Ripper of Dimvale Woods has a tooth so sweet. Especially when the menu includes, CHILDREN!”

“WAH!” Ellie screamed, jumping and rolling backward.

“What’s wrong?” Tammy rushed into the room, followed closely behind by Yandi.

“Nothing,” Ellie shook her head as a line of sweat trickled down.

“Are you sure, Ellie? You look white as a ghost.”

The girl nodded.

“Fine, but if you scream again, I’m taking that book away.”

Once the mothers had returned to the kitchen, Ellie slowly pulled herself up. “More.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yep. More. Gimme.”

“Okay, if you say so. Adventures and mages alike go in hunt of this monster, most fearsome and vile, but through stealth and guile, it goes unseen. Cunning and cruel, it hides in the shade, awaiting the next careless babe. So keep clear, and keep out. For without a doubt, something nasty hides deep about the Dimvale routes. Hear this rhyme and hold it tight. A warning whispered in the night: In Dimvale Woods, the lost are bound—for only a fool treads on this cursed ground.”

Ellie swallowed, “Scary.”

“Yeah, sure is. And the Dimvale Woods are just out there,” Kal said, pointing out the window.

“Y-y-you—me-mean,” Ellie's teeth chattered.

“Yep. That’s the famous Dimvale Woods. Where I shot the–” Kal cut himself short.

Don’t make her cry again, you asshole.

Ellie nodded, “The bunny.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Kal frowned. “I didn’t–”

“It’s okay. I like playing with you.”

Well, that’s a relief at least. Wait, no, it isn’t. She likes playing with you. That’s the last thing I need. I want freedom, damn it. Not little brats hanging off my arms.

“Thanks, I guess.”

“Did you think that the rabbit was the Ripper?” Ellie’s eyes widened with realization.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Maybe we can go back.”

“Go back? I thought you were scared?”

Ellie nodded.

“So…?”

“I want to see it.”

She’s braver than I thought. Not that it changes anything. Like hell, I’m bringing a kid with me when I head back into that forest.

“Oh, another knock,” Yandi exclaimed as the door raddled and she rushed out from the kitchen, across the living room, and swinging the door open. “Hey, Lydia is it?”

“Yes, and you’re Yandi, I presume?”

Yandi nodded and looked down at the little boy hiding behind her. “And you’re Kal’s little friend from the library,” she said, crouching down and waving.

“And that must be Kal,” Lydia said, pointing over Yandi and into the house. 

“Hi,” Kal waved nonchalantly.

“Come on in,” Yandi waved them inside. “Why don’t you leave Arix with the kids and come join us for some tea in the kitchen.”

“That sounds delightful. Go on then, have fun with your little friend, Arix,” Lydia said, waving across to Kal and Ellie as she passed through the living room. 

“My name’s Ellie.”

“Hi Ellie,” Arix said, plonking himself down beside them. “I’m Arix. Are you two playing?”

“Nahhh. Kal’s telling scary stories,” Ellie said and immediately pulled the blanket back over her head. 

“Scary?” Arix crooked his head.

Not him, too. Why me… why? What have I done to deserve this? These kids are like moths to a flame! And I’m the stupid flame! I just have to be strong and refuse. That’s the only way to get them off my back. 

The world went numb as the two kids incessantly echoed each other's pleas for Kal to keep reading. Finally, he relented as he felt himself dipping into madness.  

“And there you have it—the Tale of the Flesh Trail. Alright, I’m done. No more reading from me.”

The two kids shivered beside one another; the blanket pulled up over them both.

“Calm down. It’s just a story.”

“A-a-are you sure?” Arix chattered.

Well, no, but…

“Yeah, I’m sure. A story to scare little kids like you.”

“You’re little, too,” Arix shot back.

“I am, true. But I’m not scared.”

“It’s because he knows magic,” Ellie said.

“What?” Kal gasped. 

Ellie hadn’t said a word about his magic on that day, and Kal hoped it was because she had forgotten. Like when extreme stress causes people to blackout and forget things.

“Kal knows magic, really?” Arix said, pulling the blanket off them and turning to Kal with bright, wide eyes. “Show me. Please. Show me–show me–show me!”

“Sush it,” Kal hissed. “It’s a secre–”

Interrupting Kal was another knock at the door.

“Coming,” Yandi called out, shooting through the living room and swinging the door open. “Oh, you actually turned up. Let me go get Daedrik; I’m sure he’ll be excited to see you.”

“Thank you, Yandi,” Andric said, stepping inside and waving. “Hello, Kal. Long time no see.” 

“Soo, can you really use mag–”

Kal sprung forward, cupping Arix’s mouth.

“Magi–” 

Kal swung around, cupping Ellie’s mouth with his other hand.

“Shhh. Secret means keep your mouths shut.”

“Good to see you didn’t get any more normal since I last saw you,” Andric said.

“There you are, you old bastard,” Daedrik said, marching toward Andric, grabbing his hand and pulling into a hug. “What in the world are you doing all the way here in Ebenshire?”

“Some nonsense about demons in the woods. The ones behind your home, actually. But please, let’s not talk about that today. I’m here to enjoy myself.”

“Really? That old story brought an adept demon hunter all the way out to this sleepy hole?”

“Adept? I think you mean Elder.”

“Elder?” Daedrik's eyes widened. “What old fool gave you that title.”

“Central decided it was finally time to reward me for reaching seventh-circle spell casting.”

“Seventh?” Daedrik nodded with raised brows. “I didn’t think you had it in you, to be honest. I see you have reached the fifth stage. Not bad.”

“Well, some of us don’t fiddle with sticks at useless magic academies all day.”

“Haha, you bastard,” Daedrik hollared and smacked Andric’s back. “We’re one of the top performers; if it wasn’t for us, you wouldn’t have half those fancy gadgets that help you track down demons.”

“Magic,” Arix murmured through Kal’s hand, tilting Andric’s gaze slightly toward them.

These little brats are going to blow my cover.

“Fine, I’ll show you. Just sush up already.”

“Okay.”

“Alright, follow me,” Kal hissed beneath his breath. “And neither of you better say another word on it, okay?”

Ellie and Arix nodded beneath Kal’s hands.

What have I got myself into? He sighed, letting go of them and climbing to his feet. “Come on then.”

“Where are you three going?” Yandi said, turning as Kal led the trio out through the kitchen and into the yard.

“Just showing them something outside.”

“Oh, okay. Well, have fun, you three,” Yandi said and turned back to the two mothers. “Anyway, as I was saying–”

“Where are we going?” Ellie said, a step behind Kal.

“Just through here,” Kal said, reaching the hedge. Parting the hedge with his hands, he pushed straight into the giant bush.

Like hell, I’m doing magic with that mage lurking about. But if I don’t do something, these brats aren’t going to shut up.

Worried that Daedrik might spot them, he chose to climb through the hedge instead of the back gate.

“Kal?” Ellie called.

“Inside,” Kal’s hand shot out of the bush and waved to them.

“Yeepee,” Arix cheered and ran head-first into the bush, scraping himself up as he pushed straight through the little branches. “Ow-ow-ow!”

“Why the hell did you do that?” Kal hissed.

“You said to.”

“No, I did not! I just said come in. Did you see me running in like a maniac?”

“Like this,” Ellie said, carefully pushing through the bushes.

“Yeah, like that,” Kal said, shaking his head at Arix, who tenderly patted his arms. “Now, follow me.”

Kal continued through the bush, pushing aside one of the fence pickets on the other side of it and slipping through.

“Come on in,” he waved them through while holding the picket back.

“Eeek,” Ellie squealed, gingerly pushing branches away as she eased herself through.

“Ouchie,” Arix moaned, rubbing at his tenderized skin and following a step behind.

“Okay, just through here,” Kal gestured.

“Through there?” Ellie trembled. “You mean into the woods?”

“Yeah, well, you want to see my magic, don’t you?”

“B-b-but.”

“Come on, Ellie. It’s gonna be fun,” Arix nodded excitedly.

“Okay,” she looked around. “But what about the Flesh Trail?”

Just a little further. Only just far enough to show them something small and shut them up. Still, even a small spell will cause a little mana spike. However, with Daedrik’s mana core beside him, it won’t be that easy to sense. So, I shouldn’t have to go too far.

Kal led them along a narrow trail lined by flowering bushes that dipped into a gully shrouded by thick, leafy trees.

“Here, this should do nicely,” he said, coming to a halt.

“It’s scary in here,” Ellie said. “And muddy,” she grimaced, glancing down at the gully’s damp ground.

“Mage! Magic! Magic!” Arix cheered.

“Quiet down,” Kal scolded. “I didn’t say you could go back to yelling.”

“Sorry,” Arix whispered. “Magic! Magic! Magic!”

“Thanks,” Kal rolled his eyes. “Anyway, low and behold, the powers of the arcane,” he added, extending his hands and rolling them over to expose his palms.

Both kids went quiet and inched forward as twirling ice crystals formed an inch from his palms.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” Arix whispered.

“Uh-huh,” Ellie nodded. “Super amazing.”

Clapping his hands together, Kal made the ice disappear.

“Happy now?”

“H-how, how did you do that?” Arix shook his head in amazement.

“It’s quite easy, really,” Kal shrugged. “I focus on drawing my mana into a ball,” he continued, demonstrating as he spoke. “And then I imagine the mana turning into ice.”

“A-a-amazing,” Arix said, mouth agape and eyes hyper-focused on Kal.

“Eh, it’s okay,” Kal brushed his hands. “I can feel the inefficiencies in my spell casting. I’ve still got a lot of practice ahead of me, but I suppose it’s okay for two years of practice.”

“Two years?” Ellie murmured as she counted her fingers. “You started at three?”

“Oh, yeah,” Kal beamed a smile. He had spent so long hiding his talent that he had forgotten what it felt like to be praised, and he liked it.

“Are you gonna join a magic academy like the big kids?” Arix bobbed excitedly.

“I guess—when I’m older.”

“Really?” A wide, toothy smile brightened his face. “Do you think we can go together?”  

“What about me? I want to go, too!” Ellie said.

“Ahhh—I hope so. Sure.” Kal forced a smile.

These kids, mages?

Kal probed their cores.

Ellie might have an actual chance. Arix, though… not looking too good for you, buddy.

“Wow, that’s so cool!” Ellie gushed.

I guess I’ll let them have their fun. No harm in that, right?

 

Bloodline Trait unlocked: Gregarious +3 Charisma | Appearance boost

 

Seriously? My dry spell of graining Bloodline Traits is finally broken! And it’s all because I made friends with these little brats? Or is it because they look up to me? Oh well, it doesn't matter. More points for me.

“That’s gonna be sooo cool,” Arix said. “I’m gonna learn fire magic!”

“I’m gonna learn plant magic!” Ellie said.

“It’s nature,” Kal said.

“Nature?” Ellie crooked her head.

“Plant magic—it doesn’t exist. It’s called nature magic. Also, elemental magic is considered basic magic. It’s kinda for noobs,” Kal yawned.

“Noobs?” Ellie crooked her head. “What does that mean?”

“It means it ain’t special. You should aim a little higher if you become a mage for real. Like learning complex spells and all that.”

“I wanna do that,” Arix said.

I know you do, buddy.