#reliquum

Reliquum Volume One 

                                               Prologue  

                                             Sleeping God

“Can you believe that it's already been six years since that night? It doesn’t feel as though time has passed us by so quickly but there is no mistaking it they’ve grown so big it makes me a bit emotional?”

“You’re right sister, it feels like it was yesterday that night still plays in my mind but you’re supposed to be preparing for the Adolescentem Ceremony you are one of the presiding Praecepter after all.”

“I know I just wanted to watch them from this perspective one more time before they become my disciples. After today their lives will change forever they’ll see this world for what it truly is they’ll become completely different……”

“They’ll become completely different people. Adults, is that what you were about to say?”

“No, it’s just..…Do you remember our Adol Ceremony?” “We were nothing like them.” “We'd already seen the truth by their age. We were already tainted by the sins of the elders.”

“We had no other choice. We were forced to take the weight of the world upon our shoulders. We didn’t have the time or the privilege they’ve been allotted.” 

“True but isn’t that why we did everything we did. To give them the gift that we never had.  An actual childhood and genuine innocence.” 

“YANA!” 

A booming voice Interrupted their conversation and suddenly a dark-skinned man with long black hair and adorned in the white, and gold uniform of the I.M.A appeared in the Armchair to the left of them.  

“Don’t….dodon’t yell at me like that. You never raise your voice so when you do it’s terrifying.”

“I apologize Eve but I……..We all need you to be clear-headed from here on out.”

As he continued to speak his voice began to soften but maintained its air of seriousness. 

 “You will be their guide through this coming turbulence, you'll be the one who will answer the many questions they’ll certainly have and you are not wrong for wanting to maintain their Innocence it is after all the very reason we took the actions we have up until now but the time has come to prepare them for what lies ahead and both you and Ryu are right we were not afforded the opportunity to stay asleep for as long as they have. We were forced awake by the truth of this world and then given the choice to live in a nightmare masked as a dream or stay awake.” 

“We chose to stay awake and write the dream for the next generation.” “It was unfortunate for us but fortunate for them.” “That’s why your role is so integral to everything we've worked for.” “You will be their bridge to the truth, a way of easing them into it all.” “I believe you’d both agree that it’s better than being thrown out of the “dream” with no guide to show them the way.” “Once they’re ready we can finally bring an end to this Era of Lies.” 

“So please Eve calm your mind, clear away the fog and set your eyes towards the task at hand, one that only you can do as only you can.”

The Man looked at Biyana and Ryu then nodded and as fast as he’d appeared he vanished. 

“Sadly that’s the most he’s spoken in months the only other times he wakes from his slumber is during emergencies of the highest order or when he needs to give directives and even then it’s only his Astral Projections.”

“I wish he would finally wake up. I know that he needs to be in that state to access The Records but It just doesn’t feel the same...….he doesn’t feel the same.”   

The Mood in the room turns Melancholic.

“I know Yana it doesn’t feel the same but you know how he is when it comes to achieving his goals. That determination and conviction to see whatever challenge that he faces through to the end is the very reason I decided to follow him all those years ago.”

“When he finally does awaken I’m going to slug him for leaving us alone for so long.” 

“You sure it isn’t the fact that he left you alone for so long It seems that you miss him more than anyone.”

“Hmph, I don’t know what you're talking about I don’t miss him in the slightest.”

“Yana you can lie to yourself but you can’t lie to me.”

 “SHUT UP RUEY!” Now blushing from his teasing she proceeds to punch Ryu. 

“Ouch, you're so violent……I think you broke my arm.”

“No way your body is made of steel, you remember when you punched that mountain and cracked it in half you didn’t even flinch afterward.”

“Yeah, not even a flinch you know me Ha ha ha.” Laughing nervously he thinks about the pain he felt after shattering every bone in his hand that day. 

“Anyway, I hear you finally found number seven was it another child from the Noble House’s or a Branch Family?”

“No in fact until recently she wasn’t even a Magi.”

“Ho..how is that possible at the very least she must be a descendant of an exiled line that’s the only way she could have broken her Sigillum.”

“I thought the same thing at first but I checked every living member of her family and their Sigillums are still in place.”

“The chances of a normal human not only breaking their seal but surviving the resulting influx of mana is one in a billion.”

“Your right she’s an actual anomaly and the incident that caused her power to manifest was odd in and of itself.”

“For you to say that after everything we’ve seen scares me what happened?” 

“There was an accident that nearly killed her no it should have killed her but somehow her body instinctively started healing itself I would say she unknowing used an Incantation from the second school but it was passive almost similar to the abilities of an Armis Magi.”

“Breaking her seal then surviving the resulting mana overload, and possessing the ability to passively heal you have to let me train this girl.”

“No none of my disciples are ready for that level of training though three of them probably think they are.”

“So not only do you have the boy whose set to become the next head of House Guidry that everyone’s been calling a prodigy but also the Armis Magi from the Ito Clan who trying to learn Incantations then there’s the kid that descends from the House of Rauch and I hear he can already use commands and of course the two candidates for the title of “Rose” it honestly doesn’t shock me that Riona’s little sister would be considered for such a role but the girl with the powerful Illusions from The House of Wright is surprising and now this girl that’s a…...rarity…...oddity…...miracle I don’t even know how to describe her.

“Amazing that’s the word you’re looking for Beau Guidry, Kenji Ito, Ryker Lehman, Aoibhinn (Ivy) Reid, Piper Wright, and Aurora Gola there all amazing.”

“Hmm……to be completely honest with you I never thought I’d regret becoming Praefectus of the I.M.A’s Military Forces but I’m a little jealous that you get to take these kids under your wing. It's going to be one hell of a show.”

“I know they all have the potential to become incredible Magi’s and with the right guidance they’ll even surpass us one day.”

“Ohh and how could you forget about your first pick?”

“Very funny Ruey you know none of us could ever forget about him.” “I'll be personally bringing him to the ceremony I was going to pay him a visit anyway so why not.”

“Already showing your bias huh Isn’t that favoritism.”

“No you know today is special for him in more than one way or did you forget.”

“Special day……….Oh crap it’s his birthday damn I’m a terrible big brother”

“Hmhm you tried to make me feel guilty and look at you now.”

“Tell him that I’ll make it up to him later.”

“Sure sure sure.”

“I SWEAR I will make it up to him somehow. I've been so busy lately that I let it slip from my mind.”

“Fine I’ll tell him you have something big planned for later”

“You’re the best sis”

“Well I’d better get going I’ll contact you after the Ceremony.”

“May the lux bless your path sister.”

“May the lux bless your path brother.”

In the blink of an eye she vanishes leaving Ryu alone he sighs as a sullen look falls over his face thinking to himself that he’s a terrible brother for forgetting such an important day.

“Happy Birthday Arcades I promise you I’ll make it up to you and I’m positive he’s thinking the same thing right now.” He walks out of the meeting hall and descends to the second-lowest level of the Tower. 

In front of him is a massive door engraved with the Sigils of the Thirteen Bloodlines arranged in a circle with the Sigil of the first bloodline in the center surrounded by runes. 

He channels mana into his fingertip and rearranges the runes into a specific pattern once the last rune was placed in the correct order the door began to glow opening in segments as it did revealing a large room with bookshelves spanning the walls to the left and the right of him in the center of the room sat an oval-shaped table with a map of the world etched into the ancient wood.

He directed his gaze towards the furthest end of the room where a gigantic mana crystal was imbued in the wall.  

Inside of it was a man with long black hair the roots of which were as white as snow itself. Placing his hand on the crystal the thoughts racing through his mind came to a head as he spoke to the sleeping man.

“She’s right you know it doesn't feel the same. We’ve done our part now it’s your turn it’s time to wake up.” 

“Please wake up Aniki.”

                                                               Chapter 1

                                         From 4,000 Miles Away

“Big Brother Big Brother BIG BROTHER PLEASE WAKE UP” Tears Streaming Down His Face. 

“Cades I’m…...I’m fine wipe your eyes there nothing to worry about I was just resting my eyes”

“But you were moaning in your sleep like you were in pain and……and your Doves they’ve turned black all of them but one”

“They turned because of the overflow of Nox they’ll be fine after a while”

“But doesn’t that mean it’s my fault that……”

 Lucien thumps Arcades on his forehead.

“Ouch why’d you do that Lulu” 

Lucien rest’s his forehead on Arcades forehead like a parent checking a child’s temperature.

“Calm down and stop trying to blame yourself.” “Do you remember the promise I made to you” 

“That no matter what happens or how far away we are from each other that you’ll always be there for me but……”

“But nothing Cades, I meant what I meant no matter what happens I’ll always be there for you even after I’ve left this world whenever you need me all you have to do is call my name Understand”

“Okay ‘ Big brother I understand”

Arcades heard a voice piercing this Melancholic Memory that manifested itself as a dream.

“Arcades, Arcades, YOUNG MASTER ARCADES.” A flutter of her pure white wings sends a wave of wind throughout the boy’s room.

“Lady Minerva I knew it was your voice I was hearing.” I'm sorry I should have woken up the second I heard it but I just wanted to watch a little longer.”

“It’s perfectly fine Young Master Arcades you are a growing boy after all you need your sleep in order to do so.” Minerva sighs she knew what Arcades did while he slept. Unlike most humans or even most Magi who fall into REM Sleep and manifest subconscious Fears, Hopes, Regrets, Desires and everything else the Human Mind can think of Arcades was different. 

Since the age of three, he could actively control his Dream State often using it to replay Memories to such a high degree that to an Outside Observer like her it was as if this boy could turn back time to that exact moment. 

This was an extremely rare type of Lost Magic known as “Dreamwalking” and while Arcades used this ability for Nostalgic Purposes she knew that this was the lesser scope of his power.

And she often thought of what he’d be capable of when he finally realized his true potential. 

But in truth, she knew this was just a side note compared to the innate power the boy was born with and the so-called destiny attached to that very power.

Minerva then thought about the vast amount of sheer power that he and his siblings were imbued with. 

To think that the children of “The Belmont Boy” and “The Rose of House Vivant” were this gifted the fact that not one not two but three once in a generation Magi were born into the same line and all within 7 years of each other.

This was highly improbable and thought to be virtually impossible especially in this age. But perhaps it was indeed that word Humans called destiny.

“But that being said it is your birthday and……..You Have A Visitor” She laughs mischievously.  

“A visitor, who would visit me so early Lady Minerva who is it?”

“I was explicitly told not to tell you who it is.”

“Why not?”

"Because it’s a surprise Young Master now Up, Up, Up” She flapped her wings sending a blast of wind at Arcades powerful enough to throw him out of bed.

“Wait, Lady Minerva, I’m still naked” 

Minerva laughs knowing that he’d slept in the buff since he was a little boy just like his brother. 

As he stood up to cover himself when his bedroom door burst open.

“What is taking you soooo long Cades I came all this way to wish you a Happy Birthday and this is………”

Biyana’s jaw dropped when she realized what was in front of her. She looked down then looked up then looked down again then looked up once more.

“Yana what are you doing here….I...I...I” His body went stiff and his face glowed red and as he looked at Biyana his eyes wandered towards her bust suddenly feeling a tingle in his groan he covers his private parts with his hands instantly knowing that he had an erection. 

“CADES……You just turned 13 and you’ve already become a PERV”

“I’m not this just a misunderstanding that all”-

“A misunderstanding eh well explain THAT!” Pointing towards the erection sparsely covered by his hands.

“This this isn’t for you I mean this wasn’t for you I mean it’s just because I just woke up” He stuttered trying to explain it away knowing that he was just digging a bigger hole for himself.

“So why did you scan my body with eyes…..”

“No that was just an accident I didn’t know who It was at first” 

“AND MY BOOBS ARE WHAT HELPED YOU RECOGNIZE ME” Growing angry at the implication.     

“No that’s not what I meant It’s not like I stare at your chest all the time. It’s just the Dress your wearing shows off a lot of Cleav…….” He stops himself realizing that he shouldn’t have brought up her dress”

“CADES” Her anger peaks as she raises her index finger readying it to strike him with a spell.

“I can’t believe my little Cades grew up to be like every other PERVERTED Man” Tears welling up in her eyes as Mana crackles around her raised finger. 

“Yana please I didn’t mean it like that you have to understand I just woke up and then Lady Minerva blasted me out of bed and then you burst in before I could cover myself I would never do something like that to you” Realizing that his explanations aren’t working he results to cuteness.

“Please Big sister you have to understand it was a mistake” Using the Infamous Puppy Dog Eyes Technique that his brother taught him.

Now disarmed by the boy’s cuteness she disarms her spell and lowered her finger and enveloped him in a bear hug completely forgetting his transgression and…….the fact that he was naked.

“Oh Cades I could never stay mad at you”

A wave of relief washes over Arcades knowing that he made it through this situation by the skin of his teeth. 

“Oh No Oh No Oh No” He then realizes that his face was now buried in Biyana chest and he immediately knew that this was the worst possible place to be especially while naked and he tried to force himself to think of something other than being smothered by breasts but Puberty overtakes his mind.

“What wrong Cades…….” Slowly realizing the situation when suddenly something poked her in the thigh. Glancing down she focuses in on the hard object poking her in the thigh she faints from the shock.

“Crap crap okay I just have to wake her somehow” As Biyana drops to the floor he goes to catch her but as he tries to pull her up he looks towards the broken door and notices the head maid of the manor standing there with a ghost-white face.

“AR-CAD-ES……..WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!”

“Miss Mio I was just trying to help Yana….” He then thinks about how this must look standing over a passed-out woman completely naked with an erection.

“Lux’s Grace this isn’t my day” 

“Lady Mio” Minerva, who has been laughing the entire time, realizes that Arcades has had enough torment for one day and begins to explain the situation for him.

“This is not what it seems Young Master Arcades simply rushed to his feet after Lady Biyana passed out from exhaustion I can certainly understand how this situation could be misinterpreted as something rather obscene considering that the Young Master sleeps in the buff and his “little sword” is unsheathed but a woman blessed such as Lady Biyana is would likely light a fire in any boy’s loins and especially one as inexperienced as the Young Master”

“Ahh now that makes sense for a minute there I thought my lord had grown into a ravenous pervert”

“Hey! I’m not a perv I swear” 

“Yes I know but your “sword” tells a different story.

His embarrassment at its peak and wanting the moment to be over he rushes to grab for his bed sheet to cover himself forgetting that he was holding up Biyana. Dropping her but before she could hit the ground Mio had already stopped her fall.

“Thank you, Miss Mio!”

“You're welcome now wash up PUT SOME CLOTHES ON and when your ready come downstairs Lord Belmont and Lady Yvonne have prepared something special for your birthday” Mio easily lifts Biyana and carefully shepherds her out the door and closes it behind her.

“Okay I’ll be down in a moment”

“You could have done that at the beginning it would have saved me a lot of trouble or better yet you could have been a little bit more gentle with the Wind Blast.” 

“Sometimes I think you do things just to torment me, Lady Minerva.” He Sighed.

“No Young Master I would never do anything that would cause you undue trouble” This was true Minerva’s loyalty lay solely with Arcades and everything that she does is in his best interest even if he doesn’t know it. 

She knew that Biyana was on her way up the stairs and she knew that him being blown out of bed would line up perfectly with Biyana bursting through his door and set up the situation as a way of distracting Arcades from the memory he was replaying inside of his dream. 

Even after he’d awakened, it was still on his mind and she knew that if she didn’t stop it now, he would continue to think about it throughout the day and she didn’t want him to be stuck in a state of melancholy especially on such an important day. 

It wasn’t just his 13th birthday it was also the day of his “Adolescentem Ceremony” and she wanted him to be able to look back on this day as one of Joy and Celebration, not one clouded by memories of the past. 

“Alright time to get ready” He started his morning hygiene routine. The whole process took around 15 minutes after which he rushes down the stairs, hook’s left runs down the hallway, and walks into the Great Hall of Aldavastum, the estate of House Vivant.

“Looks like you're ready for your big day but I heard you had a little trouble getting out of bed” He laughs knowingly.

“I don’t even want to talk about it” 

“It’s fine trust me I understand you're becoming a man so of course, you’d try to make your move”

“DAD It was a misunderstanding” 

“That’s what we all say son that’s what we all say”

“Umm, I don’t even want to know what that means” Deadpan Face. “Anyway, Miss Mio said you and mom had something for me?”

“Ahh yes your Birthday Gifts” Lucas gets up from his armchair and grabs an ornate box off of the Antique Side Table he sits the box down in front of Arcades

“Open it” 

“Okay,” Inside it sat three items. 

The first was a Pendant with the Sigil of House Belmont engraved into the metal. 

The second was a white Peignoir “Robe” with the Crest of House Vivant emblazoned in gold on the lower left side of it. 

The third and final gift was what appears to be an Ivory Pen etched into it is a tree with 13 limbs and 13 stars at the tip of each limb.

“One from me One from your mother and One from your grandfather” 

“All three are Heirlooms of both the House of Belmont and the House Vivant” 

Arcades stared at them with amazement. 

“The Belmont Pendant think of it as a battery.” 

“Magi from the House of Belmont are often born with immense almost overpowering amounts of mana and they’d use this Heirloom to store the excess.” 

“All you have to do is enter a meditative state and allow your mana to flow into The Pendant and it will be stored there until it is needed.” 

“It also allows its owner to temporarily mask their presence from an enemy who may be targeting them by storing its owner’s entire “Mana Well” but only for a short amount of time.” 

“For a normal Magi, it could hide their presence for about 5-6 hours for a Belmont that time is reduced to 1 hour and 30 minutes but for someone like you it may last for 30 minutes at the most.” Lucas takes a small chain out of his pocket and loops it through the Pendant and puts it around Arcades neck.

“It’s amazing dad” Arcades could immediately feel The Pendant passively siphoning his mana and storing it inside of itself he could also feel what seemed to be the mana of the previous owners.

“Hmm Interesting” 

“It seems you can already feel the remnants of the former wearers. It’s an interesting perk of The Pendant each new owner can feel small remnants of mana from the previous members of the House of Belmont. A way of always keeping the connection with our Forefathers alive”

Arcades put on The Peignoir and it instantly begins to resize itself to perfectly fit him and to his shock changes into a hoodie.

“Wow this is AWESOME”

“The Peignoir of House Vivant gives its wearer a boost in their Overall Speed, Elemental, Restoration and Alteration Magic it also changes its appearance and size to fit the wearer style and body type” 

Arcades marvels at how comfortable it is to him it feels like it was meant for him to wear to it.

“What does the pen do?”

“That’s no Pen son in fact out of all of these items it is the most sacred and certainly the most powerful” 

“That is the Baculus wielded by the very first Grand Magus it’s been passed down through the generations and is only gifted to a Magus with the potential to become one of the most powerful Magi who has ever lived.” 

Only those with massive amounts of mana can even hold it let alone wield it. Like The Belmont Pendant, it siphons off the mana of the wielder but instead of storing the mana it channels and amplifies every Incantation, Commandment, or Declaration making them ten times stronger and like The Peignoir it will also alter itself to match the needs and personality of its current wielder.” 

It has transformed into everything from a Wand to a Ring and it’s said that some of its previous owners could manifest a set of extremely powerful weapons known as “The Armory of Ashanti” the historians state that it consists of a pair of Destructive Gauntlet’s, a Great Bow, a War Hammer, a Deadly Scythe and even a Legendary Sword”

“Ohh I used to read about those in Grandpa’s dusty old books supposedly Great Grandpa Maxim and the third Grand Covenant used them to end the Great Armis Rebellion but never Imagined that they were all one weapon” He picked it up and like the pendant, he feels it passively siphoning his mana with a noticeable difference with the Pendant it felt as if his mana was being poured into a sealable container but this felt as if his mana was flowing through a pipe.  

He ran his finger along the top and it began to expand in length and width the top then split open almost like a flower blossoming and when the transformation stopped the staff stood 7 feet tall. 

He began pouring mana into it and an orb forms at the top of the staff he pours even more into it and the orb grows in size as the tree etched into it began to glow and the stars atop each of the 13 limbs shined brighter he points the staff towards the fireplace in the Great Hall and speaks an Incantation.

“Fax”  The orb shot from the staff at breakneck speed sucking the residual mana out of the staff as it left.

 The orb made contact with the brick lining the back of the fireplace and bursts with a massive shockwave that rattles the great hall and scorches the walls around the fireplace.

“Oh shii...I mean crap”  

“I didn’t mean to do that, I'm sorry dad” Shocked at how powerful the amplified spell was he used a rudimentary flame spell, one that should have only been able to light the wood inside the fireplace at most.

“Your fine son I’m honestly surprised that you were able to cast even a simple spell so easily again it takes a massive amount of mana just to wield it let alone cast a spell but I suppose you are the exception to most rules and don’t worry about the fireplace and the wall’s” Lucas waves his index towards the fireplace and it began to repair itself he then does the same to the wall surrounding it within a minute the area was completely fixed.

“Now your mother is expecting you, she's on the Patio don’t keep her waiting”. 

“Yes sir” Arcades turns toward the arch of the Great Hall and begins to leave. 

“Oh and son…...Happy Birthday”

“Thanks, Dad” Arcades walks out the Great Hall and sprints down the long corridors of Aldavastum finally reaching the double doors leading to Manor’s Jardin and steps onto the patio. 

“I DON’T CARE WHAT LUCIEN SAYS HE’S NOT READY YET” Yvonne and Biyana were sitting in summer chairs across from each other mid-conversation.              

“Lady Yvonne you know Laz he would never give him a task he couldn’t accomplish or put him in a situation where his life would be in danger”  

“Your right I do know him I know him better than he knows himself and I know the expectations he has for Arcades and it's too much for him to handle at such a young age” 

“Lady Yvonne trust me I understand I brought up that exact point and he won’t budge the timescale doesn’t allow for leeway” Grinding her teeth trying to contain her rage.

“DAMN THE TIMESCALE I will not let my son shoulder the weight of this world like his broth….”

“Like his brother like we had to at such a young age due to no fault of our own” 

“Eve you both know how I felt about that night you both know how much I protested what The Nobles and The Elder’s were doing you both know much I fought for you all”

“But in the end, it still led to nothing” They stared at each other, and the glass table between them started to shatter.

“If it has to come this then so be it but you should remember who held that title of yours Rose of House Maxwell”

“And you should remember how I gained that title Former Rose of House Vivant”    

“Is everything okay?” The Tension was palpable. Arcades stepped out to stop the argument but they instantly stopped talking, confusing him.

 “Of course, Cades everything’s fine!” Repairing the cracked table as he walks towards them.

“Yes…..everything's fine my son” Her face still red from pure anger.  

“Okay…....good Dad said that you wanted me for something 

“Actually someone else wanted you I’m just their proxy”

“Who is it, Uncle Yves or Uncle Henri”

“Henri is not your uncle he’s a cousin from the branch family how many times do I have to tell you that”

“Uncle, Cousin what’s the difference” 

“There’s a big difference Idiot” Yvonne and Biyana speak in unison. The boy’s denseness lightens the mood a bit. 

“Okay okay geez”

“No it’s not Yves or Beau you’ll just have to find out for yourself there’s a box in the Jardin with your name on it”

“HMM…...A random box for me Hmmm it might be a declaration of love from my secret admirer or maybe…….IT’S A TRAP”

“Really” Deadpan Face. Speaking in unison again.   

“Yep it’s definitely a trap I’ve seen enough movies to know that

‘BOY Go open the box” 

“Go ahead son don’t keep us waiting for much longer and stop watching those 80’s Movies there rotting your brain” 

“Okay, I guess I’ll open the box” He walked down the steps of the Patio and towards the small box in the middle of the estates luscious Jardin as he squatted down to examine the box he wondered what could possibly be inside was too small to even hold a wristwatch let alone anything bigger.

It was made of Ashwood with thirteen lines running along the sides of the box leading to the top where they met in a spiral pattern that resembled a whirlpool inside the spiral was a small circle with the initials A.A.B  carved into the wood. 

“Someone put a lot of work into whatever inside if the box is this fancy” He pulls a small purple tab from a corner of the box and the side panels fall to the ground but the top of the box descended slowly as if someone was personally placing a puzzle piece. 

When it reached the ground the initials carved into the top began glowing with mana quickly looped around the spiral then traced along the thirteen lines adorning the side panels the lines which now expanded out from the deconstructed box met each other in a circle then branched off into more lines that once again met in a circle which spawned more lines this process repeated itself thirteen times. 

“What the he….” Arcades mesmerized by the display didn’t even notice that these concentric circles and the lines connecting them surrounded him when he realized what was happening. It was too late. 

“Is this…..Am I in a….” He was inside of a gigantic Spell Circle that spanned the entirety of Aldavastum’s massive garden.

“The box was just an activation key and I…..was the target” He worried that perhaps he was right and this was an elaborate trap but he couldn’t have been more wrong. Once again distracted by this turn of events he didn’t notice that his feet were no longer touching the ground.

He’d begun to float as he did the spell circle spawned Lesser Spirits that followed him on his ascent. 

They were Birds of every feather Eagles, Parrots, Robins, Blue Jays, Hummingbirds, and Land Animals of every kind Rabbits, Foxes, Dogs, Cats, Mice, Pika’s, Gophers and Chipmunks there were too many of them for him to count.

The circle then began summoning Great Spirits some of which he had only read about in books like the Dryad’s, Oceanids, Meliads, and Sirens all flying around him as he continued his ascent.

The Dryad’s put a crown of Alder Wood on his head.

The Oceanids created elaborate shows of Water Magic.

The  Meliads fed him rare fruits, berries, and candies that appear to be made of honey and milk but to him, they tasted like heaven.

The Sirens transformed into beautiful women and flirted with him. 

One took the appearance of Biyana then winked making him blush.  

Another took the form of a blonde woman with deep blue eyes that entranced him and sent chills up his spine at the same. 

And the last seemed different somehow. She was a red-haired woman with freckles covering her face and bright green eyes that shined like emeralds. She flew towards him and whispered, “Protect Each Other”  in his ear. She then kissed his forehead and disappeared.

This filled him with a sense of comfort and longing while flooding his mind with questions.

“Who was she and What did she mean?” But before he could sink into deep contemplation he noticed something through the menagerie of Spirit’s.

It was a Pillar of Flames spewing from the furthest edge of the Spell Circle and as he looked around he counted thirteen of them each in a different color rising into the sky and converging inside of a cloud bursting it open and creating a fireworks show that filled the sky with colors that spelled out the words.

Happy Birthday Cades  

As he began descending the Spirits that were summoned flew above him and dispersed their corporeal forms into Pure Mana combining in one massive orb that burst forth releasing thousands of Cherry Blossom Petals that surrounded him as he finally reached the ground. 

“WOAH someone went all out” As he tried to take in everything that had just occurred he saw a dove familiar flying towards him it was carrying a piece of parchment in its beak. 

The dove landed on his stomach tilted its head as Arcades took the letter from its beak. 

It flapped its wings and lifted off back into the sky. 

He unraveled the gold ribbon tied around the letter and he noticed that it was blank. 

As he rubs his thumbs on the edge of the parchment writing begins to appear in the top left-hand corner. 

It says. 

  Cades

 Blood of Blood 

It doesn’t matter how far away we are from each other I’ll always be there for you wherever or whenever that may be no matter how long it takes to reach you or the trials I may face on my way there I’ll always come all you have to do is call my name. If you do remember then I hope my absence on such an important day for you doesn’t undermine that promise I hold it as scared as one does an Oath and I hope that you know that if it wasn’t for my role and the Duties and Responsibilities that come with it that I would be there right beside you but know that You are always on my mind and I’m always watching over you and I couldn’t be prouder of the man your growing into I can’t wait to see where the journey your about to embark upon takes you just know that wherever it does I’ll be there even in death. I hope you enjoyed your gifts, they were my way of showing my love even from 4,000 miles away.                

-L.L.V

“Idiot” Arcades looked up at the sky still soaked with colors watching the Cherry Blossoms as they continued to fall and he began to cry.

“Of course, I remember” Choking on his words with tears streaming down his face.

****

“So that’s what he was planning I was wondering how he would make up for not being here but he certainly pulled it off” Yvonne and Biyana watch Arcades as he begins to cry and they become emotional as well.

“He’s always known how to put on a Good Show and a Beautiful One at that” 

“So can I take that as your……”

“Yes Eve you have my blessing to become his Praeceptor I think he knew that I would have reservations about anyone taking Cades as a student due to the nature of his powers that’s why he chose you out of everyone he could have picked he knew that I’d be the most comfortable with you and I believe that he believes you would be the perfect person for this role”

“Thank you Mother Yvonne I love you.”  

“I love you too Eve but..…..Mother Yvonne, I didn’t know that you and Lucien were in a relationship?”

“Ohh neither does he.”

“Ummm” Deadpan Face. 

****

Lucas watched the show from the window of the Grand Hall with contempt and envy of his eldest son’s Magical Prowess.

“So even from 4,000 miles away you still found a way to spite me”

Lucas breathes out sharply the veins in his forehead bulge and at that moment all the glass in the Great Hall shatters and the marble floor beneath his feet crack open.

“I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything less from you”

Arcades Andres Belmont 

Lots of love

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