Is freedom of everybody, or are they mere pretenders? Why the hell should they do this and be subject to moronic regulations?
Is it another beautiful cage, freedom?
"Lucien, Lucien, Luci—"
"Ugh, what the hell? Why are you so noisy?" Lucien said.
"Look, What I found, Lucien, What I found, Lucien."
"Another history book?"
"Yes," she said proudly. "And then, before you get to say anything foolish, I want to tell you this one isn't boring at all."
"That is what you told me about the previous three."
"They were not dull," she said. "I'm damn sure you'll like this."
She turned the book backwards to allow him to see the title.
Ashfall.
Lucien blinked. "Ashfall?"
"Have you never heard of Ashfall Night before?"
"No," he said slowly. "Should I?"
Lyana hesitated.
That hesitation was almost
imperceptible, and caused Lucien to sit up.
"...Lyana?"
As she gulp, she squeezed her fingers about the book. "This book barely mentions it."
"Mentions what?"
Having leant closer, with low voice, it was an empty garden.
"The night he died, according to the records," said Lyana, "was Ashfall Night."
"Who?"
"Don't say it in a loud way, idiot." She said.
"There's no one here."
"That doesn't matter."
She looked round, whether a tree or not some could be listening. When she uttered again it was scarcely more than a whisper.
"Cael Ashfall."
Lucien sensed it, it was not fear as such, rather some sort of a pressure behind his eyes and the feeling that the world moved half a step out of order.
"Who's that guy?" he asked.
Lyana's voice trembled." So they say that he killed whole cities, he used to test his experiments on the demons, the mages, the civilians and even the newborns. Not for war, not for conquest. Just to see what would happen."
She continued. "He went into demon continents, he left rivers of blood there. That is why his name is a taboo everywhere."
Before he had time to say so a voice broke the tension.
"Kids! Come here before it gets warm!"
Mirelle went to the porch, with a sweet smiling expression on her face and a bowl of fresh watermelon in her hands.
"I brought some snacks too with fresh watermelon," she said. "And before that, I tell you not to lay on dirt, Lucien."
Lyana jumped to her feet. "He started it!"
Lucien sighed, got up and ragged his clothes off. "I was thinking."
"That is all," Lyana muttered.
It was Mirelle who laid the bowl on the table and they all seated themselves around the wooden table.
"What were you talking about?" Mirelle asked.
The delay on Lucien's part was a moment.
"Ashfall Night," he said.
Mireille changed instantly.
Her hands froze.
"It is not what you are supposed to be talking about."
"Why, Mom?" Lyana asked. "It's history."
Mirelle met Lucien's eyes. There it was in fear, not on her behalf.
"Both of you are fifteen, and some learning is a burden; you do not need your burden now."
She calmed down, stroking the hair of Lucien. "Especially you."
Lyana was about to speak in defence of herself, when Mirelle silenced her.
"By the way, are you two going to take your academic entrance test?"
Lyana's eyes lit up. "Yeah!"
Lucien nodded slowly.
"It is in identification," said Mireille. "Not just power. The world reacts differently to the varying people."
Lucien had a sensation within him--as though some wind were blowing against a shut door.
"We have been practising," Lyana said proudly. "Wait just wait, I will be a mighty fire mage as they will ever have seen."
Lyana laughed. "Even Lucien can not beat me in duel."
"This is because you do not follow rules," replied Lucien in a flat statement.
Mirelle smiled. "And you, Lucien? What path will you walk?"
"Haaaa....Who knows."
On the gate were heard some footsteps.
"Welcome back, Dad!" Lyana shouted.
Rowan went into the garden with warm and weary eyes. He was hit by Lyana who was being playful.
"You're late, hmphhh!" she said.
Rowan laughed. "Next time, I will request to the roads to move faster."
His gaze shifted to Lucien.
"Your hairs wasn't this long before," he said.
Lucien inclined his head not a little.
"Nevertheless, he still has the moon shine in him," Rowan stated.
Lyana burst out laughing. "He is my sister, dad," she added. "What a long icy-blue hair!"
Lucien shot her a look. "I am a month older than you, call me big brother."
She grinned wider. "Dream on."
Rowan laughed, before his face became sombre.
Said Rowan, "tomorrow we are going out to the academy. In the morning the Professor Archon will come. We'll travel together."
On this particular night, Lucien was awake lying before the window when the wind whistled.
And a moment it seemed as though someone was watching.
-----
You didn't choose this story.
It chose you.