Flionel

My parents wanted me to be smart.
That was how it began.

They wanted me to be smart, and their wish came true.

Now, the ordinary boy they raised is on the verge of transforming the very continent they so admired.
The God of Slow Death shall swallow it whole; Lann, Yve, all of it.

◇ ◇ ◇

In the storybooks, Yve was such an idyllic place. The people were proud, they were happy, and they, like Soon himself, were born in the snow. We were truly blessed by the creator.
I never cared about that. To me, the far more fascinating place stood beyond the sea. Eraidus—the plagued land named after an evil god, ruled by a fierce conqueror, and feared by the entire world.

Yve, despite being described to me as so wonderful, is not a country of learning. Most well-to-do families send their children to Aurba. Those less fortunate put their hopes in Xarka's city of science. Those at the bottom of the societal hierarchy abandon thoughts of formal education and focus their time on studying a single practical skill.
No parent would let their child move to Eraidus, but one could learn the language in Xark, and so, I made that place my first goal. My parents did all they could to satisfy my wish to study in Xark.

Few students took the classes I found most fascinating. Even the professor found it odd that a child my age would hold any interest in Eradian language. Even so, he appreciated the opportunity to teach another, and after many lessons, helped arrange my transfer to a school within the Kingdom of Rot.
That name would never lose its lustre. What kind of land receives the name of Rot?

And yet, I arrived disappointed. To the people beyond, Eraidus was the land of death. It was where tyrants rose to power, where gods were reincarnated, and where all the world's power was held.
But to the people of Eraidus, none of that was true. Even their internationally famed Conqueror King, Vailsord, had been reduced to a gag character in a national text, performed as a play for children to laugh at.

To the adult population, that man, who ruled an entire continent and united all nations within, was a representation of love. Of the ideal family. A caring father, a loving mother, and an inquisitive, ambitious son.
The fantasy they believed in was no different from reality. It was mundane, it was commonplace... When did the strength of this land vanish? Had these 40 years of unity driven them into a madness of complacency? Did no one wish to return to the days of old?

In pursuit of an answer, I found them: Vain's resentful populous. Born in sight of the flourishing Lann, they lamented the love their neighbour across the ocean received, while their own rulers treasured the eastern Kingdom of Rot and left Western Eraidus to fend for itself.
My passion for the country's infamy and the smarts I had been born with propelled me through the hierarchy of a rapidly growing rebel organisation. After many years of establishing operations within the capital, I moved to the countryside to revive the mines in the northern mountain range, and became a teacher to children with a passion for combat.

The pivotal plan was nearing perfection. From Vain, Eraidus could easily wear down Lann's pride; they were far too open for their own good. Yve, on the other hand, was harder to access. The ocean between Rot and Yve is vast and impossible to traverse in a reasonable span of time. The faster route, from Vain to Sooena, sounded ideal, and yet... For reasons unknown, our relationship with Xarka had soured since the time of His death. They refused passage to Yve, no matter who we tried to send.
But I, a child of Yve, would surely be granted permission.

For the time being, we used our foothold in Lann to slowly infiltrate Yve. I, on the other hand, travelled by boat with supplies that a carriage couldn't come close to carrying. To ensure my identity as an Eraiden could be proven, even with my hair so blue, I brought two Eraiden children with me. To my fortune, they were useful for that, but being stuck with them for the years to follow was not part of my plan.

I had, during my time in Eraidus, taught many a child how to fight, so... why not these two? It's only natural that Eraidens should fight for Eraidus.
The eldest, more susceptible to blackmail and punishment, was nevertheless a pain to deal with. He could become a fine warrior one day, but would the effort truly be worth it?
The youngest, stupid and easy to manipulate, was far easier to teach. I was even able to force her fairy to separate from her palm a decade sooner than expected. Her growth has been spectacular! 
With enough training, she would become a fine assassin. 

The awaited day finally came. We sprung a trap, slew the royal family, and took hold of the city of Yve. Our friends in Lann had executed a similar plot within their lands as well. The story was set: two countries attempted to destroy one another, yet the people rose up and established a new rule, one not led by royalty but by loyalty.
Yet a pesky princess got away.

Would she die in whichever wilds she ran away to? Or would she, in typical royal behaviour, arrogantly stand before us and unwittingly march towards her own death?

We awaited her return with bated breath.

◇ ◇ ◇

"You have to kill the princess, understand?"
"Yes daddy."
"Good girl! And what is your mission, boy?"
"...distract the guards."
"With your sword, correct?"
"Yes..."
"Perfect. I'll be in the room, so let's put on a good show."

The stars were finally aligning. Everything I had done and every decision I had made had all led me to this moment.
Nothing would tie me to the attack. The assailants are too young to be made public criminals. Our communication with Eraidus may have been hampered somewhat, but knowledge of Princess Feana's death will yet reach their ears, and the final stage of the invasion will commence!

◇ ◇ ◇

A window shatters. A tiny body falls through, blade in hand. But where is the boy?
"...Princess!" Screams and panic fill the room. I put on an act and do my best to slow down the guards.
And then... it all stops.

"I wish they could see!"

Everything vanishes...
All I can see is the sky.
Soon, that ever-present sun, is more distant than usual... It's an uncanny sight.
What is this? A vision...?
Ah, I see... Is that what this is? Are you leaving me, Soon?
Do you no longer see me as your child, even though I, like you, was born in the snow?
Have I finally become an Eraiden?
...
The vision leaves me, like a momentary dream.
A child lay, captured. A princess stands, safe.
The assassination has failed...

"...why?"

Did the stars not align for me?