Chapter 10

Aeli requested Naro take a seat, which he took her up on though Nefi decided ‘where’ he got to sit. With some negotiation he was allowed to sit across from her at a couple person distance. Nefi was originally directly in front of the two, but at Aeli’s mention that she couldn’t see Naro, he begrudgingly moved to the side.

“I’m by no means a magic expert but I can answer some questions for you, as I Percieved myself when I was younger. That being said I do have a question for you.”

The smile on Aeli’s face grew a bit smaller and he noticed the slight furrow of her brow as she locked eyes with him.

“Are you a Shadow Mage Sir Naro?”

“...A shadow what now?” Naro responded. “Also there’s no need for Sir, I’m just a random Vagrant after all.”

Aeli watched Naro in silence, with Nefi’s gaze moving between the two. After a short moment the woman smiled once more and offered a small nod.

“I had a feeling. Nefi I don’t believe Si…Naro is a Shadow Mage, or at least directly affiliated with them.”

“I saw the dark wisps come out of him though sister,” Nefi said.

“Even still…his response was honest, and I at least didn’t sense any lies from him.”

“If you say so sister…”

Aeli looked back at Naro offered a small bow to him.

“I apologize Naro, I just had to check. It seems you really don’t know even the basics. The town you were in must be very separated from the world.”

Aeli was right in her assessment, it quite literally wasn’t from this world, he decided to believe his story techincally wasn’t lying and chose to just nod in response.

“Well firstly Magic is divided into three different classes. Light, Shadow and Neutral. All magic falls into one of these classes one way or another. Anything that is not Light or Shadow is considered Neutral.”

“Beso’s fire magic would be considered Neutral for example,” Nefi added.

Aeli confirmed this with a nod before continuing.

“There are two known ways to gain magic, which will fall into one of the Classes. The First is by Percieving it, which we think is what happened with you.”

Naro raised his hand and Aeli pointed at him.

“What is Percieving?”

“She was getting to that,” Nefi said narrowing his eyes at him.

“Ah sorry.”

Aeli smiled at the two before motioning to Naro.

“Percieving magic is just another way of saying you were ‘born’ with magic. At some point in someone’s life they become aware of the magic in them, or rather perceive it. When that happens, the person will not only learn the name of their magic, but also how to wield it…as if they knew all along, of course they learn how to sense Mana at the same time.”

“That…sounds a lot like what happened with me,” Naro said.

“I figured, I perceived my magic as well. It’s a big jarring isn’t it? All that knowledge suddenly showing up in your head. Of course learning the magic is only the first step, wielding it is another matter entirely. Like cooking you can know all the steps, it doesn't mean the meal will come out well.”

Naro was pretty sure Aeli glanced at Nefi at this but moved the conversation along.

“The second way…is by being given a blessing by a Deity.”

Aeli’s closed her eyes at this and fell silent, Naro glanced at Nefi who only crossed his arms patiently waiting, Naro did the same before Aeli opened her eyes and continued.

“By gaining the favor of a Deity you can acquire the gift of magic, you are bestowed a blessing and gain immeasurable power. Only people without Mana follow this path. If Mana is sensed in someone, then they only need to Percieve their magic to use it…but some will still seek a blessing for the power it brings.”

Aeli seemed about to continue but suddenly started coughing, Naro went to move but Nefi was already by her side. Rubbing her back she handed her a small leather flash of water, staying by her side as Aeli took a moment to compose herself. Naro realized that pause earlier was probably whatever was bothering her acting up again. He patiently waited as Aeli regaind herself, Nefi not leaving her side until her breathing steadied once more.

“I…apologize for that Naro…my illness acted up.”

“No I should apologize. I’m probably not helping by having you explain everything to me.”

Aeli shook her head and with a gentle nudge to let Nefi know she was fine continued speaking.

“That’s the most I can share with you I’m afraid…I wasn’t given a normal education after all.”

“...may I ask why you think I Percieved.”

“I can answer that,” Nefi said raising his hand. “I didn’t sense mana in you at all…and I still don’t really. If you were given a Blessing your magic ‘should’ be strong, and if you had it before it would have only become stronger. I think it’s natural magic because of that.”

Nefi said this crossing his arms.

“Of course we could be wrong, again we’re not experts. Maybe you did make a deal, do you remember meeting a Deity.”

There was clear doubt in Nefi’s tone as he spoke but he posed the question anyway, Naro almost responded immediately but paused realizing his did have an answer to that question.

“I uh…I met a woman named Kasia at one point. I think she’s a Goddess.”

Fear is a natural emotion that all living things understand to some extent, it is an emotion that in a sense makes many equal. Sometimes fear is subtle, able to be contained. The dread that creeps up one’s spine stifled by willpower or experience.

That was not the case for the two siblings in the room, as dread was painted on both of their faces, plastered on their entire beings.

Nefi didn’t even realize his claws were digging into his skin until the pain eventually forced him to open his hands.

Naro looked at the two, especially Aeli whose breaths came in short burts as she gripped the covers as tightly as she could, Nefi forced back to reality through pain comforted her managing to calm her down.

“You…you met…the Shade Empress…” Aeli managed to squeeze out, barely in a whisper.

“How are you still alive after meeting the Despot of Dusk…” Nefi questioned looking at Naro.

Looking at the two his brow arched.

“Those names…don’t sound nice…I’m guessing she’s a bad person.”

Naro figured that was the case considering he in fact didn’t survive meeting her, but he wasn’t expecting this reaction.

“There are many Deities of Shadow…” Aeli said clinging into Nefi’s sleeve. “The Crimson-eyed Tyrant…is the one who stands above all of them. She is the most feared Deity among all the races, and the one who bends darkness itself to her will.”

Naro suddenly felt a wave of nausea start to overtake him, while he didn’t want to say the words resting on the tip of his tongue, he needed to understand just how screwed he was.

“So…what if I was…bonded with her…maybe.”

The two looked at Naro then at each other, Nefi spoke first looking over at Naro.

“Then the entire world just became your enemy.”