Commoners

Sorin opened his eyes; the area around him was a normal commoner cottage. There was no one there at all, however. Dust settled on the wooden furniture; the walls were almost too old. The house was abandoned; the size of a small apartment, enough for four people to live in.

I had never actually seen a commoner house before.

He walked towards the kitchen table, where there were plates, rusted up rather as they were made of light steel. There was nothing else to make dinner in here. “This is what they revolted for. I understand now how we treated them.” He picks up a fork and a spoon; both were normal to him, but the lack of them made every commoner protest until the mage council was forced to comply.

It shows really how fragile our power is even as mages; every commoner must hope once the war ends that it will get better. I doubt it would. That's why we're here after all. To change things and bring something new afloat.

Sorin walked towards the door, opened it slowly, yet it still squeaked. The sun beamed down, as it was around midday. Looking left to right around the street, there was nobody. Not a single person.

If anyone sees me, even a single mage, then it's over.

Focusing on stealth, Sorin walked underneath the overhangs of the cottages; the sun didn't help in this case since there was a shadow. But any mage on the towers or the top layer of the city wouldn't be able to look down at him. The person before was clearly capable of sniping from the top layer with a single fire attack.

I'm going to have to deal with that man one day if I wish to change anything. Him and the other high-ranking mages. They must be scary if that's what a single fire spell did to a whole cottage.

Sorin, using his wind magic, dashed from building to building, keeping himself hidden from the people above. Each jump made him closer to the industrial place. It housed over twenty different refineries and factories that produced everything in West Acluraria. Its priority was high, hence the mages guarding the entrance and the no-living zone.

Reaching the end of the street of abandoned houses, Sorin’s amber eyes instantly stretched out as a mage from the main gate looked towards him. He stretched out his hand, blasting himself into a house, the door collapsing completely.

This isn't what I was trying to do! Now I have no choice but to get rid of these two. Don't resort to violence; find a way to get out of this situation.

He spun himself around; it was a normal cottage. Hiding would only result in a battle, and fighting would result in him needing to freeze them or kill them, the first being on a timer before they managed to get out as well. He kept looking for options.

The windows.

He focused his magic around his body before a massive wind burst erupted from both sides, shattering all the windows in the cottage. There were now four escape routes, two at the front, one at the back, and one at the side.

The mages standing post instantly rushed over with their staffs out. “Who's there! Show yourself this instant before we blast this building to bits.”

Sorin, however, did not waver; he was hidden in the back, his staff tucked in. He then slammed it down onto the wooden flooring. Earth echoed to the front door and every window but one, where he would use wind to fling himself out before sealing that off with earth as well. This allowed him to get the time needed to perform his duty after simply jumping over the gate with a burst of fire.

I'm going to be tight on time but should be fine. Once they are out, they will inform someone instantly of what happened.

He runs across the industrial sector looking around. He rushed from one place into another, peeking at what they were producing and just left after. He managed to find all sorts of weird ones, but not the hersh refinery.

A minute passed; the mages were already out of there for sure. Sorin knew that.

Just five more left.

He rushed from one to another. Then he finally entered a factory with rows of wheat-like hersh being processed and milled down. Every worker there instantly looked towards him, with a lone mage commanding the entire workforce.

They don't even trust a commoner to lead others, too scared they would be betrayed.

Raising his staff, he burst out a massive water stream straight at the mage, standing in confusion at what this random robed figure was, even more surprisingly that he attacked a mage.

Now freeze.

The drenched man was completely covered in ice, incapable of moving, just sitting and listening as Sorin took his place on an elevated platform above the working floor. Every person from below, man and woman, looked at him, their production fully halted and their eyes searching for anyone to explain.

This is the moment I needed. I have to say something.

He took a deep breath. “Everyone working here, I have an announcement to make… or rather a request: I want you all to fight against the system which enslaved you.”

Everyone below didn't even say anything back; they all just looked back at him with a knowing grief but also solemn faces. One huge burly man, with commoner clothing and green eyes and a bald head, stepped up with a loud voice, “Why would we risk ourselves for nothing? We know you just got rid of a mage, but who are you to the people up there? Just a worthless pest they will get rid of.” The audience behind nodded in small agreement.

Sorin didn't back down; he stared the man down despite the internal stress of the situation. "I'm trying to help you all; I'm on your side. I'm telling you this one risk will change everything. The famine isn't your fault, but those who reap your work up there.” His finger pointed up; the implication was there.

Silence threaded around the room; they all knew they were the ones who knew that there wasn't a famine, but the mages were just that much more taken care of. If they really rationed everything, then nobody would starve, but they don't. Commoners don't deserve that treatment of equality.

The bald man looked back up, his voice full of regret at various parts of this career. “ How will you fix this? How will you make this all right? Tell us why you can do this.” The man clearly forced Sorin's hand now.

I have no choice; I have to reveal myself as the hero, the only one with four elements. Even if the news were here that I was a traitor, that's exactly what these people want. I will have to stand up as Sorin.

“I'm Sorin.” His voice erupted out into the crowd below. Leaving even the bald man in complete disarray. The truth was revealed: who was standing before them? Now, will they join forces for Sorin to convince them, or will they wait for the mages to arrest him?