The Summoner's Mark (First Draft) (Book One)

A Shattered Peace

In the aftermath of the fighting, Sin would forever remember this moment and if he learned anything from the battle that had taken place within Caso; it was that no one worked faster than soldiers who needed to build prisons within a pinch. Now that they didn't have to worry about the Raiders that was brought into the camp considering that they were currently being kept in a rather tight space like what Sin and Nohki had freed the village children from; they were gathered around in a circle being debriefed by Sten and the other Mages that had come on this mission.

As Sten concluded with his words, Sin thought for a moment that the debrief was over and just as he was about to slip away; Sylris's voice began to flutter around those who were gathered around them.

"Though I wasn't present throughout all your battles, there have been many whispers spreading through the Zesian forces about the efficiency that our students battle. I want to thank and congratulate all of you on your battle prowess..." Sylris explained as he stood within the middle of the circle along with the other full-fledged Mages. "...and while I will be rewarding all the students here with an achievement, there is one student that I wish to publicly congratulate."

Once again, Sylris paused his words and as he did so; he started making his way directly towards Sin. Upon spotting his teachers movements, Sin began to nervously wring his hands together which is a habit that he thought he had broken years ago. 

 It didn't take long for Sylris to reach the young male and the moment that he did, his hand was being placed upon Sin's shoulder.

"From speaking to the soldiers that were present during the battle where one of the Raider Captain's had their life taken from them; I have learned that Sin bravely offered his own life when they were surrounded by an opposing force that was much larger than theirs and while I would personally not like to see this happen again, it shows that Sin cares more for the larger picture than for himself." Sylris boomed as he stood next to his student that he has grown closer to over the months since Sin had arrived at Kanerra. "Not only was this man a Captain of a Raider crew, but he was also well versed in Earth Magic which almost caused Sin to lose his life."

As Sylris concluded with his words, he motioned to the others with his hand and though Sin didn't understand why this was; he soon found out when applause broke out around him. While it was true that he might have been the one who had killed the Mage Captain, it wouldn't have been possible without the distraction that Nohki caused, and he was just about to say something along this line; this was until his eyes landed upon the student who had become more than a friend to him. 

The reason for this sudden change, was the rage that was etched upon Nohki's face and though he couldn't be sure of the reason for this rage; there were two explanations for this. One such explanation could be from how it looked as if Sin were taking all the credit for the kill, or it could be from the words that Sten was whispering into Nohki's ears and though from this distance and the sound of applause that was still roaring around them; he was unable to hear what words were being whispered to the boy he was infatuated with.

With this sudden change that Sin made after catching a glance of the rage that was plastered across Nohki's expression, he pulled into himself in hopes of allowing the noise of the outside world to drift away without disturbing the thoughts that were rolling within his mind. Eventually, as time continued to pass around them; Sin got his wish as the sound of the applause started to die down and once this happened, everyone started making their own way through the camp. 

*

After the discussion that the students of Kanerra had with their teachers, Sin found himself alone behind the medical tent and though he had no other being with him; both his Familiars surrounded him. Though he didn't originally bring them with him, Sin assumed that they must have felt something through their bond with him and because of this; they searched him out.

From the moment that they arrived, both Inari and Soren surrounded him and when they did so; they began to paw at him in what he assumed to be their way of comforting him.

Whether it was from his Familiars being the only true way that he was able to use magic currently, or from how after the amount of time that they spent together; they have become his only family, Sin began to feel his attitude begin to change.

As the little Kitsune that he had named Inari rubbed his head against his chest, Sin felt a smile tug at his lips and as he forced back the laughter that wanted to tear out of his throat as Inari's fur began to tickle at his skin; he felt another presence. Turning to face the newcomer, he readied himself to send his Familiars after them if they ended up being someone who could mean him harm. Though as his eyes landed on the newcomer, he noticed that it wasn't anyone that could possibly harm him and as such; Sin picked Inari up and sat him upon the ground as he forced himself to stand up.

The moment that he no longer had his arms occupied by the furball of a Familiar, Sin sprinted forward and wrapped his arms around the newcomer. As their bodies connected with one another, Sin found the other's lips and before long; the two of them were soon lost within the affectionate embrace.

While the kiss between the two didn't last all that long, it was enough to make Sin completely recover from how the aftermath of the conversation with the teachers left him. As he pulled away, his voice soon flickered out around them. "I'm sorry about what transpired back there, and I was going to say something about how you helped take down that Mage though you looked so furious, and I lost my nerve. Though now that you have come and found me, we can go and let Mr. Orami know that you were involved..." Sin muttered out in a rush of words and as he was speaking, he was unaware of anything else happening around him though that stopped when he felt pain exploded within his abdomen.

Mere seconds after the pain came to life within him, Sin was shoved backwards and as he stumbled back; he saw a blade clutched within the other's hand. Upon this blade was crimson which pulled his attention away from the sudden betrayal. Clutching the area upon his abdomen that was vibrating with pain, Sin could see blood pouring from the wound that the blade left behind. 

Though he wished to call out to the other figure, Sin was unable to find the words to do so and eventually; he found himself collapsing to the ground. As the blackness of unconsciousness started to eat away at his vision, Sin stared at the receding form of the individual that had just hurt him more than he thought he ever would hurt; and just as the darkness completely overtook him, the form vanished from view.

Along with the fading form and vision, as he was fully taken into oblivion; Sin could hear the baying of what sounded like animals crying out in pain though due to the pain and confusion that was running through him, he was unable to understand what was making the noise.