The Summoner's Vendetta (First Draft) (Book Two)

The Promise

The man that had once been lost within his own grief was now filled with a joy that barely contained as he wrapped his arms around one of his students. "Oh Sin! You don't know how great it is to see that you have returned..." Sylris cried out as he clutched against the cloth that covered Sin's flesh. Allowing a smile to flicker upon his lips, Sin was met with more words falling from his teacher. "...where is Lucius? Did he not return with you?"

Just as quickly as the smile formed upon him, the smile fled. Sin knew that his next words were going to break Sylris's heart though considering that this was something he had to do, he figured that it would be easier for all involved if he hurried it along.

Placing both hands upon Sylris's chest, Sin pushed himself away from the older male which forced Sylris to release his hold upon him. He could see from the expression that flickered across Sylris that his teacher already knew that what he was wishing for was just a hopeless dream though Sin could also see that Sylris had a determined look within his eyes which told him that he was waiting for Sin to say the words.

"I haven't returned to the Academy to pick up my studies where I left them..." Sin started to explain as he felt both Inari and Takara climb up his body to return to their positions on his shoulders that they had abandoned when Sylris had pulled him into the embrace that they had shared. "...on my travels, I picked up someone who has the abilities of a Dark Mage. After I initiated him, he has chosen to focus on Summoning Magic which caused me to return here in hopes of procuring the Summoner's Mark for him."

The same saddened expression continued to be held upon Sylris's face though an added glimmer started rippling within his eyes which caused Sin to feel that his teacher was about to break down in tears once more.

"I am grateful that you have found others who you are willing to fight for and who will fight for you..." Sylris muttered out in a voice that was barely above a whisper though considering that Sin was close enough to him, he was able to hear the words that fell out around them. "...stay here and I will go and retrieve the mark."

The moment that Sylris had finished with his words, he turned and fled towards a room that Sin knew that he used as his office. As he waited for Sylris to return, he was thinking on how he wanted the Summoner's Mark to be presented to Exodus. While he knew that Sylris had nothing to do with the recruitment or training that Exodus had undergone so far, Sin still wished for Sylris to be a part of the process considering that Sin hoped that Exodus would choose to continue his education within the walls of Kanerra once this war with the Pure Regime has been finished.

With this hope at the forefront of Sin's mind, he motioned for the others to come forward. This immediately prompted movement to be heard from the position that they were using as their hiding place and within a few seconds the group had gathered around Sin. When Exodus arrived, Sin started to use his strength to force the other male out in front of the group so he would be the first one that Sylris saw and by the time that this objective was complete; Sylris had reappeared with the Summoner's Mark in hand.

Upon sighting the newest Summoner that he would become acquainted with, a slight smile formed on Sylris's lips and from the flickers of reminiscences that were burning within his eyes; Sin thought that it was possible that the memories of when he presented him with his own mark were present within his mind.

After a few moments passed, Sin could see that neither of them were going to be the first to speak. Returning to Exodus's side for a moment, Sin gave a slight nudge with his elbow to Exodus's side which prompted him to speak. "My name is Exodus Irian, and this is my Familiar Aardun!" Exodus muttered out as he gave a small bow of reverence to the older male.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Exodus as well as the Brownie that you have claimed as your Familiar..." Sylris responded as he moved the hand that held the mark towards the half-breed that Sin had brought within the Academy. "...my name is Sylris Orami, and I am the Mage that is responsible for the teaching of those who have the gifts of a Dark Mage. While you aren't currently a student of the Academy, I still welcome you into the fold and would be honored to become your teacher when the time comes."

When Sylris came to the end of his words, he had completed the movement that he had thrown his hand into which meant that the Summoner's Mark was dangling in his outstretched hand as he waited for Exodus to claim the item.

Before Sin had the chance to prod Exodus into taking the pendant, understanding of what he needed to do was already flowing through the other male as he moved his hand out to grasp the item that Sylris was holding out to him. The moment that the Summoner's Mark was taken by Exodus, he was sliding the necklace around his neck which he quickly fastened to ensure that it wasn't lost during their travels.

"Thank you!" Exodus muttered out to the older male that stood before him and when he finished with his words, he was moving back to stand next to Sin and the others.

With the reasoning behind his return to the Academy now complete, Sin knew that it was time for them to be on their way. Flicking his eyes around the room to take in the details of the room that he hoped to one day return to, they eventually settled upon Sylris as well as Sierra who had moved to stand beside the elven Mage. Preparing to give his goodbyes to the two Mages, before he was even able to open his mouth; Sylris was already speaking.

"There is so much that I wish to say but somehow I can't find the words to express what I wish to, so I will just say this..." Sylris explained as he stepped towards Sin and when he arrived, he placed both his hands upon his student's shoulders. "...while I wish that you didn't have to leave, I understand the reasoning behind your actions, and I wish for you to know that I am proud of you for going out into the world to fix what is broken about it."

Tears slid free from Sin's eyes upon hearing these words and while he wished he could stay buried in the pleasant feelings that these words stirred within him, this was something that he couldn't do. "Thank you Sylris for everything that you have done for..." Sin replied as he wiped his hand across his cheeks to remove the tears that were clinging to his skin. "...while I am unsure how long I will be gone, I promise that I will return."

Sylris could see that this was the end of their conversation and reluctantly he released his hold on Sin and when he did, Sin slowly turned from the two full-fledged Mages and began his movements towards the shimmering vortex that he opened within the room.