Her true identity is a mystery even to those who believe they know her secret, but in a world like Avelor, where survival is the very purpose of the human race, that secret can become both the greatest enemy and the key to salvation.
Trying to...
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ARIAN
The rain had soaked me to the skin, seeping through my black cotton jacket. Nevertheless, even without the rain, the atmosphere was gloomy, and all the people surrounding me either looked at me critically or avoided looking at me and my family. I didn't quite understand why, and my parents had refused to talk about it. "You're too young for such pain," was their only explanation. I was 12 years old back then, not too young! But soon, I would come to understand the reasons behind the guarded looks and whispers.
Right next to the empty coffin stood a girl with tear-filled eyes who seemed to be my age. I didn't know her, but I couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. Her black hair cascaded down to her waist, framing her round and sad face. She was crying. I wished I could go to her and comfort her, but I didn't know what I could have said. Her mother turned to her and took her into her arms, soothing her, while her father stared blankly at the coffin, which was being lowered into the grave. I had heard more from hearsay that the boy's name was Cai, but his body couldn't be found to be returned to the family, so the ceremony was more of a formality. Although I hadn't known him, what I heard saddened me, especially when among the whispers, my brother's name was barely uttered.
For a moment, two amber eyes fixed their gaze on me. A silent, restrained look. Her mother quickly noticed whom her daughter was looking at and hastily got up, glaring at me with anger:
"Iris, come here!"
Iris, her name was Iris.
A knock on the bedroom door woke me from my dream.
"Arian, it's time!"
6 YEARS LATER
IRIS
It was a gloomy morning, and I sat with my parents in the carriage my father had rented for this journey. My brother, Cai, graduating among the top ranks from the Academy, had conferred a certain status to our family, but also certain expectations... both from me, the second-born, and from our city, Vexa.
Vexa was known for its quality weapons and rare leather combat suits, though we often competed with Nyxel in the latter aspect. The latter was considered the capital of Avelor because of its proximity to Domm, the demon territory. That's why I could only be glad that we were a bit further north. Astaroth, their leader, had his castle in Domm, and that's where the Academy I was supposed to attend was located. However, our first stop was Nyxel, to celebrate a new generation of novices and the beginning of a new year, celebrated on September 1st. All teenagers from each city who had reached maturity gathered in Nyxel to attend the Autumn Ball and listen to Astaroth's speech.
The carriage turned onto an unpaved road, and I knew we had left the city. I took a deep breath, trying not to think about what was to come as the houses disappeared into the gray background of the misty morning. I had seen and heard enough about demons to have an idea of what I was about to face, but somehow, I couldn't overcome my fear and excitement.
