Dragons of Alaevia

Chapter 15: Kaeirin

The rest of the day, the Woodlanders of the village made sure to keep their distance from Kaeirin and Cyprian. Kaeirin didn't mind, and took the rest of the day to stroll in the forest, admiring nature. The variety of life somehow filled him up, and that chilly empty feeling he knew all too well seemed to melt away...for a little while, at least. Kaeirin's favorite part was the flowers. He found they had a fragrant smell and were a pop of color surrounded by green. They couldn't go unnoticed, and as Kaeirin walked through the forest, he made sure to pick numerous flowers—fulfilling his desire of making a bouquet. If he ever returned to Aysgarth, he'd remember to take these flowers with him. Something to distract from the darkness, you know?


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Five-year-old Kaeirin looked into his mother's gleaming blue eyes, and noticed that her white lashes were gathered with delicate snowflakes. She smiled at him and grasped his tiny hand. "Let me show you something." She said to him.
      
They walked through the village of Hibernia. Cabins were scattered around the town, each with a freshly snow-frosted roof. The wintery air was quiet, and the echoing chimes of children's laughter could be heard in the distance.
    
In the center of the village, there was a clearwater pond—its water frozen with ice. Many elves skated on its surface with grace, grasping the hands of their loved ones. The tall evergreen trees surrounding them were dusted with snow, and because the snow festival was arriving soon, many trees were adorned with sparkling white lights.
     
Kaeirin's mother took him into the forest that day, their boots leaving foot tracks as they strolled. She led him to an opening in the forest—a snowy clearing surrounded by trees. In the middle of the clearing, there was a small flower. Clutching her son's hand as she led him towards the snowy blossom, the woman kneeled before the flower, gracefully brushing its purple petals with her delicate fingers.
      
"I planted this flower five years ago, the day you were born." She said with a smile of warmth and kindness, and Kaeirin couldn't help but smile back.
       
As he inspected the single flower, he noticed its petals were round and neat, each one gently frosted with snow. He carefully grazed them with his little fingers, ensuring he didn't harm the delicate blossom.
      
"What's it called, Mama?"
     
His mother cupped his face with her hand, her eyes full of love.
      
"A Kae Flower."
     
Kaeirin couldn't help but giggle. "It's named after me?"
     
His mother chuckled. "It is, my love. And when you look at this flower, I want it to remind you of my love for you. A love that you must never forget." She told him, tapping his tiny nose.
    
Kaeirin took her hand in his with a smile on his face, but then immediately noticed that her hand seemed to shake with a slight tremble. His smile faded, and he glanced at his mother, concerned.
    
"Are you okay, Mama?"
    
She smiled, but something else was hiding behind it.
    
"I'll be alright."

As they left the forest, Kaeirin snuck one last peek at the purple flower.

One of its petals fluttered to the ground.

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Kaeirin was walking along the streets of Aysgarth, but no one else seemed to be around. Even though the streets were eerily silent, he continued to walk, examining the dark skies above.

Then—out of nowhere—someone violently shoved him from behind. He fell to the ground, and when he turned around, fear rushed through him like a sack of baby spiders bursting open within his body.

Ceres.

Ceres was a defender in training, like Kaeirin, only ten times stronger. The two of them were the same age—seventeen—but Ceres had already surpassed most of his defender trainings with top marks.

Kaeirin saw that Ceres wasn't alone. He was with his two "friends," Ebony and Sullivan.

"What do you want?" Kaeirin asked, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

From the moment they'd met, Ceres had made it his personal duty to torment Kaeirin. Pushing him around every time they passed in the Erebus halls. Pulling stunts that Kaeirin had to clean up. Humiliating him in front of every single defender in training. And now, because of Ceres, Kaeirin's life in Erebus was absolutely miserable.
      
Ceres smirked as Kaeirin stood up. His purple eyes gleamed in the darkness, and his muscular body and unreasonably tall height towered over Kaeirin.
      
"What are you doing, walking these streets alone at night, Snow Boy?"
     
Kaeirin backed away. Ceres laughed. "What, are you scared?"
     
Kaeirin was scared. But he couldn't let it show. He had to fight back.
     
He stepped forward. "Y-you-"
     
"Ah, ah, ah! Don't come any closer. You know what'll happen." Ceres warned, narrowing his eyes at Kaeirin—who knew exactly what was coming next. He tried to make a run for it, but Ebony and Sullivan were too fast. They grabbed Kaeirin harshly, lacing their big muscles around Kaeirin's arms, trapping him. They dragged him back towards Ceres.
     
"Let me go!" Kaeirin shouted, anger lacing his words.
     
"Ooh, Snow Boy's feeling feisty." Ceres ridiculed. "Well, let's see how feisty you feel after this." Then he punched Kaeirin's stomach. Hard. Pain shot through Kaeirin's insides, and he lost his breath. He gasped, trying to breathe, but even breathing hurt. Ceres laughed, and Kaeirin really wanted to wipe that stupid grin off his face.
   
"What are you going to do? Freeze me?" Ceres taunted. He stepped closer to
Kaeirin, his eyes glinting with cruelty. "Oh! That's right, you don't have any magic."

Kaeirin looked away, trying not to listen.

"You're weak." Ceres spat. "And, you know, I think your father would agree when I say..." Ceres smirked. "You're worthless."

Fire exploded inside of Kaeirin.

"Shut up!" He shouted, struggling against the binds of muscular arms. Ceres just laughed even louder.

"Pathetic weakling. You'll never be like us. You. Don't. Belong. Here." He mocked, his smile cocky.

"Shut UP!" Kaeirin roared, his heart racing. He tried to launch himself out of Ebony and Sullivan's grasp. He wanted to kill Ceres.

But the minions' grip was too strong. He couldn't escape. Ceres landed another punch to Kaeirin's abdomen, and he cried out in pain. Ceres smirked, seeming satisfied. "Weakling," He emphasized one last time.
    
Ebony and Sullivan finally let go of Kaeirin's arms, and he crumpled to the ground. Then, once Ceres and his minions were finally gone, Kaeirin curled up into a ball, the words still echoing in his mind. Weakling. Weakling. Pathetic Weakling.
     
Yeah, well...maybe he was a weakling. Perhaps that's why his dad didn't have time for him: he had no magic and couldn't fight back for himself. Maybe he didn't belong here. Maybe he didn't belong anywhere. No one would accept a weakling like him. He felt humiliated.
      
Pathetic weakling.