Combined Forces

The Night Before

Luna's POV

Staring at the full moon I knew tonight was the last night I would see it with innocent eyes. Tomorrow I would begin training with the League of Etraria, the magic utilizing military of my country, Etraria. There I will join other highly ranked magic users such as myself, most of whom I grew up with, and will continue to raise not only my magical skill but also my physical combat skill. I will follow the footsteps of my parents and my brother, Douglas, that were laid before me as all magic users must do at the age of 16.

Being someone with magic is very rare as it is passed through familial genes and there have only been a handful of cases of a magic user being born into a non-magic family. Even then, not all magic user are as strong as my family. The strength of your magic determines your rank among society and my family is one of the highest ranked for generations.

My father is Magnus Tenebris, the Overseer over Etraria. His father ruled before him, and his father before him. That right was supposed to pass to my brother Douglas, but that all changed when our rival Modroll tried to invade a few years ago. He was killed in the fight, never to take another step in our home. He was one of the most talented fighters and no one knows how he was killed, we only know that he died trying to save a group of non-magic children who were working in a factory. So one day I will have to take over the job as Overseer, and that impending job title scares the living shit out of me.

My mother on the other hand tells me it will be a great thing. As I will be the first woman Overseer of Etraria since the first ever Overseer, Etraria herself which was hundreds of years ago. My mother, originally Lilith Greele before she was married to my father, is known for her healing spells. Once in a battle she brought my grandfather, who was Overseer at the time, back to life and was named Lilith, Protector of Etraria. Now she is in charge of all things healthwise in Etraria.

When the two met they instantly clicked and were married after 8 months. Not a year after that was my brother Douglas born, then I a few years later, and the twins a year after that.Thus is the history most children learn about my family in-

My train of thought was interrupted by the door of my room opening. I turn and see my mother walking into the room. Dressed in her nightgown, a flowy pastel pink with gold embroidery around the collar and her hair styled into a complex braid of black hair, she walks over to where I am standing on the balcony; each step as graceful as the last, a trait of which I wish she had passed onto me.

"I could sense you were feeling a bit nervous and decided to come check on you", she said caressing my silver-white hair like she would when I was little. "As silver as the light of the moon, your hair was the first sign that told us you had a connection with the moon." My mother named me Luna, the translation of the moon from one of the old languages. My magic has always been stronger when the moon was out so I tend to be a night owl. We were looking together out at the moon for awhile before I responded.

"I'm just thinking about my future and what's to come but, I think I'm going to get some sleep soon", after giving me a hug she began walking out, most likely heading to bed herself.

I began to turn down the covers, taking one last glance at the moon. I have always felt safe leaving the balcony doors open considering there are always League guards stationed outside my house. Falling asleep the last thing I remember seeing was a shooting star go across the sky.

Sterling's POV:

I look down from the full moon to see my mom walking out of the clothing factory where she works. She immediately embraces me with a hug like she does everyday after work. It's only my mom and I and that's all it's ever been. My Dad walked out on her when she became pregnant and it's hard to raise even one child alone as a non-magic user.

Today was my last day working as a butcher in town because tomorrow I will begin training in the NCS as part of The League of Etraria. The Non-magic Combat Squad only chooses ten new trainees a year from the ages 15-25, after my third year of trying, I will be 17 and going into the NCS. Part of the reason I wanted into the NCS is so my mom, Elizabeth Lewis, would be given a job working for a high ranking family where she would be given a nice home and plenty of food. I will spend my days training as a NCS and a few nights a week I will spend being a guard at a high ranking family's house. Although my mother and I will not be working at the same house we will be able to see each other on holidays, which occur fairly often. Although we don't follow the religion of the magic users we still abide by their holidays.

I'm excited to leave this piece of crap apartment we have lived in for most of my life. One bedroom with a broken bathroom and a cot in the kitchen that I sleep on. It was all my mother and I could afford. I know that working in the NCS I will be made fun of by the magic users but I hope to one day change that ideal. I have been working on a piece of technology that blocks magic use but, right now with the little equipment I have at my disposal it isn't very effective but, I have hopes I can make it stronger.

Tomorrow I will take a test, how well I do determines which high ranking family I will guard over. I have been working my whole life to be the strongest and smartest person I could be. I would like to guard the Tenebris family, because not only is Magnus Tenebris the Overseer but his daughter will be given a personal guard who will act as her partner in battles and when she becomes the Overseer one day. Then I will have my own house with my own family who won't have to worry about living in poverty like I have my whole life.

Mom and I have now made it home where we sit down for dinner.

"I'm so proud of you and the man you have become Sterling", my mom says serving me a grilled cheese sandwich and the last fourth of the tomato soup in a can we have been saving for the past week. "You know I've heard most of the high ranking family servants are pretty girls who will make wonderful wives to an NCS Officer."

"Who says I won't woo a daughter from a high ranking family Mom", I say and we both start busting out laughing because no magic user would ever marry a non-magic user no matter how high their rank. No high ranking family would want to risk losing the magic held within their family. After a few hours of talking about the past and possible future I hug my mom and set up my cot.

Today will be the last time I sleep on a cot in this kitchen. After mom makes sure all of the doors and windows are locked she turned on the light in the sitting area so if anyone sees in they think we are still awake. You can never be too careful here as people are murdered every day in their homes and on the streets. I fall asleep to my mom singing the song she has sang every night since I can remember.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Author's note:

This first part was mostly background but I'm excited to start this story and see where it goes! I'm doing a lot more planning for this story than I did for my last one and am planning on completing this one unlike my last! 

If you are here because of my last story this will be very different lol. But, if you are new to my work, welcome! 

I encourage commenting on the things in the story you like and I will read private messages if you send them my way! Thanks for reading along on this journey through Etraria.