A Tale of Magic and Iron

Oblitus

A young boy barely old enough to start a beard sits in a stone room with three other people. Two girls, one other boy, and all about his age, were sitting around the room. A man with blue tinted armor and a masked figure with heavy robes walk into the square chamber.

The masked man steps up to the other boy. The man traces a line above the boy's black hair and says aloud with vibrato, "By the will of our great guide Haesteus I dub thee, Vigil."

The boy slumps into his chair and crosses his arms. The masked man walks over to the first of the girls, completes his ritual and calls her Susurro. The next girl is called Praelia.

The masked man walks over to the final teen in the room, and says the same rite as before and names the boy Oblitus. The man stops and whispers in Oblitus' ear, "Adhuc sedet?"

The masked man turns back to the blue armored man and then bows. The blue armored man walks towards the center of the room and speaks up.

"Vigil, Susurro, Praelia, Oblitus, you four have been corrupted by heretics. That's not your fault, but there are still consequences to the actions of others. I am going to be honest with you four, these heretics took everything from you, your memory, identity, and even your family. The question then is, why are you here and not with them. You are here because of us. We want your help in hunting these heretics down, but why would you help us? That I'll leave up to you. Maybe it's revenge, remembering, money, fame, power, discovery, or even fun. Talk amongst yourselves we'll begin tomorrow morning." The men leave the room, and the four sit in silence.

"So, umm, does anybody else know what's going on? I guess my name is Vigil, but um, I just kind of woke up here." Vigil says scratching his black hair.

"Same here, but I don't think it really matters. Those two guys aren't giving us much choice in the matter. Somethings off, and if we get a chance to escape we need to take it immediately." Praelia's voice carries through the room.

"You're mad! What do you know of the world outside this very room? If those guys make you nervous then what about other people? What if everyone else is like those two guys?" Susurro steps towards Praelia and whispers, "Let's get some more information before we leave. I don't trust our other two companions yet."

"I suppose you are wise concerning this matter," Praelia says while rubbing her temple. In a blur she moves her hand and snatches the forearm of the other girl. Praelia growls quietly, "Don't take me for a fool, I know you don't trust me either."

"Umm, you two mind sharing what you're whispering on about. Don't um bother trying to um, to hide it." Vigil points at the two girls accusatorily.

Praleia releases Susurro's arm and snaps towards Vigil. "Oh really, the skinny little weakling thinks himself man enough to tell me what I should be doing. Face me you spineless idiot, or accept what you really are, a miserable little child. "

Susurro massages the mark on her arm and Vigil stares at the ground. He raises his head slowly, his eyes full of rage meeting Praelia's.

"If you were less bullheaded maybe then you would have noticed that I never told you to do anything. You really are stupid to think so little of me. I don't need to fight you, I can already see that a simple word puzzle would overcome your weak mind."

"Why don't we settle and calm down." Susurro whispers.

Both Praelia and Vigil look to the ground abashedly and the room goes quiet. They both shake their heads and then look back up, anger restored.

"By Haesteus, these heresy bound children took only a minute to be at each other's throats." Two guards dressed in silver enter the room, each armed with a sword. 

"And Arateus thinks these children will make good hunters. Alright you four follow us, and we will teach you how to fight."

"Um, I think you are mistaken, um sir. There are only three of uhh...." Vigil turns while he speaks to illustrate his point.

"Foolish child, you know nothing of this world, and yet you deem yourself smart enough to correct me. Do you only now notice Oblitus?" The second guard replies.

"Already their powers intensify, by Haesteus. You four are tainted by heretical beings, and we are burdened to bring His will into your lives. Follow and be silent, for Haesteus' sake." The first one says and leaves the room.

The four teens look at each other. Praelia breaks from the group and leaves first followed by Susurro, Vigil, Oblitus, and finally the second guard.