Mages: A Rise of Darkness

Part one: I Shield

It was quick, but I was quicker. Running faster than I ever had before, I could hear it chasing me decimating trees and crushing animals. The only problem was that it was gaining on me. I finally made it to the wall of Krayt, my home. " Help! It's chasing me!" I yelled, I saw archers look over the top of the wall noticing me and the monster at the same time. "Let the boy in!" I heard a man, probably the captain. "I can't afford to lose another child to the beast!" As he said that the monster broke through the trees. It was twenty feet tall, Its's eyes were giant orbs of red, fangs the size of King Gerald the Giant's sword. It had giant spear like horns, giving it another five feet in hight, its body was covered in dark, blood red scales. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the gates open a few feet, just enough for me to squeeze through,but just before I could get through the demon struck the gates, which hit me on the head and I passed out.
You may be thinking I'm going to wake up from a terrible dream, however, this was not the case.
I woke up in bed with a start. My father heard me struggle with a plate and fork laid at my bedside. He was tall with dark brown hair and a short wispy beard. When he walked in my sister, Rose, and mother walked in as well. "Alexander! Your awake!" Cried my mother as she pushed past my father. "Yay, Alex is awake!" laughed my equally hysteric sister. I looked at my father and asked "How long have I been out?" He looked at me, his expression was worried. "A week." One week. That meant I had missed my birthday and that I was now fourteen and eligible for the test. The test was meant to figure out if a person, normally only Nobles, but exceptions where sometimes made for peasants and, just recently, Elves, to see if they had Magic. The only problem was that the testers only left the Capitol for Noble homesteads, and my family didn't have the money to travel to the Capitol. My whole life I've been wanting to be a Mage, learn about beasts and magic, this was the only chance I could get because "the presence" of magic goes dormant after two weeks post becoming fourteen if not acknowledged. "I'm really sorry bud, but I did get you something." My father took a long box out from behind his back. I looked at it in curiosity. "Well, don't just look at it!" My mother urged "Open it!" with that I took the box and opened it. Inside was a long, elegant Saber with an oak hilt and Polished steal blade. It was only half of the cost a trip to the Capitol would be.
The rest of the day I walked around the town with my Saber strapped to my belt. I was talking to the Butcher's son when my friend Nick walked up next to me. "ALEX!" He called "I'm right here!" I said holding my ear. "Sorry, but when I heard you were awake I had to get you your birthday present I got you." Nick was the son of Samuel Rushten, the Noble Head of Krait. He got an allowance and worked for the money for my present, so I thought it was expensive, and it was. He handed me a large sack full of Crowns and Half crowns. "I know you've always wanted to be tested, and my father isn't important enough to have a tester come here." He explained "So I've been saving up for two trips there on a service cart." I was speechless. He had gotten me what I've wanted my entire life. There was no way I could thank him enough. "No need for thanks, Alex." He stated "Just pass that test." Then I realized something. "Wait, why two trips there?" "You didn't think I wouldn't come and try the test myself!" Nick exclaimed. "The Cart leaves tomorrow so get packed up, and tell your parents."