There was a magical war.

It's a stereotyped way of looking at it, but it is a harsh cold fact as well. Fifty-seven years ago the world went insane because magic entered the battlefield.

There are wastelands of course. Most could be rebuilt if it were not for the overwhelming fear associated with such places. Children are still told to stay away but if they play there, they come to no harm and there are no side effects in their old age.

Magic is taboo. No one speaks about it, but everyone hopes it has gone away, that it used itself up or burned out.

They're only lying to themselves of course.

Magic is hardly gone, it's just underground. If the government—or what passes as such—finds magic users, they scoop them up for "the good of all" and no one really knows what happens to them. Those born with magic know how to hide themselves, living in the thriving, neon lit, under world. Some of them plot the return of their power and rule, but most simply attempt to survive and live and love in safety.

Or at least survive.

D-D-D-D

Genghis stood before the council of 9-the elders council of the enclave of magic. He spoke clearly, but kept his tone respectful, knowing what he was asking and knowing well how little he truly had the right to ask, "I've come to ask your blessing to go to help guide magic users in need of shelter to the enclave. There are dozens of magic users who are picked up and more that need a safe haven, which is offered to them here." His blue eyes darted from one member of the council to the next, the gold flecks in them vibrant against the blue.

Facing him, many of the council looked stiff and angry with the request. "You would expose us to such a fate?" Bailey asked after a moment. "Of bringing outsiders here?"

Genghis managed not to frown as he responded, "I would use the enclave as it was designed, as a safe haven for those in need of help."

"All of those meant to be here are here," another member replied. Sitting on the far end of the half circle, Jennyanydots sighed softly but did not enter into the conversation yet.

The younger man gaped at the elders, "So what you're saying is that if they find us by chance it was fate for them to be here? What about those that can't? What about those injured, ill, or forced into hiding? What about those with children! You would condemn them to death or experimentation simply because they had the ill-luck not to be born here? You're so terrified of threats you have no proof will happen that you refuse to help those most in need of this place!"

A hush settled over the council. "Are you questioning our judgment then?" one of them asked finally.

"What is he's right?" Jenny asked and wilted down slightly when most of the heads in the room whipped around to give her a long look.

Carbucketty frowned at Genghis, "You do not know what you are proposing."

Skimbleshanks glanced toward the other council members and then to the magic user before them, "I doubt he would have brought it before us without knowing, Car."

"He is proposing to help," Jenny protested.

Bailey shook his head. "No, he is putting the entire enclave into danger is what he is doing."

"You can't say that for certain," Gus spoke from the opposite side of the room from Jenny and Skimble. "He's right, this place was designed to be a haven for magic users."

"We are a haven," another elder protested. "Why bring more trouble down on our heads?"

"How would it bring trouble?" Genghis demanded of them.

Bailey slammed his staff down on the ground as the group erupted into frantic speech. "You would bring people here, leaving a trail for those who hated us, for those who would hunt us," he said in the resulting hush.

The younger man's jaw tensed, his blue eyes hardening, "You really think I would be that incompetent? That I wouldn't make certain that even those I brought here wouldn't know the way?"

"You might not be incompetent but that says nothing for them."

"Them? You honestly think there would be a trail? That they wouldn't simply vanish? For the love of all that is holy, do you even hear yourself?"

"Yes," Bailey snapped in reply. "I have heard these arguments before. You are young and brash and have more faith in people than I would ever dare. The Government has been using magicians since we've been forced undercover. You well could be dragging a viper into our midst in your foolish crusade."

"I would take time, vett them before they came. Have you truly forgotten that I have a secondary magic?"

"To find magicians, not learn their darkest secrets," Bailey scowled, not liking to be reminded of the magic he spoke of.

Genghis frowned, "To find them is needed to vett them. If you would allow quiet magics it would be easier in many ways to find those secrets you speak of."

Bailey's staff thudded down again and the majority of those in the room winced. "We have been over this before," he growled. "Quiet magics have little place here."

"Little place does not mean no place," came the sharp response. "The way you treat the quiet magics is atrocious. You treat them as things to be feared or belittled-I will grant that some deserve it, but not all of them. You've caused a division among the magics, and in the end are treating fellow magic users no better than those that persecute them! And that's not eve beginning on your caste system of the magics."

Bailey scowled. "Those quiet magics you want to promote? They can blend into society in ways we never could." He tilted his chin up, golden flecks flashing in the dim light, nearly glowing out the mark of a strong magician. "This is a safe place for those who have been rejected by society. Any magic users left in your city would already be picked up by the government, or they would already be here. But if you would rather go out on a fool's quest, then go. But bother us no longer."

Genghis' entire body tensed, but he inclined his head, gritting out, "Thank you, sirs and madams." He departed from the council chamber, every muscle in his being taut.

Slipping from the back, Cassandra followed him. "Genghis," she called out, moving quickly to catch up.

He paused, turning to face her, and managing a faint smile, "Cass."

"Are you serious about leaving?" she asked, shifting back slightly and brushing her long brown hair out of her eyes, a nervous habit she still hadn't broken.

The young man looked her over, nodding slightly, "I have to, I...I can't live here like this, knowing there are people out there who need this place and know nothing of this safety."

"But you'll come back? Sometimes?"

"As often as I can," he promised. "I'll be bringing people here, and I will have to return to see you."

"We'll see how well that first one works out," she said with a small smile. "But you'll certainly have to do the second."

He brushed a lock of her hair back, tenderly, "I promise."

"Good," she said with a soft smile. "Well, if you're going to go be a dashing hero, you should see about doing that."

Genghis offered her a smile at that, "I don't know if I would call it heroics, but I had best see about getting things sorted out to be leaving soon."

She smiled faintly. "Alright. I'll be here, waiting. It's not like I ever go anywhere else."

Genghis glanced around before leaning down and kissing her briefly, "I'll be back, you have my word."

"Good," she said, returning the kiss for a moment before pushing on his chest. "As I said, get going on those heroics of yours then."

He offered her a gentle smile again, before nodding and heading off to speak with the most recent 'chance' arrivals.

Watching him walk away, she crossed her arms over her chest, sighing softly. But there was work to be done, as there always was. She turned, glancing once more at his retreating back before getting back to the business of the enclave. The magic users needed a safe place to return to after all.

Greetings and Salutations to everyone! Here we stand, poised at the brink of a new tale.

A couple of house keeping notes: This story is rated M for general darker themes, including some drug use floating around in the plot. It's also a dystopian future which tend to be much darker stories in general. We'll still probably not be explicit in things like sex or violence, it's mostly for over all themes and possibly a deal of swearing.

There are two main types of magic in this story, and they are split into two obvious groups: The "loud" magics which are things like fire and lightening and even healing magics, and the "quiet" magics which are mental ones, such as visions and telepathy. Both groups have very obvious markers that show they are a magic user, and the two groups have radically different markers. Hopefully as the story progresses these markers will become obvious to the readers, but if there is still confusion later on, just let us know and we'll drop in an author's note.

Further, if you want more of a feel into your story, your first playlist for the fic includes: "Faster," "Iron," and "Aquarius" by Within Temptation, "The Noose," by A Perfect Circle, "Electric Blue Eyes" by the Cranberries, "Dip" by THC, Cannonball by Vienna Teng ((or Damien Rice as your preference goes)), and "Mademoiselle Hyde" by Lara Fabian.

Thank you all for reading and we hope you enjoy it! Remember, feedback is always appreciated greatly!