Malakai
Sesus Malakai stood before the looking glass. He surveyed his reflection, looking for even the tiniest flaw. He smoothed his flame-red hair back and adjusted his school uniform. Red hair, he knew, was a sign of his good breeding.
In one swift motion he shattered the mirror.
He clenched his fists, trying desperately to control his anger. "Good breeding," they said. What use was it? He had been judged unworthy of the blessing of the Elemental Dragons. His "good breeding" was worthless.
He had already reached his fifteenth birthday and he had not yet Exalted. He knew that almost no one reached Exaltation at his age. He, Malakai of house Sesus, direct descendant of the Scarlet Empress herself, had been judged unworthy of becoming one of the Dragon-Blooded. He had failed both himself, and his family.
He didn't understand why he hadn't been chosen. When he had first arrived at primary school at the age of eight, people had taken notice of him. All of the instructors were certain that he was destined for great things. Where we walked, people stood aside. When he spoke, people listened. He was far beyond his age group in all of his lessons. He excelled at swordplay, at military strategy, and in all of his scholarly studies. He had been exactly what his family wanted, exactly what was demanded of him. He had been perfect.
But one year had passed, and then another, and then another, and his Exaltation never came. He watched other students become Dragon-Blooded. He watched even more students leave the school as mortals, as failures.
He couldn't bear the thought of being one of them, small and insignificant.
As a mortal he would live only decades, not the centuries he desired. His strength would be nothing. He would be given little power or responsibility. No matter how skilled he proved himself to be, no matter how brave, or cunning, he would still be nothing.
His parents had come to visit him at the school a few weeks ago. It was the first time he had seen them in years. They had both stood there, proud, powerful, fire aspect Dragon-Blooded. They had told him that he still had time, there had even been one young dynast that had Exalted at the graduation ceremony. But even as they spoke he could see the disappointment in their eyes, and the reproach. He was pathetic. He had failed them.
A few months ago another students from his dormitory had become Dragon-Blooded. Starfall Steel was a patrician of an exceptionally wealthy family, and the closest thing Malakai had to a friend. Now Steel had joined the Dragon-Blooded of the earth aspect, and Malakai was left to his own misery.
Malakai couldn't even begin to comprehend why a patrician had been chosen over a dynast, but such was the way of the elemental dragons, and he could do nothing.
"Kai?" a voice called, "Kai, are you there? You'll be late for the morning exercises."
Malakai jerked back to alertness. He turned to see who had addressed him. It was one of the children of house Cynis, another that had been judged unworthy. He searched his memory for her name, but it didn't come. She stood at the doorway, watching him anxiously. Her eyes were reddened and slightly puffy, as if she had been crying. Yesterday one of her family members had come to speak with her. From what little Malakai had heard of the discussion, they had not taken her failure well. That she had shed tears was another disgrace, but she had done so only in private, so it could be overlooked.
Malakai had no love for house Cynis and their hedonistic ways, but he felt sympathy for this one. She, of all people, must understand what it meant to fail. He smiled at her kindly, his own rage finally melting away. "I thank you, my lady. I will be along in a moment." He said with a nod.
She smiled at him, changing her features from pretty to striking. She looked much better when she smiled, he decided. He would like to see her smile more often. Her gaze darted down to his hand, and then to the mirror behind him. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You're bleeding!" she said as she rushed to into the dormitory to look at his hand.
He looked down at the blood on his hand, noticing, for the first time, that he had cut it when he had struck the mirror. He quickly moved his arm away from his shirt so that he wouldn't stain his uniform.
The girl took his hand in hers and examined the cut. He looked at her in shock. "You aren't allowed in here!" he exclaimed, "This is a boys dormitory!"
She looked up at him, her intense green eyes meeting his black ones. "I won't tell anyone if you won't." She said as she turned to look for something in the drawers under the mirror. She came back up with a small cedar box containing bandages. He watched as she cleaned his wound with careful precision, and then bandaged it.
He flexed his hand, it hurt slightly, but the pain was easily ignored. He looked up at her to thank her, but before he could she grabbed his arm and pulled him along with her. "Hurry," she said. "We'll be late." They ran past the row of beds that filled the dorm and out the door. They sprinted into the hallway and from there into the sun-filled courtyard. Most of the other human students were already assembled; the Dragon-Blooded students had separate exercise yards and dormitories.
Malakai joined the boys of his age group in the back row, and the girl went to join the other females. Malakai found himself standing next to serious looking Jattere, a son of house Mnemon. He turned to the boy and addressed him. "Do you know that girls name?" he asked, gesturing towards the Cynis daughter. "The one with the brown hair?"
Jattere turned to look at the girl for a moment and then looked back at Malakai. "I think her name is Cynis Dalla." He replied carefully.
Malakai thanked him and then turned to look at the front of the yard. Strange, the instructor wasn't there yet. His gaze wandered back toward Dalla. She was standing at perfectly disciplined attention. Her uniform and hair were perfectly neat. Perhaps he could convince his family to make a bid for her hand? She was not a Dragon-Blooded, but she was of very good breeding. Perhaps his parents would not be entirely opposed to a marriage? That thought improved his mood somewhat.
"I wonder who they are." The Mnemon boy said, taking Malakai thoughts away from Dalla.
Malakai followed his gaze up to the wall surrounding the courtyard and noticed for the first time that there were strangers watching them. He mentally admonished himself for being so oblivious. He looked over the figures. Some of them seemed to be carrying Elemental Jade weapons or wearing Elemental Jade armor, and one at least, was wearing the robes of a monk of the Immaculate Order. This startled Malakai more then a little. What reason would a group of Dragon-Blooded, much less monks of the Immaculate Order, possibly have for visiting The School of Gainful Learning? Furthermore, what reason would they possibly have for watching the unExalted students? Malakai frowned bitterly.
"That one is a monk of the Immaculate Order." Malakai told Jattere cautiously.
At that statement Jattere's eyes widened in excitement. "That's not just a monk!" he exclaimed excitedly "Look at their insignia! That's the Wyld Hunt! Do you think they're here hunting Anathema?"
Malakai's eyes widened in surprise and he shrugged his shoulders. The Wyld Hunt, the tool of the Immaculate Order sent to track down and destroy the demonic Anathema. Once these were the greatest warriors in the entire realm. As a small child he had seen them corner and destroy one of the Unclean, a type of Anathema. They had been perfect, working in wondrous synchronization. He had known then that this was the role he wanted, to become Dragon-Blooded, to defend the Empire from the Anathema. But those thoughts only brought him back to what he was now, a failure.
Malakai fought back his ever-present rage. For as long as he could remember he had struggled to remain in control of himself, fighting down an all consuming anger, but over the last few months it had grow worse, threatening to over come his control.
Malakai looked up, Mnemon Jattere, was watching the Hunters with something akin to hero-worship. Malakai looked them over; he had heard rumors that the Wyld Hunt was practically falling apart, unable to successfully hunt down the emerging Anathema, but until now he had just discarded those rumors as stories told to frighten children. Now, as he looked at the group that surrounded the yard, he became certain that the rumors were true. Some of them looked like Dragon-Blooded, but only one of them looked like a monk, and the rest certainly did not look like they lived up what he expected of the Wyld Hunt. That they had mortals in their number was telling enough, and greatly disturbing.
Malakai turned his head and noticed that the monk was looking at him. He met the man's intense gaze for a moment and then looked away. He did not want to be accused of being impertinent towards his betters. Malakai clenched his fists unconsciously.
"Look up," he head Jattere say, "Something's happening"
Malakai looked to where Jattere was pointing. All of the schools instructors were walking onto the platform at the front of the yard. That was another thing out of the ordinary. He gazed over the group of assembled teachers. In as long as he had studied at this school, he had never seen them assemble thus.
The school's dominie, an unpleasantly prune-like old human woman, strode to the front of the students. Her voice rang out over them "Today is a special day," she began, "Today we have visitors from the Immaculate Order." Malakai listened, he thought he detected a trace of a tremor in her voice. "I hope that you will all show them the proper respect…" she continued, but Malakai tuned her out. Something was very wrong. He couldn't quite understand what it was, but for some reason a maddening panic was slowly rising inside of him. He was starting to feel dizzy, and the sun was very hot on his back and neck. He felt his pulse quicken, and his breathing become irregular. Small beads of perspiration were beginning to break out on his forehead. One of the teachers was watching him. Malakai looked at the man. He was the philosophy instructor; Malakai had taken many of the classes he taught, he liked him. He desperately tried to clear his mind so that he could listen to what was being said, but couldn't.
"There will be no morning exercise today. You are all dismissed and you may return to you dormitories, save those of you who are in your last year of study. Our guests wish to have a word with you." The dominie's voice rang out, cutting through Malakai's dizziness. As the other students filed out of the courtyard muttering to themselves, Malakai managed to clear his head a little. He steadied himself a bit and then strode forth with his classmates towards the platform where the Dragon-Blooded visitors were now assembling. The feeling of panic was rising inside of him again. He was starting to feel cold, but the sunlight on his back was oddly comforting.
He looked back up to the platform. Strange, the philosophy instructor wasn't there anymore. Where had he gone? One of the Hunters was walking to the front of the platform. Malakai heard the man begin to speak. The man's voice was oddly clear, despite the haze that seemed to have descended over Malakai's mind.
"I am going to entrust you with very important information. My companions have decided that you are probably mature enough to handle this well." His voice was filled with scorn, as if it was hardly likely. "We have, of course, already informed the Dragon-Blooded students of what I am about to tell you. They at least, I am certain are more then capable of keeping calm." The man stopped for a moment, his eyes locked on to Malakai's face. Malakai desperately tried to overcome the quickly growing panic. "We are here hunting an Anathema." The man said. Malakai heard his classmates startled exclamations, but could not understand them. He was reeling. The word Anathema echoed inside of his mind over and over again. The man was speaking again, but Malakai couldn't understand a word he was saying. There was a noise in his ears, as if everything he had ever heard, every shouted command, every whispered word, was being screamed back at him. It filled his mind, a hundred maddening, overlapping voices. His body was filled with an all-consuming pain, as if his soul was being torn away. He looked up. The man had stopped speaking and was looking at him. Everyone was looking at him. The students that had been standing closest to him were slowly backing away. Someone else was saying something now, but he didn't know what. He felt himself start to fall, and then…
*******
Everything was silent. The pain was gone. Malakai tried to stand up but found that he couldn't. Or maybe he was already standing? He couldn't tell. He felt as if he was floating. The fear was gone, he felt perfectly at peace for the first time in his life. He opened his eyes, but there was nothing but a burning white brilliance. He shut them again as quickly as he could. There was someone, something, standing in front of him, but he couldn't bear to look at it.
The figure approached him slowly. He could feel, rather then see its presence. He felt strong arms wrap around him, pulling him into an embrace. It felt so good that he wanted to cry.
Calm yourself, little one. The being's voice said into his ear. It was a sound that was both a thunderous roar, and the softest of whispers. A great burden has been placed on you this day.
What are you? He wanted to ask, but could not find his voice.
The being seemed to hear him, even though he never spoke. I am the one who has both created, and chosen you. I am your father, Malakai, its voice echoed in his mind.
Where am I?
You are with me. Soon I will return you to the world. There will be those who will try to destroy you. Know that you are greater then they. Have faith in the gifts that I have given you.
Malakai felt the being begin to move away. He didn't want it to leave him.
Please! Who are you? His mind screamed.
He felt it take his face in its hand. I am the one who created all that there is. I am the great one who has been forgotten. I turned my back on all of creation, and all of my children. Now I have come to tell you that I regret the choices I made. I forgive you child, you and all of your brothers and sisters.
Forgive me?
Yes, go now, and do my will.
But I don't understand what you want from me!
You will. You will understand. And tell them; tell them that I forgive them.
*******
Malakai felt himself start to fall, but he caught himself before he hit the ground. He looked up and saw his classmates backing away from him. He stood up and straitened his back. He felt… wondrous, powerful. He started to look around. A brilliant gold and silver light was radiating from his skin, taking form above him into a massive armored giant with silver-feathered wings springing from its back. Someone screamed. Malakai turned, it was Dalla. She was looking at something behind him, terrified. Malakai turned to see what it was that had frightened her, but there was nothing there. He looked back at her. She wasn't looking behind him; she was looking at him. He didn't understand. Why would she fear him?
Then he heard them, the cries of "Anathema!" and "Blasphemer". The supernatural calm that had descended on him melted away. He was terrified. He was an Anathema. He turned. The Wyld Hunt was advancing on him. How could he stand a chance against the righteous might of the Dragon-Blooded? He was only a child!
"So you have chosen to reveal yourself Anathema." Malakai turned. It was the man who had been speaking before. "That was easier then I thought it would be," the man muttered to himself. He was carrying a black jade daiklave and advancing upon Malakai with the rest of the Hunt. "Surrender, and your death will be painless!"
"But I haven't done anything!" Malakai called out. They were surrounding him. He didn't have anywhere to run to.
The man, the leader of the Hunt leered at him. "You have made pacts with demons! You are Anathema!"
"Demons?" Malakai didn't remember any demons, only the being, but that couldn't possibly have been a demon. No demon could ever have made him feel so safe, so wonderful. Unless that was what it meant to be Anathema?
There will be those who will try to destroy you. Know that you are greater then they. Have faith in the gifts that I have given you.
What use was faith? If only he had a sword, then he might have a chance. And then he did have a sword. It seemed to form out of nothingness; coalescing into a blade of pure golden light. His opponent seemed to take this as a sign of aggression, because he charged to attack.
But I haven't done anything! Malakai's fear turned to anger as he moved forward to intercept the blow. Why are they attacking? I haven't done anything! The Dragon-Blooded swung his weapon and Malakai parried it with unnatural ease, throwing his attacker off balance. The Dragon-Blooded backed up, and a deep blue glow began to emanate from him, making water-like patterns in the air. Malakai heard the sound of waves.
His opponent began to circle him. Malakai held off confused. Something wasn't right. On instinct he ducked as a Grimcleaver cut over his head. He brought his own weapon up and gutted his attacker. It was a fatal blow, even to a Dragon-Blooded, and the man collapsed into a growing pool of blood. Malakai turned, just in time to stop an attack from another Hunter. All around him their anima banners were flaring up. He heard the sounds of thunder, of bonfires, and of crashing waves.
Malakai knew that he wouldn't survive this. He seemed capable of handling them one on one, but the strength of the Dragon-Blooded was at its greatest when they worked in unison. He needed to run, but couldn't find anyway to escape. He was in a walled yard, and even if he could escape this area, he would never make it out of the massive school compound itself.
The leader attacked him again. Malakai sidestepped the move and spun around, swinging his blade in an essence laden arch. He felt it cut through black jade armor, and then flesh. Something hit the ground with a sickening thump, followed by a louder clanging sound of a falling, armored body. Before Malakai could turn to see what he had done, something struck him in the back. He stumbled. The blow had felt like it had not only cracked his ribs, but drained away his life essence as well.
Malakai dodged another blow, and turned to look at this new attacker. It was the Immaculate monk he had seen earlier. He was regarding Malakai with calm, but determined eyes. He had his hands out in front of him, weaponless, but no doubt more then ready to attack.
Malakai started trying to back away through the gap he had created when he defeated the least opponent, but the circle was closing around him again. He was tired and felt oddly drained, and he had no where to run. Then a light exploded in front of him leaving him unharmed, but throwing the Dragon-Blooded back like rag dolls.
Malakai didn't stop to ponder his good fortune, he just ran passed them. At some point during the battle, the courtyard had been cleared of students. Malakai was grateful for that. He didn't want to risk hurting anyone with what he was about to do. He slammed into one of the courtyard's outer walls, using all of his strength and essence. He felt the bricks give way pushed though the wall. He landed in a heap on the other side and didn't stop to think before running off. He had to find somewhere to hide.
He ran through corridor after corridor. He had no idea where to run to but didn't dare stop moving for fear of being found by the Dragon-Blooded hunters. As he stopped to catch his breath, someone slammed into him and placed a hand over his mouth. Malakai started to struggle but a voice whispered "Quiet, I'm a friend." He was still scared nearly senseless, but then he heard it.
Trust him.