Callum stood on a strange pinnacle amongst a fierce thunderstorm. Thunder roared before him and rain, wind and lightning danced aggressively before him. Yet, it didn't terrified him one bit. Instead, he was enthralled by the storm, watching the lightning as it flashed before him and the rain and wind danced around him. As he watches, he felt something, an urge to do something. What is it he does not know, but, eventually, he stopped trying to ignore the urge and began to spread out his arms as if they were wings.
But before he could do anything else, Callum heard some sounds coming up from behind him. He turned to see a baby Sky dragon, his half-brother, Ezran, a female Moonshadow elf about his age, six adult Moonshadow elves, one female and five males, a female Skywing elf, a Sun dragon, older than the young Sky dragon, and lastly, another Skywing elf, an adult male with a staff with metal plates resembling wings surrounding a glowing stone.
The young Sky dragon came right up to Callum and stood up on his hind legs while putting his two paws on his legs for a bit, before the teenager picked him up and bring him up to his chest.
Callum looked at the dragon's bright blue eyes, before turning his gaze towards Ezran, the two elven girls, the adult Moonshadow elves, Soren, the older dragon, and the elven mage with a smile. While he give everyone else a good gaze, his gaze towards the Skywing elf was much longer than expected as the elf gazed back at him with a smile of his own. For a moment, there was only silence between the two before the elf finally spoke.
"You too can be a great guardian one day."
Suddenly, Callum let a gasp as he opened his eyes, and then he lifted himself up and looked around as he took a few shallow breaths. Instead of the pinnacle, he was in his room and outside the windows, a thunderstorm was raging on, creating thunder and lightning in its wake. He looked down at the open book underneath him and realized he must have fallen asleep while he was reading it. It was a book telling stories of the legendary Guardians of Xadia, a group of draconic and elven warriors sworn to protect Xadia. Callum and his younger brother loved listening to the stories about them, since they were little. He even read them to Ez before he could talk.
With the dream still fresh in his mind, Callum read the page he was on very quietly as he didn't want to wake up Ezran who was sleeping in his own space next to Callum's which was divided from Ez's by a single door in the wall. So, the brothers do share a bedroom, but only technically.
"Not long before the founding of Katolis, an Startouch elven archmage whose name has been long purged from history had went on a crusade against his fellow elves and the dragons, claiming the elves and dragons are cruel and arrogant. His methods were harsh, brutal, and deadly and every way he went, he laid waste, killing those he despised the most, leaders who followed their kinds' ways whom he viewed as stagnant and demonstrative of their kind's arrogance and large sense of superiority."
"All would have been lost if it weren't for the Guardians of Xadia rising up against this threat once they learned of it. They have sworn an oath to protect Xadia and all who live in it. So, upon learning of the elven archmage and his reign of terror, they came out from the Storm spire to meet and confront the elf in a final battle, a battle whose name is best never spoken to any elf or dragon. The battle was fierce and both sides fought fiercely for the archmage has great power and mastery of all six primal sources and appears to have the advantage over his foes. When it seemed all hope is lost, King Avizandum, leader of the guardians, with the help of other archdragons and archmages, successfully defeated the elf and imprisoned in another dimension behind a magic mirror meant to protect Xadia from elf himself, for Avizandum knew that the elf archmage is responsible for another crime he committed long ago and has been waiting for the perfect moment to punish him for said crime once he found out."
"Despite the Guardians' victory over the archmage, however, another Startouch elf had a vision that one day, he will return. But, she was ignored for everyone else, expect for the guardians, is confident that the archmage will be imprisoned forever and forgotten as his name and actions are erased from the history books. Feeling bitter upon returning to her home, the elf seer was greeted by a different vision: a new Guardian, not elf or dragon, will appear and will be the first of his kind to become a Guardian of Xadia. Surprised, the elf seer told the guardians her vision and they listened and eversince, they waited for the new guardian to appear, even believing he'll be their last hope against the archmage if he did indeed returned just as his fellow Startouch, the seer, predicted."
Not long after Callum finished reading, a flash of thunder roared fiercely, surprising both the boy and Ezran who jumped up in alarm.
"Callum!" Ezran exclaimed in surprise.
"It's okay, Ezran. It's just a thunderstorm." Callum said, sitting up. "Nothing to be afraid of. Go back to sleep."
"I wasn't scared." Ezran said defensively as he curled back into bed with his pet glow toad, Bait. Bait disagreed and turned red before turning back into his usual yellow color as he went back to sleep as well.
Confident that Ezran is asleep once again, Callum wondered if he should get back to sleep as well. But then, he remembered his dream, especially the part where the Skywing elf had said he'll be a great guardian one day. Not helping with this is that he reminded of it upon reading the part in his book about the vision of a new guardian appearing that is not an elf or a dragon and that he'll be the first of his kind to become a guardian of Xadia.
Unable to think of any other option, Callum decided to draw. Drawing always soothes him and it's one of the only things he's actually good at. Once he's at his art desk, Callum drew out the only two creatures who could become a new Guardian of Xadia and be the first of their kind to become one. The first was himself as he can do primal magic, instead of dark magic. The second was a unicorn, gentle and compassionate creatures who were the only ones with the power to help humans with their magic and actually used it back in the old times. Because of this, unicorns are more highly regarded than the elves and dragons by humans, even up to the point that some humans successfully convinced the horned horselike creatures into hiding when dark magic came about as unicorn horns are the most sought out prize for dark mages.
If there is any creature with a higher chance of becoming a new Guardian of Xadia that isn't a elf or dragon than himself, it would be a unicorn if it weren't for the fact the unicorns themselves are still in hiding because of dark mages.
As Callum drew, he felt calmer and calmer and it didn't take long until he became tired and sleepy again.
(~)
The next morning, King Harrow smiled to himself as he walked out into the courtyard where his two sons once again playing 'Guardians of Xadia', with his ward, Prince Kasef of Neolandia, watching with disinterest as usual. Although this time, as he is quick to notice, it was different.
Sure once again, Callum was playing the guardian and Ezran was playing the elf archmage from the boys' favourite story about the guardians. But, not only was Callum not pretending to be a elven or dragon guardian as usual, he was pretending to be a unicorn instead, complete with a fake unicorn horn on his forehead and held in place with string around his head, a band with blue horse ears, and a white fluffy fake horse tail. Ezran was also different as he is playing the elven archmage, complete with a replica of the mage's robes that fit the young prince just right and fake antler-like horns, as if he was returned and back for revenge against those who imprisoned for his crimes instead of going on a crusade against his fellow elves and dragons as well.
"My horn, as sharp as any sword, is upon you, archmage! Your days of seeking your revenge are over!" Callum said, using his fake horn as a sword.
"Not so fast! You have no idea how great my anger towards the others for imprisoning me is." Ezran said, repeatedly dodging his brother's sword swings.
"Perhaps, but I'm the first of my kind to become a Guardian of Xadia, the first unicorn guardian." Callum said confidently. "And like others before me, I have sworn an oath to make strong the weak, mend the broken, and vanquish evil."
"Oh, you know the oath very well. Don't you, unicorn guardian?" Ezran said in his best evil sounding voice.
"Yeah, that's right, archmage. I know it well from heart and I know I can live up to it."
"If this is true, then let's see if your precious oath will protect from the greatest archmage of all time! Roar!" Ezran said, charging towards Callum who quickly dodged his brother's initial charge and Ezran ended up falling flat in his face. Callum laugh a bit at his brother's fall, but Ezran wasn't amused. He got up and tried to charge at his brother four more times, only for Callum to dodge him again and again, with Ezran falling or almost falling every single time. When Ezran tried to charged at Callum for the fifth time, the older boy, while dodging his brother once again, summoned a rune and shouted "Aspiro!" and blasted a gust of wind at Ezran, causing him to fall over on his back, breaking one of the fake horns he was wearing in the process.
"Callum! You're a unicorn, remember?" Ezran exclaimed. "You're a creature of the Stars, not the Sky."
"Oops! Sorry, Ez. I guess I just felt the need to do Aspiro again." Callum said, sheepishly.
"Alright, boys." King Harrow said, coming towards his sons while chuckling. "Which Guardians are you two playing this time? It doesn't look like 'war of the archmage'."
"We were playing what the prophecy of the arrival of the new Guardian of Xadia was like if it was coming true." Ezran said.
"Really? Why did you two decided to do that?" King Harrow asked.
"Callum had a dream last night that a Skywing elf told he'll be a great guardian one day."
Earlier this morning, Ezran had awoken to see his brother sleeping on his art desk and saw the picture he drew last night, then he woke up Callum to ask him about said picture, which he did successfully with Callum surprised to see his little brother next to him, then asking him why he is sleeping on his art desk and about his latest drawing. Shortly afterwards, Callum explained to Ezran about the dream he had last night and how he draw his new picture after having the dream and reading about the archmage who was imprisoned long ago and the prophecy against the new guardian that will appear one day and that they are the first of their kind to become a guardian of Xadia, which Callum thinks is either himself or, as Callum thinks is more likely, a unicorn. Ezran thinks this is great as he thinks Callum can be a Guardian of Xadia himself as he can do sky magic for real, but Callum didn't think so as he thinks the elves and dragons probably won't accept a primal human mage as they think of humans as lesser beings. Not to mention, Callum isn't too good at fighting with any weapons and armour. Although a little sad at first, Ezran came up with an idea that the two brothers should play what the prophecy would be like it it came true with the new guardian being a unicorn. After thinking about it for a bit, Callum decided to go with it and thus, the boys head to the courtyard to play 'Guardians of Xadia" again. When Kasef came and saw the brothers playing their game, he asked what guardian story they were playing this time and they explained they're playing the prophecy about the new guardian and ask him if he can play with them. Kasef declined as usual and watched them instead, hoping their game would just end so they can all have breakfast.
"A dream, you say?" King Harrow asked, intrigued. "What was this dream of yours like, Callum?"
"Well," Callum said, "I was on a pinnacle in the the midst of a thunderstorm and Ezran was in it and there two dragons, a baby one and an adult one, and nine elves in it as well, and one of them, a Skywing elf man, said to me that I'll be a great guardian one day. I'm not sure why I have that dream or what it does it mean."
"Interesting." Harrow said, interested "How about we talk about it and try to think what it meant at breakfast?"
"Your Highness, please. Anything but the Guardians of Xadia. I had more than enough of them and I'm not especially interested in a dream about Callum potentially becoming one thanks to his magic." Kasef protested.
"Now, now, Kasef. Remember, they are my boys and as my ward, you're a guest here in Katolis. So, please be nice."
Kasef rolled his eyes. He was the crown prince of Neolandia and the eldest son of its ruler, King Ahling. The king sent his son to Katolis to be King Harrow's ward a year ago to learn how to be king from Harrow, an arrangement the man myself agreed to as he and Ahling were close. Before Kasef's arrival to Katolis, Ahling had warned Harrow that that his eldest son is very childish in many ways, like he still fights back about eating his vegetables, doesn't know many big words, is full of hatred for things he doesn't understand and likes, and doesn't like hearing stories about the Guardians of Xadia, although he used to like them when he was younger. Because of this, he didn't like Callum and Ezran playing "Guardians of Xadia" and had tried to get them to stop and grow up, which the brothers find hypocritical as Kasef himself isn't exactly grown up mentally himself, despite being 19 years old. Before that, he was also annoyed with his younger siblings playing the same game and tried to get them stop, but failed miserably since they too find it hypocritical of him for the same reason as Callum and Ezran.
Not to mention, when Callum first meet Kasef as a kid, he thought he would be like Soren, captain of the crownguard, as he reminded him of the blond boy, only to be proven wrong when he and Ezran really got to know Kasef all too well.
"I'm trying to, King Harrow, but it just Prince Callum and Prince Ezran won't stop playing the Guardians and hearing stories about them." Kasef complained.
"Now, Kasef, there's nothing wrong hearing stories and playing them out, for they are a part of our culture and our history. We learn from them." Harrow said.
"Even after the 700th time, we learn from them?" Kasef asked impatiently.
"Yes, even then." Harrow said, "Unless, you already know all there is of our history."
"We know the Guardians are waiting for the new one to appear and maybe help them in their fight against the elven archmage if he escapes from his prison." Callum said.
"Prince Callum, it is just a story." Kasef said, annoyed.
"It is not!" Ezran exclaimed in anger.
"Here we go again." Harrow sighed in exasperation.
"I mean, Your Majesty, have you ever seen a Guardian?" Kaself asked.
At this, Harrow's jolly mood turned to sorrowful, then turned away, sighing, seemingly unwilling to answer his ward's question. After a few moments, the king spoke, "I did one twice, Kasef, but the circumstances of the meeting about us were those I do not wish to talk about for they brought me painful memories, memories I wish to bury, and yet, they keep on coming again and again as they are refusing to be forgotten, no matter hard I have tried. All you need to know for now, Kasef, is just because you can't seen something doesn't mean it isn't real. It's like feeling something with your heart and through our hearts, the voices of the ages whispered to us and tell us what's right."
Callum and Ezran's sparkled at their father's words, yet are saddened by his sad tone.
"Alright, I think I get it." Kasef said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "But, can we now get some breakfast? I've been waiting for it almost all morning."
"You're right, Kasef. We should have some breakfast." Harrow agreed, "After that, Ezran go off for his lessons for today, while Callum will do his training session with Soren."
Both brothers didn't like the sound of that. They both dreaded and hated their study and training session times because their teachers are often a little harsh towards them or, in Callum's case, with Soren a bit of a bully to him. But, even they knew better than to complain.
So, the Katolian royal family and Kasef went off to get some breakfast.
"Callum, do you think the elven archmage will really return?" Ezran asked as he walked alongside Callum.
"You remember." Calum said as he took off his fake horn, ears and tail. "It was the battle against him. The Guardians did everything they could to stop the elf, yet he seemed to have the advantage. Things look dark. Then, the king of the dragons with the help of his allies defeated and imprisoned him in another dimension behind a magic mirror. The Guardians were victorious! Xadia was peaceful once more. Then, the Guardians all return to their respective homes, including the Storm Spire, home of the dragon monarchs. Yet, it was prophesied that the archmage will one day return."
Ezran looked scared at his brother's words about the archmage's future return for a moment.
"Stop!" Kasef exclaimed, startling the two brothers. "You're going to give your brother nightmares."
"But this is my favourite part!" Ezran shout back.
"I know. I heard it like a thousand times." Kasef rolled his eyes. "Like you have a soft head, Prince Callum. I think your parents filled it with stories and dreams."
"There's nothing wrong with dreams." Callum said.
"Well, that's the difference between us, Prince Callum." Kasef said. "I have mine while I'm asleep. Yet, you have your when you're awake."
Callum felt stunned for a moment at the mention of his dream. Luckily, Ezran snapped him out of it.
"Callum, dad says our dreams are who we are." Callum nodded in agreement and wrap his arm around his little brother. Yet, thoughts of his dreams came back to him as he heard the Skywing elf's words towards him echo in his mind.
You too can be a great guardian one day.
(~)
After his study time is up, Ezran crawled down a tunnel towards the kitchen with Bait at his side as usual to get some jelly tarts. They have done this almost everyday since they were both really little. Eventually, the two friends found the grate that led to the kitchen where the head chef, Barius, was taking out a batch of freshly baked jelly tarts out of the oven. Bait ave out a croak. "Bait, shh." Ezran whispered to the glow toad, then pushed and slide the grate to the side. He crawled onto the floor and watched as Barius walked away from the freshly baked goods.
Ezran grinned as he sneaked over to the jelly tarts and reached his hand out for one.
"Prince Ezran!" Barius shouted from beside Ezran, then chuckled menacingly. "I caught you!"
Ezran quickly withdrew his hand, put both hands behind his back and smiled innocently. "I was just admiring them."
"Oh? with your hands?" Barius asked, skeptically.
"Yeah. They look amazing."
"Well, they are amazing, and they are not for you! Or your little monster, Bait."
Suddenly, a jelly tart got snatched up by a long, sticky tongue and Barius turned to see Bait sitting a counter behind him. "Do you just-" the chef stammered.
"You can tell by his eyes he's innocent." Ezran smiled, while Bait gave out innocent eyes.
Barius turned back to see the prince with a tart in his hand, about to put it in his mouth. "Are you kidding me? I'm standing right here."
At that very moment, three more tarts got snatched by the same tongue, "Hey!"
The chef turned to see Bait with innocent eyes again, but with his cheeks puffed out from the jelly tarts. The glow toad croaked at him, then jumped away when Barius tried to grab him and run off with remarkable speed for a creature of his stature.
Meanwhile, left alone, Ezran scooped up a whole tray of jelly tarts before he crawled back into the tunnel and closed it behind him. He later catched up with Bait after he escaped Barius and the two went out to find Callum.
(~)
Callum hated his training sessions with Soren. He is bad with sword fighting as he is clumsy with the sword, awkward, thin, and somewhat wimpy, not exactly qualities one would see in a warrior, but it was his "princely duty" and King Harrow thought it would be good for Callum to train under the wing of someone close his age.
"Prince Callum, today we focus on the art of-" Soren began to before Callum interrupted him.
"Art. Finally something I'm good at." Callum said cockily as he removed his sketchbook and dropped to the side. Soren narrowed his eyes, clearly not amused by the prince's attempt at humour. "Sorry, sorry. Won't interrupt again. Please, uh, continue, Soren."
"The art of defence is critical in sword fighting." Soren demonstrated with perfect precision and timing by waving his wooden sword. "Parrying is about angle, motion and anticipation. Misjudge your opponent and it over." Soren empathized his point by poking Callum on the head very hard. "You ready?" Soren asked, handing his wooden sword to Callum, only for him to drop it for the prince to pick up.
"Uh, I'm gonna have to say 'no'."
"Great. Let's do this." Soren said unenthusiastically as he pulled out a wooden sword of his own. He took a position, opposite to the prince. Then, Callum cleared his throat and held up his sword firmly in front of him.
"I am a Guardian of Xadia. From this day forward, I dedicate my life-"
"Reciting the Guardians' oath again, Prince Callum?"
Callum turned to see Kasef with a scowl on his face and his arms crossed.
"Prince Kasef, what are you doing?" Soren asked, before joking, "Came to pretend that you're a Guardian like Callum here is right now?"
"No, I came to see if Prince Callum's sword fighting has approved since the last time." Kasef said seriously, before turning to Callum. "Instead, I find you reciting the oath like you're a Guardian yourself again. I thought I said I had more of enough of them this morning."
"I can't help it, Prince Kasef. I felt more confident whenever I say like it spoke to me in a way I couldn't understand."
"Really? Is that why you always recite it? Even though, I told you many times before that you don't have to recite it. Every. Single. Time." Soren said with a irritated growl. He never understand the prince obsession with the oath. He wasn't a guardian himself, especially since he wasn't a elf or dragon.
"Actually, there was a prophecy that a new guardian, neither an elf or dragon, will appear one day and be the first of their kind to become one. It came about after-" Callum stopped when he saw Soren pretending to have fallen asleep where he stood and crossed his arms in annoyance. Soren opened one eye, than straightened himself up.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, but it would take more than some oath to make you a real Guardian, especially since you can sky magic without a primal stone. That is, if the Guardians would let you join them." Soren said in a teasing matter. He liked stories of the Guardians when he was younger, but finds Callum and Ezran's obsession with them almost as annoying as Kasef does. "Besides, why would you pretend to be one of a group of warriors who are creatures who banished humans from Xadia after excluding them from their oath after including them when it was created long ago?"
Callum ignored him and resumed the oath.
"I am a Guardian of Xadia. From this day forward, I dedicate my life to the protection of Xadia. I shall not swerve in my duty. I shall support my brother and sister guardians in times of battle as well as times of peace. I am the eyes in the Stars, the wings that carry on in the Sky. I am the talons that burn bright like the sun, the shield like guards and nurtures the innocent like the Earth, the force that appears and disappears like the Moon and crashes and drowns any enemy like the raging Ocean. I shall wear no crown nor win any glory. And all these things I do swear upon my honor as a Guardian of Xadia until my days on this world cease to be. This will be my life. By Draco, I do swear."
"Not bad. Now, let's see if you can apply that same attitude with the sword." Soren said, clapping his hands, before assuming a position opposite to Callum. The prince held up his sword, but Soren easily knocked him down by blocking him and poking him in the chest. "Perry, perry, perry, you're dead."
Callum picked up his sword and tried again, but Soren blocked him again and bonked him on the head. "Perry, perry, you're dead."
When Callum tried to pick up his sword, Soren swung his wooden sword at Callum's and bonked him on the head again. "Perry, dead."
"Ouch!" Callum exclaimed and rubbed his head. "Really? Are you sure? Even if I was wearing armour?"
"Even if you are wearing the rarest legendary armour forged by Sunfire elves and the fiercest battleclaws ever made... super dead." Soren said in a cocky matter. "I told you it would take more than an oath to make you a guardian."
"I'm terrible at this." Callum said.
"Yep, but you have to practise anyway, because that's what's expected of a prince. Or a-" Soren said as he helped Callum up.
"Step-prince, I get it." Callum narrowed his eyes in annoyance. Then, he, Soren, and Kasef saw Claudia, Soren's sister, walking by while intensely reading a book with her trusty satchel at her side, attached to a strap over her left shoulder. Callum looked at her with a look of longing. She was so focused on her book that she didn't see the tree on her path.
"Hey, your sister. She's gonna walk right into that-" Callum said, but Soren shushed him while putting his finger on the prince's lips. Claudia continued to unknowingly walk right to the tree before Callum called out her name.
"Claudia!" The sound of Callum's voice broke her concentration and looked to see Callum and waved to him.
"Oh! Hi Callum!"
Callum waved back to Claudia. "You're no fun." Soren said in an annoyed voice.
"Is this new?" Claudia asked pointing to the tree with her thumb.
"Relatively new. It's only been there for 300 years." Callum said, laughing nervously. Claudia laughed before sitting down to continue her reading.
"Hey, can we try again?" Callum asked, "I think I can do it now." The two boys took up their positions, swords at the ready. Soren attacked first, but Callum blocked him three times and then let out a dramatic battle cry and swinged his sword at Soren's feet, but the older boy stopped him by stepping his foot on the tip of Callum's sword as it was being swung.
"What was that?"
"I don't know." Callum said, trying to yack his sword from Soren's foot. "Uh, I was trying to... sweep the leg."
"That's not a thing in sword fighting." Soren said, then turned towards his sister still reading.
"Oh," Soren said, chuckling. "I see what's going on here." Soren took his foot off of Callum's sword and the prince falled back.
"Don't worry." Soren said, taking up a position. "I'll help. You come at me, this time."
Smiling, Callum did another dramatic battlecry, charged up to Soren, swung his sword at Soren's sword and did a fake stab at Soren's side. Soren fall back dramatically, pretending to be hurt while holding Callum's sword to his side.
"Oh! Oh, I am stabbed! Oh, by the stab-prince! Lord Stabbington! Why! Spurt! Spurt!"
Callum cockily smiled at Soren's dramatic acting, happy with his performance, then turned to Claudia.
"Nice work, Callum" Claudia laughed, impressed by Callum's performance. "Oh, he deserves it."
"Now with that out of the way, perhaps I can show you show a prince does sword fighting for real." kasef said, picking up Callum's sword. "That is, if your friend is willing to do it with me."
"No problem, Prince Kasef. I always find it fun to do it with the crown prince of Noodleloodia." Soren said, getting up while becoming excited.
Kasef sighed in exasperation, "I told you before. It's Neolandia."
"Uh, yeah! That's exactly what I have just said. Noodleloodia."
Kasef looked at Soren, still exasperated at the guard's mispronunciation of his homeland's name. "Whatever. Let's just do this."
"Alright then. You're on." Soren said as the two older boys get into sword fighting positions, opposite of each other.
Callum was about to watch when Claudia came up to without him noticing, upon seeing that her brother and the Neolandian prince are occupied for the moment, and tapped on his shoulder. Startled, the prince turned to see her and she put her finger on his lips before he ask her what is she doing. Then, Claudia gestured for him to follow her. Unsure, but happy to get out of sword fighting practise, even if only for a little bit, Callum followed Claudia to the side of the courtyard where the tree Claudia sat beside earlier was, while soren and Kasef are still occupied with each other.
"So, Claudia, any good reason you wanted me to come here?" Callum asked as Claudia finished setting up some training dummies, then watched as Claudia pulled a smaller book from her satchel, opened it, and showed him a couple of pages with some sky spells he didn't see before.
"I might have gotten distracted for a moment or two, but I want you to do these spells to see if you can do them well. Been waiting for the perfect moment to do so to come since I came across them today and thought you should do them as well since you're doing really well with magic."
"You have?" Callum asked, blushing a bit.
"Yeah. Now, can you start with this one?" Claudia asked, pointing a rune for a sky spell. "It's easy."
Callum nodded and did the spell. "Hyacintho fulminis!" he said and a blue bolt shot from his palm and hitted one of the dummies, knocking it over.
"Woohoo! You did it, Callum! I knew you can do it." Claudia praised, causing Callum to blush. "Now, do this one," she pointed to the rune of another spell. Callum happily drawed out the rune and performed the spell, much to Claudia's delight. Shortly afterwards, she showed the runes of the remaining spells, all of which Callum drawed out as well and performed the spells for each of them with flying colors, much to Claudia's delight.
As Claudia watched, she began to remember when she first discovered Callum's ability to do primal magic.
(Flashback)
Claudia was walking out into the courtyard one day, when she saw something most unexpected she would never forget: Callum doing Sky magic right in front of Ezran! And without a primal stone at that! But, how?
Without making herself known, she watched as the eldest prince did many Sky spells for Ezran to see, until she saw King Harrow her father, Lord Viren, and Prince Kasef coming nearby. She came to them and asked them to follow her though, which they did, although they were confused on why she wants them to do so. Viren in particular, as he knows (and even tells Claudia) that not everyone speaks Claudia. Luckily, their confusion was cleared up when they see Callum doing magic and became as amazed as Claudia had been when she came across the sight before them. She explained how she came across it, watched the prince for a bit and then wanted to show the two men and Neolandian prince when she saw them coming by.
Callum and Ezran's father couldn't believe it. A human doing primal magic? And a member of the royal family at that? Such a feat like this is so unheard of. He approached his sons, who stopped doing what they were doing when see their father coming towards us, and asked Callum how he can do primal magic. This caused Callum to ask how he does know that and Harrow said that Claudia saw it first and just showed it to him, Viren and Kasef, much to Callum's slight embarrassment.
After Viren asked Callum the same question Harrow had asked him, Callum explained after he ran away after the death of Queen Sarai, his and Ezran's mother, he got caught in a storm, gotten a fever, and had weird dreams from it. He only awoken from his dreams with a sharp pain in his chest cause by the one who healed him of his fever. By then, he realized that he understand that the Sky is one big primal stone. He doesn't revealed the identity of the one who healed him, but she had sensed his newfound connection to the Sky primal and taught him a few spells, then she said she sensed that he can do far more than what is taught to him in the future.
Then Callum explained how he kept his magical ability hidden for years, until Ezran found out about it today.
Not knowing what else to say and feeling the strings of his heart at the mention of his beloved late wife, the king says he thinks this is amazing and perhaps a sign that Callllum would be a Guardian of Xadia one day.
Viren, however, looked as if he doesn't think this isn't something to celebrate, instead of something to be worried. But, Claudia shrugged it off and says she also thinks that Callum's ability to do primal magic is amazing.
(Flashback ends)
Eversince that day, Claudia had introduced new Sky spells to Callum for him to perform whenever and he has gotten better and better each time. While they were having fun, what the two teens didn't know that Lord Viren is nearby, watching Callum doing his new spells with intent.
Soren and Kasef are still doing their fake sword fighting when the 19-old-year prince noticed Callum doing Sky magic again with Claudia watching with glee and he stood there, puzzled. Unfortunately, while Kasef is distracted, Soren striked him in the chest with the tip of his wooden sword, causing Kasef to fall backwards.
"Ow! You always do that!" Kasef exclaimed angrily as he got up. "Whenever something caught my attention, you strike me in the chest! It's driving me crazy!"
"Well, that's what you get for getting distracted." Soren said. "Get distracted and your opponent uses it to their advantage. Callum would know this better than you. Right, Callum?"
Soren noticed Callum wasn't with him or Kasef. "Callum? Callum?"
Before Kasef could point out Callum's current whereabouts, a sudden gust of wind came right behind Soren seemingly out of nowhere and caused him to roll over and faceplanted into some mud. Soren got up when he heard some laughing and saw that it was Callum and Claudia pointing and laughing at him. Angry at his humiliation, the knight stood up and walked over to Callum, glaring at him.
"What's the big idea, step-prince?" Soren asked.
"Can't help it, Soren." Callum laughed some more. "I just learned some new Sky spells Claudia found today and thinks it's a good idea to test one on you."
"It's true." Claudia laughed, too.
"Could not you test those spells of yours on me? I'm sick and tired of landing in mud, getting mud and dirt into my mouth, and being made a fool of by your tests!" Soren said angrily. Eversince it became known that Callum can do Sky magic, Soren is often used to test many of Callum's new spells as well as made a target of the prince and Claudia's magic pranks, both things Soren wasn't fond of. "Can't you get it through your thick stubborn head that I don't appreciate being your own personal dummy?"
Before Callum could explain, Kasef joined in on the scolding, "You were supposed to be watching how I do sword fighting not doing magic tricks! How can you do sword fighting properly from me when you gallivant off to do your own thing?"
"I didn't gallivant off! I was going to watch when Claudia told me to follow her and showed me the spells I have learned today." Callum asked. Claudia nodded in agreement.
"Couldn't you wait until sword fighting practise is over?" Kasef asked, turning to Claudia.
"I would, but it's so much more fun to teach Callum while you two were busy. Plus, I really didn't felt like waiting. Also, don't act so high and mighty, Kasef. Remember, you're a guest here in Katolis as you are the king's ward, so treat Callum with respect as he is one of our kingdom's princes."
Soren and Kasef just look at her in exasperation. Kasef, in particular, as he once again remained of who he is in Katolis.
Callum about to say something when he saw his little brother with jelly tarts with him usual and Bait waving to him.
"As fun as sword fighting practise should look, I really gotta go. I have other things to do today." Callum said, about to do a hasty retreat.
Kasef rolled his eyes. "By that, you mean you're going to meet up with your brother and you two can get back to playing 'Guardians of Xadia' again."
"Not so fast, step-prince." Soren said, grabbing some of the mud on him and rolling it into a gooey ball. "Let's see if you laugh at this!"
Soren threw the mudball at Callum, who quickly dodged it and ran off while grabbing his sketchbook, and it hit Kasef instead, covering him with mud.
"Soren, you always do that too! Everytime, you tried to threw mud at Prince Callum to teach him a lesson, I get hit! I'm sick and tired of it all!"
"Oops! Sorry, Kasef. Although, it does look good on you, considering how some people, including myself, consider a big stick-in-the-mud as you seemingly have no sense of humour." Soren laughed, even harder than Callum and Claudia did before. "Oh, it's hilarious!"
"Stick-in-the-mud? Soren, I think I should tell you that there's nothing funny about that of joke of yours or any of your others jokes. There are not hilarious and certainly not a hoot like you said." kasef said.
"Yes, they are!" Soren said back, defensively.
"No, they're not!"
"Yes, they are!"
"No, they're not!"
Callum watched the two older boys arguing for a bit, before walking up to Ezran and Bait. Before the brothers depart, Callum did a cute wave at Claudia who waved back before she went to laughing her brother and Kasef arguing about the former's jokes. Then, Callum, Ezran and Bait went off to play 'Guardians of Xadia' again or any other game after enjoying Ezran's stolen jelly tarts while talking about what happened with their lessons and training sessions today.
(~)
"Now, as I was saying-" Harrow began to say as he tried to began his kingly lesson to Kasef, but the Neolandian prince wasn't listening and instead began swinging around his double-ended spear.
"Kasef, please!" Harrow said, trying to get his ward to stop, but Kasef ignored him and continued to swing his double-ended spear while taking a few battle stances.
"Look, your Majesty!" Kasef said, genuinely happy not disinterested or angry as usual. "I'm going to be the best fighter, because my people are amongst the toughest and fiercest around."
Kasef stopped his swinging and looked over to his guardian, asking him "Right, Your Highness?"
"Yes, Kasef, but only because your people live the northern desert lands, forcing them to become resourceful as there's not much food and water to go around. Now, let's get back to your kingly lessons and please, try to pay attention. One of the any things your father told me about you before you became my ward is that you don't like to study much, you're rather lazy when it comes to your lessons, and you have a tendency to sass at your tutors."
"That's because both the way they try to teach me and the lessons I was given are boring and made me snooze." Kasef said, pouting.
Harrow rolled his eyes, "Is that why you were swinging your spear instead of properly beginning your lesson?"
"No. I just wanted to get my mind off of this morning, especially with my little fight with Soren and the fact we got scolded by Lord Viren for it."
After Lord Viren came up to Soren and Kasef and broke up their fight, he scolded the two of them, especially Soren, for their childish arguing, and tells them to act more their age. He even told Soren to give Kasef more respect as he is the crown prince of Neolandia and his homeland would not appreciate others from the other kingdoms disrespecting him. Soren nodded and promised to try to do better. Then, he told Kasef that he was ordered by King Harrow to get him for his kingly lesson for today, but got distracted by Callum doing some Sky magic again. This caused Claudia to ask her father did he really see it, to which Viren say yes and even saw that Callum is doing better than ever. This made Claudia very happy. Shortly afterwards, he asked Soren and Kasef to get washed up and tells the Neolandian prince to meet up with him near the throne room shortly after that, which he did.
"Well, maybe you shouldn't insulted Soren's jokes and you two wouldn't get scolded for childishly arguing with each other over them. He did his best to work on them." Harrow said, disapprovingly as he crossed his arms. Kasef just scoffed and rolled his eyes.
Then, the doors to the throne room opened and walked in Callum and Ezran, dressed in the garments they wore when they pretended to be the new Guardian of Xadia and the elven archmage this morning.
"Boys." Harrow greeted his son with a laugh, happy to get his mind of his stubbornly childish ward. "What are you two doing here? I'm trying to teach Kasef how to be a king."
"Dad, come look at this!" Ezran exclaimed, running over to his father.
"What is it, Ezran?"
"Callum learned some new spells from Claudia today." Ezran said.
"Lord Viren said the same thing." Harrow said, before turning to Callum. "Well, young Guardian, what new spells do you learn today?"
"I learned a couple of lightning spells, but they're mainly wind spells." Callum said.
"Would you like to show me one of them?"
Callum draw a rune perfectly and shouted "Ventus Turbo!", and a fast gust of wind came right out of his palm. kasef recognized it as the same spell Callum used on Soren earlier.
"Well done, Callum. Looks like you do have the making of a great Guardian after all. Perhaps your dream will come true one day." Harrow laughed and clapped as he praised Callum.
"King Harrow, please. You know perfectly Callum doesn't feel confident about being a Guardian himself as he's human." Kasef said.
"A human that can do primal magic without a primal stone, and with that, can become the first human to become a Guardian of Xadia one day."
"I think you're hoping too much for an elven prophecy and Prince Callum's dream of being told he'll be a great Guardian one day to come true." Kasef said.
"Wait." Lord Viren said, stepping forward. "What is this dream of Prince Callum's again?"
"Last night, Prince Callum dreamt he was on a pinnacle in the the midst of a storm and with him are Prince Ezran, Bait, nine elves and two dragons. And one of the elves, a Skywing man, told him that he'll be a great Guardian one day. Why did you ask, Lord Viren?"
"I was just curious at first, but now I have heard about it, I cannot wonder help but wonder is this something we should worry about."
"Now, now, Viren. I'm sure this is nothing to worry about." Harrow said.
"But, what if the Guardians themselves found out about Callum, his ability to do magic and his dream? They might turn him into a weapon against all of humanity." Viren said.
"Oh, please." Harrow rolled his eyes. "Now, you're really starting to get paranoid. You've been like this for three months, especially since we learn Callum was a primal mage for all these years."
"I'm just being cautious as who knows what will happen if Xadia found out about him."
Harrow sighed, the turned to his sons. "Why don't you two go off and play 'Guardians of Xadia' again? I still have a lesson for Kasef to teach."
"Okay, dad. We were planning to do so anyway. Come one, Callum." Ezran said, although he looked unhappy, so was Callum. The words between their father and Lord Viren has send chills down their spines for they knew that the friendship between the two men had grown somewhat strained since their last trip into Xadia. The two boys walked out of the throne room, although Callum managed to glance at Viren watching him.
"Now, Viren, will you relax for just a moment?" Harrow asked Viren before turning to Kasef. "And Kasef, be careful about what you say to High Mage Viren. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It won't happen again." Kasef bowed.
"Yes, sire." Viren said as he bowed, then turned away. His mind now filled with of Prince Callum's dream of being told that he'll be a great Guardian one day and by a Skywing elf! This is not something to celebrate, it is something to be concerned about. The High Mage knew at the moment that he must take care of this.
(~)
After arriving at an ancient elven fortress he came to often on horseback, Viren walked around the corridors. Eversince he learned that Callum was a primal mage, he had watched the prince as his powers grew as Claudia teached him more and more Sky spells. Now he know of Callum's dream of him being told he'll be a great Guardian by a Skywing elf, he feared that the Guardians might turn the prince into a weapon against humanity more than instead of making him a great Guardian like Harrow thought they would if they find out about him. With the Dragon king dead, his subjects will want the little mongrel on their side to make an example of humanity killing their ruler if they knew of him. If only he can prevent that from happening. Luckily, he has long came up with a plan for something like this for some time since he discovered Callum being able to do primal magic, as he always thinks of himself as a smart man and always had a plan. Now, he believes this is the perfect time to enact his plan.
It was simple: he would take the prince, making it look like a Skywing elf did the deed, and keep him locked up in a lone tower outside the fortress. There, Xadia and its precious Guardians would not know there's a human primal mage in Katolis and he will instead groom him into a weapon against the dragons and the elves. It was perfect. All he has to do is to wait for nightfall as doing his plan as night will be less complicated than at day as the prince is always watched by too many people during the day. Thankfully, the dark mage didn't have to wait for too long.
Once nightfall came, Viren came to the balcony of the tower besides the elven fortress and set down a mortar filled with ashes, on a table, then brought out a shadowlife candle, a candle made out of dragon earwax and moon phoenix blood, and lit it with a flick of his fingers.
"Rekaes yekoms niaga esir, nellaf fo hsa." Viren recited as he sprinkled some of the ashes from the mortar onto the lit candle, then blew on it, causing a smokey spectral wraith of a Skywing elf to appear.
"Bring me Prince Callum," Viren ordered as he held a cage containing a small blue bird and a black blowgun and gave them to the fake elf, "and make sure nothing stands in your way."
The smokey elf did as its master said and flew off to Katolis Castle. Viren smiled as the smokey wraith flew off, confident it will succeed in its task.
(~)
That night, Callum had another dream, only this time it was different. He was in a dark forest at nightfall. Luckily, he wasn't alone for at his side was the same young Sky dragon he saw in his other dream the night before. It was rubbed affectionately against Callum's legs, purring as it did. Callum laughed as he felt the young dragon affectionate rubbing and was to pick up it and pet it when it sensed something that made it feel uneasy, giving out scared whimpering as he search for the thing it had just sensed.
"What is it, little guy?" Callum asked. He was now as confused as the little dragon is now. The dragon looked around for a little bit before it sniffed out an unfamiliar scent. Then, he bolted towards the direction where the scent came from.
"Hey, wait up!" Callum called out, surprised by the dragon suddenly bolting off, and then ran after the dragon. The chase seemed to be very long as the young mage chased the dragon who is very fast through the forest, and was really up ahead of Callum, making it difficult for him to catch up with the youngster. It didn't stop until it stopped at the forest's edge.
"Whoa, slow down there! You got me worried back there!" Callum said, panting as he finally caught up with the baby dragon "What if you gotten into a trap or caught by a dark mage that'll harvest you for your magic?"
However, the young dragon wasn't interested in Callum's questions. Instead, it was focused solely on a lone figure standing on the edge of a cliff. Callum saw the figure too and wondered who or what. It didn't take long when the figure turned towards Callum and the dragon.
The young primal mage can see that the figure is 6'6 feet tall, with midnight blue skin with several marks that resembled stars and sparkled like them too, hands with four fingers, yellow eyes with black sclera and presumably horns, but are obscured by the figure's cloak. It was most definitely a Startouch elf, the rarest of all the elven races, and a man no else, despite the elf's androgynous appearance.
The two young ones felt chills go up their spines as they and the elf looked at each other for a moment or two. Then, the elf walked forwards them, sending more chills up on Callum and the dragon's backs. The young dragon begged Callum to pick it up, clawing at the prince's legs, and keep it safe, which Callum did as the elf got closer, until he was only a couple of feet away from the two young souls before him.
Callum and the dragon looked at the elf for a few moments, not daring to say a single word. Then, suddenly, the elf removed the hood of his cloak, revealing white hair and long antlerlike horns. He was really was a Startouch elf.
"Guardian." the elf spoke in a deep, yet soothing voice.
Callum let out a gasp as he woke up from his dream, the Startouch elf's words still echoing in his head. Who was that elf? Why did he appear in his dream? What does he want? Why did he felt chills around the elf? And why did he called him a Guardian when he isn't one himself? Wishing to relieve himself of the dream, Callum jumped out of his bed and looked out his window and stared into the night. As he did, he spotted the constellation called the Ravager, which forms the shape of a Startouch elf, and Callum swore he saw the elf from his newest dream appear as he stared at the Ravager, thus reminding him of said dream. With that, he sighed and began to wonder what was the dream was trying to tell him. Was the Startouch elf in my dream someone he will meet in the future, yet is someone to be aware of? If so, why?
Before Callum can ponder some more, a small blue bird flew up to the window and pecked at the glass as if it wanted to come in. Unable to resist the urge to try to help a little bird, Callum opened the window and let the bird in. Once the bird is in, it began flying and chirping quietly around the room, much to Callum's delight. He was more than happy to help a small bird in trouble, that is if the bird was in any trouble. If flying up to the window and pecking at it is of any indication, then the bird was definitely in trouble and trying to get away.
"Hey, little one." Callum said quietly as the bird landed on his palm. "Were you lost? Are you trying to get away from someone or something?" Callum asked as he closed the window. What he didn't know that something is nearby, and when the bird saw it, it became spooked and flew off, causing Callum to chase after it.
"Hey, wait!" Callum quietly exclaimed as he tried to catch the bird, but it was very fast and dodged Callum's every attempt to catch it. As Callum tried to catch the bird, the thing the small creature saw pushed open the window, quietly crept into the room and shot a small dart at Callum by blowing it out of a blowgun. The dart hit Callum on the back of his neck and he became unconscious after he felt the dart and giving out a small yelp, then fell as he lost consciousness.
Seeing the prince is now unconscious, the thing, the fake smokey Skywing elf Vren sent, picked up the boy its master told to bring to him.
Nearby, King Harrow, who was heading for his sons' rooms, had heard the yelp and headed straight for his eldest son's room. Once there, he saw that Callum wasn't in his bed. Thinking that Callum might be doing some nighttime drawing again, Harrow looked over to his art desk, but he wasn't there either. Instead, the king saw in the middle of the room was an elf, a Skywing elf judging by the wings on its back, standing by the window. In the elf's arms was Callum, clearly given something to kept him sleeping or knocked out, and in one of the elf's hands was a cage holding a small blue bird.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Harrow shouted, running towards the elf, hoping to save his son from it. But, the elf dashed out of the window and flew off, taking Callum with it. As quickly as his feet can carry him, Harrow ran out and shouted out to the guards.
"Help! An elf has just stolen one of my sons!" Immediately, the guards, including the ones that witnessed the step-prince's kidnapping, ran out of the castle and try to catch up to the elf who was holding the boy, despite being confused at first, but then saw the Skywing elf and its hostage.
Ezran and Kasef, having heard all of the shouting, woke up and met up with Harrow.
"Dad, what's going on?! Where's Callum? I couldn't find him anywhere." Ezran asked.
Harrow sighed before finally bringing up the bad news, "I'm so sorry. I'm afraid your brother has been stolen by a Skywing elf."
Ezran gasped in horror. "But why? Why would an elf stole Callum? He didn't do anything against them."
"I don't know, Ez." Harrow said, picking up Ezran. "But, I do promise you this: we'll find your brother. We'll find him."
Kasef was as equally horrified by what he heard. A Skywing kidnapping King Harrow's eldest son? Why would it do it? And how does it know Callum or is he just someone it think it can kidnapped? Hopefully, Kasef and the others will find out once they find Prince Callum.
(~)
Callum awoken like he did every morning. As the sleep left his body, he can see he was a room that was far more different any room he has seen. It was a elegant room made of silver and crystal with furniture made of silver as well. It was all one room with a kitchen, living area, library, and bedroom. Luckily, there is a washroom separate from the rest of the room he was in.
Then, he suddenly remembered what happened last night before and wondered "What happened? How did I ended up here?"
"Feeling better, Prince Callum?"
Calum looked to see Lord Viren sitting on a chair from across the room.
"What's going on?" Callum asked, getting up from the bed. "Where are am I?"
"So glad you asked, Prince Callum." Viren said with a smile most unpleasant. "I knew it was only a matter of time before Xadia learns about you as you were the first human primal mage and turn you into a weapon against humanity. Thus, this is where you'll be staying here where you'll be safe from Xadia and its precious Guardians."
"What do you mean I have to stay here?! That doesn't make any sense!" Callum asked angrily as he got up from the bed. "I could just walk out the door and leave whenever I wanted to!"
"Oh, you don't understand, don't you?" Viren smirked sadistically, then gestured towards a pair of crystalline doors. "Why don't you look out the balcony and see where you're really are?"
Pushing out the doors and running out in the balcony, Callum gasped in shock. He wasn't in a room at all. Rather, he was at the top of a tall silver tower seemingly in the middle of nowhere and the only thing next to it was a silver fortress that appeared to be elven made.
"You can't do this!" Callum yelled in anger, "My family will look for me! The King will have you in shackles if he finds out you put me here!"
"Oh, I already have, Prince." Viren said, mockingly. "I'll leave for now for now to have you acquainted with your tower and the one thing the whole world thought was destroyed."
Then, Viren cast a spell to leave the tower, leaving Callum all alone. Once by himself, Callum looked around the room, thinking of a way to escape the tower. At the same time, he thought of the words Viren spoke to him about something the whole world thought was destroyed as he was confused by the dark mage;'s words and wondered what did he meant. Then, he had his answer when he came across the thing everyone, including himself, thought was gone: the Egg of the Dragon Prince. Now in awe of the beautifully colored egg before him, Callum walked up to it very slowly, then looked at it for for a few moments before he placed a hand on the egg and felt the heartbeat of the young dragon against his palm. Callum didn't move as he felt the beating heart inside the shell. Then, he picked up the egg, sat down on the floor, and held it gently against his chest after setting the egg on his lap, feeling the dragon's heartbeat against his own.
"It's okay. I'm right here for you. I promise we won't be prisoners here for long, young guardian." Callum whispered to the egg in a fatherly tone. With that, he resolved to have the egg to hatch, so the two of them can escape this tower together and into Xadia, home of the legendary Guardians of Xadia.
(~)
A month has passed since Prince Callum was captured and search parties had searched far and wide for him, unaware he was held captive in a tower. During this time, Callum has been trying to get the egg of the dragon prince to hatch with various sky spells he learned, many of them taught to him by Viren whenever he visited the tower, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the egg to hatch. Despite this, he refused to give up. If he can get the egg to hatch, they'll both escape the tower together for he didn't want to leave the dragon prince behind.
Other than that, Callum spend much of his time in his prison drawing, reading and practising his magic, and putting up with Viren who visited the tower to have the prince do more spells for him and to collect his blood. When left alone, Callum would try to hatch the dragon egg before the two can escape and be free at last.
That is how his days in the tower went on day after day, until Callum finally got the dragon prince's egg to hatch at last and the dragon prince, Azymondias, is born, and imprinted on Callum as his father.