The day of the eclipse

The day started out like any other since they started their journey, but the twins couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen.

"Hey you two are you guys all right? You seem distracted." Caill asked as she watched the two of them as she built the fire back up after last night.

"Do you ever get the feeling that something is going to happen but you can't quite put it in words.?" Zain asked as he got out everything needed to make breakfast.

"Don't tell me that on top of being a Light mage you possess the gift of Foresight as well, that would be kinda shitty for you." Markus said as he walked back in to camp with a bucket of water. His voice carried a hit of amusement.

"No I feel it too kinda like our magic is reacting to something this is the first time its ever happened." Leylah said.

"Wait what is today's date?" Caill asked.

"It's the 22nd why...Oh I think I know what is going on that is today isn't it." Markus said.

"What is today?" The twins ask.

"The solar eclipse, It only comes around once in a lifetime. I wonder if your power can feel it coming. It will be the one time only one of you will be at your absolute strongest. My guess it will be Leylah since it will be the one time Darkness over shadows Light. Before you start thinking it's unfair the same thing will happen during the lunar eclipse except well the opposite." Markus explained.

"With that it would be wise for us not to break camp until after it passes, we don't know what will happen with the twins's powers best not risk it." Caill said 'I do feel bad for the young man in the tower what will happen to him,' she thought as the camp fell quiet as they all went about their own tasks. The girls took the opportunity to get themselves a bath in the river as well as wash clothes.

"Markus, I'm kinda scared what if I lose my powers until the next lunar eclipse? I'm the big brother I'm supposed to protect my sister…" Zain started but was interrupted when Markus started laughing.

"I can tell you that you won't because that is not how power loss works it takes a spell or potion to bind powers. And yes that goes for all magic the worse that would be likely to happen if you do lose your powers it will only be when the eclipse is in full effect which will be about five to ten minutes so relax. When the girls get back we should also take a bath ourselves. Caill wont let us wear the last of our clean clothes without a bath." Markus said with a chuckle, as he watched the young man next to him visibly relax. 'That poor boy really was scared. I'm glad I did read up on their magic. I was able to give an honest answer.' He thought as they waited for the girls to return.

Once they were all clean and waiting for clothing to dry on a line they had strung up between the tents it was almost noon. It was clear that the twins were growing ever restless as the time of the eclipse approached.

Just as the eclipse began Markus couldn't help but look at the twin's powers. He watched as Zain's aura began to dim as Leylah began to brighten, he also noticed that his own sister's aura had changed as well. It was still the same glowing reddish orange but it was flickering brighter and darker as the eclipse darkened the sky.

'Fire is neither an element that is allied with either Light or Darkness; it can both brighten an area as well as cast shadows, now that is cool.' Markus thought as he felt excitement rush over him. He was the only one who could see what was happening. Once the eclipse reached it peak suddenly there was a flash of "light" that momentarily blinded Markus. To his surprise the light was not coming from either of the twins but from probably miles from them.

"Markus are you ok? What happened." Caill asked as she walked over to her brother who was rubbing his eyes as if he had something in them.

"Yeah I just 'saw' a strange bright aura that I can't quite pinpoint but it was not from our twins here. As a matter of fact Zain your aura was very dim as if not there as where Layla yours made you look as if you were made of shadows. It was kinda cool actually. Is the eclipse over my vision still blurry." Markus replied.

"Yeah it's over, sorry you missed it big brother, but you gotta see something the rest of use will never see. In my opinion that's twice as cool as some eclipse." Caill said trying to make her brother feel better. Her words earned a small smile out of Markus who wasn't the least bit concerned that he missed the eclipse. There were spells that either a wind or water mage could cast that could show the past, so long as it happened within the last year. 'I wonder what that was, it didn't look like any magic I have ever seen. It seemed almost primal like something that has not been seen for thousands of years. I'm curious as to who or what is behind that power, be it God or man.' He thought as the group of them prepared to break camp so they could get moving.

Two days after the eclipse

A young man with dull blonde hair half running half stumbling his way through the woods, clutching a dirty pillowcase close to his body with a reddish mouse sitting on his shoulder.

"It's ok little friend we won't ever go back there, well not alive anyway. If it comes to that I would rather kill myself and let you free in the wild...hopefully you will be ok. I hear that the Fea take great care of unusual animals." The boy said to the mouse who he could have sworn gave him an amused look. Young man had grown used to the unusual way the mouse reacted to things.

After about another thirty minutes and five more falls later the young man decided it was time to stop for a while. He found a small clearing that had been used as a camp before quickly made a small fire. He pulled his knees up to his chest and stared into the flames. As he watched the flames he felt tears drip down his cheeks. 'Caspian what are you going to do now, you have no means to survive out in the woods. The capital is likely to have a bounty on your head. Pros your free no more torture. Cons you have no survival skills and you have no idea how to control your new powers.' He thought to himself. When a rustling in the trees told him something was moving close to him.

With a quick look around he grabbed one of the logs meant for the fire and held it like a club and waited. Suddenly out of the trees came a small cat-like creature and in its mouth it had what looked like a bag made out of leaves. Carefully it sat the bag down and then much to Caspian surprise it spoke.

"I was instructed to give this to the first person who stopped here after the eclipse, fear not young mortal no harm will come for you this night. I will be here to protect you. Sleep now recover your strength you have a long way to go young mage. And a rather heavy destiny." The creature said its voice was like the whispering winds. He could not tell if it was male or female but he did not have time to try and figure it out.

Suddenly a wave of sleep hit him and he found it impossible to keep his eyes open.

Once Caspian was asleep the rust colored mouse climbed up to where the cat-like creature was.

"I didn't expect to see someone like you here, let alone with a mortal." The cat said confused

"Let's just say things didn't go according to plan all those years ago, it will take a few more days to regain enough of my power and strength to turn back into my true form. As for why I'm with the mortal I fear he will need me now more than ever. Someone was playing with strong magic and now he needs a teacher. Let's hope I'm enough for his sake." The mouse said. "Thank you for the food though this one hasn't stopped running since we escaped so we are both quite hungry, sadly those are not from home." The mouse continued as he jumped down and got inside the bag. As expected the bag was full of different kinds of nuts and some fresh berries that were clearly meant to be eaten right away, after eating his fill the mouse curled up next to the boy and fell asleep as the cat jumped up into the trees to stand watch over the sleeping pair.

'I should let My Lady know about him, she will be quite relieved to know he is alright.' The cat thought.

That night Caspian's dreams were filled with flashes of his time at the capital, all of the sessions in that dark room. The feeling of pain as his magic was ripped from him. He had tried in the past to just freely give the magic to the machine but it did not stop the pain.

When dawn broke Caspian woke up only to find the cat curled up next to him. His first thought of his little mouse friend hoping the cat did not eat him. After a quick search he found him crawling out of the bag made from leaves. He was pushing what looked to be a berry out and into a neat little pile. Upon seeing the berries Caspian's stomach reminded him that he had not eaten in two day. In an instant he snatched up the food leaving three for his little friend to eat and quickly devoured them. He had never tasted anything quite like it. Fresh fruit was a rare treat for him given only after he had gone three new moons without fighting. Any other time he was given dried fruit and porridge.

He was supposed to be this valuable thing but was treated like a prisoner. He remembered the first time he arrived in the capital. Everything was so beautiful and it left him speechless. Of course why wouldn't it be ten years old living in an orphanage. The first few months where great he could have just about anything he wanted. His teachers were nice and very patient with him. Darkness does not behave like the other elements so it took longer to learn to control. Everything was fine yes he missed his sister but that was to be expected.

Then the first new moon after his eleventh birthday he was brought into that room for the first time. He was told that it was meant to measure his power since it was so different from the other elements. Naturally he didn't question if he knew it was different and if this machine could tell him how strong he was and that his powers were completely in his control, maybe he could start making friends.

Caspian shook his head violently clearing the memory away. He had later found out that every kind in his classes were told to keep away from him, the High priest didn't want anyone asking questions when he disappeared. They just want them to shrug it off as yet another drop out that couldn't handle it. The sound of squeaking caught his attention. Standing on his knee was his little mouse friend holding out a nut to him. Even without needing to understand him the request was quite clear. With a laugh Caspian took the nut and cracked it open for him.

"You know we have known each other for so long it just occurred to me that I never gave you a name. How about Neo on account that my life changed when you showed up." He said as he handed the little mouse the freshly cracked nut. He watched as the mouse nibble thoughtfully before he nodded that he liked the name. "Well Neo what now?" He asked before he found himself yawning again and suddenly he couldn't keep his eyes open.

"Well Neo what is your plan?" The cat said in amusement.

"You are not allowed to call me by that name cat. Trapped I maybe for now but I'm still strong enough to take you out. As for my plan for now the boy needs sleep from there I don't know. I honestly didn't think we would ever escape so I never thought of a plan. I guess I could see if my sister is on this side of the vail and take him home until he is trained." The newly named Neo said. "Can you look for my sister, Your Lady is clearly one of the Sidhe, maybe she has seen her or can at least pass a message." Neo asked as he too curled up to sleep.

"Of course, I will pass your request on, but you also need rest to regain your strength and your true form." The cat said as he walked into the woods to keep watch.