For He Has Come

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships"

-Michael Jordan

A young boy, no older than 7, is seen peering into a lake. The lakes calm waters shimmering in the morning light. Dew beneath his feet wet his bare feet and glistened enchantingly upon the grass around him. The young boy appeared to be deep in thought, a slight frown showing upon his rounded and childish features. Amber eyes were glowering at the water as if it had offended them. His hair a unique blend of black and a deep, dark red streaking across its surface.

"Jaeger! Time for breakfast!" A cheery voice not out of place for a young woman called out.

This broke the newly identified jaeger out of his stupor as he broke into a sprint towards the voice. A young woman with the same amber eyes awaited him at a quaint red door. The door belonged to a house which was seemingly made of stone. Some black, some white, some gray, and others were a hodgepodge of all three colors. The house had a thatch roof as its cover against harsh weather, should any come. A step stone pathway led to the woman who was waiting patiently for Jaeger. Her face contorted into a loving smile, her silver hair swaying softly in the breeze.

"Coming mom!" Jaeger called out in kind to his mother's summons. Light panting could be heard from the rather small-framed boy; the only tell of physical exertion. His small voice somehow cutting through the air as a hot knife would butter.

He wore a pair of tattered shorts bearing stitches in almost every place imaginable. His shirt was a knitted sweater rather than an actual shirt. The chill in the air giving enough reason as to why the abnormality existed. In contrast, his mother wore a nice, albeit worn, dress the color of light turquoise. An apron hanging from her neck, lightly dusted with some sort of white powder.

Jaeger got to his mother, a now heavily panting mess, "Sorry, uh, it took, uh, longer than I thought, uh, to get back," Jaeger breathed out, the light shade of pink marring his face being a clear sign of embarrassment.

"Hehe, it's very alright my little hunter. I would be shocked if you weren't panting like you are," His mother giggled lightly into a cupped hand as she said this, "Though what did I say about leaving the house without permission?" Her light-hearted demeanor soon changed into one that spoke of danger.

"You said not to," The boy responded in a dejected tone. Obviously guilty for he had known the rule yet still hadn't followed it accordingly, "I'm sorry! Will you please forgive me!" Jaeger then continued, a certain level of sincerity echoed from his words. He truly meant what he said.

The woman merely shook her head before opening the door and beckoning Jaeger to step inside. He quickly did so, clearly excited for the promise of breakfast was still in the air. The house, or cottage as it were, had a homely and cozy atmosphere. The smell of wood smoke was a clear sign of the firewood being ignited for warmth. That smell mixed with another Jaeger was clearly familiar with. His eyes lit up as he sniffed the air for what was the umpteenth time; trying to take in the delicious aroma.

The room the door was most associated with was fairly open. Two medium sized chairs, obviously homemade, set camp on opposite corners of the room. Both had hand quilted fabric covering their wooden frames, an impeccable job was done stitching the two's ornate patterns. The floor was wooden and seemed to shine with a dull glow, said dullness reminding the woman to clean again.

The walls were lined with pictures, some drawn or painted, others photographed. In the center of the room was where a table had made its home. It too, like most things in the room, seemed hand carved. An interesting shape was formed at the end of each of its four legs. The round, dark wood table held a lizard-like head on those legs, the faces seemed in a constant scowl. She followed her excitable son into the rather barren hallway. Then into a room not far from, what had seemed to be, the den.

This room held a fairly long table, especially for just two people, and a kitchen area. Said kitchen area already held the attention of a certain young boy, his eyes wide with anticipation. His gaze was held by a steaming plate of a yellow, sponge-like substance. One would easily identify it as scrambled eggs. A smaller plate of meat strips shared in the mouthwatering perfume of the kitchen-dining room hybrid.

"Jaeger, can you help me put the dishes on the table?" His mother asked him expectantly.

Her response was a toothy grin," Yes Mam!" A mock salute put up before he did as he was told.

He dashed for the plate of eggs and carefully picked up the ceramic dish. He slowly made his way to the table, not as fanciful as the other furniture, but it had charm. Its smooth birch wood shined with a brightness, that, once again, reminded her to clean the floors. A brass candelabra sat upon the center of the table, plates, and silverware already in place.

"Now Jaeger remember to use your manners!" She lightly chided in her usual chipper tone, "Yes mam," The same, polite response used before had been repeated but this time with a hint of seriousness. The excitement giving way for an aim to please his mother.

She watched as he tried so very hard to use the fork and knife properly. It was cute in her opinion. His face of determination as he attempted to wield his fork with the precision of a hunter; ironic as it may be. She had to keep from giggling at his comical display of manners. His fork was put in between two fingers like a pair of chopsticks. His knife was held in a way the fork was utterly jealous of. If he was tested on manners, well, let's hope there would have been an effort category.

She then let her thoughts wander as he was busy eating. She thought back to those good times when… when he was still there. When she was in his arms under the starlight. When she found out she was having a baby. When he looked at her with that "I love you smile". Whe- 'Snap out of it Liz! He's gone, no matter if you've moved on or not.' Her own harsh inner voice startled her.

"Are you alright?" Asked a child's voice, worry evident as much as the validity of the sun producing light, "Yes Jaeger, I'm alright. Just thinking to my self again," His mother, Liz, hurriedly tried to assuage his worries. A fake, pained smile painted clear as day on her beautiful and youthful face.

Jaeger, however, saw through this little plan at staving his worries. Yet, he kept his mouth shut. He responded with a small grin, "Well if you're okay, I'm okay mom!" His grin had turned into a beaming smile filled with so much love it almost made her cry.

She was then reminded just how sweet and caring her little boy is. His eyes, practically sparkling with love. His mouth, set into an almost constant toothy grin. It was at this point she saw a translucent silhouette surrounding her son. A mop of unruly, short-cropped raven black hair with red streaks. A pair of azure blue eyes and a nigh-constant grin set into his face.

A tear threatened to once again travel down the valley of her face for what was the hopefully final time that day. She silently shook her head of her thoughts as she went back to the present. The sight of an almost mannerly Jaeger interrupted her dazed stated. The fork was this time in a proper grip albeit looking, and most likely feeling, alien to Jaeger's hand. The knife was held in a similar fashion as he calmly tried to cut and eat his eggs. This scene forced her brain to initiate a double-take. 'When had he learned how to do that…? How…?' Liz's thoughts incoherently went about the "hows" and "whens" of the situation as she kept Jaeger in her vision.

"Look," He stated after one bite of food was eaten, "I did it, mom! I figured it out! Are you happy now? Please don't cry." Jaeger spoke, revealing this stunt was an attempt to cheer his mother up.

'Oh, that boy is gonna' be the death of me, I swear…' She thought with a smile marring her facial features.

Sadly,

Truer words may never have been spoken…

I watched as my mom looked at me with that stunning smile I love. My goal accomplished, a feeling of achievement threatened to break through my thoughts. I beat that feeling down into submission as I tried to focus on my mom's happiness. A few training ideas came into my head but I pushed them away with the same level of vigor.

The eggs were once again, the most delicious meal I've ever had the pleasure of savoring. They were creamy but with a hint of richness as an undercurrent. My mouth practically burst with flavor from the first bite, but my mother took priority over self-indulgence. My brain went into overdrive thinking of ways to make her happy until that smile reached my vision. I felt my own smile threatening to split my face open as a response to the radiance practically glowing outward from her. 'If this is how all mothers act, it's no wonder everyone loves their mom.' He thought with the innocence of a child. A child that has not seen the horrors of the world.

How quaint,

an idealistic child, innocent to anything outside of his home,

how sad,

it won't last to his eighth year of life…

"Why do we have to go all the way out here? Can't the boss just get his materials from the locals?" Whined a rather childish voice, muffled slightly from the cloth cowl covering his face.

"Because, obviously, he doesn't want the council to track us, you dimwit!" Said an angered voice belonging to that of a middle-aged man, "I swear if you had a brain it would be a waste of perfectly good space…" Muttered the same voice with venom oozing from his mouth.

Seemingly not noticing his partner's mutterings the other took notice of a cottage in front of them. It was made from stone of different colors. Black, gray, and white being prime amongst them. He smirked under the dark purple cowl clinging to his equally dark purple robes. He glanced to his companion, who had the same outfit though slightly bulkier due to the difference in thier frame, "I think we found our material." He spoke with a sinister glee at the last word in his statement.

His partner looked at him with a visible eyebrow quirk before following his partner's gaze. Then, a slow, painstaking movement was seen underneath his own cowl. A sneer eerily similar to that of his partner's formed on his face. The same malevolent gleam showing in his eyes.

"It seems you're right Oscar, we have found some nice material," He spoke before moving forward once more, a dangerous determination hidden within his gait. His partner followed suit, a similar although more excited pep was found in his strides, "I do hope they don't mind having a few guests over Xander," Oscar spoke with even more malice seeping out from his breath.

They followed a small cobble path up to a bright red door. The rolling hills of pristine grassland making a beautiful scene for the two's slow journey to the cottage. Its yellow thatch roof gleaming with the sun stationed directly overhead. Yes, a beautiful scene indeed, all that was needed for the two, was a touch of red.

The mother and son were sitting in the den. The fireplace in the other end of the house still giving off the smell of wood smoke. Liz sat on one of the chairs, holding a locket in her hands. Its golden gleam shining even in the dim light given off by the covered windows. It was open, whatever was in it held her attention. Jaeger was sitting on the floor being a boy and messing around with a plushie of some kind. It probably once looked like a dog at one point. Though its disheveled appearance hinted at extraordinary amounts of use by the boy in question.

As they were there they heard the faint sound of footsteps outside of their house. A strange noise not unlike laughter… if laughter was haunting in such a way. Jaeger, however, saw a strange box in front of him, its outlines were that of a deep red. It held text within its borders, text that worried Jaeger greatly.

!Warning!

Incoming encounter!

Strange sounds were outside your door

What will you do?

A: Hide?

B: Run?

C: See what those sounds are?

Reward for completing encounter:

?

?

?

?

Note: Encounters will happen based on Luk, how you react is entirely up to you. None of the options listed are forced upon you. Should you think of something else you may pursue that course of action. Beware! Not all rewards are pleasant… they might be consequences instead.

Stats

Jaeger Sygandr

Level- 7-(Amount goes up by one every year of life, including any other levels gained)

Gender- male

Age-7

Stat points:

Dex-(7)

Str-(2)

Cha-(15)

Wis-(13)

Int-(15)

Luk-(-1,000)-Locked

Mag-(3)-Locked

Jaeger looked at the stats shown to him. 'I have absolutely no chance in beating anyone, I'm just a child! My stats reflect that too…' To Jaeger, there was nothing worse than not having the ability to protect those he loves. But, his sense of logical reasoning shot down any hope at deterring the newcomers. He subtly glanced at his mother, not noticing the sounds from outside. Her attention was still held by that golden locket. He didn't know what was in it, but he knew it was important to her. That was enough reason for it to be important to him too. He decided to go with a plan that might lead to more harm than good. He stood up and went to the door.

He started to unhook the wooden slab that was locking the door. A crude but effective way to keep out unwanted guests… for the most part. His mother called out to him, "What are you doing?" She queried with more curiosity than anything else.

"I heard people outside, I thought I would let them in, or see what they wanted," He stated in a matter-of-fact tone. She held her gaze on him before sighing. Shaking her head, she pointed to the door and nodded. Taking that as permission, he finished unhooking the door. Only to be greeted with two ominous robed individuals. One had a youthful look but the crazed look in his eyes scared the boy. The one next to the young man, at least that's what he presumed, was someone of a bulkier build. His broad shoulders and tall stature towered over the small boy. A malevolent, rather than manic, look veiled what Jaeger could see of his face.

Their dark purple cloaks and matching cowls were… menacing. A strange mark was seen on the center of these robes. And eye with some equally bizarre writing and markings surrounding it. The tall one spoke first, "Greetings young one! Are your parents around?" His semi-gruff voice grated on Jaeger heavily.

Liz responded instead of Jaeger, "If you must know I am his mother," She responded with mild annoyance evident in her voice.

The two at the door easily peered around the boy to look deeper into the den. They saw a stunning beauty. Amber eyes and silver hair giving her the appearance of an angel. Even with her tattered clothes pointing to her state of ill wealth. She had those same amber eyes furrowing into a glare. The ferocity of it making even an angered lioness pale in comparison, "Now may I know why you two have decided to come to our house?" She asked with polite rage.

The smaller of the two responded, "Well we merely wished to check for something about your son. My sincerest apologies for coming unannounced," The crazed look shifted smoothly into one of seriousness. His form shifting into a bow after he spoke. His purple robes fluttering slightly with the movement.

Liz's brown line shifted upward in a questioning way, "What, pray tell, will you be checking about my son?" She asked in a tone of warning.

"Why checking his magical potential of course!" The larger one responded smoothly, his gruff voice becoming softer and more chipper, "We have been tasked by our boss to check magical potential in different regions of Fiore," His soft tone became more business-like and placating as he spoke, "We were on our way to another place when we spotted your lovely abode,"

"Well if my son agrees to this, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to test him," Liz gave her approval, looking at her son for his consent to such a thing.

Jaeger looked at his mom before gazing at the two men, a familiar toothy grin spreading across his face, "That. Sounds. AWESOME!" He excitingly exclaimed.

The two robed individuals looked fondly at his excitement before the larger one pulled out a crystal ball the size of a fist. 'A lacrima.' Liz thought to herself. She remembered that lacrima are usually a magic tool of some kind, obviously, this one tested magic potential.

He put his hand forward, a warm look on what could be seen of his face, "Here, put your hand on this and it will see if you have magic potential," He said this as sweetly as he could achieve, trying to encourage the boy.

Jaeger hesitantly gazed at the lacrima before placing his hand on it. The lacrima glowed almost as soon as he touched it. A light the color of dark violet shone brightly from the ball of crystal. The glow then strengthened before it hit its crescendo, a light so bright it could blind erupted. Then almost as suddenly as the violet light appeared, it dissipated, leaving a rather plain crystal ball in the hand of the man. During the light show, his eyes had widened considerably, his black eyes open with shock. His partner didn't look any better, mirroring him with his blue eyes.

"Is that good?" Jaeger asked with uncertainty filling his now quivering voice.

The boy's sentence seemed to have broken the two out of their stupor. But their demeanor was no longer kind and soft, it was… dark. Liz was about to ask what was wrong when the smaller one pointed his hand towards her. A dark glow appeared before an equally dark ball shot from the outstretched arm. Jaeger could only watch in horror as his mother was hit in her chest. A look of pain was implanted on her face before her eyes glazed over. She fell to the ground with naught but a hollow ~Thud~. A golden locket fell from her grip and hit the floor, in much the same manner.

Jaeger screamed, screamed with rage that no child should shoulder. He attempted to sprint towards his mother before an iron grip grasped his shoulder. He was picked up roughly and started to be carried out of his home. His eyes were streaming with tears as he cried for the man to let him go. The large man which held him merely marched onward as if nothing happened. Muttering something to himself, "Power… unimaginable… boy… perfect… potential…" Jaeger barely made out a few words before he felt something hit him hard on his neck. He went slack afterward, his body limply hanging off his captor's shoulder.

The two partners walked in silence before Oscar spoke up, "The boss sure will be happy about this one," He continued, "He has so much potential for lost magic, almost as much as his future roommate," Oscar snickered to himself thinking of that particular subject.

Xander chortled grimly along with his partner, "Her and now him… exciting, if I do say so myself," Merely thinking of the possibilities got him giddy as a small child.

'Yes, they will surely be of great use to us in the future. We merely need to… condition them a little.' Xander's inner thoughts once again left him laughing in mania. Leaving his partner to laugh with him.

All in a day's work

A/N: I hope what is done so far can be considered well done. This story has so much potential and I would despise wasting it. The point of this chapter was to obviously give some background and world-building to the story. To be honest, this is a story I will write to the end, no matter how people like it. But having you, the audience, enjoy it, would give me much-needed closure. Please review if you feel something needs more detail, more/better description, and anything else you would wish to instruct me on. I will edit these chapters with every five I post, so please, be patient.

Sincerely,

Pixelatedwriter342