-IN THE POTION SHOP-
(XENA'S POV)
I wasn't sure when the last time I saw Xeto actually was. While I did miss my big brother, I was also quite scared of what he had made of himself. Xeno and I would tend to keep tabs on each other, but Xeto was always out of touch. Then again, that was nothing new. Xeto usually kept to himself anyway. That was just how he was.
I walked over to the rest of my allies and took a seat at the large table. Amora, my long time friend, looked at me and sighed.
"It is the date of Xeto's birth, isn't it?" The white haired woman asked.
"That is correct…" I muttered.
"When's the last time you saw him?" She asked.
"Years ago. Back when I was just a little girl."
"Do you... Want to talk about it?" Amora asked.
"I don't know... Talking about him won't really bring back the bond that I had with him."
"Maybe not, but it might just make you feel better. It is a fact that reminiscing on past times can help overcome the difficulties of one's present." Amora said.
"Do I hear story time?! I'll go get some snacks." Eliza said happily.
"I'll go get some candles." Tazorac said.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. Well I wasn't really expecting to do this, but I guess it can't be helped. These were the people I considered my friends. I see no harm in telling them of my past.
After they all got themselves situated, I gave them all a hard look. "This is the tale of my two brothers. The story of the world's most powerful Pyromancer and the world's most powerful Cryomancer. Before I continue my story, I shall use a mind spell so that you may all visualize the events for yourselves."
"Cool!" Eliza said.
I nodded and channelled my mana. "Spell of Mentality: Intellectual Passing!" A golden beam of mana blasted from Xena's forehead and made contact with the the rest of the group. "Now you too will see what I see. Now let us begin with the days of birth for my brother's."
-Nine Hundred Years Ago-
(NO POV)
The Arcane Forest...The birthplace of all known magic. Within the forest, was the Grand Spellcaster, Dex. Dex was the father of all magic. He was regarded with that title because he was the first living creature to set foot within the mystical forest. Due to his presence in the forest, Dex was able to learn of its vast secrets and was able to experience all styles of magic. In return, he had to watch over the forest and protect it from any wandering souls. In other words, he wasn't able to ever leave the forest. The man was inclined to follow the orders of the forest but in return, he wanted the ability to do one form of magic the was forbidden. Dex wanted the ability to use Creation magic. Dex want nothing more than to have a someone to share his love of the forest with him. Believing in the good nature of the man, the forest granted him the ability to create life. With this ability, Dex created a pale woman with silver hair. Her eyes were unique given the fact that her left eye was bright icy blue color. Her right eye was a fiery orange. She held soft features and had a heartwarming smile. Dex gasped at his beautiful creation. For the next couple hundred years the two beings would spend their lives watching the forest together.
-873 Years Later-
As time went on for Dex and his wife, the two continued their role in protecting the forest. Things were going good for the two and they eventually decided that they wanted a family. With the persuasion of his wife, Dex created his first born child. The right side of his hair was a deep dark black color. His left side was a bright white. His eyes held a light blue color. This was their first child. They name him Xeto. As time went by, Xeto was revealed to have good control over ice type magic, even at such a young age.
After a few years of living together in peace and harmony, the two decided to have another child. This one had his white hair on his right side and black hair on his left. His eyes were a bright orange color. The boy's name was Xeno and he grew adept to fire magic. It came naturally to him as did most things such as his temper.
Xeno and his older brother eventually grew to have a bit of a one sided sibling rivalry. With Dex constantly applauding Xeto for his quick growth in strength and talent. This drove Xeno mad and caused him to gain resentment towards Xeto.
Eventually, Dex's wife was charmed with the idea of having a little girl to raise so she suggested that Dex create a third child. A little girl named Xena. The little girl wasn't adept to any particular form of magic. She was regarded as the Jack of all Trades in terms of magic. It made made her unique in her own way.
Now together as a full, happy family, the five of them all lived well within the arcane forest. At least until ten years passed. Xeto being eighteen at this point and still regarded as the best in the eyes of Dex, he had often got into fights with his sixteen year old brother. The two would go off on each other to the point where they were literally destroying the forest.
It was on the last day that the family was together. Dex, his wife and Xena were all sitting down together, enjoying the mystical fruit of the forest when they all heard a loud boom in the distance. Dex being alarmed got up instantly and walked towards the sound along with his wife and daughter.
-With Xeno and Xeto-
"I'M STRONGER THAN YOU!" Xeno shouted, launching a flaming orb towards his brother.
Xeto narrowed his eyes and stomped his foot on the ground. A large wall of ice formed in front of him. He was easily shielded from the attack. Xeto dropped the icy wall and glared. "When are you gonna get it? No matter how hot you make that fire of yours, it still won't be enough to melt my ice." Xeto said.
"We'll see about that!" Xeno snarled. "Ward of Flames: Blaze Burn!" Xeno shouted while lifting up his hands. Large pillars of fire spewed from the ground
Xeto pushed himself upwards with a large pillar of ice. He held out his pale hand and glared. "Ward of Frost: Blistering Blizzard!" Sharp icicles rained down towards Xeno.
"That won't WORK!" Xeno flared up his mana, surrounding himself with a flaming orb of fire. The small icicles melted as they made contact with the fire. Xeno dispersed the flaming orb creating a scorching hot, heat wave that engulfed the forest.
"...Your mana flame is burning way to brightly. You need to settle down before you end yourself." Xeto said.
Xeno only growled and continued to flare up his mana. He blasted off in the air, flying at his older brother. A ball of fire formed in his hand. Xeno chucked the orb towards his brother. Xeto dodged hit but couldn't react to the flaming hot fist that connected with his jaw. The impact of the punch, caused the pillar of ice to collapse. Xeno smirked at his attack.
"I got you!" Xeno said.
"..." Xeto looked at him, as his face began to crack.
"What...What the hell?!" Xeno muttered with confusion.
"Not this time…" Xeto said as he shattered into pieces.
"But I thought…"
"You thought wrong!" Xeto said while sliding towards him. Ice was covering the ground beneath him. "It's over when I say it's over…" Xeto began to glow.
"No! I refuse to lose to you again!" Xeno cupped his hands and charged a last ditch attack. "I've been saving this just for you!"
"Go on brother! Use your pathetic attack! Show me just how much you hate losing to me!" Xeto said while glowing even brighter. The area behind him began to freeze over. "Ward of Frost: ABSOLUTE ZERO!" Xeto yelled as he launched a bright blue beam of cold energy at his brother.
"Ward of Flames: BLAZING INFERNO!" Xeno shouted as he flung the blast of fire forward.
As the two blasts flew towards each other, the forest began to get more and more destroyed. Before the two attacks collided, a large shockwave forced both blasts to fade away. Both boys stared in shock of their father, standing in between them with an angry expression.
"Father?!" Both boys shouted with exasperation.
"What...Are... You...DOING?!" Dex shouted. "You two have just wiped out two thirds of the forest!"
"..." The boys were silent given their father's harsh tone.
"Your job is to protect this forest! Not to harm it with your meaningless squabbling! I am fed up with the constant, nonsensical antics between you two!"
"Father, please-"
"NO! YOU TWO ARE DONE!" Dex shouted angrily. "You are both hereby banished from the Arcane Forest! You are not to set foot within this sacred place!"
"Dex, please. This really isn't necessary." Their mother spoke.
"No! I have given them multiple warnings! I want you two out of here! NOW!" Dex shouted.
"Fine! Forget this place, anyway! I'll be back! I'll show you all that I'm tough! Maybe then, you'll accept me and quit treating me like I don't even exist, father!" Xeno said stomping off.
Xeto bowed his head to his mother and father. "I do apologise for my foolishness father." Xeto then walked off.
As time went by, things between the remaining family members were now distant. Dex would tend to the forest while Xena was being raised only by her mother.
-Five Years Later-
"Listen to me Xena... I want you to leave with me. Your father... He's not the same as he used to be. All he's worried about is this stupid forest. It would be wise to leave this place and go off to explore the outside world."
Xena listened to her mother's words carefully and decided to leave the Arc Forest, abandoning her brooding father.
Fifteen year old Xena and her mother had settled down in a place called Krystonia. The place was a small modest kingdom that was filled with people from all over. This was the place where Xena met her closest friend, Amora."
-Present-
(XENA'S POV)
"I would eventually leave my mother in order to train under my stepfather, Jushiro. He was a wise mage and taught me many things." I said to my wide eyed friends.
"...Damn…" Eliza said.
"So your brothers were banished from their home? That's pretty deep." Tazorac said.
"It's nothing to really worry too much about. I do hope that Xeto is ok. He is a very reclusive person. He tends to seclude himself from the others." I said.
Just then, the front door of the shop flung open. Our apprentices came inside, one of which was bruised across their face.
"What happened to Shiro?" Eliza asked.
"I ACCIDENTALLY smack Gabby's ass on the way back…" Shiro said.
Tazorac glared and punched the boy.to the ground. "How many times do I have to warn you Tatsugami? How many times?!"
"I dunno... probably seven hundred more. That's just an estimate."
"Why do we estimate my foot going up your ass you freaking pervert!" Gabby snapped.
"I'd rather you not…" Shiro looked towards the adults. "What were you all doing? Don't tell me I missed the story!"
"Yep!" Eliza said with a grin.
"Damn!"
"Well what's up with my supplies?!" Selena asked the teens.
"It's in it's way!" Gabby replied back harshly. "It would've helped if you guys actually came!"
"... Sorry about that guys. We thought that you guys could handle it." Eliza said.
"Well...We did handle it!" Shiro shouted with Vizeron barking in agreement.
"Well then you all have my gratitude." Selena said with a smile.
"I'd still rather get paid…"
"Well Selena we're glad we could help." Eliza said.
"But we did all the work…" Shiro grumbled, earning a swift chop to the back of his neck, dropping him instantly. Tazorac sighed and picked the knocked out boy up and tossed him over his shoulder.
"We'll see you soon. Good luck with the shop." I said to her. She nodded and smiled.
"Do stop by anytime." The with said.
-Back on the Boat-
"You didn't have to put me to sleep Tazorac!" Shiro yelled.
"Sure I did. Your voice was irritating." The warrior said.
Shiro walked past me and Amora, grumbling multiple different swears. Amora and I giggled at him and then went back to our conversation.
"Listen Xena, You know that we just might need Xeto on board for the end assault on the Under Realm." Amora said to me with a serious tone. "We already have Xeno pretty much on our side, but we still need a lot more allies."
"I know. I just... I'm not sure how we are gonna find him. He could be anywhere."
"I say we check Frost Park. It's our best bet and if he's a Cryomancer, than he would probably be there." Amora said.
"That is a good point. The only problem is that it's on a mountain in the northern hemisphere of the planet. Getting there will be very challenging, especially now." I remarked.
"We don't have to worry about it now, just give that thought some consideration." Amora then walked off the go meditate with Isabel. I looked back at my comrades...My friends. Shiro was sparing with Eliza and doing rather poorly, Gabby was doing sit ups with Tazorac, and Clyde was reading one of his spell books. I do admire his conviction. He is dedicated to his craft and will only get stronger as he grows. I just hope that he's ready for the day that he does have to face my father.