Demon(#Wattys2017 Entry)

Chapter 13:What am I?

The Aurega family of Nobility in the Vrai Empire was unique from the others, in that it was made up entirely of magic users. In the war to form Vrai long ago, their founding member, Vistar Aurega, had been a master of Transfiguration magic. In his greatest act, he had turned the walls of a castle to glass, so that it was easily toppled by the revolutionaries.

After the war was won, he was granted the land which the castle had formerly presided over and a marriage with a high ranking noble. His magic had grown to the point where it was in his very blood, and so, it was passed down to his more fortunate descendants. However, over time, there was a split in the magic. Rather than transfiguring things into what would be needed, there were those who could create things, and those who could destroy.

This boy, thus far, could do neither, for his magic had not awakened. He looked at his sister, eyes wide with wonder."Whoa...do that again!"

The woman, a Vrai woman with the trademark curled brown hair, smiled sweetly."I'll make you sit through the explanation again." She warned. The boy smiled and nodded eagerly.

She smiled, holding out a hand."In the air all around us is an invisible gas called 'Carbon dioxide'. It's what comes out every time you breathe."

His eyes widened, and he exhaled on his hand.

The woman smiled."Precisely! So, if I focus, I can separate out the oxides and that'll leave me with just carbon. Carbon makes up just about everything;People, plants, animals, coal, you name it! But, if you get enough of it, and arrange every single little piece of the carbon juuuust right..." She closed the hand in a fist, then opened it, showing a small diamond in her hand.

He smiled."Wow...I wish I could do that."

She smiled."You will someday. You're only twelve right now, right? Still plenty of time for your magic to awaken."

The boy sighed."Yeah, I guess..."

The woman smiled, ruffling his hair."I promise, someday, you'll have magic and do great things. Things that'd make old Vistar jealous!"

He smiled."I'll try....Thanks Villia."

She smiled."Of cou-" She heard commotion outside and looked out."...Vaussten. Come with me, quickly."

He frowned."Huh? Why?"

She took his hand and lead him out."....It's the Fauxmen." She said.

Vaussten blinked. The Fauxmen were people from a nation Vrai had recently conquered. Rather than demote the nobles of that land, as was customary in warfare, The king had decided to 'forgive and forget' the fact that the black-haired Fauxmen had started the war in the first place. The Fauxmen had sworn oaths to protect and serve the king. As he hurried out...He saw that those oaths were broken.

The soldiers surrounded them, glaring. One looked back."Commander Vikram! Orders?"

The commander walked forward, looking over them."Kids? You know the orders. Bring them to the Lord."

They lead the children off. Vaussten struggled against his captors."Mom! Dad! Where are they!? They won't stand for this, you dirty-"

Vialla quickly picked him up and turned his face towards her, walking along with the guards. Vaussten frowned."What the...what are you doing!? We have to find-"

"Vaussten, just...be quiet. They can't help us." Vaussten frowned, hearing his sister sobbing quietly. She hid his face, and so he did not see the bodies, hands still clutched together in death, being tossed onto a large fire.

They were lead into a large crowd of gathered children, many of which he recognized from other noble families. Vialla held him close so they would not be separated and moved forward. Above them all, on a stage, was the king, in the middle of a speech."-As such, it has been made clear that my rule is insufficient and unsatisfactory." He began, though his fists were clenched at his sides in rage.