Sinister Bonds

Chapter # 2

Amber was showing Zaar around, “So, what do you do, Zaar?” She asked, eyes shimmering with eternal hopes along with an everlasting smile, “Well, I teach magic to kids. My Father was a preacher back in the Capital but after coming here I became a teacher.” Her face lit up in happiness, turning to him, “Amazing! Can I attend your class too? I would love to learn more about magic.” She grinned. “Sure.” He chuckled, telling her about his home. “So… Your father was a priest?” She asked, taking two apples, giving him one and taking a bite from hers, “No. He preached the righteous path but unfortunately failed so we decided to stay here.”

“What did he preach?” She asked, walking around the market. “That cults are bad.” Upon hearing it she stopped with a faint scowled, “Why?”

“The word ‘cult’ is not enough to think of their immorality?” He asked, “If I add evil to my name that doesn’t mean I am evil too. And because of people like you, discrimination between good and bad magic would never end while there’s no such thing! Magic only has categories, you cannot define it as right or wrong. Just because cults use dark magic doesn't mean they are wrong!” She bursted, getting furious with him. As she spent her life with cults, it was pissing to hear anything bad about it while Zaar couldn’t not understand why it made her hyper. “It’s about deeds.” He sighed, holding his forehead. “Oh, what did they do huh?” She smirked, closing her arms at her chest. “Killed my father.” He said impassively, soothing her in compassion instantly but she gave him a logical explanation for it. “It could also be done by a noble if your father went against him.” 

“That’s why I am not seeking a grudge. I just don’t like them, that’s all.” He told her casually, eating his apple. “Oh… Then it’s fine.” Her usual grin returned after hearing it, showing him around.

“What about you? Why are you so attached to cults?” He asked. “My friends are the kids of the leaders… most of them and they all are amazing.” She smiled, taking him by shock. “Are you friends with them?” He asked in disbelief. “The kids of leaders?! I have heard they are unbelievably strong like their parents.” Zaar said as they both got out of the crowd and went to a corner, sitting under the shade of a tree. “Yes. All of them are. Their parents have exceptional abilities.” She smiled faintly, leaning on the tree, hugging her knees. “I sometimes wonder how my Father is even friends with such powerful people, he doesn’t have any power.” She sighed. “And your mother.” 

“She is just a common housewife. We are ordinary people with extraordinary contacts.” She giggled turning to him. “There must be something, maybe they are hiding it.” He suggested but she shook her head no.

“No. My Papa was exiled from Ellavis family for not having powers.” they deception the kids lived in was quite clear. Zaar's eyes widened in shock, “Ellavis!?” He asked in disbelief, staggered that her father is a part of the most powerful noble family. “Yes. But look at us, we are living with me, I don’t even know my magic type. Since the people around me use Dark magic, I do the same as well.” She explained. “Amazing… Meaning you must have known Edward Ellavis Everette?”

“Yup. He is my uncle.” She told him proudly while he was fascinated by her, wanting to know more about her. “Leave me, tell me about you Zaar.” She grinned.

“Me..? Uh.. I don’t have an effervescent life like you. After my Father’s death, I came here.”

“I see.. How long have you been living here?” She asked, “A year or so ago, I lived in Capital for a long time but soon ran out of money.” He told her, staring at his hands devoid of emotions.

“Where is your mother?” She asked.  “I have no one by my side, my mother died at birth. I have been living alone since my father’s death.” He chuckled dryly, hugging his knees just like her. She stared at his face for a few seconds before radiating her usual brightness, “I am your friend now! You can come to me whenever you want.” patting his back, she got up, stretching her arms.

“Now, let’s go back or else Papa must be angry.” She said, taking his hands and going back to Adrian’s shop. He was loading the cart for Castle provisions and turned and saw Amber and Zaar.

“Oh, done showing your friend around?” He asked. “Yup.” She grinned, taking care of the shop with Zaar. Adrian talked, got to know him, and spent a great time together.

“Oh, it’s evening. It’s time for my classes, I have to leave.” Zaar said, getting up to leave but bowed in respect first, “Thank you very much for everything and…” Looking up and stared sweetly at Amber, “Calling me a friend.” He grinned. “I will never forgive your kindness.” Waving his hand he was about to leave but Amber stopped him, “I was not your friend for one day, you can meet me whenever you want.” She smiled. Her face glowed up by inexplicable happiness, nodding, “Sure. Thank you very much!” He grinned and left.

After he left, Adrian said, “Seems like your new friend is very sweet.” He said, turning to her. “And handsome too.”

“Hey!” He scolded. “What?” She shrugged and went back to the shop.

In the evening, they returned after earning and buying some chicken for dinner. “We are home!” Amber announced, coming inside. “And got chicken for dinner!”

After hearing it, both twins’ ears shot up, running, “We want chicken gravy.” They announced. Raven chuckled. “No chicken for tonight. I have already cooked dinner so get down from all of you. Adrian, Amber, go freshen up until I serve dinner.”

All of the siblings' faces lifted downwards, “Okay…” they mumbled and sat down to have dinner as Amber told everyone about Zaar.

“Really? He teaches? I want to go with you as well.” Alyan said. “Me too!” Zaria said. “No. Why would I take you two?” Amber made a sour face. “Mama, see! I just want to see what he teaches.” Zaria said. “Okay, okay, It’s okay, Amber. Take them for one day.”

“This would be easier if you guys simply tell us what we should learn.” Alyan muttered, putting his palm under chin while eating. “Why would I? You are the one who should decide what you want to learn.” Adrian said, knowing he did and everyone did the same, there was no one to guide them and they chose their own path. 

“But how would I know until I am sure.” Alyan asked. “Sure about what?” Adrian asked. “Whether I could use light magic or not?” He asked. “Light magic dwells within. You can either be born with it or nothing at all but you can learn Dark magic and luckily if you are a light user, you can still learn both.” Adrian explained, surprising all three of them, “What!? You can learn both if you are a light user!?” Amber asked as Adrian nodded, “You can.”

“Unbelievable. Then you are from Ella, if you try, can we use both as well?” Zaria asked. “Yes but it’s very difficult.” Adrian said with a chuckle. “You are saying as if you know.” Amber muttered, making Adrian feel funny. “It is, I think, learning two kinds at one time. Rough, isn’t it?” He said.

“Well, yeah.” Alyan shrugged as they had their dinner and went to their rooms after dinner. Alyan and Zaria shared one room and Amber got her separate one after a lot of whining.

The couple was in their room. Raven was looking out of the window, staring at the moon as Adrian hugged her from behind, “What are you staring at?”

“Adrian. Shall we tell kids everything about us? They are old enough now to know.” Raven sighed, turning to him. Adrian smiled, taking her hands, “What shall I tell them, hmm? That their Mother is a Victorian? That their Father was the one who made Azure Lustre? Or that their Father summoned a devil which shook the world?... Or the we lost our-” Before he could continue she put her index finger on his lips, shaking her head in denial. Putting his hand over hers and removing it, Adrian whispered, “There’s so much to tell. They know nothing and if we did it now, it’s going to take a negative toll on them.” 

“I know, but we can’t let them live in deception. I know it was mutually decided that no one will talk about us anymore but..” Raven’s voice came worried, “But, what?” Adrian asked softly, cupping her cheeks. Glancing at his face for a while, she shook her head, “Nothing. I was just having some omens.. That something terrible would happen.” She sighed. “It’s okay to feel afraid. I am too but I don’t want them to ruin their future because of our past… That’s why, let them live their lives.” He assured,  pulling her in his embrace tightly, kissing her head. She smiled, hugging him back as they remained like this before going to sleep.

The next day, the trio went to see Zaar. Amber held a bitter look on her face, not wanting them to come but they did. “What a weird forest.” Alyan mumbled when they entered a forest. “Was it always here?” Zaria asked. “It was, just you guys didn’t see it.” Amber said, closing her arms at her chest as they walked inside. 

They came closer but a sudden ball of fire came in their direction, Amber arched an eyebrow and put her hand in front, “Repel.” Repelling the attack with her palm she stopped the ball, perishing the attack and saw Zaar there with an apologetic look,

“Oh, Amber, Are you okay? I didn’t know you were going to come.” He apologized. “Did you plan to light the forest on fire huh?” Amber asked. “Uh no. I asked my students to stop it.” He explained, apologizing again. “I see.” 

“The lady stopped the ball like Boom!” A kid said. “She put her hand like this and foosh! It stopped.” Amber heard and turned to five year old kids. “You teach them magic?” She asked in amusement. “Yeah..” He blushed, looking away. 

She smirked and turned to Alyan and Zaria, “Do you still want to learn, kiddos?” She teased but they frowned, “Nah, you enjoy your time with your boyfriend.” Zaria said, waving her hand as the twins left.

“He is not my b-boyfriend!” Amber blushed furiously, yelling at them but they left, unaffected. “Ah.. leave them, they are always like this.” Amber said nervously. “Oh, it’s okay. Your siblings?”

“Yeah, Zaria and Alyan, they are twins.”

“They do look alike.” He chuckled. “Come, why don’t I show you?” He offered, she nodded as they left, spending some time together. 

Alyan and Zaria went back to their friends, since everyone is almost of the same age they are quite close. “Oi! Alroy!” Alyan called out to Ezra’s son, Alroy who was flirting with a girl.

“Ah, love, why don’t we meet again?” He asked temptingly, kissing the back of her palm, she nodded with a blush and left. The moment Alroy turned to them, his almost while eyes turned bored, “What?” 

“Come, let’s have a match.” Alyan offered. “Do you want me to beat you again?” He smirked. “Shut up, I will win this time.” Alyan hissed, “Okay then, let’s go.” They went to their usual ground where Xander and Lylia’s daughters, Irsa and Juliana were already there. Abrupt blush came to Irsa’s lip upon seeing Alyan but she quickly rushed to Zaria and greeted her. “Move back, they are going to fight.” Zaria said, sitting back in the corner as they began to fight.

“Come on! You can win, Alyan!” Irsa supported, “Hey, it was clear he would lose.” Zaria said. “But, we should cheer for him.” Irsa said innocently, looking up at Alyan who was getting beaten up by Alroy. “I swear… one day… I will beat you up.” Alyan snarled, getting up to fight. “He will definitely lose.” Juliana said. “Let’s end it quickly.” Zaria sighed, shaking her head.

“Alroy, If you win, we can go on a date!” Zaria shouted and how could he miss this moment? Getting up, he won the fight quickly and they both sat down, “Damn… I won’t be at peace until I win one day.” Alyan said. Alroy laughed, “Well, good luck with it.” And turned to Zaria with a smirk, “And don’t forget about the date.”

“Sure but If you dared to touch me, I will tell Amber about you.” Zaria said casually. “What’s the point of it then? Leave it, then I am not interested.” He scoffed as she chuckled. “Good then.”

The friends talked, spending the day together.

Amber was with Zaar, after he was done teaching she asked, “Your next class will start in the evening.. Isn’t it?” And he nodded, “In this meantime, I work at random places to earn some money and fill my stomach.” He said. “I see.” She hummed, holding her chin. “You are such a kind person, Zaar.” 

He chuckled nervously, putting his hand on his nape, “No, No, it’s nothing like this.”

“I mean look, you teach the kids to become strong for free, work hard and steal my apple to get my attention.” She smirked at the last part, earning a blush from him, “Ah.. it.. It was.” She laughed a little, patting his shoulder, “It’s okay.” She smiled. He passed her a soft smile, glancing at her in adoration, whispering, 

“I like your presence.”