Chapter Text
* Gannon,
I understand if you despise me after all these years... *
---Present Day---
“I’m gonna do great things someday,”
This is the mantra that Finley recites every day for years. And today, he said this as he stood proud in front of his bedroom mirror. He made adjustments to his cape, where his silver family crest shone on his emerald green cape.
He let out a deep breath that he had been holding, and did his best to let the stress release with it. He forcefully shoved down his thoughts an worries, and assured himself he could do this. It was the first day of year four at Foxfire academy, and he was determined not to mess up. Just put on your mask of confidence, like you always do, Finley thought.
He exited his room and skipped down the long flight of stairs connecting his five story home. His mom and dad were sitting closely at the table, discussing quietly amongst themselves. They silenced when they saw their son striding towards them, his boots click-clacking on the marble floor. Finley grinned at his parents, and took an exaggerated bow that his whole body animated. “Your favorite son is here for world domination!"
His mom scooted her chair back as she stood up from the table. She strode to her son, her cape billowing out in a dark blue curtain behind her. Her facial expression was relaxed, but there was a hint of sternness. “Good. Make sure to sit up straight, be good, and make us proud today,” she said in her usual business tone. She stopped in front of him, and began to comb her long fingers through his curly light brown hair, fixing problems she found with it. Finley felt disappointment brew inside himself. This morning, he had spent an hour on his appearance to get it perfect! What did he do wrong?
“I will.” He looked up at her and gave her his best convincing smile. He glanced past his mother to his father, with his cup of tea at the table who had yet to say anything. He looked tired this morning, with bags under his aqua colored eyes. His father offered him a small smile as he set his cup down.
“Ah, yes, the big day. Good luck.” He rumbled. No matter how calmly he talked, his father had always commanded respect everywhere he went with his deep tone and muscular build. These characteristics made him terrifying when he was angry. But those same characteristics were perfect for his occupation- Lord Shavrow was the mentor that taught Goblin Studies at Foxfire. Ever since the elves started hiring more goblins around the elven cities, the class was added to the school by special request of the council. They believed that with the growing threat of the Neverseen in the Lost Cities, the security measures were necessary. With this class, it was Shavrows’ job to help strengthen the connection between Goblins and prodigies. Finley could name no one who knew more about weapons than his father, and he was proud every time the thought crossed his mind. If he was going to do great things one day, Finley wanted to start by joining his class. And it would give him an excuse to spend more time with his father. Because as hard as Finley tried, his father didn't seem as interested in bonding as much in return. But Finley never showed signs of ungratefulness.
“There we have it…” His mother furrowed one brow in concentration as she made one last adjustment to Finley’s hair. On the other hand, Viora Woltzer greatly valued their family reputation. Everything needed to go according to plan, and that included making sure her son would not be a disappointment to the world. Finley had little choice but do as she says- his mother was only setting him up for life, Right?
“Alright, I’m ready to leap now.” He stepped away from his mom and began to search his pockets for his leaping crystal and pathfinder. He felt the weight of his mothers hand on his shoulder, his cue to stop.
Did I mess something up?
His mom looked at him and smiled, wrinkles forming around her dark blue eyes. Today, half of her curly black hair draped by her shoulders; the other half swept up and made a bun at the top of her head. That style made her look like an extreme authoritative figure. She had her head at a slight tilt as she said “I know you are exited, but remember our agreement. We want a full report of what happens today.”
“Yes, mom.” Finley answered. His mother crossed her arms. Anxiety swelled in his chest, but he smiled as his eyebrows came together in determination. He refused to look nervous in front of his parents. His heart was fully set on making them proud of him today, and the thought lifted his head up. He hoped against hope that today would be the day when he would finally manifest an ability.
Speaking of abilities, he didn’t have much time left. His 15th birthday was only half a year away, and after that it would leave him with only a year left until he would be declared talentless. He constantly fantasized about being a phaser like both of his parents, or perhaps a telepath. Heck, he would take even a common ability like a conjurer if it meant escaping the scorned talentless label.
He stepped away from his mother, and strode over to his golden bag with confidence. He looked inside to make sure that he had his schedule and other school equipment. He looked back at the wood table where father was sitting again, this time with a scroll in his hands (the news). “Hey uh, father, aren’t you coming today?” Didn’t he have to teaching to do? His father looked up from what he was reading. “No, I have no prodigies to teach today. I begin tomorrow,” He yawned.
“Oh, Ok.” Finley stood up tall as he took one last look at his parents. A couple of seconds passed in awkward silence. "Uh, yeah... welp..." He grabbed for his pathfinder again, this time without interruption. “See you guys after practice tonight. Love ya!”
He turned away from them, expecting no response. Finley convinced himself (for many years) that his parents didn’t need to say that they loved him, because they already should, right?
He exited through the massive wood front door, and looked out across the forest and greenery. His home was located in the middle of a hundred acre oak forest. Alondure was a grand oak wood mansion with exquisite carvings. Whoever made the house somehow incorporated marble into the framework, which also made it a striking piece of art. The garden that surrounded the manor was filled with countless shrubs and plants of different sizes and colors. The massive garden was a great place to study, and the giant lush grass field was the perfect place to practice tackle bramble or do sports workouts. Finley walked a big sun patch that shined between the trees, and held up his pathfinder to the light.
The light beam glittered in front of him, and he felt his pulse quickening. What did this year have in store for him?
It WILL be ok. He thought. Because I will do great things one day.
As he stepped into the light and glittered away, he hoped it would become true.
---Fourteen Years Ago---
The moonlight filtered through the dark forest, dappling the ground in a silver light. A figure was silently making its way through the woods, veiled in black clothes and making cautious steps toward a clearing. At the last moment, they crouched behind a tree, scanning the clearing for any sign of movement. A look up revealed the half moon was at its highest point in the sky. The time was drawing near, they should be here any second. He made sure his hood was drawn over his face, masking his appearance.
After a while, his legs started to grow stiff, and his arms burned from the weight of what he was carrying. But he'd suffered worse pain in the past years, he thought grimly. And he was tired as well- he wanted to get this exchange over with.
The sound of footsteps reached his ears from the clearing. Cautiously, he peeked around the tree trunk. In the moonlight, he was able to make out three elves. They couldn't see him in the shadows of the forest. Great, on time. He needed to make this quick- he couldn't draw suspicion to himself from the others for being gone too long.
He cautiously stepped out into the clearing. The other elves looked at him, their eyes trying to adjust to the blackness. They quickly stood close together in a protective formation. The blond haired girl with brown eyes glared daggers at him, while a dark haired boy to her right grabbed a weapon from a hidden pocket. Seriously, did they really think that I would attack them? Bile-brained fools.
Using one hand, a forcefield glittered to life.
"You wanted to meet us here. For what?" The blond girl demanded. She glared at him, eyes filled with a hatred that has been festering for many years.
"Foster. Long time no see- although I can see you still need to work on keeping fear from your voice." The cloaked figure responded smugly. "Maybe someday I'll have another ability too- the ability to take you seriously."
The dark haired girl to Foster's right cocked her head to the side and took a determined step forward. "Look, wise guy. You're aware that there's four of us and one of you, right? Keep it up, man."
When the cloaked man spoke again, his voice took on an amused edge. "We all know I can crush you, for I have years of training and power. And children shouldn't talk back to adults, you know." he chuckled. "But hey, I'll give you a free pass. And besides," He pointed his finger at each of them. "I said to bring only one other person if you wished. Did Forkle not program you to do basic math, either?"
"You're avoiding the subject. Now hand over what you wanted to give us." The dark haired boys' teal colored eyes flashed in the moonlight, his face set in a stern expression. He meant business, and his grip on the weapon hadn't faltered loosened a bit.
On the cloaked mans' arm, a logo with a white eye stood out from the darkness, reminding the other three what he was capable of doing. That logo he wore represented sacrifice, death, fire, freedom, power, and fear. They had some serious guts to tell him how things were gonna go.