Pathless: Outcast

Cirrugur, 29th of Brightforge, year 305 UC

Bryan pressed his face against the crack in the door, peering into Lucas's workshop. He wasn't supposed to be here, but it was fun watching the man work.

Lately, he's been sleeping well, with Ms. Kelly only appearing every other night.

He tried to keep himself as busy as possible, and that wasn't difficult for him. Edward had him study more math which started to get a bit complex, and he found himself stumbling over a few problems.

But as he worked them out they became easier with each lesson.

There was also the addition of reading, which was enjoyable as he liked stories. It was one of his favorite things to do with Ms. Kelly as they sat and read books.

Especially the ones about mages that saved the day.

He yearned to learn more about magic. The tales of mages and their incredible feats only fueled his desire to become one. Everyone admired mages, and that’s what he wanted.

Even though it was scary, he still wanted to try it.

With the images of Ms. Kelly fading, the thought of finally learning magic began to take root within him. Yet, uncertainty gnawed at him—he wasn't sure if he had what it took to succeed.

Edward said that he had to remember the first time he awakened, which was something he didn't want to do.

That's not how he wanted to remember her, not like that.

The more he thought about her, the more his memories of their time together were overshadowed by the haunting recollection of what had happened to her. He couldn't think about it.

But, the feeling of using magic, actual magic thrilled him.

It felt good, and the others were surprised.

Bryan wanted them to be surprised again, to look his way and enjoy the moment with him. He had to learn magic if he wanted to accomplish that.

There was no other option.

'I have to do it!'

Could he do it?

He didn't have any training, but he did recall how it was done. It's just doing it alone was scary.

Suddenly, a dark shape materialized before him.

'Ah!'

Stumbling backward, he was caught off guard.

Zoltan, Lucas's raven, stood there. The bird cocked its head, eyes fixed on him.

After watching the bird act around Lucas for the past two weeks, he knew it spelled trouble. Nothing good came from it being around.

The two of them always fought, and Bryan didn't want to fight this bird.

"Shh!"

Bryan whispered, pressing his finger to his lips.

Zoltan tilted its head in the other direction as he came a bit closer to him. Then it glanced back toward where Lucas was before finally turning its attention back to Bryan.

"Please don't-"

What would Lucas do if he found out he was here?

How did Zoltan know he was here?

He didn’t want to draw any attention to himself.

Zoltan opened its beak and let out a loud, piercing caw. Bryan's heart leaps into his throat as he frantically waved his hands, trying to silence the bird.

"No, no, no!"

He hissed.

He couldn't alert Lucas that he was there. He'd get into trouble, and he might not ever be able to see the crazy antics the man was up to.

That couldn't happen. He needed to shut the bird up.

But Zoltan seemed to take pleasure in Bryan's distress. The raven flapped its wings, creating a gust of air that ruffled his white hair.

It cawed again, louder this time, the sound echoing through the hallway.

Bryan's eyes darted between Zoltan and the workshop door.

Zoltan hopped closer, tilting its head as if studying him.

"Shut up, why don't you!"

Lucas's voice carried from inside the workshop.

"I'm trying to concentrate!"

‘Oh no!’

Bryan thought as he began to back up.

Zoltan cawed again, louder this time. The raven glanced at him, its eyes gleaming with mischief. Then, with a flap of its wings, it took off.

Bryan let out a relieved sigh as he watched Zoltan soar through the air, landing on Lucas's desk. The man's back was turned, obscuring whatever he was working on from view.

"Alright, alright."

Lucas grumbled, setting down whatever he held.

"What's got you so worked up?"

Bryan watched as Zoltan tilted its head causing Lucas to glance in his direction. Had Zoltan somehow told on him?

Before Bryan could even think of what to do, Lucas was at the door. It swung open.

‘How?’

The man moved fast, so fast he didn’t even have time to blink.

Lucas's eyes locked onto his, as a smile spread across his face. Something was unsettling about that grin, and the glint in his eye made Bryan's skin crawl.

Bryan stood frozen, as Lucas stared down at him.

The memory of Lucas picking him up flashed through his mind, causing him to take an instinctive step back.

‘He’s not going to hurt me… is he?’

Zoltan swooped down and landed on Lucas's shoulder, letting out a loud caw.

Lucas sighed.

"I know, I was just about to ask. Why are you rushing me?"

Lucas asked before his eyes turned their attention to Bryan.

"What are you doing out here?"

Lucas asked, his voice surprisingly calm.

Bryan's mouth opened and closed, his lips quivering as he tried to form words.

"I... I was just... um..."

He stammered.

"I didn't mean to... I was only..."

His cheeks flushed red as he fumbled for an explanation.

‘I can’t tell him.’

He knew he couldn't lie - he had been spying, plain and simple. But admitting that seemed impossible.

Zoltan flapped its wings and cawed again.

Lucas rolled his eyes.

"You don't have to tell me that, I can see it for myself."

Another caw from Zoltan made Lucas frown.

"You're not making this any better."

He muttered to the raven.

‘It’s not saying anything…’

Bryan stood there, his eyes darting between Lucas and Zoltan.

"Why... why are you talking to yourself?"

He asked.

It was the only question that came to mind, and he was curious about it. How exactly did he manage to have an entire conversation with nobody?

Both Zoltan and Lucas turned to stare at him. Bryan felt his cheeks grow hot under their scrutiny.

Lucas blinked a few times, as if processing Bryan's question. Then, he let out a short laugh.

"I'm not talking to myself, boy. I'm speaking to this pain in my side."

He gestured to Zoltan.

Zoltan let out a loud caw, its black feathers ruffling.

"Yes, I'm talking about you."

Lucas said, rolling his eyes at the bird.

Bryan's brow furrowed in confusion. He looked from Lucas to Zoltan and back again, trying to make sense of what he was hearing.

The bird didn’t say anything, at least not words he could understand.

Lucas turned his attention back to Bryan.

"It doesn't matter, really. You wouldn't understand anyway."

Lucas waved his hand to fend off any incoming comment.

“Um…”

Bryan finally managed, forcing the word out as he glanced at the raven perched smugly on Lucas's shoulder.

“I can understand some things.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his blue eyes.

“Oh? Like what?”

He leaned closer.

Bryan felt the urge to shrink back, but something inside him pushed him to stand his ground.

“Like… like how you talk to Zoltan. It’s strange. You’re strange.”

Lucas straightened up, a grin breaking across his face.

“Strange, am I? Coming from a boy who spies on others from doorways, I find that quite amusing.”

He chuckled.

Bryan's cheeks turned crimson.

“I wasn’t spying… I was just… curious.”

“Curiosity is a fine trait, but it can lead you to unexpected places.”

Lucas replied, tilting his head as if considering something important.

“Just like your magic did, didn’t it?”

He was proud of himself for that. This could be the opening he was searching for.

All that was left was for Bryan to take the bait.

“Magic? What are you talking about?”

Bryan asked.

Lucas smiled, his finger gently rubbing across Zoltan's head.

"You don't know?"

He asked.

'Know what? Is there something wrong with me? My magic?'

Bryan wondered.

Lucas leaned forward.

"Tell me about the time you first used magic."

He said, his voice low and compelling.

Bryan hesitated.

"Why?"

He asked. He didn't want to revisit those memories. The events of that fateful day still haunted him, filled with pain. Too much pain.

Unconsciously, he grabbed his right forearm.

Lucas watched this reaction with keen interest.

"He is quite interesting.”

He muttered, more to himself than to Bryan.

Zoltan cawed as he flew toward Bryan, hovering inches away from his face.

“Touch him if you want.”

Lucas encouraged, waving a hand dismissively.

“He’s an annoyance, but harmless.”

Hesitantly, Bryan reached out, his small hand trembling slightly as it made contact with Zoltan's feathers.

"It's soft."

He was said unconsciously.

"Ah yes, the one good thing about him. Minus the talking back, the constant nagging, the many thefts-"

Before he could continue his list of complaints, Zoltan let out an indignant caw, cutting him off.

Lucas rolled his eyes.

"You did indeed steal those blueprints, and I have the proof. Honestly, why do I keep you around when all you cause me is trouble?"

As if in response, Zoltan landed gently on Bryan's head, cocking its head to the side.

Bryan giggled softly.

"I want to learn."

Bryan said suddenly.

Lucas's eyebrows shot up, a grin spreading across his face. This was exactly what he had been hoping for.

"Learn? About magic, you mean?"

He asked, feigning surprise.

“I… I want to learn more about it.”

Bryan confessed.

“Do you now?”

Lucas stepped back and crossed his arms.

"I do."

Bryan answered.

Lucas rubbed his chin as he thought it over.

"Why are you telling me? Why not ask Edward or Emilia to teach you?"

Why was he asking Lucas? Out of everyone, he spent more time with Edward and he should have been the first person to ask.

Yet, he didn’t.

Emilia was hard to approach at times, and she rarely saw him.

He wasn’t sure why she didn’t come to see him. But, she would, eventually. At least he hoped so.

“You know, why don’t we make a deal.”

Lucas suggested.

“A deal? What’s that?”

Bryan asked as he wasn’t sure.

“Sort of like a promise. We’ll both agree to do something and as long as we fulfill both our ends, then we both get what we want. What do you say?”

“Okay…”

Lucas smiled, he couldn’t help it. This may have been easier than he thought.

“You’ll tell me about your awakening, and help me out on… a few projects of mine. In return, I’ll teach you what you want to know about magic.”

It sounded simple enough.

He could learn magic, and no longer had to hide in the hallway.

But, he hesitated. Bryan couldn’t form the words.

“Take a deep breath, relax yourself.”

Lucas told him.

Bryan found himself doing just that. When he exhaled it felt like a weight was being lifted off his shoulders.

“Now, go on.”

Lucas urged him.

Bryan began to recount the events of that fateful day. He told Lucas about the confrontation in town, about Ms. Kelly's death, about the overwhelming anger and fear that had consumed him.

"And then…"

Bryan said, his eyes distant as he relived the memory.

"I felt something... something inside me break. There was this rush, and suddenly, the blood... it was moving. I couldn’t control it."

‘There was so much blood… screams.’

"Extraordinary."

Lucas murmured.

"Blood magic at such a young age, and triggered by extreme emotion. Fascinating indeed."

Bryan looked up at Lucas.

"Is... is that bad? Am I... am I a monster?"