Instant Regrets

It hadn't been long since the long black haired male and his identical twin brother had entered the rune knights, for as long as they could remember they had always been denizins of the country Sin. The place was void of civilization and packed with monstrosities and beasts that would make a normal person quiver and shake in fear, somehow though even from infancy they had survived it would seem but were unsure as to why this had been the case; oh well that was a mystery for another day because he was going to do some training with his brother... or so he thought. He was just about to head out of the Rune Knight headquarters and towards to where he and his twin trained out of the way of people not wanting people hurt and more importantly not wanting to be disturbed "Loucetios wait!" he heard a female voice call from behind him, this made him stop instantly and lowering his head as he groaned quietly to himself at the fact he had just been called his brother once again. He guessed it couldn't be helped as everything right down to what colour and where they had their guild marks was the exact same. Taking a deep breath he straightened up and smiled before he started turning around with a some what awkward salute, he was still getting use to how things were done here. "No ma'am, I'm his twin brother Hania. I wa-""Oh, sorry about that you both look the same..." she interupted him making him close his eyes counting silently to ten 'Yes, we look the same because we're identical twins you twit.' he thought to himself before opening his eyes the smile never leaving his face "It's understandable ma'am, we're identical twins after all." he let out a gentle chuckle trying to play it off but he really wanted to yell her out for being rude and wasting his time by stating the obvious.

She nodded to his words "Is there a message you would like me to pass to Loucetios?" he asked respectfully wondering why his brother might be getting sought out "No, actually you'll do." she said handing him a letter, for a moment he could only stand there and blink dumbfounded as she seemed switch who she wanted very quickly. After a few long moments however he took the letter by it's corner almost as if he was afraid he was about to catch something. "Something wrong Hania?" she asked making him shake his head "No ma'am, I'm just... well..." he tried to think of a polite way to tell her he didn't want to be infected by her but his mind was completely blank of anything but the blunt truth. "I'm guessing these are orders and they are now my orders." He said gingerly handling the envelope so he could open it and read the contents while changing the subject. "Well that's bothersome." he said as he took in all the information, he would have liked to take his brother with him but he didn't think he was quite ready for something like this, then there was the fact that the two would be separated until he got back which he didn't like the thought of. They had never been separated like this before but orders were orders and it wasn't like he could just decline it due to personal discomfort. "Understood. Accepted ma'am." he said looking down to the orders once more, he knew it couldn't be easy for the people inside the villiage and they needed immediate help. 'Loucetios, forgive me but there has been a development, I have to prospone our spar. Try not leave the area until I return, but if orders are given follow them and try not goof.' he sent to his twin hoping that he would at least pick up that he was going to be gone for a while. He also prayed to whatever divine there was that his brother wouldn't be to much of a clutz and have them move on. It hadn't been the first time after people found out what they were and where they came from, they couldn't help either thing so they played such information close to their chests now.

With a final akward salute he continued towards the exit having every faith in his brother to do the right thing. Now there was an issue, how was he going to get to River Village? He could go by horse but he didn't want to think how many germs and other things they had, he could go by car but then he didn't drive, he had no need to do such a thing after all, he could go by train or coach but then there would be other people and he didn't trust the cleaning standards of companies. Just thinking of these options made him shudder involunteree as he felt his skin crawl. "Nope, not doing that and I can't afford to walk due to the urgency of the matter..." he paused his head falling back as he groaned "Ugh... that leaves one option... the option I don't want to use." he said before bitting his bottom lip as he started to walk again going backwards and forwards with the pros and cons of using his wings to fly to his destination. By the time he decided that he would do it because it would be faster than any other way anyway he found himself at the city gates. Now he just had to get out of Era and far enough away so he could fly without revealing their secret, that was honestly a cat that should remain in the bag for as long as possible as far as he was concerned. Neither brother wanted to be chased off or hunted again just because they had the misfortune to be born the race they had been, someone always has to draw the short straw, just fortune left two short in their hand for some twisted joke as far as he was concerned; still so longs their secret remained hidden he was sure they were safe from judgement and harm. They just wanted acceptance but it seemed the only way they could get it was pretending to be a race not their own, he guessed that was just the way of things and they had both adapted to it. He continued moving forward at a steady pace as he didn't want to be seen for what he truly was, to be honest it had been so long since he last his wings he was starting to wonder if he could remember how to fly, well if he didn't remember naturally he would just have to jump off the nearest cliff and believe his survival instincts worked as well as they always had.

He eventually came a clearing free of people and closed his eyes allowing his head fell back "Guide my feet and wings, strengthen my resolve and protect my brother in my absence." he whispered to the air and sky almost if in prayer, with that his eyes opened revealing deep purplish platinum eyes where glowing celestial blue had been previously his inky, leathery wings escaping his back with a short run and a jump nothing happened but him falling face first on the ground and so get covered in a bit dirt. "Okay, that could have been better... then again I guess it could have been far worse." he said using his sleeve to dust off the dirt that was on him. "My wings have forgotten they have to work together to get me off the ground." he grumbled looking back at his wings while moving and flexing them getting use to what should be a natural thing to him once more. "We're going to do arial combat training so this kind of stuff doesn't happen when we need it." he commented to himself as if making a reminder for a later date, before to long his wings started working in tandom "Just like riding a bike I guess." he had never even attempted riding a bike but he knew the meaning of the saying, he was wondering if he should try to learn because it could be another mode of transport he could use instead of flying, but then it wouldn't work for journey's as long as this one but it had potential as a solution. Taking a deep breath he once again started to run this time when he jamp he managed to take off successfully if not a little bit unregal, for the first minute or so if he had been seen he would have looked as if he was about to fall out of the sky; to be honest that's exactly how he himself felt and it didn't fill him with the greatest belief in his abilities "Come on, level out..." he cussed at himself "I don't have time to be dealing with such a triviality, come on... work!" he demanded, he was so through with this, he just wanted to burn the orders and pretend he didn't recieve them after all his superior had been looking for his twin in the first place. This was unfortunatly not the way he or Loucetios worked, if they accepted a task then it would be complete even if it meant their lives to do so.

When he eventually managed to get use level out and have his wings support his weight without fumbling he went above the clouds so he wouldn't be seen by those below, he didn't need demon hunters to deal with on top of his current task but then he might have to worry about an angry mob of villiagers with torches and pitchforks after this was done. He shook his head getting the idiotic thought out of his head he was a Rune Knight sent to save them from their current predicerment. Then again he knew how those of his race normally were viewed but he and Loucetios weren't normal demons, but they both knew this was all people seen when the truth was found out even if they had been friends only moments before. Still this was an issue of the past, they normally kept to themselves only interacting with others when it was required and so longs their secret remain secret they had no need to worried about being hunted or chased off. They use to try and get close to people, they always hoped that they would find someone that they could tell their secret to and be accepted. That never seemed to to happen so they eventually had given up hope of such a thing happening so this was why they seemed to almost be on an island even in a sea of people. He flew as fast as his wings could take him towards his destination, the entire time he seemed more distracted on things and it was clear on his face. The past, the present and what might come depending on how twisted fate was towards them both. "Please allow us to settle here, even if only a little bit longer." he prayed not wanting to move on, if all else failed he guessed they could always move back to Sin but that had its own dangers but then they had survived there for a lot of their younger lives. He had no idea what the future held for them and knew the only way to deal with it was moving towards it head on and deal with whatever comes their way the same way.

He closed his eyes and continued flying forward it, he was at peace in the air he had completely forgotten what it was to have the freedom that he was currently experiencing. There was more to it though, he was listening to something, something that couldn't usually be heard by normal ears but to him it was entrancing. The secret song of the wind. A song that he said that he could hear even when he was a child, he had no idea why this was the case but he was happy that he had solice in something that he could claim was a gift that was his alone. A hour or two went past like they were mear moments as when he opened his eyes he could see a village in the distance "So soon?" he asked almost as if someone was beside him but no answer came or if it did come it was something only he himself could hear. He flapped his wings a little harder than he had previously launching himself forward a little faster towards his destination "Apprehend the enemy, don't kill them regardless of the atrocities you might see here." he reminded himself gently. It was true he and his twin weren't like most of their race but still they had the darker urges that came with being a demon and so they had to keep them in check or they would be as bad as the demon hunters said they were. At times he dispised those of other races and even his own race. He hated his own kind for doing what they do to Humans and other races so making his and his brother's lives that much more difficult. On the other races side, were he did dispise their ignorance and intolerance towards things he did understand it. They were raised with folklore, fables and religions that painted such beings in a darker light and his race on the whole done nothing to ebb that stereotype. Then again if people were only willing to see them as dark being why not live up to expectations he guessed, still this was not them and never would be them so longs they kept their darkness in check.

He found a clearing two miles away from the road and village to land before doing so and in a less than graceful way as he fell face first into the dirt for the second time that day. "It is just not my day." he grumbled before picking himself off the ground once again using his sleeve to dust off the mess on his clothing. "I wish their was more information on numbers, strength of the mages, magic types and locations but from the orders this cry from help came from a child who ran from here." he thought out loud, he couldn't blame anyone for not getting that kind of information given the situation especially a child in distress, it just meant he would have to play along for a while to gain what he needed to do this with as few casulities to innocents as possible, then again if even one got hurt due to his actions he would consider it a personal failure even if no one else did. He could also use this time to dwindle down the ranks since it was he was here alone and even if he did call for back up who knew how long it would take to get there or the casulties that would come with it. No, slow and steady was the way it had to be. He brought the orders out of his inner pocket once more reading them over for the final time, he needed to memorise it because he wouldn't have another chance at getting the details "They're being puppeted via mind control, should be easy enough to mimic." he said before bringing out a match box from his pocket, taking a match he struck it to light it and burned the orders. It wasn't something he would normally do but if he was caught with them on him the number would be up before it had even started, then again he still had his proof of being a Rune Knight on him. This could go one of two ways if that was found, they would either attack him or try to enslave him out of the two he hoped for the latter as he had a stronger mind and it would make them gloat which would put them into a false sense of security. It unfortunatly meant that he would have to endure whatever humiliation and pain they put him through while not acting out against it, that would be a challenge in a half as his blood would want to take over and rip anyone near him apart.

His eyes remained on the burning orders without even so much as a flinch, that was until it came to the guild's symbol. The moment that started to burn his stomach twisted and he felt regret for doing it as if it was a serious crime that he had just comitted "Forgive my actions ma'am, I do this for the greater good." he whispered to the wind almost hoping that the wind would deliver the message for him, the chances are it would but regardless of if his words travelled to the guildmaster Serilda's ears or not she likely would not hear them. He had heard that on ocassion even if a person didn't hear words spoken to them due to distance, they got the feeling that someone was saying something meant for them but he didn't know if there was much stock in that or not. When the flames had eaten most of the paper and all of the words he dropped it into a puddle to put it out before picking up what was left of the paper and placed it into his pocket with the matches, he would find a bin to put the scrap in soon most likely. With that he started walking towards the villiage formulating a plan as he went but it was rather hard as he was pretty much going into a hostile situation through the front gate blind but this was the kind of path he chose when he joined the Rune Knights and even now he didn't reget making the decision.

Word count: 3,007
Exam Word Count Met
Will continue this task as a job.

Once again he started moving towards the path, he would be able to sell his story more if he walked in via the front gate than trying to sneak around, that would do nothing more than arise suspicion. He knew that thre was so many ways this could go wrong, he wasn't equipped with any armour or weapons after all which was more than a little inconvenient given he had locked his offensive magic when he seen how destructive it was when he was a child. Then again he guessed that this would be a blessing in disguise, if he had such things they wouldn't even give him a chance at to make any kind of move, he also decided to push his magic down to seem like just an everyday person without magic. He imagined that mages would be seen as a threat instantly and so erradicated without a second thought, that would make this trip that much more annoying... not like it wasn't already annoying but he wanted to prevent having anymore issues than going in to hostile territory blind and at a severe disadvantage magically due to only having things that was made for support. He might not have regreted his guild choice but he was definatly regreting bumping into the one who gave him the orders, she was of a higher rank why didn't she just take a unit and deal with this mess. He then realised just how bad of an idea that was as there would be to many unneeded casualties, but he couldn't believe there weren't other individuals better suited to do this kind of thing. Then again he was still new there so he guessed it was some sort of test to put him through his paces, then it struck him did they suspect him and his twin for what they were? Surely not, if they had they would have already attacked, imprisoned them or chased them off right? He shook his head his long black hair even tied up dancing around his body 'This isn't the time to be thinking things like that, just accept the gift that has been given until it is once again smashed by reality.' he remined himself in a mild scolding tone as he came to a stop in front of a closed gate blinking.

"Well that's new, I don't remember home keeping the gates closed during the day." he said in surprise not sure if that was normal as most villages kept their gates open unless it was late or they were under attack, he may not have came from the place but he had to sell it as if he did. "HELLO! ANYONE UP THERE?" he called out looking up at the gate watching as two men that he could only really say looked like bandits trying to look like respectable guards looked over "What do you want?" the first called out almost as if he was disgusted at the sight of him "I'm wanting to come in, I am homesick and want to visit my family. That is still alright isn't it?" he said calmly a pleasant smile on his face as he spoke not caring as he would just have to find another way in that they might not like if they refused. "You live here?" the second man asked making him nod "Yes, I do. Don't you?" he asked his expression never changing, it actually caught the two off guard as they hadn't expected him to ask such a question. "I was sent to school for child progides when I was six and came home for special occasions and holidays. Now I don't need to be escorted due to my age so return home when I can, it has been a while so I truly don't know if there are any new faces about. It is a pleasure to meet you both anyway." he said anticipating their next question, their likely answer to his own question and bowing in a way which normally would be expected from young gentlemen from such schools furthering solidifying his story.

The two guards looked to Hania for a moment before looking at each other, they couldn't feel any magical aura from him so they took him at his word. He and his brother weren't well known in Fiore, they had grown in Sin and only over the last eighteen months had arrived in the country and had moved more often than they would like to admit because their secret was revealed one way or another. They now no longer trusted that they would have to move if it was found out again and so they only dealt with that part of themselves when no one was around. It was due to that fact he had actually had difficutly flying to the village, he knew Loucetios would likely never let him live it down if he found out but then if he had forgotten how to do something that should be as simple as breathing to him he had to wonder if Loucetios was the same. It was something he would definatly have to find out when he returned back to the rune knight headquarters. "Is there a problem?" he asked them seeming somewhat confused as to why the gate hadn't been opened yet "My parents are expecting me, I sent a letter last week." he said crossing his arms now seeming somewhat suspicious about the goings on. He watched as the two men went into quietly talking to one another and sighed "If there is an issue I can go to the Rune Knights and they can investigate, I have limited time before I have to return to school and I am not willing to fool around." his tone now sounding like a frustrated young man that had travelled a long distance to get there. He was indeed frustrated, he was young and he had travelled quite a distance to get there having fallen once and fought to remain in the sky for a good while so the last thing he wanted to do was deal with dumb and dumber manning the gate of the small village.

He sighed "Very well, I will get the Rune Knights involved." he said after a long few minutes and started to turn around, it was then the gates started to open, it seemed his bluff was taken seriously. He knew the last thing they would want was for Rune Knights to get involved due to their own proclivities. "Hay, you... I got the clearance to open the gate finally, sorry for the wait." the first 'guard' called out "Why didn't you just say you were waiting for the permission in the first place?" he asked seemingly confused "There's a reason we're on the gate" laughed the second guy a little trying to play it off knocking his head as if they were thick as wood. 'You need something denser than wood to describe you two.' he thought to himself as he walked towards the open gate once more bracing himself for an attack, he had threatened to go to the authorites to a bunch of dark mages, they would need to teach him a lesson before they attempted to make him mindless. He knew that beings who were afraid were easier to break and manipulate, it was the law of nature after all, a law that he and Loucetios knew all to well growing in sin thus making them harder to break but they could play the part of mindless puppets if needed; again it was survival at the end of the day. This day was going from bad to worse if you were to ask him but it was all for a duty that himself had accepted, he worried if his poor twin had to go through this. He had been blessed with magic were Loucetios might have possessed it he himself hadn't ever found a way to tap into it, it was as if his magic had been welded shut behind a blast door and nothing would unseal it. He pitied and admired his twin because being in a world rich with magic and not being able to tap into your own meant that he had, had to learn other ways to push past obsticals he couldn't otherwise obliterate through magical means. That being said neither could he as he had sealed his destructive magic away and held currently only a supportive magic making it far harder to do things offensive mages like several of the current God of Ishgar and Wizard Saints could, that was an issue he would have to rectify eventually but for now he would had to deal with and use what he had at hand so to speak... it frustrated him to no end.

He walked through the gate and looked around a bit "It's changed a bit since I was last home." he commented "Yeah, there's a new mayor." the first fake guard stated "Oh? I thought my parents would have mentioned such a thing happening. Then again, they did say that they would be busy in their last letter so it may be a few months til their next one. It likely happened since then." he chuckled as if he was overthinking things "I can't help but notice you have no luggage." the second fake guard stated finally noticing something that couldbe considered strange "Why would I need luggage? I live here, my school is only in Crocus after all. It be a little different if I was schooling in another country.." he trailed off for a moment as if he was trying to remember something "Thank you for reminding me, my parents will be pleased to know I got to do the student transfer in Midi for a year and then I go to Joya from there." He grinned happily conking his head a few times as if he was a numbskull for forgetting such a thing. He heard the shifting of the men's bodies but only turned to look as they sent him flying back using a wind spell knocking him off his feet into the side of a building and onto his hands and knees almost as if he was bowed in front of them. He fought back the urge to fight back, his every fiber telling him to tare them limb from limb, how much he would enjoy their blood on his skin but pushed it back. He wasn't like that, he was different from others of his kind besides there were to many innocents who would lose their lives if he lost control and not from the dark mages. He looked up to the two men who where menacingly looking down at him confused, he knew exactly what was going on and had expected an attack the moment the gate was closed once more; he unfortuneatly had to play the part of a normal person who was visiting home because he had no information to go off. There was also the fact that this could be bigger than river village, so didn't want to go on the offensive without all the facts and making sure as many innocent people as possible would go unharmed.

"Wha-" he finally coughed out his tone believable in his position, he could tell they weren't as strong as himself and many of his collegues inside the Rune Knights but he knew they had more numbers so a bunch of weak attacks could do just as much damage if not more. He also didn't want to underestimate those he hadn't came across yet as they could be much stronger than the two in front of him. "You picked a stupid time to return here." said the first fake guard kicking him in the mid rift making him cough out some blood "You made a big mistake threatening to bring the authorities here." the other said his foot landing squarely across his jaw making him fall to his side wincing a bit in pain "I.. I'm sorry... I.. I... Please... mercy..." he whimpered and stuttered, how he hated the actions he was taking against these two, he just wanted to rip their throats out with his teeth but took an internal deep breath to keep his demonic nature in check. He felt his head being pushed down into the ground and stomped on by one of the men, sure he was a mage of a higher class but this still hurt beyond belief and so winced crying out a bit "Aww, the little boy hurting?" he felt the man's foot now grinding on his head forcing it into the dirt, that was wanting to make him freakout, there were so many germs on him and he didn't like it, not one bit but for now there was nothing he could do 'Just wait, you'll be the first two I beat to within an inch of your pathetic lives.' he thought to himself, if it wasn't for the fact he was a rune knight then he would be doing more than giving them an eventual beating that was for damned sure. "You should know better than to threaten your superiors boy." the other man stated before he spat on Hania making him thrash a bit, he was able to deal with dirt within reason but spit of another person... no, that was something that just went way over the line "P... please... I... I ne... need to bathe... I...." he cried out feeling a boot come heavily down upon his back several times making him clench the dirt as his eyes closed in pain, he had stopped cries escaping but still couldn't stop the whimpers escaping his mouth with each connection of the boot on his back. "Aww, don't worry this is the least you have to worry about in your new life" he heard before a few seconds of searing pain followed by darkness.

Word Count: 2,333