Hurried footsteps approached him. Cassian looked up to see a young man staring at him with concern. His lips were drawn into a thin line, and anger flashed in his brown eyes. "Watch it!" he said through gritted teeth, yelling at the older man near them. The man towered over them, his muscles flexing as he balanced the heavy box on his shoulders.
"Don't yell at me, boy. Your brother should learn to use his eyes, Lucian." His voice was rough and scolding. With that, the man walked away, muttering under his breath.
Cassian pressed his hand against his forehead. Warm blood smeared his fingers, and he grimaced.
Wait, brother? He turned sharply towards Lucian, who glared at the man with furrowed eyebrows.
Wasn't I meant to be reincarnated?
Lucian caught Cassian's gaze, and his gaze softened. "I think I have a handkerchief to clean the bleeding." He drew a pale blue cloth from his pocket. As his fingers brushed Cassian's forehead, energy coursed through his body. Fragmented memories forced their way into his mind: names, faces, a well-decorated house, all of which he didn't recognise.
He jerked from Lucian's touch, blinking. Whose memories are those? Just who am I?
"Are you okay?" Lucian's voice was concerned, and his hands hung in the air, unsure. Cassian shook his head sharply, trying to calm the growing panic in his stomach. "I don't know."
A bell chimed in the background, surprising the two. Swearing, Lucian gripped Cassian's wrist and dragged him. "The ceremony! We will be late. Father wouldn't be pleased." They wove through the dusty path until they reached a clearing. A small temple loomed at the end.
Its stone facade was worn and discoloured, and foliage crawled through the cracks. People surrounded the entrance, talking in groups. Cassian noticed some wearing white robes at the large doors, welcoming people.
"Lucian!"
A woman's voice called out. They turned to see an approaching woman. Her greying brown hair was plaited elegantly on her head, and her slim gown swayed with each step. "Why are you late? Oh, dear, why is he bleeding?"
A fresh fragrance drifted from her. The wrinkles around her eyes accentuated her beauty.
"He hit his head on the way."
She placed her hands on her hips. "Get him a handkerchief and take him inside. He is late!"
"Mrs Duskbane, it's nice to see you." A practised smile traced her lips as she turned to a man and left them alone.
Lucian half-dragged Cassian towards the temple doors. Above the entrance, Cassian noticed a faded motif of a red-haired woman.
As Lucian's hands tightened on his wrist, another jolt of energy tore through his body. He felt lightheaded.
Cassian wrenched his hands from Lucian's grip. "You don't need to drag me." Lucian's eyebrows shot up as he stared down at him.
"Alright."
Then Cassian realised he wasn't Lucian's real brother and might be acting strangely. I don't want to discover what happens when he realises I am different.
I should play along.
"Duskbanes, late again? I would have a word with your father…"
"Where are the initiates meant to stay?" Lucian interrupted the robed man. The man's smile twitched in annoyance, and he pointed into the temple. "Turn to your left once you enter. You should see someone by the door." His eyes narrowed as he watched Cassian. The second door leads to the health bay. His wounds need stitching."
"Thank you. Come on," Lucian mumbled as they walked past him.
The temple was quiet; half of the pews were filled. A group of giddy teens in grey cloaks stood by a door.
"Do you want me to follow you to the health bay?"
Cassian blinked. "I guess, if you want to."
Inside the room, a pleasant-looking woman in baby blue robes sat. She raised her head at the sound of the door and smiled.
"Oh. Hello, Lucian. What do you need?" She chirped, and Lucian pointed at Cassian's forehead. She clicked her tongue and gestured for Cassian to sit.
"Doesn't your brother need to get ready with the other initiates?" She stood upright to attend to him. She picked up a round stone with runic engravings, which pulsed gently in her hands.
Cassian watched with stunned eyes as water droplets formed in her free hand. They sparkled in the sunlight and danced around her fingertips.
She dabbed his wound gently. The water was cold to the touch, and his forehead tingled.
With a satisfied click of the tongue, she stood upright and smiled gently. "All fixed."
Cassian raised his fingers to his forehead. His skin was clear and unbroken.
"How did you do that?" The woman cocked her head to the side, playing with the stone. "Well, by using this." She waved the stone in front of him. "And you might be able to do it too, since your awakening ceremony is today and whatnot. Aren't you excited?" Her eyes shimmered, matching her bubbly attitude.
There is magic? He always thought magic was rare and used only by dark practitioners.
"Thank you, we'll be on our way." Lucian placed a gentle hand on Cassian's shoulder, bringing him back to the present.
"Alright, bye, and may the gods favour you!" She waved them goodbye.
The gods' favour? He shivered as he remembered the Reaper.
He tried to remember what they had said, but the thought eluded him.
Lucian led Cassian out of the room and towards the initiates.
"Hello, Cassian." Some greeted him with warm smiles. A handful of them looked at Cassian with contempt and whispered among themselves.
So, I'm the popular type. He ignored them, pursing his lips.
"I'll leave you here then. Listen to what the priests tell you and behave yourself." Lucian patted his shoulder. Before Cassian could respond, Lucian walked away, leaving him alone.
He found a chair and plopped down. Resting his chin on his hands, he stared off into space.
So, I've been shoved into someone else's life, and now I'm about to get tested for magic. Whatever that means.
It sounded unbelievable, but there he was.
A grey overcoat dropped on his leg. He raised his head to see a guy smiling down at him. "Here, I noticed you didn't have your coat and got one for you. Can I sit?" The stranger didn't wait for Cassian's response. He made himself comfortable in the chair. Cassian glared at him, annoyed that he was intruding on his personal space.
"I'm Theophilus, but my friends call me Theo."
I didn't ask, though.
His bright green eyes reminded him of the foliage outdoors, and his healthy tan was unlike Cassian's pale skin.
"It must be nice being the chief's son." Chief's son? That's news to me. "Am I that obvious?" Theo chuckled as he pointed at Cassian's hair.
"White hair with fair skin, typical Duskbane appearance." Oh…
Cassian looked away, trying to shut Theophilus out.
"My family came from the neighbouring village so I could attend the ceremony. Our village doesn't have a temple. I hope I get something good." Cassian gave Theophilus a tired look and a thought planted in his mind.
I could ask him what is going on. He seems like the talker.
"What is this ceremony about anyway?" He tried to act nonchalant. Theophilus, eager to answer, didn't suspect a thing. "Well, we must find out what string we can manipulate. Basically, what magic can we do. There is fire, water, air…" He rambled on, losing Cassian for a moment.
The door to the room opened sharply. An older man entered.
"Form a queue, males on the right and females on the left. Hurry now."
They obeyed quickly. Theophilus nudged Cassian, and they joined the queue.
"Why aren't you wearing your coat?" The man glared at Cassian. His lanky frame made the ceremonial robes hang awkwardly. The man muttered, 'Duskbanes', before he walked off.
"As I said, I hope I get something cool like earth or water. Imagine some poor sucker gets the Arcane string."
Cassian frowned. "What's wrong with that?"
Theo lowered his voice. "Arcane isn't just rare. It's forbidden. The last one who awakened it was executed."