“Adrian, I know there are many answers you seek. And, I believe you are old enough to understand why I am unable to tell you certain things.
In truth, the magics I wield are dangerous and life-altering, and the knowledge you seek is a heavy burden. Once you start on the path I walk, there is no turning back. Hence my reluctance to share such things now, when there are so many other paths and opportunities in front of you.
However, if the years pass and you feel in your heart that this is what you wish to do... If you can also be patient, I would be willing to take you on as my apprentice.
If this is what you wish, on the day following your 18th birthday, meet me on the pinnacle of Haventree Palace. Know that I will not be able to tell you everything immediately, but I will at least be able to start. And I will have just as many questions for you as you do for me.”
----
Alstroemeria had left Adrian with these words on his fifteenth birthday, knowing full well he would remember them and this would be the path he would eventually choose. Perhaps it was in their shared blood… or more likely their lore… to make such decisions. Meeting in private locations for the dispersal of secret knowledge was an irresistible offer for the curious soul.
Perhaps I could have done better to make it seem less enticing.
Alstroe sighed and stared out at the night sky, it’s stars only slightly dimmed by the distant glittering New Arcanon. She had started waiting at midnight, accounting for the fact the boy might arrive as early as he could. But for now, she was alone with the stars and her own thoughts.
There was an inkling of fear in her heart. Fear that, despite her intentions, this knowledge could destroy Adrian. Or he could eventually use this knowledge to destroy her. It was always a possibility. She had grown far too accustomed to the look on someone’s face when they finally saw her for what she truly was.
And yet, it was foolish to let such fears hinder her. Keeping this knowledge from him indefinitely had the exact same risks and far more uncertainty in outcomes.
Thus, she waited for her nephew.
Adrian looked out his window for the fifteenth time in twenty minutes, almost willing the sun to rise sooner. He continued to pace in his room unable to sleep that entire night from how anxious he was. The thrill of finally being able to learn some of the secrets being kept from him kept him going, but his immediate family kept him in his room.
If I use magic, Dad will know and stop me. If I just try to sneak out my overprotective brother will hear me.. or smell me then stop me from breaking curfew. If I somehow make it past him then Pa will probably find me.
He sighed to himself and threw himself onto his bed. He waited letting his imagination run completely uninhibited as he did. Eventually light broke out over the horizon. With a large grin he bolted to meet with his favorite Aunt.
As he went he had to dodge around his brother a known early riser. He arrived in front of his aunt nearly out of breath, not surprised at all to see her waiting there for him.
"I'm here. I'm interested. So where do we start?" He looked up panting ever so slightly and smiled at Alstroemeria.
Alstroemeria couldn't help but smile at Adrian's pattering up the stairs.
Though as Adrian greeted her, she made it apparent that a different side of herself would be speaking to him. Today, Alstroe wore a brown cloak that's purpose seemed to mute her distinguishing features. Under her cloak, her hair had been braided so that it was easier to hide. At her side was a plain, wooden staff. In her other hand she held a matching cloak that Adrian would soon enough find to be just his size.
"I do commend your patience, Adrian. Though as you recall, I said I would also have questions for you."
She exuded an air of seriousness as she spoke, all while retaining the smile she had for her nephew.
"So, before I begin, I would ask several questions of you. Why have you joined me here today? And furthermore I would ask you what you think I am... or what it is you think I do? I am aware of the many rumors concerning my nature, so I believe it might be best to clear up any misconceptions at the start before we go too deep.
Now would also be the time to ask what questions you have of me before we begin. Though there will also be plenty of time for questions as we go, so there is no pressure to ask everything now."
As he noted his aunt’s more serious demeanor he reigned himself back in. He stood up straight and met her eyes before he spoke.
“Well there’s the obvious rumors of my parentage, but I’ve always felt there was something more to them. Nothing involving you or my dads ever seem to be simple. I can make guesses but they would just be shots in the dark.”
He paused to see if was going to say anything before he continued.
“I know just because of how secretive you and my dads are about it that not everything you do is on the level. What exactly that is I’m not completely sure. You also do a lot of work with Dad with the government the two of you have relatively paved an entire new road that people seem to on average be at least okay with.”
He ran a hand through his hair as he considered his next words. “As for what I think you are. You’re not human anymore I assume, not a Shifter either obviously. I’m not sure if you’re a goddess but since you’re asking what I think.”
He gave her a small nervous smile. “I think you’re my Aunt Alstroemeria, and your species doesn’t really matter to me. As for why I joined you here, it’s because I have questions that no one was willing to answer and I’m hoping that changes today.”
Alstroe nodded as Adrian spoke, listening attentively.
"Then I suppose it is best to start with what I am, truly. And how that relates to your unique abilities with magic..."
She cut herself off as she spoke, biting her lip.
"Though, a warning in advance Adrian. None of this is ever going to be simple. And the things that I tell you today... I am going to be counting on you to keep them secret."
Her golden eyes met Adrian's, almost in a sense of pleading. Despite her severity, in that moment she appeared much younger then she truly was.
"Can I trust you to do this, Adrian?"
Adrian almost took a step back from Alstroe out of total surprise. He couldn’t recall his aunt ever appearing so vulnerable before. He swallowed his nerves however and pressed on.
His purple eyes met her gold as determination settled onto his face and into his voice as he spoke. “I’m not surprised that the truth behind you consuming a god would hardly be a simple matter. I promise you Aunt Alstroe I won’t betray your trust.”
A warm smile appeared on Alstroe’s face, seemingly replacing remaining trepidation. At least on the surface.
“Thank you, Adrian. Then I suppose we should start.”
She took a deep breath, knowing after this there would be no going back.
“To begin, I am what Aisling is, and what her sisters were. There is much of them I do not know. I’ve only met one original personally, who dubbed her people ‘Antecedents’. I find it a preferable term to ‘gods’. As an Antecedent, I am capable of casting magic without a focus- 'first magics'- though this is the only way I am capable of using magic. That said, this is an incredibly strenuous to my body, with numerous inherent risks that I know not the true extent of.
I was not born in this way, as my abilities and appearance are a direct result of my tampering with the first magics during the revolution. As the stories say, I became this way by stealing this power from the gods- by taking the divine magic Aisling and my ancestor had bound into the ancient tome Avalon. That much is true, though it is a far more complicated and far less romantic. As such, I view this power as a duty as opposed to a gift and is something I take with the utmost of gravity”
She studied Adrian as she spoke, gauging his reaction.
“As for yourself… that is unfortunately not my secret to share. What I can say is that you are touched by first magics. Though I am uncertain of why you have the ability to wield them without being an Antecedent, the reality is that you can.
As was in my case, using magic in this way could eventually turn you into an Antecedent. From that point onward it will be the only way you will be able to cast magic, and the change would be irreversible. Alternatively, the strain of casting magic in that way as a human could simply outright kill you before you are able to make transformation. Or something else completely different could happen. As I said before, there is much I do not know. But… all of the people I know who have chosen to dabble in these magics have done so at great cost to themselves.
Your life is yours to do as you will, Adrian. But. None the less I would advise caution before you delve too deeply. From personal experience, when it comes to matters of the first magic, of Antecedents, you have much more than your own life to lose. I cannot deny that it is only providence that I am able to stand before you today to tell you this.”
Alstroemeria finished speaking for the moment, giving her nephew time to digest her words.
"So.. when I use magic.. would I become like you then?"
His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.
"I know Dad always makes me pretend I'm using a focus because he doesn't want people knowing I can use magic without it, but he told me in the past people were able to use magic without them. That I was just born gifted in that regard. Did he lie to me?"
He sighed and took a deep breath.
"I need to know more." His eyes narrowed ever so slightly at Alstroemeria. "You said you can't tell me about me, why I'm clearly different from other humans. Do my Dads know?"
He bit his lip as he clearly held his reactions back. "What else are people hiding from me?"
"It is a wise idea regardless to make others believe you use a focus, as otherwise it attracts unwanted attention. Unwanted attention seldom leads to anything good. I always carry around a staff for that purpose, though given my actions in the past I do not carry the same deniability you are able to. And, to reiterate. Numerous things could happen if you continue to magic in this way- becoming what I am is only one possibility I am aware of." She spoke matter-of-factly.
"And your father wasn't lying. People were once able to use the magic closer to how you are able to. I know not what exactly changed, though Connor and I have theories. Warren... to be frank... doesn't understand any of this despite his best attempts to.
One thing I can assure you of, Adrian, is that you are human. A human close to the first magics, perhaps as they all once were, but a human none the less. Just... when it comes to these matters, there is far too much we do not understand."
Alstroemeria continued to study her nephew, making note of growing frustration.
Though, on the topic of understanding...
"Though, Adrian. Something I might ask you before I continue. Why do you think such things would be hidden from you? Or why we hide such information from everyone?"
He didn’t hesitate for a second. “Because that sort of knowledge is dangerous. I don’t know the particulars but it’s clear just about anyone could gain those powers we can only really liken to a God.”
His head tilted ever so slightly. “But people would have to know to be able to defend against those threats correct? Is that what you do in secret with Dad?”