User blog:Pollux83/Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 2 (reworked)

Chapter Overview

Here is the reworked version of Chapter 2. It includes a new dialog and minor changes.

2 Home



I was back in Niskara. My beloved hometown. The sun was shining, only a few clouds were in the sky and it was pleasantly warm. It was a wonderful day. My first goal was the house of my parents. If I hurried I would be home before lunch. Mmmmmmm, my mother's food. I just had to make it in time. 

I hurried. Standing at the door, I could smell the food of my mother. I knocked slightly nervous on the door. Shortly after, my father opened the door. Father: "Yes?" He looked at me. Then his eyes grew wide and he began to rejoice. He went straight to me and hugged me. "Mareus, my son. Nice that you're back."

Mareus: "I'm also happy, father. I'm also happy. "We hugged each other for a long time. The joy of reunion was just too big. Father: "My son, it is nice that you are back. Why did not you send us a message that you came home?" Mareus: "It was a spontaneous decision. And it should be a surprise." We slowly broke our embrace, even though my father did not want to let me go. Father: "The surprise was successfully. Come in. Hanna will also want to see you"



We went inside. There nothing had changed. The family pictures were still visible on the shelf. We went to the kitchen. It only took one look and my mother had recognized me. Mother: "Mareus. What are you doing here? "Immediately, she dropped everything and hugged me. "My goodness you're grown up." Father: "Yes. Our boy is now a real man." I just smiled back. Parents can be so embarrassing. But he was right. I had a growth spurt and was now almost half a head higher than my father. Besides, I was pretty well trained. Mareus: "It's nice to be here again. What's for lunch?" Mother: "Just a simple stew. I did not know you were coming." My mother looked at my father. Father: "What do you look at me like that? I also knew nothing."

Mareus: "This is my fault. I just wanted to see you again and I broke up spontaneously." Mother: "It's nice to have you back here. But what about your studies?" Mareus: "I'll tell you about it at lunch. It was a long journey and I'm really hungry." Mother: "The food still needs to simmer. Until then, you can get the dishes out of the cupboard." Mareus: "OK."



We set the table. To the stew there was still some bread. It was not really special, but when the mother did the food, it tasted twice so good. Mother: "Come on, tell me. What did you learn in the years?" I had regularly sent letters home, but my mother wanted to hear it from me personally.

Mareus: "Everything about magic. Most of it is pure theory." Father: "Well, just show us a little example of your magic." I realized that the two would only give peace when I showed them something. Mareus: "If I can continue eating then." I put my spoon aside and folded my hands as if I were praying. Then I concentrated and let my hands slowly slide apart. There were several blue-white lightnings between my palms and the air crackled. Father: "Impressive." Mareus: "This was nothing." I finished my little magic trick.



Mother: "And otherwise? What did you do when you did not study?" Mareus: "Not much. Most of the time I had training until the evening." Father: "But that is not OK. At your age you have to have fun." Knowing my parents looked at each other and grinned. Mother: "David is right. You're still too young. You have to live your life." Mareus: "I know." I lowered my head. I had been thinking about how I should tell my parents this for days, but there was not any right moment for it. "I have to tell you something." My parents looked at me anxiously.

Father: "What is it?" Mareus: "It's about my studies. I've aborted it." I felt as if a stone would just crush me. My parents looked at me in surprise and shock. Mother: "What? But why?" Father: "Has anything happened?" Yes, something had happened, but this I could not tell my parents. Who would voluntarily tell his parents that you almost killed someone with your magic? So I preferred to skip a few details. Mareus: "Yes, no. I just can not endure it anymore. It just got too much for me." My mother took my hand.

Mother: "But why did not you tell us? You know that you can tell us everything." Even if parents always say it is not true. There are a few exceptions and this was one of them. Mareus: "I just did not want to disappoint you. I've seen how proud you are of me." Father: "We will always be proud of you. You are our son." Mother: "You've done so much. You can use magic. This alone is incredible." Father: "If you really need a break, then take it." Mareus: "It is not only the hard work. As nice as Tegras was, I never felt comfortable there. The people are friendly, but it is different. This hostility to Mamono. Besides, my noble classmates never really accepted me." Mother: "Why did not you tell us that?" She came to me and squeezed me tightly.



Father: "If you do not want to return to Tegras, then we understand that." My father was a bit disappointed, I could feel that. But my welfare was more important for my parents. Mareus: "Thank you." I was glad to have finally told my parents. Even if it was only half the truth.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mother: "Do you already know what you want to do now?" Mareus: "Not yet." Father: "With your talents you will find something." Mareus: "I think so, too. If necessary, I'll just be a librarian in the castle." Mother: "As long as you are happy you can do what you want." If only I had listen to my mother. But I had finally decided for another way. A way that was still far in the future. We talked for quite a while. I learned that Kai had joined the military. I wanted ... no, I had to pay him a visit. But that had time until tomorrow, because it was already late. <p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">The next day on the training grounds of the city guard. The training grounds. I used to have my special training here. Yes, I was trained not only in the art of magic, but also could hold a sword. Wielding a Sword was a good complement to my windmagic. I looked around and saw Kai. He was training with other soldiers. So I grabbed a sword and a training armor and challenged him.

Mareus: "Hello." Kai: "Hello." Kai looked at me but obviously did not recognize me. Kai: "Say, are you new here? I've never seen you here before." Mareus: "Yes, I just arrived here." That was not even a lie. Kai: "A newcomer. Well then, show what you can do." Mareus: "Well, of course." We both raised our swords and began to fight.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai: "Not bad. You definitely have experience in sword fighting." Mareus: "But you too." Kai: "I'm not doing this here since yesterday." We both interrupted the fight for a moment. Kai: "What do you say if we fight more seriously?" Mareus: "I would like it." Now we showed what we could. We quickly attracted the attention of the other soldiers.

"Come on. Finish him." "Kai, you will not be so easily defeated." "You can make it."

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai and I ignored the soldiers and focused on fighting. Kai: "You're not even that bad, but you have to work on your technique. If you kept your sword like that, you could parry your opponent's attack much easier." Mareus: "Thanks for the tip, I'll try to remember that." Kai: "Oh yes," with a powerful blow he took me out of balance, "you have to work on your footwork." Lying on my back, I had to laugh: "You really did not change at all, but I could never defeat you in a sword fight anyway." With swordfights I meant wooden swords. My goodness, as children, we were so proud of our self-carved wooden swords.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai thought, because I was somehow familiar to him: "Wait, you're not Mareus, or? Uh, I did not recognized you with your new hairstyle." Mareus: "That's funny, my mother said this to me too." We both had to laugh. Kai: "Come on. I'm sure you have a lot of stories to tell. " Mareus: "Well, not stories directly, but I can do this now." I raised my right hand to the sky and fired a fireball. Kai: "You can do that now? I'm curious about what you've learned in Tegras." Kai always wanted to master the art of magic and he envied my talent, even if he never showed it. Mareus: "Quite a lot, but you were not idle as I can see." Kai: "Indeed, two months ago I was even promoted to sergeant." Mareus: "Well then, congratulations for promotion."

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai: "Thank you very much, too. But tell me, what are you doing here?" Mareus: "Long story. In short, I just wanted to go back home and visit my friends." Kai: "I can understand that. After 3 years I would want that too." Mareus: "Besides, I wanted to see what you are doing now. So you went to the military." Kai: "Yes. It just turned out that way. I participated in the aptitude test and they wanted me. The pay is good and I said not no." Mareus: "Already had a mission?" Kai: "Only the general watch service. Last year I was allowed to guard a Mamono-merchant. " Mareus: "And?" Kai: "And what?" I grinned at him. Mareus: "Was she cute?" Kai: "You ask me if she was cute?" I swear he was slightly red in the face. "Of course she was cute. Have you ever seen a Mamono which is not cute? " Mareus: "No." I almost had to start laughing.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai: "Let's change the subject. Back to you. You said you wanted to see your friends." Mareus: "Yes. I was already by Jack and Julian. " Kai: "I sometimes buy from Jack. Was somehow clear that he was taking over his parents' shop." Mareus: "Yet he's standing at the cash desk." Kai: "Right." Mareus: "Tell me, what is Lara doing now?"

Kai: "You do not know it? She is now in apprenticeship under Neran." Mareus: "Neran? The blacksmith? Honestly?" Kai: "Yes! And she's pretty good." Mareus: "I'm not surprised. Lara has always been good at the things she did." I remembered many things.

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Kai: "Earth to Mareus." Mareus: "Yes, what is it?" Kai: "What do you think if we go to her together? Right now she should work in the forge." Mareus: "How do you know that?" Kai: "What do you think where we let our weapons forge?" Mareus: "... true." Kai: "Some even say she is so good that she is soon known in the whole country." What would not be too difficult in Niskara. Mareus: "Now you are exaggerating." Kai: "Maybe, but she's really good. We should go visit her immediately. She'll be delighted to see you. " Mareus: "Do you really mean that?" I asked Kai a little bit too enthusiastically. Kai: "Of course." Kai grinned at me. He knew only too well that I and Lara were more than just friends. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you again. Provided she recognize you with your new hairstyle." Mareus: "Really, what problem have all with my hair?"

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">After Kai had signed off in the barracks, we went to Neran's smithy. From time to time the old blacksmith had let us watch when he had forged something. Of course, only if we have been useful. No wonder that Lara was now with him in teaching. We went through the town to Nerans smithy. There we went inside. A small bell rang.

Lara: "Just look around, I'll be right back." I recognized Lara's voice immediately and could hardly wait to see her again. I looked around, the shop was full of armors, swords and other weapons. So everything a soldier needed. Lara: "Neran is on the road and will be back until the end of the week. Until then, you must have made do with me. " Lara stepped out of the back room, where the actual forge was located. She was wearing a blacksmith apron and her face was a little dirty. And she looked beautiful.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Lara: "Ah Kai, it's you. You could visit me more often. I see you almost only if you do any errands for the barracks." She took off her apron and quickly left something behind the counter. Then she came to us. Lara: "And whom did you bring me here to..." A smile from me was enough and she immediately knew who I was. Full of joy, she jumped into my arms with zest. A little too much zest, because the next thing I remembered was the wooden floor and Lara, who slightly frightened laid on me. Kai: "Hey you two, are you OK?"

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Mareus: "Ouch." I had forgotten that Lara was so impetuous even as a little child and that she had too much energy. So I laid on the ground for the second time on one day. Note: Visiting friends endangers health.

<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Lara stood up and looked at me. "Mareus are you okay? I'm so sorry. Come, I'll help you up." She sounded slightly hectic and nervous. I took her right hand and she pulled me up. Lara: "When did you get back here? What did you experience in Tegras? …" She had a thousand questions and obviously wanted to ask me all at once. Mareus: "Stop, stop, stop. Calm down. I am glad to see you too." I noticed that I was still holding her hand and I realized that I never wanted to let her go, again. I looked into her blue eyes and enclosed her hand with both hands. At that moment, I knew. I knew I would never let Lara go again. I smiled at her and noticed tears running down her face. She lowered her head. So I should not see her. Not then and not today. I took my left hand and gently pushed her long blond hair aside. I gently touched her cheek. We became aware of what we had known deeply in our hearts all those years.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">We had been friends from childhood on, had experienced countless things together, were best friends a whole lifetime and yet, we realized the truth only when it was almost too late.

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">3 years, 3 long years had passed, 3 years in which none of us could forget the face of the other. And now, after all these years, none of us wanted to be longer separated from the other.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">This moment, the moment when we both laid in the arms of the other, looking at each other in the blue eyes, the moment we kissed for the first time, this moment is one of the most beautiful moments of my life and I will keep this moment in my heart until the end of my life.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">After what felt like an eternity we realized that Kai was still there. I looked at him. He smiled contentedly. Kai did not have to say anything, his gaze was enough. I understood and looked back at Lara. I gently stroked her hair. "You're still as beautiful as then." "Just as beautiful as then?" "Uhm ... I meant, of course, you're much, much more beautiful now." "Oh, is that so?" She started giggling. "Well then …" We kissed again.

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">At some point, Kai spoke again. Kai: "So you two, do you want to stand there longer and snog? I can go if you want to be alone, that's no problem for me." A single evil look from Lara was enough and Kai was clearly cowed. Lara: "Tell me, what did you do with your hair?" Really, why everyone asked this question? Mareus: "Well, in Tegras boys did not wear long hair and so I came to this short hairstyle." Lara: "I think it is much better now. With this long hair you looked more like a girl than a boy." Kai had to hold back his laughter visibly. Lara stroked my hair. "I am imagining it or is your blonde hair become even darker?" Mareus: "Yes, it's still darkened a bit."

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<p style="text-align: LEFT; margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%">Lara: "If you consider that you had almost silver-white hair as a young boy. That always surprises me." Mareus: "I can't change it. Your hair, on the other hand, still shines as gold-blond as ever." Lara: "Well, what do you two think if I close here quickly and then we go to eat something together." Kai: "I would say yes." I looked deeply into her eyes: "Gladly." Lara: "Well, there you can tell also tell us everything you've experienced in Tegras." Eating out was a good idea because my stomach was already growling. Then I thought. Had I taken money with me?