Chapter 3 - The strange Fire Wizard

After making sure that all the remaining wolves were on fire(literally), the old man started flying off of the ground. He did so by blasting fire from his feet, to avoid getting too close to wild savage beings and to avoid getting caught on fire himself if a wolf was to approach him too close.

He flew thirty feet above the ground and witnessed the harsh slow death of those Wolves who didn't have a clue on how to escape this situation even though the river was about 50 meters away. But until they reached it, it would be way to late. The fire's temperature is just to high. It didn't take long until each wolf of that pack got burned down to death, only took half a minute. Eric was just covering his head with his arms, hoping no Wolf lands over him. But lucky for him no Wolf caused him damage and the land was finally safe to land.

As he landed, the strange old man approaches Eric and after that scene Eric just witnessed, it was easy to notice that this old man was a Master of the magic that he trained for, no apprentice can achieve that. The old black robe he was wearing and the long thick grey beard, showed clearly that this old man spends all his time learning and studying his magical skills, rather then caring anything about on how he looks. A true Wizard indeed.

But it is still unclear to Eric on how this Wizard managed to survive long enough to Master his skill at these high levels. As Magic was banned throughout the entire continent of Ignis. It was almost impossible to even become an Apprentice of any Magical skills in General without being burned alive, hanged or beheaded or r.a.p.ed before all that if one was a Witch.

Magic is seen as an evil and unstable art. At least that is what most close minded ill.u.s.tratios think throughout Ignis due to the influence of the religious organization known as "illas".

The wizard landed in front of Eric's feet and helped Eric get up. But as he did so, he also noticed a rather uniquely shaped mark on Eric's hand but he didn't question him about it at first. But again he couldn't help asking other questions. He had a lot.

"What are you doing here in these woods alone child. Do you even realize how dangerous it is to walk in actual groups around here. Walking alone at this age is beyond foolish. You would of been Wolf food by now if I didn't run in at the scene." Exclaimed the Strange Fire Wizard but not loud enough to further spook Eric.

Eric, who was still in shock and of course terrified to the maximum. Replies to the Fire Wizard with a trembling voice by saying. "I....i..was heading towards Crutal Kingdom with my f-father. I suppose our horse ran very fast when he noticed these Wolves. I was asleep and m-most likely fell off of the Wagon and here i am now." Worth noting that due to avoiding communication with a lot of people, Eric isolated himself to the point where he has trouble speaking. He often mumbles, as if his mouth can't catch up with his brain.

The Wizard looks at Eric with a lot of curiosity and with a different, more calm comforting voice he says "I suppose that makes sense. But now you should calm down. As there is no Danger in sight. You are safe boy. However, I do have some questions about that mark on your hand."

Eric takes a deep breath and lets it all out. His heart beat started stabilizing by the second. And right at the moment when the Fire Wizard was about to ask further questions about the mark. Eric's dad, Woldemir with their horse BlackWind reached the scene. He jumps out of the Wagon and runs towards Eric and hugs him tight. After that with a shaking terrified but in another way, a relieved voice he says

"Son, I am so glad you are alright. I didn't think that i will see you in one piece again. I prayed for the best but the fear of losing the only family member i have left o-overwhelmed and got the best out of me. H-how did you survive. I thought you would of been d-dead by now"

He said under his breath as he was checking Eric everywhere looking if he is injured. Of course even if they had comforts of thousand gold coins, healing strong wounds would be hard, light ones are of course easier but he still doesn't have the required tools. The best Woldemir could do towards a bloody wound would be to rip a shirt and tie the wound. Even though a small attempt, it works well enough for someone not to bleed to death. But luckily Eric is alright.

Eric decides to finally speak to his father. He noticed quite well the concern that his father had for him. Concern Woldemir was sure to show before, but not enough for Eric to notice apparently. In a gentle low volumed voice he says "At first, I killed the Black Wolf Pack leader with a FireBall. I think he was the leader. He was in the middle at least. I'm not sure how though...but a two feet wide Fireball blasted out of my hand and pierced the leader to the point of cutting him in two, afterwards burned the pack leader to death." Explained Eric as he struggled to fill full sentences at first shot, often mumbling.

Woldemir doesn't seem to be in shock off his son's newly discovered abilities though. Which raised suspicion from the old Fire Wizard's point of view. "I k-know how and where you got those powers from. I promise I will explain everything to you. Right now i j-just want to appreciate and treasure the fact that you are alive and in one p-piece." Gently told Woldemir as he started leading Eric towards the Wagon.

Eric can see his father's concern by looking into his eyes full of tears and hear it by listening to his shaking voice that Woldemir has, he clearly went through a lot. This situation broke him down a bit. In aims to calm his father down as they are walking towards the Wagon, Eric says in a low tone

"Father, I'm alright, there is nothing to worry about. But this old man is to thank for that. If it wasn't for him, I would off been dead by now. He saved my life." Said Eric as he gently got away from his Father's grip and pointed towards the Fire Wizard. Woldemir turns his head towards the old man, noticing how he doesn't seem like he is from around here but ignores it. He saved Eric after all. The last thing Woldemir would care about now, is appearance.

"I owe you a life. you have my deepest respect and gratitude. Please tell me. How may I repay you? We don't have much but, we can figure something out." Said Woldemir trying his best to offer assistance, seeing the old man travelling alone, he figured something is up.

"There is no need to thank me or to be in debt to me. I did it because it was the right thing to do. But allow me to introduce myself. I am Mogranius, an Expert Wizard of the beautifully dangerous fire controlling abilities. May i ask where are you planning to go? I've been looking for a specific Kingdom for days and I wasn't successful in finding it. I don't have a map and i started at a point I don't recognize."

Now Woldemir is rather confused as well. He is quite certain that Magic of any kind is strictly forbidden throughout the entire continent of Ignis. At least it became that way after the ill.u.s.tratio race invaded Ignis. Apart from that, he claims that he started to walk from a place he didn't recognize. How would he end up at that place to begin with?

He turns to Mogranius and says "First of all, I would like to thank you again for everything. And second, me and my son have been planning to go to the Crutal Kingdom. But may i ask, how many of your kind are there? How did you survive? You do know which continent you are on, right?"

Mogranius replies with "Well this is an interesting coincidence. I was looking for Crutal Kingdom all these days! Will you at least point me in the direction of it?

But I am rather curious on what you are trying to say with this "surviving" topic? There are tens of thousands of young and old Witches and Wizards spread around through our fine country(Occidentis igne)."

Eric jumps in the conversation and says"Father, weren't all witches and Wizards killed by the ill.u.s.tratio? At least that's what you told me."

Woldemir replies with "Yes son but i don't know how he survived. I am trying to understand what is going on here as well. Because I'm sure that there aren't anymore people left who practice Magic here on Occidentis ignis."

After that, Woldemir turns to Mogranius and says "Mogranius. Are you familiar with the fact that Magic is banned throughout all of the Continent of Ignis?"

A shock occurs instantly on Mogranius as he heard Woldemir say that sentence he starts yelling his sentences "But that is impossible!! How would magic be banned when even the Queen of Crutal Kingdom is a Witch? I've been gone only for a few days, when did all this change happen?"

After Mogranius finished that sentence, Woldemir jumps in the conversation and says

"Where have you been these few days exactly? Because magic of any sort has been banned ever since the ill.u.s.tratio race invaded this country about two hundred years ago and enslaved us with taxes, hunted down and killed everyone who practices magic. They killed them all. Why do you think we live so far away from the wall's protection?! It's the only way to escape all the taxes and double standard circ.u.mstances. But I can't say that the ill.u.s.tratio didn't cause us trouble in the farmhouse either. They are power obsessed monsters."

Mogranius replies with "H-Hold on!! I know nothing of this invasion!!! How did i get informed about it just now? How is it even possible? You two must have lost your minds!!"

Woldemir replies to him with a rougher tone

"Slow down there man. You can't talk to us like that! If you don't believe us, why don't you come with us? We can show you the truth! We are going to go to Crutal Kingdom together."

Mogranius replies with a bit of regret "My apologies, i lost my manners. But what you are claiming sounds bizarre. Occidentis Ignis is a hotspot for any Wizard or Witch to come and train all sorts of Magic! However, i will take that offer to join you. I need to see this with my own eyes. Otherwise i will never believe it!" Said Mogranius as he stroked his own beard, thinking of one theory after the other on how the ill.u.s.tratio would win, but he got no stable theory.

"Very well. But if you wish to join us, you will need to dress in clothes that draws less suspicion on us. Thankfully i do have some spare clothes. And when we are there, don't go by the name "Mogranius" if anyone asks you. Use a name that sounds more like a local name. Go by the name "Garther". Should be good enough to not be chased by people with pitchforks and torches or swordsmen too, in this matter." Exclaimed Woldemir the importance of blending in at Crutal Kingdom.

If he doesn't blend in, Mogranius would be attacked, Eric and Woldemir would be beheaded.