Kastori Tribulations (The Kastori Chronicles Book 3) (4 page)

“You have all learned much in my class,” Tara said.
Nothing I didn’t already know. I need a better challenge.
“You have all learned the fundamentals of black magic. But some of you are becoming a bit too arrogant.”

“Who?” Typhos responded immediately, tired of Tara dancing around the issue as she had for weeks. All eyes shifted to him, some in shock, some concerned, but all curious to see where this outspoken boy would go.

“Who?” Tara said, shocked.

“Yes, who? Me? Because my name isn’t ‘some of you,’ it’s Typhos.”

Tara sighed, as eager as Typhos was to get away.

“Yes, Typhos, you. And I will tell you why, and all of you need to know why being arrogant with black magic is a dangerous path. It is an art that, in the right hands, can protect those who are not strong in it. In some cases, it can even protect our entire civilization. But in the wrong hands, it can bring about the devastation of our people and our world. It can produce horrible tragedies, as evidenced by wars from centuries ago. My job as your teacher is not just to demonstrate how to perform black magic, but also to teach you the philosophy of black magic. The main principle of black magic is to use offensive spells for defensive or survival purposes, such as defeating an enemy or hunting for food. Should you…”

Tara continued about the dangers of not understanding the danger, but Typhos had long tuned her out by then. He instead kept thinking about Hanna and how curious he was to see how she reacted to all of this.
Does she see me as the confident guy willing to call out the teacher? Or some arrogant elitist prick who doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut? Or maybe both?

In any case, long as things go as they should, there won’t be problems, philosophical or real.

“… and so with that all said, you all are dismissed. Congratulation.”

Everyone yelled and cheered as Tara teleported away immediately.

“Good riddance,” Typhos said laughing, and he gave Pagus a giant hug. “We’re done! No more Tara! No more Tara!”

“I know!” Pagus said as he squirmed. “Tell everyone what’s coming.”

“Oh, yes,” Typhos said as he cleared his throat. “Everyone!”

Much to Typhos’ annoyance, only a couple of people paid attention. No one else seemed interested in anyone but themselves and their closest friends at the moment. Typhos again asked for everyone’s attention, but most kept talking.
Screw it. Command it.

A loud boom of thunder came, and all eyes shifted to him, some in fear.
Hey, it worked.

“That’s more like it,” he said, smiling. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to scare you or warn you of great dangers. I’m here to announce tomorrow, come to the area where Pagus and I live. We are going to celebrate my birthday in style! There are going to be lots of hunting games, magic showdowns, and other fun stuff!”

He could see the crowd’s excitement rising with every word and loved how much control he had just with his tongue.
Just imagine what happens when I get stronger with red magic. Could control everyone.
The crowd cheered, and Typhos kept it short, adding, “Don’t miss it!” before he turned back to Pagus.

“Just make sure your girl is gonna be there,” Pagus said with a wink.

“His girl?”

They both turned in shock to see Hanna standing behind them, her gorgeous white teeth shining at both of them.
Pagus, you are a dead man if this kills it.

“Oh, he’s just playing, I don’t have a girl,” Typhos said.

“Yeah, I was just teasing,” Pagus said, but he quickly made his exit, leaving Typhos with the girl of his daydreams. She had such beauty it seemed unfair. No one else even came close to the radiance that she had, and the fierceness of her eyes. It was an odd sight considering how lovely and non-aggressive she was that she have such fire in her eyes.
She could make a great black magic Kastori, but wants to be white magic casting. Of course she does. It’s prettier on her.

And it’s all for moot if Pagus just ruined it.

“You’re funny,” Hanna said. “I know you don’t have a girl. I just like to see you squirm sometimes.”

You live another day, Pagus.

Typhos found that funny since it was exactly what he was doing at the moment. And since it came from Hanna.

“Yeah, I know, thanks. So, you’ll be there?” he said, his tongue unusually tied on trying to find the perfect words.
Now I really need red magic!

“Of course,” she said. “I also wanted to say how I loved how you stood up to Tara. Someone had to call her out on her bitter attitude.”

Typhos laughed, trying to think of a response, but awkwardly could not come up with anything.

“You’ll make a great chief someday. No matter what Tara says, I believe in you. See you tomorrow.”

With that, Hanna departed, and Typhos felt so many shivers going through his back that he didn’t think a fire spell would get rid of them all.

“Young love,” Pagus said laughing.
Now you appear!
“The silver tongue became lead and didn’t know what to say!”

“You have no idea how lucky you are.”

Pagus continued his mocking laughter, and, deciding to return the favor, Typhos cast an electric spell on Pagus. The spell, which Typhos had intended as a mere annoyance, came out far stronger than expected and knocked Pagus to the ground.

“Ow, Typhos,” Pagus said, all of the humor gone as smoke rose from his robes. “What’s your problem?”

“Oh,” Typhos said, realizing what he had done. “I’m sorry, I didn’t… I didn’t think it would happen that way. It was supposed to be a tickle, and…”

Typhos offered his hand, which Pagus looked at, annoyed, before deciding to accept it.

“You gotta be careful, I don’t think you recognize how strong you are,” he said, running his hand over his burned leg. “Man. Like, really?”

“I said I’m sorry,” Typhos said.

“I know, just be careful.”

Pagus gently cast a minuscule ice spell to ease the pain. Typhos stood back, afraid to cast anything more. All of the other students had disappeared.

“Someday you’re gonna be strong enough to kill someone,” Pagus said.

“I know,” Typhos said, seeing no point in denying it. “But I’ll know when it comes, and I won’t ever do anything worse than that to you.”

“Good,” Pagus said, and for the first time since the spell hit, a slight smile appeared. “You’re good man. Just… might be time to retire our magic pranks.”

“What!” Typhos said, leading to laughter from both boys.
But he’s probably right. Don’t fight it. Too many good things to try and do so. No more Tara. Hanna’s there. Birthday tomorrow.

Can’t ask for much more.

5

The two best friends walked back to their favorite hill, trading jokes the whole way. They took their usual seats and gazed up at the empty, blue sky that represented their lives at the moment—nothing but the vast openness in front of them, with no predetermined path on the horizon.
Ironic, since I know my future already.

Typhos foresaw himself becoming chief, and Pagus assuming the role that his father currently had as his most powerful black magic council member. It seemed so clear a future that Typhos felt he could live it out now.

In fact…

Seeing an aviant flying, Typhos cast an electric spell to immobilize the enormous winged creature. With the animal stunned, Typhos controlled it and began flying it at Pagus. To the surprise of Typhos, Pagus quickly cast a fire spell and deflected the creature toward Typhos. Typhos rolled at the last second, and they both laughed at the near miss.

“Future chief of the Kastori, you wish,” Pagus said. “You’re not serious enough for a classroom of about twenty, and you’re going to rule an entire world with who knows how many thousands of Kastori here?”

“Different setting, different Typhos,” the young boy boasted, causing Pagus to just shake his head.

“Whatever. You should follow your parents to the council and learn how to be a different Typhos there.”

Pagus meant it as a joke and punctuated it with a chuckle. To Typhos, though, it reminded him so much of how he wanted the exact opposite. He felt the council had become too stilted, and that his parents took it too seriously.
They need to lighten up. We have no issues ahead. Give it a rest.

The less I’m like the older generation, the better.

“Anyways, what did you think of Tara’s little spiel at the end of class?” Pagus asked.

“Which spiel?”

“The one—wow, were you even paying attention?”

“Oh, right, the one about using black magic responsibility,” Typhos said.
“Yeah, that. I’ve heard a variation on that speech for my entire life. Ever since all that ‘savior’ talk came in, everyone telling me I could bring about eternal life… or I could bring about extinction, it’s like, I get it, I have responsibility and I have to follow Kastori ethics. I’m not stupid. I just wish people could realize I’m a fourteen-year-old kid who wants to have fun, hang out with girls, and someday be the chief.”

“I get it,” Pagus said. “I’ve never seen your powers that strong. Truth be told, I envy you. Everyone tells me since Garron’s my father I’ll be one of the most powerful Kastori, but compared to you?”

“Nothing compares to me,” Typhos said with a joking smile.
But really.

Pagus laughed as he shook his head in mock disbelief.

“I’m just saying man, your power, it’s only going to get stronger. You may not even need the council to do what you want when you reach your peak.”

“Well, I’m not going to go against my parents as long as they’re associated with the council. But you’re right in one area. The council just seems so set on doing things ‘the right way’ rather than focusing on the outcomes, that… it’s frustrating. They move slow, they work long hours, and they don’t really seem to get a lot done. Really, there isn’t a lot to be done, which makes their methods even worse. Maybe I don’t need the council. I would get to hang out more, ironically, if I showed I didn’t need the council. Their power wouldn’t mean as much.”

“You can come with me, Pagus. We could form a new council, or, if we decide to keep things traditional, you could take your father’s place and be a council member at my side.”

“First, it’s nice that you think I would work under you,” Pagus said with a wink. “But honestly, I wouldn’t make that assumption.”

“Which one?” Typhos said, unsure how anything he said could’ve sounded out of place.

“That I would want to join the council at all.”

Confused, Typhos said nothing, letting the silence compel Pagus to speak. They both looked up at the sun for a while, hovering over the horizon for another couple of hours. Typhos looked down at the forest, admiring all of the aviants suddenly flocking away.
It probably would be easier not complicating life here. But how could he not want more?

“Honestly man, I have to be real. I see how much you hate your parents not being around that often. I’m not a big fan of my dad rarely being around. They all wake up before we do, stay well after we finish classes, and if we see our parents, it’s for an hour or two before we sleep. At least with my dad, I see him more, but even then… I just wanna live. I don’t wanna be in the same area with the same six people for the rest of my life.”

“It’s OK, I don’t wanna be the same area with you for the next week,” Typhos said, drawing a playful punch from Pagus. “But I keep thinking they can’t keep going like this. That—”

“Typhos,” Pagus said directly. “They’ve been doing it ‘like this’ for centuries. What makes you think things will change anytime soon?”

I don’t. Not from who is there now, anyways. When I get there…

“Maybe we should just take it by force so we can make them more efficient,” Typhos said with a fake laugh.

“So you’re saying it’s possible,” Pagus said with a chuckle.

It is possible.

“Anything is possible,” Typhos said.

“Well, if it’s the way it is now when we start taking jobs, I sure won’t want to jump in. I’m not about that life, man.”

“So then tell me, Pagus, if you don’t want to work for the great Typhos, what would you do?”

Pagus smirked, and his grin foretold of an amusing answer.

Party trickster or something, I bet.

“Charm all the lovely ladies and live life making them happy.”

Nailed it,
Typhos thought as he playfully applauded his best friend.

“I’m pretty sure that doesn’t pay in any fashion.”

“Oh, on the contrary,” Pagus said.

“As long as you aren’t with my girls.”

“Please,” Pagus said with a dismissive wave. “First, your ‘girls?’ Let’s get a girl first. But, seriously, I may be a lady’s man, but I am not a thief. I do things the right way. To seriously answer your actual question, though, I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet. I just know that I’m not going to take the route my Dad’s taken. If I have people I love, I want to be around them. I think…”