Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was a cold peaceful night with a full moon sparkling in the air. The ocean reflected the light and crashed against the rocky shore. Two young notorious mages bore a child with silver hair and dark skin. They named the boy Itami Asui, meaning "Pain Ice", as hair was silver like ice and his eyes were gray as loneliness and pain. The Asui family were relatively wealthy, having the mother been born into a rich nobles family. With all the money in the world, their son was privileged greatly and received special training. This allowed him to surpass most peers and therefore became envied. His parents however were more feared then envied, since it was well known that they were dangerous people. They funded experimentation, war, and crooked laws. One of the experiments funded was of a rare specimen creature with unique abilities. Itami's parents allowed her to interact with their son. She was given the name Katya Maly, and became one of the few friends Itami had....




"Katya!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!! ITS DINNER TIME!!", Itami screamed out outside. He ran all around the mansion with a simple robe and sandals. An odd attire for a child. "There you are! Hurry up. Mama isn't patient when it comes with dinner time...lets go already!"

They reached the dining hall and feasted on well cooked food prepared by top chefs. Itami noticed Katya's eyes were distant, as if daydreaming about something. Her expression was somewhat depressed, like she was missing something essential. He also noticed her enthusiasm when they visited the ocean. He shrugged it off, thinking it was harmless, although still troubled by the fact she may belong somewhere else. He got up, took Katya's hand, and lead her outside. "Ok sis, tell me whats wrong", he said with worried eyes.

They arrived back in the mansion to be intercepted by Itami's father. He held Itamis eyes and said with a clear voice, "Its about time you learned how to do magic. Itami, you will be busy for the next few days. Starting tomorrow morning, I will bring you into my studies for you to study and learn about the wonderful dark arts. Run along now." His father was known as an important mage, always busy in his studies or at some lords resident.

Itami was interested in magic, since his parents talked a great deal about how it changes the world. He wanted to be a mage ever since magic was introduced to his young mind. The Asui family was especially masters of water/ice magic. Their bloodline possessed special unknown powers few people got to witness. It was kind of already decided that Itami would continue his family tradition and become a powerful mage. With that, his father walked away and left Katya and Itami daydreaming. He snapped into reality and checked the time. Sleeping time sis. Sweet dreams, he said after running off to his private room.

Itami woke up sweaty and heart pumping. He had a strange nightmare about failing all his loved ones because he couldn't get strong enough. That was his greatest fear...He got out of bed and stretched, trying to calm himself and slow his heartbeat. When that was settled, he made his way to Katya's room and knocked on the door. No response. Sis may still be asleep, or maybe just not in the room...

He went downstairs and saw his father reading a newspaper and his mother cooking breakfast. The kitchen smelled of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Itami's stomach grumbled and he asked his mother if the food was ready. "Not yet honey. Come back in 10 minutes", she said without turning her face from the stove. He decided to go outside and look at the ocean.

It was a beautiful sunny day in the empire. After sitting in a clear spot with a good view, Itami daydreamed about the ocean and hummed to himself. He imagined swimming in the ocean, the clear fresh water. One day, he swore he would take his sister swimming for hours. He could tell it was one of her dreams. Itami smiled at the thought of bringing her swimming that same very day. Maybe thats what she needs...water...

Itami barely noticed Katya before she said anything. He listened to her words and nodded. Its exactly what I thought....she wants to be in the ocean. Ok! Then its settled!, he thought but didn't say out loud. After she finished, he grinned and took her hand. You know how to swim? Doesn't matter, lets go in the ocean for a quick swim. I know you want to. But quietly...here I know a spot. He led her to an opening to the ocean. It was hidden behind trees and bushes, but wasn't too far away from the mansion. There was a sandy shore with dozens of shells. It was vacant, so they had the place to themselves.

Itami noticed her smile and grinned at her before running across the sand and slamming into the water. The ocean had cool water, but Itami was warmed by the sun and the hot sand. It was a little windy, but it didn't matter. The moment was to awesome to care about anything but fun. How does it feel to swim for the first time Katya? he asked with a smile.

Itami was delighted that Katya was enjoying her self more then she ever had in her life. It surprised Itami that she instantly knew how to swim, while it took him years of practice. It was obvious she belonged in the water. Itami struggled to keep up with her when they swam from place to place. After a while, they went on the sandy shore. It was one of the best moments Itami had in a while. He looked up at the sun and noticed it was about an hour later.

Worry flooded him. No, they wont be out looking for us will they? Wait, don't I have magic practice? Oh no...no..no..we need to leave. Itami took Katya by the hand and gave her a worried look. I promise ill take you here again, but we need to leave. My father is probably looking for me. Are you ready? He didn't wait for her to answer. Itami led Katya back the way they came from, about a five minute walk to the mansion. They made it there in three minutes and went in the house, breathing heavily. Itami's father and mother were in the kitchen, talking about politics.

Itami whispered to Katya, "Ok, im going in the kitchen. According to them, we were outside playing some...um ..tag. If I get in trouble, stay in your room and pretend to be asleep. Ok?"

Itami tried not to looks into Katyas eyes as she awoke him. Tear streaks dirtied his face but his gray eyes revealed nothing. Itami cleared his throat and attempted a reassuring smile at Katya. "Oh..I umm..forgot. Nothing major" he said in a toneless voice.

He knew Katya wouldn't believe this..she was too smart for that. He struggled to decide whether to tell her the truth or to attempt a lie and spar her feelings. Itami couldn't bring himself up to lieing to her, so he looked into her eyes for the first time with confidence.

"Before I tell you this, I don't want you to feel guilty whatsoever. Well, I went to speak with father but he was enraged for me showing up late. Punishment was...well....". He took off his shirt and showed her a few deep scars and marks. "But on a good note, I got to witness magic first hand. It was really wonderful Katya! Tomorrow I will be starting my lessons. I..cant be late this time...but i promise i'll take you to the ocean again." He smiled at her and looked into her eyes, waiting for her reply.

Itami woke up with a sore body. He didn't want Katya to feel bad, so he tried reassuring her that it was fine. Unfortunately, she didn't listen and refused to leave his room. He was grateful that she was so concerned, but felt guilty for excluding her out. It seemed Katya didn't want him to get hurt anymore, and probably would've taken the blame. He wasn't going to allow it. Nor was he going to keep her away from the ocean.

Presently, the time is a bit risky to go to the ocean...but...it doesn't matter. If father punishes me again, so be it. I can't see my sister so unhappy. Where..did she go? He looked around his room. She probably left while he was still asleep. Itami stretched, prepared himself for the day with a shower and change of clothes, and set out for Katya. He found her reading in the library a few minutes later. When he walked in, she didn't so much as look up. Maybe from anger, maybe from guilt, Itami wasn't sure. He walked up to Katya and sat down by her, carefully looking at her and thought of the right words to say.

She continued reading. "Katya... look at me", he said with a serious expression. He shifted a little and muttered the spell Mizugijutsu number 1: create. After quickly placing his palms together and slowly separating them, a few liters of water formed and levitated between his hands. He smiled and played with the water using his magic. The water moved from place to place, going all about the room in various speeds and forms. Itami was naturally gifted in magic, and already could perform spells by simply witnessing it and hearing the words.

He drank a few gulps of the water before freezing it. Another odd thing about him was the mastery of his family's special power in just a few hours. He spent all of yesterday practicing and training with the spell and his abilities. His magic level could've been compared an average magic user despite the young age. Itami smiled and looked into Katyas eyes, waiting for her words.