1 Chapter One: Into The Storm

Pragmatism is a very valuable trait for one to have but when it is paired with the detached Gabriel August it is a very unnerving combination. Fitted with his young age of only nine years old and the strict militaristic way he was raised, the end result is the sharp tongued and cold child that is Gabriel August. Gabe, stood like a giant amongst his age group with a staggering 5'3" compared to the average 4'5" - 4'9". Due to his harsh training and education provided by his uncle Derrick and grandfather Seamus,Gabe had the muscles of a young adult and the reflexes to put one to shame. Despite seemingly being the epitome of male masculinity, Gabe was ostracized by his peers to the point where even his subtly handsome traits were marred with criticism.

Due to the August family lineage being responsible for guarding the southern border of the Thorns Empire, they have always produced excellent heirs. In the case of Seamus August, the current August family patriarch as well as Gabe's grandfather, he has commanded the 6000 mile stretch of border for the past 63 years. Taking up the mantle of Southern Protectorate from his father at the age of 45 he became the youngest to hold the post of Great General for any of the four Protectorates. Thus the family members held themselves with the utmost regard for their status and their responsibility. One can't deny that some of the 300 year lineage would become arrogant because of their lofty prestige but it was always quelled with ease by the older generations. Although it was never needed with Gabe and his cousins, the old patriarch still ruled over them with an iron fist sparing none of them from the rigours of diligent training and academics, as well as a healthy dose of logistical theory and role play (Chinese Chess).

Thus since Gabe was first able to read and speak he had been put through the veritable gauntlet of studies the old man created for the young genius. Speaking at age 2 and reading by 3, arithmetic followed at the age of 5. So to say that by the time he could fully control his body he had surpassed most 8 year olds in knowledge and comprehension. This all happened by the time he was 6 years old. For the remaining 3 years of his life his uncle Derrick would train him in the martial way, in the hopes of laying an impenetrable groundwork for his future.

Year of the Crow; 12978, Lupus Majora Cycle.

Just after sunrise on the twelfth day of the Lupus Majora Cycle, the rhythmic clash of steel roused the 12000 square foot single storey complex that housed the August family.

Two figures clashed with long broadswords in the middle of the training field, one short with the other being a near giant in comparison. Both donned tight fitting leather armour as they wielded their broadswords with incredible dexterity despite the sword's weight and length. Regardless of the smaller figure's speed or frightening strength it was at an impasse against the giant's immovable defence. The two figures were Gabriel want his uncle Derrick going through their morning routine of sparring after a solid hour of weight training beforehand. Completely disregarding the strain and stress that the weight training put their bodies under, the duo would always spar with everything they had. Luckily the August family had an amazing healer to keep the duo from sustaining any hidden injuries in the form of Gabriel's grandmother, Gwenyth Delmore August.

Recovering from an intense clash that resulted in Gabriel being thrown ten feet away, the young boy landed deftly on the balls of his feet. Steadying himself with his free hand, he launched himself perpendicular to the ground straight towards his uncle. Seeming to have completely disregarded safety in his new assault, the boy slammed his palm against the flat ground a couple feet away from his stalwart uncle. An imperceptible ripple spread from the point of contact between Gabriel's hand and the ground, though Derrick wouldn't be able to see it that did not mean that that battle hardened veteran would not sense it. Ignoring the sneaking suspicion the older man had of what his nephew was doing, the man merely readied himself for what he thought was going to be a vicious attack.

With a powerful push, Gabriel propelled himself into the air and curled into a frontflip before swinging down his broadsword in a two handed slash towards his uncle's head. But that wasn't all that was happening in these microseconds, the ripple from before had in a strange sense spread to an area just about three meters wide before it dissipated into the ground. Within the seconds it took Gabriel to complete his spinning slash and his uncle to block it, the spell Gabriel used earlier had finally sparked into life as hundreds of earthen spikes pierced towards his uncle.

A snort was the only thing that happened, at least in Gabriel's eyes, before his entire world went black. Instead of fear or shock at the odd situation only satisfaction covered Gabriel's consciousness. He had finally pushed his uncle to the point where he used his essence to defend against an attack. A point that proved key to achieving victory over the veteran that was his uncle. Knowing full well that he had won his first duel against his uncle, Gabriel let unconsciousness take hold of him without any regrets.

"Fucking crazy ass brat. You probably taught him that spell eh?" The deep baritone voice of his uncle Derrick rang out as another of the August family walked into the training field.

"Nope, only gave him his father's notes on mana manipulation before he went off into the fields to 'practice as he does" answered the newcomer, a petite platinum blonde wearing dark purple robes with silver accents. "Haven't you been slacking off little brother? How could he have won so easily if not for your slackness?"

"Oi! Don't accuse me of shite Anika, that little bastard also enchanted his last strike with a weight enchantment as he began the slash. Either way he passes the test. A little upset though, the bastard was good at reminding me of somethings…" Derrick spoke with light words for someone as crass as himself, even indulging in reminiscence about the three years of sparring he shared with his now unconscious nephew.

"Aw, is the big oaf feeling sad that it's not his turn anymore?" Anika chided while she threw her nephew over to her giant of a brother.

"Oh shut it you old hag!" Came a roar from the 'big oaf' as he effortlessly hoisted his nephew over his shoulder, before chasing after his cackling elder sister.