Halo: Magicka

Idea: A child raised in an inner colony world remembers a deal he made with an entity before beginning this life. Access to a certain system of Magic...

...

'Slow.'

'So fucking slow,' I thought as I heard the subtle hum of my spell [Detect Life] notify me, 'but a good move.'

I was moving to place my dish in the sink when I noticed my younger brother trying to sneak attack me. To the masses, it might seem peculiar—a six-year-old attempting to ambush his older sibling. But in our world, normalcy had long since left us. We were different. Unique.

I continued, a smirk playing on my lips as I noticed his movement was way too exaggerated. His small frame tensed, preparing to strike with all the ferocity a six-year-old could muster. It was a move born out of sibling rivalry, but also out of my want to train him.

As my brother lunged forward, his fist aimed squarely at my liver, I reacted with the reflexes I had honed through years of training and innate talent. 

With a fluid motion, I waved my hand subtly in front of me.

[Remote Manipulation.] 

He was abruptly swept off of his feet by a weaker form of the telekinesis spell. The impact of his falling to the floor reverberated through the air.

"Still too predictable Jon," I called as I finished washing my plate and placing it in the drying rack, "but...a better move than last time."

Turning around, I noticed my brother's pout as he looked at me unjustly,

"But Eli, it's not fair that you can do stuff like...well, like that..."

I smiled at my little brother before going over and patting his head, 

"One day you will Jon, I promise."

Clap!

"Alright, that's enough boys, Elysius, you're not bullying your little brother now are you?" My middle-aged mother's voice came from upstairs as I heard her coming down the stairs.

"Absolutely not Mum, it was just an um, improvised training..." Jon replied for me.

'What a great bro I have...' I thought as I gave him a thumbs up. 

"Okay well, as long as Jon is alright, I guess it's all okay. Remember me and your dad have told you both that training should be kept outside the house," Mum stated firmly as her face came into view.

We both nodded at her before she smiled and let go of the matter. I went up to my room in our house, a kiva by design. Sighing, I began to get changed for bed, a lot of thoughts swirling around in my mind.

Looking at my body in the mirror, I grinned, my physique was like something out of a cartoon. My body seemed to defy the natural proportions of a child, a development of muscle mass and definition seemed to set me apart from others my age along with my unnatural height of 5'3.

My shoulders were broad and sculpted, giving the illusion of a miniature Hercules in the body of a child. I loved that relic, as old as that tale is. My arms, adorned with prominent biceps and forearms that seemed almost comically robust, hinted at a strength far beyond my age.

As my gaze travelled downward, my legs, robust and powerful, stood as pillars of stability, seemingly capable of supporting a far greater weight than my frame. My physique was... so out of place in the world of ordinary children.

"All I did was click 'Yes' on that multiple-choice pop-up..." I whispered out loud, "Did I really gain Talent for Magicka like in the Elder Scrolls?"

Sigh, I don't know what to think of all of this. Turning slightly to inspect my back in the mirror, my eyes focussed on the inhuman definition.

My brown eyes twinkled with an interesting glint as I nodded at the sight of my dark red hair before my thoughts eventually returned to getting to sleep.

I stopped flexing the muscles on my back and decided to get into bed, tomorrow was going to be an interesting day. Me and my dad were going to go to the city to get some supplies, my parents preferred a quieter life away from all the hustle and bustle of the city so they decided to live out here.

Tossing and turning in my bed, I realised I couldn't fall asleep that easily so my thoughts began to wander before settling on the memory of my first time going into the city, Monastir. It was quite a spectacle compared to the simple life we lived out here in the remote areas of New Harmony.

I could still recall the hum of city life, a symphony of honking horns, distant chatter, and the rhythmic pulse of footsteps on crowded streets. Monastir, with its towering skyscrapers and vibrant lights, was a spectacle that dwarfed the serene landscapes of our rural home. Even in my old life, I wasn't used to such a congested city, never having visited any large city in my country. Taking a deep breath, the air was thick with the scent of diverse cuisines, a stark departure from the crisp, clean fragrance of the countryside. 

Navigating through the throngs of people, I felt like an outsider in this sprawling metropolis. The assortment of faces, cultures, and lifestyles was overwhelming, a stark departure from the familiar faces and routines of our tight-knit community in the wilderness. The city seemed to have a life of its own, each alleyway telling a different story, every storefront promising a unique experience.

Still, my father seemed extremely accustomed to that life, he held my hand as we weaved between the masses and made our way to the large department store. I remembered an important interaction that we had...

"Don't be scared son, the city isn't scary. You'll get used to it eventually," My dad said in a reassuring tone as he looked at me with a gentle expression.

"Yeah, I guess, I just have so many questions on what this place is and how it works. It seems so much different to home, is everything here so, um, advanced?" I asked with an earnest expression.

Dad's face twisted into a small smirk as he heard my question, his eyes seeming to glaze over with nostalgia, "Well, this place is called a megacity, or a supercity. It's where a ton of people live in the same area. As for being advanced, well, that's a difficult question to answer."

"Really, why?" I inquired with an expression of interest, "Is there anything stopping people where we live from using more advanced stuff?"

My dad nodded slowly as he listened to me, "There is, but it's more that they choose not to use them. To some ignorant people, they would be considered less advanced."

I was a bit surprised at this revelation, my brows furrowing as I tried to wrap my head around the idea. "That's strange, why would people not want to be more advanced?"

"Well, son, it's a simpler life," My dad said with a smile.

....

The next morning, 

"Eli, are you ready?" My dad called from downstairs. I had just finished putting my best clothes on and began to make my way downstairs. Glancing at the kitchen, I noticed my mum cleaning the dishes and my brother finishing up his breakfast, 

"Make sure to study well whilst we're out bro," I waved as I heard my dad starting the Hog up.

"Yep, will do Elysius, make sure to get us a few new toys!" Jon said, his mouth still filled with food.

"Jon! Swallow your food first please!" My mum scolded him lightly before turning to me and making sure I had my mobile phone, I nodded as I pulled it out and showed her. 

"If anything happens or you get separated from your dad, make sure to give either of us a call," She said as she gave me a peck on my forehead.

"I'll be fine mum," I reassured her. She nodded,

"I know, it's anyone that decides to mess with you that I worry about, my beautiful boy."

I smiled and gave my mum a peck on the cheek before waving to the two left in the house and dashing out of the house. 

[Fortify Agility and Speed]

Before he knew it, my dad noticed a blur hopping into the passenger seat,

"All ready Dad," I nodded as I noticed the bags between my legs. 

....

Walking through the streets of Monastir, I noticed the smiles of the children around my age. Their joy was palpable, amplified by the luxury of their parents who showered them with treats and gifts from the various shops that lined the lively street. Nearing the shops again, I remembered that there was a park close by. The prospect of a peaceful area amidst this hustle drew me like a magnet.

"Dad...Do you mind if I go to the park while you're shopping, I promise I'll stay there and won't wander," I asked while using the most effective martial art I could think of, The Puppy Dog Eyes.

Sighing, my dad nodded. I smiled and gave him a hug before leaving him for his shopping. 

The air shifted as I stepped into the green space, a haven nestled within the concrete heart of the city. The vibrant hues of flowers and the rustling leaves created a serene backdrop, a stark difference from the bright lights and clamour of the streets. Families picnicked on the grass, couples strolled hand in hand, and children revelled in the playground.

"How very...simple."

I found an empty bench beneath the shade of a towering tree, taking in the scene around me. The park was a harmonious blend of diversity and shared enjoyment. A group of children played a lively game of tag, their laughter echoing through the air like a melody.

As I observed the joyous interactions, a sense of warmth enveloped me. The city, with all its complexities, held this space of simple beauty and shared happiness. 

"But... I like it."

As I sat on the bench, lost in my thoughts, a ball rolled over to my feet. I picked it up. Instinctively, I looked around and noticed a group of children playing together, their eyes all focused on me.

Deciding to return the ball to its rightful owners, I stood up and began shuffling over towards the lively gathering. As I approached, the children momentarily paused their game. Holding out the ball with a friendly smile, I offered it back to the group.

One of the kids, an older boy with untamed hair and a perpetual grin, eagerly took the ball from my hands. His eyes lit with annoyance,

"Who said you could touch my ball? I was going to go and get it in a minute." 

I sighed. Trouble seemed to have reared its head. I don't want to cause any trouble for Dad so I'll just apologise.

Attempting to diffuse the situation, I offered a smile and replied, "Sorry about that, I just wanted to return it. No harm done. Carry on with your game."

Turning my back, I began to walk away which seemed to cause the kid to leer at me. I heard him snicker about something with his friends before I heard their steps behind me.

It seemed that today was going to be a messy day. Walking towards a more discrete area, the children seemed to snicker even more which caused me to smile. It seems these kids have never known humility.

Turning around, I smiled at them with a demonic smile. 

"This is going to be... fun."

The others exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of whether my demonic grin was more ominous than the trouble was worth. The older kid rushed at me.

[Fortify Speed and Agility]

[Fortify Strength and Endurance]

Reacting swiftly, I sidestepped his initial charge, the agility ingrained in my physique coming into play. As he passed by, I executed a quick turn, catching his arm with a firm grip. Exerting some force, I swung him around, his legs now lifting from the floor. 

[Absorb Willpower and Strength]

With a powerful yet controlled motion, I launched him into the group of on-looking children. The air filled with a mix of surprise as he sailed through the air and collided with the group, knocking them down like dominoes.

Abruptly, a girl not part of the group positioned herself between me and the others. With an intense glare, she began chastising me, her voice firm and assertive.

"Don't be such a bully!" she declared, her words cutting through the post-scuffle excitement.

Her unexpected intervention shifted the mood in an instant. The cheers and laughter from the children faded, replaced by a tense hush. The girl stood her ground, her protective stance making it clear that she wasn't about to let any aggression go unchecked.

Surprised by her sudden appearance and the accusation, I took a step back, raising my hands in a friendly gesture.

 "Hey, it was just a friendly scuffle, no harm intended, right guys?" I explained, hoping to diffuse the tension as I glared daggers at the group.

They nodded furiously.

The girl's glare persisted for a moment, and then, seemingly satisfied with my response, she relaxed her stance. The onlooking children exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to interpret the abrupt shift in dynamics.

As the tension gradually dissipated, the girl nodded approvingly. 

"Well, make sure it stays friendly," she cautioned to the group of children as well. They nodded like weak lambs, their heads nearly rocking off of their shoulders. Walking away, her attitude was replaced with a beaming smile as she returned to her group of girls on the climbing frame.

I cocked an eyebrow at the attitude of the group, wondering who that girl was for this group to treat her that way. Pointing my finger at one of the boys in the group, I ushered him over in hopes of an explanation,

"Who was that?"

The boy, casting a quick glance towards the girl who was now beaming as she and her friends seemed to play with some dolls, leaned in to share the details. 

"Oh, that's Catherine Margrave, we just call her Kat though. But if you really wanna piss her off, call her Marge," he explained with a mischievous grin.

I absorbed the information, a subtle smile playing on my lips.

"And why are you guys so timid in front of her?" I inquired, curious about that dynamic.

"Well, her grandma's a retired general in the UNSC," The boy spoke, a shudder evident in his response.

Understanding dawned on me. The weight of such a family connection to a retired general explained the group's cautious respect. The UNSC's influence and authority held a certain level of reverence, and it seemed that Catherine's family had a significant impact on how she was perceived by her peers.

'What a lonely existence, huh...'