[1] Sacrifices

Act 1 | Prologue | Sacrifices

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The great magical forest of Southern Canada was engulfed in vicious flames that seemed to reach the starless, night sky.

The fiendfyre cast by the group of people who were hellbent on wiping out two of the most influential families of the wizarding world.

The flaming tiger roared as it's flames licked the tree and burned them to fine ashes. The snow which usually covered them had long been melted and turned into vapours.

Scream echoed along with multiple of curses as people fired spells after spells at each other. Countless bodies hit the ground. Some buried under the ruble caused by one of the more explosive spells or some turning into ashes, courtesy of the flaming tiger.

"This... It's no use!" A Woman screeched to herself as she came to a halt. Which caused her trustworthy followers to stop as well and look at her, startled.

"Lady Ava!" A maid cried out.

Rosemarie Avaledona Cairns, the lady of Most Ancient And Most Noble House of Cairns. A beautiful who's beauty was known throughout the lands not unlike her magical prowess and get combat strength. To put simply, unmatchable.

"I... I can't run like this! I'm not a coward!"

Her beautiful silver hair danced as the child wind swept against her voluptuous figure covered in slightly worn out battle-robes. Her beautiful visage frozen into a frown as she grit her teeth in anger while unconsciously tightening her grip around the bundle in her hand, drawing an uncomfortable moan from the baby in it.

Her pulsing violet eyes softened as she looked at her son with utmost pride, love and affection.

"Zachary Adrian Cairns O'Regan, my son. My adorable 'ittle Zacky. Mama is sorry that she won't able to be with you. Mama is sorry that she won't be able to raise you, watch you grow into a good man, get a wife and have children of your own." Ava said as she kissed her sleeping baby as tears of sorrow stream down her face. Her followers felt a heavy weight press onto their hearts as they quickly understood what she meant. "Sweetie, I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive your Mama. Papa is alone in the battlefield you know. As the one who has sworn to stay by his side through all times I can't leave him alone to fend off those evil bastards. God knows how helpless your papa is without me."

Ava chuckled to herself but only to choke as more tears spilled out as she resolved her trembling heart for the inevitable.

She knew what she had to do but the pain of leaving her precious baby behind was almost too much. She smiled widely as her baby opened his eyes revealing two precious golden orbs that looked at her with recognition and love.

"Dah!" He explained cutely showing his toothless smile as he softly grabbed her face with his smol fingers.

"My baby... But even though I won't be there with you anymore, know that Papa and I will always be watching over you." Ava smiled as her tears fell on her baby's face who looked at her with sad eyes. "You are our biggest achievement, the most precious to us. We are so proud of you. You are our greatest legacy, no you are 'THE' greatest legacy."

A child born between two most influential houses of magical world was bound to become someone of great standing in the wizarding world.

Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Cairns of Scotland, are known for their contribution towards magical society and feared for their family magic which specialises in fatal combat.

While the O'Regan Tribe Of America believed to be descendants of Mythic Witch, Le Fay. They are known for being the best beast tamers and hunters, and feared for their strange family magic.

Ava, Zack's mother is the sole Princess of the Cairns Clan who have a major standing in the Royal Court and is the most powerful house head since the founder, Lord William de Carnys.

Adrian, Zack's father is the tribe leader of O'Regan Tribe. The most powerful tribe of Northern America and owns multiple lands all over America and some parts of Canada. He is also the most powerful of his clan and a war veteran who has participated in multiple war all over the world despite being so young. A fearsome person.

The news of the marriage of these two individuals sent ripples in the wizarding world, but not every kind of attention is a good one. Fearing the merger of the two Clan would make them more powerful caused their enemies, both old and new, to band together and attack them in hopes of wiping them out with a sneaky attack which lead to the current situation.

The Wakamow Valley Nightmare.

"Esther!" Ava called out as a female around 15 wearing witches robes stepped ahead. She had red hair and hazel eyes coupled with a tan skin and her figure was impressive considering her age.

"Yes, Master." Esther stepped out as she bowed lightly showing respect, her beautiful face was sporting a solemn expression as she looked at the woman she admired the most and who has been her teacher, guardian and friend since she was a toddler.

"Esther, you are my most prized student and I'm very proud of you. You bloomed into a beautiful lady who with experience will surpass me one day, sadly I can't be there to witness and congratulate you for that glory." Ava began with a smile. Esther tried to interrupt but didn't as Ava held her hand up. "There's nothing more I can't teach you and I certainly can't ask you to participate in this battle of mine. It's not your problem to face. But I'll ask you a favour. Can you do it?"

"Anything Master." Estber said as she looked down clenching her fist as tears threatened to burst.

"Please take care of my precious baby." Ava said as she carefully handed Zack over to Esther who very delicately received him and began to cooed as Zack immediately began crying as he was separated from his mother. Ava rubbed both his and Esther's head as they began to cry. "Shhh... Don't cry. Esther, I have never thought you as an outsider and always raised you like my own. Zack is your brother now. As he grows I entrust you with the responsibility to make sure he becomes the most capable wizard and a good person."

"Y-Yes Master!" Esther said through her tears.

"Very good." Ava flashed a tearful smile as she walked past them and towards the direction her husband was fighting. The guards following her while giving their own farewell to the servants. They knew they won't be coming back. "Now, Go! And never look back! Go!"

"Yes!" Esther answered breaking down into tears as she ran, the tearful servants following her. Zack wailed loudly as he grew distant from his mother. His stubby finger reaching out in her direction.

*ROOOAAARRRR!*

A giant black dragon flew over their heads. Azrael, Adrian's familiar, a Black Bonethorn Dragon. The dragon roared towards the flaming tiger releasing his own red flames.

Fire consumed Zack's whole vision as the image of the dragon, the tiger and his fearless mother's back using her ancestral magic was itched into his head.

His golden, teary eyes burning the picture into his brain.

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'Flames... Ashes... The smell of the burnt.

The screams of the fallen,

The wails of the tormented,

The voices of the dead.

Even though I was just a toddler I still remember it, as if it was like yesterday.'

'The memory is haunting. Always reminding me, my life was secured only through countless sacrifices, death of my family and the hope of a new, better future.

Strength.

Faith.

Persistence.

Salvation.

I am their Legacy.'

Eyelids fluttered open revealing the golden orbs of which seemed to glow with untold intelligence and power.

"*Haw*" A yawn escape the mouth of the youngling as he sat up in bed rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Beautiful silver hair falling over his eyes as a small, smile made way to his face.

Getting out of the comfort of the soft bed the boy stood infront of a full length mirror and smiled.

"Good morning and happy birthday Zachary." He said to his reflection.

"*Trill~*" A beautiful trill got his attention as he turned to a beautiful golden bird sitting on the windowsill looking at Zack with a indignant look on it's beaked visage.

"Good morning to you too Tory" He said as be hugged and petted the large thunderbird getting many satisfied trills and soft nibbles. "Awww... Thank you. I love you."

Kissing the beak of the thunderbird Zack waved at her as be walked downstairs his humble but comfy, home.

Hearing the footsteps on the stairs, the maids looked up and beamed at him.

"Good morning, young master! Happy Birthday!" The maids chorused happily.

"Good morning everybody! Thank you so much." Zack smiled gently as he walked towards the sitting area to greet his most important people.

Near the fire place sitting in the couch were two beautiful lady. One was Esther, now 20 years old. And the other was a younger version of his late mother. The only difference was that this young lady was around early 20s and has blue eyes. This young lady was Evelyn Marissa Cairns. His late mothers younger sister and his aunt.

Hearing him approach the ladies turned their heads towards him and gave him a bright dazzling smile while getting up from their places.

"Happy Birthday Zack!" They wished him warmly before engulfing him in a loving hug.

"How are you feeling? Excited for today?" Evelyn asked before Esther could even began.

"I am feeling especially good today and yep, I'm really excited for today. I'll finally be able to learn real magic today!" Zack nearly shouted at the end. He had a huge grin on his face and his eyes glowed with excitement.

"Awww." Seeing him like this the two ladies and the maids cooed at him for being cute which caused him to be flustered slightly.

"Hehe.. That's alright kiddo! We will start your official magic training today after lunch." Esther said with a grin as she ruffled his silver hair and blushed when Zack leaned into her touch like a cute creature. "A-hahah. *Ahem* But before that you should eat and check out the presents that are waiting to be opened."

Zack looked at where Esther was pointing out and sighed as he saw a mountain of gift-boxes of all colour and sizes near the fire place.

'Gifts are good and all but writing thank you letter is going to be a pain in the butt. Oh well.' Zack shrugged mentally and nodded at his surrogate big sister and settled himself on the dinning table and let the maid serve him enthusiastically.

As Zack laughed and joked around with maids, Esther and Eve were looking at him and were wondering just what kind of abnormality the boy infront of them was.

"Looks like his magic increased again." Esther sighed in amazement leaning back into the couch. "At the rate its increasing, his magic reserves are going to outgrow ours in a couple of years."

"Of course! Who's nephew do you think he is!" Eve puffed her chest in pride which made Esther scoff playfully. "But yes, all the more reasons for us to educate and train him more seriously and prepare him to fight off any kind of situation."

"Hmmm. I don't think we have to worrt about, our little Zack has shown nothing but monstrous potential till now. Large reserve, beast empathy, unnatural understanding of and baffling attunement towards the essence of magic itself." Esther listed out with a proud smile as she looked at Zack with adoration. "And considering that he is infact very well aware of his monstrous talent, especially combat and wandless magic, I thin-no, I know that he will become someone really capable in no time."

"He is certainly going to make a powerful impact in future." Eve smiled brightly towards Esther. "And we will be there by his side."

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A/N: Edited :)