The Great Magus

The morning was quiet; the sun was just peaking through the trees, letting the first rays of light fall onto the earth below. The air was crisp, clean and cool but to a certain tired boy the cool air was deemed freezing.

“Magister Merlin, its so early. I bet the Emperor and Empress are not even awake yet!” Sora complained, his eyes half open from just being woken up minutes before.

“Now, now Sora. I sent message to the Empress Lillian the other night explaining when we were arriving. She will be waiting for us at the time I have given her,” Merlin answered as the two males walked to the backyard, Sora carrying two cases of their clothing for the next whole week of their stay at the Palace of Validus.

“Merlin,” Sora asked, using the tone he did when he was just a child and Merlin turned around to face Sora, “I heard that the Empress used to have a hard life before she met the Emperor Sephiroth…what was so hard about it? Being a student to you?”

Merlin laughed at this and gave Sora a friendly pat on the head, something the younger didn’t quite like to much, “No, no Sora. That is something she’ll tell you on her own time. She is very excited to meet you apparently.” He gave Sora one of his good-natured grins and then they resumed their walk towards the forest without further questions from the younger boy.

“Here we are,” Merlin announced as they stopped in a clearing after a miles walk

“What are we doing here? Why are we stopping here?”

“Oh dear boy, you didn’t think we would be walking all that distance to Validus Palace did you? Heavens no, this town is much to far away from the palace itself. We are going to teleport there. Now don’t worry Sora,” Merlin quickly added as he saw the wide-eyed look on the young apprentice, “everything is completely safe.”

“Yeah, that’s what you said about the supper last night as well,” Sora muttered as he looked at the ground

“Now, hand me my bag and hold my hand with your free one. Good,” Merlin nodded his head as Sora held his teacher’s hand, “Now, 1 2 3.” At three a gust of wind seemed to engulf Sora and squeeze him. He felt like he was being strangled slowly while his skin went ice cold and his insides seemed to be growing hotter. Finally just when he thought he was ready to pass out he appeared on a road. Everything around him was swirling and it took a few moments to rid himself of the dizziness, Merlin never letting go of his hand.

“Whoa…” Sora whispered as he shook his head

“Yes, you will get used to it. Don’t worry, I will be teaching you teleportation soon. You are able to use it; it belongs with the air element. Now, lets go and see the empress herself!” Merlin’s tone became excited as he said this and with Sora in tow, he began walking to the large gate.


“This is proof that old people wake up early,” Riku muttered as he yawned. He sat in the throne room beside his mother. It was dawn and Riku was still very tired but his parents didn’t seem to be. No, his mother was to excited and his father was just used to being woken up at any hour. Riku looked up at his mother’s ecstatic face then back at the door. The whole room was pure white, with 8 sets of pillars making a path. The path itself was laid with a light blue carpet with silver border. The silver curtains were pulled back from the windows, letting the early morning light spill in. Guards were situated around the throne room. The thrones themselves were elevated on a three-step platform. Thin, see through blue and white curtains created a sort of tent, extending from the ceiling and fell around the top stair. Three big plush cushions of white held the royal family, while smaller blue cushions lay around the platform, creating a sort of bed.

“Now Riku, you will absolutely love Merlin and I’m sure you and Sora will get along fine,” Lillian smiled down at her son. She looked like a goddess to Riku, she always did. Her deep brown hair had been brought back in a French braid with crystals and sapphires surrounding it. Her green eyes sparkled with the same brilliance as the diadem on her forehead. It was pure silver, the front interlaced in a Celtic design with small white diamonds at each point and bright garnet in the center. She wore delicate kimono with the shades of pink. The obi was white with sakura flowers embroidered upon it, melting in easily with the pink kimono, while the sleeves were made of a light pink see through material.

“Well, hopefully this Sora won’t be annoying,” Riku said while crossing his arms. He wore deep blue pants the hung from his legs, a silver band of material keeping them on his waist. A long deep blue robe covered his arms but left some of his chest and stomach open. The robe was also bordered in silver with black Celtic designs adorning it.

“You will greet Sora with the manners you were brought up with Riku, there is no room for being discourteous. Do I make myself clear?” Sephiroth said without looking over at his son. His long silver hair fell around his waist, his bright emerald eyes looking forward. He wore the same clothing as his son, except his were black instead of blue. He also wore a diadem on his forehead made of silver, with blood red stones around the points and a garnet stone in the center.

“Yes, father,” Riku looked at him and then at the ground

“Presenting Magister Merlin and the Apprentice Sora,” a loud voice boomed out as the doors opened, Riku’s gaze was immediately directed to the door. Two forms stood there and began to walk towards the throne. He heard his mother give an excited squeal as her former teacher came four feet away and gave a bow, his apprentice following his Magister’s actions. Riku gave one glance at Merlin but his eyes were stuck on the surprising beauty in front of him.

Sora wore black pants with a deep blue tunic. His hair was a mess of cinnamon coloured spikes and his eyes were deep pools of ocean. There was something about this boy, about his beauty that Riku couldn’t take his eyes off. All eyes seemed to shift towards him and he couldn’t understand why, maybe he had been looking at Sora to long and they all took notice. Outside, Riku kept his calm and distant appearance but inside he was a mix of emotions.

“This is my son, Riku and a magus of air,” Lillian smiled at her teacher

“The famed Prince of Validus. It is a pleasure to meet you at last. Your mother has told me much about you in our few conversations,” Merlin smiled at the young prince but Riku was to lost looking at his student that he didn’t respond until he felt a small nudge from his mother.

“Oh, yes. She has spoken of you as well over the years. It is nice to finally meet you and your well talked about apprentice,” Riku answered with perfect grace

“I hear that you are also an apprentice, to the Great Magus Yen Sid,” Merlin said

“Yes, he is teaching me the use of my element.”

“Very good, a fine teacher he is. Lillian, my dear,” Merlin started to talk to his mother and father but he lost their conversation as he looked at the young male and was surprised to find him boldly staring back at him.

As quickly as Riku turned to see Sora staring at him though, the younger man averted his gaze to the ground in embarrassment. A small smirk spread across the prince’s feature’s as he looked at the magus. Maybe having them stay for the week wouldn’t be as bad as Riku thought. He was certainly interested in learning more about this young man. Discreetly Riku moved one of his fingers and created a small current of wind, which lifted the young man’s head towards the prince, unnoticeable by anyone else. Sora looked into those soul piercing aquamarine eyes of Riku’s, a shiver passing through his body as they exchanged a look.

Sora could feel the light wisps of air seeming to caress his arms and face but still he could not take his gaze away from the prince and to do anything right now would be rude. All the young magus could do was stand there and pretend to not notice the air that Riku was using to his advantage. Then the air stopped caressing him and he could hear the melodious deep voice of the prince speaking to his Magister.


Sora flopped down on the bed he would be sleeping in for the next week. The room was larger then what he was used to. The floor was covered in a blue carpet, keeping his feet warm. The bed was soft and comfortable, with many pillows along the head of the bed. A black canopy had its curtains drawn back for now. A bathroom was attached to the bedroom, its door closed for the time being. There was a gorgeous cherry red desk and a wardrobe and dresser where Sora placed his clothing. Sora had placed his shoes at the entrance of the room, not wanting to track anything on the carpet. The windows in the room had been open so the room felt warm now. The sun had finally heated up the cool day and it was turning out to be nice. All he wanted to do was sleep at the moment and wake up feeling refreshed.

“Sleeping so soon?” a voice came from the entrance, Sora bolted up and was met with the angelic god prince named Riku.

“P-prince Riku,” Sora felt stupid for stuttering the other man’s title.

“No need for title’s Sora. Just call me Riku, after all, you and I are supposed to become friends.” A smirk played on the older male’s lips as he walked towards the brown haired boy. “I’ve heard some exciting news surrounding you. Apparently you are the same as my mother. Magister Merlin adopted you?”

“Yes, he did. Your mother was adopted as well?”

“From what I’ve heard. She was adopted at the age of seven, when her family was killed. Merlin switched her name, deciding that she should leave everything from her old life behind. He chose the name Lillian for her. Her birth name was Areith.” Riku lay down on the bed next to Sora, looking at the young man all the time.

“Oh, well Merlin adopted me because my brother wouldn’t be able to care for me as he wanted to...”

“Who’s your brother?”

“His name is Cloud. He lives in Validus; he’s a weapon’s maker. He used to fight but not anymore. He gave it up after my parents died and came home. He took up the business my father had and Merlin took me away.”

“Have you seen him since?” Riku asked as he looked up at the top of the canopy

“Yeah, a few times. Not for a few months though…” he trailed off remembering the last time he saw his older brother. He missed Cloud so much and his two cousins, Rikku and Namine. He felt like running to the Village of Raith, where they all lived. He let a sigh escape his lip as he looked down at his feet.

“Hey, Sora,” Riku whispered as he sat up, “don’t let it get you down alright? You’ll go back to live with your brother and cousins again.”

“Yeah, you’re right Riku,” Sora smiled at the prince, a smile that seemed to melt Riku’s heart and create butterflies in his stomach.

“Yeah, anyways, Yen Sid wanted to meet me for my lesson. You should get some sleep if you are tired, I’ll be back later, alright?”

“Sure…see you then.”

Riku nodded and smiled, got off the bed and walked out the door. Leaving a confused Sora to dwell on these new emotions the Prince of Validus seemed to create in him.