Chapter 17 - Exploration Of Self

My Dearest Nico,

If you are reading this letter, then the day I have feared for so long has come to pass. I am probably about to die soon if they find me, just like your father did a while back. The world is a dishonest place, Nico, more so than you could ever imagine. Trust your gut, it will save you more than you could imagine. 

My hands gripped the sides of the old piece of paper so hard I thought I was going to tear it to shreds. The more I read, the blurrier my vision became as my body shook uncontrollably. My parents never left me on purpose or by accident. They were forcibly removed from my life. My gut was right.

Mom is telling me to trust my gut and I should have the first time I felt something off. 

Our nation, Tarondar, once a beacon of hope on the continent of Glozaria, has become a land shrouded in deception. The very thing that brought Tarondar glory was the very thing that caused its corruption. Glozaria was once a place of beauty, a realm where magic flowed freely and life thrived in harmony.

But that harmony was shattered long before you were born, by forces that sought to reshape the world in their image. You see, Tarondar’s history is written in blood and betrayal, and the Keepers—those who were once our protectors—are not who they seem. The Keeper Academy is not what it seems like. 

I know Mom. I said to myself as my cheeks became wet. Keeper Academy is nothing but shiny on the outside and absolute pathetic stupidity on the inside. I knew the Keepers had to do something with my parents. I could feel it.

Justus was right about all of this all along. I bet dark magic isn’t that bad either; I thought to myself as I tightened my grip on the letter. I kept reading the letter as Ivy tried to comfort me. 

Long ago, when the first sparks of magic were discovered, there were two paths: the path of light and the path of darkness. Together, they form the origin of the magic of the universe. The Keepers, chosen for their so-called purity and strength, were to be the guardians of this power.

They vowed to protect the world, to ensure that magic was used for the greater good. But power corrupts, Nico, and the Keepers were no exception. Over time, they became something else, something far more sinister. They became the Eradicators. 

The Eradicators. In my mind, I will always associate that word with evil.

They killed my parents! They were supposed to be our guardians! They were supposed to be our inspirations!

I tightened my jaw to the point I thought my teeth were going to pop out. I am going to exterminate every freaking Eradicator on this planet; I screamed to myself on the inside. 

The Eradicators are not human, though they wear the faces of normal men and women. They are superhuman beings, hungry for control, and they have woven a web of lies so intricate that even the strongest minds have fallen prey to it. These superhuman beings took the children of our world—children like you—and twisted their minds, making them believe that the actual humans were the monsters.

They taught them that we, the survivors, were the Eradicators, the ones who must be hunted and destroyed. And so, our children became our greatest enemy, our greatest fear. 

My eyes widened at reading those words. I gestured for Ivy to come over and read the same words I just did. She was speechless. If what I am reading is correct. This means the so-called “Keepers” are not the protectors of Terrathis, but are Eradicators in disguise.

The Eradicators, in the appearance of a Keeper, were training us to fight against the remaining humans. Mainly the adults so we could take each other out? How cruel! Especially after so many kids looked up to the Keepers! 

But you, Nico, are different. You are the child of two worlds, born from the union of a real Eradicator and a human. Your father, though he may have seemed like one of them, was a man of honor and courage. He betrayed the Keepers by putting a stop to their annihilation ritual, which would have destroyed the entire world.

He did all of this at the cost of his own life. He loved you more than words could ever express, and he gave his life to protect you from the very people who now seek to control you. And I, your mother, have given everything to keep you safe, to prepare you for the journey ahead.

It was like I caught air in my throat. My father was an Eradicator.

If the Eradicators are “Keepers” and they can control light magic, what does that mean? I look at the palm of my hand. I might be capable of light magic as well. If I am capable of both light and dark magic, what does that mean?

I put the thought on the side as I reach the rest of the letter. My father was a good man who sacrificed himself to save the entire planet. He was a genuine hero. I wiped my blurry eyes with my hand. 

You possess a power that the Eradicators fear, a magic that they cannot control. It is why they have banned the use of your magic at the Keeper Academy, why they insist on overseeing every spell you cast. They know that your magic is unique, that it comes from a place they cannot reach—a place of darkness, yes, but also of strength, love, and hope. Only in the darkness can you see the stars. 

If anyone recognizes my magic for what it is the most, it is you, Mom.

I thought to myself as I looked outside the window at the sky. Darkness can hurt, but it is also a great source of protection. My parents have granted me this power. I won’t let go to waste. I will take down all the Keepers. 

Light, on the other hand, is not always as pure as it seems. The Eradicators wield light magic with a cruelty that stains its brilliance. They demand perfection, a world molded in their image, where only the strongest, the most obedient, survive. But perfection is a lie, Nico.

It is an illusion that blinds us to the truth, that hides the flaws and the beauty of what it means to be human. The light they offer is cold, empty, and unforgiving. It is a light that destroys, not because it is strong, but because it seeks to erase anything that does not fit its vision.

Light magic isn’t as pure as we all thought it was supposed to be. They thought they were the angels sent from heaven and they thought because of their unique power they were superior. Their idea of perfection is strength, order, and only letting talented or wealthy people get the resources. 

I am writing this letter because I know that the Eradicators will come to us. They will try to silence us, to erase us from your memory, but I want you to know that it’s okay to be afraid. Fear is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of life, of humanity. And it is your humanity, Nico, that makes you strong.

You may be the child of a former Eradicator, but you are also the child of a human—a human who loved you more than life itself. To have happiness, you must experience sadness. It is in your pain you will find your true strength. 

I walk over and slam my hand down on the table. Ivy rushed over to me in concern. Of course, the Eradicators tried to erase my entire memory. If they didn’t, I would beat them up right now.

At least I could keep some of my memory. With this letter, I can get all my memories back at least one by one. I read the rest of the letter. 

I wish I could be there with you, to guide you, to protect you, but fate has decided otherwise. Know that your father and I loved you more than anything in this world and that our greatest hope is for you to live the life you were meant to live. A life of truth, honor, and love.

Stay strong, my son. Trust in yourself, and remember that even in the darkest of times, there is always a light within you that can never be extinguished.

With all my love,

Your Mother

That light within me will not go out until I rid humanity of these disgusting excuses of living beings.