"Have you ever wondered whether you belong here or not?"

"Not particularly, why?"

"Well...it's just that...I'm too Evil to be Good, and you're too Good to be Evil. Where does that leave us?"

"I don't think it matters that much."

"It matters all too much! Think about a world where heroes can be Evil OR Good!"

"Now that sounds like a chaotic and a messed up world to me."

"Better chaotic and messed up than not knowing where you belong."

"...I know perfectly where you belong."

"And where may that be?"

"In my arms, of course."

oO0Oo

"Aria!" a voice called in the distance. "Hurry up!"

"Alright!" Aria shouted back. She shoved her two notebooks into a bag and slung it over her shoulder. Today was the day where she would finally become a mage! Or at least, start training to be one. It had been her life's dream; it was now coming true. The girl took one last glance around her room to check for possessions she would want to take.

Thump thump.

"Will ya hurry up?" said an extremely annoyed boy.

"I'm done, Brandon," Aria sighed. Her twin brother had a patience span as a rowdy Horc.

She opened her door and continued downstairs where her mother and grandmother were waiting. Brandon came down soon after. The boy had unnaturally white hair, despite his tender age of twelve. The color of his hair was due to an accident when he was a toddler. The grandma of the family was brewing up a potion, but Brandon swallowed it. The funny thing was, that potion was supposed to make dinner more appetizing. Ever since, the boy had a scent of strawberries in his hair.

Aria and Brandon were twins, but Aria was older by a few minutes. Like most siblings, they bickered endlessly.

"Mom, please cook us a Wereboar for lunch," requested Aria politely.

"Mom, I want to eat a Anglerfish!" injected Brandon, while glaring at his twin.

The fair haired mother sighed. "Since Aria asked so politely, I'll cook Wereboar for your last lunch."

"Lily, give them a break," said their grandmother slyly. "Why don't we make Wereboar and Anglerfish stew? Let's make them both happy."

The mother's gaze cleared as if someone had erased her frown. "You're right. They both deserve a treat today."

Then, the two women began to chop at the delicious meat. Aria looked in Brandon's direction, and found that he was dozing on the family couch.

No one was paying any attention to her, so she nimbly got up from her chair. She tiptoed to her bag near the door and opened one of her journals to the sixty-third page. Inside was this:

Dear Family of Aria and Brandon Charles,

It has come to the attention that your family household has (a) child/children that are eligible for training to be one or more of these classes:

_ Rogue

_ Warrior

_X_ Mage

_ Healer

If your child/children are interested in becoming a hero, please fill in the space provided your desired class. If you have more than one child, please make a copy. All applicants across the Good Kingdoms will be accepted. School starts on the fourth of September.

Regards,

Metrea, Thok, Arcana, and Juvania.

Aria felt the familiar pump of anticipation when she studied the words. Her finger brushed over Arcana's name. The famous mage was going to be her future trainer!

"Hey! Where did Aria go?" Brandon shouted, who had awoken. Thankfully, he was ignored.

"Hi again peepsqueak," Aria appeared again and ruffled her brother's strawberry-scented hair.

Brandon ducked and growled like the inner beast he was. His gaze traveled to Aria's hand, which was hidden behind her back. "You're re-reading your letter again?" he snorted.

"Maybe," replied Aria. Delicious fumes filled the cottage; it smelt like...well, anglerfish and wereboar.

"It's done, children," the grandma said, while placing the meal on the four-person table. The arrival of the food broke the brewing bicker- fortunately.

At last, the family was seated and ready to eat. Brandon, of course, was the first one to dig in. The female diners shuddered as the boy dripped greasy sauce all over the wooden table.

"Brandon! Stop dripping sauce all over the table!" the mother scolded.

"I'll go get the rags," sighed the grandma. It was a routine now; however, what happened next was a surprise.

When the grandmother got up, her worn dress was caught on the table leg. As a result, the twins, mother, and grandmother's lunch (along with the tableware) ended up on the floor.

"Whoops," said the grandmother sheepishly.

oOoOoOo

In the end, the mess was cleared within the hour. By then, the twins were feeling quite ravenous and irritable. The mother had asked, after much consideration, Bal Gravestorm to share his lunch. He was the Marsh's unofficial protector and regent. The twins were not pleased with her decision because Bal was one of the people in the Marsh who sent shivers up their spine. His Necromancy powers were the best in the Marsh, and that terrified Aria and Brandon. The prospect of eating his lunch was not appealing. Not one little bit.

"Mom! Please, tell Mister Bal Gravestorm not to come. I'll cook something!" whined Brandon.

"Since when did you cook, Brandon? Just be pleased we have a supportive neighbor, young man!" growled his mother. The boy ducked his head in shame, but it popped right back up. He was the type of person who understood what he couldn't change, and accepted it.

Aria peeked out the house's broken-down windows. "He's here!" announced Aria in a frantic manner. She was worried what Bal Gravestorm cooked. Slimes? Marsh Lurkers?

"All this fuss about Gravestorm," muttered the grandmother.

As Brandon and Aria started fidgeting as if ants were crawling up their spine, the grandmother opened their door wide and exclaimed, "Oh Bal! Come in and thank you for your help!"

Gravestorm merely inclined his head in the grandmother's direction. "Carol, I can not turn down a chance to help my allies. You know that."

"Ah, yes I do. Please, Aria! Brandon! Greet Bal Gravestorm," ordered the grandmother.

Aria jumped up in obedience, "Welcome to the Carles household, Mister Gravestorm."

"Yeah, what my sister said," Brandon grumbled.

The visitor nodded and turned back to their grandmother. "Here, I hope Grizzly Bear is favourable?"

The twins sighed with relief. So Bal didn't bring them slimy monsters as they feared.

"Thank you mister!" Aria cried. She could scent the meat in the air.

"Yeah! Thanks tons," Brandon echoed. His eyes shone with ravenous hunger.

"It was a pleasure," replied Bal Gravestorm. "I only wish for the well being of the future heroes."

With those words, Aria's excitement grew. She was going to be a Mage! She just could not wait!

oO0Oo

"Now remember the rules?" asked the mother sternly. The family was outside now. The smog in the swamp was overpowering; however, the breeze had taken the humidity away. It was as if the Marsh was saying goodbye.

"Yes, we know the rules!" Brandon rolled his eyes. "First, no wasting our money on sweets. Second, no staying up late. Third, don't fight. Fourth, don't talk to strangers. And lastly, don't fight the monsters."

His mother smiled with relief. "Well, I guess you understand the rules. Get going!"

"Thanks Mom and Gran!" Aria skipped over to the women and grasped them in a tight hug. It was returned with greater force. Aria's eyes were starting to water, and she noticed everybody else's eyes were too.

After the last of the parting smiles and teary eyes, they were ready to go. And off they went, with the breeze pecking at their feet and the promise of adventure within their grasp.