Chapter Text
35th day of 10th month. The day of remembrance. The day when the Almighty Alumia came back into this world, to sacrifice herself to save it just the day after. On this day, the worlds were closest to each other, allowing an opportunity to cross. On this day, the magic grew weaker, overwhelmed by the stronger connection. It was a day reserved for reminiscence, prayers and offerings. Being born on this day was seen as a bad omen. In the year 239 after Alumia’s sacrifice on the 35th day of 10th month, the Grand Sage had to leave the ceremony held for Alumia’s spirit early. The messenger was very clear. No time to waste. The Grand Sage’s dear wife was in labour.
This should not be happening. The baby wasn’t supposed to come for another two months! They planned it carefully, the Grand Sage’s heir should have been born on the blue moon, the most powerful moon for mystics, on the night of blue moon, their connection to magic is the strongest. The heir of the most powerful mystic deserves no less than to be born on such a glorious day. So why is it happening now?!
When he arrived home, the air was thick and suffocating. He had a very bad feeling. Upstairs a lone healer stood outside the master bedroom doors, holding something wrapped in a warm blanket.
“I want to see my wife,” the Grand Sage demanded immediately.
The healer’s eyes went dull, he trembled under the firm gaze of the Grand Sage.
“I… I’m afraid, it’s not possible, Your Excellency.”
The Grand Sage’s heart skipped a beat. No, it can’t be.
“You aren’t trying to tell me she’s…”
The healer bowed his head slightly a muttered: “My condolences, Your Excellency.”
The Grand Sage’s face went white, then completely blank. His eyes fell onto the blanket. It moved. An ugly, purplish, puffy head of a too small baby was now visible.
“Your Excellency,” the healer said, offering the newborn to the Grand Sage, “your son.”
The Grand Sage took the swaddled baby and suddenly all the emotions came in. The grief, the regret. And rage. Such an overwhelming rage.
You took her away from me, you ugly creature.
Not on a blue moon, not even on a regular full moon, but on this wretched day he had to crawl into the world, two months premature, taking his mother’s life in the process. Too small, too light, barely alive… His magic too silent. The Grand Sage was trying to reach his son’s magic but it wasn’t responding to him.
Don’t tell me…
So he reached for his sight. And suddenly, his anger towards this child that ruined everything felt justified.
She sacrificed her precious life for something so useless…
The aura of this baby was barely visible. It was so thin it could have easily be a residual aura of his mother or the healer. He might as well have none.
Half-breeds have stronger aura than this miserable thing.
There’s no point in bothering with any traditions for a non-magical baby, however he’s already brought a seer with him to read his baby’s destiny. It would be disrespectful to send her away without as much. He invited the old woman closer and as she held her hand above the baby’s head, she froze.
“This child…” she breathed out terrified, “an early death awaits him.”
At the very least, I wouldn’t have to put up with you for long.
“Your Excellency,” the healer said, “your wife didn’t get to name him.”
You dare demand a name too.
The Grand Sage did have a name in mind, he and his wife decided on it since they were sure they conceived successfully. A glorious name fit for the heir of a Grand Sage. A name this child did not deserve.
“Your name shall be…” he tried to come up with something quickly. Something dull and ordinary. And a name truly did came to mind. “Dean.”
A name with no meaning. No glorious purpose hidden behind it. Not a name befitting of a Grand Sage’s heir, but perfectly suitable for a child born on the worst possible day of the year. A child with no magic worth mentioning. Too early, too weak and carrying the blame for his mother’s death. A name as empty as the child’s future. And with any luck, he wouldn’t live long enough to disappoint anyone else.