Chapter 1: Petrichor (Prolouge)

It had been clear skies the past few days in Domus. Not a drop of rain had come. It usually rains relatively often especially for it being mid April, so it was due for a downpour. Only a few dark clouds were visible in the skies.

A little 9 year old boy was playing with a few friends of his. Tossing around a ball, playing tag, many different games in the span of two hours. It was his birthday tomorrow after all. Being 10 years old was special. It meant a lot of things, you could apprentice somewhere with parents permission, graduate from elementary school, and you'd hit double digits in age. Oh, and your system would unlock.

The system is a very important thing in the adult world. Most places require some info from it in job applications, it helps with self assessment, and oils the gears of society.

And helps you learn magic easier.

The last point is what got the little boy excited.  Magic was well, magic who wouldn't want to fling fire balls?

Who wouldn't want to slay disastrous beasts, and save the world?

The little boy wouldn't say that, He was more for less destructive magic.

     

"So you don't want to be the Hero in the game?"

"No! I've told you guys already, even if we are pretending, I don't want to be the Hero!"

"Jackson, EVERYONE wants to be the Hero in Heroes and Monsters. Why don't you?"

"But that's boooring! Why not a change of pace?"

"This is a change of pace! Your always not the hero! Your birthday's tomorrow and you're the only one here without the system. Don't you at least want to try?"

"Ugh, fine Alice."

Jackson loved underdogs, which is why he always wanted to be the Support for the Hero or "Damsel in Distress", sometimes even the Monster. But he relented.

Might as well be top dog at least once.

"If I'm the hero, then I'll be the best there ever was!"

A tall man walked up to Jackson.

"Come on buddy, we've got to head back now, we'll come back tomorrow, okay?"

Jackson was a bit shocked about how early they were leaving.

"But why dad? I want to play more."

The man looked a bit sad, like saying they had to go would hurt himself emotionally. He sighed.

"I know, but it's supposed to rain today and The walk home is gonna take a bit. Think about how much it'd suck to walk home in the rain."

His dad was very convincing to his 9 year old mind. He turned to his friends.

"I have to go! You guys should too cause it'll get rainy!"

After saying his goodbyes he and his dad started the walk back home.

"So..." his dad said. "Why do you never want to be the hero?"

"Isn't it obvious? The hero is nothing without his friends and fans! Just like how Michael is a field medic, I wanna help people from the sidelines!"

"Oh, well that's fine, that's good actually. It's good to realize that sometimes, in life, you have to settle for less then what other people think is good, and that you should always do what you want, even if you don't get the respect you deserve. Good job Jackson."

He turned to Jackson and smiled, then put on his serious tone only parents can do.

"But be careful, you know how I only let Michael join the army as a medic because of how dangerous it is right now, he's lucky I let him be a Field Medic." his dad shook his head, then put on a caring tone. "I only want the best for you, and I worry for you guys too."

It started to drizzle.

"Shoot! Come on Jackson, we better get home quick!"

As they hurried home the rain slowly picked up. The scent of rain on dry grass was high in the air, a common occurrence during summer.

By the time they got back it was downpour.

Mom greeted them from the kitchen, with a lovely smell wafting towards the door.

"Jackson? Derek? Is that you?"

"Hi mom!"

His mom replied back.

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"Welcome back birthday boy! I made your favorite!"

He gasped, though he already kind of predicted it.

"Chicken Curry!"

"You betcha! Now it'll be done in- actually just come to the kitchen, you know how I don't like yelling!"

His dad let out a chuckle.

"Ok go ahead, I'll go dry off. Don't forget to as well."

He walked off and Jackson headed towards the kitchen.

"Hey mom!"

"Hi Jackson." She stared. "Oh, you should go dry off, Food will be ready in say... 30 minutes. Maybe just get your shower in for the day."

And that's what he did, He went to go take a shower, humming along to tunes stuck in his head, creating his own. The usual. He got dressed and went to the living room, he was debating on turning on the TV or just waiting for food to be done so he doesn't have to leave in the middle of a show when it is done, when the doorbell rang.

His dad was in the kitchen with mom so he shouted out, "I'll get it!" and headed for the door.

He stepped closer and closer.

He never really opened the door because his parent's said he was too young to open it for stranger's.

He thought he'd be old enough for sure.

He heard someone walking up to him, probably dad.

He opened the door.

There were two men in army uniforms standing at the door, one young, and one that was older. He seemed to be of higher ranking. The older man spoke.

"Is this the Smith residence?"

"Um, yeah."

The younger man fidgeted, he seemed nervous for some reason.

"I see, can you get your parents for me?"

Before he could say anything, he heard his dad enter the room.

"Jackson, I told you to-"

He stopped.

He stared.

"Um, hello sir."

The higher ranked man replied. "Is your wife around?"

Dad seemed a bit panicked, but Jackson wasn't sure.

"Uh yes! I'll go get her... Uh, Patty!"

His dad left and came back with his mom shortly after.

They both looked Nervous. Dad spoke up.

"J-Jackson, go to your room for a little while, okay?"

Jackson was a bit confused, and annoyed but agreed.

As he walked to his room, he barely heard the man speak.

"Sir, Ma'am, I'm sorry to tell you, but-"

They didn't go to the park the day after.

 

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