10. Remina

The orphanage courtyard stretched out before me, bathed in the soft hues of twilight. For seven long years, this place had been my home, its towering stone walls and overgrown hedges existing to confine the children with no place to call their own. I sat on a bench under the fading light, engrossed in a tattered book that transported me to worlds far removed from the one I knew.

The scent of spring flowers mingled with the fresh earth, while the distant chatter of children echoed through the air.

My solitude was broken when the sound of running footsteps drew my attention. I looked up to find Gi-Gi, her purple hair now streaming behind her like a vibrant banner, her eyes wide with excitement and a hint of worry.

"Remina! Remina!" Gi-Gi gasped as she reached me. She bent over, resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "You won"t believe what just happened."

Concern etched across my face; I placed a hand on her arm. "What is it, Gi-Gi? What"s going on? Are you okay?"

Gi-Gi straightened up, her amber eyes shining with anticipation. "The headmistress found someone. A relative. Apparently, I have a brother. Can you believe it? After all this time."

I blinked in disbelief, the words hanging in the air like a surreal dream. Gi-Gi had been abandoned at the orphanage as a baby. The possibility of her having a brother seemed like a far-fetched notion, one that I know Gi-Gi had secretly dreamed of for years.

My heart raced as I took in the implications of this revelation. Gi-Gi"s voice brought me back to the moment. "My brother, Slade, wants to be my legal guardian. He lives in one of the supernatural compounds. Headmistress said he has applied to have me moved there with him."

The world around me blurred as my thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of emotions. Gi-Gi leaving the orphanage meant she would be leaving me behind, the one constant presence in my life since the day we"d become friends.

I met Gi-Gi"s gaze, and her eyes were filled with the genuine concern that had become her hallmark. "Remina," she said softly, "I don"t want to leave you. You"re like a sister to me, and I can"t imagine not being here with you. Maybe I can ask if you can come with me?"

Her words tugged at my heartstrings, and I took her hand in mine. "Gi-Gi, I"ll miss you too. But this could be a chance for you to discover your roots, to connect with a family you never knew you had. I'm excited for you. This is everything you've dreamed of."

Gi-Gi nodded, her features softened by understanding. "I know, Remina, and I"m so happy. Besides, you'll always be my bestie, and you can come visit me in the compound. You"ll see, it won"t be goodbye forever."

The notion of Gi-Gi"s visits warmed my heart, and I smiled wide. "Exactly, Gi. You can't get rid of me that easily. I'll visit, and hey, I can even move to the compound once I age out of here. It's only a few more years."

Gi-Gi grinned, her worry easing. "Who would have thought? A brother. Wow. I still can't believe it."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a blanket of stars across the sky, I felt a mixture of sadness and excitement. On one hand, I was losing the only good thing about this place, but on the other, Gi-Gi deserved all the happiness in the world. I would support her in this new adventure, just as I knew she would do for me.

The sun was sinking low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. It had been two days since Gi-Gi left the orphanage to live with her brother and my spirits were low. Feron, my mentor, had driven me far from the sheltered grounds of the orphanage. We"d just concluded a grueling training session, one of many over the years, and my aching body longed for respite. I had recently turned fifteen, a milestone that signaled a shift like my training.

We sat in his car, a sleek black vehicle that seemed to melt into the evening. Feron"s eyes, a shade of deep, bottomless brown, held a solemn expression as he turned to me. His silver-tinged hair caught the last rays of the setting sun, giving it a glint like polished steel.

"Remina," he began, his voice heavy with import, "you"ve reached an age where you need to start making decisions about your future." His words hung in the air, leaving an unspoken question lingering.

I gazed out at the desolate, fading landscape and sighed, my breath forming a cloudy mist in the cooling air. "What do you mean, Feron? I won"t age out of the orphanage until I turn eighteen."

He glanced at me, his gaze piercing and unwavering. "You could come to work for the Order," he said. "I have already spoken to the headmistress I can register as your guardian until you come of age. You can choose to wield your dark powers for the greater good."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I turned to look at him, trying to decipher his intentions. "The Order? What could I possibly do there? I thought it was made up of humans. I"m a Mage."

Feron"s features softened, his eyes holding a mixture of hope and concern. "Yes, The Order is a human organization," he explained, "but we're dedicated to preserving the balance between the supernaturals and the mortal world. It"s a complex game to protect the fragile peace, and if we had a supernatural like you working with us, perhaps we could protect even more innocents."

My mind raced as I processed this information. Did I possess the power to tip the scales in favor of the Order? Could I channel my dark magic for a noble cause and save that many lives?

"What if I am more trouble than I"m worth, Feron? What if it gets out that I'm a Dark Mage? You know the tattoos have kept showing up the more I use my magic. What if my amulet fails? " I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.

He nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding. "Of course, Remina. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. I will always support whatever choice you make. But the amulet will hold, as long as you wear it, the characteristics of your heritage will remain secret. We will do the same as always and say you are a Light Mage."

As I turned back to the window, my thoughts swirled in a tempest of doubt and longing. The prospect of joining the Order was both thrilling and daunting. Could I be the Dark Mage they needed to keep the supernatural in check? Could I find a place where my powers, usually feared and shunned, would be respected and used for good?

I couldn"t deny the temptation of the Order, the chance to harness my dark abilities for a noble purpose. With the allure came the realization that I had nothing left for me here, Gi-Gi had already left and without her, the orphanage was even bleaker. If I worked for the Order, I would have a purpose, a cause. And maybe I would even be able to visit Gi-Gi.

I turned to Feron. "Alright," I said, my voice steady. "I'll take you up on the offer and join the Order. I will use my dark powers to protect the balance."

He smiled, his relief evident. "I believe you will make a formidable addition to our ranks, Remina. Your journey has only begun, and I will be here to guide you every step of the way."