【Childhood】

┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄

Her childhood was like any Akaiiro, she had loving parents and a good upbringing. She was born gray like her other peers and developed her colours when she was 5 years old, and they would fully show through when she was 8.

 

Back then she was always the creative type, she liked causing mischief by cutting up their curtains and making things out of them, much to her parent's dismay (they were really nice curtains).

 

But it was there she found her spark in creating and designing clothing and outfits. Her parents would support her in that choice and buy her materials or make their own for her to use (no more curtains). Her parents thought she'd grow up to be an artisan like her father, since she liked to create things.

 

It was then they decided to enroll her into Valeria Academia where she can learn more skills and get an education.

 

She would first enroll in the art class for fashion & design as it was her passion. She also had a want for learning magic, but having not been given a gem yet, she didn't have access to her magic just yet. 

 

【Teen Years】

┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄

Once she turned 13 years of age, she participated in the ceremony all Akaiiro experienced at that age, and she was given her first gem and access to her magic.

 

Once she got it, she was quick to learn certain spells, much to her parents' surprise. She had been eager to learn before, because she knew it would help with her creations more.

 

Enrolling into magic classes and an art class specializing in making clothing, she would study to improve her craft.

 

During her time at Valeria, she had met a young Akaiiro by the name of Aurelius in her magic class, she hadn't seen him there before so he probably just enrolled. From there, they didn't exactly hit it off great at first, but like all school situations, they had to be paired up for a project. Tasked with researching and coming up with their own unique spell, they had to work together if they wanted to pass. 

 

There was quite a lot of bickering involved as they had different ideas for the spell, in the end, their end product was… less than satisfactory, Callista was the more knowledgeable and studious in magic of the two and had managed to scrape by with all her grades combined. Aurelius however, was missing just a few points to pass. But he would not fail entirely, as Callista was then tasked with helping him gain the few extra points for a passing grade, mostly because her teachers knew of her studious nature.

 

Hearing that, she was annoyed that he would be sticking with her for a lot longer, thinking she'd be done with him after their project. Reluctantly she took him under her wing and started tutoring him, finding out that his affinity for magic wasn't as high as everyone else's.

 

It would take her a while to find out that he was a lot more in tune with Alchemy, being able to produce high quality potions and such in a short amount of time, not that it really mattered to her, as magic was her main focus, she couldn't care less about Alchemy. That was until one day when Aurelius found out about her passion for the arts, specifically fashion.

 

He had made off with some of her fabrics (much to her dismay at her linens being swiped), she was mad of course, but when she went to give him an ear full, she found him working in his workstation. She couldn't believe her eyes as he had transformed her materials using Alchemy into something more… beautiful.

 

He had transmuted the fabrics to something akin to silk, it had also gained a unique looking pattern on it which shone and shimmered softly under the light.

 

Aurelius looked sheepish at being caught with her fabrics, but he explained he wanted to surprise her as thanks for helping him, even though he knew she wasn't happy about it. Admitting also that he was inspired by her wings, knowing she was one of the blessed Akaiiro with wings.

 

Callista couldn't hold onto her anger much longer as she softened towards him, speechless at his selfless act, of course it still doesn't excuse the fact he stole from her (she'd much rather he asked first), but his kind gesture did not go unnoticed.

 

She would thank him with a sigh, but scold him, if he ever stole her things again he won't be forgiven to which he agreed.

 

From then on their relationship seemed to improve, although they still argued sometimes about their different ways of doing things, but in their down time, Aurelius helped her so much with her clothing, namely his transfiguration of her materials at her request (he was compensated of course). 

 

Slowly but surely, with his help, she managed to start up a small business for herself, making and designing clothing for other Akaiiro, both featuring her own fabrics, and the ones transformed by Aurelius. They would become pseudo business partners. 

 

They would work together for a few more years until one day Aurelius brought news to Callista that broke her heart to hear. He was leaving.

 

His family needed to move away for personal business elsewhere, she was crushed, since the years they knew each other (despite their rough start), they had become inseparable best friends. But she knew it was not something she could prevent, so she let him go.

 

There was something in her that really wanted to tell him to stay with her, she didn't want him to leave, but she couldn't think of a reason to convince him to stay (that was a lie, she wanted to be with him more, not only for her business but for… other "reasons". No nope, it was purely business, if he left he wouldn't be able to help make new fabrics anymore. Yeah, that's it… Sure he taught her his secrets to making the special fabrics, but it just wouldn't be the same).

 

So reluctantly, they said their goodbyes and parted ways.

 

【Adulthood】

┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄

It would be a few more years before she graduated and became a fully fledged mage with a certification in fashion and clothing, her business was as strong as ever, with her being one of the more popular ones amongst the crowd. She carried on Aurelius' techniques in transfiguration in honour of her friend.

 

One day, her parents told her to close her eyes as they led her to an undisclosed location, they had a big surprise for her. And what a surprise that was.

 

Opening her eyes, there she saw, standing there… was Aurelius. He no longer was the young Akaiiro she met in magic class, instead, he had turned out to be a handsome young man. S

 

She felt her heart skip a beat once she laid eyes on him, and it seemed that he, too, did the same thing as they just seemed to stare at each other for the longest time before they were snapped out of it by her mother clearing her throat.

 

With a blush on their cheeks they slowly walked towards each other, it would've been quite the awkward moment for other people in their shoes, but for them, it could be considered the happiest moment of their lives.

 

Before she could really do much else or react, he closed the gap between them and embraced her in his arms, tightly. Caught off guard, she let out a soft squeak of shock until she relaxed and melted into his arms.

 

She didn't admit it to anyone, but those years were painful, she never thought she would miss him that much. And all those years she was also trying to repress and convince herself that those feelings she had for him were just temporary, not knowing if they'd ever see each other again, whether he felt the same way, whether he had moved on and found someone else, or if he had even forgotten about her. Those thoughts filled her head everyday, so she buried herself in her work to forget. She found great success, but his absence left a great hole in her heart.

 

She didn't want to let go as she practically buried her face in his chest and tried not to sob as she told him how much she missed him. He would end up pulling away but still keeping her in his arms as he rested a gentle hand on her cheek and directed her gaze towards his.

 

She couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth next as her eyes widened and she couldn't stop some tears from slipping.

 

"I love you Callista… Will you be my mate?"

 

She was so happy she could burst, she didn't even have the words, nor could she control what she was about to do as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.

 

Taken aback by her sudden movement, he didn't even have enough time to catch himself before they both fell over onto the ground, Callista landing on top of him with a soft "oof". Stunned at their sudden fall but also flooded with positive emotions, they couldn't help but burst out laughing as they just accepted their fate on the ground and held each other in their shared embrace.

 

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

 

Many more years passed by and soon, they would be wed. They have since spent the years together strengthening their bond, and running the business. 

 

The Akaiiro usually have big ceremonies to celebrate the union between the couple and exchange their gems; however, Callista and Aurelius simply could not wait and so they snuck out to a quiet area and exchanged them right then and there. It wasn't unheard of but it certainly was rare, as others prefer family and friends to witness it during the ceremony. 

 

The ceremony didn't really matter to them, all that mattered was their bond and love for each other. Their exchange simply couldn't wait a moment longer, and it seemed that that was the last thing they'd do as a couple, as they didn't even make it to the day of their ceremony.

 

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

 

Creatures never seen before on the land began showing up, they were bipedal and looked almost exactly like the Akaiiro, except they were lacking in the big ears and ongoing tail, plus they were not as colourful. They were nothing to be afraid of for the time being, so they left them alone; however, to some, that seemed like a big mistake.

 

Soon after, their lands were getting destroyed and taken over by these strange creatures? Who seemed to call themselves "humans". Contact was attempted but met with a harsh reception as the Akaiiro seemed unwelcome in their space. Especially since they were opposed to these humans destroying their forests in order to erect their own buildings.

 

Not long after, the Akaiiro were all dropping like flies as an unknown illness befell all, they were losing their colour and became bedridden. Her parents could no longer work as they were affected by this sudden plague. She, along with Aurelius did their best to help them but to no avail. Aurelius' family seemed to be fine for the time being, which was a relief, so it meant he had more time to help her out.

 

When they all thought it couldn't get worse, it did, as the affected Akaiiro began to expel an unknown substance through their mouths, eyes, and ears. It was truly a horrific sight.

 

Even with the magic of the best healers, no one could cure them. She was helpless as she watched her parents succumb even deeper to the illness as they slowly took away their lives. That day, was also when it was decided that any and all Akaiiro who showed signs or symptoms of the illness, were to be eliminated immediately.

 

Hearing the news she was crushed as her world shattered around her, she was going to lose her beloved parents, whether by the plague itself, or by her hand… 

 

They were too far gone as they couldn't even utter a word anymore other than gurgles and groans, and their bodies had stopped resembling any trace of their past selves. All she could do was watch as they withered away slowly, locked in their bedroom where they had laid since the illness took hold of them. She couldn't bear to hurt them, but she had to, lest it spread to her or Aurelius.

 

So her mind was made, she would be the one to end their suffering. 

 

It seems due to the reports, those infected, even those who are at the end stages of the illness, can be hurt and killed by magical and physical means.

 

Her steps felt especially heavy that day as she opened the door to her beloved parent's room, their darkened forms barely visible due to the dim lighting. Soon though, the room would be illuminated by a bright orange glow as she held out her hand and casted the spell.

 

Oddly enough, there was not a sound uttered, no screams or cries as the bodies were burnt to ashes and they slowly disintegrated until there was nothing left. It did seem like they were at peace during their final moments.

 

Aurelius would cling onto her, doing his best to console her after her deed, hugging her close and stroking her hair softly as she broke out in sobs.

 

There was nothing that any of them could have done to prevent it from happening…

 

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

 

Due to the ever increasing presence of these "humans", the Akaiiro were slowly beginning to be driven off of their land as more of their forests were being destroyed, there seemed to be no rest for them as the illness hadn't fully disappeared either.

 

Callista could only stay inside and watch as her kind received tragedy after tragedy. Was this some kind of cruel joke? What did they do to deserve this? And their Goddess… What about her? Wasn't she supposed to be their protector? So why hasn't she done anything yet? Every night she had prayed for some kind of miracle to help them, and even after her beloved started showing the first symptoms of the illness, nothing was done. Not a single word or sign from the goddess, it seemed they had been forsaken, yet some still clung onto the thought that their Goddess would come and miraculously fix everything…

 

But she didn't come.

 

Callista could do nothing as the signs of the illness slowly intensified and Aurelius became bedridden and his colour had disappeared entirely. She did her best to care for him as he was all she had left. 

 

One day, there was a pounding on her door. The Grand Council who ordered the elimination of all colourless Akaiiro had sent out their soldiers to check for and hunt down any colourless Akaiiro since it seemed that a few had been hidden by family members or friends, unwilling to end their lives themselves.

 

Callista could do nothing as they found where Aurelius was lying, he hadn't reached the end stages of the illness yet so he still looked like himself. She cried and begged them not to kill him as he meant everything to her and he was all she had. But they had a job to do, and for the good of the rest of Akaiiro kind, he had to be eliminated.

 

They held her back as she was beginning to become more belligerent, going between crying and pleading, to throwing insults and threats. She couldn't do anything as she watched them destroy her lover, turning him into dust and leaving nothing left.

 

Finally they released her and left, leaving her to crumble and sob on the cold floor. The house that was once filled with warmth and joy had been broken down to nothing but an empty husk as she sat, alone.

 

【Current Day】

┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄

After abandoning her home on Earth, she moved to Soteria with the other Akaiiro and started anew, alone. She had help from the rest of the community rebuilding her home and finding an appropriate place to live, though they tried their best to console her after hearing what happened, they too, were suffering so not much could be done.

 

She was; however, thankful to hear that at least some relatives had survived, even though they were distant, her family line hadn't been wiped out completely.

 

It would take a few years, but eventually she got back on her feet, as did the other Akaiiro and lived their lives as best as they could with what they had.