Due to the nature of the boy's identity, the only real contact Aster ever had with others was limited to his father, Jagón, an antelope buck named Javis, the head butler of the Venatus household and sole caretaker to the boy, and his two brothers, Talan and Cortist.
Cortist was always the boy's closest and only real friend. A friend who considered the human his brother as much as his own father had considered him his son. It was from this relationship that Aster's dream was born.
It was early one winter morning, the large mansion the Venatus family called their own was struggling to keep the cold out, but on the highest floor, in a room deemed off-limits to all visitors and most staff by the head of the house himself, the laughter of children playing managed to ward away the chill.
Cortist and Aster were running in circles as Javis silently watched the cubs play. The young panther, who was chasing his brother of three years younger, began exclaiming how he was the great, Amber Dragon, come to raze and destroy all that prospered in the kingdom.
Aster, almost seven at the time, paused in his escape from the make-believe threat to ask his brother a question. "What's an Amber Dragon?"
Javis, as being the one responsible for the boy's education, stood from his seat, walked over to a dusty bookshelf, and pulled a book of myths from the shelf, returning to where the boys were playing. He sat between the cubs, and opened the book, flipping through until he came across the old legend.
"The great Amber Dragon was one of five legendary feral beasts etched into the history of Alora. Many scholars argue upon the validity of the claim, however, there is a story of a great king who led the charge against the beasts. Would you care to hear it, young masters?"
Both boys eagerly replied with a "Yes please!" And so the antelope began telling the epic, both young cubs sitting starry-eyed on the floor, clinging to every word, studying every illustration.
Aster perhaps a bit more so, considering his brother Cortist was already familiar with the legends. Upon reaching the end, where the legendary warriors had succeeded in driving back the beasts, resulting in prosperity for all the land, Javis closed the book.
The human listener jumped up excitedly before proudly declaring himself a legendary warrior, tied a cloth around his neck for a cape, and returned to the pursuit of his brother, the great Amber Dragon.
After the cubs had nearly exhausted themselves, they both plopped onto the human's bed, breathing heavily.
"Brother, do you think I could become a knight like the legendary warriors from that story were? Like dad is?" The young human questioned hopefully to his older brother.
Cortist was a bit caught off guard by the question. At his age, he knew more about his brother's circumstances and the slim chance the boy had at ever living a normal life than the child had yet to grasp. So he only sat up on the bed and grew quiet for a moment, eventually turning to his brother before speaking.
"I want to be a great mage. I want to be able to help people all across this land to live better lives. I want to protect those closest to me. I want to protect you, Aster..." The panther trailed off for a moment, trying to find the words to crush his brother's dreams as gently as possible.
None came to him. He stared into the human's eyes and saw the hope shining back at him. The young panther's resolve melted, replaced instead by a smile. "I think I'd be honored to fight with you to achieve those dreams. I think you could become a great hero, brother, just like father... And I think we could become an unstoppable team capable of tackling any foe, Even a legendary beast... You, me, and our brother Talan."
Javis watched on silently, knowing the older boy was simply showing mercy on his younger adoptive brother, but even the buck at the time could hear the true hope and aspirations beneath both children's words.
In truth, Javis was enraged when he was first charged as the boy's caretaker, he couldn't fathom what his master could've been thinking, but as the years grew on, so did the fondness the antelope held in regard to the child. He made a decision that day that could've cost him his position, his stature, and possibly even his life.
"The greatest of warriors never hesitate to do what they believe is right, To help people. They never falter in their dreams, young master, nor in their training. Your father is evidence of this. So, Aster... Cortist... Will you both accept those aspirations and the consequences that may come with them? Can you put forth the work load and heavy lifting needed to achieve them? Will you fight tooth and nail to defend those dreams and eachother?"
Aster, even at his age, could grasp the seriousness in the buck's tone. He and his brother stood from the bed, and kneeled before his teacher as he was taught to, demonstrating respect, comprehension, and resolve before giving his answer.
"Yes Sir." The antelope smiled.
"Good." Javis began training the boy in self defense by way of the staff the next day, just as he had once trained the human's older brother, Talan. That was all he could do to aid his young master's dreams at the time, and the buck could only pray that it may be enough to keep the human alive one day.
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After finishing his matches disguised as `Mortum," the first day of Selection, Aster was sneaking his way out of the arena and back to the inn, where Javis awaited him. His father, Jagón, was obviously quite unaware the two had departed the estate behind him after leaving for the capitol, and as no others in the estate really knew much of Aster's existence, none were any wiser.
After all, it was nothing unusual for the head butler to depart on errands as needed for the family. He greeted his charge and began stripping the disguise from the boy, who was excitedly rambling on about the experience.
The boy sneaking off to take the Selection was only able to be pulled off by his caretaker's assistance, So to say Aster trusted him deeply was an understatement. As Javis removed the last of the bandages and pulled the helm from the boy, he spoke in a caring voice.
"Sounds like you had great victories, my young master, I am glad. I had worries this disguise would limit your field of vision too greatly, but happy to hear it was a success. I only wish I were able to see it, but we couldn't risk the exposure to Lord Jagón. I am quite proud that you made it to the second day still."
Aster beamed up at the buck, happy to receive the praise for his hard work paying off.
"I even talked to someone! Besides the event organizers that is. A wolf, no, a she-wolf... Stahl I think? She called me weird, but still, it was nice to be part of a conversation with someone new. I think she might be a noble, she's really good with swords! She even complimented the techniques you taught me!"
The buck chuckled at the boy's evident excitement. He was happy the kid was finally getting to experience a bit more in life, but still gave his warning. He didn't want to see him hurt when his identity would be undoubtedly revealed.
"Just remember, until you can earn the right to expose yourself after passing the selection, don't rely on anyone having the same opinion before they learn who, and what you truly are. You very well may only set yourself up for disappointment."
The boy smiled beamingly up at the slim buck before nodding in understanding, giving out an enthused, "Yes Sir!"
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