FIRST STEPS

The sky was lit with the sun's first rays, three figures stood at the edge of the meadow. A well rested and energetic Nid was doing some light stretching. Standing with him were Andrasyl and Emerwyn, who were there to see him off. This was the day of Nid's departure and the start of his long journey. Yet drawn on the dryad and wood elf's face, was irritation.

"Today is the day! I'm finally gonna start my quest." Nid said, excitement drawn across his face.

"That may be the case but thee needs to move out now." Andrasyl commented, her usual calm not present.

"She's right Nid, crossing Agiri Mountains in the dark would be suicide. Now where the hell is that fireball?!" Emerwyn fussed, as his eyes scanned the meadow.

"He said he just had to do something real quick."

The night before while Nid was preparing for their journey. Santelmo came to him and asked to be released from the pact. He promised to be back, but needed to go back to his place and prepare. In Mahiterra, releasing a summon from a pact meant that they could teleport back home. Releasing a summon from his pact is done by casting 'Unbound', sub-spell under the summoning spell. Trusting his new friend, he freed Santelmo from his pact.

"Well he's taking too long! You're going to waste precious daylight."

As if on cue, the fire elemental came blasting through the field. Santelmo was quite fast, closing the gap within seconds. Upon reaching them his flame died down, and was now really dim.

"Are you okay?" asked Nid, concern present in his eyes.

"Yes master, I was just tired from flying for too long." answered Santelmo with a weary smile."Would you be so kind as to re-enter a pact with me?" the summon added.

"Of course! You're my summon now remember?" smiling at the tired fireball who's flames lit a bit brighter upon hearing him.

"Thank you master! As a token of my appreciation I present you with my treasure." he spewed a black ring.

"This is my heart, I offer it to you as proof of my fealty." he offered with his head down and white eyes closed.

"Are you gonna be fine without it? I mean this is your heart right?"

"Yes master, normally, us elementals place our hearts in our territories. Which is why when we are unbound we can teleport back to our places immediately."

"That means you can no longer go back to your place?"

"My place is alongside you master."

"Stop calling me master, I have a name. Are you really sure you want to give . . . . " noticing the look of determination from Santelmo's face, he accepted the gift.

"If you're really sure, then all right! Thank you Santelmo!"

Upon closer inspection, the ring was like dark and lustrous obsidian. The fractures in it were like fields during drought. These cracks glowed as if magma flowed inside the ring.

"This is beautiful, but won't you be in more danger if I carry it around?"

"Don't worry about it master, it's not that easily destroyed." reassured Santelmo, "besides if I die for you, it would be a good death."

Nid seeing the loyalty and determination in Santelmo's eyes, accepted that he won't be able to change the summon's mind.

"Fine! I'll keep it, you've just placed a lot of pressure on me." Nid said with a smile.

At this point, Emerwyn and Andrasyl pushed them to go. The irritation in them now replaced with a pleasant smile.

"Go now! You can talk while running!" Emerwyn said, while slightly giving Nid a push.

"Okay! Okay! We're going! We're going! Jeez! Just let me get some fire going for Santelmo to snack on."

Nid pulled out a torch in his backpack, and lit it with flint like rock. As soon as the flame erupted, Santelmo immediately started sucking the fire. Making the summons dim body glow brighter bit by bit. Afterwards they all set off, Emerwyn and Andrasyl accompanying them until the edge of Gar'osi Forest.

They traversed the forest nimbly, like acrobats. At times, Emerwyn and Nid would race to a certain tree they've visited before. This was their backyard, they know the place in the back of their hands. It was past noon when they reached the edge of the forest.

"This is as far as we go, at least there's still daylight, are you tired?" Emerwyn asked. "If you're not then, better climb Agiri mountains fast. You wouldn't want to be ambushed in the dark, as I was."

"Who knows if they're still there? Haha."

"This is not a joke young one. If Emerwyn was not able to defeat them all, you might have a hard time yourself."

Emerwyn let out a sigh, ". . .Andrasyl . . I was injured even before I met those creatures. . . ." he explained trying to preserve his dignity though was ultimately ignored.

"Hmp! I'm not the one who almost died out there am I?"

"We better get going master. Light's going to fade soon, we need to play it safe." informed Santelmo, while looking at the light in the sky.

"You better not weigh him down, fireball!"

"Young one go! Explore! Have your fill of what this world has to offer, just don't forget us. Santelmo, fire elemental of Nid, keep this dark elf safe for us."

"Yes mistress! Master and I will come back here in one piece after we've done our quest."

"I guess this is goodbye for now." Nid ran towards Andrasyl wrapping his arms around her waist. "Thank you! Take care, I'll be back!"

He then faced Emerwyn and gave him a quick jab in his body, "Take care of things here while I'm gone."

Emerwyn put him in a headlock and ruffled his head in retaliation. "I was the one taking care of things here in the first place, you slacker. Hahaha."

"Hahaha. I'm not supposed to, I'm the boss." Slipping out of Emerwyn's hold "we better get going!"

They picked themselves up, and headed for the world outside. "Bye!" Nid shouted, while their figures get smaller at every step taken. Soon their silhouettes fade no longer be on sight.

"I guess it's the two of us again." Emerwyn stated with melancholy.

"Thee can go outside, this one is not limiting you to go out and explore." Andrasyl said, staring at the wood elf.

"Nah. My wandering days are over, I've found a new calling." He answered. "besides it wouldn't be much of an adventure if I go with them."

"Hmm. perhaps you're right." She smiled " let's go back Emerwyn"

They smiled at each other, as they turn and walk back to the meadow.

Meanwhile Nid and Santelmo continued on their journey. Nid looked a bit down the weather after leaving, silent and aloof. His summon not wanting his master to be sad, tried to ease his woe.

"Master, with me around you don't have to worry too much even if it gets dark. I'll light the way. Fufufu."

Nid snapped out of his inattentiveness, " huh? Oh. .uh . . Yeah. . Great."

"Are you having second thoughts master?"

"No, it's more of . . It's my first time out of the forest after I came here. I'm a bit nervous I guess, well. . That and I'm a bit homesick after leaving. Hah. ."

"I see. For me it's a bit different, I was born out of the essence of fire in Y'mona volcano. I'm one youngest of the fire elementals living there, as well as the weakest. I would always get teased for being born small and weak."

Nid felt sorrow in Santelmo's heart, having no home even if he was born in this world. Even if Santelmo had a rough life in his homeland, he was trying to console him.

"I only had two magic spells instead of fire mastery that most of my kin are born with. I was an outcast, which is why I took the first chance I got to leave my past away. That chance was given by you master, it's also why I don't mind if you have my heart. So being homesick is not an issue for me, I only hope you'll still keep me as your summon even if I am weak."

Nid felt sympathy for the little guy, and now that he's Nid's summon the dark elf felt responsible for the guy. He had to be there for his summon, just like Andrasyl and Emerwyn was there for him. This thought made him smile, even if all of them were not together, he can share what Emerwyn and Andrasyl showed him.

"Of course not, you shouldn't put yourself down like that. If people heard you saying that to yourself they might think your master is weak. Haha." Nid said jokingly, however the concept of jokes must not be present in the elemental society as Santelmo seemed to take it seriously.

"I see, them I must show them that I am strong. Master would it be alright if I hide myself to not be a source of shame for you?"

"Now now, that's not what I meant at all. Look, you're not gonna stay weak are you?"

"No master, I plan to make myself stronger by any means necessary to be of service to you."

"Hmm, yeah and do that for yourself too, not just for me. Besides, I am also on this journey to make myself stronger. We must find masters to teach us their craft, like a flame magic master to mentor us in flame magic. So we can do this together!" Nid smiled as he faced Santelmo.

Santelmo's face brightened, his master just accepted him for who he was and also offered him a way to be stronger.

"If I had tears, it would be falling right now! Thank you so much master!!"

"No need to do something drastic. Haha. now I see the reason why you acted all high and mighty back when I summoned you."

"I'm sorry about that master! I didn't want to be seen as weak and discarded just to be sent back or killed."

"It's fine, I understand."

They traversed the jungle covered ascent before nightfall, now they were at the summit of Agiri mountains. The light of the sun was slowly fading to night, yet they do not want to be stuck in the open. They had to decide whether to make a run for it or to make camp.

"Tsk. This is not good. It's almost night time."

"What should we do master?"

"Well being on the summit is a bad idea, were too open for attack here. Let's try our luck by descending down and finding an area we can camp on. I'll gather some wood on the way for a bonfire."

"Hai!"

"Let's split up but remain on earshot."

"Master? What if . . . ."

"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. If anything comes that I can't handle, I'll use 'call' to summon you back to me. Look for caves, cliff or tree big enough for us to squeeze on."

With a nod they both went in different directions exploring down the mountain. As they were searching Nid stumbled upon, an indentation on the wall of the mountain. It was just small enough for him to squeeze in.

[Call: Santelmo]

A ball of flame materialized out of thin air, bathing him in reddish light in the twilight.

"What is it master?"

"How's your search? Did you find anything?"

"I'm sorry master, I haven't found one yet. Is my service needed?"

"Well, I found this." Pointing at the crevice in the wall of the mountain. "I can squeeze myself in it but I'm not really sure it's safe. You however . . "

"Say no more master, I shall be your scout!"

Santelmo being small and made of flame was perfect for the job. Not needing any torch, as he already emits light and can escape pretty easily if needed. As the sentient fireball entered it illuminated the cavern, it was wide. Wide enough that Santelmo's light can't cover the whole cavern.

"I'm coming in!"

"Wait master, I haven't scouted the whole area yet."

Even though Santelmo protested, Nid was already crawling his way inside the cave.

"It's almost dark outside, the sun's almost down." Nid said while tidying himself up, knocking off some dirt that clung on his clothes.

"Master, you should've waited a bit more, we don't know what's in here."

"But we're sure of what's out there in the dark, so I think it's safer. Besides it's not like whatever is in here would be stronger than the two of us. Haha."

Sigh. with what his master said, all Santelmo, could do is sigh. His master trusted him enough to count on him if battle erupts.

"I will protect you when that time comes."

"You do know that I beat you right? Hahaha. Don't worry too much."

Nid grabbed his torch and lit it. "Let's split up and explore the whole cave to make sure nothing can get us by surprise. Be careful though, you're not exactly built for stealth." Nid commented on his glowing summon.

They explored the cave, searching every nook and cranny they can find. Making sure that nothing can sneak up on them. It was damp inside, bats flew every time they get startled by their light. Insects crawl on the walls, dripping water disrupts the monotonous silence. Once they felt that they've done enough exploring, they decided to get back and meet up. While on his way to the entrance of the cave, a sudden explosion shook the cave. Nid dashed, trying to reach the entry point as fast as possible.

[Fireball]

Nid witnessed Santelmo, flinging balls of flame. He was wrapped in his [Fire Cloak], an additional ring of fire covering his body. Facing the flame ball was a black bird with red eyes, trying to gain entry to the cave.

"This is probably the same bird that attacked Emerwyn back then." he thought to himself, readying his bow to help his summon.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine master, I just got back and saw this bird sticking its head inside."

[Earth Defense] [Earth Bind] [Dual Arrow Shot]

Casting his magic [Earth Defense] he increased his defense in preparation for the battle to come and [Earth Bind] to pin the bird while still trying to squeeze through the entrance. Activating his skill [Dual Arrow Shot] lit his arrows with a brown coat to try and finish the fight before it's even begun.

[Fireball] Santelmo also mixed his magic with his masters attack to nail in more damage.

"Die!" they shouted in unison, creating another explosion which shook the cave yet again.

As the dust settled they noticed that the bird was barely damaged, making Nid be more on guard. What's worse, the bird was now standing inside the cave. The entrance widened with some of the rocks covering it was blasted by their attacks.

"Santelmo, any ideas?" Nid eyes were locked on the black bird while asking the fire elemental for any input.

"This bird is too strong for us master, if the worse comes pleas abandon me. I'll hold it for as long as I can."

Sigh, "Don't be so quick to write me off. It's not like I don't have any tricks left up my sleeve. You should know I don't leave anyone behind." "But you're still gonna help me, I need you as a distraction."

"Hai! I gladly serve as a decoy."

"We're going to kite it, just follow my instructions."

"Kite? I don't really get it, but just tell me what to do master."

"Your role is a decoy, you always need to get the attention of the bird. Focus on escaping and attack only to get its attention."

"I will be the damager, I'll attack it till it goes down. Got it?"

"Hai!"

The bird shook its head, removing the debris in its body and regaining its composure. Its focus, now shifted to the ones who gave it fresh wounds. With eyes filled with bloodlust it opened its wings and started flapping. Gusts of wind blasted through the cave, the black avian lifted to the air and darted towards its soon to be food.

"Don't die!" Nid shouted to his elemental.

"Hai!" [Fireball]

An explosion shattered pieces of the wall, barely missing their enemy. Though the bird was not hit, the attempt is considered a success as the flying predator now targeted Santelmo.

"Sorry I missed master."

"No worries it worked, now let me keep my end."

[Earth Missile]

A clump of earth formed, condensing into a rock in Nid's hand and shot straight for the bird. The rock tumbled and roared in the air, hitting the bird in the chest.

"Wak-wak!" The creature squealed.

[Dual Arrow Shot] Nid follows up, as it headed straight for him. His arrows found its mark in its wing and head. It let out another cry, "Wak-wak!".

The bird was now determined to kill Nid first, it dashed for him ignoring the pain. As it neared him, the elf activated one of his archer skills, [Somersault - air]. He launched himself in the air, doing a backflip then activating another [Dual Arrow Shot]. It hit the creature in the back yet a dark aura now surrounded its body, which acted like an armor which absorbed most of the damage. It arched its head trying to reach Nid, seeing this he activated another archer skill [Fade Back]. He slid back in mid air leaving afterimages. This irritated the bird, making it shriek, "Wak-wak!"

"Santelmo, kite it, use [Fireball] now!"

[Fireball] another ball of flame flew and found its way on the lower back of the bird. Though the creature seemed unfazed by their attacks, they didn't stop. Another [Fireball] spell blazed through the air, which the dark avian took head-on. Seeing the enemy change prey, Santelmo started accelerating, making a high speed chase ensue zigzagging all over the cave.

"Good job Santelmo, lure it to me."

He noticed his master's bow and arrow glowing. Triggering his memories of the attack that almost killed him during his summoning. The air around Nid began dancing wild, the light emanating almost blinding. Santelmo knew it was ready, he headed straight for his master. Making sure the bird followed him in the same path where Nid aimed, maximizing it chance to hit.

Nid released his arrow, the force of the arrow carving the ground below. The wind blew wildly as the arrow broke the sound barrier, exploding. Santelmo saw the light headed for them, he did not have enough time to escape, so he accepted his death for his master.

[Call:Santelmo] upon mentally casting the sub-spell, the fire elemental suddenly appeared beside him.

"Stay here and don't move!"

Santelmo opened his eyes to find himself in his master's side. He followed Nid's command to stay put, trusting that his master has everything under control. The fire elemental's eyes twinkled as he saw how capable the elf that he pledged his allegiance to.

"Strong, Knowledgeable and Caring." he admired his master.

The black bird was hit, the damage evident as it was blown away. Black feathers scattered in the air, as the creature was pierced by the arrow in its body. The bird lost one of its wings, bleeding and screeching, it flapped its remaining wings trying to lift itself into the air.

Nid saw this, panting and tired he knew he would not last any longer. Yet he saw that victory is within grasp, if he can finish the enemy now their win and life would secured. He aimed another [Hyper Shot], the bird was pretty much an easy target as its flight was sealed. As he was about to release the arrow an invisible gust of wind sliced the air hitting him in his leg.

"Aaargh!" Nid screamed, his face contorted with pain.

"Master!" Santelmo moved in front of his master trying to shield him from whatever or whoever attacked them.

On the entrance, a hand grabbed the side of its opening. The figure walked inside not minding the ball of flame and the elf inside, following him were five other black birds. The being went to the half winged bird they took down, checking its condition. It had a female human figure, on its back however were huge bat like wings. Its eyes all black and cold, fingers long, slender paired with long sharp nails. Its hair was long, wet and unkempt, all that covered its body were tattered clothes blotted with holes and brown from dirt.

[Terra Heal] Nid cast a healing magic on his wound, it was weak but enough to stop the bleeding and close the wound.

"Tsk, first night out and were in deep crap already."

"Santelmo, our goal is to escape at all cost. I'll think of a way to get us out of here." he whispered to the flame ball.

He whispered to Santelmo to give him a boost in morale. Nid knew that escape was next to impossible. They were tired, almost out of aura and magic, not to mention battered and wounded from just fighting one bird. The entrance was blocked, filled with more enemies, not to mention the winged female felt powerful.

"We can't win this, one bird was hard enough as it is." he mused in his mind. "What should I do? I won't let our adventure end like this. Forget this!"

[Pelting Rain] Activating his first Mystic Ranger Magiskill.

He pointed his bow upward and pulled its bowstring. An arrow materialized nocked and ready to shoot, it was a mix of aura and magic which emanate a bluish glow. He released the energy arrow, flying straight up the cavern roof and disappearing. Suddenly the roof glowed, a magic symbol etched in an arcane circle the size of which covered the whole space they've fought in.

"Don't move away from me or you'll get hit." Nid told Santelmo, as he sat down from exhaustion.

"Hai!" Santelmo replied, still shielding his master from any attack that might come.

In no time at all rain started to fall inside the cave or so everyone except Nid thought. It was not rain, they were small arrows made from aura and magic. Everything inside the area was pierced, making the black birds shrieked in pain. Santelmo observed each enemy, he saw the half winged bird they fought get overwhelmed and killed by his master's magiskill. It went limp, its remaining wing sprawled open, and the eyes lifeless and locked open.

"Master! We did it! We've won!" Santelmo eyes filled with excitement.

"Let's run after [Pelting Rain] ends." the tired Nid told his fire elemental.

Nid's magiskill ended, dust from the rocks destroyed mixed with black feather filled the cave. Eerie silence filled the atmosphere, all that made sound were debris that slid off.

"Santelmo! Run!" The dark elf ordered the fire elemental.

Before they could even take a single step, an invisible force struck them in the back. Santelmo and Nid were flung, hitting the cavern wall hard. Nid was exhausted, he barely had any magic or aura left even running was so taxing that it hurt. Santelmo wasn't faring any better either, his flames are almost out. His [Fire Cloak] was nowhere to be seen anymore, they were at the end of their line.

"Master. . . . I'm glad. . . last moments were . . . you." Santelmo forced himself to give his last thoughts to his master. His only regret, not being able to save the one who gave him the chance to have this short adventure. "So..rry..."

"Ha….ha. No worries…." Bleeding and exhausted, Nid laid down as he waited for his upcoming death. His final thoughts went to his family in this world. "Thank you."

A light enveloped the hands of the winged woman, and blades of wind aimed at him sliced through the air. Nid closed his eyes, peacefully awaiting his end.