Haters from Afar

PART 1: FRIENDS

Time was passing by rapidly. The training was going great. Master Owens had also put Raymond and Katie for a car driving test. Both of them passed easily. Master Owens was not around after that, he said he was helping the E. A. A. build the Battlelyte Arena. Raymond and Katie had to do their training on their own. Master Wyngaf suggested some improvements whenever he came across it.

Once a week, Raymond and Katie went with Master Owens to the supermarket to buy groceries and other things needed at the beach house. They were allowed to spend their allowances on anything, Katie mostly spent them on cakes.

One time, Master Owens was too busy to drop them back at home, so he gave the car keys to them and dived out to the Battlelyte site. He could have taken them back with a dive, but that would leave the car there. Diving with a heavy object like a car was never wise. He also wanted for Raymond and Katie to get some fresh air. He suggested that they do that.

Right on their way, there was a tiny riverfront. It was not crowded and was as beautiful and calm as the beach. Master Owens suggested hanging out there to get a change in scenery. He knew Katie would rather spend her time at the cake corner at a bakery, so he said he would treat Katie with cakes later that night. It was the day of First Rain so it was valid. Katie jumped after listening to that.Raymond knew he would have to deal with drooling Katie until she actually received one.

He took the car to the riverfront and parked. It was vacant. They walked near the water and sat on the green grass. The cold wind and the smell of nature were really great.

Raymond had never experienced this before, he had never had many friends to visit such a place and talk to them. Katie was the same, but she had decided to abandon her past and do everything she had not done before, so she started the conversation,

"Eve is coming back tonight."

"Yeah, heard it," said Raymond. He threw a stone in the river. It splashed and bounced a few times and sank. He never got a chance to ask Eve about her family. All he knew was that her dad was overprotective, but it seemed normal as he was the President.

"So," Katie said, "when are you asking her out?"

Raymond was a little embarrassed, he made a face and said, "I don't know how you made that thing up but stop it. There is nothing like that."

Katie clashed her shoulder with Raymond's. "Stop hiding it," she said, "I'm your best friend, I know."

"Oh please," Raymond said, "what could you know? And How?"

"The way you act around her," Katie said, "the way you talk to her, the way you look at her, all of that displays your heart out. And the way your face never loses a smile around her. If she is as smart as everyone says, she'd have figured it out. It's clear that you want to talk to her and be close to her."

"I don't know, Katie," Raymond said, "I don't know if love exists."

Katie wrapped her hand around Raymond and said, "Aww! That's so sweet, you've got your heart broken once. And you're afraid that it will happen again."

Raymond's face was shocked. He could not figure out how Katie could predict all of that.

"I told you, best friends know everything," Katie said with a grin. "So, tell me, was it you or her?"

"Actually, it was none," said Raymond, "We both had a bad day when I said some things about her father, which I shouldn't have, she slapped me. We both came to our senses and apologized to each other. Then I moved out of the house and she was moving to L. A. for education purposes. So, we broke up."

Raymond gave a pause and continued, "But, when I look back, it was not love, I never loved her. I liked to be with her as no one liked to be with me but her."

"I cannot define the word for you, Ray," Katie said, "But I am not the one who loses hope." She soothed Raymond's shoulder.

"I believe love doesn't exist, the only thing that exists is caring for someone," said Raymond. "So — have you ever?"

"Nah! I was an introvert back at home," Katie said, "Plus, the stuff with my mother stopped me from making friends."

Raymond did not know what to say. He looked at Katie's smile and said, "I'm happy that you're happy now. We must share our past lives with each other. I'm sure it will help."

"I think so too," Katie said.

Katie's eyes got on to something. It was a ball, made of water. It was moving towards them. "What is that?" she said.

Raymond saw it. He immediately got up and fire surrounded his arm, he hit it back, deflected it 180-degree. It crashed to the ground a little away from them. SPLASH!

Katie got up. There was steam in the area caused by the vaporisation when Raymond's fire met that water ball. She could not figure out who did that. Two silhouettes walked calmly towards them on the other side. Jade and Rebecca had finally shown up.

"So, they've grown more powerful now," said Rebecca. She smiled with confidence.

"Sneak attacks are not what I prefer," said Jade.

Jade and Rebecca walked towards Raymond and Katie. Those two were in Dark blue cloaks. Jade's cloak had black flame patterns on it. Rebecca's had a black water drop pattern on its back. Under their cloak, they had battle outfits on.

"Who are you? We're not trespassing," said Raymond.

"It's been many days," Jade said, ignoring Raymond's words. This is the first time you two have been left alone. I will ask you to come with us peacefully."

PART 2: AN OBEDIENT APOLOGY

Master Wyngaf was sitting at the porch. A car came near — Gavin's car. He came out after parking it.

"I am here to apologise, Master," Gavin said, bowing down right next to his car.

"Apology accepted, Gavin. You can forget it now," Master Wyngaf said.

"Is my application signed? Even though it's rejected, a sign is necessary," Gavin reminded.

"Come in, I'll hand it to you," said Master Wyngaf, getting inside. He picked up a few papers and handed them to Gavin behind him.

"I know you won't apologize to Katie," Master Wyngaf said, Gavin was still when Master Wyngaf continued, "And I will not force you to. But, keep in mind, Gavin, they already carry the burden of hatred from strangers. They don't deserve hatred from you who can try and understand them."

"I know, Master," Gavin said honestly, "But I can't apologize. I will talk to them like normal people if they talk to me."

"Okay. No problem," Master Wyngaf said, "Do one thing for me." Gavin opened his ears fully. Master Wyngaf continued, "Raymond and Katie are not back yet. They should have been long ago. I want you to look for them and notify them to come back. They'd be near the river bank or a cake shop."

"A Cakeshop?" Gavin asked with confusion.

"Yes, long story," Master Wyngaf said with a sigh. "We don't have time now. Consider this as your mission."

"In return for you forgiving me, this is a small thing to do," said Gavin. He bowed his head a little and moved out. He drove away in his car.

TRING! TRING!

The telephone rang, Master Wyngaf rolled his wheelchair into his room and picked the receiver up.

"Are Raymond and Katie back?" he heard Master Owens's voice.

"No. I sent Gavin to look for them," Master Wyngaf replied.

"If they don't come in a few minutes, it'll mean something has happened," Master Owens said worriedly, " I shouldn't have left them alone."

"Don't worry, Drake," Master Wyngaf said. "Those kids are powerful enough to defend themselves if something happens. I will try and sense their presence."

"Sure. Let me know if anything is wrong," said Master Owens.

They hung up the call.

PART 3: AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK

Seeing this unprecedented tragedy, Raymond tried to think of something. He wanted a plan to get away. He looked in his pockets, the car keys were missing, he had forgotten them in the car door accidentally. The car was not locked. Raymond and Katie did not want to argue with people who looked dangerous, if they had more experience using Elemental Powers then it would turn into a battle they would not win. The car was the only option which was fast enough for an escape.

"Katie," Raymond said slowly, "I have left the car keys in the car accidentally. We must cause a distraction and make a run for the car."

"Agreed," Katie whispered.

"Looking for these?" Rebecca said. She showed them the car keys. Raymond and Katie were shocked.

"I took them before walking here," Rebecca said with an evil look. "They're getting in our way!" She threw the keys in the river. Raymond and Katie were now a little scared.

"Now, you can't run," Rebecca said.

"We are from Koyaku," Jade said. "We are here to charge you for breaking our rules by coming to the Elemental Earth even though you are humans. Coming with us peacefully will award you a quick death rather than a painful one."

Raymond and Katie were standing frightened as normal teenagers. Rebecca had an evil smile. Jade was standing expressionless without moving a muscle.

"So," Rebecca broke the silence, "what are your thoughts, humans?"

The situation was clear. They could not run on foot and defend themselves at the same time. But that opened up another door — to fight! Raymond summoned fire around his fists, letting the enemies know that they would not succeed in scaring them.

"This is the perfect opportunity to test our strengths before Battlelyte," Raymond said.

"Hmm," Jade smirked, "So that useless competition is still organized here."

"It's not useless!" Katie said, gathering sparks of lightning around her fists.

"Let's fight it out, humans," Rebecca said with excitement.

Jade took a step back. Rebecca saw that. She was grateful to her Master to trust her. She was asked to accompany her Master for this mission by the Ruler of Koyaku. She knew she was ready and this was finally her chance to prove it to everyone.

"Just don't play with them for too long," Jade advised Rebecca. "We need to get this done quickly."

"As you wish, Master," Rebecca said.

"Wait —" Raymond said in shock, "He's a Master? Why would a Master attack us?"

"I'm not a Master from Elemental Lands, kid," said Jade. "I am a Master from Koyaku. I am on orders. Our nation despises humans."

"So you won't fight?" Katie asked. "You will leave your student to fight the two of us alone?"

"I'm more powerful than you two. So don't worry about me, human," Rebecca said.

"We have names!" said Raymond.

"But they'll be of no use to you after you die," Rebecca said. She moved straight towards Raymond and Katie. They ran towards her too. They closed the distance between them to attack.

PART 4: SPIRAL FLAME BOMB

Gavin parked his car and closed his eyes to sense something. He opened them suddenly. He could sense Elemental Energies in huge amounts. A fight was going on somewhere.

He hurriedly ran towards the place of interest, leaving his car behind so he could make a sneak attack through grasses if necessary. He ran through the huge, wide forest near the road and reached the clearing near the river.

Gavin's eyes were shocked. He saw Rebecca standing with a dagger in front of Raymond and Katie. They both were lying on the ground, injured and soaked in water. The ground also had puddles everywhere. He saw the Dark Blue Cloaks and rage increased on his face. An uncontrollable rage took over him and fire swirled around his left fist.

"TAKE THIS!" Gavin yelled, "SPIRAL FLAME BOMB!"

The gathered fire in his left arm formed a ball and he threw it at Rebecca. She did not notice it. Jade had sensed it. He ran towards Rebecca quickly.

"Duck, Rebecca!" Jade yelled.

Rebecca saw in front of her, a fireball was coming towards her. It was travelling in a spiral path. It was hard to track it and the impact point for deflecting it. Rebecca did not move. Jade reached near her.

Rebecca pointed her dagger at the fireball, but it spiralled away towards her face. She was shocked. How could it be? She was almost ready to get hit when Jade's hand came in the middle of the fireball and her face.

Jade deflected it in the sky with no trouble. The fireball exploded with a huge explosion in the sky like a bomb.

END OF CHAPTER. TO BE CONTINUED.