Smothering the Flame
Village of Rupta Year XX03
No sun in sight as grey clouds engulf the later morning skies.
"Hmm what should I do"
Axelle crosses his legs on his bed staring at the necklace Bri gave him.
"What does she like?" Axelle says aloud. "Haa this is too hard"
KNOCK KNOCK
"Hey something wrong" his father walks wearing black slacks, and a black shirt.
Axelle looks at his father's attire "Where is he going? agh never mind I have more important matters to attend to" Just when he was about to ask that question Axelle looked back at the necklace.
"Umm yes" as he lifts his necklace.
"Oh the necklace that Bri gave you the other day"
"Yeah she gave me this but I don't know what to give her in return"
STEP STEP
"Hmm" takes a closer look at the necklace.
"Wow it has a mana stone inside of it I didn't see that the first time you showed us"
"Well that was on me I didn't really "show" it to you and mom."
"That's right you just walked in and went straight to your room your face all red and announced, "I've received a necklace from Bri".
"It makes sense for her to have that since her father is a geologist" Axton states.
"What should I get her father?"
"How about-"
"Dear isn't it about time we head out?" a woman's voice calls out.
"Good morning Mother," Axelle says.
Wearing a dark dress "Good morning I didn't want to wake up but it seems you are wide awake. What's wrong?"
"Well honey he's having trouble tryna pick out a gift for Bri"
"Aww, how sweet. I remember your father gave me a necklace and before he went to the civil war he promised he'll marry me. Then he proposed and gave me a ring with our initials on it" his mother says as he shows it to Axelle.
"It did cost ALOT of
"But it turned out fine honey since the Strategic General Rossi was nice enough to give us a home and we don't have to pay any expenses for as long as we want"
"That's it that's what I should do?"
"Well Axelle you should give a ring to a person who you really-"
"No an item that has her name on it. But it has to be something she can use daily."
"Some kind of accessory maybe" his dad suggests.
"How about a small little side pouch? So she can fit her essential needs."
"That's a great idea, Mother"
"I got a ton of those in the other room let me go get one" Axelle's father leaves the room.
"But how am I going to inscribe her name?"
"Dont worry axelle you just have to use a little of you're flame like this" Etna shows her finger as the flame is no brighter than a small candlelight.
"Here I found it"
Axton gives him a little beige leather side pouch that can be adjusted.
"She can use it as a sling bag or adjust it to put it on her arm or leg"
"Okay perfect," Axelle says as he lifts his finger on fire. He then carefully inscribes Bri's name into it in perfect cursive.
"There"
"Wow that looks great son"
"Job well done" Etna remarks with a smile.
"Thank you for your help and by the way where are you guys going?" Axelle finally asks.
"We're just going to a last-minute funeral of a former colleague of mine who battled alongside me in the civil war. Xander Pierce of the Pierce family. He was a wonderful ice mage and had a loving family. I believe they have a daughter around your age as well"
"I feel so sorry for his wife" Etna adds.
"The ceremony will be in Cassadora we figured we didn't wanna bother you with that well since," Axton says as both he and Etna look at the side bag with their raised eyebrows.
"But it may rain," Axelle says.
"It's all right since it's inside a cathedral," Etna says.
"We'll be off Axelle" Axton
"We should be back around dinner time. If the tram to Cassadora isn't delayed"
"The Cordelia family knows that you and Bri will be training again together today so you'll be in their care"
"Okay"
"Also since you mentioned rain, don't play or else you'll get sick, and don't train too hard" Axton remarks as he pats his son's head.
"Stay safe," Etna says as he kisses her son's forehead.
"Safe travels," Axelle says as the two leave the house. He looks at the sky "it is going to rain soon I better give this to her now"
Axelle heads over to Bri's house.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Hello Axelle"
"Hey Mrs.Cordelia"
"If you're looking for Bri she's training by the stream"
"She already beat me to it. All right thank you"
Axelle smiles "Hopefully she likes this gift"
He arrives with her back facing him as she learns to create a water ball. Her hands begin to shake as she struggles to maintain the water's form.
"Learning a new spell" Axelle speaks.
SPLASH
The water falls back into the stream.
"Hey, Axelle how long have you been standing there?"
"Not that long just enough to see you form that waterball"
"Yeah it's a new spell I've been trying to learn I call it Water Prison"
"Cool name"
"Thank you what's that in your hand"
"Oh uh, this is supposed to be for you" Axelle hands over the little bag with his right hand as he scratches his head with his left. "A little thank you for the necklace"
"Wow, you didn't have to give me anything. It even has my name on it. Thank you, Axelle. It's good that you gave me this I needed something so I don't have to carry things in my hand" She then looks up at the sky.
"Do you wanna call it a pass for today or do you wanna train for a little bit"
"Are you kidding let's train a bit we haven't properly trained these past few days. Plus you've been learning new magic spells. Just a couple minutes ain't bad."
"Uh, I don't know."
"Fine how bout this? When the first raindrops hit the ground we'll go back to your house" Axelle suggests.
"Ok I guess you really wanna fight me."
"Show me what you can do Bri"
"Alright you asked for it"
SHEATH
Axelle unsheaths his sword as it begins to be infused with flames.
Bri activates a blue magic circle under her as she begins to motion with her hands.
The two waiting for the other to strike first.
{FIRE CREATION MAGIC: FIRE BLAST}
Axelle advances creating a slashing motion that releases a fireball hurling straight towards Bri.
{WATER CREATION MAGIC: AQUA RING}
Bri creates a ring around her that blocks the attack creating a ball of smoke.
"My vision I can't see" Bri says.
Axelle then suddenly appears behind her.
"My blindspot"
Axelle prepares to kick her but is met wet feeling.
Bri catches her kick with the water from the Aqua Ring.
"Not so fast"
{FIRE CREATION MAGIC: FLAME VOR-}
{WATER CREATION MAGIC: WATER PRISON}
Bri beats Axelle before he can finish his spell as a ball of water fully engulfs Axelle.
"What do you see gotcha beat now" Bri teases him.
While inside the water prison, Axelle points at her and gives her a thumbs up.
"Alrigh- URGH" Bri falls to one knee. "What is happening"
DRIP
DROP
DRIP
Raindrops begin to fall.
"What's going on" Axelle sees Bri struggling. He attempts to escape the water prison with his sword in hand but to no avail.
"I can't control it" Bri yells. "Ahh arghhh AHHHH" as she holds her head with both of her hands.
As she looked up her eyes began to glow blue. "What are. What is saying this"
The rain continued to blow like a monsoon.
"Am I halluncianatiing things. I can't breathe? My body is starting to feel numb. My vision grew darker and darker. Am I dying?" Axelle begins to question himself with his body frantically moving with his blade in his hand desperately trying to find a way out.
"BRI!" her mother comes running down.
"Mother what's wrong with me."
"She used too much no. Her mana goes amplified because of the rain she can't control it. Not only that."
From the waters, a large head of a beast begins to form and another and another.
"A hydra"
"She is THIS type of mage" Her mother is in shock as she attempts to stop her.
"Am really going to"
"No, not yet" a mysterious voice calls to him.
CRACK
CRACK
SNAP
POP
Axelle's blade begins to glow a purple hue as Bris Water Prison evaporates.
He lies there motionless looking at Bri as she struggles to control the water beast with her mother trying to calm her down.
"Boy this is still so much to be done" the mysterious voice calls out again.
......
.....
....
"BRI!" Axelle yells.
"Argh my head. Was that all a dream?" Axelle holds his head as he examines his whereabouts.
"My room the last thing I remember. The rain. Sword. and Bri"
"Axelle?" a voice says.
He looked at the door of his bedroom.
His mother Etna stands in happiness and relief as she rushes over to his side.
"Your okay Axelle!" she comes over to hug him. "Is everything ok? Do you know who am? What's you're name? Where you are at?"
"Mother calm down I know this is my room Axelle Alekzander"
"Thank heavens"
"What happened to me?"
"You were out in a coma for a week"
"A week?!"
"Yes your father was really worried he called a doctor and he's probably getting more food right now"
"Am sorry"
"It's okay as long as we know you're okay"
They both continue to hug as Axelle notices something in his mother's hand.
"What is that mother?"
"Oh, I was just about to leave this on your bedside. I believe you should read it"
She passes him the letter and he begins to read it.
"Too my dear friend Axelle am very sorry for what I have done and what you've seen me do. Thank you for all the fun times and happy memories I will always cherish them. You probably hate me now and wish to see me never again. For that reason, I decided to move to the region in Polaris where I will learn to properly control my water magic. Am sorry we didn't have a proper goodbye but I wish to see you again soon. Love your friend Bri Cordelia"
"What..."