Firestorm's single-room mountain abode.
We sat facing each other on the bare wooden floor. A small pot of tea steamed between us, thin ribbons of smoke curling upward. She had changed into sleek black latex with daring waist cut-outs, gold rings glinting on her wrists and biceps.
Firestorm her tea with calm.
'You'd never guess she'd been half a second from turning me into ash ten minutes earlier.'
After forcefully taking me as a disciple, she started addressing the abilities I displayed before.
"Elevated blue fire, elevated ice, earth, wind, and spirit."
'…the others must be the spells and runes of speed.'
But,
"Spirit? Did I use that?"
"Fire can't turn into handcuffs on its own. That was definitely spirit art mix together."
'Doesn't that mean that I'm a genius?''
She then glanced at my wrists; already healed, only some stretched lines left.
"…Do you know a man named Fang?"
My eyes narrowed.
"How do you know him?"
"That's the only other person I saw with such healing. You must be his son."
"Do you know him?"
"Not closely. But I did send my disciple to fetch his son." She paused, tilting her head. "Also… where's Tzaleah? I haven't been notified of her yet."
'...Fuck.'
An amulet on her wrist glowed softly.
"Speaking of the devil," she muttered. "I'll go bring her and deal with other matters... like the statue you destroyed."
"..."
"You're the only one able to do something like that. Even though I don't understand why." She stood in one fluid motion. "Now stay here and wait."
She tossed something small and cool into my lap.
"That's a spirit stone. It'll help you develop your spirit affinity."
"A wind-and-fire master teaching spirit?"
"Shut up. This is common. Spirit works differently from the other elements. I'll answer all your questions later, so for now, just practice."
I turned the stone over in my palm, feeling its faint energy. "You're confident I won't just leave?"
She looked down at me, eyes locked.
"You think that would work? And I've seen that look before. The face of someone hungry for knowledge."
She paused.
"And I've marked you."
'...?'
As swirling winds gathered around her body, lifting her hair like pale smoke.
'Oh, I just remembered something.'
I leaned back on my hands and grinned.
"Hey—About before. Why did you take off my vest? And why did I wake up to you hugging me?"
Her eyes widened. Hands waving in frantic denial. "That was not what you're thinking!"
"Breaking the cool act again, I see. Must've been one hell of a reason."
"You're just an ignorant baboon!"
SWOOSH!
A sharp gust slammed into my chest, sending me rolling backward across the floorboards. She shot upward and out through the open balcony in a vortex of wind, white hair trailing behind her like a comet tail.
I pushed myself up, brushing dust off my shirt, and watched her distant figure vanish into the green.
"That wasn't a complaint though."
I looked down at the spirit stone in my hand.
"Well, let's give it a try."
.
After descending a stone path, I reached an open yard: well-maintained green, two small lakes, and a simple wooden umbrella-tent structure at the center.
I walked and sat beneath it.
Deep breath in.
'An open space feels so much better. I should've gone outside more instead of grinding that vicious game.'
I closed my eyes.
'Okay. Concentrate.'
My breathing slowed. Heartbeat dropped. Every muscle relaxed.
Steady inhales… steady exhales.
After a couple of minutes holding the stone, something changed.
The usual random memories that appear when you close your eyes dispersed. Only darkness remained.
And it stayed that way.
Until…
Strange sensations crept in.
I couldn't tell if I was hearing emotions or feeling intentions. My tongue flooded with a metallic taste, like my mouth was full of blood.
'This is concerning. I'm not hurt, am I?'
I pushed through anyway.
Soon my senses adjusted. My heart gave three powerful thumps, as if my soul itself had been squeezed. Then, abruptly—
The darkness flashed white.
I flinched, covering my eyes in reflex.
*Wait… I have a body? I know I'm not awake.*
My voice echoed, but my lips didn't move.
I lowered my arm and looked around.
Everything glowed in abundant, different colors. Luminescent green landscape, trees waving with soft light, wind visible as translucent currents. Even the bird-like spirits trailing waves of energy.
I was speechless.
Then took a step.
The space rippled in response, like walking on water made of light. The bird-spirits turned their heads, curious but unafraid.
*What the hell is all this?*
I walked.
*I didn't sniff the rock, did I?*
A dangerous feeling hit me, making me pause at the top of a small hill.
A prickling sensation—like being watched.
I scanned the surroundings. Nothing but glowing vegetation.
*Don't like how this is going. How do I get out of here?*
Shuffled-Shuffled
A brown wolf spirit emerged from the bushes ahead.
I stood put. The wolf padded closer, pausing just a few steps away. Then sat calmly.
*Hey wolf, what do you want?*
It regarded me for a moment, thoughtful, then bowed its head. I intrinsically knew he was offering submission.
My eyebrows rose. A smirk tugged at my lips.
*Well… if you insist—*
VRUMMM!
A massive shape exploded from the trees like lightning.
SLAM!
One swing of his paw sent the wolf flying. Energy sprayed like blood. The wolf scrambled to rise, but a limb was missing.
The attacker revealed itself:
a towering fox of ethereal blue fire, two meters tall on all fours. It advanced without hesitation, finishing the wolf with a wet crunch.
*...Brutal*
The fox turned to me. Savagery replaced by grace in an instant.
Our eyes met.
*...*
I hadn't run because here, everything felt clear. I knew the fox meant me no harm.
*Actually… I think I've met you before.*
The fox tilted its head, ears perked.
*You,*
I tapped my chin.
*Are you Aery?*
Krvwo-chii!
A sweet, fox-like chirp echoed.
Its tail flicked as it approached, slow and cat-like, rubbing its luminous body against me. Warmth spread through me like a hot gust on a freezing day.
I smiled—
SNAP!
My eyes flew open.
I jolted back to reality, dazed, like waking from a dream too deep.
I was back in Firestorm's yard, and right in front of me stood Firestorm herself… with Tzaleah at her side.