Akina sat back now having finished her tale of what all happened between herself and Eugene. Though Taiga didn't believe it for a minute as she eyed Akina, though the red haired mage didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
"So what else did do you while 'training'? And you get on me about being promiscuous." Taiga said calling out her brother
"What I do on my own time is my own business. I don't go asking about your sex life." Eugene said smoothly as Xylia spit her tea out coughing
"IM GONNA KILL YOU!" Taiga's shouted chasing her brother out of the tent now
Akina and Rin merely minding their own business but chuckling softly. Though Rin was carefully massaging Xylia's back now. Aaron was the most silent as he had that same blank expression as he drank his tea.
"This is very good. May I have another cup?" Aaron merely said making all three adults laugh
"Well my job's done. I have a shop to look after somewhere." Akina said as she stood "Xylia. Don't ever lose faith, even when it feels like you have nothing left, a prayer may be all you need." She added
With this the red haired mage departed. Xylia sat in awe. Not quite able to understand Akina's words. She'd prayed plenty of times when she was younger, but nothing ever came. That was around the time she'd started to notice the cold that enveloped her. Who was this woman? She was truly mysterious, everything about her was seemingly masked, unlike when she drove out that Dragonborn...
"Don't overthink it my dear. Some things just happen without a reason. Sometimes we meet people that we may never know their past. We can't make sense of it. But we can try our best and go forward." Rin explained giving her a faint smile as he rested his false hand on her head
Xylia sighed irritated by the lack of answers. So much was going on and she had no idea who was involved with what, when it would happen or where. But something big was coming, a storm...
That's when she felt Rin's hand rest on her shoulder again. He motioned for her to follow as he stood slowly, confused but curious she followed him to outside the tent. They were looking out at the horizon now.
"A strong leader, must consider all. Climb the highest mountain, and look out at all there is." He explained as this made her look out at the mountainscape before her
The dark haired woman could feel her eyes watering as a breeze blew past her. It made her ponder and gradually quiet her mind. She could start to understand his ways, see his clan's teachings starting to come out. But the ache in her heart still lingered, she knew something bad was coming.
"But if you still have any doubts. Then I want you to hold onto this for me." He said softly getting her attention as he pulled out a necklace he was wearing
Its chain was silver and thin with a green leaf shaped jewel of some kind. It seemed unassuming and like any piece of jewelry. Rin carefully unclipped it and put it on her now.
"What is it?" She asked softly feeling it her hand as she studied it, her eyes alone could tell it was old but was made incredibly well
"It belonged to my mother, my sister's mother to be more specific." He said looking her way
"I couldn't!" She said worriedly but he stopped her by simply putting his hand up
"My father gave me this the day I left. Told me I'd find my own way. But you need it more than I do for the time." He told her as he kissed her head now "It has its way of staying with our family. It finds its own way like a leaf in the wind, but never forgets their roots." He added as well
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
She stared at him irritated once more by his strange words, still not fully understanding what he was expressing but having an idea as she held onto him tight.
"I hope you're right.." Xylia whispered at last
Meanwhile...
Juni found herself once again watching her brother from afar. He had truly come out of his shell with how to handle his ice magic by combining it with light magic. She could almost understand it to a degree. Light reflecting through water or ice. A small ball of light at the center with snow, wind and shards of ice encircling and moving in all directions around the light at rapid speed.
He had truly advanced in such a short time, practically unheard of. At just seven years of age he'd already developed a unique magic. It took her years to fully master her sand, the small sand gourd on her hip popped open as the seemingly sentient sand moved out and towards her, sensing her distress and emotions.
The sand now formed a floating chair her mind unintentionally molding the sand into this as she slowly leaned back and sitting down in it. The tournament was still coming up. It was a safe bet Cole and his party would enter, they would be looking for answers.
"You're thinking about doing something reckless." Eugene said surprising her as Taiga was by his side
Juni merely turned looking at him in shock. He knew what she was going to do before she even had to say it.
"You're going to say you want to join me in my reckless ideas? I think I must be having an aneurysm if youre thinking of doing something dangerous." Juni said jokingly
"What can I say I've had a change of heart." Eugene fired back Taiga faking gagging as this made Juni chuckle
"Tournaments are dangerous. No idea what we'll be getting into. We could end up facing Cole and his party." Juni reminded them both
"Then you're all going to need to be in top shape." Rin said now making them all jump as Xylia was with him, she had that worried look, but her gaze now turned to Eugene "You sure you wanna do this?" He asked her
Xylia simply nodded as all three teenagers looked on extremely confused. She then took a step forward ice and snow forming around her slowly.
"Show me." Xylia said simply looking directly at Eugene
"I can tell our styles our similar." Eugene said walking to the side slowly as the temperature began to rise with each step leaving behind a smoldering footprint
Xylia walking in the opposite direction of Eugene both encircling each other. It was common knowledge among any practiced mage. The more one trained in a particular element, the more their personality blended with their ways. So when two people of polar opposite elements meet, conflict inevitably develops between them until it boils over and forcing them to settle their differences and come to an understanding. Though the same could happen between those of the same element as well, a similarity in elements and knowing them well but a difference in ideology that drives them apart.
"You shouldn't push yourself hard. I can tell you're still recovering." Eugene said calculating her as they walked their aura only swelling and clashing even more
Xylia remained silent scanning this boy. She could tell he was smart. That's how he fought, with his words and ability to outmaneuver and outwit the one he was fighting.
The ground shook hard as a sharp curving line cracked rapidly in the ground, immediately spewing out lava in her direction. Xylia sharply waved her arm causing the air to shift again creating ice, causing an immediate reaction of steam. But she could make it far colder forcing the temperature to drop even more rapidly around them. When this side of her came out, she held back very little.
"Shouldn't allow yourself to be distracted. You're strong, but a distracted mind can get you killed." Eugene explained but then dodged a large blast of ice, blocking with a large slab of earth to momentarily shield him
Xylia looked on at him moving in a circle with him again their hands extended outward, both channeling their aura again. Xylia's lips shifted to a smirk throwing Eugene off, but slammed his foot down hard again causing another fissure of lava to break open only for her shift the temperature and create even more ice with a pull back of her right arm.
"It'll take more than that." Eugene said his voice growing louder as made the ground shatter again, lava seeping up even more as he began manipulating
With this Xylia sent a wave of cold air and ice flying at Eugene who only blocked and melted away the ice with a wall of lava before pushing it out at her now. Xylia countered by bringing both of her arms up forcing the temperature to drop even faster. She exhaled as she clapped her hands together now causing the super cooled air to react and flash-freeze the lava. Xylia's eyes more focused now. Eugene could feel it only growing colder as the ground was freezing now.
"Haaaaah!!" Eugene cried breaking a foot free from the ice and stomping hard again, causing another split in the ground causing more lava to spew out
His maneuvering of a lava was a magnificent fusion of earth and fire almost. His control and movement so fluid yet direct. With each flurry of lava he hurled her way was met with more rapid temperature shifts, ice, snow and steam. Xylia showing her control and strength to defend and counter his every move all the while. It was an orchestra of Lava and Ice clashing and trying to overpower one another. Until we're worn down and exhausted their aura. Eugene panting finally fell down to the ground only to be met with the offer of Xylia's hand.
"You have a lot of room for improvement. But time is not luxury we can afford." Rin said stepping forward as Eugene was helped up
"Then how can we be ready? How do we enter? We aren't exactly all legally mages yet." Eugene pointed out
"There are ways. You are in the care of my clan. I'm surethe kingdom can make an exception for me representing your team. I'll be there, coaching you between matches, it won't be easy." Rin explained now as all three teenagers lit up at his words "You understand you could get hurt?" He asked as they all nodded seriously
Xylia still could feel a dark looming shadow over all of this. Nothing good would come of this. Why purposely march towards this imminent danger?
Her hand now unintentionally now grazing the necklace she'd been given by Rin. Sometimes Destiny was truly beyond comprehension, to see something through and know what it all meant, demanded a sacrifice. The only question now was what it would take, and that scared Xylia the most.
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