Klera's Point of View
I ate and washed up. We did our usual work in Duke Mariano's farm field. By Andromeda's grace, I managed to arrive on time.
I'm considering enrolling in The Academy of the Five Pillars.
Mother's been giving me a hard time about it all morning. She's completely against it, saying it's dangerous and that being an adventurer is risky; I could get hurt, the possibility of losing me. She's heartbroken at the thought.
I'm going to the Academy of the Five Pillars. I have to; I need to help people. Classes start in two weeks – I can almost feel it.
But today, I'm going to see Father. After work in Duke Mariano's fields, I'll ask Mother if I can visit his shrine. I need to talk to him, to ask for his blessing.
Fast forward
Afternoon arrived, and I walked to Father's shrine. It wasn't far from Seer Village; just a short walk. From Duke Mariano's farm field, it was only about fifty steps—the field and the village were quite close.
When I arrived at Father's shrine, I prayed silently.
It's been five years since he passed away. Mother never told us how Father died. I was about thirteen years old, and Alera was nine, so we didn't know what happened. Maybe Mother didn't tell us because she's still hurting. Sometimes I see her still crying because of Father's death.
I shared my secret with him there, my decision to enroll at the Academy of the Five Pillars. It felt like a promise, a silent vow whispered on the wind. "Goodbye, Father," I murmured, a bittersweet farewell.
The setting sun cast long shadows as I began my walk home, the familiar path now feeling strangely ominous. The air, once peaceful, now held a subtle tension, a premonition of the events to come.
I passed Duke Mariano's farm fields, the peaceful landscape suddenly feeling heavy with an unspoken dread.
Then, the smell of smoke—sharp, acrid, and utterly terrifying. My eyes followed the trail of smoke to its source. Seer Village, burning in the distance. A wave of fear washed over me; I didn't hesitate, running towards the inferno, propelled by a desperate hope, a frantic need to reach my family.
At the village entrance, I encountered other villagers, their faces pale with fear, fleeing the black flames. One man grabbed my arm, his voice choked with panic. "Klera! We're under attack!
"Did you see my mother and sister?" I cried, my voice tight with fear.
The man shook his head, his face etched with worry. "No, Klera, I'm so sorry."
"Get help!" I urged, already pushing past him, adrenaline surging through my veins.
"Be careful, Klera," he called after me, but I didn't look back. All I could think about was Mother and Alera.
The village square was a nightmare. Black flames consumed buildings, turning familiar streets into a fiery inferno. Just as I was about to reach our house, a hand clamped down on my arm.
"Klera!" The voice was familiar, a lifeline in the chaos.
I turned around, relief flooding me as I saw Mother and Alera. Alera launched herself into my arms, sobbing.
"Mother, what's happening?" I gasped, my voice trembling. The village was burning; people were fleeing, injured and terrified.
"I'll explain later," Mother said, her voice firm despite the chaos. "But you need to leave—now." She pulled a magic wand from her pocket, a glint of magic in the flickering flames. "I'll handle this. Go!" She pushed us away.
"But what about you?" I cried, tears streaming down my face. Alera was sobbing uncontrollably.
"Don't worry about me!" she said, her eyes unwavering. "Just go!"
We ran, the screams of the burning village fading behind us. I looked back. Mother stood alone, a strange smile playing on her lips.
Klera's Mom Point of View
My daughters were gone. The fire raged,
I have to save our burning village. The memory of two years ago, of my failure to protect it, burned just as fiercely as the black flames before me.
With a deep breath, I began the incantation, my voice firm despite the terror that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Tidal Waves, hear my call,
From the deep, set waters free!
Rise, O surge, with churning might!"
Water Magic: Tidal Flow!
Spell Explanation:
(The Water Magic: Tidal Flow is a powerful water magic spell that allows the caster to summon and manipulate vast quantities of water. This spell is capable of generating massive, surging flows of water, resembling a tidal wave or a powerful river current.)
A circle of vibrant blue magic blossomed at the tip of my wand, and I felt the power of the water surging within it, building, ready to be unleashed.
The water magic surged, relentlessly pushing back the black flames. Inch by inch, the fire retreated, the burning buildings spared from further destruction. Then, a voice—casual, mocking—broke the tense silence. "Ahh, a mage who uses Water Magic? Not bad."
I whirled around, my fists clenching. A strange young woman appeared. She is the source of all this devastation. Rage, cold and furious, surged through me. She would pay for this.
"I am Hexica," She bowed, her smile a cruel twist of amusement.
"And you are?"
"Undine Ward,"
"Oh, interesting," she chirped, clapping her hands and jumping with unsettling joy. Her delight in the destruction fueled my resolve.
To be continued....
Their battle begins in the next chapter.
Stay tuned!