19

Are you going back to the castle?

Endar had told me to go back to the castle and tell my father, but I knew what would happen if I returned to Woodskin. The forces my father would send would arrive much too late. I was going to save Endar, I thought as I closed my backpack.

And how are you going to find him? He didn't tell you exactly where he was going.

No need to look very far.

The sun had barely risen when I knocked loudly on a door. A half-elf opened the door, eyes red with sleep.

"It's not even 9am yet, come back later. he said without looking at me

" I do not think so. I said before pushing the mayor into the house.

"I'll call the guard, get out of my house!" he exclaimed

“So my father, the duke will be very upset, to hear that you refused to help his son. " I said

It was rare that I used my authority, but in certain circumstances it was necessary.

The man's eyes widened, and he looked at me before tilting his head.

My dad would obviously be more upset that he helped his son put his life in danger. But he didn't need to know that.

“Sire, forgive me, what can this humble servant do for you? »

“Where is my teacher, where did you send Endar. »

As he seemed ready to speak, his expression became more withdrawn.

“This is a confidential mission, I cannot tell you more. he said

“I will know the truth sooner or later. You can tell me now and I will keep a positive impression of you, or I can learn it from my father at the same time as he informs me of my master's death. You do not want this second option. No you don't want me as an enemy. If you don't tell me where Endar is now, I'll make sure your life becomes hell. I said coldly

The only thing that really mattered to me was the well-being of the people I cared about. I had sworn to myself to protect those who were dear to me, and nothing, absolutely nothing would stand in my way. If I had to play the arrogant and resentful nobleman card, I would.

The man seemed to hesitate for a moment but soon disclosed the matter.

“For several months, a fire spirit has been raging north of the village. It is impossible to reason with him. Of the people I sent, only one came back, he was no longer recognizable. The flames had devoured his flesh and continued to devour him even after his death. I asked Sir Endar to find a way to stop this spirit but I haven't heard from him for two weeks. I fear he has become another victim of this beast. »

“Give me the exact location of this spirit. »

"It's way too dangerous sir!" »

“Tell me where this spirit is. »

I left the village a short time later, the worried gaze of the mayor following me until I left. He was right to be worried. If the duke learned that he had let his son go to such a risky place, he risked losing his head.

The journey to the place indicated took me two days. I didn't have to look hard to find that spirit. The forest had died out and the songs of the birds had suddenly disappeared. The silence was heavy. Suddenly I understood why this mission was so risky, when I found myself in front of a burnt forest. There were only glowing embers, the trees had been charred, and I had the strange feeling that the forest was crying its destruction. Animal remains were buried under the ashes that rose to my nostrils. I pinched my nose at the smell.

The heat increased as I walked. I was not prepared for this hostile environment. My concern increased as screams pierced the silence. I had the strange feeling of hearing the cries of a ghost, yet I knew it was the spirit. That didn't stop me from shaking.

I had to move on, I refused to give up, Endar might need help. It was that thought that made me walk. Endar, the teacher, who had raised me like his own son for five years. I clung to the idea that he was alive and that the mayor had been wrong. I had never had a teacher like him. An orphan like me was not the darling of the teachers, not like those children who had parents who gave money to school. I had always known that. At the beginning I had tried to be the model student, this student who raised his hand at each question. But I had quickly stopped this absurdity which had only earned me contempt from my classmates and indifference from the teachers. Endar, on the other hand, was someone who pushed me to excel. Even when I failed, he didn't look at me with that look of disappointment that I had seen too often from teachers before. Was it because he was an elf? But it had become an essential part of my life and my worries grew with each burnt tree I saw, with each dead animal. I sighed in relief every time my eyes didn't land on a human-shaped corpse. At least until at nightfall I saw a skull on the ground. It was too small to be Endar's I thought, repeating the same words to myself over and over. I will find him, I will find him.

The howls grew closer and the darkness gave the blazing forest another face. Suddenly I saw the spirit. It was a giant, fiery mass. It had no shape, except that of a gigantic flame with arms that struck with all their might. What he was hitting, I couldn't see. I approached discreetly, when what I saw made my rage rise. A bubble made entirely of water… That alone wouldn't have aroused any anger in me, but it was what was inside that had my full attention. It was Endar and he seemed to be unconscious.

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What are you going to do? I don't think we have enough magic to deal with that spirit.

You don't teach me anything new

If Endar had failed to beat that spirit, then I was even less lucky. But there had to be something I could do. I refused to watch helplessly as my teacher died.

Have you no ideas, have you not told me that you are a powerful and ancient spirit.

I am an ancient spirit, but the spirit of fire is much more powerful than me. It's amazing to see so much violence on his part. Young minds are often brash, but they calm down as they get older.

Do you think there may be a reason behind his behavior?

Maybe, but how are you going to find it. It will be impossible to reason.

The bubble was shrinking visibly and I didn't know how long Endar had been unconscious.

I'll make a diversion. Meanwhile try to find a clue, something that could explain his behavior.

This is madness. You won't last two minutes against him.

Then I should be faster.

Aella appeared beside me and flew towards the enraged spirit. Now it was up to me and I was going to do something very stupid.

I focused my magic in my hands and launched a crescent of wind at my target. Unsurprisingly the attack dissipated without leaving a trace.

That hadn't been enough. The spirit kept hitting the water bubble.

I tried again, concentrating more magic in my hands. If it didn't work this time I would have to find another solution. I could not waste my physical essence.

The crescent flew towards what appeared to be the head of the spirit. Suddenly he froze.

He slowly turned towards me.

"Hey, stupid spirit, I'm here! Come get me!" I exclaimed

The spirit screamed. Its powerful cry uprooted the least resistant trees, and I was not far behind.

It really wasn't my brightest idea.

Then the scream stopped. I was still standing. Which seemed amazed the spirit who howled again. But I remained motionless, my feet fixed to the ground up to the ankle by the essence of the earth that I had used, like a tree and its roots.

"You're going to have to do better than that!" »

This didn't seem to please the enraged spirit, as it advanced towards me, burning the forest in its path. he raised his hand to me and slapped the ground where I was.

The earth quaked under his force. When he raised his hand, I wasn't there. He turned around confused.

" I'm here ! You don't know how to aim! »

The spirit screamed again before heading towards me and hitting the ground. When he lifted his hand, the floor was empty again

" Always not "

I dodged the same way several times But I knew I wouldn't last long because he didn't really take me seriously. And I was not wrong because the next minute he threw a jet of flame in my direction.

It would be much harder to avoid.

I activated the acceleration at the same time. The flames grazing my skin as I raced around the spirit.

Aella where are you? Did you find something? He will soon tire of me.

I think I found something important, but I don't know how you're going to get to it.

Tell me

I saw a glow inside the spirit. I don't know what it is, but it shouldn't be there. I think that's why he does it.

Indeed this could be the key to defeating him. But Aella how are we supposed to, remove something that is inside a fire spirit without ending up charred?

Only silence answered me.

I was going to have to find the solution on my own, it seemed. I hadn't gotten very far in my water practice yet, so using water was currently impossible. The essence of air was powerful but I feared that instead of dissipating the flame, she only feeds it. Which would really be a disaster. So I was left with only the earth element.

I stared at the charred forest all around me. Tormented by flames and screaming in pain. What could I do well I thought. I had so far only used the earth to move the ground in one way or another. But the earth had many other uses.

Maybe I had an idea.

Aella how much magic do you think I would need to do what I have in mind.

Much more than you have. But it is not impossible, if you absorb enough energy, I would say that it would take you a quarter of an hour to reach an adequate quantity of physical essence.

I don't even have five minutes, if this nice little spirit starts throwing his flames in earnest, I'll be burned out before I reach my goal

So we have to find a way for you to have your quarter of an hour.

I'm listening to you

Did you notice that we are not far from a lake?

I believe that this lake is 5km away, we will not be able to use it.

Don't worry, I have everything planned

Aella disappeared into the darkness. Even if she had a solution, I hoped she would hurry. I was not going to last long at this rate, I thought, widening my eyes in front of the crater which was a few meters from me.

The game between the spirit and me continued even more. A left jump, a right jump, a backward roll, a desperate dive. It was a deadly game, which had to end one day or another and I had just tripped over a root.

The flames were approaching quickly, and I was in bad shape. Suddenly I heard a growl.

Where did that come from?

Then a mass of water fell from the sky and engulfed the spirit. Steam rose from its body of flames and for the first time the fire died down.

Hurry, this water won't last forever !

Without waiting I began to absorb the essence of the earth. She seemed enthusiastic about serving to counter the spirit and a great amount of energy flowed into me. It might take less time than expected.

As I absorbed the essence, the spirit of fire howled and raised its arms in the sky as if to try to cover itself against this endless deluge.

What did you do Aella? Did you drain that lake?

The lake and some clouds…

Why with all this water, it does not go out.

It's an ancient spirit, if I had more water at my disposal it would be possible, but the sea is too far from here.

To my amazement after ten minutes, I had the necessary energy.

You will only have one chance.

I'm ready.

I slowly modeled the earth and the rocks. Until they are in the right shape. I was inspired by one of the assassins who attacked me in the forest. But by doing this I was taking a big risk. Because I had only one giant spear to throw at this spirit and I absolutely must not miss my target.

Where Aella?

The spirit of air appeared in front of the spirit and its position told me where I should shoot.

I remembered at this moment my first hunt with Endar, when I had my bow in hand.

“Don't look away from the face of death. Today you are a killer, tomorrow you will repay your debt. Remember it's a life not a straw target. What makes them different? »

One is stationary and the other is moving. A life always wants to survive. It's up to you to never let her win.

And I threw down the spear.