“That’s right, give me all the manifest coins!” Zerine said happily, taking her winnings from the slime race bets.

“She’s gone for months and she still wins,” Alex grumbled.

“Hey, I grew up with your slimes. It’s not my fault I know them best,” Zerine said, giving him a cheeky smile.

Alex let out a snort. “Remind me never to bet against you when another done these comes around.”

“I’ll just trick you,” she teased, which got a laugh as he walked away, his group of slimes rolling ahead of him.

As they left, she overheard him muttering to them. “Come on, I thought we had a deal! What do you mean she makes the best treats!? And rigging a race isn’t fair! What happened to all of you?”

Zerine sighed. She would have to make the slimes their favorite snacks as thanks and a gift. There went her winnings right there. Fifty slimes plus all the items to make the treats…yep that would do the trick.

“What was that sigh for?” Milli wondered.

“Oh, nothing. Just that I’m broke again,” Zerine said as she took the winnings from Bernard, who raised an eyebrow.

“After I get all my winnings, I’ll pay you for the materials I need to make the slimes favorite snacks,” she explained.

“Ah, you should get some jobs from the adventurer and alchemists guilds. I’m sure Vinessa wouldn’t mind you doing jobs once in a while,” he suggested.

“Yeah, I was thinking about that, but I’ve barely had time to think.”

“Nonsense, you need some spending money!” Milli said.

“Then you ask her. I don’t dare question the training schedule. Not after the last time,” Zerine said, shuttering.

“What happened?”

Zerine’s gaze went distant. “It was truly the most insidious training of my life.”

“Huh, since you liked it so much, I may just have you do that when we go back,” Vinessa said, making Milli jump and Zerine let out a squeak. Milli stared at Zerine, amazed to have heard something so adorable come from her.

“Relax, I’ll save it as a surprise. It’s good to keep you guessing,” Vinessa said, a dangerous twinkle in her eyes.

“Well, pay up. I know you lost the slime race bets. Cal was laughing far too hard when I won,” Zerine said, holding up the pouch she had been putting everyone’s money into.

“I just came by to say that my avatar will be at the party. The real me will watch over Kamar,” she said, placing a blue, slightly transparent coin in the pouch.

Zerine gasped. “It started! Do you think she’ll be selected?”

“The Lord of Flames has four great options and a wildcard for the last, so she’ll truly have to dig deep to be the one chosen,” Vinessa said with a smile.

“I should be there.”

“You wouldn’t be able to see anything. Only the backers for the finalists will see anything,” Vinessa said, placing a reassuring hand on Zerine’s shoulder. “Just remember to have some fun when you aren’t guarding this one,” she said, jerking a thumb to Milli.

“I’ll make sure she gets out of her shell,” Milli said.

“I like my shell. It’s a very cozy place and I don’t get migraine.”

“Migraines?” Milli said, confused, but Vinessa spoke over her.

“Where’s Varino when I need her to get you to think positively,” Vinessa said, searching for the spirit.

“She’ll only be excited if there are spirit fruits and other spirits there,” Zerine commented.

“Or she’ll make her own fun,” Milli added.

“Yeah, that too…oh, does your mom know to be prepared?”

Milli shrugged, grinning. “If Varino causes some chaos, she’ll have to adapt.”

“Damn, that’s cold,” Zerine said, impressed, which made Milli laughed.

“I’m sure your parents warned her. Is your father back from the border?” Vinessa wondered, still searching for the illusive spirit, which was not a good sign. The spirit was definitely up to something. Oh well, it’ll be the countess and Cal’s problem to figure out. She’ll just enjoy the show.

“Nope,” Milli said and sighed. “He’s had to deal with refugees, bandits, and pirates.”

“They came all the way from Esteron?” Milli nodded. “Then they came through the pass!? The high mana zone pass that has a ton of monsters, wild magic, and did I mention the monsters because I feel like that needs a bit more emphasis.”

“That is the one,” Mili said, a small smile crossing her face.

Zerine whistled.

“The refugees have little choice but to go through the pass as both sides of the civil war run patrols along their boards to catch anyone fleeing. Bandits seemingly are free to cause chaos or chase refugees. It’s a mess and only getting worse,” Vinessa said.

“There is even a spreading hatred and fear of mystics that is coming from the refugees. I’ve sat in on your parents’ meetings and it seems like several rogue Mind Benders from the civil war may be the root cause of the trouble, along with the usual propaganda and miss information. On top of other troubling things,” Milli said.

“That’s, yikes. So Esteron’s civil war has quite the opportunists causing trouble,” Zerine said, frowning.

“It’s good for you two to be aware, but until you're older and higher ranks, this isn’t something you will be able to change. So focus on your training and lessons so that when you're ready, you can make lasting positive change,” Vinessa said, meeting both their gazes.

Vinessa took that moment to remember the children as they were in this moment. Not affected by war, misfortune, or trauma. Even now, she noticed how Zerine’s stance reflected her own experiences. She stood in a way that she could easily either dodge or attack. Her gaze may have met hers, but they took in everything around her, not missing a thing.

Vinessa was grateful that Zerine hadn’t been too traumatized from the fight. But it was only a matter of time till the two young women before her would have very different gazes. From the open, bright eyes to those hardened by battles won, lost, and burdens weighing them down.

How will the burdens of tomorrow affect you two? Vinessa thought, hoping that they wouldn’t lose themselves.

“Have some fun for the rest of the day, you two. I’ll let you know how Kamar does,” Vinessa said with a wave before vanishing.

“Well, let’s find the others and see if we can go into the city,” Milli said, hooking an arm through Zerine’s

“Umm, alright,” Zerine said, letting Milli drag her. The slender blonde was stronger than Zerine remembered.

Must be mid E-rank, maybe even nearing peak E-rank like Neil, Zerine thought. A twinge of falling behind flashed through, but she shoved it down. Just focus on having some fun.

***

Kamar awoke laying on hard stone.

“What? I was-”

“Kamar, get up!” a woman snapped.

She turned to the voice, discovering that she was far smaller than she remembered. Or had that meeting been a dream? She had turned twelve a few days ago, and the Elder was visiting to see what progress she had made with her magic.

The solar fairy elder stood next to her with a disapproving glare, twisting the otherwise beautiful face. She was a tall, slender woman. Her long black hair, streaked with dark red, glinted in the mixed light of the forest. Golden eyes glared down at Kamar.

“How is a lunar fairy that is younger than you be out performing you in every way imaginable? E-rank and she already has two concepts! You have three affinities and you can’t even do the basics right.”

“I’m sorry. I keep-”

“You keep trying,” the elder said in a mocking tone. “Well, keep trying. I’ve seen enough. I’ll recommend that your training resources be allocated to more promising young fairies. Next time I visit, show progress.”

Fiery anger burned hot inside Kamar.

“I’ll show you,” Kamar said, struggling to get to her feet, only managing to get to her knees, wincing as the stone ground dug painfully into her skin.

“Oh?” the elder questioned, tilting her, looking down her nose at Kamar.

“I-I’ll” she bit back her rage before she said something she would regret. Burning rage dwindled before she regained control. “Do my best, Elder.”

The elder scoffed, turning away before vanishing.

Kamar stood trembling from the effort. She had given her all to impress the Elder and still failed. What did she have to do to be accepted? Why couldn’t her magic just do what she wanted!?

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The anger and frustration built till she screamed. A blast of fire and light fed by the wind erupted out, scorching and melting everything in a fiery ball. When her voice gave out, the fiery ball faded. She took deep gasping breaths, wiping at tears that had long evaporated away.

The once a rocky area in the forest was now molten slag. Rivulets of molten rock flowed towards Kamar, who stood in a shin high pool of molten rock. The heat didn’t bother her, the exact opposite, in fact. The molten rocks soothing warmth helped Kamar regain control.

“I won’t let her words get in my way. I’ll make my own path,” she muttered, making a promise here and now to keep pushing herself further and further. Not for the Elder, screw her, but for herself. This was her own path. She would take the teaching of past solar fairies and build her own path, and she will shine.

***

“I thought you would save the Crucible as the last trial,” Vinessa commented, watching Kamar’s younger self struggle to master control over her affinities.

Fire, light, and wind were a potent mix. Unfortunately Kamar had been born with more mana than the average fairy, making control far more difficult than most. Then there were her affinities. Wind was the first affinity that Kamar gained more control over, which wasn’t as much as others with the same affinity. The light and fire were more…free willed. Even if mana didn’t have a will of its own, they were known to be difficult to master. The natural state of her affinities was rather unruly, something Kamar knew all too well.

“As two are newly smug C-ranks, I figured it was good to push the others to make breakthroughs and who knows maybe the C-ranks will surprise me and gain more than refining their skills,” Escanar’s avatar said.

“Hmm, the bear Beastkin will do just that, from what I’m seeing. But the Scalekin may do more. Solid pick right there,” Vinessa said, grinning as Escanar sighed, his avatar being replaced with the real deal.

“I don’t want to know how you can see the others. Literally no one else has been able to, but I should have guessed that you would be the exception,” he grumbled.

“I only use my power to snoop and spy sometimes, but always for good reasons,” Vinessa said theoretically.

“How magnanimous of you,” he said dryly, but was smiling.

“But back to business. I was surprised you said anything about Falkor’s potential chosen. He denied any machinations, saying he would take his time. But you and I both know his gaze has been on Zerine for years.”

“Yes, he would say that. He’s waiting for that fate breaking moment. But I only mentioned his potential, chosen to let them know not to become complacent. Although three out of the five, I am not truly worried about that happening with.”

“And dangling a prize to work with Zerine. You know the only reason why people around a fate breaker gain power is because of the extraordinary events and the type of person a fate breaker is.”

“Hmm, you know there is more to it than that. It’s a kind of wild magic. Something we don’t truly understand like the ley lines.”

“I guess. Well, Zerine maybe the first one I get to observe from start to end,” Vinessa said, trying to sound like she was excited to study her daughter. She was not. Mostly, she was nervous about how things would play out after Zerine got her crest.

“Trying to convince yourself? I’m aware there is some sort of connection between you and her. I will not pry knowing that it’s complicated, like most things are with you.”

Vinessa laughed.

“I’ll explain if…when she gets her crest.”

Escanar smiled. “Deal. What do you think Kamar will get out of this?”

Vinessa’s gaze went back to the floating image depicting Kamar’s trial. The child was working with her light Vinessa wearing an Elder disguise acting as her guide. The child’s training had progress, but there was plenty of frustration, which was often explosive, especially in those early years.

“That’s you, right? I’m fairly certain I’ve seen you wear that disguise,” Escanar commented.

“Yeah, that’s me. I didn’t want the others to know. It’s been something I’ve done over the years since…” her mouth worked. “Since Indra. Even before him, I would see every new fairy born helping as they grew. After his…after I used the visits to find hope again.”

“I hope you're not looking for an heir. You’ve only been queen for fifteen hundred years, a fraction compared to most,” Escanar said, eyeing his old friend.

“No, but I was lost for a while. Interesting how the Crucible sent Kamar back in time. The rest have more curated training,” Vinessa said, changing the subject to something hopefully more uplifting.

“The Crucible will break each one down, then build them back up. As for the others, they will run into their own challenges soon, I am sure. Kamar has just struggled more than others. It might be time she just learns to let go of that absolute control without it being related to releasing raw emotions.”

“She tries, but…well the memory is about to start. So, you’ll see.”

***

“Come on Kamar!” Nerel called, flying ahead easily, weaving in and out of the ruins they were playing in.

The ruins were from some sort of ancient town that had been described by mana storm eras ago from what Kamar could remember of the stories.

They flew over fallen pillars, piles of rubble so overgrown by plants that she couldn’t even tell what they had once been part of. It served as a stark reminder of how nature would always return to reclaim what had been taken, no matter how people tried to break the natural balance. She smirked at that strange thought.

Pumping her four wings, she flew to catch up, just enjoying the earthy scents of the forest. Flying always made her feel so free. No matter how frustrated she was with her training or lessons, it always cleared her mind. Even her mana flowing through her felt more…right, if that made sense.

Kamar had always been a bit of a hyper child, always fidgeting or wanting to get out and move. As her mana grew, so did these urges. It made meditating infuriating. Flying was where everything within her felt aligned. Not only did it help her think clearer, but her mana regeneration was increased. These observations entered her mind as they flew.

Strange, she thought. Why did she suddenly know that? And why did she feel on edge as if-

A scream made Kamar’s heart nearly stop.

“Nerel!” Kamar shouted, zipping around the building. She nearly flew into Nerel, who used her wind affinity to flip nimbly over her.

“Fly! Metal Heads!” Nerel shouted, flying the way they had come.

“Wait!” Kamar shouted, blasting a jet of flames at the rushing group of peak E-rank Metal Heads that were charging at her.

With a guest of air, Kamar shot backwards, turning as she did to fly to catch up with Nerel. Fear pulsed through her with every racing heartbeat. But there was something more. Something felt wrong, almost as if she was dreading what was coming next. But why?

She flew around the ruins of what might have been a building in time to watch Nerel’s spell slice a Metal Head in half, its entrails spilling out, coating the ground blue and green with its blood and organs.

A glint in the sky made Kamar realize it wasn’t just the type of Metal Heads stuck on the ground. No, there was an entire group of flying scouts and based on now their auras flared, were D-rank.

“Nerel! Above you!” Kamar screamed. Without thinking, her hand moved her mana building in front of her palm as two Metal Heads shot down at her friend. These scouts were a mix of a dragonfly and scorpion. A long thin body had three nasty looking stingers with six insect-like legs dangling under the body. They infused their diving attack with wind mana, their six stingers ready to pierce Nerel’s body and wings.

There wasn’t enough time to take both of them out and Nerel hadn’t heard her scream as she was too busy blasting wind that howled at a group of brutes. She concentrated and a lance of light shot out. For an instant, a golden line of light connected her to the Metal Head she was attacking. The head of Metal Head exploded, raining blood, brain matter, and bits of the metal over Nerel, who didn’t notice still dealing with brutes.

“Nerel! Behind you!” Kamar shouted, this time amplifying her voice, vibrating the air with her mana. She couldn’t teleport over, like many light mages could despite her constant practice. She was only early D-rank, so even with a burst of fire to propel herself faster, she couldn’t cover the distance. All she could do was warn Nerel and get to her friend’s side.

At least this time, Nerel heard her shout over the howls of the brutes and her own wind spells, but it was too late. A blast of air shot Nerel to the right, but the Metal Head shifted its stingers, ready to pierce Nerel’s back.

The next moment happened in slow motion. Nerel, realizing her attempt to avoid the attack had failed, twisted. Meanwhile, the Metal Head stingers extended in a blur of motion, piercing Nerel’s back, just missing the base of her wings. The force of the impact sent both of them careening towards the ground, Nerel letting out a wordless scream of pain.

Kamar moved a hand, pointing at Nerel, building more mana defaulting to the first affinity she had ever used. Flames built up in front of her palm. As the mana condensed, an image flashed in her mind. Nerel was frozen, contorting in pain with the Metal Head latched on to her back, before flames punched through a wing, burning her back and killing the Metal Head.

These images and others showed the burns Nerel would receive were her current fire spell to hit its target. The problem was there wasn’t any time to change or combine affinities. But her flames weren’t something easily controlled. Something inside her bucked at the doubts. The image of Nerel in pain was burned into her. She gritted her teeth as she refused to let that outcome occur. She would not allow it.

Another memory pulsed through her. A water elemental, no, a storm elemental, stood looking up at her curiously. This memory was after the brawl of challengers who lost. She was explaining why her movement and spells were tightly controlled and more difficult than what Varino had expected to see from Kamar. Kamar explained…this exact moment and how she hadn’t wanted her affinities, which tended to get out of control, to hurt anyone else.

Varino’s glowing silver and blue eyes peered up at Kamar, full of understanding and clearly thinking about the issue. The spirit patted Kamar’s shin, saying she’ll help.

“So, I didn’t even know about my zappy nature before meeting Zerine,” Varino chimed and trilled. Sparks danced between Varino’s fingers while arching lightning rippled down her drifting hair.

“During my training with mom, I discovered my love of explosions when I lost control of my first big zappy attack,” Varino said as a ball of lighting appeared before it started spinning around the spirit.

Varino giggled, sounding like someone splashing in puddles. “There was this one spell where I lost control and boom!”

She threw her arms up in the air.

“Everyone’s hair in the compound was all crazy. It was awesome! This whole ball of zappy expanded out around me…like whoosh!” she made a sound like crashing waves. “But why I did I bring that up…” she burbled, tapping her cheek. “Right control. I had been approaching everything wrong! I was trying to force the zappy to do things that it could do, but in a way it didn’t like. Ya know what I’m saying, right?”

Kamar nodded back and forth. So far, she could agree with Varino, but when she did what her affinities wanted, it hurt people.

Varino pointed at her and chimed.

“I see you only kinda get what I’m saying. It’s all about flow,” the spirit began, moving her arms like a wave. “Mom said it best, all the affinities have their flow so you gotta feel it!” At that the spirit began dancing, still moving her arms in waves.

“Feel it Kamar! Visualize what you want to do, but feel the flow of the affinity or affinities and what they want to do to achieve it. So dance with your mana!”

Kamar had to admit the spirit’s antics were absolutely adorable. But at the time, her fears were too ingrained to try it in combat. And testing this dancing, as the spirit called it, was easier said than done. Then again, Varino was considered a bit of a prodigy so maybe she just thought it was easy. Her nature had her playing with her mana and affinities in ways most people wouldn’t think of, making her control and understanding of her magic incredible. Even if the spell creations she fooled around with would best be described as an insane person’s fevered dream. There were plenty of stories that Zerine and even Varino herself told her where the compound had endured many crazy spells going awry.

But as the flames in front of her palm built even more, fighting her control, Kamar had a realization. She had never truly let her flames, light, and air be free. There was always something she kept trying to force. In her attempt to force her mana and affinity to what she wanted, she was inadvertently making her spell craft that much harder.

A shock shot through her as the pieces fell into place. She was making it harder for herself. But in such an obviously stupid way. She was trying to control everything…literally everything the spell could and couldn’t do. This meant she was overthinking things so incredibly much that if she didn’t think of everything, the spell didn’t act the way she wanted…

Holy shit…I’m an idiot, she thought. But a grin crossed her face as she let go of the mental muscle she didn’t even know she had been always using. Unnoticed by her, the flame’s coloration became a deeper crimson as the gold glowed brighter as the flames condensed further.

“Take this,” she said as a jet of flames roared out.

The flames engulfed her friend and the Metal Head. Instead of the memory that had been haunting her for years, this time Nerel only bleed from her back wounds. The only signs that flames had engulfed her were some singed hairs. Seeing the results of this epiphany, Kamar’s heart soared.

Her mana pulsed through her a light with the same fire of excitement, triumph, and eager for revenge. She would make this memory her bitch. Unfortunately, the world shifted, and the memory faded. But flames roared around her as she appeared surrounded by enemies back to her true age.

She punched a hand in to the palm of the other. Flames flaring around her feet as motes of light blinked into existence. This…this was going to be a fun test of her skills fully unleashed.