Fire On Fire

I screamed as the dark figure lifted up it's claws and ripped through his chest.

Bound to the spot all I could do was watch. My eyes stung and my heart clenched.

"NOOOOO!" I screamed out again, pain tore through me. Grief passed through me in waves.

I caught his eyes and mine were now blurry with tears.

I pulled at the chains and they hacked at my skin. I didn't care for the pain and I pulled harder as raw emotion took over me. I pulled and pulled, each time harder. The sky was thick with smoke as fires ravaged the already dead earth.

I coughed and pulled again. I felt my skin break and I screamed out in pain. I have to keep pushing. I can't let him die, I can't let them hurt him.

I looked back toward him, my breathing ragged. He was laying on the ground, his hands, too , bound behind him. His eyes looked distant, as if he were in a trance.

The figure struck him again and he coughed up blood. I pulled harder until I heard bone cracking.

The tall figure loomed over him, as it lifted up it's clawed hand to deliver a final blow.

12 Hours earlier

"Come on Ava be serious now" Ace grumbled as I broke out into a fit of giggles.

"This is serious baby" He stared at me, his brows furrowed. He was teaching me how to use what little power I possessed, or trying to at least. I'll admit, I was being a liiittle difficult.

A soft breeze passed through the little clearing we were practicing in.

"Okay okay I'm serious now" I said, stifling a laugh.

"Good, now, hold out your hands" I did as I was told. This time, more seriously.

"Close your eyes" I obliged.

"Now clear your mind"

After a few minutes he continued, his voice surprisingly soothing and soft.

"Imagine a small candle, It's flame flickering in the soft breeze"

I brought up an image of a tiny flame, flickering.

"Now keep your focus on it. See the flame grow, brighter, hotter, bigger"

"It's small embers turning into bigger flames" I tried to but I felt ridiculous! Was something supposed to be happening? I didn't feel any different.

"Hey Ace I don't think it's worki-" I clamped my mouth shut as soon as I opened my eyes. There, in the palm of my hands, a small flame flickered.

"Woah" Was all I managed to say. Ace chuckled and smiled at me.

"Told you you could do it" he said, a look a pride casting over his strong features.

"Holy moly" I breathed out, I brought my hands closer to my face and studied the flame.

"You're not messing with me are you ?" I voiced out in disbelief.

"Of course not, it's yours, you're doing it all on your own" he replied, smiling. I laughed breathlessly.

This is so fucking awesome. I wonder...

I brought up an image of a bigger fire and the fire on my hands grew bigger. I laughed. Oh my cupcakes and pancakes. It's working! Ace watched, a huge dazzling smile on his face.

We both turned around when we heard approaching footsteps.

Falia smiled, her mocha skin sparkling under the sunlight. She was truly gorgeous. I was a tad jealous.

"Practicing Ava?" she asked as she approached, I smiled widely, feeling proud.

"Yep, Ace is teaching me" I stated.

"Ace is a good teacher" she chuckled then turned to him

"Can I speak with you real quick?" Ace eyed me.

"Keep practicing Ava" he said before turning and walking to the end of the field with Falia. They looked like they were having a really serious conversation.

They both glanced at me and I lifted up my hand. Falia looked serious, Ace smiled slightly, sadly. Is he okay...?

I wonder...

Before I knew it both my hands were on fire, literally. Uhm. how do I turn this off!? The fire grew larger and I started panicking.

Fuck, I shouldn't have laughed when Ace was trying to explain how to turn it off.

Something about water? Well of course it's something about water you fool.

They both seemed too deep into the conversation, they didn't even notice my dumb-ass struggling.

I tried shaking it off, that just made it BIGGER.

Well fuck.

By now my whole body was in flames. It didn't hurt at all, in fact, it was quite comforting. I was afraid of spreading the fire to the lush greenery around me.

Too late. A nearby bush was on fire. Water. I need water!

"Uhhhh Ace..." I called out, he didn't hear me, he was too far and too deep into the conversation.

"ACE!" I screamed out. His head whipped around to face me. His brows shot up and he raced towards me. In a flash, he was at my side, Falia too.

She whispered a few words and the warm embers slowly started extinguishing themselves.

Falia was fae, she possessed very little magic but magic nonetheless. She could only cast simple spells.

"Sorry..." I said sheepishly. She gave Ace a pointed look then smiled at me brightly.

"Don't worry about it sweetie, I should get back" Before she left, she cast a look at Ace, then retreated back to the inn.

Ace glowered, then picked up my shawl-thingy and offered me his hand.

"We should be getting back too, it's getting quite late"

By now, the sun was setting and it cast an orange glow across the whole sky. I hadn't even realized we'd spent the entire day out here.

I took his hand and we walked back to the inn in peaceful silence.

When we reached the inn, Ace turned to face me.

"I have bad news Ava"

My heart clenched and I prepared myself mentally for what was to come.

"Falia just got some info that the queen is headed north, where the Demon domain is" He sighed and took my hands in his.

"My guess is, she's after you. She probably knows that you're headed there with me"

My heart sank.

"But don't worry, I wont let anything happen to you, if we leave early we'll make it in time" He hugged me.

Yes I'd been through hell, but the thought of her scared the crap out of me. Ace said it himself...she'd drain me.

I relaxed as Ace whispered comforting words in my ear. Ace is with me. He'll protect me.

He pulled back and looked into my eyes sadly.

"Are you okay?" I found myself asking. He blinked and turned away.

"Yeah, just thinking"

"Come on lets head inside, it's quite late, we need our sleep. Tomorrow's..." he trailed off.

I nudged him and he snapped out of his deep thoughts.

He offered me a smile and his hand. I accepted it gratefully and walked in.

This past week things really changed between Ace and I.

For once, I was genuinely happy. Sure I was being targeted by a crazy evil elf, but things felt...real. For the first time in so long I felt emotions other than grief and shame.

I smiled to myself as we finished our dinner and headed up the stairs.

I kicked off my boots and groaned as I jumped onto the bed and sank into the covers. I could hear Ace chuckling but I was already drifting off. Tomorrow. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring. I was nervous and very afraid.

I felt the bed dip beside me as Ace sat down.

"Sleep well little flame" He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I just hummed in response already half asleep.

"I love you" was the last thing I heard before I drifted off. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or if it was reality...