Shield of Fire

Waking up, she finds herself back in the underground tunnels. She turns around trying to find something that will give a sign about which realm she’s into but a familiar voice reassures her.

“We are back at the land of Ethnos. In this plateau, I will be part of you and guide you. Like I once offered guidance to my master.” The last sentence contains a bit of sorrow. “Soon, we’ll meet with the others. Worry not. But promise me this. It is of imperative importance that you won’t let others suspect that something has changed in you. You must NEVER reveal my existence. At least for now.”

Crini nods in agreement and the beast inside growls approval. Concentrating back on reality, she realises that she feels no pain. According to what happened to her fight with prince Tadal, she remembered the excruciating pain in her arm when she dipped it into the boiling lava. Her arm should be in the worst possible position or she could even die from the burns or infection.

However, looking down at her body she finds nothing. None of the cuts and scratches and torn clothes. At least the ones before she’d been transported away. Because there were some bruises and scratches from the fall, but nothing grave. Even her right arm was complete, covered with flesh as before. Crini stretched and bent her fingers in disbelief, to check that this was not a dream. A warm wave of relief washed over her.

While examining her injuries she spots something strange on her left forearm, partly covered by her sleeve. Rolling it up to the elbow, a red - perfectly designed - line, about a human finger thick, circles her skin.

“What’s that?” she asks, still looking at it with curiosity.

“At the time of the battle with Exalos, my powers were infused into my master’s shield. As a result, the shield was reinforced with endurance in battle and covered by flames, which were able to be projected towards enemies at will. Though the shield exists no more, my spirit has been infused in your existence and with it my abilities. Consider this as a mark of my powers, your shield. I’m afraid my knowledge is limited here, I’m not accustomed to your species so this is new for me too.”

“I guess we’ll find it out together.” Crini comforts it. “So, where are we exactly? I mean… I spent some time wandering around before all these happen.”

The lion-warrior hummed in response. “I believe we’re after the moment the ground collapsed.”

Crini starts walking through the debris with the sword at hand under the faint green light emanating from the blade. A few minutes later, something catches her attention. Something is moving, knocking a few small rocks and the echo catches Crini’s hearing. A groan reaches her ears and she dashes towards it, manoeuvring herself swiftly through the fallen rocks. Reaching closer, she spots prince Tadal captured under some large rocks.

“Tadal! She cries out loud. Don’t worry, I’ll get you out!”

Turning around, she scans the area for something to help her lift those rocks. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in there. A thought lands in her mind.

What if I leave him here and go away? After all, he’s the one plotting with Ada and Ezpa to capture me. Whatever they want should not be good for me.

However, that would not be something she would do. There must be something down there, poisoning her mind. All these years on this planet, she never thought like that for anyone, no matter how harsh some may be on her. Abandoning Tadal would make her exactly like him. Shaking her head to get rid of that thought, she scans the area once more. And then something clicks at her.

Using the sword, she shoves its tip into a small opening between the rocks. Using it as leverage – and praying it’s strong enough to hold on – she leans on it, putting her weight on one edge. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work. Tadal keeps mumbling beneath the rocks but the sound is coming like a series of incomprehensible nonsense.

“You said I can projectile bursts of flames at will? Like an explosion?” Crini whispers cautiously.

“Yes, the tensity of them depends on you. You will guide the fire. Master had once said that it could have some connection to feelings as well.”

Letting a gust of air out of her lungs, Crini’s shoulders drop slightly. They’re no other way to find out than try it. She places herself closer to the rocks, leaving the sword on the ground next to her. Bending her left arm, she brings her forearm in front of her chest and brings her right leg back to get a firm stand on the ground.

“Concentrate. Try to picture in your mind what you want to do.” Xepo guides her. Crini does as instructed, she closes her eyes and tries to bring the picture through the dark canvas that surrounds her vision.

Something warm tugs in her chest, igniting a hidden part of herself. Suddenly she feels stronger as the warmth increases and an emotion overfloods her. I can do anything. Feeling the emotion pumping in her chest, she concentrates more and feels the warmth travelling through her veins to her left arm. She opens slowly her eyes, afraid not to lose her focus and her mouth falls open when she sees a strange glow coming from inside her arm, moving to her forearm. Reaching the tattoo band, it glows bright – so much so that Crini has to look away from the blinding light.

With the heat rising within – but not burning, Crini watches in awe as a ball of flame bursts out of her skin. It strikes the rocks with force, causing them to jump away from the spot they were, rolling further away from them. Immediately the light vanishes and the flames disappear, so the glowing light in her arm. Crini stands still, looking at her red tattoo, washed in the faint green light of her sword.

Prince Tadal groans in pain, his voice brings Crini back to reality. Leaning towards the small crate the rocks had formed, she finds him a sack of bruises.

“You’re going to stand there and watch me or lend me a hand?” his voice sounds clear and wearied. He’s fine.

Lending a hand, she tries to pull upright the tall Ethnian, pulling him with both hands. A loud cry of pain reverberates through Tadal’s mouth as he stands up. Crini lets go of him when she makes sure he could stand on his feet. Tadal looks at her, chest panting from exhaustion and pain. “I think… I should thank you.” Tadal struggles to speak, the words come out coated with the bitter taste of defeat.

“Well, if you think so,” Crini replies casually. It appears Prince Tadal gets the irony behind the comment as his posture changes and his face hardens.

“Don’t forget to whom you’re speaking, little human.” Tadal spits, his voice rougher than the rock around them.

“Then you should not forget that you’re standing and acting snobbish right now because of me.” Crini counterattacks him without even turning to look at him. Just to make him more infuriated. Ready to receive the hit, she’s surprised when Prince Tadal stays silent. “Good, now let’s get moving to find a way out of here.” She grabs her sword and motions for him to follow.