Page 12 of Scars and Burns

She looks at me with the most endearing look I have ever seen. “Oh my sweet little light, your soul is not gone. Your soul is as pure and as good as the Goddess needs it to be. I cannot explain the cold. Perhaps, since your magic was woken up in such a gruesome manner it will take more time for your light to warm your flames.”

“But mom, it’s as if I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m trying. I’m trying to live up to this title of lady” giving air quotes with my fingers to the word ‘lady’, “and I don’t even know what that means!” clenching my fists as I talk and throwing my hands in the air at the end. Sighing, “How is my magic supposed to grow with me? If I don’t even know who I am growing into.”

“No, one knows who they are at your age. You are only two and ten years old. Give yourself more time. In the past six years, we have relocated our entire lives. Gained titles we never thought we would have with a lifestyle beyond our dreams. Not to mention your magic is still developing. There will be highs just as many as there are lows. You have so much more growing to do until everything begins to make sense.”

Whenever that may be.

She continues, “And I’ll tell you a secret. No one is or ever should be done growing. There is always something new to uncover within ourselves or of someone else. So much has yet to be revealed. Do not fret.”

At that I smile. Mom may not have been able to answer the insatiable question of the lack of warmth in body or cold flames. But she does always know what to say to make me feel better. Whether she has an answer or not.

* * *

My last lesson is always battle training. I need it after all my lengthy courses of just sitting around. My body is restless and anxious to let off some steam. Aside from magic training, which has more to do with just getting to spend time with my mom, this is the best lesson of the day.

I’m still building up my strength and working with a sparring sword. But I always excel. Every movement flowing into the next one. Much like a dance. No one can touch me. Graceful and grand. It’s like my blade is an extension of myself. I try to apply that concept my Mother gave me for my magic wielding abilities and it’s never worked better.

Ha, too bad it can’t work for my magic too.

I still get bested by my fighting master everyday. It’s the same soldier who I flew with from the Celestial Realm to Akino. I’ve come to learn his name is Christopher and he was only a teenager when I flew with him. Now, he is a young adult on his way to becoming a general in King Elio’s guard.

He towers over me. He’s a ruthless teacher. Never softening his blow. And never allowing me to concede. We train for hours with and without blades. Working out until every muscle in my body is sore and I’m dripping in sweat. I’m riddled with bruises each day. I’ve never once even come close to actually beating him. A few times he’s even made me bleed. Despite his blade being dulled. But I’m better everyday and each year he increases the weight in my sword. A few more years my blade will be fatal to anyone who dares cross it.

After all my lessons are finished. I wander the forest. That is where I prefer to spend most of my time.

Secluded and alone.

No curious eyes or whispering mouths.

Just me… and my own turmoil.

Mother wasn’t pleased when she found out I was venturing into the forest. Concerned for my well being.

Recalling the dark creatures King Elio spoke of when I first met him. I had come across some creatures, but they were not dark. They showed me around. Leading me to the most beautiful places. We sat and ate and played. Trailing along after one another like I had known them my whole life. I found these creatures were much like me. Isolated and looked down upon in the world around them. Looking odd and out of place. Some of them had fangs. Others had claws. Labeling them as dangerous by the softer animals indigenous to the land.

I’m splashing in a stream with one of the serpents. Flicking its tailat me. Showering me with water. Laughing, not having a care in the world.

That’s when I see him.

The first other person I have ever seen in the forest in all my time coming here. He’s older than me. A teenager but not quite a man. His hair is as black as mine. As dark as the night sky. Void of any light in a million miles. His skin is slightly darker than my own. He’s young but I can tell he is skilled in fighting. His black tunic is tight on his shoulders and biceps but flowing down his lean torso. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His forearms are covered in markings. But I can’t be sure of what they are from this distance. You can tell his pants are worn. What I am sure were once crisp trousers are now faded. His boots are riddled with dirt. But his eyes. His eyes are the most off putting. They’re a deep blue. So brilliant it puts sapphires to shame. A vibrancy I’m sure would stun my whole body if they got too close. An endless sea easy to get lost in.

He’s just looking at me with his hands in his pocket. Amusement on his face.

I freeze. Dropping my hands to my side. I glare back at him.

The water serpent looks up at me and turns their head. Following my gaze. Seeing the stranger. They hiss. Showing off their sharp fangs that secrete venom.

The boy gives the serpent a look. Filled with just as much warning as the hiss. The serpent freezes and swims away.

I watch them leave. My breath catches before I can call out to them.

Returning my gaze to the boy. “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Scare my friend away”

Giving me a mocking laugh and a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “That monster is your friend?”

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