The Castle Guard

14: The Fifth Element

The bear stood at a height of seven feet with the most humongous body Darien had ever seen, with razor sharp claws and even sharper teeth, its thick brown fur spread out all over it. Dracenstark had taken Darien into the deeper parts of the woods out of the blue in between training “Follow me!” he simply said then walked directly into the forest going farther and farther until reaching the bear who sat idly under a tree it looked like it was from having lunch with the blood of what must have been an unlucky animal staining its muzzle, the bear scratched itself lazily looking harmless at least until it sensed it was no longer alone, when it stood Darien saw its large construct of a body. It sniffed the air irritated trying to find the animal stupid enough to come near it, Darien looked like a lost rabbit staring as a hungry insatiable lion begun looking for their prey ‘A lion or a bear which is worse?’ he wandered ‘I guess it depends on who’s the prey’ in that situation he inevitably knew who the prey would be, him Dracenstark was too strong to be stopped by a measly bear no matter how big Darien however was a sitting duck even with his new found magic the odds of him winning were still low ‘I doubt a fire ball would do much to its thick fur, not mention casting spells tires my body too fast’. Every instinct told him to turn and run like his life depended on it which in a few minutes it would ‘Why are we here?’ he felt for his sword it wasn’t there he had left it aside along with his armor to allow swift movement while practicing, cursing his bad luck he watched the bear moving around growing more menacing by the second, its black eyes seemed like pools of utter darkness that sent shivers down an enemy. ‘why is lord Dracenstark just staring?’ his unnatural stillness was unnerving yet it felt a bit reassuring ‘maybe he wants to show me some kind of magic trick that requires a large animal’ Darien felt a bit optimistic ‘whatever it is must be big!’ over the past two weeks he had trained constantly memorizing spells, incantations and hand signs that came with them, he practiced elemental magic nonstop; conjuring water, controlling winds and earth, fire came to him naturally almost at times impressing Dracenstark who did not let it show of course. He hadn’t done anything like in the dungeons stopping the dagger midair apparently was a onetime thing, multiple times he tried catching his sword failing each time, at one point getting desperate had asked Erska to fling a pebble at him hoping to at least slow it down midair he concentrated breathing “I can do it, I can do it” he murmured anxiously, the pebble hit his head so hard he lost his balance and almost fell, which Erska had a heartily laugh and almost fell down herself. Despite having grown a bit closer to the extent of considering her an acquaintance Darien felt irritated rising on the levels of anger that made Erska laugh even harder “maybe if you tightened your behind harder..” she huffed in between laughs.

The bear’s roar practically filled the whole forest Darien felt his bones shiver at the monstrous sound, he took a step back realizing he was sweating hard ‘the only reason I am still here is because of lord mage, why is he standing there so still?!’ he felt infuriated and a bit reassured ‘as long as he is…’ A lump formed in Darien’s throat his eyes directly in the bear’s line of sight, it had spotted them! Him! It composed itself turning wheezing its face contorted in anger its eyes like two black pits aiming to devour their next victim. With a speed that both stunned and scared Darien the bear jumped up from the ground then bounded after them its roars were like waves of death anything within 10 meters either fled or fainted from shock, but not Dracenstark he seemed as calm as when he got there. Darien on the other hand stood as step back conflicted as whether to run or stay all thoughts evaporated it took every inch of will not to turn and bolt. The bear was now almost near them its giant feet bounced on the forest floor releasing a loud booming sound. With each one Darien held his breathe the earth seemed to vibrate below him.

‘What do I do? Wh…where’s the lord mage’ Darien’s eyes slid to where Dracenstark stood a minute before the mage had disappeared A cold face slid down his face  ‘what should I do? Is this how I die?’ a picture of his late father appeared in his mind, a tall silver haired man smiling despite his rowdy features his light brown eyes stared at Darien as if he was right there with him, the man held a sword in his right hand they were practicing Darien had fallen his father’s words echoed in his mind like they had every time he found himself in a tuff situation;

“Don’t give up, calm down and assess the situation take the best possible action, give it your all and if it doesn’t work out make sure you go out knowing you gave it your all.” He’s deep voice snapped out the panic Darien could feel his heart slow down all the spells he’d learned re-affirmed themselves clearly in his mind’s eye, the bear was two feet away raising its claws ready to tear him apart  Darien could almost smell it’s vulgar breath composed of dead flesh.

“IGNI…” the bear collided against an invisible force; its power sent it back five feet away shaking its head irritated confused. Its right temple was bruised the pain of which turned its anger into fury it bounded again towards Darien it roared shaking the earth beneath. But once again it collided against the invisible force this time sending it further away ten feet from Darien.

Darien stared feeling stunned as the bear collided against the magic barrier again the force of it seemed to confuse it the first time now it looked drained. The barrier glowed blue every time the bear went against it releasing light blue sparks floating in the air. “Did you really think that little fire spell work” Dracenstark appeared beside him snapping Darien out of his stupor “Maybe if you wanted to singe its fur off” he sounded amused at Darien’s attempt against the bear ‘Does he think it’s funny!’ Darien felt outrage but kept quiet waiting for Dracenstark to explain.

“Even if you could chant a succession of spells and that’s a big IF, your odds at the bear would be mild at best. That’s what I came to teach you today.”

“The Fifth Element.”

Two blue concentric circles appeared above Dracenstark’s palm, within the outer circle four runes floated in a cross formation they represented the four elements fire, earth, water and air Darien knew them by heart. The inner smaller circle which was at the center held inside it a diamond shape, when it turned so did the outer runes it gave the impression of a compass direction. “Its called ‘Energy’ it combines all other four elements allowing the caster to cast by forming runes with their minds.” Darien stared at the floating circles in awe ‘So that’s how he cast silently and fast, chanting spells is impractical especially in battle.’ Darien was about to ask, “You can access it after attaining control over the four elements, after you internalize them, make them apart of you that you release a spell as if you breathe it each moment you close and open your eyes and mouth, once you can do that energy will cast the spells for you.” Dracenstark spoke deeply with enthusiasm loosing himself in the explanation he strained his eyes on Darien “if you can’t do this then I am afraid our lessons will have to end here!”

“I need you to do it now!”

Darien almost shivered at the last words magic had become his savior, his light shining a way out of his dark confinement of a life regardless the motive for the lord mage to teach him, he wanted to learn more ‘what I know isn’t enough, you can’t see a world of colors and go back to black and white!’ Darien stared at the floating blue runes “how do I do that!” he asked frustration underlining his words.

“Figure it out” he said conclusively, the blue runes disappeared into thin air. Darien stared at his palm concentrating he imagined the blue circle runes floating on his palm “IGNI…”

“No chanting!” Dracenstark commanded

Darien tried concentrating on the diamond shaped rune willing it to form, nothing happened…

“Can’t you do it?” Dracenstark’s voice sounded quizzical as mastering a whole new element that incorporated all others was the easiest thing in the world,

“Don’t worry I know the perfect someone to teach you!” His tone mimicked a sort of amusement that sent chills through Darien, when he raised his head Dracenstark was gone, The bear stared at him radiating pure rage it had regained its strength  and was preparing for its next rampage.

‘This time I don’t think the barrier will protect me’ he readied his favorite  spell as the bear roared coming at him, this time the barrier didn’t stop it Darien felt calm;

“IGNIUS DRA”