The First Syldine

12 - Intruders

After a long and slow explanation, Aellah seemed to process everything, even the little details. Amazement is readable through her eyes, I mean it’s really that big for someone who doesn’t even know any single information or part of the legend about the Wisps and Shades.

We decided to eat lunch as we spent hours with just talking and sharing stories with each other, including the jokes and teases the two Cheiums will frequently add in between the talks.

Each one of us prepared good sets, and of course mine wouldn’t be complete without melgos.

“Is that melgo cupcakes?” Prince Rage asked.

I nodded and without any hesitation he quickly grabbed one, munched on it and his eyes shined like it never did before.

“This is my favorite!” he said and continued eating.

As he was about to get another one I tapped away his hand, covering my melgo box and hiding it behind me.

“You already had your part.” I noted and he put up a pout.

Zephyr and Aellah almost spitted out the suncherry tea they were drinking while I stared at him for few seconds before laughing out loud. This is the first time he putted a children act in front of me.

Guess he really likes melgos this much.

“Stop dude, you’re making me feel embarrassed s your friend and a royal blood.” Zephyr stated and my laugh went louder than ever.

Aellah joined me laughing and Prince Rage changed back to his serious aura.

“For that, each of you will only get the thinnest slice of steak I can make.” With his cue, he opened his lunch box.

The aroma of his steak was the most fragrant I have ever smelled. Mother’s steak is second compared to this.

“Sorry Mother, I know you’re the best but this is new to me, that smell…..” I said to myself.

“I hate when you start tricking me with meats.” Zephyr complained and tried to get an inch slice but Prince Rage is faster that he moved his box away from the first’s reach.

Aellah on the side put her hands together, bowed down to Prince Rage, like praying to him as if he is some sort of a Pandaren.

“Did you use lemoney on that?” I bravely asked.

If he did, then I am more than willing to bake countless of melgo cupcakes for him, anytime, anywhere.

“The chef did, and other secret spices.” he answered playfully.

Teasing me by moving his box closer to my nose, making me smell the steak inside it, I gave up.

“Give an inch of a slice and I will bake any cupcake you like, or make any pastry you want with melgo as the main ingredient.” I said with a defeated tone.

I am about to raise both of hands to show another sign of surrendering when he nodded and grinned

“Get anything you want from my boxes.” he happily said.

I was about to compliment what he brought but then I remembered that he’s a royal blood after all. It is very likely for him to indulge in these kinds of great food every single damn day.

Aellah’s specialty is her tea, while Zephyr brought lots of fruits, saying he’s a healthy eater in reality, but as I look at him munching with different kinds of meat,I am not buying what he said beforehand.

“Why are you not eating Naia?” Prince Rage asked.

“You don’t like meats?” he asked.

“Seafood?” he asked again.

I sighed before answering him.

“I just thought of Mother, wishing she can eat food like this with me, like right here, right now, with us.” I said.

He gave me a warm smile, and it was somewhat reassuring I guess?

“Let’s visit your Mother and treat her to a royal buffet on the vacation.” Prince Rage said.

I dropped my plate in shock, Aellah did the same.

“I don’t have enough money to pay for even one person’s entrance.” I said.

“My treat.” he countered me quickly.

“Bu---“ he cut me off by putting his index finger on his llips, telling me to shut the hell up.

“Win the Grand Erutain Games, consider yourself paid.” he winked at me at the moment he gave me another motivation to claim the winner’s seat.

Now, not only to see my improvements, try new techniques, see what my power can do against Cheiums, impress a Sylph or Undine, or maybe anyone for me to take a step in breaking my curse, defeat Pele again and to treat my Mother, for once and for all.

“Let me give you a gift too when you win.” Zephyr said.

“Won’t anyone treat me at least?” Aellah asked innocently again and we laugh all together while continuing eating.

All of our boxes became empty as we finished eating all the food each of us brought. It is good that nobody brought the same kind.

What a good way to refill our craving stomachs, enjoy the noon time, replenish our energy.

We decided to go on sparring with Prince Rage while Zephyr will be acting as our coach or trainer, giving us tips while we are fighting the Salamanders’ Prince.

Aellah and I will take turns, and she gladly said she will be the first one. To end her nervousness within a short span of time.

They started off flying in the midair, Prince Rage surrounding himself with five blazing swords, while Aellah is in the position of defense.

I looked closely on Aellah as she was enchanting something, with her right hand on her back, she’s moving her index and middle finger in a circular motion. Then I shifted my gaze to Prince Rage. Almost shouted when I noticed that swirling wind, going in sphere shapes are inside, in the middle of his swords. He may not notice it for Aellah started with a small amount which are moving faters, not really going bigger but boosting up the flames of Prince Rage speedily.

Zephyr whispered something to my friend that I was not able to hear.

With both of her hands, Aellah clapped, her shield disappeared and the blazing swords stopped in rotating, changed each one’s position and are now poiting to Prince Rage.

Wait, is Aellah controlling the swords? Is it because she mixed her power within Prince Rage’s?!

“Good job Aellah!” I shouted as I am getting the tactic she is using. I guess Zephyr would be an ideal Sylph tutor for freshmen.

Yet I saw Prince Rage grinning, clapping his hands too.

“Good teamwork Zeph, Miss Loft.” he commended them.

But as he did, he also motioned his hands into a closed fist I looked again to his swords and saw how each spheres of wind from Aellah disappeared.

His flames have eaten Aellah’s power! When he opened his hands, the swords changed its direction again and flew towards Aellah. She screamed and closed her eyes, forgetting to bring her shield back. The swords stopped maybe few inches away from Aellah.

“That was impressive.” Prince Rage said and Aellah took a peak on her surroundings.

“But you need more practice to polish your techniques.” Prince Rage added.

Aellah shyly flew fast towards me and hugged me.

“That was scary!” she shouted and I hugged her back.

“You did well.” I said.

She faced Prince Rage and Zephyr’s direction up in the sky.

“Thank you so much!” she shouted before losing the strength of her knees. She sat down on the grass. “I am resting, but I will still cheer for you. Good luck.” she added. I smiled at her before flying up.

“Focus on Rage, but keep on listening to me.” Zephyr reminded me and I nodded at him.

Prince Rage flew away from our stand and he waved his hand.

“Ready Miss Lysse?” he loudly asked.

“Yes your highness!” I responded.

Just like his front with Aellah, he made five blazing swords again. The technique I did with Pele would not really work on him, as Zephyr already did the same. I have to think of another way, to at least give him a nice wound or even scratch.

Yet to my confusion, his swords are slowly losing flame.

“You started already!” he shouted.

I shook my head because I am really sure that it was not because of me, I haven’t even started using any of my powers, not even my Undine side.

Wait. Water?

“It’s raining all of a sudden…” I heard Zephyr from my back and I started panicking.

It can’t be! I can’t be soaked to water, or my Undine tail will appear! It is really hard! Especially when I am taking a bath and Aellah’s insisting to go with me!!!! This is a down side as a water fairy! Our tails show up whenever we get wet, from the rain, any bodies of water or even the powers of other Undines.

“Cerine!!!” a dashing Gnome on midair with her pale yellow wings is being chased by a whining Undine on her blue wings.

“This is a race! Stop making rain clouds Nepturime. You really are an idiot!” the Gnome shouted back without stopping on flying.

They are wearing the same uniform as we are. Both of them are Erutainees! And freshmen too as they have the same green robe as we are!

I almost forgot my situation because of what I saw but I am already feeling silky on my feet. If this keeps up and rise until on my hips, I am doomed, really doomed, especially I am with two Cheiums who can report me in an instant!

Making an air bubble, enclosing myself within, using it as a shield from the rain, I centered my power on restraining my lower body’s transformation.

“What are you doing Naia?” Prince Rage asked, who’s already beside me with his swords nowhere to be seen.

Zephyr is also looking at me, with his eyes full of curiosity while Aellah is watching us from below.

Fear dominated my system.