CHAPTER TWO - Precision Over Pride
Three months later.
Elara's POV :
The courtyard burned with light. The arena was a circle of scorched earth, the air shimmering with heat.
I woke up this morning with a prepared mindset. I was going to give whatever it takes, I wanted the spot for the Trials. Elias would do the same, we fought often and knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. We were like two mirrors facing each other but today only one reflection would remain.
I had been training for this moment for years and so was Elias.
Flames coiled in the air like Eridorian ribbons of gold, bending and breathing with my every move. Each step was measured, each strike deliberate. A dance i'd practiced before I could spell my own name. I steadied my breath and focused my gaze.
Across from me, Elias grinned, the mirrored gleam of my brothers flame reflecting in his brown eyes. I pulled my fiery hair back in a tight braid, no strand was loose. We both wore our raven black gear.
Our father stood at the edge of the ring, arms crossed, preparing to watch intently. The crest of House Valen glowed faintly on the wall behind him, the Flame star etched in gold above the training yard.
"Begin," he said.
Elias lunged first, unleashing a torrent of flame, a burst of heat that cracked the air between us. It was a chaotic dance of fire, a powerful wave that threatened to consume everything. I twisted aside, letting the flame graze past my sleeve and answered with a flicker of my own.
My light danced along the edge of his fire, teasing it, forcing him to turn his strength into defense.
As his flames washed over me, I raised my hand and a burst of cool air repelled the flames, leaving me unscathed. I countered with a precise blast of fire, aimed directly at his chest. He snarled, raising his arms to block but I stopped the flame and sent it to his legs in one sharp movement.
With a flick of my wrist, i created a shield of fire, deflecting his attack. I countered with a series of precise strikes, each one aimed at Elias' weak points. A searing blast grazed his arm, forcing him to momentarily stumble but he quickly recovered and retaliated with a concentrated inferno.
We moved like opposites of the same storm. His fury against my focus. The ground scorched beneath our feet, sparks lifting into the morning haze.
"You're holding back." He taunted with a smirk.
"No," I said, stepping closer, "I'm learning your rhythm."
I anticipated his movements, weaving through the flames with an almost supernatural grace. I used the environment to my advantage, creating walls of fire to channel Elias' attacks and then striking at the openings he created.
He roared in frustration, unleashing a massive blast of flame, but i was ready. I leapt to the side, avoiding the flames, and landed with a soft thud, my eyes locked on his.
He swung wide, and that was his mistake. I ducked, spun, and sent a concentrated burst of flame across his chest. It didn't burn him, the magic of our House protects against kinfire but it forced him to his knees all the same.
I danced forward, my feet moving with a deadly precision, my flames weaving a web of fire around him. He tried to counter, but my flames were everywhere, burning hot and fast, leaving him no room to breathe.
"Enough," father said and I let my flames fall.
The world stilled for a moment , only the faint crackle of extinguished embers filled the silence.
"You both fought well," his voice calm but warm. "Your mother would've been so proud. Remember, Valen fire is meant to guide, not consume."
"No matter who represents us in the Trials, you carry the same flame." He emphasized and smiled at us both, the same softness in both glances.
"Precision over pride." He murmured when Elias walked off to pick an apple from a servant. "You've learned what your mother couldn't finish teaching you." He said before walking away, the sun catching his silver hair before disappearing into the halls.
The words hit like warmth and ache all at once. It was the kind of praise that made your chest hurt and your throat tight.
"Guess you'll be the one representing us." Elias said, dusting soot from his hands. A ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.
"You've always had the fire Elara, I'm getting tired of being burnt by it." He said softly, his gaze flickering from the doors father entered and back to me. His words had no venom in it, just exhaustion. The kind that comes from always being almost enough.
His words were sharp enough to cut. The victory felt hollow, heavy in my chest.
He turned away, shoulders tense beneath the morning light. He walked for a bit before turning to look at me. He offered me a smile, one that didn't reach his eyes.
I loved my brother but I decided not to go after him but let him be and sort what he's feeling. I make a mental note to ask him about it later when I could.
I walked back into the halls tired and found myself wandering to my mothers chambers. I walked in, it still looked the same, the scent of her perfume lingered and silence where her laughter should've been.
Violet colored walls with white polka dots we painted together. The most gorgeous collection of dresses of white, blue and yellow.
I sat on her bed and opened her drawers.
"She loved her pearls." I said to myself with a chuckle, she loved jewellries so much, she made father buy her a prestigious amulet from overseas. My mother was an elemental wielder. She could bend water however she pleased. It was beautiful to watch. When I was little, I used to wish I was a Tide wielder but I grew to love my flames.
She gave me an amulet long before she died but I returned it, afraid to keep it while the poison took her. I opened the blue box now and the amulet lay there like i returned yesterday, cold and perfect.
"Ellie." I turned to see Elias in the doorway, hair messy and guilt softening his eyes. I was kind of surprised he called me by the name he nicknamed me while we were kids.
"Remember when she would bend the water into heart shapes and make us splash it on each other so we would stop fighting?" I said softly, looking at my hands and a small smile painting my face.
"I'm sorry about what I said in the arena Ellie," he begun softly, "I am happy for you but I also wanted to win. Mum would smack me if she heard me say that but you've always been a better Flame wielder than I am. I'm not angry at you, just bummed out a bit." He finally ended and I felt lighter.
I lit a flame and sent it to his open toes.
"Ow! What was that for?" He yelped, hopping back. His reaction made me throw my head back laughing.
"To show you I understand. I'll make sure to keep our flame burning at the Trials." I told him.
"Make sure to do so and I'll be cheering." He said before pulling me into a warm hug and kissing my forehead.
It felt like old times, he didn't feel so distant anymore. It spoke a language words couldn't express. It felt like home, like nothing had ever gone wrong.
"Alright enough. You still stink of soot." He let go after ruffling my hair, forcing strands of my hair loose from the tight braid.
We smiled at each other fondly and left the room.
A stranger trailed behind my father, his cloak market with the crest of House Dravo. Our families never spoke, not in public and definitely not in peace. The door shut and, I could swear his shadow lingered longer than he did.
It shouldn't have been possible.
Damn shadow weavers.