Half of the forest was burnt, and the news went an uproar in every town. People are puzzled on how it stopped when the fire can still run and damage everything it touches. The drenched soil and plants at the edge where the forest fire stopped, bewildered many as someone can't finish it with just buckets of water. Plus, it hasn't rained in centuries. Religions believed it as a blessing and the arrival of their god.
The commotion of the spreading news gets even worse as people scatter more rumours concerning the forest's condition. Untrue stories swam around. It can't be helped since they haven't seen how it was saved, so people can't help but cling to miracles they believe.
The voices from the villages failed to reach Catherine's home since they were far in the inner forest. Though burned down trees and natures have made a wide-open space in front of their house, and it made a terrible view compared to the different shades of greens and flowers. Now, it was just white, grey, and dark colours along with the falling fragile twigs from the dark burned woods. The blazed forest was still smouldered, the smogs in the place lingered and rise to the sky. The unpleasant smells reach the girl's place easily since the flames halted near their area.
The injured lad that Bastian had taken care of has once again gained his strength after a day. He still has burns and bruises all over his body, but he insisted on going. Ezio gave his thanks then waved goodbye to the father and daughter even though his condition was still worse. He endured the throbbing pain of his wounds and the stings from his chest because of the gases he inhaled, which were still lingering on Ezio's lungs. All those torments ended when he arrived at the place where he is staying— a cave. The inside looked like how it is before. Small chunks of burnt wood were laying on the ground along with piles of ashes littered around in one side. Ezio only has little amounts of things he had, but it was enough for him to survive. He collapsed on the cold rocks inside the cave, finally feeling the fatigue of his body which was enfolded by the soreness seconds ago. Ezio doesn't care much about the chilled dense surface since he was already used to it from years of living there. Instead, he fell asleep like a baby, snoring soundly that echoes through the corners of the cave.
Worry has been troubling Catherin's chest since her friend left since he still looks weak from the injuries he got from the incident. Solaris left to go home after he helped carry Ezio inside the house, so Catherine knows he was safe as he hasn't received that many damages. The little girl shook away the thoughts inside her head to remove the thoughts in her head while she tries to focus at the seed on her palm. Catherine is currently training the said ability she had, and it looked like she's getting nowhere compared to when her powers were released unconsciously.
The little girl was staring intently at the seed with a frown plastered on her face, and brows creased. Beads of sweat are starting to form on her forehead as stress was getting to her; thus, the bright rays of the sun add up to heat she's feeling. Before, the magnificent view of nature would calm her immediately, but a heave of a sigh escaped her lips when she looked up from her palm to the forest. The charred timber greeted her plus the lasting smell of the burnt trees. It only made her feel worse and guilty as she was there when it happened. Her shoulders slumped, and she let her weight drop on a tree behind her. Sliding down to the grass carpet whilst ignoring the rough surface of the tree trunk that slightly scratches the fabrics of her dress. Catherine sat on an Indian sit, and her gaze fell on the ground, some of her bangs and strands fell and cover the sides the girl's face. Thereon when she let her body slump, the little girl felt the rush of fatigue get to her, and how much time she had been holding her breath in. Her lips let out a sigh.
Catherine's head shot back up when she heard heavy footsteps coming towards her. The little girl met eyes with her father's dark brown, which smiled at her. Bastian huddled down to level with her eyes. "You must be tired. I suggest you set that aside for now. Here come." Bastian extended his right hand in which she took with her small one as she pulls herself back up to her feet.
Bastian straightened his back, then fixed the bows and arrows hanging at his left shoulder. He was on his hunting gears. Bastian brought her with him to teach her how to hunt. Though, for the most part, she was just spectating him. The animals they hunted will be their food for the next couple of days while some of it will be sold to gain money.
Days went by and Bastian pretty much just let her observe how to hunt. At first, she took pity for their prey, but she eventually got used to it. Catherine was then taught how to hunt for herself, but the little girl and the bow as her weapon just don't get along, so she went for close combat, having her magic ability through training herself to hunt. It was exhausting for a little girl's body, but as time flew, her strength accuminated as she repeats it daily in five years.
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Catherine slashed diagonally towards her target's direction with her scythe as a weapon that whistles as it was swung and sliced through the air. Solaris jumped away from the path she attacked and ran away to escape her aggressive continuous attacks strikes. The scythe ended up neatly cutting through the stems of the yellow dandelions but then bloomed back as the girl purposely travel her magical powers through her weapon. The metal's sharp edge shone under the bright sunlit, reflecting a touch of green shades which was her element. Catherine clutched the grip of the weapon tightly with both hands settling down its snath on her left shoulder and running after him. Ezio was eyeing Catherine under the huge tree which was on the small hill at the centre of the field. He was resting after his match with Solaris.
Solaris escaped as he thinks for a strategy to counter her attacks since he's in a disadvantage while they are in the middle of the field full of dandelion flowers. His fear came as roots of the plants latched onto his left foot, resulting for him to stagger on the ground. As he falls, the flowers shook from the impact. Catherine let out a chuckle when she caught up to the boy, then placed her weapon's chine under his chin. Solaris' tsked' as he felt resented, pushing away the scythe pointed at him. He pulled himself up from the ground while shaking the dirt off of him as he mumbles his complaints. Catherine ignored his reaction as she smiled at him.
"What are you smiling at?" Solaris was still wearing a frown as he fixes the wrinkles on his clothes.
"I win," Catherine answered which ticked his temper even more. Solaris glared at her, like a vein might show up is head from irritation. Ezio, who was spectating them, tried his best to stop his snickers.
"And you, too!" Solaris pointed at Ezio, which made the boy let out the laugh he was holding in. "Next time, we won't have our training here." He scoffed.
"Well, you lost, because all you did was run," Catherine said as she played with her scythe, swinging it in random directions. Shades of red colour the lad's cheeks from annoyance and sheepishness. Catherine and Ezio can already imagine puffs of smokes coming out of Solaris' nose and ears because of how angry he is.
The girl walked back to the tree to shade from the heat and to rest. Solaris follows behind her. When they reached the under, Ezio tossed a tangerine to Catherine in which she fetched with both hands. She gave her thanks and beamed a smile before joining him on the big roots that stuck up from the ground.
"Next time, we'll be training on a clear ground with no plants," Solaris said when he sat down with them. They were sitting in a circle with their things placed in the centre.
Catherine looked at Solaris in protest. "What? No!" she disapproved immediately.
"I'm holding back because the flowers might get burned."
"I'm fine with either," Ezio said before popping another piece of tangerine inside his mouth, not even bothering to look at them as he focuses on his snack. Catherine groaned at him. Ezio gave her a side glance before continuing his statement, "but first, you should find a place, Solaris. We can't train in the Sunpost Pavillion." Solaris' grin was quickly wiped out, and his shoulders drop. "Plus, we can't afford someone seeing us perform our magic," Ezio ended.
Solaris looked more down. "Two versus one? How mean..." he said, then placed his right hand on his chest. "I'm... I'm hurt." He put on a sad expression, but Catherine and Ezio weren't buying any of his acts and was ignored.
"I heard a noble family is coming to visit Bayrock town," Ezio changed the subject then grabbed another tangerine inside his hamper.
"Don't just disregard me!" Solaris let out, and it made Catherine let out a laugh. He scoffed before asking Ezio, "noble family from where?"
"The Dawn."
Catherine's eyes lit up, and she unconsciously leaned closer to Ezio, who was surprised by her reaction, so he instinctively leaned back. "When?" the girl asked.
Ezio stupefied as he stares back at the girl's bright eyes, so he stammers on his words as he thinks of an answer. Solaris was looking at them with his eyes narrowed while he steals a tangerine inside Ezio's hamper, giving no little bits of interests besides their discussion about the noble family. "Ah, um... Tomorrow. I... Forgot what time," Ezio finally managed to tell.
Catherine shifted back her position, looking excited as she thinks of which great person might arrive. The Bayrock town was four hours far if you travel by foot but half a time can be saved if you rode a carriage. It's still quite distant, but they're lucky enough that it's not too far for them to miss a chance to see them. That village was known for its mining areas affluent for jewels, and magical items convenient for weapon upgrades. It might be their reason for their visit. The three went home that day after they rest well enough under the shades.
It was the next day. Catherine went early so that she won't miss her chance to see the noble family. The time they will arrive was not specified, so the maiden made sure to come early. She was smiling from ear to ear as she watches the townspeople prepare for their arrival. The entrance was beautifully decorated, and the stalls were putting out their best rare displays to hope for a chance that they might stop by and notice them.
Catherine's eyes wandered through the busy place, her lips agape childishly as her chest spark with anticipation. She was walking backwards as her attention trailed around the crowd when she heard a voice behind her. The person was so close that she can feel its warm breath on her neck. The maiden stopped on her tracks as she knows that voice too well. "You've grown too much since I last saw you. It's fascinating," the sorceress said in her wavering breathy voice. The girl's whole body tensed up as chills creep up her spine. Her hands turn cold while flashes of the traumatic scenes flash before her eyes. The old lady continued her words, enjoying every reaction she makes the girl feel. "You become more dangerous as you thrive. Makes me want to seal you once again..." Catherine turned around to face her with her guard up, but the sorceress had already disappeared. The words were yet complete, so the rest vanished unheard.
The girl's brows creased as her gaze track for the old lady's figure, but she was no longer in the area no matter how hard her eyes search. It must've used some kind of sorcery to escape. Catherine gave up when she felt a hand rest on her right shoulder. She jumped away from whoever it was behind her in surprise. The girl landed on her fighting stance then glared at the person only to find Ezio looking at her baffled by her actions. "Cath, you okay?" he asked worriedly.
Catherine's body relaxed when she realized it was her friend. Though her heartbeat was still alarmed. She straightened his back, her mind still occupied by the sorceress but managed to answer her friend with a nod.