It was a warm and cozy morning. The sun shot its radiance across the entire surface showering it with warmth. The sky was as clear as it was blue and the clouds were also clear white. The environment was just like every day where everything was green and kept clean. The people of Rivermouth toiled across the soil and kept their animals healthy. It was something they did every day without fail. Meanwhile, Xavier was at a tall tree behind Baron's home since it reminded him of the one he had back home. It looked the same but with smaller branches. Xavier was reading once again.
'It's been a while since I've gotten in Baron's home. Every day the same events would repeat. I have been improving bit by bit. I figured out there are quite many uses for ice magic. First, to freeze someone with just a touch. Second, to affect a wide area with frost limiting the opponent's ability to move. The users can create, shape, move, control and interact when manipulating ice. This allows them control over almost every environment, structure, and battlefield. They can use it to make the environment cold which makes the ice easier to control or use the spikes and glaciers to attack the enemy. It can also freeze the enemy on touch. They can even use the ice as a defensive measure against enemies. Lastly, they can even shape ice under their feet to move quickly due to the reduced friction which is something like an ice skate. So far, all I've been doing is ice spikes but I can use it for all these other purposes.'
" Oh, I didn't see you there." Katherine walked up to Xavier while she said this.
She then sat next to him." It's a great spot, isn't it? I call it my study sport." Katherine said.
" Believe it or not, I have one like this home and I call it the same thing," Xavier replied.
" Oh, that's quite coincidental. Well, I'll be coming to train with you and Lord Baron today. He's probably going to teach you water magic."
Xavier stared at her confused," He's teaching me ice magic, isn't he so why does he want me to learn water magic." Xavier asked.
" To master ice, you must learn water. At least, that's what he says."
" So are you a master at both of them?" Xavier asked.
" Not even close, I'm horrible at water magic even though I'm from the Cordelia tribe. And ice, all I'm able to do is a few shards. I wonder if I'm even useful to Lord Baron." Katherine looked sad as she said this.
" You just haven't found your peaceful place yet. You have to try to imagine it. Also, what's the Cordelia tribe?" Xavier tilted his head in confusion.
" The Cordelia tribe is a tribe of blue hair people whose ancestors once followed the Ocean Goddess also known as the Cold Goddess. See, she had two different elemental abilities such as ice and water. We were given the ability to manipulate ice and water far better than anyone else as a gift from her. The gifts are passed down to everyone who shares their blood including myself, but I'm no different from a failure." Katherine looked down upon herself with disappointment.
" I promise once I get to learn how to use water magic, I'll teach you!" Xavier held her hand and smiled.
" As long as you hold on to that promise I have no problems." She said this as she got up and walked away." Let's go meet up with Lord Baron, shall we?"
Xavier smiled as he stood up." Yeah, I'm right behind you."
***
As they walked through the village, everyone waved and greeted them. The town though being small was quite respectful. It was a peaceful town, the neighbors didn't argue or anything like that and monsters didn't even attack due to the barrier. Xavier learned to love the environment.
As they were walking, someone stopped them.
" Xavier right?" A boy asked.
Xavier then nodded.
" Well then, this letter is for you." The boy said this as he walked off.
He was pretty young, probably still a teenager. He probably worked for some letter delivery industry. He was similar to what they called a postman in Xavier's world. As Xavier opened the letter, he saw it was written by Vivian.' Great news, your little brother was born recently and also you're welcome to stay at Barons a little longer. Training takes time, doesn't it?'
" A little brother, huh?" Xavier smiled as he read the letter." Except, she didn't tell me his name." Xavier sighed.
" A little from your parents?" Katherine asked.
" From my mom seems like I got a little brother."
" That's good news. Are you jealous now that you're in second place?" Katherine was making fun of Xavier.
" I couldn't care less if I was the tenth place," Xavier declared.
" That's clearly a lie," Katherine said." You know it isn't fun to fool yourself."
They talked as they walked through the forest. Looking for Baron around the river." There you are." Baron turned his head to face their direction.
" Sorry if we took long, I got a letter from my mom saying I can stay longer," Xavier explained.
" It's fine. Xavier, after I teach you how to manipulate water magic can you do the same for Katherine?" Baron asked.
" I'll try my best, sir," Xavier replied.
Xavier channeled mana from his mana core. He felt a surge of energy surging up his body to his hands. It was a satisfying feeling. Xavier closed his eyes and tried to imagine the waterfall again.' Come on.' He tried imagining it over and over until he heard the sound of water flowing. The moment opened his eyes he was there again but something was different. This time, he was under the waterfall. He closed his eyes once again as the water fell on him. And the moment he heard the splash of water, he opened his eyes. A steam of water poured from his palm. It was almost like a water blast for it kept going and going. It was a long-range attack.
" Magnificent!" Baron clapped." And you did it so fast without my help."
" Thank you. Well Katherine it's your turn, just try to imagine it."
Katherine's face darkened," I try to imagine it all the time but I see nothing but darkness."
" Don't worry about it, just imagine anything. Like the place you miss or something you love. Just try to while channeling your mana. You will be able to do it because you're from the Cordelia tribe."
Katherine then closed her eyes," I'll give it a try."
***
As time went on Katherine was unable to imagine anything." I can't see anything! This whole thing was worthless, I'm done!" Katherine snapped.
Xavier held her before she could give up." Maybe your peace lies within this River. You've been here since you were a child right?"
Katherine took a deep breath," Fine, I'll give it another try!"
The moment she tried to imagine the River, she was there. She stood upon the river almost like she was levitating above it. But something about the river was different. It looked longer than before, no, it looked endless. The water continued flowing as Katherine looked around in shock. She didn't know where she was.
" Katherine, that's enough!" Xavier shouted.
She could hear Xavier but not loudly. His voice echoed in her mind. The moment she shook out of it, a spell fired. The spell sent Xavier flying into the river. The spell was like a gigantic blast of water, in fact, it was the same spell Xavier fired earlier but way bigger. This time it spread way
wider and the range was longer. It steamed out of her hand endlessly, she couldn't stop it. She screamed and screamed as she damaged Xavier. Baron then lunged into her, stopping the attack.
" Xavier!" he shouted
As Xavier's body fell deeper into the river, he remembered the feeling. When he died as Alex he felt the same thing. His body fell deeper and deeper into eternal darkness as his consciousness drifted. He could feel, but could not hear, smell or talk. For all he saw was darkness. His body just went deeper and deeper just like this time. He remembered someone else being there. That person was himself, also known as Xavier. What he saw was an older version of Xavier.
" It's dangerous under here. You know that you can be corrupted, right." It was a voice that echoed throughout the water. Just who was it?
Xavier looked up as he saw Baron swimming towards him.
***
As Xavier opened his eyes, he was in his bedroom, and beside him was Katherine. She most likely slept next to his bed on a chair. As she woke up, she started crying." I'm sorry!" She hugged him as she cried.
Xavier smiled," It's progress." He then gave her a thumbs up." You were able to pull off a powerful spell right?"
" I don't care about that, I almost killed you!"
" But I'm still here right? So it isn't your fault."
" It still is! You probably hate me!"
" You don't seem like the Katherine I know. If you don't want me to hate you then forgive yourself." Xavier tried his best to cheer her up.
She slapped him on his face," fine." Her voice and facial expression had changed back to how it was. She looked expressionless again and her voice sounded low.
" I'll be up and running once again tomorrow," Xavier said.
While Xavier looked cool on the outside, in his mind he was scared.' I nearly died again! Damnnit, how weak can I get?' He panicked.