"Hmm... I feel like I may be missing something important?"
Blonde hair bobbed softly as the young lady tilted her head. Beside her, a fit elder man could only shake his head. His short, heatly trimmed, hair matched hers.
"You never know, my dear. Let's just make sure this business deal goes through."
-
"It seems that this is his final choice! The young miss of the Synclair family!"
The announcer had lost some enthusiasm, but he was paid to add commentary. Not worry or voice complaints.
Back down in the arena, Orion was already readying his sword. His eyes were locked onto Aveline, even going so far as to ignore the crowd as they voiced the many issues of the battle. A twelve year old against a sixteen year old, a noble man's daughter against a Hero, a sword against nothing.
"Heh. To think I can put you in your place here! This should be fun."
The announcer signaled for the fight to begin, as nobody could stop the Hero in this situation. Unknown to the audience, Thorin and Nilly sat at the ready. They watched every last movement.
"Come forward! Burning-"
Orion stopped speaking. He seemed stunned into silence, his flames dispersing before they could burn bright. His breathing seemed to hitch as Aveline stepped closer.
"It is a good thing we are down here, so far away from the audience. None of them... can hear a single word I say. Hehe."
"Burning Strike!"
Almost as if it were nothing more than a reaction, Orion swung his flaming sword towards Aveline.
"Ah. So you want to rely on your hearing. Good luck."
Aveline took a decently large leap backwards, using her wind magic to push her further. Where she had been, Orion continued to swing out.
"T-Trem-"
Orion stuttered his spell, cutting it off as Aveline's voice encircled him. Every word followed the wind for her.
"Pathetic. You claim to be the Hero, right? Not even once have I believed you to be worthy, especially with what you plan."
Aveline backed up a little further, waving her hand at the announcer. He looked over, deciding to go down towards her.
"Miss Synclair?"
Aveline smiled weakly.
"I think I ran out of magic. This happened before, he tried to hurt me and I was afflicted with Mana Burn when I tried to protect myself. Err... maybe I should keep that to myself."
The announcer had a dark look in his eyes, while Orion seemed to have gotten his sight back.
"This match is over. Orion Ripple is still the winner, due to this young lady withdrawing. Her magic has run low, something I am sure the Hero knows full well about. He will get to keep the reward, so may I have one of Miss Synclair's parents come to get her?"
He lowered his voice, bending his waist as he spoke to Aveline.
"You did a good job. I hope to see you trounce him next time."
Aveline giggled softly, waiting as she followed Nilly with her eyes.
"No... no, no, no! This isn't how it was supposed to end!"
Aveline turned, her eyes falling on Orion. His knuckles were bone white, clenching his sword. He pointed it at Aveline, his rage seeming to grow.
"W-what?"
Aveline took a step back, her fear becoming real as a strange light began to glow out of Orion's hand and leading up to the tip of his blade.
"Just-"
His voice caught. Aveline began to look around, realizing everyone around was having issues with more than just talking.
"This is... I remember this. It happened once before, after Orion left the mansion."
--
"Aveline... your mother."
--
Looking around, Aveline finally caught sight of Nilly. Her midnight black hair had become an eerie, yet beautiful, snowy white. Her deep azure eyes faded to a bright grey.
--
"It's her Snow Fairy blood. She is REALLY REALLY pissed!"
--
Aveline stood there, mesmerized by her mother's strange transformation. Before she even realized, Aveline asked an odd question.
"Why is everyone so cold? This is comfortable, like a nice summer day... with a lot of ice and snow. Erm..."
--
"Even being, roughly, a quarter Snow Fairy will keep you somewhat safe in colder environments."
--
Aveline could barely make out her mother now, as Nilly was stuck in the middle of a raging blizzard. The swirls continued to blast around her as she slowly walked towards the trembling Hero.
"Eh... Papa?"
Aveline looked up behind herself, her father nowhere in sight. As she began to turn around, the ground began rumbling. Dropping to her knees, Aveline could see her father's spear stuck into the ground. He was tapping it with his foot, his smug grin slowly coming into view as the blizzard disappeared. Nilly stumbled, her eyes and hair returning to normal.
"Dear... what the HELL?!"
Thorin laughed deeply, quickly lifting his wife from the ground. She was draped over his shoulder, Aveline quickly being lifted into his free arm.
"We should leave... before someone from the church decides to harass us! Hehe!"
-
The Synclair family left, leaving the Hero to wallow in self pity and rage as he stood in the center of the main branch of the Church of Alvol. His gaze was dark as he listened to the leaders speaking around him, the final words causing a deep and satisfied smile to cross his face.
"Send them. We cannot permit such action to take place again! For the glory of out Lord, as well as the future of the Hero. The Synclair family must not make it home."