I didn't talk to Remus this time. I was too focused on practicing my magic. This one little spark I made in the last loop gave me hope. The lesson Remus gave me was more than enough to bring my will back. I eventually was hung, seeing Orlah's smile once again. Rinse and repeat. I was now letting myself die. The noose no longer instilled fear in my heart, as it allowed me to practice again and again. Magic isn't something that is achieved by training as you would with your muscles. Magic is strengthened by understanding of the type you want to use. I had to understand the chaotic patterns of the flames in order to become one with it.
About forty deaths into the loop, I had achieved a fading ember. I kept trying. I began to understand what mana was now. It was always in me, always with me. I had come to understand that I inherited a greater potential for mana usage than most other people in the village. About sixty deaths in… it was only for a few seconds, but a flame… it thrived! I was the size of a teardrop, but that was more than enough to keep me determined. By eighty deaths, I figured out how to keep alive for longer. It was about a full minute. Five more deaths in, and I was about to bend it to my will. I could almost control the size to be as large as a small crate now. Mana flowed within my body and soul. I began to understand the flame.
At this point, I began practicing in the wagon (though it was much harder because my wrists were chained). The feeling of the flame's warmth made me want to persevere. It has become a symbol of hope to me. In a blur, a year had passed in terms of time loops. I was letting myself die at this point. Finally, over 150 loops later… The flame was about the size of me. And I could control it. Did I want to shrink its size? I could do that. I could bend it to my will as long as I understood the paths of the flame. I could throw it too like an arrow, and it would explode. I didn't want to stop practicing until I was sure that I was going to be strong enough. My magic still had its limits, as it would tire me greatly depending on how long or how much of it I used.
It was now the night before my execution. I banged on my door.
"Would you knock it off already? I'm trying to sleep."
"I'm sorry, Remus but I have to tell you this."
"Tell me what? And how do you know my name?"
I could tell a smile was forming on my unaging face.
"Thank you. I'll come back for you soon, I promise."
BOOM.
The wall of my cell exploded. What was my bed was now a burning pile, quickly turning into ash. I could hear the guards yelling as they began to open my cell door. When they did, I merely swiped my hand. I had created a boundary between us. I continued to walk away. Orlah won't be safe now. I'm not gonna kill her like I wanted to do so earlier. That was just an impulse. I have other plans now.
I walked through the village. People screamed as I enveloped myself in flames. From the flames, I forged myself an ax and a shield of pure fire. They shined brilliantly. This was probably the villager's first time seeing magic. I don't blame them. In the darkness of night, I illuminated the streets. I walked to the gallows as the guards chased after me. I never realized how long of a trek it was since I always rode the wagon there. I broke the frame and grabbed the noose, all while fighting off the guards. Eventually, some of the men decided to bear arms since I had taken out most of the village militia. I made sure not to hurt them. They were innocent after all.
"Hey, you!" one called out to me. "Take this!"
He charged at me with a pitchfork, but merely grabbed it. The wood burned and the metal melted. I looked at him and only said one word… "Run."
Apparently he wasn't entirely stupid, since he obeyed my order with ease. Several of his other comrades did the same. I continued my journey towards the guild. Adventurers awoke to take me down, but I fought them with ease. I could hear the trumpets of blasting throughout the town. They were only played when the village was under attack.
"Seize him!" one shouted. I took him down.
"Spill his blood!"
"Off with his head!"
The cries of battle surrounded me, as groups got closer. I slashed my ax, I kicked, I slashed my ax, I kicked again… I charged with my shield. The people whom I once knew as comrades wanted me dead, but I bore no grudge against them. The guild was barricaded. They figured out that's where I was headed. These pathetic little barriers made of barrels and crates were no match for my fire magic. I burned it down. I burned it all down. The doors began to ash as I entered the building. More adventurers awaited me inside.
I swung my blade and charged with my shield yet again. A domino effect happened as I charged into the sleeping quarters for the guild workers. Another horde of adventurers chased me from behind but I didn't care. I took them out with ease with a single slash of my ax.
I could feel my energy depleting, but that won't stop me. I'm so close to Orlah, in fact…
CRACK.
I kick down the door. This is the female guild employee's sleeping quarters. There wasn't enough time to evacuate them. At the corner of the room, I see the silver haired witch herself. She's only in loose fitting clothes.
"You're coming with me."
Orlah whimpered. I dispelled my ax and shield and I grabbed her wrists. I tied them with the noose. The rope that had let me meet demise for over a year's worth of time loops now. I didn't have to do it, but it only felt right I punished her in this way. As soon as more adventurers came in, I jumped out the window into the night. I ran into the fields, carrying Orlah on my shoulders. She screamed and kicked as I dissipated my flames to hide my figure from the adventurers who were chasing after me.
It was a miracle, I had made it so far from the village by the time morning came. I don't think I ever left the village as far as I did today. Orlah eventually gave up screaming due to passing out from sheer exhaustion. And in the grassy fields, I too succumbed to exhaustion.