Aaron sat on his bed pondering over what Hayley had told him, word on the street was that she was harboring a group of Elementals but because of her reputation and work, the rumors have been kept at bay. It had been over two weeks now that they enjoyed comfort without worry or constantly being targeted and on the run. Things seemed to be going well until she dropped this bombshell on him. He rummaged through his hair thinking of a possible way out and maybe a new place they might stay and rest for a bit but none came to mind. He was going crazy already.
"You look troubled Aaron, anything the matter?" Sian asked. She had just managed to escape from Warren's torture and wanted to seek comfort by Aarons side but it wasn't looking possible.
He looked at her and smiled, it had been long since he had a quiet and together time with her, all the running and training had taken most of their time and they barely communicated. He spread his arms and Sian walked into them. He covered her in a heartfelt embrace that showed that he had missed her and she couldn't help but reciprocate the feeling.
"Hayley told me that the people are talking about us and sooner or later, we would be on the run again" Aaron answered before releasing her from his embrace.
She couldn't help but blame herself, she felt like the progenitor of ill luck. Everyone around her suffered, and worst, she couldn't understand why people could hate such loving set of people simply because they were born with a power they didn't have a choice on. And were killed without given a choice either.
"Don't do that"
"Do what?" Sian questioned out of curiosity
"The thing where you blame yourself for all that's been happening. Even if you weren't here, we would still be hunted because we are Elementals so you need not beat yourself up" He answered before pecking her on the forehead. "Now go get some rest" He advised.
"But the party hasn't started yet" An unfamiliar tone chipped in, abruptly putting an end to the father and daughter moment. "Is this the girl Edmund?" The man asked just before a second figure appeared, followed by a third
"I'm sorry but we don't know what you're talking about"Aaron returned. He was now on his feet, his blade already in his grip.
He motioned for Sian for leave but she was unyielding, she had her staff by her side and she wasn't planning on leaving without getting it stained with blood.
"Yes, it appears Harold was right after all" The second figure commented while the floating one kept silent and watched from above.
They all looked like joke to mere eyes, nothing looked harmful about them. In fact the cheerfulness of the first man and the way another floated on air almost made her think they were circus performers.
Aaron had ignored them and grabbed Sian by the elbow and decided to walk inside when the floating man finally spoke."You dare turn your back on us without a proper welcome?" He asked lowering himself down a bit. "You have broken the first rule of hospitality" He added before stretching forth his hand towards them.
Something about him suddenly changed. The little presence he gave off suddenly became a crippling mass of aura and bloodlust. The air around them began to rotate violently and it felt like air was being sucked out of their lungs.
"We're not supposed to kill her Harold" Edmund reminded as he put a hand on Harold's shoulder calming him. The air had stopped it's wild motion and they sooned regained control of their breathing. Suspecting the danger at hand, Aaron had gripped Sian even harder and immediately made his way inside the house.
"Run, find Warren and Lucas and get out of here" He instructed "I will buy you guys some time"
She looked at him with eyes that screamed 'Don't die on my Aaron!' before running off. He understood perfectly well and smiled at her with reassurance before she disappeared.
The door blew open and the two of them walked in while the other glided majestically in.
"Are you supposed to stall us for her to get away?" Caleb asked a mocking grin on his face. "I wouldn't recommend it" He advised as he drew the scythe that hung behind him and rushed at Aaron with incredible speed and accuracy. Their weapons collided and the force threw both a bit off their feet but they were quick to recover.
The mere accuracy and intensity of his strikes were more than enough to tell him that he was clearly at the disadvantage and things will only get worse if any amongst the two interfered but it wasn't looking like they would interfere anytime soon.
His offender wore an undying smile on his face as he delivered every blow and strike. He was already on his limits with the physical exchange and had implored his Elemental prowess mid fight catching the smiling boy off guard and burning his shoulder.
Caleb made quick summersaults backwards to dodge more flames.
"You're good" He commented as landed at a safe distance away from the Aaron. "Seems I might have to get serious" He finished and rushed at him again.
Aaron was fast to parry the attack and deflect another. This man was so fast he didn't get a chance to use his powers at all, he averted another attack and at the same time, released a wave of flame with the same swipe. Caleb used the curved part of his weapon to breakthrough the attack and in a swift moment, amputated Aarons left hand.
His wound bled endlessly but he was resilient, he would rather die than have these bastards take Sian. He tied up the injury with his clothes to stop the bleeding before rushing towards the laughing maniac. He would break his limits and bring down these men with the wildest conflagration. But the second Figure had interfered and his flames were gone within an instant.
"Careful now Caleb, an attack like that won't leave you unscathed" Edmund said. He had just finished talking when Harold had shielded them both.
'He had solidified air..... Impossible!' Aaron screamed in his mind.
"You should never be distracted in a fight" Harold Said to the two as he undid his shield .
Aaron had rushed at them once again but he was pushed backwards in an instant by a sudden gust of wind knocking him into a pile of burning furniture. He rose in an instant and stood against the trio in front of him, His looks were nothing like they used to be. The burns and injuries had left him looking grim, but his terrifying appearance left no mark in the resolve of his enemies.
He rushed at them again but he was always pushed backwards in an instant. Now his whole body was burning and it felt like the blood in him now made of flowing fire. The look in his eyes had changed and he rushed at them with the last strength he had, overcoming the barrier that troubled him and reached them in an instant. They were taken by surprise at the sudden burst of energy and speed but Harold was quick to intervene, another shield of solidified air gave them a brief moment to recollect their senses but the shield didn't hold. Aaron had broken past and his blade had slashed the knee of Caleb immobilizing him instantly,
The flames around him added more to the lethality of his attacks. He wasn't done with just a cut, in a flash, he delivered a kick to his smiling enemy's chest and sent flying .
Blood spluttered out of Caleb's mouth as he flew backwards but was aided by Harold who broke his fall with the wind. The man In front of him was nothing like he was minutes ago. What stood in front of them now was no longer a man, but a monster.
Aaron had run out energy and now at his limits but he wouldn't give his enemies the chance to get pass him so easily. He tried to move but he couldn't, his body couldn't move anymore. His Katana fell to the floor and his hand went numb. Tears dropped down from his eyes as his numb body collapsed to the floor. He had a peaceful smile on his face as his tears flowed. He had no regrets, he was going to die in peace knowing that Sian was safe and already far away from this place.
"You fought well, but it seems you overstressed your body and now at your limits, I will give you the death of a warrior a fast and painless death" Edmund commended just before he drove his blade into Aarons heart.