The reason I want to save that child is purely selfish.
"Don't stop," she shouted as she wiped her forehead. Part of it was cut from its earlier strike and blood was washing down from it. "JUST KEEP RUNNING!" She began forcing herself back to her feet as her blades converged behind her. They stood as close to her as they could. Floating.
The boy continued running after he looked back. The lion's body continued healing as it was engulfed in flames. Its red glowing eyes still fixated on her. As soon as she made it back to her feet, she continued hyperventilating. She then raised her right hand aiming directly at it. She felt her vision blur.
Its groaning was loud as it shifted its gaze to the boy.
I see now…..I reacted as a reflexive action. I didn't even try to think on what was going on. Its real target is him…..to it, I am little more than an obstacle. What it wants is him. If I just stop…..it won't attack me.
She dropped her hand when she smiled. The words that came to her mind were, "Be kind, Brave and never turn your back on those who wish for help."
Like it even matters, she thought, I made a promise. She took off running, chasing after the boy. If what it wants is him then it has to be linked to the 'him' he was talking about. The lion turned to face the path she was taking. Its flaming mane being blown by the wind. It opened its maw as flames gathered on top of it. Crap! she exclaimed inwardly before she directed one of her blades at it.
The blade accelerated, sliding to the side of its maw, past its carnassial teeth, Right into the tongue before emerging on the other side. The blade completely cut its tongue off. The blades immediately reverted to a bracelet piece as the magic that gathered at its maw scattered. The bracelet piece immediately returned to her.
I don't know how long that wil-…. She thought before she was interrupted. She stumbled and fell as her body felt numb. She continued hyperventilating as her sight became more blurred. I am at my limit…. I don't think my body will hold anymore. She thought as she forced herself back to her feet. She turned to glance at the lion only to see it staring at her. To be more specific, it was staring beyond her, right at the boy.
It groaned in agony as flames gathered above its maw. Its severed tongue, still unattached. She began forcing herself back to her feet. She fell back to her knees. The lion released a stream of flames at her. Seeing this, she thought, One burst ... .just one burst. She jumped avoiding the flames before stepping on one of her blades.
She fell from the blade and then landed on the ground. She then fell to all fours as she felt her breath run shallow. The air was so hot it was becoming increasingly hard to breathe. She gasped for air, looking toward the boy as he continued running. She then thought, Good boy. If he can reach the trees, this big thing won't be able to maneuver that easily. He can easily outrun it.
She looked back at it. The flames that cloaked its body increased as it prepared to sprint. She began forcing herself back to her feet. Just a little more ... .I can dig a bit deeper…. just once more.
She forced herself back to her feet before she fell once more. Blood and sweat were running down her face as she was struggling to make it back to her feet. As she was trying to force herself back to her feet, a memory came to mind.
"Hey mom, I learnt something new…. do you want to see it," she said as she walked in. At the time, she was five years and brimming with excitement. She wanted her to see it.
"What is it honey?" The mother replied as she was reading a book.
"I learned to go beyond the temporal overdrive state that Dad taught me. I can't feel tired in my magic release so it shouldn't be a problem." She said as she began releasing a green aura.
"You did what!" The mother exclaimed in shock.
The lion dashed, aiming directly for the boy. Seeing this, her eyes widened as her aura intensified. The lion's pede was about to meet the boy when they clashed with her blades. Five blades assumed a circular formation. Its flame magic was clashing against her wind magic. Behind her blades, she stood with her hands crossed to guard.
The boy was floating, trapped in a sphere of air. Five of her blades were rotating around him as they were responsible for the sphere. They flew with him heading to the forest.
The memory continued;
"You did what!"
She smiled as she said, "My magic is a lot stronger now." The aura she was producing intensified.
"Don't move!" Her mother exclaimed, "Just stay still and revert back to normal."
"What's wrong?"
"Just do it!"
Her aura dissipated as she wondered what she did wrong.
"Good girl….never do that again, okay honey."
"Why not?" She asked.
As Anemone's wind magic clashed against the lion's fire magic, she began coughing as parts of her body began to tear. Her flesh was ripping apart. Small tears were forming all over it. Blood began dripping from her mouth.
"How do I put this ... .ummm. Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should. You see, we all have limits to what we are capable of doing."
"But I trained for it for like two months now."
"Even if that's the case, don't do it again. How do I put this_ when you train, your body becomes accustomed to a certain level of stress. You get used to it. But going beyond that level can have negative side effects."
"You mean like how when I run too much_ my body will start paining the next morning."
"Yeah, exactly like that. Magic might seem different but it works the exact same way. If you push yourself too hard, your flesh will start to tear and all kinds of other stuff will happen."
The flames covering its pede increased as they began reaching her passed the layer of wind generated by her blades. It overpowered her, sending her crashing into the ground. The blades that kept him afloat released him. They reverted to bracelet pieces as they flew towards her. He then fell to the ground.
He gazed at the beast as it stood towering over him. Its red glowing eyes looking down on him. Flames began gathering at its maw.
She lay on the ground coughing as she struggled to maintain consciousness. She agonized as she realized that more burns were inflicted on her. It's so hot. I feel like I am burning. She began forcing herself back to her feet only to see him standing at the lion's mercy.
Her aura lost its intensity as she fell back down. Her breath ran shallow as she could feel herself slipping. Drifting into a land of failed consciousness. No, I don't think my body has any wind left in it.
The lion released a stream of flames. A green light passed over the boy as she propelled herself toward him. She got him out of the way on time. She was right on top of him as her back got burned.
"Stupid boy, I told you to keep running." Blood rushed down her face as it dripped on him. She smiled before adding, "Get up and get going." She got off him, forcing herself back to her knees.
"What about you? What will you do?" He said as he began tearing up.
"I will buy more time for you to reach those trees." She said as she coughed. Blood was dripping from her mouth.
"But…. but if you stay any longer, you will die!" He exclaimed.
"I won't….you don't have to worry. I told you, didn't I? I won't be long … and I will protect you."
"But why! Why are you doing this? You only just met me!"
"It's because I met you" she coughed, "That I will protect you." I made a promise and I will live it. Just like mom and dad would have wanted.
The lion roared as the final blade that remained floating beside her placed its blunt against his torso. It propelled itself and him toward the forest. She felt her body weaken as she fell to the ground.
The flames that covered the lion dissipated as all its wounds had healed. Even its tongue was reattached. I am done….
The boy made it to the coil of roots. As soon as he did, the blade reverted to a bracelet piece as it fell to the ground. He then picked it up.
No....No…..No....I promised. I gave my word. I will keep going until I become a knight.
"Honey… honey….that's not how you are supposed to pronounce that."
"It isn't," she asked, her gaze squarely fixed on the book.