Two days have passed since Kagami accepted Alexandra's offer to be her student. Kagami used the first day to heal properly. Her supernatural healing abilities are only activated during her passive state of rest.
With footsteps as light as a lily pad resting on a bed of water, Alexandra walked to Kagami's room brimming with excitement. In her left hand was a small golden gong, hanging from a white rope, and in her right hand was the mallet. Alexandra stood in front of Kagami's door, her eyes beaming with excitement for the event that would transpire. She then slowly cracked the door open and busted through it, with the energy of a child on Christmas morning, as she repeatedly and rapidly struck the gong.
"Wakey, wakey, Kagami! Today is your first day of training under the great and alluring Master Alexandra."
Alexandra stated with an obnoxiously proud face and a puffed-out chest. That smugness quickly turned into confusion as Alexandra saw an empty unmade bed with Kagami nowhere to be seen.
"Humph! Humph!"
Alexandra heard soft grunting sounds coming from the courtyard. As she walked to the window overlooking the courtyard, the grunting sounds got louder as she saw Kagami in the middle of an octagon symbol made of concrete. She was wearing a black sports bra and grey jogger, with her hair tied up and her hands wrapped, exercising vigorously.
3 sets of 10 push-ups
3 sets of 5 one arm push-ups on each side
3 sets of 10 handstand push-ups
10 minutes of shadowboxing
Alexandra saw the hard work and pure focus of Kagami and gave a slight smirk.
"She's gonna be tougher to break down than I thought."
Alexandra thought to herself as she proceeded to walk out of the room, down the stairs and out the sliding door to the courtyard. Walking to Kagami, Alexandra saw her pet dragon lying against the concrete wall near the Temple. Alexandra then stated to Luminaron:
"Lumi, I see our friend has been busy."
As the dragon poked her head up and saw her master and then looked at Kagami, she exhaled heavily as she rolled to her back, her golden belly facing the sky. Alexandra moved along to Kagami who was amidst her shadow-boxing session.
The sweat drops that accumulated on her body were now being flung off with every strike and combination she made. Alexandra noticed that Kagami's strikes had plenty of power and furry, but lacked technique and precision. Alexandra then looked at Kagami's eyes, noticing the lightened dark circles around them.
"Good morning, Kagami. I see you slept well."
Alexandra sarcastically commented, as Kagami stopped her session, breathing heavily as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"I'm ready to get started," Kagami stated.
"I can see that. You ruined my whole plan this morning. I had such a wonderful surprise for you."
Alexandra said with severe disappointment in her words as she pouted at Kagami.
Kagami refused to entertain her and reiterated her first statement.
Alexandra quickly stopped her fun.
"Okay then, let's get started," Alexandra said, as she sat down on the ground, legs crossed and hands placed on her knees.
Kagami with a confused expression asked:
"What are you doing?"
"Before we begin any actual training, you need to know what exactly you are and how training will work now and going forward," Alexandra explained.
"I don't care about all that. Just say what I must do, and I'll do it," Kagami responded.
"You failed to save Kanna because you knew nothing of your abilities. What excuse will you use if you're unable to save her this time I wonder?"
Kagami rolled her eyes in annoyance, but knew full well what Alexandra said was correct. She could not fail. There might not be another chance to save Kanna if she failed again. Kagami got down to the ground to sit. One leg was placed out straight while the other was bent at an angle. Her hands were placed behind her for support.
"Kagami, you are what we call a holder."
"Holder?" Kagami questioned.
"Holders can wield and control the elements of the world. In your case, that's the element of fire. Elemental holders can awaken at different stages of their life, it's seldom the same."
Kagami leaned forward, out of her semi-relaxed position, and stated: "You said holders, like…as in more than one?"
"Yes, there are more holders than just you, but I'm not sure if they have all awakened yet. Stand up for me."
Alexandra asked, as she stood up from the ground with Kagami following suit. Kagami was then instructed to close her eyes and focus on her breathing.
"Kagami, I want you to remember how you felt the day you awakened your ability and tell me what you see."
Kagami quickly emptied her mind, dulling all of her senses and allowed herself to hear the slow and autonomic sounds of her beating heart. The memories of the attack on Hogo village flooded her mind. The returning feeling of her body heating up and her instincts sharpening when she was fighting Cindara. The image in Kagami's mind quickly changed as she saw a closed wooden door of dark oak wood with a golden doorknob. Fire swirled and breathed from the door, surrounding it, forming a feminine figure made from the door's flames. Its golden eyes and fiery body shimmered in the darkness of Kagami's mind. All of which culminated in Kagami's body bursting into flames. Her eyes opened, glowing, as she saw how the flames from her body wrapped and spiralled around her with the spontaneity of a spirit dancer.
"The figure you saw in your mind was Ignis, the physical embodiment of the fire element. Being her holder gives you the ability to wield and control fire with an added increase in strength, durability, and healing compared to your average human. Although, it is still possible for you to sustain long-term injury."
Kagami allowed her thoughts to flow back to the present with her flames dimming and eventually snuffing themselves out.
"So, why me? Why am I a holder?" Kagami asked.
"There are two pathways for a holder to be born. The first is if the previous holder died, then their ability will seek out a new holder, choosing a new successor. The second is by familial blood, where the ability will be succeeded by the holder's offspring or by choosing someone that they deem worthy, so long as they share blood."
After hearing Alexandra's explanation of what Kagami is, it just led to her having more questions, especially about Kanna.
"What does any of this have to do with Kanna? Why was she taken and how do you know that she's alive?"
Alexandra realised that the conversation could quickly spiral deeper and believed that Kagami was not ready for all the truths of this world. Kagami had a singular and unwavering goal, which kept her on the path she needed to be on. If she dug further into the mystery of it all she might get lost and never come back.
"I can't tell you why just yet, Kagami, but I need you to trust in me that I have reasons not to. Please, trust me in that regard."
Kagami's face could not hide the annoyance. After all, Alexandra was the one who dug this rabbit hole, but after what Alexandra had done for her in that short amount of time, Kagami at least gave her that much.
Alexandra gave a smile of gratitude for the trust Kagami had shown. She then walked to a wooden crate situated outside of the octagon. After rummaging through the crate Alexnadra pulled out a black weighted vest with four cuffs to match. All gently placed on the inside of the octagon.
"Your training will be part physical and part elemental. By increasing your physical capabilities you'll gain more control over your elemental power. Let me help you put these on."
Alexandra stated as she strapped the ankle and wrist weights onto Kagami who felt the overwhelming weight pulling her down by her arm and a tremendous downward force when the vest was placed.
"Damn, how much do these things weigh."
"The wrists and ankles weigh about 5kg and the vest 50kg," Alexandra said to Kagami with a devious smile, as she instructed Kagami to run laps around the octagon.
Kagami's running was more akin to light powerwalking. She struggled to carry the weight on her fourth lap and so Kagami, involuntarily, activated her abilities, her eyes glowed and small flames burst from her shoulders, the weight became exponentially lighter.
"No!" Alexandra yelled, as she struck Kagami's head with the side of her hand.
Kagami's ability was quickly deactivated.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?" Kagami exclaimed, to a dissatisfied Alexandra.
"Your powers make it easier. You'll never get stronger by using them as a crutch."
Kagami noticed how different Alexandra's demeanour changed from her casual interactions compared to her "teacher mode". She further felt this change during her laps. Every time she instinctively activated her abilities she would meet the swift strike of Alexandra's hand. After an hour of running Kagami was allowed to remove the weights and rest. She did so while she sat and rubbed the top of her head, stinging from the strikes she received as well as dealing with her aching body.
"You didn't need to hit me so hard you know!"
Kagami said scoldingly to Alexandra, who was setting up targets on the wall to the right of the temple.
"No pain, no gain," Alexandra said, with an outstretched tongue and a wink to Kagami who was not entertained.
Although, Kagami did wonder what Alexandra had in store next.
The proud teacher quickly went into the temple and brought out a tray with a glass holding a light green liquid.
"Here, drink this," Alexandra instructed Kagami.
After a few gulps, Kagami could feel her body's aching pain being swiftly washed away by the drink. Although there was still some pain, it was so minuscule it was nearly unrecognisable.
"What you just drank was Sanatio essence. It has phenomenal healing capabilities. But always dilute it with other liquids. The potency of the undiluted version can cause intense withdrawal symptoms."
Alexandra explained to Kagami.
Upon finishing the drink and with a new rejuvenated feeling she was ready for what was to come next.
"Alright, let's begin the next part of training," Alexandra stated, helping Kagami back to her feet.
"For your next exercise, you'll need to hit the target with a fire attack."
"Easy enough," Kagami commented, but Alexandra took steps further back.
"From here," Alexandra said, who now stood roughly 50 meters from the targets.
"Oh…"
***
An uncomfortable Kanna kept tossing and turning on the warm ground of the dungeon. It was not the warmth of the room that stopped her from sleeping, but more so the fear of what was to come. It had been 2 days since Kanna was thrown into her prison cell with the rest of the prisoners. Being brought three meals a day consisting of bread and sliced meat. Each meal came with the same vile of light green liquid that she took to heal her knee. Kanna stopped taking them and allowed another prisoner to have them. The prisoner was male, in his late twenties and had a chronic itch with visible scars on his forearms from the excessive and violent scratching.
*Creeaaak*
The sound of the old wooden door that led to the dungeon alerted all the captives in their cells. Although it had been two days without an incident, the captives never dropped their guard. The shadow of an individual cast itself on the ground and grew ever smaller the closer they came. The soft sound of bone hitting the ground grew louder until Fenrir appeared in front of the captives. His crimson eyes shimmered in the dimly lit room as he calmly uttered:
"Wake up, it is time to get back to work."
As he opened the cell door and allowed the prisoners to exit, Kanna glared at the gentlemen-like wolf upon her exit.
"Have you healed, my lady?" Fenrir asked.
Kanna held her leg remembering the sharp pain inflicted on her. She left his gaze and quickly looked down. Whilst all the captives were led out of the dungeon, Kanna's heart skipped a beat. Her mouth dried due to the heaving breaths she was drawing. Her pupils dilated as she saw Cindara leaning against the adjacent wall to the entrance of the dungeon.
"Well, look who fully healed."
Cindara joyfully stated, as she approached Kanna and caressed her face. She gave Kanna a wickedly devious smile.
Kanna could not bear to look at Cindara, as her gaze met the ground and her body trembled with fear. The images of the corpses, Cindara left, flushed Kanna's mind.
"Don't look so anxious, my prey. I'm not here for you."
Cindara stated, as she ordered the other prisoners to stand against the wall in a single-file line.
"Why isn't she coming with us? Working the mines is already as difficult as it is with only ten of us! We need more help."
"Mines?"
Kanna questioned, but gave more attention to the young girl who spoke. The girl looked a few years younger than her. She was not as vocal in the past two days as she was now, but after resting for so long she instinctively argued.
Cindara, with a pleasant smile, walked up to the young girl. Cindara caressed her bleach-coloured fingertip across the girl's lips.
The young girl quickly regretted opening her mouth.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- AAAAAAH!"
The young girl tried to speak as she fell to her knees. Her altered screams rang across the hallway as blood poured from the girl's mouth, dispersing all over the ground.
From Cindara's fingers, dangled the young girl's bloodied tongue.
Kanna placed her hand in front of her mouth with an expression of sheer horror.
"Let me remind you all that there are fates worse than death."
Cindara said, ever so deviously with a smile to match. She peered into the eyes of the remaining nine prisoners who quacked with fear, all except for two of them. Cindara dragged the young girl by her hair, down the corridor with the others following.
A stunned Kanna could not take her eyes off the pool of blood which served as a reminder of the type of danger she was in.
"It is time to go, my lady."
Fenrir stated, as he walked in the opposite direction of Cindara.
Kanna followed three steps behind. The lilac gems illuminated the hallway. The tense and fearful atmosphere it created smothered Kanna as it flashed across her face.
The pair entered Bellinor's throne room and walked to the wall on the right side of the room. Fenrir stood in front of the wall as a dark purple symbol appeared, the same as the one on Bellinor's necklace, to which that section of the wall then disappeared. Behind the wall was a hidden room and in it was Vermillia, who stood in the top left corner above a glowing green cauldron.
"Vermillia, I have brought her," Fenrir said, shoving Kanan into the room.
"Thank you, Fenrir," Vermillia said in her old and decrepit voice, as Fenrir walked away and the wall reappeared.
The darkness that swallowed the room dragged Kanna's nerves near their breaking point. The only thing allowing her to see was the dim glow of the cauldron as the cloaked witch watched it closely.
"Have a seat," Vermillia said, as she snapped her fingers.
A conglomerate of gems that hung from the ceiling lit up, flooding the room. Kanna proceeded to sit on the bed that was in the room, while Vermillia walked over to a crate and pulled out a golden flower to put into the cauldron.
"Perfect."
Vermillia stated, and moved from the cauldron to the desk located at the end of the room, where the red book was placed. Vermillia sat down with her back turned to Kanna and opened it. Its hidden text appeared, and she began to decipher the words.
Kanna attempted to distract her mind from her current predicament. She turned her head to the crate and wondered what the flower Vermillia had taken was. She slowly stood up from the bed in an attempt to reach the crate, but in an instant, the shadow figure jumped from Verrmillia's back and appeared right in front of Kanna. Its abnormally long limbs and wide grin created more unease in the already unsettling situation.
"What do you think you are doing?" Vermillia questioned. Her back remained turned, deciphering the book.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do given my situation."
Kanna responded, sitting back on the bed.
"You are only alive because you are needed. When that need ceases you shall know true despair."
"Enough Veron," Vermillia said, as the shadow stepped back.
"If acquiring knowledge keeps you from being a disturbance then I shall allow it. Veron, retrieve the book of the Great Creator Forest."
The shadow demon retrieved a moss-green book from the shelf, handed it to Kanna and returned to Vermillia.
Kanna began to read. The book held deep knowledge of the Great Creator Forest, more than the textbooks she had for school. The Great Creator Forest was made by an entity that evolved from human beings created by the primordia. She indulged herself in the life and beauty of nature and eventually became one with it. Her body was absorbed into the soil of the earth and from it sprouted the world tree, forming the heart of what eventually became the Great Creator Forest. Encompassing both Southern and Eastern Katheroth. After two hours of reading, Kanna came across the flower she had seen in the witch's crate. It was called the Dawn Flower. It grew in the weeping pond of the forest. The supernatural healing ability of the flower was unlike anything known to this world. The book emphasised the flower's negative effects on humans. The first was the severe dependence the flower created. Its innate addictive properties left users dependent on it and created intense withdrawal symptoms from their users. Before Kanna could read any further, she heard the same high-pitched whistling from two days ago emanating from the walls.
"He has returned."
Vermillia said, as she stopped her work and got up from her desk.
The sound of footsteps struck the ground and metal clanging against metal grew louder until the wall separating Bellinor's thrown room and Vermillia's chambers vanished.
Vermillia bowed as the one who had entered was Bellinor himself.
"My Lord."
"Rise Vermillia, we have more guests to attend to."
Bellinor looked at Kanna with the book in her lap.
Kanna attempted to not look him in the eyes.
"That's a great book. Be sure to take care of it."
Bellinor stepped back into the thrown room with Vermillia following.
Vermillia gestured to Kanna to leave the room.
Upon her exit, she saw a group of fifteen people with varied genders, ages, and ethnicities like the people she had met in her cell. All of them were wearing worn-out clothes with shackles bonded to their feet and arms. All presented with fresh cuts and bruises. Next to the group was a male figure that wore black and white striped clothing and a white mask that had a wide grin and crescent moon eyes.
"The boss wanted me to reiterate that it is a pleasure doing business with you again, Lord Bellinor." The masked man said, as he bowed.
"Your boss makes it easy."
"I shall deliver your sentiments."
"Excellent, now for what you are owed."
Bellinor said, as the bony footsteps of Fenrir could be heard walking to the throne room along with a prisoner who carried a box with mixed iron and gold ore.
The prisoner placed the box in front of the masked man.
Kanna recognised that the prisoner was one of the two who remained calm during Cindara's earlier display of brutality.
"As per our agreement."
Bellinor stated to the masked man, who began to run his hands through the ore.
"Perfect. I must warn you this batch of criminals and runaways are more troublesome than the last."
The man said, as he dusted his hands of the ore.
"You, carry the crate outside for me."
The man ordered the prisoner as he readied himself to leave, but one of the runaways quickly opened their mouth.
"Screw you, bastard," The runaway shouted in defiance to the masked man.
Fenrir slowly raised his claws, but was stopped by Bellinor who approached the brave runaway. His sharp eyes peered into the depths of the runaway's very soul and placed them in a near trancelike state. Bellinor, in one swift motion, grabbed the throat of the runaway and lifted them off the ground.
In that same instance, the prisoner ran to Kanna and shielded her.
The runaway, gasping for breath, clawed and kicked in an attempt to be free, but it ultimately proved futile. Their pale skin turned purple and their eyes became bloodshot.
Bellinor's grip grew tighter and his hand emitted a purple energy that covered the runaway's throat. The smell of rotting flesh filled the room as Bellinor released the runaway.
Kanna gagged at the sight of the decayed throat as pieces of rotted skin and muscles fell to the ground and became dust. The runaway tried to scream, but no sound could be made. The runaway's vocal cords were destroyed.
"Refrain from angering me. I don't want to waste my precious resources."
Bellinor stated to the rest of the prisoners and gestured to Vermillia to take the runaway for healing.
"Well, that was fun, but this will conclude our business. You, carry the crate."
The masked man said to the prisoner who protected Kanna.
The prisoner turned back to Kanna. He patted her head and nodded, leaving with the masked man and Bellinor.
"I cannot wait to get on that beast of yours again."
The masked man's sentiments to Bellinor echoed in the hallway as they left.
"All of you with me, including you, my lady."
Fenrir said to the remaining prisoners and Kanna as he escorted them back to their cells.
***
After some time and determination, Kagami finally landed five consecutive long-range fire attacks on the targets. Scorch marks littered the ground and burn scars wrapped around the arms of Kagami, which began to heal.
"You can stop now, you've done well."
Alexandra said while she sat on her porch and petted the head of Luminaron.
Kagami placed her hands on her hip to catch her breath. Her forearms trembled from the overwork and pain.
"Can you give me some of that water?"
"I'll give you something even better."
Alexandra went to her crate and took out a white marble bracelet with a white and black mixed stone in the centre.
"What's this?"
"The next part of your training."
"Shouldn't I heal first?"
Kagami asked, but Alexandra just gave a lovingly sweet smile. Kagami feared what Alexandra had in store and reluctantly placed the band on her right wrist. Pain flooded her body. Her trembles changed into violent shakes and her breathing felt as if her lungs were being constricted, but through her sheer force of will she refused to fall to her knees.
"What the hell did you do to me?" Kagami uttered with an airy voice.
"Very impressive. Not many would still be standing after that."
Alexandra said, as she giggled softly.
"I hate this woman."
"The stone within the bracelet is an Eclipse stone. The materials that make up that gem inhibit the holder's abilities and, in some cases, nullify them. The pain you are feeling is due to your healing factor being reduced."
"How many more secrets do you have exactly?"
Kagami asked, but Alexandra put her finger to her lips and winked. Kagami at that point could not even get annoyed and just sighed.
"So, what must I do?"
"With the weights, you increased your physical strength and invertedly taught your abilities to react to your situation. With the targets, you had to focus more on accuracy while your healing passively activated. Thus you've gained a bit more control over your abilities. Now with those abilities inhibited, you need to forcefully activate them and hold that state to increase power, control, and body-to-ability connection. As a bonus, it will improve your healing factor's overall performance."
Kagami nodded, closed her eyes, and focused her mind. She felt the fire within her, but it was different this time around. It felt as if the flames that festered within her were placed in a sealed glass container and slowly shrank in size. Kagami snapped out of her concentrative state and gave a massive sigh of frustration.
"Getting frustrated will do you no good, Kagami."
"Oh, you don't say!"
Kagami said, in annoyance.
Alexandra replied to Kagami with a quote:
"'A house built on sand can never withstand the storm.' Have you ever heard that saying before?"
Kagami's mind ran to her previous encounter with Fenrir as those were words he said to her. Kagami remembered how helpless she was at that moment. She clenched her fist and nodded.
"You've built your foundation upon anger and stubbornness thus your house will never hold. You need to replace that foundation with something stronger, something…personal."
Kagami took Alexandra's words and placed them into her heart. She only had one personal moment that she could have used. She calmed herself, closed her eyes and began to focus. Kagami took herself back to the fire that killed her parents. Its warmth radiated on her skin and enveloped her like the embrace of a loving mother. Kagami attempted to walk into the house, but hesitated. At that moment she heard Alexandra's voice.
"Do not run from it. What happened to you was tragic, but it is the foundation that tried to break you, but it couldn't. It's the foundation that made you strong and it will be the reason for greater strength, but you must try and overcome it."
Alexandra said to Kagami, who threw away her hesitation and walked into the house's flames. Her encased inner fire was no larger than a lit match, but grew and filled the glass container. Cracks began to form and the flames began to leak out.
Slowly but surely, Kagami felt her powers swelling up, until a small flame formed on the right side of her eye.
"Brilliant."
Alexandra thought to herself as she gave a proud smile. Luminaron whimpered in the direction of Kagami as she sensed Kagami's saddened heart.
"I know girl, I know."
Alexandra said to Luminaron as they watched Kagami, who held that state for eighteen minutes. Alexandra instructed Kagami to end her training.
Kagami fell to the ground as a wave of exhaustion crashed over her.
Alexandra gave a proud applause as she walked to Kagami, who barely had the strength to lift her head from the ground.
"Alright then, let's do this."
Alexandra exclaimed, while she took off the marble cuff from Kagami's wrist. The second it was removed her passive healing activated and she felt such euphoric relief.
"You've done brilliantly for your first session with me."
Alexandra said to Kagami, who sat right up.
Luminaron moved swiftly over to the exhausted Kagami and plunged her face into Kagami's face, snuggling her.
Kagami began to stroke the underside of Luminaron's jaw. Kagami heard the dragon's soft purr and felt its light vibrations running through her. She gave a slight smirk as she continued to stroke Luminaron.
Alexandra noticed and felt her heart warm up.
"Kagami, do you know why I'm so adamant about changing your foundation?"
Kagami stopped her petting and shook her head.
Alexandra's facial expression changed to one of concern and then to regret.
"Kagami, you will inevitably meet other holders. Unfortunately, not all of them are good people. They see the power that they were blessed with and see themselves as gods. That type of complex can make men do horrible things. I knew a holder that was turning into a monster before my very eyes. I noticed it, but did nothing and allowed it to fester. One of my many mistakes. I refuse to make that same mistake with you."
Kagami stood up from the ground and looked deep into Alexandra's eyes.
"You are my responsibility and I yours."
Alexandra's eyes were glossed as she looked at Kagami and bowed. The two then went into the temple and then to the open-floor kitchen. Kagami took out a chair for herself and sat at the dining table, opposite the kitchen counter. Alexandra brought Kagami a tall glass of Sanatio water which Kagami drank in one big gulp. The light-green liquid dripped from the corners of her mouth. Kagami wiped off the remaining liquid and asked Alexandra:
"So, what do you have in store for me tomorrow, if this is what you are like on my first day?"
"Today wasn't your first day. Today was a crash course."
Kagami looked up at the ceiling in disbelief and thought to herself:
"(Scoffs) Of course."
*RIIINNGG *RIIINNGG
The sound of the landline in the kitchen caught Alexandra's attention. She walked back to the kitchen and picked it up.
"Hi Daniel… A what! We're on our way. Kagami, let's go."
"What's going on?" Kagami asked.
"A demon, with bones for skin was spotted in one of the farmlands, here in Northern Katheroth."
"A demon!"
Kagami echoed as she ran out of the temple with Alexandra and both climbed on the back of Luminaron as they jetted off into the sky.