Embers of the Past

by Bethany Atwood

  “That’s something I figure many people are afraid of, professor. How are we supposed to be safe from attack if Eartheners do strike?” The demoness questions, Rebecca’s smile growing slightly before she responds.

  “We’ve received word that another dragon is going to come visit the island alongside Selanius, we hope that will be deterrent enough to keep the Eartheners away, yet if it isn’t, we’re also preparing. The earthquake didn’t damage anything other than the barrier runes, so the school is intact and still standing strong. The headmistress is preparing to issue a new rule change, we’d all been discussing it for the past few weeks, ever since these events began to transpire, but she feels now is the right time to enact it.”

  “What rule change, professor?” Mer’ania looks considerably confused as to what rule could be changed, her gaze lingering on Rebecca as her smile softens.

  “Once she makes her announcements, all students will be allowed to fight and defend themselves, should there come a time when that is needed. If our dragon friends do not serve as enough of a deterrent, then we all need to be prepared to protect ourselves and each other. This may not be a battle any of us had wanted, but it is one we must fight if we are to ensure our safety and happiness.” Mer’ania nods in understanding, realizing just what the change means and what is being anticipated.

  “I hope you and the other students can find it in yourselves to relax and try not to get too worked up. I’d better return to Kagura, if she’s feeling better later then she’ll likely head back to your dorm, but if not, then she’ll stay with me for the night.” After the demoness nods once more Rebecca retreats into her room, Mer’ania sighing as she heads to the fourth-year common area.

  ~

  “What a day, Fluff… An earthquake, aftershocks, the barrier falling, it’s so stressful…” Mer’ania sighs out, her familiar nuzzling into her hand gently as she speaks.

  “Life’s like that sometimes, stressful and tiring, but I’ll always be here to comfort you.” Fluff mewls out, the demoness smiling down at her familiar before stroking along her spine.

  “I know you will, Fluff… I’m grateful to have you here, you always brighten my life.” Fluff begins to purr softly, gently, as Mer’ania pets down her back, the demoness only pausing when she hears the door to the dorm open. Kagura silently steps into the room, cheeks a softer shade of red than her eyes, the brunette approaching her bed with heavy steps before slumping onto it and curling up on her side. Mer’ania remains still while watching this, then slowly gets up and approaches Kagura before kneeling beside her bed.

  “Hey, Kags… How are you holding up?” She asks with a softness to her voice, Kagura just shaking her head before clenching her eyes shut.

  “Horribly…” The brunette mutters in reply, a shaky exhale of breath coming before she speaks again. “My head still hurts, my chest hurts from crying so much, I hardly had any appetite for food… I hate this… I hate being so afraid…”

  “I know, Kags, I know… I’m afraid too, even with Selanius here I’m still not sure we’ll be completely safe… But, I know that things can change, that things will get better. Even if it’s not tomorrow, we can fight, protect each other and help protect those around. You’re a brilliant fighter, Kagura, I’ve seen it myself, with your fans you’re fast, nimble, you even held your own against that Earthener for a while.”

  “I… I suppose so, Mer… But…” Before Kagura gets a chance to say anything further she’s interrupted by Mer’ania, eyes opening to look at the demoness as she speaks.

  “But nothing Kagura. I know this isn’t a battle anyone can hope to win alone, but we aren’t alone. I have you, you have me, the whole school has each other, we can fight anyone who threatens us, who tries to hurt us, and there isn’t a damn thing those Earthener bastards can do to stop us. There are so, so many mages out there who can and will defend the cities, the people of each nation, people like your mother, I know you want to help, that you feel helpless, but risking yourself out there isn’t helping.” As Mer’ania falls silent Kagura clenches her eyes shut again, tears quickly welling up before she buries her face in her hands.

  “I’m such an idiot… Stupid, stupid, stupid…” She murmurs as the first tear rolls down her cheek, Mer’ania quickly gathering her up in her arms and holding her close. “I get anxious, I come up with stupid ideas, I… I hate myself for not being strong enough, and I get more anxious…”

  “Shh… You aren’t an idiot, Kagura. Everyone does stupid things sometimes, especially when stressed, and I know better than nearly anyone else what stress does to you. But you’re better than this, I know you are. You just need help, everyone needs help sometimes, and really, that isn’t a bad thing.” Keeping Kagura close, Mer’ania lets her cry as much and for as long as she needs to, the smaller teen clinging to the demoness out of instinct.

  After a few minutes Kagura begins to calm down, soft sniffling replacing more audible sobbing, Mer’ania gently drying her eyes with strokes of her thumbs before smiling down at her.

  “Better?” She softly asks, Kagura nodding slowly before resting her cheek against Mer’ania’s shoulder and sighing.

  “Better…” Kagura murmurs a response before jolting slightly as an aftershock from the earlier earthquake rumbles out, not as powerful but still strong enough to rattle things and shake the building for a few moments.

  “Shh, shh… It’s just an aftershock, Kags…” Kagura’s grip on Mer’ania loosens gradually as the momentary spike in anxiety begins to fade, a nod being given before she gently scoots backwards onto her bed.

  “Right, r… Right… Just an aftershock, nothing… Nothing to worry about…”

  “Here, why don’t we get changed into pajamas and cuddle for a bit, would that help? We can even let Fluff and Seraphine join us, I’m sure they’d enjoy that chance.” Mer’ania offers, Kagura almost immediately nodding while a small smile forms. The two slowly stand and spend a few minutes changing into their respective pajamas, Kagura gingerly scooping Seraphine up into her arms before stepping over to her girlfriend’s bed.

  Mer’ania all too casually lifts Kagura onto the slightly raised bed and lets her scoot over against the wall, then settles in beside her, Fluff bounding up onto her lap while Seraphine settles onto Kagura’s. The two familiars rub noses with one another for a few moments, while Mer’ania drapes an arm around the shorter teen’s shoulders, tugging her in close and letting her get comfortable. Once she settles Kagura lets her eyes fall shut, the presence of Mer’ania and the warmth and gentle vibration of Seraphine proving to be of considerable comfort to her.

  “I love you, Kagura, I hope you know that.” The demoness softly says after a few minutes of silence, a kiss being pressed to the brunette’s head before she can speak, though the slow growing of her smile and the presence of a blush on her cheeks betrays her slightly improved mood.

  “I love you too, Mer’ania, more than all the stars in the night sky.”

  Chapter 13: The Heat of the Moment

  “Kagura, you need to wake up!”

  As a panic filled voice calls out to her, Kagura groans and slowly stirs awake, eyes being rubbed at momentarily before she opens them and looks around.

  “Mer? It’s… I don’t even know what time it is, but it’s dark… Why’d you wake me?” The brunette asks with tiredness apparent in her voice, Mer’ania glancing over towards the window just as a bright flash of light becomes visible.

  “Kagura, it’s the Eartheners, they’re attacking.” Speaking with a soft yet fearful tone to her voice, Mer’ania kneels and looks back at Kagura, who’s face quickly begins to fill with panic as she begins understanding what she said. With no hesitation the smaller teen scrambles up out of bed, Seraphine bounding up onto shoulders just as Fluff had done with Mer’ania.

  “Headmistress Amethyst has allowed all students to fight, and the two dragons on the island are doing their part as well, but… These are experienced mages we’re up against, do we even stand a cha
nce?” Kagura glances away from Mer’ania while the demoness speaks, seeming unsure of what to say, but before long she does say something, a sigh escaping beforehand.

  “Mer, I don’t know… But we must do something… I… I refuse to let those bastards kill anyone else, e… Even if I’m afraid, I’m going to fight, I can’t… I can’t be weak, I have to fight…” Kagura takes Mer’ania’s hand once she falls silent, the two running out of the dorm and outside as fast as they can manage. As they exit they’re greeted with cold air, pierced with occasional waves of heat from flame spells. The two summon their weapons while their familiars clamber down to the ground, then look towards each other before nodding and splitting off.

  Kagura races across the cold ground as she looks for anyone who seems in need of help, Seraphine following her close behind, both student and familiar soon reaching a group of first and second year students near Selanius. Just as she begins to slow herself she sees a wave of fire cascade out towards two first year girls, and as if acting on instinct she leaps into action, fighting back the fire with a strong gust of wind sent off with a wave of her right fan.

  “Get to hiding! If you don’t think you can fight, hide, stay safe!” She calls out to the two girls while keeping her attention on the mages in front of her, a concentrated ball of fire being sent towards her after a few moments. Kagura twirls in place and fans the ball of fire, directing it back at the mages and scoring a hit on the one who cast it.

  “Nice job little mage, stay on your guard.” Selanius says before slamming a clawed hand down onto the ground, knocking a few mages off their feet from the shockwave. “I don’t know how long they intend to fight, so we must fight as long as we can to hold them off.” Kagura nods to the dragoness before looking towards the nearest hostile mages and going on the offensive, running towards them before leaping into the air and slamming both fans onto the ground, a big wave of flames racing towards them upon impact.

  With every mage felled more take their place, a seemingly endless assault of mages, yet despite this, despite how hopeless this feels, everyone presses on. Kagura, using what energy she has alongside a sudden surge of adrenaline, sends spell after spell toward the mages, deflecting and dodging their attacks before countering and striking hard. Elsewhere on the island, Mer’ania fends off mages alongside the other dragoness the island is playing host to, ice dragon Celaria. Brandishing her war hammer, it’s long, black steel ending in a large red steel head with a spike on one side and a flat end on the other, the demoness slams it into the ground, sending a wave of chilling air outward that freezes the dew on the grass and makes the ground more treacherous.

  “They were so worried about losing they sent a monster to fight for them, hmm? Burnt skins like you don’t deserve magic, but finally we get to teach you a lesson, all of you.” A dark haired male spits out with a sneer, Mer’ania scowling at the words he elects to use.

  “You want to teach me a lesson? Then come teach me, little boy, I’m waiting.” She retorts with a dry expression and an unamused tone, the male taking the bait and charging at her. When he’s close enough she slams her hammer into the ground, sending out a wave of wind that sends the mage airborne, then she swings the hammer while forming a ball of flames on it’s head, the flames being sent right at the mage, swiftly taking him out. The dragoness she’d been fighting by grins slyly once done fending off a few mages, the now frozen Eartheners being swiftly thrown into the waters.

  “It’s been so long since I’ve seen fighting like this, if this is how skilled you are at your age then I’m certain all of you will become wonderful mages. If you’d like to go help others, I can hold down this part of the island.” Celaria breathes out, chilling the air with her very words, Mer’ania nodding and running off down the island with Fluff hot on her tail. Finding a few first years feebly attempting to cast spells at an approaching mage she steps in front of them and assumes a defensive stance, the mage seeming unamused at having his prior targets taken from him.

  ~

  For three and a half long hours the fighting rages on, but ultimately the Eartheners give up and retreat, finding themselves unable to gain any ground against the might of the teachers, students, and dragons. Those able to teleport away, while those who are knocked out or restrained are rounded up for the mage police to collect. The slowly rising sun breaks through the darkness of the night and gives way to a dazzling sunrise, those who fought looking rather weary due to effort exhausted at such an early hour.

  Mer’ania, too fueled by adrenaline to be tired, begins to trek around the island, looking for Kagura. As she walks she looks over the students she can see, some bearing injuries, others seeming as if they’d just drank three cups of coffee, yet none looking to be horribly injured. After roughly ten minutes she finds Kagura, the diminutive brunette laid in the grass near Selanius, Demetri and Professor Melangreve at her side. Seeing Kagura awake, eyes wide open yet with noticeable tiredness in them, she kneels at her side, a soft smile visible as she does.

  “Hey Kags…” She begins to say, Kagura looking to her upon hearing her voice while her smile gradually grows. “That was some fight, huh?”

  “Y… Yeah, Mer… We did it, though… We chased them away…” Kagura quietly says, seeming as if she could fall asleep at any moment, yet at the same time looking as if she’s fighting to stay awake. “The bastards- I mean… The jerks hit me, though…” After correcting herself, not wanting to swear around her mother, she lifts her right arm, which Demetri had been tending to, revealing the burns covering much of it’s lower half.

  “You all did wonderfully this morning, you should be proud of yourselves.” Rebecca smiles as she looks between Kagura, Demetri, and Mer’ania, a tear being wiped away before it could roll down her cheek. “I know I’m proud of all of you, fighting without hesitation, protecting those who couldn’t fight… You’re shaping up to become some of the best mages Sanctus has ever seen.”

  “Why did the Eartheners attack, though?” Demetri questions as he resumes tending to Kagura’s arm, spells helping speed along the healing so that the brunette is in less pain as scarring forms. “And… Was Sanctus the only place they struck?”

  “No one is entirely sure why they attacked, other than the assumption that they saw the barrier down and decided to use the opportunity to strike us. They orchestrated attacks on a few other cities as well, though nothing widespread, but they weren’t able to get very far before the attacks were halted.” Rebecca explains, looking between the three teens as she does.

  “At any rate, with the attack stopped, I think it would be best for everyone to head inside, get cleaned up and rest. Headmistress Amethyst has cancelled classes for today in light of the attack, so everyone can get some more sleep, eat, do whatever they’d like to help put this behind them. I need to bring Kagura to the medical ward, while Demetri’s spellwork does look to have sped up the healing process, she will need to have the burns tended to and bandaged while the skin scars over.”

  “Thanks by the way, Demetri… I appreciate that you came to help, it’s good that not many were injured…” Kagura says while grinning slightly, Demetri unable to resist smiling back before chuckling.

  “Hey, you were out there fighting hard, protecting others, I heard you telling some first years to go hide before you charged in to fight, that takes guts Grins. Go rest up, get better, you deserve to relax a while.” Kagura nods as he speaks, smile growing further, her gaze soon falling onto Mer’ania who’d been watching in silence.

  “I’ll see you later today, alright Mer? Bring Seraphine to the dorm for me, please, she deserves some rest as well.” The demoness nods before looking to the darker furred familiar, Seraphine climbing up an arm and settling on her shoulders before lapping at her cheek lightly. Smiling still, Kagura looks to Rebecca, who smiles back to her before gently lifting her into her arms and standing, the teen draping her injured limb across her chest in the process. Closing her eyes fully, tiredness finally overtaking her, she falls aslee
p in her mother’s arms, comforted with the knowledge that she helped protect others, and that she is safe.

  ~

  “Hey Mer’ania, where’s Kagura?” Malchion asks while glancing around the cafeteria, the overall mood a subdued one, especially with a fair few students presently in the medical ward for treatment.

  “She’s in the medical ward right now, during the battle earlier she was burned, so her arm is being tended to.” The demoness explains, her mood rather positive despite the events of the morning. After the battle she carried Seraphine and Fluff to her dorm, then made herself look presentable and dressed in a comfortable outfit before heading to the common area, electing to not nap due to a lack of tiredness.

  “Let’s pay her a visit after lunch, with lessons cancelled for the day I can’t think of anything better to do, and I’m sure she’d appreciate the company.” Demetri hums out his words before focusing on the food in front of him, though everyone’s attention is quickly gathered by the headmistress, who begins to address the cafeteria while students eat.

  “Good afternoon students. I would like to thank each and every one of you who helped defend our school this morning when the Eartheners attacked. I know that may have been the first time any of you were in an actual battle, and not just one in a lesson, I am so very proud of how much you’ve all learned, the skill you showed as you fought the invaders.” Amethyst says with a warm expression shining bright, her gaze drifting across the cafeteria for a few moments.