The Ark Of At Abi's Grave

The day had started early for the young Valkyrie. A very gloomy day for the young girl. Dawn had yet to break, but Mavislin was up.

"It's her birthday," murmured the young girl.

She didn't want to let Baldwin know about it. She stood silently at his room door. She thought twice about asking the couple to accompany her. Perhaps it's best to have a private moment with her best friend.

The child turned her entire room upside-down to find Abi the perfect gift. The Old Chapel tried her best as well to produce a wide array of toys and plushies. Finally, Mavislin chanced upon a purple, woolen blanket. The blanket was decorated with yellow stars, similar to Abi's toy.

"This one. Thank you," mumbled the Valkyrie as she folded the blanket nicely.

The Old Chapel quickly kept the rest of the plushies and made sure the room had been cleared of any noise. It was like their little secret. But the Old Chapel had a feature to know if anyone of its occupants were in danger, so sneaking out was quite alright.

Quietly, with the help of the Old Chapel, young Mavislin snuck out of the area without alerting the trio. Except for the human who was temporarily staying with them. He had stayed up all night to finish that strategy Baldwin commanded him to do and was deadbeat tired.

Minwoo looked puzzled as to where the child was headed to. But he could not muster up any more energy to care and went straight to his bedchamber to take a nap.

The wind was exceptionally gusty. The graveyard was quiet and empty. A small tombstone laid in front of Mavislin. She stood silently in respect for a bit before placing the blanket down.

"Miss you, Abi. Hope you can sleep now with blankie," murmured the young Valkyrie, with sadness in her heart.

The young girl's widened, her ears perked as she detected a spike in Elemental Aura around the area. It felt unfamiliar and odd. It struck her as dangerous. She instantly got up and spun around. But no one was around.

"Come out," called out the young girl.

The silence of the graveyard had yet to be broken by an intruder. This annoyed the Valkyrie.

"Don't hide in a graveyard, human," she said, emphasizing the concluding word.

"I'm nothing of that sort," replied the voice, as if it had whispered into her ear.

She flinched as the voice came with no breath. She covered her ear, trying to swat away the voice.

"What are you?" she asks, standing up.

Her small fists clenched as she had not fought for some time. And without the supervision of Ysabeau or Gillian, she was uncertain if she should fight.

Though she was indeed seven years old in human years, her mentality was slightly bit more matured. Her body, when she first came to the tryouts had grown as well. It's been a month of training. Anyone would have mistaken her as a tween.

Her powers were no exception as both her Elemental Aura and Energy had increased after training with the couple and Baldwin for so long. But a Time Mage was a whole other matter.

"Why should I tell you?"

At the present moment, the voice came from behind the girl.

"I'll kill you if... you don't stop this..." growled Mavislin, albeit in a shaky voice.

The mysterious voice merely laughed at the little threat. The Valkyrie got pissed but there was nothing she could do. If she killed it, it might signal to others that a Mage was here.

"Don't underestimate what I can accomplish, girl," retorted the voice, as it calmed down.

It was now in front of the annoyed Valkyrie. A finger decided to lift the girl's chin, just for a moment.

"A cute little girl should not be here," whispered the voice.

"Coward, show yourself!" yelled Mavislin, trying to grab the person.

"If you can even catch up to me!" taunted the brat.

To hell with this kid, thought Mavislin as her eyes turned from brown to gold. Her wings were itching to emerge but she was still holding back.

The duel was on as the two tried to confront each other in the graveyard. Regardless of how many spells Mavislin threw at the brat; he never showed himself. It was getting frustrating. She then closed her eyes and relaxed.

What would Ysabeau have done? What did Mages have that humans don't? Something like a presence...

Mavislin widened her eyes. That's it! An Elemental Aura was able to pinpoint the footsteps of a being, no matter how powerful the being is.

If she could predict where the voice would go next, she might be efficient enough to hit him. But alas, how could a mere Mage predict the movements of a Time Mage?