10 Chapter Ten: The Four Spheres of Power

Four out of the Seven Guardians stood in front of her.

Each of them stood there, spines straight and head high. Regal, mighty and powerful, that's what the entirety of the Seven Guardians was.

Ayra has heard of them. The wind would constantly murmur their names to her ears; recounting faraway stories about their unique powers and their wonderfully gallant victories. It would tell about the seven elite soldiers who were equally dreaded and furiously admired by everybody.

Her eyes quickly surveyed each one of them, her heart involuntarily swaying with small admiration as she did so.

"Ah, if it isn't the young wizards of Foxerall Academy." A deep voice suddenly boomed across the throne room.

Ayra's icy blue eyes searched for the source of that valorous voice and when it did, her eyes lit up with recognition.

The tall figure wore a wide grin on his face. With his hands on his hips and his splendidly broad frame, he towered above everyone present in the throne room. Ebony-stained fighting suit embraced his massive body, a wine-kissed cape flooding from the tip of the shoulders and behind his spine like a cascade.

The Commander of the Lands. That's who Rydan Axellus was.

Wizards that possessed elemental powers were rare but the ones who exude complete control over their magic were seldom known to the world. Ayra only knew two such wizards like that, who had complete command over their magic.

And one of them was standing right in front of her.

Rydan possesses magic that commands power over the terrains. His magic bends the largest and the deepest, the mildest and the hardest of the grounds. His terra-bending powers manipulate, create and extract magic from the very heart of the earth itself.

Ayra, Valda and Neslyn ceased to a halt a few feet away from him. They slightly dipped their heads in greeting and respect.

Rydan ventured forward, his grin extending considerably as he studied them. His golden blonde hair cascaded down in soft waves and halted a bit over his wide shoulders. Rydan Axellus was one of the oldest among the Guardians but his face looked rather young, kissed with rough and rugged features that made him all the more handsome. Scars--small and big, light and deep--marred his entire face and neck, scars that'd proudly tell the cruel tales of wars and battles. It was the face of a seasoned and mighty warrior.

Argent cobalt eyes twinkled at them.

"Ah, it is a delight to see such young and strong wizards here!"

Ayra grinned back and before she could reply-- a cool, sharp voice cut in out of nowhere.

"You sound like an old geezer, Rydan."

Rydan's massive frame acted as an unbreakable wall in front of Ayra's curious gaze. She couldn't see past his muscled chest. But when Rydan slightly turned his body to face the owner of that teasing voice, Ayra saw who it was.

Rydan cleared his throat.

"Ahem, I turned thirty-four last week, Cress. I'm not that old."

Cressa Theagen's scoffed and her cold eyes regarded them coolly. She was gorgeous beyond belief; a dark beauty that would bring anyone to their knees. Her cropped dark hair softly curved a little below her chin, reposing in short and soft waves. Her solid amber eyes were vigilant, her expression held a certain sharpness in them; as if she was always on the edge, always on the verge of falling to the darkest depths of hell. 

Somehow, it reminded her of herself.

Cressa Theagen adorned a similar ebony-stained fighting suit like Rydan's but it had no sleeves, leaving her arms uncovered to the kiss of the breeze.

Ayra's eyes lowered to her unclad arms, her gaze slowly following the dark, inky tattoo of the thin and thorny vines that wrapped around her pale skin like a lifeless viper. It started from the upper arms and dangerously flowed down towards the forearms, gradually thinning and ending at the tip of the ring finger.

Magic—deadly poisonous magic flowed in her veins.

The Viper Assassin of Azhran.

A vicious title for a vicious woman. Cressa Theagen was an assassin before being a Guardian. How she came to be a Guardian from being a low-class assassin of Azhran is a tale unknown to the kingdom, but the Viper Assassin was mercilessly strong and venomous. That much Ayra knew.

Her magic metamorphoses into thick and poisonous vines; eerily akin to the nefarious serpents of the forest, always ready to strike at their chosen prey. Lethal venom coursed through her otherworldly vines-- a substance so noxious, that it is rumoured to have spilt from the underworld itself.

She was the Ophidian of the Seven Guardians.

Ayra's eyes were fixed on the sharp thorns that wickedly embellished the body of the vines of her tattoo. Her mind slowly but forcefully drifted away to the memories of her nightmare.

Vines coiling firmly against her legs, poison spilling through the thorns and puncturing her flesh, blood streaming out, endless pain and suffering and---

"Like what you're seeing, wizard?" A frosty voice pierced her thoughts.

Ayra raised her eyes and collided with Cressa's burning amber ones. A smirk was stretched on her full lips as she fixed her eyes on Ayra. Cressa slightly tilted her head to the side; a predatory move that almost looked like it was warning Ayra.

Ayra did not baulk. She did not turn her gaze away. Cressa's eyes narrowed into thin slits. 

Like what you're seeing, Cressa had asked. 

Ayra slowly slanted her head and her eyes snapped towards the tattoo. With a soft snarl, she replied,

"No, I don't."

Ayra didn't know why she said that. She didn't understand this abhorrent feeling that flowed within her at the sight of that tattoo. A warning bell had gone off inside her head and the words had already spilt before she had the chance to compose herself.

Cressa lowered her head dangerously.

"Is that so?" She smirked and took leisure steps towards Ayra.

Cressa stood right in front of Ayra. Her blood-red-stained lips pulled back into a menacing grin.

Ayra's spine fixed, a chill breathing down her bones as she looked at Cressa.

"How amusing that you dared to look me in the eye and tell that without an ounce of fear in your breath." Her eyes raked up and down, a sense of mockery whirling in them.

"This is going to be fun, wizard, working alongside a brave little thing like you. It will be a pleasant sight to see you crawl back to your momma in fear." She leaned in and whispered,

"With your tail tucked between your legs, that is."

Such venom from a stranger, Ayra thought to herself but she couldn't stop feeling a sense of dread with Cressa standing so close. This Guardian was dangerous. One wrong move and you would be at the mercy of those venomous vines.

When Ayra didn't drop her eyes in fear, Cressa whistled lowly and gradually lifted her hand towards Ayra's face. Her shoulders squared and her gaze sharpened, unexpectedly cautious and alert at the possibility of danger. Her brain ran like the breeze, shaping thoughts on what Cressa would do.

She saw Rydan and another tall figure through her peripheral vision, approaching closer and slightly--very slightly-- bending forward to jump in whenever necessary.

But before Cressa's inked hand could even reach Ayra and before Ayra could even lift her own, another arm whipped past the wind and caught ahold of Cressa's hand.

Cressa immediately snapped her gaze towards Valda and icily eyed the witch's hands on her.

Everything seemed to still.

No one spoke, and no one made a noise as the witch and the viper stared daggers at each other.

"Take your hands off," Cressa growled lowly.

Valda bared her teeth. "Retract your fangs, viper and maybe I'll think about it."

Cressa scowled nastily and harshly pulled back her hand, scouring the redness away from the skin of her wrist. She raked her eyes all over Valda's form, eyes abruptly halting and narrowing at something.

The silver insignia of the Falconhart coven.

She smiled mockingly.

"Ah, a Falconhart witch."

Valda's entire form grew rigid. Ayra stilled. And Neslyn's eyes widened.

And Cressa obviously, noticed our reactions.

She slowly circled Valda, like a serpent slithering around a terrified hare.

"I wonder what Falconhart's lovely heiress is doing in Foxerall out of all places?"

The wind grew incredibly quiet.

Valda slowly balled her fists, her knuckles turning alarmingly white at the tension brewing within them.

Cressa looked at Valda's clenched hands and smirked.

"Oh," she said, eyes lighting up in mocking remembrance.

"I heard the youngest heiress of the witch kingdom had been exiled a few years ago."

Cressa slowly leaned into Valda's face and whispered,

"What did you do for your mommy to kick your ass out, witch?"

Valda snapped, jolting her head up and penetrating her eyes deep into the viper's.

"Why you-" she roared.

She took a threatening step towards Cressa, ready to claw out her face with her bare hands. Ayra's heart spiked up when she saw Cressa slowly flex her tattooed finger.

Ayra made a move to stop Valda and Neslyn, too, stepped forward. But before they could do anything, a tall figure stepped in between the witch and the viper.

"Let's stop here, shall we?" A smooth voice tore through the tension.

Aslan Dragonus stood there, like a formidable barrier between the two wizards. Valda made no move to pounce on Cressa. Instead, she furiously glared at her, both of her orbs burning in raw flames of anger. Cressa returned the feeling, the frostiness of her gaze desperately wishing to freeze Valda completely in its wake.

Aslan turned towards a glowering Cressa.

"Cressa, " his voice was firm, "I hope you realize that you're not a child anymore. We are supposed to be working with these wizards here, not create a war between us. This mission's success lies within our combined efforts. You are a Guardian. I believe it is in your duty to recognise your priorities and focus wholly on this mission."

Cressa gnashed her teeth but Ayra was surprised when she made no move to retaliate. Instead, she crossed her arms across her chest, turned her face away and lowly said,

"Whatever."

And that's all.

Ayra was impressed. Aslan looked calm and composed, even while dealing with Cressa Theagen's temper. When Cressa obediently listened to Aslan's words, Ayra realised how much of a commanding presence he held.

Maybe that's what The Lost Dragon is capable of, Ayra thought silently. Aslan Dragonus's ancestors were the direct descendants of the winged beats. The ancient power of those great creatures was lost over time, imperceptibly decreasing with every heir that was dropped down to this world. But twenty-seven years ago, when an heir was born, carrying with him the ancient power of the dragons within him again, hope bloomed in every heart of the dragon clan.

Aslan Dragonus looked at Ayra. He was handsome and possessed a warm charm that graced his gentle yet mature features. His honey-kissed eyes seemed to be filled with unspoken secrets but also held a tinge of wisdom in them, his short sandy blonde hair glimmered under the brilliant beams of the afternoon sun.

He was absolutely beautiful.

"I apologise on Cressa's behalf. She can be a bit...cranky at times." He smiled and Ayra blinked. It was a blinding kind of smile, the one that reminded you of vibrant flowers and crisp, salty winds of the sea.

She composed herself before giving out a swift nod.

"I apologize for the trouble we've caused too. I shouldn't have said that. It was rather insensitive of me."

She flashed a small smile of her own.

Aslan suddenly paused and stared at her. Ayra tilted her head, half wondering if she said something wrong.

"Your eyes..." He started but didn't continue.

Ayra frowned and wanted to question him but before she could do so, Rydan's voice cut through the air.

"And you ask me why I sound old. That's what happens when I'm surrounded by little brats like you," he teased a sulking Cressa. 

Cressa scoffed. "Shut it old man."

Rydan chuckled in amusement. He strode towards a still-glowering Valda.

"Valda Falconhart, I hope you can forgive Cressa's crude behaviour. She is usually less grumpy but maybe the hot weather has gotten her vines in a twist."

Cressa growled in response.

Valda narrowed her eyes at Rydan's words.

"Forgive? Sure. I can do that."

Rydan smiled in relief.

"But after I turn her into a worm with my spell."

Rydan's smile vanished.

Cressa's eyes were two chunks of wrath at that.

"Worm? You're going to turn me into a worm?" She squared her shoulders and huffed haughtily.

"I'd like to see you try, witch."

Valda jeered. "You would. Come here, snake, let me show you a bit of my spell-- OW!"

Neslyn had smacked the back of her head.

Ayra silently shook her head at the number of times she had witnessed this scene over and over again.

Valda rubbed at the back of her head and growled like a feral beast. Neslyn placed her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes dangerously in response.

"Stop acting like a child, Valda!"

"That bitch started-"

Another smack!

"Ow!" Valda yelped in pain.

"Language, Valda!"

"Oh, that must have hurt." Ayra winced and Valda glared at her.

Valda rubbed the back of her head, muttering incredulously about how Neslyn's hands were made of steel and cursing Ayra for laughing at her. Ayra smiled before reaching out and rubbing the back of Valda's head. She shared that very cheeky grin at Neslyn, who later reached out and softly massaged Valda's head too.

A burst of unexpected laughter filled the air.

"You--you-- three are very amusing!" Rydan exclaimed, wiping a tear off his eye.

"Cressa was right about one thing though." A large smile formed on his face.

"It will be fun working with you wizards."

"Indeed. Can't say I'm not looking forward to that." Aslan replied, plastering a grin on his own face.

Ayra smiled at that but her eyes strayed towards the corner of her room.

A small, dark-clothed figure was hunched there. The figure's back was towards them but Ayra could fairly recognise who it was.

The Fourth Guardian had been silent from the moment they had stepped into the throne room.

Aslan and Rydan noticed the line of her gaze. They turned around and frowned at the crouching figure.

Rydan opened his mouth to call out the Guardian's name but before he could do so, loud and thundering footsteps echoed through the entire room.

Ayra turned to look back.

The King of Marvena had finally arrived.