Chapter 14

***Fiore***

I start the fire and begin cooking what I have left. The clear starry sky is above me; endless and a sight to see. The land ahead of me is a no man's land. Owned by the elves, I will have to be extremely careful with my words and the things that I do in the forest. I could try burning the forest down, but the elves would survive and find the one who burned down their home. I wouldn't survive the attacks.

Thoron still troubles me. He may not act like it, but he is a powerful magician. I probably can't beat him. That name though where do I know it? Just before I could come up with the answer, the insignia that Nefal had put on me begins to burn and his voice can be heard clearly.

"Get me my daughter!" He hisses, "If you don't bring me to her you won't survive you know that right?"

"Of course I do!" I say in pain, "I can't go rushing in! I'll be killed if I try and get her now."

"Fool! You're afraid of the Crystal! She doesn't know how to use it properly. You can easily capture her."

"I know that, but I'm afraid of the magician. Thoron I believe is his name. He's too strong for me. The sword your daughter carries is also strong. I cannot match her in sword skill. Once she learns how to use that sword, nobody will be able to touch her... not even you."

"Shut it!" The insignia grows hotter and more painful, "I cannot see what she is doing anymore. I fear that she is getting stronger by the minute. The Ice Crystal is preventing me from seeing her movements. Bring her to me by the end of the week. The curse will drive you mad from pain. By the end of the week, you won't be alive. Sad, you're a powerful magician and could serve well in my army. I may invite your student, Thoron, since he has no more home anymore."

"That's where I know his name!" I say holding my neck, "I won't be bested by my old pupil."

"One week is all I give you. No daughter means no survival. Get moving!"

Nefal's voice fades away. Beads of sweat roll down my face from the pain. I will ensure that I find his daughter and get her to him. He's watching my every move.

I can't believe Thoron, my most prized student, ended up in Icelia. Fire magic is banned here because of the lush landscape. He must've had a hard time learning a new magic, but he was always looking for something to learn. I don't want to face him. He surpassed my level of magic which is why I sent him away because I couldn't teach him anything else. I had learned my magic from an ancient dragon who survived the Hunts. He taught me everything I know. His powerful spells were renown throughout the ancient world.

The pain in my neck finally subsided. The food over the fire is burnt. Now my night is ruined. I eat the food and lay down. I have one week to capture Rias and Thoron. I only have one week to live. I'll do anything to keep living. I close my eyes and let the night air lull me to sleep.

***Rias***

I dodge another attack from Myriani. I found out that she had taken Thoron captive and is holding him tied against a tree. My objective is to defeat her in hand to hand combat, which I'm not very good at, and free Thoron. She's even faster today than she was yesterday when we sparred. She seems way more agile without a sword. I wonder why she even fights with a sword when she can win easily without one.

The muddy ground didn't help with the fact that I have to win this fight. It had rained overnight and is still raining. The leaves that had covered overhead are now on the ground. The soggy ground is slick and I sink nearly to my ankles. I want to move faster, but all I can do is block the punches and kicks that Myriani sends my way. She moves like this is how she's fought all her life. Every now and then, she lets up enough and I can move a step. A step is a step and it's a victory to me.

The mid-day heat combined with the dampness of the rain has made the air thick and hard to breathe. Myriani hasn't even let up. I want to take a break and get a drink, but she says that I have to learn to take a beating. I finally grab a fist out of the air and flip her over my head. That is a mistake. Her bare feet strike the back of my neck and the world goes black around me. I feel the mud splatter on my face as I fall.

I lift myself up and shake my head. The darkness goes away and I get to my feet. I wasn't expecting that, although I should've seen it coming. I should never doubt the abilities of an elf especially if one is the leader of the entire race. I sway side to side with my head still pounding in pain. Myriani still didn't let up. I try to sidestep and end up doing the splits. I dodged the attack, but didn't know I was that flexible. I stumble back up and turn and face elf. Her eyes are bright with excitement and her face is brimming with a smile. She's enjoying beating me to death. Either she's glad that I actually dodged an attack or she's enjoying this fight.

I look down at the Ice Crystal which gives off a faint glow despite the mud covering it. I clench it in my hand letting its coolness flow over me. The pain that Myriani had inflicted to me started to dissipate. I look back up to Myriani who is bounding side to side in a ready stance. She doesn't even slide at all in the mud nor is she sinking like me. She is smaller than I, but she should at least sink at least a little bit. Maybe she knows the places in the mud where she won't sink. I look at where she's stood. Myriani dashes forward and strikes nothing but air. I jump backwards where Myriani stood once before. I don't sink at all. So there is a secret to this battlefield. Now I can win with ease... hopefully.

Myriani moves forward again, but this time, I stop her. I slam a fist into her gut and send her flying towards a tree. I hear the thud as I reach Thoron. His eyes are thankful, but then they turn into fear. I turn where his eyes are and see Myriani flying through the air with a leg out. I grab her leg and spin completely around and throw her to the ground with a thud. Mud splatters everywhere and I turn and face Thoron. I untie him and he slowly slides to the ground. He brings me in for a hug which I gracefully accept. I haven't seen him in two days and to be honest, I missed him.

"Good job." Myriani stumbles to her feet, "I can't teach you anymore. The Ice Crystal has finally chosen you as its master. Reach the mountains in the far south. You must cross the oceans and lands that will ford your path. You may stay here another night, but no more. Your staying here has angered the elders and I must abide to their rules. Good luck. We will welcome your safe return and help you calm the land."