Spellbinder Notes (Day 6)
Species (according to Ursa):
6) Firedwellers
- Species of humanoid creatures that live in volcanic areas.
- Bodies are made of substance similar to lava, so they must stay in hot areas
- If their bodies cool too much, they harden
o Results in either paralysis until they heat up again or death
- Ursa says they look like giant clay people with molten veins
- Extremely intelligent
- Known craftsmen of metals and clay
- Even children are usually larger than humans
- Humans used to think they were volcano gods and prayed to them to stop volcanoes
o Ursa says they do not have anything to do with volcanic activity
o They did enjoy perks of being worshipped (who wouldn't though?)
o Magma and lava doesn't hurt them
§ Actually magma and lava is used as medicine for Firedwellers
- Weaknesses
o Cold (duh)
o Water (duh)
o Snow (duh again ☹)
o Flour (weird)
o Sawdust (also weird)
- Live in tribal or clan communities
- Tribal/clan members are extremely important
- Been known to work as mercenaries
Chenoa awoke the next day feeling both as if something had been lifted from her and as if something was missing. It was an odd combination of relief and sadness. Downstairs, Tristan and her father were having breakfast. Both were in good moods and wished Chenoa a good morning. Tristan seemed different to Chenoa, but she couldn't put her finger on why. He seemed distant and much politer. Not that he had been rude before, but it was a different kind of polite as if they were strangers. This for some reason upset her. She didn't know what was wrong with her. First, she was upset because he felt too friendly and now, she was upset because he felt too distant. Make up your mind, she lectured herself.
Eating a nice egg and sausage breakfast her father had cooked to help her with "hump day," as he liked to call it, Chenoa watched Tristan carefully. In all honesty he didn't appear any different, but she could feel it in her bones. Shaking her head, Chenoa did her dishes and left early for the bus. Matt caught up and walked her to the stop. They talked and soon she was on the bus. After the weirdness of the past few days, Wednesday seemed too normal. Nothing even the tiniest bit strange happened. Gabby found it to be a relief, yet it felt empty to Chenoa, almost like the quiet before the storm.
However, the storm never came, and school proceeded normally for the next month. Tristan stayed the whole time as an extended guest, which neither Papa Bear nor Chenoa minded. It was nice to have someone so full of life in the house. Eventually Gabby met Tristan and she fully came to understand why Chenoa had been so infatuated with him. Yet Gabby had also been right about the feelings passing. Chenoa no longer felt as if something was calling to her when she was around Tristan. He just became a comfortable part of her life. Tristan often cooked the meals for everyone, giving Papa Bear more free time, and sometimes helped Chenoa with her homework. Overall, he just made life easier at the Rose household.
At the end of the month, Chenoa woke with a start one night. Checking out her clock she saw that it was twelve-thirty in the morning. Not sure what had woken her, Chenoa got up. She felt wide awake. Going to her window, she looked out of it and stared into the fields. To her surprise she saw a flickering light out by the angel oak. Confused, Chenoa tried to focus on it to see it more clearly, but she couldn't. Curiosity won out and Chenoa quickly put on a pair of tennis shoes and a sweatshirt. Quietly as she could, Chenoa headed downstairs and out of the house. Once she reached the edge of the field, Chenoa started jogging. The light seemed to get brighter as she got closer.
Approaching with caution, Chenoa reached the tree and sneaked around the trunk towards the light. Peeking around the trunk, Chenoa stifled a gasp as she saw Tristan sitting on the ground under the tree, glowing with a gentle white light that seemed to pulse and flicker like a heartbeat. Tristan appeared to be sleeping, his face serene.
Tip-toing closer, Chenoa studied Tristan as he slept and glowed. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Stopping directly in front of him, Chenoa just stared at him for a while.
"It's rude to stare," Tristan finally said after a few minutes.
Jumping, Chenoa blushed crimson. Slowly Tristan opened his eyes, affectionately smiling at Chenoa. She looked so adorable in her baggy sweatshirt, pajama shorts, and bright yellow sneakers.
"I didn't mean to wake you," she whispered.
"You didn't. I was just resting here."
"Oh."
Chenoa didn't know how or if she should mention that he was glowing. He offered her a hand. She hesitated then placed her hand in his, taking a seat next to him. Holding hands, they looked up at the night sky. The stars shone brightly.
"They are so beautiful," Chenoa finally said.
"They are. I love looking out at the stars."
"As a kid I used to wish I could just reach up and take a star from the sky and hold it in my hands."
"Why didn't you?"
"It's impossible."
Tristan chuckled and Chenoa remembered that she was sitting next to a man who was glowing like the stars. Maybe it wasn't impossible.
"Well, how about I grab one for you? Which one do you want?"
Humoring him, Chenoa looked up at the sky. Her eye was immediately drawn to the Big Dipper. It had always been her favorite. She looked at it carefully then pointed to the one that was supposed to be the big bear's eye.
"That one," she said as she pointed.
Following her point, Tristan searched the sky until he saw the star. Nodding, he smiled as if he should have expected as much. Reaching up, he placed his thumb and forefinger above and below the star as if he could really hold it between his fingers. Giggling, Chenoa couldn't help but find his acting amusing. Twisting his fingers as if removing a light bulb, Tristan twisted his face in concentration. Then he yanked his hand back and there was a popping sound. Gasping, Chenoa saw that the spot where the star had been was black as if the star was really gone.
"How did you do that?" she stuttered.
Turning to face Tristan, Chenoa discovered his glow now seemed to hum as he held out his left hand, a bright shining star in its palm.
"That's impossible."
"You are right. For humans, it is. But nothing is impossible for creatures like us."
"Creatures? What are you talking about?'
Chenoa leaned forward, wanting, despite her skepticism, to touch the star. She wanted to see what it felt like. After all, if it was a real star, she wanted to feel it.
"It's okay, Chenoa," Tristan whispered gently in her ear. "I got it for you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes…here."
He took her right hand in his right hand and slowly shook the tiny star into her outstretched hand. It was impossible but there it was. It burned like a hot coal in her hand, so hot that it burned cold against her skin. She could feel the life of it pulsing in her palm. Despite what her reason was telling her, Chenoa saw and felt a star in her hand.
"Shouldn't it be huge though?" she managed to ask. "I mean it is a star from thousands and millions of light years away. It must be huge in real life."
"This is real life and so I miniaturized it. It's actually much bigger than earth and so I couldn't exactly take it here in its actual size."
For a long time, Chenoa stared at the star and then at Tristan. When she opened her mouth again, she said what was on her mind.
"What are you?" she blurted unable to control herself. "Are you a god?"
Throwing his head back, Tristan's light blazed for a long moment. Gaining control over himself, Tristan ran his hand through Chenoa's hair.
"No, Chenoa. I am no god. The gods are dead," he said almost sadly. "I am what is known as a Nonelement."
"A Nonelement? What is that?"
"It's kinda complicated to explain. But you will know everything soon. For now, what should we do with the star?"
"What? Oh…the star."
Contemplating the star in her hand, Chenoa didn't know what to do. All she could think about was this star or planet was supposed to be a million times bigger. What if there was life on it? What had happened to them?
"I think we should return it," she finally said holding it out to Tristan. "I don't know who or what lives on this planet."
"It's a star. An object made of burning gas, so you don't have to worry about there being life on it."
"I still think it should be put back. It belongs where it belongs. And this isn't right for it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, and if I ever want it back, I'll just ask you to get it for me."
Beaming at Tristan, Chenoa held the star out to him.
"One day I will give it to you again, Chenoa, in a special ring just for you to wear. Most girls get diamonds, but I will give you a star."
Stunned Chenoa couldn't think what to say as Tristan took the star with great care and placed it back in the sky. A squelching noise told Tristan the star was back in place. Facing Chenoa, Tristan saw that she was studying his face with true interest and confusion. He was such a mystery to her. Cupping her face in his hands, Tristan looked deep into her eyes.
"Will you let me give you the star again one day?" he questioned, his face close to hers.
"I'd love that."
"So would I."
Leaning in simultaneously, Tristan and Chenoa's lips met in a sweet kiss. Pulling her close, Tristan kissed her lips again as his light grew brighter. At first Chenoa found it to be a true, endearing kissing but as the kiss went on an urge started to roll over her. She wanted Tristan to engulf her somehow. Holding her tighter and tighter, Tristan couldn't stop kissing her. His urges were overtaking him. He was losing control over his nature.
As the heat between them grew to a point that Chenoa was sure she would be lost, Chenoa looked up and started. The electric man was there, his eyes narrowed, and his face creased with temper. Suddenly he threw his arms up, and a smashing wind crashed into Chenoa and Tristan. Slamming backwards, they hit the angel oak. Tristan covered Chenoa with his body as the great tree exploded and Chenoa screamed in confusion.
Yet her scream became drowned out by a long loud roar that shattered the sound barrier. Another gust of wind struck Tristan and Chenoa but this time from above. Tackling Chenoa, Tristan forced her body under his, so she had to look up at the sky. It was because of this that Chenoa saw something that made her voice stick in her throat. A massive, terrifying dragon.
Back at the house, Adrian Rose bolted up in bed. He had heard a loud crashing sound and his daughter's scream. As he got out bed quickly, there was an earthshaking roar, the likes of which he had never heard before. However, from the way it shook the house and made his bones feel rattled, Papa Bear feared what it was. Running to his bedroom window, Papa Bear threw it open and felt his heart stop. The field was lit by a bright white light clashing with an electric blue light. The angel tree was gone, blown to smithereens and in the sky just above where the tree had been was a gigantic dragon.
Sprinting to his bedroom door, Papa Bear grabbed his baseball bat and tore down the stairs to the outside. While he had no clue how a bat would work against a dragon, Papa Bear knew he had to try, for amid the clashing lights and dragon was his beloved daughter Chenoa.