The Crackle of Lightning

I released my magic and created a wall of flames just before the lightning strike hit me, while quickly turning to face my opponent.

A swordsman, wearing simple leather armour, and a sorcerer in white robes stood at the entrance. 

As my flames subsided, our gazes locked. 

"Kai?" Asher asked, his face white as a sheet of paper. "You-" His gaze leapt between the corpses of the Ereth soldiers, the destroyed Divine pillar and me. "What have you done?" He whispered as his gaze focused on my flames, still dancing on the ground. "What have you become?"

I froze – this wasn't how I wanted this to go. I didn't want to start off with distrust and fear.

"Asher," My gaze leapt to Lucius, standing next to the blond sorcerer. "Lucius." 

"Why?" The young swordsman asked in shock. "Why would you kill the Ereth? Why would you destroy the first rebuilt Divine Pillar?" He clenched his fists. "Didn't you die to protect it?" His voice cracked as he shouted.