Chapter 65: Winds of Summer [Free]

"I'm sorry."

It took her a couple of minutes and those were the only words she could say. She felt like she was betrayed by her magic. Something in Denize's eyes told her she was the light that burns and destroys and not the fire that has come to save.

Allyria was aware that intense emotions such as this could bring out the flare within her but it wasn't supposed to be this swift and wild. She could still dredge up the moment when she had to give her focus and emotion to that of which was inside of her. It took time. It shouldn't have been this way.

"I'm really sorry," she said for the second time. Denize was still speechless, cornered in a wall away from her after she edged back from the monster that she was. "I swear. I didn't know how that happened. Believe me. I… I didn't mean any harm."

Once again, fear found her. It spoke to her in its cackling voice. It told her legs to go weak, her stomach to lurch and her heart to ache but that wasn't the reason of her concern. When Denize raised her hand, something told Allyria she already knew what she was going to do and just like that, with the rain that came, the doors banged. 

The wind was blowing in every direction. It wanted nothing more than to announce its arrival, to say she's here. And so it went on, blowing through the place with a powerful passion, scattering gears as if they were the leaves of fall and banging the doors as if they were its chaotic drum beat—the marching band of one without fingers or hands. 

It whirled in a graceful motion, like a dance of two lovers. As it traveled towards the pile of debris, the wind carried the ashes with her, exhuming the dirt and only the undamaged wood remained.

In a snap of Denize's finger, the stream rushed out from where it came in and the pile was as spotless as glass. No one would suspect something happened in there unless they memorized the number of wood stacked in the warehouse. Other than that, everything seemed like how it was a disaster ago.

Allyria turned to her, but too slowly to be normal. When she spoke, her voice trailed slowly like her words are unwilling to take flight. Her mind faltered for a moment, every part of her going on pause while her thoughts catch up. In the bat of an eye, circumstances have changed. Now she's the one having these entire questions in her head. 

After a wash of cold, she stepped closer, the realization knocking on her. 

"I know," Denize said as if she already knew what Allyria was about to say. "I know it's difficult to believe but it's not as difficult especially if you're aware of what we're capable of so yes, I'm a Fuluminer, Allyria. I'm an Ikigai, just like you."

Valir. Illusioni. Fuluminer. Those were just some of the Ikigais she encountered in the forest and yet every time she did, it was still a surprise to her. She wasn't mistaken when she said they might be everywhere, they really were. They were just in hiding, like her, cowing in fear of knowing what the humans might do after discovering their magic.

"Since when did you know about it?" Allyria asked.

"A child," she replied briefly. "I was a child when I discovered about my magic. Only my mother knew about it and she didn't care to tell me and father, well, my real father was a Fuluminer. I don't even know anything about him." a bitter laughter escaped from her lips. 

"When my stepfather discovered I wasn't his legitimate daughter, he went hysterical. I could remember…" Denize gulped before proceeding, preparing herself for the confession. "He flipped the candle and it burned a part of our house. I… I already knew I was a Fuluminer so I… I tried to stop it. But I was still a child and didn't have full control over it."

Allyria's heart sank. She didn't know what to say so instead, she went towards her and laid a hand lightly on her shoulder. Denize didn't flinch like other people usually do, she looked up and mustered a soft smile. "I'm sorry for hearing that."

"The house burned together with my family, except for me." Allyria didn't want to hear more of it but Denize needed her. These painful memories, they're just the same as nightmares. There should be a way to stop time when these things happen, when some human beings choose to wipe out another bunch of human beings, slaughter innocents, judge them for their mistakes or whatever it is they do. 

People should be able to just say, "No more; no more suffering, no more pain" but it's just as good as dreaming. Nightmare is a reality that they have to wake up to every day.

Allyria thought of something she could say that was apt for that moment. She didn't want to be inconsiderate nor make her feel worse but Denize nodded as if she understood. "It's okay," she said. "It was years ago. After the town condemned me for being a 'heretic', I ran away. Dragunov found me and now I'm here."

The conversation persisted for an hour and the sky was totally blacked out. The rain also stopped, replacing the atmosphere with the cold breeze and pleasant petrichor.

Allyria loved talking to Denize. Aside from being a person with magic powers, she was more like her than anyone she knew. Your past will never define you; that's what she learned from her. Despite humanity's continuous destruction to everything that's living, she remained compassionate and open-minded. 

When they decided to leave the warehouse, they went directly to the tavern where Kaius was waiting with two dishes on-hand. His brow rose when he saw the lady Allyria was with, his face giving a questionable look as he sat and placed the platters on the table.

"Kiril, meet Denize. Denize, meet Kiril," Allyria introduced as they approached.

Kiril and Alina. The new partners-in-crime.

"Never expected you to be extra-friendly, Allyr—" Kaius bit his lip when he almost slipped. "Alina! Uh… Yes, Alina. Why didn't you tell me you were bringing someone with you? I didn't get enough food for us."

Denize smiled shyly, "It's okay," she glanced at Allyria, "I'll just get something to eat. I'll be back in a moment." 

"Sure," Allyria replied.

When Denize left, Allyria took the seat in front of Kaius. "What are you doing?"

"What?"

"Denize is my friend." It hasn't been a day and she already had a feeling Denize was someone to be counted on. It's a rare thing. A person you've known for a year could betray and hurt you more than the person you've met only for hours.

"Since when did we plan to make any friends? Is this supposed to be a sideline job while we find more important information about Dragunov?" Kaius' words were more of a whisper. They couldn't dare to be heedless especially when they're talking about this topic.

Allyria grabbed the plate from Kaius, gliding it towards her. "I trust her as much as I trust you. I know she won't betray me."

"She wouldn't, that's for sure but what if she'll know the truth about us? You need to stop it, Allyria. We're not here to build ties with anyone."

"I know her and she's an Ikigai, Kaius. A Fuluminer. She could help us."

"W…what? How?"

Allyria told him everything but omitted the information about her childhood. Denize already took a huge leap trusting her. She didn't want to break it.

"You need to be more careful about your magic. Practice controlling it like how she does. Did… did she have anyone to teach her about it?"

"No, she taught it herself. Until now, no one in the camp knows she's an Ikigai. She's been practicing secretly during her shifts."

Kaius nodded. "Ask her if she can help you with your magic. Your fire should save us not kill us."

"Well, that's the bad news. She doesn't do well with fire. It's… it's her fear."

Kaius' eyebrows crooked, "What do you mean?"

"It's something that happened when she was a kid. I can't tell you but trust me Kaius, Denize is not like the others. She's a friend."

"Make sure of that," he said and looked over her back. Allyria followed his gaze and saw Denize walking towards them, bright and breezy like a wind of summer. 

"Hi! I'm sorry it took long," Denize sat beside Allyria and stared at the two of them who were observing her every movement. It was creepy, she could say but she ignored it and brought her eyes in front, "Let's eat?"

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Written and edited by ephemery.

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Allyria will hunt you down to the ends of Arde Terra and cast you out together with the Undying in the Islands of the Cursed. You've been warned.

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