Black Flames

I slam my hand down onto the ground, pushing the black flames towards the roots. The flames race towards the roots, leaving trails of black ice behind! When the black flames engulf the roots, hisses are heard before completely freezing over.

I push the flames all the way down the well, freezing everything before pulling it back. When a soft breeze blows, the roots start drifting away like black snow! I watch in awe as the pieces fly up and around us before slowly falling or drifting away completely.

Bolin watches everything with awe as well, silently taken back.

The air no longer felt oppressive or heavy. The smell was even gone! I slowly glance back down at my hand with a deep frown. This shouldn't be possible...

Suddenly, I hear a familiar voice, "That was truly remarkable! You saved all these people!" I instantly cringe as I turn to find Weimin and his men walking over. A few villagers that were still here in the village start whispering amongst themselves.

"She killed it!"

"She's saved us all..."

"She's like a goddess! Do you see her eyes?"

"She must be a deity!"

"Stupid, she's not even a cultivator, how could she be a deity?"

"Does that mean she's really a goddess?"

I ignore the whispers as Bolin suddenly appears, quickly putting himself between Weimin and me. Weimin frowns and says, "Bolin... while I do appreciate you protecting the lady, I feel like it would be best if she stayed with me and my men. With her powers, she could help save our world and even fight the demon race. She could wipe them all out before they infest our lands again."

Bolin gives him a cold mocking look before saying, "I hate to break it to you Weimin, she has no intention of saving the world with you." I roll my eyes before silently turning around and walking away.

The two continue to argue as I walk over to the dark well. I lift my arm, pulling my sleeve back and glancing at the hand imprint that was left. That was a person... I think. It was a human hand, but the color was all wrong and it was entirely too strong. What was it?

I slowly lean over, looking down into the well with my heart in my throat. Was it part of the Artifact or was it something else, affected by the Artifact? Why was it in the well though?

"Thank you, pretty Miss." A small soft voice says making me jump! I turn to find a small child about ten years or so old standing behind me. She had a smudge of dirt on her cheek and dirty clothes, but her bright eyes overshadow everything else as she lifts up her hand and opens it. A small, clear stone sits in the palm of her hand.

It's clear quartz.

This stone has magnificent healing properties and is known as the master healer for both mental and physical ailments in crystal healing. This stone evokes feelings of harmony, energy, healing, clarity, and calmness. This stone amplifies the effect of other crystals and is also able to absorb, store, release, and regulate energy.

This stone wards off negative energy and is able to neutralize background radiation like petrochemical emanations or electromagnetic smog. The clear quartz crystal is able to balance mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual planes, clean and enhance the subtle bodies and organs as well as the soul.

We learn all about it and other stones while studying magic. I smile at the girl and ask, "Is this for me?" She smiles back at me and nods saying, "It's my lucky rock, I found it by the river, but I want you to have it. You saved my grandma. She's too old to leave so we... we couldn't leave."

My eyes soften as I lean down and softly whisper, "You didn't find it, it found you. This stone is yours." I reach out, touching the stone with the tip of my finger, pouring magic into it, and supercharging it.

Suddenly, the stone lights up! A blindingly bright light shines for a few moments before slowly fading. I blink, slightly shocked. I only poured a little magic into it and yet it lit up like a firework in the night sky!

The little girl's eyes remain locked on the stone, large and filled with awe as her tiny mouth hangs open. When she looks up at me with wonder, I awkwardly bring my finger up to my lips as I whisper, "Keep it with you but keep it a secret." She nods but then gives me an odd look before looking behind me.

I turn and find everyone watching me with wide, shock filled eyes.

Of course...

I turn around, secretly pulling out golden pebbles and passing them to the little girl before telling her to run home. As my fingers graze her small hands, I cast a protective spell on the child, unsure if trouble would come to find her later because of me.

"She really must be a goddess!"

"Did you see that!? She's a living goddess I tell you!"

"I should bring over my sick wife, maybe she can heal her."

"I have a boil on my ass that I can't seem to get rid of, do you think she can heal it?"

I purse my lips, giving the group of people a dry look as Weimin takes advantage of Bolin's surprise. He quickly appears before me as he says, "I truly believe you're here to save our world. I true hero! Please goddess Lyra, please work with me to save this world."

My eye twitches at his words. I lean in and say, "Call me 'goddess Lyra' one more time and I will personally turn you inside out and feed you to the dogs." Bolin suddenly appears, pulling me back and to his side with an amused smirk.

He definitely heard what I had just said.

Bolin smirks at Weimin before saying, "Oh dear, you went and pissed off my little demoness. Please keep your distance, she bites." I choke, trying not to laugh as Weimin's face takes on a look of irritation and anger.

Weimin snaps, "How dare you call her that! She's a gift to this world and should be treated as such! I even received word from his highness, the emperor himself! He's heard about her and wants to meet her personally!" A hostile dangerous pressure escapes from Bolin as he coldly snorts saying, "And that means what to me? Don't make me laugh."

Bolin turns around and starts walking away, pulling me with him. Weimin quickly tries to follow, lifting his hand out to grab me when suddenly, dark shadows burst from Bolin, swallowing us whole. When we reemerge, we're standing outside of another village.

Bolin remains silent as I suddenly hear thunder in the distance. He seems genuinely upset... I reach out to touch his arm but freeze. He remains with his back to me, silently looking at the new village as my hand awkwardly hangs in the air.

His back seems so cold and lonely...