James

The fire snake was impressive. Some sort of aura came off of it flooding the hearts of everyone nearby. James felt a connection to it; he wanted to help it, to treasure it like his own child.

It was a beautiful creature, and it was hungry. Hungry, James felt the desire to go slay a 100 goats and bring them back to it. Would it prefer cows? James could probably find some cows. Another feeling washed over him, ah it wanted humans.... Wait humans!

Another aura bust spread over him, okay he could probably find a person or two that he didn't like.

The snake hissed out a stream of smoke from between its fangs. A cobra type. Its head muscles opened and closed in a rhythmic pattern.

It turned its head downward where a figure was tied up and being presented to it. Yeah James would be okay with it eating a person or two or.... Jay!?!!

James recognized the tied up figure and was suddenly snapped out of the weird daze. That was a human the snake could definitely not have, in fact scratch that no way was he letting it have anyone.

Beside him James could only see 100 people in the weird trance like state. Now that his concentration was broken off he was able to recognize and immediately break from the next one.

The snake tilted his head down and started to examine Jay's form. James focused his fire hoping for once he wouldn't screw this up then he let them form into jets. He flew down toward Jay as the snake opened its mouth to take a chomp.

Its fangs crashed into rock and it hissed angrily at James who was flying lopsided trying to carry Jay at the same time. A long forked tongue chased after them as James shot through the air and out of the volcano.

Luckily the snake didn't seem motivated to leave the volcano. Why had no one heard of the snake in the volcano before now? He needed to report this ASAP. His concentration wavered and he soared sideways into a tree. Ouch.

"Sorry you okay?" he looked at Jay who was still tied up and started undoing the binds.

"Yeah, what the heck is a rank 10 beast doing in a volcano?" Jay said already seeming to analyze the situation. Jay rubbed his wrists slightly after the binds were removed. "Who the heck do we even report that to?"

"How are you thinking of reporting when you just almost got eaten. Do you have any idea how much you freaked me out!" James gasped.

"Freaked you out? I was the one almost eaten." Jay replied. "Also nice job your fire control is getting better."

"Thanks, but seriously how are you so calm right now?" James stared at him.

Jay shrugged, "I want to become strong so I can't be scared of a little snake now can I?"

James tried to ignore his faulty logic. He suddenly leaned forward and kissed him, "Don't ever go acting like your death is something simple."

Jay's eyes grew wide as he touched his lips slightly. The two stared at each other in silence.

Shoot, James thought to himself, I probably shouldn't have done that.

Finally Jay broke the silence, "We should check on our families and move to motels for a bit." He acted as if it hadn't happened at all... was that a good sign or a bad one? James heart was racing as fast as when he'd played with the snake.

"James?"

James looked back at him, Jay looked slightly concerned. "You okay you look pale."

"Yeah sorry, about both, I'm fine."

"Uh okay." Jay coughed slightly, "Let's get going." He started collecting some wind magic around them both to fly. Or maybe float was a better term to use.

James was tense, why wouldn't Jay talk more about what just happened? Why was this freaking him out more than the snake. Gosh darn it, just talk already!

Jay spoke again finally, "Lets rent a room at Motel34 for the night. We can talk more there. I'm worried what the cult might do. You should move your dad as well."

"Right yes." James replied. Gosh darn it sometimes he really hated how seriously well organized Jay could be, but also overlooking some things James found to be practically life and death matters.

Wind was such a cool magic for travel, Jay always complained about its lack of offense but to James its travel was a thing of its own. Like ridding a cloud sled down a mountain wasn't the coolest thing ever.

He wanted to wrap his arms around Jay. If he wasn't worried about the kiss he'd stolen earlier he would have done it in a heartbeat. Instead he forced himself to wistfully watch Jay's back as he steered the wind to where they lived.

Jay dropped him at his house and headed to his own. Without another word, not at all awkward.

James quickly dragged his dad out of the house. His dad complained for a disbelieving second about the snake. Luckily James had somehow managed a picture on his phone before the whole thing started.

His dad stared in shock then agreed to go with him and listen to the rest of the story on the way. At least his dad was cool that way. Jay was probably having to pull the older brother card to move his sister.

Motel34 wasn't exactly a nice resort but it was clean. James paused at the door, sure the snake was all fine and dandy, call up the officials to deal with it, but what about their relationship? James's life would be over if Jay stopped talking to him.

He gulped slightly and opened the door.