Full of fire

When the two rascals have left the beach, I turn around to see Asha standing now. She smiles at me and engulfs me in a giant hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Asha exclaims with a wide smile. Her arms wrap around me and it's a moment later when I realize she's wet from being pushed in the water.

I lightly tap on her shoulder and she releases me. There's a bright expression marring her face. "Okay, okay! I don't want to be wet too." A giggle escapes my lips. Asha pouts. I shake my head. "Look what I got!" I shove half the loaf of bread in her face as a distraction.

Asha's eyes light up at the sight of the food and she snatches it from my palm. She devours it between her lips until there's nothing left. Her hair's in a neat ponytail today, and the water's made it dripping wet. Sand is crusting to her clothes, and I immediately wanted to distract her from crying. Most of her dress is soaked in seawater, but Asha doesn't seem to mind, even with the wind. She's too distracted by the bread.

While we both munch on our food, I ask, "Do you know where Nissa is?"

Asha ignores me. She's too concerned about the diminishing bread piece!

"Hello? Asha." I shake her shoulder a bit hard. Her eyes still don't move from the nutritional lunch.

"Are you listening to me?"

"No," she mumbles. Her nimble fingers tear into the flakey bread.

My eyes narrow at her. I really wanted to take the piece of bread away and make her listen to me. "Asha," I whine. "Would you please listen to me! I have something to say to you!" I grab ahold of one of her arms and furiously shake her.

My best mate sighs, finishing off the bread in a minute. I've barely taken a bite of mine. Her green hair billows in the wind, reminding me much of my mom. A twitch of my lips slightly causes the corner of my mouth to lift.

With the sight of Asha's delicate smile and dazzling emerald eyes, I broke off another piece of my bread to give to her when she's finished.

"Yummy!.. What is it that you were trying to tell me?" Her eyes blink in hunger as they sparkle. The green-eyed witch munches on her food as we begin to walk back towards the village.

"Have you seen Nissa lately?" I asked once again. How many times was it now?

Shaking off the irritation, I smile regardless and walk alongside Asha. It's been two days since I last saw Nissa and I haven't been in contact with her since. She normally does this whenever she's learning a new sequence of spells. I'm super envious of her, mainly because she has the patience to sit down and concentrate that long.

The sky is open and clear with only a few clouds that clutter the blue canvas above. My feet brush against the grass as the sand and plants meet. It's a different change of environment but I don't mind it.

The soft breeze skims against my skin and refreshes me of my memories. I wanted to forget about Dasche and Robuk as much as I could, so I shook my head and continue to walk.

"No. Last I knew, Nissa was practicing a new fire defense spell. It's different than the normal stages. This is an adult level spell that takes weeks of practice for a teenager!" She admits excitedly. Her sparkling green eyes blink at me.

My head turns, barely snapping my neck in the process. "She's already working on adult spells?!"

Asha bobs her head with a glamorous smile meant for a noble child.

"Uh-huh! Nissa wants to grab the first place spot.. you know how she is when she wants something! No one can stop Nissa! She's our Invincible Nissa!"

The little witch yips and jumps, celebrating our highest ranked friend.

With dismal facial features, I kick at a nearby rock stuck between the sand and grass.

"Wha- yeah, I bet she's still mastering it now then," I pout at the sudden loss of a friend and kick a few rocks off my path. I'm too scared to face Nissa at her hut. The last time I tried to visit her, she threw a [Fire Beam] at me because I wouldn't stop talking. It singed my dress at the time and I barely made it out alive!

Asha giggles next to me as her hair flows in the wind behind her. "Most likely. You all ready know how she is." She shrugs her delicate shoulders. Asha plops another flakey piece of bread into her mouth.

My eyes can't stop staring at her green hair. It's always been a marvel for me. I've always wanted hair like my mom.

When we've barely reached the edge of the village, I notice how there are multiple screams coming in all directions. It's something out of a nightmare. Asha and I take off running towards the huts. I had no idea what's going on but I wasn't going to sit idly by and make my parents fight by themselves.

"C'mon, Asha! We've got to help!" I shout to her after I've taken off running.

Rocks embed themselves into the soles of my feet while I run towards the smoke. If there's a fire in the village, it'll take all the water witches to help drown the fire. My eyes dart around to search for my mom and my dad. I couldn't let them die. I couldn't let them fight on their own. I have to protect them!

Tears swell up in my eyes when I start to reach the scattered huts that haven't been touched by the fire.

I really hope Mom and Dad are okay...

My eyes blink back the tears. My heart pounds in my chest the faster my feet travel, and I'm followed by Asha. She screams my name, calling me back to her side. Instead, I dirty my bare feet even more and alight the flame festering inside me.

When I manage to pass by the huts, I notice the shouts of armored men with the royal horses. The ancient seal of L'Ablette, a winged serpent spiraling around a sword and two more x-ing over, is shining brightly underneath the afternoon sun.

I falter in my steps at the royal family crest, then at the children and their parents who run rampant around our village. My eyes settle on the knights snatching away children from their parents. Many scream and fight, a few fathers using their powers to protect their children and wives.

I race through the crowds of people, avoiding the knights chasing after witches. I search and search around the village for my Mom and Dad until I come across a raging fire. I had to duck from the [Fireball] bursting right at me. I squeal, running my hands through my hair.

My widened irises catch the girl with hair full of fire.