Fire Element Perception

Aria woke up late, the sun already high above the sky. She knew that she had overslept due to the previous day's activities. She threw the beddings aside and headed to the bathroom. After having a cool shower, she came back to her room and found Greta serving breakfast. Greta left the breakfast and headed towards the princess. "Let me help you with this," she said taking the comb from Aria's hand. Aria gave her a nod as she sat by the mirror.

When she was done, she helped the princess wear her dress, and the two headed for breakfast. Greta left Aria alone in her room and went to do other daily chores in the palace. Once alone, Aria took one final look at the magic book before heading to the garden.

The garden was quiet as usual giving the peaceful and tranquil environment that she needed. She chose the garden because it had all four elements of magic. Earth was well represented by the ground, air by the vacuum space, fire by the torches on the wall, and water by the pond. She arrived by her favorite spot at the pod and looked around for any prying eyes around. When she was certain that no one was looking, she set to execute her plan.

The book stated that for one to perceive the different elements, meditation and concentration were the key factors. Aria sat down with crossed legs and closed her eyes to increase her concentration. It took her a long time before she could perceive anything. She was about to give up when small particles came into view. The particles were of different colors and sizes, each with its own unique properties. The closest in view was a red particle that grew brighter with each passing second.

She concentrated on the red particle for now. From what she learned from the book, the red particle represented a fire element. The red particle grew brighter as if demanding her attention which she gladly did. She focused on her surroundings and the particle broke into smaller pieces . The pieces looked like torches. She quickly understood that these were the torches around the garden. She focused on the closest one and tried to move it using her mind. And to her surprise, a warm feeling washed over her face as the torch stood in front of her.

Aria slowly opened her eyes, only to be met by a flaming torch standing mid-air in front of her. She was surprised by her new discovery but also proud at the same time. At least she could see some progress now. She stood up and to her surprise, the torch followed her action and floated some inches higher from the ground. She seemed surprised and tried to return the torch to its original place. Closing her eyes once more, she moved the torch with her mind to where it was earlier. On opening her eyes, the torch was successfully installed on the wall in its previous position.

Aria felt tired as if she had been on a battlefield for weeks. Magic always came with a price, and this time it took a toll on her body. She felt dizzy and grabbed a tree before she fell. Heading onto the swing with strained steps, she decided to rest there and reenergize before she passes out. Minutes passed and Aria was still on the swing staring blankly at the sky. She somehow felt proud of herself. Maybe she could try channeling fire into her sword and win today's training with leon.

Speaking of Leon, she discovered that she had not seen him today. He was not outside her door as he usually is when she was leaving for the garden. Panic suddenly washed over her beautiful face. What if something bad had happened to him? Had those dark shadows caught him? Or was it Blackwood's doing? A chain of unanswered questions formed on her mind but there was only one way to find out the answer.

Pacing through the hallways with renewed energy, Aria went through the palace looking for him. She first headed to her room but did not find him there. She went to the training ground but neither was he there. She wondered where else to look at him and ended to the palace gates. And there he was on the palace walls staring blankly at the eastern horizon and the mountains beyond.

He seemed lost on his thoughts and he did not notice Aria approaching him. She waved a hand in front of his distant face breaking his reverie.

"I,m sorry princess.I did not see you coming."He sounded apologetic.

"No need to be," she said before looking at him,"what are you thinking about Leon. You look stressed. Is something bothering you?"

"It,s nothing serious. Just the common challenges of life."

"You can share it with me and maybe I can help." Leon looked at the princess and saw how expectant she was waiting for the answer.He looked down defeated and sighed deeply.

"My mother is deathly sick and I cannot afford to buy the medicine," he said sadly looking at the distant mountains," I am the only person who could help her but I don't have the money."

"How much is it?" Leon looked at the princess astonished by her question.

"You don't have to pay, princess. I will look for a way to manage this."

"It might be too late Leon. This is the perfect time." Leon was not willing to accept the princesses offer. But she was right. What if he found the money too late? He would blame himself his whole life. He weighed the matter in his mind and gave in.

"It,s 200 crown coins for the medicine and doctor." Aria thought for a while nodding knowingly.

"I will give you the money tommorrow," Leon was about to talk but she lifted her hand to silence him," and there is no need to thank me.It is my duty as a princess to look into the welfare of the citizens of Avon." With that, Aria left Leon and reminded him to avail himself for the training later in the evening. For now, she needed to device a way to get the money from her father. She headed to the king's office and stood by the door. She took one last breath and with determination,knocked on the door.