Eternal

We kept on going deeper and deeper, and she did not utter a single word to me, which didn’t seem like a very promising start.

“So, what’s the plan fireball?” I asked, unsure whether she would be insulted by my little nickname.

She shot me a look, through what I could only assume were narrowed eyes, before she shook her head and let out a soft chuckle. She still refused to answer but did eventually come to a stop when we reached a beautiful lake with many upturned rocks. The grass was a vibrant green and the water seemed to call to me to jump right in, but I fought the urge and stood there waiting for her to speak.

“What do you feel as you stand there?” She asked, and I told her about the sudden impulse to dive into the beautiful water.

“Please, be my guest,” Was all she said in reply, as I removed my shoes and clothing, until I was in nothing more than my underwear before I dove in.

“As a fire nymph, water has never been very appealing to me, but you are not one of my kind. That is why I am so surprised by your affinity with the flame and why I chose to train you in its use. I require your full attention during this period and there will be no interference or communication with any other until we are complete. That may seem rather strict to you, but this task must not be taken lightly, there is a lot of ground to cover and it is uncertain how long it will take for you to master everything I have to teach. If you can solemnly agree to my terms, then we will begin today, if not then I will take you back and I will not offer my services again.”

It was definitely a lot to take in, but I knew I needed help in gaining control over fire and did not want to suddenly combust if I was anywhere near Addy. So how could I possibly refuse, as I climbed out of the lake and made my way over to her?

She used her flame to help me to dry faster before I donned my clothes and she began to inform me of everything that she would try to teach me.

She hoped to teach me how to wear the flames, like she herself did, as well as how to make weapons out of it, as she could make a flaming sword, bow and arrows and daggers, as well as the chain, all from the flame. It was a weapon she need never carry as it was a part of her very being.

She removed the fire from her face so I could see her more clearly. She was surprisingly pale without the flame to shroud her, with bright orange hair and her glowing orange eyes. She continued to wear the flames as her clothes, and I hoped that was a trick I could pick up.

After the lengthy discussion of what we would soon be doing, the training began and that was how it would continue for the next month. I would not see or hear another being until she led me out of the woods and back to Marcus.

Z

That month passed by a lot faster than I would have guessed, but that is not to say it was an easy feat by any means. The first day was pretty straight forward as she tried to gather just how much power and control, I had with the flame. I should have gathered not every day was going to be smooth sailing, but what else did I have to compare it too as she suddenly became sergeant major on only the second day. She had me running twenty laps around the clearing we had come too, as well as fifty push ups and sits ups, in the name of stamina apparently. As well as swimming fifteen laps with only a ten-minute recuperation beforehand. She didn’t even seem concerned by the fact that water nymphs decided to join in on the fun as they sent wave after wave over me, only deciding to intercede when their friendly game seemed to turn a little sinister and they wouldn’t let me rise up for air.

I was starting to wonder if Nyakesh had secretly wanted this maniac to kill me with exhaustion out of some misplaced jealousy over Marcus, but I later found out Ishira had her own motives, some I was sure Nyakesh had no knowledge of.

We were sitting around a fire she made me start on the thirteenth day, with the measly rabbit I had managed to ensnare to feed myself with. Seeing as I was only allowed to eat what I could hunt or gather for myself, but I must say it was definitely a step up from the berries that had me vomiting for most of the day, on day four.

Anyway, as I was saying we were sitting there in relatively comfortable silence when she suddenly turned to me and decided to throw a few home truths my way.

“Marcus is one of the kindest creatures I have ever met which must mean your taste in companions isn’t completely off, but it does beg the question as to why you would associate yourself with an incubus and a demi-god like Lawson. I mean seeing as Mihaela did warn you off of the kind of creature that Malachi is.”

At the mention of Nonna’s name I began to feel quite threatened as well as worried about how she could know what had been said between the two of us. My first inkling was to summon a ball of flame, but I knew it would hold no fear for her. So instead, I chose to form a solid ball of water into my palm, readying myself to douse her if it became necessary.

She did not show any fear to what I had done, but I could sense that it had unnerved her somewhat, which I took as a good sign, especially after what she had just said.

“Do not worry child, your secrets are perfectly safe with me, especially as I consider us kindred, what you do not understand is that when you gained will over the flame, you inadvertently opened yourself up to me. I can be wherever a flame is, be it on the tip of your finger or the fireplace in your great grandmother’s quaint cottage. The reason I have even brought this up is that you can know you have an ally in me, even more than Nyakesh does and I will not allow anyone or anything to harm you, not as long as it is within my power to prevent it.”

“I appreciate the sentiment Ishira, truly I do, but what does any of this have to do with who I associate with.”

“I could sense there was something off with you child, so I chose to eavesdrop, I am not ashamed of my actions, seeing as I had to know whether you were friend or foe and wherever I could not be, my cousins would take my place and relay anything they saw occur. Now I understand you are respecting Mihaela’s wishes but you need to find a way to convince her to meet Marcus. He can be trusted and with what you are planning to do, it would definitely prove beneficial if they could at least speak. I know she will not change your mind about walking the spirit realm, but she does know a great deal more than Marcus does on the subject.

As for Malachi and Lawson you need to be careful what you reveal of yourself to both of them. Lawson has been severely mis

guided by Hades and has given him undeserved loyalty. If he should betray you in His name, then you could be lost to us all. As for Malachi he has been through a great deal in his lifetime, he is not abhorrently evil, but he does have the capacity for it as do all the creatures of the underworld. It can be hard to know who to trust especially when you are cut off from the one thing that all us earthbound creatures possess, and that is your emotions.

If you cannot feel in yourself who you should put your faith in, then you should not do it, just keep them at arm’s length that is all I can ask of you.”

“I appreciate your counsel Ishira and if I was to put blind faith into anyone, then I think I would like that to be you.”

With my words spoken, I let the ball of water fall away and finally began to see this creature of fire in a whole new light.

Z

By the end of our time together we realised I was more adept with crossbows, standard bows and throwing knives than any weapon I actually had to maintain within my hand.

Luckily I did eventually manage to get to grips with a sword, but it would never be my first choice of weapon, I also loved brandishing daggers as it allowed me to get up close and personal, but she warned me not to be reliant on that method as it was thoroughly more dangerous.