Embers of the Past

by Bethany Atwood

  “Hey, sweetheart, you don’t have to worry okay? Your mother told me about what happened back in October with the Earthener, it broke my heart to hear you were so stressed out you weren’t eating or sleeping well, but everything is alright now. You’re safe, we all are, that’s what is important.” She says, Kagura nodding once more while her smile reforms. “That’s my girl. Why don’t you go put your things in your room, I’ve got dinner cooking so get comfy and settle in.” Once she’s set back on her feet Kagura makes her way up to her room, Seraphine trailing along behind her with a cheery purr echoing forth.

  Stepping inside she deposits her backpack on her desk, then drops backwards onto her bed and slips off her shoes, followed by removing her coat to reveal a fluffy crimson sweater with a black heart bearing demon horns on the front, a gift from Ser’avan the prior Christmas. A few moments are spent adjusting the black and white plaid ribbon holding her hair up in a ponytail, then she pushes herself to her feet and walks to her desk, her tome being fished out of her back once there.

  “I’m gonna leave my door open Seraphine, feel free to get comfy wherever you’d like.” She says as she tucks the device into the pocket on her blue jeans, Seraphine chuckling a little before mewling.

  “You know I always do, Kagura, you all have such a lovely home.” The feline purrs out, immediately sprawling out atop the bed while Kagura smirks over at her. While Seraphine settles in for a nap Kagura heads downstairs, a heavenly aroma greeting her as she enters the living room and settles onto the couch. As she looks around the living room, the fireplace roaring and providing a relaxing contrast to the falling snow visible past the window, she pulls out her tome and begins to tap on the screen, gaze focusing in as she begins to browse the internet. Though, before she gets too captivated by her browsing, approaching footsteps draw her attention and she looks towards Ser’avan, the demoness holding out a steaming mug with a smile.

  “Would you care for some hot chocolate Kagura? I can’t imagine how cold it must’ve been out there, so I’m sure you could use it.” Kagura gently grasps the mug with a noticeable blush growing on her cheeks, the teen unable to help the sheepish smile that forms before she sips at it.

  “Thanks mom, it’s as delicious as always. How’s work been? I know you’re often busy at the coffeehouse while we’re at school, I always love getting to visit you while you work.” Sipping at her mug once again Kagura starts to reminisce on fond memories of past winters, of visiting Ser’avan at her work with Rebecca, playing in the snow, creating snowmen that represent her friends, things she feels are worth remembering, things that always make her smile.

  “Work is the same as always, I enjoy making drinks for people, and I enjoy seeing them smile as they drink my creations, my workers are always enthusiastic about work as well, so it’s never a dull day for me.” Ser’avan settles beside Kagura as she speaks, an arm looping around her shoulders before she squeezes her nice and close, the teen blushing a few shades redder before nodding.

  “I’m glad to hear that, if I hadn’t wanted to become a mage… I’d probably become a barista, you always look like you’re having fun at work, so it’s certainly something I could fall back on if being a mage doesn’t work out for me.” She muses, again sipping at her mug while Ser’avan chuckles.

  “Yeah? I’m sure your mother would appreciate you taking after me if you decided being a mage just wasn’t right for you, though from the way I see it you’re already shaping up to be a powerful young mage, just like she is. Who knows, if you ever wanted to you could even become a professor.” Kagura shrugs a little before leaning into Ser’avan’s side, unaware that Rebecca had been watching and snapped a picture of the two while Kagura wasn’t paying attention.

  “Alright you two, dinner’s finished, Kagura go wash up please.” Rebecca says once back by the kitchen, having spent time helping Ser’avan finish cooking save for a brief photo break, Kagura nodding and setting her mug down on the coffee table before stepping into the kitchen. After washing up at the sink she settles at the table with her parents, smiles being shared before they all dig into the meal that was prepared.

  Once everyone finishes eating, Kagura helps her parents tend to the dishes, then they all step out into the living room, Kagura immediately deadpanning at the camera that Rebecca begins to set up on a tripod.

  “… Crap, I forgot about our holiday picture we take…” She mutters, Ser’avan striding over beside her before giving a light side hug and chuckling.

  “Didn’t think you could escape this year now did you? It wouldn’t be the holidays without a picture to send your aunts, uncles, and grandparents after all, and…” Deciding to be playful Ser’avan tickles Kagura’s side for a few moments, making her yelp and open her mouth wide as she laughs. “None of them have seen your braces yet, so I want you to give a biiiig smile, think you can do that for us?”

  “O… Of course, mom.” Kagura says with a softer tone to her voice, her and both her parents settling onto the couch with her in the middle before Rebecca readies the remote.

  “Alright, big smiles everyone!” She says before counting down from three, and upon reaching one she presses the button on the remote, the flash going off as the picture is taken. The whole time Kagura keeps the biggest grin she could manage visible, even as redness overtakes her cheeks, Rebecca moving over to the camera before inspecting the picture with a grin. “Beautiful, everyone’s gonna love it.” Sighing in relief Kagura lets her expression soften, nestling in against Ser’avan’s side as she does while she closes her eyes.

  “I missed you, mom… It’s hard being at school and not being able to see you every day…” The demoness chuckles a little before hugging Kagura to her chest, a kiss pressing to her forehead as she does.

  “I missed you too shortpuff, it’s too quiet around here with you and your mother away for much of the year, but thankfully we have winter holiday and summer break together, and in just a few years you graduate, means that even if Becca is teaching at school at least you’ll be around to keep me company. Though I suppose at that point you’ll begin missing her.” She muses, Kagura giggling a bit before nodding.

  “I suppose, though… That’s still a few years away, I guess I can handle time at school knowing I get to look forward to seeing you on each break we get.”

  “That’s the spirit! Always gotta think positive, the world needs more positivity in it and you have that in spades. Now, if you’re still hungry from dinner, I can whip you up a fresh mug of cocoa, and I made some soft gingerbread cookies earlier on, nothing too hard for you to eat, how’s that sound?” Hearing Ser’avan’s offer Kagura perks up considerably, almost immediately beginning to nod with eagerness.

  “Yes please!”

  Chapter 7: Rising and Falling

  “Merry Christmas Kagura!” A pair of voices echo out in cheer as Kagura steps into the living room, her eyes widening considerably as she realizes just what day it is. The winter holiday’s first week passed quietly, families enjoying the snowy weather and any time off they have to be together, and with it’s passing came a day many often looked forward to, Christmas. Kagura steps over to each over her respective parents before giving them a hug and a kiss to the cheek, afterwards settling onto the ground in front of the large, beautifully decorated tree set up near the fireplace.

  Gifts are handed out and opened one at a time, Kagura receiving the most but both Rebecca and Nev’aran receiving a fair few including some from their daughter. Kagura finds it nearly impossible to resist grinning as wide as she can manage, all too willing to let her parents see the alternating green and red elastics lining her teeth, a seasonal decision at the prior week’s appointment that Nev’aran assured her was adorable. Finally, the last gift is opened, and hugs are again shared with her parents, both of whom embrace her at the same time, sharing in her joy.

  “Thank you both so much, it’s all wonderful!” She gleefully exclaims as she savors the warm, comforting presence of her mothers, eyes clenching
shut for the time being. “I know Seraphine is going to love her new collar and the treats.” Clothes, books, some games, and a few things for Seraphine were what Kagura received, all of which is simply perfect to her, nothing more being wanted or needed.

  “You’re so very welcome princess, Merry Christmas. Why don’t you go bring your things to your room, your mom is gonna make us all some cocoa and we can relax by the fire and watch a movie together. How does that sound?” Rebecca suggests, Kagura wasting no time as she nods, gathers up her gifts, and races up to her room, both adults chuckling at the antics of their daughter. While waiting for her return they share a tender kiss for a few moments, then gather up their own gifts, bringing them to their bedroom before Nev’aran retreats into the kitchen to prepare hot chocolate for everyone.

  “Good morning Seraphine, Merry Christmas!” Kagura greets her familiar quite cheerfully, the feline yawning and stretching out before her eyes open.

  “Mm… Good morning Kagura. Christmas, you say?” She mewls out in reply, Kagura nodding before holding up the gifts that were for her familiar, namely a dark green collar with a silver heart shaped tag, a soft cat sized cloak, and a bag of gourmet treats. “Oh my, those are quite nice, what a lovely Christmas this is.”

  “I couldn’t agree more, I got everything I wanted from mom and mama.” As she addresses Seraphine Kagura approaches her and affixes the collar around her neck, a mewl echoing forth once it’s comfortably in place.

  “This is quite a lovely collar, please give them my thanks.” Seraphine nestles into the blankets on the bed comfortably while Kagura scritches behind her ears, a few treats being enjoyed once they are set out in front of her.

  “I’ll be sure to, I know they’ll be happy to hear that.” Letting her familiar rest, she smiles to her before stepping out of her room, slowly making her way downstairs and back over to the oddly quiet living room. “Hey mom, mama? Seraphine says… Uh… What’s… Going on?” Both Rebecca and Nev’aran glance back at Kagura with worried expressions before looking back to the TV, the brunette looking towards it herself and bearing witness to the news currently showing.

  “We come to you live from Lunaria with this breaking news report. Bright lights have been spotted all around Sanctus this morning, these lights fading after a short while and revealing a person.” As the reporter falls silent a video clip is brought up, showing the lights and how they fade to reveal a person. “The mage police of the Sanctus Criminal Authority have begun rounding up the newly arrived people, there is no confirmation regarding just how many there are so far, the only thing we do know is that these are Eartherners.” The clip ends and the reporter comes back on screen, able to be seen standing near Lunaria City Hall.

  “At this time, the Sanctus Criminal Authority has requested all citizens remain in their homes unless it is necessary they be outdoors. There is no need for undue alarm. We wish all citizens a Happy Christmas, and we will return with updates as they arrive.”

  When the report finally fades away, a seasonal show taking it’s place, both adults look back at Kagura, who continues to stare at the screen in shock, yet… She hardly looks like the girl they’d seen not even half an hour earlier, pale skin, a petrified expression, eyes wide, it’s as if she’d seen a ghost.

  “Kagura? Are you okay darling? Rebecca asks while moving to stand, the teen taking a step backwards while slowly shaking her head.

  “N… No… It… It can’t… Not here…” Kagura speaks with a harsh quietness to her voice, her breathing growing rapid as she finds her heart racing… And then, without warning, she suddenly drops, the weight of the world coming crashing down onto her as she faints.

  “KAGURA!” Both adults cry out as they watch her fall before immediately rushing over to check on her, Nev’aran pressing two fingers to her left wrist to check her pulse, a quiet sigh escaping once she confirms it.

  “She’s alright… Becca, I don’t know how she’s going to handle all this, if the news is enough to make her panic and pass out, how could she handle things if they get worse?” As she speaks Nev’aran looks Kagura over to assess for injuries, and upon finding none gently scoops her up into her arms and carries her to the couch.

  “I don’t know, Nev… What could the Eartheners possibly want, they already won the war, slaughtered countless innocents, torched our towns, are they so heartless as to want more senseless violence?” Rebecca sighs before rubbing at her temples lightly, only to frown when she feels her tome vibrate. She pulls it out and answers the call, walking into the kitchen to talk while Nev’aran holds Kagura on her lap.

  “Oh Kagura… You don’t deserve this… No one here does… Those heartless bastards…” She mutters, keeping the unconscious teen cradled to her chest the whole time. Rebecca soon steps out of the kitchen, a tense expression visible, Nev’aran looking to her and frowning further.

  “That was the headmistress. All professors who fought in the war are being called to a special meeting of the Sanctus High Council. I don’t think I’ll be gone for more than half the day at most, but I must leave immediately.” Walking over to her wife and daughter she kneels down and strokes along Kagura’s head for a few moments, then presses a kiss to her forehead. “I don’t know how long Kagura will remain knocked out, I’ll try and be back as soon as I can.”

  “Okay, Becca… I know I don’t need to tell you to, but stay safe, alright?” Nodding, Rebecca shares a quick kiss with her wife, then stands up right and teleports herself out of the house to meet up with Amethyst and the rest of the professors who fought.

  “What a dreadful Christmas… Amazing how quickly things can fall to ruin…”

  ~

  “Thank you for meeting me here on such short notice, everyone. Please, grab hold of my staff and I’ll teleport us to the meeting place.” Amethyst begins explaining, glancing over those stood by her for a few moments.

  “You won’t need to speak unless you wish to voice a question or concern, except for you, Rebecca. You and I were the ones to discover the first Earthener, so we’ll need to inform the council of this. I can’t say for certain how things will go, and what the plans moving forward will be, so let us hope for the best.” Once Amethyst falls silent the rest of the professors grab hold of her staff, the headmistress swiftly channeling the teleportation spell for a few moments before the group disappears in a flash

  As light fades into their eyes everyone looks over their surroundings, making note of the rather inconspicuous nature of where they are. Amethyst chuckles upon seeing their reactions and motions them along, a wave of her hand over a seemingly ordinary bush nestled against a tree dispelling it’s illusion and revealing a stairway into an underground passageway.

  “Long ago it was decided that the Elder Council would meet in an inconspicuous location, somewhere no one would think to look. Presently we are in a forest in Tal’vedan, each nation has one such meeting area hidden somewhere within it, and each time the council meets a different one is used.” She explains, the cold of the snowy forest immediately fading into a comfortable warmth once they’ve entered the passage.

  “That’s clever, a precaution if there ever were to be a war, yet otherwise a useful means of ensuring the council meets in secrecy.” Samael muses, the restorative magic professor admiring the rather elegant look of the hallway’s interiors, easily able to forget they are hidden underneath a forest.

  “Precisely. We’ve never once had war here on Sanctus in the many hundreds of years we have colonized this planet, so it hasn’t needed to be used for such a purpose, and the council doesn’t often meet, save for a yearly gathering to discuss the affairs of their respective nations. Of course, this is a serious matter, the last time an Earthener was on Sanctus was before the end of the war, when those who were visiting were sent back to Earth. And now, with them teleporting in en masse? This has very quickly become an issue.”

  Amethyst leads the group along to a large, ornate looking painting of an elven philosopher adorning the end of one o
f many hallways, her right hand being outstretched before she waves it in a pattern along the painting, tracing the edge of the hourglass in it’s hand. The moment she returns her hand to where she started the painting fades, revealing an opening in the wall which she then guides everyone through, revealing the council room and the five members presently occupying the seats at the large curved table.

  “Thank you for joining us Headmistress Amethyst, professors.” Ver’ena greets with a neutral expression shown, the demoness leader of Tal’vedan seated on the middle seat of the table, shorter grey hair tied up into a bun. “As you are aware, Headmistress, it is rare for the council to convene on such short notice, and even more so that you are brought in as well, much less accompanied by those who we request. Yet… These are troubling times, it seems.”

  “Rightly so. We had been informed in October of the first Earthener’s arrival, though hadn’t thought it to be of concern just yet, merely something we needed to watch patiently. Amethyst, can you and the professor who discovered the Earthener please elaborate on the events of that night?” Speaking next is Clove Eventide, the elven leader of Raldevar, who’s golden hues gaze down at the group in front of her.

  “On the evening of October the first at roughly ten thirty in the evening, a bright light became visible over the waters to the south west of Solenim’s island. I requested Professor Melangreve accompany me, as she is one of my more experienced professors, and we ventured down to the water.” Amethyst begins explaining, Rebecca nodding along before stepping forward to speak.