Embers of the Past

by Bethany Atwood

  “I… Suppose I did. We need to talk, it’s important.” The demoness says, Kagura nodding slowly before moving to her bed and sitting on it’s edge.

  “Alright Mer, what’s up?” Before Mer’ania gets a chance to speak, the door to the dorm opens, revealing Mer’ania, however this Mer’ania has the proper hair color and skin tone, and she does not seem terribly happy to see what looks to be herself with Kagura. “… Okay, what the hell is going on here. Two Mer’anias?!?”

  “Kagura, get away from her, she’s an impostor!” The white haired Mer’ania exclaims, the black haired one frowning slightly before looking to the brunette.

  “No, she’s the impostor, you have to trust me!” Kagura looks between the two and grits her teeth, huffing softly before closing her eyes.

  “Mer, how did we become girlfriends?” She asks, knowing only the real Mer’ania could answer this.

  “It was the day you got your braces put on, I consoled you and got you to take pain relief elixir, we went on a walk, and you asked me to be your girlfriend.” Hearing what the white haired Mer’ania says Kagura rushes over to her and stands behind her, glaring over at the other, false Mer’ania.

  “Alright, who the hell are you impostor?” The false demoness begins to chuckle darkly, running a hand through her hair before sighing and glaring at the two.

  “I can’t believe they said this would be easy… They said you all were idiots, that I could copy one of you and play pretend for a while, no one would notice. Guess they were wrong.” Waving a hand across herself the false demoness dissolves the illusion shrouding her, revealing a tall human girl with long platinum blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes. Mer’ania joins Kagura in glaring at the intruding young adult, who merely laughs and smirks.

  “Well now, seeing as the cat’s out of the bag, how about a little fun? You two can come with me, or we see just how flammable people truly are. How about it brace face, wanna be a good little girl and not get hurt?” Kagura scowls as she listens to the girl speak, continuing to glare at her, the woman gaining a malicious grin as she sees them stand their ground. “Excellent, I love me a good fight.”

  The woman thrusts her right fist out, sending forth a jet of flames, however unbeknownst to her Kagura had summoned her fans while hiding behind Mer’ania, and the moment she sees the flames she steps out and fans them, a gust of wind sending them back at the woman and knocking her off her feet.

  “Now if that ain’t a neat trick… Wanna tell me how you did that, girly, or is it some big secret I don’t get to know about?” The woman spits out with malice to her tone, Kagura looking to Mer’ania and nodding before the demoness runs off out of the dorm. Seeing Kagura remaining silent and continuing to glare, a defensive stance being assumed, she pushes herself to her feet and grins, balling up her hands for a few moments.

  “Well alright then, looks like I get to go all out.”

  ~

  “I beg your pardon Ms. Mer’ania? An impostor?”

  Mer’ania nods to Headmistress Amethyst before speaking again, a steely expression on her face.

  “I met this girl on the train from Tal’vedan, she seemed like someone who could’ve been in one of my classes, she was really curious about what dorm I stayed in, so I just told her the number, it didn’t seem off to me at the time. After your speech, when we all left the cafeteria, I stayed back to ask a teacher a question, and when I got to my dorm I saw Kagura and what looked like me, except the other me had black hair.” She explains, Amethyst’s expression darkening considerably before she stands.

  “Thank you for informing me Ms. Mer’ania, if Ms. Melangreve and this impostor are fighting, then I request that you stay back, let the teachers handle things.” Mer’ania nods before following Amethyst out of her office, the two weaving their way through the school before reaching the fourth floor dormitories, immediately witnessing Kagura being blown back by a gust of wind and fire and sent crashing into a wall.

  “You’re good, girl, but I’m better, though that was rather enjoyable. Now, you’re going to come with me, everyone would be disappointed if I returned empty handed.” The blonde-haired woman begins to approach the felled Kagura, but just as she takes her first step forward Amethyst leaps into action, a strong burst of focused wind impacting with the woman’s side and sending her crashing to the floor many feet away, a groan echoing out within moments.

  “Oh you bitch, that hurt…” She mutters, eyes widening slightly the moment she sees Amethyst. “Well well well, if it isn’t the esteemed Headmistress, Amethyst Hazelmist. I know many people who would love to speak with you, if not see you dead, though that must wait, regrettably. This certainly throws a wrench into our plans I must admit, but oh well, some things can’t be helped.” Slowly rising to her feet the woman grins at those around, namely the students watching from afar, Mer’ania, and Amethyst, a big wave of flames being sent forth. Amethyst conjures winds to snuff the flames, but when they fade she finds the mysterious woman to have teleported away.

  “Damn it all…” Muttering quietly, Amethyst looks to Mer’ania, then to the fallen Kagura, who remains unconscious against the wall. “Ms. Mer’ania, please bring Ms. Melangreve to the medical ward, I fear she may be hurt, and if she is alright then at the very least she can rest until she wakes.” Mer’ania nods and carefully lifts Kagura into her arms, holding her close as she walks down to the medical ward, weaving through hallways and corridors. Once Mer’ania is out of sight Amethyst casts a few minor mending spells to fix the damage caused by the fight, then retreats back to her office, immediately sending an email to the five council members with the new developments that have come to light.

  ~

  “Oh, my back… My everything…”

  Wincing in pain, Kagura attempts to push herself up into a seated position, only to cry out sharply and drop back onto the bed, her eyes gradually opening before she looks around the medical ward. Almost immediately does she see Mer’ania, the demoness weakly smiling down at her while looking as if she had been crying.

  “H… Hey, Mer… Are you alright?” Mer’ania nods slowly before smiling a little wider, a hand rubbing at her eyes for a few moments afterwards.

  “I am now, Kags… I am now…” A weak smile is given up towards the demoness, Kagura soon closing her eyes again before taking a deep breath.

  “What… Happened? All I remember was that woman… I was fighting her, but I wasn’t winning, then… There was light, and heat, then pain… And now I’m here…” Mer’ania glances off to the side before sighing, a hand gently grasping Kagura’s.

  “I went to get the headmistress; we came back and saw you hit the wall… The woman was going to take you, but the headmistress fought her back… She managed to escape, but no one was taken…” As Mer’ania recalls what happened a few hours prior, a nurse makes her way over, the demoness falling silent and scooting back so that Kagura can be looked over.

  “Most excellent, you’re finally awake. How are you feeling Ms. Melangreve?” Nurse Seraph asks, the grey haired male smiling down at her. Kagura looks up at the elven nurse before wincing slightly, her body falling still lest she hurt herself further.

  “Everything hurts…” She mutters, Seraph chuckling a little before nodding.

  “Which is to be expected, from what I gather you took quite a nasty hit to your back. Thankfully it’s nothing that will be permanent, I’ll give you some pain relief elixir to help you feel better now, and some to take with you, but for now just rest, try not to move if possible. Tomorrow when lessons start just be careful, mind your body lest your aggravate the injuries.” Kagura slowly nods as the nurse speaks, her bed being raised so that she can sit up without straining herself.

  “Will do…” She mutters, Seraph slipping away for a few moments before returning with a small vial of amber colored liquid, the cap being unscrewed before it’s offered over to Kagura. Gently does she take it before a small amount is sipped, the effects immediately felt as the pain fades and her body visibly
relaxes. Once she’s satisfied she’s had enough to deal with the soreness, she passes the vial back to Seraph and it is capped again, being set on the nearby stand before he steps away.

  “That stuff is a miracle, Mer…” She mutters, Mer’ania giggling and nodding before leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I know it is, it’s one of the greatest things to have been invented. A potent remedy for pain… It’s so commonplace too, and not expensive, which is the best part.” Kagura chuckles before nodding, a hand pressing to her abdomen and making note of what feels to be a bandage wrapped around it. Slowly lifting her shirt she glances down at the wrap applying pressure to her waist and lower back, the light brown fabric contrasting with her pale skin.

  “Should’ve figured they’d use a wrap… At least it should help with recovery, though I hope I don’t need to wear it forever.” Muttering again Kagura tugs her shirt back down, Seraph returning soon after with a small pouch in his grasp.

  “This is for you Ms. Melangreve, two vials of pain relief elixir. If you’re feeling better and the pain is gone, then you’re free to go, drink some elixir as needed, and if the pain doesn’t get better in a few days then you may return and we’ll take another look.” With a nod given she takes the pouch from the nurse before he departs, then looks to Mer’ania, who immediately stands and helps her to her feet.

  “Alright… Let’s get going, I just want to rest and try to settle in… I’d rather focus on other things and not let anxiety take over again…” Kagura moves to take Mer’ania’s hand, but before she can the demoness simply smiles to her and crouches down, a silent offer to carry the brunette on her back. Of course the offer is accepted, Kagura securing a firm grip on Mer’ania before she stands and begins the trek back to the dorm, the shorter teen peering past the side of her girlfriend’s head the whole time.

  Chapter 9: Visitors of a Peculiar Nature

  “This is dire news indeed, Amethyst.” Ver’ena says as she looks between her other councilmembers, all of whom look equally as focused as her.

  “They’ve attempted to take students by posing as their dormmates, their friends… It seems the Eartherners have emboldened themselves. This is nothing like last time.” Lady Ariel sighs before brushing back a stray strand of hair, her eyes closing in concentration as she thinks.

  “And you are certain the Earthener impostors have been dealt with, Amethyst?” Amethyst nods to Samuel, a grim expression of her own visible.

  “Yes. After the first impostor revealed herself, we began a search of the school, and had every student question their friends and dormmates to ensure they are the correct students and not Eartheners in disguise. We found four more hiding amongst the students, but they were swiftly dealt with but escaped before we could restrain them, unfortunately.” She says before looking to Claude, who again is stroking his beard in contemplation.

  “If the Earthener’s think they can simply sneak into Sanctus and kidnap citizens, especially students, they have another thing coming to them… For the time being, it is best if we watch carefully, ensure no more Eartherners can sneak into Solenim, or anywhere else for that matter… If I recall correctly, after our prior meeting, you reported back from your journey to the Dragon Lands, and invited them to come visit our nations for a change?”

  “That is correct Claude.” Clove says before pushing his glasses up lightly, “Not many citizens visit the Dragon Lands, even with the dragons as our friends, I felt having the dragons visit our nations would deter Earthener attacks while also letting our peoples interact with our friends from the south. It’s a win-win, and while I doubt it’ll be enough to quell Earthener attacks forever, it’ll at least delay the inevitable, scare off the Eartheners for long enough to let us prepare.”

  “Seeing how our peoples handled the news on Christmas and that they heeded all warnings, I feel things will fall in our favor when the Eartheners finally strike. Amethyst, we would like for you to ensure that students follow any such warnings you decide to enact, though given your track record of leading Solenim we have no doubt you’ll keep everyone safe.” Amethyst nods slowly when Samuel finishes speaking, a slight smile forming when she looks to the council.

  “Of course, I will do all that I can to ensure the students of Solenim Academy, under my guidance and protection, will come to no harm at the hands of the Eartheners. With protective enchantments surrounding the island, there is no possible means for anyone unauthorized to teleport onto school grounds, indeed the impostors arrived by train, hiding amongst the student populace that were returning from holiday.”

  “Most excellent. You may leave Amethyst, we will keep you informed of new developments once things progress. Our dragon friends should be in our nations by now, I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two elected to visit you all at Solenim.” With one final nod Amethyst steps back and teleports herself to her office in Solenim Academy, the councilmembers looking amongst themselves once she’s gone.

  “I think it best we all depart as well and continue to watch over our nations, for now we need not push forward until we see just what the Eartheners desire to do next.”

  ~

  “Alright students, by next class I would like for you to all have written a one thousand word essay on the history of Alchemy and the modern uses for it.” Professor Kraft says, waving off everyone as they pack their bags and depart the classroom. Kagura grumbles quietly as she pulls her heavy backpack onto her shoulders and leaves the room, Mer’ania trailing along at her side with a more cheerful demeanor.

  “Bah, an essay… Why an essay so soon after we got back from holiday, I just wanted some easy lessons to get back into the swing of things, and instead we had a big exam and now an essay…” The short brunette bemoans as she walks along, Mer’ania chuckling before glancing around.

  “Professor Kraft is a bit eccentric, I’ll admit, I’ve never made sense of why he alternates between referring to himself as Joseph Kraft and Joe Powers. If I recall right… Kraft means force, not powers.” Kagura shrugs slightly before brushing a few strands of hair out of her face, moments later wincing and pressing a hand to her lower back.

  “I just wish we didn’t need so many books, and all my notes too, it’s really heavy… My back still hasn’t fully recovered, this weight isn’t helping at all…” Without a second thought Mer’ania deftly grasps the handle on Kagura’s backpack and lifts it, the smaller teen barely managing to get her arms out of the straps before the demoness slings it over a shoulder.

  “I’d appreciate a little warning next time Mer, you know it startles me when you do that without letting me know…” Unable to resist giggling a little, Mer’ania leans down and pecks the top of Kagura’s head, making her blush a rosy shade of pink as her eyes widen slightly and a shy expression forms. The two make their way up to their dorm and step inside, Kagura clambering up onto her bed before glancing around, the size of the room again making her feel smaller than usual.

  “I really don’t get why everything has to be so big… It doesn’t help that I’m this small to begin with, but nearly everything is massive, it’s so annoying…” She mutters to the amusement of her girlfriend, who giggles again while Kagura quirks an eyebrow.

  “Oh Kags, did you really forget? In history, we learned that when Sanctus was first colonized, every race came to a mutual agreement that buildings would be built to fit the average height of the tallest race, which happens to be male demons at six feet and ten inches. With humans having an average height much shorter than demons, elves, and angels, there are accommodations for those who happen to be vertically challenged.” Mer’ania grins a cheeky little smile, something that doesn’t amuse Kagura one bit before the demoness speaks further.

  “All furniture can be magically sized to fit the person who’d use it, that’s why my bed is longer than yours, and my dresser and shelves are higher up off the ground. Most humans don’t seem bothered by it, the accommodations make it so they can exist alongside us with ease, and… If I remember right,
you like when I carry you, Kags, you being short just means I have an easier job of doing so.” Kagura blushes much redder as she glances off to the side, lips parting in a sheepish expression joined by weak chuckling.

  “I… Yeah… I know I complain about being so tiny, but… Having you around makes it easier…” She murmurs, gaze focusing out the window not far from their beds. “Say… Mer, what do you think those lights we see flashing against the barrier around the island every so often are?”

  “The lights? From what I know of barrier enchantments, if something or someone attempts to pass through they bounce off and the barrier shimmers a little, light becoming visible upon impact. Maybe it’s just animals trying to get through, the barrier doesn’t distinguish between what it keeps out.” The demoness muses, looking out the window as well before another light and the shimmering of a portion of the barely perceptible barrier becomes apparent.

  “… Maybe it could be Eartheners… I know there haven’t been sightings of them recently, but… Maybe they’ve learned how to teleport near Solenim, but aren’t able to actually get in the barrier…” Kagura sighs before she finds a hand pressing to her shoulder, Mer’ania’s reassuring smile greeting her when she looks to her.

  “Hey, Kags, don’t worry so much. I doubt it is any Eartheners, and even if it is, teleporting into the cold water and trying to get through the barrier is a terrible idea. If it is them then they’d have to be stupid to think freezing themselves in the water is a bright idea this time of year.”

  Before they get much chance to speak, the sound of tremendous wings flapping courses through the building for all of a minute before fading, both teens looking back out the window only to witness a large, crimson scaled dragon perched some distance away from the school.

  “Good afternoon students! I trust you’ve all had a good return to your lessons, today I come to you with wonderful news.” Amethyst’s voice echoes out over the school’s loudspeaker system, Kagura and Mer’ania picking up on the sound of students outside the dorm making their way towards the stairs.