Skies of Fyir Box Set

by Gabriela Voelske

  Sakura placed her palm against the stone, gathered her concentration and then pushed. Her hand went flat to the floor, so she lifted it up. Underneath was a flattened pile, one that turned back to stone a few seconds after her hand had left it. The Raven picked up the sheet of rock and examined it, tapping the corner on the wooden floor to see what would happen. A small piece broke off, but otherwise it was stable.

  “I would guess that the larger the object, the harder it is to liquidate?” he said, turning the flat rock over in his hand.

  “Liquidate is probably the best term for this, actually, and yes, larger is harder,” Maelor replied. “Rocks flatten, the ground turns to quicksand and metal becomes fragile. I’ve not tried it on living material, however.”

  “That metal aspect could be helpful when it comes to chains.”

  The magic limiting aspect of purpose-built cuffs could negate that, but Sakura agreed. She focused on the larger rock, feeling greater resistance as she channelled her magic. Directly below her palm liquidated without a problem, but the areas outside of it required additional effort. After a period of trial and error the large rock too had been flattened. She could feel a tingle of exhaustion starting to kick in, not enough to worry her.

  “I haven’t got a spare hill for you to alter, but you appear to have the idea behind that spell down,” the Raven said, prodding the second, flat rock. “Besides, gentle casting, as I said.”

  Maelor told her of a few more spells, although they were all offensive in nature. Without a target she couldn’t practise them, so he had to stick to the theory of it. They sounded simple in nature, using the disruptive features of chaos to deal damage. It gave her an idea about helping Ciel, though she would have to confirm with Solomon.

  “I don’t know all the aspects of chaos since I was only young when everything happened. I built up what I learnt, but I never grasped every element,” Maelor said, unsure where to guide her next. “If you can think of any opposites it’ll be a start, they’re not so obvious past fire and earth.”

  “Fire and earth are primordial compared to some of the others, so their opposites are obvious. I would call wind the same if I could think of what the opposite was. Not windy isn’t true as wind mages can both generate and remove it,” the Raven said, tilting his head upward in thought.

  “Is the opposite an oversimplification? I know in the texts my father had on the issue it referred chaos by another name: disorder,” Sakura replied, hearing Maelor make an interested grunt. “Order and disorder. Perhaps I should look into the disordered states of elements? It might just happen that with earth and fire is just a straight opposite.”

  “Huh, never thought of that,” Maelor remarked.

  “Gives you a start, there’s no point in not trying,” the Raven stated, giving her a pat on the shoulder. “Why don’t we practise some more of what we do know? Give the others some thought, just in case they’re destructive.”

  Sakura agreed, turning her attention back to the rocks. One by one, the remaining stones were squashed, leaving only a pile of flat rocks. She piled the flat rocks on top of each other, creating an odd-looking ornament. With one hand on either side, she channelled aether into the stones. They melted down into a puddle, one she shaped with her hands into a ball. The ball remained in her hands as she dropped the spell, presenting her with a perfect sphere. It was taken from her by the Raven, who examined it. He tapped it a few times on the floor, but it remained firm.

  “Impressive, so you can merge materials,” he said, rolling the ball on his palm. “Perhaps not the most useful in combat, but it has its uses in building.”

  “I could see myself making some nice statues with this,” she replied with a laugh. “Not the most respectable use of my power, though.”

  “Why not? Magic doesn’t have to boil down to offense, defence or healing. There’s plenty of mages out there who have mastered their abilities for day to day use.”

  It was an obvious statement, but also a true one. Growing up in the Central Isles skewed her idea of magic use, given the present nature of threats. Why couldn’t she use it to improve her daily life? Using chaos for such a benign purpose would help her prove it’s not an evil element.

  She practised her spells some more until she felt a notable strain, which is when the Raven stepped in. There had been enough casting for today, now she should rest. He invited her to join him for dinner, assuming his offering was better than what she got from the dining hall.

  “Cooking’s one of my fortes, so if you’ve got a good selection of ingredients I can kick it up a notch for you,” Sakura said.

  “I tend to keep my meals simple, knives don’t tend to carry much in the way of an aetheric signature so I’ve cut myself before,” the Raven replied, rubbing one hand on the other. “Dyn and some of the others come by and cut my ingredients up for me, to save me the hassle.”

  “Do you miss your sight?”

  “I do miss it, but it was taken away against my will. I don’t lament the loss, though. We can never learn to adapt if we reside in the past.”

  “Wise words,” she remarked. She too missed her other eye but she had to learn to live without it. There was nothing that could bring it back, so there was no point grasping on to it. “Shall we?”

  The Raven nodded, helping her to her feet. They returned to his house, where he showed Sakura to his food stores. She rustled through the larder, selecting a range of vegetables.

  “No fresh meat? Or fish,” she said, coming up empty as she searched. There were dried options of each, but nothing more.

  “I get it delivered to me sometimes, though I’ve got none at the moment. It doesn’t keep well in this heat.”

  “Mushrooms it is, then.”

  The large, flat mushroom caps were thrown onto a long, iron tray while the vegetables were chopped and added to a pot to boil. She crushed some herbs, sprinkling them on for additional flavour. Both sets of items were set above the fireplace, with fresh flames eager to cook the food above. His cooking tools were simple in nature, something she noticed he preferred. The house lacked decoration, everything inside had a functional purpose.

  “I take it your father isn’t the best cook?”

  Sakura chuckled. “No. He will try, but you actually want to eat it then it’s wise to let me cook instead.”

  “The High Houses don’t raise its children to live, only fight,” the Raven said, “his every need would’ve been catered to by the servants, or slaves.”

  “Is slavery a common thing here?”

  “I suppose that’ll depend on your definition of slavery. Rarely are the servants there because it’s their life’s goal to be a servant. Debts, conquests, and threats can all generate servants without the need for kidnap.”

  “My father told me that you oppose everything the High Houses stand for, though being a child of them he never saw the negative sides, or never tried to see them,” Sakura remarked, prodding the cooking mushroom caps to check their progress. “You’re called by a title rather than a name, and individuals only tend to avoid their name for select reasons. If you don’t mind me prying, that is.”

  The Raven sighed, stretching back in his chair. He remained there for a moment, his arms crossed. “I was once a slave to one of the houses, a toy for their children while I was still a baby myself. They tried to tell me that they rescued me as a child, as a terrible fate had befallen my family. As I grew and began to tower over them, they had to think of other uses for me so they forced me to partake in blood sports to fight for their glory.”

  Sakura could see his pain as he recounted the story, so she fetched him another drink and offered it up. It was accepted, breaking up the story with quiet gulps. When he was ready, he continued.

  “I’ve hurt a lot of other demons in my time, but it taught me my strength. Eventually, I gathered the courage I needed to leave, although not without a fight. I escaped, and after a few months, I found my family, the supposedly dead one. They told me I had been kidna
pped as only a few month old babe, but when they tried to seek help, they were turned away. Southern old bloods didn’t have the acceptance that they do now.”

  “I take it you don’t use your name in order to protect them?” Sakura said, flipping over the mushrooms and stirring the pot. It was a painful story and yet a common one she would think.

  “Correct. The Raven was a title someone close to me gave me.”

  “This community is lucky to have you, you seem a fair and kind leader.”

  He smiled, relaxing in the chair. To Sakura, he came over glad that he had told that tale. The lack of name alone was not enough to keep them safe, he had to also deny their existence. Demons may be varied in characteristics, but members of the same family were often recognisable. It wouldn’t take much to identify his family if they were found.

  Sakura allowed the conversation to drop while she finished off the meal preparation. She scooped one mushroom onto a plate, along with a generous helping of vegetables. “Do you want me to cut up your ‘shroom?”

  “Into quarters if you wouldn’t mind.”

  Her knife sliced through the mushroom, separating it into four neat chunks. The Raven tucked into the meal as she portioned out her own, joining him a moment later. Judging by the grin that sneaked onto his lips, he was enjoying her cooking. Before she could finish her own meal, a knock rung out on the door. Dyn opened the door and peered in, cracking a smile at the scene in front of him.

  “Had a good day, then?” he said, stepping inside the house. Sakura peered out of the window to the side, noticing that it was already dark.

  “It’s been productive,” Sakura replied, stuffing a few more vegetables in her mouth. Dyn snorted and told her to take her time, as there was no rush.

  “The others have retired to bed, though they’re probably sat up chatting,” Dyn remarked, turning his head towards the Raven. He noticed his smile and his soft shoulders. “I’ve not seen you that relaxed in some time.”

  “Today’s been a nice change of pace,” the Raven replied, licking his lips. “She’s a good cook, too.”

  “Given my brother, that doesn’t surprise me. We’ll head back when you’re ready, but again, no rush.”

  Sakura tapped on the floor for him to join her, while she finished her meal. She sat for a few moments after finishing to let the food go down, before collecting the plates up. As she stacked up the plates, the Raven took them from her. He reasoned that since she put the effort into preparing the meal, he could at least clean up. For a moment she went to protest, but she respected his determination.

  “Thank you for today, it helped a lot,” Sakura said, climbing to her feet.

  “Anytime, kid. You go and rest up.”

  Chapter 26: The Siblings

  A few days passed and there had been no sign of Amnur, or anything related to the siblings. Dyn had her mix with the locals to keep her mind occupied, though the effect was wearing thin. This morning the Central Isles group had opted to stay together, hanging out on a shaded patio.

  Hissing and bellowing on the decks below garnered their attention, with Dyn throwing a glance to Sakura. He ushered them to keep out of sight, aware of what the siblings would do if they knew she existed. They watched as a group of heavily armoured demons muscled through the crowd, pushing the locals to one side. Growls filled the air in response to the actions, but they conceded to let the group past. Dyn’s plan had been spread around with care, so they knew to allow them past.

  The group shouldered past until they reached the large, open platform that lay before the Raven’s house. It was a ploy to draw Dyn out, knowing his fondness of the old blood. Once they reached the deck, the mercenaries split up and formed a circle. At the centre was the two Dyn called brother and sister, along with Amnur. An unconscious Amnur. Another individual trailed behind them, a wicked grin spread across his face.

  Sakura felt hands cover her mouth as they tried to drag her back, though Solomon’s strength was not enough to move her. Her brow creased in reply, irritated over the action.

  “That’s… that’s Raz’iel,” Solomon said, pointing to the demon in the back.

  “Your father? The heck’s he doing here?” Sariel whispered. Solomon shook his head, none the wiser as to why.

  A voice rung out from below, taunting Dyn to show his face. He growled as he stared at the situation below, debating his best course of action. To try and save Amnur he had to go down, but to go down without a plan would get them both killed.

  “Would you say that Raz’iel is Lilith’s southern contact?” Iliana said, gaining Abel’s attention. Solomon was unsure, though it was more than coincidence that he had Amnur and that he was here. Abel noted their exposed position below, along with the towering mountain ridge to their right, Amnur’s left. He locked eyes with Iliana, offering the Northerner a nod.

  “Could you distract Raz’iel, Solomon? I would imagine the other two would focus on Dyn,” Abel queried, pointing to the mountain. “I need them not to look up.”

  “He’s not going to expect me, so I can try my best.”

  “Sariel, you keep Sakura here. It’s too dangerous for her,” Dyn said, earning a huff from her. She had to concede, however. The angel placed a firm hand on her shoulder to reassure her, telling her to put faith in Abel. He knew not of the dragon’s abilities, but the shock value alone may prove enough.

  “Just note that Raz’iel is dangerous, very dangerous. He has no remorse,” Solomon stated. Dyn gave him a solemn nod and signalled for Abel to take his position. Iliana interrupted the tall demon to whisper a brief rundown of his plan, before ushering him off. They gave him a moment to clear off, before stepping out of their hiding place. A brief flight separated the two platforms, one that left them vulnerable. The siblings wished to brag, however, and left them alone as they dropped.

  “There he is,” the eldest brother remarked, placing a foot on Amnur’s arm. His gaze was sharp and as cold as ice. “Who would’ve thought that our brother lived after all these years?”

  “I do wonder how you found out, but it’s provided us with this opportunity,” the eldest sister said, placing her hands on her hips. “You appear to have some new friends.”

  “Az,” Dyn said, scowling at his brother, “and Lile.”

  An amused snort rang out from Raz’iel, his eyes fixed on Solomon. “I can tell you who informed him of Amnur’s existence. That boy behind him is my son.”

  “So that’s Solomon? He’s rather lanky and pathetic,” Lile said. Solomon felt his heart falter, but he mustered his courage. He could sense Amnur’s desperate state, his pain.

  “Sounds about right, he foolishly decided to follow his heart, rather than his head,” Raz’iel remarked, tapping on his chest. “Tell me, boy, did you enjoy stabbing me in the back, after everything I did for you?”

  Anger filled Solomon, but also fear. He could hear the vitriol in his voice and he knew better than anyone his father’s anger, his aggression. Iliana put a subtle hand on his back to try and keep him calm, using his other hand to ensure his hood was taut. Dyn steered the conversation back to Amnur, biding the time they needed. Lile taunted him about his false heritage, confirming the rumours that had plagued the family for so long. Az remained stoic, his words being said through his gaze alone.

  She revealed that Amnur had signed over claim to the grounds, along with all the power that came with it. By Raz’iel’s increasing smirk, his co-operation had not been voluntary. Their words made the younger brother scowl, but he amused them for now.

  Iliana’s eyes tilted to one side, spotting Abel sat in position. Abel watched the scene below, waiting until the optimal moment. He leapt off the roof of the building he was perched on, swooping towards the group below with a wide arc. All eyes were facing forward, giving him silent access from behind. The wind slid under his wings, guiding him to the platform. Once he was close enough, he shifted into his draconic form.

  His draconic bulk slammed into the platform below, knocking the mer
cenaries off their feet. He opened his maw wide and snatched Amnur, dislodging Az with a flick of his head. Before they could react to the obsidian behemoth, Abel launched into the sky and darted for the mountainside.

  “The North is no longer interested in your pettiness,” Iliana exclaimed, yanking off his hood. In the bright southern sun, his downward curving horns gleamed. He was a Northerner, and that was a dragon. “My sister sends her regards.”

  The siblings gawped at the sudden change of events. They had lost their captive. Iliana had revealed them to be traitors. It was all going wrong. Lile, in her anger, tried to light Abel’s hide, only to find his scales too resistant to the flames. Within seconds, he had exceeded her range. Az picked himself up off the floor, noting the ache from his side. He stared at the disappearing dragon, then at Dyn. His hand arched and shook, a flame sparking to life inside. The arm raised, aiming for his younger brother.

  Lethal black spines swept out from behind Dyn, forcing Az to back down. Iliana scowled, directing the conjured darkness at him to keep him from casting. The mercenaries soon found themselves under pressure from the locals, now that the plan had gone off without a hitch.

  Raz’iel stared at the unfolding situation and sighed. He didn’t know enough to call Iliana’s bluff, nor would it help the current situation. Bluff or not, he still somehow had a dragon and that magical prowess gave him credibility as Lilith’s brother. “Do I have to do everything by myself?”

  Blood dripped on to the deck as he bit into his arm, giving him an ample supply to work with. He crouched down, mocking up symbols on the wooden surface. Solomon could tell he was up to something, though the crowd of guards blocked his view of his father’s actions. He ushered Dyn and Iliana to back up, unsure whether it was a simple teleportation spell or something offensive. Iliana did as told, but Dyn was still stunned by the sight of Abel.