Fantasy Ice Casters of Albey [PRIVATE]

[Zylvia]

Aislinn saw the extent of her attack and paled. She'd never meant to be so vicious. The sight of so much blood sent her reeling. Guilt welled up inside her, giant waves of it threatening to swallow her whole. "Oh my God," she whispered in horror, unable to believe she'd been the cause of so much damage and pain. "Oh my God, what have I done?" Trembling with fear, she sprinted towards him, fuelled by the gusts swirling around her. Effortlessly, she blew away his shield of fire and crouched down, trying to stop the bleeding with her blistered hands. "Help!" she called, tearing up at the sight of Jeremy. "Master Jo, help! Help me! Please! He's wounded!"


---------------------------


Jo was just about to retort when Aislinn's voice sliced through the silence. Eyes wide with worry, she threw open the carriage door, not looking back to check if Anu had followed because of course he had. The sight that greeted her was all too familiar. Blood and violence - the very things they'd be facing if Maduk succeeded with his little plot. She rushed over and shoved Ash aside roughly. Water coated her hands, crisp and cool. Wordlessly, Jo held it to Jeremy's chest, watching intently as the water seeped into his wounds, stitching them up with silvery threads of liquid. "Those will leave a mark," she said. "But I suspect it is better than bleeding out."


With a kind smile at the boy, she whirled on Aislinn, fury in her every move. "What in the name of heaven were you doing, fool? You're lucky I was around or else he'd be dead within hours! Have I taught you no better, Aislinn?"


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Knowing that Jeremy was going to be okay and he didn't need to fight any more he made his way to his knees. Before he would collapse completely to the floor, Anu caught him in his arms. He carried him into the carriage so he could relax his chest. He closed the door and walked back towards Jo and Ash. "She didn't know better Jo, it's fine."


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Jo whirled on Anu, as fierce as she'd ever been. "If she's going to be a Caster, she needs to learn control," she growled, glaring at Aislinn with disappointed eyes. "What will happen to her if we're not around? The little runt needs to learn." With a noticeable nod towards Ash's blistered hands, Jo said, "Think of those are your punishment today, Aislinn. And remember their pain next time."


-----------


Ash bit her lip, knowing that Master Jo was right and hating herself. Despite the woman's sharp tongue and hurtful words, the young girl knew her Master was right. Today had proven more than anything that she had to tighten her control over her magic. It wasn't a game. She gazed down at her arms; they were tender. Even moving them hurt. The thought of riding Fundamental in their pitiful state made her cringe. "Yes, Master," she muttered, sagging in defeat. She looked at Master Anu and apologised sincerely. "I'm really sorry. I didn't.. I didn't mean to lose it like that. I wasn't trying to hurt him that badly, I swear. I.. I'm sorry." Aislinn bowed her head.


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Master Anu sympathetically looked at Ash's wounds. "It's fine. Don't worry about it." He paused for a moment of silence. "Are you and Jo heading straight for the academy or stopping at a village or two first?"


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn stared at the ground as she talked, feeling unworthy of looking into the eyes of a member of the Council of Three. Add to that the fact that she'd just ripped open his apprentice and well, she wasn't off to a great start. Good job, idiot. You're going far in life. Biting her lip, eyes still downcast, she said, "Master Jo was planning on staying the night at Ryson Village at the edge of the forest. How about you, sir?"


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

"Well, I wanted to stay with Jo so I guess we will be joining you two." He took off his glasses and sighed. "I mean if that is fine with your master."

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn laughed softly and thought about Jo complaining and moaning about what a pain in the ass they'd be. But her eyes would twinkle with delight and she'd smile as she scolded them. "Yes," she said, nodding her head, gentle breezes ruffling her hair. "I'm sure Master Jo would enjoy the company of people other than her troublesome apprentice who just screwed up big time."


Then, eyes downcast and voice timid, the young Air Caster asked, "May I go see Jeremy? I just want to make sure he's alright. And apologise."


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

He nodded. "Of course you can." Anu walked over to Jo so he could tell her about the arrangements. They still had a ton to talk about, and he wanted to get to know her apprentice. She seemed very interesting.


----


Jeremy blinked slowly as his vision came back to him. He tried to sit up but a powerful burst of pain erupted from his chest. He gritted his teeth and leaned back. Energy was slowly leaving him so he was quite limited in options. Jeremy slowly turned his body towards the curtains of the carriage. He looked outside to see Master Anu and Ash. He crinkled his brow in confusion almost forgetting why he was in here. He looked back at the scar on his chest and grunted.


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn walked over to the carriage with a heavy heart. Despite Master Jo's specialisation in healing, she was no miracle worker. Jeremy would forever bear the scars of what she'd done. Guilt surged through her, freezing her outside the carriage door. Suck it up and go, Ash. She sucked in a breath and pulled open the door. It took a while for her eyes to adjust to the gloom, but when they did, she spied Jeremy lying on his back, looking pale and vulnerable.


Brows furrowed in concern, Ash seated herself on the very edge of the seat. "I'm sorry," she blurted, surprised at the softness of her own voice. She hadn't thought herself capable of such gentleness after what had happened to her parents. Running with the momentum, she continued, "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just... I just lost control. Thank the heavens Master Jo was around or you'd be dead and it would have been my fault and I'm sorry." She gestured animatedly with her hands, then winced at the searing pain from the angry, red blisters.


-------------


Jo stood by the trees, scowling. A snake made of water slithered around in the air, writhing frustratedly - a fair representation of her own emotions. Anu's words had rattled her, certainly not helped by Ash's foolish mistake. Sensing Anu behind her, she snapped harshly, "That little girl never fails to get on my nerves. Apprentices... They're too much work."


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Jeremy chuckled until he felt a sting in his chest.


"I am the one to blame. I wasn't focused and I underestimated you." He turned his eyes towards the front of the carriage, taking in short little breaths.


---


Master Anu laughed in amusment. "Bur isn't that the reason we train them? To help them, and even though they're alot of work they are still very amusing."


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn snorted gently and smiled. In an act of irony, she repeated the words she'd said to him before, "Still think us Air Casters are losers?"


-----------------


Jo snorted and turned to Anu with tired eyes. "Amusing isn't the word I'd go for. More like 'a crapton of work that better damn pay off in the end.'"


(( Sorry for the super short post! >.< I'll do better next time. ))

 

[Skelo10]

(Its fine)


Jeremy blinked and sat up. He pushed his hands down on his seat to give him a little boost. It still felt uncomfortable, but at least he didn't look like a drunk. He turned his head towards Ash and grinned. "No, but I'll beat you next time for sure." Without waiting for her to respond, he scooted over and patted on the seat beside him. "You want to sit? I'm pretty sure Master Anu wants to ride with Jo when we have to leave anyways."


----


Master Anu frowned. "I was always scared of you, y'know." He paused to take off his glasses and wipe them with a small brown cloth then put them back on his face. "Would you like to get going? The sky is turning dark."


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Ash grinned right back, feeling better after seeing for herself that Jeremy really was alive and well. She breathed a sigh of relief and sat down in the vacated seat. "Beat me? That's what you think. You can fantasise all you want, but there's no beating me, bro," she smirked, blue eyes twinkling with mischief and a hint of pride. She flexed her hands in anticipation and immediately yelped in pain. She'd forgotten about her injuries. They didn't hurt when she wasn't moving. Gingerly, the young woman held up her arms. "But our rematch is going to have to wait. Master Jo refused to heal these as punishment for losing control so badly." Aislinn shrugged. "Oh well."


At the mention of Anu riding with Jo, she frowned, making to leave the carriage. "Wait, I can't ride here. I have to go get Fundamental - my horse."


--------------------------


Jo scoffed at Anu. "You were scared of me? You're the one in the Council of Three! (Heh, rhymes for the win xD ) Why would one of the strongest Casters in the world fear me? I'm just a wrinkled old hag now."


She flicked her hand carelessly towards the grazing horse and mounted her own. "Yes, ride we shall if we intend to reach Rhyson before nightfall. You can ride Fundamental. Just be careful. The animal's rebellious - just like her damn rider." She chuckled and clicked her horse into a gentle trot.


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Jeremy grinned. "You're not scared of me, are you? C'mon, I'm pretty sure Anu has taken care of your horse" he said as he pointed out the window at the view of Anu mounting the horse with great ease. He looked at her arm and frowned. He ducked down and pulled out a rusted metal container full of medical supplies. "I don't care about what your master thinks. Give me your arm so I can fix it up. Master Anu taught me how to treat burns. Ironic isn't it?"


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn raised her eyebrows in amusement. "Oh yeah, you make me piss myself in fear," she said, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. Feeling dramatic, Ash pressed her hand into her chest, placing the other delicately upon her forehead. "Oh dear me! Please, spare me from your wrath!" She broke out into laugher, careful not to move her arms.


His offer to heal her, however, brought a frown upon her face. Despite the temptations, she worried about disobeying Master Jo. "I don't know," she said, biting her lip. "Maybe you shouldn't treat me... If Master Jo found out, she might..." She averted her gaze at the thought of the Water Caster's anger. A shudder ran through her.


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Jeremy laughed. "What, she gonna kill me? Also, you have no future in acting." He frowned and held up the bandages and alcohol. "Ash, c'mon!"


----


Anu mounted the horse and smiled proudly. "Not so hard" he muttered to himself. He turned towards Jo and grinned with eagerness.


"Shall we get going?" (quite a shorty)


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn shot Jeremy an icy glare and muttered, "No, but she has ways of killing your soul." She dragged a thumb across her neck dramatically, letting her head fall to one side as she did so. At the expression on his face, she laughed and waved a casual hand in the air, "I'm just kidding. She's crude, but definitely not cruel. She believes in tough love."


Relenting to his urgings, Ash held her hands out, eying the alcohol wearily. "This is going to hurt like a b*tch, isn't it?" she asked, drawing in deep breaths, trying to anticipate and relate the pain levels. "I'm just going to close my eyes and imagine my future self as the biggest star in the country, rolling around in money. I'll be--" The young woman broke off and hissed as the alcohol cleansed her burns. To be honest though, it made her feel like her entire arm was melting. Ash bit her lip and clenched her eyes shut, feeling tears gather at the corners. "Goddamn, it hurts!"


-----------------------


Jo grinned at Anu's pride. "You're going to regret that," she called over her shoulder, smirking into the semi-darkness. "Just wait until that horse knows you think you're better than it." She kicked her horse into a canter, enjoying the familiar feel of riding. She'd never much been a fan of carriages, preferring to feel the wind in her hair and the powerful muscles ripple under her legs. Feeling a surge of adventure, the elderly woman kicked her horse again, urging it into a full on gallop. She raced ahead into the darkness, leaving behind chimes of laughter. "Catch up, Anu! Live and let live!"


Almost as if on cue, Fundamental reared fiercely and raced into a gallop without hesitation, expecting her rider to be worthy of her speed. She whipped through the trees with ease, nickering at the pleasure of a race she'd been denied for too long. The mare shook her mane and let her powerful legs propel her ahead of Master Jo, who was still laughing with glee. Fundamental had always been a tough horse to ride, always known for giving new, unfamiliar riders a taste of her worth. Today was no different. Caster or not, Council of Three or not, only those who managed to cling onto dear life in the face of the wild ride were worthy of her strength. She ran faster, streaking past trees like a bolt of lightning.


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Jeremy bit his lip, being careful not to hurt her. He put the cap of the alcohol back on and took out a golden brown looking cream. He dipped his finger in it and rubbed it gently on her arm. It would burn and sting alot, roughly for an hour but it would do the trick. Almost immediately, he pulled out white bandages from the kit and wrapped two layers of it around her arm. He attached the pin to it and smiled with boldness. "If Jo gets mad, I'll deal with it." He leaned back and placed the kit under the seat again.


The carriage began to pull forward as the horses started again. Jo and Anu must've started already, he thought.


----


Master Anu lurched backward, the urge to throw up his lunch and breakfast. For a moment, his hands left the reins and he did a little jump on the saddle. Anu quickly regained his grip and looked at Jo in disbelief."You actually ride this thing daily?!"


@Zylvia

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn sucked in a shaky breath as Jeremy applied the cream on her arm, hoping against logic that it might soothe the pain. Not unexpectedly, she was wrong. The young woman gave a cry of agony, fighting to stay still as he worked her injuries and bandaged carefully. On instinct, a slight wind rustled through the carriage despite the closed windows, drying her tears where they gathered at the corners of her eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief as he finally leaned back and let out a small groan at the ache in her bones. "If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought you were trying to melt me alive," she said, blue eyes watery but bright. Ash smiled, lurching forward in her chair and almost colliding with him as the carriage jump started. Immediately, she pushed back, flushing at the proximity. "Sorry! Thanks again for the patch-up."


As they rumbled across the uneven road, she tried to make small talk. If he was going to be her future classmate, she might as well start befriending him now. After beating him up twice. Great thinking, Ash. "So how'd you discover you were a Fire Caster? How'd you meet Master Anu? One of the Council of Three? I heard they don't take apprentices..." Her gaze turned wistful. "Wish I had a Master that was on the Council. How cool would that be?"


--------------------------------


Jo laughed heartily from behind Anu, eyes twinkling with delight. "Oh no!" she called, struggling to be heard over the wind rushing in their ears. She clicked her tongue twice, signalling for Fundamental to ease up. "I don't ride that wild thing." She patted her own horse lovingly. "I ride my Cora. That crazy beast is Aislinn's."


Slowly, reluctantly, Fundamental eased back into a casual walk, flicking her mane in pride as if to say That was pretty good, wasn't it? I know it was pretty damn good. She whinnied in pleasure, flanks heaving and glistening with sweat.


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Jeremy laughed. "You have alot of questions, don't you? Uh, well I didn't find out I was a Fire Caster until I met Master Anu." He paused to scratch his head nervously. "I lit his hair on fire when I got mad at him. I met him when uhm- when my village was.. raided, by nobles. I lost everything, family and friends. All of them are dead now. I met him at the edge of our village a day after the raid. I asked him about my family. What he told me was.." Jeremy looked down at his fingers nervously, not wanting to say more.


----


Master Anu's faced flushed beet red. "Stupid horse." He fixed himself on the saddle comfortably and looked up at Jo. "Your apprentice has some guts riding this horse. I am not doing this again, I might lose my insides entirely." Anu laughed randomly.


"You probably don't know this because you just met Jeremy but your apprentice probably has bandages over her arm. Ash must be really something to him if he felt like helping her with her wounds." He looked up at the corner of his eyes, awaiting her reaction to the statement.

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn listened attentively, feeling her heart sink as his story progressed. She was no stranger to death either. She wasn't proud of it, for it sure as hell wasn't something to be celebrated, but she understood his grief. Hard blue eyes softened as he stumbled along his tale, opening himself up to her. As Jeremy trailed off, Ash let the silence reign, thinking of the right thing to say. Despite her curiosity, she decided that keeping her mouth shut was a better idea. Let him open up to me when he's ready. She sighed quietly and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered, gazing at him through sympathetic pools of sapphire. "My parents were murdered too." She bit her lip at the memory. Goosebumps broke out across her skin and she shuddered visibly. "It was an assassination. I spent months in the wilderness, trying to survive until I got lucky one day and met Master Jo. She said I'd been touched by the winds, said I'd be a waste to let rot in the woods." Aislinn laughed humourlessly and squeezed Jeremy's shoulder. "How the hell did we even get to such a depressing topic?"


------------------


Fundamental changed her gait when Anu called her 'stupid', noting the tone of his voice. She walked strangely and awkwardly, jostling him uncomfortably no matter what he did. Jo raised her eyebrows and laughed merrily. "Oh Anu, looks like that horse has got sass. I daresay as much as I do!" She laughed again, urging Cora on to match her stride with Fundamental.


At Anu's confession, Jo smiled expectantly. "Yes, I thought he'd help. He had that look in his eyes. Your apprentice has a good heart, Anu. Unless, of course, he's just into fierce Air Casters who one-up him twice." She gazed at Anu appreciatively. "You've trained him well, Anu. But your inexperience in the art of teaching is evident in the way Jeremy isn't able to beat Aislinn. Because you and I both know he very much can kick her ass. The academy will do well to temper both of them."


@Endymion

 

[Skelo10]

Jeremy nodded, listening to her story. At least they had something in common. "Well you started asking questions.. This might seem weird but, have you seen Sir. Marduk?" He turned to her this time, letting himself engage fully into their conversation.


----


Master Anu refrained from showing any emotion. "I was going to keep him, but he needs to learn more about himself and his past. I hope by the time that the tournament comes, he will be ready unlike I was when I took him in." He said tournament like it was the name of a nightmare." He looked forward with a darkened expression. "I hope you realize Jo, that whatever we do, this war will happen. All we can do is stall it. Honestly, I'm scared that our apprentices will not be strong enough to face the troubles in the future."

 

[Zylvia]

Aislinn frowned in confusion, wondering what Sir Marduk had anything to do with anything. Silently, she raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "I've never met him, but it'd be a lie to say I haven't heard quite a bit about him. The Shadow of Albey, they call him. What does this have to do with anything?"


-----------


Jo gazed at Anu with narrowed eyes as he talked of Jeremy's past. She supposed that ending up in the care of someone like him could only be triggered by intense tragedy. Much like Aislinn had somehow managed to wriggle into her protection. She sighed. "I don't think anyone's ever really ready for the tournament, Anu. You know how the academy is."


With an expression dark enough to match Anu's, Jo nodded quietly, feeling her bones ache with anticipation and fear. "Honestly, Anu? I'm scared even we do not have the strength to face the uncertain future. If even their Masters cannot withstand the upcoming war, how can we expect mere children to?" She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Have you gauged an estimate of Marduk's power? Rumours come to me from far and wide, saying of his growing abilities. They whisper that, soon, he will surpass even the legendary Johanna of our history books. I fear that to be true, Anu." She paused and sighed again. "I fear much in these troubled times."


@Endymion


 
(( Just out of curiosity and so I actually know what I'm talking about when I type for Jo, what IS the tournament? ))

 

[Skelo10]

((The tournament is an important event where the top five academies in Albey compete with each other in a big battle arena, each match with different terrain. Even Ash and Jeremy could fight each other because there are no teams. It's quite usual for some kids to die. The top three winners, get their Second Gear unlocked which I will type about it Overview right now))


Jeremy's face hardened. "Nothing, I was just wondering." He relaxed his shoulders and smiled. "So, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?" he said trying his best to stay positive.


----


Anu nodded and slowed his pace. "You know who did it, right? You know who killed your apprentice's parents?" How he knew about Aislinn's past was unknown but he seemed like he knew much more than he was talking about.

 

[Zylvia]

(( Cool; lemme know when it's up so I can go take a look ^^ ))


Curious, but wary, Aislinn decided not to pursue the strange topic. Sooner or later, she'd find out anyway. After all, it was common knowledge that the Council of Three sometimes visited the Academy for lectures and demonstrations and such. Sharing the same type of magic with a member of the Council was a blessing beyond words.


Ash shrugged, smiling casually. "I'm a Sagittarius, I hate insects, love the forest, hate tardiness, love riding. I love stargazing and adventure and bending the rules and sparring and a great many other things. What about you?"


-------


Jo frowned at Anu. "How did you know about that?" Shaking her head, she continued, "I've long had my suspicions about the assassination, but it didn't make any sense. Why would Marduk want a pair of commoners dead? There was no denying it; his signature was everywhere. Now it all makes sense. Her parents were part of the Council of Elders. They were the only two who agreed to shelter a refugee Ice Caster." Jo shook her head regretfully.


@Endymion