Elona Bound: Part 11
----- Re-ignition of Flame -----
Exiting the casino, Demitra touched her chest. At once, small distortions formed around the bedlah and scarves she wore, dissolved and replaced by her armor and adventuring attire. Demitra smiled. This illusion she'd been working on: a glimmer around her person to appear differently to others - was working. Now if she could manipulate her own appearance, instead of just her clothing, the benefits would be well worth the practice.
A clank of her bracers called upon the manifestation of her astral mount and Demitra rode the entity to the exit of Amnoon. Her intent was to clear her head a bit before dealing with the unpleasantness of business conclusion with the airship captain. As if an answer to her aimlessness, the Elonian happened upon a white-haired woman just beyond the city gates. Demitra smiled warmly as the woman went about affixing makeshift armor onto her flamelander. The two seemed to destined to share their time in the desert together… at least for now. Demitra had grown fond of the woman. While hot-tempered, there was a side to the woman that most may not take the time to understand or get to know. Demitra found herself thinking of this quite often throughout her time in Amnoon, delighted at each and every encounter they had.
After a moment of admiration, Demitra cleared her throat. "Taking care of that one, I see."
Ember jumped, clearly jerked from her solitude, blinked a few times, then smiled greatly realizing who it was. "Oh! Ahai!"
Delighted at the use of the traditional Elonian greeting, Demitra beamed. "Ahai, indeed!"
She turned around, completed her task, then promptly leaped on Cinder's back. "Ready to go on an adventure?" she asked, petting the raptor.
Demitra raised an eyebrow inquisitively at Ember. "And to what adventure are you taking your raptor… his name escapes me."
Ember secured a helmet over her ashen hair. "Her name is Cinder," she said with a frown. A scratch behind the raptor's firey horns caused the animal's tongue to hang out in pleasure.
Giggling at the interaction and her own ineptitude for animals, Demitra offered a sympathetic look. "My apologies. I was uncertain as to the sex of your companion; my experience with animals is a bit lacking."
Ember regarded her strangely. She gestured to the mount the woman rode.
Demitra shrugged. "This is not a typical harnessed creature: it is… something different."
The Elonian offered no more information than this, and while Ember wanted to know more, she simply nodded after a moment, decided to change the subject. "I like to take Cinder for runs around the area. Let her stretch her legs. She loves it, so I try to take her out often. The cavaliers even know us by now." She laughed, clicked her tongue, then started on the path ahead.
The two traveled at a medium speed so they could converse. They spoke of their time in Amnoon; they various activities and chance encounters they'd had. Demitra held back from divulging the entirety of her nights in the casino; it was simply a means to an end. Ember also kept the voices which whispered to her from the Elonian. While both truly wanted their blossoming friendship to thrive, neither understood how to be completely honest and open with others. Thus, a few awkward silences filled the air between them, with an occasional bashful blush from either woman. It was during one of these lulls that Ember came to a sharp stop.
"Something doesn't feel right. Last few runs, people were on this road," she said, looking around slowly. "Let's go further south."
Demitra surveyed the area. "Further south? What is it you expect to find? Only small villages occupy those territories."
"Hopefully it's a village still full of people," she said as they hurried over a sand dune. Beyond, a village could be seen, smoke billowing from the raging fires within.
Demitra almost collapsed as the color seem to leave her face. "F… Fear. I sense… overwhelming fear." Her empathic abilities were sometimes difficult to control in tense situations, or those in which many people felt the same way. It was as if their collective feelings were a pool of quicksand and the bigger the crowd, the bigger the pool. This was different though. There were only a few broadcasting, yet their fear so intense the Demitra struggled to keep from sinking in.
Ember looked over at Demitra, concerned. "Okay, you should go let the cavaliers know; you'll be okay if you ride away. I'm going in!" She kicked her mount's sides and the pair leaping into the fray. Cinder flew into a group of Forged, lashing her tail around, sending a few immediately flying into a nearby dwelling, which tumbled, burying them. Ember flew off Cinder and into a Forged, igniting his armor with her own fire, the heat so intense, his armor melted. The small woman was brutal, using her own fists more than weapons, like a drake naturally swiping its tail. This strategy cleared a few more of the Forged, until several surrounded her. For a moment, Ember could see nothing but molten animated armors, and further still, wondered if the decision to send Demitra off was the right one.
Suddenly the sound of glass shattered behind the armors, who promptly fell forward. In their wake: Demitra Naja Nyimah. She leaned forward through the magical spoke her spell had just caused and offered a hand to Ember. Her hair was pulled back into a tail, and she wore a smile. Even though the chaos, Ember was in awe of the woman's radiance.
"Good thing I did not 'ride away,' yes?" She smirked, helping Ember upright.
Ember grinned. "Yeah… Good thing."
The two women stood back-to-back, Ember's glowing eyes steadfast on another group of Forged approaching, Demitra's on an opposite group. A mix of azure blue and pink smoke seeped from the Elonian's bracers, coalescing in the form of an axe in one hand, sword in the other.
"Let's see if we can't clear these monsters, but if you get hurt, I'll kick your ass." Ember teased.
Demitra's brow furrowed. "I shall have you know, I am quite capable of taking care of myself."
Both groups simultaneously attacked. Demitra sent out a flurry of swipes with her sword, launching a wave of energy into the would be attackers. Ember let forth a cone of fire, incinerating those on her side. The two paused as the fighting ceased; minions seemingly absent, for the moment.
"Demitra, can you use those abilities? Do you sense anyone?"
The woman's eyes glazed over as she stared into a burning building. "Not… Not anymore," she managed to utter.
Ember sighed, nodded, then removed her helmet slowly.
"These… The abominations… they slaughtered this village!" Demitra's words were filled with sorrow, despair, and anger, echoing a past tragedy. A tear found its way down her cheek.
Ember approached a small platform and examined it. "Yeah… and this is how they got here," she surmised. Let me make it so at least no more arrive this way." She began to gather her magic and channel it into the pedestal, which suddenly became active. Several sparks flew from the construct, entering into bits of armor on the ground, and brought to life the vanquished Forged minions.
Pulled from her memories, Demitra readied her weapons, standing between the minions and her friend. "What thing you are going to do: do such soon! I shall hold them off!" she yelled as she sliced through one and sent the armor flying.
Ember continued channeling her magics into the platform, even as a portal began to appear above it. "Yeah…" She struggled to maintain the levels. "Just… Just back up. This is going to be loud!"
Demitra glanced back as she destroyed a the last of the Forged. In a glimpse it seemed something was coming through the portal. The hum of the magical energies being concentrated was so loud, her warning couldn't be heard, however.
Ember finally let her magic explode, decimating the platform in an explosion and cloud of smoke. A few moments of silence followed. Demitra desperately coughed through the smoke trying to gain her bearing; the ringing in her ears was itself deafening. As the smoke cleared, the ringing subsided and Demitra caught sight of Ember, who had received much more severe effects from the blast. She looked up and smiled weakly back at the Elonian, satisfied with the job she'd performed.
A few additional gusts of wind carried the remaining smoke behind ember away, and Demitra stood frozen at the scene. A tall imposing figure stood behind the white-haired woman, in his hand was a large jagged sword. Demitra knew exactly this being: an elite officer of the Forged. "Ember! Behind you! Run!" she desperately screamed at the deaf woman.
Ember looked confused one moment, then screamed in pain the next as the Elite Forged blade ran her through.
"EMBER!!!" Demitra cried out.
Ember slumped lifelessly and slid down the sword. She fell into the debris as the officer gloated.
"What were you hoping to accomplish, child? You fight against a God!"
Demitra roared and she leaped from her position, spiraling at the Elite Forged. Her axe pulsated and smoked with the fury of her magic. She flew into the enemy, then abruptly shattered in his face, revealing three more phantasms behind the purple clouds of smoke, along with the real Mesmer. "The power of a god?" They all spoke in unison. "This holds nothing to the power of will… the power of friendship… the power of love!" The phantasms continued slashing and slicing at the being, until finally refracting and shattering their shards into him. He attempted to stab another only to have his sword swipe through clouds of fuchsia smoke.
"Your weak tricks; your love and friendship… none of that will work here," he laughed. "You won't even…" he was suddenly interrupted by a quartet of Demitras, exploding into crystal fragments upon approach. He stumbled backwards, then attempted a step forward - only to be stopped by Ember holding his ankle. This was the opportunity Demitra needed and she did not hesitate. She screamed as she reared back, then bodily hurled her sword at the creature. With a loud metallic thud, it found the intended target, slicing through the helmet with a brilliant display of blue and yellow sparks of magic, finally embedding itself into the creature's head.
"I spit on your god, and all he stands for!" the woman's voice boomed.
The Elite Forged roared in anguish, then fell silent as his lifeless body fell to the ground, the Mesmer's blade still attached to his skull. The armor collapsed as the molten core that had filled it dissolved.
Instantly, Demitra was at the woman's side. "Ember! Oh my… Ember? Are you still with me?" Ember's body was limp, her eyes shut. Demitra feared the worst. "You… You cannot leave me…" she began to cry as she held her friend's body.
The moment lasted an eternity, until Ember suddenly coughed. "Always… the gut!" she moaned.
Demitra's eyes grew wide. "Ember! You are amazing! I thought you were…"
"Takes a bit more than that," Ember groaned as she sat up, holding her stomach. There was plenty of blood, but no new fluids appeared. At least for now, the bleeding had stopped. Ember exposed the wound. "How bad?"
Demitra inspected it, then returned Ember's hand to apply pressure to it. The penetration was deep. "We should… you need a healer," she said, unsuccessfully attempting to mask the concern.
Ember coughed a few times. "I'll be fine." Her eyes were dimmed, the normal sheen on her skin diminished.
Demitra could see the woman fading. Her eyes surveyed where they were in proximity to the nearest healer. It was difficult to see through all the smoke… Then suddenly the woman had an epiphany. Smoke… Fire… "Ember! Fire. You need fire! Fire will heal you!"
A smile came to the woman's paling face. "You are catching on," she admired.
The Elonian looked around at a few still burning areas of the cabins. "Allow me," she said, propping Ember up. She hurried over to a board, still ablaze, retrieved it and returned to the patient. "Will… Will this work?" Her eyes glazed over. "Please tell me this will work…"
Ember nodded slowly, reached out and pulled the flame into her being. Absorbing the blaze, she closed her eyes for a moment. "I hate their fire… but… it helps."
Watching the display, Demitra was releved to see color return to the woman, although she was still dimmed by comparison. She didn't understand much about Ember's physicality, simply that the woman had a kinship to fire. It was a subject she'd tip-toed around, one she hadn't quite known how to broach. Now, in this situation, she'd wished she had and promised herself after the ordeal, she would push for answers. She had to admit, her own empathic abilities weren't quite explained to Ember, and wished to correct this, in the near future, as well. As it stood, Demitra was subconsciously holding her own stomach as if she, herself had the wound.
"I… I should be okay; at least until we get to the torches in town."
Demitra peered into the distance. "There's a temple just up ahead. They have healers and braziers. Can you make it, or should we head back to Amnoon?"
"Let's head to the temple. Get me to Cinder, and I can make it." She said, groaning as she readied herself to stand. "Were you hurt?" Ember had undoubtedly seen Demitra cradle her own stomach.
For the first time since the battle began, Demitra stopped to consider her own condition. "I am unscathed, for the most part. I can hold my own, you see?" She giggled and grinned.
Ember laughed, then groaned at her self-infliction the laugh caused. "So you're pretty and strong. Let's see if you're strong enough to help me in this armor up."
Demitra blushed at the compliment. She pulled the woman onto her, using her own body as leverage. The women embraced for the first time. Neither moved. Ember was very warm to the touch, even through her armor. Demitra stared into Ember's eyes, lost in them. This was the closest they'd ever been. "You're… You're so warm," she whispered.
"I… sorry; it's a side-effect." Ember's eyes flushed red, wavering, but she leaned further into the taller Elonian, staring up at her remarkably glowing face. "Do you want me to… cool down?" Her voice was soft.
"I do not," Demitra smiled thick ruby lips. "It is rather… enjoyable."
Ember hesitated, then softly mumbled. "S… Sorry for this." She leaned forward, closed her red eyes tightly, pursed her lips in an attempt to kiss Demitra. She feared she would miss. Feared the woman would pull away. To her surprise, she did not.
Taken by surprise, Demitra blinked at the woman, as her incoming lips requested a sensual return. Her heart pounded; she wanted this too. She smiled deeply and warmly, leaned into the kiss, and met Ember's lips.
The two lost time: a sensual kiss of eternity. Ember welcomed the woman's soft full lips; Demitra accepted the warmth of her partner.
Ember yelped and pulled her head away. "I'm… I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, afraid she'd overstepped her bounds, misread the situation, misunderstood feelings.
Demitra's face was soft and warm. She brought a finger to the woman's lips; the touch from her gloves caused Ember's lips to tingle. "Shh. Don't be sorry," she whispered still staring longingly at the woman.
Demitra giggled with a slight nod. "Come. Let us get you healed. There will be time later…" she said, letting the rest of the statement linger.
Assisting Ember on her mount, Demitra called forth her own. The two rode slowly as the Elonian kept a weary eye on the white-haired woman. On more than one occasion, she'd asked how she was, attempting not to annoy the woman when doing so. A soft mumble was returned with each inquiry. Demitra's concern was touching, visible, her heart vulnerable. The woman had almost thrown herself into the mists in order to close off future destroyers from the portal, and Demitra's impression and admiration of the woman had grown exponentially.
Finally, they came to their destination: a temple of Kormir held up from the cavernous desert grounds below, acting as a gateway to the highlands to the north. While the temple was open to all, priestesses of Kormir would often attempt converting those that happen to find there way there or put them to work within the temple. While she understood their convictions, Demitra did not share their views, and disliked entrapment of any would-be fighters upon the blights of Elona. And due to this, they seemed so sheltered from the events of Elona, in their high temple. Demitra usually steered clear of the area; however, this circumstance would bring her here despite any animosity she may harbored: Her friend was in need.
Despite looks from various temple priestesses at the flaming raptor being led into their sanctum, Demitra persisted, leading Ember to a large brazier. Ember opened her eyes and weakly reached to the flames, which seemingly moved on its own accord, flowing into the woman. She retained much of her color, but still slouched over the raptor.
"Is it not enough?" Demitra asked worrisomely.
"One more, I think. That sword cut deep."
Demitra pulled on Cinder's reigns who protested a bit, but complied after Ember gave a reassuring pat. They came to another brazier, which happily danced into Ember. The woman's red eyes sparked to life. Demitra felt the heat from the brazier dissipate, consumed by her friend, in turn Ember's pain subsided.
She slid off the rapter and grinned. "See? Told ya I was fine!"
Demitra stared at the woman with eyes of a worried child. "I… I knew that," she lied.
Ember's eyes narrowed and she pointedly looked over Demitra. There was something else. She'd come to know the woman's mannerisms, understood this look as something deeper. "What is it, Demitra?"
The Elonian sighed, stared into the fire as it was re-ignited by an annoyed priestess of Kormir. "I was… I was a child when it happened… Much like the village we just left."
"You lost your home?" Ember carefully inquired.
Demitra nodded slowly, her eyes still locked on the blaze.
"I… I am so sorry," Ember frowned.
"When I was very young, my village was attacked. Joko's minions came to slaughter and burn… all of my innocence." Demitra's voice cracked, she paused, then continued. "I lost my birth family that night. Lost myself to this war against the damned Awakened and their master, Joko. And now… Now I see Balthazar's influence, his Forged, doing the same." She shook her head. "No. This… This simply cannot be allowed."
Ember placed her hand awkwardly on the woman's shoulder. "I promise. Balthazar will pay for all of this! Palawa Joke too. Then the dragon…"
Demitra clasped the woman's hand in appreciation, the power in her gauntlets tingling through Ember's own gloves. They echoed the woman's resolve. "I would like very much to rid the world of this… this senseless destruction, Ember."
She enjoyed the tingle, the electricity from the woman's touch, whether from the gauntlet or something else… "Well then," Ember concluded. "We have a lot of work to do."
"We?" Demitra giggled.
"Oh yeah! You're stuck with me, Demitra Naja Nyimah!" Ember laughed.
Demitra looked over her shoulder and smiled lovingly at her friend.
To Be Continued...
