Dance of Elements: Awakening - Chapter 9

crosswell (-2)(1)in #fiction • 9 years ago

Running out of the refectory hall, we rushed down a long, spiral corridor, hung with dozens of old paintings. I could not see what was portrayed on them, because Camelia tightly grabbed my hand, pulling to herself, not letting me to slow down, in order to appreciate the artfully painted works of ancient masters. I was once again convinced of the great inner power that this seemingly frail girl possessed

After running about three hundred feet, Camelia stopped abruptly in front of a semicircular, oak door. She still tightly held my hand.

"Apparently, the lesson has already begun. Listen to me, Daniel, whatever this old man says, just be quiet and pretend that you agree with him. If he asks you questions, answer briefly. I will say that I detained you by taking a tour of the tower."

"Okay, I get it."

Camellia looked into my eyes and, as if trying to calm me smiled sweetly. I once again noted for myself that when she was near, all my worries and troubles were being carried away.

"We're going in," Camellia said, taking a deep breath.

Only now, when opening the door to the classroom, she awkwardly let my hand go as if she had just realized that she was still holding it.

Noticing us, all students drew their astonished looks in our direction. At the moment when we approached a short, stooped old man with a gray beard, I cast a quick glance to examine the room which I have entered. The class was held in a large hall, with a strikingly high ceiling, lit by light from three huge windows. Most of the room was occupied by tables for listeners, placed around the stage, on which there was a tribune. On it was standing Master Amador.

Only when we approached him to explain the reason for our lateness, I understood the worries of Camellia. The Master's face was radiating bitterness as if nothing in this world pleased him anymore. Being near, you fall under his influence. The body covers with apathy and impotence, enchanted by the gloomy aura of the Master.

"And our guest is a hero! Already managed to beat off a girl. What will Alan say to this?" One of the adepts screamed, provoking a storm of laughter in the hall.

Camellia, having swallowed offenceу, respectfully said to the old master:

"Sorry for being late, Master Amador, it's my fault, I showed our guest a tower and did not pay attention to the time."

Amador did not seem to hear what the girl was saying. He looked intently into my eyes, evaluating and analyzing. I had to greet him at least, but under the heavy sight of the master, my body froze, not giving a chance to say a word. I felt something evil coming from him towards me. Consciousness prompted to stay away from this stooped old man.

"Camellia, I'm not detaining you. Be so kind and take your place," Amador said in a quiet hissing voice. "I will be obliged to inform Archmage Eliot about your lateness. I hope he will take the necessary measures to avoid a repeat of such situation."

The girl's face twisted and flushed with anger. Judging by her stubborn gaze, it was obvious that she was willing to object the master, but common sense took over, and Camelia obediently headed toward the vacant place.

"Who are you, young man?" Ominously, hissed the old man. "Where from did you come to our land?"

Master Amador did not look away from me for a second, afraid to miss something unpredictable in my reaction, to his questions. What would give him an excuse, to instantly deal with me.

Looking to him more closely, I realized that he was only a dissatisfied with his position in society old man whose life was approaching sunset. As soon as I realized this, fear and panic receded, providing a place for confidence and firmness.

"My name is Daniel. A few days ago I woke up, not far away from the tower, discovering that I do not remember anything. Therefore, I cannot answer your questions. My teacher, Master Lucas, informed me that I should attend your lesson, to study theoretical magic. If you do not mind, I would like to take a free seat and start learning or I can leave. So what should I do?"

The students around brightened up, and the master's eyes were filled with bewilderment. Most likely, it was not customary to talk in such a cold and defiant tone with the local masters here.

"Unfortunately, it is not in my power to forbid you to be present here," said Amador with an angry voice. "But in the future, do not be late for my lessons, otherwise you'll regret it."

I glanced at the hall, in search of a free seat and saw Camelia waving her hand, with a sweet smile on the face. I think she was very pleased with how I behaved with the master. Therefore, with my head held high, I hurried to occupy an empty seat, between Camelia and a thin lad with a pale face.

"In connection with the appearance of a new student, our today's lesson I am going to devote to the material I've already covered," said Amador. "We can only believe that our guest will spend his free time in the library in order to catch up with the rest of the students, and not wander aimlessly around the tower with Miss Camelia. And next time, we will be able to learn something new."

Everyone around turned in our direction and laughed. Camellia was sitting like on tenterhooks and did not look away from the master, her hands clenched into fists. I already saw this look, then in the valley of knowledge, at our first meeting.

"Do not pay attention to him, he's not worth it," I said calmly, to relieve the tension.

Camellia took a deep breath, and a slight smile appeared on her face.

"So, let's begin!" Exclaimed the master.

All the adherents present in the lesson became silent, ready to listen and remember everything that the master will talk about.

"There are five elements in the world - Water, Air, Earth, Fire, and Lightning," Amador began with a loud voice. "In order to be able to control one of them, you will need a certain strength that we receive from the gods at birth. We use the energy of the goddess Eyvaz, to control the element of water. God Isa is the goddess of air magic. The energy of the goddess Algiz, is used to subdue the forces of earth. God Soul controls the element of fire and the energy of Raido god is lightning element.

Each of the five elements has its own characteristics, which are very important for maintaining life on earth. Many thousands of years ago, having received the gift to control the elements people divided into different territories. Mankind built five great towers - Waldorf, Terra, Windfall, Firelun and Falgord and magicians of each element began to live separately from the others. Who will tell me what this division led to?

The lean guy, who was sitting left to me, jumped up instantly, without giving a single chance to the rest.

"This led to war! They could not live long in a peace. The conflict, which began because of the distribution of territories, ended almost with the complete destruction of all magicians. The consequences of the last war, served as an excuse for creating some rules that still exist. So, for example, any disputes are resolved peacefully, with the participation of five archmages."

"But, unfortunately, many disliked such an order. Therefore, some magicians left their towers, establishing small villages and living there, as they wanted, and others made bloody revolutions, trying to change it. An example is the assassination of archmage Akasiya of the Lightning Magic Tower. It has happened twenty years ago, which led to the assault on our home."

Many faces of student became twisted with anger.

"Thank you, Mr. Saul, sit down."

The master walked away from the tribune, slowly walking around the stage, thinking on his following speech.

"Humans by nature can only master one element," Amador said after a short pause. "But still, there was a case in the history when a person could use five elements at once. You all have heard of him, a dark lord whose face was hidden by a mask. Such unlimited power has puzzled his mind, forcing him to desire absolute power. With great difficulty, the Archmages of those times that controlled the five towers managed to defeat the Dark Magician. For all the sages Dark Magician’s unnatural power remained a mystery. Perhaps the gods realized that man is not able to control such a great energy. Therefore there was no one else who possessed this power."

Something inside my stomach stirred when the master told me about the dark lord. I thought I already heard this story. It was very strange that a man from the past who died long before my birth caused such emotions. For a second I even decided that I knew him.

"And now, let's step back a little from history and remember the material concerning the element of water," said Amador, returning me to reality. "Water is the first element that people discovered. The first mages in our world were people in whose veins flowed energy of Eyvaz. Their symbol is an inverted one numeral, which represented a flowing stream as opposed to a fiery rising up pillar. Water has a flexible nature. A magician who wants to learn how to manage this element must have such qualities as water itself. You have to become it! Only by freeing your mind you will succeed!

The last phrase, Master Amador, said with such strength that I experienced goosebumps all over my body.

"For today the lesson is over, you all are free to go."

Master took an old book and slowly left the room.

"Thanks to the goddess, this terrible lesson is over," said Camelia, yawning.

"I do not know about you, but I liked the lesson," Saul said confidently. "Master Amador always has great material and today, it is no exception."

Camelia looked at the thin and pale young man dressed in a blue robe, which was clearly large for him. His neck was decorated with two medium-sized stones, indicating that his intelligence in several times was greater than his magic power.

"It would be better if you practiced more. What if you will be selected a participant of the tournament. What will you do there, tire your rivals by reading books, waiting until they die of boredom?" asked the girl.

"Well, excuse Miss Camelia, in my family I did not have such gifted magicians as you. Therefore, I must do everything myself, being glad with what the goddess Eyvaz has given me," confidently parried Saul.

On the Camelia’s cheeks appeared lovely blush, the words of the guy clearly embarrassed her. She took a deep breath, trying to get the feelings under control.

"Daniel, I need to go. I have more important things to do today," Camellia turned to me, ignoring Saul. "Do you want me to show the way to your room?"

I did not really want to part with her, but I did not want to be a burden to these people anymore.

"Maybe Master Amador is right, and I should go to the library in order to catch up with the rest. I do not want to be a laughing stock to them anymore. Therefore, after lunch, I would like to go there. So tell me where it is."

I looked inquiringly at the surprised faces of Camelia and Saul.

"It will not be difficult for me to take you to the library," Saul said with a joyful voice. "I just wanted to go there."

Hearing Sol's words, a smile appeared on Camellia's face.

"You spend all your free time there, so this is not a coincidence. Well, okay, Daniel, I'm glad that you will not be alone. In the long corridors of the tower, you can easily get lost by turning the wrong way. I only ask you not to become, such a bookworm as he is."

"See you Camelia."

The girl, with a satisfied smile on her face, turned around and at a fast pace and left the room, leaving me alone with this strange pal.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8