Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)

Two months had passed in the blink of an eye. Her training continuing day and night, with little to no rest in between the vigorous sessions. They were rushing her, and honestly Aveyon didn’t mind, she reveled in it, welcome it even. It left no time for her to think of her past, all she could do was focus on learning, being stronger day by day.

Sitting on the floor of the small shack she had grown rather accustomed to, her eyes were closed, her breathing slow. Sweat rolled down her chin and dripped to her the knees, her crossed legs beneath her as she concentrated.

Sitting around her in a circle were all the elves Erisena could gather with similar abilities as hers, all spirit wielders. It had only taken Aveyon one week to resist Erisena’s full power, so the elf started bringing in help to continue strengthening her mind.

Her head twitched as she felt one of the elves trying to break through into her mind and command her. All six of them were trying to invade at the same time. It was taking all of her concentration to keep them out. Taking slow and controlled breathes she gently opened her eyes to meet Erisena’s own pained expression.

Aveyon raised her arms before her, hovering them in the air. She had found that using her limbs provided her with an easy way to direct her abilities. Perhaps due to Erisena’s influence.

Shocking the small group, she did the unexpected, leaving all the elves gasping in disbelief. She lowered her barrier, letting them in all at once, wrapping each consciousness with her own essence she forcibly ejected their minds from her own. Forcing them out with enormous willpower, many of the elves fell backwards gasping for air as they recoiled with pain. Erisena had filched causing Aveyon to smile. The elf very rarely showed any signs of defeat.

Her mentor smiled back proudly before she nodded just one single time. “I have done all I can, your combat training may now begin.”

Aveyon stood and bowed to her teacher. This past month had been the most challenging of her entire life, she felt grateful for the opportunity. And now she could finally move on, she had been preparing herself as best as she could in anticipation.

Her body had become slightly more defined as small muscles began to appear. Vincent had been helping her, giving her exercises she could do to strengthen her body. Now, the moment she had been waiting for was finally here, she would be able to train with him. To learn to fight, something she was never allowed to even consider when on Alarious.

Now that she was older, wiser and longer lived, she saw the way the women of Alarious had been treated. Though on the outside it looked nice, and they had great lives. They were essentially breeding stock, only the men got essence and combat training.

“Thankyou.” She breathed standing tall, her smile wide as she grew proud of herself. “I would still like you to test me while I am training in other aspects as well.” She added.

Erisena smirked. “Oh, I plan to, you must never let your guard down. Ashera is far stronger than you or I. But with your skills now, you should be able to at least hold your own against his mind.”

As the weeks had passed, things had been changing for her. She wasn’t sure when it had begun or why. But it was clear her ideologies on many things had been altered. Living with the elves was peaceful, hard work, but peaceful. No one stared or remarked about her scars, no one fused over her. She was seen much like any other young-ling training under their masters. It was refreshing, it gave her a freedom she never thought she would have.

The elves took care of themselves, they always have. They respect the Alarian’s and what they once stood for, but she was treated more like a citizen in the town then a Princess. Though no one called her by name, it didn’t seem to bother her anymore.

In the beginning, Erisena had made it hard to face her reality, her feelings and her resolve. She’d worked through a lot of her turmoil, having had to relive many of her memories. Though she felt lighter, she still had that darkness inside her, one that she couldn’t shake. The training kept it at bay, stopping her from seeping inside herself.

Excited, she ran down the stairs to the underground training area, eager to tell Vincent. Several groups were in the middle of sparring, but she was only interested in the group that held his attention.

The training area was artfully light with a spell that made it always sunny, all hours of the day. You could easily get lost in training and work for days without realizing. The walls were made from the same mountain that the city protruded from, a small stream of fresh water ran from one side of the magical cave to a small pool in the center. She sat atop a rock close to the water, her knees drawn close to her chest as she watched the group spar, waiting patiently for them to stop for a break.

It felt like an hour or two passed before she grew impatient, allowing herself to slide down the boulder like rock and land on the soft grass. She approached the group that were in what appeared to be a rather deadly looking frenzy of punches and kicks. Clearing her throat, she tried to catch their attention. It didn’t work.

Vincent dodged the barrage of punches from the front and blocked a kick from an attacker to the side. His skills were improving, and his speed was incredible. Through their training they had grown used to their connection, every blow to his body she could feel. Just as every attack on her mind left him with a headache. It had been a struggle at first to both be training and sharing the pain, bumps and bruises. But over the weeks it almost became second nature, not openly affecting each other.

She picked up three small rocks. Fiddling with them for a second, she moved to take aim. One by one she threw the rocks.

The two elves and Vincent each caught the rocks before they hit their faces, but still she was rather impressed with her aim. They all turned to look at her wide eyed and questioning.

“Finally!” Her tone was sarcastic.

“Princess, forgive us.” One of the elves seemed to blush as she glanced at Vincent. “We were so engrossed in training that we-”

“It is quite alright.” She cut her off. She didn’t exactly like that the elf blushed while looking at Vincent. It oddly irritated her, feelings she was not yet used to. Yet they were becoming more and more regular.

The other female elf stepped forward. “What can we do for you?” She asked. She was more assertive and less flirtatious; she liked this one better.

“I have some news.” She didn’t bother apologizing.

“Princess?” Vincent questioned steeping forward.

“I was just given the all clear, I can start combat training.” She tried hard to hide her smile.

Vincent beamed; it was the moment they had been waiting for. Progress! After months or thinking there would be no end. He strode forward and clasped her hand clenching it to his chest over his beating heart. She watched a bead of sweat roll down his forehead, she had a slight urge to reach up and wipe it away, but she refrained from movement.

“We have been preparing for this in advance, you should progress quickly.” He responded excitedly.

She had noticed he had become quite clingy with her. Touching her more frequently, just little gestures, nothing sinister. But she never pulled away and just accepted it, she still didn’t know why.

“I’ll be the judge of that!” Erisena had made her way down the stairs into the training grounds, Damon following close behind.

Around a week ago, during Aveyon’s training, Erisena had taught her how to free Damon from the runes that had been inscribed on his body. The first thing he asked when he was himself again had been; why, why did they save him. Aveyon had simply responded saying that everybody, no matter their background, deserved to be free and to have the opportunity to make their own choices.

After that he had chosen to stay with the elves. All the while providing huge amounts of Intel on Ashera and the state of the third realm. Even going so far as telling them that he could get them inside.

After settling in, Damon had made it a point to stay close to either Erisena or Aveyon. She guessed he felt safer around those that could shield him from his previous master’s influence. He nodded his hello to Aveyon and Vincent.

“What is first?” Aveyon asked eagerly.

“An outfit.” The elf responded.

Aveyon frowned, why did she need that?

“You expect to fight well in that dress?” The elf asked.

“I suppose not.” She looked down at the thin white material.

“Girls!” Erisena ordered the other two elves without saying another word. They nodded knowing exactly what needed to happen.

The flirtatious elf giggled, while the other rolled her eyes. They motioned for the Princess to follow them. But it appeared that Vincent was hesitant to let her go. She gently touched her free hand to the one gripping hers at his chest. Her eyes saying all they needed to and he released her.

She was led through some extremely large wooden carved doors toward the back of the training grounds. Inside looked like an Armory. Weapons and armor of many different types including leathers, chain mail and plate were on display. Ranks filled with endless options lining the walls of the room.

“Oh! By the way, I’m Sira.” The slightly happier elf introduced herself. “And this here is Kia.” They were identical except for their height, both had short brown hair and the same green eyes. They even wore the same clothing. Kia was the taller sterner one.

Aveyon bowed her head slightly in greeting. “Thank you for helping me.” She didn’t see the need to introduce herself, who didn’t know her at this point.

The one named Kira was already holding up some crop tops made from leather. “Hmmm, I wonder if this would fit.”

“Perhaps something that covers more skin?” Aveyon suggested. She wrapped her hands around the part of her waist and stomach that would have been exposed by the top.

As the girls looked through the ranks, Aveyon noticed something on the wall. It was a beautifully designed leather corset style top, arm wraps and long pants. At its side, a pair of bracers, boots and what looked like an overskirt. The skirt was longer at the back and had holders at the hips for some type of weapon.

“What about that, or something similar?” she asked, drawing their attention to it.

“Those belonged to an elf that went missing many years ago, she’s believed to be dead. It’s imbued with essence; nobody has been able to wear it. It rejects the wearer you see.” Sira spoke with sadness in her voice. “We couldn’t just throw it out, it’s a masterpiece, so we hung it in here.”

Walking closer at it she could see it had a stunning green trim with delicate embroidered patterns on the bodice that extended down the side of the legs. The colour reminded her of the person she missed the most.

“Emerald...” Not a moment went by that she hadn’t thought of the elf. How was she, had she found her boy, where was she? She’d received countless letters from the Sanctuary but still no word of her friend.

Kia’s mouth fell open as she watched Aveyon studied the fabric, her head tilted to the side. “The maker is named Emerald. How did you know that?”

Aveyon spun around slightly surprised. “You mean... this is Emeralds? The actual elf called Emerald, long black hair, slightly green skin, that one?”

“Yes, she was one of the best seamstresses we have ever seen here. She can wield water and air, making it ideal for enchanting objects.”

“She is alive, I was with her not that long ago. She is currently looking for her son right now. He was born just before the cycle was broken, but we were in captivity.” She could see the shock and relief play across the elves faces at the news she blurted out.

“That is wonderful! Is she well? She has a son! Oh my!” The glee on Sira’s face was intoxicating.

But Kia remained stern. “That must have been hard, I hope she is well.”

“As do I, I miss her...” Aveyon reached up her hand to touch the garments. So, this is what she used to wear. It really did suit her; it was beautiful much like the elf herself.

The two elves by her side began to panic and tried to stop her from touching it.

“WAIT...” Kai exclaimed fearfully, only to find it didn’t do anything to Aveyon. “Oh... that’s, that’s new.”

“What is the matter?” Aveyon looked at the women confused.

“She touched it, and nothing happened?” Kai turned to Sira puzzled.

Sira returned Kai’s puzzled look, only to have it transform into a sly smile. “Perhaps we’ve found the new owner!”

“But is this suit not special? I am not sure that is the best idea.” Aveyon was slightly nervous.

“If it has chosen you, then that is the way.” Kia moved forward and touched the material before pulling back with a hiss. The smell of burnt flesh followed. “It burns everyone else that touches it.” Blowing on her fingertips.

She could always give it back to Emerald when she saw her next, right? She found herself something to stand on and removed the equipment from the wall. The elves gave her some privacy while she changed. Or rather struggled to figure out how to put everything on.

She could feel the enchantment on the material, it felt as though it was calling to her to connect with it. It was an odd sensation, but it was also familiar, she could tell it was Emerald’s essence that had recreated the enchantment now that she had made contact with it. Giving herself over, she connected her own essence with the material out of pure curiosity.

She gasped at the sudden movement the material made against her skin. The bodice she was holding in place seemed to spring to life and tightened on its own. She stiffened immediately, cutting off the connection and the ties at the back fell lifeless. She didn’t enjoy the feeling but given that the clothing didn’t fit without the enchantment being activated, she grinned and bared it.

Taking a breath, she connected with it again. It molded easily to her form and was incredibly conformable once it stopped moving. The threads had been imbued with an enchantment allowing the bindings to tighten and the material to mold to the wearer’s body type. It would only work with leather she released, as the water essence was used as a conduit to make the material expand or shrink to size, and the air essence used to tie the bindings.

The legging type pants with the over skirt was a little loose as well, but once she had then up over her hips, she knew what she needed to do. It was magical to watch, though she disliked the feeling. The material let of a soft glow as it shrunk in size and laced itself up her legs and hips.

“It is extremely handy though.” She mumbled.

The arm pieces, bracers and boots were the last things to go on. Everything fit perfectly, after the material made its own adjustments that is.

“How in the world did she make this?” She pondered aloud as she turned her arms over studying her new attire. Emerald’s abilities never ceased to amaze her.