Asura: Burning Bright CH5 (Short Story + Pictures)
CHAPTER 5 Magus ran back towards the center of the main reactor room. His leg burned but he ignored the pain. It was healed enough to walk on and there were bigger concerns right now. In the center of the reactor room was the largest fire elemental he had ever seen and it was growing larger; feeding off the flames and heat to gain power. Already the rest of the room seemed to be cooling down as flames and smoke were consumed by the gigantic creature. At the monster’s center was a massive transdimensional portal, a tear in the fabric of the world the elemental had spilled through.Magus understood better than most Asurans the elemental forces of nature. He was an elementalist after all, manipulating the same forces they did. Elementals weren’t evil, they just appeared at places where there were imbalances in nature. This one came through a transdimensional portal because it sensed the flames on the other side and was hungry, but now that it was here Magus had to send it home. It could eat all of Metrica Province otherwise.The monster flapped its fiery wings, the tips of which brushed the ceiling, and Magus was almost blown over by the gusts it created. He planted his feet more firmly and reached out with his magic, willing the creature made of fire back through the portal. The elemental would not leave without a fight, and Magus nearly lost concentration as he had to dodge a rock it flicked in his direction. It breathed fire, but that Magus ignored, letting it wash over him to no effect. ,The creature paused and looked at him curiously. Hesitation? No. Fear. He struck, using everything he had to push the monster through the portal and slam it shut. He fell to his knees, exhausted as the strange power left him. Looking around, he figured this was as good a place to rest as any, and the world went black.—–Magus woke with a slight chill, and weakly pulled blankets up closer around his chin. He recognized the bed he was in; it was his own bunk at the Priory, and just as he was about to go back to sleep he heard an all too familiar voice.“Ah. Magus. I see you are awake.”“Steward Gixx! Is Rooba..?” Magus questioned hesitatingly. He remembered almost dragging her to safety before fighting the fire elemental, but after that nothing.“She is fine, do not worry. I’m here for your report.”Gixx was always straight to the point. If someone was asked to use one word to describe him it would be ‘efficient’. Though Magus thought he saw a hint of a smile on his face, and wondered how long the old steward had been waiting at his bedside.Magus told Gixx all that had transpired at Thaumanova, leaving out very little. The closer he got to the end of the story, the more questions the magister asked, always taking notes and gesturing for Magus to continue. When he got to the part where he broke his leg, Gixx gestured for him to stop.“Magus, how did you heal your leg? The healers could tell it had been through…much. But they could also tell it was healed in an unorthodox way. If you could enlighten me on how this was done, that would be excellent.”,It was the first time the young asuran had seen the Priory leader truly confused. It always seemed when he asked questions that he knew the answer already, he just wanted to see if you knew it. But now his face was filled with a genuinely puzzled expression.“I wish I knew Steward.” Magus replied ruefully. “I don’t know how to explain it. I was lying there with a broken leg, and suddenly I figured out something about ice that I didn’t know before. It was like I knew ice’s place in the Alchemy perfectly, knew my own place in relation to it perfectly, and as such had complete mastery over it. I know it sounds strange but it was like I realized that ice and legs weren’t all that different so I used one to fix the other, but I don’t remember what the similarities were or how I did it.” He kept the voice he heard to himself.“Well that is both fascinating and unfortunate. If you figure it out again, please let me know.” Gixx sighed, the disappointment clear in his voice. Though surprisingly not directed at me for once, Magus thought. “I am promoting you to Arcanist. You have proven yourself. Do not make me regret it!” The Steward wagged his finger in Magus’ direction.“WHAT? But I caused an explosion! You told me ‘no explosions’, remember?” Magus sputtered. At the ‘no explosions’ part he did his best Gixx impression. He thought it was pretty good. The Steward didn’t laugh.“Yes, well, from the sounds of it in Rooba’s report it couldn’t be helped. And you handled yourself well. Rooba had nothing but praise. Furthermore, I need someone capable to accompany Sieran and a new novice on an important mission, and I think you may be just the Asura for the job.” At this, Gixx poked Magus in the chest. If it was anyone else Magus would have thought it was done playfully.“But the rest of our discussion can wait for another time. You require more rest, and I will have some food sent for you.” The old asura got off the small stool he was sitting on, and walked towards the door. “After all, we can’t have you going after a dragon artifact on an empty stomach!”“DRAGONS?” Magus hurriedly sat up in his bed, causing some discomfort in his leg, and looked towards the door.“That’s right. Get some rest.” Gixx winked and shut the door. ,End~
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