Scars of the Fallen

Chapter 2

The smoke rises in a big huff. He looks over at Lizelle with doe eyes and a flash of concern rises over his face. "Are you ready for this?" Zach moves the stick sparking the simmer of the fire.

"I honestly don't know." Lizelle admits. He always got her, so it was hard to lie to him. "I don't know if I'll ever be ready." She rubs the scar on her wrist as if it holds the answers.

"That's a bad habit of yours. You need to leave it alone." He eyes her cautiously then the warmth of the fire grows on his face; he smiles. "I have to admit. I didn't feel ready when I first came out."

"Yeah, I know, Lizelle coys. You were terrified and asked them to delay it." She teases.

"Yeah, that's true. But I've been out for months now and I just learned to adapt. We aren't the young kids we were the last time. I've killed maybe 7 or 8 demons in the past 6 months and as much as I hate to admit it. You are an even more skilled fighter than myself."

"I'm glad you finally admit it." Her voice doesn't have full authenticity. The undertone is filled with doubt.

Zachary is at a loss of what to say to his friend knowing that words won't help but he has faith in her. Even before it happened, she was better at all the skills and after she studied and trained more than everyone. Not only being the top of her class but soring lightyears ahead. She trained as if it was the very way to her redemption. "Well, I know you're normally the cook in your hub, but I'm telling you my skills are definitely improving being out here. Either that or my taste buds are starting to get duller, so I can't tell."

Lizelle cracks into laughter, "I guess I'll have to test and tell you what the answer is." She digs into the dish and gags a little. "Definitely your taste buds are going. I'll cook tomorrow alright." She winks. "Regardless though, I appreciate the attempt and your words or wisdom."

In the middle of their dinner, Lizelle notices the hiss of a fire from behind. Making an about face she encounters, "A fire demon." Zach's voice echoes her thoughts.

The flame floating mid-air. The demon begins to throw flickers of itself all around, attempting to engulf them in circle ablaze.

Within a split second, Lizelle grabs her bag and pulls out a powder. The blade which never left her side is lined with the blue. The golden blade appearing like the sides were painted.

Now they are surrounded with the fire. The hot flash on their skin. Zachary begins to follow like a dance completing the same tasks that Lizelle had merely completed an instant before him.

Lizelle slashes through the flame as it inches closer to them and rips her sword through the demon. Blue flame engulfs the demon as it shrieks through its last breath. The only thing remaining of the blaze a huff of smoke. Her stance is of a warrior who could have killed a couple more of them, which before setting the sword down she scans the parameter to make sure there aren't any others lurking in the background.

Zachary can't help but be in awe by her as her golden hair floats in the air with the dissipating smoke. He isn't on guard until he feels the burning heat behind him. "Behind you." Lizelle breaks his thoughts.

He swings his coated sword in a 180 twist. The demon cut down at the same time he realized it was there. Breathing heavily, he peers back at Lizelle. The irony of the fact that he is supposed to be teaching her.

"Are you okay?" the first time any fear came into her eyes since the demon's appeared. Her oval face illuminating concern down to her bones.