Caelian is a spirit who was born without the ability to feel emotion. Found as a child by the forest goddess, Gaia, she grants him four elementals that allow him to feel positive emotion. As he's living in the Eternal Forest, a dark force ends up c...
Ifrit landed on the edge of the uppermost lava pool, gazing down at the spirits below him. His wings and tail glimmered radiantly, flames rolling off of them with dignity. His eyes blazed like fire, as did his long, side-swept hair. Black, slightly curled horns sprouted from the dark skin on his forehead. He wore a necklace with a sapphire inlay, of which fire sprouted from. His clothing choice was incredibly simple and not at all eye-catching, for he only wore a pair of tan, baggy, tied off pants.
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"What happened here?" He asked. He gazed down at the lifeless body next to Caelian, unsure what to think.
"I-Ifrit..." Caelian stuttered out. "I-I'm sorry, he got corrupt, I... I had to..."
Ifrit jumped from the ledge, gracefully gliding down to them. He shrunk as he neared the ground, until he was a more normal size. Taller than the average spirit, he stood a few inches taller than Damien and Zephyr. He stepped over to where Xeke's body lay, as Caelian nervously stepped away.
"Oh, Xeke..." he said mournfully. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you." He turned his attention to Caelian. "Don't be afraid, I sense you have no ill intent. May I ask who you are?"
"My name is Caelian. I'm Gaia's disciple."
"Oh, yes. I remember hearing of you. It feels like only yesterday I sent Riemos to the Eternal Forest..." He paused as he looked down at Xeke.
"I-I'm sorry I had to kill him," Caelian said. Ifrit shook his head.
"No, it's I that should be sorry. It's my duty to protect the denizens of the Scorched Lands, and I failed at protecting the one closest to me. Tell me, how did he come to be corrupted?"
"It was a shadow spirit. She corrupted Gaia and the Eternal Forest, too," Caelian said. "She's behind the corruption here as well. She—" Caelian paused, turning around and examining the chamber. She wasn't still here, was she?"
Sensing Caelian's uncertainty, Ifrit reached out with his power, sensing his surroundings. He searched the chamber, and out into the city.
"The only shadow spirit I sense is this one here," he said, motioning towards Damien, "But I assume this one is your friend."
"Damien is friend! They'd never do anything so awful!" Evelyn said. Damien remained silent as they stared at the ground.
"It was a shadow spirit with green hair," Caelian said. "Um... I'd be careful, she might try corrupting you as well."
"I see." Ifrit sighed. "I suppose now it's possible. With Xeke gone, so is a large percentage of my power. Though it pains me, thank you for putting him out of his misery. It's for the better that I didn't meet him while he was corrupt, as it could have more easily transferred over to me."
Caelian frowned. He wondered then, if Gaia had more easily become corrupt because of him. He watched as Ifrit knelt down and placed a hand on Xeke. Ifrit closed his eyes, and Xeke's body slowly began to fade.
