The awaken flame.

2

Makoto smiled at her warmly as they arrived to the feast of the gods, a ceremony given to the Seven Archons every certain time, so they could talk and spend a good time with each other.

But Ei was only a Kagemusha back then, a body double to her twin sister and didn't know the etiquette for such events. Sometimes she believed that Makoto knew how shy and clumsy she would feel in those places, but she took her along with her every time either way. Makoto was beautiful, intelligent, kind and wise. Maybe she already knew that someday, Ei would have to rule alone over Inazuma, their beloved Nation, and she was only giving her the tools she may need for that future.

But that night, Ei didn't see it that way at all. She was feeling simple and completely out of place.

The other Six greeted them happily and Makoto joined them at the table as Barbatos, the cheerful Anemo archon didn't waste time to serve her a glass of the most exquisite wine. Ei stood afar from them all and watched the scene in silence, biting her lower lip softly. How much she wished to be at home for an instant, surrounded by the beautiful sakura trees in bloom and the familiar faces. Chiyo promised her that next time they meet, she would bring her a new type of sweet and Ei could hardly wait until then. Sasayuri said that they weren't hard to make, but last time Ei tried to cook, the kitchen had literally almost burnt to ashes and even though Makoto never scolded her for it, the girl refused to even try something like that ever again. She was a samurai, a warrior and she could protect her sister and friends at the best of her abilities. But oh please, don't ask her to cook again.

Suddenly, the most delicious and sweet vision appeared before her eyes. A skewered tri-colored dango. Ei looked up surprised and realized that one of the Seven had walked away from the table towards her and had brought her a sweet.

"Thank you", she whispered politely as she took the skewer shyly, but the man only nodded and smiled at her gently appreciating the honest beam in her eyes at the sight of the sweet.

Ei knew who he was, of course. The Geo Archon. Morax. His long golden-brown hair was hidden under a white hood, part of his usual and ceremonial outfit, but his attractive face was visible. Morax stood beside her silently for a moment while the girl devoured her dango and then spoke softly:

"They're quite noisy, aren't they?"

Ei followed his gaze towards the table and a smile curved her lips when she saw Makoto chuckling with the others. Yes, they certainly were but her sister was happy there and that was all that mattered to her.

"But they're not bad", continued Morax as if sensing her thoughts. "They just can't help to enjoy the few chances we have to spend together."

Ei nodded silently as they watched the others because she understood that much. She knew how was it to miss someone when you haven't seen them in so long and wanting to treasure the time that you can spend with them as much as possible. For an instant, she looked at Morax's profile and wondered if she would meet him again someday. It was weird to think about that when she was with him already there and then; but Ei's mind used to work like that. Thinking first about the ending of things or about how the future could be before it even happened. To be prepared. She didn't know that some things cannot be controlled.

The dango was finished and someone was calling at him from the table. Ei noticed that Makoto was smiling at her too and a sudden blush covered her cheeks, but didn't dare to look at Morax.

He smiled at her again, friendly, gently, and walked away towards the others while the girl observed his back as if she could still see that smile. And it was then when it hit her: how cold the breeze felt now that he was away.