We made our way down to the dungeons and saw Voren, Alice, Blaine, Silver, Seven, Starla, Jessica, and a few other professors there. The killer was chained up against a pillar, restraining her from her elemental abilities. The room was eerily quiet. Our footsteps echoed in the silence as we walked towards the others.
"You must be Rick," a tall man said, his voice deep. "My name is Jerick. I am the earth professor here at Vortex High. If you're wondering, I am not the original earth elemental. Unlike Blaine and Alice, the original earth elemental died many years ago. He was a giant mountain lion. He wasn't killed or anything. He just lived a full life. And over here is Dawn. She is our school's air teacher. She is one of the original members of the air elemental society. We're very honored to have her here."
I nodded and shook his hand as well as hers. "It's very nice to meet you guys. It's an honor for us students to have an opportunity to learn from you."
"Hey, Rick," Voren said. "I hate to cut off the pleasantries so soon, but I'd like to get to it. We are about to unmask our killer. The reason I asked all of you to be here is because you have the right to know who this is. You have the right to know who's killed your friends and innocent people. The whole school has that right. However, as her main targets, it's only fair that you should know first."
We all nodded in agreement as the Headmaster pulled back her hood and removed her mask. All of us were silent as the killer raised her head, glaring right at me. It was silent except for Alice.
"Oh my God," Alice whispered, putting her hand over her mouth. "Lydia? I can't believe this. You were such a sweet young lady. How could you have gone down this path?"
"It's simple, really, professor," Lydia replied, her eyes red as the devil himself. "Everyone is this room is in some way related to my brother's death. I wanted to get vengeance for his demise and what better way to do it than to make everyone here suffer? Every professor has lost some students. Every student here will perish in a mere matter of moments. And then, when I'm done, I'll follow in Xorale's footsteps. He may have been the evil one, but at least he didn't kill my brother."
"Jimmy," Jarick said. "Your brother was one of my brightest students. It's truly a shame what happened to him."
"Is it?" Lydia replied, her voice growling at him. "Where were you when the school blew to bits? I didn't see you taking my brother to safety during the evacuation. And you didn't save me either. Jimmy saved me by sacrificing himself. He put me on a boulder and sent me flying out of the school while we was engulfed in flames. There wasn't even a body for me to bury. He was reduced to ash. Which actually gives me an idea..."
Before Lydia finished, she flicked both of her wrists and the sweat came from her body, cutting the chains and releasing herself. She formed spikes and sent them flying at all of us. We all stood in shock as Lydia fled the room.
"Everyone alright?!" I asked, looking around as everyone nodded. "Okay good. I'm glad to know that everyone is o-"
Before I could finish, I heard Starla's voice. "Bro..."
I turned to see her with a spike in her gut. Blood poured out of the wound as she collapsed to the ground. I caught her in my arms as she fell. No no no, I thought. This can't be happening!
"Starla, you're okay," I said, my voice shaking. "You're gonna be okay. I promise... just hang on."
"It's okay bro," Starla said, her voice getting weaker as my eyes glowed gold. "There's no time... Do me a favor will you?"
I nodded as she continued. "There's no turning her back... it's too late for her the same way.... it's too late for me... all I ask is that... when you catch her... don't hold back anymore... being nice isn't doing anything.... you need to.... kill... that... bitch...."
The life left my sisters eyes as her head fell back. She was gone. No, I thought. Not Starla... First I lose my dad, then Emerson, and now Starla?! She's right. I can't hold back anymore. I'm going to fucking kill her.
I laid my sister's body down and stood up as flames ignited throughout my body. My shirt burned away as my skin turned to flames. I turned myself into fire without even thinking about it. I waved my hand and a board of fire appeared in front of me. I climbed on it and began to levitate.
"Rick!" Voren exclaimed. "Don't do it. Remember, she needs to be brought to justice!"
"Don't become like her, love!" Vicky shouted. "Remember, you're not a monster like her. You're my hero!"
I said nothing as I soared after Lydia. You better keep running, Lydia, I thought. There's not a place on this earth where you can hide. I will chase you to the ends of this world if that's what it takes. Come hell or high water, you... will... die. I soared through the halls of the school as I began to hear a voice in my head.
"You've awakened your dragon fire," the voice said. "I am the original dragon. The one who gifted fire to the other dragons. You have my condolences. Humans like yourself are only able to unlock this ability when the only thing they feel is rage. And the only use of this power is to destroy. Do you understand?"
"I do," I replied, my voice growling like the killer's. "And that's just what I need right now. My dad, brother, and sister are all gone. I killed the person who took my dad from me. I killed the bastard who took Emerson from me. Now I'm going to destroy the bitch who took my sister from me. But unlike her, I'm only going to kill her. No one else will pay except the person responsible."
"Good," The Dragon Lord said. "You have my blessing. May the dragon's fire arm you with abilities you need."
"You're not going to stop me?" I said as I turned the corner and kept soaring.
"No. It's actually natural for dragon's to seek their own brand of justice. And while you're only human, you've unlocked a dragon ability. And in doing so, are temporarily one of my own. I will aid you in any way I can."
I nodded as I saw Lydia run out of the hallway onto the battlegrounds. I soared through the window after her, shattering the glass. Lydia turned as her eyes grew wide and cold with fear.
"Lydia!!!" I shouted, my voice booming like a dragon's. "You have made a terrible mistake killing innocent people, including my sister!!! I tried to be pleasant towards you and help you to atone for my mistakes, but you are beyond my help. You've made a poor decision by killing Starla. Now, you will pay with your own life!"
YOU ARE READING
The Water
FantasyAfter the defeat of Xorale, Rick, Vicky, Starla, Seven, Silver, and Voren rebuild and reopen Vortex High. For the first semester of the new year, things are going great. However, when a mysterious attacker emerges from the shadows, it's up to the or...