Elementals

Chapter 4 - I'd say I'm feelin' the burn, but

"So, how long is this path?" Aidan asked DDio as the two of them walked down a dense forest. Many maple trees surrounded the stone brick path. Arches made of a dark, fine wood went down the path, supporting up a roof with a golden shine. The whistling noise of the wind passing through the trees was accompanied by the tune of the wind chimes hung upon the arches. Some of the chimes were made with exquisite detail, the work of a real, professional craftsman, while some were made with a simple wood structure, as if made by a child.

The sun beated down on the pair of fire-bending beings as they marched down the long, winding road of stone.

"A mile or so." DDio answered. Aidan looked up at the sky as they wandered down the path.

"Is the sky... yellow?" Aidan observed. "It's not even like a natural yellow, it's like, a goldish yellow."

"This entire world we walk upon is my own, Aidan. The trees, the clouds, the rivers, and even the sky are of my design." DDio responded.

"I... what? How? Isn't your shtick fire? How did you make a god damn world?"

"This is a Pocket Dimension, similar to a Pocket Realm. We Elementals, upon reaching a certain level of strength in our powers, can make these Pocket Dimensions. These are usually our homes, but some use it for other reasons."

"Are these like normal dimensions made by gods? Just, personal?"

"Basically. Only the Elemental in power can manipulate the dimension."

"Then why are we walkin' there and not just teleportin', old man?" Aidan leaned into DDio's face as he asked.

"Calm down, Aidan. We all need a moment every now and then when we can just take a walk and forget about life's worries."

"I don't have the time to just wait." Aidan grabbed DDio's collar. "I NEED TO GET BETTER AT FIGHTIN', DAMN IT!"

"Alright, if you so insist, I'll show you a shortcut." DDio replied with a playful tone. With a flick of his finger, a gilded heat washed over the two of them as DDio used his powers to open a portal and move them to the end of the path. "Happy now?"

"Do I have my sister in my arms?" Aidan retorted.

"I see." DDio walked by Aidan and headed past the exit of the path. The grandiose and shining archway that towered over the others. A large, golden crest of a phoenix adorned the arch. Before the two laid a large moat, full of liquid flames.

"What is that?"

"That is Aquosos Aestus-"

"If you don't want to tell me, you can just not."

"I'm not lying, that is the name of this flame. There are many unnatural types of fire out there." DDio smiled. "Let this be your first lesson. There are over twenty-thousand different kinds of fire, most of which are made by an Elemental seeking to become unique, and powerful."

"And some are?"

"Well, there's this Aquosos Aestus, the liquid flames. It acts exactly like water, but burns like fire."

That is 100% a shitty latin name. Aidan thought to himself.

"There's also the Gilded Flames, which are my fire." DDio flicked his finger out, and with a spark and a puff of smoke, a golden spit of fire formed above his fingertip. "This is a different type of fire than the liquid kind, as it instead has a different effect on what it burns instead of just burning it. This will burn through your foe's body and flame their pressure points from within. It can cause severe cramps and even temporary paralysis when used correctly."