Rise from the ashes (an elemental tale)

Shadows

With a sigh I create barriers of compressed air around both of them, trapping them in place.

Right now I think that was the safest move, they're both acting really strange and I don't want something destructive to happen, beyond what's already happened.

An example of this is my poor door, which is now splayed across the floor in bits and pieces. That guy owes me a new door, and it better be an oak one.

"Phoenix let me go." says the stranger, banging against the wall of air in a futile attempt to break it.

"Stop saying my name like I introduced myself to you. I didn't." I state coldly.

"My name is Blake and that guy over there, Zayne, wants to harm you. I only want to protect you." he states, effectively introducing himself.

"I don't believe that, and I don't trust that what you're saying is true. What is your purpose here Blake?" I ask.

"I already told you, I'm here to protect you from that monster." he says, referring to Zayne.

My fingers itch with a need to burn this idiot standing before me. How dare he call Zayne that?

All Zayne has done since he jumped back in my life was confuse me. He was there one moment and gone the next, distancing himself then infiltrating my space. That doesn't mean he's harmful or a monster, that just means he has terrible people skills.

He did want to explain something to me when he showed up though, and that seemed pretty important. Maybe those answers will help clear the fog penetrating my mind.

I turn my attention away from a fuming Blake and to where I left Zayne last.

He was seated on the floor, looking comfortable in the small space I forced him into, and his eyes were closed. It looked like he was meditating or something of the sort.

I felt bad for the mini-cage I placed him in and decided to lift the barrier so he could move more freely.

When he opened his eyes, however, my stomach dropped and I knew I made the wrong decision.

His eyes were no longer the mesmerizing emerald green I'd come to enjoy, they were instead a pair of coal black ones I didn't recognize.

He thrust his hand forward and random shadows sprung forth from their places in my room and wrapped themselves around my entire body, almost swallowing me whole.

Wait, shadows?

This can't be real.

It can't be.

And yet, it is.

The person in front of me was no longer the Zayne I knew, instead it was a shadow of the person he once was. And I hate shadows with a passion.

Before I was no longer able to, I dropped the barrier surrounding Blake, hoping he could contribute to the situation somehow.

He barreled forward, his full focus on Zayne, intending to bash his skull in. How he'd do that? I have no idea.

I can't be worrying about him though, I need to figure out how to get out of these binds.

They seemed strong, but I was stronger.

I cleared my mind of all the chaos running around in it and focused. I had to find that spark again.

I haven't had to use this much sheer power since I burnt the Meyers lawn. Even then, I don't know how I did that without reaching deep inside and finding my spark. So truly, I'm reaching for something I haven't reached for in years, something that could've grown cold.