The Tower

chapter 2

Lykian awoke to the sound of teeny thunder, he grumbled and cracked an eye open as a small thundercloud loomed above his head, raining down on him in the tub. The weather outside was clear, but cloudy. The rain was only above himself, indoors.  Apparently he had evaporated the water in the tub into a mini storm cloud in his sleep, and he was freezing. He took a second to stand, shivering and almost slipping on the sleek porcelain as he grabbed a fluffy red towel and draped it around his waist, stepping out of the tub. Deciding it best to be dry before getting dressed, he left to their little shared lobby area in just the towel to grab some coffee.
The alarm clock buzzed in her ear as Phoenix rolled over to shut it off. She opened her eyes to look up at the gold rimmed ceiling. Hopefully today was better than yesterday. Sitting up and stretching her arms above her head she wondered briefly what Lykian was doing? Pushing down the thought of that man who was now her partner, she stood up and began getting dressed. Opening the door to her room she looked out into the hallway. Lykian's room was across from her and she stood outside the door for a moment, considering if she should knock. Deciding not to, she walked downstairs to the lobby where coffee, her version of the 'nectar of the gods', would be made.
Lykian yawned softly, carribean blue eyes sleepily half lidded, as he lifted the coffee out of the coffee pot and into his cup  with his powers without lifting a finger. He stretched and ruffled his hair sleepily, grabbing his coffee cup and popped a piece of one of the confectionary muffins into his mouth.
Phoenix walked silently in. She noticed Lykian, in nothing but a towel. She stared at him, her face turning red. "Care to have some decency when bunking in a public space, water boy?" She scoffed.
She grabbed the coffee pot he had just used and poured herself a mug. Holding the mug with both hands, she realized the coffee was cold.
"And you made the coffee cold with your powers." she yelled. "How am I supposed to go on without hot coffee?"
She made a new batch of coffee and put it into a tumbler. Using a bunch of creamer and sugar she made it how she liked.
"Ever heard of iced coffee, fire girl?" He retorted with a soft laugh moving to sit on one of the chairs. "This place isn't exactly public, it's a shared quarters yeah, but you have to know a password to even get in here, so it's just us." He yawned, taking a swig of his coffee before it dawned on him. "Waiiiit~" He started in a teasing voice "Is it that you've never seen a guy naked before? I've got a towel on, I don't see the problem."
"That is not the point." Phoenix looked away as he sat down. Shielding her eyes so as not to see anything. "And I prefer hot coffee over whatever iced monstrosity you concocted over there. You oughta be careful sitting down, who knows what could... fall out."
"Hm?" He tilted his head slightly, dark curls bouncing slightly as he shrugged and drank more of his coffee, picking up the paper off of the table to see if he could gather information from the local articles. He was sitting in a way that she wouldn't be able to see anything, and he had been planning to just go back to his room and get dressed after making coffee but her reactions were amusing.
"Couldn't you just have heated the coffee back up with your fire powers?" He asked, listening to the brewing coffee drip in the pot.
"I don't use my powers for mundane everyday tasks. The risk of the ceramic exploding or the glass melting is too high." Phoenix stood and stared at the man, almost completely naked in front of her. Thinking about her next words carefully she broke the silence.
"Some storm last night, huh?" Looking over the rim of her cup at his reaction.
The smile on his face faltered and he looked off to the side at her last sentence before shrugging softly. "Yeah... some storm.." he said, frowning before putting on a smile and chuckling. "Well I'd better get dressed!" He said, voice slightly wobbly and a bit too joyful. He figured it was probably best if she didn't know that he was the cause of the inclement weather. Standing, he set his cup of coffee and paper down on the table.
Phoenix scoffed, staring at the young man as he walked up the stairs. Finishing her coffee, Phoenix waited outside for Lykian to join her for today's recon. Still remembering how fit he looked, she blushed again. What is wrong with me, she thought. Why can't I get him out of my head? She shook her head to clear it but the lingering images and thoughts stayed at the back of her mind.
Lykian got dressed, he wore a pair of black pants, knee-high black boots, his belt with the equipment he needed, a green tie-tunic with a black hooded one shouldered floor-cloak  that had emerald scrawling along the trim with a black metal shoulder-plate, he didn't bother messing with his hair or anything but made sure he had his weapons and first aid before heading back to the lobby.
"Are you ready? We've got a lot of ground to cover today. Now that we know where Alistor is, we need to see how close he is to the movement leader. This could be a turning point in this war of the elementals and the no-power movement. We still have to keep tabs on Alistor though. Do you wanna tail him or gather information?" Phoenix asked, thankful for the cloak he wore that covered part of his body. It would help her not to think about this morning.
Lykian nodded to the question of being ready. "A turning point in the war?" He asked "I thought this guy was just a sub-leader?" He furrowed his brow in thought, before asking his hands together and nodding. "Alright, let's tail him. I think we got enough information to start with yesterday, knowing every nuance of his day and all of his routines will be crucial to planning for the ball....-" at this point he started rambling about all the different things they should take note of and rattling off the information he had gotten the day before as to where a good place to start would be, before he realized he was talking out loud.
"Alistor may be a sub-leader in all this but all subs still have to report to their masters. If we can figure out when and where that is, maybe we can figure out who it's with. That will be the turning point. The leader is so behind-the-scenes that the lowest subordinates have never laid eyes on him. If we know who he is, we can nab his ass and create a safer world for everyone." Phoenix repeated the spy organization's goal. Opening the door to the worn down lobby she gestured for Lykian to follow.
"We don't know much about the leader but Alistor can be our ticket in."
Lykian followed her out, a few hours later they had found their target and both of them were sitting on a bench, in viewing distance of their target but well blended with the people around them. Lykian fiddled with his pouch looking for something while Phoenix was keeping watch.
"So far, it seems he's just a glutton. This is the fifth food stand he's been to in two hours." Phoenix sighed and leaned back, looking up at the sky. She turned her head to look at the man they've been following for the past four hours. He had a box of churros in one hand and was stuffing his face with a chicken leg with the other. He had already eaten a large hot dog and four corn dogs. No wonder this man was so fat in this day and age. Two guards stood by as he 'negotiated' with the stall vendor about his young daughter. The girl couldn't have been more than 13 years of age. Did this man have no standards?
"He really does like the girls though. He's been trying to get that girl as a servant for an hour now. Disgusting old man." Phoenix grumbled.
Lykian felt sick to his stomach watching the man stuff his face and discuss trying to obtain the girl with the merchant.
"I guess it's true... gluttony has no bounds." He said, eyebrows twitching up in annoyance. He'd kill the sick bastard right now if he could, but he knew it would compromise the mission, and their discretion, entirely.
Finally he managed to find what he'd been looking for in his pocket, what looked to be a small gem. He stood up and straightened his coat, smiling at Phoenix brightly "I feel like some ice cream, would you like some?" He asked. When she replied with a nod, he walked past the fat bastard and slipped the gem into his pocket on his way for the ice cream, getting chocolate mint for himself and cherry chocolate crunch for Phoenix, and heading back to sit next to her.
"What was that that you slipped in his pocket?" Phoenix questioned. She sat back with her ice cream, relishing in the flavor combo of cherry and chocolate that she loved so much. Watching the man over her heavenly goodness, he grabbed the girl, raising his voice at the merchant and dropping most of his food. Phoenix stood, prepared to intervene.
Lykian ate some of his ice-cream and pulled out two similar looking blue gems, handing one to her. "It was a listening device I got from HQ. These are the receivers. They just look like common trade gems you would use in purchases. His is a higher quality gem, so he will want to keep it close to him, being the greedy fuck he is. Giving us the perfect opportunity to listen in if he has... secret meetings or anything." He said, eating more of his ice-cream before Phoenix stood to intervene he stood as well, discarding the ice-cream as he rushed over and knocked him back away from the girl, green eyes alight with fury. "The hell you think you're doing?!" He yelled, improvising with some quick thinking. "You dare touch another man's Sleikin?! I'd have you hung for that, sir." He pushed the small girl behind himself gently and shielded her with a subtle but strong fighting stance.
Phoenix, acting quickly, linked her arm with Lykian's.
"My Lord, this man is the Alistor Chrone. If he wants this girl, perhaps she is special in a way. You must not lose her." Phoenix raised her pitch as she spoke, crossing her legs and leaning on Lykian. Acting like a prissy bitch made her want to punch a wall but she had to endure it. The girl looked horrified as she glanced at her father, surely wondering when he had sold her off.  Her father, equally as horrified, stood staring between the two men in front of him. Stunned to silence, all he could do was look.
Phoenix wished to comfort them both, wanting to say that Lykian was faking it all. If she did that, however, Alistor would know and take the girl anyway.
Alistor let out a deep hearty laugh."So, this girl is already spoken for I see." Glancing toward Phoenix his eyes lit with interest.
"It seems you are also a collector of beauty. Pray tell, would you be willing to sell both these Sleikin to me? I can assure you I will pay a higher price. Especially for one whose eyes are as gold as the sun. I cannot resist a Sleikin elemental who thinks she has power." Chuckling he stared at Phoenix.
Holding back a gag, she gave a small smile. Inwardly, she was screaming to slit the fat bastard's throat. But, trusting Lykian, she allowed him to take the lead.
Lykian let out a hearty chuckle and shifted to a more powerful, but relaxed looking stance that commanded power, he pulled off looking like someone important very well. He looked at Phoenix and back to Alistor with a bright smile. "She is beautiful indeed, my most prized Sleikin... But alas dear man you couldn't afford it, I assure you.... I am a prince after all." He said, his voice practically commanding respect. "Try your luck at the sleighouse in Reishondville sometime, maybe they'll take pity on you, sir Alistor."
Alistor, taken aback by being told no, frowned. "Prince or not, you shouldn't tell a noble such as myself 'no'. Do you not know who I am, young man?"
Phoenix squeezed Lykian's arm in anger. Her face darkened with every word the fat man spat out. Lowering her head so that Alistor would not see her anger showing on her face. She turned to the little girl. The child still showed fear as she looked up at Phoenix.
"Please," She whispered, too quiet for the two arguing men to hear. "Don't let them take me?"
Phoenix gestured for her to be quiet and turned back to the bickering.
Lykians smile fell to a frown and his glare grew sharp and intense again. "Lord Crane, your status may be high but you are no more than a crumb on my carriagestep, I know precisely who you are, I also know that I could easily have your entire estate leveled and your title stripped faster than you could draw your pathetic straining breath. I suggest you stand down from this matter, as you have already laid a hand on one of my sleikin, you are quite fortunate you still stand. I am being cordial." He said, clouds darkening above him, his eyes beginning to glow electric green.
"Gah, a noble elemental. Filth like you should not have stature." the fat man spat in front of Lykian. He looked at his eyes, a worried look slowly growing to fear on his face.
"This child is not worth it, Guards, let us take our leave. Let the filth have her. You will not forget me, young prince. Chrone will not be a name you mispronounce again." Alistor waddled away, his guards sticking close behind him. Phoenix stared after him, then looked at the angry look on Lykian's face. It almost scared her, with the way he was looking at the man. Suddenly realizing she was still holding Lykian's arm, she let go. Turning to the little girl, she knelt down. "Are you alright little one?"
"Will I have to be a Sleikin too?" She said, tears forming in her eyes.
"No no, little one. You are free. This was a front to protect you. No one your age should have to be a sleikin. No one ever should be a sleikin. But know as long as we're here, you will never have to become one." Phoenix placed her hand on the girl's head, her dark brown hair flowing between her fingers.
Lykian's expression fell and he sighed, noticing when she let go of his arm, he turned to her and the others. He smiled softly and went over to the little girl and knelt down to her level. "You are a very brave girl, don't ever lose that okay?" He said, conjuring a beautiful crystalline ice rose and handing it to the girl, ruffling her hair softly before standing to face the merchant man, pushing his hair away from his face he pulled out a rather large sack and handed it to him.
"Sir, please.. this town isn't safe for you and your daughter, while I admire your craft... take this bag, it has enough money to support you and your daughter for both of your lifetimes... and there are tickets. Bring them to Idleshyre, there are instructions on how to get there. Someone will be there to bring you somewhere safe. If you stay here, it won't be long before that pig tries to obtain her behind my back." He said. Suddenly he looked very tired, the clouds darkening. "We must go, I apologize. Look out for each other." He said, looking at Phoenix before taking her arm gently, and leading her away quickly. Once they were far enough and out of sight of people he nearly collapsed to the ground, his eyes glowing a bit brighter, thunder cracked in the sky.
Phoenix caught him before he hit the ground, gently setting him down, she knelt in front of him. "Lykian, what's wrong?" She asked. Grabbing his hand, she immediately dropped it. His hand was ice cold.
"Lykian, why are you cold? Tell me, what's wrong with you?" Worrying for her partner, she surrounded his hands in a warm aura, hoping to combat the cold emanating from his hands. The young man looked ready to fall unconscious any minute. The clouds above began pouring rain, soaking the duo in seconds. Phoenix's hair became plastered to her head as she watched Lykian for any response that he heard her.
Lykian grit his teeth, thankful that she caught him, he didn't want to worry her but he felt it wouldn't be beneficial to keep it from her any longer. "I'm sorry Phoenix, it's... my powers... they've been a bit harder to control...lately.." he said, taking a minute to breathe, his vision swam, and he shook his head softly, dark curls bouncing as he did so. "He just.. made me so angry..." he said, gritting his teeth before his eyes stopped glowing, slipping shut as he went limp in her arms, instantly falling asleep, the rain turning to soft snowfall.
Stupid guy, oh why did you have to take it that far? Phoenix thought. Taking quick action to bring up his temperature, she surrounded him in the same aura as she did his hand. Grateful that they were in an area with no people, Phoenix could help Lykian.
Question is, with him passed out like this, how the hell am I gonna get him back to his room without being seen? Scanning the immediate area, she scouted the best route back up the mountain. The best way would be to go around the village and through the forested area that gently sloped upwards. Sighing, she took his left arm and placed it over her shoulders, grunting with the effort of half carrying, half dragging the man. She trekked up the mountain to the hotel. Opening a back entrance that led to their floor, she had the lower level spies, who were there to assist them, help her to get Lykian to his room.
Once he was placed on the bed, she said, "Thank you, you can go now." They closed the door behind them and Phoenix sat down next to her partner.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She mumbled. Concentrating, Phoenix warmed the room. The ice that had begun to creep across the bed disappeared. Laying down next to him, Phoenix used her own body heat to warm his body and fell asleep with the warmth she had created.
Lykian's eyes opened and he sat up in a jolt. His memory from yesterday coming to him in hazy flashes, he groaned softly and held his head in his hands, turning slightly to see Phoenix asleep on her back. Her bright hair splayed beneath her head, one arm completely out of her jacket, the other over her stomach. The arm he could see was discolored, and scarred all the way up resembling licking flames, clearly a deep burn. Bringing his hand down from his face, he went to gently wake her before freezing when he noticed an old worn photograph that slid halfway out of her jacket pocket. He gingerly pinched the photo out of the pocket and turned it over to examine it. Within the photo there were two people, one of them clearly Phoenix, though a young girl by the looks of it; the other was a man he didn't recognize, with dark charcoal, sleek hair, in a gentlemanly cut with wispy bangs, he had soft hazel eyes, that looked kind, if not a little worn. Lykian was puzzled as to who it could be before his concentration was broken by his partner stirring beside him.
Phoenix woke to see her partner awake. He was staring at her and then at a picture in his hand. Realizing her jacket was half off, she quickly put her arm back in and covered it. Reaching for the picture, she said, "Give that back, it's mine." Crawling over the bed to reach Lykian who had raised the photo above his head so she couldn't reach it.
Lykian held it far above his head and chuckled, "What, this old thing?" He asked, shaking it gently and sticking his tongue out at her in a teasing manner. "It's just a picture of a cute little birdie I know, what could you want with it?" He teased, stretching back the further she reached for it with soft laughter.
"That's none of your business, jerk. It's mine, that's all you have to know!" Phoenix tried to reach higher, desperately trying to grab the photo back. She didn't want to explain about the photo. The original one she carried had been ruined by him and she didn't want the same thing to happen to another.
He held it back even further, she was practically on top of him at this point as he was leant back against the pillows. "Aww, what's the matter little birdie, don't want me to see mini you with your dad?" He teased, just making a guess as to who the other person was. "I think that's adorable~" his emerald eyes held playfulness and mirth as he flipped the photo up to the tips of his fingers to hold it further from her.
Phoenix sat back, exhausted from yesterday. Staring at the photo in Lykians hand, she said, "It's not my dad, Idiot. It's my brother. And that photo is extremely important to me. I need it back." Phoenix's hands began to shake, being unable to touch the photo was giving her anxiety and her partner was keeping it from her.
Lykian saw her hands shaking  and his smile fell as he lowered his arm and held out the photo to her. "Your brother huh?" He asked, wondering just why it was so important to her. He studied her face, noting she looked anxious.
"Yeah... my brother. Look, can you just give it back? Please, I need it." Phoenix begged. Reaching her hand out toward the photo, hoping he would relent and give it back. While she did have others in her room, this was the only photo left of when he was grown, all the rest were when they were kids. She feared she would forget his face without it.
Lykian passed the photo back to her and ran a hand through his hair. He wondered if maybe her brother had passed or something from her reaction, but he didn't voice it. "I'm sorry I didn't know it meant that much to you, Phoenix. I didn't mean to disrespect you ."
Grabbing the photo, she clutched it to her chest, relieved to have it back. Turning away, she said, "Whatever, just don't touch it again."
Lykian nodded when she said not to touch it again. He let the silence sit for a second before remembering the burns on her arms, he got a serious look on his face as he looked at her. "Phoenix, when I woke up.... I'm sorry to ask this but I must... your arm..."
Huffing, Phoenix was reluctant to reply, "They're... old injuries. From when I was a kid." Still sitting on the bed, she fully took off her jacket to reveal her arms. Both were covered with old burn marks, up to her elbows. Some spots were darker than others. Her hands, originally covered with fingerless gloves, were the worst of all. Her palms were one big burn scar, reaching from her knuckles to her wrists.
"When I was a kid, I was almost constantly burning myself with my own power. My body can handle high temperatures no problem, usually. My power goes higher than that. With training I managed to get it under control, but the damage was already done. This is why I didn't want to work with anyone, because I could even hurt myself."
Phoenix debated on whether or not she should tell her other secret. Sighing, she decided that she should.
"You don't realize how close that nickname of 'little birdie' is. This is something only Reign knows." Twisting around on the bed she lifted the back of her shirt. Under it, connected to her back, about two inches from her spine, were two large wings. Red and amber feathers covered both. They sat flat against her back until she shifted them to stretch them out. They almost reached either end of the room. Closing them again, she pulled her shirt back down and turned to face the stunned water wielder.
"This is where I get my codename 'Phoenix' from. Do you know of the old city, the rundown place where people drop kids they don't want at? Reign found me there. I was covered in blood from the fresh burn marks. She took me in and I've been a spy ever since. I don't know all the details of my birth, but from what me and the doctors understood, I was some kind of experiment to make elementals stronger. They weren't totally sure where I had come from or how I ended up in the old city, but I was told to hide my wings and to never show them to anyone. Not of fear that they would be scared, but fear that whoever was experimenting on me would return and take me back. I had significant injuries when I was found, I was malnourished and, from what I remember, I hated adults. I was afraid they were gonna hit me. Eventually, I learned to trust again but not all the way." Phoenix refused to look up, fearing what Lykian would say or do. She sat in the heavy silence, waiting for him to respond.
Lykian's eyes were wide, he sat stunned in silence for a minute, thoughts racing in his head. He looked at her wings, moving to gently move her jacket and look at the scars, before pulling her into a hug instantly. "I'm so sorry, that must have been so painful..." Her story reminded him of back when he had testing and experiments done on him as well. And how they sent him to the furthest corner of the world to build his cold tolerance with nothing but thin robes and food rations... but that was a story for another time.
Looking blankly at the wall as her partner hugged her, she responded, "It's not like you could've changed things. It's just what I am. So many people in the agency, people who are supposed to be used to weird and scary, are afraid of me. Even without showing my wings, people think I'm a monster." Pulling away, Phoenix sat at the edge of the bed. "This was another reason as to why I didn't want a partner. Because eventually, I would have to show this side of me and they'll run away anyway." Standing, she grabbed her jacket and walked out of the room.
Phoenix walked to her room. Surely Lykian wouldn't want to be her partner anymore. He'll be like everyone else, unable to trust her. She remembered the comments she heard when she was younger. People thought she was a double agent for the No Power Movement, or that she was part of another organization to destroy regular humans.
Closing her door behind her, she slid down it and sat in front of the door. Head on her knees, she tried not to cry. She had ruined what she wanted to be a good friendship. Now that Lykian knew about her darkest secret, he would surely leave. Turning to the wall beside the door, she used all her strength to punch it. Behind the sheetrock was brick. Pulling her hand from the wall, she watched as blood poured from her knuckles. Why would I make such a stupid mistake as to tell a guy my deepest secrets? Especially, when I've only known him a few days.
Standing, she walked to her bathroom to wash and bandage her hand. Noticing the clock on her nightstand, it said 10am. The day was already half over, she hadn't realized how late they slept. Then it dawned on her, SHIT, she thought. I just slept in a man's bed! What the hell? Why? Why didn't I leave when he was warm? Face-palming herself, she put her jacket back on and walked out the door, hoping to not run into Lykian on the way out.
Lykian sprung off the bed to go after her when she walked out of the room but his eyes fell on a manilla file, he froze in his tracks, almost literally. That was Phoenix's file, he'd set it there and was debating whether to read it at all, but he figured there couldn't be much worse than what she had already told him. Curiosity getting the better of him, He took a step over and flipped it open, grabbing it to read as he left his room.

Agent 625: Anna Stone
Codename: Phoenix
Age: 18
Elemental status: S-tier
Status: active duty
Abilities: has control over the speed of molecules creating heat; This gives her unlimited power over all things having to do with heat and combustion; such as raising the temperature, creating fire, or making solid objects melt. Has (classified information).
Background: Parents: Unknown, Birthplace: No record of agent's birth. Paired with a Caiden Ford (agent 285). Agent 285 was killed in an accidental fire caused by agent 625. Refer to 'Circe Drusilla Incident'.
Agent 625 found inside the old city. Checked out with doctors only days after being found. Heals remarkably fast. Under supervision of co. Reign.

End report.
Phoenix tried to bolt past Lykian's room before he could come out. Unfortunately, he had opened the door right as she passed. Her file was in his hand. Ignoring it she tried to run past only to have him reach out and grab her. Spinning in a panic, she wretched her arm away. She couldn't catch her breath. What would he do? She looked up at Lykian's face, seeing genuine concern. Phoenix's eyes sparked with a gold light, like a sparkler on the 4th of July. Was it concern for him or her?
Lykian gently grabbed her arm as she tried to speed past it, putting his hands up in the air when she reefed her arm away from him. "Woah, Phoenix please just.. calm down okay? I'm not running away from you, and I don't think you are a monster. I'm not them." He said, a hint of desperation in his voice as he looked in her eyes, his in contrast to her fiery sparkles were like a deep Caribbean ocean "Please... stop running from me."
"How can I know that for sure? I've heard the same thing, over and over since Caiden died. I want to believe you, Lykian. Really, I do. But you can't promise something like that. Because after all this is over, we're going our separate ways." Phoenix looked away. Her emotions about to burst, she turned back around, ready to get through what was left of the day. Phoenix wanted Lykian to be by her side forever. However, after this mission was over, she was going to be alone. Lykian would move on to another mission and she would do the same. She sighed at the thought of him not being with her.

Lykian contemplated kissing her to prove that he wasn't going anywhere, but chickened out of it with a soft dusting of a blush on his cheeks, and he decided to take a less... intimate route as he didn't want to I admit to himself that *that* was how he actually felt about her, so he'd continue to live in denial city for now. He shook his head slightly. "It's not like I've got anywhere to be Phoenix, and... I'm not supposed to just leave after this assignment you know... I was assigned as your permanent accomplice." He said, avoiding the use of 'partner' as the thought brought him butterflies, which he also denied to himself.

Phoenix walked away as Lykian was still talking. Flinging the words over her shoulder, she scoffed. "Is that what *they* told you or is that what you *want* to happen. Because I can tell you what will happen. Ive never worked with another S-tier elemental, but I can tell you from others experiences. They don't put two S-tier elementals together unless it's to ensure the success of the mission, then they separate them. This is so that they're not as afraid of the match-ups. The S-tiers will be too busy with the mission to think about taking over the world or something."

She walked up the stairs to head out the front door. The ragged room she entered smelled even moldier in late morning with the sun shining through the windows.