Tales Of The Gifted

Chapter 2: The Fire Elementalist

An epic tale is beginning to unfold before our eyes. In our last chapter, characters Evelyn Mirack and Hinoko Yamazaki were headed off towards the direction of sudden screaming. What could be the cause?

Chapter 2:

The Fire Elementalist

       The two adolescents ran towards the direction of where the screaming was heard. As a result, the two ended up in the center of Ethereon Town where the largest bank was located. Hinoko ran towards the entrance of the bank to rush inside, but had no luck getting in as he pulled on the steel doors. With frustration, the male kicked the door hard with his left foot then folded his arms and began to think. Evelyn then walked up behind him and placed her hands behind her back as she gave him a concerned look.

       "So...What do you think is going on inside the bank that would cause such a everyone to scream?"

       "If I'm right, then the place is being robbed by Ludwig. And more than likely, he's using his power to get the cash as quick as he can."

       Staring blankly at him with disbelief, Evelyn calmly shook her head and placed her right hand onto Hinoko's left shoulder. "We can't jump to conclusions just yet. After all, we aren't inside the bank to see for ourselves." Hinoko shook his head then pointed at a window on the right side near the entrance of the bank. It was sealed off with an iron substance that prevented anyone on the outside of the bank from looking in.

       "See that? It was caused by an 'Iron Elementalist'. Because of that seal, there's no way we can get a good look inside to see what's going on. And only one of the 'Gifted' can make an iron that strong."

       Evelyn's eyes widened slightly as she took a closer look at the substance. She was completely baffled that such a thing could be caused by a single being. She then looked over at Hinoko, a surprised look painted across her face. "W-Wow...I've never seen the work of an elementalist up close like this...I won't lie to you Hinoko, I'm impressed and also scared by this. Are you positive Ludwig is the cause though? I'm not doubting you or anything like that... But it seems like this has gone just a bit beyond a simple thief."

       "Yeah I'm positive." Hinoko answered, his arms still crossed with an annoyed expression on his face . "Ludwig is a pretty well known elementalist around here for his Iron wielding skills. I should've mentioned this earlier, but just recently, he got a small boat of confidence about himself. And now he thinks he's better than everyone else. Whether they're among the gifted or not, he thinks he's far more superior." Evelyn looked away towards her right for a moment then let a small sigh slip through her lips as she crossed her arms and turned back towards Hinoko. "So if that's the case...What's your plan?"

       "It's simple...but since you're here with me, I might as well use your assistance if you don't mind."

       Evelyn nodded and smirked as he began explaining his idea to her. They both talked and discussed the plot over thoroughly for about five minutes before they finally began to execute it.

       "Oh dear me! Dear me! What am I to do with all of this money my father has given to me? I am but a poor young lass with no sense of direction. I could spend this money on anything or perhaps be dumb enough to give it away to anyone that may ask. Oh, woe is me!" Evelyn spouted in hopes to lure out Ludwig. Hinoko watched from behind a nearby tree ready to make his move.

       Suddenly, the ground beneath the them began to rumble rather violently. Within the blink of an eye, an iron plank pierced through the ground towards Evelyn. Seeing this, Hinoko quickly ran from behind his post in attempt to rescue the young woman. "EVELYN!!" he shouted as he jumped in front of the iron and crossed his arms in front of him in an "X" position to take the attack.

       He dug his feet into the ground as the iron slammed into his arms. He grunted and gritted his teeth, taking the impact of the attack. Once taken, Hinoko quickly turned at a 180 degree and pushed Evelyn to the ground, only getting himself smacked straight in the stomach with another plank that spouted through the ground. Evelyn stared with pure shock and fear as she watched him take the hit. She sat there, speechless and unable to move from her terror.

       Hinoko hit the ground hard landing on his back. He lied there for a moment then sat up and stumbled to his feet. Once he stood up straight, he held his stomach with his left hand and panted a bit. He then gritted his teeth and looked around angrily, his right fist clenched. "I didn't expect you to be the kind of person that would go for a sneak attack Ludwig!! Why don't you come out and fight me like a man!!"

       "With pleasure..." went a faint voice. The doors of the bank flew open, catching Hinoko's and Evelyn's attention. A figure made its way out of the building slowly, trying to build suspense. Suddenly, there stood a tall male around the height of 6'2". He wore an all black suit with an all black fedora and shoes to match. In his mouth was a cigar he was currently smoking. And in his hands were large bags of money he had just received from the bank. The man then dropped the bags and grinned as he stared at Hinoko, cracking his knuckles in a casual manner. It was Ludwig in the flesh and Hinoko knew it. "Ya' asked for me pyro. Here I am. Ready to dance?"

       "Pryo?" Evelyn sat confused then stood to her feet. She then closed her right hand and held it to the left side of her chest. This was her usual thing to do, in order to keep herself calm and hopeful. Hinoko glared at Ludwig then removed his hand from his stomach and placed both arms down to his sides, clenching his fists. He grunted causing blue flames to ignite from his fists and cloak them. Evelyn looked at the male's hands then at him. She was captivated by the situation that was placed in front of her. It made her excited to the point of where she began to blush a light pink.

        "H-Hinoko you're...you're a..."

       "Yeah...a Fire Elementalist. Didn't I tell ya'?" he asked glancing back at the young woman with a confident smile.

       "N-No...You didn't. I'm so surprised." she spoke blushing a bit deeper as she quickly looked towards the ground to hide her face. Hinoko then turned his attention back towards Ludwig and smirked. The smirk wouldn't last as it quickly turned into a serious look. The male then got into a fighting stance.

       "You aren't getting away with robbing the innocent people of Ethereon Town. Me nor Clan Rushara are gonna let ya' get away easy."

       "Ohoho! So the Rushara clan sent its pyro to deal with me? I'm a little offended considering the fact that you couldn't even control your own flames awhile back." Ludwig responded to the male with a laugh as he took a puff of his cigar. Hinoko, not at all phased by the man's words, held both arms out in front of him and began concentrating.

       Ludwig stared at the young male with an amused look, as did Evelyn. She then fanned herself, somehow beginning to sweat. With this, she unbuttoned the top button of her collared shirt and watched Hinoko closely. The male kept his arms held out then widened his eyes and smirked.

       "I'll admit that there was a time I couldn't control my flames. But now, things are a lot different! Sacred Fire... !!" Hinoko began as a large blue fireball began forming from the palms of his hands. The flame increasing the temperature of the area slightly. "Burning Flame!!!" He yelled out, firing the large blue fireball towards Ludwig at 45mph. With a shocked expression on her face, Evelyn looked at Hinoko and mumbled to herself.

       "It's an actual fire elementalist... Wow..."

And so begins the first fight within our tale. Hinoko takes initiative and makes the first move with one of his fire attacks. Will it be enough to stun the iron elementalist, Ludwig?

To be continued in Chapter 3: A Blazing Showdown