The Fire Inside

Chapter 6 - The End of Serenity

Vera moved to the chair with Luna close at her heels. Seeing Garret in his "natural environment" was weird for her. Seen always as the clean and crisp man, held high in his uniform of High User. This image was quickly broken from the look of his office.

Sitting down carefully, making sure not to bump anything or breathe for that matter, she looked to Garret, whose eyes where locked with Luna's. She had stopped in her tracks, ears flat against her head. Vera realised that she could no longer hear the thoughts crossing between them. Suddenly the thoughts flooded back. No, not again. Mom, don't let it happen again. Luna ran to Vera, attempting to crawl into her lap but only managing to her her head and front paws on her. Her snout was firmly buried against Vera as she stroked Luna's head softly, hushing her in her mind.

"I see you two have bonded extremely strongly, and quickly." Garret's voice came over to them as calmly as ever. "You two are a very, interesting couple. And Luna, your size is amazing. It just goes to show how strong you two will become."

Vera smiled at the thought, but she new that the expression did not reach her eyes. Pain and sadness still pervaded the gap between her and Luna. Garret must have noticed.

"I am sorry about Luna. I just had a quick look through her mind. The companions are better to use for tracing memories as their human counterparts, on no fault of their own, tend to bend memories for their own good. It is human nature. Luna's mind just gave me a quick look at what happened, she may just be feeling what she felt then. I believe that it would be easier for me to, see, what happened rather than draw it out with a talk." His face became very serious all of a sudden. "Your trial was a much different one. I have never seen someone confronted by themselves."

"Do you know what it means? And how could that have been me and Luna. They were so, violent." Vera's voice broke mid-sentence. She had never felt the need to lash out at people, and Luna had always been so playful, unlike the wolf-figure that came at them.

"The trial is used to confront your worst fears, as well as test the will of the user. Fire Users are, passionate, at the least. What you experienced could have just been the complete opposite of yourself, or perhaps a version of yourself that you keep deeply confined within yourself. Frustration, anger, fear of being alone. There is much you hold in your past that you may not even know. Subconscious levels are rarely touched, and you were left here as a child." Garret's serious face sharpened to concern. "This brings me to a very important topic. I know that you have just graduated, however..."

A low growl started up from Luna. I feel, wrong. I feel like we are back in that dream. There is something here, something we cannot see.

Vera shook her head. She felt it as well. "Luna says something is wrong."

Garret looked between them quickly, "Best keep this short then, for she may be right. We are a floating island, put here by Lord Etion many years ago. A peaceful place for Users to practice, to learn, and to perfect their skills. You got taught this in class, correct?"

Vera nodded to confirm. Luna's fear come flooding through as her growl grew louder.

Garret continued, "What you did not get taught was that there were two factions. Those who thought it wrong to separate themselves from those on the ground stayed with them. They decided that they would lift themselves to the status of rulers. You may not know this, but for the last three hundred years, the island we are on has never stayed in one spot. We keep tranquility, peace. We fear this may change soon."

No longer keeping his voice calm, Garret started speaking faster, "We have sent down many recon units in the last few months. Reports have become worse. Normally we would hear of how the Users were just giving rules, enforcing their views on people, but recently they have been gathering a force, taking to the skies and searching for what we believe to be us. We have never been a threat, but our end goal since we have split is to free those held captive on the planet."

Vera began to get skeptical. What, then, was the plan for them.

"This brings me to your first mission. With your great scoring on the graduation, and the obvious growth in strength, both in bond and will, between you and Luna, we would like you to join the next scouting team. We need someone strong and level headed, with a fresh look on the matter, and we would like that person to be you. Will you accept Vera and Luna?"

Luna, who had stopped growling, looked to Vera. I feel we do not have much of a choice. Do you think it is a good idea?

"Unfortunately we need a decision now, as the scouting team leaves within the hour." Garret said hastily. He was acting very out of character for Vera, this must be really bugging him.

I do not know why, but I think we should. I mean, it will also be our chance to see what the planet looks like. It could be fun. Vera passed to Luna, trying to lift the mood a little more for her own sake.

If you go, so do I. Luna's confirmation was strong and protective.

"We shall go." Vera said with a nod and small smile to Garret.

"Then it is settled, if you would follow me. The team will need introductions." He quickly stood and glided towards the door. The papers in the room began to shake as his hand touched the brass handle. He shot a look to his assistant, who was still standing against the wall. "Shit."

Then everything went white. Glass from the window blasted in through the room. Vera and Luna were flung against the wall, cushioned by the books. Opening her eyes, everything seemed to be moving slowly. Flames erupted between the two against the wall and Garret and his assistant. The High User was in a water bubble created by his assistant while she threw him through the door.

The assistant turned to Vera, a menacing smile played across her face before she lifted up her the two with ease, encased in their own water cage. Vera hardly had any time to react before they were thrown out the broken window. The last thing she heard was the assistant shouting "I cannot save her." Then the whistling of air overcame her hearing.

What was happening? Okay, okay, they were falling. Luna! The thought consumed her. She must save Luna. Looking around, she saw Luna falling though the air a few meters from her. Panicking she tried to swim through the air towards her to no avail. Quickly calming herself, a thought crossed her mind.

Focusing flames to gather around her hands, she pushed them out slowly at first. She started gliding towards Luna, and upon reaching her she cradled her tightly. Looking up she saw the island being torn apart. Flames were erupting from where they were moments ago, while ice shot up on the other side. People were falling off the said of the island, some tumbling while others used their elements to control their descent.

Then clouds covered her view. Still clinging to Luna, she turned herself to try and see through the dense whiteness. Slowly it gave way to lush green landscapes. There were rolling hills covered by dense trees, the only clearance being directly below them.

The ground rushed up to them quickly. Vera acted on impulse and began to spin, wrapping her and Luna in flames, hoping that the swirling fire would melt the ground and give them a soft landing. As the flames touched the ground it gave way, sinking them deep down, red tongues lapping at the dirt that tried to escape.

Before long her and Luna were in a hollow five meters deep, singed earth and grass peering over the edge of the opening. What ever happened up on the floating island finally broke Vera from within. Feeling alone, clutching Luna, she swept earth over their heads and melted it into a covering. Until Luna woke they would stay in this hole. This hole, just like the void within her mind where Luna's voice normally rang out. The emptiness gripped her heart. If she could not feel Luna's breathing she would think her dead.

Huddling to companion for warmth, she waited for the void to be filled again.