Revival: Of Cethore ✔

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Facing New Things

"And the first contestants have returned with the grand prize in tow!" the announcer called out. "These four have worked together to achieve their victory! A truly stunning achievement, but the game is not over yet! Let's see what the other contestants are doing..."

He trailed off as Samari landed them by the stage. Their guildmates pushed their way through the crowd to greet them, some congratulating while others started tending to their injuries.

"Guys, back up, give them space!"

All eyes turned to Father Nerok walking over to the group. Smiling, he placed his hand on Samari's head.

"Congratulations on awakening your ticon, Samari!"

She blushed, her knees shaking. Slowly, everyone else joined in cheering for her. Unable to take the attention, she stared at the ground.

"Th–thank you, sir! And, everyone, " she muttered. "Um, I got Temptest, t–too! He kinda...m–made me his summoner. Sorry."

He shook his head, folding his arms over his chest. "No matter. If he chooses you, it would be difficult to get him to change his mind, anyway. I'm just glad that he's safe."

She nodded. After seeing him finish talking, the healers pushed him out of the way. "They're standing here bleeding while you just chat! Let us do our work, " a Rocker stated.

Nerok raised his hands defensively, chuckling as he back away. The man went to work, examining Samari and asking where she was hurt.

"Uh, could we just...turn a b–bit?" she asked. Agreeing, the man rotated to a different position before continuing his care.

Her eyes fixed on the scry projection. They scanned diligently but saw no sign of Zoran in the clearing. Though other people ahead entered the area, she could not find Viper or the Flames.

Her mind replayed how they had looked at the end, lying helpless, hurt, and defeated.

I hope the Flames are okay.

_Π_Π_Π_

Everyone was merry that night, even those who could barely move without aches and pains. They held a feast to celebrate their success, both in retrieving the spirit gem and others who were able to win their own prizes.

Samari had to force herself to be social, only wanting to sleep the night away. Despite the healing spells and remedies she received, the pain of her wounds was still pressing on her mind. After using so much ticon, she didn't have much energy left.

I guess I'll have to train to build up my ticon like everyone else, that way I can have more to use.

She smiled at the thought. For the first time in her life, she felt normal–truly normal, not like when Shadow helped her. No longer was she a defect or a freak. In fact, she was something special.

Cyrus sat down beside her, every movement making him wince.

"Shouldn't, uh, you be res–resting?" she asked.

"And miss the party? I thought you would know me better than that, " he chuckled, proceeding to clutch the side of his stomach.

Her eyes fell to his bandages mournfully. One part of her wished that she could have kept him from getting hurt, but the great part was proud of his strength. He was visibly in pain, yet he didn't speak a word of complaint.

"How long are you gonna stay like that?"

She tilted her head. "Like what?"

He vaguely gestured to her. "Like a Skian. With frizzy hair and freckles and that one streak of white in your hair. What's that about?"

"My hair mi–might be frizzy from...the wind, but I do n–not have...freckles. Besides, I look more like a–a Rock tribal wi–with my brown hair and green eyes, " she creased her eyebrows.

Cyrus stared at her blankly, shaking his head. "You definitely look like a Skian." He paused, his eyes going wide. "Wait, have you seen yourself yet?"

"A–again, what do you mean?"

"Well, after you 'unlocked your ticon,' you changed. Like, you almost look like a whole new person."

She stared at him in disbelief. The thought gnawed on her until she stood abruptly. She walked to the basin for hand washing and took a look at the mirror.

What she saw made her jump. She looked closer to see to make sure it was not just the evening light deceiving her into seeing the change.

Her hair was the color of carrots, red and bug and curly. Her skin resembled baked bread with freckles dotting across like poppy seeds. A soft jawline slopped into busting cheekbones, as prominent as her wide forehead. She couldn't stop looking at her eyes, so blue that she thought they were lakes.

Her attention shifted back to her hair, to a single white streak running through the cherry mass.

The sight of the foreign face made her uncomfortable. She grabbed her key, rubbing her thumb against the orange stone it contained.

"Temptest, spirit of the air, I summon thee!"

The air swirled into his form, still smaller than her hand. He yawned and stretched. "Yes, Mistress?"

"What happened t–to me? W–w–why do I look...different? What d–did you d–do to me!" she cried, frantically waving her arms.

"Psh, that's normal! All Celethorians change when they activate a new element, " he said, resting his hand on his head.

"Well, wha–how do I, how do I change back?"

He shrugged. "I never learned to do it. I know that some others could change between forms. Those that unlocked all six elements could even do this cool power-up thing, the same thing that I, as a spirit, have."

Samari stared at him, diverting her anger to something new. "You can do a 'power-up'? Does that mean you change, too?"

He froze, the swatted his hand in front of his face. "Too many questions! I'm leaving."

"Bu–Wait!" Samari called too late.

Her anger came out in a sigh. Studying the mirror for a few moments more, she returned to sit with Cyrus. He must have noticed her aggression because he stayed silent by her side.

After a while, he poked her arm. She jumped, startled.

"Sorry. I just wanted to ask: when we get back, do you wanna do the mage exam with me?" he proposed. "I, um, really don't want to do it alone again."

She paused. Ever since Zoran had brought her into the guild, she worked hard learning spellcasting and firearms. Never had she imagine that her skills would progress so quickly, much less as an elementor!

"Let's do it!"

His grin spread from ear to ear. Cyrus held out his fist. Smiling, she bumped it with her own.

I've got an adventure behind me, now, and the next one is right around the corner.

Mom, Dad, Pris, did you see me soar?