The Magitrix: A Flame Awakens

Chapter 7: The War of the Unity Stone

"Summer?" The boy in front of her asked in a slightly raspy voice, gaping like a fish. He had very curly red hair, green eyes, and freckles that splattered his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. There were finger shaped bruises on his neck that she puzzled at but decided not to ask about. "What- how? How is this possible? What magic do you have? What-"

"Chris, please," Ace said coldly, "stop." When a flash of hurt went through his eyes, they sighed and said, "Let her get settled in first. Then you can ask your questions."

Chris? Who's that? Summer thought. He looks familiar. Then it clicked. Ohhhh. It's him. She sighed, cursing her misfortune. Why did it have to be him?

"What are you doing here?" Summer asked, diverting their attention to her. She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

Chris frowned. "Long story."

"Basically," Ace put in, earning them a look from Chris, "He was also attacked by a Shadowling, but unlike you, he nearly died, so I had to step in."

That explains those bruises around his neck. Chris shrugged and looked off to the side, seeming embarrassed. "So?" he muttered. "I lived. No big deal."

Ace eyed him, then sighed. "Whatever."

"Are you done yet?" asked a voice, cold and demeaning. Startled, Summer spun towards it. The voice came from a tall, slender man with close-cropped blonde hair and cruel red eyes. He wore plain clothes, and on his back he had... angel wings?

The man put up a hand in exasperation. "Every second you two spend arguing is a precious moment that could be spent training wasted." His eyes flitted to Summer. "And before you ask, I am not an angel."

Summer straightened. "I- uh- wasn't going to, sir. Sorry."

The man lowered his hand, looking apologetic. "It's quite alright," he sighed. "I'm sorry." He gave her a reassuring smile that made her relax. "I am King Lumos, ruler of the Light Kingdom and the Luxamagi. What is your title, Cryonomag?"

"Summer Day." She tilted her head at him, confused. "Member of the... Earthlings?"

She saw Ace duck their head in a corner of her vision, shaking with quiet laughter. "Just 'Summer Day' will work," King Lumos chuckled.

Summer now really took the time to look around. They were in a white-ish room, with light pouring in from inside, and Magi with blonde hair and all sorts of eye colors stood on raised platforms, staring at them. She felt self-conscious.

"So," Chis blurted, "she's here. Can you tell us about the War? Please?"

She felt a flash of irritation. It was just like him to ask obnoxious questions- she'd witnessed some of it herself. But she couldn't help but say, "The War?" Ace explained a lot before helping her get here, but they didn't say anything about a War.

"I did say to him I'd explain to you the War when you arrived, Summer," the King said. "It's... complicated.

"For thousands of years, Magiria was at peace. What kept the peace was the Unity Stone." He extended a hand, and suddenly, a giant glowing stone was in front of them. Summer jumped away as she saw the council members lean forward in their seats, entranced. "Apologies. We have the power to manipulate light to form illusions. We usually use it to form pictures of objects, or manipulate our appearances." Oh, Summer thought. That was cool.

She analyzed it. The Unity Stone was beautiful. It looked like polished, and green runes were etched on its sides. Little shards surrounded it, also floating. "We're not sure exactly what it does to ensure this, but it works." He tilted his hand, and the stone spun around.