S.A.V.E.U.

PROLOGUE: The Fire That Started It All

PROLOGUE

The Fire That Started It All

It had no warning.

There were no sinister premonitions when Rio woke up to the bone-chilling breeze of Mount Chyne. The cold never bothered her, not when it's New Yearʼs Eve. The arctic weather only meant that the shrine maidens would serve them hot chocolate drinks for the rest of the weeks. It was the only time of the year where the orphans could taste something sweet other than the vegetable staples served.

“Bumangon ka na nga, Rio,” inis na sabi ni Ignis nang isinara niya ang mga bintana. Sa kabilang dako ng makulimlim na salamin, nakalatag ang tila malaking kumot ng puti na yelo sa paligid ng bahay-ampunan. Nakatindig ang mga tila pigura ng tao na gawa sa yelo na pinaglalaruan ng mga bata. Makikita ang mga ngiti sa mga labi at maririnig ang malalakas na tawa ng mga bata habang nagbabatuhan sila ng yelo.

“Wala namang pasok ngayon hindi ba?” Rio yawned before she crawled out of her small bed on the far end of the huge bedroom.

Parang sila rin ang mga nagkakasiyahang bata sa labas noon. Gaya nila ay naranasan din nina Rio ang magsigawan at magtampisaw sa yelo. Iba na nga lang ngayong bente anyos na sila.

“Wala pero para sa ating dalawa, meron,” si Ignis. “Kaya bumangon ka na, tatalunin pa kita.”

Ignis always wins. He was the strongest student in the orphanage. He had the most control over his element. He could almost topple over the maidens in the shrine. It was his insecurity actually. Ignis always had the hunger for power, he craved for victory like it was air for him to breathe, he saw life in battle. He always felt like he needed to be stronger everyday thatʼs why Rio never beats him in anything. Itʼs impossible at this point. Ignis was invincible.

Isa lamang iyan sa maraming bagay na kinahahangaan ni Rio kay Ignis, iyon ay kung umamin lang siya. Kung may nais na makamit si Ignis, gagawin niya ang lahat para lang makuha ito. Kaya nga pumapangalawa lang si Rio sa kaniya pagdating sa maraming bagay dahil ayaw niya rin agawan ng atensyon ang kababata.

ʼSing silaw ng sinag ng araw si Ignis, at gaya ng mga makalangit na likha, si Rio ay batik na alikabok lamang na umiikot sa kaniya.

"Magandang umaga po, Maiden Maya," they both greeted the shrine maiden as soon as they saw her. The shrine maiden only gave them a nod and soon began with their daily training.

Naging kanlungan na ng mga ulilang may kakaibang kakayahan ang Chyne Temple. Hindi lang dambana ang lugar na iyon para kay High Priestess Aelfraed, para sa kaniya, isa iyong tahanan na kinukubli ang mga nilalang na iba sa mga mata ng karamihan.

Rio had the gift of creating flowing life— water. She could easily conjure a flow, a wave, a sprinkle— anything of Adamʼs ale.

Contrary to her element, Ignis created infernos— fire. He had the ability to form flames, either conflagrant or just a slight touch of warmth, one move of his finger came sparks.

“Babalik lang ako, maghintay lang muna kayo rito at magpahinga na muna,” ani ng shrine maiden sa kanila.

Fatigue comes almost always after every session. Their trainings consist of meditations, physical battles, and manipulation of their elements. It was only fit that the two found a seat for resting near the cliff overseeing the Lake of Lies just right below. It was full of stories, an attraction in their city. It wasnʼt so hard to miss.

“Bagong taon na naman pero nandirito pa rin tayo.” Pinagmamasdan ni Ignis ang tanawin sa ibaba ng bundok. “Kailan kaya tayo aalis dito Rio? Kung wala namang may gusto sa atin, bakit hindi na lang tayo umalis? Sawang sawa na ako sa mga pagmumukha ng mga tao rito.”