The Four Dimensions of Corey Emerson

And Unto Knox

        I got scratched more than a couple times and I grew weaker each time I summoned weak spews of water.

        By the time I so heroically and foolishly plunged into the would-be battle, it was almost over, as I saw many harpy corpses on the ground, as opposed to in the air. There was a small final fight going on near the sandy arenas on the other side of the camp. I ran with all my might, wanting to prove myself. Over on that side was the black-haired girl and her hunk, fighting back to back, and I saw Anthony Pine and Emerson. My father, Athos Pine and Fletcher were nowhere to be found. 

        Emerson was in a heated battle with a rather large harpy, but another was coming up behind. 

        As I almost reached the arena's, by instinct, I reached my right hand out and shouted, releasing everything within me. A moment later, my palm was in searing pain as  a large sword-like formation shot out of my hand. It was ice. The ice hit the harpy behind Emerson right in the face, and it fell to the ground. 

        Emerson made a mighty battle cry and turned around, ready to blow up whatever cried behind him. He seemed confused, but ended up turning to me, as I hopped the fence to the large arena. Anthony Pine and the two other Elves finished their prey and turned to me.

        I was beaming ear to ear and couldn't help it, but Emerson had the exact opposite expression.

        "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" A voice exploded behind me. I turned around. It was my father and Fletcher was jogging in his wake, followed by a couple unfamiliar Elves. He had a young man that looked about my age by the collar. Shoving the boy to Anthony Pine, my father proceeded to grab my clothes and pull me close, to give nothing but a stern yell. "WHY AREN'T YOU IN THE CELLAR?!"

        I couldn't speak, but I didn't have to. A sudden blast of coal hit my father's left hand, forcing him to release me. Immediately after, I felt a warm hand grab my shoulder and pull me back. It was Emerson.

        My father sent a face of rage in the direction of my teacher as he pushed me behind him. Like a small child afraid of darkness, I grabbed hold of the back of his ragged shirt. Emerson's right hand guarded me from my father.

        "WHY. DID. SHE. LEAVE. THE. CELLAR." My father boomed. "Why did you leave the cellar?!" 

        I closed my eyes. I felt like a scolded toddler close to tears.

        "Ailill, just calm down-." Emerson spoke calmly.

        "No, I will not calm down, Mister Emerson," my father growled. "She could have been killed, out here."

        "She could have been killed last night, as well!" Emerson raised his voice. "I brought her here... This is my doing... You're right... She will be much safer back on Earth-."

           "YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT SHE WILL BE." I wanted to get out from behind Emerson and hurt my father in some way. It wasn't even my full first day here and I already wanted to leave.

        "Mr. Emerson, don't-."

        "WE HAVE MUCH MORE PRESSING MATTERS THAN YOUR DAUGHTER, AILILL!" Anthony Pine shouted, louder than my father and Emerson. He had the mystery boy by the collar.

        Emerson turned around to look at me and he pointed towards the opposite end of the camp, where the cellars were. He was signaling to go get Bran and the small child. I nodded and started walking slowly backwards, keeping and eye on my father to make sure he did not follow me.

        In the process, I overheard the mystery boy say his name was Knox.

        "I am from the Reliqui!" He shouted. "THE RELIQUI!"

        I don’t believe in regrets, but the one thing I wish I did was speak rationally to my father, for once in his life.