The Soul Keeper

Flames erupted around me as my wings once again formed on my back. I swung my scythe, aiming for the massive eagle's eye. The bird let go of me as soon as my flames touched its feathers but before it could fly away, my scythe dug into its eye.

I felt very little resistance as the crystalline blade cut through flesh and bone like it were nothing. The creature beat its wings, trying to get away from me. As it flew away, my flames continued to cling to it, consuming its feathers and flesh.

"What the hell?" I heard Lucius shout, but I ignored him. I dashed after the bird as it tried to put some distance between us. While it was fast, I was faster. I reached it within seconds and landed on its back. Without skipping a beat, I swung my scythe as I stood on its neck.

I felt its soul reach towards me as its head plummeted to the forest below. As my wings allowed me to remain in the air, its body soon followed. A loud thud and crash echoed, striking fear into the animals' hearts. Then, silence covered the forest. All I could hear was the soft, gentle breeze hustling the leaves below.

"Kai?" Asher's voice sounded. With a sigh, I put my scythe back into my inventory and turned towards him and Lucius. 

"What on earth was that?" The young swordsman asked after a short moment of hesitation. "Kai, how are you still in one piece?" He asked, his eyes wide open.

I motioned to show them my arm but stopped when I saw my pale skin. "Uh." Where had the scales gone? 

"What is it?" Asher asked with narrowed eyes. "I know my spell shattered – it wasn't strong enough to protect you."

"Well," I quickly explained what happened as we landed on the ground not too far from the massive eagle's corpse. "But," I added after I finished my words; "I will have to learn to control this." 

If I could summon those scales at will, my survivability would be incredible. Not only that, but I could also use them to trick my opponents. 

"We'll help you with that." Asher said as he dusted off his clothes and glanced at the massive corpse not too far away. It seemed like he wanted to say something, but then shook his head, clearly deciding otherwise. "I'm nearly out of mana, so let's start walking back." He finally said.

"Yes! Walking! Thank you!" Lucius grinned, visibly relieved. I couldn't help but chuckle. His positivity and cheerful attitude was like a breath of fresh air. I knew I could count on him no matter what – he'd probably follow me to the Demon Lord's castle if I wanted to.

"Of course, you're happy." Asher said with a frown. On this, they were true opposites. While Asher loved flight and couldn't walk for long, Lucius adored trekking. Even back at home, he'd constantly drag me all around the hills and forests. We laughed and set off.

Thus began our journey back to Baile Chailce. We kept a fairly good pace throughout the day, despite Asher's protests and only made camp come dusk. Lucius found a fairly secluded cove near a cliff and we decided to set up camp there. 

Asher practically collapsed on the lush green grass as soon as the decision was made. "I hate walking." He pouted, out of breath. 

"You're going to have to get to used to it." I said with a grin. "Don't you have some spell to strengthen your body or something?" I asked after a moment. Considering everything he could do, a spell to enhance his body didn't seem like too outlandish of an idea to me.

"No," He said with a sigh. "I wish I had though, I just never guessed so much walking would be involved in this whole ordeal."

Lucius chuckled. "Well, you know." He grinned. "I never thought so much flying would be involved either." He turned his gaze on me after a moment. He seemed to be somewhat lost in thought. 

"What is it?" I asked, as I motioned to sit by the small campfire we'd made. 

"How about that duel?" He asked, grinning.

I froze just as I was sitting down. "What?" I asked, surprised. I didn't think he actually meant it when he challenged me back at the eagle's nest. "Really?" I could already feel my hands itching to grab my scythe. The souls within me stirred at the thought of a worthy opponent.

"What, are you scared?" He said with a grin. "I may have lost to you back at the coliseum, but that's not always going to be the case." As he spoke, his sword materialised in his hands. 

"We walked for nearly half a day and now you want to duel?" Asher exclaimed. "Are you two insane or what?"

"You wouldn't understand." Lucius said as I took my place. My scythe appeared in my left hand as an ominous wind tugged at our hair and clothes. Lucius raised his eyebrows. "The scythe, huh?" He said with a darker expression. I shrugged. "I can switch to the sword if you want." He shook his head. "Nah, this better."

"Kai, that thing is cursed, and we still don't know what it does. You shouldn't-" Before the blonde sorcerer could finish his words, Lucius dashed towards me.

For a moment, time slowed down as his blade met with the shaft of my scythe. The clear sound of metal hitting metal echoed as Lucius' expression darkened even more. He leapt back as soon as his feet touched the ground and only narrowly avoided the curved blade of my scythe. "You're not holding back, are you?"

My lips formed a wicked smile. My entire being wanted to just let loose, just like I had done against Vixia and Delthur. The excitement I felt during my clash with them was still fresh in my memory. I wanted more – more of that taste, that pure feeling of being at the verge of victory or defeat, overcoming the impossible odds... 

I dashed towards Lucius, my eyes shining with excitement and anticipation. His eyes widened as we clashed again. He barely blocked my next strike, then leapt back again, almost as if inviting me to chase after him. I didn't hesitate, leaving a trail of black and purple flames behind me, I ran after him. He blocked my next swing, and the next, but didn't try to go on the offensive at all.

"Kai!" Asher's voice echoed in my mind all of the sudden. I flinched and stepped back, giving Lucius some breathing room. Why was Asher communicating with me like this? I motioned to glance at him, but a sudden rush of cold stopped me. I stopped and blinked. It felt as if someone had just emptied a bucket of ice-cold water over my head.

"What was that?" Lucius asked, wide eyed.

"I don't know." Asher responded. "Kai, are you ok?"

I nodded. What were they talking about?

"How did you do that?" Asher asked after a short moment. I raised my eyebrows. What the hell was he talking about?

"How did I do what?" I asked as I put my scythe away. "We were fighting, then you stopped me."

They glanced at each other, then back at me. "What did you cast while you fought?" Asher finally asked. I took a deep breath; his questions were getting rather annoying. "I didn't cast any spells. What's this all about?" Why were they being so wary and weird all of the sudden?

They glanced at each other again. "Asher!" I snapped. "What the hell is going on?"

The blond sorcerer flinched. "I don't know…" He mumbled, averting his gaze. My brows furrowed. They were hiding something. Something had happened and they weren't telling me. I clenched my fists. "Lucius?" I glared at the young swordsman. 

"I don't know how to explain this Kai." He said after a short moment. "You were using magic – you had to be."

I wanted to scream. I hadn't cast any spells. "I didn't!" I insisted, getting more frustrated with each passing minute. "Can you just explain what you saw?" Maybe he saw an effect of the primal cores, or some other power I had. 

"You left black and purple flames behind you." He finally said. He glanced at Asher, who squeezed his eyes shut and rested his palm on his forehead. "Your eyes glowed." Lucius continued, "More than usual, at least."

"What else?" I asked as my heart began to race. None of that made sense. My flames were crimson, like those of the phoenix. What he described reminded me of Vixia's flames. "What else happened?" How had I not noticed any of this while we fought?

"I sensed magic around you." Asher said with a sigh. "Kai, sit down. We'll talk about this tomorrow."

I wanted to protest, but something about his voice stopped me. Why was he so pale?

"Asher?" I asked as he leaned his back on the cliff wall. "Are you ok?"

What had come over me that I hadn't noticed how awful he looked and felt? Now, I could feel clearly from the connection we shared – he was not ok.

"I overexerted myself – I just need some rest, then I'll be ok." He said with a tired sigh. "So, do you mind if we talked about this tomorrow?"

"No, of course not." I said as my anger and annoyance faded. I was worried.

What was happening to Asher?