The Soul Keeper

My sight snapped to Asher, only to see an expression of disappointment on his face.

"I did it!" Rina shouted at the same. She looked at me with large eyes, filled with pure bliss as she raised her hand to her face. Lightning crackled, and the sound of thunder echoed once more. "I did it! I can feel it!" She jumped up and down and clapped. 

With each clap, lightning flashed between her palms.

"I'll stop," I began to talk, but Rina was quick to shake her head. "No, keep your flames going!" She implored me. "Asher was so close; I could almost feel his power too."

I glanced at the middle aged man. His disappointment was so clear on his face. "I'm sorry," He mumbled. "I don't think I'll succeed. But the others might, so please pay them more mind."

I furrowed my brows but nodded. Why would he say that? 

"I'll help out too," Rina suggested. "Kai, can you make your flames stronger?"

I shook my head. "No, I won't do that. It's not worth the risk." I was already having enough trouble keeping my flames under control as is. "Rina, I don't think brute forcing people's powers out like this is the best way."

The petite wizard shrugged. "I know of no other way, and it worked for me."

I gritted my teeth, then nodded. "Fine, but for only a little while longer." I wasn't about to risk losing control of my powers now. 

"It's no use," Asher finally said after perhaps a quarter of an hour.

I took a deep breath, then doused my flames.

"Oh, come on!" Rina protested. "It might still work!"

Laura sighed and shook her head. "I don't think it will." She mumbled. "Your way of magic was different from that of ours, Rina. Maybe that's why it's not working."

"That is not the reason." Vixia's voice sounded. Startled, the group turned towards her voice. She walked out of the shadows at the back of the room. "Your minds are closed, you firmly believe in the reality you once thought to be true, without attempting to accept the new one." She raised her chin and walked forward. "You must accept what has become of your world, and only then will your magic return."

I furrowed my brows. To be completely honest, her words made only little sense. 

"What do you mean?" Laura asked with a hesitant voice. "We are aware of what's going on around us."

"Yet you do not accept it. You wish to send the Lightbringers away, then to seal the gateway between worlds and return to your previous lives. Lives without magic, without the otherworldly." Vixia's  sharp voice rang in our ears. "How do you expect to be able to reach out to the ethereal with such a frame of mind?"

Silence followed her words. She was right about the hopes everyone had. They wanted a return to the previous normal. They wanted to be rid of Ereth and Demons. 

"So why did it work with me?" Rina asked.

"I guess you're just open to the events around you." I said, then glanced at the Demon, silently watching us. She nodded, showing that I was right."

"Well, this will be harder than I thought." Asher sighed. "Let's take a break, try to clear our heads a little." He walked out of the training hall, and soon everyone else followed him.

"He won't be able to regain his magic." Vixia softly spoke. "Many of them won't. And even if they do, they wouldn't stand a chance against Aelith."

I sighed. "I know they won't be as strong as I. You're right, the world has changed. It will never return to the way it used to be. I don't want them to regain their powers for the upcoming battle's sake. I want them to regain them so they can adapt. So, they don't get left behind."

Vixia only showed me a bitter smile before she disappeared through a rift.

"You could have said goodbye." I mumbled. I headed out of the training hall, then to the second floor where most of the guest rooms were. I stopped before a closed door and raised my hand. I hesitated for a moment before knocking.

"It's open." Mother's voice sounded. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The room was fairly barebones. There was a bed, a nightstand, a chair, and a wardrobe. "How is he?" I asked as I approached the bed. Looking at the person laying there, unconscious, I clenched my fists.

"Unhealthy." Mother sighed. "He won't wake up any time soon."

Erik's pale face twitched. I glanced at Mother, expecting an explanation. "He's dreaming. They're good dreams – I made sure of it."

I watched the young man for a few more seconds before nodding in approval. "Thanks. Let me know if there is any change." 

"Kai," Mother caught my arm before I could leave. "Fetheion tried to free him. To get Aelith's influence out of his mind. He couldn't. The Witch must die before Erik can recover. If she escapes as she did before…"

"The spell will remain unbroken, and Erik will be as good as dead." I nodded. "I know. I'll make sure she dies." 

"No, we will." Mother's eyes met mine. "You're not flying out there on your own with the demons. I'm coming with, and so is your uncle."

I clicked my tongue. 

"Don't hate him, Kai." She said with a bitter expression. "I told him to keep all of this a secret from you."

I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. Never mind." I hurried out of the room and closed the door behind me. My anger towards Mother and uncle Eion – Fetheion – still burned within me. I found it difficult to forgive them. Impossible even.

I turned towards another closed door, took a deep breath to collect myself, the knocked.

"Coming!" Fetheion's voice sounded. I heard the lock turn and unlock, then the door swung open, and I came face to face with Fetheion. "I don't hate you."