Elegy: Lost Shadow

The wind will howl, falter...but it will never stop blowing.

 "Honey_ how are you holding up?" Anemone's mother asked as they rode in a wagon. It was around six in the morning and they were on their way to the southern entrance of Varaline Centralis. That is, the village of Natela. Because Anemone fell sick, they were making haste for the Ent Magic Research Facility, which was next to the Ent Magic Academy.

 "I am fine. It's no big deal….it's only a headache." She coughed. Her body was shivering from the cold. At the time, Anemone was only five years old.

"Do you seriously want to start there? You are burning up and look very fatigued. It's obvious that you have a fever."

 She coughed before replying, "But why do we have to go all the way out here. I mean, you always treat me from home. I don't have to go anywhere because you used to be a doctor. So I am sure I will be fine."

 She took Anemone's head and placed it on her lap as she smiled. "I am glad you think I do a good job taking care of you. But this has to happen." The road was becoming bumpy as she added, "So just sleep. We are almost there."

 They made it to Natela. Natela was the village or town which was located at the mouth of the southern entrance of Varaline Centralis. Natela was also known as the village of cereals. This was because it was home to the biggest harvest of cereals year round.

 Without travel passes, they made it through the entrance as her mother was a former member of one of the divisions of the magic research team. Before they knew it, they made it. The Ent Magic Research Facility. They went directly to her former office. She carried Anemone on her back all the way there.

 "Chief Galena. You haven't been back here in a while. What's with the sudden visit?" A man seated by a desk asked. He wore a white coat, his eyes were aquamarine. He wore a red shirt and black pair of trousers. At the time, he was writing in his notebook.

 "Hey Asa…..you shouldn't call me that, I quit a long time ago. I only came to perform a magic stability check on my daughter. Possibly even check her magical parameters and determine why she is getting like this because of her spiritual vibrations' sudden instability."

 "Hello sir," Anemone said as she was on her mother's back, "Can you convince my mother that I am okay. She keeps overreacting when I am feeling fine." Galena put her down.

 "You don't look fine ... .like at all," he said as he stood up before falling to a knee to reach her eye level. "So let's do this…..take the test real quick and she will know that you are fine. She will be convinced."

 He stood back up as he whispered to her mother, Galena, "So I will take it that she takes after the father?"

 "In the most unfortunate way," she replied before she sighed. She took a blood sample of Anemone and placed it in a test tube.

 As things stood, Anemone's once green iris, which she possessed in her magic release state, were slowly becoming golden. Her sudden illness began about four days before the visit to Varaline Centralis. She suddenly fell unconscious and began having those symptoms. While she was unconscious, she entered the magic release state and wasn't able to leave it since. It was, for all intents and purposes, the only cause of her illness.

 Her breath ran short but that didn't seem to bother her. Not even her strong headache was slowing her down.

 "Those are some parameters. They are similar to the guardian of wind's parameters though not exact." Asa said as he saw the notes Galena made. "But I guess that's only natural since she is his daughter."

 "Just like her father, her magic release state robs her of her ability to feel exhaustion but heightens her sensitivity to everything else. Her sense of feel, smell, hearing and sight are enhanced plus her overall perception and awareness. Then there's the more scary part, her pain sensitivity shoots up even more than everything else." Then I guess it wasn't wrong.

 According to Asa's Analysis, the cells in her blood are disintegrating. Which means that the magic release she has been in, for the past four days, wasn't feeding on her stamina but the lifespan of her cells. She smiled before she began tearing up. Tears began rolling down her face.

 "Honey, I want you to promise me something." She stood from her chair and went to the one Anemone was seated on. She then held Anemone's shoulders.

 "Huh." The latter wondered what was wrong.

"I want you to be brave, kind and never turn your back on those who wish for help. I want you to maintain order. Be a knight and save people…..just like your father does."

 "Be a knight? But you and dad told me that I should make the choice for what I want. You told me the future was my choice."

 "Things are different now!" She continued, tears rolling down her face as she was sobbing. "Listen, I have never asked you to do anything you don't like. I raised you to be like the wind and be free. I didn't want to force you to do anything. But this is one thing I need you to promise me." She then embraced her.

 "Okay," Anemone said as she smiled, barely holding her tears back, "If that's what you want_ I will do it, all of it." Her eyes changed back to brown as her head rested on her mother's shoulder. Her eyelids felt heavy as they curtained her eyes.

 I am sorry…..I just want to see you grow.

 About an hour later, she woke up. She felt refreshed though she didn't understand why she felt excited. She sat up. "Hey mom...why do you look tired? I mean_ you are sweating and everything."

"Honey. Do you want to go and check out Ent Magic Academy. I kind of wanted you to have a look at the school I attended."

 She frowned at her mother's gesture as she said, "Sure…I guess." Without wasting any time, they headed to the Academy. Galena intended for it to be a short visit. She was planning on visiting a friend who was apparently a teacher there.

 When they walked through the main gate, they saw a bunch of children running laps around the field. At the center was a woman.

 "Hey LL!" Galena shouted.

 The teacher in charge, also, the woman who stood on the field, sighed as she thought. I know full and damn well that there is only one person who calls me that. She turned to look in the former's direction. "Why are you here?" She shouted before she reappeared in front of her.

 "What? So you are just going to pretend you are cold. It's obvious you missed me, why not admit it?" she said before smirking.

In response, LL replied, "You do realize that you can be annoying right. Why not just call me Leila or Lilith? They are both my names!"

 Galena chuckled, "I know…..that's never happening though. They are way too long. I mean there is even your surname to consider."

"Just call me either Leila or Lilith. You don't have to say them both."

 "I know, but LL sounds nice. Plus, it's short."

All she did was sigh in response, "So you haven't changed at all. I thought marriage would have knocked sense into you by now. Anyway, What are you actually doing here? Didn't you move to that southern town….ummm. Ganase, was it?"

 "I did, I just came to perform a little check-up on Ane-....." As she was speaking, she was interrupted by LL who said, "Wait, is that little Anemone…..she looks much older. I remember seeing her _ two years ago."

 At least let me finish. "It's actually four years ago."

 "Wow, she has grown…..she is five now, right?"

 "She actually is, I am surprised you got that one right."

LL smiled, basking in the glory of her knowing, "Of course ....the aunt is always paying attention."

 "But you just said two years ago just now. Anyway honey, say hi."

"Hello madam," she said as she grabbed her mother's hand. She was sweating and trembling. Her heart beat heavily as her eyes widened.

 "What's wrong honey?"

"She is dangerous. I don't like how her presence feels. Can you tell her to suppress it a bit more," she requested as she held the hand tightly.

 "Sorry honey, I don't think she can go any lower than that."

"Wait_ so she can sense my magic... . even when I am not in magic release," Leila asked.

 "Well, not exactly. When you are not in magic release, you give off what are known as spiritual vibrations if you can recall our days in school where we learnt that." She explained, emphasizing on the learnt part. "Apparently, she can picture spiritual vibrations of every living thing and since they are the basis of all magic, she can feel people's magic. She can also find anyone as long as they are alive. They just have to be close to her."

 The former smiled, it was obvious there was a hint of irritation in that smile as it twitched, "I see…..then I will take it she takes after the father." She responded, emphasizing on the 'father' part.

 "Yes, in the most unfortunate way," it took a second before she continued, "Wait, why didn't you say she also took after me…I am also aura sensitive."

 "Alright, time to gather up!" She exclaimed, ignoring the former's words, "That's enough warming up. Pair up as per usual."

She then said, "It just crossed my mind_ you aren't with the guardian of wind, today."

 "You mean my husband," she said, emphasizing on the husband part.

I get it you are married, LL thought.

 "He is performing an investigation on Lota. Apparently, there is a member of the assassin core currently residing there. Also, there is also a union doing something that might lead to a rebellion so he is trying to find evidence of that."

 "So it's another solo mission," the former added.

"Yeah, it has been like that since the guardian of fire and the guardian of dreams died about a year ago."

 "I almost forgot…the guardian of dreams always went with him, didn't she?"

 No sooner had she concluded that statement than one of her pupils interrupted her. "My sparring partner is absent today. So how am I going to perform the drill."

 "Ga..le..na... .can I borrow Anemone for a bit. It's only for one sparring match and I promise it will be over."

"No…..she isn't feeling well so I can't let….."

 As she spoke, she was interrupted, "I will do it," the person being debated on said, "I think I want to fight him."

"I don't think that's a good idea," the mother said.

 "But you said that you wanted me to be a knight….isn't combat going to be useful."

All the former did was sigh as she gave in. "Fine, just don't be reckless…..and don't overdo it."

 With that, a pairing was born. Her opponent was dressed in blue, a top and shorts. He had brown eyes as well as short brown hair. She inhaled deeply and then exhaled, only to be forced to block a crescent kick. The rule of the match was simple, knock your opponent to the ground.

 She raised her forearm to block it, grinding her teeth from the impact. He's strong, she thought. She smiled before parrying the kick and delivering one of her own. He too raised his forearm to block.

 He parried her kick before going for a left and then a right jab. She parried the left and ducked, dodging the right. She set herself up for a sweeper. He jumped to avoid the sweeper but she immediately withdrew her leg. She planted it, rotating off it and going for a kick using her left leg. Hardly had he landed when it connected, it was a direct hit to his torso. He was forced back a bit. She then stood back up and locked eyes with him.

 "Where did she learn to fight like that? She is flexible and seems to be well balanced between speed and strength." LL said as her jaw dropped from amazement.

"Her father taught her a bit."

 "Still, I don't think she can win this one. I mean, he is stronger than her. He is of the earth class after all."

 His body began releasing a brownish beige aura before he charged towards her. She went for lefts, rights and kicks. She dodged what she could and parried what she could not. He went for a left jab. She raised her forearm to block only to realize it was a feint. She was met by a kick straight to her torso. She was forced back as she held her torso.

 She looked back at her mother. Galena sighed before nodding, yes.

 Anemone began releasing a green aura before her eyes were dyed green. She dashed towards him as they went at it again. Exchanging blows. Before long, it became obvious. Anemone was outclassed. She staggered after each blow as she felt the impact. His blows were heavy. And her pain sensitivity only served to make them that much heavier.

 She fell to a single knee as she began hyperventilating. However, the match didn't end because her back wasn't on the ground. She smiled as she said, "Mom…..can I get a little rough! I don't think I can win like this."

"Sure…..just don't hurt yourself. You can use a wind art if it's that necessary."

 She got back to her feet. She deeply inhaled before she held both her hands forward. She opened them before the wind gathered in front of her palms.

 "So you taught her wind arts," LL said as they were looking on.

"No, only one really. Her father also started teaching her the way of the wind ..so I think she can win."

 The former chuckled in response, "No need to brag about that. I taught him an earth art plus he knows a bit about the way of the earth."

 "Since that's the case, I am sure she won't have any trouble."

 "Have all those years away from work made you forget that the way of the earth amplifies defensive properties in the magic release state. In short, any person with an earth attribute can tank a lot of techniques. I won't even be surprised if he doesn't take damage from hers."

 He raised his hand aiming at the sky as he said, "Earth art: Earth slicer." A rock materialized above his palm. It was about a meter long. The rock shattered before forming small sharpened stones.

 "LL, did you seriously teach a child an advanced technique like that one? You do realize that the magic is erratic and hard to control right? Plus, those stones are sharp…they are meant to cut."

 The wind that gathered in front of her palms scattered as she took a set position. Temporal overdrive, she thought before saying, "Wind art:" As soon as she took off, dashing towards him, he sent a wave of stones towards her. She ran through the volley of stones dodging the incoming wave. She could easily pinpoint their path as she could sense their magic. To top it all off, they weren't too fast for her.

 Hardly had she gotten close to him when she placed her palms against his torso. He aimed two fingers against her lower jaw. She looked up as he was looking down. They locked eyes for a moment. At the same time, they said,

"Wind art:" , "Earth Art:"

"Sudden impulse." , "Sand bullet."

 He shot a sand bullet forcing her back as he felt a gale pass through his body. He then fell to the ground as he felt it pushing him back. As she was falling, she released a gust of wind behind her which helped her remain standing.

 "Would you look at that….she won," Galena added.

"How though? How did she knock him down that easily?"

 Anemone held out her hand as she said, "You are really strong. I almost never figured out how to beat you. The problem was how you handled your earth slicer. You made too many so they were too slow. If you made them faster, you could have easily hit me and won." He took hold of her hand as she helped him up.

 "One question though…..just how old are you? How come you don't attend this school?"

 She smiled as she replied, "I am actually five years old. I don't come here because mom told me that I don't have to. She told me that I can train by myself and I will be fine."

I lost to someone two years younger than me _ and apparently, they are self taught.

 Galena began explaining to her dear LL, "He might have a defensive attribute but he is only just a kid. He doesn't know how to counter spiritual magic yet."

 "Are you telling me that Anemone already knows how to create a spiritual variation of an art."

 "Naturally, she is my daughter so she was born sensitive to spiritual magic. In fact, she doesn't even know physical magic though it is much easier to do. Because all she can use right now is spiritual magic she had to ask me if she could get a little rough. Her father also taught her temporal overdrive so she can seemingly increase her power for a bit."

 LL said, "No way….just what have you been teaching her?"

 Anemone rushed back to her mother as she said, "Did you see it mom…. .My sudden impulse was stronger than when I did it last time."

 Her mother fell to a single knee as she said, "Show me your hands."

The former held up her hands as she said, "What's wrong?" The mother touched her hands only to see her withdraw them. She was grinding her teeth as her hands were trembling.

 "You should learn to control your magic more. You hurt your own nodes again. Let's go get your hands covered up. As you are, you won't even be able to feed yourself."

 "I am sorry," she said as they took off.

"Anyway ... .we have gone back home now. It was nice to see you again," Galena added.

 "Sure, see you soon." LL responded.

 "But did you see it mom?" Anemone said.

"I did, you moved a lot faster too. It seems like you are starting to understand the way of the wind better now."

 Since then, mom kept telling me repeatedly of how she wanted me to become a knight until it became a natural thing for me to chase. I practiced non- stop and bit by bit, I got stronger. I even started learning how to use physical magic.

 Ten months had passed since then and it was finally Anemone's birthday. The family naturally had a tradition of celebrating it at night to ensure that all members of their family were present. This tradition was created because the guardian of wind, also her father, was often out performing his duties. But he would always be present for her birthday. Every year, no matter how busy he was.

 Much like always, it was evening again and the cake was placed on the table. All that was left was his presence. They sat at the table waiting.

 A knock met the door as it slowly opened. He walked in slowly. "You are late!" Galena exclaimed, "Also why are you still in your magic release state? Your aura is too bright."

 "Well I can't release it any more because I think I will fall asleep. I kind of just flew here," he replied.

 "Where were you working anyway?" She asked as she stood up.

"I was in Lota until five hours ago. But I thought I could make it so here I am."

 "Hold up….you were in Varaline Northalis just today. But that's far north, even beyond Varaline Centralis." she said, struggling to pick up her jaw.

 Anemone hugged his leg as she said, "Dad never fails."

"I know….that's why I rushed here. It was because I told her that I will be able to make it to her birthday no matter what. Isn't that right, Anemone" he said before he carried her.

 "Is it me ... .or did you get heavier when I was away? Have you been eating too much?"

 "No I actually haven't…..mom has just been giving me too much."

So that's why you won't release the state, Galena thought as they took their seats at the table. Much like every year, their celebration went on ahead. They ate, and had a good time until Anemone grew tired and fell asleep. The two parents remained awake as they started cleaning up.

 "You do realize that you don't have to help me, right? You should take a break and release the magic release state."

 "I think not, I don't think there will be a point of me going to sleep if you aren't there." He said as they continued cleaning.

As soon as they were done, they retired to their room.

 "So are you going to release the state now? You seriously should get some sleep. That was a pretty big distance you traveled."

"I want to stay up with you a bit more," he said as he lay on the bed.

 She covered his eyes as she said, "Just sleep. We will talk tomorrow before you leave."

His aura dissipated as he fell asleep. She sighed as she said, "Just like your daughter….you both don't know when your body is tired and needs its rest." She too fell asleep.

 The following day, it was time for him to depart again. After all, he left in the middle of an investigation. It was time for them to say their farewells, at least for now.

 "I will be back again, very soon too….I should be able to finish the job soon. Maybe in three days, I will be back by then." As he was about to head out he remembered the fact that he hadn't given them their gifts. "Right, I haven't given you the gifts I bought you."

 He took out two golden bracelets as well as a golden necklace. On it was a diamond. He gave the two bracelets to Anemone and put the necklace around Galena's neck. "As I expected, Gold suits you well."

 She held the diamond on the necklace as she said, "I can understand you buying a gift for Anemone but why did you get me one. I mean, it's not like it's our anniversary or my birthday or anything special like that."

 He smiled as he said, "But it is….yesterday was the anniversary of you giving birth to Anemone. I mean, I give you a gift every year and you only saw to question me today. I am pretty surprised you asked that….I mean, I thought you always knew."

 "But you always buy me food every year. This one feels kind of different."

"Just don't think too much about it," he said before he embraced her.

 Anemone stared at the bracelets. Their golden appearance shimmering as the sun amplified their beauty. She tried to put them on only to notice that they were too big for her. "They can't even fit me," she muttered. He heard her. He got down to a single knee as he said, "They don't have to. They will float around your wrist. If you just imbue them with your magic, they will float.

 You can also turn them into blades if you want."

 "Wait…they are like a weapon. How did you know that I want to become a knight too?"

"Your mom told me."

"Liar, you bought this even before she told you," Anemone added.

 "You got me. I also want you to become one. Okay, here's my promise to you today. When I come back, I will teach you how to activate them." He said before he embraced her. He then pecked her forehead as he got back to his feet. As he was about to start walking, she said, "Three days right…you will be back then, right?"

"Yes ," he replied before he took off. Took flight heading due north, back to Lota.

 "We should start preparing for when he comes back," she said as they started heading back to the house.

"Right now mom…..but he just left." She said as she grabbed her mother's hand.

 "Sure….but he said he will be back in three days. Don't forget, your father never fails. If he says he will make it happen, then it happens."

 Three days later, at noon, they heard the knock they were waiting for. But the door never opened. Galena got up to go and check on the door. There, she found LL. "I am sorry," LL said.

 As promised, he made it back on the third day…..though it was in a body bag. Anemone rushed to the door only to find her father's corpse. His body was covered in stab wounds.

 "That's not possible," she muttered as tears began rolling down her face, "He promised me that he would never lose. He always kept his word, he would never lie."

 He died, Anemone thought as she began crying, but he never failed. He told me that he'd teach me how to activate the bracelets he bought me.

 As she gazed at his corpse, one of the bracelets, which was in her pocket, began releasing a green aura. It then shattered, forming ten pieces. Leila, who noticed a green light, looked beside Galena, only to notice Anemone.

 "Crap. Anemone," she said as she thought, I let it completely slip my mind.

 Galena, who heard LL's muttering turned only to notice the daughter gazing at the father's corpse with ten bracelet pieces revolving around her. She went down to a single knee as she said, "Honey, I want you to promise me something." She bit her lower lip before adding, "I want you to become a knight." At that moment, she cried the loudest.