Of Fire and Water - PART 5

Freyja and Aias were now sitting in a cave at the border of the middle ground with the scorched lands on the South. From the outside, the cave could not be seen, as its entrance was covered by lava stones. Aias melted them and commanded the lava to flow away before entering and sealing the entrance once again. There was a single hole at the side of the cavern through which an exchange of the smoke of a newly lit fire and the fresh air, from the outside world, was taking place.

They both changed into new clothes, fire mage's robes and the only words they exchanged up to this point were of Aias complimenting her looks in the new outfit. Freyja was not used to much courting and was blushing harder than ever.

Still, she was the first to break the silence by blurting out:"Aren't you angry with me that I killed your..." the words got stuck in her throat. She was visibly annoyed, because she was not used to having speech problems. Freyja tried it a second time:"Don't you want to kill me, to avenge your, well, now ex-girlfriend?"

Aias, who was watching Freyja with fascination, changed his position from a relaxed one into an authoritative pose. His face was serious and his voice made Freyja knew he was not to be taken lightly:"I loved her with all my heart. But she was a fire mage and her emotions blinded her." While he was talking, his expression changed to mimic the disgust he proved towards reckless behavior:"I realized this today, and bear no grudge towards you. She was the one to kill herself in an attempt to destroy you as well - you merely prevented the damage."

Freyja was watching him intently, studying him and getting lost in his facial features. But when Aias mentioned Elektra's undoing, Freyja suddenly raised her voice to the point of almost yelling:"How is it possible that you're still alive?" Soon after, she lowered the tone and a nervous smile escaped her when she added:"Not that I'm complaining. Quite the contrary."

This made Aias completely change his serious attitude, he was relaxed again, and smiling like a kid:"I don't know." The look that Freyja cast him told him that she doesn't believe it, and more explanation is needed. So Aias continued:"Well, I do have a theory, which is in all likeness probable. We have a legend in our lands. One that tells of how our volcano was made. It tells of a legendary bird, the Phoenix, that was born from the ashes again and again, until it could not bear it any more. Can you imagine how it would be like to be completely alone? To be the only one of your species?"

He let the words hang in midair, before continuing:"The legend tells that the Phoenix, torn from eternal anguish and sorrow, gave up on life. He flew to this land and went straight down. Instead of being reborn, its ashes found new life in the form of rocks and lava, and a volcano was created at the Phoenixes death bed. The legend goes on to say that the ashes of the phoenix are still lying around in the volcano, occasionally bringing incredible powers to the newborns. There. I think I'm like the Phoenix and I was reborn from the ashes."

Freyja listened to Aias in silence, completely invested in his words. And when he was done talking, she wanted to know more:"Ok, what you're saying makes sense. You're here after all. But how did you feel it? Could you do it again? Will you live eternally?"

Aias started laughing in response:"Seriously? I was just reborn, and you expect me to know all the details? I don't know, but I'll be sure to tell you first when I find out." he winked jokingly at Freyja, who was shocked to find out that Aias is taking these matters so lightly. Before she could have any other questions in store, Aias jumped in:"What about you? Freyja, right? You are by far the strongest water mage that has crossed my path. And what worries me even more is that I'm sure you didn't even begin to show us your full powers during our little encounter."

Now it was Freyja who changed her attitude completely. From being a curious and lost girl, she transformed herself into a lady that has everything under control, and woe to whoever got before her determination. She used a calm voice that was almost chilling:"Yes, my name's Freyja and I'm the heir to the water mages. As to my power, your guess is correct, so don't even think that you took a defenseless girl with yourself."

Aias was still in a happy mood, responding with:"A fighter, huh? I like that. So what are your powers? What can you actually do?" His mood caught on to Freyja, who was startled at first - this was her first time speaking to someone that wasn't scared of her. She even thought if she should start fearing his powers, but his pervasive good mood was too hard to miss.

She thought for a moment, before replying, with a smile of her own:"Well, I play with water and that's about it."

The fire mage smiled dangerously:"Not trusting me enough, huh? Wise decision." Without giving it a second notice, he continued in a completely casual tone:"So, Freyja, what do you think is the biggest weakness of a fire mage?"

Freyja uncontrollably exclaimed:"WHAT?"

Aias didn't seem to take notice of her reaction. He patiently repeated his question, as if it were a common question to ask:"I asked you, Freyja, if you are aware of our biggest weakness?" pointing to himself while doing so.

The young girl thought for some time: "Is Aias playing with me? Is he analyzing my reactions? Or am I just being too paranoid? Fine. I'll play." She took a deep breath to calm herself, and responded with an equally casual tone: "Well, water of course. Including all of our water mages powers."

To that Aias responded with a thoughtful face:"Well, if you would have said beautiful young water mage of the opposite gender, perhaps." He waited for her face to turn red, before continuing: "But in all seriousness. No. Water is not our biggest weakness. It's the fire that makes us weak."

When he didn't continue, Freyja impatiently asked:"Go on. Explain. I'm not going to be shocked by everything you say, so don't wait for my reactions."

Realizing she was right, Aias started talking and waving his hands as he was getting to the heat of the argument:"It's the fire that makes us so passionate, reckless, fast, impulsive, and the list goes on. Just think about why Elektra died. She didn't have to and it was stupid. Wait, even better - think of my sacrifice which thankfully turned all right. Even though we adore the fire, it ultimately consumes us!"

Freyja remained silent for a minute and then continued talking:"Interesting point of view, I like it. And I can guarantee you that it's the water that makes us slow, realizing too late and crying rivers of tears, yet surviving and fighting. I wanted to strike you back even though I thought I felt something for you. My whole life I feel like being dragged in a current, not having the possibility to choose."

"Wow. Fre-" Aias didn't have the time to finish his words, because Freyja interrupted him with a wave of her hand. She spoke with an excitation in her voice:"Ok, so you dragged me here, to the edge of the volcanic lands, and blasted me unconscious. I'd say that was about enough fire for today. How would you like to go for a swim?"

"You can do that? Can you protect me and I could actually swim, without being harmed by the water?"

"Yes."

"Can we talk?"

"Yes."

Aias grinned:"I'm impressed. Well then, what are we waiting for! I am dying to know how it's like!"

TO BE CONTINUED

Word Count: 1334