Prompt: Childhood/Past, Present, and Future
Past the Fire and Into the Violet Light
"Okay, Mana, that is enough for today," my master, Mahad said, gesturing me to lower my wand. "You've done well and I'm really impressed how far you have come."
I gave a large smile, my bright green eyes glowing at the sound of his praise. I was projecting small flames from my wand, firing them into the air and then having them disappear just as quick. We've been training for a few hours now, as I struggled to make a large enough fire for it to do anything. It was tough, but finally I managed to do it, even though it took all my concentration to do so. But it was progress, and with my shaky grip tightening on my wand.
"I'm glad you are proud of me, Mahad!"
I lifted up my wand in an over-the-top fashion, holding it up as high as I could with a small flame coming from the top of it.
"And now I can give the almighty Ra a light show he will never forget! May fire light the night sky in the name of the pharaoh!"
Mahad gave a small laugh.
"You still have a lot to learn before you can go that far."
He put his hand on top of my wand to lower it. My eyes grew wide, heart stopping as he did that. But to my relief, the flame went out quietly, with Mahad smiling down on me the way an older brother would to his sister.
"Now don't make me regret complementing you by having it all go to your head," he said firmly, yet playfully, at the same time. "Just stay out of trouble till dinner, all right?"
I nodded, giving him the most innocent of looks.
"I'll be on my best behavior! Atem will keep me in check, don't worry!"
"...And now I'm even more concerned..."
He let out a small sigh while I giggled in reply. After teasing him some more, we eventually went our separate ways, where I walked from the outside training area to where the royal garden was. I knew that my prince would be there, it being his favorite place in the entire kingdom, waiting for me to get done with my training. I smiled to myself, wondering what we could do today. I had promised Mahad I would stay out of trouble...in the palace. He didn't say I couldn't get into mischief outside the royal walls...
Maybe Atem and I could have a little outing in town? To get away from all the pressures of palace life and act like normal people for once... Even though I am not royalty, I'm always pressured to be at my best and to never show any fault. I'm training to be one of the holders of the Millennium Items, I have to be as perfect as I can be. But...I'm not like Mahad. I'm too emotional, easy to spread out of control like a village on fire...
I shivered at that thought.
Soon enough, I arrived in the palace garden, where sitting high up in a tree, Atem sat all alone. I smiled, running up to it.
"I'm here, my prince!" I called out once I got to the tree's base. "I hope haven't kept you waiting too long."
At the sound of my voice, Atem glanced down to where I was, gaze brightening.
"Good to see you, Mana," he replied. "I've only just got here. My tutor has been so harsh today that I thought I would never get a break..."
"Really? Why?"
Setting my wand down and climbing up the tree, I got to the branch where Atem was and sat next to him, giving him a puzzled look. He let out a heavy sigh, leaning back slightly as if this was the first time he was able to relax all day.
"Oh, he thinks I've been slacking off too much and that I should take things more seriously," he explained. "I mean, not that it isn't important, but I just wish he would lighten up! It's not like the world is going to end if I don't know everything in one hour, you know?"
I gave a small nod.
"Yeah, I understand. Mahad can be that way sometimes with me."
I cleared my throat.
"'Just stay out of trouble till dinner, all right Mana?'" I said, trying my best to do an impression of my master. "'Don't do anything I wouldn't do and don't be a bad influence on the prince!' 'Blah blah blah, Mana, blah blah blah!'"
Both Atem and I laughed.
"If anything," I continued, "he sounds more like my older brother than my master. Even back before he became a priest he would lecture me like that! I wouldn't be surprised if people thought we were related or something."
Atem chuckled, his expression lighting up.
"I actually did think you two were siblings when you first came to the palace. I admit, it was shocking to hear when I found out you weren't."
He suddenly paused, his gaze turning serious as if something just now crossed his mind.
"...You know, after being friends for so long, you've never told me much about your past, Mana. Does Mahad even know? All I've heard was that you came to the palace to help control your powers, but not much else."
"Oh..."
I avoided eye contact, a bad feeling forming in my stomach as I tried to find a way around the subject. To talk about my life before the palace, where there practically was none, was almost impossible. I did not have a good start at life, especially after...
Oh, Ra!
"...Mana, are you okay?"
I gasped, opening my eyes and realizing that I was shivering. I met Atem's gaze, those deep violet eyes that held so much concern and worry.
Those eyes...they were unlike anything I've ever seen. So powerful and kind...it was hard not to stare at them. A part of me wanting to lean in towards Atem to see his eyes better. But I don't, only taking a deep breath and sigh.
"There really isn't much to say," I finally admitted. "I was an orphan and had to learn how to fend on my own before Mahad's old master found me. I used mostly my magic, even though I had little control over it, to stay alive and it did help. Except that one time...where it almost got me killed."
I could feel tears trying to form. I turned away from Atem so he didn't have to see them.
"I had stolen some bread from a store, and I was being chased by the owner of it. He was furious, threatening to cut off my hands if I didn't give him the bread back... I was about four at the time, and I was terrified. But he didn't hold back, cornering me behind this one building all alone. He would have ended me...but my magic responded to my fear."
My voice cracked, but I forced myself to continue.
"Subconsciously, I somehow set the guy on fire, and while I didn't kill him, there were heavy scars. He screamed, declaring I was a witch with people rushing to aid him. More people got mad at me, wanting to get rid of me. I ran as fast as I could, so scared and so alone..."
The memory of that day flashed passed my eyes, the evil look in the store owner's eyes and the hate filled gaze of those townspeople after he had caught on fire. The sight of his skin truing to ash with the smell of burning flesh... I wanted to throw up. My whole body was shaking, wondering just what Mahad would think if he knew I had almost killed a guy with my out of control magic. Would he still be proud of me with how far I've come, or would he upset at what I had done? I know it was a long time ago, all in the past, but still I...
Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms embrace me, pulling me close. With tears in my eyes, I realized that it was Atem, trying his best to comfort me.
"I didn't mean to bring up bad memories," he apologized. "I'm sorry, Mana."
It took a moment for me to reply, as the warmth of his arms was kind of like a calming force. I felt my tears dry up, resting my head against his chest and taking in my prince's scent.
"...Hey, there was no way you could have known," I finally replied, my voice soft. "It's just during that time... I had nothing, and with everyone against me, calling me a witch..."
"You were, and will never be, a witch."
Atem pulled back so he could look at me in the eye, taking a hold of my hands.
"You were just a little girl, one who shouldn't have been in that kind of position," he said. "To hear something like that go on in my kingdom, with children having to live that kind of life, is unforgivable."
He turned his attention towards the palace's walls, where on the other side, we were facing the city.
"When I'm pharaoh, I will make sure no child will have to go through what you went through. Childhood should be spent in blissful peace, not fear."
There was a determined look to his eyes, his voice strong like a leader ready to make a difference, no matter the odds. I couldn't help but feel great admiration for him. To hear my story, my biggest secret, and to only be empowered by it...
To help prevent some other girl with a gift similar to mine to not go through the same thing, that was something I could get behind on. It would be a hard change to make, but with a person like Atem in power, I'm sure it would get done. My prince becoming pharaoh...it was hard to imagine him as that. Him, a grown man, sitting on his father's throne with his dark gaze so great and powerful...
"Uh...Mana? Maaaaana... Mana!"
Being brought to the present, I then realized that Atem was trying to get my attention, his right eyebrow raised. I blinked.
"Err...yes?" I asked with a sheepish smile. "Did you say something, Atem?"
I gave off an awkward laugh, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Atem studied me carefully.
"...Mana, are you sure you are okay?" he asked. "You were staring at me very intensely."
I gasped.
"What? No I wasn't!"
"Yes you were. And you were blushing."
"Hey, I was just looking at that general direction! Your stupid hair was in the way! Plus it's really hot outside. And..."
I was running out of excuses, but then I noticed that Atem still had a hold of my hands. I smirked.
"...So, can I have my hands back? You've held them for awhile now, my prince."
Eyes growing wide, Atem quickly let go of me and looked away, his dark face getting super red. I laughed, Atem muttering under his breath that I needed to shut up.
"At least we are even now!"
Starting to get uncomfortable from sitting in the tree too long, I climbed back down to the ground and stretched my arms.
"Come on, let's go get something to eat!" I declared. "Preferably something cold, and has nothing to do with fire... Because that doesn't sound too great right now."
Atem blinked, a bit surprised at my joke. But he soon smiled, and knowing me, followed my lead.
Even with the worst of childhood coming back haunt me, there was always something to pull me back to the present. And that something was a pair of violet eyes, attached to a kind, gentle prince who would never let me burn away...