The sun's last light were in the sky, rainbow colors near the horizon.
It was Saturday, and in a modern Japanese house, resided two girls, one age fourteen, while the other nine. They both had orange hair, but in different shades. The oldest had a much lighter tone while the other was more darker. The only difference was their color eyes, one orange and the other blue. Another difference was that the oldest had a black glove on her right hand, concealing something.
They sat in the dinner table, both eating a bowl ramen, contently enjoying it warmth and the ceasing of their previously, growling stomach. Once down, the youngest placed her hands together and thank for the food. She took the bowl to the sink, and left the room, going to her and her eldest sister's bedroom. Once in the bedroom, she grabbed a medium size backpack, full of contents and headed to the kitchen.
"Elena!" she called, stopping to view her sister, who was washing the bowls from which they ate. Putting the backpack on the ground, she smiled. "I already have everything!"
Elena, which appeared to be the eldest name, already finished with the washing, walked out of the room, and looked down at her little sister. "Are you sure? Remember, I'm going to pick you up tomorrow at five-O'clock from Asuka's home"
"Yes!" the child replied, getting a bit irritated. "I triple checked before dinner"
The oldest just sighed. "Very well, but, did you brushed your teeth?" she asked, in which the younger nodded. Elena knew she was lying. She just wanted to get to her best friend house for the sleepover they had planned with each other and another girl. "Serafine, brush your teeth and then we shall leave, okay?"
"Fine"
Two minutes later, Serafine was at the door, putting on her shoes and grabbing her bag with needs. She could be Elena already outside, holding the house key, and looking at the front side garden, where the roses were, sadly, beginning to wilt. Exiting the house, she closed the door and was then locked by the other girl.
They walked through the sidewalk, cars passing beside them and causing cold winds to make them shiver. "I'll have to remember to bring a sweater tomorrow."
"Yeah, yeah"
"Hey, your birthday is in about a week and I don't want to get sick" Elena resorted, putting in a bit of anger, "And neither should you"
Serafine just shrugged, but keep smiling
Walking for five blocks, they entered the entryway of a modern looking house, the name Mitsushita written on a plate. The youngest speed off, knocking on the door. It was opened, to see a girl the same age of Serafine, with light yellow hair in two loose pigtails, and green eyes. "Sera-chan!" Asuka shouted, pulling her friend inside. Elena just sweat dropped.
"Ah, Tachibana," the voice of a much older woman ranged through the ears of Elena. She faced an exact copy of Asuka, but of course, much older.
"Mrs. Matsushita," Elena bowed, and when she was straight, smiled. "Please take care of my little sister" she requested.
"Don't worry, she will be fine here with us for the night and tomorrow" Mrs. Matsushita assured. She kept smiling, but then it faltered for a moment. She knew she was going to get in a bit of sentimental questioning, but either way, she asked, "Elena," said person looked at her, "Do you, umm, you know, when your mother is coming back to Japan?"
Elena eyes cast down, grabbing the hem of her tucked in shirt. "Yeah, she said sometime after Serafine's birthday….
The elder lady nodded and then apologized for asking. "No worry, Mrs. Matsushita, even if our Mother comes home after, I'll still make a small party, in which, obviously, you're invited, along with Asuka."
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Fifteen minutes ago, she had said (well as much as she could) bye to Serafine, and now she was back at the house. It was quiet and lonely, but she was somewhat use to it. She walked through the corridor leading to her and her sister's bedroom, but then stopped. She turned to see a plain white wall and then placed her hand on it. Just then, a part of the wall disappeared, and it was replaced by stone stairs, going down.
She didn't hesitate and went down. As she went, torches lit up in fire, lighting the dark underground. Taking the last step, she meet a floor made out of entirely pearl tiles. Turning to her right, there was a long table with all types of books relating to Fire or Light Magecraft on the edges, the middle occupied by, what it would seem, a small box with a red ribbon tied around it, a small note with it. Elena obviously knew what it said, as she had read it a few years ago, and somewhat knew what was inside the box, knowing it was very valuable, but still questioned herself about it. She turned to look away.
"I have to make a choice" she said to herself. "Now". I have to be certain, Elena added in her head. Once I'm in the War, there will be no turning back.
She knew this was going to be very difficult. She still a teen and was going to venture into something bloody, even though she doesn't want to kill anyone. But, she closed her eyes and pondered much harder.
A rustling sound zoomed from the stairwell, from which not so long ago the orange hair had descended. A few seconds later, a big bird with yellow, orange and red plumage on its wings and some green, blue-ish purple with black on it's seven tails end, flew straight at the human girl and stopped at a feet from her, flapping it's wings to maintain itself on the air.
"Not decided," the bird questioned, tilting its yellow, fiery head to the side.
Elena gave it a weak smile, shaking her head side to side. "No" she answered. She had everything prepared for the summoning of the Hero who was to came aid her, not far away from her, a few fifteen steps away. "I-I had made a promise to Father…. Before he had passed away, that I would make his dream come true, however…." she paused, a small tear trickling down her her cheek, remembering her father. "I still haven't figured out what it was, and, if I managed to survive, will I have already found out, or will I just die, leaving Little Sera alone, along with mother?"
The bird lowered its head, thinking of what to do to cheer up her Master. Then, he flew to where the small box with the ribbon was, and land next to it. The human only turned her gaze to her Familiar, trying to figure out what it was going to do. He ever so carefully pulled off the end of the ribbon, untying it and letting the box free of it.
"What are you doing, Cendrillon?" she called, walking towards the table and pulling a chair to sit on.
"Tell me, Ella," Cendrillon spoke, raising his head to meet her eye level. "How long did your father spent on looking for this Catalyst?"
Elena placed herself in her train of thought, trying to remember when her father brought the content inside back to the house. "For three years. He brought me down here and told me to only open it when the time came."
"Ella, I believe it is time for the item lying inside to be freed from its cage"
Elena bit her lip. Taking in the last moments into consideration, she had come to a decision. Taking in a deep breath, raising her shoulder and then allowing to fall, with a look of strength and seriousness in her eyes, she walked towards the box, gently picked it up, not noticing the letter fall, went to where the Summoning Circle was located. "You're right." Once the receptacle was with utmost care placed on a tall stack of books, she prepared to open it and for the first time, see what Catalyst was in.
Cendrillon continued to stay on the table, the look in his eyes full of curiosity
Before she proceeded to unboxed the mystery container, she looked at the right, gloved hand and took it off, revealing her Command Seals. She still couldn't help but question herself, why is it that everything is related to the fire?
"Ella!" the magus attention was taken away by her Familiar. "Do we need to-"
"No," she butted in. "We don't. I should have enough mana to anchor the Spirit to our world without the need for us to merge. But…." she paused, before telling him that they would continue the conversation later.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
The time had arrived for the summoning. Taking off the lid of the box, Elena dropped it. She gasped at what the Catalyst was. An illuminating flame was floating, red, orange and yellow. It looked so beautiful, much more than the prettiest diamond found in the world. Mesmerized, she reached her hand to touch it, surprised for only feeling a bit of burn. Must be because I have use use fire magic. I might be a bit resistant to flames, but considering this a catalyst from that of an ancient hero….
She shook her head, stepping back from the Catalyst and from the Summoning Circle. She raised her hand and began the Summoning Ritual.
Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill
Repeat five times
But when each is filled, destroy it.
Elena breathed and exhaled.
For the elements, silver and iron.
For the foundation, stone and the Archduke of Pacts
And for the ancestor, my great master, Schweinorg.
Raise a wall to block the falling wind.
Close the gates of the four directions.
She was nervous, but continued on.
Come forth from the Crown and follow the forked road to the Kingdom.
Heed my words
My will creates your body, your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason,
Then answer my summoning!
I hereby swear….
That I shall be all the good in the world.
That I shall defeat all evil in the world.
Thou Seventh Heaven, clad in the three great words of power,
Come forth from the circle of binding,
Guardian of Scales!
A blinding light obscured in front of her, but manage to see a little. Due to her basically practicing fire, and sometimes coming to accidents, she was used to looking at things before her, depending of the type flash. She could make out something, something tall. A few moments later, she gaped at the Servant before her.
It was male, for that she was certain. He had a long and messy hair, almost see through. A red gem was in the center of his chest, mesmerized anyone who saw it due its red, ruby color shine. However, what was odd was that there was a large, floating, golden eyes at his sides, appearing to be with the golden armor that covered his body. Though, what made Elena flinch was, that when he opened his eyes, the gaze, as if looking straight through her. She shaken, not sure what to do.
"Master," was all he said.
.
.
.
.
~Prologue~
The Night In Which Fire Meet Fire