Asra x Apprentice Eliana

"Ugh, this is hopeless! I just can't seem to get it right!" I say, frustrated, attempting the spell for the tenth time

"Relax, just take it easy. It takes time." Asra reassures me, patting my arm gently

"I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

He gingerly takes my hand in his.

"Look. First you need to focus. To feel the great rush of magic," he says, "But don't stress if you don't succeed. It takes a lot of practice."

I close my eyes, trying to focus again. It's to no use, the vase is still standing on the table in front of me and my magic is not responding. I open my eyes, tears of frustration threatening to spill down my cheeks.

"Hey, it's okay. I told you it takes a lot of practice." He says as he cups my cheek and pulls me closer

His hand is warm and soft as I lean into his touch.

"Will I ever be able to do it?"

"Of course you will. We'll practice together."

I embrace him, burying my face in his chest. He hugs me close and for a moment time seems to stop. The only thing I can think about is the familiar, comforting scent of Asra's shirt.

We're interrupted by loud banging on the door. We both start and I rush to open the door, but before I can reach it, it flings open. Lucio stands in the doorway. Asra rolls his eyes as soon as he sees him.

"Hello Asra! And you too, Eliana." Lucio says as he steps theatrically into the shop

"What do you want, Lucio?" Asra crosses his arms fixing him with a glare

"I need you to come to the palace and help me with something. It's kind of an emergency."

"Is it really that important? We're kind of in the middle of something."

Lucio smirks.

"Oh, I realized that. It's not my concern, though." He says "You'll have plenty of time together later. This can't wait."

Asra rolls his eyes again.

"What's this emergency?" He asks

Lucio shifts uncomfortably, avoiding Asra's gaze.

"I may have… pissed off some courtiers."

Asra sighs, obviously irritated.

"Come on, Eli."

And we take off toward the palace.

By the time we reach it, everyone is out of breath, including myself. Lucio stops in his tracks.

"Don't you think it would be wiser to just lay low until Vulgora calms down? I mean, we don't really have to go to the lion's den right away…"

Asra fixes him with a glare.

"You need to start facing your problems, Lucio."

Lucio doesn't look convinced and I can see his lower lip tremble a little, but he keeps walking with us. Inside the palace, Pontifex Vulgora is already waiting for us. Well, for Lucio actually.

"Well, well…if it isn't the little rat who said he could easily beat me in a fight! Beat ME! How funny…"

They smirk at Lucio.

"Oh and you brought your friends?" they say, staring us down "Well, three against one is hardly fair, so I guess I'll have to get rid of them."

They extend their arm toward me and Asra and we both immediately fall to our knees. The pain my head is almost unbearable and I wince, putting my hands on the sides of my head. Asra looks no better. He's trying to stand, but the pain is pulling him down.

"Oh, poor little magicians. I wonder what I should do with you."

They step closer to us, raising their gauntlet but as I look at Asra wincing in pain, I feel a surge of energy. I almost think I'm being delusional until I reach my hand to the front and feel my magic surging through my veins. Vulgora hits the wall with a loud THUD. Did I just do that?

Asra looks at me in surprise, his pain immediately vanishing.

"Eliana, you did it!"

I look down at my palms, unsure of what just happened. Lucio stands with his mouth agape, staring at me in astonishment. Asra takes my hand in his, a proud look in his eyes.

"See, you just needed a little push."He says, "At least Vulgora served a good purpose."