Hi everyone, it's been too long since I last updated this story, also, I'm going to stop doing author's messages. If you enjoyed them, sorry.
Chapter 3: Rebirth and Romance
Amber awoke and found herself on the dusty floor of the old hut she entered earlier. She wasn't sure how long she was out but, she felt hazy, almost as if she was lighter somehow. "Ugh, my head…" she groaned, bringing a hand to her head. As she clambered to her feet, all she could think about was the dream she had and how she craved the warm embrace of her bed and a bath. Being the type to plan for the unexpected, Amber reached into her bag on the floor and pulled out a scroll with a seal on it. "Good thing I have a working teleport spell," she mumbled as she opened the scroll. After a flash of light, Amber opened her eyes and noticed she was right at the front gates of Halure.
As she trudged through the city to her house, Amber didn't notice all of the weird looks and glances she was being given. It's not that she didn't notice, she was just too exhausted to care. As she made it to her house and was about to enter, someone stopped her. "First, you mosey into our city. Now, you're going to trespass on someone's property?" They stated firmly. Amber smiled with as much energy she could muster. "Look, I've had a long day and I'm tired." The man frowned at her response and unsheathed his sword, "As a knight of Halure, you're going to have to come with me." Amber took a step back. She shook her fists angrily at the man, "What the hell, Max?!" The knight paused, "Wait, Amber?" It annoyed her by the fact that he played dumb. "No, I'm the legendary Aifreed, of course it's me!" She shouted at him. She felt a tad bit hurt that her childhood friend didn't recognize her. Putting away his sword, Max noticed how Amber was struggling to stay on her feet. Offering her his arm, he ushered her inside.
After they entered the house and Amber sat on her bed, Max stared at her. Amber felt slightly embarrassed, and her face turned pink. "There are other things to stare at, big dummy." Max sighed, "What did you do?" This question confused Amber. "What are you talking about?" she asked. Max left and shortly returned holding a mirror. He didn't have to explain anything after she saw her reflection. She cautiously brought a hand to her face. Her once green eyes were now a bold, fiery red. Her hair even grew in length and there was some red strands infused into her brown. "I thought that was a dream…" she whispered to herself.
Clearing his throat to remind her he was still there; he restated his previous question. "What. Happened." Amber looked at her skin and clothes and noticed how filthy she was. Getting up, she headed to her closet and grabbed some clothes. "I'll tell you if you run me a bath." She spoke. Sighing, Max entered the bathroom and filled the tub with water. After he was done, he silently waited next to the door as she entered and got in the tub. After about an hour of explaining, Max could barely believe what he was hearing. If it weren't for the events of the Adephagos, he would've claimed she was making the whole thing up. "You're telling me, you found something in those old ruins but, now you're bound to a fire spirit?" Max concluded. "THE fire spirit," she corrected him.
There was a moment of silence. Amber had long since been out of the bath and was now pondering what to wear. Max spoke suddenly and startled her a bit, "Did you manage to find that spell you were looking for?" Upon hearing this, Amber froze. She didn't find a spell, but a fire spirit. Just then, Efreet spoke to her. "Why do you fret over a simple spell, child? You are one with me, one with the flame. Just focus and all fire shall bend to your will." Amber walked over to her balcony and held open her hand. She closed her eyes and thought of fire related things, like her oven. As she continued to focus, a small fire erupted from her hand. Frightened, she quickly closed her hand and the flame disappeared.
"The entrance exam is next week but we leave for Zaphais tonight," Amber instructed. "And I'm not sure what this power is but I must learn how to use it and be careful who I use it around." Max chimed in, "If you're still wondering what to wear, why not dress like a noble? We are headed to a city full of them." Amber became elated, "Max, you're a genius! I'll blend right in." It had been a while since the two of them spent time together, so he decided to humor her. "I guess we'll be playing pretend one last time, my lady?" he asked. Amber giggled, "It may seem so, Sir Maxwell. And call me Ember." Max chuckled softly, "Come now, we must be on our way, Lady Ember."