"I'll give you five gald for them and not a penny more." The young woman of 18 spoke as she crossed her arms over her budding chest. Sea foam hues glared daggers at the merchant; her brows furrowed into an annoyed scowl; which earned a chuckle from the proprietor.
"Come on, Elle! It's been a slow month. Can't you take it easy on an old man?"
"Don't do this." The teen snapped as a frustrated sigh escaped through her nose. "No, Svent." She replied, sternly. "You're a merchant and you should haggle fairly!"
Her hand moved instinctively towards a stray strand of honey colored hair. She tucked it behind her ear; the place it should be. Bright baby blues never left Alvin's gaze.
"Alright, kid. You got me. I'll sell 'em for five." The merchant grasped her hand in his and firmly shook it as if to solidify the trade. It was for old time's sake; in his mind; at least.
Elle pulled her hand away and took the ripe tomatoes from the basket that sat upon the counter. They were succulent and plump. Perfect in every way. Elle moved quickly to wrap them in a plain cloth and worked on storing them in her leather bound satchel; one she never left home without.
"Say, kid. What will you be using them for? You hate tomatoes." Alvin couldn't help but ask; every year it was the same with her; on this day; she would buy several tomatoes, and it boggled his mind why someone who so fiercely despises the berry would take time out of her day to buy them. He slipped his hands in his pockets leisurely and waited for an answer.
The blonde paused before glancing up at Alvin. Her gazed could be easily be seen by the strands of blonde hair acting as a shield. Elle wasn't about to answer him; like every year; his question was only met with dirty looks.
Elle moved to stand straight before going through her pockets and fishing out 5 gold coins; dropping them on the counter; she turned on her heel to leave. "Thanks for the tomatoes." Was the last thing she said before exiting the small shop and; stepping into the streets of Trigleph.
Walking alongside the paved roads of her home city. There was a chill in the air and she found herself pulling her arms closer to herself in attempt to retain any kind of body warmth. Having seasons was a strange but euphoric thing. Was it the third or fourth winter they had? Elle couldn't be sure; but she did enjoy seeing the small splashes of green. Plants in people's windows was her favorite. The most basic plant brought joy to the citizens of Trigleph, and when the people were happy; her work was easier.
The teen strolled along until she reached her apartment building. Slowing to a stop; she took a moment to stare at the burnt down swing set. The ground was still scorched from that terrible day. Elle pushed the horrific memories aside to focus on her task at hand.
Entering the apartment building and taking the elevator up to her apartment; she pulled out her keys to unlock her door. A surge of familiarity overcame her as she remember the smell of tomato soup tickled her senses when she run up and down the halls.
Though this time, there was no such smell; just an empty hallway.
Slipping her key into the keyhole and turning it to the side; she opened her door and walked into her home before closing the door behind her. A soft exhale parted her lips as she untangled herself from her satchel. Dropping it onto the kitchen counter; Elle moved to the living room. The teen moved to grasp her remote control to turn on her tv.
When the news flashed; she paused to listen to it.
Great news in the world today. The King of Rieze Maxia, Gaius and the Grand Chancellor Marcia have signed a bill that will begin the exportation of Elympian electronics to Rieze Maxia directly through Marksburg The reform of the bill will allow the transportation of goods to pass through the border easier and cheaper…
A smile appeared on Elle's face as she listened. It seem that Gaius continued to do great things for both nations. Shaking her head, she suddenly remembered Pollo.
Clicking her tongue against her teeth; she cooed for Pollo.
"Come here, kitty." She called as she grasped a bag of Kitty Krisps and shook it. When the pitter patter of tiny paws against the hardwood floors rippled through the living room; Elle smiled and knelt down to scoop the kitten into her arms just as she filled his bowl with food.
"Hello, Pollo." She smooched the kitten's head before setting it down.
"Alright, Pollo, let's get to work." Elle smiled as she reached into her satchel to pull out the tomatoes. Unwrapping them, she placed them in the sink and began to run the water to wash them. She stared into their redness and couldn't help but be struck by a sudden feeling of nostalgia.
"Ludger…" she muttered sullenly as she took the tomatoes into her hands.
"You always thought I didn't notice when you slipped tomatoes into my food…but I did."
Hot tears threatened to sting her eyes but she blinked them back and sighed. She needed to focus on her task and not on reminiscing. Reaching for the bottom right drawer; she opened it quickly and searched for her cutting knife.
Once she found what she was looking for; she began to work over the tomatoes. Cutting them in half and scooping out the seeds. She did this with every one and placed the halves on a plate. Taking the plate outside; she glanced over to the memorial in the corner of her balcony. She gazed at her father's photo with a heavy sigh.
"Hey, Ludger." She muttered as she placed the plate of tomatoes beside his photo. Like each year, she set them out to let the sun dry them out. A small offering to her late father, and to remember his sacrifice. Settling down on a chair; Elle closed her eyes and smiled.
"I've been doing my best, Ludger. I got a job working alongside Jude in his lab at Heliborg. He says I work pretty well with the spyrites. I suppose I got a knack for it." She spoke to him; knowing wherever he was now; he probably could hear her. He had always been with her, or so she would like to think.
A deep feeling of regret began to bubble inside her gut.
"I know you wanted what is best for me…to give me my best shot; you chose me over all the other Elles; it really made me feel like I was your daughter." She cleared her throat since a lump began to form. Glancing down at her hands; those hot tears that threatened to fall before; began to stain her rosy cheeks. Sniffling; she gritted her teeth as she rubbed them away.
"Hehe, still a crybaby, dad." What would have made this year different? Every single time, she would cry. Hoping to regain her composure; Elle stood up and rubbed her face as she let out a sob like laugh.
"I should get going, Ludger." Moving towards the sliding door; she glanced over her shoulder over at the photo that sit in the midst of the shrine. A smile crept upon her features.
"Happy birthday, Ludger."
Moving to drop on the sofa, Elle pulled out her phone to look through the vast menus of take out. "Alright, Pollo, what do we want for dinner?" She asked without looking up from her phone. Perhaps pizza or some chicken mabo curry? Nothing seem appealing.
Her phone rang suddenly, nearly causing her to drop her phone. Recognizing the tone; a smile appeared on her face once more. Elle clicked the answer button and held the phone to her ear.
"Hey, Jude, what's up?" Elle asked as she listened to his news; he sounded frantic and excited at the same time, but Elle couldn't tell which.
"You did what?! R-Really? That's amazing!" She gasped and grinned wider. She couldn't believe it. This was the breakthrough they were hoping for.
"Alright, alright. I will be right there!" Closing her phone, Elle moved to quickly grab her satchel and headed out to Heliborg.
Throwing the doors open to the lab, Elle entered the room in a burst of excitement. She trotted over to Jude and grinned. "Alright! I'm here. Let's test this!" Throwing her satchel on the closest desk; she began to roll up her sleeves.
Jude smiled a bit at Elle's enthusiasm and shook his head. She was energetic as ever.
"Elle, we need to be careful. This isn't the usual spyrite creating. This will be-"
"The first great spirit created successfully, I know, Jude. You were quite clear on the phone. I know the risks, let's proceed." Elle interrupted as she walked over to the booster sitting on the counter. Grasping it into her hands. Elle looked to the doctor turned scientist.
"Ready when you are, Jude."
"I'm ready." Jude nodded in resolve as he took a step closer to Elle.
"Now, close your eyes. Concentrate in activating the booster with your mana. Feel its power surge through your finger tips. Nice and slow, don't rush it." Jude spoke calmly, the instructions were an important part of the experiment.
Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled a small device and held it up to his lips.
" Creating a Great Spyrite attempt 1, booster wielder, Elle Marta." He muttered into the audio recorder. He placed it on the counter and stared as the booster shined brightly.
"Good, Elle. Good." Jude grinned as he moved to Elle's side.
"What's next, Jude?" She asked as she peered over her shoulder at the other. Jude nodding firmly, he examined her vitals before continuing.
"Now, keep your breathing steady. I want you to imagine what this great spyrite would look like. Envision its form and let the booster do the rest. It will draw from you, mana to manifest itself in this world. If you start feeling sick or tired, please tell me."
Nodding, Elle gulped back an invisible lump as she closed her eyes to prepare for the hard part. A tinge of anxiety and excited swelled in her as she did what she was instructed. At first there was nothing but silence; nothing seem effective. Jude's brows furrowed as his face fell into a sulk. He hadn't been wrong in his calculations, why wasn't it working?
When he was about to call off the attempt, the sound of cracking echoed through the lab; causing the lights to flicker. Every item began to tremble as if there was an earth quake.
"W-What's happening?" Elle asked without opening her eyes. She braced herself.
"You're doing it, I think! Keep going Elle!"
Feeling the last effects of the booster drain her mana, Elle let out a shriek as it vibrated in her hands. Dropping the booster, and falling to one knee. The teen panted as a bead of sweat dripped from her forehead and down the side of her face.
"Elle!" Jude was instantly at her side, he pulled a pineapple gel from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Eat it, slowly." Jude instructed; it wasn't until he heard the crackling across the room; he knew they weren't alone. Slowly, he gazed up to a strange apparition. Hazel eyes widen in shock as he stared at the creature before them.
It was different from any other spyrite or spirit he has ever seen. It had no face; it was pasty white with long appendages that didn't seem to go anywhere. From its back two large translucent wings unfurled. The crackling grew louder as every color of the spectrum pulsated through the feathers like the nervous system. It was terrifyingly beautiful.
Elle gazed upon it; oddly, not afraid, but curious. Standing up with the help of Jude. She went to speak.
"Who…are you?"
It would give no answer. It flexed its wings and screeched; ripples of energy hit them like a tidal wave; sending the scientist and the assistant against the back wall. The last thing Elle saw before blacking out was the creature escaping through a window; its multicolored wings expanding to their fullest; they eclipsed the sun when it took to the sky. Exhaustion clung to the woman as she gazed over to Jude, whom, like her shortly, was out cold.
Grunting, Elle finally passed out. It wasn't until later, when her phone; alongside Jude's rang unrelentingly.
After the fourth round of ringing; Elle groaned and rolled onto her side. A wave of nausea nearly overcame her but she pushed the feeling away and reached to her phone that laid beside her. Flipping it open and hitting the talk button, she held it up to her ear, groaning again.
"H-Hello?" she asked as she coughed.
"N-no, I'm fine." She replied to Gaius. What he had told her, woke her up fully and she got to her feet with ease.
"W-What?! Alright, keep everyone calm, we'll be there soon, don't go near it!" she shouted into the phone before closing it. Rushing to Jude's side. She shook him awake.
"Jude! Wake up!" she cried as panic began to show in her eyes. Hearing the doctor groan; relief soothed her frayed nerves. Jude sat up.
"Elle? You alright?"
"Yes, but we need to get to Kanbalar! Gaius just called!"
"What? Why?" He asked as he dusted off his lab coat and looked around at the ruined lab. A sigh escaped him. How would he explain this to his sponsors? Elle looked to Jude with a look of dread; her knuckles turned white under her grasp.
"Elle…? What is it?" Jude asked, becoming very serious.
"Our Great Spyrite has been rampaging through Kanbalar…Gaius and Rowen are working to evacuate the town. We need to get there as soon as possible!"
Hazel eyes widen at the news before that shock turned into resolve. Strolling carefully through the mess, Jude opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out two steel gauntlets. He equipped them before looking to Elle.
"Right let's go."
Elle nodded as she followed Mathis out of Heliborg. She couldn't say why, but a deep feeling of guilt began to form in her head. Had this been her fault? Either way, she would be the one to stop this thing from causing havoc among the people…she would put it down if she had to.