Draeyer Academy
Drae Skyland
Northeastern Space

"I'll see you soon, dylaga."

Sheriun handed her the small sling pack which contained a few of the books she retrieved from their mansion―and a new friend of hers. The brown leather bag moved before the flap opened. A small head of white fur popped out and big brown eyes looked around the trees surrounding them. Areisha smiled and petted the creature, enticing a delighted "meow" from it.

After giving her a peck on the forehead, Sheriun spun and strode over one of the Academy's rock wharfs where a large Float awaited him. The green rose symbol of Saggaran billowed on the white sails as gusts of wind blew by. Once her father boarded the transportation, the crimas below it hummed louder.

"Bye, Papa!"

With a smile, she waved at her father as the Float drifted away to the direction of Saggaran Skyland. A few clumps of clouds soon obscured her view of it, and she casted her gaze at her Draeling.

Reaching out to the young Drae, Emera leaned into her hand. Emera had grown big enough so her head was almost in level with her knees when seated on her hind. Her attention then fell on the cat peeking out of her bag, and stroked its snowy white head once more. "You'll love it here, Lux." The kitten purred against her hand before disappearing inside her pack.

She sighed and walked away. As she passed the watch towers and stepped on the cobblestone path, she ignored the chatter of the other students who had also returned from their time with their families.

Her gaze fell on the white band wrapped around her wrist. As fingers grazed over it, it felt like her own skin like usual, rendering her unable to remove it. She couldn't help but think of the person wearing the other white band.

I bet he has his nose buried in one of his books again, she thought. She emerged from the forest and continued through the path passing the Sun and Moon Dorms. She climbed the hill, and she heard the others' voices diminishing as she moved further. Once at the top, she climbed down and eased her way to Star Dorm.

The past month was quite hectic. Their lessons only became more difficult, especially the two other extra ones she took. Alec's snoring as he slept on the desk next to her during those extra class periods only made it hard for her to focus. The professors paid no mind to him seeing that that they had no other choice but to do so. It was forbidden for them to be unchained during classes―unless for reasons involving trips to the lavatory.

Emera kept pace with her on the pavement. However, the Draeling shot forward a few moments later. Areisha looked up and smiled as she saw the blue building of Star Dormitory a few yards away.

As she neared though, silence surrounded the dorm, and she could hear nothing from the inside as well. Because of that, she concluded that the twins were still away. Knox and Solana were the main source of ruckus in Star Dorm―and her and Alec's arguments.

She paused in her tracks when Emera rounded the building and followed the paved path to the backyard. After pinning the bag to her thigh for Lux's sake, she ran after the green Draeling. She reached the glade they considered as the backyard. When she heard the meows of complaints from her kitten, she reached inside the bag and stroked it. Meanwhile, her eyes were quickly drawn to the three Draelings frolicking on the grass with Emera.

Three frozen trees caught her attention next before her eyes fell on a hunched figure in front of it. His hands were on his knees as pants escaped him. What really caught her eye were the blue flames covering the entirety of his frame. She made her way to the Draelings as she watched him. So he can do a full body now, she thought. It took him long enough.

As she sat on the grass, Alec straightened and looked up at the trio of trees that he froze himself. His Flame roaring all over himself calmed before vanishing. After parting his feet, he bent his knees with his fists raised to his chest. What he did next made her blue eyes glow in curiosity.

Alec raised one of his hands to the side and his Flame appeared on it. He moved it overhead, passed his other fist and then back to its former position. The blue fire left a thin light as it moved before disappearing in less than a few seconds. A loud thump resounded as he stomped his right foot forward. He spun 360 degrees before thrusting his fist. The Flame shot out of his hand and formed a ball, creating fissures on the trunk of one of the frozen trees. However he kept going, not sparing the damage he caused a glance.

His left leg shot forward right after he did another spin. Like his fist, blue fire came from it and flew through the air. It landed on the second three, cutting down one of the thick branches. He whirled two times before trusting a fist after the other. Once again, two balls of his Flame shot forward and this time, cut the third tree in half. He paused for a moment to take a breath before proceeding without stopping.

Areisha was gawking at him from that point on. He moved as swiftly as the wind before releasing an attack with a rock hard stance. As he moved, he never failed to whirl and jump off the ground before he assaulted with his legs. Those attacks were quickly shattering the frozen trees into shards of ice. He tossed a ball of his Flame above him. Before it could land, it floated on his palm and he spun, bringing the fire along with him without touching it. He tossed it against the middle tree and more ice broke into sparkles.

He resumed with his initial movements, shifting his body in random but mesmerizing patterns. The way he moved resembled a dance with a rhythm only he could follow. It was a beautiful dance of deadly power.

He paused. He launched himself forward. Using his hands he propelled his body in to the air. His Flame flowed from his outstretched legs as he spun and created a halo of blue fire. It engulfed the clearing in blue light as the as the twirling corona of fire struck the remaining targets. The Flame coated them at once before completely shattering it from the top to the roots. Alec landed with light feet on the grass before a smile broke into his face. A chuckle escaped his lips as he bowed at the ice covered area where the trees stood earlier. It was as if he was bowing to a partner after a dance. Areisha couldn't stop the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

The guy was way too prodigious. It may have taken him two months before he could cover his entire body with his Flames, but what he did a few moments ago would've taken years for an average Draeyer. Even she couldn't move using her Flame as an extension of her body. A Drae's Flame was wild and would not often completely yield to its borrower. They often need to be in close range and make direct contact to do some damage. Only Draeyers with strong connections to their Draes were successful in doing so.

If she was being honest with herself, she was envious of his skills―and at the same time admire him for it. She was especially jealous of his ability to whip up fantastic cuisines. Her mouth would secretly water along with Solana's and the others' whenever it was his turn to cook.

"How long have been there?"

She snapped out her train of thoughts when she heard his voice. There was a hint of surprise in his tone and she looked up to see if his eyes held the same emotion. True enough the shock of seeing her there was evident on his face as he approached her.

"Long enough," she replied. She watched with a smile as Midnight, Leyan and Emera went to him and ran circles around his feet. Alec smiled and he bent down to pet the younglings' heads. Entiny came last. One corner of a white towel dangled between her lips as she crawled to him. She offered it to Alec whose smile only widened at her.

"Thank you Lucky," he said. He took the towel and wiped his neck and face before draping it over one shoulder. Then he sat on the grass and placed Entiny on his lap. Delighted purrs and squeals came from the Draeling as he stroked her neck.

Areisha looked down at the other three Draelings and saw their droopy ears and wings. "I think the other three wants your attention too," she said.

Alec's pale blue eyes snapped to the other Draelings before he sighed. "You three are older. Can't you give way to the youngest?" Hisses escaped the three Draes and he returned it with a light laugh. He sighed again for the second time. "All right, come here," he said and motioned for them.

The Draelings shot forward. Emera settled next to Entiny. Meanwhile, Alec winced and complained about Midnight and Leyan's claws on his flesh as they struggled to balance themselves on his shoulders. They were a little too big now compared a few months ago. "Kosmos, you're all getting too heavy for me."

Areisha laughed and Alec looked up at her with a raised brow. When she calmed, her eyes scanned over his form that was busy giving attention to the babies on him.

"I just find it nice how you act so much like a father towards the Draelings," she said. He froze first and stared at her with an unrecognizable emotion in his eyes. All of a sudden, he jerked his head down at Emera and Lucky with his face a light hue of red.

"Thank you," he mumbled. She only smiled before looking away from him. The following silence felt surprisingly awkward. She was about to stand, but the movement from her bag made her pause. Lux the kitten came stumbling out of her satchel. The little creature shook its furry head and fluttered her tiny wings before looking around her new surroundings.

"Holy...Blazen." Her head snapped to Alec when she heard the curse from him. Once she looked, she noted his widened eyes. Also, she took notice of the fear―she thinks―that was swirling in their pale depths.

Lux's big brown eyes found him and the feline strode close and maintained his curious gaze. Alec visibly gulped. A smirk appeared on Areisha's face when she realized the source of his strange behavior. She stood and patted the dirt and grass off her with nonchalance in her movements. As she advanced towards Alec, she bent and cradled the small white kitten in her arms.

"His name is Lux," she said. "Would you like to pet him?"

"No, thank you. And please keep that little creature away from me," he said. The Draelings got off of him and he was quick to stand. I can't believe this, she laughed in her mind.

"Oh come on, I think he likes you," she said. She jumped forward and brought the cat close to his face. Lux titled his head to the side, while Alec regarded the creature with fearful eyes. He took a weary step back but Areisha took a step after him.

"Damn it! I get what you're trying to do!" Alec yelled, much to her surprise. "Yes, I'm scared of cats! Now get it away from me."

Areisha released a raucous laugh as she embraced the kitten to her well-endowed chest. She spun the cat around and around through the air while still laughing with joy. "Yes, I finally have a weapon against you!" Her joyous laughter continued after.

When she calmed she saw Alec's face covered in a bright crimson for the first time. He jerked his head to one side and crossed his arms in front of his chest. In the background, she could hear the growls of laughter coming from their Draelings.

"Arden is scared of cats! Arden is scared of cats! Arden is scared of cats!" she sang.

"Very mature Roselintine. Very mature," Alec grumbled. However, when she thrust Lux at him again, he took a step back. He glared at her and his hands clenched into fists. "I swear! I will find a thick long snake and use it to tie you to a tree and have its head right in front of yours!"

His words made her stop and a terrible chill ran down her spine. How could she forget? How could she forget that he was the first person to ever see her freeze in fright of the long scaly beast? She hugged Lux once more. The poor kitten's eyes were still spinning and his head was swaying from the movements Areisha put him through. He meowed before he fell unconscious against her chest.

"Unfortunately for you, it's my turn to cook tonight," he said. "I won't be making any dessert for you."

"What!"

Alec only smirked as he strode away wiping his sweat with the towel Entiny gave him. She ran after him, but maintained enough distance in between. She stared at his back for a few moments before thoughts of his situation filled her mind once more. She unconsciously stroked Lux as she spoke softly.

"I wonder how long you'll be able to cook for us before you have leave."

Alec stopped, seeming to have heard her. She paused in her steps as well and waited for his reaction with wide eyes. However, it never came and her sigh and voice broke the silence between them.

"Forget I said that."

As she resumed walking and passed him, he felt his hand land softly on her shoulder. She was stiff as a statue until he retracted his hand and spoke.

"Nothing has happened for the past two months, but it's only making me more worried. I know something's eventually going to happen and I just hope..."

There was another silence before Alec went ahead once more. He looked over his shoulder at her and gave her a small smile.

"I'm making deep-fried bananas wrapped in thin bread dough for dessert," he said. "Would you like to dip it with melted brown sugar or chocolate?"

It took a while for her to realize his attempt to change the subject. She jogged after him with a smile. "Chocolate!"