Elementals Chapter 4: Celestial Tides (OPEN)

"If you die, it'll look like I killed you." he muttered picking up Ignis' body and trying to carry it out of the woods. "If you're trying to frame me for murder there are better ways to do that."

Ignis's skin returned to normal and soon after awakened. His iris in his eyes were completely black instead the fiery orange and red. His expression confused and lost. "What…What happened? Did It work?! Is it… no… it's fine." As he began to lay back down and he immediately jumps up in surprise, "I…I can't!"

"Can't what?" asked Marlin. "What's wrong with you?" Marlin grabbed his shoulder. "Don't you dare go back in that woods, because if you do I'm not coming to rescue you."

Ignis stared at Marlin with an evil stare. Immediately after, He ran back into the village as fast as he could. Realizing his fire was gone, Ignis began panic. His heart raced as his blood ran cold. Then he stopped and saw a shadowy figure walk past him. What is happening to me?!

Marlin stood there watching Ignis run away. "Yeah, well, I don't like you either." he yelled. He wondered if he sould follow, but Ignis would probably just run away again. Marlin was tired, and wet, and angry he'd been tricked into using his 'magic' again. He wandered back into the village, making his way to the dorms he was supposed to sleep in.

Ignis remained frozen near the road, eyes locked on the shadowy figure as it glared back at him.

Marlin slipped through the door, wincing as it slammed behind him. He got to his room before they could say anything. Should he tell them all about Ignis? About the elementals? They didn't even know about his powers, how would they react? He could see Ignis' black eyes in his mind. Elementals. People like him. How could he run away from that?

Sage sat up, unable to sleep. She got dressed again, grabbing a pair of sandals as she tip toed downstairs and outside, slipping the shoes on and walking down the road.

Marlin hid his head under the pillow, wishing he had the willpower to keep himself from getting up and trying to find Ignis. He was not going to use his powers, he did not need go back to the forest, he did not need to see the creepy man with black eyes, he was not going to get up–
He got up.
Fine, okay. But this time he was bringing his gear.

A group began to gather around Ignis, unware of the shadow figure. They offered help and advice to the boy but he didn't listen. Then He snapoed out and tried to follow the shadow. It just let around the block? Ignis was confused as to where the shadow went after or why it led him there.

Marlin marched down the street, armed to the teeth and ready for trouble. Elementals, people like him! He could feel a bubble of excitement in his chest but he pushed it down. No. He wasn't going to use his magic, he was just going to see what all this was about.

An unknown figure bumps into Marlin, his eyes a fiery red and orange. His voice dark and rusty, "My apologies, I should watch where I'm going," he soon vanished as he left Marlin's sight

Marlin flinched. "No.. no problem." He almost kept walking, but something stopped him. "Wait!" he called turning around, "Do you–" but the man had already vanished. Marlin didn't even stop to think before running after him. "Hey, come back!" he yelled "I need to talk to you!"

Ignis began to walk back as he is immediately hit by Marlin. How did I miss that? he thought. Still shaken from the previous day, he quickly got up and looked at Marlin, "Heh, small town." His black colored eyes look into Marlin's.

Marlin brushed him self off. "Well I mean you didn't punch me this time, so that's an improvement. Uh, Ignis, right?"he asked "I– I think we need to talk about you know… Astra,"

Ignis quickly shoves Marlin around the corner and away from the general public. "Most humans can't know about what we are." Then he smiles and loosens up, "So, what do you want know?"

"The seal, it– it broke right? How did it even break in the first place? It wasn't something I did was it?" he grinned sheepishly, "I mean I do have a habit of messing things up."

Ignis froze. His expression became gloomy and depressed. His eye's lost any light and his voice goes quiet, "I-It was my fault. I was preforming a cleansing ritual when something disturbed me. My element must have broke the seal. Now I fear that I am deemed unfit to carry an element at all anymore." He lifts his hand, "My fire….is gone."

"Gone?" Marlin stared at him for a bit looking confused. Then his entire face lit up at once. "Cool! Can I sign up? How do I get rid of mine?"

Ignis threw a punch at the wall next to Marlin, merely inches away from his head. "You make me sick. How could a blind creature walk aimlessly? Why not instead observe it's surroundings?" He lowered his fist and walked away, "There's something here. If you want to be free of your gift….I have a permanent solution…." He walks away.

"Wow, anger issues much." muttered Marlin jogging to catch up with Ignis. "Look, sorry, I know I'm a nuisance, but seriously, my powers aren't a gift." he rubbed his hands together nervously "More like a curse, but whatever. I'm sorry. Sorry you lost your fire." Marlin groaned internally, he hadn't even known this guy for 24 hours and he'd already insulted him at least twice. "I'm Marlin by the way. You're… Ignis, right?"

Ignis sighs deeply, "Correct. And although I know you don't like your… ability, it's a very powerful magic. I'm not upset that my fire is gone, I'm upset to think where it went. Elemental magic can't just leave, it goes somewhere."

"Oh. So… if I get rid of my magic someone else would get it? Is there some kid running around who just discovered he can shoot fire out of his hands?"

Ignis smiles softly, "More than likely it would go to another elemental. Mortals aren't built to handle our powers. Can I tell you something that scares the hell out of me?"

Marlin glanced at him sideways. "Um.. sure, go head."

(Yes)

(Yes)