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Elementals Chapter 4: Celestial Tides (OPEN)

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Ignatius turned his back on Ignis, "You are a fool who embodies flame. A magician who swings fire."

Ignis was annoyed by his words, even if he knew why Ignatius was mad, "Astra wasn't the same. They might have had Darkness killed, but Kali remained safe. She is the only living dark elemental to date. Why would Astra have her live?"

Ignatius took a deep breath in. His composure loosening, "I…we could not lose her again…"

Taking a seat on the floor, Ignis loosens up as well, "I remember her personality despite what humanity as said otherwise. I could not afford to save her if it meant killing many more. Doesn't mean I won't save her at all. Astra didn't deserve their prison anymore than you do. Free yourself from me. Travel the world, and be free. After all, once my flame dies, I'll be mortal. I won't be able to keep your spirit any longer after that."

Hit with realization, Ignatius turns back to face Ignis, "Speaking of, why is it dying? It is the eternal flame, so why is it dying?"

Ignis ponders the question thoroughly, which narrows to only one answer, "The ember! Ignatius, my flame isn't dying…it's being stolen…"

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Alister glanced to him as he sat down, sipping his cup. “Ah… yeah.”
He pulled back his sleeve, revealing the symbol of air on the skin of his arm. Old scars, from years ago, marred it a little. Alister covered it up again with the sleeve. It was still difficult to look at, even with the tattoo.
It was then that he felt a surge of energy move rapidly through the air. He glanced up, to where the rooms must be on higher floors. “Oh, god. What now?”

He sat down across from alister, like next to each other with a corner in-between them kinda deal. He watched as alister pulled down his sleeve and then looked away, so alister could have a moment to himself before he felt the surge of energy.
"Would it be bad to say for once I don't want to check it out?" He spoke, rubbing his face.

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Kali was just crying, holding onto ignis as she wished so badly for him to come back. He sounded in pain when he spoke his last words and that worried her…
She kept his head in her lap, stroking his head gently as she felt her tears fall off her face and onto ignis's face.
Surely the others felt the power surge..where were they..?
how come no one's come yet?
Did everyone seriously believe arcanis? How stupid could they be?
She sighed, deciding to stay with ignis.

Alister sighed. “Probably. But the thing is, I don’t want to either.” He sipped his water, then set the cup down. “Um… how about if we hear screaming, we’ll check it out?”
It was strange. The usual anxiety he felt whenever he spoke to someone wasn’t there. But then, he had experienced something like this before. He was just so dead tired that he didn’t really care anymore. Instead of anxiety, it was just depression and apathy. But he did care, a little. Because he didn’t want this to change. He liked being here, sitting with Evan and drinking water like they were drinking gin at a gay bar or something.

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Evan nodded, sipping his water.
"If we hear screaming, we will run to see what's wrong."
His hearing was probably gonna turn off to recharge itself, and just because even was so dang tired.
He rubbed his eyes, almost missing to place the water down. He did it the second time.
He ran a tired hand through his hair, and rubbed his face entirely. He was just, exhausted.

Alister nodded in turn. For a moment he didn’t speak, just drank the water slowly and silently. He glanced back at Evan, however, and seeing him rub at his face and hair, asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go to sleep?”

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Ignis began to move in Kali's arms. He shuffled and turned, only to see Kali's panic, "Ow." He smiled. An orange aura left Ignis's body, aiming for the window. Just before it vanished, it formed to what seemed like a humanoid shape. Ignis looked at Kali, "He's out of my head. I am no longer bound to the old ways."

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She gasped, moving to pull him into a tight hug. She was so worried about him, she hadn't really thought about anything else. She watched the orange aura, and figuring that must be Ignatius leaving for good this time.
"Well good. Now don't scare me like that again."

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Alister nodded in turn. For a moment he didn’t speak, just drank the water slowly and silently. He glanced back at Evan, however, and seeing him rub at his face and hair, asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go to sleep?”

He slightly dozed off in his seat and quickly shook himself awake when he heard alisters voice.
"I'm fine, I don't want to sleep.' He smiled extremely tiredly at alister. He didn't want to sleep because well, he didn't want to miss anything.

Alister blinked. For a moment he thought he would have to tap Evan awake, but apparently he had heard him. For a moment he was at a crossroads. He knew he wanted to sleep, and was tempted to drag Evan with him, but should he try persuading him a bit more?
A yawn stole over him. He rubbed at his eyes, and when he opened them, he rested a hand on the other boy’s shoulder.
“Hey, Evan…” he murmured. “You almost died today. At least, I thought you were going to die. You deserve to rest, okay? And hey, I think I can help, I’ve helped Noel go to sleep for all these years, heh.”

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He rubbed his eyes as he sat up in his chair, he had been slumping when he dozed off.
He watched as alister rubbed his eyes and then placed a hand on his shoulder.
He looked away, not sure he felt what alister was saying was right.
He almost died today because he was weak..and he needed to be stronger.
He looked back at alister, it couldn't hurt to just- sleep a little bit right?
Besides if he convinced alister he was asleep alister would sleep and maybe he could sneak away.
"..Alright..'

He stared at him, then moved his hand from Evan’s shoulder to Evan’s hand, grasping it and rubbing his thumb against it. He got up from his seat.
“Um… do you mind if I…?” Slowly, Alister wrapped his other arm around him, pulling Evan into an embrace. He squeezed his hand, then moved it around him too.

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Ignis smiled as he kissed Kali softly. A short yet meaningful one. He hugged her, and in a whisper, "I promise. I love you, after all"

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She kissed him back in the moment, before moving to hug back tightly.
"I love you too dork." She just burried her face into his chest as they sat there.

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He stared at him, then moved his hand from Evan’s shoulder to Evan’s hand, grasping it and rubbing his thumb against it. He got up from his seat.
“Um… do you mind if I…?” Slowly, Alister wrapped his other arm around him, pulling Evan into an embrace. He squeezed his hand, then moved it around him too.

He stood up with him, feeling alisters hand In his own, rubbing his thumb against his hand.
He didn't know what alister was asking bit He didn't have to wait long to find out. He felt alister wrap his arms around him, and he moved to pull him in for a hug. He wrapped both arms around him and just held him.

He let out a deep sigh, contented and peaceful at last. For a while he stayed like that, holding Evan and Evan holding him. But the peace couldn’t last forever. Soon a sudden guilt washed over Alister, and he buried his face in Evan’s shoulder.
“You almost died,” he whispered. “And it was my fault. It’s all my fault. I’m so, so sorry, Evan. I’m so sorry for being so weak. I’m sorry for being a…” he trailed off, his breath hitching slightly.

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Evan was just standing there and holding alister, until he felt alister Burry his face into his shoulder. He frowned softly as he listened to what alister said, "alister- don't say that none of that was your fault. You are not at fault for anything, you are an amazing sibling and friend. You have done nothing wrong alright? Im fine, your fine. We're okay. Noel's okay." He spoke softly and slowly, making sure he got the message across. He stroked alisters head gently.

He was still, his aching muscles suddenly tensed. He was afraid he was going to cry. “But it was. It was. I’m the one who raised the temperature in the cave, I know it. I’ve never been able to do it before but… but I was so angry—“ It was too late. Alister’s eyes began to well up, and the air around them became heavy and sticky with humidity. His muscles relaxed as he felt Evan stroking his wild hair, but the change in the air made him anxious, the tears in his eyes made him ashamed. He began to shake slightly, and suddenly he began to regret hugging Evan, because then he wouldn’t at least be crying on him. “And then… then you started not looking well, and I didn’t even notice until you had collapsed—“ a sob cut him off. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” he kept saying. The air around them churned, as if it threatened to rain.

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Ignis held her in his arms. Despite the ventures they faced, his heartbeat was calm. Serene. The heat that he gave was welcoming. Soothing. Time stopped in their embrace. For that night, hopefully many nights, would be perfect.
"Kali, if we…could…you know. Be together, how will it balance with our mission? We are to protect humanity, but for how long?"

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She relaxed In his arms, she didn't want him to leave and she didn't want to leave him. So many times they had been interrupted and not allowed to just- be in each other's presence. She felt the warmth of his embrace and helped relax her.
She frowned softly, "ignis, all I know is that as long as your safe, and I have you my side everything will work out some how. Alright?" She gave him a peck on the lips.

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He was still, his aching muscles suddenly tensed. He was afraid he was going to cry. “But it was. It was. I’m the one who raised the temperature in the cave, I know it. I’ve never been able to do it before but… but I was so angry—“ It was too late. Alister’s eyes began to well up, and the air around them became heavy and sticky with humidity. His muscles relaxed as he felt Evan stroking his wild hair, but the change in the air made him anxious, the tears in his eyes made him ashamed. He began to shake slightly, and suddenly he began to regret hugging Evan, because then he wouldn’t at least be crying on him. “And then… then you started not looking well, and I didn’t even notice until you had collapsed—“ a sob cut him off. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” he kept saying. The air around them churned, as if it threatened to rain.

"Alister, you didn't know it was you- it was a new ability to you and you were just confused and hurt, angry even. Whatever was done to you has no right to hold onto you, I'm glad what happened happened. You know why? I believe it helped you deal with the emotions you were keeping locked up, and locking up emotions isn't good, alright? I'm okay. Besides, It's not your fault my body tolerance towards heat is really low….I just grew up in a lot of cold places and got adjusted to such.'
He spoke, he made sure his voice was smooth and soothing but firm. He used his ability to his best while he was tired. He rubbed alisters back as they talked.
"It's okay ali..just get it all out alright? I'm here for you, just cry it all out. It wasn't your fault okay?"

Gradually, he went silent, too emotional to talk anyway as Evan tried to comfort him. His voice was like a soft blanket to his ears, the hand against his back and head like nothing he recalled feeling recently. It had been so long since someone had touched him like this, it was something different than the embraces he and his sister always shared. He sobbed quietly, his chest heaving and his grip on Evan tightening.
“Okay, okay, okay…” he whispered, trying to breathe and calm himself, though the air still churned. It grew colder and colder as Alister sniffled, lifted his head and, through his tears and red eyes, look into Evan’s face and make sure he really was okay. His brow upturned with concern, and he found himself running a hand over Evan’s cheek. He just looked very tired, but otherwise okay. Alister blinked rapidly, then released a shaky sigh. He removed his hand and buried his face in Evan’s shoulder again. “We should… we should sleep…” he murmured.

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Ignis moved kali into bed as he laid beside her, he was too tired to move into his own bed. As Ignis laid awake, he couldn't help ignoring the task at hand. In the night he made his way into his quarters, only to wash and change. The softness of new clothing and scent of his shampoo carried his mind off the world. Fashioning clothing for Kali, he laid simple t-shirt and jeans in the nightstand beside her. He also fashioned fresh clothing for the others, sneaking them into the lobby for when they woke. They were simple yet clean. He laid back beside Kali, his refreshed state leaving him relaxed. Although he remained awake, he laid next to Kali for the remainder of the night. He stared at her, hoping her words were true. He whispered, "Everything will work out somehow…okay."

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Kali held onto him as they moved over to her bed, she snuggled into him feeling exhaustion set in from all the crying and screaming with arcanis.
She hadn't let herself sleep since then and really needed the rest, she was just afraid for ignis and for everything that had happened but now that he was here with her a lot of her worries melted away. She was deep asleep when he got up and did everything for everyone else, when he came back she just reattached herself to him, snuggling up close and feeling his warmth.

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Gradually, he went silent, too emotional to talk anyway as Evan tried to comfort him. His voice was like a soft blanket to his ears, the hand against his back and head like nothing he recalled feeling recently. It had been so long since someone had touched him like this, it was something different than the embraces he and his sister always shared. He sobbed quietly, his chest heaving and his grip on Evan tightening.
“Okay, okay, okay…” he whispered, trying to breathe and calm himself, though the air still churned. It grew colder and colder as Alister sniffled, lifted his head and, through his tears and red eyes, look into Evan’s face and make sure he really was okay. His brow upturned with concern, and he found himself running a hand over Evan’s cheek. He just looked very tired, but otherwise okay. Alister blinked rapidly, then released a shaky sigh. He removed his hand and buried his face in Evan’s shoulder again. “We should… we should sleep…” he murmured.

He blushed softly when alisters hand stroked his cheek and he felt alisters intense stare, searching to see if he was okay.
He just moved to ruffle alisters hair with a tired smile.
He nodded to him, "Alright then..lets go join Noel."
He spoke softly, melodically. He pulled away from alister, moving to walk towards the stairs case to make it upstairs. He hoped Noel was still asleep after the power surge, she needed it for sure.
He let his face calm down from the blush as he make it up the stairs.

The air eventually returned to its normal state as exhaustion took over him again. His arms sagged, and his eyes were closed shut. He didn’t want to separate from Evan, but he said it himself. They needed rest. Alister opened his eyes.
“Yeah, I hope she’s okay…” he murmured, letting Evan part from him and following him upstairs.

When they came near the room, Alister could hear a faint rustling. Whimpering, too. Almost reflexively, his pace quickened. When they went in, he saw Noel in the bed, the covers drawn down from her waist. She shifted in her sleep, whimpering and crying for her brother, for him to come back, asking why he left her. It a moment, Alister was at her side.
“Hey, hey, hey,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder and holding her steady. “I’m here, I’m here. It wasn’t real.”
He wasn’t sure if she had woken up or not, it was too dark, but he felt her calming down somewhat. He could still hear her quiet whimpering. He wrapped his arms around her, looking up at Evan.

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Evan seemed to be dragged through cold water. His eyes widened as he realized Noel was the one whimpering. He frowned, moving to go forward and comfort her but alister beat him to it rather speedily. While he did feel more awake he also felt like he was trapped underwater and all his actions, plus everything he heard was all muted in some way.
He shook his head gently, rubbing Jo's eyes before he moved fully into the room.
"Is she..okay..?" He whispered softly to alister, worried for her in the long run.

Alister let out a breath, gently rubbing Noel’s back and trying to comfort her. This, at least, was not like earlier, when she had inhaled the gases. This had happened many times before, and though he was tired, Alister felt he was able to handle it.
“She will be,” he murmured in reply. “Nightmares, probably.”
“Ali…” her voice startled him a little. “Ali… don’t leave me… please, please…” After a moment, he realized she was still asleep, but talking through it. Her voice was slurred, a broken by cracks and emotion.
“I’m here,” he said, “I won’t leave. I promise I won’t.”

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Still riddled with insomnia, Ignis could only reflect on his life. It took years to finally be free from Ignatius, to be himself. What time he spent on using magic, training, fighting. He found the one person he set every generation on to avenge. Saying he loved her felt natural. Ignis looked to the side where Kali had embraced, seeing her made him calm.

"Look at them. So full of promise and potential. A shame your lies will only bury you deeper…"

Wait….that didn't sound right. It wasn't Ignis who thought it, yet he heard a voice in his head. Arcanis….? No, this was different. Like a memory resurfacing.

"Their blood now stained forever in your hands. Their trust burned along with their twisted corpses."

These words haunted Ignis, yet they weren't right. Reimagining the past, the message isn't anything like he had heard before. It…was a prime elemental. Words twisted into echoes and mumbles. He couldn't trace the voice, neither Ignatius nor Astra matched. This mystery left Ignis curious, for he knew it meant one thing: Astra and Ignatius weren't the only elementals released from their cages, and so their seals may be left unguarded…
Too tired for much else, he finally drifted to sleep. Was this a memory? Or a warning?

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Alister let out a breath, gently rubbing Noel’s back and trying to comfort her. This, at least, was not like earlier, when she had inhaled the gases. This had happened many times before, and though he was tired, Alister felt he was able to handle it.
“She will be,” he murmured in reply. “Nightmares, probably.”
“Ali…” her voice startled him a little. “Ali… don’t leave me… please, please…” After a moment, he realized she was still asleep, but talking through it. Her voice was slurred, a broken by cracks and emotion.
“I’m here,” he said, “I won’t leave. I promise I won’t.”

He frowned as he watched to two siblings interacting, well alister helping his sister…he wished he could help his sister..if she really was his sister.
"I wish she didn't have to have nightmares after such a stressful day.." He whispered. His heart breaking for her when he heard her whispers.
He felt awkward being in this situation, like he shouldn't be here and it should just be the two fo them.
"Maybe I should just sleep in a different room.."