Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

While walking toward the training grounds, Raegar noticed people were going to class and staring at them. Other groups were avoiding them and getting out of their way as they whispered among themselves.

''What are they looking at?'' he muttered.

Just then, someone grabbed him from behind in a bear hug, causing his heart to race, and he was about to summon his daggers, but stopped as two girls hugged the others, and he guessed it was Rune, but it was too late.

He was sent flying with a single punch from Drusilla. Just then, the Dark Fairy flared to life, causing her black hair and red eyes to appear as she declared in an ominous voice. ''Don't you ever grab my boy like that again! If you think you can bully him, you'll learn what it's like to get on the wrong side of me.''

This scared the other students, but he grabbed her, explaining. ''That's my friend Drusilla, he just likes to hug me and is very touchy. And do you honestly think someone can bully me? I fight stronger enemies all the time; someone my age is nothing.''

When the Fairy heard his words, she calmed down, apologizing. ''Sorry for that, Rae, I thought he was trying to hurt you.''

Raegar chuckled and, to calm her down completely, he kissed the top of her little hea,d causing her face to go bright red as she scrambled into his pocket. This made the others laugh.

While this happened, Vienna and Luna were staring with wide eyes as the green-haired girl questioned. ''So you bought the Fairy? And why did she call you her 'boy?''

He was about to reply, but Selene interrupted with a knowing grin. ''It's clear the two like each other, it's just the size stopping them.''

Just then, he felt his cheeks go red, but Zahara joined in. ''Drusilla is VERY protective of him since they bonded.''

''Bonded? He bonded with a Dark Fairy!'' Luna exclaimed in shock. ''Aren't they supposed to be evil? Bad omens?''

He shook his head as Rune and Caspian joined just in time to hear his answer. ''No. Light Fairies can be cruel as well, depending on the person, not magic.''

''Remember, I can use Dark and Death Aether?'' he concluded.

This caused Vienna and Luna to nod as Drusilla reappeared and greeted the girls as she flew into the group. While this happened, Rune stood beside him, chuckling. ''Looks like you found a good one, Rae, at least I know you'll be safe without me around.''

Raegar started chuckling. ''Yes, she's one of a kind, like the others. Sorry about her hitting you, she is protective over me,'' he explained.

His giant friend waved it away with an amused expression. ''Don't worry about it, I'm a defender and need to be able to take a punch. Though I didn't expect a Fairy to hit so hard.''

The three boys started laughing, their voices echoing through the crisp morning air as they trudged along the winding path toward the training grounds. Their banter was lively, filled with playful jabs and tales of past adventures, each trying to outdo the other.

He noticed the morning sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced across the dew-kissed grass, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of pine from the nearby forest.

As they neared their destination, the distant hum of activity grew louder, a chaotic symphony of clashing steel, shouted commands, and the rhythmic thud of boots against the earth. The training ground came into view, a field bustling with older students already busy.

Wooden practice swords clacked together, and instructors barked orders, their voices cutting through the clamor. Dust swirled in the air, kicked up by the frenetic movement of sparring pairs, while the occasional glint of polished armor caught the sunlight.

The boys' chatter tapered off, their focus shifting to the scene before them, a mix of anticipation and nerves flickering in their eyes. Selene, ever the firebrand, broke away from the group with a sudden burst of energy.

Her boots pounded the ground as she bolted toward her designated spot on the field, her movements fast and purposeful. She skidded to a halt, her white hair whipping around her face, and began bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet.

The Demoness's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination, her body coiled like a spring, ready to unleash its energy. Selene's hands flexed at her sides, fingers itching to grip the hilt of her sword.

Raegar couldn't help but grin when he saw the red-skinned beauty staring at him, waiting for their fight to begin. He summoned his daggers before giving her one last warning. ''I won't be holding back, this is to show you how strong I truly am.''

With a wave, she halted him just steps away, their friends watching eagerly from the sidelines. The girls rallied behind Selene, cheering excitedly. While the boys roared support for him, their clamor drew every student and professor's gaze.

''Show me your aura, Rae,'' she suddenly asked. ''I want to feel it.''

He nodded, letting his hidden aura flare out and cover everything around him, causing Selene's yellow eyes to glow in excitement as she bit her bottom lip without taking her gaze off him.

Seconds later, the training field transformed, students doubled over, retching, while professors blanched, their faces drained of color. A piercing alarm tore through the air, shrieking of a formidable monster's presence.

Zahara and Dominique stared at him, wide-eyed, as Drusilla scrambled from his pocket, trembling. ''It's like I was staring down a nightmare beast!'' she gasped.

''No surprise,'' the Vampire replied. ''He spent a year in the Bloodfang Forest, and has been fighting powerful Devils for months. But the one thing that confuses me is why does he hide it?''

Before Drusilla or Zahara could reply, he suddenly appeared in front of them with a charming smile. ''To give people the impression that I'm weak, hence why the fiends always attack me and then die,'' he explained.

In a flash, he materialized in the heart of the arena, where Selene stood ready, her face illuminated by a confident smile. Without hesitation, she surged forward with explosive speed, her movements a blur of grace and power.

Raegar's instincts kicked in; he sidestepped, evading her lightning-fast strike. Reacting on impulse, he thrust his palm downward, unleashing a torrent of Aether that slammed into the ground.

A thick cloud of dust erupted, cloaking the arena in a swirling haze that disoriented the fierce Demoness. Seizing the moment, he darted forward with a mischievous grin, delivering a playful slap to her bum.

Selene let out a startled yelp, her cheeks flushing as she spun around, her blade slicing through the air in retaliation. ''You cheeky human!'' she exclaimed.

He ducked beneath the swing. With a flick of his hand, he swatted her calves, throwing her off balance. She stumbled forward, her footing unsteady, and in that split second, he vanished in a shimmer of Aether, reappearing silently behind her.

Before she could react, he wrapped his arms around her thin waist, pulling her close in a firm yet gentle hold. But as her scent, a mix of wildflowers and something distinctly otherworldly, filled his senses, he froze, momentarily captivated.

Selene, ever perceptive, caught the shift in his behaviour and was internally happy for some reason, but couldn't understand. Moments later, a sly smile curved her lips as she pressed herself closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper.

''Well, well, looks like you've got the upper hand, Rae,'' she murmured, her breath warm against his ear. ''But I didn't realize I had this effect on you. What is it about Demon girls that gets you so… enchanted?''

Raegar's grip loosened slightly, his mind still reeling from her intoxicating scent and the warmth of her pressed against him. Her teasing words hung in the air as she melted into his embrace.

The arena's dust settled around them, and the distant cheers of their friends faded into a low hum, as if the world had narrowed to just the two of them. He cleared his throat, a rare flush creeping up his neck, but his eyes locked onto hers, steady and sincere.

''Selene, it's not just… that Demon girls thing,'' he revealed.

He flashed a half-smile, trying to shake off the nerves. ''It's you. Your strength it's unreal. The way you charge into a fight, no hesitation, no fear, like you were born for it.''

Selene tilted her head, her smirk softening into something curious, her yellow eyes glinting as she listened. He pressed on, his words gaining momentum. ''And it's not just how you fight. It's how you are.''

Raegar ran his fingers down her arm, causing the Demoness to shiver in delight as he continued. ''You don't bother with all that prim-and-proper nonsense like the other girls around here. You're sharp-tongued, bold, and unapologetic. You're not trying to be some delicate lady, and I like that. That's more than enough for me.''