Chapter 2: Under attack

Chapter 2: The arrival

About fifty minutes after having left the Academy behind he saw the rust-like orange colored stone walls of Greybridge City's Official Base of Military Operations stretching far above the head of any man alive, at least fifty feet, and featured archery posts every couple dozen meters or so. The thick, wooden doors of the main entrance were an intimidating sight and also hid from public view what possible secret operations were going on within. This place is even more massive than I thought it would be. . .Xavier thought to himself as the carriage door opened.

“Xavier Moreaux, welcome to Greybridge City Military HQ.” Said a young soldier sent out to greet Xavier upon his arrival. “Um. . . Hey. How did you guys know I was coming early?” Xavier asked as he set first foot on the military grounds.

“Dean Marsh dropped by yesterday to discuss some things with General Roamer and mentioned that you probably wouldn't have the patience to wait until tomorrow. Looks like he knows you pretty well. And it's not every day we hire Water Magi to help us out to be honest.” He explained. “Yeah, I guess so.” Xavier replied before the young soldier continued. “Now if you'll come with me, we'll get you settled in and you can check in with General Roamer.” Xavier nodded and turned to Professor Fellon. “I guess this is goodbye Professor.” He sighed. Another goodbye. He really wasn't good at this he thought to himself. “Only for a while, Xavier. I expect to see you back at the Academy so you can tell my new students what a great teacher I was to you.” He said with a friendly yet reassuring smile. “Alright, Professor. You can count on it.” Student and teacher shook hands and parted ways; Xavier was officially on his own now. He turned and picked his bags up again and signaled that he was ready to go on. The young soldier nodded and led the way over the ground. “Oh I’m Private Julian Segfield.” He said with a hint of pride in his voice. “But just call me Julian for now.” The tour was impressive to say the least. It was amazing how big everything was here. It made Xavier feel even smaller in a way.

“. . . And this is where you'll be staying for now.” The young soldier had taken Xavier through a quick tour of the grounds and concluded with the barracks where the water magus and, presumably, his future teammates would be staying. It was a simple room that closely resembled the dorm rooms at Magus Academy. “Thanks for showing me around. Should I report to General Roamer now or is that later?” He asked. “No, that isn’t necessary now. He has been alerted of your arrival and will call for you once more members arrive.”

That reminded Xavier of his earlier thoughts. “Speaking of the others, what can you tell me about them? Are there a lot of them? Are they soldiers or special people too?” He couldn't wait to get more answers. “Sorry, sir. But as of now you're still officially a standard citizen so I cannot release that classified information to you just yet.” Julian replied to him. He wished he could say more but it wasn't up to him to do so. Soon all would be more clear to him. “Oh, well alright then.” Wow. . . This stuff must be really top secret.

“I'm sure the others will be arriving shortly, but until then you’re welcome to our dining hall, training grounds and recreation hall.” Julian pointed out all the ways to go since he had to get work done soon. “Thanks. I think I'll head over to the archery range and practice there some.” Xavier said with a slight nod in gratitude to Julian. “As you wish, sir. If you need anything our men are standing by to assist you.”

Xavier nodded and his tour guide turned to return to his post. The magus set his things down before selecting a certain wooden case that looked like it was sized perfectly for a bow. He released the latches and took a minute to marvel at his sylvan wood bow. It had been a gift from the Dean. All graduates got to choose a gift and since he had a thing for bow shooting this had been his choice without even thinking. “Hello there, up for a few practice rounds?” He whispered to his bow. There was no response of course, but nonetheless Xavier took up his weapon and headed for the archery range, hoping that his fellow members would arrive soon enough. Quivers full of arrows were present at the range. The targets were further away than they used to be at the Academy Xavier noticed instantly as he pulled the arrow back and missed his target on the first shot, as well as on the practice shots that followed. It took a quiver full of arrows but finally he hit his target. After that it became easier luckily so he felt less like a loser.

“You must be the new recruit everyone's been talking about.” Said a male voice from behind Xavier. With an outstretched hand the tall, masculine man introduced himself. “The name's Montgomery Malone.” The man introduced himself. “Xavier Moreaux.” The water mage replied as they shook hands. At first, Xavier presumed that this character may just be another grunt but after reexamining the man’s outlandish attire, a purple robe, white trousers and a green hat, he figured the man wasn't the average soldier. “If you just arrived it probably means we will be teammates! I only just got recruited as well. I assume you are waiting for the General as well? So what do you know about your assignment here?” Montgomery asked. “I know that General Roamer himself came to Magus Academy yesterday to personally ask me to join this special unit.” There was an obvious sense of pride in Xavier's statement. “Well damn, aren’t you something? Do you have any military experience?” Montgomery asked. “No, so I’m not sure why I was picked but he must've seen potential or something, I did do some sparring back at the Academy.” Xavier said and watched a look of surprise appear on the man's face. “No experience at all? Hmm. And from the academy you say? Yeah, I remember those days. But I'll tell you right now kid, those little sparring matches are nothing like what you’ll see in this line of work.” He said. Did he really just call him a kid Xavier thought, Xavier was perplexed and did he say 'I remember those days?'. . . “Wait, were you a student at Magus Academy too?” He asked Montgomery. He hoped he did so at least he knew someone now that knew how things went back at the academy. “I was, yeah. Until those damn forces came and tore my fam-”

Before Montgomery could finish his sentence they were interrupted. “Xavier right?” Came another new voice. “Suppliers want to give you these. A welcoming gift, if you will.” The man, short with wild colored hair, held out a pair of metallic looking gloves that appeared to have some sort of magical properties to them. “Um, thanks. . . What are they?” The white haired magus asked, taking the gloves and looking them over. They looked like shiny ordinary gloves to him. He was sure he would look ridiculous wearing them. “They are Experimental Power Gloves, the original design of which was crafted by me.” The man said with pride. “And you are?” Xavier asked. “Alden Rowland.” His answer was succinct and straight forward. He also acknowledged Montgomery and the two exchanged greetings.

“Well, Mister Rowland, I appreciate the gesture but. . . What exactly do these things do?” Xavier asked as he couldn't figure it out on his own. “These ‘things’, as you call them, are special gloves that have the ability to take a sample of your magic and increase its power tenfold. It can come in quite handy when facing the enemy.” He replied. Xavier's mind was racing. What? Increase my power? Do they think I’m not good enough just because I’m fresh out of the Academy? This is insulting he thought as he glanced over the gloves once more. “Well, you can tell whoever gave you these that they should find someone else who needs them because I've got all the power I need on my own.” Xavier's pride would never let him take something like that, not without at least seeing its amplifying effect in person. He went to hand the gloves back to Alden, but the man gestured that he should hold onto them anyway. “Keep them, you may come to change your mind soon enough young one.” He said with a nod and Xavier couldn't help but wonder if he had just insulted him or not by refusing the gloves. “Yeah I doubt tha-” Xavier couldn't finish his sentence due to another interruption.

“Xavi?”

That voice! It sounded like. . . No it couldn't be her he thought, she had left the Academy years ago and I haven't seen her since. Sure we wrote letters back and forth for the first few months but things just got so busy between us we just lost track of each other. . . But, when Xavier moved away from Montgomery and Alden, he saw her. “Oh my God, Naida?! Is that really you?” It was hard to recognize her with brown hair instead of white. It was clear she had it dyed which most girls did. The brown haired girl dropped her bags and walked over to her old friend. “Hey, long time no see stranger!” They hugged in a friendly embrace and then stood back to get a good look at each other.

Wow, she sure has grown up since she was fourteen Xavier thought. He and Naida had been good friends and always had a friendly rivalry and she was the only girl who saw him as just another friend or so he thought. “It's good to see you again, Naida.” He said with a smile on his face. At least someone he knew was here and even better, it was 'her'. “It's so good to see you too, Xavi!” It was good to hear that nickname come from her lips again. “But, what are you doing here?” Xavier asked as by now the two men he had just been talking to had virtually faded from his mind. He was so happy to see her that the assignment could wait a little longer. “I got a letter from the Academy telling me to come here and since I wasn't needed at home as much anymore I thought why not, packed my stuff and here I am.” She pulled out a letter with the mark of the Academy on it and held it up for him to see. “A letter from the Academy?” Xavier was puzzled. Why from the Academy and not from the General or the military HQ? What did the Academy have to do with this?

“Mhm. It said something about dealing with the killings, weird huh?”

Killings? Was she here for the same reasons as Xavier?. . . She had been a promising student, but Xavier assumed she had been out of practice since she left. Naida did have the special ability to withstand cold and breathe underwater, and that was something even older water mages struggle to accomplish. “That is strange, Naida. It’s also why I’m here yeah but I don't know any more than you do.” Xavier said and shook his head a bit in thought. A part of him was thrilled that she was here. But it also meant she would have to put herself in danger as well. Xavier didn't like the thought of anything happening to her. “Really? I wonder what all this is about Xavi.” She said. “I'm not entirely sure, but-”

“Excuse me, Miss Tyson, but I still have to show you to your room.” The soldier escorting her chimed in suddenly. If looks could kill Xavier would have surely killed him now for interrupting.

“Oh right. I guess catching up will have to wait, Xav.” Naida said as she picked up her bags again.

“Why wait? I'll walk with you.” Xavier quickly said smiling. Xavier turned back to the two men he had met briefly just before. “Excuse me guys, I have some catching up to do with an old friend. See you around the base.” Montgomery and Alden nodded and Xavier and Naida followed the soldier to the barracks. They were unaware that another, more dangerous recruit had arrived but they were going to find out soon enough.

“So, Naida,” Xavier said as they walked “What have you been doing for four years?” He took her bags over from her as they walked. “Haha, well...” She paused, taking in a deep breath and wondering where to start. “After I found out well... I'll tell you in a bit.” Naida said, casting an eye over to the soldier. “I dropped out and well, it's been hectic to say the least. The family's grown; Turns out Mum wanted another child before she went past the point, if you get what I mean. Molly was born two years ago, but neither mum nor dad can really care for themselves any more, let alone the younger ones. I left the care of them to Jenna and Darius. Turns out my magic has domestic uses too, I can fill the sink in less than ten seconds and all Jenna could worry about was how they were going to keep the freezer working without me there!”

She laughed lightly and smiled at him, Xavier was several inches taller than her now and at least half a foot taller than he was 4 years ago. Her heart swelled at finally seeing him after so long; Despite the friendly rivalry, he was a genuine friend she could always depend on should she need too. Beaming at him, she asked him the same question. “And what have you been doing then Xav? Congratulations on your graduation - I've missed you so much!” The smile on her face could just light up any room. “Thanks, I guess you could consider this my final project.” He said with a laugh, it was good to hear her voice again after all these years. “And I’ve just been coasting through the Academy, picking up some new skills here and there.” Xavier said with a slight cockiness in his voice. “Haha that sounds just like you.” Naida said jokingly.

“It's too bad you had to leave, you probably wouldn't have been too far behind me.” They both laughed, picking up from when they were last together, it was almost like they had never been apart at all. “Not too far behind huh? I think I would've been just as good. Maybe even better!” She said grinning. “Did I tell you how much I've missed that wild imagination of yours?” Xavier chuckled as he spoke. Naida's mouth sat agape as she snickered at Xavier's remark. The two had almost arrived at the barracks and Naida was about to snap back with a witty reply of her own when suddenly -

The calm afternoon air was violently disrupted by the thundering roar of an explosion. It took Naida and Xavier by surprise, knocking them off of their feet instantly. They were unsure of how to react until the soldier that had been escorting them quickly regained his composure. “That came from the West side! We keep some spare weapons over there.” Xavier listened to the soldier while helping Naida back up to her feet and patting his pants to get the sand and dust off. “Are we under attack?” Xavier questioned as he look up at the frightened face of the soldier.

“I'm not sure, it would be almost impossible to attack us within the walls but I don't know of any other explanation as for now. Please head back inside. We'll handle this.”

Xavier grasped Naida’s hand as he watched the soldier run off. “Come on, we have to check this out!” Adrenaline was rushing through his veins at this point. “W-wait!” The soldier called out as he looked back over his shoulder, but the two young magi were already sprinting off to the West side.

Xavier could hardly contain himself; if this truly was an attack he couldn’t wait to get into the thick of the fight as it would give him an early chance to try and show his abilities. Soon enough, though, they arrived at the scene of the explosion. Dozens of troops were already present and doing their best to contain the fire; they were tossing buckets of water on the increasingly raging flames, burning a brilliant spectrum of colors due to the magic mixed within, but it just wasn’t enough. By now the flames had stretched over and caught onto several of the wooden racks and even a nearby repair shed. There was only one way to put this fire out before it eventually caused maximum damage and burned itself out and it was going to take more than the two of them to put all of the fire out. But then, something caught his eye; it was the crystal-eyed girl he saw at the Academy earlier. What in the world is she doing here. . . Xavier thought. She was much too young to belong at this military base, and also, how did she get here from the Academy?

Another explosion erupted and ripped him away from his thoughts. He glanced the scene over once more before making a decision. “Naida, if I contain the main fire with a water whirl, can you dowse it with your water spells?” The water mage said, turning to Naida and looking into her eyes. He wasn't sure if this would work at all but there was no time to think of anything else. If they didn't act right now the whole west side of the grounds would be burned down in mere minutes. Naida nodded in confirmation. “You got it Xavi! Let's do this!” She shouted back at him. “Alright. I'm going to cast a water whirl around the flames and I need you to send as much water that way as you possibly can!” Xavier stepped up and began to gather the magic swirling within him and harnessed it in his hands and used that magic to create a large vortex of water around the fire, not allowing it to spread any further. He looked over to Naida and shouted for her to begin her onslaught of water. “Now, Naida!” That was all Naida needed to hear and as soon as the words were spoken large waves of water appeared out of thin air and descended into the large whirl of water Xavier had created. It was taking all their strength and even though it seemed to work at first the flames kept growing. 

“It’s no use!’’ Xavier yelled out and suddenly the gloves he had been gifted earlier that day came to mind. Maybe this was the perfect timing to try them out. He reaches into his pocket and puts the gloves on. At first they felt cold and way too big but soon enough they seemed to warm up and fit his hands perfectly. “Let’s try it again Naida. Naida?” His heart almost stopped beating at that moment. Naida was laying a few paces away from him on the floor and the flames were getting dangerously close to her. Quickly he ran over to her unconscious body and kneeled down, feeling the heat of the flames on his skin. She has really given her all he thought to himself and dragged her away from the flames. “Need some help…?” Xavier looked behind him as he heard the soft whisper. It was the girl with the crystal-like eyes. “Listen, it’s too dangerous! This is not for kids.” The girl looks at him with an annoyed expression on her face. “I’m not a kid. My God you even sound like him!” Xavier looks at her confused. He sounded like who? “Fine! Suit yourself!” He said as he ran back towards the flames. 

The gloves started to glow as soon as he conjured up his magic again. His jaw almost dropped as he watched the size of his water whirl spell increase rapidly until almost the full west side was engulfed inside. The girl stood beside him with a grin on her face. Her eyes glowing as she made water appear from thin air. But not waves like was usual, it was more like the size of a small tornado. With a quick wave of her hands the water collided with Xavier’s water whirl. Dowsing most of the flames almost instantly. Quickly they ran a bit further and kept repeating it until all the flames were gone.

Xavier sank down to his knees sighing in relief. “That was amazing what you did there!” He looked up at the girl with eyes of shock. The girl only shrugged. “It was ok I guess. Oh by the way I’m Silvana, but call me Vana. Everyone does.” Xavier nodded and gave her a slight smile. “Nice to meet you, I’m Xav-“ Before he could finish she already spoke. “You’re Xavier Moreaux. Yeah I know. My dad told me. You already met him, he’s the General here.”

Author's Note

still in need of a proper grammar check, advice is welcome!