Broken Ability Part 1-8

Authors note: 

Thank you all so much for reading Broken Ability! This chapter will be a bit shorter as we transition to the next part, so I'm sorry for that, but stay tuned because there is much more to come! 

If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know as I am looking to improve my writing and create an quality story for everyone to enjoy.

Part 1-8

For the next several hours, Rose sparred with more power than I had ever experienced, her shields holding well even against my new blade. Darkness grew until the only light was the faint glow of Rose's energy, my own ears and stone having faded until they were barely visible in the gloom.

Elder Reffics rose carefully from her seat and crossed to us, taking each of our hands.

"You are both doing well, but remember this. We must be ready for anything now. The Nazcam won't protect us as the council did before. They have proven that much over the past year. I hate to say it, but I believe you two will have your work cut out for you before long with more than monsters as the enemy," she added in a hushed voice.

"I take it you two understand me?" she asked sharply.

The vision of Mikhael and Sarah a year past flashed through my mind.

"Yes, ma'am," Rose and I echoed.

I swallowed, remembering my nightly chores, "I should excuse myself now, Elder."

"I'll walk you back," Rose said quickly.

"Al- alright," I stammered.

I bid Elder Reffics good night, then walked alongside Rose through the empty village. A small orb cast by Rose hovered just ahead of us, lighting the ground near our feet. The night was calm, the only sounds the shuffling of farm animals confined to smaller yards, brought further in over the past year. A lone armored guardswoman crossed a lane in front of us, throwing up a hand in greeting.

"I hope you don't think I dislike you," Rose said, breaking the silence.

My heart quickened, "Why would I think such a thing?"

"We've spent many hours together training, but speak so little. I... can be reserved," she said.

I laughed in spite of myself, "I am much the same, as you've probably gathered. When two such as we are together, I guess not many words are shared."

The silence returned as we walked to the edge of the village and out the narrow path to the farm.

"Turning back?" I asked, pausing as the ground became soft forest earth.

"Not yet," Rose said, walking ahead.

I followed, mind racing with things I could say, but a tightness in my chest kept me from speaking. Only a few moments later I stood in front of my hut, glancing above at the stars as they shone against the void of night.

"No moon," I said.

"Let's have a little more light then," Rose said. A cube materialized in front of her, pink energy concentrated in it's center. It hovered towards the sphere she already magiked, bouncing against it before settling a few feet away. Rose's softly glowing eyes stood out as the pink glow bathed us both. It colored our skin, hair, and the light leather gear Rose wore for sparring. Her skin looked so smooth in that light.

"Are you sure you'll be alright on the way back?" I asked, breaking off my thoughts. I glanced over her shoulder and back towards the village where several watch fires burned brightly through the trees.

"The guardsmen are patrolling, you know that. Nothing should make it too close without the alarm," she said.

"Alright then," I said, looking everywhere but at Rose's suddenly lovely face. I felt her gaze on me, then she turned away, taking a few steps toward the fields.

Crickets chirruped, the milk cow snapped it's tail against buzzing flies, and the summers green crop rattled waxy leaves in the wind.

"Do you mean what you said?" Rose asked.

"What?" I said, startled out of thoughts of her.

Rose turned to me, fiddling her hands in front. "I asked, do you mean what you said? About... standing by... you know?"

Even in the colored glow I noticed her cheeks darken. Something seemed to burst in my chest and suddenly it wasn't so hard to speak.

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it. I don't know what lies ahead but you and Elder Reffic," I gestured towards the empty hut behind me, "You're everything I have."

"You're everything I'll have too," she said, eyes downcast. "I... I mean once Mother is gone."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said firmly. Rose's eyes raised to meet mine, her fingers pausing their anxious wrestling. "I'll become stronger, and we'll be there for one another. No matter what we face," I said, stretching out my hand.

Rose quickly stepped closer, placing her hand in mine. She hugged me fiercely in an awkward way, but a another warm feeling I hadn't experienced in some time came over me. Her breath tickled as she moved her lips close to my ear.

"Okay, Letum. I believe you," she whispered.

Silently, she let go, her magiked lights fading into bright crystal dust on the breeze, drifting behind her as she walked in darkness towards her home.

I stood gazing back long after the glow disappeared.