Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Scarlet Summer

Lit by the wall burning behind them, the three specters cast shadows over Kiara. They were all masked, but it was clear that Cucumber stood in the center. The others were too thin, with silhouettes that resembled long coats. They played with threads rising off the undead man, pulling and stitching as they casually conversed.

“Seems our estimations were right. Osaza could only see the Soul Binding Hex, though I didn’t expect him to find a fire mage.” The one on the left spoke with a male’s voice.

"We can't be surprised considering what we know about Biavi. Who knows what type of strange friends she has." The one on the right sounded like a woman. "I think this was a good opportunity, however. Bernard Cucumber, you get the chance to see the benefit of working with Nina Blue."

“Indeed, Cucumber. Between my Soul Forge, and Nina’s Soul Mode, we surpass the limits of the Soul Binding Hex. The Witch Queen would bow down with envy!” Their actions pulled a body together, its silver flesh tinted by Kiara’s fire.

"Why are you doing this!" She called as she rushed to Ellio. A deep gash ran down his back. How much worse would it have been without the effigy?

“They can’t hear you.” Cucumber answered. “They’re somewhere else, playing with a doll.”

“Then what about you!” She barked. “Do you know what Pialla is? Do you know what they have you doing?”

“She’s a Magic Maestro, and they’re having me show her to the world.”

“Then you know what’s going to happen, right? People all over are going to come for her!”

“You speak of inevitability. Do you think such a person would remain invisible forever? If it wasn’t a mad Bifold, it’d be someone else desperate to get their hands on power.”

“And you’re fine with this? Isn’t this what you’re supposed to be against?”

“When I died my last dream was that the world gets better. Instead, it has only gotten worse. If it means I may live to save this fallen place then the ends will justify it.”

Kiara felt a furrow in her brow and the tightening of her jaw. How was this man the one Diana told her about? How was this man the one that inspired the creation of the Faceless Tribe? Was Cucumber always the type who'd toss a world into chaos under the guise of saving it? No… she didn't know the history of Magdalea, but she didn't think so. This was not Cucumber. This was not the man who found himself and fought with his brethren. This was the rage of the betrayed, given flesh and the lie of purpose. If she were wrong he'd see all the hurt this would spread. Bernard Cucumber? No. That man had died forty years ago. This man? He was unnecessary for the future of the world.

She pushed Ellio to the wall near the door. His eyes widened, but she wasn't worried; she was oddly calm.

"Soul Sentinel," Blue said, completing Cucumber's form.

“Unison of body and soul, Bernard Cucumber. Let’s wrap this up before Cosette gets stressed or Arseal misbehaves.”

“I won’t let you.” Kiara said. “Pialla is not losing her freedom. She’s not going to spend the rest of her life afraid!”

“You believe this is true, but how long will it last?”

“As long as there are people who are willing to fight for her.”

“Then fight! Let us see if your truth escapes this room.”

“You don’t have to!” Ellio groaned, but she did.

Kiara could see how the future would unfold from this night. Even if there was a way to save Pialla tomorrow, the consequences of losing her now would be greater than they imagined. Cucumber's actions would change his legend, and those who followed it would go down a different route. She could see people who fought for peace doing anything in its name. She could see those who wanted better paving the path forward in blood. Two people wanted to kill Cucumber in this room, and Ellio wasn't one of them. Wanted? She supposed she needed to kill him. It might not be her destiny, but it certainly was her fate.

“I’ll fight.” She said. The man lifted his sword, accepting her decision.

Speed came next!

Cucumber shot in like the distance meant nothing. She couldn’t say how fast he went, but his blade came cutting down. The air cried out a warning, tearing as it raised. She pushed away just in time—hand aloft to take the initiative back.

Speed!

Was he this fast before? She thought she was far enough, but the blade was coming for her head. Grabbing the wind that rushed away, she sent him flying back. Burning Inferno flashed to life, and she fired before he landed. Two slashes tore them apart—flames unraveling into embers. He landed and propelled, cutting for her arm. Kiara tucked it in as her heart raced. He slashed again, and the wind moved her body. That helped! Her body could do it without conscious thought. Still, Cucumber responded the same way.

Speed!

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And Claustrophobia—the sword a cage of light. She only had time for evasion. The man was a future she had seconds to dodge. And they were dying; mistakes were dying. Each slash brought him closer to the kill...She hated it.

“Get back!” Fire erupted from her!

Cucumber glowed as he leaped away. His light faded, and her flames did too. As he raced back in, something clicked in her mind. Despite his speed, he had to step.

“Burning Tide!” She turned the floor into a molten slurry with a wave. His foot sank, and her hands went forward. “Burning Spring!” Flower-shaped flames flew, no bigger than her palm. Cucumber cut and petals danced around him. Suddenly, they exploded, burning so hot his silver skin faded. He sliced through his legs, throwing his body back. They healed before he touched the ground, but he didn’t land with grace.

A voice rose from his sword, “Cucumber...who are you fighting that can burn through my Soul Forge?” While he couldn’t answer, he wondered the same. Considering Nina's words from before, he reforged his skin, wrapping an extra coat around his feet. Whomever the girl was didn’t matter. The dead became little more than memories. With that thought, his assault renewed.

Kiara immediately burned the floor again. As stone reheated, he bounded forward, foot protected from the flames. Hot air streamed past her left eye on the edge of his sword. Making it water, it made her close both. Still, she could feel the blade; the wind feeling the heat upon it. Air pushed her back as Cucumber spun for her face. She cast Burning Spring, and a bouquet blossomed in front of her. When she opened her eyes, she didn't like what she saw. Cucumber was tapping them, trapping them in bubbles. They flared like bulbs, bright explosions contained! Through their flash, he sliced, cutting down her body. Her heart stopped, and tears filled her eyes. The sword came again, this time through her neck, and she brought her hands to it. Cucumber drove the sword through her chest, and she realized something was wrong. There was neither death nor pain. There was, however, a warm feeling against her chest. The enchanted glass bird? She almost wanted to praise it, but she sent Cucumber flying through the burning wall instead.

“Use these too!” Ellio called out. The Mage Makers sunk into her back before she turned around.

One pulsed out to the edge of her body, while the others shot like lightning to her brain. One moment her senses filled two places at once, and just as quickly, she was herself again. Better than herself. She could feel the power flowing out of her, waiting unseen for her command. She was all of it and herself, understanding with perfect clarity. She immediately dodged, ducking low. She moved again as a slash-cut down; moved once more as another followed. Cucumber rebuilt the cage of light, and fell into a trap.

“Burning Shower!”

The power came together, filling the air like a swarm of fireflies. They fell and ignited, burning pieces of his skin away. Still, he slashed; the flames meant nothing to pursuit. She fluttered back and called down more. Cutting after her, he cast them off. Rather than merely dodge, Kiara shot away. He followed and she turned, hand aloft.

“Burning Inferno!” She cast them smaller this time, no bigger than her chest. They still exploded with broiling might. Cucumber breached—body burned to the flesh. Clarity told her what to do to win. “Burning Spring!” A garden blossomed in the air.

Cucumber vigorously stabbed, but there were far too many. A flaming whirlwind swirled, searing him down to a husk. He escaped, dashing into a spearing charge. Behind. Behind? Kiara turned, and the blade flew through her head. Her brow furrowed—unable to decide between fear and rage. His sword came again, and rage won out.

"Burning Flare!" A scarlet star sparked to life, scorching his upper body down to the bone. That didn’t stop him from flipping away. As threads stitched him back to form, she wondered what rushed through his mind.

He did not wonder how she survived his blade. He knew precisely why. She had the favor of an Enchanter’s daughter, something on her was offering protection. He scanned and saw them immediately—two necklaces around her neck. They stood out so much, they sang of power. One was far more ornate, but he was going to take them both. With the protection her caution was fading, she wouldn’t know to stop him before it was too late.

“Soul Gear.” Armor grew over his body, as he wondered how far her protection would go.

Kiara answered with fire as he charged—pillars rising from the ground. He ran straight through, kicking a stone, sending it into a spin. Her head fell back. He dove in! Whack! His fist hit her eye. As she cried out, his leg swung up. Whack! It should have shattered her chin. Despite it failing, Cucumber continued. He pummeled Kiara, his fist unrelenting. It was tempting to make this her end, but he wouldn’t get the choice. She still had protection; scarlet fire bloomed where he struck. She took the blows but resisted the pain. Welts appeared across her body, but she endured still. Back to the first plan then. He pulled the ornate jewelry away. Horror painted across her face. He drew and impaled, but still, she breathed.

“Give it back!” She raised her hand and a flame punched through him. Center body burning, he tossed the pendant high.

Kiara’s eyes followed for the catch. As they did he snatched the other, breaking it on the floor. The girl was stunned, eyes on the ruby’s broken clasp. He swung and her hand went out, crackling with intense fury. The flesh of her palm split, and she let out a shriek. With sharp eyes, he sliced for her neck again. She pulled her guard up, but he sliced all the same. Her arms tore and she moved back! As he chased his sword pushed through her collar bone. It was supposed to hit the face, but this worked too. He struck the wound with a clenched fist, making her drop. Her whimper said enough—it was time for the kill. Stabbing down, he found the wind had other ideas. First, his sword was pulled aside, and then his body flew.

Kiara let the wind pick her up, trying her hardest to bury the pain. Her hand felt like it was split in two. Her shoulder was bruised around the torn and bloody flesh. Even lifting her arms was torture, while Cucumber rose with ease. She could see the effortlessness, even though it was difficult to see out her right eye. Yet it was her heart that hurt the most. Her pendant was a treasure she valued the longest. Sure, it was fixable, but this still felt wrong. She had it for almost seven years. In all that time she kept it safe. As it sat in her hand, she felt the weight of different memories. Of Kanna and Erok. Her cousin, Emem. And her mom. It was hot in her hand, and her sorrow couldn't beat the catching indignation. For a moment there came a memory. When she got out of the hospital after the fire.

“It’s called a Scarlet Summer.” Erok smiled. “It’s a little fancy, but you can make it work.”

“Kyasa wanted to get one for you before she disappeared. Think of this one as a present from her, and us. We love you, Kiara.” Kanna said, making the necklace worth so much more.

The memory felt like it wrung her heart, and it was like an insult when Cucumber charged. She raised her hand, wounds forgotten as she sucked in a breath. Blue fire billowed out as his sword came around. It burned the armor away, and scarlet flames ran through the metal. Nothing cut Kiara—the blade melting. Cucumber leaped back, terror seeping through his mask.

“Dragon fire!?” He said as if he had finally seen a nightmare.

“Morduunal's gift," Kiara said to herself. It faded from her left arm, but still burned on her right; the hood around her neck formed burning blue wings. Clarity couldn’t explain, but it still had an offer to make. She liked the idea.

“Soul forge.” Cucumber growled, and a spectral sword filled his grasp. Kiara raised her hands. Every drop of power in the air turned to her, listening to voice and heart.

“Scarlet Summer.” Scarlet suns blinked in around them—stars for a blue fire galaxy. Cucumber approached with all his deadly speed. She swept her hand. Flames converged into a twister, blue and scarlet rising to melt the glass above their heads. One burned away his malleable soul, while the other burned anything cursed enough to remain. The night sky went bright; her eyes aglow as the man’s body stopped. For Pialla. For his legend. For her rage. She let the fires feed them all.

On the other side of the world across the Summer Sea, a doll in a lantern burst into flames. Nina Blue watched it, and Nina crossed her arms.

“Scarlet fire, how curious.”

Blue grimaced, "Curious? More like a mess." He took out a straw doll that vaguely resembled Cosette, it glowed and he rolled his eyes. "Pull out of there, Cosette. Cucumber's down, and using your Magic Radiance will draw the Magic Council's attention."

Nina watched the doll dim and smiled despite the situation. “At the very least, it was a good test of the Soul Sentinel. We can use that to improve it, and it seems we have the perfect test subject for our next attempt...”

Back in the Calm Lands, Kiara took one more breath and felt exhaustion claim her. Despite the fire and even the molten floor, the part she fell on was cool when she hit it. It was the perfect place to get some rest…