Wildfire

Chapter 1: Washed ashore
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Jean’s POV:

Whistling a soft tune as I walked down to the beach, I had finished up with the household chores and had caught enough fish yesterday to last the week, and seeing as how it was such a nice day, I figured I’d enjoy it.

I live in a small fishing village, on an island that was once a tourists paradise. The war however, destroyed this place, and the land reclaimed it. Now it’s just a handful of small houses on the beach where myself and a few others live. It’s quiet and drama free; just the way I like it.

‘I don’t think I could ask for much better weather. The sun shining brightly, the sea gulls chirping, the waves crashing softly on the beach, and not a cloud in the sky. My god I love July!’

I placed a blanket down on the sand a few yards from the water, and as I was about to lay down, I noticed something shining maybe a hundred yards or so in the distance. I don’t know why but shiny things always peaked my interest so didn’t see any harm in checking it out.

“Morning Jean!” a voice called as I was walking towards the shining object.

“Morning Johnny” I replied with a bright smile. My neighbor Johnny was always up early and cheerful so often times we’d take his boat out and fish. It lessened the load on both of us to share a boat.

As I got closer I realized what was shining was some sort of large and funky shaped blade stuck straight into the sand. It looked a bit like a can opener but absolutely massive. I tried to move it but it must have weighed as much as I did if not more. And to think of it, it was about as tall as me with part of it buried in the sand which would most likely put it at over six feet long lying flat. And it held a symbol like that I had seen in a museum of the holy war.

“Don’t…..touch……th……that” a very weak and hoarse voice called from behind me.

I whirled around to see a boy sitting, propped underneath the support beam of one of the houses. He was in the shadows and he looked like he’d been in a nice wreck.

“Sir, are you ok?” I asked as I walked over to him. It wasn’t until I got close that I noticed he was unscathed, but laden in burns and scars. I saw his lips move but nothing came out. I asked to repeat himself but he merely motioned with his finger for me to come closer. I got on my knees and brought my ear to his lips.

A very faint “help….me” was all that came out before he lost consciousness and collapsed into my arms.

“Uh oh……JOHNNY! HELP!” I screamed as I supported him.

In what seemed like a flash Johnny was at my side.

“What happened, and who is this? Definitely not from around here, that’s for sure.”

“I’m not sure” I said, “but he looks like he’s been through a war.” I don’t know if he could here me but a small smile crossed the boy’s lips. “Regardless, help me get him back to my place. He looks like he could use some rest and nourishment.”

By the time I had finished, Johnny had him in his arms and we were walking back to my place. This boy didn’t look like he was a day over 18 and even though he was tall, his build was very light and athletic looking. Johnny kept questioning me the whole way back but my thoughts were absent minded and focused mainly on this young man that had washed up on my shore.

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I was making some noodles when I heard my guest stir in the cot in the corner. I figured when he wakes he would probably want something to eat so I put together a bowl of noodles, broth, and some fresh fish that had been caught earlier. As I neared his eyes popped open and he sat up abruptly causing me to drop the bowl I had in my hands but it never hit the floor. Before I had time to comprehend what had happened I saw him shoveling the contents of the bowl into his mouth at an alarming pace. It probably took him no more than ten seconds to drain it completely.

Letting out a large breath, he handed me back the empty bowl. “Thank you so much. I was starving, now is the any more?”

I hadn’t moved, still partially shocked by the speed at which he came to and was able to catch the falling dish so nimbly, and how he was acting so normally after being out cold for a few hours.

“I’m sorry about frightening you like that,” he said. “I smelled food and it brought me back pretty quickly.”

“It’s nothing to worry about” I interjected. He had the voice of an angel and the face of one too. Wild brownish red hair sticking out in all directions just seemed to fit his youthful spirit.

“I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself; my name’s Evann.” He beamed as he held out his hand.

I couldn’t help but laugh. He was just too cute in that happy go lucky little brother kind of way. “Jean” I replied, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Evann. And yes, there’s plenty more food over there if you’re…..”

And before I could finish he was already refilling and chowing down, not even bothering to take a seat. One minute, three refills, and my entire pot of noodles was gone. I walked over and there was barely even any broth left in the pot.

“Awwww, you ate the whole thing.” I whined. He just stood there next to me and put an arm around my shoulder. I was tall for a woman at 5’8 but he must have had a good six or seven inches on me. I couldn’t help but realize he was still shirtless and had quite an impressive figure.

“And it was the best meal I’ve had all week. But come to think about it the only meal I’ve had all week” he said. “I’ll cook the next round. Promise” smiling and winking.

“No wonder you ate like that. You looked like you hadn’t seen food in your life before. I’m glad I caught all the extra fish so that, DON’T YOU DARE!” I snapped as I saw him sneaking towards the fridge.

He looked like if he had a tail he would have stuck it between his legs. “sorry” he whimpered, “but I’m soooo hungry.”

I couldn’t help but take at least a little bit of pity on him. After all, he did wash up on the shore and said he hadn’t eaten in a week.

“I’ll make you a deal” I said. “Tell me who you are, how you wound up here, and what the deal with that big sardine can opener sword thingy is, and I’ll feed you.”

“Deal!” he said as he straightened back upright. “But where is my sword?”

“Over by the door. Johnny had to bring it in and he was struggling like crazy with it I don’t know how you’re ever…..” and as I was talking he walked over and slung it behind his back as if it were made of plastic. “How did you?!? That’s impossible! That thing has to way over a hundred pounds!”

“I know” he replied so casually it was disturbing. “It’s called the insanity, and it’s the last of the four esoteric weapons that the Holy Order hasn’t gotten its filthy claws on.”

“You mean to tell me that the weapon of the fire elemental himself, wildfire, the one and only insanity, is that bizarre thing you’re holding in your hands right now?” I had a hard time actually putting my thoughts together. To believe that I was in the presence of a legend and relic of the holy war was simply unnerving.

“And you said you wanted to know more about me. If you go outside, in a few minutes, it should all make sense.”

I just looked at him and shook my head, still a bit uncertain as to what was going on, but still did as he asked and walked outside. As I was a few feet down I saw a massive ship docked on the beach, a large blue and white flag atop its mast.

“A Holy Order ship? What on Earth could it be doing here.” I muttered out loud. Lines of soldiers were formed, guns drawn, with one man behind all of the on the ship’s bow. He was dressed in a white and blue robe as fine as they came. As I approached the soldiers aimed their guns and I stopped dead in my tracks.

‘What’s going on? Why did he send me out here if he knew this was going on?’ I was confused and terrified as I stood there, waiting for something to happen. I wish I hadn’t though as I saw the man on the ship raise his hand.

“For housing an elemental, you are deemed a heretic to the Holy Order and are hereby sentenced to die along with him. Guns! Ready! Aim!”

“BURNING VIPER!” The roar echoed through the sky and before I could turn back to the house from were it came, a jet of flame went streaking by landing a few feet in front of the first row of soldiers and exploding into a massive tital wave a fire that engulfed the sky. The explosion so strong it knocked me clean off my feet and to the sand. I stayed down until the heat dissipated and when I looked back, there was nothing but steam and ash lying where the soldiers and vessel once were. Evann was standing in front of it all, whisps of flame and smoke rolling off his shoulders, and the insanity glowing bright red. He just turned back to look at me. “We have much to talk about, but do you at least understand now?”

I simply nodded and from under my breath it slipped, “Wildfire!”