47 Aftermath (1/2)

Will flew over the battlefield making sure no survivors surfaced from the corpses of the corrupt aura wielders. He didn't want to take the chance that any of them could have survived the explosion he created with the vast amount of energy within the vortex of crimson pillar. If one survived, there would be no end to the trouble it would cause him.

His new wind aura was somewhat of a mystery to him. Even though Will had used it against Jake not even an hour ago, the aura had almost no hint of being around him. The crimson flame had long since come back to him, but instead of gold flames, bolts of gold lightning flashed within the ruby red of his aura. He hoped that when he unlocked his new ability, he would be able to control wind as he did his flame. Will knew it wouldn't be that simple. He had to train months with his flame in order to do little more than light a candle.

When Will controlled the flame for the first time, when the door within his mind opened, the awakening was a pillar of flame he was able to use in order to save Maya. After the awakening, he had to train day and night to be able to achieve the same effects. He had to come up with a plan that allowed him to train as he did with his first gift.

As Will set down in the middle of his two hundred and fifty man force, he saw Leo with a group of fifteen waiting for him. ”Hey Will?” Leo said as he raised his hand slightly palm up. ”We have a problem man.” he brought forth his aura, but instead of the usual silver flame, wind circled barely visible around his open hand. Small shocks of gold played around the wind as if dancing happily in a storm. ”It's the same for all of them as well.”

”There's no time to dwell on that right now.” Will said as he summoned his aura. ”Everyone gather around!” He yelled out to the two hundred and fifty man army. Almost all at once, his group had circled around him.

Will stretched out his hand and shot a powerful bolt of lightning to the ground in front of him. As soon as the bolt hit the ground, it shot up into a blinding gold archway. ”I'm sending all of you to Michael's manor.” he looked at Leo and Bianca with a small apologetic smile. ”You two go with them to make sure Michael has enough space.” Will put his arm around Leo and drew him close. ”I want you to research whatever you can for improving this village. Ebonhart may be the capital now, but when we are done it'll be the largest city in this kingdom.” Leo nodded at his self proclaimed brother as he led the group through the large archway.

Bianca made her way to the archway following the large crowd. Before she stepped through, she turned to face Will. Maya had made her way to him already and stood by his side. It made her irritated seeing how formal the girl had become with her boyfriend. ”Isn't she coming with us?” she motioned to Maya.

”No,” Will looked at Bianca with a slightly exasperated glance. ”She is going to come with me to help confront the king.”

”What's the difference between me and her?” she asked as she took a step towards him. ”Why is it all of a sudden her that you would rather have around? What makes her so special?”

Will was already at his last nerve. He had loved Bianca since he was young. Not long ago when he had just arrived it was her picture that kept him going while wandering the lands of Ebonhart. While Maya had clearly shown her affection for him, he stayed loyal to the girl back home. No matter what she tried, he never once looked at Maya the way he had Bianca. When he had lost Maya, a wave of guilt crashed upon him. He had dreams every night of how he failed her.

When she had come back to him, even as the bastardization of her former self, Will was overwhelmed with relief upon seeing her again.

”I don't think right now is the best time to talk about this.” Will said as he looked at Maya and then to Bianca. ”I need to sort out my feelings before I can tell you my decision, but as for why Maya is coming with me,” he said as he walked closer to his girlfriend. ”She needs my protection as much as I need hers. I don't yet know what the side effects of her new aura will be.” he said as he reached a hand to Bianca.

”I know there's more to it than that.” Bianca snapped as she shoved his hand away. ”What aren't you telling me?” her eyes narrowed as she glared at Maya. ”She was corrupted, you don't even know if she is even in control right now.”

”Maybe he wants me to come along because I'm not full of insecurities.” Maya finally had enough of Bianca's fit. ”I wouldn't blame him, just listening to you question something you love is enough to make me sick.”

Bianca looked as if she were ready to start throwing punches. Will noticed her ring glowing a menacing red in the darkness of night. Her face filled with hate was looking between him and Maya. ”If you never would have come here, none of this would have happened Will.” her hands glowed with a crimson flame. ”If you never met her,” she pointed a scarlett finger at Maya,” I wouldn't have to feel this way!” she shrieked as her hand went down to her chest to her other, buckling as if she were in pain while her flames spiraled out from beneath her.