Firiel watched as the sunrays danced on the glass windows made of finest gems, creating dazzling shapes and streams of light. Anybody else would have turned their gaze away. Who, in their right mind, would stare at direct sunlight for minutes? But Firiel had no ordinary eyes. She had the eyes of a fire elemental, thus able to let her adore the mother of fire, Sun, in all her radiant beauty. Her shining purple hair turned the rays back to the window and the sky.
The assembly had been horrible. Firiel had been barely able to listen the tedious speeches given by the teachers and other staff. It was as if she was drowning in the middle of a vast ocean consisting of people. Never had she seen so many young people gathered in one hall. Sure, enormous halls and hallways were nothing new to her, as she had been raised in a prosperous villa in Paris. It was the thought of hundreds of stares fixated on her. Truthfully, only one curious girl had tried to make eye contact with her. Her black velvet dress was bound to attract attention, she knew it. Having fled from Paris with nothing but a purse full of money with her, she didn’t really have a choice of outfits.
She had arrived in the city only the night before the assembly. She had followed the directions written on the small paper slip her foster father, Mr Franco Paolini, had given her. As it had been late upon her arrival, no stores had been open at that time, only a small grocery store near the train station. With her remaining coins, Firiel had purchased a notebook, a pencil, and some roasted almonds – her favourite snack. The cashier had noticed her shabby clothing and the dark circles around her eyes. She had been traveling all day, all night for months to get here.
She didn’t really understand what was going on. Ever since the accident months ago, she had been wondering. She had always known about the existence of elementalists. She had heard fantastic stories of them told by Mr Paolini.
”The ones who came before us; the ones who loved Mother Earth as a husband loves his wife. Strongly, passionately, but ever so gently. Even on this day, some of them still live among us. Those few, blessed with a thorough understanding of our world as it is. Many wars have been waged over the gifts of Mother Earth.”
”But father”, asked little Firiel with round eyes, ”isn’t that magic? How do you know about this stuff?”
For a moment, Mr Paolini looked unusually grim. As he noticed the tiny girl tilt her head in confusion, he quickly gathered himself.
”I have heard these stories from a wonderful person many years ago. You were but a small baby back then. As for magic – I do not really believe in such things. I believe it is the natural longing for an internal harmony with nature within a human soul. Many nations of the past have worshipped elementals as their gods and kings.”
Much later, Firiel had realised the person Mr Paolini had been talking about might have been either of her parents. Firiel secured her fingers around the rusty old clock in the pocket of her dress. A phoenix was carved on its golden back. It was the only thing she had left of her mother.
An unwelcomed racket stopped her musings. She heard two voices, male and female, heatedly exchange words behind the corridor. A quick peek showed a boy sitting on the floor with his camera. He was accompanied by a beautiful girl. Firiel felt her pulse rise as she was suddenly surrounded by all those voices. She left in search for a quieter environment.
Her steps led her to an empty hallway. Finally, she could sigh with relief. She leaned her back on a thick root embracing the stone wall. As she stood there in silence, she could feel a wave of heat crash through her. Although she had been experiencing that for months now, the feeling was still somewhat uncomfortable and unwelcome.
But with the heat came notes. As the wave left her body, Firiel could feel notes filling her heart. Many feelings she had confined in the depths of her mind. Now that she had a quiet moment just for herself, the feelings packed up and demanded being expressed. Before long, Firiel was singing a strong yet grieving melody. She could feel steam rising off her shoulders. With the steam went all her frustation and uncertainness. Firiel breathed in the song. Unconsciously, she began moving to her own music.
"The wings I once had in my back are now gone with you.
The memories of the days I was able to fly won’t fade away as easily as scratches.
”I will get you back.” That was all I ever thought.
It was all to prevent myself from being swept away by the rushing time.
Memories won’t speak to you. They win’t leave you with a rope to grab onto.
The tears I have left are so few. They probably won’t reach you.
The last drop falls.
Suddenly, the night was shattered. Light scattered all across the sky.
The freshly-washed sun is kindly lavishing its rays upon the two of us.
I will walk forward with you, arm-in-arm."
As the last notes fell to silence, Firiel found herself in Miss Stargazer’s office. Only she was not alone. There were three other students beside her. Firiel stood there, horrified. She had not meant to barge in an office room and interrupt a discussion in such a manner. She did not notice she had lit a strand of hair of hers in flame. Mortified, she took a step back, unable to utter a word.
Lyrics from 'Shizuku', Kemono no Souja Erin OST, NHK
