Finally Shika led Kali to Fireblaze's domain again, but led her to a different room than where Kali had first met the fire lord. The white and black designs were slightly different, each swirling about themselves and forming far more intricate patterns. Intrigued, the girl paused briefly to examine them.
Is it a circle overlapping itself? Or are they coiling threads? But then why is there that little strand braiding itself in...
"Don't," warned Shikhaela, placing her hands over Kali's eyes. "They've got a trance spell on them. If you look for too long, you forget everything else."
Kali nodded, chastened.
They continued along, passing by various elementals and archways, but Shikhaela pushed onwards until they reached a small door, of a material slightly different than the obsidian which Kali was used to by now.
"What is it made of?"
"Hematite, to ground any excess energy." The succubus opened the door, letting Kali glimpse the interior before she stepped in cautiously.
Starkly ornamented and austere, the room seemed unwelcoming and barren. The only spot of real color was the salamander, who glowed a fierce and brilliant red, and whose scales were a rich orange. Even so, she was only about the size of a large cat.
"Bye, Kali. I'll pick you up when your lesson is done," said Shika, embracing the girl affectionately. "Seeya later, Lava."
"Likewise," nodded the salamander. As soon as the door clicked shut behind Shikhaela, the teacher turned towards Kali, then prowled about her feet. Feeling akward, Kali tried to twist her head about to watch Lava, although she didn't move from the spot she was standing.
"Have you ever seen a phoenix before?" The question came so quickly that Kali was surprised, and intelligently replied "Huh?"
"Have you ever seen a phoenix before?" repeated Lava. "You know, flaming big bird, reincarnates in fire?... No, I see you haven't. Let me show you, then."
Suddenly, Kali couldn't see the room about her, her vision being occupied with a large, magnificent bird flying through an azure sky. Long feathers like a peacock's trailed from its tail, golden and shining with a light independent from the sun. Flickering strands of amber flame wove themselves among the feathers, and the wingspan was tremendous...
How could a bird like that fit in ANYWHERE? thought Kali, awed. It's so big and beautiful...
Brief sparks flew up every time the wings shifted, sending gentle cinders to hover in its path before winking out. The crest was tinted a subtle shade of red and orange, with a shine suggesting a light layer of gilt. The beak was of similar coloration, delicate and issuing a honeyed song which tugged at Kali's heart.
Oceans and crescendoes and silver waterfalls of music...
But the eyes were what truly captivated her. They stood out from the aureate splendor of the bird, a brilliant, cold blue which seemed to reflect stars into the viewer's own eyes...
" That is a phoenix," said Lava, snapping Kali out of the vision. Wistfully, Kali wished that the salamander could have waited a bit longer, but she banished the thought. "Would you like to learn how to control one? You could, you know... phoenixes are birds of fire, and you are learning fire magic."
Huh? This must be some trick question... who WOULDN'T want to... wait, control?
Kali remained silent, mentally assembling her speech and choosing her words with care. "I... I'm sorry, but I wouldn't want to control one. Something like that is better off free. It would be a crime to capture one— or at least it should be— and I don't think it would do well in captivity. But mentally controlling it, dictating its every move would be worse." She wasn't sure if she had adequately portrayed what she intended.
Her instructor looked at her unblinkingly, then the mouth opened in something akin to a smile. "Good. You might learn something after all... you passed the first test. Good job."
Edited by: [url=http://pub30.ezboard.com/usalsalys.showPublicProfile?language=EN>SALSAlys</A] at: 6/20/02 6:51:25 pm