Ice Phoenix

“We have a problem,” said Lorn. He was lying on the grass next to the lake, throwing a ball into the air and catching it repeatedly. Mikin was sprawled out next to him.

“What’s that?” Mikin didn’t sound too happy.

“Terrana met the prince.”

“Why’s that a problem? She probably wanted to return his coat.”

“It’s a problem, Mikin, because I met them outside her room. She was wearing his coat — again —, they were both soaking wet, and ... she wasn’t wearing anything else under the coat!”

“Oh.”

Lorn sat up and looked at Mikin. “Oh? Just oh? Mikin — she was naked! What’s wrong with you?”

Mikin sighed and sat up. “You’re right. She’s been acting strangely this past week. Whenever I ask her if anything’s wrong, she just snaps at me.”

“Hmmm. Anyway, what’s wrong with you?”

Mikin sighed again. “It’s my assignment. We’ve been asked to hold an image as part of memory training but I can’t seem to do it. Everyone else has managed to some extent, but I can’t even hold it for more than a second.”

“Ah ...”

Having a photographic memory was a crucial step to weaving, and it was the first subject students were taught at Minda Yerra. Like multiplication tables, image weaving was the foundation of every subject, and if Mikin was struggling to learn this, then he was really having trouble!

“Here, let me show you,” said Lorn, as he pulled out a small, slim tablet from his pocket. “Let me guess. As soon as you get one part right, you lose it when you build on it?”

Mikin’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

“Experience. Let’s see ... I’ll create a fizzy can.”

A blob of reddish light appeared over the tablet, and as Mikin watched, it unfolded like the petals of a rose.

“Instead of creating, for instance, a can from something sharply focused, try working from a fuzzy image.”

The blurry shape of a can appeared.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect, which is the whole point of this exercise. Once you have the image, you can add other stuff to it.”

Fuzzy white lines appeared across the can.

“Right now it doesn’t look like much, but what’s important is that you have everything in front of you. And because you’re not focused on the details, it’s easier to hold.” Lorn rotated the image so Mikin could have a close look.

“We know it’s not going anywhere, leaving me free to work on the rest of it.”

Mikin watched in amazement as the can narrowed slightly at the top, forming an aluminium rim.

“Next is the name. Avoid focusing directly on the lettering, which is detailed and requires more thought, and instead, bring out the background colour. In that way, the name will come into focus on its own.”

The red background sharpened considerably and, as he had said, the name of the drink formed clearly without extra effort from Lorn. It looked so real that Mikin could have reached out to grab it.

“Now we have all of it, we can alter certain elements as we please.” The lettering on the can changed colours as Lorn passed them through a palette. He made it look so easy! “Why don’t you try it?”

Mikin grabbed the tablet from Lorn. His ears flapped a little as he concentrated, and soon he was able to create the little blob of reddish light. Following everything that Lorn had shown him, he wove the can exactly as the older boy had done. Minutes later, the complete image of a can rotated slowly above the tablet.

“I, I did it,” stammered Mikin. “Lorn, how can I ever thank you?”

“That’s easy. Tell me how I can get Terrana to stop seeing the prince.”

Mikin thought quickly. “Well, you could take her to the city. She hasn’t been out yet.”

Lorn clapped him on the back. “Good idea! We could go tomorrow because it’s a free day.”

“Can I come too?”

“Sure. You can pay for brunch.”

“Huh? My allowance doesn’t stretch that far.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to eat.”

Mikin’s face fell. Lorn stood up, looking decidedly cheerful. “C’mon, let’s go tell her.” They started walking back towards the school.

They had reached Terrana’s corridor and were almost at her room when something furry and fast slid around the corner. To their surprise, they recognised Kazu, Terrana’s kitten. To all eyes, he looked like he was chasing something. He slid to a halt when he saw the boys approaching.

Lorn leaned forwards and stretched his hand out invitingly. “Here puss, puss. Come here, Kazu.”

Upon hearing his name, Kazu stared suspiciously at Lorn.

“What are you doing out anyway? Did Terrana let you out for a run?” He was close enough to pick Kazu up, but before he could do that, the kitten leapt onto his head, startling him.

“Hey, get off me, cat!” Kazu’s feet slipped. With his front paws clinging to Lorn’s head, and his stomach smothering the boy’s face, Kazu refused to let go, even though Lorn was trying to pull him off. The harder Lorn tried, the deeper Kazu buried his claws into the boy’s head.

Mikin attempted to help but was too short to reach. He briefly succeeded in pulling Kazu’s tail, which resulted in Lorn screaming and Kazu hissing. Approaching footsteps tapped quietly across the floor, and as they came around the corner, the person bumped into Lorn and Kazu. A hand reached out and picked up Kazu by the scruff, holding him at a safe distance. Kazu’s ears flattened, but he was helpless to do anything.

Lorn stared into the eyes of his rescuer, and his face hardened. Mikin, on the other hand, groaned inwardly. Standing in front of them and looking amused, was Prince Gil Ra Im.

“Your cat?”

“No, he belongs to Terrana,” blurted Mikin before Lorn could reply.

The prince turned Kazu around, still holding him by the scruff. What he saw was a scrunched-up face and evil eyes that promised vengeance. The prince’s eyes gleamed. Then without a word, he started walking to Terrana’s room.

Lorn chased after him with Mikin following closely behind.

“That kitten is my responsibility. Return him!”

The prince ignored him, so Lorn cut in front, blocking his path. Their eyes met.

“Return the kitten,” Lorn said in a steely voice.

“I am returning it — to its owner. From what I saw, you were hardly taking care of it.”

“Being a prince, you’re way too high to recognise a bonding moment when you see it. My interaction with Kazu is part of his training. Now return him.”

Mikin looked on, chewing his trunk nervously. He hoped they wouldn’t fight. The prince flashed Lorn a condescending look, took one step, and jumped over him. He landed on the floor up ahead and continued walking, much to Lorn’s outrage. Even as Lorn and Mikin chased after him, the prince turned the next corner and disappeared from sight.

When they finally rounded the bend, they skidded to a halt. Standing with the prince outside Terrana’s door, was a man they didn’t recognise.

He was tall — nearly two metres, and built like a warrior. His white hair was braided, and silver eyes stared back at them. He wore a loose shirt made from a light material, lightly tucked into his gaten. There was a bag slung over his left shoulder.

Baneyon had been walking down the corridor when he saw the young prince standing outside Terrana’s door, holding the kitten. The prince had recognised him, but revealed no surprise at his presence. Baneyon was not pleased to see him, and was even less pleased when he saw two more boys appear from around the corner. His eyes narrowed when the one with the cocky swagger approached him.

“Only students and members of staff are allowed down here,” Lorn said to Baneyon. Then he tried to snatch Kazu from the prince but Gil Ra Im quickly held the kitten out of reach.

Baneyon’s lips pressed into a tight line. From Terrana’s descriptions, he already knew who they were. Mikin, the Nipponian and Lorn from Daiphus. They had been with her when the ice-phoenix had appeared.

“I have clearance,” he said. He eyed Kazu, who was waving his paws about, trying to get his attention. “Is that Terrana’s cat?”

“Who wants to know?” said Lorn.

“Her guardian, Baneyon Ondur.”

Lorn looked surprised but Mikin paled. Baneyon held his hand out and Kazu slipped from the prince’s grasp into his. Baneyon stared at the boys, his gaze unwavering.

After a few seconds, Lorn spoke. “Okay, I can see we’re not wanted.”

“You see well,” said Baneyon. He watched the three of them leave. As soon as they disappeared around the corner, Baneyon knocked on the door.

“Terrana, it’s me. Baneyon.”

He didn’t have to wait long. Seconds later, the door slid down and she stood in front of him. Her hair was uncombed and she had dark circles under her eyes. Startled to see him holding Kazu, she snatched him into the safety of her arms. Kazu wrapped his paws around her shoulder and meowed, complaining of all the indignity he had just suffered.

“Why are you here?” she asked sullenly.

Baneyon sighed and ushered her into the room, shutting the door behind them. He took a seat at her desk, gesturing for her to do the same. However, she remained standing, staring at him.

“Headmistress informed me about what happened last week — your fight with the prince and how you turned into someone else.”

Terrana remained quiet. She wasn’t surprised.

“You’re still mad at me for not texting you last week?”

Terrana didn’t answer but her eyes practically shouted it. You were supposed to text me back!

“I needed to speak with you but you weren’t there,” she said. “You could have at least had the decency to say you were busy.” To her horror, tears crept into her eyes. She blinked them away quickly.

Baneyon’s face darkened. “I know. Degra told me. I’m sorry I wasn’t around to —”

"Next time text me!" she shouted suddenly.

Baneyon reeled back from her rage. It was the first time she had ever yelled at him.

“Terrana, you know that if you ever need to talk to someone, Headmistress Marl and Master Drummik are always there to —”

"And how am I supposed to tell them that I killed my family?”

Baneyon felt as if the floor had risen and punched him in the face. He rose from his chair and went over to her.

“Terrana, how could you say that? Your house burned down — it wasn’t your fault.”

“How do you know for sure?” She backed away from him, still carrying Kazu.

“Terrana, what’s gotten into you? Why are you talking such nonsense?” The wild look in her eyes freaked him a little.

“Did the headmistress tell you how I attacked the prince? Even the prince said so — I was another person. Someone dark and cruel. How can you be sure it wasn’t her who started the fire?”

“Dear Dartkala,” muttered Baneyon. “Is that what she told you? Your other personality?”

“Don’t call it my other personality!” she snapped. “She’s not part of me!”

This was worse than he had thought. He had to speak to Headmistress Marl about getting a counsellor for Terrana as soon as possible. She was being consumed by conflict and rage, and it was changing her. He hadn’t realised it earlier, but the circles under her eyes and her scruffy appearance told him she hadn’t been sleeping well.

“Terrana,” he said softly. “You need to rest. It’s affecting your mental state. Your power is clearly unstable, and by denying yourself rest, it could get worse.”

“I never asked you,” she said, “because I didn’t want to, but the night Master Drummik sent you to rescue me, the night of the fire ... did you find out how it started?”

Baneyon turned cold. “Terrana, why are you asking this now?”

“I thought about it, and I know the fire didn’t start in the kitchen because I remember Archie and I walking past it. It was my parents’ room that burned first, followed by Archie’s. The fire came to my room last. How did the fire start in my parents’ room? They had no candles and the generator was switched off, like it was every night.”

Baneyon took in a deep breath. This was what he had been dreading — that she would eventually work it out herself. He could lie to her, but at this stage, he didn’t think it would help. She had figured out enough.

“Well?” she demanded, her eyes glittering. “I can see you’re hiding something. You brought me here, you must know something!”

Kazu growled, sensing her anger.

Baneyon walked to her bed and sat down. He gestured for her to do the same, and this time she did.

“You were still in a coma,” he said gently, “when I returned to your house with Master Drummik. We had to make sure that the fire had not been caused by anything qi-related.” He paused.

“And?”

Baneyon wanted to close his eyes so he didn’t have to look at her, but he didn’t.

“We discovered a surge spot on the fallen beams that used to be above your parents’ bed. In all likelihood, the fire began —”

“From the ceiling,” Terrana finished. “Caused by someone who could use qi.” Her hands fell to her sides. All the blood seemed to have left her face. Her shoulders sagged.

“Then she was right,” she whispered. “I started that fire. I killed my own family. I’m a murderer.” She began to tremble.

Baneyon grabbed her hand, giving it a hard squeeze.

“No, Terrana. You are not a murderer. You could never have done it.”

“Yes, I could!”

It hurt Baneyon to see her like that, in pain and despairing.

“You haven’t seen her, Baneyon. The other me. She’s evil.” Tears rained down her cheeks. “I’m the only one who possessed qi. Only I could have started that fire. That’s why, when I saw Archie in a vision, he said I killed them.”

Baneyon pulled her close to him. “No, Terrana. You didn’t. I know you. You are the strongest person I’ve ever met. So strong, that even the other you can’t break out. As long as you two share the same body, you will always win. I believe that.”

“It should have been me who died.”

Baneyon stiffened. It seemed so long ago that he had almost forgotten that Terrana had tried to kill herself while she was in hospital. Suicidal thoughts were not new to her. He shook her angrily.

“Don’t you ever say that again! Do you understand? Never!”

Kazu hissed and swiped Baneyon’s hand, leaving a dark and bloody scratch. Baneyon ignored it and continued to look at the wretched girl next to him.

“Listen to me, Terrana. You weren’t the only qi user on your island. There was someone else.”

She raised her head.

“Your dolphin. From everything we’ve seen so far, we think your dolphin is feiyed. Both Headmistress Marl and the prince have seen it. We think it’s trying to follow you here.”

“Puddy?” A little bit of the wretchedness in her flitted away. Without realising it, the emotional wound she had been carrying since Puddy had left her, healed just a little. “Headmistress and Prince Gil Ra Im saw Puddy?”

Baneyon nodded. “Puddy appeared during your match with Misa, but Headmistress Marl wasn’t sure if he was something you had woven out of your desire to see him. But when you fought the prince, his faar saw Puddy and confirmed he was feiyed.”

“Puddy is feiyed?” Terrana said slowly. The cogs in her mind churned. “Then, does that mean, like the faars, he can travel through the In-Between? He could ... come here?” Her body trembled in growing excitement. The lift in her voice scared Baneyon a little. He hadn’t meant to give her false hope.

“Then, I wasn’t imagining it when I thought I saw him in the lake,” Terrana continued, not noticing Baneyon’s worried look. “And that was his voice I heard in my head. That was him in the lake! He was trying to reach me!” Joy was a dam bursting in her chest, and Terrana sprung to her feet, a smile breaking onto her face. “He didn’t abandon me!”

Baneyon inwardly berated himself for doing this to her. The last thing he wanted to do was destroy her newfound happiness.

“Terrana,” he said gravely, “Puddy may not have abandoned you, but what he did was much worse.”

Terrana gave him a puzzled look, wondering why he looked like stone. Her mind quickly went back to what Baneyon had been telling her about the fire, about the other qi user, and finally the implication of Baneyon’s words sank in.

“You’re wrong!” she cried. “Puddy would never have started the fire!”

“And neither could you. When I found you, you were injured and near your brother. The doctors had to peel the clothes off your melted flesh. But when you turned into her last week while you were with the prince, you were covered in fire but you weren’t hurt at all. If it had been this ‘other you’ who started the fire in your parent’s house, the real you wouldn’t have been harmed at all. I really believe that, Terrana, and you must believe it too.” He paused for a moment, watching Terrana’s face to see whether the truth had sunk in. “Terrana, you have to be careful. Your dolphin is a very dangerous creature. You can’t just run to it whenever you see it.”

“But Puddy would never —”

“Puddy is feiyed, Terrana. Remember the lessons I taught you. Feiyed animals are dangerous. They are extremely powerful and they can’t be trusted. We don’t know what happened the night of the fire — whether it was an accident or if it had been caused deliberately. But what I do know is, if you ever see your dolphin again, get away from him. Don’t get caught with him alone.”

Terrana’s eyes were like rocks in a mountain.

“Terrana, please, I need you to promise me to stay away from Puddy.”

There was no reaction. She just continued to stare at Baneyon as if he were a cockroach on a wall. He didn’t blame her — he had just accused her best friend of murdering her family.

Baneyon reached out and raised her chin. “You need to promise me. Your dolphin could well be the reason for your transformation. If you were to transform into her again, you won’t be able to remain at this school. Do you understand?”

For a while, she didn’t say anything. She and Baneyon remained as they were, willing the other to look away first. Terrana understood. If she transformed again, she’d be a threat to the other students around her. She had already hurt the prince. And something told her that Baneyon would not leave her alone unless she promised.

“I promise,” she said finally.

“Good.” He stared at her for a long while, not saying anything. The kitten remained at her side, flashing him nasty looks. For a moment he thought it resembled Terrana in one of her bad moods and he smiled. Pulling away from her, he said, “I’ll be gone for a while. It may be days, perhaps weeks before I get back. During that time, you won’t be able to contact me.”

Terrana stiffened. “Where’re you going?”

“I can’t tell you — it’s work-related. But I’ll call you as soon I get back.”

“You promise?”

Baneyon smiled. “I promise.” He stood up.

“I must leave now. Try to avoid getting into trouble while I’m gone.”

Terrana nodded.

He removed a package from his shoulder bag and handed it to her. “For you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed to speak with me. I should have called you.”

Terrana took the package from him.

“Open it later. Walk me to the door first.”

She placed the package on the bed and then walked with him to the door. It slid open and Baneyon stepped out.

“Stay safe,” he said, his eyes taking her in.

“You too.” She watched him disappear down the corridor, a feeling of sadness rising in her. She shut the door quickly and walked back to the bed. The package was lying there and she unwrapped it, tearing at the crisp paper with shaking hands. Something soft nestled in the folds of the paper. It was the colourful A-line cardigan from Grienna’s that she had wanted.