Helen of Troy
The girl stood in the center of the shattered clearing, clad head to foot in white. Her robes billowed gently on the breeze, each fold shimmering with a faint light in the sunlight like rippling silk. Her dark hair poured freely down her back, catching the wind, rising and falling like a black wave against the luminescence of the trees. Even the air itself paused about her—dragging her perfume of fresh rain and still wildness.
Her face was beautiful—too perfect, too peaceful. She was more than lovely; she was stunning in a manner that seemed impossible, something the heavens sculpted to lure mortals to destruction. A "Helen of Troy," Kai considered, the sort of loveliness men fought wars over. And not even fully grown—only a girl standing in front of a monster, unyielding, her serenity sharper than the sharpest blade.
Kai's breath froze. "It's Maya," he whispered. "I know her."
Boomer looked at him, one eyebrow shooting up. "You do?"
"She's a legend at Greenhold Academy," Kai replied, his gold eyes squeezing into slits of amazement. "Even then, she was already. something else."
Boomer pointed his head toward the tumult in front. "So. should we assist her?"
"Wait," Kai said, holding up a hand. His eyes focused sharply. "The Ape's hurt.
The demon giant stood crouched, its coat hair blood-stiffened and ripped apart. Its breath erupted in angry grunts, but the girl—Maya—remained unscathed. Unfazed.
The Ape let out a shudder-making roar and charged. "Hua!" it cried, the sound reverberating through the valley like thunder.
The creature's footsteps flattened the ground as it brought one enormous arm at her. The size difference was enormous, and it was obvious—if she hit her that time, she'd be dust.
But Maya danced like the wind made flesh. Her form zipped up from the ground in a fluid curve, feet hardly skimming the trunk of the tree before she leaped into the air, the white of her sleeves rippling behind her like wings.
The Ape's blow missed, destroying the tree instead. In a bellow of fury, it pulled the toppled trunk out of the earth and threw it at her like a javelin.
Its sheer power scattered leaves like sparks.
But the girl didn't duck.
She raised a hand—and the air rippled. The leaves in front of her quivered, each one giving off a pale green glow. With a motion of her wrist, they cut forward.
The leaves turned into blades.
Every one went flying through the air with a scream, smacking into the tree trunk in mid-air. The impact was unabating—by the time the Ape's bludgeon hit the ground, it had been splintered into pieces.
Boomer whistled low. "That's crazy…"
The earth shook once more as the Ape roared, furious. It slammed its chest, causing shockwaves in the clearing. Maya, as calm as always, fell to the forest ground and touched her hand to the earth.
The scattered grunge and gravel beneath her quivered.
Then—moved.
They rose, twirling in mid-air like a whirlwind of blades, orbiting her in perfect sync. The wind whistled as each shard became razor-sharp with mana.
Kai gasped. "She's funneling it through the earth and the wind…"
Maya took a subtle breath. The deep blue of her eyes glowed with still, unbeatable intent.
The rubble storm burst forward—an avalanche of stone and metal. The Ape howled in agony as the onslaught ripped into its hide, tearing at flesh with heart-stopping accuracy. Then, as the creature stumbled back, one lance of compressed rubble coalesced above her—a spear of pure destructive mana.
Kai hardly had time to blink.
The spear lashed like lightning, passing through the Ape straight through its left eye.
The earth shook beneath its last, tortured cry. Blood flowed like liquid fire. The beast staggered, thrashing wildly, crashing through the trees as it ran far into the woods.
There was silence.
Leaves drifted down. Dust glimmered in the dying light.
And Maya—she descended slowly from the air, her white robes fluttering as if she carried a piece of heaven with her. When her feet touched the ground, she turned her head slightly, lips curving into a faint smile.
"Enjoyed the show, didn't you?"
Her tone was teasing—soft, melodic, but with the quiet assurance of someone who already knew the answer.
Kai and Boomer emerged from their cover, both of them shocked. They were about the same age as her, yet the distance between them seemed like a whole world.
"You're. a multiple-element mage?" Kai blurted out, trying to conceal his surprise. "You're kidding, right?"
Maya's gaze shifted to him, the light of recognition in her eyes. "I recognize you," she replied bluntly, avoiding the question.
Kai blinked. "Sounds like I'm famous," he said with a half-grin, attempting to conceal how surprised he was.
"It was three years ago," Maya whispered. "At the Entry Test. I overheard what you said that day."
Kai came to an abrupt halt, attempting to recall. "What. did I say?"
Maya smiled, and for an instant, her face shone bright enough to make his heart miss a beat.
"You said you were a fairy." Her tone was airy, playful, before she turned and started to head back towards the forest.
Kai stood there, agog. "Of course I did…" he grumbled to himself, raking a hand through his hair.
Boomer laughed behind him. "Guess you remember it."
Kai's mind drifted back to that moment three years ago—back when he and Boomer had first seen her, a twelve-year-old girl with eyes like clear sky and an aura that felt unreal. He had told Boomer back then, 'She's too beautiful to be human. In a few years, she'll be a fairy—and dangerous for men.'
Boomer's eyes tracked Maya's receding form. "They say she's already achieved the ninth plane of consciousness," he whispered. "Doubly majoring in strength and magic. What she just did? Even the best at her level can't do that. Word is she's a Blade-Seer, and some master teacher at the academy took her on as a private pupil. Lots of guys chase her, but no one comes close to her ability—or her looks.
Kai let out a slow, mocking smile. "She's got your heart, hasn't she?"
Boomer rolled his eyes. "Not even close," he replied flatly. Then, after a moment, his voice changed. "I think she's here for you."
Kai laughed, reaching out to pat him on the head. "Come on, Boomer. Stop analyzing."
He began to walk off, still smiling to himself. He then tossed in, half to himself, half to the breeze, "To be honest, though… I do plan on marrying her one day. She's definitely worthy to be a wife candidate."
Boomer stumbled over a rock behind him. "A candidate?" he grumbled under his breath. "What a silly thing to say."
Kai simply laughed, golden eyes sparkling in sunlight as the forest devoured them both again.