A Stroke Of Originality

A loud thud came from the door as Lilian sat at her table, drinking her coffee and reading a book. She glanced in the door’s direction and couldn’t think of anyone who would want to visit. Turning her attention back to the book, another loud thud came followed by another, and another. Lilian took a deep breath and glanced back at the door before sitting her book down on the table. She quickly opened her door, eyes a fury of red.

“What!?” she shouted.

William, one of the chieftains bodyguards, stood there panting and sweating to death.

“The village, It—s o—n fire.” he spat out in-between breaths.

“This is my problem, why?” Lilian asked. “Last I checked, I was outlawed from your village,” she responded, annoyed.

“The chief will give you full access to the Library and reinstate you back into the village if you help quell the fire demon.”

“Sounds like too much of a hassle. I have no issues with that fire demon, nor he, I. Now, please remove yourself from my door.” Lilian avowed as she went to close her door.

William stuck his foot in the doorway to prevent the door from closing. This angered her, causing her to snatch the door back open as she summoned the element of wind, knocking him away from her door. She watched as he flew through the air, and cast another spell to stop his landing from being fatal.

“Now, please leave me be and figure it out on your own,” Lilian said as she walked back into her home.

She sighed and walked back to her table and took a seat.

“He said you would do something like this!” William yelled through her window.

Lilian slammed her fist down on the table, getting agitated that he wouldn’t leave.

“He threatened to throw books into the fire until you came to help!” he yelled once more.

Rage made its appearance into Lilian’s mind when she heard what he had just stated. She floated up from her chair and flew through her door swiftly, blowing past William. Lilian slowed down when she gazed upon a great wall of flame floating around the village. She observed it for a few moments, taking notes before she dashed through it. Water poured from her eyelids, coating her body with water. She searched for the chieftain within the flames of the village. Lilian didn’t have any luck finding him until something William said clicked in her head. Again, she floated with haste towards the library. There the chieftain was holding books just as William had said.

“What are you doing!” she shouted.

The chieftain gave a slight smirk. “I knew you’d come to help us.” the chieftain answered.

“Give me those books, and you know the ones I’m talking about!” Lilian replied, taking a step towards the chieftain.

He held a book out in his hand, pointing it closer to the fire as she took her step. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” he taunted.

Lilian took deep breaths, trying to calm herself, “What did you do to provoke the fire demon?” she asked.

“Nothing, we just couldn’t see eye to eye. Now get rid of him.”

She wanted to use her powers to blow him into the flames but didn’t want to risk the books being burned. Turning her attention to the fire, she closed her eyes and concentrated on tracking down the fire demon’s exact position. Once she honed in on him, she levitated and took off towards him with haste. She arrived at the center of the village and saw the fire demon spewing flames from its mouth. Once he sensed Lilian, he stopped and turned in her direction.

“I have no problems with you, witch, leave me.” He spoke.

“I can’t do that. I need you to leave this village and extinguish your flames.”

“Why would I do that? I’ve had enough of these people. Hunting me day and night for my powers!” He argued.

“I understand that, but they have something very precious to me, and I can’t let it be burned by your flames.” She countered.

He stared at her for a long moment, “I guess we can’t see eye to eye!” He shouted as he spat flames in her direction.

Lilian quickly waved her hands, casting a water barrier in front of her, blocking his attack.

“We don’t have to do this, Sallor.”

He claimed himself. “Then what do you expect we do?”

“I have a plan, but you will have to trust me.”

“What if I don’t trust you? Sallor asked.

“The only other option is one of us will end up dead,” Lilian said with a dark demeanor.

Sallor thought about what she said and slowly quelled his flames, while Lilian powers helped quicken the process. She walked up to him and cast him in a protective water shield.

“You liar!” He called out, trying to break free.

The more he fought the shield, the more it shrunk.

“Stop it before you hurt yourself.” She assured him as she levitated and headed back towards the chieftain.

He stood there with a grin on his face. “Well good job there Lilian, you’re free to come back to the village anytime now.” He spoke.

“Just give me my books, I could care less about this village.”

“Just hand over the demon, and the books are yours.” He urged.

She hesitated but eventually handed Sallor over to him. The chieftain threw the books in a puddle of nearby mud.

“Go get your books and leave my village.” He directed.

Lilian gave him a cold look before turning to pick up her books.

“I thought so.” She heard the chieftain mumble.

Lilian gave a smile as she walked away, snapping her finger, releasing the shield that held Sallor.

“He’s all yours.” She grinned.

Within seconds Lilian could hear the screams of the chieftain as she walked back to her home.