Sarah’s POV

I’ve never seen Aly that worked up before— at least not recently.  

She’s always had that dark-side to her that scares me a little but, this is something else. 

It’s not fear but there’s a nagging thought I just can’t shake. Like something I’m missing.

She definitely saved people from accidents that could have— should have taken their lives before. And usually she comes out okay… So why am I so worried about this, now? I mean she's—

Distinct memories flood my mind. The time she was in that car accident… Although she saved that family, she wasn’t in good condition herself. She had a big cut over her forehead and bruises all over arms and legs. She couldn’t even sit still for long periods of time after that because the collision messed up her back. Even to this day that scar hides itself under her hair. 

Another time she had to get into a full on fist fight with someone, and she got utterly pummeled. I remember Issac had to step in to stop the guy from fully breaking Aly’s face. 

Why am I remembering these things now!?

Why do I feel like there’s more danger than what she let on? 

Immediately I remember the warm hand of a young man three times my size patting my head when I was 5. 

|| “I’ll be back soon, Sea-bear.” ||

I was tiny back then. He was kneeling in front of me, one hand on my head and the other holding a huge blue axe, about my size. He wore beige and burgundy leather armor, clad in honor. My mom and dad stood behind me and each placed a hand on my shoulders to comfort me. I was crying then. 

|| “Somebody’s gotta fight the fire.” ||

Time after time, year after year, he would go out in the same manner and fight the fire. And he would always come back safe. This happened for years. Until I was 10. 

Great, now I’m crying, I say to myself.

I wipe my eyes before the combination of tears and wind make me slow down to a stop.

I’m able to dry my face and shake the thought away. There's no chance of that happening… 

Right, Lance?

You’re not going away too, Aly? Like Lance…?

I start back up to head home but the moment I push off, the ground vibrates and I stop dead in my tracks. 

“Did you feel that?” I ask a young couple walking past me. But they only look at me with questioning eyes.

Just then I feel it again but stronger. And judging by the look on the young couples faces, so did they. 

The tremor strikes again, this time it’s like it’s traveling closer. All the other pedestrians start to look around.

 “Was that an earthquake?” The couple ask each other. 

The sound of thumping, like something heavy was dropping, echoes through the city making distant car alarms go off.

Wait… 

The thumps get stronger.

I know what this is.

|| “Somebody’s gotta fight back the fire.” ||

My heart pounds in my ears. 

I know what this is! 

The news talks about it repeatedly, we even have school drills about it! 

It strikes again. Everyone starts to panic. 

Still in denial, I didn’t want to say it out loud— I couldn’t.

A siren in my head goes off as a shadow drops from the sky. 

The shadow lands hard on the street 20 feet from me, cracking everything around it and sending plumes of dust and wind into the area. 

Car alarms and store fronts ring aloud as horns from traffic all go off in a cacophony of madness in the suddenly tight city street. 

Panicked cries resound as crowds flee but one word stands out. 

“...Elemental!”

My life flashes before my eyes as I stare in sheer shock, unable to get up after being forced to the ground. The cloud of dust quickly dissipates. I see him clearly. A burly figure so close that he could reach me in 2 steps. People scurry off the streets. All cars have been abandoned, the couple I was near has been lost to the wind. 

I’m alone. 

 || “Somebody’s gotta fight back the fire.” ||

Motionless. 

 || “...fight back the fire.” ||

Drained of any energy to help myself.

 || “... fire.” ||

Lance…

The burly man crouches down and suddenly a pillar of rock launches out of the ground, sending the man far into the sky. 

Just as suddenly as the burly man landed, he vanishes up into the air. As relief slowly comes to my mind, panic swallows the peace taking me to the brink of utter terror as I trace his trajectory. 

The bridge.

I sit there, too scared to move. I wrestle with the thought of my own life almost coming to a stop. 

Aly…

I force myself to get up as a flashflood of memories shine in the back of my eyes to that tragic day. The day this kingdom and my own home fell into despair. 

But this time, on my back, is a bag full of presents. Presents which Aly picked out. Presents we both got mom. 

I can do something this time! I-I can help!

I stand up, my body priming with a new strength despite still trembling with fear.

I might not have had power when I was 10. But I do now and I won’t let them claim another piece of my family!

Aly sees death coming but manages to affect things so no one dies. Now the most dangerous thing is heading her way. Who will save her if she’s too busy saving others! 

I take a step. 

Then another.

And then another. 

Before I know it, I’m fully sprinting back towards the bridge.