The Azra-El Series Ch. 17

He slowly pried Ely's hand away from him, trying his best to not wake her up. Getting out of the bed, he quickly changed his shorts and headed back to his dorm.

When Elyssa woke up an hour later, she found Blaze missing and a short note by her bedside. He wrote that he wanted to make sure his matron wasn't worried over his absence the previous night.

oOo

At training that morning, Blaze confronted CG even though he did not think that she had anything to do with the incident.

"Are you telling me that there is a real ghost at the baoli? And both you and that girl saw it," she whispered. She did not entirely believe him at first, but slowly caught on to the seriousness in his voice.

They glanced at Priscilla, and found her looking at them from a distance. Blaze had no idea of how to approach or respond to her anymore, and it seemed like she didn't either. They may have had a moment together, but she was still a Malakim and he was still a Goddess-damned pixie lover. Thankfully, she did not seem angry at him for leaving her alone the previous night.

"I don't know what we saw. I was really hoping that it was you or Ely."

"Are we going to inform someone?" CG asked, after a moment.

"No. I don't think Fiora or any of the teachers would believe me at this point. And, I don't want to make a fool out of myself. I'd rather just let it go. Just tell your people to not head out to the stepwell at night," Blaze shook his head. Elyssa seemed to agree.

"How about the three of us go and check it out tonight?" CG asked, suddenly excited.

Blaze did not respond immediately, and Elyssa glanced at him. She remembered how frightened he had been. "I don't think that is a good idea, princess."

"No. Let's do it!" Blaze suddenly spoke. "There will be three of us," he decided. His grandfather had always told him to stand up to his fears. Courage isn't not feeling fear. It is facing the worst of them.

That night, the three angels sat at the pavilion where Priscilla had first spotted the ghost. However, even after spending three hours of swatting at the bugs, they didn't spot or hear anything, except for crickets, bats, and owls.

"Seems like someone caught on to your act and decided to give you a taste of your own medicine, or the ghost is simply afraid of facing three of us," Fenguang said as they flew back to their dorms.

Blaze couldn't decide if he felt relieved or disappointed, but as he and Elyssa flew back to their rooms, he recalled that he had no memory of hearing any bugs or birds the previous night.

oOo

Though the mystery of the haunted baoli remained unsolved. The trio of angels held no more desire to go on another vigil. If it was a living angel who had pranked Blaze and Priscilla, it was likely that they weren't going to try their luck again. If it was a real ghost, then even CG wasn't too keen on meeting it. A friendly ghost was what she was interested to befriend. The description of the ghost that Blaze had given her made it seem like it was far from friendly.

The two weeks of training went almost too quickly for Blaze. He spent most of the latter half sparring against the seniors, while the rest of his peers competed against each other for the final spot in the tournament. He had only one one fight against a senior and that too was through luck, but he was not disappointed. He had learned a lot the nuances of fighting against various people. Blaze's own improvement wasn't as drastic as it had been after training under Jie Er, but the experience of fighting against other students was worth his stay at Tir. He was sure that once Jie Er was done through him again, he would begin winning the matches against the seniors.

CG hung out with him and Elyssa whenever she got the chance, and they slowly began to enjoy her company. Despite being a princess, the only thing she was arrogant about was her skill in martial arts, and even then, she showed humility when warranted. However, she did possess a nobility due to her upbringing — a poise that naturally and constantly oozed out of her, except in those little moments she let go of her laughter over Blaze's hijinks.

So, when it was time for CG to leave, Blaze couldn't help but feel sad. Everyone, including Fiora and Alice, came to see her off on the morning of Joeidie (Sunday).

She profusely thanked the headmistress and the teachers for their hospitality, before walking up to Blaze and Elyssa.

"See you at the tournament, CG. Prepare well. Don't give Ely an easy time," he said to her, without masking his emotions. He had grown to see her as a friend.

"I won't," she told him resolutely, before suddenly stepping in and wrapping him in a hug, surprising everyone around. The Xian were not known to be big huggers. Even her handmaiden couldn't recall the last time she had seen the princess hug anyone besides her mother or the Empress.

Blaze hugged her back warmly, until she released him. "See you soon, Fenghuang. I am taking your ghost blanky as a souvenir."

"You should try scaring the Empress with it," Blaze laughed.

"I shall try, but I doubt grandmother will fall for it. I will let her know it was a gift from you, I am sure she will treasure it," she laughed back, before giving him and Elyssa a short bow.

They gave her an ama in return and the princess waved at the students, before turning around and walking to her royal carriage drawn by three Pegasi.

Soon, the Xian were heading back to their homeland.

"I never expected her to be so friendly," Elyssa confessed, as she watched the carriages disappear in the sky.

"Neither did I."

oOo

His classmates returned to campus that evening and Siofra dropped by his room after dinner.

"How was the training?" he asked her, as he led her to his chairs.

"I had nothing to complain about besides my mother's presence," she replied, with a little smile.

"Cool, ready for another match then?"

"Sure, but it won't add to our win count. We shall not count again until I get to train with Aunty Jie Er," she grinned.

"So, you'll be coming?" he said, happily.

"Yep! My trainer has gone back home. She said she has taught me everything I need for the tournament."

"Perfect!"

"I also have something for you," she said, bringing out a long thin navy-blue case similar, to a pool cue case from earth. "It is from Princess Aleaya Glitterdust."

Brimming with curiosity, Blaze took the case and gently unlatched its silver latch. As he slowly lifted the lid, it revealed a two-foot long platinum colored needle. It was long, sharp, and crystalline, and dazzled under the light of his room. The handle was shaped after a needle head, but had an additional rapier guard around it.

"Wow! A Txiki needle?" he asked, in amazement.

"Yes, it is modeled after it. Made of a stannium alloy that is almost unbreakable. The princess seemed to have heard about your costume," Siofra answered, lovingly gazing at the weapon and feeling a little envious of Blaze. "I was told to give you the message that you can have it, even if you do not plan on using it. Personally, I would have no issue if you never use it. It's a work of art!"

Blaze noticed Siofra's deep desire for the tool. "You have it," he said, pushing the case towards her. "It fits your style more than mine. I would also love to see you fly around with a Txiki needle. You'd be a very dangerous little wasp," he laughed.

A hint of desire sprouted in the pixie's eyes, but she shook her head. "No. I want my own and I want to earn it," she said, putting an end to that conversation.

However, she did not refuse testing the weapon out with him. It was light, sturdy, and perfectly made for poking holes though armor. Blaze decided that it could actually be a good weapon of choice versus Nikolett.

***

The results of their second quarter's finals came out the next day, and contrary to his expectations, Blaze placed second in his year, even though he placed first in his class.

"Who's the punk who is taking my rank!" he asked an equally angry Aahna. The two of them had tied for second place and for first in their class.

"Kaya Ammal. She is the daughter of a Physicist who is also a high ranking Chayot. She only scored three points over me last time! Why is she still three more points ahead of me when I have studied more this time?" she complained.

"You know an awful lot about this girl..." he commented.

"Of course. I can't let anyone else take my top spot."

oOoOo

Author's Note: I love playing Baseball, so I apologize for dumping the sports scenes on you guys. I hope those who share my love for sport will like them.

In the next episode of 'When Angels Cum': Two more quarters quickly fly by. Flight Song festival. Blaze and Siofra get trained by Jie Er. Siofra gets into trouble with her mom. Astrid visits Blaze at Tir. Flyball finals. End of school year. Blaze and Co. set off to D'warka for the tournament.

Chapter 19 will be the tournament.

Don't hate me for another dream sequence. It was the only way I could include the scene with Priscilla.

Q & A

Q. Is there a real ghost?

A. Unsolved mysteries of Tir academy?

Q. Is Blaze a little feminine at times?

A. He is child-like. He is the type of guy who may find skipping and singing, I am bad guy. Might seduce your mom type, while getting into a fist fight with someone for calling him girly. In psychology terms - he has a Peter Pan complex. But he is not totally immature. He is kinda free-spirited and embraces his inner child.

At least that's how I intended him to be. You may interpret him however you like.

Q. I thought his training would make him more mature?

A. Blaze will be Blaze. Haha. Though I think the training has ensured that he didn't do anything stupid with Prissy, though I am sure some of you wish otherwise.

Q. So, how does a dragon play computer games with claws?

A. I don't use my claws for gaming. My whiskers are mobile and are as wide as fingers.

Q. So, they are essentially like tentacles? Hmm.

A. Eww, no. Get your minds of the gutter.

Response to Comments:

Thanks to everyone that thought the last chapter was amazing. As

MasterPD: Thank you, Patrick. I had the rocky movie song playing while I was writing it :P. Azalea will be present at the tournament (not as a contender). She has an important role to play before the end of this arc. The mystery girl will make another appearance in the next chapter, maybe. And she will meet Blaze during the tournament. Astrid coming up next chapter. I have the most fun writing her sex scenes 😊.

Finbar: Ooh! I have a fan! I am squealing with glee at your words. **Ahem. Dragon don't squeal**

8 months. Yeah. I can't believe how long it has been in the story and irl as well. Hope I did justice to the gauntlets in this chapter. But you have to wait until the tournament and the aftermath to see them truly being used.

I think the last chapter was my best so far as well, at least as a writer :P. Thanks for feeling the same way. I mention the song verses at the start of this chapter. Dw about not being able to find them. They aren't exactly pop music and I don't expect everyone to have heard them.

Can Blaze tame any creature? Or is it all an illusion?

Lothran1252: I do love the visual of a huge shield and a hammer, but I don't see Blaze as a tank. More of a brawler/berserker. But, maybe we can have someone like that along the way. And yes, he is very protective of his friends. It will the theme that will highlight the ending of this arc.

ReaderReaderfic: A part of your wish in your comment will come true my friend. We both share the love of Ark and mounts 😊. But you might have to wait until the next arc of the story.

And yeah, neither the demons nor the angels will be able to handle Blaze's heat. ° ͜ʖ ͡°

And if you were blown away by the last chapter, just wait till the finale of this arc. I promise it will the best yet.

DrasticXplorer: Good job praising your own editing, Ser PervertedXplorer 😐. But seriously, thank you for all your work. Your perverted additions to my chapter are priceless.

Wankr65: I really felt the chapter while writing it -- that's why I think I was able to convey the emotions, I believe. And that little "I've done it!" was as much to break myself and the reader out of the zone as it was meant to be funny. Haha. I am not at all sorry for fooling you for a few seconds :P

Well, I won't be hitting that many sex scenes in the coming chapters. I hope I won't disappoint you with the climax though. Hahaha.

Anons: Thanks for commenting. I am also back!

Jpz007Ahren: I was thinking of calling him Gnarls Barkly before I decided that a random mundane name would be more hilarious. The other name in contention was Bear Khan. Haha.

I am glad you think he doesn't need a special move to blow his opponent away. I am not a big fan of kamehamehas that come out of nowhere.

'Exploiting the themes it was supposed to be supporting' -- It's a trap that writers are prone to falling into while trying to make the story more exciting. I don't blame them, and I hope it doesn't happen to me ☹. However, now, you've just made me more curious about that story :|

'Lo and behold the pussy ring makes an appearance in this chapter haha. You don't miss a thing, do ya? I am still thinking of ways to give it more screen time. Have any thoughts on it?

Yep. They are indeed called Nirn. Mami Wata simply encase their legs within world energy. I hope the Djinn aren't too much of a stretch of imagination. I really wanted to include them, as they are an essential part of middle eastern mythos, and I want to cover as many cultures as possible. Of course, there is a reason for that as well.

Gauntlets -- I plan to make them an essential part of Blaze's arsenal. Just for you - If Elyssa is a warrior, Nikolett Lovag is a knight, and Siofra is a scout/ranger -- Blaze is the brawler can bring out the unpredictability that is required in any team. All we need now is a glass cannon i.e a raw damage dealer -- maybe it will be Blaze. OR Wouldn't you say it'd be interesting if it is a demon? A malakim knight protecting a demon while Blaze and Elyssa mow through the enemies at the frontlines. That is a scene that I am itching to write. It may a be long long way away, though. Like really long.

'Reservoir of Will' -- Blaze will be building that throughout the series.

Blazing Fury -- Oh god, I hope it won't have any similarities to DBZ. Don't get me wrong, I love that show.

Just who is the Kindred? You just have to wait and see. You may or may not like her, but she will be interesting, nonetheless. Oops, did I say too much?

You always have something to say, Ahren (in a good way). I am always looking forward to reading your next comment.

I hope this chapter was able to convey the progress in his character, even though he will always retain his cheeky nature.