And with a swift movement of her hand, the fire disappeared completely. That action alone made the three clowns stop in their tracks, all of them staring at Nephthys.
***
"We apologize."
They were on their knees, apologizing to Nephthys for reasons they themselves didn't fully understand.
"What are you apologizing for?"
Nephthys asked calmly.
The first one to respond was Miyeon.
"I apologize for letting my anger get the best of me and trying to kill those two instead of taking action and stopping the fire from spreading."
"Good. Next."
Now it was Amabilis's turn.
"I apologize for letting myself be manipulated by Avner and trying something I wasn't sure about, which ended up putting everyone's life in danger."
Then Nephthys looked at Avner.
Avner met her gaze—only to quickly look away.
"I am sorry for manipulating Amabilis into training me and putting everyone in danger,"
Avner said.
Nephthys didn't respond.
After a moment, Avner looked up again. In her eyes, he could see she was waiting for something else.
But… what?
"Clean this up,"
Nephthys commanded.
"Yes, ma'am,"
they responded.
And she left.
"Woah… I can finally breathe,"
Amabilis said, letting out a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding.
"Woah, she's strict. Now I understand why you were overreacting like that,"
he added, finally beginning to understand Avner's situation.
smack, smack
Miyeon smacked both Avner's and Amabilis's heads at the same time.
"One day—very soon—I will kill both of you and throw your bodies somewhere no one will ever find them,"
Miyeon threatened.
gulp
Terror was clearly visible on their faces.
"Come on, cous, wake up. We should start cleaning before Nephthys gets angry,"
Amabilis said, tapping Avner's shoulder to get him moving. Escaping their angry cousin was one thing, but he also didn't want to make Nephthys angry. One furious Miyeon was already more than enough for the day—he couldn't handle an angry Nephthys as well, or today might genuinely be the day he died.
Avner understood what Amabilis was trying to say just by looking into his eyes. Maybe they really were twins in their past lives.
So he stood up and began cleaning alongside his cousin.
***
"Water… I need water…."
It was already late at night. Everyone was asleep except for Avner.
On the day he finally unlocked his prime element, Nephthys never got the chance to tell him about the consequences that came with it. His prime element was fire. When someone first unlocks their element—fire, in Avner's case—they develop a light fever and dehydration.
But earlier that day at the training ground, Avner had used an extremely large amount of it.
Because of that, his condition was far worse than it was supposed to be.
***
"So you finally decided to stop avoiding me?"
The next day, Avner decided to attend classes with Nephthys again, realizing she was the only one who could actually help him.
"Me? Avoiding you? I never did that,"
Avner denied immediately.
Nephthys knew better.
"You have finally unlocked your prime element. It is time you learn about the consequences."
"Consequences? There are consequences?"
"I believe you already experienced them yourself."
Avner was instantly reminded of last night.
"Oh yeah… I had a fever."
"When the element of fire is unlocked, you experience fever and dehydration.
The element of water causes nausea, sweating, and constant thirst.
The element of earth leads to dry skin and a dry throat.
The element of air makes you cold.
And Thunder causes constant headaches—and if not handled carefully, paralysis."
Nephthys calmly explained the consequences of each element.
"Woah… that's a bit extreme. Paralysis?"
"Yes. Thunder is electricity, and our cells are specialized to conduct electrical currents. Electricity allows the nervous system to send signals throughout the body and brain, making movement, thought, and sensation possible. When Thunder becomes your prime element—or even just one of your elements—those electrical currents can spiral out of control."
"That's why I told you to be extra careful. In truth, every element is dangerous to the human body. If not handled properly, it can lead to death."
"….."
Avner was visibly shaken by this information.
"So… are you saying my fire can kill me?"
he asked, concerned.
"Yes. You could die of hyperpyrexia—extremely high fever,"
Nephthys replied plainly.
"Am I going to die?"
Avner asked again.
"Of course not,"
she answered confidently.
"How are you so sure?"
"Because I'm here."
And at that exact moment, the thing Avner feared most happened—his heart started beating wildly. Not because of the fear of dying.
But because of her.
"AAAHHH!"
Avner shouted in frustration.
"Why would you say that to me with that warm tone and those eyes?!"
he asked angrily, leaving Nephthys genuinely confused.
"Warm tone? That's a first,"