Battle of the Elements

We all sat in the library, seated around a table. It was kind awkward but it had to be done.

Katy came around one of the giant shelves with a stack of books in her arms. She tripped – on her own foot – and the books went flying.

“Ow!” She whined as she lay on the floor, a book landed in her head. She looked like something you would see in a kid’s book. Camelia walked out of the shelves and her face lit up for the first time as she burst out laughing at Katy’s puppy-dog eyes.

Katy flashed a goofy smile and got up off the ground. She calmly got the books off the floor and placed them in front of us. Camelia placed a plate of sandwiches on the table.

Katy smiled to me, “These are a few of the books on magic. If you want I can get you some more.”

I shook my head – there were around twenty books on the table – “This is all we need.”

Katy nodded before disappearing into the stacks of books. Camelia’s face went back to normal and she left us without a word.

I looked to Titania, Alex, Harrison and Dane.

Melanie sat in-between Titania and Alex, Jake sat next to Dane and Harrison.

I put on my most mature voice and sat strait, “Now then class, today we’re learning about magic.”

They stayed silent.

“Someone ask me a question.”

Alex gave me a sarcastic look, “Elementals?”

I took a breath. I knew almost everything there was to know about magic, but I knew so much that I didn’t know where to start teaching. So I started with the basics. I turned to page one of a book called, ‘The Arts of The Magician’ and read out famous quote.

“All of magic can be divided into five states: Elementals, Wizards, Beastas, Sirebeasts and Black Magi.

“Elementals are the servers of nature, each user holds a new power, a fragment of Mother Nature herself.

“Wizards are common, the base of all magic. Depending on the level and experience of the user it can vary from small coin tricks to teleportation, however, most wizards only study one type of trick because any more can drain them of their magic easily.

Beastas are the animal forms of magic and can rarely be found in a human form. The first Beastas to roam the earth were the Dragons.

Sirebeasts are the things you hear in fairy tales and legends. These are the magical beings that, while being magical, cannot fit into certain groups. Most Sirebeasts were killed hundreds of years ago for their reputation in stories.

“Black Magi are magic’s abomination. They exist for one reason alone – to serve their ruler. This Ruler has never been seen nor described. The only one who can communicate with the Ruler is the High Seine, Radha who acts as a priest.”

I felt the rush of questions before they even left the mouths of the people in front of me.

Titania was first, “So, is Melanie a Beasta? And Jake is a Sirebeast?”

I nodded.

Alex came out with more questions, “What about extinction? Or, have you ever seen a black magi? What happens when the elementals work together?”

I raised my hand before he could say anymore, “I have seen, and worked with, a Black Magi before, he was a powerful being to say the least. Elementals become stronger when surrounded by other elementals – fun fact, elementals can only be women, no idea why though – but never in existence have all the elements been together so we don’t know for sure. As for the extinction, humans tend to think magical beings are extinct but, in truth, the only magical being to ever go extinct are the Dragons.”

Dane’s eyes widened, “Dragons? Real dragons?”

“Yep. Dragons, the most powerful being to ever roam the earth. They were wiped out years ago, the last one was kept in underground caves before being slaughtered eighteen years ago.”

“What about fairies?” Harrison was reading a leather-bound book with fairy illustrations.

Melanie nodded, “They’re real. They can only be found in one place in the world though. Maybe we could visit sometime.”

Harrison seemed fascinated by the existence of fairies, “Do they fly?”

“Of course.”

Dane had his own book open and was looking at the history of magic. “Who is, Salvis?” he asked.

I answered in a serious tone, “He was a sorcerer. He was evil – to say the least.”

“Why?”

“He killed over three million innocent people, half of whom were humans. He believed in a world were humans acted as slaves to magicians.”

“How did he die?”

“In the books, it says he was assassinated. But really, he was put under a magical spell that sent him to sleep for eternity.”

Jake chimed in, “It was such a big spell that it needed more power than any magician possessed. So they used half of every magician’s magic. So right now, our magic is being used to keep Salvis asleep. But there’s a catch. If for some, impossible reason, everyone’s magic deteriorates enough, anyone has the power to free him from his sleep.”

“What about Wizards?” Titania changed the subject.

“What about them?” I asked.

“What can they do?”

“They are powerful magicians. They can be male or female. Usually, they only practise one or two types of wizardry. Any more than that can use up too much energy and magic.”

“How much magic do they have?”

“Depends on the magician. Everyone has a destiny. Whether it’s big or small, whether it changes the existence of our world or changes someone’s life in the simplest way. We all have a destiny. Our power reflects our destiny. I – in case you haven’t noticed – have immense power, this means that I must have a large destiny. Destiny can’t be set in stone, but it’s there and it involves everyone.”

Titania went back to reading, not knowing that I was trying to tell her a message.

Alex perked his head up from his book, “You said earlier, Black Magi draw their power from shadows and darkness. What did you mean?”

Melanie answered him, “They use the shadows. Like how Bridgette uses fire. It’s kind of like a darkness elemental. We met a Black Magi who can travel using shadows. He can step back into a dark corner and disappear or he can step out of another dark area. If he wants he can stay in the shadow. Others can hold darkness and some can turn it to weapons. Each has a different ability.”

Alex nodded, deep in thought, “Interesting.”

I took a sandwich off the plate in the middle of the table – chicken and avocado – and took a bite as I read the book in front of me.

We sat in silence for a while, reading the books. I could almost hear Shane’s smug laugh, ‘And the student becomes the teacher’, he would say with that smirk of his. I felt the slightest pang in my heart at the thought of what was happening to him now.

“Bridgette? What about the labs?” Alex asked.

I froze. “What about them?”

“What happens in them?”

“They torture you. An elemental’s power is triggered by emotions. If you are feeling a strong sense of any emotion, it boosts your power. Sometimes it’s good. You can transform into your original form, and sometimes you can lose control and end up hurting you or someone else. Those, people, try to bring out your power so they can see what we’re capable of, then, they end up setting it up so that you hurt someone. If they succeed, you’re there for life.” I looked up – I rarely go all brooding, but the labs kind of draw it out of me – to see everyone staring at me. I shrugged and went back to nibbling at my sandwich, even though I wasn’t hungry anymore.

Hours past as we sat at the table, eating and reading in silence – apart from the occasional question – when a question suddenly popped into my mind. So I got up from my chair and walked towards Dane. He looked up from his book on Elemental Science and raised an eyebrow. I motioned to the door and he nodded. We went outside.

We stepped out into the street. It was dead quiet. Dane walked through the area with me. I was about to ask my question when his charming mouth opened, “So, you pull me out here to kiss me or is there something less enjoyable on your mind?”

Oh I liked him, I gave him a smile and told him the real reason we were out here, “How did you know the mission?”

Dane raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

“You were the one who told us we had another mission when Alex was knocked out. How did you know what it was?”

Dane looked away uncomfortably, “The king gave me a list.”

I didn’t even blink – I had already saw him with the list, I just needed him to tell me – “Ok. Well, what’s our next mission?”

Dane winced, “Can’t tell you that, hot-stuff.”

I hid a smile at the nickname – and stifled a groan at the pun -, “Why?” I batted my eyelashes teasingly, “You can trust me.” I slid my fingers into his.

He put his face close to mine and whispered in my ear, “You’re such a tease. It hurts that I can’t kiss you right now, because it’s obvious you want the list for some reason. And as a knight – and this pains me – I can’t give you what you want because I gave the king my word.” He pressed his lips to my neck lightly before pulling away.

I tilted my head, “You are different from the others Dane. You know how to get what you want, and you have what I want.”

He flashed a white-toothed grin, “I learn from the best, Bridgette.”

Titania

Bridgette and Dane had walked out of the Library suddenly. Alex had left to get more books. I was left sitting with Harrison as we read the same books. I had grown friendly with Harrison. We talked a lot on our travels, and we would often read together.

I broke the silence, “I wonder what Bridgette and Dane are doing.”

Harrison looked up from his book and gave a slight laugh, “Probably making out somewhere. It kind of sucks of you think about it.”

“Why’s that?”

Harrison shrugged, “He always gets the girl he wants. I can’t even muster up the courage to kiss this girl I like.”

I smiled at him, “Why don’t you?”

“A different guy likes her, someone who’s a lot better than I am. Also, I haven’t known her for that long but,” He sighed, “I just, can’t shake this feeling when I’m with her. It’s like fireworks are in my chest.”

“Harrison, you are wonderful. Better than any other boy she could have. What you feel, those ‘fireworks’, they’re called love. And if you have that, you can make it.”

Harrison looked me in the eyes, “I don’t have anything to offer. Most girls like muscly guys, not, slim guys.”

“I think you’re great. You’re smart, handsome. Any girl would be lucky to have you.”

And then it just happened. Harrison put his hand on my cheek and looked me in the eyes. I froze, not sure what to do. He leaned his face towards mine until our noses almost touched. My eyes fluttered closed.

Alex cleared his throat. He was leaning against a shelf. A look of anger was in his eyes but I could tell he was trying to subdue it, or at least hide it.

Harrison went back to his original position and I looked away from Alex’s eyes.

Alex marched over to the table, to where Harrison was seated. I could see the calmness in Harrison’s eyes and Alex grabbed the collar of his shirt and threw him against a shelf – which remarkably stayed put.

I screamed and ran to Harrison. I didn’t say anything. He just nodded and stood up. He placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a gentle look before he walked around me.

He stopped walking when he got to Alex – who was breathing heavily and was looking at the floor – and said, “Alex, I thought you were a man. You haven’t claimed her, you haven’t made a move. If another man decides to take a liking to her, you can’t just throw them at a shelf. Because, not all of them will be as reasonable as I am at the moment. And if they aren’t, I think we both know who will get hurt trying to stop the fight.” And then he looked at me with that same gentle gaze, and then he left the library.

I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed in anger.

Alex didn’t look up from the floor.

“What the hell Alex?” I asked, trying hard to keep my voice low.

“I’m sorry.” He said.

“You should be. Sorry doesn’t make up for throwing someone at a shelf because they have feelings towards me. These people aren’t the drunks in a bar Alex. They are our friends. And you, you’re acting like a child. I thought you had gotten better at controlling your anger.”

“I did too. But I saw you two and-”

“And what? You thought it was your responsibility to intervene? I’m not your girlfriend Alex. I love you,” I thought I saw something shift slightly in his eyes when I said that, “but not in the way you feel for me. I’m not your girlfriend. I can have a relationship with someone other than you.”

He didn’t say anything.

Bridgette and Dane entered the scene.

Bridgette raised an eyebrow my way. I shook my head.

“I need some air.” Alex walked out of the library.

Bridgette sighed, “Well, I thought I had issues.”