Children of the Elementi

by Ceri Clark

  With her the old Air Queen gone, now it was just her and the Matrix at the Citadel. Resolved to forget about it for just a few more minutes, Mirim relaxed and let her mind wander into the thoughts and dreams around her.

  The islanders always seem so happy here, she thought wistfully. At that,, a shadow impinged on her awareness. She sat up slowly. Something was wrong, no, different - nearby. Trying not to draw attention to herself, she idly scanned the crowd. There were soldiers, here? Watching through half-shut eyes, she watched as two Arellian guards strode by.

  Their facial tattoos weren’t the only clue to their mercenary status even though they wore the standard uniform of the guard. Unusually, ugly blasters hung on their belts. They were remnants from the old Elementi Guard, she supposed. No one had the technology to create self-charging weapons any more. As mercenaries, they would easily be able to pay black market prices.

  Their height was imposing, and they stood half a head taller than the island people. Tourists and islanders alike were trying not to stare at the conspicuous newcomers. Instinctively she probed into their public minds but found nothing useful. Their surface thoughts were unstructured, full of how they were too hot in their new uniforms, they were uncomfortable and - she smiled at this - how they could be earning far better pay hunting rebels, anywhere but here.

  Mirim sighed. She would have to look deeper into their psyche. There must be a reason they were here. She was glad she had already eaten that morning; gods only knew what would be in there, she forced herself to look even further. Going past surface thoughts was always tiresome; the mind instinctively had defenses that had to be bypassed.

  She struggled for a moment and sighed. It had to be done. This was the furthest you could get from any battleground she knew of, and they were clearly not here for the tourism. Sorting through the strands of thoughts around her, she looked deep into their minds.

  Her body jerked, but at the curious looks from nearby stall owners, she leaned back again and pretended to bat away a fly. She had found what she needed.

  From the memory of the nearest guard, she replayed the last briefing from his mind. She could see the old Elementi castle in Naven loom above the capital. Its imposing gray walls matched the rain-heavy clouds hovering in the distance. A passenger in the guard's memory, Mirim could only watch through his eyes as he walked through the castle gates, through elaborately decorated corridors until he reached the Great Hall. Standing on a podium, she recognized the current Emperor-pretender’s face from coins, Aras himself speaking to hundreds of mercenaries standing side by side facing the front as his voice boomed artificially through the room. He didn’t look as though he was well. Sweat dripped from his forehead and his face looked haggard. Concentrating on his voice, she listened closely to his words. They had orders to find out what they could from the natives in the Empire. Aras was looking for the Citadel!

  Mirim withdrew from the guard's mind gently, extricating her thoughts from his with the deft skill that only an air power had. Investigating further, Mirim stood up nonchalantly and sauntered along behind them. Careful to avoid notice, she began picking up the occasional piece of fruit. As she appeared to test its ripeness, she listened intently to the men.

  The first stall owner was a Dikkar. He had never even heard of the Citadel. Even at the height of the Elementi Empire, the Citadel was a well-kept secret. His people were refugees from halfway around the globe. Although they had been one of the first people to fall under Aras’ grandfather, they had still only reached the islands some sixty years ago.

  The next couple of stall owners however were local. These admitted they had heard of it, but they thought it was in the other hemisphere. Satisfied, Mirim walked off towards the harbor. There was no point listening further. They didn’t know anything.

  A few hundred yards along the path she slipped behind some trees. Knowing her position was concealed from the soldiers and any prying eyes, she made herself invisible. Next, she cast her mind to create an image of herself for anyone who could be watching. Complete with a basket containing her market purchases, the image strolled onwards, towards one of the boats on the beach. To the casual observer she climbed into one of the small boats and began to row along the coast until it rounded a cliff, where she let the illusion drop. No wonder there were stories of ghost ships. She grinned. If anyone had been sitting at the headland...

  Still behind the trees, Mirim walked on. Careful to be quiet, she headed along the cliff path towards a small grove. The locals regarded these trees as sacred. Something she and her family had cultivated over the last century. She knelt down by the largest of the trees, its broad branches protecting her fair skin from the morning sun. She took out a small yellow crystal from a silk pouch that hung around her neck.

  Cautiously she scanned the area again for thoughts. Satisfied there were only birds and small animals present, she concentrated on the ground. The air around the foot of the tree shimmered to reveal a smooth metal hatch. Stooping, she lifted the hatch and climbed inside into the tunnel below.

  Holding up her crystal again, she visualized the metal hatch above her. Concentrating hard, she pushed and pulled the air above with her power. The soil scraped back softly over the metal hatch and within seconds the tunnel was once again hidden from any visitors to the grove.

  Mirim stood still for a few moments while her eyes adjusted to the new light. The walls emanated a low orange glow from rocks harvested from the sea. Hiking her basket over one shoulder, she began walking along the bare tunnel. Within half an hour, she was back in the Citadel.

  Later that day, Mirim started to work on the maintenance she had neglected for weeks. She strode into the control room, expecting to see only the yellow crystals glowing. She stopped and frowned. Some lights on the control panel had activated. Only significant crystal power could make this happen. She ran forward. This can mean only one thing she thought with mounting excitement... one of the lost children must have activated his or her crystal!

  Mirim reached into her pocket and her mind fused with her crystal with practiced ease. Using the energy she linked directly to the rudimentary mind of the crystal Matrix. As she did she felt it become sharper in response. She didn’t understand how, but the Matrix bonded with humans, sharing their energy and somehow their intelligence. In return it had given certain families powers linked to crystals. Over time, those families were able to perform some feats without crystals, but with them they were immensely powerful. Those families were the Elementi.

  When the five families were linked together through their crystals to the Matrix, the power was incredible - as was its intelligence. But, she thought sadly, it only has enough now to keep the data banks active. Over a thousand years of use generated only enough power to last a hundred years. It was now so drained that it relied on just her contact to keep the basic systems functional. It needed the Elementi back too.

  With the combined intelligence, Mirim began to analyze the power logs of the outer crystals. Moving in a circular pattern, she could see that none of the secondary systems were used. The Earth, Fire and Water systems were clear. Her own element, air, showed her recent visit to the island.

  With mounting excitement, she turned to the white crystals in the center. Mirim passed her crystal over the largest of the crystalline structures. These had been dead for almost a hundred years, but wait - a low hum and glow answered the lights from her own, smaller yellow stone.

  Breathing quickly, she rechecked the logs. This could only mean one thing. The descendant of the High-King had to have used the Focic crystal. Remembering the instructions given by her mother, she accessed the main data banks. Using this she moved her mind through the main power conduits until she reached the battery hidden deep below the Citadel. There was still enough power to make at least one return journey. Feeling exhilarated - this was what she had been waiting years for, she imagined a thin wiry yellow cord of light snaking out from the yellow section of the control panel to herself. She took one la
st look around the familiar spartan room and commanded the Matrix to send her to the last recorded place the ancient crystal had been used.

  CHAPTER THREE: FIGHT

  Mr. Galloway strode to the front of the class. Stopping he paused for effect and smartly turned by his desk to look at the clock on the far wall. His gaze scoured the room.

  “Right, you can now turn your papers over, you have twenty minutes.”

  A rustle of papers filled the old classroom. Running his eyes down the paper, Jake glanced at Karl in alarm. A cold shiver of dread crawled down his back. This wasn’t the periodic table. Karl looked back in dismay. As one they turned to look at Neil. The other boy’s head rose from his copy of the test. He twisted to glare at them. He held his hand up and silently but slowly moved it across his neck. Karl swallowed nervously.

  “You said it was the periodic tables!”

  “It was, maybe he changed his mind.” Jake whispered back.

  Karl rubbed a hand through his hair, getting gel over it. Jake snorted.

  “You won’t be laughing when Neil gets us at break.” Karl snapped back quietly, wiping his hands on his trousers.

  As the test went on, Jake kept looking up at Neil only to find the other boy staring back, making slicing motions with his hand. It wasn’t their fault. If Neil bothered to revise instead of using his mind reading! How was he supposed to know if a teacher decided to change a test after lessons? Karl didn’t look up once. Then again, thought Jake, Karl could do that test standing on his head, a blindfold on with one arm tied up. They don’t give scholarships to just anyone.

  It was the longest twenty minutes of Jake’s life. Mr. Galloway strolled up and down the room but he wouldn’t be around during break. Jake began to gulp convulsively. Ten minutes to go. How were they going to get out of this one? Karl kicked out and hit his shin without looking up. Jake shook himself, nursing his leg. Right, test now, panic later. He bent down to his paper again.

  As the bell rang for the end of lesson, Jake's heart began to beat rapidly as he tensed to run. The chairs scraped back loudly and everyone ran to the door. Jake and Karl were in the lead.

  “What are we going to do?” Karl panted.

  “Get out of here. We need to find somewhere to hide... Fast!”

  They raced out into the quadrangle. As they reached the center, Jake twisted to look behind him; Neil was weaving his way through, pushing people out of the way. Jake circled frantically on the spot, looking for somewhere to go. The play area was bare, but the teachers wouldn’t allow them to go back inside. There was only one place to go.

  Jake grabbed Karl, causing him to yelp as he almost dislocated his shoulder.

  “Watch out!”

  “Come on!”

  Maybe if they hid behind the bins. They changed direction at the last moment and dived behind the recycling bins. Karl looked around.

  “I hate to burst your bubble, Jake, but there’s nowhere to hide here either.” Karl muttered.

  Jake bit his lip, big mistake.

  “Do you think I’m an idiot?” Neil’s voice drifted from behind them. Jake whirled around.

  “Don’t” Jake warned Karl. Cringing inside he knew his friend wouldn’t be able to resist that one.

  “We don’t think you’re an idiot at all...”

  Neil’s fist unclenched slightly.

  “...but who would we be to disagree with everyone else?”

  Of course now, Jake thought bitterly, now we need them, there are no teachers around.

  Neil did not even bother to retort. His hands shaped into fists by his side and he strode up to them. Jake grabbed Karl and pushed his friend behind him. Karl tried to push in front but Jake knew he was no match for Neil.

  Neil threw a punch at Jake. Time seemed to slow to crawl. Jake was strangely fascinated by how Neil's face twisted as he grunted with the effort as he moved. The boy’s face screwed up with concentration and hate, and suddenly the spell was broken. Jake panicked. He had to defend himself!

  As Neil pulled back his arm, readying his punch, Jake felt a gentle warmth as the crystal started to glow under his school shirt. He felt stronger, more confident. At the same time, Jakes’ thoughts raced, faster than he thought possible, and he wished he had a shield. A picture of the Viking shield he had seen at the re-enactment two weeks ago flashed in his mind. Neil’s hand loomed inches from his face. Jake flinched, if only he had taken up Judo, Karate even wrestling - anything, instead of play sword fighting! Neil’s fist filled his vision. There was no time to duck. Jake closed his eyes in silent prayer. How he wished he had that shield! A jolt of electricity coursed through his body and a transparent barrier made of air formed in front of Jake’s face. Neil’s hand smashed into the wall of air. There was a loud crack followed by Neil's howl of pain.

  Jake didn’t realize how badly Neil was hurt and reached with his mind and called for something, anything to help him. Neil was not only tall, but his father owned a gym and he was very strong. He would easily beat him up if he were given a chance.

  The ground began to shake. The force increased in tandem with his panic. Karl stood behind Jake and stared wildly about them. As Karl was distracted, a spurt of dirty water arced from a drain behind Neil hitting the bully full in the back of the head. Neil dropped like a stone. In the moment it took to happen - Karl missed it.

  “Did you feel that? That had to be an earthquake!” Karl exclaimed. Suddenly he noticed Neil on the floor, he grabbed Jake.

  “H-h-how did... What have you done? Quick, we need to leave before any teachers get here. This’ll mean a detention for sure.”

  CHAPTER FOUR: DESTINY

  Mirim gasped, disorientated. She knew it would only last a few seconds but the nausea always lasted that moment more than she expected. Leaning against the nearest tree, she tried to regain her bearings. As the feeling passed, she was able to see her surroundings better.

  So this is Earth. Mirim knew this was the last place the Matrix had detected power use. This has to be where he lives, she thought. Standing on the pavement she looked down the street. On each side of the road, there were rows of well-kept three-story houses. Knowing the Matrix would have sent her to the nearest point, she guessed the house beside her on the right had to be it.

  She let go of the tree to take a closer look. A six-foot hedge surrounded the house. An ornate wrought iron gate marked the main entrance to the property and from this she could see a small driveway leading up to the main house. A large oak tree obscured the top two windows on the right side of the building. Beside the main entrance, there was a small metal box. Moving closer she saw that it was a communications device. She guessed pressing the button would allow her to talk to the inhabitants.

  Removing her crystal from its pouch round her neck again, she concentrated on its depths. Spreading her awareness towards the house, she scanned for life. Apart from one small animal, there was no one home.

  Now she had two choices she reflected - remain here for the new High-King to return or wait for him to use his powers again and go to him. Deciding to take the latter choice, she sat down. Time was important, once activated it was impossible to resist using the crystals again, especially when the new boy-king would not be trained in its use.

  Needing to find out more about this strange place, Mirim looked deep into her crystal. Losing herself once again in its yellow depths, she directed the building energy to the primitive cable above her head. She needed to find the nearest information source.

  Literally in her element, Mirim used her talent to sort out the streams of data flying through the air to find what she was looking for. She grew excited as she began to recognize patterns. There was a network almost like the Matrix here! A computer connected wirelessly from a nearby house was an easy access point to a huge data bank of information. Using this she first downloaded all the information from its hard drive before tapping the net in search of more information about the culture.

  The stream of information was far too much
, but connected to the Matrix in Eleria, no matter how tenuous the link, Mirim was able to send it back through the yellow psychic cord emanating from the back of her mind. The Matrix received the information and stored it, making it available in smaller, more manageable chunks for her when she needed it.

  Her people’s knowledge of this world had always been rudimentary at best. The data banks of the Matrix previously had only held the most basic information - that no mind or crystal power was used here. Back before the Change, the technological development recorded on Earth was not advanced but that was a hundred years ago.

  The thought mulled in her mind - it had been dangerous sending them here. Her people didn’t know anything about this culture. A hundred years ago, it would have been a very different place. She knew that even though they could send the children a hundred years into the future to here, her ancestors could only ‘see’ the time frame they were in. Life had changed so much in that time. It had been a risk.

  Still connected to the computer, she searched for pictures of people. Most wore mostly blue trousers and short, finely woven tops. Well, if so many were wearing them, these must be what she should be wearing to avoid standing out. Her lip curled, some of the other outfits were far too revealing for her taste.

  Mirim took out a high calorie snack from the pocket of her yellow skirt. It seemed an age since she had last eaten and she was not fond of nut bars. Still, it was the best source of energy for what she was about to do. She took a bite and felt the energy revive her.

  Taking an image from the many she had seen she began to change the structure of the clothing she wore. She didn’t see the white lace top and bright yellow skirt she had put on to go to the island but instead she saw a sea of vibrating atoms. Manipulating them, she applied the image to her outfit. There was a brief flash of light and excess heat dispersed to reveal her new clothes.