Fate of Elements

by M. Stratton

  “After I heard about Naida’s, I started checking on ours.”

  “And?”

  “We aren’t missing as many, but yes, some of our people are missing, too.”

  “Could the fringe elements be bonding together? While they all are only one specific element and don’t typically conform to society, if they all worked together, they could create a new Kingdom. Do you think they have something they might be planning?”

  “I doubt it. While they don’t have issues with the other elements, they don’t want to spend any time with them, let alone their own people.”

  “Do you think Air and Earth elements are having the same thing happen to their people?”

  “I’ve casually asked around, and so far nothing, but I’m sending out some people we trust to see if they can find out for sure.”

  “This could be very bad. Especially if it is only our people who are going missing.”

  “I know.”

  “Make this a priority.”

  “Already done.”

  Raina

  Weary from sitting and reading for so long, I stood up and stretched my back, moaning as the muscles protested the movement. Rolling my shoulders, I tried to keep my mind still, but after all the reading I had done, I couldn’t. My fingers danced across the five books I had finished, wondering, hoping it was all true. Another dimension where everyone was born of one magical element or another. Where kings and queens ruled their people, each element separate.

  But it hadn’t always been that way. Once, they had all lived together, each element working together to build a better life. Then it all went wrong, and they segregated, and no longer trusted each other. Blood, betrayal, and battles were fought and many people died. Centuries had passed, and the rulers gathered, bringing their children together, raising them as one from birth with the hopes they could bring peace once again to their dimension.

  I looked around the room, hoping I had missed book six because I was left with questions. I couldn’t seem to find a publisher or even author for the series, so I had no way to find out what happened next. Were they able to work together? Could they all live in peace again, no longer fearing the other elements? I desperately craved the answers. I needed to know what happened next.

  Suddenly, the exhaustion I had been keeping at bay hit me. My eyelids drooped, and I could barely keep them open. Using the wall to keep me upright, I made my way out of the room and carefully down the stairs before finding the first couch I could. I dropped facedown onto it. Within seconds, I was asleep and dreaming of battles so fierce between elements, I swore I could smell their heat.

  Dayna

  Traveling up through the roots of the tree, I was able to climb out to the end of the branch closest to the window of the house. I could see her there, unprotected, sleeping. I knew it wouldn’t take much for me to topple the tree and have it land on her, crushing the life out of her. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my realm, and therefore, there would be too many consequences to deal with if I were to take a mortal life. Another being ruled here I would have to answer to, and while I knew my strengths in my realm, here was another story. I knew when I was out of my element. She was protected, especially in that house, his house. Our once faithful librarian had been hiding a secret. He wasn’t keeping our records and sharing them here as fairytales; he was keeping her safe. The one who was going to come through that damn Skeleton Door sooner rather than later. Erion had come to me right after he had seen the bones move. Time was growing short; she’d be coming soon.

  The land had a long memory. It remembered what came before. It remembered the good and the bad. The life and the death. Every step that was made on her, she never forgot. It was time people learned, once again, who was the most powerful, and who could nourish their crops and feed them, or ruin the plants so they starved. The one who could shape landscapes, making civilizations fall into the oceans while others rose up. I could give or take with a flick of my wrist.

  I’d plotted well over the years, had made too many sacrifices to let it all go now. I wasn’t giving anything up. I would do whatever it took to make sure my life, my people, were kept safe. We were the ones who always ended up doing all the work. No one ever appreciated us. As festivals grew more and more frequent, more demands were made on us to produce food and wine, trees for bonfires, and flowers for celebrations. All the while, the other elements sat back and enjoyed watching us toil. There was no way I would allow my people to go back to that. I am just as important as the others. I wanted to see them having to work for a change. Blisters on their soft hands.

  Leaning out further, I bent the branch and smirked at the satisfying screech it made against the glass. When she didn’t stir, I moved again, and this time the noise was even louder. When she jerked and sat up, wildly looking around, I pulled my spiritual self back down through the tree. I returned to my realm where I joined my physical body while I slept, formulating a plan.

  Raina

  In an instant, I was awake. I wasn’t sure what woke me, but I sensed some threat. Sitting up, I held my clenched fist at my chest as I looked around trying to figure out what was wrong and where I was. The library.

  When nothing jumped out at me, I sank back and tried to get my heartrate back to normal. Staring again at the inscription on the fireplace, I frowned. Something about it was familiar. Wanting a closer look, I stood up and walked over. Using my fingers, I traced the key. Snapping my fingers, I spun and ran back up the stairs and into the small, hidden room. For a second, I wondered if I had dreamt the whole thing. Like there was really no room, or worse, no books, but as I turned the last corner, there were all five books on the table. Grabbing the first book, I turned it open to the first page, and there it was, the same carving from above the fireplace.

  Frowning, I wondered why these books were so special, why they were hidden away. Why would an exact match of the drawing in the book be carved into the marble above the fireplace in the library?

  My stomach grumbled, and I knew I had to eat something. Between reading and crashing, it had been a long time since I had last eaten. Part of me wanted to drive into town and see if I could find a good restaurant to dine, and another wanted to see what I could scrape together here so I could get back to investigating the house. I still had the basement and the attic left.

  On my way to the basement, I stopped by the kitchen and grabbed an apple. The satisfying crunch as my teeth bit through it echoed in the empty space. I was surprised there was nothing down here, not even a shovel. Looking up at the sunlight barely coming through the high, small, dirty window, I shuddered. Something about being down here unsettled me. Typically basements didn’t creep me out, but this one did. Maybe it had something to do with being so far underground and knowing there would be no way I’d be able to get out of the window if I were somehow trapped down here.

  Trying my best not to let my imagination run away with me, I carefully made sure I didn’t trip going up the stairs as I kept my eyes on the door, willing it to stay open as I crept closer. Every horror story I’d ever read rushed through my memory. Someone grabbing my foot through the back of the stairs, tripping me so I’d fall back down them. Or getting to the top just to have someone jump out and scare me.

  As soon as I was able, I went through the door and slammed it behind me, leaned back against it, and quietly laughed at myself. I was alone in the house. I always loved to be alone. Nothing could hurt me here, except it would seem, my own paranoia.

  Taking the back stairs, I went all the way up and stood at the door leading to the attic. The old brass doorknob turned easily in my hand, and I walked through the door into a massive room. The view appeared to go on forever, only broken up by the numerous chimneys. The large windows brought in a lot of light making the flashlight I brought with me unnecessary. Moving across the floor, my footsteps echoed around me. The sun filtered through the windows illuminating the lone object in the attic: a chest. Dust danced in the air around it, mesmerizing me. Crossing
the wooden floor, I dropped to my knees in front of it.

  My fingers shook as I traced the same drawing that was on the fireplace and book covers. It took me a couple of tries to flick the clasp and open the lid. Nestled inside deep red velvet was a key, but it wasn’t an ordinary key; it was different. It was made of glass. Hesitantly, I reached out and ran a finger along the cool contours, tracing the skull, down to the two teeth at the other end of the skeleton key. Wrapping my fingers around the key, I lifted it up, surprised by its weight – it was heavy. Bringing it closer, I noticed it looked just like the one carved on the fireplace in the library. I had no idea what it could mean, but I couldn’t deny the thrill that went through me.

  Looking down at the key in my hand, the possibilities overwhelmed me. Between the key, the books, and my dreams, I wondered what adventure this house was going to hold for me. This was the key to my future, but was I brave enough to open the lock? I stood up, searching for what it would open. I turned around and faced the only other door in the room. A cloud passed over the sun, and shadows in the room grew, reaching out toward me. Gripping the key tight in my hand, I strode over to the door. If I didn’t know better, I would say the shadows were pushing me toward the door, chanting, open it, open it, open it. It was dark behind me, but light shone light ahead.

  Without a second thought as to what I was getting into, I slid the key in the lock and turned it, taking a deep breath when the click filled the room. Taking the key out, I put it in the pocket of my jeans to keep it safe, and turned the knob, wondering what was on the other side.

  Involuntarily, I blinked my eyes at the brightness bursting from the other side of the door. Colors so vibrant I had no name for them. As my eyes adjusted to the beautiful scene on the other side of the door, a stark contrast to my normal life, I stepped through the door and closed it behind me without a thought as to what I was leaving behind.

  Hallet

  I stood in the shadows watching, my heart racing. First the door swung open, and then she came through it, and closed the door behind her. She was here. It was finally time. Even though I knew I should go to her, I couldn’t. All I could do was stand there in awe of her beauty. Power radiated from her. This was it. She was it. Everything was going to change. No way could something so beautiful come to destroy everything.

  My heart sank as I thought of Dayna. She was beautiful, and there were times she felt happiest destroying things. How many times had I seen her ruin something just to see someone else cry?

  A happy laugh filled the space between us, and I looked at her. She had her hand outstretched and there as a large blue butterfly landed on her palm, it spoke to her. I wondered if she could hear it. We all had creatures who could talk to us depending on our element. Since she was the one, all the animals should be able to talk to her, not just, in this instance, Erion which was the element the butterflies flew under.

  I waited for the butterfly to fly away before I carefully emerged from the shadows and into the light. Impressed, I watched her look at me, her small frame held straight, and her chin pointed in the air. The wind picked up and her long, chestnut colored hair danced around her face. I knew what I looked like. Tall, intimidating, dark hair, black eyes, and pale skin, I knew where my scars were from battles, and they weren’t pretty.

  “Milady.” I bowed to her. “I am Hallet, King of the Fire Elements. You need only to speak it, and I will make sure you have whatever you need.”

  “It’s you…” she whispered.

  Standing up straighter, I knew I had never met her before.

  “It’s really you.” Her voice grew stronger, and she reached out for me.

  In that instant, a memory triggered in my head, and I knew it was her, the exact same gesture. The one who had been with me in the field, dancing in my fire glow. It would stand to reason that only a Goddess would be able to build my fire and not get burned.

  I placed my hand in hers, and her warmth spread through me. I knew in that moment there was no way I would ever let go.

  “I’ve seen you in my dreams, my whole life.”

  Her sweet voice soothed my battled soul.

  Her large eyes searched mine. It took all of my power to keep my eyes black, to not give in and let the fire burn through them. Right now I looked human, mortal, I looked like her, but to allow my eyes to glow red with heat would show her too much, too soon.

  “Then it would appear you have the upper hand here. As had I dreamt of you, I would never have allowed myself to awaken.” I brought her hand up and kissed it, inhaling the scent of her skin.

  “Where am I?”

  “Aimsir, a land of magic and wonder.”

  Her head tilted to one side, but she didn’t say anything. Turning from me, she looked back at the door she had traveled through. She had to look up at it, as it stood well over twenty feet tall and was filled with bones and skulls. I would expect it could look overwhelming to someone who hadn’t been brought up with it.

  “This is unbelievable.”

  She moved back toward the door, and for a moment, I panicked. What if she went back through it and left me, left us? She was the one to unite us, to stop all this fighting. She couldn’t leave.

  I knew I was faster than her, well, faster right now. Once she came fully into her power, there would be no competition. For now, I kept a close eye on her. If she went to open it, I’d stop her. I couldn’t lose her now. There was too much at stake.

  “I’ve never seen anything like this.” She ran her hand over the bones. “A huge door in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention one that has water flowing from it, cool air creating clouds, vines twisting through it; I can see them growing. And fire. Fire burning, its glow is so warm.” She walked around the back of the door. “But then there is nothing over here. There should be. Do you know what’s on the other side of this door?”

  I shook my head. We all wondered where the door led – what kind of magic was on the other side.

  “My uncle’s attic. A huge empty space with only two doors. One to get in and this one. This,” she pointed to the door, “this is a seven foot, plain, pine door where I come from, where it needs a key to be opened. Nothing even close to this. I don’t think there is anything in the world close to this.”

  “Do you want to go back?” I wasn’t sure what made me ask, and I knew I might not want to know the answer, but there was no turning back.

  She fumbled with something in her pocket before she shook her head. “No, no, I don’t want to go back. At least not right now. Now I think I’d like to learn more about your world, this Aimsir.”

  I had to give her credit, she didn’t look like she was scared, but she should have been. I kept a constant watch to make sure Dayna or one of her minions didn’t attack before she could control her powers. “You know my name, but what is yours?” If I was going to do whatever I could in order to protect her, I needed to know her name. Names held power. I wasn’t sure how much she knew, but I needed to learn everything I could about her.

  “Oh, sorry,” she blushed. “Raina, Raina Owens.”

  “Raina, such a beautiful name. It fits you very well.” I bowed slightly at the waist.

  Her cheeks flushed red as her eyes looked at the ground. “That’s not what I usually hear.”

  “Well, you are here now. Tell me, have you ever heard of Aimsir?”

  “Can I tell you something? I feel like I could tell you anything. I love to read, I always have. It is how I had my adventures because I was always too scared to have them in real life. So I read about them, anything and everything, always imagining myself as the heroine, saving the day and riding off into the sunset with the man of my dreams. Well, in real life, that never happens.” She paused and looked off into the distance.

  I wasn’t sure where she was going with this. “Go on.”

  “Sorry.” She shook her head. “I get distracted sometimes. So my love of reading, it isn’t just fiction, made up stories that I love, it is everything. Reading about a
ctual people who genuinely have the strength and courage to follow their passion. I’ve read a lot. I can’t even begin to put a number on how many books I’ve read. And if you had asked me that question two days ago, I would have said no, but that was before I found the secret room in my uncle’s library. There he had five books hidden away. One for each element and a fifth one about all of them. Your history. The name Aimsir is written in stone over his fireplace.”

  I focused on breathing in and out, trying to keep calm. The five, she’d read the five books. She knew everything. I couldn’t hide certain things from my people’s past, or my own, from her.

  Tilting her head to one side, her gazed locked with mine. “Yes, I know what you’ve done, King Hallet, and about you and your people. Yet, I see something good in you. Somehow you are trying to make up for the past. Are you going to prove me right or wrong?”

  “I am going to do everything in my power to show you I am not defined by my past.”

  “None of us are.”

  Raina

  I watched as his eyes briefly sparked red before going back to the black I had been looking at since I walked through the Skeleton Door. If I had been on the other side of the door, I would have been a scared little mouse, screaming and running away from him. But here, I was strong. I couldn’t explain it, something changed in me as I crossed that threshold into Aimsir. I could feel a power deep within me. Something just under the surface that wanted to boil over.

  If what I read was correct, I was the most powerful being in this world. While the books didn’t say my name specifically, they did say whomever walked through the Skeleton Door was the one. They couldn’t hurt me. For once in my life, I didn’t have to worry about pain or retreat into my books.

  There was a vibration to this world. I swore I could tune into it, sync the rhythm of my heartbeat to the energy here. Closing my eyes, I let the pulse of Aimsir fill me. I imagined myself lying in the middle of a field, the grass and leaves tickling my skin as they danced in the cool breeze. A small stream flowed over rocks, camouflaging the sound of the birds flapping around, bathing in the water. It reminded me of a simpler time when I was younger. When I could simply lie around all day without a care in the world.