Hidden Realms

Before everything.
Before Sophie Foster.
Before Project Moonlark.
Before Fallen Point.
Before the plague.
Before Bronte.
Before Fintan. 
Before the Council.
Before...
During the original three.
A revolution had began.
A revolution to rule.
A revolution destroy.
A new revolution.
Before The Neverseen.
Before the Black Swan.
The Silver Shield.
Will protect them all.
They had to find the hidden ones. 
The only way to save the truth.
Sophie Foster saves in the public.
While the fivesome saves it all.
Beneath the shadows.
There is truth.
The real truth is the right truth.
And to uncover it.
May take it all.
= THIS IS =
= HIDDEN =
= REALMS =
Hidden Realms: A story by your friends on the Keeper of the Lost Cities Fandom: @Moonlark Alliance, @PrincesssPuurryFins, @EllClaire, @UnknownELFF, @Keeper Of The Clovers, and @PyroKittyKat. With help from @Hydrokat. Please do not copy this work. Thank you. For those who can't comment here is a link to where you can! Message Wall:Moonlark Allince
This is the link to our page with all of our side stories. Hope you enjoy! https://fanfics-and-stories.fandom.com/wiki/Hidden_Realms:_Short_stories_page?venotify=created
== The Authors' Notes ==
Hey, guys! @PrincessPurryFins here! 😊 I had the idea for a story were people from the fandom are living in the books and comment on what's happening in the story. Later, KOTLC for forever, @MoonlarkAllince, @uNkNoWn ElF, @ProKittyKat,@Hydrokat, and @Keeper of the clovers(I know a lot of k/cats 😉) joined later and helped me write it. The plot has changed drastically since then.
I'm betting this isn't like most of the fanfics you've read. Instead of being about Sophie, or how the author thinks the next book is going to be like, it's the adventures of Ella/Fins, Alice/Alliance, Leah/Nyx, Clair/ Xerwyn, Kitty/Nerida, Kat/Hydrina, and Clover. Along with, Ashen, Ace, Howell, Lei, and Zoran.
Hope everyone likes it!
After reading it, please leave a comment. (Note: Since commenting for users without accounts is not longer enabled, Moonlark Alliance has set up her message wall as a commenting spot. Please comment to this link: Message Wall:Moonlark Allince. -KOTLC for forever)
Thank you, and hope you like it!
-PrincessPurryFins
Moonlark Alliance’s author’s note:
Hello! I really don’t start a lot of things that way. It’s usually a “I’M HERE!” or a wave before launching into something that has been on my mind lately. But this is different.
What you are about to read is a story that started by Fins (PrincessPuryFins) Posting a little post of a story that eventually turned into Hidden Realms. There are five of us main writers (Moonlark Alliance, PrincessPuryFins, Kotlc for Forever, uNkNoWn Elf, and PyroKittyKat/MerKitty) Then we have help from two friends that have written points of views as well (Hydrokat and Keeper of the Clovers.)
In this story, you will see the lives of five elves, who were also hidden in the Forbidden Cities. They were on a museum trip in San Diego that changed their lives forever. We all have charters that we created, and are going to be listed below.
I wish you a lovely reading dear reader. Till next time.
~Moonlark Alliance
Short note from uNkNoWn ElF
This was a lot of fun to write/plan and I hope you guys will enjoy this as well. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, other than that enjoy! ;D
Hey everyone! I have written this book with a TON of awesome people! (Well, I think they’re awesome, I don’t know for sure. ) @PrincessPurryFins had this amazing idea to write a story with other people, and it was really fun! So, yea. I hope y’all enjoy it and stuff. Also, cats are amazing! ( sorry, but that NEEDED to be in there! ) Please comment!
-@PyroKittyKat
Hewo everyone! I'm @Hydrokat! I hope you enjoy this story that we wrote with so many wonderful people(: My journey as a possible published author means that I can't contirbute that much to the story, but if you notice something that you would change, or any feedback you want to give, please comment or message me on my MW! Thanks!
~@Hydrokat
Hey everyone! @KOTLC for forever here! I’m one of the authors of Hidden Realms, along with 5 co-authors plus 2 others (@HydroKat and @Keeper of the Clovers) who each are contributed several chapters. All of my co-authors are AMAZING and this story certainly would not have worked without them. And thank you to you dear reader for taking part in our story.
@PrincessPurryFins came up with the original idea for this Fanfic. The first version was essentially what the fandom would be if the comments were dialogue in a world were KOTLC was taking place. The characters names would have been based off their usernames. For example, unknown elf would always wear an addler and no one would ever truely know her identity. The story evolved however, and eventually became what it is now. Originally I wasn’t planning on actually writing something, but @uNkNoWn Elf, @PyroKittyKat, @Moonlark Allince, and @PrincessPurryFins all convinced me to write a chapter. So, I'm writinga few chapters. This is such a cool fanfic to me because none of us know each other and yet we managed to create a whole story by chatting through Wiki Fandom. It’s been a super cool experience, and I want to specially congratulate @PrincessPurryFins for coming up with the initial idea. Thanks for taking the time to read our story and since commenting has been disabled for fandom users without an account on KOTLC wiki, please leave a comment on Moonlark Alliance’s message wall. Good reading!
-KOTLC for forever 
== Character biographies ==
 Ella/Erani Fins
Outfit: Lavender tunic, black leggings, lavender scarf, knee high brown leather boots and spear/pin
Abilities: Telepath and charger
Eyes: Turquoise (not like Fitz's(See one of Shannon Messenger's Wonderful creations))
Hair: Shoulder length, dyed purple, pink, turquoise, silver, and white, with bangs over left eye
Weapons: Two daggers, and spear that turns into a hair pin she wears.
Items: Imparter band, polyglot rings.
Notes: She and her sister, Xerwyn Fins, {See Xerwyn Fins} were adopted when they were eight, after their parents went missing. She is slightly timid, and doesn't like the idea of injuring anyone (on purpose, or accidentally). Her favorite color is turquoise, and she says it's mostly because her eyes are the same color.
"You need to appreciate yourself, not hurt yourself because you’re different."
-Erani Fins
"If you make a mistake, then don't spend the rest of your life regretting it, or you'll be making an even worse mistake."
-Erani Fins
"Do you want to know why I’m so optimistic, and ‘Love yourself’? It’s because I’ve been there. When it seems like you are the cause for everything wrong in your life. Like you’re the worst person in the world, and everyone hates you. Like you’ll never be enough. And I don’t won’t other people stuck in that place, it really sucks. So, just understand this, the world will always find something in you, and say it's wrong. For example, Xerwyn not having an ability, (thankfully she spends enough time around me to understand she’s a wonderful person anyway) she could’ve shut herself out from the world, and think she’s not enough. What I’m saying is, the world will make you feel bad about something, even if you didn’t do it. Just know; the world isn't right. Don't let any insults get in your head. You're awesome, just like you are. Promise me you'll remember that, okay?"
-Erani Fins
"If you can't stand, fly.”
-Erani Fins
Alliance Northa/ Alice"If you are smart with a sword but not with your head, then your not smart at all." - Alliance NorthaName: Named Alice in the Forbidden Cities but like her friends she changed her name. 
Abilities: Charger, Flasher, photographic memory.
When anger or furious, Alliance's hands take more charge particles from the air, fueling her, which is helpful in a battle. But not when she's not on the battlefield. She may have set things on fire in frustration when shocks spray through her fingers.
Her ability as a Flasher is even more strange than stressful. Her ability acts more like a element ability( such as a Guster or Froster) Allowing her to create light shapes and tone down the natural lighting. She has been able to create what she calls "Light rope" which allows her to use light as a tool. For example, she could harness the right amount of light and turn it into a sturdy rope that she can use to tie around objects. This 'light rope' can also shoot out of her hand wrapped around a tree and with a flick of her hand idisappearedes in a shimmer. (Note: This skill may not be noted anytime soon, therefore not something you reader will see)
Appearance: Below shoulder length soft blond hair, usually up in extravagant ponytails (Though in different lighting her hair can range from a darker brown to almost a blond). Single bang falls over right eye. Eye color, midnight blue with pale blue flecks. Wears brown gloves, due to her accidentally shocking people when feeling strong emotions. Tunic, Dark blue in a few different shades, Brown at waist and a white pattern at chest. Brown knee high boots with a small narrow pocket that may conceal a stolen pathfinder. (Most of her tunics are like this) Ends up with several helpful jewelry, many are which a technopath made. Wears lightweight capes. Does have a scare on right arm, six small cuts that form a circle. 
Family: Unknown 
Crest: Unknown (Though she wears a silver pin shaped like a shield.) 
Weapons: Light weight sword with a black sheath slung across back. Goblin throwing stars, Melder. With help from a technopath, carry around daggers that when sparked intent. And does use her abilities when feeling confident enough. She usually trains with Clover (See Clover) on several fighting and defense tactics.
Items: Imparter band, Polygot rings, many more that have not yet been revealed.
Opinion on Heels: Protested against them as equally as her friends. Will only wear boots. (Only in dire situations will she wear heels, mainly for cover)
Notes: Alliance was abandoned at a very young age, and knows that the scars on her arm are a marking from her parents. Any memories about her past are fuzzed to a dense fog. She was desperate to find her family and learn who they are and what connections do they have with [REDACTED] But after learning more about them, she changed her mind, not wanting to get involved. Quiet at first, but when she warm up to others mainly by teasing, you see her true self come through. She has a hidden talent of free hand sketching usually memories of her friends or landscape.
Alliance is also an inventor. Unlike Howell (see Howell Tristion) she doesn't use gadgets and gizmos. She created a cape that allows her to soar in the wind currents. As well as daggers with her single spark can bear a flame.
Alliance seems to feel like she has to take control and lead. She becomes to be hesitant to most things given events from the past. She tries to keep it a secret that she is actually terrified of most animals, making it hard to train them. Though she finds two animals that she's grown comfortable with. A color changing fox, and a black lighting dragon. She sometimes has arguments with her animals, mostly with her fox Solo who has been known to have an attitude. Her dragon, Ember, is her main method of transportation. Ember is not your normal dragon, he is much larger with a powerful tail, and lighting breath. It might be that because of their similar ability and an unknown family, Alliance and Ember share an unusual bond. Since Alliance can feel charged particles she can use that to communicate with Ember, by sending small electrical pulses that Ember can understand. "Trust yourself. Believe. Give it your all. Never give up. Stay strong. Train. Stay smart. Remember this." - Alliance Northa"Look, I'm not just going to stand by and let people get hurt. I'll sacrifice myself for my friends, since they are my only family."- Alliance Northa"Where are we going? And if you say nowhere I'm definitely coming."- Alliance Northa"Actually, I have you exactly where I want you." -Alliance Northa
 Leah/Nyx Selene:
"Perhaps hearts were made to be broken and trust to be backstabbed." -NyxName: Leah Selene in the Forbidden Cities but soon after changed her first name to ‘Nyx’.
Known Abilities: Inflictor
Weapon: A small dagger hidden in her belt which she uses for self-defense and to intimidate her enemies. Though her friends suspect she has more weapons in her hidden pockets.
Immediate Family: Unknown. Was brought up by her foster parents in the Forbidden Cities. Shows no interest in finding her biological parents.
Appearance:   A short frame with black, wavy hair containing red highlights in a loose bun and golden/black glasses.   Sharp royal blue eyes with a handful of freckles sprinkled generously onto her bisque skin and a single scar behind her left ear.  Often insecure about her appearance. 
Strength skill: Known to be very strong in outward channeling but finds other skills difficult. 
Personality:  A sarcastic but also awkward teenager who adores animals, especially her pet (Kai) and young children. Has many insecurities and had a rough childhood which she rarely mentions. However, she can be quite passionate in a fight/argument and often will lose her temper when her opinions get dismissed due to her young age. Best friends with Asher and has also noticed her friends crushes who they can sometimes be oblivious about. Though, she is careful to not get involved too much. 
Culture/Religion: A Pakistani Muslim, when being adopted a special request was made that she was taught about the religion. 
“If only these clueless lovebirds had some common sense. Might as well prepare my funeral and will because it’s not happening any time soon.” -Nyx 
Kitty/Nerida:
Name/s: Kitty ( human ), Nerida ( elf )
Abilities: Hydrokinetic, photographic memory.
Residence: Fallen Point and other hidden locations 
Crest: A blue and purple murcat.
Pet: A blue and purple murcat called Meri.
Weapons: Dagger, throwing stars, and bow and arrows.
Immediate family: Unknown
Appearance: Long wavy brown hair with blue, purple, and gold strips. Purple eyes. Light blue / purple tunic with topaz and amethyst on rim. Gold pants with pockets. Color darkens into black when fighting and stuff. Boots.
Skills: Fast and very good at levitation and telekinesis.
Personality: Cheerful, fun, and funny. Loves animals, reading, and baking. Very good at all use of weapons. In her spare time, she writes funny stories to amuse her friends. Absolutely HATES heels.
Facts about family: Not much. Has some dreams about family and what happened to her family."Deep breath. Don't let it take control." -Nerida Clair/Xerwyn Fins
Name: Xerwyn/Claire Fins
Abilities: None. Though Xerwyn is talentless, she is extremely skilled in all skills .
Weapon: Carries two silver daggers with green leather wrapped hilts.
Appearance: The most notable thing about Xerwyn’s appearance is her perfectly white hair. She accents this unusual color by dying a stand of her hair sapphire blue. Is about 5’ 5”. 
Species: Elf
Personality: Is outgoing to her friends, but over all introverted. Hates hurting people, emotionally or physically. Wants to eventually become a medic. Currently has lots of emergency medical knowledge. Doesn’t like boys a ton. Thinks they’re over hyped and annoying for the most part. 
Special items: Always carries around her satchel with has medical supplies. Also wears a simple gold ring with a tiny sapphire in it. 
Opinion on heels: Calls them a form of torture, and is 100% against them. Also, how are you supposed to fight with heels on? “If we all were empaths, there would be no hurt in the world.” -XerwynHydrina's Bio here
Clover:
NAME: Clover
LAST NAME: unknown
AGE: 13 1/2
ABILITIES: naturekindic (a new ability its like a hydokindic but with nature), polyglot, Psionipath, and VERY good at most of the skills
EYE COLOR: bluebell blue with random silver sparkles
HIGHT: 5,2 1/2
CLOTHES: a tunic kinda like Sophie's (See Shannon Messenger's masterpiece. A.k.a the greatest creation of all time.) purple one on the cover of flashback and black legging with calf high boots (fighting uniform), normal outfit: a plain tunic with leggings and ankle high boots
HAIR: blonde hair (a little past shoulders) that is usually kept down, but sometimes is put up
SPECIES : fully elf
PARENTS: unknown (and doesn't want to know)
SIBLINGS Ezra (hidden brother)
HOBBIES: practicing elf skills, fighting tactics, fighting training, and gymnastics, and anything weapons, making weapons
KNACKS: a really amazing fighter, doesn't really like anything to girly but is very loyal
PERSONALITY loyal, kind, devoted, stern, fun, happy, romantic, go-getting, sensitive, strong, thoughtful, forgiving, smart, graceful, amazing, obsessed with mini things, clover loves anything to do with fighting and weapons 
WEAPONS: two swords in a carrier on her back, a more than a dozen goblin throwing stars and daggers, a mini sword made of shadowflux and a mini sword made of Quintessence, two sucker pushers one for each wrist, a root boomerang with lots of thorns. A belt that is loaded with lots of mini bombs (made out of plants that just need a little fire to set off) that look decretive, a hidden Shamkniv, a little bottle of a flesh eating elixir, a meddler, an addler, a long sword that hangs from her belt as well, and another secret short sword she hides in a big pocket from her shoulder to her elbow made of the toughest substance in the elvin world, and a bit of toxic plant juice, etc, her nature ability, and her shields. All of these weapons are light wait and clover has more pockets in her outfit than Sophie.
SPECIAL ITEMS : two weapons kinda like the sucker punch 
PETS: a small mouse (from the human world) named silver"How can you not have enough weapons?" - Clover
Lei Askew
Name: Lei Askew
Ability: Phaser
EYE COLOR: bright sky blue
HAIR COLOR: dark black
Age: 14 
hight: 5, 8 
Species: fully elf
Parents: [REDACTED] operatives, Andean (dad) {See Andean Askew} Verity (mom) {See Verity Askew} 
Hobbies: Enjoys beaning very dramatic and acting out his friends which his skill in mimicking helps an incredible amount
Skills: mimicking voices, and night vision skill
Personality: mysterious, smart, thorough, strong, brave, nice once you get to know him, very cute, etc. (It is said that he has an huge crush on Clover {See Clover} and this is confirmed by Zoran Lust {See Zoran Lust} And Nyx Selen {See Nyx Selene}
Special items: polyglot ring, imparter band made by Howell Triston. {See Howell Triston}""It's the ability that does the pranks. Not me." - Lei Askew 
Howell Triston
Ability: Technopath
Age: 14 3/4 soon 15
Weapons: Sword in gray sheath slung across back. Meddler. Lighter sword that lights with fire when sparked. Goblin throwing stars. Shockers, little metal balls that blot anyone without a shock protector and leaves them electrocuted. Has a metal arm band around his left forearm that can become a shield. There are many more weapons Howell encloses that haven’t been used yet. He is constantly making more, but would like to start making clever inventions that can be used for fun to a must have on the battlefield. 
Family: Remains unknown, but he lives with his uncle who is a member of the [REDACTED]
Appearance: Bright blond hair with red undertones that he likes to comb over. He actually has green eyes with flecks of blue. He has gleaming white teeth that his friends tease him about brushing them over ten times a day. He has tan skin with a few freckles and wears different shades of green and brown. He wears boots that have several pockets that we know for sure that it encloses a stolen pathfinder. Howell has created armor for himself that he wears. This includes light metal that covers the forearm and his shoulders. He may be working on ways to improve this and maybe cover his knees as well.
Skill strength: Levitation
Creations: Howell has created several gadgets that can be used for many purposes. These are just a few:
Polygot rings: A ring that syncs with your D.N.A and allows you to have the ability of a Polygot. Nerdia {See Nerdia} and Clover {See Clover} Do not have one since they are Polygots. They did help in the making of the rings though.
Imparter band: A imparter but programmed into a sliver band or cuff that is worn on the wrist.
Personality: Always there for a laugh, and loves teasing his friends. He’s known Asher {See Asher Kejk} since he was young. His eyes twinkle when he laughs or a prank fills his head. Dislikes uncomfortable conversations which leads to his checks heating up. He likes to race in the forest with friends and like to practice par-core with Alliance {See Alliance Northa} on the course that Clover {See Clover} created. He has known the Vackers for a long time and is close with them. Since he first met her, he seems to have a heart for Alliance {See Alliance Northa} His friends clearly note his crush on their friend and seem to try and push them both in each other’s direction. "WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TRY MY NEW INVENTION!" -Howell TristonZoran Lust
Ability: Guster
Age: Newly turned !5
Weapons: He likes to say “The Wind '' But he still carries two arm long swords that swing across his back, goblin throwing stars, and several daggers. He usually likes to annoy his enemies with his wind tricks.
Family: Is a distance relative of [REDACTED], but he was adopted by a member of the [REDACTED] 
Appearance: Has dark skin with a cropped hair and sky colored eyes. He likes shades of gray or silver and a winter blue. He wears tunics and avoids fancy attire. He has a velvet sounding voice that carries attention. He has cuffs that restrain him from using his ability against friends.
Skill strength: Body temperature regulation and Blinking
Personality: Like his friends, Zoran enjoys a good laugh. He teases everyone mainly about their crush that he always seems to know about along with Nyx Selene.{See Nyx Selene} He is kind and caring and believes that his friends are his family. He can get really soft spoken when his barrier goes down. Only Erani Fins {See Erani Fins}, (or otherwise just known as Fins) has been able to get past Zoran’s barrier. And when it went back up something changed in him. Zoran has a case of adventurousness, and isn’t afraid to go and be the first one up."My weapon is the wind. Thank you very much." -Zoran Lust
Asher Kejk
Ability: Vanisher
Weapons: He carries a sword a carries a spear with it slung across his back. He has several daggers and throwing stars that he has in his pockets on the inside of his cape. He takes advantage of his ability to help with attacking and defense.
Age: 15
Family: Members and founders of [REDACTED] Father Alsaw Kejk {See Alsaw Kejk} Mother Raina Kejk {See Raina Kejk} His family is actually in a large line like the famous Vackers but they are never mentioned, which is a mission that Asher has his future set on. Why isn’t his family mentioned in anything? 
Appearance: Dark chocolate hair that brings out his cobalt blue eyes. Dresses in gray, silver, and several shades of blue. His eyes always seem to sparkle. He is the only one of his friends who doesn’t mind fancy attire. Since he goes to many events with his parents. He has custom capes that have pockets sewn in which weapons are placed.
Skill strength: Telekinesis
Personality: Though he has a hard and firm outside, Asher is the opposite on the inside. Since his parents are the founders of [REDACTED] he feels the need to live up to their standard. He is very close to his friend Howel Triston {See Howell Triston} and usually ends up coming out of his friend’s lab either smelling like something died, smoke and clothes are singed, or his hair green or his teeth blue. He seems to have a small liking for Xerwyn Fins {See Xerwyn Fins} and that’s all Zoran Lust {See Zoran Lust} could figure out. He is soft and gentle and enjoys staring up at the stars at night with his friends."Yes, you won't be disappointed father." - Asher Kejk Ace Zimmerman/Vacker
Ability: Telepath. He is Erani's (See Erani Fins) congate.
Eye color: Blue-green (not teal like certain Vackers')
Age: 14 1/2.
Hair: Brown with a single purple streak. Longer, bangs.
Weapons: Broad sword. Two daggers.
Outfit: Short boots, black pants, loose dark purple shirt. Silver bands, for him and Erani (See Erani Fins) being congates.
Items: Polyglot rings. Congate silver bands.
Personality: Quite, reserved. Tries to always be there for everyone.
Likes: Reading. Walking. Quite. Peace. Music, especially human music.
Family: Hydrina{See Hydrina Zimmerman}. The Vackers adopted Ace and his sister when their parents dissapered. Adoptive Mother Kelia Vacker {See Kelia Vacker} Adoptive Father Crester Vacker {See Crester Vacker}"You ready?" - Ace Zimmerman to Erani Fins at Telepathy training
A MESSAGE FROM MOONLARK ALLIANCE CAME THROUGH...
One more thing before you go and read this. The story will be mainly taking place during the end of Keeper of the lost cities Everblaze and Neverseen. We start back in time to a moment that changed the characters lifestyle forever. Once again happy reading. - Moonlark Alliance 
= Part one: Discovered =
== Prologue ==
Around sixteen and a half years ago…
“Agh! Kraken’s blood! They can’t just do that to me! ME! I'll tell you! I have been clawing my way since my first breath, I WILL COMPLETE IT! My final breath will be me on the throne, watching over the city.” The man was desperate for control, he’d already told his name forbidden wife that no children should be had, but did that stop her?
“NO IT DID NOT!” He slammed his hand on the stone table, knowing he was going crazy. His son was going to have children of his own soon enough and that was going to slow down the priority of being king of the Lost cities. 
“Father? I have some news.” A dry voice called from the shadows, the master’s son was waiting impatiently.
“Well spit it out.” The master said after moments of silence. 
“As you know, there are people out there trying to prevent us from reaching our goal.” The son said keeping his voice even.
“Yesss.” The master hissed a displeased sound.
“Well, I propose that we get rid of their heirs.”
The only sound was the scratching of a pen gone dry without an inkwell to reshoot it, until it too went silent.
“Well?” The master said. A pleased sound came from his son.
“Most of them will have children soon and then when they're born we attack. Their houses are nothing but rubble. I will assure you that there will be no survivors.”
“But if you fail.” The master said, his voice full with menace. “Then you can only imagine what will happen to you dear son” 
The son stilled. “They won’t see it coming.” He said defiantly as he squared his shoulders under his cloak.
“Good. Now, take me to the weaponry, I’d love to see how it’s coming along.” The master draped an arm around Martain's neck and led him out of the room.
*~*~*~* 
That same night, a young man in his early twenties escaped. He knew he was a deserter. Banished. And was wasting his time on a group that he now saw their purpose. He was one of the Vackers. Oh, yes. The famous Vacker's that were practically royalty. Ha! They had no need for him and what he was going to do, though he was going to save them all.
Crester Vacker was waiting for a small boat to come and pick him up and take him to his old home. Away from everything. The good and the bad sides. Neutral. What a perfect word, he thought. 
As he stood there, his dark cape was blowing in the wind, a determined look on his face. At least that was until he heard a crack of a birch branch being stepped on.
A full moon glowed, lighting everything, but not what was behind him. “Who’s there?” He demanded as he drew a sword that he had cleverly stolen from the weaponry. It gleamed in the moonlight. He made sure his pathfinder was there, still feeling stupid that he didn’t create a crystal that would leap him back to his secluded home in the trees. He turned around staring at ghostly trees.
“I'm assuming a boat is meant to pick you up?” A female voice whispered behind him; Crester whipped around, surprised by the sudden visitor. 
It was a young woman, a little younger than him, around nineteen. She had chocolate dark hair and sharp cobalt blue eyes, and she showed no emotion other than a small simple smile on her face. She was dressed in a gray tunic and black leggings and boots. Her dark blue cape whipped around her shielding itself from the wind.
“Your silence makes me guess correctly.” The girl pointed out. 
“You don’t know that for sure.” Crester approved.
“Do I?”
Did she?
“Who are you?” Crester barked, done with the conversation.
“Someone who thinks the people you’ve been spying on for the past few years are going to try and rule the Lost Cities and wants to do something about it.” She said simply.
“Got you.” She said, after his face turned into something that even he didn’t know. “Now come with me.” She sprinted along the ocean’s shore, her laugh an echo. Crester raced after her, needing to know more about how she knew so much.
“Wait! Why are you doing this? Slow down!” He shouted as he raced after her. She was leaning on a tree, whose branches hung over the ocean water. The leaves had dimly glowing flowers that glowed like the moon.
“They're Moonbuds.” The girl said as Crester looked at them in awe. Crester nodded, a pleased smile cracked on his face. The girl studied the boy with a new view. “Does he really want to save the Lost Cities or is this about something else.” She wondered. 
She knew that there was a recent memory break on a member of a rebel group. It was Prentice Endal, he had been hiding something, about a strand of D.N.A which the council was sure was a hoax. But she highly doubted that.
“Where are you going?” “Better straightforward than going around. Since I’m bound to end up in a humiliating conversation.” She told herself.
“Fallen Point.” He said matter-of-factly as he studied the shore for any sign of his boat. “Well he certainly isn’t going to find it on the shore.” She snorted.
“How far?”
“Several islands from here.” He said vaguely. She frowned. 
“I'm going with you.” 
“I’m sorry what?”
“I'm going with you.” She repeated.
“But you can’t.” He said after a moment.
“Then you don’t get your boat.”
He frowned. “Fine. You can come with me. But that means that you will have to join our order. You already know too much..."
“Good, Nice to see us cooperating.” She snapped her finger, taking the boat out of the void, and jumped in before he could go on without her. The boy grumbled about all the explaining that he would have to do when they reached Fallen Point.
“I’ll call you Conjurer.” Crester said when they had been resting their sore arms from the rowing.
“Why?” The girl asked.
“Because that’s your ability and I don’t know your name.”
“You're a Telepath aren’t you?”
Crester almost fell out of the boat when the girl announced his ability. She laughed at his surprise. “So I’ll just call you Telepath then.”
“Fine.” Crester said trying to muster a bit of discipline, though he said it with a smile. Secretly he was glad for the company, after a few years of gathering information against his enemies he still didn’t have any friends. The only time he talked to anyone was if he bumped into someone. He had friends back at Fallen Point but it was going to be a bit of a different homecoming, since the information Crester had gathered depended on more than anyone could possibly know.
“Is this the island?” Conjurer asked as she and Telepath neared an island with a heavy waterfall going into the ocean. They had rowed for nearly non stop, except for the one break. 
“Yes, but we still have more to go. You’ll like the next part.” Telepath said with a grin.
“I’ll take it means, that there is still more rowing?” Conjurer grumbled. Telepath laughed, and pointed to the waterfall. “We have to row through there.”
“I beg your pardon? What did you say?”
“We have to row through the waterfall.”
“Through the waterfall.’’
“Yes.”
“That’s insane!”
“It’s our only way to Fallen Point!”
“Well that’s for sure. Where’s the people who built Fallen Point in the first place? I-I need a moment. The creators of Mallowmelt really did it this time!” Telepath smirked and Conjurer wanted to send it into the void, but she couldn’t. His arctic eyes, she could fall in and- NOPE! NOT GOING THERE AT ALL. 
“Fine. But we better row through it fast.”
Crester wasn’t too pleased with his new nickname, and he knew he was going to need to figure out Conjurer’s true name before meeting up with Alsaw. But it was worth the wait to watch Conjurer go through the waterfall. 
“Here we go.” Crester took a deep breath and paddled through the waterfall, getting drenched in the process. There was no scream from Conjurer when they passed through. Only one quite gasp. 
“Told you.” Crester said as the water from their clothes rose and covered the boat that they were already taking away the wood, leaving them in a frozen boat. It was a magical place, the waterfall was a teleporter or a portal to some. Taking them around the world in a heartbeat.
They were in the forest, the tall magenta leaved trees rustled with a bit of excitement, like they were pleased with Crester and his partner. The sky was dark with the stars shining. Some would even say they were winking. A light flickered next to the water boat, and Crester remembered. The lily pads. They grow along the river and when something nears them, the petals open displaying a glowing flower that can be seen from afar. His friends used them as warnings since a single light can easily catch your eye. 
“So, I’m guessing by your silence you like it.” He told Conjurer.
“It’s amazing.” She breathed. “Kelia.” She blurted.
Crester smiled. “I knew you would come to your senses. Crester. That up ahead is our destination."
"Fallen Point.”
*~*~*~*
Anden was bored, but that was a regular thing. He could practice battle and definitive tactics with either Indigo or Oram but that was practically out of the question. Though he was twenty-two, he was still a child at heart. 
Alsaw wouldn’t be pleased with the sight of him at two-thirty in the morning, and he would be safer staying on the main form, the centre of Fallen Point. Any day now, Crester should be arriving, and with news about their possible enemies.
Anden was going to go see if there was anything in the kitchen that would quiet his loud stomach when a light in the distance caught his eye. He forced his night vision skill to its max. He made out a boat, and looked like a boy around his age…
Anden ran to Alsaw’s office and banged on the door. He could hear his friend’s grumbling as he reached the door.
“What is it?” 
“Crester. He’s returned.”
“You’ll be fine.” Crester whispered as he pulled the boat ashore. Orbs of light lit up around Fallen Point signaling their arrival. Kelia looked very uncomfortable as sounds grew louder around them. Crester took her hand and looked her in her eyes.
“We’re going to do this together.” He said as he squeezed her hand and started towards his old home.
== Chapter One: Ella's POV ==
"What do you think's her secret?" Alice whispered to Ella.
"Still have no idea." Ella shrugged, and pushed her brown bangs out of her face. Her hair was almost identical to Alice's (besides multiple colors streaking her hair), but it brushed her shoulders instead of reaching to her waist like Alice's(Though Alice kept her hair up in usually a high pony and sometimes a high braid here or there) And her eyes were a unique green-blue, while Alice's were navy blue. Ella's sister, Claire elbowed her.
"Look," She pointed, her brown eyes shining with curiosity. The group of six friends had been curious about the girl in the high school class (that was also stuck at the museum that Friday), named Sophie.
"Again?" Asked Kit, with a slight sigh. She shook her brown hair, her blue tips hitting Clair. Kit meant again referring to Sophie’s strange habit of touching her temples. Granted it wasn’t too strange, but Sophie’s classmates had been talking and (with a little of Alice’s impressive eavesdropping skills) the six friends had figured out it was a normal thing for Sophie.
"Mhm.. You know, we're really gonna become nosy aunties at this rate." Leah said, and went back to fidgeting with the silver pen in her hand.
Ella sighed. They were dragged by their teacher to the natural history museum, which was a wrong thing to do on a Friday afternoon, especially with little five and six year old monsters there. All Alice wanted to do was go to the medieval area and learn about the great battles of knights and wars, and to sum it up sword fighting. Claire just wanted to admire the art from the painters of the 1700 and 1800s. Ella could tell that Kit would rather play on the beach or run in the waves at the several beaches in San Diego. And Leah had more than once considered leaving this "jail" they were in and sprint precisely 'ANYWHERE else'. 
And Ella, she had no idea of what she wanted to do. Though she did know she had a horrible headache from the kids running around, and she was trying to block the noise out.
Ella glanced at Alice, who was absent-mindlessly tracing her fingers around the six scars on her arm that she got when she was a baby. Ella rested a hand on her shoulder and gave a small smile. She was grateful when the smile was returned.
"Hey," Claire elbowed Ella again. 
Ella sighed, and turned to Clair. "Can you stop elbowing me all the ti-" She was cut off by her sister.
"Look! Have you ever seen a eye color like that?" Claire pointed at a tall dark haired boy around the age of fifteen, with the tealest eyes Ella had ever seen.
The boy had the week's newspaper tucked under his left arm and was studying the T-Rex skeleton with a perplexed look on his face, like something was wrong.
Ella tilted her head, hoping that it would identify what was wrong in the poster, his face, or the fact that he was there by himself with the newspaper that only elderly people carried around.
"Hey Alice," Ella nudged her friend's arm. "What's weird about that boy?"
Alice's eyebrows raised, the thing she did when she thinks there's either something wrong about something, or thinks you’re losing your mind. Ella pursed her lips together, knowing that it would tick Alice.
Fury flicked over her eyes, but disappeared as fast as it appeared. Alice stared at the boy for 96 seconds before saying the oddest thing Ella could ever think of.
"I have to use the restroom." Alice notified her friends. Ella raised an eyebrow. Alice clarified.
"Look, the restrooms are closer to the boy. If I can get closer I might figure out who the boy is and why he's here by himself no less."
"Good, I'll come with you." Kit said, making her way towards the bathroom. Ella raised her hands as if to say, “Seriously?” Alice whispered one more thing before she made her way through the crowds:
"If he does anything out of the ordinary and I single 'come' , then meet us at the restroom." 
With that Alice morphed into the crowd.
"Do you think that there is anything ordinary about that boy?" Claire asked, twirling her strand of bright blue hair that she left out of her white bun.
"Well, he doesn't look like a kidnapper." Leah replied, as she studied the suspect. Though, she hastily changed her answer after the glare she had received from Claire. "Umm.. I mean, he should probably have an adult?? "
“What if he’s in the same class as Sophie?” Claire suggested.
Leah started to reply but Ella didn’t hear it as her mind wandered away from the weird boy and to the time ahead.
The group had to notify their teacher that they had to make it home in time to get to their classes. Kit had archery and the others had fencing. They were lucky that these classes were   during the last hours of school and they didn't need to suffer through History, Math, and Spanish. Not that they didn't need those classes.
The entire class knew about their 'smarts' and their 'A+'s' on everything, they were often teased about it. It was hard for Kit and Alice since they were born with photographic memory that only their small group knew about. And that they had no idea how they received such a skill.
At least they weren't like Sophie, the girl in the newspaper...
Newspaper.
"That boy." Ella connected the dots.
"Come on, they're signaling." Clair's voice snapped Ella out of her trance. Ella saw Leah disappear into the crowd in the direction of the restroom. Claire waved a hand in front of Ella's face.
Ella snapped out of her trance, "I'm fine. Let's go." With an arm clasped around her sister Ella was pulled into the crowd. 
“Do you see them?” Claire asked.
“Um,” Ella squinted. “Aha, over there.” She pointed, and Claire dragged her forward towards their friends. 
“Okay,” Alice said, once they were all together. 
“Wait,” Ella said, “I think I know what it is. Look at the newspaper-”
Kit stopped her. “Look, he's walking towards her.” 
“Sophie.” Leah confirmed. 
“Ah,” Claire said. “I get it now,”
Ella nodded. “I was thinking he knew something about her.”
The girls fell silent as the mysterious boy started talking to Sophie. She seemed confused, surprised, and terrified by the boy. 
“Should we intervene?” Claire asked, and Ella saw Sophie tense. Suddenly the kids that had been giving Ella a headache, stormed closer to the boy and Sophie. Ella winced, covering her ears, at the same time both Sophie and the boy grabbed their temples. This didn’t seem very strange to Ella; the kids were incredibly loud. But then they met each other’s eyes and realization dawned on Sophie’s face, her eyes filled with panic and she ran in the direction of the door. The boy held out a hand after her and shouted 
“Sophie!” The six girls' eyes all swivelled to watch, as the boy chased Sophie out of the museum. 
“Come on,” Alice started after Sophie but Ella grabbed her shirt. 
“Wait, are you sure that’s a good idea? And even if it is fine Mrs. Jing is looking for us. We don’t want to get detention. And we have fencing classes soon.” 
Alice sighed. “Just really quick, we’ll come right back.” 
Ella opened her mouth, and closed it when everyone gave her a look. She sighed. “Fine let’s go,” They ran in the same direction, with Alice and Claire in the lead. They all hacked and coughed when the cotton candy smell from the white hot fires entered their lungs. 
After scanning the parking lot, they were too late to follow Sophie and the strange boy, and reluctantly went inside. 
“Ah,” Mrs. Jing started, when she saw them, but Ella interrupted her. 
“Mrs. Jing, we need to leave for our classes.” 
Mrs. Jing sighed and nodded. “Alright class,” She said. “We need to leave now, but we can come back next Friday.” 
There was a groan from the class, but Mrs. Jing didn’t seem to notice, everyone loaded into the bus and they were off. 
Leah shifted, stuck between Kit and Alice. "So what do you think was the deal with those two?” Leah asked, turning around in her seat to see her other two friends behind her.
“I don’t know,” Kit replied. 
“I don’t think they knew each other.” Claire said.
“Maybe,” Alice said. “That seems pretty likely, cause she ran… But-”
“He seemed to have known her.” Ella finished.
“Exactly.”
“Well she is in the newspaper, and he was reading it.” Leah pointed out.
“I’m not sure, maybe…” Kit trailed off.
“It’s a mystery,” Claire said, pulling a book out of her bag. 
“Also it’s someone else’s life,” Ella said. “We probably shouldn’t be prying at it anyway.” 
“But still,” Kit said. 
Everyone nodded. They still wanted to find out.
== Chapter Two: Alice's POV ==
The clanging noise rang through Alice’s ears as she studied Cameron and Stephen going head to head in the level above her. But Alice could easily beat them; as well as her friends. Alice found peace in this pole slashing sport as a sort of focus cool down of sorts that she didn’t know how to describe.
Stephen suddenly lunged and was rewarded with a point against Cameron. Alice continued to study the movements of possibly her future competition. But something was different. Something settled deep into her skin, making her hand flinch to her scar. She couldn’t trace it at the moment, since fencing gear covers the whole body, but she rested her hand on the scars, feeling slightly better.
Who was that boy? And what did he want from Sophie? Alice asked herself. Well I know his name is Fitz. She told herself matter of factly, but it only gave her a drop of pride in her continually sinking feeling. Fitz, the boy, had said something right after the classes of first graders came in. They both clutched their heads. Then he said something that made her eyes go wide and sprint out the door. But what did he s-
“Got ya!” Kit jumped on Alice’s back making her frantic to regain control over gravity. The second her back recovered, she turned around to lecture her friend, but stopped because of the giggles. Alice could never stop the giggles.
Kit was standing right behind her head a mess of brown hair with blue piled on top of her head, evidence that her fencing helmet with pale blue markings simply ruined her hair.
“I know right!” Kit complained, once Alice’s giggles calmed down, into soft hiccups. “And nobody has a brush I can use.”
“Oh, you poor thing,” Alice said, still trying to recover from her giggles.
A loud blaring sound rang through the area, where everyone was either practicing or battling. The sound marked the end to the three minute clock for fencers that were partaking in a duel.
“Come on,” Kit said, trying to drag Alice away from the older group's games. “Let’s get back to the others. You start in thirty minutes!”
~ ~ ~
“Very good Clair.” Mrs. Carlos was saying as Kit and Alice arrived at the practicing area. “Lovely stance.” Claire beamed, and she should be, since Alice remembered her night going lessons to herself for the past few weeks. Alice sat down as her mind started to wander again.
“Alice.” Mrs. Carlos was suddenly sitting on the bench beside her. “If there’s too much on your mind or you're stressed out, or even just don’t feel like it, we don’t have to do it today.” Alice sighed. She wanted to do it so badly, she was ready but the dark feeling was embedded in her skin. A small flicker raced through her enlightening it all when it made clear what she needed.
“I can do it today, Mrs. Carlos. But can I talk to Ella first?”
“Of course, just a few minutes though. I need to find Leah. Do you know where she went?”
“No I don’t, but check the older matches, she likes to watch them as much as the rest of us." Alice said as she rose and took out her ponytail.
“Thank you, good luck, you’ll need it.” And Mrs. Carlos was away in a flash.
Alice called Ella over and took her to the locker room.
“What do you need?” Ella asked when they reached the farthest corner of the locker room.
“I need you to do that calming thing to my head. It fuzzes the things I’m stressed about and helps me focus on the task ahead. They come back later but I just need them away for the match. Please Ella.”
Ella sighed and Alice took it as a yes, so she sat down on the bench, facing Ella. Ella took a deep breath and extended two shaky fingers towards Alice’s temples. Nothing happened at first, but then a cloud of nothingness came over Alice, like a storm or a flood, drenching everything and fuzzing her photographic memory.
Ella suddenly took back her fingers and looked slightly drained. Alice paled. She couldn’t have strained her. With her match to come as well.
“I’m fine.” Ella said after 93 seconds. Alice gave her a skeptical look that resulted in a snort from Ella, that soon turned into giggles.
“Come on.” Ella said, pulling Alice towards the door. “You don’t want to be late!”
~ ~ ~
Alice sat on the bench next staring at the scoreboard. It just showed the score that was still 0 to 0, and her name and Mrs. Carlos’. This was what she asked for, to go against her teacher. The other levels were going to watch as well. This was it.
Alice scanned the crowd, her eyes settled on her foster parents, and her foster brother Ben, who already looked like he was trying to escape his mother’s arms. Her older foster brothers were away at college so the couldn't make, but nevertheless, she smiled at her light haired family with their pale green eyes. Alice turned back to her friends.
“Hey calm down. You're going to do fine.” Claire was telling her that it was just to have fun, to see if she could do it. Alice’s head felt lighter after Ella did the thing to clear her head, but it only shoved other things out of her head, not the current stuff.
Leah rested her weapon of choice on the bench and gave Alice her helmet with navy blue touches. “You're going to do great. Just be calm and focus. You're really talented Alice, you just need some trust in yourself." Leah give her a smile and a small wink as she made her way to the audience.
Her hands shook as she picked up her helmet and tried putting it on but Kit stopped her. Kit’s hair was fine since she found a brush and frantically combed it before anyone else saw her. “Just really quick.” Kit parted her hair and quickly braided Alice’s hair, a new style compared to the always in a ponytail gist. “Go get her.”
Alice slid on her helmet and lifted up so her friends could see her. “I’m going to try to attack early, then go on the defense.” Alice told them as she pulled on her gloves, then curled her hand into a fist and made a decision. “Come to my house later.” She told them and was ready to face her teacher.
~ ~ ~
“That was so weird.” Alice was telling her friends in her foster parents’ car after her match against Mrs. Carlos.
“What was it?” Kit asked, she was doing some of her homework.
“Yeah it seemed like a normal match to me.” Leah said as she doodled on her palm.
“It felt like every time our weapons touched I felt static, like I was shocked or something.” Alice informed them.
“Well you won anyways.” Ella pointed out.
“I guess you're right.” Alice sighed and stared out the window.
“What time are we coming over?” Claire asked.
“After dark. I’ve been thinking about the museum thing.”
== Chapter Three: Leah's POV (TO BE EDITED) ==
"LEAH! I'm inviting some people, and I DON'T want you downstairs. Also mum said you can't go out."
She silently groaned back in response, her sister always did this when she had plans. Nevertheless, she always found a way to sneak out. Another reason, why she loved her room. The window comes in very handy...
Her phone vibrated next to her, as it had been doing for the last 10 minutes. Well, it looked like she couldn’t procrastinate for much longer.
She quickly finished packing a few essentials for the night, tied her hair into a messy bun and picked up her air pods. After the ‘incident’, her friends had texted each other non-stop, coming up with random and crazy theories. Now they had planned a sleepover to discuss the various ideas. She had a vague memory of something to do with the government and FBI agents…
As she snuck out, she looked at her parents’ closed bedroom door. Even though they scolded her A LOT, she did feel some guilt every time she snuck out of the house. She dismissed the thoughts, and cautiously opened the door. Kit was already on her way to Alice’s house; such a perfect time to scare her.
“Boo!” she whispered into her right ear. She was greeted by her normal response; a scream, some anger and finally laughter.
“Lea come on! That is not funny.”
“Sure it isn’t, ma’am,” she replied whilst giving her a mock salute. They both burst out laughing, just as they reached Alice’s house. A few seconds later, she opened the door with Ella and Claire behind her arguing.
“Okay, but that was not magic!”
“It definitely was. Anyways, she is definitely NOT a secret FBI agent undercover.”
Alice let us in and looked at the siblings with anger written all over her face.
Oh NO-
Her eardrums had already suffered a scolding from her parents, this was definitely not going to help.
The two had finally stopped arguing and looked at her apologetically.
“Finally! You’re so childish, anyways I’ve made a list of possibilities and all the info we have”
Classic mood swing.
We quickly went to Alice’s bedroom, where she already had a board pinned with theories. Lea put her air pods in, and zoned out. She thought they were paying way too much attention to Sophie; and besides most of these theories were really unlikely. Half an hour later she was still humming softly, whilst finishing one of the short stories she had written. Next to her, Ella had elbowed her.
“Leah, I think you might want to see this”, she looked at her irritated and confused. Though as she turned around, all her irritation faded away.
She didn’t know if this was some elaborate prank, but now all those theories didn’t seem as unlikely as they had before.
In front of her, was Clair’s phone…
Floating?
It was a few inches away from the ceiling, and so close to the chandelier she feared it may hit it. Everyone was crowded underneath it, whilst Claire was standing up, startled and confused.
Moments later, the phone had moved a few more inches safely away from the chandelier. Left. Right. Up. Left. Right. Down.  It was moving in a very peculiar pattern. She looked at Claire who had closed her eyes and was concentrating.
“Clair, this isn’t some type of joke right? HOW are you doing that?”, Ella looked at her sister with awe. Claire finally opened her eyes; “I have no idea. One minute, I was just staring at my phone and then the next- “She never got to finish though as her concentration broke and the phone was falling.
It was just a few centimetres underneath the chandelier now.
Falling.
It had reached the height of Alice’s desk.
Still falling.
Now, it was only a few centimetres away from the ground.
Caught.
Just in time as well. Kit had managed to dive towards the phone and it was now safely in her palm. After a few seconds of silence, everyone burst out at the same time.
“What in the world just happened?”
“This wasn’t a joke, right?”
“You'er a wizard Harry.”
“Are we going to tell anyone about this?”
“Can you do it again?”
“How exact- “
“ENOUGH”, they all turned around to an angry Claire who looked like she was about to lose it.
“I’m going to be the one talking, okay? When you guys were talking about a theory, I got really bored and got my phone out. After 20 minutes, I just stared at it, since the battery ran out- “
“I told you to charge your phone, but you never listen,” Ella remarked.
“As I was saying, and then I got this.” She paused before adding; "It was like an instinct."
“You do know how silly that sounds right?”, this time Leah had to agree with what Ella said. How had she gotten an instinct? This seemed like something that had come right out of a fantasy book, she did not like the sound of that.
There had to be a reason…
Right?
Her phone started buzzing startling her out of her jumbled thoughts.
“I’m sorry guys, I really need to go. My parents are calling me, and you know they’re just really strict. See you at school next Monday then? Make sure you update me”
“Bye Leah,”
“See ya,”
“Next Monday then,”
“UNBLOCK ME NOW!”
“Nah, I think it’s best if I don’t,” she replied back and left the extravagant building. Hopefully, her punishment wouldn’t be too bad. She jogged back home, unaware of any signs of danger.
If she had gone home earlier; then she might have caught a glimpse of the cloaked figure who had been watching them for so long. She might have even seen him disappearing into the shadows, and maybe if she looked close enough she would have seen the sign on his cloak...
== Chapter Four: Clover's POV ==
Life could be scary, Clover knew that as a fact. Her only family was the nature around her, it had given her a name, it had cared and nourished her. 
It was her time to go now; the truth was that the world was scared of what they didn't know.
The world was scared of her. 
But what was her fault?
Was it her fault, that she unwillingly possessed an unknown ability? Or was it her fault that every day she trained herself for battle, afraid thinking elves would come after her? 
People always seen more scared of powerful people. It was the truth she had discovered in a harsh manner.
She was going to Exelluim so she could properly learn to use the special skills each elf was given. She considered herself to be a natural now at anything battle/combat related, but when it came to change she pretty much sucked at that. She was afraid of the mere idea. 
Clover already finished her forms and had gotten her uniform, now she just needed to get there. She hummed a quick melody to the roots, asking them for help to take her there. 
She continued to hum the soft melody as the roots took her to Exilluim. She knew that there was a test waiting for her, and yet she wasn't afraid. When Clover arrived she felt a rope pull her upside down, she thought herself to be a creative person and she was also fortunately used to thinking straight during stressful moments.
When she combined the two she had a perfect plan, she knew that if she cut the rope in the position she was in she would probably land on her head. So instead she did a full body sit up and grabbed the top of the rope with one hand and used the other to cut herself free. After a second she was standing on her feet brushing off imaginary dirt because it always looked really cool in human movies, right? 
"Wow" she heard the crowd gasping, at first she was pleased thinking they were shocked by her performance. But, the familiar feeling of dread returned as she realized that wasn't it, it was her appearance. Especially her green freckles. Nature had raised her and her freckles were proof of that.
"Right hemisphere." a loud voice boomed. Clover sucked in a breath and made her way to the right hemisphere.
"Okay everyone," their coach boomed 
"I want you all to start training. Today you will be practicing you outward channeling, you will all be given a rock and I expect everyone to get close to breaking it." The blue coach started handing out rocks. All the way wards sat down and started staring at the rocks. 
Clover didn't understand what they were trying to do; honestly most of them looked like they were constipated. Clover called the earth, planted the imaginary seed and then watched the rock exploded. It may have not been the right method, bit it was easier and it was effortless for her. Not exactly cheating. She didn't understand why people were over thinking it. 
The blue coach came up to her and gave her another rock, within seconds the rock crumbled. The coach gave her another one, and again the rock crumbled almost too quickly. Everyone started to stare at her including the blue coach. The blue coach gave her another rock "Break this, it's a different material, one that Is harder to break." everyone stared at her, this time it took her a minute but at the end of the minute the rock had shattered into a million pieces. 
Everyone in her group started whispering "Isn't she the one that manifested at 7 years old, and was way too powerful for her own good?"
It was true she had been the one to have manifested at 7, but she never felt like she commanded nature. You couldn't command a friend. 
She asked a favour of it and it obeyed.
"Is it okay to stop now?" Clover asked. her coach "Hmmm, I don't think that would be wise, EVERYONE GET BACK TO WORK." he boomed.
Clover managed to explode around 21 more rock before she was feeling strained, and by the end of the day she kept wondering; is this the right place for me? She had hummed the same song to ask the roots to bring her back to her little cabin made of roots and vines in the forest, after dinner she practiced more battle tactics. 
She fell asleep against her own will, exhausted from training. Her dreams were filled with unfamiliar faces sneering at her with disapproval and disgust, and even they were taunting her and asking; 
"Is this the place for you?" 
== Chapter Five: Hydrina's POV ==
Hydrina held a glittering bead in her palm, her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m not going,” she whispered.
“Father, I am not going to some random ‘Elvin’ school, no matter what you say.” A tall, overpowering figure shook his head, his face mirroring obvious distaste.
“Hydrina Zemariam, no matter what you say, you are part Elvin. And you’re not going to school, you’re going to Exillium.” 
“I am not Elvin!” Hydrina threw the bead on the ground, and the glass sparkled before it shattered, littering the bedroom floor.
Hydrina’s eyes widened as her father shook his head, and the walls began to rattle as his eyes flamed with hatred.
“I don’t care what you think. I don’t even want you as my daughter! All you are is some powerless witch of a liar! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have to waste my time on you, when I could be working on some assignment from the Council!”
Her teary eyes suddenly cleared, and she became cold. Like a humanized emotionless ice, frozen in time.
“I don’t need you.” She paused, her eyes glowing an aquamarine blue from her usual chestnut brown.
“And I never wanted you in the first place.” The world turned black and white, and energy swirled all around her. Her father shook his head, his energy a flame of red, twisting and turning in his heart among the colorless world.
“You think that revealing that you have power means that I’ll accept you?”
She was still, and shook her head.
“You think that I always had this power,” She said, slowly, still in a trance.
“You think that I hid it from you until I was ready, so that I could use you. But I didn’t. And I don’t know why you left mom and me, but I don’t want to hear it. I’m done putting up with the lies and the hate. I’m done. My existence shouldn’t be why you left me, why you left Mom!”
Marcus, her father, frowned. Hi
is gaze flames of red-hot energy in her vision.
“You thought that I left you guys because of you.” An ugly smirk crawled unto his face, and she tightened her palms into a tight ball, her vision sharpening.
“You thought—you’re insane. I would’ve never done that. That’s a very far low that you’re holding me to.” He pushed her chin up with a ringed finger and stared into her eyes, giving a bitter laugh that echoed bright red energy everywhere.
“It’s your power, witch girl.”
She pushed his hand away, but something about it made her snap out of her trace. She tumbled to the ground, and the world gained color again. Her gaze fixed on the ringed finger, and tears slipped down her cheeks when she realized what it was.
Her mother’s ring, the one she promised to give to Hydrina all those years ago.
She still remembered the moment she whispered about it’s great power, braided secrets into her hair, and told her, that one day, it would be the solution to everything.
“Take. It. Off.” She tried to push herself off of the floor, but an invisible weight kept her grounded.
Her father looked down on her, stretching his hand out wider every time the weight increased.
Telekinesis. He’s a master, just like Mom.
“I get to choose what I wear, witch. And you’re going to be a good witch and go. To. Exillum!” The weight increased massively, and she felt her spine pressed against the weight.
“I won’t, no matter-” She wheezed.
“What-you—do. That—school-is-for-exiles.” The weight pressed closer to her pulse, and Marcus whispered in her ear, his hot breath a flame beside her face.
“Oh, you will go. Because you won’t ruin my reputation and my chance at getting into the Council, witch girl. And both know it. Because you’re time—” he snapped, and she could barely breathe.
“—Is running out.”
Her face went cold. And her eyes widened with an unspoken fear.
“Yes, father. I’ll go to Exillum.” The weight remained for a few seconds, before lifting. She gasped in several breaths, holding her neck as she choked on air.
“But,” She whispered, her voice hoarse.
“I keep the ring.”
==Chapter Six: Leah's POV==
“LEAH WAKE UP”
Such a lovely way to wake someone up, wasn’t it? She opened her eyes gradually and was greeted by four impatient faces staring at her impatiently.
“Come on! I literally fell asleep five minutes ago.”, she replied back still sounding half-asleep.
“Well miss, your ‘five minutes’ was actually half an hour. Come on, we’re here now.” Kit answered whilst everyone was grabbing their bags and preparing to leave the school bus.
“I swear it was five minutes though” Leah muttered silently, as she tied her hair into a loose ponytail and grabbed her bag.
The bell had rung just as they had reached their classes. Alice and Claire were in the changing rooms with her whilst Kit had Geography and Ella in the lab. She prayed silently that Ella wouldn’t find a way to burn something. Again.
“Okay, we really need to talk about what happened yesterday.” Claire had a point. The incident had kept her awake all night but she still didn’t have a logical idea. Plus, now she was sleep deprived. Though it could also be the fact that she was doing her art homework at 2 am…
“Yeah. I have no ideas right now, but let’s talk at lunch. It’s soccer today right?”
“Yep!” Alice replied whilst tying her shoelaces. Her navy-blue eyes were filled with excitement as she prepared for her ‘warm up laps’ (which Leah and pretty much everyone else would never consider warm ups). As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t say she shared the excitement.
…
“I CAN FINALLY EAT!” her stomach had been unbearable for at least half an hour due to the fact she had missed breakfast again.
“You’re such a drama queen” Ella responded though there was a huge grin on her face. She scanned the cafeteria looking for everyone else. Alice and Claire had already chosen a table whilst Kit was on her way to get her food, which seemed to be…
Mashed potatoes.
Again.
“Devon’s behind us, let’s go.” Her mind went blank as she tried remembering who Devon even was.
She turned around to find a group of senior students busy on their phones. A towering and muscular frame, who seemed to be their leader, was in the middle of the group. If it wasn’t for his haircut, she might have considered him good looking.
“Is he the guy, who’s been annoying you?”
The flicker of hesitation told her all she needed to know.
***
“LEAH SELENE, WHAT WAS THAT!? YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN SUSPENDED OR EVEN EXPELLED. YOU JUST HAD TO BREAK HIS NOSE, DIDN’T YOU?” Leah flinched whilst Alice was giving her another lecture that evening. She thought that going to the beach would lighten up her mood and save her from another lecture.
Unfortunately, she was wrong.
Very. Wrong.
“Excuse me?” she turned around, grateful for the mystery person who had saved her ear drums.
Behind her, was a girl who looked to be around 14 or 15 at most. She looked mature for her age with a slim frame and large, chocolate-brown eyes that were currently studying her friends. There were a few freckles sprinkled onto her umber skin; overall she held the air of someone guarded and secretive.
“Thank the creators of Mallowmelt, I’ve found you”, Mallowmelt!? What on earth was that? 
"Hold up. Why would you be looking for us? Wait- Devon didn’t send you did he?” Kit asked whilst staring at the empty crisp packets with disappointment.
“No, I have no idea who Devon is. I'm Hydrina by the way. You don't by any chance have a piece of mallowmelt? ”
Claire stage –whispered to her sister, “I don’t think she’s okay”; unfortunately, in return she got elbowed in the stomach. Note to self- never annoy Ella again.
“Of course, you humans really miss out decent food. Mallowmelt is this.. dish that tastes amazing. It's soaked in ice cream and drenched in butterscotch.”; there was a collective gasp as everyone was certainly imagining this heavenly dish.
“Well, we don't have 'mallowmelt' but can we help you with anything else? Actually wait, we can’t give you the crisps as someone’s eaten them all”, Leah glared at Ella who stuck her tongue out in response. 
“ No thanks, this might sound really weird, but I need you guys to follow me. My f- I mean I've been searching for you all for ages.”, there was an awkward silence as everyone stared at Hydrina as if she had gone half-mad. She possibly could be. 
“You know if you’re a kidnapper, you’re not doing your job very well…” Alice slowly stated as she started grabbing her belongings.
“Of course I’m not- “, she was cut off by a ringing noise coming from her jeans pocket.
She was in deep thought, possibly wondering whether or not to stay. “I need to go, I’ll come later though, if I can.”
The five friends all stared at each other confused, everyone thinking the same thing. 
Who even was she? 
Before she left, she turned around indecisively before taking out a sack from her coat pocket. She quickly emptied it out whilst looking around her checking if there was anyone else present. 
“Before I go, you guys should take these. Don’t show ANYONE though. ” In each palm was a collection of identical strangely shaped objects, each one looking highly expensive.
You most definitely would not be able to buy or even see them here.
She held a group of thin, clear crystals glistening in the light from the sunset; Leah noted that there were exactly five.
“These are leaping crystals. You use them to leap to the Los-, I mean other places. Watch how I use it carefully. ”
Before anyone could ask any questions, Hydrina had given the ‘leaping crystals' to Alice (who was staring at them blankly) and held her own up to the crimson sky. She created what looked like a beam of light and simply vanished. She didn't know if she should feel impressed, confused or weirded out.
Kit eventually broke the silence and asked, “Definitely not a kidnapper then... Why do you think she gave these to us?" No one had a solid answer and perhaps that was what concerned Leah.
Out of all people, why them?
== Chapter Seven: Ella's POV ==
The world flashed past, the wind blowing Ella’s short hair in her eyes. She didn’t mind, and she tucked her hair behind her ear, breathing the smell of sea through the window.
Her, her twin sister, and their friends were going to the beach with their foster parents for the weekend. Kit’s foster dad was driving, and the six friends were all crammed in the back row. Ella sighed happily.
“We’re almost there.” Kit’s dad said from the front seat.
Ella picked up her small bag and towel, and next to her Claire did the same. Ella opened the car door and ran towards the beach with Alice and Kit on her heels. Kit soon caught up and ran alongside her. Ella and Kit paused at the edge of the beach and pulled off their flip flops which gave their friends time to catch up.
“Come on!” Ella yelled, and her and Kit took off again, their feet slipping in the hot sand. Ella stopped, panting, the water lapping her ankles.
Alice soon caught up with her two friends, also gasping for breath.
Ella spotted an impressively big sandcastle and pointed.
“Look,” she told Alice. Just then Clair, and Leah caught up.
“What?” They all asked.
“Over there.” Ella pointed again.
“Oh,” Kit was the first to see.
“It's still there?” Leah asked. The friends were referring to the sandcastle they had built together last weekend.
“Apparently.” Alice shrugged. “Now I'm getting wet, who wants to join?” With that Alice ran into the waves up to her waist and jumped into a wave. She came up spluttering.
“Little chilly,” Alice informed her friends, shivering.
Ella pushed her sunglasses up on her head. “I’m coming in.”
Alice smiled mischievously. “Oh it’s warmer now,” She insisted.
“Yeah, no.” Leah disagreed, not trusting Alice’s smile. She laid her towel on the beach and dropped her bag on top. She gingerly dipped her foot in and walked till the waterline was just above her ankles. Kit, Ella, and Alice were already splashing each other out in the deeper water and Claire was wading out to join them. Ella squinted at the green water and could see Leah swimming beneath her. She waited then as soon as Leah resurfaced, splashed Leah, and dove under the water before Leah could pay her back. Ella swam around Clair’s legs and came up behind her sister, there was water going everywhere. Ella dipped her hands under the water and brought them up, quickly, splattering everyone in a shower of salty water.
Claire coughed, and splashed Ella, which was quickly returned. Leah splashed Kit, who did the same to Alice, and Kit was rewarded with plenty of water over her head.
“Hey!” Kit laughed, and dove under, she could feel something strange… but it was gone as soon as it had come, and Kit resurfaced.
“Okay,” Claire said, shivering, “I’m gonna go warm up,” She jerked a thumb towards the shore and started walking off.
“Wait for me!” Ella cried, then ran after her sister, singing, “Waaaiit for me!” Both sisters cracked up at the reference, their friends shrugged and walked after them.
For the rest of the week Ella hummed Wait For Me until Friday, since she listened to the Hamilton soundtrack and ended up with Aaron Burr, Sir and The Room Where It Happened stuck in her head instead. Anyway, back to the present time.
They settled on the beach, (their foster parents were taking a walk) Ella and Kit started another sandcastle, while Leah and Claire became absorbed in their books, and Alice snacked on potato chips. Leah stealthily tried to steal the bag from Alice, who yanked it away. A (thought to be subtle by the two parties but very un-subtle) fight erupted between Leah and Alice, over who should get the potato chips. During this fight, Claire read her book, Ella built the gateway to the garden beside the castle, and Kitty ended the fight by dividing the potato chips onto six paper plates.
“There,” Kit said, using a pocket-knife she had brought with her, to carve vines on the sand arch.
Ella sat back on her toes, “It’s great, maybe better than the one we did last week.” She dug through her bag, pulled out her iPhone, and took a quick picture of the castle.
Leah crunched on a potato chip, “Yeah,” She agreed, without even looking away from her book.
Ella pulled out her own book, and, using her bag as a pillow, leaned back on her towel and read. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kitty push her sunglasses back on and sunbath on her own towel.
SPOILER ALERT IN THE FOLLOWING IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PERCY JACKSON THE TITAN'S CURSE
Ella soon forgot about everything around her as she read, she was reaching the climax of her book. Percy, Zoë, and Thalia had found Annabeth and Artemis, but Zoë was dying and “the general” was definitely way too tough a match for Percy and Thalia. Not to mention Luke was there, and Artemis couldn’t help them because she was busy holding up the weight of the sky. And of course Artemis refused to let anyone else have to hold up the sky because they would break under it…
After a few minutes everything had been sorted out and Percy’s Pegasus Blackjack, had brought his two pegasi friends with him, to carry Annabeth and Thalia-
SPOILER ALERT FOR PERCY JACKSON THE TITAN'S CURSE OVER
“Ella,” Claire shook her shoulder. “Do you want lunch?”
“Oh, yeah, definitely.” Ella slammed her book shut and dropped it on her bag.
“Ham sandwiches?” Ella asked.
“Yeah.” Kit said, hungrily picking one up like she hadn’t eaten in weeks. “Yum,”
Ella picked up a sandwich and there was silence, save for the sound of the ocean, someone’s music farther down the beach, and chewing noises.
Alice broke the silence first, through her last mouthful of sandwich. “That was tasty, and for dessert,” Alice pulled six candy bars out of her bag.
“Ooh!” Kit said, finishing her sandwich and taking the candy handed to her.
“You really are a mind-reader.” Leah exclaimed.
“Thanks.” Ella smiled at Alice, picking up a candy bar.
“I’ll always supply snacks/dessert.” Alice said, with a wink.
Claire rolled her eyes, biting into the candy bar. “Thanks, though.”
“Yeah,” Kit agreed.
And Leah nodded.
Ella chewed on her chocolate bar, and continued reading her book.
About fifteen minutes later, the friends' foster parents came back from their walk.
"We're heading to the café," Ella's mom informed her. "Just come over around six and we'll head home." Ella knew what she meant, there was a new cafe behind the dunes their foster parents had been dying to go to.
Ella nodded and went back to her book.
At the end of her book Ella looked up. The sun was just about to set, she could tell, she picked up her phone and checked the time: 5:37 Pm.
"Um, guys?" Ella asked. "We have to go find our parents by six."
"There's no way it's that late," Alice looked up from her book and Ella showed her the time. "Wow, okay." Alice heaved a sigh.
"Let's start cleaning up then," Leah instructed.
Ella looked over at Kit who was sleeping soundly, she tossed her bag over shoulder, stuffed her phone in her pocket, and shook Kit's shoulder.
"Huh?" Kit asked, sleepily, opening her eyes.
"We need to leave." Ella told her.
Kit sat up, and gave Ella a thumbs up.
Ella stood up, and slipped on her flip flops.
"So," She asked Alice, while they waited for everyone else to gather their things. "Are we coming here tomorrow again? Me and Claire can, and our parents agreed to drive us again, they want to check out the new burger place."
"I can," Alice agreed.
Leah suddenly showed up at Ella's shoulder, "I can too,"
"Ah!" Ella screamed, and jumped. "You gave me a heart attack! How do you do that?"
Leah replied "Magic, honey." Though she had slightly stiffened. Weird?
"What are you talking about?" Kit asked, as she and Claire joined them and the group of friends started walking.
"How Leah's incredibly silent and terrifying." Ella told them.
Alice shook her head. "If we're coming to the beach again tomorrow."
"Oh, I can," Kit said. "I think, I'll ask my parents and text you guys tonight."
"There's the café," Claire pointed.
The six girls entered and found their foster parents at a table in the front of the small café.
Alice's mom noticed them first, "Hi guys, you're ready to go?"
"Yeah," Kit answered.
"Alright," Leah's mum said. "Let's go," She twirled the car keys.
The girls walked out of the café and waited outside. Soon their foster parents came out and Kitty's dad once again drove.
When they reached Ella and Clair's house, (which was closest to the beach) everyone said goodbye.
"Come on," Claire went inside, leaving Ella standing on the porch, "Dinner soon, and we still need to change and you need to hurry up if you want to shower."
"Yeah," Ella nodded. "I'll be right in." Ella took a deep breath, there was something strange in the air, she couldn't quite identify it- Wait, was that rock floating? Ella looked in the direction, but nothing was strange. She shrugged, and went inside. Ella changed, and sat on the edge of the bunk bed she and Claire shared, while brushing her hair. Ella's iPhone buzzed, she picked it up and saw a text from Kit: I can come tomorrow! Followed by a lot of exclamation marks and heart eyes. Ella responded, and left the room, smiling; it had been a nice day.
After dinner, Ella checked her texts again and found everyone had responded to Kit's text including a celebration gif from Clair. She rolled her eyes, plugged up her phone and rolled into bed, the window was cracked and even though it was night the air was still warm. Ella grabbed her book and read the first chapter of Battle of the Labyrinth. Then fell asleep, that night Ella dreamed about that day, mixed with the strange feeling she had earlier and the first chapter of Battle of the Labyrinth.
== Chapter Eight: Kitty's POV ==
Kit raced down towards the beach, her friends close behind. “I’m TIRED and it’s EARLY.” Ella complained as they sped down onto the sand. “Then the cold water will wake you up” Alice joked as they reached the water. 
“Sooo… Why did we have to get up this early?” Leah asked as she dipped one of her toes into the ice cold water. “We agreed that we would go to the beach after the sleepover,” Kit pointed out as she slowly waded into the freezing ocean. “After the sleepover can also mean later, when the sun has warmed up the ocean.” Claire said hopefully. Kitty laughed. “The sooner you get in, the sooner you warm up.” Claire sighed then slowly placed her foot into the foamy water. 
Kit took a deep breath and then dived into the cold water of the ocean. She swam to the surface, blinking the salt water out of her eyes. “If you guys don’t start swimming, I’ll splash you until you do.” Kit threatened. Leah dived into the water, with Alice following shortly after. 
“Oh WOW” Alice said after coming up to breathe. “That is COLD.” Ella sighed and slowly paddled into the ocean. After slashing around for a bit, The six friends swam back to shore, to have lunch. “Ooh, there are cookies,” Kit said, peeking into a bag filled with food. Claire sat down with her towel wrapped tightly around her. Kitty reached in the bag and pulled out a row of Oreos, which she started eating immediately (since they are the best cookies in the world.) Leah paused, putting down the sandwich she started eating. 
“I've gotten a sudden craving for pizza, its very strange,” she mused thoughtfully. Kit jumped up. “Okay, I’m done and going back into the sea!” She sprinted back into the water, grinning. Kit was just about to dive into the water, when she felt a sharp pain in her head. Then, just as quickly as it came, it went again. Kit hesitated and then dived into the water. 
As soon as she submerged, Kit choked. It felt like every single cell in her body was tugging towards the bottom of the ocean. It was intoxicating and suffocating. Kit frantically swam to the surface, taking in a grateful breath. Her friends looked at her from the beach. Kit gave them a weak thumbs up and tried to smile. 
They looked reassured for a bit, and then their eyes widened with shock. Kit must have looked confused, so they pointed behind her. Kit turned around slowly to see a huge tidal wave hovering behind her. She screamed and swam back to the beach. The wave wavered in the air for a moment and then went crashing back to shore. Everyone screamed and Kit covered her face, bracing for the impact. But it never came. After a few moments, Kit slowly opened one eye. It was like pressing the pause button on life. 
The wave stopped moments before hitting the sand, and little droplets of water hung frozen in the air. 
“What?” Ella whispered, reaching out to touch one of the suspended drops of water. “How?” Alice asked. To Kit, it felt like she was pushing the wave back, the pressure building up. She needed to let it go… Kit pushed her arms out in front of her and the wave flew backwards, splashing into the water.
“Was I just hallucinating or did that just happen?” Claire asked. “The part where the wave froze just before destroying us, or the part where Kit stopped it from doing so?” Leah asked. “Both”, replied Clair. “How did you do that?” Alice asked. “I dunno”, Kit replied, holding out her hands, trying to imagine them capable of controlling such a huge wave. She paused and then waved her hand out, and water flew out and hovered around her palm. "How did you do that?" Ella wondered. 
"I have no idea."
== Chapter Nine: Claire's POV ==
Claire stared at the wave with amazement.
It suddenly crashed down, splashing all of them with a spray of sea water; to Claire it seemed to sting her skin.
There was a moment of silence after the phenomena ended. Then Kit let out a strangled yelp. Leah (or Loki as Claire often called her) said; “What the heck was that!?” Ella was tapping a finger against her lips, the way she looked when calculating the answer to a math problem. Alice tapped Leah on the arm and said “Do you think it’s the same thing Claire did?” at the exact same time Claire muttered “It was the same thing I did.” she meant it to come out louder, to tell her friends, but she was still startled and it came out no louder than a whisper. Then everyone snapped out of their shock, and the debating began.
“What happened?” Kit asked. "Do you think it was the same thing that happened to you Clair?”
“I seriously have absolutely no idea. How do you feel?” Claire rested a hand on Kit’s forehead to take her temperature. “Are you alright? Do you feel nauseous? Do you feel drained at all? Cause i felt all those things after “The Telekinetic Incident.”
“Um, I feel a little nauseous, but that's all. And I feel jumpy. Like I'm full of adrenaline. Not drained.”
“Hmm…Claire remarked. “If it was telekinesis of some sort, it was caused by you. And if it was using your energy, that would explain why you have a lot of adrenaline. Your body is compensating for the lost energy. Actually, that makes a lot of sense…”
Alice shook her head he wet tips hitting one another. “I don't think it was the same thing you did, Clair. I think it's different. The orb of water, it had this umbilical of water running up from the surface of the ocean feeding the orb. Making it bigger. If it was telekinesis, Kit didn’t really have any control over it. It was instinctual, so I think it wouldn’t have been very controlled. Like subconsciously, it probably would have just had droplets of water Individually rose up to feel the orb. This was like…connected to the water. And I don't mean just literally.”
“Did anyone notice anything else? Like did there seem to be any influence from outside forces or something?” Ella asked.
“Nope. Didn’t notice anything like that.” Leah this time. “What I did see was that the water looked…don't laugh. Rainbow-like. And not like it was just refracting light. Like the water itself was colored. Like there were drops of food coloring in it that got partially swirled together.”
“But that doesn’t make sense.” Kit objected. “The only water here would have to be from the ocean, and it's all blue. Not multi-colored.”
“Well it’s a good thing we can examine it at our leisure, isn’t it.” Ella gave an evil grin and waved her iPhone around.
“Wait. Did you get a picture?” Alice asked, looking surprised.
Leah suddenly appeared behind Ella and plucked her phone from her hand. “No, even better. She got us a recording about eight seconds long.”
“Sweet!” Claire cheered.
“Woah! Really?” Kit questioned.
“Yup.” Ella smirked again. “I'm glad my phone is waterproof. I brought it in with me to take some underwater videos, and it turns out it's a good thing I did. I’ll send it to our text group.”
Everyone tossed different theories back and forth for another fifteen minutes before Alice warned:
“Ok we’ve been debating this for a long time, we should head back to Kit’s parents soon.”
“I really would like to talk about this more.” Kit sighed.
“Hmm, ok I got it. Try to come over to Ella’s and mine house tomorrow and we can hang out and finish our theories then. Does that sound good with you Kit?”
Kit chewed her lip. “I mean I guess that’s fine. I just really don’t like this at all. Like am I a freak? This isn't... normal.” Tears started to trickle down her face now that she was crying from the stress.
Claire took one of Ki’s hands. “Don’t you dare call yourself that.” she said fiercely. “You are just as special as anyone else. We’ll figure this out. It’s okay. And, if it helps, I know exactly how you feel. I had the same thing happen to me.”
Leah grunted incoherently and then said breezily: “Honey, you are the sweetest person ever. If anyone calls you a freak, I'll make sure they won't be able to even speak again.”
“Being different isn’t bad at all. You should be proud of it. Think of it as a gift. Something special.” Encouraged Alice.
This seemed to make Kit feel better. “Thank you all so much. You really are the best friends.” she sniffled as she wiped away her tears.
“Okay, but now i think we need a-” started Ella
“-group hug!” finished Clair. “And don’t try to get away from it, Leah. you can't escape the Friend Love!!!”
Leah groaned. “Save me from this tortuous fate!” she wailed dramatically. It was too late though. Alice and Kit had already each grabbed one of her arms and were already pulling her into the embrace giggling manically.
“Give in Leah!” laughed Alice. “You can’t escape the Loooooove!!”
***
Once the girls were walking down the road back to their houses, Leah queried: “So we try to get permission from our parents and meet up at Clair’s and Ella’s place on Sunday then?”
Alice sighed. “I'll have to ask my parents. I think if I play it right, they’ll let me come. But what about your mom and dad Loki? It seems like they’re mad at you, and well each other all the time. How do you think you’ll get permission to come?”
Leah laughed and did her playful grin. “How do you think I come to our meetings all the time? My window's the real life saver these days."
Ella frowned slightly. “Do you think they could take your phone for sneaking out? ‘Cause then it might not be worth coming, and you should just FaceTime.”
Leah shook her head. “They wouldn’t dare. As my foster parents, they can’t afford to take my phone away. If there was an emergency of some sort and I couldn't report it, they would get into huge legal trouble. AND they're always busy arguing and I just mind my own business. So everything's fine. ”
“Great! Then it sounds like we have a plan!” Claire enthused. “Any last minute objections or comments? No? Cool! See you guys tomorrow!”
Despite her outward cheerfulness, Claire was silently fuming inside. Her reason? Leah’s foster parents. She couldn’t understand why they always thought of Leah as the self absorbed angry teen. They were all wrong. So. Wrong. Leah used the angry persona as a cover to protect herself from everyone except her closest friends. She had just been hurt by too many people. She no longer trusted them. If they just looked closer and didn’t assume they knew all about her! Claire lamented. There’s so much there! Soon Clair’s thoughts turned to Kit. She’s going through so much stress right now. I hope we can pull her through it. When I did the weird telekinetic thing, I never would’ve made it without Ella. She seriously kept me sane. Then, with no rhyme or reason, Claire began to contemplate Alice. I really hope Alice takes that advanced French course. She would be so good at it, what with her photographic memory and just generally being incredibly smart. Claire laughed mentally with herself. I also hope Ella is able to do the writing workshop. She would be fantastic…
Clair’s contemplation were Interrupted when Ella announced that they were at their house.
They parted from the rest of the group at the nearest driveway and started up to their house.
The walk to the house was silent until Claire muttered explosively under her breath, “¡Idiotas! ¡No entienden lo equivocados que están!”
“Thinking about Leah’s parents?” Asked Ella.
“Yes. I mean, how can they not see how wrong they are?! She’s such a complex person, but they don't get it! I mean, I think she wants to love them, and I think she wants them to love her, but if they keep assuming they get everything about her, it’ll never happen. She will never truly mean it when she calls them Mom and Dad if they keep it up.”
“Mm. I agree with everything you said. Also, I was thinking today, we should try to get Alice to take the advanced French course. She would be fantastic at it.”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I thought earlier!”
Ella laughed. “Great minds think alike!”
***
That night Ella texted the video she had taken of the multi-colored water to their iMessage group.
Soon Leah responded:
See? I told you it was rainbow water!
And once the conversation got kicked off, it went like this:
Alice: Note how its connected to the water.
Ella: Yeah i think you both are right.
Clair: Did all of you guys get permission to come over tomorrow? Ours are fine with you guys coming over.
Leah: Surprisingly they said yes without a hassle. That's a 1st.
Ella: Well…I guess that's good. Why do you think they did it?
Clair: Well that's one less thing to worry about
Leah: Yeah, they might be possessed. You never know.
Clair: What about you Alice?
Alice: Oh yeah they were fine. I didn't think they would care. They let me hang out since I'm the only girl.
Kit: Again no problems with mine!!
Ella: Nice to know it all worked out!
Kit: Looking forward to seeing yall!
Clair: Same here!
Alice: Though We see each other every day!
Leah: I came up With a few reasons why it couldn’t be telekinesis. will talk about them in person tomorrow. Moms yelling at me for lights out now. Talk later!!
Clair: G’night!
Kit: Goodnight yall!! 💙💚💛💜🤍🤎🖤 Love to all!!
Ella: Good night!! 💤
***
Claire flopped on her bed. “Okay so is everyone here? Yes? Let’s get started. Leah, you had a thought you wanted to share?”
“Yeah. So I got thinking, and I realized, there’s really only two possibilities. The first, which is kinda far-fetched, is that there was some type of natural phenomenon that caused sonic levitation or something. But…it's not super likely. I think we all agree on that. The other is that we all assumed it was the same thing that happened to Clair. But what if we're wrong? I mean, Alice said it looked like it was connected to the water. Also, it was being fed by a stream of water. If Kit was controlling it, that would take concentration and effort. Like she would have to be trying to get it to do that. Call it a conscious effort. She said it was instinctual. If she was a telekinetic, and subconsciously she was controlling it, I think it would have looked like millions of water droplets being attracted to the orb. I think Alice brought up that point. Like I said, not so controlled.”
There was a moment of silence while everyone considered Leah’s points.
Then Claire said slowly: “I think…I think it works.” At the same time Kit blurted out: “I think she’s right. I haven’t told you guys this yet, but I felt…connected to the water? Like it was drawing me in when you guys noticed the orb.”
“So…what does this mean?” Ella asked.
“That…I don't know.” Leah shrugged. “I seriously got nothing.”
“Really Loki?” Claire said using her favorite nickname for Leah. “Do you seriously think I can't tell when you're hiding something? Spit it out.”
Leah sighed. “Yeah I guess I shouldn't have expected you to not notice. It’s just that this is based on feelings. And other people's feelings. But…it does feel right. Anyway, don't laugh. This seems like the most likely option, and believe me I thought about this for a long time last night. But, what if…what if she has some type of..gift let’s call it, that allows her to control water. Specifically, control it by connecting to it.”
Ella got her thoughtful look. “Well…in that case, we should go back to the beach and see if we can recreate yesterday. Kit, you said you experienced a pull to the ocean. Let's see if going back to the beach will do that again. Let’s experiment and see what Kit can do. I mean, you saw what she did subconsciously. Imagine what she can do when she’s trying to do it.”
Kitty furrowed her brow. “That sounds like a good idea, but…” she trailed off.
“But what?” Alice queried. “Are you afraid of how powerful you might be? Are you worried about hurting someone?”
Kit nodded vigorously, but didn’t say anything. She seemed to be holding back stressed induced tears again.
“I think if we take it to a deserted part of the beach and are careful, we should be fine.” Alice reassured.
“Really don’t worry.” Claire said. “Well be super careful, and like Alice said, if we take it somewhere where there’s not a lot of people, it will be alright.”
***
Kit deeply breathed in the salty sea air, and closed her eyes, searching for the pull of the ocean. She found it quickly without much searching. “Okay, I think I have it.” she said, opening her eyes to address her four friends.
“Good,” Claire said. “Loki, how do you think she should go about trying to manipulate the water? This seems like your area of expertise.”
Leah’s brow creased as she thought. She tugged on a piece of her red bangs as she considered the problem. Finally she said, “Try envisioning something you want the water to do. I would start with something simple. Like a small orb again. Also, if you wade out into the water, the physical contact might help strengthen your connection.”
Kit nodded, rolled up her leggings, and waded out into the shallows of the ocean. Her face took on a dreamy expression. “The water is making me feel relaxed.” She announced.
“Okay, that's great.” Ella encouraged. “Now try to make the orb.”
Kit took a deep breath and held her hands about a foot apart. Water began to rise from the water, creating a sphere of water between her hands. She whooped with excitement. She held her hands out in front of her, and created a wall of water ten feet thick. Suddenly a huge wave surged underneath her feet, carrying her thirty feet into the air. Kit lepted of the wave, and plummeted to the ocean yards below. She shrieked with joy, and raising one hand into the air, created a giant column of water hundreds of yards tall. Raising her other hand, a second joined the first. Deciding to try something, she rested her arms at her side, and, with no more than a thought, created a whole palace made out of water. With a mischievous grin, she let the entire building collapse back into the ocean, drenching all her friends in the process. All of the girls on the beach let out startled shrieks, and, in Leah's case, an annoyed grunt.
“Oh my gosh this is the best thing ever!!! Come on in its so fun!!”
Ella looked at the curtain of Clair’s drenched white hair and shrugged. “Why not? We’re already wet.” Then they were all flying across the sand, racing to be the first in.
The girls splashed around for about five 
minutes, when Alice said, “Ohmygosh! Why didn’t we think of this? Clair, you should try to use your telekinesis again! If Kit was able to use her gift so easily, why shouldn’t you be able to?”
Claire gasped. “Why didn’t I think of that? It would be so cool if I could use it at will!”
She pulled her hair clip out of her bun, letting her hair fall to her back. Then, focusing on the hair clip and the energy inside of her body, she started hard at the clip. Suddenly, it shot ten feet up into the sky. Claire laughed. “That was so easy this time! I want to try something bigger! Kit, can I lift you up over the ocean, so if I drop you you can catch yourself with the water?” Kit nodded her consent, and Claire stared hard at Kit concentrating on her. Soon, her efforts were rewarded, as Kit quickly lifted into the sky. Then, after a few experimental loops, she gently lowered her friend to the sandy beach.
Claire let out a pant. “Whew! That does take some energy.”
“How much?” Asked Ella
Like I could probably keep it up for like an hour, but I would feel super drained.”
“Now I'm curious. How hard was it for you to create that giant water palace, Kit?”
Kit shook her head. “Not very. Almost effortless.”
Alice was looking thoughtfully at the ocean. “What are you thinking about?” Ella asked her. “This may seem weird, but it's not too far-fetched when you think about it.” “What's your idea?” “What if….what if we all had special abilities? I mean the chances of a special ability are astronomically impossible, and yet two of my closest friends have extremely powerful gifts. What if we each had something too? Since if you think about it, we all don't know about our past and maybe..."
Leah roused herself as she listened to Alice’s reasoning, and, when she was finished explaining, Leah said, “I think I agree with you. Now the question is, what do the rest of us have? And since we don't know, how do we go about finding each of our gifts?
“That…that is a big something to consider. I think we should all be thinking about it and try to see if we have a connection to, well, anything.” Claire announced.
Kitty nodded her head in agreement. “I definitely agree. And now, I need a best friend group hug!”
Seconds later Kitty was smothered in a huge hug of all her friends, and even Leah joined in the love.
== Chapter Ten: Alice's POV ==
Alice always woke at the first glimmer of sun on the Pacific ocean. Always. She quickly made her bed, got dressed in the regular still summer clothes, a pair of white jean shorts with a pale blue shirt, slipped on her vans and started making her way down stairs.
Alice stopped.
This was not a normal thing to do. Something was going to happen soon, very soon. Kit had this new thing, and was struggling to hide it. Ella had migraines almost every single day. Claire could move things with her mind, at least that was their current solution for that dilemma. Leah’s mood seemed to put the people around her in a mood as well, from being daring to just bored (Happens more times than not).
And her. The only thing that she found weird was that she seemed to get shocked more often, and harder than normal.
The words rang through her head. “Take this, if anything happens or you find yourself in danger. Hold this up to the light, put on a nexus and concentrate. You better be careful. This is your guy's choice. One slip, and you could expose all of us.” The girl had said. Alice knew that something was going to happen. Why else would she give them that?
Alice raced back to her room, grabbed her small backpack, tossed in the five nexus and the crystal wand, ran down stairs, grabbed an apple and was out the door.
It was early, and it was better. Since the sunrise was the only thing that people of San Diego came out for on an early Tuesday morning. Weekends were the hardest, with tourists visiting everywhere and anywhere. Fridays weren’t great either. Mondays were slightly better, since most tourists were back at work, but it was still busy. Don’t even try to go to the beach on a three day weekend, heck, might as well stay home. Or even sign up for school on that weekend. No, that would be even worse. 
Alice was pondering this while she made her way to the boardwalk on her skateboard. She enjoyed doing this, even better with her parents permission, and it was a way for her to get away from life. The boardwalk was made of wood but after the millions of people that have walked it, it was nice and smooth. You could skate it no problem. 
As Alice reached a hill, her head started telling her what to do. Never before had this happened, she always slowed down and walked it. But today was different. Alice crouched low, less wind, and went down the hill.
By the time she reached the boardwalk, it was brighter outside, and the ocean glittered like thousands of diamonds floating on the water as they refracted light. Alice had made it to the boardwalk, she listened to the sound. Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump. Alice picked up speed. She raced past carnival games. Pass the Dippin-dots, ice cream, and cotton candy. Finally she passed it all and reached where it juts out into the ocean, just a board in the ocean. Alice stopped and flipped up her skateboard and walked the rest, taking in the view. She stopped at the end and sat down, her feet dangling above the ocean. Alice gazed at everything. The few early seagulls had started cawing, and waves crashed against the shore, leaving a mark of how far it got. The salty air tickled her nose, but Alice didn’t mind it. A buzzing feel came from her shorts as well as a chime. Alice really didn’t want to see what it said, since it probably told bad news, but she did anyway.
Last night’s conversation was up as well as a new reply and several ones pending.
Help! My sheets are drenched! And my hair is dripping! What should I do? -Kit
Alice chewed her lip. She wanted to help Kit, she really did but this was hard. Alice leaned back, her backpack jingling. An idea struck her. She opened the back and pulled out one of the nexus and held it up to the sun. It was a black cuff with some jewels impressed in it alone with; was it letters? It looked like they formed something. There was a buzzing at the back of Alice’s head and it came out all too quickly. Her head began to ache, like one of Ella’s headaches. Pain went along her body. Alice clutched her head and curled into a ball. After the pain started to leave she noticed something, and it was something that changed everything. 
Her scar was slightly glowing.
*** 
The moment her class was dismissed, Alice raced to her locker, grabbed everything she needed, homework, books, her skateboard, and raced to her friend's meeting spot. Somehow a class was added to her schedule. Advanced French lessons. Alice knew that Ella and Claire where behind that.
She wasn’t allowed to ride on her skateboard on school campus, but she could the second she was off it. Alice quickly grabbed her easy nylon rope, which had two large lops, tied it around the wheels of her skateboard, and slung it over her shoulder. Alice set her bag down at the table, took off the rope, grabbed her small gym bag, and was off.
She didn’t have any pads on or a helmet so she took it carefully but still managed to beat Quincy, who was an eighth grader and won the skateboard competition last year. She stopped at the gas station and went in to get the snacks. 
“Coke for the twins, Fanta for Leah, Root Beer for Kit, and let’s see…I haven’t had a Mountain Dew in awhile.” Alice plucked the Mountain Dew out of the large fridge and set it in the basket she had picked up, only since the drinks were cold. Alice went and grabbed a bag of potato chips, an extra treat for Wednesday's meetups.
“Is that all for today, Ms. Alice?” Bob, the kind man behind the counter asked as Alice made her way towards the counter. 
“Um, yes. It’s for my friends as well.” Alice added when Bob took a glance at the five drinks on the counter. Bod tossed a large pack of gummy bears on the scanner. When he saw Alice’s face he assured her. “These are on the house, you're our number customer. Also, great job getting here early before the rush.” Alice thanked him, paid the amount due, and was back on her skateboard. 
“Hey,” Alice called as she saw her friends exiting the school, they left last so that no older kid could come around and pick on them, even though they had Leah for that. Alice was the only one who had their last class alone, and that was why she always raced through every one as quickly as she could and was able to breathe again. Kit spotted her first, and started a sprint. “Come on slow pokes!” Kit shouted as she picked up speed. Ella, Clair, and Leah looked insulted for a split second before racing after their teasing friend. Alice did a quick caulalation and pushed off the ground, her skateboard picking up speed. She did it yesterday morning, at the hill before going to the boardwalk. Couldn’t she do it again?
Alice knew what to do. Their meeting spot was in the park and there was a hill that was newly paved. Most kids walk home so for a few cars there wasn’t a lot of traffic on this side. Alice remembered that the street next to their meeting place was closed off but you could still walk on it. Her mind immediately formed a plan.
Alice pushed off again, and again, and again, until she had enough speed. She crouched low and took off down the hill. She was going like she had down the hill towards the boardwalk, but then something changed. Her head clicked suddenly, and as soon as she reached the bottom, Alice jumped. 
She saw her friends' faces as she floated in the air for a few moments before her head couldn’t take it any more. She took in a sigh of relief when she started falling, then actually realized that she was falling. Alice landed on the grass with a loud “Thump” and everything was blurry. She saw her friend's blurry outline as they rushed over. Her head was ringing. Clair’s muffled voice came through only clearly. “Alice! Alice! Alice!” 
Alice moved her arm noticing pain there too, and once again her scar was slightly glowing. Then everything went away leaving her in inky darkness.
She was surrounded by nothing. No moment, no sound, no flicker. No nothing. Alice stood up, she was alive, she knew that much at the moment, but her body was asleep. She walked on the surface, it was slightly bouncy. Alice felt something move, and turned around, but nothing was there. She took a deep breath, hoping that this was just a temporary darkness she was in. A bubble of light flashed past her, and rested in front of Alice. It was like a bubble of light, with sparks, wind, and icy shards around it. It suddenly took off, and Alice knew she needed to follow it. It could have a connection to her past and her scar. Alice took off after it, sprinting on the spongy surface. 
She ran for a while, just following the light, when it suddenly stopped and dove down. Alice’s heart stopped. Was she supposed to jump down it? She rocked on her feet, realising the surface had just enough bounce that it would probably break her fall. Alice looked around one last time before jumping. And this was before she knew anything about what was to come.
She was flying?? 
There was an invisible current that was keeping her from falling, and it gently set her down. The bubble was waiting. Alice stepped closer reaching out to touch it. “Why am I here?” Alice asked herself. Suddenly the bubble started spinning, and gaining size. She covered her head, knowing that anything could happen. 
More light shone through, and the bubble exploded. Alice looked up, and was in awe. The bubble had been replaced by memories, but they weren’t Alice’s memories. They were someone else's. Alice moved around trying to find answers to anything, anything that might answer anything about her past. The people in the picture were blurry, and they were in a forest of sorts. Alice’s heart skipped a beat when she saw someone hold out their hands and create a water sphere. Kit’s ability. Alice thought. 
She didn’t know what to feel. Was she happy about finding her past? Was she upset? All these emotions crashed down on her trying to tug her away.
She saw one more thing before she was pulled back out into the real world. A crest. An oval crest that showed a mythical fox staring at the stars. And little diamonds were pressed into it. At the bottom of the crest it said one name.
Northa.
***
Alice was explaining what happened to her friends when she was asleep, or unconscious. Kit was silent, and deathly silent when Alice mentioned the water memory. Leah was saying that it was most likely a dream and was saying it was highly impossible, then Claire asked how she could make objects float, and Ella tried to make the tension between the two subside. 
Alice was actually surprised with the little damage from her fall. There was a large scrape on her left leg, and grass stains on her knees, but other than that she was fine. Her mind was racing. “Who’s memories were those? Were they mine? No, they couldn’t be. Why was Kit’s ability there? Why did I need to see that? What did that crest mean? Was that my family?” The last thought caused her to suck in a breath.
“What is it?” Ella asked. “Did you remember anything?” “No, I just need time to think it through.” Ella frowned, knowing that Alice wasn’t telling the entire story. Alice suddenly remembered the snacks in her bag. The potato chips were slightly crushed but they were still potato chips and who was complaining? The gummy bears were a success and they opened their drinks away from each other, but a spray of Coke from the direction of Claire may not have been an accident.
***
Alice was in her backyard playing catch with Ben when her phone rang. It was a face-call from all of her friends. “Ben, you want to come?” Alice asked. “Really?” Ben asked, his face lighting up. 
“Yes. But you have to promise that you won’t tell Mom or Dad about what you hear.” 
“I promise.” 
Alice answered the call as she walked up the stairs to the deck where she could see the ocean. Ben sat on the swing chair and asked if Alice could push him. Alice went over and did a few pushes for Ben, enough to get him going, when the call started. Alice propped up her phone so she could sit, stand and pace all while still in view. 
“Everyone’s here?” Ella asked.
A verbal yes did the trick.
“Alice?” Claire started.
“Yeah? Is this about yesterday?” 
“Maybe. The thing is-” Kit cut Claire off
“YOUR SCAR WAS GLOWING!”
Alice froze. And slowly turned her head towards her brother. Her shoulders relaxed when Ben showed no interest. 
“Ben’s up here with me.” Alice notified her friends.
“Sorry.” Kit said with an ashamed look on her face.
“It’s okay. It happened the other day to-”
“THE OTHER DAY!” This time it came from all of her friends. Alice winced sure that her speakers on her phone blew. 
“Yes it did.” Alice told them as she started pacing. “I went on my weekly ride to the boardwalk. I did do something different though. I took the wand and cuffs that the girl left for us. You know the hill that leads to the boardwalk?” Her friends nodded. “Well I was able to go down it just fine. That’s the wired part. I did it on a smaller hill yesterday and I freaked out. I don’t know why…” Alice trailed off.
“Anyways, I got to the end of the boardwalk and I did what I usually do. Then Kit  texted-which by the way I’m sorry for not replying. And then I wondered why the girl gave us the cuffs in the first place. I took one out and held it up. Then, all of a sudden, it felt like a buzzing was at the back of my head and shot through my eyes. The pain was nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. And I noticed when the pain began to subside my scar was only slightly glowing. Then after the skateboard crash yesterday it was glowing brighter.” 
Alice stopped pacing, since it was the only sound besides Ben’s swinging. 
“You're not telling us everything.” Ella finally said her voice soft but firm. 
“I, I, I. . . I can’t.” Alice replied, feeling hot tears spring to her eyes.
“Alice, are you ok? We can stop, we could-” Claire's concerned voice stopped as she saw the tears that were threatening to fall on her friends pale face.
“I just can’t,” she felt her tears sliding down her face. “You don’t know what happened there and you will never understand!” Alice tried to control her emotions but they were just swirling. 
Happiness.
Anger.
Sadness.
Bitterness.
And a lot of guilt.
Something grabbed her hand. Alice looked down startled. It was Ben’s little hand that slipped into her’s. Alice looked down at his small round face, with pale green eyes and blond hair. Even more evidence that she didn’t belong.
“You will be okay.” Ben said. 
Alice smiled, knowing what she had to do.
“I’m going to go now,” Alice told her friends. “I’ll talk later.” Alice ended the call. Alice scrubbed the tears with the back of her hand.
“How about it Ben?” She asked. “Let’s finish that game of catch.” 
*** 
The next few days passed unevenly, which was just fine by Alice. She still chatted and talked with her friends but now knew not to talk about the skateboard dilemma. Ben kept his promise, and didn’t tell their parents about the face call. Alice was getting ready. School was out and her older foster brothers were coming home for the weekend. She knew them but they weren’t very close, unlike her and Ben. 
Alice quickly showered and got dressed in a bright blue shirt with a knot, and a pair of black jean shorts. When her hair dried, Alice did her hair. She took a small strand of hair and braided it then wrapped it around her hair tie that was keeping her hair up. Alice kept her signature bang out of her hair. Unlike her friends, Alice didn’t have her hair dyed, she had chosen not to. 
Alice’s phone buzzed and she had a new message. 
What time do we come over? -Leah
Anytime. My brothers are supposed to come at 4:30. -Alice
Can we stay the night? -Kit
Alice ran down stairs and found her dad grilling a Tri-tip on the grill.
“Ah, there’s my A!” Her dad said when he noticed her. Alice smiled at her nickname. 
“Um dad? Can I have my friends over? You said I could the other day.”
“Sure. Do they mind sleeping on the deck?”
Alice whipped out her phone and punched in a message. 
The immediate reply was: YES! A sleepover on the deck!
“They don’t mind.” Alice said, chuckling to herself. As she sprinted back to her room, Alice missed the detail of a figure in a black cloak disappearing from over the fence. 
== Chapter Eleven: Ella's POV ==
Ella sat up and yawned. It was late, she could tell, in the kitchen, the news was on. Ella could hear her sister and mom moving around in the kitchen. She rubbed her eyes, and checked the time; 7:36 Am, Friday. With a sigh Ella got up, tossed her bed together, and changed. She unplugged her phone, grabbed her backpack and ran to the kitchen.
“Good morning, Ella.” Her mom greeted. 
“Morning,” Ella made toast and sat down. 
“Ella,” Claire said, finishing a glass of water. “We need to leave soon,” 
“I know,” Ella, ate her breakfast as quickly as she could. 
“Bye, have a good day at school.” Ella’s mom told the sisters.
Claire nodded, and waved.
“We will,” Ella promised, and trotted after her sister. Ella perched next to Alice on the bus. 
Ella went over the text conversation the five friends had the night before. Pretty much the whole week had been similar to this.
Alice: I'm thinking what if Kit's water thing was like a spell or something? I mean we know magic isn’t real but what else to call it? I have no idea why anyone would have anything against Kit though. Thoughts?
Leah: I don't know. I'm not sure but I've run out of ideas honestly
Clair: I know right?! It’s been almost a week and my brains drained with all this thinking
Ella: I've no idea
Alice: Sorry Kit you're my friend and I trust you but are you a spy are something? I mean I really don't think I'd mind, that'd be sooo cool!!! 😮
Ella: I don't know... I might be a little mad
Kitty: As far as I know I'm not a spy 
Alice: That’s a relief, it also doesn’t surprise me. though we do need to think realistically which is why I don't really believe my own theory
Ella: I have a theory what if there's like a magical thing of some sort that Kit accidentally touched or drank or something?
Clair: Maybe like i said. I don’t know 
Clair: But Alice and Ella your theories I like even if they involve magic that isn’t supposed to exist…
Leah: It isn't but theres really no explanation 
Ella: It's impossible but so is magic
Alice: It could just be a trick tho right?
Leah: But how could someone set that up?
Kitty: Like an illusion?
Ella: Maybe l'm go look at the picture again
Leah: Illusion would make sense im guessing you mean like an arrangement of mirrors and light refracting right if you lined it up it might work
Alice: Still doesn’t that seem a little strange to you? I mean it 
Alice: Oops accidentally pushed the send button I mean no one else was close to us (as far as I know) so it would have had to have been set up ahead of time and why would some go through all that trouble just to trick us? Also i didn’t recognise anyone there did you guys?
Clair: No I didn’t but ya I agree it doesn’t make any sense this is just annoying and i need to go to bed now talk to you guys tomorrow good night! 
Leah: Yh me too, gn 
Kitty: Night peeps! 😚
Ella: Good night guys 😘
Alice: Good night
“Hey, back to earth, Ella.” Alice poked her in the arm. “We need to get out, come on.”
“Oh, yeah sorry,” Ella stood up, grabbed her bag.
Ella looked up, the sky was gray, and stormy. 
“Ugh, rain,” Alice complained. 
Kit grunted, in agreement.
“Oh come on, it's better than BOILING. I drenched my sister yesterday, so it obviously has it's good sides.” Leah pointed out, pulling her coat hood over her face, leaving only her red bangs exposed. 
Ella sighed. “Come on guys,” The school was buzzing, kids stood in groups making plans for the weekend, and others texted furiously. 
“Come on,” Ella urged again, and trotted down the hall, she checked the time; they were cutting it close.
They were just on time, and everyone turned to look at them as they burst into the room.
Ella smiled uncomfortably, "Uh, hello Mr. Stran," She told their math teacher, Alice and Ella's least favorite subject. Ella slid into a chair in between Alice and Clair.
"Is everyone ready for the test?" Mr. Stran asked.
There was a course of groans, and mumblings about "the five know-it-alls", Ella cringed. She took the test that was passed to her and pulled her pencil out. Her phone buzzed twice, and Ella saw Alice slide her phone into her pocket. Ella quickly whipped her phone out and checked the two texts. One was addressed to Ella, it was short: Seriously! Another math test!
The other one was to their group: What if Kit’s accident is related to the girl we saw that gave us the crystal thingy
Ella froze, that made perfect sense, the girl, (her name was Kat?) had told them they were "different". She sent a quick reply: Omg that makes a lot of sense! She quickly put her phone back before anyone saw it, and started the test. Her buzzed four more times, before she finished the test, and Ella barely had time to read them before the test time was over:
Leah: That makes a lot of sense. Good job, Sherlock.
Clair: Ya nice thinking
Kitty: That makes the most sense to me, out of all the ideas we've had
Alice: Talk to you guys later
Then the time was over and Ella dropped her test on Mr. Stran's desk to be graded.
Idea’s were swarming Ella’s head but she couldn’t come up with anything the friends hadn’t already suggested: Claire being able to levitate things, and Kit making tidal waves, being related. Or Kat and the weird ability things being related, and many others. Ella grabbed her head, as she walked down the hall with her friends, trying to collect her thoughts. 
“Hey,” Kit caught her arm. “You okay?” 
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Ella lowered her hands, and sighed. 
Ella tried to focus, but her mind kept wandering back to Kit and the water thing, and Kat, and Claire levitating stuff. It made Ella feel overwhelmed, she wished she could do the thing that helped clear Alice’s mind on herself. Ella had a thought, she’d never tried it before maybe… Ella closed her eyes and focused, she imagined going into her head it was like a dark cave with multiple smaller caves inside. She could feel the presence of different thoughts and questions, she grabbed them and lugged them away and dropped them down a pit. She shook her head and opened her eyes, she felt much better now. Ella managed to focus to the end of the day, before all her thoughts came rushing back on the bus.
“Hey, Alice,” She told her friend, as they loaded into the bus. 
“Hmm?” 
“I tried that thing I do on you that always helps you focus on myself and it worked.”
“Really?” Kit asked.
“Yeah,” Ella smiled, then faltered. “Anyway, I’m back to normal now and I’ve been thinking about everything.” 
All her friends nodded, and they rode the bus in silence.
***
“Okay guys,” Alice flopped on her bed. They had all gone to her house again after school. 
“I have no idea,” Kit admitted, crunching on some crackers, Alice kept snatching.
“So,” Leah said. “I definitely think that Kit and Clair’s accidents are related. Also those are MINE Kitty."
“Agreed,” Alice said. “But…”
There was a silence before Kit sat up. “I forgot to tell you guys. Yesterday I was taking a shower.”
“And…?”
“Well, I was curious if I could control the water in the shower too. So I tried and it worked.” 
“Wow,” Ella blinked. 
“I know,” Kit agreed. “And later I tried again. This time though I was just bored and so I tried to manipulate the water.” 
“You were taking another shower?” Leah asked, raising an eyebrow. 
“No,” Kit shook her head. “This time I was waiting for you guys so- Never mind. Just, watch.” Kit waved her hands, and a small butterfly of water appeared out of thin air. 
“Wha…” Alice trailed off.
“I don’t get it.” Leah fidgeted with her cardigan sleeve. "Why does it work, with no water?"
“Because, there’s water in the air,” Kit said, in a dazed voice. She closed her eyes and swung her arms around. “I want to see how far I can go.” 
“Um, Kit?” Claire asked. “Do you think this is a goo-” 
Kit wasn’t listening. A water replica of her had appeared next to her. Kit opened her eyes. 
Ella gasped. “What-How-I don’t get it-How can you-?”
Everyone stared as the water-Kit took a step towards Kit, leaving wet splotches on the ground. Kit smiled and reached forward, touching a strand of the water-person’s hair. The water-Kit turned into a giant bubble that grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared.
“How did you do that?” Alice asked. 
“I have no idea.” 
“But… I need my bed honestly." Leah rubbed her eyes vigorously. 
Claire didn’t move, still looking at the place the water-person had been. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“None of it does,” Ella agreed.
“Ella’s right,” Alice absent-mindlessly chewed on a chip. “It doesn’t make any more sense than Claire being able to levitate stuff, and Kitty holding back a wave.”
Leah sighed. “We need to figure this out.”
“Agreed,” Claire said. “I can’t think about anything except this.”
“Me too,” Kit agreed. “I’m afraid my power will be noticed by other people soon.”
“What do you mean?” Alice asked.
“You have to want to control water to do it right?” Ella twisted a strand of hair.
“I thought so,” Kit looked at the wet splotches on the floor and they disappeared. “But twice I’ve woken up in the middle of the night and there were different water things floating around.”
“Oh,” Claire pursed her lips. 
“I have no idea what we can do.” Leah admitted. 
There was the sound of footsteps walking towards the door.
“Quick!” Alice ordered. “Everyone, look like you’re doing something!”
Ella quickly picked up some chips off the ground, and Kit helped her. Claire scrambled to grab a deck of cards lying on Alice’s desk. Alice started to distribute the cards among everyone, while Leah tossed a pile of clothes under Alice’s bed. She then proceeded to hide under the bed causing Ella to burst into unbearable laughter. 
Alice’s foster mom opened the door. “Hey guys, dinner’s soon. Will you all be staying for dinner?” She stared amused at Ella laughing her head off and Leah's small head poking out underneath the bed.
“Um,” Leah put on her “I’m so sorry but I can’t” look. “My parent’s will want me home in a few minutes. Thank you so much though.” 
“Of course.”
“Uh,” Ella bit her lip, “Maybe, I’ll text my parents.” She quickly sent a text: Alice’s mom wants us for dinner can we stay?? Plz
“I can stay.” Kit announced.
“Okay then, I’ll call you when dinner’s ready. Have fun!”
The friends sat dissuading for fifteen more minutes, before Alice’s mom called them to dinner. Alice’s mom was a great cook, and Ella was full and sleepy by the end of the meal. 
“Thanks for dinner,” Kit said, standing and taking her dishes to the kitchen.
“Yeah thanks,” Claire agreed.
Ella nodded, “We should go soon, but thank you for dinner.” 
“Of course. Well everyone have a good night!”
“We will, goodbye!” Ella went to the kitchen and said goodbye to her friends. 
“Come on,” Claire urged, opening the door and holding it for Ella.
“Bye guys!” Ella yelled to Kit and Alice, before rushing out the door behind her sister. 
“Hey!” Kit ran out the door, her bag slung over one shoulder. “I’m coming with you.”
“Cool,” Ella paused so Kit could catch up. 
The trio walked in silence for a while.
“It’s like a connection to the water,” Kit said after a while. 
“It doesn’t make much sense to me.” Claire said, “Look, it’s much easier now for me to levitate stuff.” A rock on the side of the road hovered next to Clair’s knee. 
“And that doesn’t drain you at all?” Ella asked.
“Nope, not anymore.”
“Which is strange,” Kit observed. “For me it’s always been easy to control water, but for you it was hard at first.” 
“Yeah.” Claire agreed. “And that’s not the most I can do.” 
“Woah,” Kit blinked. “Show us tomorrow when we meet, please.”
“She levitated Ash yesterday.” Ella told Kit.
“Your hamster?”
Claire cleared her throat. “I needed something to test with.”
“Uh huh,” Kit gave Claire a side eye. “Anyway, I need to go now, my parents want me home by nine.” 
“Kay, see you tomorrow.” Claire said. 
"Bye!" Ella waved. 
Kit nodded and trotted off in the direction of her house.
Once she and Claire were home, Ella was too tired to do anything but get ready for bed. She dropped on her bed, and held Ash while reading. But Ella was too distracted to read. Her mind kept drifting back to her and her friends' problems. There was an answer somewhere. Something waiting for her and her friends; just around the corner.
== Chapter Twelve: Kitty's POV ==
Kit and her friends stared at the thin, clear crystal which lay in the center of the round table.
“I wonder where it leads,” Ella wondered, leaning forward to inspect the crystal.
“Guys-This might be our chance to try that mallowmelt thing that Hydrina was talking about?” Claire asked, eyeing the leaping crystal suspiciously. 
“People! You’re forgetting the most important question!” Leah said loudly. 
Everyone looked at her expectantly. 
“How do you use it?” She asked. 
“Didn’t Hydrina hold it above her head and then cartoonishly leap towards it, but then disappears halfway through leaping?” Kit asked. 
“Well maybe not cartoonishly….” Alice said. 
“Should we try it?” Ella asked. 
“But we don’t have any of those nexus things that will protect us,” Leah pointed out. “Do not tell me you will possibly turn into alien like creatures, or you know. Just casually die to see-” 
“To see an amazing other dimension where they have incredible food and where unicorns are real?” Kit interrupted. “Yes please!” 
Leah rolled her eyes. “ Are you telling me, if a random stranger came up to you; used weird crystal things and told you to follow her like a kidnapper, you would do it?” 
“I’ll go with her!” Alice yelled. 
“But we don’t LOOK like another... thing." Claire pointed out. 
“Oh, just pass me the crystal!” Kit yelled. 
“And send you to your almost certain doom?” Leah asked. “As much as it sounds great, not today.” 
Kit felt a tugging sensation in her gut, but instead of water droplets forming around her, she held out her hand, and the crystal flew into her hand. 
“What!” Leah cried. “What was that?” 
“Telekinesis!” Claire called out. “Hydrina mentioned it. It was something we can do.” Claire held out her hand and the crystal flew back into her palm. 
Kit tried to take it back, but Claire clenched her palm tight. 
Ella and Alice watched as the argument escalated. Kit paused, remembering that she had another "other" ability, so she once again held out her hand, but now a small orb of water formed on her hand. Kit pushed the orb away and sent it flying through the air and splashing Clair’s face. Her moment of confusion and surprise was Kit’s chance to grab the crystal. Leah jumped to get the gem, but only ended up knocking the crystal away from everyone. It flew through the air, and would have shattered if Alice hadn’t caught it. 
Alice paused, unsure who to give it to. 
“Don’t give it to Kit,” Leah warned. “I think she's already had too much sugar for breakfast.”
“Please,” Kit protested. “I HAVE to find out what mallowmelt tastes like.” 
Alice looked at Kit. “You do know what might happen to you, right?” She clarified. 
Kit nodded. 
Alice shrugged. “Bring me some mallowmelt when you get there.”
“I’m not attending your funeral by the way” Leah exploded. “If you even-” 
“Shhh,” Kit interrupted. I need FULL concentration, unless you want me to die?” 
Leah rolled her eyes. “Like I said, not attending the funeral.” 
Kit waved to her friends as she held out the crystal and started at the beam of beam of light it created.
“I don’t believe it.” Leah muttered in disbelief. “ I cannot BELIEVE that someone would WILLINGLY went to her almost certain DOOM to try a slice of CAKE. And it might be a scam for all we know. Did I not mention, the possibility of getting kidnapped?"
“Not just any cake,” Ella corrected. “A slice of cake that tastes like cookies soaked in ice cream and drenched in chocolate and butterscotch.” 
“A piece of CAKE.” Leah shook her head. “What are we going to tell her foster parents? Oh, sorry, Kit died trying to catch a ride on a beam of light to a different dimension because she found out that she was an "other" and can control water. But don’t worry, there’s no body because she dissolved. And why did she do all of the above? For a slice of CAKE. But if it makes you feel any better, it was a special cake that tastes like cookies soaked in butterscotch and drenched in ice cream. I’m sorry for your loss, would you like some tissues?” 
“It’s soaked in ice cream and drenched in butterscotch,” Ella corrected.
“And why do you think Kit’s going to die, anyway?” Alice asked.
Everyone waited quietly for Kitty to come back. 
“There is a slight (not) possibility she has gotten kidnapped or has gotten sick of all of us. ” Leah whispered suddenly. 
“She’ll be back soon,” Ella argued. A few more minutes passed, and then Leah announced, “I’m going after her.” 
“Why?” Alice asked. 
“My friend has just gone to another dimension, could be attacked right now. Nope totally normal day. ”Leah said. 
“Or maybe she’s bringing mallowmelt in doggy bags for us,” Ella chimed in hopefully. There was a loud crash in the room next door. “What was that?” Alice asked. “I have no clue,” Ella replied. 
“Owwww” a voice complained from behind the wall. “Kit?” Claire said cautiously. “I’m alright-owwwww” Kitty said. “Stupid floor,” she grumbled. “You’re alive!” Alice cheered. “Did you bring mallowmelt in doggy bags?” Ella asked suspiciously. “Nope,” Kit replied. “Didn't even get there. I got stuck and then pulled back here”. 
“Why?” Claire asked. 
“Dunno,” Kit said, rubbing her shoulder. “I didn’t ask, also, why was the floor so hard?” 
Leah looked like she wanted to strangle and hug Kitty at the same time. “Well, let’s all put on a nexus then, I suppose. As much as I hate admitting this, we need to find answers and this strange world probably has them and I also really want to try mallowmelt." 
"Has anyone ever told you, you sometimes sound like a middle school teacher on a field trip." Kitty asked.
Leah played along, "Well then children, please don't do anything that could get you killed." 
Kit put the crystal in the air, creating a path of light for them to step through. She dragged everyone into the path, and the warmth swept them away.
=Part two: Elves=
== Chapter 13: Alice ==
Alice knew her friends were right next to her but it didn’t feel like that. It was like they vanished. “Maybe they did.” A voice inside said. Alice felt her heart drop to the bottom of her stomach. They couldn’t have just disappeared. Right? There were several reasons why in the first place she agreed for Kit to go.
# It could answer Kit’s ability and other questions.
# Why not?
# If the girl gave it to them in the first place, why wouldn’t they use it?
# The girl wouldn’t have given it to them if it wasn’t safe.
Those were the reasons why she thought it was safe. Well, she used to. 
A blinding light shone through what it seemed like was a force-field around her, and suddenly there it was. A mansion. A castle. A mansion-castle was more like it actually. Alice stood up, now realising that she had fallen and took in the view again.
The mansion-castle. The sunstruck sky. The winding crystal river that was shimmering under the sky. The plants that were growing some kind of fruit, it shone beauty, but didn’t look appealing. A trio of rabbits jumped by, with antlers? Claire was the first one to voice the question: “Where are we?”
The noises, oh what pleasant sounds. There were no busy noises, no honking in the distance, no sound of the cities. Just nature. Alice could hear the river clearly, soon realising that it formed a rushing waterfall that crashed into the ocean. She was surprised that she was able to figure this out on her own, just by listening.
Alice tilted her head at her friend, wondering if something changed in the leap. Alice caught herself. “Leap?” How did she know that word was the right one? They light leaped didn’t they? She shook off that there was more to everything then what was revealed now feeling and faced her friends.
“Is everyone okay?” Alice asked. “Yes.” A whisper came back from three of them. Ella hadn’t moved the entire time. She just stared at the river, completely still.
“Ella?” Claire asked, resting her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “There’s no noise,” Ella finally said. A puzzled look crossed over Clair’s face. “No noise.” She confirmed. Ella turned towards her friends.
“No noise.” She said with a smile playing on her face. “It’s all quiet.” Alice glanced at Clair, who looked just as relieved as her sister. 
“What do you mean ‘quiet’?” Kit asked. “I’ll tell you later,” She said getting up. “Let’s go see who’s home.”
~	~	~
.They had found several baskets on the walk-way with a sign that said:
Take a box of Prattels! And take some Sugarknots!
The five friends had no idea what Prattels and Sugarknots were, but they all took them. Even the sceptical Leah, it seemed like she was too hungry to argue. 
There were several flowers with small labels bearing the name. A plant with green and orange tubes had a sign near it that said: Try one!
There was a small sapling with a rich brown trunk and purple-pinkish-bluish petals. The sign next to it said: In honor of Faro. The one who will soon save us all. 
Alice had no idea what it was and what it meant by “The one who will soon save us all.” The other idea’s were more of the same.
They walked on the cobble path talking in the land around them, wondering where in the world they were. Ella was still refusing to tell them what she meant by “It’s all quiet.” And “No noise”. The building was even more beautiful up close. The columns that were by the grand front door glowed with new and old in one. It had stone walls, with millions of millions of crystal shards pressed in between. The windows were large with gold trimming, and drawn curtains with what seemed like spun light. 
“You should do it.” Leah said to Alice as they came to the elegant front door. 
“Me?” Alice was confused. "I mean, it was your idea. Don't you want the honours? ” Leah did have a point. Alice was secretly glad to do the honors, though her hand wasn’t. She extended a shaky fist to the smooth brown door and knocked.
~	~	~
It was the girl, who was there by the first knock and she looked just as surprised as they were. Alice couldn’t remember the girl’s name, which bothered her to an extent. It was Claire who remembered. “Hydrina?” 
The girl just stood there, her eyes fading in and out in different shades of green. Hydrina’s appearance was a dramatic difference compared to when they first saw her. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt at the beach and now… An olive green dress with pearls lining the bottom, waist, collar, and sleeves. Gray leggings with knee-high brown boots. Her raven black hair that was in dutch braids last time was now wrapped into a bun. 
“One moment,” Hydrina said in an accent Alice had never heard before, and was definitely different from the one they had heard on the beach. The door closed in a thump, the only noise for the next few moments as the five-some just stared at each other, their jaws unhitched. 
“How?” Leah said then slapped a hand over her mouth. Alice stared at her. Leah’s voice took on a slightly different accent then Hydrina, but a different one from before. 
“Yes,” Claire tried slowly, her voice changing. “How.” 
“Clair? What’s happening?” Ella asked, her voice changing as well, matching her sister’s. “That’s so cool!” Kit said, bursting from suspense and quickly changing her voice. The four of them looked expectantly at Alice. “NO WAY!” Her mind shouted, but she knew the saying; Curiosity killed the cat. 
“What’s taking her so long?” Alice eventually asked as her voice changed to a crisp accent that was almost like Leah’s. The sound of a lock being opened announced the arrival of Hydrina. “Come in quickly.” She ordered as she pulled open the door. 
Alice sucked in a breath as she walked into the mansion-castle. It could've been the crystal flooring, the way light shone in, or even the largeness of it all, that intimidated her.
“Who’s this you got sis?” A boy said from a plush armchair next to a shimmering blue fire with a worn book in his lap. He had the same accent as Hydrina, which gave the impression that they were related, and it wasn’t obvious that he called her ‘sis’ either. 
His dark brown hair had a strip of dark purple which ran down to his untamed bangs. His eyes were a blue-green color and held curiosity and a bit of question. He was wearing black pants with a black shirt/vest. It looked like splatters of silver were flicked onto his clothing and he had several different bands and cuffs along his wrist, and something looked stuffed in his calf-high black boots. He locked eyes with his sister and something passed between them. When he was satisfied, the boy rose from his place by the fire and walked with the five friends. 
“I see you know my sister.” He said in a formal voice. An exasperated sigh escaped Hydrina giving the impression that this was going to be a joyful conversation. “I’m Ace.” “Ace?” Alice thought. “Well that’s a weird name.” 
“This is our house.” Ace began. “YOUR HOUSE?!” Kit practically shouted. Ace cleared his throat, and started again. “Yes, this is our house. I can already tell you like it. Hmm?” Ace moved up beside his sister and kept on walking. Hydrina rolled her eyes, and motioned for the five-some to follow. Ace kept on talking.
Ace was walking ahead of the group with his arms crossed behind his back. “Sis, come here.” He said as he peeled off as they entered a space that looked like a ballroom. In front of them there were two large stairways that connected at the next level with dark brown railings and black carpet. It led to several doors that must be private rooms of sorts. Two doors were right under the stairway, leading to a separate room. The other two walls had large open doors one leading to a living room with an abundance of light shining in. The other door led into a library, and Alice resisted the urge to run her fingers against the spines. 
“One moment.” Hydrina said as she followed her brother and entered a hushed conversion. It went on for about a moment before Ace ran up the stairs and walked around the second floor that had a clear view from above. Alice followed his moment to realize that there was a larger room up stairs behind them. It must have been over the sitting room, Alice guessed. Ace rapped on the door, two fast, three slow, one fast and entered.
“Come.” Hydrina ordered as she guided them to the bright living room. “Well? You can sit. Make yourself at home since… Never mind. Just sit.” Hydrina told them. They quietly sat on the white couches and stared outside at the ocean. 
“Sorry,” Hydrina said as she shifted in her dress, and took out her bun, letting the braids fall. “I’m not used to being around girls.”
“Is that an insult?” Alice had to ask. “No,” Hydrina said. “It’s definitely a good thing. Mallowmelt?” She asked, snapping her fingers. A gooey cake appeared in Alice’s lap, as well as her friends. This was the famous cake? The reason they came there? But that wasn’t what was on their minds.
“How did you do that?” Claire asked. 
“Well, for starters. I’m Not a Conjurer. My mother is. Well my adoptive mother is. I’m an Energy Bender. Which means I can do this.” She held out her hand at first nothing happened, then above Kit’s head a blue cat appeared. 
“How did you do that?” Claire breathed. 
“I can sense particles of energy in the air, from you guys, the waterfall outside. Things like that. Then I take that energy and form it into whatever shape I want. I can also sense other people’s energy, kind of like an Empath.” Hydrina said the last part more softly with a small shudder like she was imaging a terrible memory.
“But you didn’t answer my first question,” Claire remembered. “You just told us that your adoptive mother is a Conjurer. That doesn’t explain how you did that.”
Alice caught Ella staring at Hydrina with a calm expression. Ella noticed her. “She’s quiet too.” She whispered. Alice raised an eyebrow, but Ella didn’t notice.
“Yes, back to that.” Hydrina continued. “First I’ll explain what a Conjurer is. A Conjurer is basically a teleporter with objects. So by snapping they can put and retrieve things in the void. So what I did was a thing me and my mother are working on. A Conjurer can create a thread for someone else to use that line so they can access things they need from the void. It has to have a snap and a code for it to come out of the void. For me to retrieve Mallowmelt I have to snap my fingers and say Mallowmelt. I have a limited amount in the void but I can take as many out as I want. I’ll have to work with my mother to put more in. See watch. Mallowmelt.” Hydrina snapped her fingers and another dish of Mallowmelt was in her lap. She stared at it for a moment then it rose up into the air.
“HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!” Claire asked, jumping up. Alice’s jaw dropped. Ella pursed her lips. Kit stopped with a forkful of Mallowmelt halfway to her mouth. A look of shock was on Leah’s face but she kept on eating as if nothing happened.
“It’s called Telekinesis.” Ace said as he strolled into the room and sat in an armchair and propped his legs up on the ottoman. Hydrina made the floating dish of Mallowmelt fly over to her brother and set it down on his lap. “Thanks sis.” Ace thanked his sister through a mouthful of Mallowmelt. 
Alice stared down at her plate with a sad expression. The cake was gone, and suddenly the plate was too. She looked up to find a small smile on Hydrina’s face as she quietly pointed to the small table next to her with Alice’s plate on it. 
Alice remembered the box of Prattles that she’d taken from outside. She retrieved it and opened the box. “I see you found the Prattles basket outside.” Ace said before placing a piece of Mallowmelt in his mouth. “Yeah.” Alice replied as she picked one up and placed it on her tongue. It was a chewy peanut-butter tasting treat that couldn’t make you stop after one. The next one was caramel filled and was just as good. 
Alice passed a few of the candies to her friends and asked if Hydrina or Ace wanted one. “No thanks, just what pin did you get?” Ace asked expectantly. “Pin?” Alice asked.
“Every box of Prattles comes with a small pouch that has a pin in it. You collect them and you can trade them with others. There's one for every animal in the Lo- I mean here.” Ace amended after seeing his sister’s face or probably the threat that was coming later. Alice dug around in the box and finally pulled out the small silk pouch. She pulled out a small pin with a bird on it. On the back there was a digital screen with the numbers; # 20 of 120
“A Halcyon!” Ace said, leaning out of his seat as Hydrina gasped. “Are you going to trade?” They both asked simultaneously. “No, she should keep it. Even though it’s rare.” Hydrina added under her breath.
“Well, well, well. Look what we have here.” A voice said behind Alice
~	~	~
“Well, well, well. It seems like you ladies have had a bit of excitement around these past few weeks.” Crester said as he handed Hydrina another cleaned off plate of Mallowmelt. The stack of plates were incredibly high now, after several dishes of the lovely cake. 
Crester had arctic blue eyes and dark hair. His dimples shone with a single smile and his voice was gentle. He was wearing a pair of gray dress pants with brown ankle boots. His shirt was plain white, but he had a red and white stiffer shirt over it. He explained that it was called a jerkin. 
“Yes we have sir.” Kit answered. 
“Now let’s see. Hmm. Ace? Ace. ACE!” Crester said, trying to get his son’s attention.
“Um, yes father. What is it?”
“Go and check the bedrooms, make sure they have everything that’s needed up there. Hop to it.” He snapped his fingers as Ace jumped out of his seat.
“I’ll take these to the kitchen.” Hydrina said, getting up and smoothing out her dress. She picked up the first few dishes, then floated the rest with her mind. When Hydrina was safely in the kitchen, Crester began.
“This news that you are going to receive in moments is going to be life changing. Not just for you, but your human families as well.” Crester said standing up and moving towards the large windows, his voice more gentle then Alice had ever heard it. Well in the moments they had met.
“I’ll bet that for a while now, you’ve wondered why you have these abilities, we call them. You,” He said, gesturing to Kit. “Have manifested as a Hydrokinetic.” 
Kit stared slack jaw at Crester, confusion and shock smacked on her face. “That means,” Crester continued. “That you can sense water particles in the air and take control of it. It’s easier with small puddles and pools of water, but when you're near a larger body of water, the harder it is to control. I’ll find someone from our society to train you, but it may be difficult, since he’s on a mission and I don’t have details about when he is returning. I’ll teach you as best as I can for now but that may have to wait a few days as well. Do you think you can resist the tug of water for a bit longer?” He asked Kit, his arctic blue eyes holding kindness. 
“I’ll try.” Kit said, taking in a shaky breath.
“Good. Now you.” He said his eye staring into Clair’s, who stared right back. “Did you know that you have other skills as well?”
“I do? Well, it does make sense I guess…” Claire trailed off. She was simply surprised, not something Alice saw often.
“There are more than just one as well. You all have the same skills as your friend here, just her’s is mysteriously stronger…” Crester said, his eyes pondering possibilities. 
“Now,” He said suddenly back into the present. “You all have an ability, I’m sure that much, but some have not yet been triggered. I’ll call in some help so they can teach you the basics.”
He sighed, like the next part was going to be hard to get out. Alice kind of hoped it was too hard for him to get out so then she wouldn’t have to hear it, but that was out of the question.
“You're not human.”
Seconds went by in a blur.
The world was spinning sideways.
“We’re not?” Ella asked, but realization dawned on before anyone else.
“Is this a joke? If so, please contact me. You have some serious devotion and extreme plans which I am here for.” Leah had to ask.
Crester sighed. “I kid you not, Miss. Selene. You are not human, you're like the rest of us.” He chuckled a small laugh and sank into the armchair his son was sitting in. “You're all Elves.”
“We are.” Kit squeaked, but the way she said it wasn’t a question, it was more to herself as she tried it on her tongue.
“But that’s crazy!” Claire jutted out. “We look exactly like humans. Why us? Why me!”
“Because you five are destined to do something, I don’t know yet what it is. But I know that much since your par- I mean someone I know gave me an old scroll that said something about a group of five will do the change. It had an old map of your home. And another place that I have yet to figure out. I’ve been searching for you even longer than you will ever know.” He sighed, half of it relief, the other half what were we going to do? kind of sigh.
He stood up and escorted the five still in shock friends to the large room, where Hydrina and Ace were waiting. They stared at their father, eyes locked in, before turning away. Crester sighed and made his way upstairs, to the room that Ace did the knock sequence on. “That must be his office.” Alice realized.
The siblings in front of them were staring at each other, like they were communicating. But it looked more like arguing to each other without words. Ace’s eyes got fierce and then, even though he didn’t say anything, he clapped his hand over his mouth, and glanced at Kit. Hydrina’s face was full of shock, then it morphed into a goofy grin that soon turned into giggles. Ace’s face was on fire, he glanced at Kit once again, before putting a blank mask over his face.
“Fine.” He said with a flick of his hand. “Alice, Leah, and Ella follow me. Don’t ask how I know your names, my father told me. They will be changed soon enough.” Ace turned dramatically and marched up the stairs. Hydrina didn’t do as well to put a blank mask over her face, her eyes turning different colors. “Kit, Clair. Come.”
~	~	~
“So, what was that about?” Alice asked Ace as soon as they were down the hall and out of sight of the other group.
“Yeah. Ace, what was that?” Ella asked with a smile on her face. 
“What did your dad do to even buy a portion of this house?” Leah said, slightly perked up, maybe because of the sibling spat downstairs. “Also you're all extremely unnecessary folk. Like what is up with the number of crystals?"
Ace sighed, “Maybe I’ll show you your room first so that you will keep quiet.” he said as he stopped and opened a door that turned out to be Leah’s room. Leah gasped.
The walls were a silvery gray with white specks that were stars. From the ceiling were several crystals hanging, reflecting light that lit up the room. There was a soft white rug on the floor. A large navy blue desk, a color slightly lighter than the walls, had a basket of scrolls, some blank and some with writing. A few books were on it as well, along with several gadgets and writing material. There was a bookcase as well and a large oval swinging chair which seemed to excite Leah the most. There was also a.. hammock?? 
The bed was perfectly Leah. It had a navy blue base with white pillows with red trim, gray comforter, and a wooden bench at the base of the bed. There was a closet, with a changing board before it. The window had a view of the ocean and poured in sunlight. She had her own small private bathroom with everything she needed. 
Leah swept her bangs out of the way to take in everything. She walked around and tugged on the sleeves of her hoodie. “Thank you.” She said to Ace. “Don’t thank me.” He said putting out his hands. “Now, my father would like to see you in Elvin clothing, so in that closet there will be an outfit for you. When you're done and finished, go into the room on the left that’s where I’ll be teaching all of you the basics.” He said as he was out the door. 
“Just wear whatever is the most comfortable in the closet and you’ll be good to go.” Ella whispered to her friend. Alice gave her two thumbs up and raced after Ace.
“Ella this is your room.” Ace told Ella as reached two doors down from Leah’s room. It really was Ella’s room.
The room had white walls with purple and turquoise accents all over. The purple rug had amethyst on the border? One wall had a crystal collection, with even one with a swirling color of gold silver and milky white. The bed had a white comforter and turquoise pillows with little lavender pom-poms as trim. There was a wood desk the same style as Leah’s with the same gadgets layed out. She had a window with a ledge that had padding on some it was more comfortable to sit on. She had a bathroom and a closet. The layout was similar to Leah’s room but was very different at the same time. Ace opened his mouth to speak but Ella cut him off.
“You want me to change into some Elvin clothes so that I look more elf. Then I’m going to the room next door to the right and wait there.” She raised her eyebrows. 
“Yes, that’s correct.” Ace said annoyed slipped into his voice. Ella smiled at Alice as Ace went down the hall, and made a beeline towards the closet.
“Just you now.” Ace said as he opened the door to what was now Alice’s room. She was sure her eyes were lying to her.
It was a room with every shade of blue you could possibly imagine. The walls were a periwinkle blue with shelves of scrolls on the wall. There were the names of the scrolls, about stories, about culture, about history. Alice’s eyes were drawn to the history section, and the rows of it. She had a royal blue rug, with a few diamonds around the border. The desk was chocolate colored with the same things laid out. Her bed had an indigo comforter, and azure pillows with white trim. The bathroom was blue as well but paler in color. “What Ella said.” Alice answered Ace when he opened his mouth. 
“I guess I’ll be checking on the other room.” he said, his feet making barely a sound as he walked away.
Alice closed the door and found a mirror behind it. She was surprised when she noticed that the mirror started to speak. 
“My goddess! You seriously need a spruce up!” It said, as a small figure appeared in the corner. She was a lady with bright blue eyes, and strawberry colored hair that was in some elaborate hair style. “Who are you?” Alice asked.
“Thank you so much for say “Who are you?” instead of a “What is it!?” or a scream. I’m Tiffany, but call me Tiff. Now go choose something from the closet and put that on. I’ll help you from there.”
~	~	~
Alice had chosen a sapphire blue tunic with a simple braided belt around the waist. She chose a pair of gray leggings and a pair of brown knee-high boots that hugged her leg. It had a small heel, only about an inch and was perfect. She stood in front of Tiffany to show what she had picked out. 
“My goddess! The change! You look like an elf now!” Tiffany’s eyes squinted at Alice’s hands. “Hold up your hands dear.” Alice as she was told, but didn’t like the look that Tiffany had on her face. 
“There’s something off about them.” Tiffany finally said. “They are beautiful hands, don't get me wrong, so slender. But they almost need to be covered up? I don’t know why but they seem to have a lot of power in them. So maybe it will be a good idea to wear gloves. There should be some in your closet. Find a pair of brown ones.” 
Alice frowned. She didn’t want to wear gloves but if she had too much power in them and could hurt someone, she would wear them. There was a pair of brown gloves that had two small cords on each one to make it the right size at the wrist. They were nice and cool, and somehow stayed cool.
Alice sat down at the desk and dug around to find a brush in the drawer of makeup. She only found it when a hand reached to the draw on the other side and pulled out a brush. Alice whipped around to see who it was. 
It was a lady with cobalt blue eyes and chocolate colored hair. She was wearing a teal dress with pearls and diamonds lining the collar and hem. Her slender hands held a brush, and with a soft voice asked. “Do you want me to do it?”
Alice nodded, since her voice had left her. The lady carefully combed Alice’s hair quietly. They sat in silence for a while until the lady snapped her fingers and had a pile of hair ties on the desk. She dutch braided Alice’s hair into a ponytail and added a bit of blush onto her checks. 
Alice stared at herself in the mirror, the same and different girl looked back. That morning Alice saw a human in herself. Now, an elf.
“I’m Alice.” She felt the need to introduce herself.
“I’m Kelia. Ace’s and Hydrina’s mother. Now you better get to the room Ace has set up. You don’t want to be late.”
== Chapter Fourteen: Kitty's POV ==
“Ugh! Why can’t I get it!” Kit frowned as the third sphere of water burst all over her. 
“You’ll get it soon,” Crester encouraged. “All you need to do is concentrate.” 
Kit stuck out her tongue and created another sphere. It swelled up and wobbled dangerously. “Keep it at that!” Crester urged. 
Kit concentrated, adding another layer of water to the ball. “Good, good!” Crester praised. 
“Come on," Kit muttered to the sphere, as it grew in size. She felt her control slipping. “No, no, no!” she hissed. The sphere popped, splashing her and Crester in the face. 
“I’ll never get it right!” Kit groaned. “Yes you will,” Crester instructed. “With time and practise. But maybe we should finish up for now.” 
“No!” Kit said. “I want to get it right!” Crester sighed. “Okay.” Kit grinned. “But maybe we should focus on something else for the rest of the session.” 
Kit agreed. “So,” Crester said. “Actually, I don’t know what else to do, on the same skill level.” 
“So let me do something harder,” Kit insisted. Crester shook his head then paused. “You’re really not gonna give up, are you?” Kit shook her head. 
Crester sighed. “Okay then. You have to create a wave, and turn it into a pillar. Then flick your wrist, releasing the water and you'll have to stop it crashing into you.” Kit grinned. “Bring it on!” 
Crester shook his head. “What am I doing?” He muttered. Kit raised her hands calling water from the air and created a pillar like Crester had told her. A flick of the writ then Kit held out her hands in a stop position. The water rushed towards her but just before colliding with her, the water rushed towards the sky sparing Kit of any droplets of water. 
Kit stood in the stop position, but the beautiful scenery started to dim. Kit clutched her head and the water came crashing down. Small fragments of a memory buried so deep within her mind came up to the surface. 
There were only small fragments, a brown-haired elf hugging a bundle of rags to her chest. “No!” She cried. “Don’t-” the fragment ended, being replaced with a giant wave carrying the bundle-her- away. “It’ll be better for everyone”, another voice said. “That way the-” the memory broke for a second. “Won't find her”, continued the voice. “How could you!” screamed the first elf. “Bring her back!” The second person shook their head. “I can’t. You know it will be for the best.” “No!” gasped the first elf. “I could’ve trained-protected her!” The first speaker was crying now. “Bring. Her. Back.” She commanded. The baby floated downstream, a little speck on the river. “No.” The elf cried. “Bring Nerida back!”
The memories shifted for the last time and Kit saw herself- as a baby- floating down the river. She watched as her baby-self splashed in the water. The scene shifted and Kit saw baby-her being lifted up to a doorstep by a wave and the water evaporated. A moment later, a lady opened the door, looked around to see who put the baby on the doorstep to her orphanage, and picked up Kit. Then, everything faded to black. Kit just stood there, now idea how long had past. After a while, she felt herself jostled awake.
== Chapter Fifteen: Leah's POV ==
This is literally never going to finish is it?
And here I thought Math lessons were bad…
I am actually going to run out of here, if he doesn’t stop. Ok Leah, time to manifest your inner Usain.
For the past hour, Leah’s thoughts had been the same and so had been Crestor’s words. It felt like he was determined to drill his words into their heads.
“All the possible abilities:
Beguilers
Chargers
Conjures
Descryers
Empaths…”
The list went on for much longer, each ability having its own perks. To top it off, they also had skills; which was exactly what Claire had done one night with the levitating phone.
“The elves are species which like to have order and having an ability- “
She never stuck around to listen to the rest of the lecture, tired of the repetitive ‘Elves are stronger than humans’ news. She also doubted anyone would notice for a good while because they all looked ready to pass out. On the other hand, Crester was putting every single emotion he could find in the lesson.
She crept out of the room whilst Crester had his back to them, and made her way out of the suffocating room wary of any creaks. A skill she had perfected at a young age, trying to escape reality disguised as a stubborn nightmare, refusing to end.
“Shouldn’t you be inside?”
She turned around swiftly, equipped with an excuse she had planned before-hand, to be greeted by a graceful, middle aged woman. Her chocolate brown hair was tied into an intricate braid, one that would take hours for Leah to even attempt. Her cobalt blue eyes were soft and her plump rosy cheeks paired with the gentle smile on her face give her a look of a patient and elegant woman, someone who Leah aspired to be but was far from it.
“I needed the bathroom, can you tell me where one is?” She had to admit, it was a very predictable excuse but it was also realistic.
“You know; I’ve never seen someone look for the bathroom looking like a robber.” she scratched the back of her head knowing she had been caught.
“Fine, you got me. But hear me out, (I’m assuming he’s your husband) just kept going on and on and on.”
“Phew, I thought I was the only one who thought he had a habit of droning on forever.”
“So… you won’t mind if I take a quick trip to the kitchen, right?” The woman laughed and gave her directions. Before she left, she decided to ask her the question that had been haunting her the whole day.
“I just wanted to ask you one thing. What if you got the wrong people? I mean, there are so many teenagers. How are you sure, you’ve gotten the right person? And even if we are elves, what if we don’t have an ability? Because elves are meant to be so important and powerful, but I don’t-”
Before she finished her sentence, she was crushed by a hug from the older woman which she awkwardly returned, never having the experience on the situation. In fact, she barely remembered getting so much affection from someone.
“Ok sorry about that. Relax, ok? There’s no need to over-think this, because I would bet on my life that Hydrina found the right people. And with that ability nonsense, if anyone says anything they will never see light again or their precious bones”, her tone was still reassuring but there was a hint of over-protectiveness present.
“Thank you, and make sure to tell me if you’re planning on destroying someone’s bones. I can be an excellent assistant; you never know…”
***
“Ok, everyone QUITE. We’re going to be doing ability-testing. This is going to work by everyone going to their own separate rooms which are all suited for the ability being tested. For example, there is a room where after a few minutes, it will be filled with water up to your thighs. If you are a Hydrokinetic, you may feel a connection with the water. I said, QUITE DOWN”, Leah suspected Hydrina and Ace were adopted due to the zero resemblance they had with their parents, but they both certainly possessed Crestors confidence and authority.
Hydrina and Ace had set up rooms with what Leah called ‘torturous’ circumstances. She recalled seeing a room with every inch covered with ice and silently prayed they wouldn’t have to stay in for long. Hydrina simply laughed when she saw their horrified expressions unlike Ace, who Leah had caught trying to get Kitty’s attention several times. She had barely managed to keep in her laughter, after the last attempt, when Kitty had only rolled her eyes and walked past.
“We can’t test you for all of the abilities. There are things like empathy where you’ll just manifest at a random time” Hydrina escorted them to separate rooms, some looking completely normal, others not so much. She caught Alice’s eye, who looked surprisingly excited. Leah on the other hand, shuddered from thinking about her fate for the next few hours. In front of her, was a room that had its temperature set to 45 degrees. As if that wasn’t enough, there was a fire in the middle of the room threatening and mocking her moves.
***
She had been vain to think the Vackers would allow her to step out of the room after 10 to 15 minutes.
Very vain.
In fact, it had been 2 hours until Ace finally unlocked the door and let her free. She was still trying to fan herself, when she heard a scream that sounded suspiciously like Alice. Though, it was certainly one of excitement rather than fear.
She could see Alice leaving her room in a state of shock and occasionally looking at her hands with awe. She wondered what ability she had gotten, maybe a psionipath?
“So, what did you manifest as?” she asked, barely managing to control her curiosity.
“A flasher! It was like, I had complete control over the light. You know, like those puppets? Almost, like the light was my companion and I was giving it directions and orders to do.” her description sounded oddly familiar to when Claire had used her telekinesis. Before she could ask anything else, her friends had joined them; nearly everyone looking either disappointed or (the majority) annoyed. She elbowed Claire whose hair was currently all over the place, giving her the impression of a mad scientist.
“Did anyone else manifest apart from- “she was cut off by a group of teenage boys entering the hall busy chatting away. Hydrina was evidently annoyed, her face mirroring Leah’s own foster mother 98.5 % of the time.
“I TOLD YOU TO NOT COME YET”, everyone cringed as Hydrina started lecturing the boys, it was a hilarious sight to Leah who found it hard to keep in her laughter. Ace eventually stopped his sister and suggested introductions.
There were 4 boys in total, and looked to be around 14 or 15.
“I’ll go first, I’m Howell”, he looked like the youngest of their group and had remarkable green coloured eyes which reminded Leah of emeralds, his blonde hair reached just above his eyes which were currently studying them all. His gaze lingered on Alice a few seconds longer before abruptly looking away.
“Yours truly Zoran Lust, master of the wind” Zoran stated before doing an extravagant bow. Unlike Howell, Zoran had darker skin, cropped hair and sky coloured eyes which had a hint of mischief Leah knew too well.
“Tough crowd, really was expecting an applause.”
“You know what, he deserves an award too. Come on guys, clap!”
“How you had the ability to make him shut up, is something I will never understand. Anyways, I’m Lei.” Lei reminded Leah of a jock in high school. Unlike Devon though, he had a friendly and energetic look to him. His dark hair was set perfectly and he had the brightest eyes Leah had ever seen.
Next to Howell, was a boy who was noticeably ‘posher’, as unlike his friends who had casual clothing, he was wearing a velvet cape similar to Hydrina’s. Dark chocolate hair hung clumsily revealing a friendly face. His cobalt blue eyes were even more unusual as they seemed to sparkle despite the lack of light.
“Asher, nice to meet you”
***
“Oh come on. It’s not that hard” Zoran was complaining impatiently before continuing to pester Howell.
“Easy for you to say. You manifested when you were like 8, no wonder you have an ego the size of a lake” Ella quickly dried her wet hair before rushing off to a different room. She seemed determined to manifest an ability.
Not that Leah herself was having any luck. Unlike Kitty who everyone already knew was a Hydrokinetic (but was still being tested in case she had more abilities), Leah hadn’t shown any signs of manifesting. She tried to not show that it affected her, but life would be really bizarre if it turned out they got the wrong girl and she really wasn’t an elf.
“I’ve tried every single thing, maybe I’m just an Empath or something?”
“I mean; I can’t imagine it…” Before Claire could continue, Ella had rushed out looking disappointed.
“Ok, so I’ve tried EVERY thing. Either, I just have an ability that manifests at a random time, or I’m talentless. I might talk to Crester though because I have a suspicion.” after wishing her luck and procrastinating with Claire for half an hour, she decided to explore the house instead.
Though, first she made a quick stop to her bedroom. Even though it hadn’t been long, the state of her closet was already horrendous and she was glad Claire or Alice wasn’t there to see it. After rummaging for a few minutes, she found what she was looking for and started her mini exploration.
Saying that the Vackers had style and were extremely generous with their money was an understatement. There were single rooms that looked like they cost more than Leah’s whole neighbourhood. Not to mention, there was enough light to light up a town…
She took a sharp turn to another corridor which looked older compared to the rest of the house. Perhaps, they had renovated the house earlier this year?
On the right, there was an oak door with runes engraved at the top and bottom. She wasn’t shocked when the door wouldn’t open, she hasn’t thought it would at all. The door itself shouted “I’m really important and hold secrets but I’m not letting you in.”
The door opposite was luckily unlocked and was filled with an array of weapons and armoury. She studied the weapons arranged, some looking antique, others quite deadly. From swords to crossbows, the Vackers were definitely prepared.
But prepared for what? Why do they need all of these?
It was certainly strange that the elves who claimed to be a peaceful and powerful society would need so many…
precautions.
Most importantly, who did they fear?
Maybe these were the types of questions that were left unanswered. Forgotten by adults, because of the horror they contained.
She dismissed the troubling thoughts, but instead of making her way to the weapons, she made her way to the corner of the room; and arranged the cloth in her hand making sure to cover every inch of hair on her head.
***
“Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.”
She raised her hands for Dua and prayed.
She prayed for patience.
She prayed for peace.
And she prayed for answers.
== Chapter Sixteen: Ella's POV ==
Ella sat up and stared blankly at the wall. Suddenly, as if breaking out of a trance, Ella fell back onto her pillows. Her gaze moved to the ceiling, as if glaring at the ceiling long enough could solve all her problems. Her problems? Moving to the Lost Cities for a start. Losing her family, true they were her foster family but still, they were the only family (besides Claire) Ella had known, since the age of eight. And the questions! So many questions…
Ella rolled out of bed with a groan and waddled sleepily to the closet.
“There you are! For the love of Mallowmelt, let me out of here!”
Ella sighed, remembering the talking mirror she had shoved in the closet last night after it had told her to put on make-up. Ella had said the name was literally make-up! She didn’t want to make-up something about herself.
“Seriously!?” Ella gritted her teeth and picked up the hand mirror, then took a deep calming breath. “Fine, just please let me make my own fashion choices.” She moved the mirror to the dressing table, then trudged back to the closet.
The night before, Ella had sorted all her clothes, by clothes she would never wear on the left and clothes she would possibly wear on the right. Ella finally decided on a loose flowy lavender sundress, with a split up to her knee on the left side. The shoes were harder, but Ella ended up selecting a pair of turquoise sandals with gems on the clasps. One dresser drawer was full of scarfs, Ella chose a simple turquoise one made out of a light material.
Now dressed, Ella turned her attention to the hair, she brushed it, and made a braid down the side of her face. Her eyes flicked to the mirror.
“Oh, alright.” Ella decided, and picked it up. “Good?”
Angelia, the mirror, sighed. “Enough. The bangs-”
“No.” Ella told her, and set the mirror down with a thud.
Now ready, Ella grabbed her notebook, and went to her window seat. Ella sat there for a minute, staring at the cover of the book. She then opened it and flipped through pages covered with sketches and handwriting. Ella read the last page she had written:
A strange girl appeared at our school today. She says her name’s Hydrina. She gave us this weird crystal and bands, and told us to twist the crystal, and it would take us to her. I don't understand it. Next to the writing was a sketch of Hydrina. So recent, and yet so long ago. Ella set her pencil on the page and began writing.
So much has happened... 
Ella wrote a whole page, when footsteps made her turn.
Zoran sighed and walked forward.
“Yes?” Ella asked.
“It’s get-your-own-breakfast.” He informed her, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Why?”
“Crester and Aslaw are at a meeting.”
Ella tilted her head and stared intently at Zoran. “What’s wrong?” She asked.
Zoran just shook his head and looked up. “It’s…nothing.”
Ella put a hand on her hip, and raised her eyebrows. “Do I look like I believe that?”
Zoran crossed his arms, but a smile flicked across his face. “Yes,”
“Oh, good Lord. You’re helpless.”
“I am indeed.”
Ella stared long at him studying his face.
A gust of wind reminded her to blink. “Ah-ha! That’s it!”
“That’s what?” Zoran asked.
“It’s your ability!”
Zoran pursed his lips and his smile faded.
“What’s up?” Ella asked.
“It’s too powerful.” Zoran told her in a whisper.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean-wait a minute- what do you know about elemental abilities?”
“Um, people with them can control an element.” Ella told him.
“Okay, well elemental abilities can take control of the person who has them. Basically the element can take over, and you’ll be consumed by it.”
Ella paled. “And you’re worried that’s what’ll happen to you?”
“Yes.” Zoran said in a quiet voice.
“But why?” Ella asked.
“Because whenever I use my ability I can feel the urge to let it win.”
“But you haven’t done it yet, why do you think it will happen?”
“Because I have done it.”
Ella tensed.
“Once, five years ago, it consumed all of me. I don’t want it to happen again.” He took a shaky breath.
Ella didn’t know what to say.
“Why did he not make those bands?” Zoran said to himself.
“Who make what bands?” Ella asked.
"Howell makes ability bands.”
“What are ability bands?”
“It's a band that can transfer your ability so someone else can use them. But I want him to make ability resistors”
“But, why would you-”
“Because, I don’t want to hurt people. I would prefer to be talent less than to become that monster again.”
Ella was silent.
He took another breath. “I’m sorry. I’ll be downstairs,”
Ella watched him leave, not knowing what to say.
***
Ella and Ace were in a room with a glass roof filtering light on Ella’s shoulders. She and Ace were sitting in front of each other, a small wood table in between them, covered with books and a tray of mallowmelt. They were there for ability training. Ella had told Crester about the ringing and constant headaches she felt. Castor had sent her to Ace and here they were now.
Ella snatched a slice of mallowmelt. “So, what does it mean-me being a Telepath-?”
Ace cleared his throat,“Weeell, it’s- it means that you can read peoples’ minds.”
“And…”
“Well, you heard the ringing all the time because you can read peoples’ minds.”
“But why can’t I hear it anymore?”
“Because humans have weaker minds than elves.” Ace explained.
Ella, raised an eyebrow, “Wow, that explains a lot.”
“Sorry, it just means that you’ll have to want to read someone’s mind to do it, instead of hearing it all the time.”
“Why would I want to read someone’s mind?” Ella asked. “It feels like an invasion of privacy. A big one.”
Ace shifted his feet, and reached for a slice of mallowmelt. “Well, that’s the thing. In the Lost Cities, you need permission to enter someone’s mind.”
“Wouldn’t you anyway?”
“Not everyone has morals, and it’s not just about morals, either-it’s a rule.”
Ella crossed her arms. “Ah, I see.”
“That seemed sarcastic.” Ace observed.
Ella rolled her eyes. “Ya think?”
Ace wrung his hands, “Sorry. Anyway, I will teach you how to enter someone’s mind, how to dig through memories, and how to transmit.”
“Digging through memories seems like a violation of privacy too. Is there a rule about permission for that too?”
“Yes.”
Ella folded her hands in her lap, and sighed. “I don’t like this,”
“I can get that, it’s a completely different world from the Forbidden Cities,”
“The Forbidden Cities?”
“The human world.”
“Well yeah, I do miss my parents-” She took a deep breath. “But that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“What then?”
“Telepathy,” Ella admitted.
“Why?” Ace asked. “Do you know how many people would gladly trade their abilities for telepathy?”
“I mean, you can’t just use it like energy bending, you need permission to use your ability. Which I do think is a good idea, it’s not something I would like to do without permission, but it’s like an ability I have no use for.”
“Telepathy has plenty of uses.”
“Does it?” Ella bit her nail, knowing Claire would be lecturing her about chewing on her nails later. “Name a scenario where I would be able to use it.”
Ace hesitated. “Um, we’re getting off track.”
Ella shot him a look. “Fine.”
“Anyway, as I was saying, I’m going to go into your head- if you’re okay with it?”
Ella knew it was necessary for training, but she didn’t want someone she barely knew going into her head. She sighed, she really would have preferred to have just been a Vanisher. “Go ahead.”
“Okay,” Ace closed his eyes. “You’ll hopefully sense my presence when I enter. When I get in I’m going to say something to you, okay?”
Ella nodded, then remembered Ace had his eyes closed. “Right.”
“Okay, I need contact.” Ace told her and reached for her temples.
Something tingled in Ella’s head, something that made goosebumps appear on arms.
“Um, I felt something,” Ella informed Ace, “Is it you?”
“Yes,” Ace said.
Ella? Said Ace’s voice in Ella’s head.
The voice made her jump.
“Sorry,” Ace said.
“How did you do that?” Ella asked.
“Think something you want me to hear.” Ace directed.
Ella closed her eyes, and concentrated. Hi.
Nice job.
It took Ella a few seconds to answer. Thanks.
Okay, I’m going to break the connection now.
Alright. Ella opened her eyes.
“Good job,” Ace told her. “You did very well for your first try.”
“What’s next?” Ella asked.
“We’re doing the same thing again.”
Ella sighed in relief. “Okay,” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to try something else.
Ace entered her head again, this time it wasn’t as surprising to Ella, but her heart rate was still elevated.
Hello again. Ace said.
Hi! This time it was considerably easier for Ella to respond.
Nice, you’re getting faster.
Thanks, it’s getting easier for me.
That’s good.
Good-I guess?
Ace broke the connection.
“Okay, you’re progressing quickly, what we’re going to do next is you try breaking the connection.” Ace raised an eyebrow at her.
“Okay, any instructions?”
“Not really, but it’s not easy for many people, it took me a while to figure out. What I do is imagine the connection as a thread, when you want to break it, imagine it snapping.”
“Uh, okay.” Ella shut her eyes.
Ace worked his way back into her head.
Thread. Ella thought. She saw the connection as a thread very clearly in her mind’s eye.
Okay, Ace thought. Try breaking it now.
Ella took a deep breath. The thread…scissors… “I did it!” Ella rejoiced.
“Again, you’re a quick learner.” Ace said. “Next, you try making and breaking the connection. Think of yourself entering my head, it’s easiest with physical contact.”
Ella nodded, and tried it. She successfully entered and closed the connection in five minutes.
“Good, okay, memories next.”
Ella scrunched her eyebrows together. “Am I entering or are you?”
“Both, I’ll go first. So think of a memory, any memory.”
The first thing that came to mind was Ella reading with Ash, her hamster, at night.
“Ready?” Ace asked.
“Yeah,” Ella nodded, and closed her eyes.
“Good.” Ace said as he entered her head. “You had a hamster?”
“Yeah, Ash.” Ella missed her pet.
“Okay, your turn next.”
Ella needed two tries, but eventually got it.
Next Ace took her into the yard to practice tracing someone's thoughts: Ella was a natural.
***
"So, what do we want to do?" Hydrina asked. Everyone was gathered in the drawing room. They had finished training for the day, but couldn't go outside because it was raining.
"We could try Base Quest inside." Asher suggested.
"That doesn't work." Zoran said. "And I can't really use my ability inside."
Ella wondered if that wasn't the only reason.
"True," Howell agreed.
"Well, we could do more training." Ace said.
There was a chorus of disagreements.
"What else?" Hydrina asked.
"Truth or Dare?" A evil smile sprouted on Lei's face.
"Ugh, no." Hydrina elbowed Lei.
"Ow," Lei mumbled.
"Eh, any other ideas?" Alice asked the room.
A few things were tossed around but soon they decided to get lunch then do Truth or Dare.
"This is going to end badly," Ella told Kit, as they made sandwiches.
"I very much agree." Her friend replied.
***
Leah cracked her knuckles. “Alright Zoran, truth or dare?”
“Uh-oh,” Alice said.
Zoran looked petrified. “Uh, truth,” He gulped.
“Alright,” Leah grinned evilly. “Name a time you embarrassed yourself.”
“When I was twelve, I accidentally splotched Lord Gathner.” Zoran blurted.
“Wow,” Howell said. “I thought Asher did that!”
“I kept telling you it wasn’t me!” Asher retorted.
Zoran scanned the room. “Clair, truth or dare?”
Claire thought, measuring the odds. “Truth,”
“Okay, tell one secret no one knows.”
Claire chewed her lip. “I’m not sure. There’s secrets that only me and Ella know.”
“That’ll work.” Zoran waved his hand.
“I cut my hair when I was ten.” Claire admitted.
Alice gasped. “What? And you never told me?!” Leah shrugged. “The hair looks great so no objection.”
Claire decided on Ella. “Truth or dare?” She asked.
“Um, dare.” Ella shuffled her feet.
“I dare you to levitate to the top of that tree.” Claire pointed out the window to a large tree with giant branches flowing to the ground.
“Okay,” Ella told her twin. “I’m going to change first.”
Ella changed into a lavender tunic, gray leggings and ankle boots. She glanced out the window, the rain pounded the window.
Ella tossed her clothes in the closet, and ran out the door.
“Good luck!” Kir told Ella as she went outside.
Ella closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the water on her skin, she walked to the tree and eyed it.
Ella pushed her sopping wet hair out of her eyes, wishing she had put it in a ponytail.
She took a deep breath and began to hover. Ella gained height and was almost to the top when she lost her concentration and slipped.
Ella let out a scream as she fell, she managed to catch herself about a foot off the ground.
There was complete silence for a split second then Kitty came bursting through the door.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"I think so," Ella said, lowering herself to the ground.
"Okay, come inside, and clean up."
"Yeah," Ella stumbled inside.
"Omigod," Alice looked Ella over. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just gonna go take a shower, and possibly a nap."
"Alright," Hydrina nodded. "If you need anything let me know."
"Thanks, but I'm really okay," Ella reassured her friends.
Ella went to her room, and took a long shower. By the time she was done, Crester and Aslaw were back from their meeting. The two were going to confer. In the meantime, Ella changed and went back to her window seat. She opened her notebook again and flipped to the page she had written earlier. Ella jotted down all that had happened in the past few days.
When Ella finally finished, she looked up and realized it was dark outside. She rubbed her eyes and went out to the drawing room. Leah was sitting on the couch reading a book, and eating something which looked delicious.
"What is that?" Ella asked.
"Butterblast," Leah told her. "Have one?" She gestured to the tray sitting on the table.
Ella picked one up and ate it. The butterblast stood true to it's name. "Wow,"
"Yep, that's one thing the elves have down: food."
"Where's everyone else?" Ella asked.
"Multiple places,"
"Have you eaten dinner yet?"
"No, Aslaw and Crester are still talking in his office."
"Do you know what it's about?"
"No idea, they're being very hush-hush about everything."
Ella sighed, and stood. "I'm gonna go find something to do."
Leah shrugged and went back to her book.
Ella wandered around, and eventually ended up in her room again.
Ella decided to do some training. She closed her eyes. What should she do? Maybe she could look through her memories.
Ella thought through her life, going back in time.
Something tingled.
A name.
Erani...Erani Fins.
Who was that? Ella concentrated on the name and dug deeper, trying to find the answer.
Wait.
Erani Fins.
Erani-Ella...Each...Fins-Frinster...Finish.
No! This was the wrong solution.
Focus! She told herself.
Then what happened next Ella couldn't describe.
A memory shot through her.
Who was Erani Fins?
Erani Fins was her.
== Chapter 17: Alice ==
“Hey, time to get up. Alice seriously, we don’t have all day. And you need to do something about those orbs.” Ella’s voice told her. Alice’s eyes shot open seeing her friends standing by the door already dressed. Leah was wearing a pair of jeans with a black hoodie, and was leaning on Alice’s dresser looking board. 
“What time is it?” Alice asked as she covered her mouth with a yawn.
“Ten-thirty.” Kit said as she stared at Tiffany. Her pale blue tunic with long sleeves was dripping with water droplets that disappeared, an effect she had been practicing. 
“TEN-THIRTY!” Alice shouted. She tossed off her covers and went straight to her closet. “Where did the time go?”
“Well Howell said that you were practicing really late last night.” Claire informed Alice. Her white tunic had a bright yellow waist that led to a pale yellow at the hem. Her hair was in a bun leaving her strand of blue out that matched the crystal in her black choker.
“How does Howell know I was training late?” Alice grabbed a deep blue tunic with a teal waist and diamonds on the neckline and quickly changed behind the changing board. Claire flicked her wrist and a pair of black knee-high lace-up boots were at Alice’s side. She quickly tossed her nightgown into the closet, grabbed her boots and started lacing the boots up. 
Claire moved a chair to Alice's side and suddenly Alice was in it. She glared at her friend, knowing that an invisible hand had pushed her into her position. 
“Do a high braid that sweeps from the right side of her head to the left side, and then tie it with that brett to your right.” Tiffany told Ella as she grabbed a hair brush and started on Alice’s hair.
“So, about the orbs.” Ella asked. She was wearing a three-quarter inch sleeve lavender dress with a high cinched waist. Her multi-colored bangs were swept out of the way with a lavender clip.
“Ah yes. Just let me finish this up.” Alice tied the laces and stared at the yellow, blue, red, and green orbs of light floating around her room. She raised her hand and flicked her wrist. The orbs were gone in a shimmer of light. 
Ella quickly finished the braid and Alice was out of the chair and yanked opened the curtains, surprised by the light pouring in. Her senses blared before her eyes adjusted. She surveyed the window sill and opened the window.
“What are you doing?” Leah asked, suddenly intrigued. “You’re going to climb out the window?” Though her voice held sarcasm, that was the exact thing Alice was going to do.
“Yep!” Alice put her foot on the window sill and pulled herself up onto the roof.
“You’re insane! You know that?” Clair’s voice said.
“You know you can join me!” Alice called. The view from the roof was incredible. The sound of the ocean waves crashing at the bottom of the cliffs reminded Alice of home. She had to say goodbye to her family, and that good bye was a lie. None of them would actually learn what happened to their adoptive sister and daughter, only if Ben connected the lines with the little information she gave him, he might figure out that she was an elf.
“Okay, you’re right. The view is stunning.” Claire said, floating next to her. “The others aren’t too confident in their skills of climbing on roof-topps and they need a bit more practice in their levitating before they can use it out of Indigo’s sight.”
“He has a fun name.” Alice remarked. Yesterday they were introduced to the boy’s parents. Howell’s uncle was named Indigo, which it was obvious that his name was chosen because of his eyes. Zoran’s adoptive father was named Oram and had a dimpled smile. Lei’s parents were Andan and Vertiy Askew. And Asher introduced his parents, Alsaw and Raina Kejk as the founders of the society that Crester kept mentioning. Alsaw held an air of authority and Asher seemed to straighten up when one of his parents came near.
“Do you like any of them?” Claire asked. 
“Who?”
“The boys.”
“They seem like they all are in the friend category.”
“You miss understood. Do you LIKE any of them?”
Alice stared at her friend. “Like, LIKE?”
“Yes. Like, LIKE! Gosh.”
“No, well, not yet, I mean…”
“Hmm…”
“How does Howell know that I was training late last night?”
“How am I supposed to know! All I know is that when we were looking for you he told us in the hall.”
“Hmm.”
“YOU GUYS NEED TO COME DOWN NOW! BREAKFAST IS READY! AND WE CAN’T BE LATE!” Ella hollered up at the roof sitters. 
“Just think about it.” Claire said before she floated and disappeared through the window.
><>< ><>< ><><
“So, how is the verdict with the Council? The healing is later today isn’t it.” Alsaw asked at breakfast as he wiped his face with his napkin. His accent carried the authority of a true leader. They were all having something that was maroon colored and tasted like berries and yogurt.
“All I know is that the healing is today and the Council is there along with Sir Tiergan Alenefar, Lord Alden Vacker, his son, Fitz Vacker, and Sophie Foster.” Ace’s eye blazed and Hydrina’s face pulled into a frown at the mention of the “Vackers.” That part didn’t make sense to Alice herself since the siblings had told them that their adoptive name was Vacker. She suspected that there was more to the story than she knew right now.
Ella locked eyes with Ace, who was across the table and nodded, then continued with her breakfast. Alice pursed her lips. Something was up. Indigo changed the subject to something about the Gnomes and how the Orges drove them out of their homeland, but that didn’t distract Alice.
“What about the Council? Why did Ace and Hydrina look displeased at the mention of the Vackers even though it’s their last name? What healing? Who is Sir Tiergan Alenfar and who is Sophie Foster?” The last question sorta cleared a bit of fog at the back of her head, like she knew that name.
“So, today is a bit different than the past few days.” Andan was saying. “You will be learning about the history of the elves, technology of the elves and etiquette of the elves. Alice, Ella, and Kit will have the two hour sessions with the adult you’ve been assigned to train with. As for Leah and Clair, consider your-selves ready for another day of ability testing.” Leah grounded, and slid farther in her seat. Kit kicked her under the table and soon Leah’s poster was in a slightly better position. 
“YES!” Alice’s mind cheered. “More training with Indigo! Maybe I can prie a few answers out of him.” Andan continued.
“The history session will be taught by Oram and the technology session will be taught by Howell. He is a Technopath and will tell you the ways of our technology. You will have a break for lunch, then the etiquette lesson taught by Asher and then your afternoon is free. Later this evening, before dinner, we will ALL be training in skills, mainly focusing on Telekinesis, Levitating, and Blinking. And by ALL that means everyone.” He glanced at his son who deflated only slightly, his hand falling through the table. 
“As for that, that is all of today’s announcements. That concludes today's breakfast.” Alsaw announced as their dishes were suddenly whisked away.
>< >< ><
“IS THIS GOING TO BE OVER!” Alice’s mind was screaming. Not that she didn’t mind. She found the history of the Elves rather interesting but IT MATTERS HOW MUCH YOU LEARN AT A TIME! Oram was trying to make it go by faster, but it kept circling back to the way the humans betrayed the Elfs. 
“BUT WHY?” Lei was asking again with a small glance at the five newcomers. Alice gave him a look that hopefully ment “You seriously think that me and my friends are going to try and start a war against the entire Elvin species?” 
“OKAY! CLASS IS OVER! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!” Oram suddenly shouted and stormed out of the room, shadows going with him.
“He’s a Shade.” Zoran explained at Alice’s gaping mouth. “It means he has the ability to control the darkness.” He closed her chin with his front two fingers. 
“I knew that, I was tested for it a few days before your unpleasant arrival, FOR YOUR INFORMATION. Otherwise known as FYI.”
“Oh man!” Leah crowded from the back of the room. “Alice taking up the Mighty Zoran. Oh pass the popcorn, and a glass of Lushberry juice. This is getting spicey!”
“What’s popcorn?” Asher asked, rising from his chair in a flourish. 
Kit almost fainted. 
“IF YOU INSULT THE ONE AND ONLY POPCORN WHICH IS THE BEST TREAT IN THE WORLD, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM ON OUR HANDS!” Claire informed the confused faces.
Lei shrugged. “So you guys say the one and only popcorn for something that surprises you. Huh, never heard that in my missions. We say ``Thank the creators of Mallowmelt,” then whatever we are happy about.”
“And that’s when we say: Thank the creators of Mallowmelt that this class is over!” and with that Zoran ran out of the door with his papers behind him.
“We have a four-five minute wait between classes.” Hydrina told them. “You should take an elixir to clear your head. There should be a few in your room.” She glanced at her brother. 
“Howell? Are you going to join us?” Asher asked, suddenly appearing next to his friend. 
“You know we have forty-five minutes. That’s plenty of time.” Lei added poking his head in from the back wall which was his room. 
Howell picked up a pick of twisted wires and metals and started twisting it. He glanced up meeting Alice’s eye, and set down the wires. “Okay.”
><><><
“So, you haven’t ever heard of Base Quest?” Lei asked as they prepared to go outside.
“Not until you mentioned it.” Ella replied.
“Sheesh. Are human games a drag?” Zoran asked. Alice studied the stair rail then slid down it in a flourish. She smiled at Zoran and crossed her arms. “Can you do THAT?” A nervous smile crept its way onto the wind master’s face as he got on the railing. He did well until the dismount where the rail stops and he fell and skid across the carpet, which earned a ticket of laughter. 
Alice offered a hand to her downed friend, and Zoran took it smiling. 
“So, here are the Base Quest rules.” Asher announced as Ace and Hydrina opened the front doors. Asher turned and faced them, but gave a stare at Zoran and Lei, who had sly grins on their faces.
“Both teams’ bases have to be within the property. The team that chose their base first must quest first. No hiding anything that isn't allowed in bases. Zoran. Abilities are allowed. But you can’t use them the entire time. There is a prize for the team that wins the most times during a five game session.” Asher finished.
“Okay! Here we go! The boys plus Hydrina are on a team and let’s see how our newcomers are going to survive.” Zoran announced with a smile at Leah.
“Yeah yeah, even though me and Claire haven’t manifested we will still beat the pulp out of you.” Leah shot back at Zoran. 
“Wait, what's the prize?” Ella asked.
“The prize will be decided between the teams, but everyone has to agree. No telling the other team.” Asher told them. “Now do you want to Quest first?”
“We’ll Quest.” Alice told him, know that that’s what her friends would want. 
“Alright! Let’s do this!” Ace cheered as she disappeared into the tall grass around the property. Hydrina gave a small smile and disappeared after her team. 
“I have an idea,” Alice told her friends. “Clair, can you be up from the roof and be the eyes from the sky?” Her friends nodded. “Ella what is the best you can do with bending the rules of Telepathy?” 
“I can just open my mind and listen but not intrude or dig deeper. Like human thoughts, when they just broadcasted straight to my head.”
“Good. We are going to try and keep a lookout for Asher, since his ability as a Vanisher will help. Also stay clear of Hydrina, she said she can feel our energy and that could give us away. Kit, can you create a few water orbs that can be tossed in the opposite direction of the way we will be infiltrating. Clair, if you want to change at any point just let me know I can.” 
“And I’ll attack Zoran.” Leah said before running into the tan grass.
“Good, just maybe not kill him.” Ella called. Alice wasn’t sure but the sound that could’ve been Leah’s laughter reached her ears.
><><><
“Come on! Where is he?” It was the final round of Base Quest, the teams where tie and Alice just had to find Howell and hope that Leah had successfully captured Zoran. 
A twig snapped.
Alice froze.
She could hear herself breathing. This was it. It had to be Howell. Or it could be one of her friends and this was just for nothing. Her ears picked up the sound of, was it grumbling? A shade of green was seen between the blades of the tan colored grass. Howell.
“One step closer. One step closer.” Alice’s mind chanted. “NOW!” 
Alice pounced out of the grass and tackled her target. Her and Howell rolled in a surprisingly shorter area of grass before they started down a hill. They continued rolling, (And maybe a few not so delicate words from Howell) until the ground flattened out.
Alice landed on top of Howell, her face inches from his. She felt his chest rising and falling, his breath the most gentle breeze. Howell opened and closed her mouth a few times then closed his eyes. Alice rolled off him, closed her eyes and regained her breath for a few moments before opening them again. The clouds were scattered along the sky, breaking up the bright blue.
“Sorry.” Alice said after a moment before getting up. She dusted off her tunic, a few leaves and grasses were flicked off and her leggings had a patch of brown dirt on the knees.
“It’s okay,” Howell replied before getting up himself. Alice laughed at his appearance. “Nice hair.” she told him. He had leaves stick every which way through his blondish-reddish hair, making him quite the sight.
“Nice hair yourself.” he said as picked through his hair. For some reason, Alice felt the need to check her hair. She’d never felt that before. A few leaves and a twig were tangled but not too bad. 
Alice sighed and looked out at the ocean, the waves reminding her of her home. Well her old home.
“You miss them. Right?” Howell asked, appearing next to her. He seemed to know what he was thinking about. Alice nodded. 
“Mainly Ben.”
“I’ve been there. Well not there, there. But the feeling.” Alice studied Howell.
“Do you know your parents?” She finally asked. Howell sighed.
“No, I don’t. I have the same last name as my uncle, I know that much. I know from my uncle that I have my father’s looks, and my mother’s heart, but that’s all. I can’t pry anything else out.” His hands formed fists. 
Alice hesitated before gentilly reaching out and slowly uncurling his fingers. “Let’s hope you get answers.”
“Yeah.”
“And let’s hope that Leah did kill Zoran.”
“Yeah- Wait WHAT!”
“Yeah, Leah didn’t promise anything when we told her not to.”
“And I think there’s an answer going on.” Howell pointed towards a small tornado. The wind around them suddenly whipped furiously. “ZORAN IS UP TO SOMETHING!” Howell hallord over the wind. 
“IF HE’S TRYING TO TRAP LEAH-” Alice shouted.
“I KNOW! THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO GO!”
He took her hand and grabbed a small metal sphere and looked at it furiously. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Alice asked over the wind. “JUST HOLD ONTO ME AS HARD AS YOU CAN!” He shouted back. Alice wrapped his arms around his waist and shut her eyes. The wind was pushing them back bit by bit. “NOW!”
Howell held up the sphere and light shone from it glaring brighter and brighter. Alice’s senses went haywire. Soon the light dimmed and was suddenly spinning in the air, creating a force field around them. 
“It’s okay.” Howell told her. Alice could see the glow from the force field around them, Howell was using his telekinesis to keep the sphere up. 
“You have to stay close to me, and we’ll go towards the direction of the tornado,” Howell told her. “That way the field won’t think of you as something else and sweep you out of the protection zone. Here, take my hand, it’ll keep you safe, which is my job.” He thrusted it out and grabbed Alice’s hand, intertwining it with his own. Alice stared down at it long enough for Howell to ask “What is it?”
Alice cleared her throat and glanced up meeting his eye. “It’s nothing, just thinking.” Alice knew that he didn’t believe her but he left the question in the air as they made their way towards the windy chaos.
Alice was caught thinking about the way he was holding her hand. Tightly, as if not wanting to let go, but soft and gentle enough, like, like… He cared. She glanced at their hands, which looked like they were meant to be together. Her stomach dropped. He couldn’t like her could he? She wasn’t anything, nothing special. So what did he see? But somewhere, she felt it too. The small urge to be near him, to want him to be safe, to want him to care about her.
Howell’s pace soon turned into a fast paced walk that turned into a full on sprint, Alice’s hand still together the whole way. Soon they reached a grove of trees and standing in the middle was Zoran. His arms, from shoulder to fingertip, were surrounded by circling wind and around his legs as well. The element was taking control. “No it’s not!” Alice’s brain scolded. “You’ve read way too many books.”
Alice gasped, her hand digging into Howell’s hand. Caught in a wind current, was Leah. Her small self was fighting the wind, which was flipping her upside down and around, much harsher than the levitating practices that Claire had been trying. Alice looked for any other groups but no such luck. 
“I knew I should’ve made him the cuffs.” Howell muttered under his breath. “He even asked for him. But it’ll be like an ability restriction, which I believe should be banned.” 
“What are you talking about?” Alice asked.
“Zoran wants me to create cuffs that will protect him and us from the element’s power. But I don’t want to, I’ll be making him Talentless and who knows what trouble that would bring. Besides, he’ll need it.”
“What do you mean ‘He’ll need it’?”
Howell was trapped in his own words, unable to get out of his hole. “You’ll find out soon enough.” was his reply.
“Okay so what do we do then?” 
“Well, we can’t harm either of them but we can maybe knock them both out with a mild sedative though.” Howell tapped his chin thoughtfully. “If Kit were here then maybe she could use her ability to counter the wind.”
“Do what you have to do. Even if it means a bit of harm will be done. I trust you.” Alice told him softly, taking both of his hands and smiling. 
><><><
“Has this ever happened before?” Claire asked Zoran who had just been woken from a sedative. 
“Once before, worst though. It took over my whole body, so be careful of it Kit. The elements are a worthy adversary.” Zoran’s voice was softer and he seemed like the experienced scratched the skin on his soft belly. “Howell can’t you-”
“No, I'm not going to do that.” Howell said firmly. 
Zoran glanced at Ella, a secret they shared. 
“Shouldn’t we get back?” Asher asked, glancing at the sun's placement in the sky. “Howell you have to get ready.”
“WhereamI? Whathappened?” Leah asked, arising from the sedative. Ella gave her some head clearing elixir before summing up the dilemma.
“Ah should’ve known. And one other thing.” Leah tapped Zoran on his arm. “My team wins.” A sly smile spread across her face as Zoran’s turned to horror.
“We have discussed what the prize-or in your case a consequence-will be. Downstairs after dinner, not a minute late. Or you will be doubled.” Leah rose to her feet and disappeared into the tall grass, leaving her friends in gaping mouths.
><><><
“Here is your imparter. You say ‘Show me Howell Triston’ or any other name and their face will appear on the screen. Some names need access or permission to reach. You each have your own.” Howell set an imparter down on Alice’s desk with a clink followed by four more being placed on her friends desks. 
“I am working on many more inventions that will be helpful in the future. But I’m currently in the design process.” Howell continued. A sigh came from the back of the room and Howell shot a glare at Zoran. “Oh sorry did I not say this was highly entertaining?”
“Shut up Zor.” Howell growled through clenched teeth. 
“I’m afraid it's time my friend. It’s almost time for lunch and my stomach is ready for a break.” Zoran continued rising from his seat and coming to pat his friend on the shoulder.
“If I recall, I was the one who saved you from your exciting predicament outside earlier. Perhaps you can wait a moment longer.” Howell gave a sly smile and pointed to Zoran’s seat. “And perhaps next time you can ask and not when someone is sharing.” Leah leaned closer to Alice and whispered in her ear. 
“Talk later.” Alice nodded before snapping back into the class. 
“Oh fine. I have no more anyways. Just get this blasted morning over. You're all fine, you're good, go.” Howell sighed and exited the room. 
“Ol’ Howell. Getting all serious about things. You should be careful.” Zoran whispered to Alice, and before she could ask for an explanation, he was out the door.
><><><
Alice was flipping through history scrolls when Leah came into her room. “What ya doing?” She asked.
“Oh just sorting through these scrolls, trying to find anything new or if I missed something.” Leah laughed. “You have photographic memory, You just have to glance at it and know what it says.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Really?”
“You're not going to let up are you? So what is it that you want to talk to me about?” Alice asked.
Leah sank into her bed and closed her eyes for a moment before starting. “You know, when I was stuck in that wind current, I could see you and Howell coming towards me and Zoran. I noticed something else too. You two were holding hands. Why is that Alice? You know-” Leah didn’t get to finish before a pillow was smashed into her face. 
“You’re crazy Loki! Just crazy!” Alice cried. “You know he wanted to hold my hand, he said-” Alice broke off suddenly, recalling what he said. 
“Here, take my hand, it’ll keep you safe, which is my job.” 
“Which is my job.” Alice mumbled. “What job?”
“Don’t forget I’m here daydreamer.” Leah’s muffled voice said from under the pillow.
“I didn’t”
“SURE.”
Lea flung the pillow off her head and looked Alice in her eye. “Do you want the truth or not?” Alice didn’t reply. “He likes you. I noticed it when we were introduced. He looked at you the longest. I won’t say anything else, I just think you need to know.”
Leah went to the doorway and stopped with her hand on the handle. 
“Remember Alice. Life is a gift, but it’s your choice on how to use it.”
><><><
“Uh, thank you so much Kelia. It is currently delightful.” Alsaw said as he set his napkin down. “Any report?”
“No, not yet. Andan said he would call the second anything happened. You know if we had two people go-” Alsaw interrupted Crester.
“No need, if he does it right we can all wait.” he turned to Asher. “Your class will start soon, and maybe not run in the fields for a few minutes before don’t you think?” Asher shrunk in his seat.
“Good well I’d better be off. Have some business in the mysterium and I can’t be late. Crester hold down the fort will you?” 
“I already do, since this is my house Alsaw.” Crester noted as he rose from his chair.
“Indigo, Oram, you know what to do.” Alsaw told them and they rushed off. Alsaw started lacing his jerkin up when his wife came near with some big blanket of sorts. 
“You know that you can always take someone with you. And it doesn’t always have to be you.” Raina started. She had dark brown hair and eyes like a bit of blue in a rain shower.
“No, I’ve told you many times. It’s more professional than two people going.”
“But it will make you look more serious and in charge than just you, while others can think ‘Oh there goes Alsaw by himself again. You know if he took someone along he would look more intimidating’ Hm?”
“This conversation is over. Hand me my cape.” Raina did just that before kissing his check and wishing him well. The crest Alsaw had was a circle with a wreath on the border. A shiny blue crystal was in the center. On his cape there was a patch, the patch was a silver shield with different colors of thread. 
“Well I best be going. Meet later.” Alsaw raced to the door, flicking in and out of sight as he did, held up his pathfinder and vanished in a swirl of light.
“So wait,” Leah was the first to chime in. “We will have to wear capes.” she said it more as a statement than a question but either way Asher nodded.
“It’s part of our next lesson as well. And I’ll let you know that my father told me the lesson and what to teach.” He grimaced. “Leah, I'm sorry. This is for you guys too!” Asher suddenly snapped at his friends who were trying hard not to laugh, then immediately stopped when they learned about this new revolution.
“As I was saying, you must change into any of the items laid out on your bed and meet me downstairs after. I wish you all luck.”
><><><
“Oh no.”
“Oh no what, Alice? Do you dislike glamor?”
“Eh, but in this case there’s too much.”
“Really? I never thought you could have too much.” Tiffany was shocked.
“No, this is definitely one hundred presents too much. There’s glitter and sequins and sparkles. Definitely too much.”
“Oh, do your friends hate glamor just as much?”
“This kind, yes. We like style but not too flashy. Like what I’m wearing now.” Alice twirled in her tunic pointing out the “glamor” on it. “See there’s a row of diamonds and a row of turquoise. Then the belt is studded with sapphires. But this is nice material for me to not mind. That there,” She waved her hand at the gowns on her bed. “Is horror.”
“Oh dear…” Tiffany said as the realization dawned on her. “Then find the one that despises you the least and show me.” Alice survived the gowns. They were all horrible. So many layers of tulle just begging for her to go on and trip. “They're all terrible.” Alice grumbled.
She finally picked up the one with the least amount of gems and sparkles and showed it to Tiffany. “Oh dear… That is hideous. Your friends has no taste in what you and your friends need to wear.”
“His father did it, he’s just teaching. Oh poor Leah, I wonder if she screamed.”
“Leah, which one again?”
“She was wearing a pair of jeans and a baggy black hoodie. She’s the one with glasses and red bangs, who was in here this morning.”
“Ah yes. Poor girl. I have something you can wear if you’d like.”
“You do! It doesn’t have any sparkles does it?”
“No, it doesn't just a few gems and jewels. It’s in your closet. I asked Kelia to do the same in your friends rooms. They have different styles so they're not identical.”
Alice went to her closet thinking. She dug around through all the hangers to find the dress. She gasped.
“I’d think you have found it.” Tiffany asked.
“Oh it’s wonderful!” It was a blue sleeveless romper with a skirt around the waist with a slit. There were a few diamonds and sapphires breaking up the skirt but it was still perfect.
“Well put it on! I’m dying to see you in it.” Tiffany urged. Alice quickly slipped on the dress and showed Tiffany. 
“Oh it’s just the right color! Spin once more. Yes this will be perfect! Now you go to your makeup stand and put on some eyeliner, eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick. Then-” 
“Hold up,” Alice cutted her off. “Nothing near the eyes okay? I’ll do the blush and some lip gloss but no lipstick.” Told her.
“Why not?”
“Because!”
Alice sat in silence for a moment, glaring at the makeup, before Tiffany said “Do you want to impress your boy?”
Alice whirled around and stared at Tiffany. “How do you know?” The second the words came out of her mouth she knew they were the wrong ones to say. She could’ve said “What boy?” or “What are you talking about?” But instead she went with something that confirmed it. 
“People always forget that when they are in a room, there’s always a mirror watching. So do you like him? Wait, that's the wrong question, you do like him. Otherwise you wouldn't have asked that question.” Tiffany figured it out rather fast. Faster than Alice could.
“So you're saying that I like him?” Somewhere in Alice’s heart it was confirmed, but it was new and she didn’t know if anything, or anyone knew.
“Yes I am.”
Alice took a deep breath and said “Well I'll do some but it's not a big deal. You should've seen the girls at a middle school." 
Tiffany didn’t tell her to do anything near the eyes but the blush was laid on. “Choses a soft pink lipstick, in case you know…” Tiffany trailed off.
“No, I can promise that won’t happen.” Alice said with a laugh as she reached for some clear lip-gloss instead. She would stop completely if that almost happened. 
“Amazing, now your hair. What about it down?”
“That would be a first…”
“You can curl the ends.”
“Okay I’ll do that.” Alice reached for the curling tools, not knowing why she was doing this. “I have another gift for you just so you know.” Tiffany told her. 
“Oh really?”
“In that box next to you.” Alice finished her hair and opened the box with a gasp. It was a short necklace with diamond flowers. The other one was a bracelet, with crystal beads that seemed to flicker.
“Thank you so much.”
“My gift, also you have a pair of blue sandals in your closet that will match your dress. Now, go get your boy.”
><>><><
“Woah.” Was all Ella said as Alice came out of her room.
“Woah yourself.” It was true. Ella had a slim lavender dress that split below her knees. It had ruff sleeves and opals and amethyst around the waist. Her hair had gotten a bit longer since they had arrived and  her multi-colored bangs were swept to the side with a clip. 
“Woah.” Claire and Kit said simultaneously as they approached Alice and Ella. Claire was wearing a yellow jumper with small shards of onyx on the collar waist and legs. Her hair was in a bun as normal but she had a bit of sparkle near her eyes.
Kit had a short sea foam colored dress with pearls and topaz. Her dress twitched with the slighted moment. Her blue, purple and gold tips were braided into her hair like a dutch braid. She had a water droplet bracelet around her wrist. 
“Are we all going to be saying whoa?” Kit asked. 
“Probably?” Ella said.
“I hope that Leah’s okay.” Claire noted. Alice nodded and said “She probably fainted at the sight of the gowns.” Suddenly Leah’s door was yanked open and Leah marched out with a look saying “Asher your dead”
She barely noticed her friends standing there until Claire cleared her throat.
“Woah.” All five friends said simultaneously. Leah was wearing a black tunic with silver swirls at the hem. She had on a silver belt and few diamonds were on the collar. It was the most fanciest thing Alice had ever seen her friends wear since they had arrived. 
“It’s official. I’m changing.” Leah marched back to her room with her friends following her. She had received a few packages from Kelia with hoodies and jeans, basically clothing Leah liked. She grabbed a new pair and stalked to the bathroom. 
Alice brushed her fingers over the thick books, wondering what was in the pages. Claire laughed. “Alice, always towards the books.”
“Well what other thing can I do during free time? There’s no skateboard or surfboard in sight. I’ve been reading the scrolls in my room currently and later today I’m going to try and get into the library. You are always welcome to join.” Alice shot back.
“OF COURSE I had to change the thing that was hideous and uncomfortable, and there’s nothing more in the world that I hate-well maybe besides Zoran- is fancy clothing. I don’t even know how you guys are able to stand it!”
“Leah, you can calm down now. You're back to normal” Ella told her friend. Leah studied her friends, her eyes landing on Alice, a slow smile spreading across her face. Alice shook her head and Leah started to survey Kit with a smile. 
><><><
“I see you are all well.” Asher noted as the five-some made their way downstairs. He was wearing a pale blue jerkin, and dress pants. Zoran, Ace, Lei, and Howell were in a hushed conversation behind him. Each of them wore a similar jerkin through different colors. Zoran was sporting the shade black and white, Lei, gold and red, Ace, purple and black, and Howell green and gold. Howell’s eyes locked with Alice’s, and she willed herself not to think of how well his jerkin matched his eyes. “I vow not to let any of my feelings get in the way of whatever reason I’m here.”
“Oh my gosh! I’m over thrilled to be with you guys!” Hydrina ran over to the group. She was wearing a white dress with gold swirls, her eyes flashing different colors each second. “I’m so done with them.” she flicker her hand at the boys.
“Either way.” Asher started. “Why are you not wearing a gown? Also where did you guys find these dresses, they aren’t from any of the ones my father gave to me.” 
Leah shrugged and said “I tend to dislike gowns, I thought from my time here you would’ve known that since it seems to me I haven’t worn a tunic, so if there’s a problem. Just ask.” 
“Oh, we found outfits in the closet, isn’t that right?” Ella asked, looking at her friends. “Yep.” Alice answered while her friends nodded. Asher pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, and suddenly disappeared. 
“Oh, giving a headache to Mr. Kejk, or should I say, Lord Kejk?” Zoran asked, sauntering over and leaned on Leah’s shoulder. Leah suddenly ducked, making Zoran fall and landing on his shoulder. Lei took advantage of his grounded friend and in one swift movement he flipped Zoran onto his back and set his foot near his neck. Zoran realized he was taken captive and shut up. 
“Ah. Silence. What a beautiful sound.” Lei said in a sweet voice as Ace, Howell, and Hydrina sang ‘Hallelujah’. Zoran grumbled something along the lines of ‘you guys are so dead’. 
Asher suddenly appeared and leaned on Clair, who looked startled with his weight on her body, but she didn’t pull away. “Interesting.” Alice’s mind noted. 
“We are first going to start with etiquette.” Asher began. “Oh boy, we are certainly in for a treat.” 
><><><
“This is even more boring than Oram’s class about history.” Howell whispered into Alice’s ear while they were dancing. Yes. Dancing. Asher had told them that they were going to cover everything. But Alice didn’t register the everything part. So that’s how Alice ended up dancing with Howell (Which must have been requested) and holding his hand for the second time that day.
“So true.” Alice noted as she tried not to look at Howell, afraid her heart would flip-flop. She focused on the steps of the dance they were trying. Alice looked up and noticed Leah with a gruesome face, but when Leah realized that Alice was looking at her, she smiled. Leah was dancing with Lei, Ella with Zoran, Asher with Clair, and Ace with Kit. Hydrina had told Alice that she had spent many dance classes with each of the boys, and so objected that she didn’t need anymore practice. 
Ace looked very pleased to be paired with Kit, which reminded Alice about the mental conversation he had with his sister the day Alice and her friends had arrived. Suddenly her brain figured it out. Ace likes Kit! It all made sense! The looks, the way he striated up when Kit was close, the way he was smiling at her as they danced that very moment! Right?
“What is it? You’re smiling.” Howell noted. Alice’s cheeks flushed red and she looked down at their feet again. “Hey tell me,” Howell asked as he tilted her chin up and met her eye. Alice was very close to him, like when they tumbled, but that was different. They were close on purpose. “Tell me,” he whispered.
“Ace likes Kit. At least I think, though that's really a Leah thing to figure out-” Alice stumbled quietly. Howell’s face lit up. “Really? Oh that’s great news!” Howell spun her around, and created a scene. “Howell!” Alice scolded, but her voice came with amusement. “What? It’s great news! Just like-” 
Howell was cut off abruptly by the front doors slamming and in rushed a pale faced Andan. “Where is your father?” He asked Asher in a frantic voice. “I-I-I- don’t know.” Asher stammered, as he broke away from Clair.
“He’s not here,” Claire chimed in, stepping closer to Asher in a reassuring way. “He didn’t say where he was going or why but he left.”
“Then where’s Crester, or Indigo, or Oram? Are they here?” 
“In the library, looking at some papers. Why?” Asher said, his voice shaking. “Father, what’s wrong?” Lei asked his eyes and composer was full with worry. But Andan was already banding on the door to the library. Oram opened it and without a word he quickly ushered Andan in and shut the door. 
Everyone had stopped dancing at this point, Alice realized she was clutching Howell’s hand. Leah didn’t even note this. Alice released Howell’s hand and he somehow knowingly went to comfort Lei, where Zoran, Ace, and Hydrina were.
Asher was on the floor traumatized with Clair, who had wrapped her hand around his and was talking softly to him. “Find out what happened.” Asher ordered with whatever strength he had left, before he leaned on Claire and closed his eyes. Claire made eye contact with Alice, and Alice then knew what to do.
Time to get in the library.
“Howell? Is there any other way to get into the library without going through the doors?” Alice asked. “No, I don't think so. Are you going to try and figure out what happened?” Alice didn’t answer. She quickly twisted her hair into a loose bun, and walked towards the door, studying it. 
There were windows near the roof, one big enough to crawl through. But Alice didn’t need to see, she just had to hear. With a hand on the wall Alice levitated to the windows, and traced the window plane she was going to take out. 
“Here use this,” Howell offered, levitating up next to her. He took out a small piece of metal and flicked it on, creating a small beam of red light. Alice carefully traced the edge of the glass plane a few times before Howell told her to stop.
“Why?” She asked. “If you trace anymore it might just break and fall into the library. May I?” he pointed to the lazer. Alice handed it over and watched Howell carefully trace the top of the window. He then pressed his fingers on the bottom of the glass and taped the top of the window with the other.
Tap
Tap
Tap
Then the window broke from the top and he caught it with his other hand. Howell’s face lit up with pride before falling moments later. He and Alice both heard it. Andan’s voice was explaining what he saw, which was the healing everyone kept mentioning. Alice caught the words: Everblaze. Fintan. Melted. Gone. Council. Dead.
Alice shivered. Dead. Who was dead? Why did Andan mention the Council? And the one that topped all others, why? Alice listened some more, waiting for answers, only one came. It was from Andan. “Councilor Kenric is dead.”
== Chapter 18: Clover ==
When clover arrived at Exilluim she heard a male voice fill her head You are late, we are doing levitating, "Who are you?" Clover let the roots carry her consonance, a special thing that she could do  Not important right now, if you want to see me look the you left I'm the one leaning against the wall. clover looked over to her left and saw a scrony boy leaning against the wall, he was a Telepath she could tell by the voice that had filled her head and he had a Telepath pin. She made her way over to where he was standing "why aren't you levitating" she made the roots ask him Why aren't you his voice filled her head, "because you were talking to me, but I am going to" clover let the roots carry her words Your the really strong girl who could break to a lot  rocks using outward channeling right. "Umm yah, I guess, why?" she asked Oh no reason, we have to be careful when we talk, we aren't suppose to be and we better start levitating or we will get in trouble. he told her. Clover took a breathe then in a second she had already levitated higher than anyone else then she heard the boys voice fill her head again How the heck of you do that? Clover smiled and lowered herself down "It's about recognizing the gravity then forget about and just feel the air and feel the push and then miraculously you are levitating" she said through the roots, she offered him her hand, he heated then her took it Thanks, and stay in the corner if the coaches see us we could get in trouble, she gave him a sudden nod the in a second rose them up REALLY height, she could feel the boys hand shaking H-h-how was that possible it was so fast. he said into her head, she shook her head no then let go of his and he plummeted, clover dived down and cached him by his failing arms, and pulled him up until her arm could fit around his waist, she slowly lowered him down with her. The boy was shaking clover took off her jacket and made a pillow for his head then lied him down onto the ground. "You okay" she said to him through the roots. He gave he a weak nod, "Okay everyone, today lesson is over everyone but the people who I don't give a crystal to can come back" her coaches loud voice boomed, clover helped the boy to his feet and she had to stop helping him when they got close enough to the coach, she gave them both crystals. once they were far enough away from the coach clover used her roots to ask they boy a question "Who are you?" You want to know? he asked Then come with me, he offered her his hand and after a second she took it and they leaped away to somewhere in the forest, where clover saw a small tent with a long in front.
She pulled he mask down reviling her long blonde hair and her bluebell eyes with silver specks, and of course her 'weird' green freckles. The boy gasped and stutter backward "Who are you?" he said quietly "That's what I have been asking you all day." she countered, he pulled of his mask and she gasped and stumbled backwards, the boy had short blond hair and bluebell eyes with silver specks and 'normal' freckles, "How is this possible?" she asked him. 
"Actually It makes a lot of sense, when I was younger I remember having a sister, actually a twin when I asked mom about it she pretended like a was just making things up, but I do remember you being very powerful and I remember mom and dad being scared then you left and I asked a bunch of questions about it but mom and dad pretend like you never existed and then when I was older I started going searching for you and that's how I got banned." he said giving her a weak smile "I don't remember my old house, but I remember what mom and dad look like, and there was a boy, who looked like me people said, in the night when I was three people came into my room and sedated me then light leaped me to the neutral territories and the nature raised me and gave me my ability, well one of my abilities I'm also a polyglot." she said, "Wait, you never told me your name". he sighed "My name is Ezra." he said "Now tell me yours." "My name is Clover." She let a tear slip down her cheek and pulled Ezra into a tackle hug "Number one," he said "I can't breathe number two I have a question for you about where you live and number three I REALLY CAN'T BREATHE!" Clover let him go she could see where her tears had soaked him outfit "Okay first." he said "Where are you living?" she smiled "I made myself a cabin out of roots, do you wan to move in with me?" this time he hugged her but about ten seconds later he let go "I can't ask you to do that." he said "Your not asking I'm implying." she said "Wow thank you so much, oh and I have another question you said you were a polyglot to right." he said, Clover cautiously nodded, did he know? "Your not telling me something." he said "Any hidden abilities?" Her eyes went wide but she slowly shook her head no, He squinted at her "Your lying to me." he said "Stop breaking into my brain." Clover said she plugged her ears. Ezra sighed and grabbed her wrists then slowly lowered her hands "One, I could tell that you were hiding two have you done your little nature reading on me to tell if I had some sort of truth to nature or something so now why did you lie to me about you being a Psionipath.” Tears started coming out of clover's eyes faster than she could count, Ezra pulled her into another hug purposely letting her cry on him, "I'm really sorry please don't tell anyone." clover said through sobs "I promise." he said to her, she pulled away "I'm sorry, I'm not like this a lot but I'm still in shock I guess, I am so so so sorry." he rolled his eyes "Clover seriously it's fine, now where is you're place." She wiped her eyes and started humming a slow melody and the roots made two chairs for them, when Ezra and clover had both sat down, clover started humming a more upbeat tune that made the root chairs them deep underneath the surface they been moving for about ten minutes before they resurfaced infant of a root cabin. they both popped out of their chairs "Ezra, I do have a question for you, you know how I have three abilities, I don't really believe you only have one, I don't know how but its the same reason I decided to risk everything at Exillium to help you its just this little hmm in the back of my head that only I can understand." Ezra sighed again "Ya, I'm a polyglot too, okay we all have our secrets." Clover grabbed his hand and yanked him inside. "Come on it's bed time, I'll make you a bed." 
The next day at Exillium, Councillor Terik was there waiting for Ezra "Hello young man is your name Ezra?" Ezra gave him a slow nod Terik clapped his hands "Perfect, I need you to come with me, I know what you were on the beach for someone you went to the lost cities a lot, so I have assembled a team that consists of you and a few others and maybe I will find the forest girl to help we are still unsure." he said "And you have to come with me, no option." Ezra gave him a slow nod, Clover I'm sorry I have to go, I'll try to talk them out of getting you to help no matter what you say I won't let you risk yourself okay, just wait for me here till I come back okay, and remember you will always be my sister. he transmitted to Clover, Clover gave him a slow nod "Forever, and I promise I will wait for you no matter how long and if something bad happens I snuck a leaping crystal to get you back to my place, please be safe." she told him through her roots "I'll go." Ezra said. A goblin approached behind Terik, clover whipped out a trowing star and hit the goblin right in-between his eyes, nearly killing him if not for the boobrie dude, Ezra stared at her when did you learn how to do that he asked, she shrugged "I just taught myself" she told him through her roots again, she pulled him in for a hug then let Councillor Terik take him away.
== Chapter Nineteen: Ace's POV ==
Ace couldn’t remember his mother, his real mother. But he remembered his father, his down to the cold hard stare when he’d told Ace and his sister how useless they were. Ace remembered. 
But he also remembered the day that his adoptive parents found them. They had gone to the Exilliam as an order from Marcus, and Hydrina received their mother’s ring. The ring in fact. It was a cold day and they must have done something wrong at the Exilliam that didn’t make their crystal appear. He and his sister were only nine years old, very young to even be at Exilliam. But Marcus had said that they were going to be the world's best villains anyways so might as well send them off early.
Ace rubbed his check, the sting coming back from the slap he’d received for shouting back at Marcus “The only villain around here is you!” Exilliam moved around but always in the Neutral Territories. It was snowing, only adding to the misery. Ace focused on his body temperature regulation skill and warmed the tips of his fingers and toes.
He’d found a small cave that day and he and his sister decided it was the only way. So they waited for the storm to blow out, the problem, it didn’t. The storm only picked up. Ace and Hydrina knew that if they stayed in that cave for too long they’d get caved in with hard snow. 
The track through the snowy terrain was incredibly difficult. Ace trudged a few steps ahead of his sister. Well that was until she started running. Her voice was whipped away by the wind, but Ace knew what his sister was trying to say. She’d found something. 
They had walked up to the door of the large house, much larger than the house they’d lived in when they were little, and colossal to the small tents they lived in. Ace banded on the door and waited. Then a woman opened it, she had cobalt blue eyes, chocolate colored hair and a warm smile, well the smile faded when she saw their state. “Oh dear, come in.” She ushered. 
Ace and Hydrina shuffled into the entryway, amazed by the size. They left a trail of snow on the tile floor and glanced at each other, wondering. “Kelia? What happened?” A male voice called. The voice belonged to a handsome man with dark hair and arctic colored eyes. He was wearing some fancy attire and seemed to care about how he looked. “Oh dear, let me help…” He quickly set down his glass of a pinkish substance and kneeled down to help the woman undress them. The woman, Kelia, Ace figured, led them into the library, where a fire was blazing. 
Ace was down to his tunic as well as his sister and the fire warmed even his bones Ace thought. Kelia brought over blankets and pillows and soon came down with some dry clothing for later, once they were warm. 
“Crester,” Kelia whispered to the man later that night. Ace was still awake, though his sister was asleep. They were going to spend a night in the library, with the fire keeping them warm. The man, Crester, said “I noticed their clothes were the ones they wear at the Exilliam.” 
“They're from Exilliam!”
“That’s what it seems to be.” 
“Oh, but they are hardly even old enough to go to Foxfire!”
“I know.”
Ace could hear their thoughts, swirling with questions and no answers. He wasn’t trying to listen, it just happened. He had only manifested a few weeks ago. Soon they left with a soft click of the library doors. Ace looked at the ceiling, thinking. Then the door opened. Ace sat up. 
Nobody. 
The wind suddenly blew hard, thumping against the windows. Ace pulled the blanket tighter around him. A small gray gadget with a glowing red dot was near the lock of the library door. And it opened just a crack. 
The sound of paper rustling and Ace whipped around, only to find that a scroll had rolled off the table. The sound of a small laugh and then an even louder shushing sound made it clear that someone else was in the room. 
Ace layed back down his mind racing. Then all at one it happened. A hand went though the couch he was sleeping on and clamped Ace’s mouth shut. Ace tried to bite the hand but the ability was a Phaser, the ability to break down body particles. Then a boy with blondish reddish hair who was about Ace’s age jumped out of nowhere and clamped two circles around Ace’s wrists, and the same to his feet. They strapped together, his arms and legs demobilized. A technopath.
Then the wind started to blow, in the library. The silhouette of a boy seemed to be controlling the wind. A Guster. He created a wind cocoon around Ace, the Phaser, the technopath and the Guster himself. Finally, the Phaser released his hand from Ace’s mouth and a boy appeared. A Vanisher. 
“Who are you?” Ace growled, his eyes going to his sister who was unawakened by the entire thing. “Don’t worry your sister is fine. Didn’t even stir.” The Vanisher said. He had dark hair, cobalt blue eyes and a bright blue night shirt. “And to your first question,” He smiled.
“I’m Asher.”
~~~
The day Hydrina left for the first time was a disappointment to be honest. Ace and Hydrina had been working with their Father, Crester, to find five different girls that somehow were going to help them. Ace didn’t know the details but he knew that the girls were important. Their Father had been trying to find them since forever it seemed.
They were eleven now, old enough to go to Foxfire, the elvin academy. But Father had thought it better for them not to attend. They knew that Marcus was out there, trying to tie down his children. He’d never loved them, unlike Crester and Kelia. He wasn’t even sure if he even had a thread of likeness for them. 
They were half elf, it was more obvious in his sister than Ace. Her eyes flicked different colors displaying her emotions. Ace’s eyes were brown, simple brown. Though he’d received permission to get a strip of his dark hair dyed purple, the colour he’d chosen. 
He and his sister had gone on the missions together, to find the children. They were told they were around Ace’s and Hydrina’s age. Shouldn’t be too hard. Hydrina left one day, to find the girls. Without Ace.
Without her brother.
When Ace went and told his mother, she’d explained it to him. “Did you ever notice that your sister is the only girl in this house?” Ace nodded. “Have you noticed that sometimes when Lei, or Zoran, or Howell, or Asher, or all of them are on a mission, that you feel a bit lonely?”
Ace thought about this, almost tempted to read his mother’s mind. He nodded instead. 
“Well, that’s what your sister is feeling. She’s your friend, but sometimes a girl needs another girl. We’ve received sightings from one of them and your father thinks it would be better if a girl came up to her instead of a boy.” Ace understood, somewhat knowingly. 
“Well,” he told his mother. “At least I don’t have to wear itchy human clothes this time.”
~~~
The day his parents held a meeting in the library, with all the adults and gnomes that worked with the Silver Shield, Ace knew something was wrong. He also had noticed that the library doors were often closed and Indigo and Oram spent a lot of time there. He was fourteen now, only Howell was younger than him and his sister. 
A lot of loud talking was going on. Asher, Zoran, Howell, Lei, Hydrina and Ace were sitting on the stairs, staring at the library door. They had been at this meeting for over two hours, much too long in Ace’s case. 
Ace, Hydrina and their friends learned key information a few months earlier. Their parents had started an organization called The Silver Shield. They started when Sophie Foster arrived at the Lost Cities, part of a project called Project Moonlark. It was said that she had multiple abilities. Ace counted them off in his head. 
Telepath.
Polyglot.
Inflictor.
And the new one, Teleporter. 
It was a month after Lord Alden’s Healing. His mind was shattered when he went to  perform a memory break on Fintan Pyran and saw Prentice Endal, another elf he’d performed a memory break on. His son, Fitz Vacker, found Sophie Foster, and Sophie thought it was her duty to try to heal Alden’s mind. She was with him when his mind broke the first time and the second time. 
With the information from the illusive Black Swan, Sophie learned that her genes were tweaked to give her the ability to heal minds, so that someday she would heal Prentice, who was a former Black Swan member, and heal his mind and others from their society.
As well as that, Sophie was able to find a very rare Alicorn, a female no less. It was told that Sophie with the assistance of Keefe Sencen flew Silveny the Alicorn to a Black Swan hideout and had an ability reset. Soon after the reset, they were ambushed by a rebel group which hurt Sophie and Keefe, and broke Silveny’s wing. When Sophie returned she was able to heal Alden’s mind and helped Silveny recover. And they all lived happily ever after. 
That’s how it ended in stories right? Not in real life.
Though the Silver Shield was formed a few months earlier, in the end it had been going on for almost at least twenty years. It was official a few months ago, allowing intelligent spices to join. In the end, Ace, his sister, and his friends were also a part of it. 
“Why do you think they're taking so long?” Lei finally asked. 
“No idea? And I’ve run out of jokes, so this is a very bad sign.” Zoran noted.
“Or is it a gift?” Howell asked, smiling.
“It’s not why they are in there or why they are taking so long, it’s what they are talking about.” Asher said with a serious look on his face.
“Could it have something to do with Sophie?” Hydrina asked. 
Asher shook his head, “They must be talking about something that involves the gnomes, why else are they there?”
“To tell them that the gardens need tending to.” Zoran said with a smile. Ace ignored him and asked “Do you think it has something to do with the gnomes?”
“Probably,” Asher admitted. “We should keep it in our minds but focus on the present.”
~~~
The next day was a sad one for the Silver Shield, but in a way it brought hope. A young gnome named Faro was going to transform into a legendary tree that held healing remedies in its petals. It wasn’t your ordinary tree, a gnome had to transform. One who sacrificed for the lives of many more.
Ace hadn’t figured out what the meeting was about but he knew it had something to do with Faro. Ace had heard the name Pancakes being whispered around the gnomes since the meeting. 
Faro was a friend of Ace, and he’d shedded a few tears when he was gone. Faro had told him to stay strong in times of trial. He’d told him to look on the bright side but never to forget the dark. He’d told him to follow his dreams and to do what is right. Faro told him to go live, and when he finds his girl, to make sure she found him.
~~~
It was a few weeks later when Hydrina answered the door and five girls were standing there. The five girls in fact. The ones that they had been looking for. The ones Hydrina had given the pathfinder and nexus' to, but there were no nexus on their wrists. He tried to look surprised when they walked through the door and interrupted his book, but his envy skyrocketed. 
Then he laid his eyes on Kit. 
Her hair was a mix of blue, purple and gold. Her unusual purple eyes, her face, scared and full of curiosity. He was pleased when she’d interrupted him, showing her courage to start. But there was something else.
Then he slipped.
He didn’t mean to tell his sister that he liked Kit, it happened. She knew his soft spot and she wasn’t afraid to go and poke it. That was what happened downstairs that day. He made her swear not to tell anyone. She kept her promise, and all was well.
Until the healing.
Then Andan came back.
Alice and Howell learned that Councilor Kenric was dead.
Then it happened.
It was late the same day. Ace was sleeping like a normal person at the time of 3:00 in the morning. His imparter buzzed. A message was on the screen.
Meeting. Council. Tomorrow. Morning. Yourself. 
“Great.” Ace thought as he flopped back on his bed. What could be worse than getting a call from the council? Getting a call that you're dying? 
“Ace?” Hydrina opened his door. Her hair was in her usual braids, and she was wearing her olive green nightgown. Her eyes were glowing violet. “Did you just get an imparter message?”
Ace sat up. “Yes. Did you get one?” Hydrina nodded. “Do you think we should go?”
“Absolutely not but I think we have to.” Ace rubbed the back of his head thinking hard. 
“Should we tell father?” Hydrina asked quietly. Ace shook his head. “He’d only want to come with us. The message said that we're supposed to come alone.”
His sister nodded slowly. “We’ll leave in the morning. Like the message said.” Ace told his sister calmly. He stared out his window, the stars reflecting off the water. He saw the silhouette of a pack of dire wolves watching the moon. 
“Tomorrow. We will meet the Council.” 
~~~
And so THAT'S how Ace and his sister were now walking through Eternalia on their way to meet the Council. Now, Ace didn’t get frightened that easily, but the Council did shake him. Their power, their authority, the way that they ruled the Lost Cities.
The message didn’t say where they were supposed to meet, and Ace figured that they just had to go to the Council and they’d come to them. They have terrible instructions. Also Ace thought it was odd that the Council asked for a meeting, when their kingdom was in peril.
When not in peril, but one of their leaders had just died, there had to be at least some grieving for a fellow ruler’s death. Unless… The Council did something to the other ruler and they didn’t want him anymore. The death was a cover up for murder.
No, that wasn't possible. He saw the Council once before, they weren’t scary. He knew that they had made bad rulings in the past, from what he read from his Father’s forbbidon scrolls. But the Council would shatter their sanity if they tried to murder someone who worked along side them. Why would they risk their sanity? 
“Ace, you’ve gone into your deep thinking mode. Want to talk about it?” Hydrina asked nudging his shoulder. “Just thinking about why the Council called for this meeting. It seems odd doesn’t it?”
Hydrina thought about what he said, her eyes turning different colours of red and orange. She shrugged “I can’t think of why. They want to talk to us. Even if Father is an outcast, they're still our rulers. We have to follow them.”
“I guess you're right.” Ace tugged on the end of his brown cape, thinking hard. He and his sister had dressed up for the meeting. Ace wore his black dress pants and black jerkin with white patterns flecked with silver. Hydrina wore a pale blue dress with flicks of pink and gray. Though they were both dressed formally, they chose to wear their normal coats. They weren’t in the nobility and had no plan to enter.
Ace fingered his crest, a small shield with two gold dragon wings. The Vacker crest. The famous Vacker crest.
“Hydrina, look!” Ace ran ahead towards the remains of. “Oblivimyre.” Hydrina gasped. Ace sucked in a breath as he took in the destruction. The tower was gone, and the ground was slick with melted amethyst. 
“I’m surprised that anyone even made it out alive.” Hydrina whispered. Ace could only nod. He could just imagine the landscape below him, people screaming, flames liking every possible surface, the thought that a ruler was in the tower that was now nothing. 
There were a few gnomes, working hard at cleaning up the larger shards of amethyst. A team of elves were surveying the damage, then writing something down on a pad. A few goblins wore protective clothing and with long metal sticks, they were poking at the large piles of jews, to see if any flame was still there. 
“I can’t look at this anymore. Can we keep going?” Hydrina asked in a whisper. Ace nodded, not able to create words. They kept walking in silence, thinking about the same thing. Until they ran into the Council.
They were almost as foreboding than Oblivimyre, almost. They were covered in jewls on purpose, not like ground that was buried beneath it all. Their attire swished and flicked with each movement, like the flames that licked the tower. Their stare, as harsh as the sight.
“Good morning, Ace and Hydrina Vacker.” Councilor Emery said, though his velvet voice sounded more like a hiss. “We have many things to discuss.” His sapphire eyes bore into Ace’s clearly trying to read his mind. “Good luck.” He thought. He was surprised when Ella could make it clear into his mind, like a knife through butter. His father could also read his mind, as well as Ace could read his. The Counselor didn’t even notice his brown eyes.
Emery switched his gaze to Hydrina, trying to conceal his surprise at Hydrina’s color changing eyes. They were her mainly normal blues and teals, which happened when she was normal. 
Ace’s eyes kept going, which Counselor again, Councilor Bronte, and his long ears. His mind held at least five-hundred years on the Council, he’d seen the elf-human act go into action, he was there when it was banned. He was always there. 
“Interesting.” Emery’s slippery voice said after a moment. Ace slipped into his sister's mind, knowing that after a search, she’d let him check. Her brain was fine. “What? What is interesting?” Ace snapped, deciding no longer to be polite to an elf with the idea of requesting this pointless meeting, Councilor or not.
“Oh, nothing, nothing at all. Now tell me,” Emery leaned down to face Ace and Hydrina, his breath didn’t smell all that great. “Where is your father?” 
Ace almost asked “which one.” But he remembered that he was supposed to only tell about Marcus, their real and blasted father.
“No idea,” Ace dismissed the question with a flick of his hand in a regal manner. Emery however, was not. “Zarina! Bronte!” Quicker than light, the two Councilors were yanking Ace’s and Hydrina’s arms behind their backs. Ace didn’t care about regulations anymore, and slipped into Emery’s mind.
His thoughts were all jagged, not what Ace was expecting from the Spokesperson of the Council. His mind was occupied on him and his sister. Ace didn’t have to wade through the mind shield, wondering why a member on the Council with a terrible mind shield would be elected. Why not choose a different member? Councilor Kenric must have a better shield. A thought tugged at Ace’s mind urgently, but he figured it was about the girls back at the house. 
Emery’s thoughts sharped, new thoughts emerged from beneath the sticky mind shield, which seemed to be seeping through his entire mind, drenching every memory. A memory that wasn’t on the Council.
Emery was wearing a dark black hooded cape, impossible to see him. He was talking to someone in what seemed like a dark cell. A figure stepped into the ray of light. 
Marcus.
Ace tugged himself out of the memory and back to his body, no longer in Emery’s mind. “Why was he talking to Marcus?” Ace thought. Staring at Emery and the rest of the Council, he transmitted the memory to his sister, who replied with a short “talk later”
“Well,” Emery slithered, now a cobra. “Maybe this will jog your memory.” He flicked his wrist and out came six goblins with, Father, and Mother. They were beaten and had cuts and scratches. Crester had a bloody gash on his right arm. 
Hydrina’s eyes went wide, flashing to pale green, then to a flaming red of pure hatred. If Ace’s eyes could change, the same thing would’ve happened. He transmitted to Crester, “What happened? Are the rest okay?”
“The other adults are back in a temperature cell, which is either kept really cool or blistering hot.” Crester responded almost instantly. 
“And the other’s back home?”
“If they haven’t left, then they are fine. Though when you escape from the Council, get the girls, give them what they need, the book for sure, my pathfinder, and send them on their way. Then take your sister, Asher, Lei, Howell, and Zoran, to the safe house, the gnomes will take care of you.”
“And what about you?”
“We’ll find a way out, I promise Ace. We won’t give up. You're my boy.”
A small tear blurred Ace’s vision, and he slipped out of his father’s mind. He told Hydrina the plan, and she agreed instantly.
“So wait,” Hydrina asked. “You think that taking our parents will make us give up whatever you want. Seems very cheap for me, especially from the ‘All powerful Council. You're pathetic leaders who can only blackmail others."
Bronte tightened his grip on Ace, seeming insulted by his sister. 
“Yes! And the information we are going to extract from you,” Emery dripped, “Is your society that your parent’s work for.” As if on cue, the goblin nearest to Father, jabbed him in the back, knocking him unconscious. The goblin near Mother drew his sword and held it inches from Mother’s neck. Mother closed her eyes, but didn’t flinch, like she knew it was coming. 
Hydrina looked at Ace, obviously noticing something. Ace studied the Council, the thought in his brain stronger than ever. One, two, three… Twelve. Councilor Kenric was among them, but he was dead. This wasn’t the real Council.
Ace charged at Emery, who probably wasn’t Emery, and knocked him to the ground. He looked for anything, anything that might’ve been a trick. The other Councilors rushed to help the Spokesperson, but they froze and collapsed. Hydrina.
She held her hands to the sky and a stream of white energy formed between her hands. She quickly harnessed the Councilor’s energy and sent it into the sky. They immediately feel asleep, the way to regain their energy. 
The goblins had fled with Crester and Kelia, a coward’s move in Ace’s opinion. He turned to his sister, who looked frazzled. She’d only done the extracting energy thing one other time. “Find the scroll.” She said pointing to Emery.
Ace fumbled around the sleeping body, and slipped his hand into the folds of Emery’s cape. He frowned. It wasn’t there. “Check the others.” He told his sister. He moved onto Bronte. Then Zarnia. Then Clarette. Then Terik. No scroll.
His sister had purposely avoided Kenric, and Ace didn’t blame her. He slipped his hand into the folds of the Councilor’s cape, and rustled a piece of paper. Ace sucked in a breath. Hydrina came over and rested her hand on his shoulder, as he opened the scroll. This wasn’t the real Council, but you never know, maybe this was the answer.
The scroll read: secret, the secret to the past. The true secret of the Elves. Don’t believe the Council, they don’t know the truth, they’ve been confused, help find the truth. And the rest of you work together, we need the truth. Everyone needs the truth. Before everything. I wrote this before I died, Oralie knows too. I know about you. Go be the truth. Help the Elves. Councilor Kenric.
Ace reread the scroll, again and again, until his tears fell onto the paper. He looked up, and saw the remains of Oblivimeyre. He knew that the dead councilor would want the truth. So would the one he loved.
“Did you check Oralie?” Ace asked his sister. 
“I was about to before you found this, should we check?” But Ace was already turning towards the pink councilor. In the same spot of her cape, was a scroll.
Her scroll read: Help them, he knows. They are vague, go help. You have help, you know the start. The Council has been blinded, even Bronte, if that’s even possible. Find allies. I ask for a plea. Take care of her, Sophie, for me. Or at least watch out for her. Be wary of those who deceive. The Council won’t be themselves for a while. Good luck. Councilor Oralie
“Why did they write these?” Ace asked himself. “And these are for sure from the real Council, not the fake one. Did they steal it?” Questions swarmed Ace’s mind. “And why just Kenric and Oralie?” 
“Let me see.” Hydrina took the scrolls and started walking towards the destruction. Hydrina knelt down near an ember. She licked her thumb and rubbed it on Kenric’s scroll where a blank space was. A single word appeared.
Elysian
Ace didn’t know what that was, a place, thing, name? Hydrina reached for Oralie’s scroll and did the process once again. Two words appeared.
My Daughter
Ace’s eyes widened. Oralie had a daughter? But she’s on the Council, she can't  have any children. If Hydrina seemed affected by any of this, she didn’t show it. “Have you memorized it all?” Ace glanced at each scroll once more before nodding. 
“We have to burn them.”
“What? The scrolls?”
“It’s the final clue, in the ashes.” Hydrina took a deep breath, and held the scrolls above the ember. The heat turned into a flame, which hungrily licked the scrolls. Ace watched the scrolls burn to ash, secrets destroyed. “Look.” Hydrina whispered.
The ash was drifting and landing in what seemed into words. 
Protect
Guard
Ancient
Track
Find
Truth
Ace watched the last ash fall, the scrolls gone. The wind picked up and blew the ashes into the current, where they landed in the remains of Oblivimeyre.
“Let’s keep this to ourselves for now. And hopefully forever.” Hydrina whispered, tears falling off her face. Ace wiped away a few of his own and helped his sister up. “Let’s go back home and warn them.” He draped his arm around his sister’s shoulder and walked a step closer to the truth. Away from the lies, and past, towards truth and future. Truth.
== Chapter 20: Clair ==
Claire crouched behind a tree. She could hear branches breaking underfoot. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest, and even though she knew she was the only one who could hear it, she still worried it would give her away. So close, and yet so far. He was coming closer now, maybe ten paces away. Claire crouched and got a tighter grip on her sword, getting ready to fight. Any moment now. Eight paces, five. Claire got ready to launch herself at him. Three, two-
"Ha! Found you!" Asher shouted.
Claire didn't bother coming up with a witty response. She spun out from behind her hiding place and faced him. She swung her sword at Asher's torso, knowing she would easily block the strike. But she didn't want it to be a hit. No, there was more to this game than that. It was more of a mind game. She needed to keep him engaged long enough, and off his guard long enough for Kit to be able to make it to the other side of the lawn and steal the flag from Zoran. She technically didn't need to defeat him. Technically. But Claire couldn't pass up an opportunity to completely crush someone older and stronger than herself with more training. She was going to defeat Asher in this sword fight whether she needed to or not. And soundly too.
As she expected, Asher easily blocked her blow with a one handed parry, and then launched a counter attack with a flurry of blows from his heavy plastic broadsword.
Technically all of them were supposed to be doing skill and ability training, but the weather had been so nice and they were all so antsy fromm waiting for Ace and Hydrina, to return from their meeting with the council for fear that something was wrong, that the girls had all decided to teach the boys capture the flag in the hope that some exerting activity would help all of them clear their heads a bit.
Claire didn't bother putting up much of a fight. She simply danced out of the way, so every swipe he made only met with air. She didn't attack back however when he left his guard open for the sweeping strokes he was attempting. She just needed to engage Asher enough that
a) he wouldn't be able to use his invisibility to sneak up on Alice and Ella, who were defending the flag, and steal the girls' flag, and
b) so that he would get so frustrated and occupied with never being able to actually get a blow in on Claire that he would be distracted enough for her plan to defeat him would work.
A little further... just until the tree... ten paces. Almost there...
Now. It was time. Asher was distracted enough that he probably didn't even realize he was under the tree on the base of the slope. Good. Time to begin Operation-Completely-Humiliate-and-Embarrass-Asher-By-Being-Defeated-By-Someone-of-Half-His-Skill-Level.
Claire used levitation to launch herself over Asher's head and into the tree they were underneath. She landed smoothly in a crouch on one of the thick branches right above Asher's head.
Asher growled slightly at having her dodge out of his reach, and launched himself up and into the tree next to her. Unfortunately for him, he didn't land very smoothly because he hadn't really gauged the amount of force he put behind his launch and had to pinwheel his arms to keep himself from falling onto the ground. This provided the perfect opening for Claire to pin all his limbs to his body using telekinesis. Claire knew she wouldn't be able to keep him in place for long, but five seconds was all she needed. She held the blade of her prop sword against his neck and made a slow slicing motion to show that if she had been fighting to kill, he would've been headless by now.
"Say it." Claire commanded
Asher sighed. "You win. Nice job baiting me. It was a move I didn't see coming at all."
She leapt smoothly from the tree. "I expect Kit has taken your flag by now, and you don't have our flag thanks to my amazing distraction."
"Seriously? All you had to do was distract me for like three seconds. When I passed Kit on my way to your guys' flag, she was almost there. I was sure I could out run her. A simple two minute distraction would've been long enough for her to get there and back and you guys would've won. But nooooooo. You had to do a bunch of fancy maneuvering." He said dramatically with hands on hips.
"I am glad that you are taking this in good humour. I hate a sore loser."
Asher shrugged. "I can recognize skill when I see it. Especially when I fought it face to face." He grinned. "Let's see if Kit was able to defeat Zoran."
As they headed to the opposite end of the field, Claire asked, "Any word from Hydrina and Ace?"
He shook his head. "Nope. I hope they don't get into any trouble."
Claire hesitated a moment before she asked, "Do you think it has anything to do with us? Like could it be illegal, you know, going to human cities and taking care of/training humans?"
Asher scrunched his face up as he thought about it. "I don't see why. I mean, it's not a great political move, because Elves hate humans, but I don't think it's technically illegal. Just frowned upon."
They both thought about this in silence as they crossed the field. When they arrived at the boys' base, Zoran had his arms angrily crossed and his lips were pursed.
Claire laughed. "Does defeat hurt that bad Zoran?"
Zoran grunted. "Not nearly as bad as Asher's defeat to you I'm sure."
Leah appeared behind them and said, "What's this I hear? Excellent news guys and now we expect our fresh stack of mallowmelt." She had her hands on her hips and was walking towards Claire eager to hear the tale.
"How do you already know about that? We literally just came from there and haven't told anyone about it yet!" Asher asked, throwing his hands up in the air.
Leah airily waved a hand in the air. "You learn from the best. Though, I really need to get my Sherlock Holmes collection back from Alice." 
Zoran's face was blank. "Who?" He queried at the same time Asher asked, "Who is Sherlock Holmes?"
"He's this detective in these books. He's like the greatest detective of all time. But there's this on-going line about how no one knows how he solves these cases, and his response is always 'I have my methods.' So it's kinda this thing we say-omigod I seriously can't believe you guys don't know this." Claire threw her hands up in exasperation. "I can't explain this to you. Just forget it."
Just then there was a loud shout from across the other side of the field.
"I guess Ella and Alice just learned that we completely CRUSHED the boys." Claire remarked.
"Let's join them in the celebration," Leah said with a triumphant grin.
Just then Alice, Kit, and Ella ran up.
"I just heard about Asher's and Clair's epic duel. I'm soooooo glad you defeated Asher, Clair. I wish Lei was as humiliated as him." Ella said, panting from her sprint across the field.
"I don't know, it's pretty embarrassing to have your thoughts tracked so well that a minute didn't go by where you didn't know where he was. And no matter what he did, he couldn't rid himself of you. Especially because I know Ace taught him a bunch of special telepathy tricks to protect his mind."
Howell and Lei joined them in time to hear Kit's last comment.
"Hey!" Lei exclaimed defensively. "She's pretty scary when it comes to telepathy!"
"I know," Kit retorted, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "That's what makes it so much more embarrassing for you."
"So we can summarize this game of Capture the Flag by saying all the girls decided to defeat us boys in the most embarrassing way possible. Would you guys say that's an accurate assessment?" Howell asked his team members with a smirk.
"Unfortunately, it's probably correct." Lei said with mock seriousness.
"Yeah, so I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I'm ready for some quiet reading time this afternoon." Zoran said with a look at Lei and Howell.
"Seriously? You look at me as if I talk a lot and you don't? Everyone knows that our greatest aim when we're around you, is try to get you to shut up for once." Asher said with a smirk.
"Oh dam!" Claire commented with mock horror, while everyone else in the group snickered.
"While I may spend a lot of my life trying to get Zoran to shut up, I do happen to agree with him on this one topic. Let's go get some sort of lunch. I for one want our prize as quickly as possible." Leah said.
The kids all headed inside and gathered their various projects for the afternoon. The highlight of the afternoon however, was when Kit got bored and started a water fight when she threw Zoran's book in the nearby stream with telekinesis. Zoran thought Ella had done it, as he had stolen some of her potato chips earlier, and so he used his telekinesis to soak her. Ella had no idea why someone was splashing her, and decided on revenge by dumping a pile of pine needles on Claire and Asher's game of chess. Unfortunately, the pine needles went everywhere, and everyone thought it was a personal attack on them so everyone started spraying everyone else with water from the stream, until Kit gathered all the water that was flying everywhere into one large ball, and then popped it so that everyone was soaked.
Lei let out a startled and very girly sounding shriek. "Why the heck did you do that!"
Kit shrugged. "It seemed like you all wanted to be soaked, so I just splashed you all at once to make it more convenient." She flipped her hair and grinned at him.
Asher and Claire rolled their eyes simultaneously.
Alice stifled a giggle, but couldn't hold it back and it became a full blown laugh. Soon everyone was laughing loudly. Sopping wet and covered with mud, but having the best time that whole day.
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Thirty minutes later, everyone was cleaned up, and wandered into the kitchen.
"Ace and Hydrina aren't back yet?" Lei asked.
"No, I tried hailing Hydrina asking for an ETA when we first came in, but she hasn't responded yet. It's almost 6:00 though, so I guess we should start dinner?" Claire responded.
"I guess..." Lei answered a little uncertainty. "But none of us really know how to cook."
Asher raised an eyebrow. "Says who? Just because you don't doesn't mean no one else does."
Lei looked at him with a little uncertainty. "You can cook?"
"Yes, quite well in fact."
Leah added, "Don't doubt him. I dared him to run in heels for an hour and he did it in absolute STYLE."
"And I have some experience cooking as well." Claire chimed in.
"So what's our game plan for tonight?" Alice asked.
"Mmm...How about this. Asher and I make dinner, while you guys tidy up the house, and then we do something afterwards." Claire suggested.
"What about a movie?" Ella offered.
"Sounds good to me." Zoran remarked.
"Which movie?" Leah asked.
"Here we go." Claire thought.
"I think something very classic, because none of the boys have seen human movies." Ella announced.
"Disney?" Kit asked.
"What about Narnia?" Alice queried
"That sounds pretty good to me. They're not too bad." Leah shrugged.
"NOT TOO BAD!!!??? Leah, those are some of the best movies of all time!!!" Claire practically screeched.
"They are really good, Leah." Ella said, somewhat more calmly.
"Wait," Kit asked. "How can we watch a movie?"
"We have a television device." Zoran said.
The girls stared at him.
"First." Leah started. "It's called a TV. Okay? T. V. econd, how did you acquire this TV?" she asked with wave of her hand. and then added with a gasp, "I knew Crestor was a dangerous mastermind joker."
"We have our ways." Lei said mysteriously with an airy wave of his hand.
Howell interrupted the silence. "I'm going outside to test out this laser. Wanna come with me Alice?"
"Sure," she said.
"Oie!" Claire called after them as she chopped up some onions. "Don't get distracted and leave all the tidying to everyone else, you two!"
Claire thought about it for a moment as she poured what looked like a can of tomatoes into a pot on the stove with what seemed to be onions and garlic in olive oil. Howell seemed to favor Alice over the rest of them. A reason bloomed in her mind but she pushed it away, it wasn't her life. 
Claire sprinkled a handful of something that smelled like oregano and what seemed to be kosher salt into the so called marinara, and put a lid on the pot to bring it to a boil. "Asher, can you put on a pot of Rigatoni and cook some sausage in that skillet?"
Asher pointed to a basket that looked like Rigatoni. Claire nodded.
Asher did as Claire directed, and in thirty minutes, they had a simple but delicious meal of Elvin Rigatoni and marinara with Italian Elvin sausage ready. (The sausage was a brown and black tube that they'd tried a few days ago, it tasted like sausage) By that time, Howell and Alice had come in, and Alice's cheeks had a delicate blush on them, confirming Zoran's suspicions of 'chemistry' between the two. Everyone else had finished their cleaning, and soon they were all settled in the living room watching Narnia. Because it was only 7:30 and Ace and Hydrina hadn't returned yet, they all decided to watch all three, to complete their introduction to the boys of human media.
At 10:30, after Lei had remarked on the time, they all decided they should probably go to bed. As Claire was heading down the hallway to the bathroom, she noticed all her friends gathered in Kit's bathroom. "Why are all you guys in here?" She asked.
"Well, we just kinda congregated here and we were just discussing Ace and Hydrina. I'm really worried that they haven't returned yet, but Alice thinks it's nothing." Leah responded.
"Yeah, I've been worrying about that all day too." Claire sighed.
"I was just about to try calling her right before you got here." Ella said. She picked up her imparter off Kit's vanity and said, "Show me Hydrina Vacker."
The imparter rang and rang, but Hydrina never answered. It was the same with Ace.
On the third try, Kit said, "Ok, now I'm really worried. Hydrina never misses a call."
"Is there anything we can do?" Alice asked, her brow furrowed.
"Besides call and hope they respond? Not really." Leah said, shaking her head. "I mean, we don't even know where they're meeting the Council."
"Do you think they could get into any legal trouble? Like because of us? We lived in human cities, and technically they have no legal right to house us or act as our guardians." Remarked Ella.
Claire sighed and folded her arms. "I asked Asher earlier, and he said he didn't think they could get into any legal trouble because of us."
They stood in silence for a few minutes, each girl lost in her own thoughts.
Leah broke the silence first. "Well we're not getting anywhere this way, and we can't be very useful sleep deprived, so to bed everyone. Good night."
"G'night." Claire said.
"See ya tomorrow." Fins said through a yawn.
"Sleep tight!" Kit called as they left her bathroom.
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As Claire was settling into bed, Ella walked into the room. "My bedroom's too big." She stated simply. Claire knew exactly what she meant by that. It was still very weird to her to sleep in her own room.
"Do we want to get Leah, Alice, and Kit in here too?" She asked Ella.
Ella plugged up her iPhone. "I already invited them in. They all said they're coming. Do you have extra blankets in here?"
Claire got up and pulled three extra pillows and three blankets out from under her bed. "Only these. We'll need a lot more if we plan on having a proper sleepover."
Both girls went down the hall and brought in huge arm loads of pillows and blankets from Kit and Leah's rooms. Alice seemed a bit reluctant at the beginning but that soon disappeared once they began throwing their pillows at one another.
After each girl had constructed a blanket pile for herself, they all chatted for another thirty minutes before they drifted off into calming sleep.
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"Come on! Get up! We need to leave. NOW!" was what had woken Claire up at who knows in the morning. Hydrina was frantically running around the room, pulling blankets off each girl so that the cool night air would jostle them awake.
"What's the matter?" Ella asked groggily. And then she saw Hydrina's face and knew something was seriously wrong.
"What's wrong?" She repeated, this time fully awake.
"It's the Council. You have to leave.” Something else was unsaid.
“What happened at the meeting?” Kit asked, she was now standing and quickly cleaning the room.
“Well, the Council told me and Ace that you guys are practically a harm to the Elvin world.” Another thing unsaid.
“But-” Alice started.
“And we need to leave now!” Hydrina said, going back to her panicky state.
“But why?” Leah asked. “What harm can we do?”
Hydrina twisted her hands. The five girls shared a look, and quickly leaped into action.
Claire grabbed her satchel and dumped the contents on her bed. She quickly sorted through and pulled out some tissues and random contents. She pushed in her imparter, home crystal, some snacks, her medic kit (which had supplies that most 14 year olds wouldn’t have, such as local anesthetics and scalpels. When Ella had remarked that the scalpels seemed overboard, Claire had merely flipped her hair and said “you never know,”), and a few changes of clothes. She changed into a gray tunic, and boots.
Ella drifted over to Clair. “Are you…?”
“Nervous?” Claire asked. “Confused? Annoyed? Yes.”
Ella sighed. “Me too,”
“I feel like I’m missing packing something important,” Alice commented, coming over and fussing with her bag.
“We’re probably all missing something,” Leah told her.
“It’s okay,” Claire told her friends, trying to be optimistic.
“Yeah,” Kit agreed, joining the tight knot the five had formed.
No one believed it.
“Are you ready?” Hydrina asked, coming into the room.
“I think?” Ella tried uncertainty.
“Okay, just one last thing before we go” She turned and led the girls down the hall.
Claire followed, intent and curious. “Where are we going?”
"To get you something to protect yourselves."Hydrina ran down the stairs, her low heels clicking on the marble surface. She turned two conners in the big house and lead them to...
The mystery room.
Claire glanced at her friends, each of them displaying their own worry. 
Ella had her forehead wrinkled with more than their grandparent's had. 
Kit was rocking on her heels, her hands tightened around a sphere of water.
Leah had her 'this-is-totally-normal-and-i-dont-need-to-worry' face on but her blue eyes betrayed her look.
Alice keeped crossing and uncrossing her arms as she tapped the toe of her boot on the ground.
Hydrina licked a tiny square next to the door, and the sound of locks disengaging sounded. She pushed open the door and ushered the girls inside. Alice snapped, creating six different colored orbs that light up the dark room. Dust covered everything, and that everything made Claire suck in a breath.
Weapons. 
A few swords were lined up against the wall, as well as shields and portraits of elves, which must have been for display. Hydrina ordered them to each take a dagger and a throwing star. She gave a meddler to Alice, directing her on how to use it. Kit found an old bow and a few rusted arrows that she found in a quiver. Ella discovered a long wooden spear and decided to use that. Claire found a few sedatives and elixirs in the back of the room that she stowed away in her satchel. Leah didn't pick up anything.
“Did you choose something, Leah?” Ella asked. She had been positive that Leah would have immediately gone for a sword or something.
“Oh, just this little dagger.” Leah replied, but she had a much calmer expression and Ella suspected she had more weapons on her, then she was telling her.
"This sword is like a fencing one, just with a blade and it can hurt you." Alice said as she picked up a sword with a black handle with swirly carving on it. A single emerald was embedded at the end of the sword. "Can I use this?" She asked Hydrina. Claire noticed something about Hydrina's face changed slightly, but Claire thought it was just the lighting. "Yes, yes. Anything in here you can use." She said with a flick of her hand. A black scabbard flew next to Alice who plucked it from the air and sheathed the black sword.
"Okay, we don't have much time. So we need to go. Just remember the little training we taught you this week. Just keep us in mind. We'll see each other again. Remember 'The brave defenders don't fall, only the enemy.' Stay strong." Hydrina said the last part with a sob, like everything just came crashing down on her shoulders. Claire saw Alice's face flicker with emotion, one she couldn't identify, before she spoke up.
“I really have come to think of you as an older sister, Hydrina.” Claire said.
“And as an awesome teacher.” Ella added. “You taught us how to kick all the boys’ butts.” she said with a small laugh. Everyone else smiled at their memories of throwing the boys around in their training. It had been extremely fun.
“Speaking of the boys, are they coming with us?” Alice asked.
Hydrina shook her head. “No, it would make things look even more suspicious than they do know. Even if they’re positive that we’re taking care of you, as long as they can't get solid evidence, we’ll be good. The boys leaving mysteriously would be exactly what they want.” She paused, frowning at the floor for a minute. Claire felt a stab of pain in her stomach. As much as they were annoying, she'd grown to enjoy the boys. They were no longer some loud, obnoxious, cocky, older people, they were friends. 
“Anyhow, you guys really need to go now. We’ve already wasted a lot of time. The Council will be here any minute. Honestly I’m surprised they haven’t shown up yet. We’ll leave by a side entrance in case they show up while you’re leaving.”
“Do the boys know what’s going on?” Kit queried as they walked down the hallway to the side exit.
“Yeah, Ace gave them the run down.” Hydrina answered.
All of them walked quickly and silently except for their shoes, and then they were at a door. It was small and unassuming, which was exactly what they needed.
“This door lets out by the edge of the garden near the woods.” Hydrin addressed them, pointing to the door. “You’ll have to walk by the front door to get to the actual woods. Be careful and move quickly. You’ll have to run by the front door.”
At that moment all the boys came running up. Asher was panting slightly flicking in and out, as he said, “You were gonna leave without saying goodbye?”
“Guys,” Hydrina warned. “We really are running out of time. Say your goodbyes fast. Like I mean really fast. And as soon as you're done, one of you keeps watch for the councilors, the others go back to your rooms to look innocent. The more asleep you look the better. Got it?”
“We got it, mother.” Zoran said with an eyeroll. Then he was serious, as he hugged Leah, and then moved on to everyone else. The farewells lasted maybe one minute max, but they were heartfelt. Howell whispered something into Alice's ear, and slipped something into her satchel. Alice had a determined look on her face when Howell hugged her. Claire heard Zoran joke, 
"The good thing is that at least, I don't have a clan of girls trying to kill me in every game." 
“ Oh please. You can't get rid of us that easily. Anyways, where should we go?” Leah asked Hydrina.
“Well, from here the woods. They’re part of this property. They go on for about 25 wilters. You can’t take a pathfinder, you’ll have to walk it. The property has enchantments on it so you can’t light leap out. Security purposes.” She added when she saw the look on Kit’s face. “But, once you get out of the woods, I’m not sure where you should go.”
"Just stay away from everyone and everybody." Ace suggested
Hydrina thought for a minute and then nodded. “Yes do that. And I gave you a pathfinder-you have your nexes right?- just in case."
Then they were running.
Out the door, and through the garden.
Sprinting, past the door as fast as they could go.
As they ran, Claire saw the twelve silhouettes of the councilors beginning to form on the front porch.
And then finally…
…finally into the woods.
And safety.
Once they were past the tree line, everyone paused, panting before they continued running, at a slower pace this time, following the directions Hydrina and Ace had given them.
Before the house was out of sight, Claire stopped and looked back at it one more time. She sighed. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll come back.” Ella said firmly. Claire put her arm around Ella, and took a deep breath. “You’re right. We will. But in the meantime, let's figure out how to be runaways.” “Oh yeah. Totally didn't forget that." Ella grinned. 
“Come on you two! Put your back into it! We gotta get to the edge of the forest before sunrise.” Alice called from far up ahead.
“Coming!” Ella responded, turning around to join back up with Alice, Leah, and Kit.
Claire turned as well, breaking her line of sight with the property she now called.. Yes. Home. But she knew she would be back. One day.
Right?
== Chapter Twenty-One: Leah's POV (TO BE EDITED) ==
Leah had never wanted the sun to make its grand appearance more than this very moment, shivering in a forest with only the comfort of 4 teenagers. Alice was currently at the front of the group, her brow furrowed in concentration whilst her hand clutched a small but delicate item. Though it seemed no one else possessed the same amount of energy or determination.
A sign she may be a robot, Leah whispered to herself.
Kitty was sluggishly moving next to her, often giving her a fright whilst Claire was making sure Ella wasn’t sleep walking. Leah herself, was longing for her warm bed and pillow. And breakfast. 
Above them the stars were watching over them curiously, refusing to lose the fight of superiority with the clouds whilst the pale moon seemed to be wondering purposelessly. Even the trees seemed to be swaying lightly (often creating an impression that they were whispering to each other) and she had sometimes caught a glimpse of baby creatures being given piggybacks by their mother. The occasional “hoot” could also be heard from above.
Alice suddenly stopped causing a domino effect with everyone bumping into each other.
“Did you hear that?”
She rubbed her nose whilst Kitty asked, “Are you sure you’re not just paranoid?”
“No, I’m sure I heard something.”
“EEEEK” Leah squealed like a child as she squatted next to the creature struggling in the river nearby.
“What happened!? Do we need first aid? Did she FAINT!? Oh God, what if Leah got kidnapped... “Claire was cut off by a confused Ella.
“Ignore Clair. Leah, what ACTUALLY happened?”
She signalled the universal sign for silence as she cradled the baby jackalope in her hand. It was a strange creature with small antlers beginning to form around its bunny ears; but it had the body of a rabbits. She stroked its ear whilst trying to keep the shivering animal warm.
“LEAH, WHAT IS THAT?” Alice jumped back as she stared at the bundle of fur whilst everyone gathered around.
“Who gave it the right, to be this cute!?” Kitty was the first one to talk after moments of silence, cautious to not wake the jackalope.
“Can we keep it, please?” Leah whispered hopefully.
“As much as I love the idea, I don’t think we’re responsible enough.”
“I’m going to have to agree with Claire on that one. Plus, looks kind of dangerous with the antler ears…” Ella replied apologetically.
It’s an innocent baby though! Leah wanted to protest but she knew she was outnumbered.
“We should also be going, its best to find a shelter before it becomes really hot.” Alice went back to her position, leading the group to another random path in the wood. Leah pretended to say goodbye to the jackalope, whilst really placing him in her hoodie pocket.
He fell asleep instantly, his snores muffled whilst the journey for shelter continued.
***
“Guys, I have a question.”
Alice replied annoyed, “Leah, if your 7’th question is about food again then it’s a NO. We’ll get food once we find somewhere to stay.”
“Yeah but it’s been 10 hours and 54 minutes since we had dinner. We could always try to find some fruits or something. It's a FOREST."
“Leah, you’re actually concerning. Especially when you’re sleep deprived.” Ella joined in the conversation, her eyes wandering to Leah’s pockets suspiciously.
“Well look on the bright side. At least we’re not in school listening to Ms Mitchell’s lectures.” Kitty chimed in.
“Yeah but Ms Mitchell wasn’t going to execute us. Oh, and she didn’t have a mini army trying to find us either.” Leah responded.
Before anyone could respond, two large figures were approaching them from the opposite direction. She couldn’t make out their faces due to the dark, but the shadows of their weapons could hardly be mistaken. They scanned their surroundings helplessly, but Leah knew that even if there was an escape route, they would never be able to outrun them.
“The Elvin Council are pathetic fools, and they’re just using the trolls and ogres. How will they help us if they can’t even capture 5 TEENAGERS by themselves!? I’ve told you, we’re wasting so much time and effort on them.”
A shrill voice replied quickly, “You fool, be quite! Someone will just happen to hear us and we will BOTH be punished.”
They stopped suddenly as if they had only realised they weren’t the only ones in the forest. Leah’s first thought was to ask for directions, yet the weapons and the mention of the council trying to find 5 teenagers quickly stopped her.
Seconds later, Ella’s telepathic voice was ringing in her head.
"Any ideas?" Ella's crisp voice asked.
"No, and what are you doing?" Leah asked.
Silence.
"Ella?" Leah tried.
"Yeah I'm here. Checked in on Kit. Though I think Claire is going to hyperventilate." Though Ella was trying to roll it off, Leah could tell that she was in panic mode.
"Do any of the other's have a plan?" Leah asked, slightly worried. 
"I don't know," Ella replied. "Though it seems like Alice could just kill them."
"But we can't do that." Leah protested.
"I know, I've talked Alice out of it. Though to her that might just be a plan B."
"So what do we do?"
A crack of twigs announced the arrival of the mysteries. 
"We hope and pray that we get out of this." Ella said, cutting off the connection.
“What are you young ladies doing out, so late?” The shrill voice startled their thoughts, a thick coat of suspicion hidden in his every syllable.
His partner on the other hand, seemed unbothered and bored. “You know teenagers. They’re always up to something. A midnight picnic?”
Leah was too stunned to speak.
Kitty was the first one to respond, “Actually we just came back from a party. We really should be going back home now.”
“Not so fast, names please.”
Alice quickly jumped in; “Alliance and these are my friends.”
Ella added, “Erani.”
She highly doubted they would know their real names but she played along.
“Nyx Selene.” The first thing that came to Leah’s mind was a character she had adored as a child from a book. She chose to ignore the fact that the character ended up becoming sacrifice material, or the real question: why was a 9-year-old reading these things?
“Nerida” Sea nymph? Well it certainly suited Kitty.
Claire hesitated for a split second before blurting out, “Xerwyn”. Leah had no idea how the name came to mind but it was a cool choice.
“You happy now? I swear, goblins are always cowardly and suspicious.” The Goblin gave him a menacing glare in return, the venom from his eyes planning revenge.
“So, we really should be going now.” Ella tried to walk to walk past the two, but the goblin blocked the path.
“I think its them.” His partner stared at him blankly until the moment of realisation hit him in the face. The goblin immediately grabbed both Alice and Kitty whilst the ogre had one arm around her neck and the other around Clair’s.
Before, the forest had seemed alive and even magical but now it was taunting them.
The stars were whispering about them disgusted. And the moon? The moon was watching with pleasure: no longer roaming around but enjoying the sight. Baby creatures were watching amused with their mothers. The trees were urging the two on, whispering and praying for their win.
Or perhaps, it was her mind playing with her that night. A distraction.
“What do we do with this one?” her captive motioned to Ella who had frozen in shock.
“Once we bring them to the boss, we’ll get her later. She’s not a danger anyways; looks like she’s frozen from fear...” Leah, now reckless and annoyed, decided to whisper Plan B to Clair.
***
“OWW”
The ogre howled in pain and released both Leah and Claire whilst clutching his arm.
“What happened now you buffoon!?”
The ogre could only squeal like a young girl. After a few moments, he finally exclaimed “THEY BIT ME”.
Before they had any time to celebrate or to even think of a new plan, the ogre charged at them at full speed. The bastard sword was centimetres away from Claire’s hair when Leah snapped.
“Get AWAY”
She imagined the creature on the forest floor writhing in agony, his partner begging for forgiveness. She pictured the endless fear in their eyes. The sweet but cool drink she would possess.
Of revenge.
Perhaps she knew inside her that she was simply not capable of harming someone that much, but the voice inside her head told her otherwise. That voice was manipulative, but so comforting at the same time.
SO comforting.
“LEAH, STOP IT” She snapped out of her trance in an instant, unaware of what had just happened. In front of her was the ogres limp body, unconscious and pale.
“What just happened?” Ella asked voicing everyone else’s thoughts.
“How did you do that...?”
“Do you think he’s alive?”
“Should we just run!?”
Leah had no response to their questions. In fact, she had no response to her own.
Though only one question bothered her.
Would she really have been able to kill him?
She didn’t know it then, but it would haunt her for months. It was a monster disguised as a question. Refusing to let go of its prey.
She took one last look at the body, and started walking away.
“Wait, where are you going?” Kitty’s voice trailed after her.
Anywhere she thought.
Anywhere away from that body, anywhere away from this stupid forest that was closing in on her. Anywhere away from this nightmare.
“We should be going, remember? The suns almost going to come up anyways.”
She only looked behind her once, to see the goblin running away into the dark abyss of the forest. It seemed he had gotten his revenge after all.
Even if it meant becoming the coward.
== Chapter Twenty-Two: Alliance's POV ==
Alliance was furious.
What else could be said?
She was furious at the Council, her friends, Hydrina, Ace, Zoran, Lei, Asher, Lord Alsaw, Lord Crester, the Ogre and Goblin that Nyx did who-knows-what on, this stupid forest, the noisy crickets, the world.
And yet, a part of her didn’t couldn’t fully allow herself to be completely furious at Howell.
A loud snore escaped from Nerdia, whose arm was flopped over her face as she was sleeping. Fins, stirred and rolled closer to Xerwyn, who was producing heat at a remarkable rate. Nyx just tensed even more.
Alliance couldn’t sleep. She had her cape laying on top of her, supplying a bit of warmth. At the slightest noise, her eyes would fly open, a gloved hand to her sword. .
She finally had enough.
She rolled from her lying position and stood up, grabbing the cape with her. Brushing a few specks of moss from her black leggings, Alliance slung her cape around her shoulders and secured it with a silver pin. She was only slightly disgusted by the fact that she’d been wearing the same outfit for two and a half days, but this was survival, so it didn’t matter. The dark blue tunic with a high brown belt and a few diamonds is probably the most battle ready outfit in her closet back at the house.
Not home.
She refused to call it that.
Alliance looked out at the sleeping spot her friends had chosen. If it was up to her, they’d be sleeping in a tree right now. But it was comfortable. A mossy ground in the center of a circle of trees, a large fallen log, perfect for sitting. Alliance glanced at the milky white orbs she’d created around them, so they could see, though the stars were fine for that but Fins insisted.
Alliance felt her boot, making sure the thin paper she’d rolled up and placed in there was still there. It was. She quickly pulled her hair into a high ponytail, and grabbed her satchel and sword. Unsheathing the black handled sword with a satisfying sound, Alliance wrote in the dirt that she’d gone for a walk.
And then she was gone.
>>>>><<<<<
“What are we going to do?” Kit asked once the Ogre and Goblin were gone. Leah was frozen, probably freaked out at what she did. Ella sat on a rock rubbing her temples, while Claire was trying to convince Leah to relax.
And for her?
Alice was wearing about a five inch rut into the mossy forest floor, mumbling to herself. She still was clutching the compass Howell had given her when she went with him to test out his new and improved laser. The compass, she figured, had more than one use, but she couldn’t figure that out at the moment.
“Do the Council know our names?” Kit asked, tossing a small sphere of water in her hand. Ella shrugged.
“Okay fine, what did Leah do?” Kit questioned more forcefully than the last two times she asked a question.
No one replied.
Kit dropped the water sphere, the water immediately drained into the earth. She sighed and slid to the ground and flopped on her back.
It was still night, the stars peeking out. The forest was just as alive as it was during the day. The forest had a lot of humidity, which Alice couldn’t get used to.
“I’m going to clear my head, be back in a bit.” Alice told her friends.
“Don’t be gone for too long.” Ella ordered.
“Yes mother,” Alice grumbled under her breath
Something had changed inside of her since she’d woken up to Hydrina’s panicked voice. Like something inside of her clicked. She had to take charge. Ella, back in their old life, had always led the way. Not physically (because a skateboard can’t stay behind slow walking people while going down a hill) but with leadership. Alice felt like she now had to take charge, leading them through this God-forsaken forest to who knows where.
Also during their short time in the Elvin world, Alice had noticed that she’d become stronger and faster. She could easily outrun the boys, though she and Claire had become equal. She felt like she had the ability to analyze things and use them to her advantage. Like a tree or rock.
She jumped over a mossy and decaying fallen log and grabbed onto a tree branch. Alice tried to pull herself up but was only able to manage a chin up. Once she dropped back to the ground, Alice walked away and found a boulder.
Standing on practically any other boulder, you would see the exact same thing. Trees, roots, leaves, flowers, vines, repeat, repeat, repeat, oh and frog, repeat, repeat.
Alice sighed and jumped off the boulder, and ran back to her friends.
>>>>><<<<<
“I think we should keep those names.” Leah said later that night. Alice, Ella, Claire and Kit sat up and looked at her. It was the first thing their friends had said to them since she did I-can-make-an-a-orge-collapse-for-who-knows-how.
“Why?” Kit asked.
Leah shifted on the ground. “I don’t think it would be a good idea if we said those were our names but we continue using our real ones. What if they report that we are Alliance, Erani, Nyx, Nerdia, and Xerywn. Then what do we do? It would also help to have an allis.”
Silence.
“I totally agree!!!! Yes and we should technically try using the imparter I brought so we can hail the others and they can tell us what happened to that orge you only-lord-knows to. BUT SOMEONE WON’T LET ME DO THAT. I WONDER WHO IT IS?” Alice or Alliance whatever screamed in her head.
“Okay, so it seems like a good idea?” Ella (Erani?) said, though her voice held doubt.
“Just do it you guys. Nyx, out.” Leah/Nyx said before she turned on her side and promptly fell asleep.
>>>>><<<<<
THWACK!
THWACK!THUD!
Alliance put one foot on the dagger she’d thrown into a nearby tree and stepped up. Using the daggers she’d brought, she had made them into a small ladder that would allow her to climb into a taller tree.
Once on the third dagger, Alliance reached down and pulled the first dagger out of the tree. Getting a comfortable grip, she swung and stabbed the dagger into the trunk. Red sap dripped out of the tree like blood and a little bit got on her wrist. She would wash it off later. Alliance repeated the process until she reached the top of the tree, which, like she’d hoped, had a resting spot.
She looked out at the forest, finding a spot in the trees with a clear view of the moon. The moonlight shining on her face, and there she made an oath, to protect her life, her friends life, and to get them out of this mess.
Alliance swiftly scalded down the tree, taking the daggers out as she did. Stowing them away she moved to their campsite.
>>>>><<<<<
“What is that?” Alliance asked the next morning. She barely had sleeping after her walk last night, and the sun was out, which blinded her that morning.
“Hello sleepyhead! Though It pained me, we needed to eat.” Nerdia grimaced as she pointed to Xerywn, who was grilling some fish? Five sticks sharpened to a point, and stuck in the ground, five pink blue fish were secured over a fire.
Alliance was slightly horrified.
“Yeah, I get what you’re feeling. It was hard since I killed them too.” Nerdia clenched her fists, water began to circle above her head. Alliance was surprised that her friend, Nerdia, who has always been horrified at death and loved anything that moved, could kill something.
“Nerdia, control.” Fins called from a nearby tree. She was tying up their few belongings that they’d gathered on the way. Her dark red scratch from a tree branch a few days ago had faded somewhat. Her hair, which had always been short, was a small ponytail.
Nerdia took a deep breath and slowly uncurled her fists, the water above her head turned to an aqua, the dark blue fading.
“Hey, where’s Nyx?” Alliance asked, hopping up. Xerywn looked up her white blond hair in a long braid. “Down by the creek.”
“Cool so- wait, creek?” Alliance asked, perplexed.
“Nerdia, would you like to explain?” Xerywn looked at Nerdia before quickly bussing herself with the slabs of wood they’d been using as plates. Alliance shook out her hair and looked at Nerdia expectantly.
“I sorta found a trickle of water this morning, and then made it bigger, but it’s fine,” she added quickly. “It already had a path like it was bigger.”
Alliance nodded, dismissing it, and reached for her satchel. She took out a hair tie and began to swiftly dutch braid one side of her head. Weaving strands of hair, back and forth.
Once she’d secured the braid in her ponytail, did Alliance notice something. “Where’s my sword?”
“Over here, I had to borrow it.” Fins admitted. With a few strides, Alliance was next to her friend, and her sword around her waist. “Just tell me next time.” Fins gave an eye roll and forced three long vines into Alliance’s hand. “Braid this.”
“Why?”
“Nyx has the plans.”
Alliance did not like the vagueness of it one bit, but she snatched the vines and went to work. In a few minutes, she had a long vine rope and the fish’s aroma was drifting through the air.
Alliance tossed the vines on the ground and announced that she was going to find Nyx. She saw Xerywn glance up at Nerdia before back down at the food, smiling.
After a few large rocks, two fallen down trees, and several mosquito attempts that ended with death, did Alliance reach the creek. She hid behind a tree and watch Nyx carve a tool out of a tree branch. Nyx sheathed her dagger and started to balance precariously on the few rocks in the creek. Then crouching, Nyx reached into the water, grimacing at the cold, and pulled out a fist full of mud. With mud in hand, Nyx carefully slathered mud over the wood making it a dark brown.
What happened next was very quick that if Alliance blinked, she would've missed it. Nyx put her hand into the water to relieve herself of a muddy hand, but instead screamed. Trying not to fall into the water, Nyx shot out her hands to stop her but only fell in.
Nyx wasn’t too soaked and Nerdia knew how to fix wet clothes, but her bottom half was dripping. Alliance stifled a laugh and sauntered down to the side of the creek.
“A little mishap eh partner.” she said, smiling and crossing her arms.
Nyx glared, and muttered a string of words that Alliance would never be allowed to say when they were in the Forbidden cities. “Hey cheer up, Nerdia’s gonna make you dry.”
“Just so you know, I knew you were there.” Nyx snapped. She trudged towards Alliance, the wood piece clutched in her hand. “Stupid crawdad.”
“Hey,” Alliance teased, playfully punching her friend's arm. “I thought you liked crawdads. Remember when we found like a million in the creek that one time, and caught one? Xerywn was excited about the possibility of cooking it like a survivalist, and Nerdia was horrified?”
Nyx allowed herself to smile at that, but it didn’t last long. “Yeah, that was before our problems started.” She dug her hands into the pocket of her sweatshirt, jostling it around. Alliance eyed the pocket, her mind racing a mile a minute. No, she would get that animal out later, and it would never enter the mile (or 1.60934 kilometers) radius again.
“My word! That’s hot!”
“It’s not that bad, and besides, it was cooked over a fire,” Fins pointed out when Nerdia took her first bite of fish.
Xerywn was expertly using her dagger to flay the fish. Alliance drummed her fingers on the wood slab that was her plate, her dagger on the ground next to her. Nyx was hunched over a wood project, her red bangs long. Fins was watching her sister intently twirling a stick in her fingers.
Xerywn passed out the food and they all ate, quickly and silently. “So, Nyx, what’s your project?” she asked smoothly, before turning and spitting out a fish bone. “Eh, nothing, just a thing that wasn’t going to work.” Nyx nibbled on a piece of fish. “So you didn’t need us to do anything for you?” Fins asked.
“Sorry for making you guys go through that.”
Nobody spoke for a few moments, though the place around them was anything but.
“Hey Nerdia, are you okay? You seem kind of pale.” Fins asked. Nerdia sat straight, her eyes focused on the pile of fish guts that she had Xerywn to thank for. “I am officially going to be sick,” Nerdia whispered. Then she jumped up and ran in the direction of the creek. At the sound of regurgitating Fins sighed and slowly walked towards the creek.
Alliance and Xerywn looked at each other, before they both jumped up and began to gather their things.
>>>>><<<<<
“Hey is it just me or have we walked through yet another forest?” Nyx asked as the fivesome were walking trying to find a place to camp. “What do you mean?” Fins asked slowly.
“When we first started,” Nyx began, moving her hands as she talked. “We were in a forest with brown trunked trees with heart-shaped purple leaves. Then when we had that little brawl with Ogre and Goblin we were in a forest with tall pine trees. It was like that for a while but then slowly it turned into almost jungle-like. Then redwoods, then now.”
Alliance thought about this as she changed her course of direction, she’d been drifting to the far east. She ran her hand against the white trunk of a birch tree, thinking. “So you’re saying that we’ve been traveling from different forests every day or so?”
“Yeah, I thought you guys would’ve noticed already.”
“Well it’s certainly beautiful.” Xerwyn breathed. Alliance servaded where they’d stopped, the leaves of the trees were a vibrant orange and dark red. And, unfortunately, there seemed to be no end. Or wait a second…
“Do you guys see that?” Xerwyn yelped. She was farther up ahead. Alliance followed her. “Do you hear that?” she whispered. Alliance nodded.
“Come on you guys!!!” Xerwyn shouted and ran ahead. Alliance waved her hand to motion the others to follow.
There was a large hill, covered in fallen leaves and slippery. Xerwyn ran and got down on the side of her legs and slid down, smoothly rising back up at the bottom. Alliance chose something different. She tugged off her gloves and clutched them in her left hand, all she needed was her right one. Alliance ran as fast as she could and jumped from the top of the hill. Flying in the air for a moment, defying gravity, felt amazing. But then it was gone and gravity began to work.
Alliance snapped and light shimmered. In a moment a golden colored light had created-
“You’re kidding! You made a parachute!!!” Nerdia’s voice called from below. She had created a water sled and behind her sat Fins and Nyx, who were holding on for dear life. Alliance nodded smugly.
Once she’d floated a few feet above the ground, Alliance flicked her wrist and she dropped to earth. “Look out!!!” Fins yelled as she, Nerdia and Nyx shot past. “Blast!” Alliance muttered before taking off after them, knowing that Xerwyn was up ahead.
Xerywn saw Nerdia, Fins, and Nyx before Alliance did. She blended in almost too well. Her brown vest was pulled tight over her tan tunic, and a pair of even darker brown leggings. But she couldn’t relax. Her foot was caught in a tree root, in the path of the oncoming sled. Xerwyn’s eyes widened. She started to frantically pull at her foot but nothing happened. She was stuck. Alliance was too far behind to do anything and Nerdia wasn’t strong enough and wasn’t advanced enough with her ability to stop it from moving. One hundred yards, seventy-five, fifty, twenty-five-
A pale green bubble formed around Xerwyn.
The sled approached.
And swerve around it.
Nerdia, Fins, and Nyx were sent sprawling landing in piles of leaves, the sled vaporizing into mist. The bubble around Xerwyn flickered, then disappeared. But she was still stuck. And Alliance was in awe. She quickly snapped out of it though, and began running towards her friends.
She’d helped get Xerwyn unstuck (It was going to be bruised but nothing too bad) and stormed over to the others. But before she could get a word out, something dashed behind a tree. A cloaked figure. She squinted hard into the misty woods. The figure glanced back, silver blue-bell eyes, looked back, then gone.
Alliance helped her friends up, and gave the universal ‘be quiet sign’. Nyx opened her mouth to speak but Alliance slapped her hand over her mouth before any noise came out. Nyx rolled her eyes.
Alliance looked at Fins and yelled her in mind. Fins flinched and answered. “Tell Nyx that if she talks, I will personally gag her.” Alliance ended the conversion, and turned to Xerwyn. Nyx sighed and Alliance glared over her shoulder. “You can walk right?” Xerwyn took a few steps and nodded.
“Nerdia, I’m not going to yell at you right now but could you-” the thick mist parted. Alliance nodded.
And so then, quickly, quietly, they moved on forward.
>>>>><<<<<
Alliance didn’t see the attack coming.
They stayed in the forest that night. A protection of mist around them was what they had for protection. And what Nyx teased about was “Alliance’s Wrath”.
Alliance was doing the patrol that night, walking around their campsite, poking the glowing embers from the fire, throwing daggers into the trunks of trees. She glanced at a calm looking Xerwyn, who was sleeping soundly, knowing she was lying about her ankle being fine.
Had they both seen it? Alliance only thought she did, maybe it was the runaway sense getting to her. Or was it? There couldn’t just be a-
Snap.
Alliance froze. Then she quickly grabbed a piece of dry wood and aimed it in the coals of the fire. A flame crept along the wood and she held up the torch. She glanced at her friends, they hadn’t woken. Alliance unsheathed her sword, squinting into the area that only the torch lighted.
She had no idea what was out there.
Something that was trying to get them?
The people Hydrina had warned them about?
Another Goblin or Ogre?
An animal?
A monster?
Alliance almost laughed at herself for thinking of the last one. There was no such thing as monsters. Only in books were there monsters. And the books were all fiction. Monsters where’t-
Snap.
Real?
Quickly, only partially thinking, Alliance ran to the nearest tree and set its lowest branches aflame. It crept along the branches at a slow rate, but its glow was needed. Fires had always given Alliance a sinking feeling in her chest, when a tree was on fire that is. A regular campsite she was fine with.
At least that fire didn’t smell like sugar.
Alliance repeated the action to other trees, the same blaze lighting everywhere. A glance back at the others, they were sleeping soundly, and ran into the dark. Leaving the fires behind.
In that short stay at the estate (as the fivesome had began to call it that) not only had they learned about elves and their games, abilities, and a bit of history, (as well as that horrifying ballroom dancing class) did they learn about their skills. Now, it seemed as if Xerwyn was the strongest in these areas, doing each flawlessly after a few tries, but the others had their tumbles. Fins, Alliance, Nerdia and Nyx had pretty good levitation and were shaky with their telekinesis. But any other skill, goodnight!
This was a moment that Alliance had wished she had trained harder in Darkness vision or to put it plainly, see in the dark. Her eyes were used to the dark, as she’d been patrolling, but it wasn’t the same as seeing. And not being able to see what she was going after, seemed very stupid after the thought.
She reached a circular clearing, Alliance’s sword in front of her. She looked at the gleaming blade, the moon’s reflection in it. She tilted it to have a new angle, and a dark thing lunged.
Alliance dove out of the way, skidding across orange leaves. A figure dashed through the trees from one to the next. And then-
Alliance clutched her head in pain, on the ground next to her, a pinecone. All that boiled up anger exploded.
She threw her hands around her, streams of silver light pouring out. With a quick snap a cluster of orbs floated around, but to only disappear seconds later. Alliance kept one hand on her sword and the other blasting light.
She saw the figure, only for a second but it was enough. A person, not an elf, her height, with a black hood and mask. And a long gleaming sword in its hand. Alliance charged at the figure. (Now, this was before she had true training, only with light wooden swords did she practice with at the estate)
The figure tossed its sword to the side and crouched to only kick out Alliance’s feet. She tumbled, losing grip on the sword. The figure jumped on top of her, pining Alliance’s arms to her side. A dagger glinted in the moonlight. With what remaining effort, Alliance snapped.
The figure was alarmed at the white orbs swirling about Alliance’s head, but not enough. But it was enough for Alliance to notice a few things.
Her attacker was a teenager around her age, possibly older.
A blond lock of hair escaped from behind her cloak.
And it was the same bluebell silver eyes she’d seen earlier.
Once the orb flickered out the girl put away her dagger and leapt off her. Alliance sprang to her feet at the ready. But the girl did not attack.
“The trees.” the girl said scratchley. “The roots. Save them.”
And then the figure was gone.
Alliance stood in awe for a moment, her mind reeling, then snapped back to action, and her actions coming back to her. Her sword was missing, she was missing from her campsite, and her friends may or may not be on fire.
Her hand went to her hilt, puzzled, she pulled out the sword. Same ol’ same ol’. “What the…” she whispered. Then sprinted back to the glow in the forest.
Yep, the nearby trees were on fire, but that wasn’t the impressive part.
Her friends were still sleeping.
Alliance did the best she could with slicing the charred limbs down and poking them into a larger area. She chewed her lip before waking her friend. Nerida rosed and asked groggily, “What?”
“Hey, it’s the middle of the night. Want to help me put out a fire?”
>>>>><<<<<
Nerida took an oath not to tell.
The fire was put out safely, and with the help of quickly fading orbs they were able to move the burnt wood out of the campsite.
“What happened?” Nerdia asked as she made a glass of water appear and took a sip.
Alliance sighed and fibbed “I thought there were some wolves out so I lit the fire again, and without thinking, got my torch too close to some of the limbs. I then fell asleep and woke up to find the limbs burning.”
Nerdia swirled the water in her water glass staring hard at it. “That doesn’t seem like you.”
Alliance looked up at the sky, which was getting brighter by the minute. “I haven’t been myself lately, must be the on the run thing getting to me.” Alliance stood up and busied herself with checking her sword.
Nerdia cleared her throat and the pop sounds of the water glass disappeared. “You wake the others.” Alliance pointed the tip of her sword at the sleeping three. “And we’re almost there. I can feel it.”
>>>>><<<<<
They walked on, the forest staying pretty much the same. Mist thick as ever, Nerdia constantly at work, Alliance’s eyes on the compass.
They had a fistful of berries that morning, and Alliance sent Nerdia ahead of everyone so she wouldn’t spill the beans, or let the cat out of the bag, or whatever.
Only till the sun started setting did the forest change.
“It’s changing.” Nyx announced though everyone could now tell. Brown trunks of trees, dark purple tear-drop shaped leaves. No leaf was on the lined grass, in fact the new forest looked fairytale-like.
The mist wasn’t as strong anymore, or maybe it was the same, but Nerdia didn’t have to work as hard to part it. The wind rustles the leaves and branches, a chitter in the distance. The eerie quiet of the previous forest was gone.
Night had then fallen. The moon was full and the perfect light.
Then Fins gasped. “What?” Nyx asked. Fins froze. “Do you hear that?” They all listened. “Water!” Nerdia said excitedly.
“Let's not get too excited, but I think we’re close.” Alliance warned. “Close to what?” Xerwyn asked. Alliance looked at her. “Close to where the compass has been taking us.”
“So that’s what you’ve been holding! Ah, that makes so much sense now?” Nyx exclaimed, smacking her forehead. Nerdia was confused. “What do you mean?”
“The object our leader here has been holding this entire time!”
“What? The compass?” Alliance asked, holding it up. Nyx nodded vigorously. “Yes!”
“You didn’t know what it was?” Xerwyn asked, frowning.
“No! Don’t you see? It’s more than just a compass, it’s a map, without a map!”
“I don’t get it.” Fins said after a moment.
“Don’t you see? Alliance said she had been leading up North, but we started our trek east. And if it’s North, then the North star should be there.” Nyx pointed up into the sky. “But we are currently heading not North. So that,” Nyx now pointed at the compass. “Doesn't point North.”
“So what you’re saying is that we’ve not been going North this entire time?” Nerdia asked astounded. Nyx nodded. “We’ve been going where the compass tells us to go.”
Now, Alliance was furious at Howell.
“Agh,” Alliance groaned and rested her forehead against a nearby tree trunk. “Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.”
“So, where are we going then?” Fins asked, seeming to read Alliance’s mind. Nyx shrugged, which wasn’t helpful.
“Well I say we keep going ‘North’ until we hit somewhere, because it seems like we are heading somewhere.” Xerwyn pointed out.
“Then let’s do that then. I’m for it.” Fins announced and kept moving on. The others followed but Alliance glanced back down at the compass one more time. She took a few steps and glanced down again. “Wait a second…”
Alliance looked ahead and her friends were heading in the right direction, but they switched course. North had moved.
Alliance squeezed the compass tightly and followed her friends.
The tree rustled. Hidden animals moved about. The moon shone. The stars twinkled. The forest was alive-
“Stop.” Xerwyn thrusted a hand out, clothes lining Nyx. She pointed with a shaky finger. “Light.”
A small sphere of light was up ahead. The sound of the water was getting stronger.
“Look! Another one!” Nerdia pointed to a second blue glow. Soon more and more began to appear. And the more they kept walking the more they appeared.
Alliance pulled down a low limb with a blue light thing down from a tree. Nestled in purple leaves was a blue ombre flower and in the center of the flower was a small blue orb. “The source…” Alliance wondered to herself.
“The river!” Nerdia took off. Everyone else took off after her. Nerdia was by the river bed, her hands soaking in the cool water. “This is amazing.” she sighed. It was a wide river, now not the mighty mississippi but a good twenty five yards.
Alliance looked down stream at a softer blue light in the river. She moved toward it and drew it closer with a branch. On a lily pad there was a giant flower, almost like a bigger version of what was on the trees but it had antenna-like things from the center.
“It’s beautiful.” Fins murmured as more lily pads lit up the river. “Come on.” Fins waved her hand forward. They traveled along the bank of the river, watching the lily pads light up as they passed them.
And then Alliance saw the orange light. She first figured it was a different lily pad but when a second one appeared, both on poles she thought otherwise. “Let’s keep going.”
They passed many things then. A few more orange light poles, several rowboats, more lily pads. The mist was gone. And something loomed in the river, on the sides of the river, and above.
A building. More like a giant treehouse, sorta. Poles were anchored into the river as support. A flat platform was above, with a railing and all. The other buildings were two hard to make out.
“Come on.” Alliance snapped and a bright white orb appeared in her hand. “How do we get up?” Nerdia asked in awe. Alliance looked at Xerwyn. “Levitation.”
They all floated up to the platform nearly failing. Xerwyn landed on the platform and it creaked a long and low note. She shrugged.
When Fins proclaimed that the platform was stable (enough) Alliance began to walk around. It was large. Fifty plus yards give or take. One way had a straight view of the river, the other sides lead up into wood buildings, each seeming to stack into place with one another. There was a large circle in the center of the platform, red paint flaking off. From what it seemed like, it was a trap door. On the far side of the platform stood a large building, seeming as the main part of the tree place.
Xerwyn found a small shed next to the far building and busted it open. “Whoa.” Nyx breathed. “That’s a lot of swords.”
“Why don’t we stay here?” Fins offered. “We could fix it up and have it as a place to stay.”
“Not a bad idea.” Alliance noted. “Or we should at least stay the night, check it out in the morning to see if it is at least liveable.”
“Sounds good to me,” Xerwyn nodded and immediately set down her pack and got out her blanket. The others did the same. “Night guys.” Fins whispered before conking out. The others soon followed.
Alliance’s brain worked as she slept, making out fragments of ideas that could be as good as eating sand. Her dream started happily, she was at her home beach in San Diego, playing with her friends, including her new friends. They walked on the boardwalk, laughing and talking. It was a sunny, perfect day, but then a storm rolled in as soon as it began. Her human family was swept off the boardwalk, soon followed by her new friends. She was able to keep her Fins, Nyx, Nerdia, and Xerwyn close but then.
Alliance woke. She rubbed her forehead, that nightmare had been popping up from time to time. More like every other night. “Hey hey hey, look, you are safe, your friends are safe, you human parents are safe. Now go to sleep.”
Alliance did as she told herself, assuring that everyone she cared about was safe, and they had to be.
Right?
== Chapter Twenty-Three: Erani's POV ==
She sniffed the air. What was that smell? She groaned. Oh no. Xerwyn must be cooking. Fins jammed her boots on, and attempted to brush the dirt and leaves from her tangled hair. She eventually gave up and pulled it into a bun, held up by her pin.
“Morning!” Xerwyn said cheerfully when Erani joined her and Alliance by the small campfire they were cooking over.
“What are you cooking?” Fins asked.
Xerwyn shrugged. “I read a book on different edible foods that grow in the wild about a month ago. I found some nuts and berries I’m pretty sure I saw in-what was it-chapter three?”
“Um, are you sure?”
Her sister shrugged again. “90% sure.”
Fins grimaced.
Alliance made a face behind Xerwyn’s back.
“M-hmm, I saw that.” Xerwyn told them.
“Whatever,” Alliance said, quickly changing the subject. “How’d you sleep?”
Fins shrugged. “I just need to get used to this.”
Alliance tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t we all.”
Xerwyn sighed. “It’s hard, but at least-”
She was cut off by a loud THUD.
Nerdia sat up.
Alliance touched her hilt.
No one said a word.
“What was that?” Nerdia finally whispered.
“Only one way to find out.” Alliance replied. She drew her sword and quietly walked toward the direction the sound had come from.
“Wait for me!” Fins told her and rushed after Alliance, who had already almost completely disappeared into the underbrush.
Xerwyn cracked her knuckles and followed, her hand on her own sword.
Fins glanced back to see Nerdia shaking Nyx, then the trees obscured them from view.
Xerwyn motioned for them to be quiet, and took the lead, carefully running around the leaves and twigs.
“OW!” A cry came from Nyx.
The trio froze, exchanged a look, then, after slight hesitation pushed further into the trees.
Fins followed behind Alliance, gripping her spear so tight her knuckles began to change colour. She really, really, really didn’t want to use it.
Xerwyn batted away a few more branches and then they were in a clearing.
There it was, the source of the noise, and for a second Erani wanted to laugh. But then she saw a flash of black, and heard a grunt. Her eyes darted to the source, a black cloak engulfing a person, about her height.
Alliance gasped.
Xerwyn’s eyes flitted in the direction of the figure.
The cloaked person turned, aware of their presence. A flash of recognition crossed their cobalt eyes, there was a grunt of frustration, and then they spun behind a tree, and was gone.
A hand tapped Erani on the shoulder. She screamed and spun around to find Nyx with an eyebrow raised in perfection.
“Seriously, stop doing that.”
Nyx sighed.
“What happened?” Nerdia asked. “Sorry we took so long to get here, somebody couldn’t find their shoes.” She glared at Nyx, who shrugged, unashamed.
Xerwyn rolled her eyes. “C’mon guys, we need to head back, the food’s probably getting stolen by a jackalope-”
Nyx’s head snapped in her direction, and her hand touched where her hoodie pocket normally was. “Oh no.”
“What did you do?” Nerdia asked.
Nyx didn’t answer, but spun on her heel and launched herself in the direction they came from.
“Seriously?” Xerwyn said, then raced after her, followed by everyone else.
Erani tore after her sister, but she was really getting worn out from all the running. Xerwyn, on the other hand, seemed stronger than she had ever been in San Diego. And everyone else, well they didn’t seem to mind.
Finally they stopped, back at their campsite, Erani panting.
“Seriously, Nyx, why did you run all the way back?” Nerdia asked. “ I know food is important to you, but can’t you give us a break?”
“Oh. My. God. Nyx. You. Did. Not.” Xerwyn pursed her lips.
Nyx mumbled something, and picked up the tiny jackalope and scratched it behind its ears.
“What? I-” Erani suddenly remembered it, the night they’d escaped, the jackalope, Xerwyn saying they shouldn’t keep it. “Oh.”
Xerwyn crossed her arms. “Nyx, please release the animal now. We’re having enough trouble finding food as is, we can’t be responsible for it.”“But it’s a baby, it can’t care for itself!” Nyx protested.
Erani and Nerdia sighed at the same time.
“Come guys, he’s just-”
Nyx’s protests were cut off by Nerdia. “Guys, where’s Alliance?”
Everyone looked at each other.
“This calls for a baymax quote.” Nyx decided.
“Oh-no.” The twins said in unison.
“Yep.” Nerdia agreed.
They crashed through the woods, back to where they had seen the cloaked figure.
There sitting on a rock, eyes closed, was Alliance. Spheres of light hovered around her, flickering every now and then, but right before disappearing, another would be created in its place.
“Alliance!” Nerdia ran to Alliance. Her eyes flicked open and the spheres dissipated.
“Come on,” Xerwyn pulled on her hair, “you gave us a heart attack!”
Nyx facepalmed. “We need to stick together guys.”
Alliance flushed and stood. “Sorry, I-”
Fins shushed her. “We should go eat, you know Xerwyn and Nyx get hangry. We can all explain once we get some food in us.”
Everyone silently trooped back to their fire and sleeping bags.
Xerwyn served breakfast for everyone, and they sat on their respective sleeping bags and ate quietly.
“Who wants to go first?” Alliance asked.
“What happened when you guys went into the woods?” Nerdia asked.
“So it turns out the noise was a tree,” Fins started.
“I gathered.” Nyx said.
“But then we saw this person there, they were wearing this black cloak and a mask, so we didn’t know what they looked like-”
“I do.” Alliance almost whispered.
Everyone swivelled to look at her.
“You what?” Xerwyn asked.
“Who is it?” Nyx said at the same time.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Erani wanted to know.
Alliance cleared her throat. “Last night, when I was on watch, I saw this person in a black cloak and mask. She had a weapon, they won. I wasn’t injured, but I only know two things about her. She has blond hair and blue-silver eyes.”
“Why do you keep saying ‘her’?” Nerdia asked.
“Her voice is feminine. She talked to me. She said something about saving the trees.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Fins asked again.
Alliance’s cheeks tinged red. “Sorry.”
Xerwyn sighed but let Alliance off the hook. “What do you think she meant by ‘save the trees’?”
“I don’t know.” Alliance admitted. “It didn’t make any sense to me.”
“What else did you observe about her?” Nyx said.
“She seemed weak, and tired, but not too much to fight me if she needed to.”
Nerdia pushed her plate to the side. “What do we do?”
A silence.
Nobody knew.
<><><><><><><>
“Should we check out the tree house today?” Nyx asked.
They had cleaned up their camping bags, and had cleaned up from breakfast, and informed everyone of what had happened earlier that morning. Eventually, after much arguing, and complaining, they had decided to keep the jackalope, much to Nyx’s satisfaction.
“Yeah,” Alliance agreed. “This is where Howell wanted us to go, right?”
“How ‘bout a vote?”Xerwyn suggested.
“All in favour, say aye.” Fins raised her hand.
A chorus of ‘aye’s’ followed.
“Okay, everyone make sure they have their stuff, and let’s go!” Alliance directed.
Nyx mumbled something, then took the lead, and climbed up the rickety ladder to the top of the tree house.
“Careful guys,” Alliance hissed.
Fins nodded, and pulled herself up the top step and onto a carpeted floor.
The room was plain, with a cabinet pushed in one corner, and a long dining table resting in the centre. A chest of drawers was pushed up against the wall. It was so dusty, everything seemed to have a grey tinge.
Xerwyn sneezed, earning a shush from Alliance.
Nerdia pulled a tissue out of her satchel, and offered it to Xerwyn.
Xerwyn accepted it gratefully.
“Do you think there’s anyone here?” Erani asked.
Alliance’s eyes darted around the room, and her hand noticeably stayed at her hilt. “What if that girl lives here?”
Nyx shrugged. “Seems possible. Anyone could have happened across it.”
Xerwyn adjusted the straps on her backpack. “Just be on the lookout for anyone.” She sneezed again.
Fins took a step forward and almost gave herself a heart attack when the floor creaked.
Nerdia glanced over, then turned to her friends. “Should we worry about stability?”
Nyx bit her nail. “Dunno. I think we should be cautious though.”
“Anyway,” Alliance said. “How should we do this?”
“Should we just go around and make sure no one’s here?” Fins suggested.
Nerdia thought about it. “I guess. But shouldn’t we make sure it’s safe first?”Xerwyn nodded. “Good point. You guys remember when Nyx’s tree house fell down?”
Alliance sighed.
“I built it with Alice when I was ten.” Nyx grumbled. “And besides the point anyways. We should first make sure no one’s here.”
“I agree.” Fins decided.
Xerwyn sneezed. “And then, can we please dust?”
“We should definitely clean.” Alliance agreed. “I refuse to live in all this dust and grime.” She frowned.
After some discussion it was agreed upon to split up and search the house for any signs of people living there.
Fins and Nyx went to the back of the first floor.
“Seriously?” Nyx asked. “We got stuck with the bedrooms, while Kitty gets to look at the loft?”
“It’s okay, maybe we’ll find something interesting,” Fins said.
Nyx shook her head. “Never mind, I’ll go across the hall, you check that one.” She pointed.
Fins pulled the door open and wiped her dust-coated hands on her pants. Maybe the dust itself was enough evidence that no one lived here.
She scanned the room. The walls were creamy white, the floor hard, rough wood, and a bed with white sheets and an inch-thick layer of dust, pushed into the corner.
She held her breath then dropped to the ground and looked under the bed, trying to stop herself from inhaling dust.
Nope, nothing.
Erani stood, and sneezed, then moved to the closet. It was empty. She was about to close it when something glinted and caught her eye. She stooped down and scooped up the small pendant in the shape of a swan, hanging from a delicate cord. She pocketed it and stood.
“Yo, ‘Rani,” Nyx called from the doorway.
Erani turned and they continued down the hall.
They didn’t find anything else in the room, but Erani couldn’t stop thinking about the necklace, she had a bad, bad feeling about it.
<><><><><><><>
“So, next we clean, right?” Nerdia asked, as they reconvened in the dining room.
“Yeah,” Xerwyn agreed. “How exactly are we going to clean?” Nyx said. “We don’t have any cleaning supplies on us.”
“Good point.” Alliance tapped her chin.
“I can take water from the stream,” Nerdia volunteered.
“Yeah, and I have my scarf we can use to dust, also I think I can find a few small pieces of fabric.” Erani added.
“How are we going to clean the floors?” Xerwyn pointed out.
“I think I saw a broom and mop in a closet on the second floor,” Alliance said.
Nyx tugged on her hoodie. “‘Kay, so we have a plan?”
Nerdia gathered water from the stream into buckets, and then, with the help of Nyx, carried them inside the tree house. Erani dug up a few small cloth objects they were able to use for dusting. And Alliance uncovered a broom, mop and scrub-brush, while Xerwyn took some tools she found in a closet, and began repairing everything in the tree house.
Then they got started in earnest, dusting, and sweeping everything they could, while suffering through Fins’ pop playlist.
“Do we really need to listen to this?” Xerwyn complained.
She was shushed by Nerdia, who didn’t want to hurt Erani’s feelings.
Once they were finished, Xerwyn and Nyx carried all the linens outside and dipped them in the stream, then Nerdia sucked the mostuire out of them, and they made up the beds. Meanwhile, Fins and Alliance tidied, sorted, and made a list of things they needed to repair/replace.
Then everyone regrouped outside for a late lunch.
“I think we did enough for one day,” Xerwyn decided.
“We need something to do with our time,” Nerdia said.
“We could nap!” Nyx exclaimed, excitedly.
“Can we explore the woods?” Alliance asked.
“Sounds fine to me, we have a few minutes until dinner-” Xerwyn was cut off by Fins.
“A few minutes until dinner? We’re literally still eating LUNCH.”
“Seriously, guys, a nap would be incredible-” Nyx tried again.
“I need to prepare for dinner though,” Xerwyn retorted. “And I need extra time to try and find something edible to eat.”
“You call this edible?” Alliance raised an eyebrow, pointing to her bowl of mashed sour berries.
Xerwyn straightened, and sniffed.
“Hey, guys-” Fins began.
“It’s not the most tasty,” Nerdia interrupted, “but none of us have died from Xerwyn’s food yet, so I count that as a plus.
Xerwyn beamed. “Thank you!”
Nyx opened her mouth. “Can we please nap-”
“How about this,” Alliance said, “Xerwyn starts dinner, while Nyx naps. The rest of us will explore the woods, and if we find anything we think might be remotely edible, we’ll bring it back with us.”
“‘Kay,” Fins agreed.
Nerdia shrugged.
Nyx smiled.
Xerwyn stood and started cleaning the dishes in the stream. “Don’t get lost, I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
With that, Nerdia, Erani, and Alliance climbed up, and headed off into the forest.
The last thing she heard was the quiet snoring of Nyx.
<><><><><><><>
“Do you think it’s safe to touch?” Nerdia asked.
The trio was standing in front of a bouncy mushroom.
Erani cocked her head at it, it came up to her waist and its top extended to almost two feet wide, it was in the middle of the swamp they had been wading through for the past fifteen minutes.
“Do you think Xerwyn would classify it as edible?” Alliance questioned.
Fins smiled. “Dunno, I think we should leave it alone, just in case. Come on.”
They slowly picked their way across the marshy ground, every now and then, their feet got stuck in the mud, and it took at least two people to pull them back out again.
“Doesn’t this mean there’s water nearby?” Fins asked.
“Yep,” Alliance confirmed.
“We should try going that way,” Nerdia pointed to a drier area with hard, cracked, ground, and giant rock piles, about a hundred yards away. “We’ll probably have better luck there, and I can’t leave one of my shoes here, I’m wearing the only pair I h-AAAAHHHHH!”
“What is it!?” Alliance and Erani called at the same time, moving as fast as they could over to Nerdia.
“Are you okay?” Alliance drew her sword.
“Yeah, I think so,” Nerdia slowly backed away from her position until she was up against a tree.
“What happened?” Fins asked, beside a few dirt splatters on her shirt, her friend otherwise seemed okay.
“I just felt something brush against my leg,” She looked into the murky depths. “It was alive, I saw it.”
“Okay, we should go now.” Alliance decided.
They followed her, moving as quickly as they could to leave the swamp.
Finally, the ground began to become more solid, they sat down, panting and warily looking at the muddy ground.
Nerdia shook mud out of her hair. “So what do we do next, I don’t want to meet any more of those.”
“I think it’s best we steer clear of those,” Alliance agreed.
“We can climb that cliff over there,” Erani pointed.
Alliance dragged her muddy hands over the mossy ground. “I can’t think of anything better to do, just be prepared.”
“Yeah,” Nerdia agreed.
They moved over to the cliff, and stared up at it for a few seconds. “Okay, does anyone know how to do this?” Nerdia asked.
“Don’t ask me,” Erani shrugged. “I’m not an athletic person.”
They both looked at Alliance. “I have some rope,” She said. “I think I might be able to climb up and tie it up there, then you guys can use it to climb up.”
“Seriously? You mountain climb?” Fins raised her eyebrows.
“Um, yeah-why are you looking at me like that?”
Nerdia and Erani sighed in sync.
Alliance shrugged and began to carefully climb up the cliff.
Nerdia and Erani watched her in silence.
Finally Alliance pulled herself over the top and disappeared from view. “I’m sending the rope down,” She yelled, “grab it and come on up, be careful!”
Erani grabbed the rope Nerdia right behind her, and used it to haul herself up the steep incline, proceeding slowly and trying not to scream every time Nerdia tugged on the rope beneath her.
Eventually, after what felt like eternity, but was probably only a few minutes, the two joined Alliance at the top.
“Took you long enough,” Alliance mumbled.
“Woah, check it out!” Nerdia ran over to the long stream that wound its way across the clearing. It trickled peacefully, purple lilies glittered on the surface, glowing gently in the darkening light.
“What are they?” Erani asked.
“How am I supposed to know?” Alliance said. “I would ask Xerwyn, she probably knows.”
“Can I take one back with us?”
“Um, be careful, please, it might be poisonous,” Alliance told her.
“Go for it.” Erani said at the same time.
“Okay,” Nerdia experimentally poked one of the petals.
Everyone waited.
Nerdia picked up one of the giant flowers, and cradled it in her hands.
Just then Alliance’s imparter buzzed, she pulled it out of her pocket.
“Guys, dinner’s ready,” Xerwyn said.
“‘Kay, we’ll be right there.” Alliance responded.
Then they wove their way around the swamp, and back to camp.
<><><><><><><>
“There you are!” Xerwyn cried, immediately as she saw them. “Come on, hurry up, the food’s getting cold.”
“What did you cook?” Nerdia asked, suspiciously.
Xerwyn shrugged. “I found some tasty squash-at least I think it’s squash?” She frowned.
Everyone sat down.
“So, did you guys find anything interesting?” Nyx asked, grimacing as she swallowed a piece of the so-called-squash.
“Not really,” Alliance said.
“We found another stream!” Nerdia exclaimed. “And these were in the water.” She pulled the lilly from her pocket.
Fins sighed. “That was it, besides a swamp and a cliff.”
“Wait,” Nyx paused, mid feeding her jackalope. “Is that flower glowing?”
“Yes!” Nerdia bobbed her head, happily.
“Isn’t it cool?” Alliance agreed.
“And there’s a dozen more like it,” Fins informed them.
“We should all go there,” Xerwyn decided.
“Tonight?” Alliance asked.
“Well, yeah, the lilies aren’t going to look as cool in the day-time,” Xerwyn pointed out.
“It would be fun,” Nyx agreed.
The jackalope crunched down on the “squash”, as if it was the best thing in the world.
“How will we avoid the swamp?” Nerdia worried.
“We can go around it,” Alliance said, confidently.
“I’m not sure I trust your sense of direction,” Xerwyn said.
“I’m not sure I trust your cooking,” Alliance retorted.
“What’s that?” Xerwyn asked, deadly-sweet.
“Nothing.”
“Anyway,” Fins said, changing the subject to avoid Alliance getting punched by Xerwyn. “Have you decided on a name for the jackalope, Nyx?”
“As a matter of fact I have, I shall call him Charlie, for the time being.”
“Awww, adorable!!” Nerdia gently petted the small creature.
Alliance sent it a death glare.
Xerwyn patted his head.
Erani extended a finger to the jackalope, and he sniffed it, then let her rub him behind the ears.
Alliance humphed.
Nyx laughed, then whispered to Fins. “She secretly loves him,”
“Of course,” Xerwyn agreed.
They all giggled.
Alliance rolled her eyes. “Can we go to the stream now?”
<><><><><><><>
“It’s gorgeous,” Nyx commented, when they finally reached the stream, after many detours, and grumbling about Alliance’s sense of direction being terrible.
“Wow, what do you think it is that causes them to glow?” Xerwyn asked, awed.
Alliance hopped out on the rocks then sat down and crossed her legs, meditating.
Nerdia made figures from the water, and Fins started guessing them, while Xerwyn and Nyx laid on their backs and found different constellations in the sky.
“Um, Leia!” Erani guessed.
Nerdia nodded, then changed the shape. “Oh! That’s Percy!”
Nerdia shook her head. “Nope!” She changed the shape again.
Five blurry water figures hovered in the air.
“Hmmm…Wait, is that us?”
Nerdia laughed. “Correct!”
“Do we seriously look like that?” Alliance called from her rock.
“Yep!” Nerdia confirmed.
“My goodness, I look dashing,” Nyx wiggled her eyebrows, coming over.
They all laughed.
“My turn!” Alliance said, she jumped the space between her rock and the ground. “Watch.” She spun her orbs of light and they grew into figures.
“Harry!” Nyx immediately shouted.
“Nope.” Alliance declared.
“Oh.” Nyx sighed.
They went back and forth, until Xerwyn decided it was time for them all to go to bed.
They grudgingly agreed she was right, and went back to the treehouse.
Once everything and everyone was quiet, Erani felt calm and at peace.
She thought over her day, it had been successful, all in all. They had fixed up the treehouse, found the stream, and well, they knew they could leave in the tree house, since no one else was there-the pendant.
Erani tumbled off her bed, and stumbled into her bag, she pulled out her flashlight, and dug around until she found the shiny swan pendant. It gleamed in the dim light.
Erani felt a sense of familiarity, as though she had seen it before.
But that didn’t make any sense. She looked at the swan one last time, then shoved it deep within the depths of her satchel.
But even once she was back in bed, and the pendant was put away, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Why did she recognize it?
What did it mean?
== Chapter Twenty-Four: Nerdia's POV ==
Nerida rushed back to the treehouse with her friends. When they all reached there, Nyx grumbled “I’m going to look for a bath,” and trudged down the hallways. Erani cautiously popped one of Xerwyn’s berries in her mouth, swallowed, and counted slowly to 10. After that, she opened her eyes. “I’m not dead!” she cheered. “Such faith,” Xerwyn sighed. “There was a ten percent chance of death,” Erani reminded her. “Anyways, where’s Alliance?” “Helping Nyx look for a bath?” Nerida guessed. “I think I might explore,” Nerida said. “Don’t get lost!” Erani said cheerfully, eating another berry, and then promptly spat it out. “What IS this thing?” She asked Xerwyn with a murderous look. “My taste buds just withered up and died. At least five times!” Xerwyn made the smart decision and mumbled something about getting changed. Nerida headed out, and did Eeny Meeny Miny Moe to decide whether to go left or right. She turned left. Eventually, after going left, left, right, straight, left, straight, straight, left, she reached a locked door. “Oh poo,” Nerida said, and kicked the door. It wobbled. She kicked it again, It wobbled again. After kicking for a while, Nerida decided to try the door again. She twisted the door handle and pushed. It didn’t work. “Hmmm…” Nerida thought, and pulled the door. It opened. “Great,” She grumbled. “It wasn’t unlocked. Yay.” When she stepped into the room, all thoughts of murdering the door vanished. It was another weaponry room thing, but twice the size and had all different kinds of deadly sharp stuff. Swords hung from the walls, there were boxes of daggers, mountains of arrows lined up neatly in their quivers. “Wow,” Nerida breathed. A small chest caught her eye. Nerida pushed the lid off and found throwing stars, all sharpened and polished. Excitedly, Nerida picked up one, carefully, and placed then placed it back. She opened another door and pulled-not pushed. It swung open to reveal a training ground with wooden dummies, archery targets, and so much more. There was even a boxing ring! Nerida found a small black coat that hung on a clothes hanger. Hidden inside the cloak were little straps to hide knifes, swords, and throwing stars. She quickly ran out to find her friends
Erani was still in the same spot, now reading a book. “Erani,” Nerida said. “Where are the others?” She looked up from the book. “Gathering more berries. Why?” Nerida quickly explained what she found, and Erani put her book down, excitedly. “Can you show me? The others won’t be back for another fifteen minutes.” Nerida showed Erani the door to the room, and Erani tried opening the door. “It’s locked.” “No, you need to pull,” Nerida corrected. “Oh,” Erani said, laughing. As soon as they went in, Nerida grabbed the throwing stars, eager to try. “How do you throw this?” she asked Erani. “Like a frisbee?” Erani guessed. After a few tries, Nerida got it right. “It’s a deadly frisbee!” They quickly raided the room, and left again.
“Hello? Heeeellooooo?”
“What’s that?” Erani asked. 
“It sounded like Asher,” Nerida mused. 
Erani gasped. “The imparter!”. They ran to the imparter, and saw Asher peering out through the tiny screen. “Holy Mallowmelt, where are you?” He said incredulously. 
“The forest”, Erain said vaguely, waving her hand in the air. “What are you doing?” 
“You need to come to the mysterium. Now.” 
“Why?” Nerida asked, finally. 
“I can’t explain. Just hurry! Also, what are those berries doing on the table? Don’t eat the pink one, you’ll have horrible cramps for days.” “What?” Erani asked. “I almost ate that one! But I spat it out.” She said thoughtfully. “Huh,” he said. “Now hurry!”
And with a shimmer of light, Asher's face was gone. 
“What should we do?” Erani asked. “Get the others,” Nerida said. 
“But we don’t have a phone! And even if we did, there’s no internet!” “Are you a telepath, or not!” 
“Oh, good point!” Erani spoke to the others via Telepathy. 
“We’re here!” Alliance called. "Let’s go! Xerwyn cheered. “Vamanos!” She fumbled with the leaping crystal. 
“Aren’t we going to apparate there?” Alliance asked. 
“We are not in Harry Potter,” Nyx said sarcastically. 
“Oh yeah…” Xerwyn held up a leaping crystal to the light. “Where did you get that?” Nerida wondered. “Irrelevant!” Xerwyn replied. After a few attempts, they were still on ground. And not where we wanted to go. 
“Great.” Nyx sighed. “Just great. We are going to be stuck here forever with nowhere to go, forced to eat Xerwyns berries for the rest of our lives."
“Hey!”
“Sorry, I can’t help it. I’m a pessimist!” 
Xerwyn glared at Nyx, then held up the crystal one last time and Nerida stood under the beam with her friends. Soon, she felt herself getting whisked away, off to the mysterium.
== Chapter Twenty-Five: Nyx's POV ==
Leah (or Nyx, she supposed now) stumbled onto the marble floor, narrowly missing an elderly troll couple. Her apology came out as a stumble of words; as she tried finishing the side effects of the leap.
“Right, there seem to be a lot of people here. I suppose it is working hours but I thought this was a ‘smaller, working class city’, isn’t that was Crestor said in one of the lessons?”” Alliance queried. The rush of the crowd almost buried her voice away, proving her point effectively.
Nerida stood up, brushing non-existent dirt off her dress, “This is probably the city centre but it does look like they have an event or a fare going on…”
“Yeah, it looks like the equivalent of Christmas in New York or something.” Nyx noted. Mysterium may have been ‘small’ but it was a city that was completely filled, everyplace possible and imaginable.
A few houses laid in the setting, dotted here and there but they were nearly invisible compared to the neighbouring buildings; covered in temporary, pastel decorations and ornaments. A bizarre piece of architecture that caught Nyx’s eye (named as ‘Slurps and Burps’) was a building like no other. Sharp and bold angles, but also tall and lean with a rainbow coating. Curvy, creative and certainly chaotic.
Around them, large groups of elves hurled past them, their hands filled with shopping bags and their faces filled with youth that can only come from a day filled with laughter and enjoyment. A burly but miniature ogre –resting in a wheelchair- was pointing at a map with his lumpy, scaled fingers. Names of nearby streets were pinned on the map, ‘Jewellers Justice’ and ‘Devil’s Desert’, proving that each street was designated and assigned its own specific item(s) or objects to sell. Personally, she was hoping they could check ‘Devil’s Desert’ first. After all, the few days she had spent with the trouble-making and noisy group of boys, had told her all about their preferences.
She was also silently praying, the elves had ice cream.
“Whoa, they have medieval style market stalls.”
Along with the standard stores, there were also ‘tent’ like stalls which were the perfect mix of medieval and modern, like a writer stirring the lines of the past and future in a novel. Nyx had to stand on her toes to peer at them, they were normal enough. Too normal enough. You could hear the gnomes striking up deals or the occasional frustrated customer. She was almost disappointed (I mean, where was the Harry Potter magic, they were elves) until the delectable aroma that had been wandering around for quite a while, reached her nose. It brang with it, thoughts of affection and longing. A potion? Or maybe just a normal dish?
She ignored the sudden smell, instead focusing on how she had never seen the culture of the species until now. She had been served a simple black-and white platter of a civil and boring kind, naïve enough to believe it. But here, there wasn’t a ‘platter’. Instead, there was a feast with all the possible dishes you could think of.
Where was the harsh, simple mask they presented to the outside world now? Broken only for a day? Or simply a cover up that hid all this.
Nyx stood up and glanced at Alliance expectantly, over the last few days they had been accustomed to her leading the group.
“So where exactly are we going Commander Alliance?”
Alliance stopped immediately, causing everyone to topple over each other like a child pushing its domino pieces. Down like blocks they went.
“Sorry, we seem to be doing that a lot recently.” she replied apologetically.
“Yeah, but back to the question. Nyx is right, we don’t even know where to meet up. And gosh, no one brought the imparter did they?” Everyone stared at their feet awkwardly, whilst Xerwyn rubbed her temples anxiously.
“Let’s just calm down for a second. Cl- I mean Xerwyn deep breaths. We’ll think of a plan, and there you go. I can already see that our genius Erani here, has already thought of one.”
“Well, why don’t we split up? After 20 minutes, we’ll come back to this meeting spot. I’ll use my telepathy if we’re not all here by that time, but I highly doubt I’ll be able to. I would try find the boys now but there’s way too much noise here. Anyways, there are all these security guards, I’m sure we can ask someone for directions or help.” Fins proposed.
The group disbanded, a pair and a trio on their way to navigate a city they had never been in, hoping to find a group of teenage boys who probably didn’t have the best news either.
***
“This’ll be quick. Hopefully.” Alliance muttered something incoherent (seemed likes she’d be doing that a lot as well) and dragged Nyx past the main army of stalls. If they weren’t here for a meeting/reunion, Nyx would have probably wandered around this wonderland for hours.
After looking around for a good 5 minutes, they finally decided to ask help from one of the stall owners, her store advertised for ‘cuisine of delights’.
“Looks promising.” Nyx glanced at her friend and they approached the elven woman. She was a tall, plump woman with tired, hooded eyes and a face etched with concentration as if she was trying to remember something. As they approached, she seemed to brighten a bit.
“Morning. What can I get you two?”
“Oh, we’re actually looking for a group of people. Have you seen 5 teenage boys around the age of 14 or 15?”. She was quite for a while before replying,
“I’m afraid I don’t remember. See, the café’s really quite big and I can’t recall everyone that comes. Really sorry though.” Nyx wondered if the woman was running on low sleep.
“I’m sorry but café?” Alliance asked.
“Yeah, behind this curtain of course. All stalls are made that way.” She followed the direction the woman’s hand was pointing, but it just seemed to confuse her more. Supposedly, there was a whole café in an area that could possibly, only fit a single person. Sandwiched between the back of the stall and a curtain at the front, was the ‘Cuisine of Delights’.
“Knowing them, they probably got hungry half way.” Nyx reasoned, to which her companion hesitantly but eventually agreed to. They moved the curtain and walked in, the ripe shock and disbelief on their faces never leaving.
The inside of what was ‘meant’ to be a small storage room, was a cozy café the size of a school playground.
“Please tell me I’m not hallucinating.”
“I would but maybe Claire put something in those breakfast smoothies, I don’t trust mushrooms now. Anyways, this is what I call real magic “she took Alliance’s hand and dragged her, to what seemed like a waiting area.
If only we had money, she thought. She was searching the café for any signs of the wanted troublemakers, whilst Alliance sat down on a chair fidgeting.
There were a dozen tables in a corner alone, with all the species huddled. Some seem to have come with their families, some were on dates, whilst there were also young teenage groups reuniting. There was a blind dwarf, wandering around with her walking stick, slowly being guided by an olive-coloured hand belonging to a young boy. The scene reminded her of their local café neighbouring the school, but on a much bigger scale.
“Have you ever thought about going home?”
“Pardon?” Nyx studied her friends face, firm but thoughtful.
“You know, I think it’s time we finally talk about this and how it’s so unnatural.
One day, our friend has an ability allowing her to control water. That in itself is super weird. Then, a teenage girl comes up to us whilst we’re at the beach giving us a weird crystal thing which magically transports us. Oh and then we travel a forest which (and as a person who has read a bunch of novels) has really foreboding signs. We come to this mansion, find out we’re ELVES and some of us trigger abilities, “she stopped for breath before adding,
“Crestor gives us these lessons and we’re made to think, that we actually belong here. The elven government is after us, we’re living on suspicious mushrooms and staying in a treehouse. A treehouse that could break any time, because it feels like it’s a hundreds year old.”
They both shuddered, a memory of a wreckage of wooden planks and leaves in her garden emerging.
“Nyx, we lived as humans for 14 YEARS with homes and a school. Siblings who cared for us, parents (who may have not showed it) that loved us. And we throw that away like an old possession, because of some fantasy story where we have powers and are wanted. If wanting to keep your friends and family in a safe place, away from death threats, is selfish,”
She stared at her, with a challenging look in her eyes. “Then that makes me a selfish villain, doesn’t it?”
“Does it though? Because if it does, well that makes 2 selfish villains, doesn’t it? Caring and fighting the world for someone, doesn’t make us selfish. It makes us humans; rather than some weird, angelic heroines who are ‘amazing’ with their hair/face perfect at all times and always smiling. Villains are thought of as evil right, but some of them are brought up in a much different way, fighting for a good cause in the WRONG manner.
Whilst some are literally insane.
And for the record, if you plan on world dominance I will eagerly slap some common sense into you. Then I’ll ask you, why you left me out of the plan.”
At the same time, they both snorted. In a few seconds, they were clutching their stomachs, both out of breath.
“We- we sounded like characters from My Little Pony.”
“Shut up, I had a completely correct point.” Alliance was laughing-crying now, with some by-standers watching curiously.
“You know, you really did. But we would never be able to live a normal life again though, would we? Until we learn how to use and control these abilities, we’re a danger to our families. It’s also much too big of a coincidence that 5 friends, who lived in the same neighbourhood and all had foster parents, would happen to all be elves. I think its best we figure out this mystery first, don’t we? And if that means battling some annoying elves, sure I guess. We all have dreams and ambitions, and I can’t live with my army in a world so messed up.”
Alliance slowly turned to her, “Army?”
“Yeah, I’m going to adopt 5-6 kids. Give them a safe house and life and I’ll tell them hero stories EVERY NIGHT, like an amazing army mother. Oh and feed them Mallowmelt. What about you?”
“Truthfully, no idea. I’ll just see what life gives me.”
“Honestly, better than Asher. He said he wanted to be a teacher in a school, and annoy his students every day. Mentioned something about a trick-question test.”
They were both laughing on the floor now, each forgetting they were in a café filled with magical species. Nyx helped up her shaking friend, and once they were 100% sure that they boys weren’t here, they decided to leave and continue their search somewhere-else.
Though she still wondered, what would Alliance be?
A leader, a voice told her.
Fitting, she thought and a huge grin appeared.
Especially, after that mini speech.
***
The ‘search somewhere-else’ turned out to be 3 other stalls, Slurps and Burps (her favourite experience) and...
The library?
She had insisted that they would definitely not find the boys here, but Alliance used the excuse of ‘research’ and she was now leaning on a bookshelf.
The library was something Nyx called ‘Hogwart style’. A spiral staircase, never mind, TWO spiral staircases. A dark setting with lamps set up -even though it was still noon- mazes of cupboards, an alchemy lab and the unmistakable scent of burning?? Stained windows-
She almost squealed from suprsie, when gazing outside the window.
“Psst.” Nyx nudged her companions elbow urgently.
“What is it? I’m trying to find a book here.” Alliance whispered back and returned to searching for her mysterious book. Outside the window, Nyx could see Asher running around frantically.
Several heads turned in Mysterium Library as an impatient teenager dragged her protesting friend outside, and ran after a seemingly crazy boy travelling in circles.
“Lea-, I mean Nyx. WHATEVER the name, why would you do that!?”
“Does that answer your question? THAT’S what they’ve been doing, and we really wasted about half an hour in searching.” They both crept up on Asher from behind and Nyx tackled him onto the ground from the back. Asher, supposedly thinking he had been ambushed, vanished.
“Asher it’s us. Ok this should work. Mallarkey is my best friend.”
Asher appeared again, sighing with relief. Alliance, on the other hand, stared at her with a cloud of disbelief in her eyes.
“Mallawhat?”
“Code word, also apparently Asher’s middle name. Still think he’s lying though. Now sir, what is troubling your mind so much today, that your spinning around in circles? And why are you ALONE.”
“I got lost, I think.”
“You think…? Is he ok?” Now that Nyx thought about it, he did look slightly dazed. Before she could think about it in detail, a strained voice entered her head.
FINALLY. -Erani
Nyx and Alliance collectively winced.
Sorry, it took me 10 minutes to find you guys. –Erani
Hey, Era. And jeez, you can be lloud. -Nyx
First off, Era? Second, let me just tell the others I managed to contact you. –Erani
Ok, I’m back. And I’ve asked Alliance, she said ASHER’S DRUNK!? –Erani
He’s not drunk. Well maybe. So, did you find the guys? –Nyx
Yeah, we found them. Took like 9 different stores but guess where they were? Looking at LOVE potions!? -Erani
Oh god, are they all cursed or something? Anyways, where are you? -Nyx
We’re back at the leaping spot. Let me just tell Alliance, also there might just be a tiny argument going on. I can’t say much right now. -Erani
Before she could ask what they were arguing about, the connection was cut off and her mind returned back to its original state, her thoughts swarming around like bees.
10 minutes later –a little longer than Alliance and Nyx wanted, due to Asher repeatedly vanishing and running off like a child- they were all successfully back at their leaping spot. The bickering from the group finally stopped when the trio arrived.
“Alliance, Nyx! Please tell me you’re not going to agree with their stupid plan.” Claire looked at them earnestly, what had they said for such a commotion?
“Oh come on Claire! We need to be ahead of the Neverseen AND the Elven government. This is such a good chance; we can’t just lose that.” Howell looked at them in the same desperate way. Nyx could only stare at their faces, like a helpless judge.
“What happened to Asher?” Nerida asked.
“I’m in love” he whispered breathlessly and sat down on the floor.
Howell and Lei looked at each other briefly but turned away.
“What in the world did you two do!? Anyways, what happened?” Nyx made sure she blocked Asher’s path, before he could run off again.
“Right. I’ll explain. Otherwise, this is all going to be a huge mess with everyone arguing and interrupting.” Zoran glared at them all, and started his explanation (surprisingly without any interruptions or distractions).
***
“So you’re telling me that Crestor wants us to go to this school called Exellium, filled with banished children, wearing black hoods like the Grim Reaper.” Alliance started slowly.
“And look for a dangerous spy, working for a deadly group, possibly preparing our graves.” Nyx added.
“Graves? And yeah, but it’ll be less dangerous than that.” Zoran said it so matter-of-factly like it was really, a normal everyday hobby.
“Your elves, you have abilities. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe and you have great backup here.”
“Backup? A group of teenage boys who rarely have plans for anything?” Nyx raised an eyebrow.
“Exactly, this is ridiculous. First its running into a forest with barely any resources. And now THIS. We’re thought of as ‘criminals’ but then we’re also expected to help the same people who put that name on us?" Claire glared at the group before adding,
"Then there’s the very obvious fact that we’re 14, 15 year olds with NO experience. You think a few abilities and these skills, we’ve barely mastered are going to save us from these experienced groups? I would really like to see you do it. But that’s the problem here. It’s you and your whole government’s fault. You ‘lead’ but you let others do your dirty work for you. You pretend to strive, whilst the elves sacrificing their lives suffer in silence.” Xerwyn walked away fuming, leaving some heads bowed down with silent guilt.
“I’m going to find Xerwyn- “
Nyx was about to leave until Erani stopped her first.
“Just stay here, I’ll go.”
Nyx sat down on the floor next to Asher. Xerwyn was right and it was time Crestor realised that. They were barely trained and in some cases barely skilled. She couldn’t even figure out the way to use her skills effectively and causing someone to drop unconscious was the last thing she wanted to do on a daily basis.
“We’ll discuss this later. What’s important right now, is that you guys are staying somewhere safe. Where are you staying?” Ace raised a concerned eyebrow.
“Some abandoned treehouse we managed to find. It’s pretty camouflaged and the rooms are pretty cool. I think there’s a river behind it, I can’t remember.” Nyx gave them a vague response, partly because she was still confused with the whole Exellium situation and partly because she didn’t need them stalking them, demanding everyone to go on the mission.
Not like that they would do that.
But who knew?
“The one I told you about?” Howell pressed on.
“What are you talking about mate? Oh. OH.” Asher was finally out of his ‘lover’ phase and realisation dawned upon him.
“It must be Fallen Point.”
== Chapter Twenty-Six: Erani's POV ==
“ERA! WAKE UP I REFUSE TO NOT LET YOU SUFFER THROUGH XERWYN’S SMOOTHIES LIKE THE REST OF US!”
Erani screamed and sat up, the voice ringing in her ear. “Ow!” She complained. “Seriously, Nyx?”
Nyx shrugged, leaning over her, red bangs bouncing as she shifted from foot to foot.
They had gotten back to Fallon Point late, and the girls agreed they would grill the boys for answers in the morning, the last Erani remembered was Alliance trying to make Xerwyn promise she wouldn’t use mushrooms in the following days’ meals. Apparently she hadn’t been successful.
Erani rubbed her forehead, and dropped her legs over the side of the bed. “What time is it?”
“Eh, ‘bout six thirty.”
“Six thirty!”
Nyx smirked. “I let you sleep in,”
Erani shot her friend a glare, and that’s when she noticed Nyx’s outfit. She wore a black blouse over equally loose grey pants, that poofed above tall brown boots, a necklace wound around her neck, containing a single round bead with a blue crystal in the centre. A dark scarf wrapped around her neck, and trailed down her back. 
“What are you wearing?” 
Nyx spun. “Exillum uniform, they sent them last night, like it?”
Erani cocked her head. “What’s with the necklace?” 
Nyx fingered the bead. “A leaping crystal, everyday they move around, and set up camp in different places, so they give you one of these at the end of everyday for the next day. Here.” She tossed her a grey sack. “Get changed, and hurry up if you want breakfast,” Her eyes twinkled, “we need to be there by seven.”
Erani sighed and yanked on the pants, they were surprisingly comfortable, and pulled her hair back into a tiny ponytail. She couldn’t help but notice it had grown out, revealing her brown hair underneath. She sighed and picked up her satchel, then was about to leave when she ran into Xerwyn.
“Oh, good you’re up,” She was wearing tall socks and waving a single boot around. “Have you seen my other boot?”
Erani tossed her bangs out of her eyes. “Nope. I think I have an extra pair if you want?”
Xerwyn shrugged. “Sure,” she tossed her boot over her shoulder, accidentally nailing Alliance in the head as she passed by. 
“Hey!” Alliance spun around. “What was that for?”
“Sorry!” Xerwyn chuckled nervously. 
Alliance cocked an eyebrow.
Nerdia stepped into the room, slurping one of Xerwyn’s green mushroom and leaf smoothies. She made a face. “What did you put in this?” 
Xerwyn huffed. “You aren’t dead are you?”
“Yet.” Alliance muttered, still miffed about being hit in the face with a flying boot.
Nyx bounced into the corridor, Asher in tow. “I’m pretty sure we’ll all be if we’re forced to keep drinking these,” 
Asher mumbled in agreement under his breath.
Xerwyn folded her arms and rolled eyes. 
Nerdia, pulled at one strand of hair that wasn’t tucked under a dark scarf like Nyx’s. “I think we should stick to berries.”
Zoran and Ace rounded the curve into the hall, talking. 
“-if they were there-” Ace faltered mid sentence, when he caught sight of all the girls staring at him. 
Nyx, Nerdia, Erani, Alliance and Xerwyn all put their hands on their hips in sync, and raised their eyebrows.
“If who was where?” Nyx asked. 
Zoran’s eyes flicked from Ace, to Erani, to Nyx, then back again. 
“We-we were uh-”
Ace was saved from further explanation when Howell burst into the room. “Guys! You’re late! Never be late on the first day of school!”
Xerwyn pursed her lips and raised her leaping crystal. 
Erani shot Zoran a look, and transmitted a thought to him. We will talk about this when I get back.
He gulped and gave her a slight nod.
She raised her eyebrows, then angled the crystal in her necklace towards the light and disappeared. 
><  ><  ><
“Where the heck are we?” Nerdia asked, once all five of the girls had lightleaped successfully to exilium.
There was nothing in sight except an empty clearing filled with scraggly grass and thick mud. Around the clearing stood thick thorn bushes, choking every tree and plant, leaving the entire place with a feeling of gloom, darkness, and death.
“Shouldn’t there be a building here?” Alliance asked.
There should’ve been, but all Erani saw was a sharp black archway looming over them, she stepped under it and looked up at the meticulously carved stone.
Nyx frowned. “And people?”
Nerdia blinked. “Oh, I think I-”
A rope lashed around Erani’s ankle and she found herself hanging upside down, face-to-face with her sister. 
“-know what’s supposed to happen.” Nerdia finished, with a grimace, as Nyx and Alliance flew up next ropes wrapping around their legs. 
“Seriously?” Alliance yanked out a dagger and began hacking away at her rope with a vengeance that reminded Erani never to get on her bad side. 
She twisted her body as much as was possible, trying to find a way to free herself. 
“So, what’s the point of this?” Nyx asked, crossing her arms. 
Nerdia pulled at her rope. “A test.”
“A test of what? How long it takes for someone to pass out when they’re hanging upside down from their ankles?” Nyx rolled her eyes, voice dripping with sarcasm. 
Nerdia ignored the comment. “To see if you’re worthy, I think. I kinda skimmed that part.”
Xerywn camly tugged at her knot. “It’s to decide where you belong,”
“What?” Alliance took a second to stop attacking her rope. 
“They have three different classes, groups, each targets a different type of person,” Xerwyn explained. “Asher told me,”
“And they use this test to decide which one you belong in?” Erani clarified. 
“It’s-” Nerdia started, but was interrupted by a loud SNAP. 
Alliance let out a yelp as her rope gave out and she plummeted to the ground. 
Xerwyn  turned her head at an impossible angle, and thrust her hand out at the last second. 
Alliance kept screaming until she opened her eyes and realised Xerwyn was levitating her a few feet off the ground. “Oh.” 
“Are you okay?” Nerdia asked, her brow furrowed. 
“I’m fine,” Alliance assured her, rubbing her ankle. 
Erani turned to her twin. “How did you do that?”
“Yeah,” Nyx said, temporarily forgetting she was hanging from her foot. “We only had a week or two of training with skills,”
“I have fast reflexes, and I’m a quick learner, so maybe that’s it?” Xerwyn suggested. 
Nerdia cocked her head. “I don’t know…”
“But, I think I might have a plan to get us all down,” Xerwyn said, changing the subject. “You guys just stay there. Alliance, could you cut this?”
Alliance whipped out another dagger, and sawed away at the rope tied around her ankles. 
Meanwhile, Erani focused on getting herself into as upright a position as was possible. 
“Hurry up, Ali, I’m going to pass out,” Nyx said, apparently already having developed nicknames for all of them. 
Nerdia struggled up her rope, grabbing onto the archway, and swinging back and forth. “What’s your plan, exactly?” She grunted, sweat trickling down her forehead. 
Xerwyn winced, as her rope was reduced to a hanging from a single thread (courtesy of Alliance, your professional rope slicer).  “Alliance cuts everyone down, and I use telekinesis to make sure you don’t fall.” she told Nerdia.
Nyx nodded. “Straightforward, easy, but-”
“Are you sure you can rely that much on your skills?” Nerdia fretted, interrupting Nyx mid-sentence (which left her twisting her red bangs thoughtfully, a perplexed look on her face). “If your concentration gives out-”
“I’ll be fine,” Xerwyn promised.
Alliance drew her arm back, gripping her dagger tightly. “Ready?” She asked. 
Xerwyn nodded, closing her eyes, and moistened her lips. 
The rope snapped and Xerwyn slowly opened one eye, and she grinned when she saw herself hovering a few feet off the ground. “There-told you I had it.”
Erani allowed a short smile.
“Who’s next?” Alliance asked, brandishing her knife. 
“Oooh, me!” Nyx cried. “This is the closest to skydiving Xerywn’s ever gonna let me do, so might as well make the best of it.” 
Xerywn sighed, and tightened her ponytail. “How many times do I need to say this-skydiving is not safe. You’ll probably break your neck,” 
Erani raised her eyebrows, “And this is that much safer?”
Xerwyn fingered her sword hilt. “We’ll see,”
“Guys,” Nerdia looked around the clearing, “I think there’s someone here,”
“I don’t see anyone,” Alliance said, but she clutched her knife tighter in her already white-knuckled grip. 
“It’s a feeling,” Nerdia insisted, more confident this time, “someone is watching us,” 
Erani closed her eyes, and tried to focus, spreading her consciousness out around the clearing like a blanket (a trick Ace had taught her). She imagined adding more layers until it grew thicker and thicker. Then she heard it. Not thoughts, but a…a presence, hundreds of them. Some restless, some tentative, some holding back laughter, some tired, some curious, some nervous, some waiting for the right chance to run away. 
“She’s right,” Erani whispered, suddenly sagging; she hadn’t realised how hard it was to sense other peoples’ presences.
“Shh! Act like you didn’t notice,” Alliance instructed, and I’ll sneak around to find out who it is and why they’re watching us.”
“I’m coming,” Xerwyn hissed in Alliance’s ear.
Nyx whistled for attention, “You guys, can you let me down? Then I’ll let Era and Ki-er, Nerdia down while you two do that,” 
Alliance gave Nyx’s rope one last slice and Xerwyn caught her midair, this time without breaking a sweat.
Xerwyn pulled a intricately carved dagger from her belt, “OK, but be careful,”
“C’mon,” Alliance led her into the bushes, and soon they were out of sight. 
Nyx weighed the dagger Alliance had given her. “Okay, down ya come Nerdia!” She exclaimed and began hacking away with much enthusiasm. The rope was cut but Nerdia had to levitate herself,which she wasn’t much good at, so she went tumbling into a nearby tree. Once she was down, she ran after Alliance and Xerwyn, while Nyx cut the rope around Erani’s ankles. 
“Wait-WHAT?” Came Alliance’s voice from behind the bushes. 
“Wh-?” Kitty added. Then: “Oh.”
“Hurry up, Loki!” Erani urged. 
“Geez, I’m hurrying,” but she went at the rope harder.  After a few more seconds: “Okay, here goes,” with a final slice, Erani hit the ground with so much force she was glad she’d had about two seconds to try and levitate herself. Not that it helped much. 
“Ow,” Erani rubbed her wrist where she’d fallen on it. 
Nyx didn’t waste any time helping her, and ran to join everyone else in the bushes. 
Erani pulled her pin out of her hair, feeling her short hair tumble down to her shoulders, as she took off after her. 
><  ><  ><
“Okay, so, who was expecting this?” Xerwyn asked, raising a gloved hand. 
Everyone followed her move. 
Everyone that is, except the hundred or so people standing before them. They all wore the same exilium uniforms as the girls, with their scarves pulled low over their faces, and masks obscuring their features. 
“I’m guessing this is the rest of the school?” Alliance quizzed. 
Nyx planted her hands on her hips. “And why do they creepily watch us behind bushes?” 
Three people in cloaks shouldered their way to the front. 
“It is to decide where you belong, as your friends said,” The woman in the purple cloak nodded to Nerdia and Xerwyn.
“I’m impressed,” The deep-voiced man in the blue cloak said, “not many people know how we operate before they come,”
“Even the council only catches the barest wisps of what we do,” added another in a red cloak. 
Before they could ask what exactly that meant, the purple cloak stepped forward, and snapped her fingers. 
A student hurried forward holding three cans of paint, one matching each of the cloaks. 
“You belong in Ambi,” The purple coach dipped her hand in the violet paint and pointed to Nerdia. 
“Oh!” Nerdia jerked forward, a surprised look on her face. 
The Ambi coach slapped her paint-covered hand on Nerdia’s sleeve, immediately the paint seeped into the fabric, and hardened. “You may take a while to form a plan, but you will find your way out of every situation.”
“And you,” The blue coach dipped his hand in the navy paint and pressed on Alliance’s sleeve, “you are a quick thinker, and even quicker actor. This virtue will be your saviour, or your doom. You clearly belong in the Left Hampshire.”
Alliance examined her sleeve, eyebrows peeking over the top of her mask. 
“The rest of you,” The red coach extended his hand that eerily appeared to be covered in blood, “belong in the left hampshire. You examine every variable before conceiving a reliable plan that will benefit all you love, but does not always include you.” He pressed his hand on Xerwyn, Nyx, and Erani’s shoulders. Again, the paint immediately dried to their sleeves.
“Now that our new initiates have been separated into their respectable groups, we will continue with the day as usual,” The Right coach announced. 
Not knowing what else to do, Erani followed the rest of the Left Hampshire students to the red tent they had set up behind a few trees, even though she tried, she was separated from Nyx and Xerwyn in the crowd of students, and couldn’t find them again in the sea of black uniforms. She was tempted to call for them, but she wasn’t sure if she should break the intense silence that blanketed everyone. 
The right coach made them start with telekinesis. Xerwyn was the second best in the class, but Erani couldn’t get any higher than an inch or so, and Nyx kept falling into the other students. Everyone else could go to about three feet off the ground with their legs crossed, and eyes closed. The red coach could float to the ceiling and zip from side to side with incredible ease. 
Erani was grateful when, after endless minutes of terrible attempts, and suffering through smirks, whispers and laughs from the other students, their coach announced they were finished. Her relief was only temporary, because the teacher then announced they would be practising controlling temperature regulation. They then were all ordered to shed their cloaks, follow the coach knee-deep into the water, and hold large blocks of ice. Erani tried to think of things that would keep her warm, but no matter how many nudges her coach gave, the closest to warmth she could get was a small tingling sensation in her shoulder.
The others excelled, but Erani stood there wishing she was back home with a cup of tea, her hamster, and some tall socks, reading a book. Amazingly, the thought sent a tingling sensation through her arms, or maybe that was just her freezing to death. Whatever it was, Erani didn’t have time to figure out, before the coach announced they would next be attempting to see in the dark. 
Erani didn’t know what it was or how they were supposed to do it, but jumped out of the water before he had even finished talking. It turned out, they were supposed to sit in a dark cave, shivering from their dip in the water, and trying to focus enough to attempt and at least see each other’s feet. 
Next they tried holding their breath-underwater. The thought of returning to the ice-cold water made Erani wince, but dutifully padded behind the other students back to the water’s edge.
The Left Hampshire was already there, all of them submerged under water, apparently everyone gathered for the last session before moving on to lunch.
“Ready?” The coach clapped his hands and started a stopwatch, before Erani had the chance to ask how she was supposed to do this. 
She took a deep breath and plunged into the water. 
She could feel the water seeping into her clothes,  making them about ten times heavier, and chilling her to the bone.
Within seconds, a burning sensation filled her chest, and she immediately followed instinct, zipping for the surface.
Erani gulped a deep breath of soothing air, and decided she would never take breathing for granted again. 
The coach looked her way, and she could feel the disapproving look he shot.
Everyone was still under water.
Except for her.
She tucked her sopping hair behind her ears, and dove back in. This time she tried counting the seconds. But she came back up before she counted to ten.
The same thing happened the second time.
And the third time.
And a fourth.
And the fifth.
By the sixth time, she was exhausted, but, even then, only a handful of the initiates had even surfaced once.
Discouraged, Erani tried to gather all of her self-confidence, and focused on compliments people had given her.
I can do this. She told herself.
With a deep breath, she returned to the water.
The water was still beyond cold, but somehow, Erani managed to focus solely on her thoughts, and tried to imagine she was sitting in her bean bag with a book, her friends sprawled across the floor, and bed, absorbed in similar novels. She almost lost her concentration, when she realised the boys were there now, too. Why-how-why were they there? Well, they were friends now…weren’t they? After all, they’d known them for a while now…and they were trustworthy…and they had been through…stuff together…that meant they were friends now…right…? Or…were they just…acquaintances…associates…? Perhaps-maybe…maybe they were  friends. 
Erani heard splashing, then a firm hand gripped her arm and pulled her to the shore. 
She opened her eyes. “Xerwyn?”
Relief filled Xerwyn’s features as she squeezed her sister in a death hug. “Are you OK?” 
“Um, yeah, why would-”
Xerwyn grunted. “You were laying still, face down in the water for almost five minutes! Do you know-”
“Five minutes?” Erani’s jaw fell slack. 
Xerwyn cuffed her along the chin. “Seriously! That’s what you’re worried about?” She hugged her so hard Erani felt something crack in her back. 
“Group hug!” Nerdia said, giddily jumped on top of the twins, with Alliance and Nyx reluctantly joining. 
“Ooow,” Nyx rubbed her thigh, “someone’s dagger is digging into my leg,”
“Guilty as charged,” Alliance sighed, flopping back first onto Nyx’s stomach. 
Nyx gasped, “OK, the dagger was better,”
They all laughed, and for a moment Erani sucked up the sudden warmth. 
Then she realised everyone was staring at them.
Everyone.
In total silence. 
“As heartwarming as this seems,” Said the coach in a heavily accented voice, “if none of you proceed as instructed, we will be required to consider punishment?” He said it as a question turning to the other coaches. 
They all scrambled to their feet, and headed to the lunch tent, as silence, once again, elapsed over them all.
><  ><  ><
“So, this is how they punish people?” Nyx queried.
Alliance gagged, pushing away a small plate of dried leaves. “It’s so horrible here,”
Erani grimaced. “Does their food have to taste disgusting too?”
Nyx blew out a breath. “This is where they send people…”
“Who?” Nerdia asked. 
Nyx looked down, and pulled at her sleeves. “The council. This is how they treat people that break laws, by sending them places where the food tastes terrible, and they have to stay silent, and practise useless things.”
Xerwyn pursed her lips in agreement. “Well, the skills are useful,” She pointed out. “But I agree. And at the end of the day, some don’t even have places to go, they’ve been ‘exiled’ from the Lost Cities, required to live away from humanity”-she frowned-“or, elvinity?”
Nerdia winced. “But…they did break the law…right?”
“Then why are we here?” Alliance asked. 
They all froze, and looked at each other, as the question hung heavily in the air.
“I guess…we broke the law,” Nerdia sighed deeply.
“What law?” Xerwyn asked, balling her hands. “What did we do? We step into the place we’re supposed to belong in, and they immediately send us to the worst place imaginable,” 
“And it’s not just us,” Erani added, “but hundreds of people that aren’t wanted anymore,”
“Or didn’t commit crimes,” Alliance muttered bitterly. 
“Like, ‘the girl of many floods’,” Nerdia remembered. 
Erani turned. “What?” 
“There was a girl-a hydrokinetic-that almost flooded Atlantis, by accident, and she caused a couple other smaller ones too. But the Atlantis one is why she got sent here.” 
Alliance shook her head. “That’s…”
Nerdia curled her knees into her chest. “And her parents made her live by the water, so”-she cleared her throat, when her voice became little more than a squeak-“she was never able to achieve control over her power,” 
“That’s terrible, it’s hard enough to control elemental abilities-at least, that’s what Ace told me,” Erani rubbed her eyes. 
Nerdia gazed to the stream, biting her lip, and suddenly Erani understood. 
Nerdia was an elemental.
“You could never start a flood like that,” Xerwyn promised, squeezing Nerdia’s shoulder. 
“Even if you can’t control it now-” Nyx started. 
“-we’ll help you keep it under control,” Alliance finished, patting Nerdia’s arm. 
Nerdia smiled faintly. “Thanks guys,” But Erani could tell she was still worried.
After a few minutes of silence, Nerdia then had to follow the Ambi group to their next session, and Alliance was dragged away in the crowd of the other Left Hampshire students.
Xerwyn, Nyx, and Erani sat in silence, as they waited for the rest of the Right Hampshire to finish lunch.
The only noise amongst the trio was Nyx’s steady footfalls as she walked across a nearby fallen log.  
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
“Why does everyone only talk at lunch?” Erani asked.
Xerwyn shrugged. “I guess it’s just because they want to ‘discipline’ us,” She rolled her eyes.
Thump. 
Thump.
“I guess,” 
Thump.
Thump.
Thu-
A yell of anger echoed across the clearing. 
A wave of giggles whispered across the students. 
The three all strained to hear, but still only caught wisps of conversation.
“-A KELPIE IN-THE MEDICAL TENT?!” The coach boomed. 
“Ooooh,” Nyx rubbed her hands together, “sounds like a prank I need to investigate,”
Erani drew back, and watched the coach as he stormed around, trying to find the culprit. “I’m not sure if that’s a go-”
But Nyx was already gone. 
Xerwyn rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna make sure she doesn’t add another kelpie,” with a sigh she ran toward the medical tent.
Erani sighed, and crossed her knees, eyes closed. 
That’s how it goes for most of us here. A voice whispered in Erani’s head.
“What?” Erani spun around, fumbling for her hair pin. “Who’s there?”
A figure stepped jumped down from the tree Erani had been leaning against. She was wearing an exillum uniform, but her pin wasn’t one Erani had seen before. It showed a person with a vine curling around their arm, and a crown of flowers wreathing their forehead. 
You aren’t a telepath? Erani transmitted, wondering how else they could’ve done the same without having the same ability as her. 
No. 
Erani fidgeted with her pin.
That’s a nice spear you have there, 
What? How did you-?
It’s a simple design, I have one similar to it.
Erani knew she should leave to join her sister, but for some reason she stuck around, even though her brain was screaming STRANGER DANGER! 
What did you mean, ‘that’s how it goes for most of us here?’ She asked after a minute’s hesitation.
All of us ‘waywards’ ended up stuck here because they weren’t wanted. Not because they did something wrong. 
What do you mean? The council doesn’t just stick people they don’t like here…do they?
That’s exactly what they do.
But… Erani stumbled for the right words. 
Who are you?
I could ask you the same question. 
She blew out a breath. She should leave; now. But, for some reason she humoured her. I’m Erani. 
The stranger hesitated. Clover. You’ve probably heard of me.
Actually, I haven’t, I’m new around here. 
You’re an elf- you’ve heard of me. 
I’m new to this world. Erani clarified. 
Interesting. Are you another one that lived with humans? 
Erani sighed. Yes,
Another one of the Black Swan’s creations.
Actually, no, She paused. Well, I don’t really know where I came from, or who I am.
I know the feeling.
Erani stared at the black mask, trying to see beneath it. All she could decipher were silver-blue eyes staring back at her, with deep intensity and wisdom. But buried underneath, was curiosity, and a longing. For what, Erani could only guess. What’s your story?
I’m an Unwanted. 
Erani waited for a clarification.
I was different, therefore, as everyone assumed, bad. I was banished here right after I manifested. 
What were you banished for?
My ability.
You’re a Pyrokinetic?
No. 
That made sense, since her pin had no trace of fire on it. But Erani hadn’t heard of any other abilities that were banned. 
Then what’s your ability? 
Ask someone else, everyone knows about me. The voice was coated with bitterness. 
But-
“Era! Hurry up! We need to move!” There was the sound of footsteps drawing nearer, as Nyx and Xerwyn returned.
See you tomorrow. 
Then, with a glitter in her silver eyes, and a quick flash of black cloak, Clover was gone.
><  ><  ><
“How was it?” Ace ran towards them the second they entered the house. 
“Have Xer explain, I need a nap,” Nyx tossed her mask to the side and trotted up the stairs. 
“I’m out!” Alliance shouted down the steps as she ran behind her. 
Xerwyn looked from Ace, to Kitty, then Erani. Clearing her throat, she said, “Yeeaaaah, I need to run, I’ve got this thing-” She was gone before the sentence was finished. 
A door slammed shut somewhere upstairs. 
There was silence. 
Ace winced. “That bad?”
Erani nodded, “Yep, and I would honestly stay, but I promised Zoran I’d yell at him when we got back, so I’m gonna have to leave Kitty to do the explaining,”
Kitty closed her eyes, and banged her forehead against the wall, muttering, “Why me? Why me?” repeatedly under her breath. 
Erani cast a guilty look at the two, then quietly crept out of the room. 
“That’s one thing down…” She muttered to herself, creeping down the carpeted hall, running her fingers over the carvings in the wall as she walked. She’d never seen them before, but they seemed to tell some sort of story. What if-
“Ow!” Erani yelled, as she collided head on with Zoran. 
“Sorry!” Zoran apologised, rubbing his forehead. “Are you OK?”
“I’m fi-wait, you-we need to talk,” She raised her eyebrows, trying to force away the sudden ringing in her head.
Zoran’s eyes darted from her to the hall behind her, looking for a possible escape route, or excuse to leave, Erani assumed.
“What were you and Ace talking about this morning?” she prompted, even though she could tell he knew what she was talking about.
“We…we were tossing around ideas about where our parents are, and why they’re there.”
“And…?” 
“That’s it,”
“Uh-huh,”
“Seriously, that’s all,”
“Why is that a secret?”
“We-”
“I-we could’ve helped,”
“Sorry...” he wrung his hands. 
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
He closed his eyes, and muttered something indistinct. 
“You can’t keep secrets,” 
He remained silent.
“We need to work together if we’re going to achieve anything,”
Nothing.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Zoran finally pried his eyes open. “I…we think they’re being held,”
“Obviously,” 
“But, why?”
“Leverage?” Erani suggested. 
“For what?”
“Um, like wiping our memories?”
“Then why haven’t they used them yet?”
She hesitated.
He took her silence as a sign to continue. “What are they waiting for?”
“Us to screw up?”
“Unless...they weren’t kidnapped….” 
His unfinished sentence got the meaning across. 
“Why would they leave us here? We’re a group of kids, we have the council after us, and us girls don’t even know how half this world works.”
“Maybe if they’re memories were wiped, and then they were released?”
“Or, if they were wiped and then fake memories were planted-”
“So…”
“They wouldn’t remember us…”
“...And now…”
They shared a look, both knowing where that sentence was going. 
“We need to tell everyone else,” Erani decided.
><  ><  >< 
“So, what’s up?” Howell asked, once everyone was assembled in the main room. 
“Me and Zoran were talking,” Erani informed them, “and we have some theories about were the boys’ parents are,”
“Shouldn’t they have met us here by now?” Nerdia said.
“They should,” Lei agreed. 
“But they aren’t,” Alliance added. 
“Current theory on the table, is that they were kidnapped,” Zoran said, bluntly. 
“Wow,” Nyx rolled her eyes, “Way to just bomb that on us,”
“Why didn’t we hear about this sooner?” Alliance demanded.
“We definitely need to discuss that,” Xerwyn shot a look at Zoran. “But, for now, the most important thing is figuring out where they are, why, and if they’re OK.”
“If they were kidnapped,” Lei said, “then wouldn’t they be at one of their hideouts?”
Nyx nodded. 
“Sensible.” Alliance agreed. “But, where would that be?”
“Father might know,” Ace said, “it was probably on one of those papers he kept in his desk that he never let us see,” 
“Is there a way we could get a look at them?” Xerwyn asked. 
“Well,” Ace grimaced, “The thing is, the council probably has guards watching the house 24/7, so I’m not sure how we’d sneak in safely,”
“Wait,” Nerdia rubbed her chin. “What if Asher went in? He can turn invisible, and he knows the house well so maybe he’d be able to do it?”
“Risky,” Ace immediately said.
“Yes, but, maybe worth a shot,” Zoran argued. 
“I’m pretty sure I can do it,” Asher added. 
“But, if he gets caught…” Howell trailed off. 
“If we were super careful,” Erani said, “then I think he should do it, right now, it’s the only plan we have,”
“She does have a point,” Nyx crossed her arms, “I’m not hearing you come up with any brilliant plan,”
Xerwyn pinched her in the arm.
Do not push our luck! Erani transmitted.
“Ow!” Nyx rubbed her arm and shot a glare at both sisters.
Ace rubbed his eyes. “OK, if we can’t come up with something better in three days, then we’ll do it,”
“Yes!” Asher pumped a fist, way more excited than Erani would’ve been if she was the one doing the sneaking.
“Question,” Alliance said, apparently having been ignoring them the whole time. “Why do you think they kidnapped your parents?”
“They’re enemies,” Lei answered simply.
“But, if it was that easy for them, then why didn’t they do it before now?” Alliance pressed.
“They’re using them for something?” Nerdia suggested.
Erani and Zoran shared a look.
“I’ll bet they already put a Washer to good use,” Asher sighed. 
Erani swallowed. “What if they planted fake memories?”
“And they now think we’re their enemies?” Zoran added. 
Everyone looked at everyone in silence. 
“Even if we can figure out where they are, and we help them, what if they just pretend to be on our side, and then betray us?” Zoran continued.
“Or,” Nyx said, breaking another moment of quiet. “They’re using them for ransom,”
“Leverage,” Howell nodded. 
Alliance shifted in her seat. “Maybe,”
“So, what if trying to find them is a bad idea?” Nerdia questioned. 
“I honestly don’t know, but I think we hold off on that until we find out more.” Howell decided. 
“Nevertheless, digging through the papers in Castor’s desk could prove to be a wise move.” Erani pointed out. 
“Like they say,” Lei chimed in. “‘Know your enemies,’” he hesitated. “That is what they say right?”
“Did anyone try calling them?” Xerwyn asked. 
Asher nodded. “Many times,”
“Any other ideas Mr. Dark Ideas?” Nyx raised an eyebrow at Zoran. 
“I’m just listing possibilities!” He defended himself.
Nyx sighed. “That’s normally my job, so next time, stick to the bright side, ‘Kay?”
Erani pursed her lips.
“Now,” Nyx shook her bangs off her face, “I’m getting lunch, anyone else?”
== Chapter Twenty-Seven: Nerdia's POV ==
Kitty tugged her Excillium hood down lower, complaining to herself softly. ‘Ugh’, she grumbled. 
‘What’s ugh?’ Leah asked. 
Not softly enough, apparently. Wait- Nyx, not Leah. She’ll never get used to that. With a start, Kitty realised that that was exactly how she addressed herself. Kitty. 
Le-Nyx seemed to be waiting for an answer, so Kitty mumbled ‘These hoods. Smells like something died in them.’ 
‘Who died in what?’ Erani asked. 
‘Maybe it was Zoran,’ Nyx said hopefully. Then scowled. ‘I still haven’t gotten him back for-’ she stopped when Xerwyn, who also joined the room, shut her up with a glare. 
‘Awwww, you’re like the mother of the group,’ Erani teased. 
‘What am I?’ Kitty asked. 
‘The responsible one.’ Nyx wrinkled her nose. ‘Nuh uh. Remember that one April Fools? She put cockroaches in my food! Fake ones, but still…’ 
Kitty smiled. 
‘Maybe Alliance?’ Erani offered. ‘And you’d be the annoying sister who pulls pranks on everyone.’ she told Nyx. 
Nyx seemed satisfied. 
Alliance finally popped into the room, and Xerwyn said ‘Let’s go.’ 
‘Yes mother,’ Nyx, Erani, and Kitty chorused. 
Alliance looked confused. ‘Mother?’ 
‘Nothing.’ Xerwyn said quickly. 
They leaped to Exillium laughing.
‘You’re late.’ The purple coach said disapprovingly. 
Kitty half expected her to say ‘And you know what we do to people that are late?’ which would result in a detention. Or her head getting flushed down the toilet, which would totally ruin her hair. ‘Please don’t flush my head down a toilet,’ Kitty said absentmindedly. 
‘Pardon?’ 
Kitty blushed. NOT THAT ANYONE COULD SEE BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID UNIFORM. ‘Nevermind.’ She sat at the back of the tent. 
‘Today.’ the coach announced dramatically. ‘We will be doing…. Levitating.’ 
Clearly, human cartoons had a huge impact on Kitty’s life, because she expected the coach to break into a little tap dance. Maybe some impromptu music, too.
Levitating seemed cool though. Not that she had any clue how, but it would give her the excuse to say ‘PETER PAAAN?’ and other stuff. By the end of the lesson, she could float a little bit, but when she tried to move, Kitty ended tumbling down. But still… it was kinda fun.
‘Levitating SUCKED,’ Nyx grumbled. 
‘Xerwyn was a natural’, Alliance commented. 
‘I’m HUNGRY.’ grumbled Nyx again. 
They had leaped home, and Kitty had been the first to ditch her exillium uniform, the others following. 
Xerwyn brightened. ‘I can make something.’ 
Nyx widened her eyes. ‘What- no! I mean, it’s really okay-’ 
but Xerwyn had already gone. 
Erani glared at Nyx. ‘See what you’ve gotten us into?’ 
Alliance sighed. 
Erani and Nyx marched off. A moment later, they both hollered ‘KITTY!’ at the same time. 
She headed over to them. ‘What?’ 
Nyx pointed an accusing finger at a small bug. ‘Can you please use your ability to get rid of that bug!’ 
‘You want me to kill a bug?’ Kitty asked. 
‘It’s EATING me!’ 
She frowned. ‘Didn’t you bring bug spray?’ 
Nyx grumbled. ‘I DID but then Asher confiscated it.’ 
‘Why?’ Erani asked. 
‘Something about how’- Nyx’s voice changed to mimic Asher. ‘We should let these honourable insects drink our blood because it’s part of their diet, and we shouldn’t take bug spray because we could risk setting their timeline to extinction blah blah blah.’ 
‘Dinner’s ready!’ Xerwyn yelled. 
‘If I die of food poisoning’, Erani threatened, looking pointedly at Nyx.
Today’s dinner, named by Alliance, were ‘Sparkleberries.’ Which tasted like dirty socks rolled in mud. 
Erani loved them though, not because of the taste, but because they made their hair sparkly. Which, in turn, made Nyx and Alliance hate them, but now their hair was shiny and there was nothing that they could do. 
‘And for dessert!’ Xerwyn announced. ( Cue everyone scrambling away from the table ) is this!’ 
Kitty looked at the plant. Then to Xerwyn. And back at the plant. ‘Is this… popcorn?’ She asked. 
‘No, it’s a plant.’ Alliance said. 
‘Yes!’ Xerwyn said gleefully. ‘At least… I think so.’ 
Nyx grabbed the plant and said jokingly ‘My precioussss.’ 
‘Lets pop it!’ Erani cheered. 
They all did their synchronised victory dance. And so, for dessert, they had popcorn. 
‘Mmmmh,’ Alliance muttered. ‘Sweet and salty.’ 
Erani looked confused. ‘No? It’s buttered?’ 
‘Caramel.’ Kitty identified. 
‘M&M with extra chocolate sauce and butterscotch chips,’ Nyx mumbled. 
Everyone stared at her. ‘What? It’s yum.’ 
‘Eh, it’s our friends,’ Erani amended. ‘They’re all weird.’ 
‘Hey!’ Xerwyn yelled, and Kitty splashed her with water. 
‘FOOD FIGHT!’ Nyx cheered, but Alliance grabbed the popcorn away. 
‘NO TOUCHIE!’ 
She shrugged. 
‘Fight without food!’ 
And then the friends leaped up and started using their abilities. In the end, Kitty trapped them all in bubbles, and watched them run around like hamsters on a wheel. 
‘I sympathise with them,’ Xerwyn huffed, when Kitty put them down. ‘I will never laugh at their adorable innocence as they run but never get anywhere.
The next few days were busy, chaotic, and slightly fun. During the day, they would go to Exillium, visit Clover, and go home, where Xerwyn would cook another meal. ( So far, the sparkles haven’t gotten out. ) Aaaaaand repeat.
‘Oh joy.’ Alliance muttered as they got ready for yet another leap to Exillium. ‘I can’t wait for the weekend.’ And then. ‘Wait. Do they even have a weekend?’ 
‘I… don’t think so.’ Erani said. 
‘What we should all be worrying about,’ Nyx corrected. ‘Is the sparkly hair! How long will this last?’ 
Kitty smirked. ‘I think the sparkly hair looks great, Nyx. We should really eat those more.’ 
‘If you do….’ 
Oooooh, April Fools trick? Erani transmitted. 
Yep! Kitty agreed. 
‘Can we go now?’ Alliance asked. 
‘Gosh, I do see the responsible older sister now’, Xerwyn said, tilting her head to the side. 
‘And YOU’RE still the mother!’ Erani cackled, and everyone laughed when Xerwyn scowled. ‘Let’s go.’ And they went.
At Exillium, they were practising telekines, which Kitty kinda sucked at, but noticed that the stick she was given to practise on was slightly damp from dew, and so she focused on the water aaaaaaaaand yes! That was SO MUCH easier.
As soon as the friends leaped home, a crazy storm started appearing, rain pouring down, thunder clapping, and Kitty felt overwhelmed with the amount of water, the droplets calling to her eagerly. Kitty covered her ears, not that it helped, and hurried inside, where she let out a relieved breath. ‘That was… intense.’ she muttered. 
Alliance frowned. ‘Just a moment ago, it was sunny. Now it’s raining. Why?’ 
Her friends didn’t have an answer to that. 
‘It was elfmade?’ Xerwyn wondered. ‘Is that the correct term? You know, like manmade? Or would it be… ability made?’ 
‘I’m soaking.’ Erani noted. 
‘Oh.’ Kitty quickly drew all the water into a small sphere and peered at it. ‘It feeles different.’ she murmured. ‘That’s odd.’ Then, the water disappeared.
A small knock caused everyone to look up sharply. ‘Is it an evil dude?’ Nyx said. 
Erani frowned. ‘Why would an evil dude knock?’ 
Xerwyn headed over and opened up the door. ‘Clover?’ everyone said, confused. 
Clover stood there, dripping wet, looking confused, sad, aaaaaand, yeah, confused. ‘Hello.’ she whispered. 
‘What are you doing here?’ Alliance asked. 
Xerwyn elbowed her. ‘Owwwwww what was that for?’ 
‘Shush.’ Nyx grumbled. 
‘Oh you don’t shush me.’ Alliance protested. ‘And what is UP with you and grumbling? Have you noticed that - owwwwwwww.’ 
This time Erani elbowed her. ‘Shush.’ she shushed. 
Alliance glared. ‘WHY does everyone keep SHUSHING me?’ 
‘SHUSH.’ Everyone shushed. 
Alliance grumbled. 
‘Are you okay?’ Erani asked kindly. 
‘My house…’ Clover seemed confused. ‘It disappeared.’
== Chapter Twenty-Eight: ==
Coming soon...
== Comments: ==
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Category:Chapter One Ella's POV
Category:KOTLC fanfiction
Category:Hidden Realms