True Magic: Friends Or Foes

This book contains the following:

- Romance

- Violence

- Blood

- Death

# Prologue:

## Ophelia

My name is Ophelia Breckwood and I’m a strange kid. At least, that’s what my teachers tell me. Honestly, though, I think they only say that because I don’t like school. I know there’s something special about me though. I just can’t quite put my finger on it yet. I’ve always known that I’m a *bit* odd compared to normal people though. I mean, over half of all the flippin’ girls in my grade follow Addison Reiga around like she’s the queen, and I’m most definitely *not* one of those girls. I’m practically the opposite. I like crop tops and basketball and the *Hunger Games* book series. I like watching football with my dad and reading in my pile of pillows on my bed. What I don’t like is glitter, and lip gloss, and the color pink.

I also don’t really have any close friends, though I sometimes hang out with Jaya Maycee, Oliver Kyle, and Kylie Mason, but we aren’t ‘BFF’S’ or anything like that. My mom and dad are also boring; like all parents. They wear suits and blouses and have boring office jobs. Mom and Dad are both good-looking. I mean, I don’t want their boring jobs and starchy clothes but they’re nice and all. Mom has a heart-shaped face and slightly pointed nose, long blonde hair, and crystal blue eyes. Dad has brown hair that he styles into a wave, brown stubble, a long, straight nose, and deep blue eyes. Mom is a dress designer and Dad is a realtor so we have plenty of money. I have long brown hair and medium blue eyes that are expressive and twinkle mischievously. My five-year-old brother Icarus has blonde hair and big light eyes like Mom.

This morning, I give a wide yawn before I climb out of bed. I slink around my room and noiselessly slip on a pair of old jeans and a black crop top with a tank top underneath it since the stupid dress code at school doesn’t allow crop tops. Just thinking about the annoying school rules makes me roll my eyes and sigh through my nose; a thing I do whenever I’m annoyed. I brush my hair and put it into two buns like panda ears before I head downstairs. Mom is already up and helping Icarus eat his Cheerios. I grab my bowl and fill it up with milk and Cheerios too. My dad comes into the kitchen and cracks some eggs, whisks them up with milk, and puts them into the pan that’s on the stove. He leaves the room to go grab the newspaper and leaves the coral-pink towel slightly in the pan. The towel starts to smoke and burn until a flame shoots out of where the towel was.

“Mom! Dad!” I yell, running over to the pan.

“Ophelia, no!” Mom screams.

I ignore her and something in my instincts drives me forward as if I know I can stop the flames. I extend both of my arms outward and shove them right into the fire. Mom screams but I continue to stay still and ignore her. The fire doesn’t seem to hurt in the slightest and I wave my arms around instinctively as if the flames were alive.

“*Stop*!” I shout.

The fire curls back in fear and then shrinks into five little flame droplets which playfully jump through my hair and Mom gasps. The flames then form a crown around my hair which has fallen out of its loose buns. Dad, I notice, is standing at the doorway with his mouth open, the paper open at his feet. Then, a flash of red light consumes me, and when I look down, I see that I am definitely *not* in my crop top and jeans anymore. Now, I wear a long flowy dress that is pale red; the tips of the dress are gold and sparkly. My light arms are partially covered in fish-netting gloves the color of gold too. A star choker necklace wraps around my neck and my feet are covered in silken red shoes. Then, my brown hair fell out of its buns and now it is floating in the air.

The flames from the fire are still dancing around my head like a crown. I blink and shake my head. This must be sorcery, or magic, or… something! I had always known I was different but I didn’t think I’m *this* different! Mom continues to gape for a moment before she and Dad seem to compose themselves.

“Come with us, h-honey,” Mom says.

“Okay…?” I answer, concernedly. Mom and Dad lead me to their bedroom and Mom sits down at her desk.

“What’s up?” I ask, trying to pretend that I did *not* just control fire and get a makeover.

“Honey,” Mom says carefully and I brace myself for something horrible, “You have… a power. So do Dad and I,” she explains. Now, it’s *my* turn to gape.

“Wait- what?” I ask.

“My power is being what they call a ‘Reader’. I can see the future,” Mom tells me.

“Cool,” I say and then ask, “Who’s ‘they’?”

“There are *many* of us magical people who live in a secret society and we all have unique powers. There are only *three* other ‘Readers’ in the world.” Mom explains and I nod, still reveling around the fact that I have powers! And not *just* me! My whole family!

“What’s yours, Dad?” I ask him.

“I’m an Aquatic. I can control the water,” Dad explains and I nod again.

“So, what’s mine?” I ask. “Does it have to do with the fire thing and this outfit?” I finish, waving at my skirt.

“You can control flames. There is only one other person like that.” Dad says. I nod for the third time.

“You’ll be leaving *this* school and going to a school that will teach you how to control your powers.” Mom adds. See? I told you I was different. Little did I know, that school was full of friends, enemies, *and* danger.

# Chapter One:

## Evadene

*“Eva!” my little sister Adalia screams as the blinding light consumes her again. I try to ignore the pull of the light, begging me to come and join it. It’s too much for my seven-year-old self to handle. I rise into the air again and let the light consume me.*

*“Eva!” Adalia screams again as the light tortures her.*

*I pull away from the light and the glow in my eyes fades. My sister is still screaming. I am a weapon. I made the weapon that hurt my sister. And it is my fault. I pull the light back with all my strength and crumple. Adalia screams and faintly, I see a body fall from the sky though it’s hard to tell through the tears blurring my eyes.*

*“Adalia!” a hoarse, frightened voice cries out.*

*Then I realize, that is my voice. The same voice that called to the sun and let it take me over. The same voice that hurt her sister. I begin to cry and strong arms cradle me. The arms of my father.*

*“Shhh… shhh,” whispers my mother’s voice as a smoother hand rubs my temples. The tempest of fear crashes away and I break.*

*“I’m sorry,” I cry in my small voice. “I don’t know what even happened,”*

*I try to explain how I felt the pull of the sun as Adalia and I went outside to play. It pulled me forward like a rush of pleasant breeze and cooled my worries. How it then pulled me in from behind and made this horrible light storm appear. How it created a weapon out of me. I can’t seem to explain any of this and can only make out a small squeak.*

*“Shhh… shhh,” my mother says again. “You just had your transformation, all is well.” Adalia is nearby shaking and still whimpering.*

*All is not well.*

*Not at all. Screams.*

*Voices.*

*Crying.*

*And it drowns out everything in the world to black.*

↔↔↔↔↔↔

“*No*!” I scream and sit up straight under my canopy bed, shaking.

The nightmares have returned. Years ago- half of my life ago- the light consumed me. I had my transformation. I was only seven and Adalia was just five when we went out to play in the wonderful weather. As we lapped up the fresh sunshine for the first time in a week, I felt the pull. The same pull I feel every single time I’m in the light. It dragged me closer, whispering. Telling me that it would make it all better. I was only seven. I could not stop it. I did not even know what was happening. I was not supposed to transform for another five years or more.

I’ve lived in a world of magic for my whole youth. A few families did not teach their children about the Elemaworld until they were at least twelve and had manifested. The Elemaworld was- and still is- full of the special inklings on the earth that are not quite human and not quite elements. We are not restricted to only elements either. We have other powers in our world and that is why we are not elements. My parents are well known and respected in our world and Queen Ismalda and King Orion favor them.

I listened to the light and let it pull me closer and closer until a ball of light entered me. Adalia came to my side and tried to help me but nothing could stop the light. No one who is not a Lighter would ever understand. Even my mentor Madam Eskra does not feel the pull all the time. I am the most powerful Lighter in the Elemaworld and yet I am terrified of my power. I know it was not my fault what happened to my sister, but I have never forgiven myself. This is better for me though, it pushes me to train harder so I will someday control the light, not let it control me.

That is what keeps me going. Even through the screams and nightmares, I will not leave this school until I have control. I have been training at Windspear Training Academy for two years, ever since I turned twelve. I had transformed early so we all waited patiently for the day to come when I would go to Windspear. My sister has now manifested and has begun training with her powers as an Aquatic. I pull myself out of bed and resist the urge to just lie back down and stay there for the rest of the day. *No.* I tell myself firmly. I must power through. I stand in front of my mirror and braid my hair back in an intricate design. I do the same one every day so that I will not be distracted by the light trying to mess with it when it is down. I take a look at my normally creamy skin which is now pale and clammy.

The nightmares have been getting worse, though I refuse to admit it to anyone but Madam Eskra. The nightmares are not just faint screams and Adalia screaming my name but a vivid display of my worst memories. The memories of when I have lost control. I turn back to the mirror and stare back at my small nose, long eyelashes, vivid violet eyes, and dark braid. I am the only one in my family but it is not unusual for a Lighter to have that eye color. All of the eye colors match up to different powers. Besides the eyes of the five families watching the human area. They all have a shade of blue, even their children. A protocol that the king and queen set up themselves. I put on a tight black tank top and black pants and cover my arms from the cold morning air with a silver jacket. My boots stomp across the dewy grass as I walk over to Madam Eskra.

Madam Eskra is intense and that is exactly why she is my favorite mentor. We have other mentors besides our power mentor though our power mentors get up to five hours with us and our other mentors only get half an hour each day. Madam Eskra is not afraid to tell me if I am doing something wrong and does not priss and primp me up like some other mentors I have seen. Most of the students here do not show the ultimate potential so they will only train until they are age fifteen. Other students like me have ultimate potential but I have only ever met one and there are currently only five including me at our school. The students who do not show it are trained to be showcase people with good jobs to keep our world thriving and only learn self-defense for half of their last year.

We with full potential stay until at least age eighteen though we can continue to stay and train and learn to fight, defend, and weaponize. That is the protocol for the Ultimates. Being in the Ultimates has always been my greatest dream and I know that this year, Headmistress Olviya is choosing ten students from age twelve to age fifteen to join the Ultimates team early and begin the advanced level training sooner. I know I will be part of that group.

“Hello, Evadene,” says Madam Eskra.

“Hello,” I reply politely.

“Let us begin with our usual warm-up,” she says calmly and I nod.

We both snap our fingers and two gold mats appear. We each sit down on one cross-legged and close our eyes. I do this exercise every morning to remind myself that I need to stay in control. I focus on the pull of the light and listen to the whispers. I let them come to me but do not let the light carry me away. I pull the small bit of sunlight over to me and grab it. The tug gets harder. Urging, urging, urging. Instead, I make a bright gold spear out of the sunlight. Every day, I make a spear, and every day, I then release it. It sings a whisper of hope in my future and I smile. I enjoy talking to the light that I tame because it is playful and sweet once tamed and freed. I do this every day to remind myself to stay in control. My goal is to maintain control for two years and every day I do it, I add a tally mark on my piece of paper. But, if I lose control one time, I have to begin from the top. There are eighty-two days left on my tally marker before I have done it for two straight years.

“Well done, Evadene,” says Madam Eskra and I beam.

From the moment I met her, Madam Eskra was like a second mom to me. My genetic mom would never understand being a Lighter. She did not even feel any sort of tug like Aquatics or an instinctive push like Flamers. She was just a humble, simple-minded Reader. But Madam Eskra has always understood the pull and has helped me through it.

“Evadene?” she asks. She sounds a little concerned. I would understand why. I am staring at the sun with my eyes closed, taking a gulp of the beautiful sun.

“Yes?” I ask and open my eyes.

“I have two pieces of information I was told to pass along specifically to you,” she says and a smile is crawling across her face.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Well, first of all, Headmistress Olviya wanted you to know in advance that she will be choosing the ten Ultimate Recruits in one week,” she tells me.

“Okay,” I reply. I try to sound calm but I’m bursting with excitement. This might be my chance to prove myself!

“Secondly, Madam Adashi has found a student to help with your nightmares,” she tells me. I squeal. This could be the boost I’ve been looking for.

# Chapter Two:

## Moon

I look back at my reflection in the silver-lined mirror. My silver eyes are the thing that stands out most of all. Six months ago, I began my training at Windspear as one of the few Mooners in Elemaworld. We have the power to use the moonlight as a weapon, healing, or even clothing. I’m a powerful one and today, I’m supposed to meet a girl named Evadene. I have the rare ability to soothe people’s nightmares, and apparently, this Evadene girl has been having a lot of nightmares lately. I guess she manifested really young and then lost control so she’s been having nightmares about it and I’m the one who’s gonna try and help her out tonight.

Mama told me to dress nicely because I’m being allowed to do something super honorable since our family isn’t as noble as some of the others. I am dressed in a silver-blue dress that flows down my dark legs. My skin is creamy and dark tan and my black braids are tied back with a silver clasp. My silver eyes are rimmed with glitter and my cheeks are rosy. Mama enters the room and smiles her big white smile at me. I smile back and she comes over. She hands me a silver, fur-lined cloak and I clasp it around my neck.

“Perfect,” Mama whispers. Papa comes in and hugs me too. A horn outside honks and when I look out my window, I see a big black car in our drive.

“Good luck, Moony,” Papa tells me and I go downstairs and to the car.

A man bows and opens the door for me and I sit in the plush white seats. A woman is across from me and she smiles at me when she notices me. The woman has black hair and a sweet, serene expression. Her nose is small and her lips are a sweet, glossy pink color. She also has shining pink eyes. When I notice her eye color, I know that she’s a Reader. All the Readers in Elemaworld have pink eyes except for the one woman who is a Watchkeeper with her husband in the human world. I met her once; her name was Mrs. Breckwood. She also has two kids now but they stay in the human world. There are a couple of families called Watchkeepers who live in the human world so that they can keep an eye on all the humans.

The woman smiles again. “Hello,” she says in a sweet voice. Yup. Definitely a Reader.

“Hi,” I say and I try to sound polite.

“Thank you for taking the time to try and help my Evadene,” she says.

“No problem,” I say.

Then, I look ahead to see a tall, towering structure made entirely of glass. It’s mansion-sized and the glass shards are all different colors. Not the best place for a Lighter. I climb out of the limousine and look around. Everything looks polished and tidy. A girl who looks my age peaks out. She sees who it is and her face breaks into a smile. She runs over to the woman and hugs her. I’m guessing that’s her mom. The little girl has deep blue eyes which means she’s an Aquatic. She also looks like she just manifested since she’s my age. When we’re born, our eyes are brown. Once you manifest though, your eyes will turn the color that matches your power. Her hair is also dark but it’s flying free and she’s in a sunny yellow dress.

There’s another girl now and she’s standing at the doorway. She looks fourteen and seems apprehensive of this whole affair. Her hair is in a tight braid and her skin is pale. Her mother and sister seem to have a softer prettier side than the other girl probably due to their powers. The mother and younger girl look free and soft. The older girl looks fierce and stern. Our eyes meet and she looks at me; studying my face. I look back at her and notice her violet eyes. Everything makes sense now. The way she looks like the outsider, the fierce tones to her face, and the eye color. She’s the Lighter.

I walk away from the limo and over to the girl. The two of us look like the most unlikely pair ever. Me with my dark skin and carefree braids. And her with her tight braid and pale skin. Even our clothes differ drastically. My dress flows and ripples in the wind and her with black pants and tank top don’t even wrinkle. I can read people pretty well and I’d say that the reason she’s this fierce is from the day she manifested. It must have scarred her in some way.

“Are you Moon?” she finally asks. Her voice is swift but there’s a small bit of softness in it as well.

“Yeah,” I say. “You’re Evadene?” I ask and she nods.

She grabs my hand and leads me up three flights of stairs. When we reach the third floor, she brings me into a room with a white door. The windows are covered with black cloth and the room is dim. This must be Evadene’s room.

“What should I do?” she asks. I panic. I wasn’t told how to do this! She’s the one asking *me*? I take a deep breath.

“Just, um, lie down on your bed,” I say and she does.

She closes her eyes and I bend over her. I wait until her breathing slows before I let my instincts lead the way. I place my fingers on her shoulders and gasp. I can feel the moonlight *inside* of her. It isn’t pure though. It’s clouded by shadows. My hands crawl to her heart and I gasp again. I can now *feel* the shadows. I try to focus on pulling them out and I can feel Evadene’s body begin to thrash. I push harder and blindly follow my instincts. The next thing I know, my hand had sunken *into* her chest. I can now feel the shadows and my power starts to drain. I grab onto the shadows with all my might and somehow, I pull them out.

“Go!” I scream and they crawl into the corner. It’s as if the shadows have a mind of their own; feeding on Evadene’s guilt and fear.

“Go!” I scream again, but the world is fading away.

I hang on and scream at the shadows huddled in the corner. Just as the world turns black, a surge of white light blinds me, and the shadows hiss before shrinking and fizzling into nothing. Numbly, I feel two strong hands grab me.

“Thank you,” someone whispers. My vision begins to fade again and I let the pair of strong arms catch me as I fall.

↔↔↔↔↔↔

“Moony?” a voice asks worriedly. My eyes flutter open and I look up to see a cluster of faces. My mama. My papa. Evadene. Her mother. Her sister. And a man who must be her father.

“Mama? What happened?” I ask.

“You went into the room with Eva and fifteen minutes later, I went to check on you guys,” says Evadene’s sister tearfully. “You were screaming and your eyes were closed and on Eva’s chest and then you pulled out the black stuff. You started yelling at it to go and then Eva woke up and blasted it with light. I called for my Daddy and he came and caught you when you passed out.” she finishes.

“Thank you for fixing my nightmares,” Evadene whispers.

“It’s no problem. At least now I know what will happen,” I say.

“Well, if you continue to heal people, I believe none will be as intense as Eva’s for two reasons,” Evadene’s mother says in her sweet voice. “One, because her nightmares were especially bad. Two, because now you and your instincts will know what can happen.”

I nod. Mama pulls me into a hug before Papa helps me stand up and leave. As I walk away, I hear Evadene call, “Thank you! You’re sure to be an Ultimate!”

# Chapter Three:

## Miku

I look around the lunchroom, scoping out the other students. I only see a few other Asian-looking kids. My own black hair is dyed strawberry-blonde but my roots still show as black and my blue eyes look back at me. I’ve only known about Elemaworld for a year but I’m still amazed when I see the people at school with eyes that have colors like purple or orange. Mine have always been blue since I was one of the five families to live in the human world. Last year, when I manifested as a Winder, my mom and dad told me the whole story. We were living in China so that we could watch over the humans inconspicuously. Once I manifested, Mom and Dad sent me here to Windspear. I’ve been training with Madam Viviette since she’s also a Winder and she’s training me to get control.

Today, I’m trying to scope out the ‘smart kids’ because I guess I’m one of them since the Headmistress wanted me to know specifically that they’ll be announcing the new ‘Ultimate Recruits’ that they’re taking in early and I guess I’m gonna be one of them. My best friend Ophelia got the same message from her mentor. Ophelia’s mom and dad are also Watchkeepers so when we both showed up at Windspear, we joined at the hip since neither of us knew any of Elemaworld’s customs. Ophelia’s wicked powerful and one of the two existing Flamers. I’m also powerful, I guess, but I like to stay modest.

I know one of the kids *has* to be Evadene Everson because even though she keeps to herself, everyone found out about her past a couple of months ago. Her sister Adalia came to the school and she told her friend about her sister’s past and her friend spread it everywhere. Evadene Everson is apparently the most powerful Lighter in our history, and she manifested really young so everyone expects her to be one of the Ultimate Recruits. Evadene Everson is completely oblivious to the rumors and she’s never had a friend at Windspear until yesterday when Moon Everbrook went to her house and healed her nightmares or something so now those two are eating lunch today. The only reason Ophelia and I know that is because Adalia keeps us in the loop.

I think Moon is one of them too since she’s one of the few Mooners and I’ve seen her train from my windows and she is *good*. It’s crazy the way she and her mentor go out at night and practice making animals out of moonlight. The one other girl I’m *positive* is gonna be one of the recruits is Alaska Eldon because I’ve literally seen that girl make a *tempest* of snow. She’s a Winter and keeps to herself mainly because everyone’s afraid she’s gonna turn them into a block of ice.

“So, who do you think the recruits will be beside us two?” asks Ophelia as she eats a chip.

“Well, it’s obvious Evadene Everson and I bet that Moon Everbrook is gonna be one too,” I say.

“That’s four,” says Ophelia. “Who else?”

“Maybe Alaska Eldon?” I ask, seeing if she agrees with my theory.

“Probably. I also bet they want people from the four main elements,” says Ophelia.

“Well, you and I are each one of them,” I say. “Fire, wind, earth, and water…. But who for the other two?” I trail off.

“I know!” says Ophelia. “There’s this new girl that shares the room with Adalia and she’s a Viner and Adalia told me this morning that literally in her *sleep* she was making animals that moved around out of wood and vines,” she explains.

“What’s her name?” I ask.

“Her name’s Jade Woodpeaks. Her parents are Watchkeepers too and she manifested a month ago,” she says.

I look over at the table that Adalia is sitting at. It’s hard *not* to miss Adalia through the tables with her dark hair and bright pink dress. Three other girls are at the table with her. The first one has red hair and blue eyes. She’s an Aquatic. The other girl has shiny blonde hair, blue eyes, and is talking quickly. She’s another Aquatic. It makes sense since Adalia herself is an Aquatic. The third girl looks confused about what the blonde girl is saying and is shrinking away. She looks Hispanic and has light blue eyes. Her hair is wavy and it fades from dark brown at the top, to light brown at the tips of her hair. This must be the Jade girl.

“I dunno,” I say. “She doesn’t look too tough,”

“We’ll have to wait to find out,” says Ophelia. “Any ideas on the Aquatic?”

“I’m not sure. Aquatics are the most common ability.” I say.

“True… I guess we wait then,” says Ophelia.

↔↔↔↔↔↔

Five days later, I stand in the auditorium with the other students. Classes are postponed this morning due to the announcement of the ten Ultimate Recruits.

“Hello, students,” says Headmistress Olviya. “We are gathered here today to reveal who will be our new, uprising young Ultimate Recruits. We choose younger students every fifty years and now, with honor, I give you the names.” she finishes.

Ophelia squeezes my hand excitedly and I bounce on the balls of my feet. “Number one; since we wanted at least four of the students to be the main elements, we will start with them,” says Headmistress, and Ophelia and I exchange a look of knowing.

“Ophelia Breckwood, age thirteen is a Flamer,” says Headmistress, and Ophelia heads up to the stage.

I watch as she hands Ophelia a ball of fire. Ophelia turns to the audience and holds out the fire. Everyone gasps as red light consumes her and when it fades, she is wearing her Awakening Gown, which is the outfit she received after she first manifested. She is wearing a red and gold dress, gold fish-netting gloves, and a red choker necklace. Little drops of flames dance happily around her head.

“Thank you, Ophelia,” says Headmistress, and Ophelia stands next to the stairs, waiting for me.

“Miku Hay-Chen, age thirteen is a Winder,” says Headmistress.

I walk onto the stage and take the ball of wind. I face the crowd and let the flash of silver light change my clothing into my Awakening Gown. My hair is in an elegant updo with a strand of hair hanging down on either side of my face and silver hoop earrings are on my ears. My choker necklace is pale grey and my dress is as beautiful as I remember. A corseted top is silver and my skirt is made entirely of wind that is poofed out. I walk over to Ophelia and we both grin.

“Jade Woodpeaks, age twelve is a Viner,” says Headmistress.

Jade takes her ball of vines shyly. Her outfit turns into leafy green ballerina slippers, a short-sleeved gown that is brown with vines wrapping up the skirt until it reaches her waist. “Brooks Summersea, age fifteen is an Aquatic,” is called next. I can tell she’s from Elemaworld since her eyes are extra blue. Her hair is wavy and dirty blonde and her skin is white and freckled. She looks like she lives on the beach. Her Awakening Gown is a blue crop-top and a long skirt made out of waves. Her hair is in a side braid and her ears are studded with pearls.

“Colton Shadow, age fourteen who is a Darkener,” says Headmistress. His skin is black and his outfit is a black suit.

“Evadene Everson, age fourteen is a Lighter,” she continues.

Evadene’s dress is pretty much blinding. Her dress is made up of actual light and the skirt poofs out and shines golden-white. Her black hair is in a tight braid and her bodice is swirls of gold like the sun. Dark and Light. The headmistress is kinda typical.

Next, as Headmistress calls, “Cylas Edwin, age fifteen is a Forcer,” a bunch of people gasp because the few Forcer’s that we’ve ever had went rogue. A Forcer is someone who can mind-control and mind-read. I guess the power can get into their heads and make them crazy for power.

Cylas climbs up with an easy smile and says, “Look, normally, a Forcer isn’t chosen but I was chosen this year because I know how to control myself, so don’t worry,”

Cylas is definitely handsome with his muscular build, dark brown hair, pale skin, and striking golden eyes. “Vera Irdene, age fifteen is our newest Reader,” says Headmistress.

I'm even surprised. From what I learned, we have an infinite lifespan and there are only three Readers ever. One of them is Evadene’s mother. There hasn’t been a Reader in a century and the King and Queen started getting worried that the Readers might one day go extinct. Vera Irdene has black hair that is dyed red-brown and she looks part Asian like me. Her skin is more tanned but she’s also from the ‘Human World’. Her dress is a pale, flowy pink and her hair is in a bun.

“Moon Everbrook, age twelve is a Mooner,” says Headmistress.

Moon comes up and her black skin shines even after the moonlight flashes and her long hair is in many thin braids. Her dress is blinding silver and it looks like it’s made of real moonlight as it poofs out. Her smile is white as she walks to the end of the line. *One… Two… Three… Five… Seven… Eight… Nine…* I think. So who’s the last one?

“Alaska Eldon, age fourteen is a Winter,” Headmistress says.

I knew it! It was Alaska! She climbs up the stairs begrudgingly. She takes her snowball and I look back at her. It seems odd for such a pretty and powerful girl to look so secretive and reluctant to be here. Her skin is pale, her hair is almost white, her eyes are crystal blue so she must be from Elemaworld, and her dress is snow-white. She slouches and walks to the end of the line. Headmistress Olyvia begins letting the other students head back to classes but gestures for us to follow her. She brings us to her office and tells us to sit.

“Thank you ten for agreeing to join the Ultimates,” Headmistress Olyvia says once we’re all seated. We nod politely.

“You ten were chosen for a reason. You, my children, are even more powerful than our most experienced Ultimates alive. You, my children, are not just going to be in the Ultimates. You will be a part of something our world has never seen before. Something I call, Team Infinite.”

# Chapter Four:

## Jade

“What?” the girl named Ophelia asks.

I don’t like the sound of this. I came to Elemaworld just two months ago and knew barely anything about it. Now my headmistress is telling me that I’m more powerful than a bunch of guys who’ve been training for years? I’m not buying it. We can’t be supernatural kids with super powerful powers! I mean, that’s basically what everyone in Elemaworld is already! *Everyone* in Elemaworld is super powerful! These people control *fire*! When I transformed or whatever, the *only* reason I believed my parents were because there was proof in front of me. My little sisters Emma, Evie, and Lucia were so jealous but I was just nervous. I was being thrown into a world where someone could drown me just by focusing. I fidget with the vines on my skirt and glance around nervously. An older girl named Evadene also looks nervous. The girls named Miku, Brooks, Moon, and Vera look excited, and Cylas looks apprehensive.

“Students, please.” Headmistress Olyvia says calmly. “I have been watching you ten and you all have extraordinary power. That is why you ten won’t *just* be in the Ultimates. You will also be in an undercover team to make sure nothing goes wrong in our world. There is some unrest and suspicion around campus and I believe that you, children, can get to the bottom of it.” she explains.

Everyone nods. I can even feel myself nodding. What is wrong with me? Why am I agreeing to this?!?

“Tonight, you will search the campus for anything suspicious. After lessons, head to your dorms where you will find suits you can wear.” Headmistress Olyvia says. “Now, I will be pairing you up in patrol groups of two. You will all still be in the same area and working together but in case you split up or get separated, you will have someone to buddy with.”

“Ophelia and Miku will be partners.” *Wind and fire.* I think. *Smart.* If they need to defend themselves, Ophelia can spark a flame, and Miku and make the fire rage with the wind.

“Colton and Evadene.” Again, it makes sense. Light and dark.

“Alaska and Brooks.” I think that’ll also be smart. Brooks can summon water and Alaska and turn it into ice.

“Cylas and Vera.” That makes sense too. They can enhance each other’s abilities because they both use the mind.

That means Moon and I are a group, and that makes the least sense. I mean, moonlight and earth? How do those work together? Then it clicks. Moonlight can be blocked if you’re in a forest and there are plenty of trees on campus. I’m the only one who can make the trees let the moonlight through for Moon to use.

“Now,” says Headmistress Olyvia. “Your ability mentors are waiting for you all.”

↔↔↔↔↔↔

That night, I stay up until ten ‘o'clock before sneaking out of bed, careful not to wake my roommate Adalia. I slip on the smooth, one-piece suit. It’s dark green and has different buttons on the wrist. I walk downstairs and outside and try to look cool, calm, and collected. Everything I’m *not* feeling right now.

“Hi, Ophelia, Evadene,” I say.

Evadene’s suit is bright gold/white so she’ll be hard to miss and Ophelia’s is flaming red. But mine? Mine is perfect for camouflage; something that I’m especially good at.

“Hi… Jade! Right? I got your name right, right?” Ophelia asks. I laugh a little and nod.

“That’s right. Oh, Moon!” I say noticing a girl in silver running down the steps.

“Hey, buddy!” Moon says. I notice Colton, Brooks, and Cylas in a corner talking, Alaska sitting by herself, and Vera is running over to us now.

“Everyone! Over here!” Miku orders. Cylas, Colton, Brooks, and Alaska walk over to us. We all look so different but yet so similar.

“Why don’t we spread out and if we hear something, we call the others over? But, we need to be quiet.” Brooks suggests.

I nod along with everyone else and let Moon pull me away. We hide in a bush to listen and I can’t help noticing how her hair is braided into bunches of tiny ones. Her breath feels warm on me as we look around silently and her dark skin glows in the moonlight. I think that Headmistress Olyvia was right to choose us. Not just because of our power but because of our power of unity. We all have our differences but we’re still a team. Miku is Asian, I’m Hispanic, Moon is African American, Vera is Latino and Asian, and the others are white. And yet, we all accept each other which I think is the most powerful thing of all. I hear a noise ahead of me and manage not to jump. I tap Moon on the shoulder and she looks around.

*There’s someone here!* I mouth.

She nods back and we slowly start creeping towards the tree where I heard the noise. I stop at the sudden silence which seems odd. Moon keeps going and I look around wildly.

“Moon!” I whisper-shout but Moon keeps going.

I turn around and almost scream out loud. Miku and Ophelia are behind me and watching Moon silently too. I glance at them and they nod. *The person’s still there!* I mouth. *It went quiet, but it’s really strange and Moon’s headed right toward them!*

Miku’s eyes widen and we all turn back. Moon reaches the tree, and a man in a purple cloak jumps out and grabs her. Moon screams and I jump up. He grabs her neck and starts to choke her. I stay in the bushes with my camouflage and race towards them. Moon’s lips are turning blue as I near the tree. I gather all of my strength and throw the man against the tree with a bundle of vines. The man drops Moon who passes out and falls to the ground. He stands back up and throws out his hands. A blast of arctic winds thrust me backward onto the ground and I realize, *He’s a Winter.* I stand back up as I shiver and throw the man against the tree again. This time, he falls limply. I fall to my knees and heave breaths in and out.

*Breathe.* I tell myself. *Breathe!* Ophelia grabs me. I scream and stumble backward. “Hey,” she says and grabs my wrists. “It’s okay,”

Her hands are much warmer than mine since I just got blasted with freezing wind and Ophelia’s a Flamer. The warmth brings me somewhat back to reality and I look around. Everyone's over here now and looking at *me*.

“That was crazy!” Brooks says after a second.

I nod, still panting. Then I look around and remember. “Moon!” I shout.

I run over to Moon and Cylas and Ophelia follow. Moon’s skin is paler than her normally dark skin and she’s laying on her side. She sits up after a moment and looks around. When she notices the man, she flinches and backs away. She bumps right into me and screams. I grab her and she looks around.

“Oh! Jade! Thanks,” she says.

Cylas helps her stand up and walk over to Vera. Moon sits down and Vera snuggles her head into the crook of Cylas’ neck. I wonder for a moment if they’re boyfriend and girlfriend. I shake off the thought and turn back to the man. Alaska walks over to him and pulls up his hood. She gasps and says the first word I’ve ever heard her say. Instead of sounding triumphant, her voice is cracking and trembling as she says the words I’d *never* expect to hear.

“Dad?”

# Chapter Five:

## Cylas

I sit up straight. This night can’t get *any* crazier. I come downstairs from my dorm and outside in this sweet suit and my roommate/girlfriend Vera comes a little later and is looking great in this pink suit. Vera and I met when we were both twelve and came to Windspear at the same time. We were put together because I was a Forcer and she was a new Reader so they thought we would balance each other out. Well, we do. Vera makes sure my powers are in check and I make sure she doesn’t turn into a sweet little princess like the rest of the Readers. Vera’s fierce but her ability can set her back, so we help each other out. Last year though, we started getting together and now, we’re here. We’re still together even with all of this crazy Team Infinite stuff and evil stalker people.

So, we’re out here searching when this guy grabs Moon and starts choking her. That fired me up for one thing because dude. He’s *evil*. And second, that kid is only twelve years old. Why are you trying to kill some innocent little girl who has wicked moonlight powers?!? So, the other twelve-year-old, Jade, comes over and *blasts* the guy *into a tree*. A *tree*. I didn’t think she had it in her, to be honest. She was the one who’d been nervous the whole time. Then the guy blasts her with this giant arctic wind so he’s obviously a Winter and then Jade just stands up and chucks him into the tree again. I grab Moon and help her get away from the freaky guy and then Vera starts snuggling me. Next thing I know, Alaska’s lifting the hood of the dude and calling him “Dad”.

I walk over to Alaska and say, “What do you mean by ‘Dad’”

“I mean, that’s my *dad*!” Alaska says.

I look down at his face and realize, *Alaska’s right!* I’ve met Lord Eldon before and this is him. Vera and Moon come running over and look at the man. It’s kinda creepy the way we’re all just huddling around some unconscious dude. Ophelia comes and traps him in a cage of fire which makes me want to pump my fist in the air. Lord Eldon starts to stir and then opens his eyes.

“Ah, Alaska. I see you’ve found out that it’s me?” he asks with a smirk that I want to slap right off of his face.

“What are you doing?” Alaska asks and she’s shaking. Not with fear but *fury*.

“Alaska, this world has so many problems. We can’t make them disappear by standing in shops.” Lord Eldon snaps.

“The only problem is you and your group of rebels. The ten of *us* are the good people who are going to stop the issues. Not you.” Alaska retorts.

She turns to us and says, “Moon, flash a spark of moonlight in the Headmistress's office so she knows we’ve got someone.”

Moon nods and whips her hands around super quickly until a little spark of moonlight starts flying off to the top of Windspear. Headmistress Olyvia comes racing down the stairs. “You’ve apprehended someone? Already?” she asks breathlessly.

“Yeah,” I say. “Except, it’s Alaska’s dad.”

↔↔↔↔↔↔

It’s all out. Everyone knows in the news that Alaska’s dad is a criminal. People are weirder than ever around Alaska and have no clue who apprehended Lord Eldon last night. None of us in our group blame Alaska though. She’s started talking to us and doesn’t look *as* surly. We have our own little lunch group where we all sit together in the corner. I was always an outsider besides having Vera, so this was a step up. Currently, we’re all sitting together on the steps outside in the middle of the night talking about where to search tonight. Ophelia thinks that there’s one person in each of the four areas on campus. We searched the Northern Courtyards last night. Tonight, we’re outside sitting on the steps of the Southern Woods.

“Guys,” I say and everyone looks up. “What if we check the Southern Woods? We’re already here and now that they know that one of their buddies are gone, they’re going to want to break him out, and what better way to do that than going through the woods?”

“Smart…” Evadene says. “Let’s get with our buddies and start searching since we all wore our suits.”

Evadene stands up and Colton gets up with her. He shrouds her bright suit in shadows and they run into the forest. I grab Vera and pull her into the forest. The two of us break into a run. Half an hour later, we almost run into Ophelia and Miku, and an hour after that, I hear a twig snap. I pull Vera low and listen. I look up at the shadow of a large man.

“Someone’s here, and I saw their shadow,” I whisper. “It’s not one of our friends.”

Vera looks around. She screams and I reach over to cover her mouth but I can’t feel her. I turn around and cry out. A heavyset man with brown hair and violet eyes is holding Vera up like she weighs nothing. She screams again and the man blasts her with a ball of light. It wraps around her mouth and silences her.

“Vera!” I scream. The man glares at me and then looks down at Vera. A grin curls his lips and he reaches his hand back.

“No!” I scream, just as the man blasts Vera into the night with a golden blade.

I snarl and lung forward. He did *not* just hurt my girlfriend. The man takes a small step back and his already watery pupils dilate. I focus and as the man begins to run, I snap my fingers, and he freezes, mid-step. I make a whistling noise and seconds later, Evadene and Colton are here.

“Okay,” says Colton. “Here’s what I see: You using your crazy cool powers, a man who’s frozen, and the bleeding corpse of Vera.”

“You’d be correct. Listen, I’ll explain later. Evadene, can you like, summon the others with your light powers?” I ask as I pant. “I can’t keep controlling him much longer.”

Evadene nods and starts sending out little stars with messages in them. *Man,* my friends are cool. I let Colton trap the guy in a cage of shadows and I release my focus. The guy bangs against the cage. While I wait for the others, I walk over to Vera. Her eyes are closed but her chest is rising and falling. There’s a golden blade stabbed into her chest. Her *chest*. Seriously, dude? You just *had* to try and kill my girlfriend. There’s blood everywhere. Especially her chest, waist, and her suit. The gold silencing thingy is also still trapped in her mouth. It unravels away and I whip around. Evadene is walking away from here but she turns and smiles at me. Wow. I just got a smile from Evadene Everson. This night is *full* of surprises.

I pick Vera up and for a second, she opens her eyes. She winces as she tries to hug me. “Hey,” I say. “It’s okay,”

“Thanks,” she whispers and I can’t help but smile.

I have a girl who just got stabbed in my *arms* and as she’s fighting for life, all she can say to me is ‘thanks’. I walk back to Colton and Evadene who both glance at Vera and wince. Evadene grasps the light sword and pulls it out of Vera’s chest. Vera gives an adorable little moan and Evadene pockets the sword. After a few minutes, everyone else is running into the forest. Both Moon and Jade scream when they see me holding Vera. Alaska, Miku, and Ophelia grimace, and Brooks closes her eyes and shakes her head.

“Ophelia, your theory was right,” I say. “And this one’s a powerful Lighter.”

Ophelia doesn’t answer immediately. She’s walking over to the shadow cage and is glaring at the guy. “You are an absolutely monstrous person!” she screams.

The guy snorts. “That’s life, fire-girl,” he says.

“Life is something to be proud of! You act like the world is supposed to be a horrible place! You’ve obviously lost yourself to the light,” Evadene snaps.

“As if *you* would know,” the man snaps back.

“I do know! I’m *just* like you! I feel the pull every single time I’m in the light! Every. Single. Time! I almost *killed* my sister! You think *I* don’t know?!?” Evadene shouts.

The man goes silent. “What is your name?” Colton asks.

“Jachove Ore,” Jachove whispers. I look up to the sky and then look forward. I do a double-take and I see Headmistress Olyvia running towards us.

“Another!” She says. Then, she notices Vera and she shrieks.

“The guy stabbed her,” I say.

Headmistress collects herself and nods like this is the most normal thing in the history of normal. She turns around and faces the man. She instructs Colton to tie Jachove in the shadows and as he does I look back down at Vera. Then I almost stop breathing. Vera’s chest has stopped rising and falling. There are not even shallow breaths. There’s nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

“Guys! She needs a physician! Now!”

# Chapter Three:

## Miku

I look around the lunchroom, scoping out the other students. I only see a few other Asian-looking kids. My own black hair is dyed strawberry-blonde but my roots still show as black and my blue eyes look back at me. I’ve only known about Elemaworld for a year but I’m still amazed when I see the people at school with eyes that have colors like purple or orange. Mine have always been blue since I was one of the five families to live in the human world. Last year, when I manifested as a Winder, my mom and dad told me the whole story. We were living in China so that we could watch over the humans inconspicuously. Once I manifested, Mom and Dad sent me here to Windspear. I’ve been training with Madam Viviette since she’s also a Winder and she’s training me to get control.

Today, I’m trying to scope out the ‘smart kids’ because I guess I’m one of them since the Headmistress wanted me to know specifically that they’ll be announcing the new ‘Ultimate Recruits’ that they’re taking in early and I guess I’m gonna be one of them. My best friend Ophelia got the same message from her mentor. Ophelia’s mom and dad are also Watchkeepers so when we both showed up at Windspear, we joined at the hip since neither of us knew any of Elemaworld’s customs. Ophelia’s wicked powerful and one of the two existing Flamers. I’m also powerful, I guess, but I like to stay modest.

I know one of the kids *has* to be Evadene Everson because even though she keeps to herself, everyone found out about her past a couple of months ago. Her sister Adalia came to the school and she told her friend about her sister’s past and her friend spread it everywhere. Evadene Everson is apparently the most powerful Lighter in our history, and she manifested really young so everyone expects her to be one of the Ultimate Recruits. Evadene Everson is completely oblivious to the rumors and she’s never had a friend at Windspear until yesterday when Moon Everbrook went to her house and healed her nightmares or something so now those two are eating lunch today. The only reason Ophelia and I know that is because Adalia keeps us in the loop.

I think Moon is one of them too since she’s one of the few Mooners and I’ve seen her train from my windows and she is *good*. It’s crazy the way she and her mentor go out at night and practice making animals out of moonlight. The one other girl I’m *positive* is gonna be one of the recruits is Alaska Eldon because I’ve literally seen that girl make a *tempest* of snow. She’s a Winter and keeps to herself mainly because everyone’s afraid she’s gonna turn them into a block of ice.

“So, who do you think the recruits will be beside us two?” asks Ophelia as she eats a chip.

“Well, it’s obvious Evadene Everson and I bet that Moon Everbrook is gonna be one too,” I say.

“That’s four,” says Ophelia. “Who else?”

“Maybe Alaska Eldon?” I ask, seeing if she agrees with my theory.

“Probably. I also bet they want people from the four main elements,” says Ophelia.

“Well, you and I are each one of them,” I say. “Fire, wind, earth, and water…. But who for the other two?” I trail off.

“I know!” says Ophelia. “There’s this new girl that shares the room with Adalia and she’s a Viner and Adalia told me this morning that literally in her *sleep* she was making animals that moved around out of wood and vines,” she explains.

“What’s her name?” I ask.

“Her name’s Jade Woodpeaks. Her parents are Watchkeepers too and she manifested a month ago,” she says.

I look over at the table that Adalia is sitting at. It’s hard *not* to miss Adalia through the tables with her dark hair and bright pink dress. Three other girls are at the table with her. The first one has red hair and blue eyes. She’s an Aquatic. The other girl has shiny blonde hair, blue eyes, and is talking quickly. She’s another Aquatic. It makes sense since Adalia herself is an Aquatic. The third girl looks confused about what the blonde girl is saying and is shrinking away. She looks Hispanic and has light blue eyes. Her hair is wavy and it fades from dark brown at the top, to light brown at the tips of her hair. This must be the Jade girl.

“I dunno,” I say. “She doesn’t look too tough,”

“We’ll have to wait to find out,” says Ophelia. “Any ideas on the Aquatic?”

“I’m not sure. Aquatics are the most common ability.” I say.

“True… I guess we wait then,” says Ophelia.

↔↔↔↔↔↔

Five days later, I stand in the auditorium with the other students. Classes are postponed this morning due to the announcement of the ten Ultimate Recruits.

“Hello, students,” says Headmistress Olviya. “We are gathered here today to reveal who will be our new, uprising young Ultimate Recruits. We choose younger students every fifty years and now, with honor, I give you the names.” she finishes.

Ophelia squeezes my hand excitedly and I bounce on the balls of my feet. “Number one; since we wanted at least four of the students to be the main elements, we will start with them,” says Headmistress, and Ophelia and I exchange a look of knowing.

“Ophelia Breckwood, age thirteen is a Flamer,” says Headmistress, and Ophelia heads up to the stage.

I watch as she hands Ophelia a ball of fire. Ophelia turns to the audience and holds out the fire. Everyone gasps as red light consumes her and when it fades, she is wearing her Awakening Gown, which is the outfit she received after she first manifested. She is wearing a red and gold dress, gold fish-netting gloves, and a red choker necklace. Little drops of flames dance happily around her head.

“Thank you, Ophelia,” says Headmistress, and Ophelia stands next to the stairs, waiting for me.

“Miku Hay-Chen, age thirteen is a Winder,” says Headmistress.

I walk onto the stage and take the ball of wind. I face the crowd and let the flash of silver light change my clothing into my Awakening Gown. My hair is in an elegant updo with a strand of hair hanging down on either side of my face and silver hoop earrings are on my ears. My choker necklace is pale grey and my dress is as beautiful as I remember. A corseted top is silver and my skirt is made entirely of wind that is poofed out. I walk over to Ophelia and we both grin.

“Jade Woodpeaks, age twelve is a Viner,” says Headmistress.

Jade takes her ball of vines shyly. Her outfit turns into leafy green ballerina slippers, a short-sleeved gown that is brown with vines wrapping up the skirt until it reaches her waist. “Brooks Summersea, age fifteen is an Aquatic,” is called next. I can tell she’s from Elemaworld since her eyes are extra blue. Her hair is wavy and dirty blonde and her skin is white and freckled. She looks like she lives on the beach. Her Awakening Gown is a blue crop-top and a long skirt made out of waves. Her hair is in a side braid and her ears are studded with pearls.

“Colton Shadow, age fourteen who is a Darkener,” says Headmistress. His skin is black and his outfit is a black suit.

“Evadene Everson, age fourteen is a Lighter,” she continues.

Evadene’s dress is pretty much blinding. Her dress is made up of actual light and the skirt poofs out and shines golden-white. Her black hair is in a tight braid and her bodice is swirls of gold like the sun. Dark and Light. The headmistress is kinda typical.

Next, as Headmistress calls, “Cylas Edwin, age fifteen is a Forcer,” a bunch of people gasp because the few Forcer’s that we’ve ever had went rogue. A Forcer is someone who can mind-control and mind-read. I guess the power can get into their heads and make them crazy for power.

Cylas climbs up with an easy smile and says, “Look, normally, a Forcer isn’t chosen but I was chosen this year because I know how to control myself, so don’t worry,”

Cylas is definitely handsome with his muscular build, dark brown hair, pale skin, and striking golden eyes. “Vera Irdene, age fifteen is our newest Reader,” says Headmistress.

I'm even surprised. From what I learned, we have an infinite lifespan and there are only three Readers ever. One of them is Evadene’s mother. There hasn’t been a Reader in a century and the King and Queen started getting worried that the Readers might one day go extinct. Vera Irdene has black hair that is dyed red-brown and she looks part Asian like me. Her skin is more tanned but she’s also from the ‘Human World’. Her dress is a pale, flowy pink and her hair is in a bun.

“Moon Everbrook, age twelve is a Mooner,” says Headmistress.

Moon comes up and her black skin shines even after the moonlight flashes and her long hair is in many thin braids. Her dress is blinding silver and it looks like it’s made of real moonlight as it poofs out. Her smile is white as she walks to the end of the line. *One… Two… Three… Five… Seven… Eight… Nine…* I think. So who’s the last one?

“Alaska Eldon, age fourteen is a Winter,” Headmistress says.

I knew it! It was Alaska! She climbs up the stairs begrudgingly. She takes her snowball and I look back at her. It seems odd for such a pretty and powerful girl to look so secretive and reluctant to be here. Her skin is pale, her hair is almost white, her eyes are crystal blue so she must be from Elemaworld, and her dress is snow-white. She slouches and walks to the end of the line. Headmistress Olyvia begins letting the other students head back to classes but gestures for us to follow her. She brings us to her office and tells us to sit.

“Thank you ten for agreeing to join the Ultimates,” Headmistress Olyvia says once we’re all seated. We nod politely.

“You ten were chosen for a reason. You, my children, are even more powerful than our most experienced Ultimates alive. You, my children, are not just going to be in the Ultimates. You will be a part of something our world has never seen before. Something I call, Team Infinite.”

# Chapter Four:

## Jade

“What?” the girl named Ophelia asks.

I don’t like the sound of this. I came to Elemaworld just two months ago and knew barely anything about it. Now my headmistress is telling me that I’m more powerful than a bunch of guys who’ve been training for years? I’m not buying it. We can’t be supernatural kids with super powerful powers! I mean, that’s basically what everyone in Elemaworld is already! *Everyone* in Elemaworld is super powerful! These people control *fire*! When I transformed or whatever, the *only* reason I believed my parents were because there was proof in front of me. My little sisters Emma, Evie, and Lucia were so jealous but I was just nervous. I was being thrown into a world where someone could drown me just by focusing. I fidget with the vines on my skirt and glance around nervously. An older girl named Evadene also looks nervous. The girls named Miku, Brooks, Moon, and Vera look excited, and Cylas looks apprehensive.

“Students, please.” Headmistress Olyvia says calmly. “I have been watching you ten and you all have extraordinary power. That is why you ten won’t *just* be in the Ultimates. You will also be in an undercover team to make sure nothing goes wrong in our world. There is some unrest and suspicion around campus and I believe that you, children, can get to the bottom of it.” she explains.

Everyone nods. I can even feel myself nodding. What is wrong with me? Why am I agreeing to this?!?

“Tonight, you will search the campus for anything suspicious. After lessons, head to your dorms where you will find suits you can wear.” Headmistress Olyvia says. “Now, I will be pairing you up in patrol groups of two. You will all still be in the same area and working together but in case you split up or get separated, you will have someone to buddy with.”

“Ophelia and Miku will be partners.” *Wind and fire.* I think. *Smart.* If they need to defend themselves, Ophelia can spark a flame, and Miku and make the fire rage with the wind.

“Colton and Evadene.” Again, it makes sense. Light and dark.

“Alaska and Brooks.” I think that’ll also be smart. Brooks can summon water and Alaska and turn it into ice.

“Cylas and Vera.” That makes sense too. They can enhance each other’s abilities because they both use the mind.

That means Moon and I are a group, and that makes the least sense. I mean, moonlight and earth? How do those work together? Then it clicks. Moonlight can be blocked if you’re in a forest and there are plenty of trees on campus. I’m the only one who can make the trees let the moonlight through for Moon to use.

“Now,” says Headmistress Olyvia. “Your ability mentors are waiting for you all.”

↔↔↔↔↔↔

That night, I stay up until ten ‘o'clock before sneaking out of bed, careful not to wake my roommate Adalia. I slip on the smooth, one-piece suit. It’s dark green and has different buttons on the wrist. I walk downstairs and outside and try to look cool, calm, and collected. Everything I’m *not* feeling right now.

“Hi, Ophelia, Evadene,” I say.

Evadene’s suit is bright gold/white so she’ll be hard to miss and Ophelia’s is flaming red. But mine? Mine is perfect for camouflage; something that I’m especially good at.

“Hi… Jade! Right? I got your name right, right?” Ophelia asks. I laugh a little and nod.

“That’s right. Oh, Moon!” I say noticing a girl in silver running down the steps.

“Hey, buddy!” Moon says. I notice Colton, Brooks, and Cylas in a corner talking, Alaska sitting by herself, and Vera is running over to us now.

“Everyone! Over here!” Miku orders. Cylas, Colton, Brooks, and Alaska walk over to us. We all look so different but yet so similar.

“Why don’t we spread out and if we hear something, we call the others over? But, we need to be quiet.” Brooks suggests.

I nod along with everyone else and let Moon pull me away. We hide in a bush to listen and I can’t help noticing how her hair is braided into bunches of tiny ones. Her breath feels warm on me as we look around silently and her dark skin glows in the moonlight. I think that Headmistress Olyvia was right to choose us. Not just because of our power but because of our power of unity. We all have our differences but we’re still a team. Miku is Asian, I’m Hispanic, Moon is African American, Vera is Latino and Asian, and the others are white. And yet, we all accept each other which I think is the most powerful thing of all. I hear a noise ahead of me and manage not to jump. I tap Moon on the shoulder and she looks around.

*There’s someone here!* I mouth.

She nods back and we slowly start creeping towards the tree where I heard the noise. I stop at the sudden silence which seems odd. Moon keeps going and I look around wildly.

“Moon!” I whisper-shout but Moon keeps going.

I turn around and almost scream out loud. Miku and Ophelia are behind me and watching Moon silently too. I glance at them and they nod. *The person’s still there!* I mouth. *It went quiet, but it’s really strange and Moon’s headed right toward them!*

Miku’s eyes widen and we all turn back. Moon reaches the tree, and a man in a purple cloak jumps out and grabs her. Moon screams and I jump up. He grabs her neck and starts to choke her. I stay in the bushes with my camouflage and race towards them. Moon’s lips are turning blue as I near the tree. I gather all of my strength and throw the man against the tree with a bundle of vines. The man drops Moon who passes out and falls to the ground. He stands back up and throws out his hands. A blast of arctic winds thrust me backward onto the ground and I realize, *He’s a Winter.* I stand back up as I shiver and throw the man against the tree again. This time, he falls limply. I fall to my knees and heave breaths in and out.

*Breathe.* I tell myself. *Breathe!* Ophelia grabs me. I scream and stumble backward. “Hey,” she says and grabs my wrists. “It’s okay,”

Her hands are much warmer than mine since I just got blasted with freezing wind and Ophelia’s a Flamer. The warmth brings me somewhat back to reality and I look around. Everyone's over here now and looking at *me*.

“That was crazy!” Brooks says after a second.

I nod, still panting. Then I look around and remember. “Moon!” I shout.

I run over to Moon and Cylas and Ophelia follow. Moon’s skin is paler than her normally dark skin and she’s laying on her side. She sits up after a moment and looks around. When she notices the man, she flinches and backs away. She bumps right into me and screams. I grab her and she looks around.

“Oh! Jade! Thanks,” she says.

Cylas helps her stand up and walk over to Vera. Moon sits down and Vera snuggles her head into the crook of Cylas’ neck. I wonder for a moment if they’re boyfriend and girlfriend. I shake off the thought and turn back to the man. Alaska walks over to him and pulls up his hood. She gasps and says the first word I’ve ever heard her say. Instead of sounding triumphant, her voice is cracking and trembling as she says the words I’d *never* expect to hear.

“Dad?”

# Chapter Five:

## Cylas

I sit up straight. This night can’t get *any* crazier. I come downstairs from my dorm and outside in this sweet suit and my roommate/girlfriend Vera comes a little later and is looking great in this pink suit. Vera and I met when we were both twelve and came to Windspear at the same time. We were put together because I was a Forcer and she was a new Reader so they thought we would balance each other out. Well, we do. Vera makes sure my powers are in check and I make sure she doesn’t turn into a sweet little princess like the rest of the Readers. Vera’s fierce but her ability can set her back, so we help each other out. Last year though, we started getting together and now, we’re here. We’re still together even with all of this crazy Team Infinite stuff and evil stalker people.

So, we’re out here searching when this guy grabs Moon and starts choking her. That fired me up for one thing because dude. He’s *evil*. And second, that kid is only twelve years old. Why are you trying to kill some innocent little girl who has wicked moonlight powers?!? So, the other twelve-year-old, Jade, comes over and *blasts* the guy *into a tree*. A *tree*. I didn’t think she had it in her, to be honest. She was the one who’d been nervous the whole time. Then the guy blasts her with this giant arctic wind so he’s obviously a Winter and then Jade just stands up and chucks him into the tree again. I grab Moon and help her get away from the freaky guy and then Vera starts snuggling me. Next thing I know, Alaska’s lifting the hood of the dude and calling him “Dad”.

I walk over to Alaska and say, “What do you mean by ‘Dad’”

“I mean, that’s my *dad*!” Alaska says.

I look down at his face and realize, *Alaska’s right!* I’ve met Lord Eldon before and this is him. Vera and Moon come running over and look at the man. It’s kinda creepy the way we’re all just huddling around some unconscious dude. Ophelia comes and traps him in a cage of fire which makes me want to pump my fist in the air. Lord Eldon starts to stir and then opens his eyes.

“Ah, Alaska. I see you’ve found out that it’s me?” he asks with a smirk that I want to slap right off of his face.

“What are you doing?” Alaska asks and she’s shaking. Not with fear but *fury*.

“Alaska, this world has so many problems. We can’t make them disappear by standing in shops.” Lord Eldon snaps.

“The only problem is you and your group of rebels. The ten of *us* are the good people who are going to stop the issues. Not you.” Alaska retorts.

She turns to us and says, “Moon, flash a spark of moonlight in the Headmistress's office so she knows we’ve got someone.”

Moon nods and whips her hands around super quickly until a little spark of moonlight starts flying off to the top of Windspear. Headmistress Olyvia comes racing down the stairs. “You’ve apprehended someone? Already?” she asks breathlessly.

“Yeah,” I say. “Except, it’s Alaska’s dad.”

↔↔↔↔↔↔

It’s all out. Everyone knows in the news that Alaska’s dad is a criminal. People are weirder than ever around Alaska and have no clue who apprehended Lord Eldon last night. None of us in our group blame Alaska though. She’s started talking to us and doesn’t look *as* surly. We have our own little lunch group where we all sit together in the corner. I was always an outsider besides having Vera, so this was a step up. Currently, we’re all sitting together on the steps outside in the middle of the night talking about where to search tonight. Ophelia thinks that there’s one person in each of the four areas on campus. We searched the Northern Courtyards last night. Tonight, we’re outside sitting on the steps of the Southern Woods.

“Guys,” I say and everyone looks up. “What if we check the Southern Woods? We’re already here and now that they know that one of their buddies are gone, they’re going to want to break him out, and what better way to do that than going through the woods?”

“Smart…” Evadene says. “Let’s get with our buddies and start searching since we all wore our suits.”

Evadene stands up and Colton gets up with her. He shrouds her bright suit in shadows and they run into the forest. I grab Vera and pull her into the forest. The two of us break into a run. Half an hour later, we almost run into Ophelia and Miku, and an hour after that, I hear a twig snap. I pull Vera low and listen. I look up at the shadow of a large man.

“Someone’s here, and I saw their shadow,” I whisper. “It’s not one of our friends.”

Vera looks around. She screams and I reach over to cover her mouth but I can’t feel her. I turn around and cry out. A heavyset man with brown hair and violet eyes is holding Vera up like she weighs nothing. She screams again and the man blasts her with a ball of light. It wraps around her mouth and silences her.

“Vera!” I scream. The man glares at me and then looks down at Vera. A grin curls his lips and he reaches his hand back.

“No!” I scream, just as the man blasts Vera into the night with a golden blade.

I snarl and lung forward. He did *not* just hurt my girlfriend. The man takes a small step back and his already watery pupils dilate. I focus and as the man begins to run, I snap my fingers, and he freezes, mid-step. I make a whistling noise and seconds later, Evadene and Colton are here.

“Okay,” says Colton. “Here’s what I see: You using your crazy cool powers, a man who’s frozen, and the bleeding corpse of Vera.”

“You’d be correct. Listen, I’ll explain later. Evadene, can you like, summon the others with your light powers?” I ask as I pant. “I can’t keep controlling him much longer.”

Evadene nods and starts sending out little stars with messages in them. *Man,* my friends are cool. I let Colton trap the guy in a cage of shadows and I release my focus. The guy bangs against the cage. While I wait for the others, I walk over to Vera. Her eyes are closed but her chest is rising and falling. There’s a golden blade stabbed into her chest. Her *chest*. Seriously, dude? You just *had* to try and kill my girlfriend. There’s blood everywhere. Especially her chest, waist, and her suit. The gold silencing thingy is also still trapped in her mouth. It unravels away and I whip around. Evadene is walking away from here but she turns and smiles at me. Wow. I just got a smile from Evadene Everson. This night is *full* of surprises.

I pick Vera up and for a second, she opens her eyes. She winces as she tries to hug me. “Hey,” I say. “It’s okay,”

“Thanks,” she whispers and I can’t help but smile.

I have a girl who just got stabbed in my *arms* and as she’s fighting for life, all she can say to me is ‘thanks’. I walk back to Colton and Evadene who both glance at Vera and wince. Evadene grasps the light sword and pulls it out of Vera’s chest. Vera gives an adorable little moan and Evadene pockets the sword. After a few minutes, everyone else is running into the forest. Both Moon and Jade scream when they see me holding Vera. Alaska, Miku, and Ophelia grimace, and Brooks closes her eyes and shakes her head.

“Ophelia, your theory was right,” I say. “And this one’s a powerful Lighter.”

Ophelia doesn’t answer immediately. She’s walking over to the shadow cage and is glaring at the guy. “You are an absolutely monstrous person!” she screams.

The guy snorts. “That’s life, fire-girl,” he says.

“Life is something to be proud of! You act like the world is supposed to be a horrible place! You’ve obviously lost yourself to the light,” Evadene snaps.

“As if *you* would know,” the man snaps back.

“I do know! I’m *just* like you! I feel the pull every single time I’m in the light! Every. Single. Time! I almost *killed* my sister! You think *I* don’t know?!?” Evadene shouts.

The man goes silent. “What is your name?” Colton asks.

“Jachove Ore,” Jachove whispers. I look up to the sky and then look forward. I do a double-take and I see Headmistress Olyvia running towards us.

“Another!” She says. Then, she notices Vera and she shrieks.

“The guy stabbed her,” I say.

Headmistress collects herself and nods like this is the most normal thing in the history of normal. She turns around and faces the man. She instructs Colton to tie Jachove in the shadows and as he does I look back down at Vera. Then I almost stop breathing. Vera’s chest has stopped rising and falling. There are not even shallow breaths. There’s nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

“Guys! She needs a physician! Now!”

# Chapter Six:

## Vera

One moment, I’m safe in Cylas’s arms, and the next, I can’t breathe. I can’t feel. I can’t see. The world is an endless inky blackness. Screams and shouting voices whisper into my head but I can’t tell who is yelling and what they’re saying. A single tear falls down my cheek and it’s the only thing I can feel. With no air, everything is fading away. Everything is gone. White light blasts into my corneas but I can’t open my eyes. Am I dead? Is this heaven? Soft voices whisper and I can feel myself breathing. In and out.

“Vera?” someone asks. I can recognize the voice but I can’t tell who it is. “Vera?” they ask again. Then I realize, it’s Cylas.

I rip open my eyes and look around. It’s still the middle of the night and people are crowded around me. Cylas is next to me looking worried. Jade and Moon are looking away and I wonder why. I look down and see that the bandages are wrapped around my chest. There is still blood on my suit and my chest is rising and falling rapidly. *I’m alive*.

I pull Cylas into a hug and he says, “Hey, easy,”

“Did you get the man?” I ask. I can’t remember anything other than screaming, Cylas picking me up, and someone taking the light sword from my chest.

“We did. His name’s Jachove,” Evadene says.

“So, where am I?” I ask.

“You’re with our most trusted physician.” I jump and see Headmistress Olyvia standing next to a beautiful woman. Her eyes are the color of bluebells which means she’s an Aquatic, her skin is smooth and white, and her brown hair falls in long, soft waves.

“Hello, I’m Ariane,” says the woman. “You’ll be as good as new in the next few hours.”

I sit up into a more comfortable position and say, “Evadene, teach me how to use that sword. I’m ready to fight.”

↔↔↔↔↔↔

I sit on the steps that lead to the Western Gazebo with everyone else on Team Infinite. My wound has healed and all that’s left is a thin scar. Every time Cylas sees it, though, he looks like he wants to slap Jachove all the way to Thursday. Evadene’s been teaching me to fight with the sword that almost killed me since I don’t have a power that I can use to defend myself. The sword is currently strapped to my waist as Cylas and I head out to search. The Western Gazebo is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a white gazebo standing in the middle of lush gardens. I crouch low in the middle of some daisies as I scan the gazebo.

Ophelia and Miku are standing right in the center of it. Moon and Jade join them and they all look pretty fierce. I inwardly sigh. My power isn’t much use in the fighting department and it’s hard to look at the future for even just five minutes. My eyes start to stray away from the girls when I hear a scream. I jump up and pull out the shining golden sword. I grasp it in my hand as Cylas and I run towards the gazebo. There, I see a tall man who is shrouded by another purple cloak. In his left arm, he’s holding Ophelia who is trying to break free of his vice-like grip. In his other arm, he’s holding Miku the same way; his arm wrapped around her neck, trapping her to his arm. Jade and Moon are tied up in bonds made of shadows.

When I step forward the man shakes his head and says, “One more step and I take care of those two,” He gesticulates towards Jade and Moon.

I take another step forward and sharp spikes erupt under Jade and Moon’s feet. They both let out screams that are stifled by the black gags in their mouths. I step back and the spikes immediately withdraw. “I knew you would never come after me. You can’t. You’re a Reader,” The man spats and he laughs.

Anger boils inside of me. I have been told for years that I couldn’t be powerful because I was a Reader. As if I’m a harmless little princess. The next thing I know, I’m lunging forward and slashing the sword across the man’s arm. The man screams and drops Ophelia and Miku who leap free and start attacking the man with blasts of wind and fire. Cylas even joins in with some sort of throwing star. I backtrack over to Moon and Jade. I cut them free from the shadows using the sword of light. I help them limp over to Alaska and Brooks who have walked over due to all of the screaming.

“Go find Evadene so she can summon Headmistress Olyvia,” I say.

Then, I turn back to the battle. My hair is falling out of its bun and sweat is beading on my forehead, but I feel *good*. I look around. Cylas is sitting in the corner, nursing a cut on his leg. The man seems to have stolen Cylas’s throwing star thing and cut him with it. Ophelia keeps throwing balls of fire at him and he keeps blocking them with shadows. Suddenly, Miku appears and ties the man with the wind. He struggles so I walk over to him.

“Stop it,” I say. “You’ve hurt my friends. You’ve joined the enemy. And you’ve called me weak. I'm not weak, and I *never* will be.”

I walk over to Cylas and help him up. He hugs me and when he steps back, he says, “You were awesome, Tiger.”

“Thanks,” I say.

I turn to see the Headmistress who is running up to the gazebo with Evadene and Colton. “Good work everyone,” she says. “Now, all we have to do is watch over the Eastern Fountain.”

↔↔↔↔↔↔

“Last one. This is the last one,” I whisper to myself.

I’ve been saying it all day. This is the last time we have to fight. For now, at least. None of us are fooling ourselves with the delusion that this is our last battle. If anything, we all know that it’s only going to get harder. I’m back in my pink suit which now has a noticeably large spot that you can tell is patched up and some scuffs on it. I’m sitting with Cylas, Alaska, and Brooks. The Eastern Fountain is a large marble fountain with a mermaid shooting out the water. Surrounded, there are wooden benches and birdbaths. Once everyone is here, Cylas and I crouch low by the edge of the fountain as Alaska and Brooks do the same on the other end.

I glance around and stifle a scream as I see a female in a black cloak climbing out of a trap door in the mermaid statue. She slithers through the water silently and I tense. I can’t see her anywhere. I turn around to tell Cylas and instead see the woman. Her hood has fallen off and is revealing her face. Her hair is long and blonde and her eyes are sea blue. An Aquatic. I jump backward and bump into Cylas. As he turns around, the woman grabs me. I twist around and knee her in the chest. She winces but doesn’t let me go.

“Save your energy!” I scream to Cylas.

Alaska and Brooks come over to us and Brooks splashes a wave of water onto the woman’s feet. Before the woman can react, Alaska freezes the water. With the woman distracted, I push her backward and free myself. Then I let Alaska and Brooks work their magic and tie her up.

“Alana? Are you okay?” I hear someone calling from the mermaid.

“Hanz! I’m trapped!” Alana screams.

Hanz climbs out of the mermaid and glares at us. He wears no cloak and shows off his handsome features. His hair is black and his eyes are violet. Another Lighter. I grip the light sword as memories flash in my mind. *A man stabs me with a sword made out of light and I go flying into the trees.* I narrow my eyes and lunge forward, cutting Hanz who laughs.

“I see *you’re* the Reader who stole Jachove’s sword,” he says. I nod. “Well too bad you won’t see it again. Come to think of it, when I’m finished you won’t be able to see anything since you’ll be dead.” Hanz laughs.

Hanz creates a golden spear and throws it at my head. I doge and grasp it in my hand. I throw it back and the spear clips his shoulder. Hanz grabs it and turns on Alaska. He throws it again and Alaska turns it to ice. Our team is really getting good at fighting. Brooks traps him in a tidal wave and Alaska freezes the water so Hanz is merely a frozen statue. Miku and Ophelia come over to us and Miku starts making a whispering message in the wind to call the others over. We begin to pick up the fallen weapons but I look up when I hear a screech coming from someone. Jade is on the ground and clutching her ankle; the same spot where the shadows struck her yesterday. She begins thrashing and I cry out.

“What’s wrong with her?” Cylas asks. I stand there, thinking. Then I realize what’s happening.

“The shadows are infecting her!” I scream.

“What do you mean?” Headmistress Olyvia asks and I jump.

I turn to face her and say, “Yesterday, the man stabbed Jade with a shadow-spike and I think it’s infecting her. Because when there is no light on plants and only shadows, the plant wilts.”

“So you think Jade’s dying?” Moon asks as she trembles.

“Not necessarily,” I say. “I think we need to bring her to the physician that healed me and give Jade lots of sunlight,”

Colton picks Jade up and he and Evadene run back to the school. I turn to the others and say, “Now what?”

“Now,” says Alaska as she glares at something behind me. “We need to go recapture Alana who just escaped,”

# Chapter Seven:

## Brooks

Are. You. Kidding. Me?!? I *just* tied up Alana and now, she broke the bonds?!? I mean, they weren’t very strong, but… seriously? Ugh. I don’t understand why these people think they’re the good people by trying to kill innocent teenagers. It’s overrated if you ask me. I’ve been living in Elemaworld my *whole* life and it kinda stunk having a power that lots of other people had too. It all changed when Headmistress Olyvia brought *me* in as one of the members of Team Infinite. It’s kinda surreal having people look up to you because my parents both have high authority figures so they never needed me. It’s also nice to finally have friends who also know what it’s like to be different and super powerful.

They know what it’s like to have so much power, and yet, sometimes you have no clue what you’re doing. Even my older sister, Saleen, is moved out of the house and she never really calls me. And now, I have to go capture some evil killer-lady who is on the evil side. I am normally *not* someone who gets annoyed. But, there are times like this where I do get annoyed or even angry. Alaska, Moon, Vera, Cylas, Miku, Ophelia, and I run after Alana’s footprints. They are leading towards the castle.

“Guys! She’s going to hurt people if we don’t stop her!” I scream.

“Split up!” Cylas shouts.

I grab Alaska and we run towards the West wing where the two of us sleep. “Where do you think she is?” I whisper.

“I don’t know….” Alaska says as she scans a bedroom.

“Look!” I say.

Alaska has accidentally frozen part of the floor and it reveals- “Footprints,” Alaska mutters.

We continue to follow the footprints, Alaska freezing the ground as we go. Eventually, the footprints stop. Right at the doorway to the library. “Wait,” I whisper. “Alaska, we need to stop Alana with her combative element.”

“Fire,” we both say.

“I’ll find Ophelia and Miku. Can you hold off Alana for a few minutes?” Alaska asks.

“Yes. It’ll be harder to stop her since we both are Aquatics but it will also make it harder for *her* to stop *me*.” I say.

Alaska darts away down the hall as I creep into the library. I stand still for a moment before jumping on Alana. “Ahh!” Alana shrieks.

I glance at what she was doing and see a bin of rifled-through papers. *She must want something.* I kick Alana in the stomach and then recoil backward. Alana hits me with a torrent of waves. And she hits me hard. My-back-getting-flung-against-the-wall kind of hard. I fall onto my side with a grunt. I take the water she shot me with and throw it like a bomb back at her. It creates a small explosion of waves that barely misses me. I can hear Alana fall and feel a sense of satisfaction. As I stand up, I see blood covering my wrist. I wash it away with water and look at the gash in my hand. Must have been from hitting the wall and that painting. Alana is about to hit me again when we both notice Ophelia, Miku, and Alaska running towards us.

“Alaska!” I cry and I hug her. I know Alaska isn’t all warm and fuzzy, but I have to.

“Uh, what happened to your wrist?” Alaska asks, pointing at the blood streaming down my arm.

“Oh, you know. I just got flung into a wall.” I say casually because this is a *minor* injury compared to some of the other things that have happened to us recently.

Ophelia shrieks as Alana throws water at her head. Ophelia dodges it but Alana turns to Miku and blasts her in the head, knocking her out cold. Ophelia seems to go into “overprotective-mama-bear-mode” over her best friend being knocked out because she sparks a flame and glares at Alana. Ophelia touches the ground and a torrent of flames barrels towards Alana, snaking across the ground. The fire wraps around Alana like a cage and whenever she tries to free herself, she gets burnt. Then, I lung forward and wrap Alana’s hands in balls of water.

“Hurry, Alaska!” I scream. Alaska freezes the balls of water to ice, stopping Alana from using water to douse the fire-cage.

“Miku?” I hear Ophelia asking. “Miku? Come on, wake up!” I turn around and see Ophelia leaning over Miku’s limp figure. Tears are streaming down Ophelia’s cheeks.

“Come, on. You’re my best friend.” Ophelia mutters. Wow. Those two really *are* besties for life. I bend down and hug Ophelia. Miku stirs. She sits up and hugs Ophelia. I smile.

“Oh, you guys, I saw Alana looking for something. Let me go check where she was looking when I found her.” I say.

“Okay. Ophelia and I will go find the others,” says Miku.

“Alaska, you coming?” I ask.

“Mhm,” she says without looking at me.

“What?” I ask.

“I think I found what Alana was looking for.”

“What?” Alana shrieks.

“Oh, yeah. *You’re* still here.” Alaska glares. “Anyway, yeah. I think I found it. Is *this* what you want, Alana?” Alaska holds up a small blue crystal and Alana gasps.

“So it *is* what you were looking for,” Alaska grins.

“Give it to me!” Alana hisses.

“If you want it this much, I can’t,” Alaska smirks.

I touch the crystal and immediately feel the power coursing through my veins. I feel dizzy so I let go of the crystal and lean against a bookshelf. “What happened?” I ask Alana. Alana looks scared. “*What* happened, Alana?!”

“It’s a water crystal. It can give you even stronger powers than normal.” Alana blurts out.

“Woah,” Alaska mutters. “I bet there’s one for each of the elements. What do *you* think, Alana?”

Alana ignores her. Headmistress Olyvia comes into the library. “Ah, yes! Last one!”

↔↔↔↔↔

Alaska and I are walking together, headed towards our shared dorm room. It’s been a *week* since anything has happened. And yet, I still feel nervous. I feel like there’s a much bigger fight that’s going to creep up on us. But, I can’t figure out what it is. Alaska runs ahead of me teasingly. You know, Alaska has a great personality if you choose to get to know her. When I make it to the doorway, Alaska is looking at something on her bed with an expression of disgust.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing,” Alaska says shortly.

“What did you find?” I ask.

“Nothing!” Alaska repeats, her voice a little higher.

“Is it from… your father?” I ask softly.

“Of course not! He’s in prison!” Alaska snaps but her face pales to white.

“Was it Alana? Or someone else?” I push.

“I— it was nothing,”

“No,” I say. “You’re freaking me out!”

“Brooks! I’m *fine*!” Alaska crumples up the note and throws it into the trash can by her desk. I see a tear slip down her cheek but pretend not to notice.

“Alaska! You’re scaring me!” I say.

“There’s one on your bed too,” Alaska mutters, looking over at the blanket made out of water on my bed. I walk over and read the note.

*Your mothers and fathers,*

*Your sisters and brothers,*

*Are all trapped with us,*

*Come willing and save their lives,*

*Or they will rot to dust.*

“What?” I cry as tears stream down my cheeks.

“I bet the others got the notes too,” Alaska says, her voice cracking.

“I knew this wasn’t the end. And now they have my mom and my dad, and my *sister*!” I sob.

“Brooks, we need to find the others. We need to go. I’m sure one of them got information on where the location is.” Alaska says.

“Let’s go, we’re saving our family.”

# Chapter Eight:

## Colton

Evadene and I walk towards the dorm room. “So, Ev, how many days do you have left on your tally list with staying in control?” I ask.

“I don’t know… sixty-something?” Evadene guesses.

I snort. “We’ve been so busy fighting off evil lunatics that you’re forgetting things,”

“Mhm,” Evadene says but I can see a smile creeping across her face.

A lot of people say that Evadene’s super secretive because of the trauma from her manifesting when she was only seven. Honestly, I don’t know if it’s because we’re like the ‘dark and light’ power partners or whatever, but Eva has opened up to me. I push open the door and walk over to my bed. I notice a note with thick, curly writing. I read it and it slips through my fingers, landing on the ground. I turn to Evadene.

“They—” Evadene begins, tears falling onto the paper. I lean in and hug her. I expect Evadene to stiffen like she usually does but she doesn’t. She must be *really* upset. Evadene lets out a sob.

“I got the note too. I’m sure the others have too. We need to save them.” I say.

“They told me where to find them,” Evadene says as she stands and wipes her eyes. “We need to save our families!”

“We can’t tell Headmistress,” I say. “She’ll just bring in more drama. Jade is better now, right? So let’s go find everyone and save our families.”

↔↔↔↔↔

*The rebels have my sister, my mom, and my dad,* I think as the ten of us race towards the heavy metal door ahead. My family is in there. These rebels want us to surrender. We’re not here to stop. We’re here to fight. Evadene leads the way, her gold suit lighting up the dark passageway. I walk next to her, protecting the others in shadows so that Ev is the only person visible. We creep up to a door and Alaska unlocks it quietly. Inside, three people lay on the ground. One is a female with long blonde hair, one is a man with brown hair, and the other is a small boy with tufts of blonde. Next to me, I see Ophelia sink to her knees. She puts her head in her hands and lets out a small sob. I walk over to the people.

“They’re breathing,” I whisper. Miku hugs Ophelia who is now taking deep breaths. In and out. She looks over at the little boy and tears fill her blue eyes again.

“Icarus,” she whispers. It must be her brother.

“I just realized this, but how are we going to take them home?” Cylas asks.

“Vera, can you look into the future to see how we do it?” I ask.

“Sure,” Vera says, watching Ophelia a little misty-eyed.

Vera closes her eyes and stretches out her arms as if she’s looking for something. Her face contorts in concentration. Thirty seconds later, Vera opens her eyes, stumbles backward, and slumps against the wall, kneading her forehead with her fists.

“I could only see ahead about a minute, which is better than most Readers, but Miku sends them home with winds,” Vera says.

“I didn’t even know I could do that!” Miku mutters. Then, she flicks her wrist and wraps Ophelia’s family in a blanket of wind, sending them out the window. “That should take them back to my place,” Miku says.

I can only help thinking, *That’s sure to be the least eventful thing that we’re going to see here.* We keep going, saving one family after the next. My parents and little sister are covered in burns and cuts. The second to last family is Brooks’. But, I only see her parents. Not her older sister, Saleen.

“Where’s Saleen?” I ask.

“I… don’t know…” Brooks mutters as she furrows her brows.

Miku sends them off and we keep walking. Now we just need to get Jade’s family to safety. I push open a door quietly and look inside. Two adults and three small children and on the floor, bound and cut up. Two people are standing over them, grinning maliciously at the ten of us. Jade looks at her younger sisters fearfully. I am studying the two figures. The female has long auburn hair, big black eyes— which means she’s a Darkener— and pale skin. The male has tanned skin, curly, dark brown hair, and bright green eyes which means he’s a Viner.

“Hello there. Come for your friends, have you?” The woman says.

“Give them back,” pleads Jade as her voice cracks. The woman snorts.

“You hear this little girl, Quiss? Think you’re gonna get your little sisters back by *asking nicely*, now do ya?” The woman hisses.

“Right you are, Tessa,” Quiss grins. “Let’s teach them not to mess with our plans,”

Quiss flicks his wrist and a spiked thorn shoots out of the ground, just as Quiss is about to stab Ophelia with it, Jade cocks her head and turns the thorn into a flower. Tessa hisses and throws shadows straight at Jade. Knowing what will happen if Jade is exposed, I throw myself in front of Jade and hurl the shadows back at Tessa. Tessa snarls and turns on Alaska and Brooks. She throws two shadow spikes- one at each of them- and I jump forwards against making the spikes narrowly miss their chests. I am determined. Determined to get out of here alive. Determined to save Jade’s family. And determined to keep my friends alive.

I turn on Quiss and know what I have to do. I create a shadow spike and hurl it towards him. At the last second, Tessa redirects the spike, hitting Evadene in the ankle. Evadene falls as the spike poisons her leg. She sucks in a breath, pressing her lips against the pain I’m sure she’s feeling. Jeez, why does my power have the ability to severely hurt some of my friends?!? Evadene heals her leg quickly with light but she still winces as she stands back up. Tessa sends two more spikes at Moon and once again I’m redirecting them. One spike clips Quiss in the foot but I know we still have ten solid minutes of fighting before Quiss will fully be down. I turn to see Alaska and Brooks making ice spikes in the corner. Vera is in another corner while Cylas covers for her and she looks like she’s seeing the future again.

“Colton, duck!” Vera screams, ripping her eyes open. I look up and see a giant thorn whizz past me. I duck and then glance over at Vera, watching her body slump with exhaustion.

“Cover her, Cylas!” I scream, dodging another thorn.

Alaska throws an ice-spike at Tessa and it clips her shoulder. Moon sends a ball of moonlight towards Tessa who turns it around and hits Moon in the head, knocking her out.  Quiss throws a tree at Cylas, knocking him out too. Jade fights back with her own set of vines, throwing Quiss against the wall. Brooks dodges a spike and I hurl it back at Tessa. A thorn heads towards Miku and Ophelia burns it to ashes quickly. Then Quiss turns and blows some sort of pollen into the air.

“Have a nice rest!” He snickers before covering himself and Tessa in a protective bubble of vines.

Without thinking, I do the only thing that makes sense. I pull Jade next to me and wrap a shield made of shadows around the two of us. Once the pollen-dust has settled, I unravel the shield. Next to me, Jade is shaking. Brooks, Alaska, Ophelia, and Miku are slumped. The pollen seemed to have put them in some sort of sleep. I doubt it will last long, but I can’t stop to think, because Quiss and Tessa are already unraveling their protection bubble. Then, I see Evadene unraveling a shield of light. Jade steps forward just as Quiss screams and falls to the ground. The shadows have started affecting him.

Tessa looks at me furiously before throwing another spike at Jade. I throw it back at her. Evadene throws a light-spike that clips Tessa’s side. Tessa hisses in pain and continues to fight with Evadene. Meanwhile, Jade tries to wake the others up. I pick up Alaska and start brushing off all of the pollen that is on her face and body, hoping that will help wake her up. Alaska stirs after a moment and immediately gets up to fight. Tessa looks around and seems to realize that it’s one against four. Except, I’m not ready for what comes next. Tessa turns the whole room black and I can’t see anything. I think Evadene can still see because of her power.

After a moment, she screams, “Duck!” I don’t know who she’s talking to until something hits me in the head. She was talking to me. Then, my vision goes dark.

# Chapter Nine:

## Alaska

As everything turns black from Tessa, I try to sort out my memories. Quiss had blown some sort of dust at us and put Brooks, Ophelia, Miku, and I into some sort of sleep. The next thing I knew, Colton was brushing pollen off of my face and helping me up. I suppose that Evadene and Colton shielded themselves and Jade from the dust. And now, of course, Tessa, being the evil lunatic she is, is turning out the lights so she can attack us.

“Duck!” Evadene cries. She must be able to see, with her powers and all.

I feel someone whoosh past me and then something falls to the ground. A body. *Colton or Jade?* I wonder. Evadene walks over to somewhere and then screams. The lights return and I look around for Evadene. She is looking down at Colton’s body. I look closer and see him on the ground, unconscious. In my pause, Tessa creeps behind me and grabs my shoulders. She pulls me closer and stabs my leg with a shadow spike. I kick her off of me with my good leg and fall to the ground. Evadene starts to walk over to me.

“I’m fine! Just cover Jade!” I grunt. Evadene nods and runs over to Jade.

I pull out the shadow spike and clutch my leg. I suck in a deep breath before standing up. I turn the spike into a pile of snow before creating a sharp, icy sword. I grit my teeth and run forward heading towards Tessa. Tessa sees me coming and thrusts out her arms. She creates two small monster-type things made out of shadows and commands them to attack. They come towards me, snarling and snapping. They pin me to the wall and Tessa stalks over to Evadene who has a shield of golden light protecting Jade. Tessa smirks before whipping out a sword made out of shadows. Evadene matches her with one made out of light. She jumps forward and begins to fight Tessa, swords clashing.

Evadene pulls her sword back and then thrusts it out again. Tessa presses against it and starts pushing Evadene into the wall. She’s trapped. I scream. Tessa grins and continues pushing on the sword, Evadene’s weapon slowly getting pressed against her chest. Evadene kicks Tessa backward and Tessa falls, her sword skidding across the floor. Evadene towers over her and raises the sword. Then, Tessa sends a shadow into Evadene’s chest, making her crumple. Shadow infecting light.

“Evadene!” I scream. Evadene convulses on the ground. Then, the shield protecting Jade flickers, and disappears. “No!” I scream.

I flick my wrist the best I can while being held down, and a thin layer of ice protects Jade. Tessa starts to stand up. I freeze the shadow monster holding down my right arm and it fades away. I freeze the other one too before jumping towards my ice sword. I grab it and charge at Tessa. Then, I freeze, staying behind her. Tessa doesn’t know that I’m free. She only has eyes on Jade right now. I throw the sword loudly against the ground and Tessa whips around, glaring at me. I smile.

“Sorry to cut your victory short, but I’m still here.”

Then, I jump forward and thrust out my hands, freezing Tessa to the ground. She hisses as I work my way up her body. It takes me five solid minutes to freeze her completely, and then I collapse, sitting on the floor. I lower the thin layer of ice protecting Jade. Jade runs over to me and hugs me tightly.

“Sorry to break our hugfest, but I think we need to save Evadene,” I say.

“How?” Jade asks.

“By waking up Colton,” I say. I walk over to Colton’s figure and crouch low. I shake him. “Colton,” I whisper. “Colton!”

Jade sends some sort of breeze over Colton and then suddenly, Colton’s eyes are open. Colton sits up looking around. “What happened?” Colton asks.

“Well, Tessa infected Evadene, then I froze Tessa into an ice cube, and Jade is alive! But that’s the short story. I’ll tell you the whole thing later.” I say.

“Wait, what? Never mind. What do you mean Evadene’s ‘infected’?” Colton asks.

“Well, when Evadene and Tessa were having their sword battle, Tessa put these shadows in Evadene’s chest. And now, well…” I say, gesturing to Evadene who is still thrashing on the ground.

“She’s passed out or something so she can’t heal herself, which is why we decided to get you.” Jade finishes. Colton stands up and runs over to Evadene.

He turns to me and asks, “Where did the shadows hit her?”

“In her chest,” I say worriedly.

“I think it’s infecting her heart,” Colton whispers. Then, he closes his eyes and places his hands on her chest. He sits there until a tiny ball of shadow comes out of Evdene’s chest and she stops moving.

“Is she okay now?” Jade asks.

“She should be. I—” Colton starts but a groan from across the room cuts him off. Cylas is opening his eyes and pushing the tree trunk away from him.

“Cylas?” Vera asks, opening her eyes behind him.

“Vee!” Cylas says as he jumps and turns around.

I run over to them with Jade close behind. “Thank God you’re okay!” I say. “What happened to you, Vera?”

“I just got exhausted from so much Reading, I guess,” Vera says quietly. I reach out a hand and help Vera and then Cylas up.

“Well, that’s five of us,” I say.

“Five?” Vera asks. I nod, pointing at Colton who is jogging over, carrying Evadene.

“Woah, what happened?” Cylas asks, looking at Evadene’s pale skin.

“Tessa,” I say grimly.

“Ah. Well, where are the others?” Cylas asks.

“Quiss put this pollen-dust on us and Ophelia, Miku, Brooks, and I passed out. Evadene and Colton made shields and protected Jade with them.” I explain.

“How are you awake then?” Vera asks. I turn to Colton.

“I just brushed all the pollen off of her,” he says.

“Well, then, let’s go do the same for the others!” Cylas says and he runs over to Miku. I grab Brooks and begin brushing off pollen. Brooks opens her eyes and looks around blearily.

“What’s going on? Did we win?”

“Mhm. Well, besides some injuries.” I say.

“Like that?” Brooks asks, pointing at my leg. I look down and see dried blood on the spot where Tessa stabbed me. I grimace.

“Yeah, like that.”

“Ophelia’s up!” Vera shouts.

I turn and watch Ophelia stumble to her feet. Miku sits up a second later. “Miku!” Ophelia says and she tackles her in a hug.

“Well, those three are good,” Cylas grins. Then, a small voice groans in the back of the room. Moon! How could I have forgotten? I rush over to Moon and pick her up.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“I think so?” she says almost questioningly.

I set her down and she glances around, looking at Quiss and Tessa. I walk back over to Colton and ask, “How’s Evadene?”

“She’s—” Colton starts but he stops when Evadene begins stirring on the ground. “Ev?” Colton asks. I’ve never heard *anyone* get to call Evadene a nickname before.

“Colton? I— What?” Evadene asks as she opens her eyes. Then she seems to realize something. “Tessa!” she says and she stands up before promptly falling again.

I glance worriedly at Colton. I’ve never seen Evadene like this before. And I would know since we both have pretty similar personalities. “Ev, we got Tessa. Well, Alaska did.” Colton says.

“Yay, Alli!” Brooks squeals, catching me by surprise by jumping on my shoulders.

“Alli?” I ask.

“Your nickname!” Brooks decides.

“Brooks—” I start.

“We’re friends now,” Brooks says simply. Wow. I have a friend. I guess I have *nine* new friends.

“Mhm,” I smile, dragging Brooks off of me. I turn and look Evadene up and down who looks good enough to walk around.

“Guys, let’s get out of here,” Miku says.

We huddle in a tight group and Miku whisks away in a wisp of wind. A few moments later, we arrive at her house where our parents and siblings are waiting, all still passed out. I look down at my mom, Via. She looks like an older reflection of me. Same pale skin, light hair, and crystal blue eyes, since she’s a Winter too. I watch her open her eyes and look around. I hug her— something I rarely do. I walk away and over to Evadene. She’s still a bit pale as she hugs her sister. A few of the people are still passed out. I bite my lip and sit down on the porch swing.

Colton walks over to me and asks, “What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing. I just… do you think it’s weird that Brooks’ sister wasn’t captured?” I ask.

“I think so too. I’m sure that even if Saleen wasn’t with Brooks’ parents, they still could’ve captured Saleen,” Colton adds.

“That’s the thing,” I say. I shove my head in my hands. “I just don’t know.” I play with a snowball in my hand as Colton and I sit in silence, watching the others.

“Is it just me, or do you think that Saleen could be with the rebels?” Colton asks after a moment.

“I had the *same* thought,” I reply.

“Ack, this is all so confusing!” Colton groans.

“Tell me about it,” I say.

“Well, we have something normal and fun coming up in a week!” Colton says.

“Wait, what?”

“The Winter Festival at Windspear!”

# Chapter Ten:

## Ophelia

It’s been a week, and everything has been quiet. And tonight, we have the annual Winter Festival here at Windspear Academy. Miku and I are in our dorm room, finishing getting ready. I look at myself in the mirror. My hair is in a long braid, I have on some glittery eyeshadow, and I’m wearing a long red dress with glittery tulle sleeves. I look at Miku and smile. She looks *really* pretty. Her hair is in two buns with a strand of hair on each side of her face, and she has on a dress that reminds me of something Athena would wear in Ancient Greece. I smile and hug her. We walk downstairs together and meet up with our usual group of friends. Vera and Cylas are on an official date, and surprisingly, so are Colton and *Evadene*! They look like complete opposites, and yet Evadene can’t stop smiling. Alaska and Brooks also came together since they’ve become super close. Moon and Jade arrived together, and finally, Miku is with me. A slow song starts playing and Alaska, Brooks, Jade, and Moon sway to it together. Vera and Cylas dance as Colton and Evadene do the same. Miku and I just sway together, watching everyone else.

Brooks has also given most of us ‘official’ nicknames though she’s mainly the only one who uses them. I’m “Phelia” which doesn't seem to make sense to me, Evadene is “Eva” or “Ev” which makes sense, Cylas doesn’t really have one, Brooks has been nicknamed “Brookie” by Alaska and Moon, Miku also doesn’t really have one, Alaska is “Alli”, Jade tells us that her sisters call her “Jadie” but that Brooks didn’t come up with one for her, Colton also doesn’t have one, Moon is “Moony”, and Vera has always been “Vee”. Then the real music starts pumping, and I start joining in with the others. I laugh and smile for a while until I notice a small breeze pass me and reach Miku.

Miku freezes and then says urgently, “Guys, come with me!”

We follow Miku into one of the deserted halls and I ask, “What’s wrong?”

“Headmistress sent me a message saying that Lord Eldon, Jachove, the other guy named Callan, Alana, and Hanz have escaped. She thinks they’re looking for the other elemental crystals hidden around the castle,” Miku says.

“Just great,” Evadene hisses.

“Wait, do you still have the water crystal?” Brooks asks Alaska.

“Why?” Alaska asks.

“Two reasons. 1) We need to keep it safe, and 2) I should hold onto it so I can use it against people,” Brooks says.

“But you remember what happened last time! And you only *touched* it,” Alaska argues.

“Then why don’t you hold onto it, and go with Brooks?” Colton suggests. Alaska and Brooks nod in agreement.

“Split up like usual?” Moon asks. I nod. I grab Miku’s hand and we run up to our dorm room, quickly slip into our suits, and begin our search.

“One of them are probably in the tech lab,” Miku says.

“Yeah, let’s check.”

We race to the lab and freeze at the sight of Jachove. He’s shuffling through a drawer so I creep up on him, and singe his throat. He whips around and snarls. “You. Fire-Girl.” he hisses.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I smirk. “And we know *exactly* what you’re looking for.”

Miku throws him back with a blast of wind but it barely fazes Jachove as he creates some sort of incantation. He tries hitting us with a blast of light and I block it with a wall of fire. He thrusts his hands out and bonds wrap around Miku and I’s upper arms, middle arms, wrists, legs, and ankles. Then, he wraps gold light around our mouths, silencing us. I narrow my eyes and try breaking free. Wonderful. We just *had* to get the guy with the strongest powers.

“Looks like I have some bait,” Jachove grins. I glare at him as he uses another powerful spell to drag us behind him. He walks into the ice training room where Alaska works sometimes. I look and see Alaska and Brooks fighting Alana.

“Oh, Lani! I found some new toys!” Jachove calls in a sing-songy voice.

“Ophelia! Miku!” Alaska gasps.

“Ooh! Yay!” Alana grins.

Alaska snarls and throws out her hands, trapping Alana in a blizzard. Jachove shoves his hands out and freezes Alaska in a ball of light. This also makes Jachove lose his concentration on Miku and I and drop us to the ground, tied up. The golden ball begins torturing Alaska profusely. I watch as Alana climbs out of the blizzard. She turns to Brooks.

“Brookie, I’m not going to hide from you anymore. Trust me.” Alana smiles.

“No! Why would I—?!?” Brooks starts but she freezes as Alana begins pulling off an elaborate disguise.

“What’s up, sis?” she smiles.

Saleen. Brooks’ sister. Brooks’ *sister*! Brooks is frozen in shock. Then her face hardens. She pulls out the blue crystal and clutches it tightly. Water begins to swarm around Brooks and her eyes turn completely white. She throws out her hands and traps Jachove and Saleen/Alana in tidal waves. Alaska crumples to the ground, and mine and Miku’s bonds disappear. I take the crystal from Brooks, and Miku catches her as she collapses from the strain. I put the crystal in my pocket and trap Jachove and Saleen in fire cages.

I walk over to Saleen and hiss, “What you have just done to your sister will scar her forever. And someday, you’ll regret it.”

Saleen scoffs and I burn her. I release my hold and glare at her. I turn around as Jachove makes a loud grunting noise. Focusing all of his powers, he creates a glittering gold sphere. He covers his mouth and nose and Saleen does the same.

“No—” I start, but Jachove pops the bubble. I cough as gold mist fills the room, making me feel sleepy and tired. I collapse and watch Miku pass out beside me. My fire-cages flicker out and Saleen stalks over to me.

She holds my chin up and whispers, “Nice try, Fire-Girl.”

“No…” I start again as the world spins. I hold my breath.

“Don’t fight it. Just count back from five. Five… four… three… two… one…”

# Chapter Eleven:

## Cylas

We have the Callan guy, Lord Eldon, and Hanz. What we don’t have is Alana, Jachove, Ophelia, Miku, Alaska, or Brooks. “We should probably go looking for them,” I say.

Jade nods and Moon asks, “What if the girls got captured?”

“That’s why we need to find them,” I say.

We split up. Vera, Jade and I, and Colton, Evadene, and Moon. We scan different rooms until I hear laughing in the tech lab. No one should be in the tech lab during the Winter Festival. I peek in and see Jachove laughing with… Brooks’ sister? *Saleen* is *Alana*? I look around the room. Brooks and Alaska are crumpled on the ground, and Ophelia and Miku are covered in gold dust that reminds me of the pollen that was on them last week. We run into the room and Jachove and Alana/Saleen stop laughing. Saleen glares at us before nodding at Jachove. Jachove traps Ophelia, Miku, Alaska, and Brooks in light cages that look just like the ones Colton and Ophelia have made in the past.

“Jade, can you send a message to the others?” I ask.

“I can try.” Jade starts creating the message as Vera pulls out her light sword. She knows it won’t affect Jachove very much, so she turns on Saleen.

“I remember you,” Jachove says, and Vera freezes. She turns around and glares. Then she smiles and stabs Saleen in the waist. Jachove snarls as Saleen drops to her hands and knees. He throws a light dagger at me and I duck. It whizzes toward Jade.

“Jade, duck!” I yell.

Jade looks up just as she sends out the messages and jumps to the side. She turns the sword into a leaf and creates a thick cage around Saleen. Saleen looks up and uses her last bit of power to throw a ball of water at me. I duck and the water hits the wall. Jachove hits Jade with a ball of light and she falls to the ground. I watch Vera fight against Jachove until he throws her sword against the opposite wall and traps her in a cage of light.

“Cylas…” Jade gasps from the ground. “I don’t think my message worked.”

I force Jachove to freeze and hold him off as I brush the gold dust off of Miku. Miku opens her eyes, jumps up, and blows the dust off of Ophelia. Ophelia stirs and also stands up. I let go of my hold on Jachove and pant. Jachove turns instantly on Miku and blasts her against the wall, pinning her to it with golden daggers. He starts to send a dagger at Miku’s heart and I scream. Then, it bursts into ashes, inches from Miku’s chest. Jachove whips around. Ophelia stands, eyes narrowed, glaring at Jachove.

Fire erupts around Jachove and Ophelia yells, “Get ready to die, Light-Dude!”

She makes the flames circle in a huge cave around and then she closes it in on him. I can hear Jachove screaming and sweat drips down Ophelia’s face as she forces the flames to close in more. She raises her hands, swirls them around, and then clenches them into fists, ending Jachove like how a conductor would end a song. And then her eyes roll into the back of her head. I jump up, regaining my strength, and pull the daggers off of Miku’s suit, letting her jump down from the table under her. I look around as she runs over to Ophelia. The room is a mess. Chairs toppled over, a ball of flames that are slowly dying out, and broken things in general.

Saleen is on her side, clutching her waist, Vera is helping Jade up, and Ophelia, Alaska, and Brooks are all unconscious. I look at the dying flames and into them. I only see bones, and the smell is like burnt flesh. Ophelia just killed someone. Alaska stirs and I walk over to her.

“You okay?” I ask. I help Alaska into a sitting position as she realizes where she is. Then, she jumps up.

“The crystal!” she exclaims. “Oh my God, where’s the crystal?!?”

“Over here! Ophelia took it when Brooks collapsed,” Miku calls. Alaska looks confused.

“Okay, wait. What do you remember?” I ask, slowly getting up.

“Being tortured by something, and then… black,” Alaska says. I frown.

“Miku?” I ask. Miku explains what happened from her and Ophelia getting captured, up until she passed out.

“And I think Jachove may have found one of the crystals. He was looking in the drawer back at the tech room,” Miku says.

I run over to the tech lab and rifle through until I see a silk pouch that obviously doesn’t belong here. I open it and hold the smooth, shiny red crystal in my palm. I put it back in the pouch, and when I go back to the others, Miku puts the sea blue one in too. Miku sends a message to the others, and a few minutes later, they come running into the room. I hold up the pouch and explain everything.

“Well, guess what?” Evadene asks, the thing closest to a grin crawling across her face. “We found the earth crystal.”

# Chapter Twelve:

## Alaska

Life is hard. Like, really hard. Especially when you’re in a group of ten kids trying to defeat evil madmen. Especially when your best friend's sister turns out to be working with the madmen and you have to be the one she can lean on. Augh. Like I said, life is hard.

“Alli!” Brooks says, running over to me and snapping me out of my thoughts.

I let out an exasperated sigh. Why does she keep calling me that? We’ve been up all night, looking for the last crystal: the wind crystal. But I also have a theory about these crystals. A theory I’m not willing to admit because it isn’t any good.

“What?” I ask.

“Mophelia! It’s happening!” Brooks squeals.

“*What*?” I repeat. What in the actual heck is *Mophelia*?!?

“Ophelia and Miku! It’s finally happened!” Brooks squeals. She sighs dreamily and flops onto her bed, dangling upside down with her two braids touching the ground.

“I’m so confused…” I say. Brooks facepalms.

She sits up, places her fingers on her temples, and says, “Sometimes you can just be too clueless.”

“Then will you explain?” I ask.

“Ophelia and Miku are officially a couple! It was bound to happen at some point!” Brooks explains.

“It was?” I ask. Brooks rolls her eyes and nods. It takes me a minute to comprehend everything. Brooks seems to tell when it has sunk in, she nods.

“So how’d it happen?” I ask, slightly curiously.

“They were in the courtyard and were talking about… well… that they liked each other, and then Miku just kissed Ophelia,” Brooks explains. I nod. Then I go back to thinking.

Cylas and Vera enter our room, and Cylas asks, “What are you thinking about?”

I look up. “A theory.”

“What kind of theory?” Vera asks, sitting next to Brooks.

“What if there aren’t *only* elemental crystals?” I ask slowly. I was right about Saleen, but this could be going off on a limb here.

“I don’t follow…” Cylas says.

“Never mind. I think I’m gonna go find Colton and Evadene. I think they might see what I’m getting at,” I say, standing up. Brooks nods.

“Yeah, those two are more on the wise side like you,” Vera smiles. I give a small smile and walk out. I eventually find Colton and Evadene creating some gold and black ball together. The colors swirl and mix together, almost as if the two of them have combined their powers in a blender.

“Hey,” I say, walking over. “What are you guys trying out?”

“We’re trying to make a multi-powered spear for fighting,” Colton says, dropping the ball. “What did you need?”

“I have a theory. And the others don’t quite understand. I was wondering if you two could try?” I ask. Evadene nods. I sit down with Colton and Evadene.

“So, I was wondering… what if there aren’t only *elemental* crystals?”

“You mean like ones for ice, or light, or dark?” Evadene asks.

“Exactly,” I reply.

“Why do you say that?” Colton asks.

“Well, for one, they *really* want those crystals, and I’m sure it’s not just to get a matching set. Second of all, Jachove wasn’t powerful enough to stop Cylas that night in the woods, but suddenly, he was able to break *out* of prison *and* capture Ophelia and Miku. And we *all* know that Ophelia is super powerful after the way she killed Jachove,” I explain.

“And how would he have done that without a light crystal?!” Evadene finishes excitedly.

“But if they have light, they must have dark, too! Tess was also super strong when we fought her,” Colton adds.

“But wasn’t the light crystal destroyed?” Evadene asks.

“Um, I actually think I found it,” Colton says, pulling out a golden crystal with some scratches and black soot marks on it. Evadene’s eyes widen.

“Don’t ever let me have that,” she whispers softly. I know it’s because of what happened with Adalia. I change the subject as Colton puts it back in his pocket.

“They seem to be looking for more, so I doubt they have them all, but we need to search the school to see which they have. This whole time, we’ve found them in classrooms, so if any are left, that’s where they will be.” I say.

“You’re a genius! And much too wise to be only fourteen,” Colton laughs.

“Do you guys want to start searching together and I can send a message to the others?” Evadene asks. I nod.

Evadene, Colton, and I head into the school and head to the science lab as Evadene sends little stars to the others. All of the students and teachers are at home for the weekend, so the school is deserted besides us ten and the headmistress. I freeze when I hear someone making noise inside the room and my heart clenches. No one should be here! I look inside and my heart stops. Tess. I walk into the room and Tess whirls around. Colton and Evadene follow.

“Hey, *Tess*,” I hiss.

Tess hurls some shadow spikes at me and I throw them back at her as ice spikes. She redirects them into the wall. She throws me into the wall and I skid to the ground. She lifts me around the neck and wraps a black shadow rope around it. Then she slowly starts to clench her fist and I feel my windpipe closing. I choke and gasp. Tess makes a fist just as Colton sends her into a wall. I drop and gasp in breaths. I feel a stabbing pain in my waist and see broken glass from the picture I slammed into in my waist. The shards are like knives. I look up and watch the scene before me. Colton and Tess fight until she throws Colton into a chair. Tess is strong. Incredibly strong. Tess begins to create some sort of ball of shadow in front of her, focusing with her brows furrowed. A shiny black crystal floats in front of Tess’s face and her eyes widen a little.

Evadene closes her eyes and then says, “Colton, give me the crystal.”

“Evadene—” I start.

“Just give me the crystal!” Colton throws the crystal and she catches it in a golden net. She stares at Tess and then back at the crystal. Then, she grabs it.

# Chapter Thirteen:

## Evadene

Light pulls on my every cell.

Begging me.

Dragging me.

*Come with us. Come with us.*

“No!” I scream.

“Evadene?” Alaska asks from far off.

“It’s okay. She’s fighting it,” Colton adds distantly.

All I can see is gold. Gold light blinding me. And then, I start to lose myself. Who am I? Who is Evadene? Or any of the voices around me? The crystal floats in front of me in the golden haze, urging me to accept the power. And I almost do. Until I hear Adalia’s screams. The golden haze clears a little bit. Enough for me to see Tess ready to do some serious magic. And then I try something I’ve never tried before. I bring Tess into my mind. Golden light engulfs us, and when I blink, we’re in an endless black abyss. Just Tess and I. Tess throws out her hands and nothing happens.

“Huh,” she says. “You’d think your mind would be bright and shiny.”

“Trust me. My mind is nowhere close to that,” I say sharply.

“Ah. So you’re Evadene Everson,” Tess smirks.

That’s right. I’m Evadene Everson. And I am *not* afraid.

I rip open my eyes, and the calm black disappears. I’m back in reality. I reach out for the golden crystal. The only recognizable thing within the haze. Someone screams. I wrap my pale hand around the crystal and the power makes me sway. I feel numb. But somehow, I’m not losing it yet. I don’t know if it’s the practice or my determination, but it’s something. I just can’t feel it. I close my eyes trying to drown out the blinding light burning them. And for some reason, I open them back up. I keep my hand around the crystal and vaguely hear Alaska scream again. Someone grabs my hand and I don’t feel completely cold.

Someone else grabs the other one, and Alaska whispers, “You’ve got this. Kick her butt.”

I let go of their hands and throw my hands out. And then, before my eyes, a ball of light starts to form until it explodes, sending me flying back. I feel myself hit the wall. The light starts to fade and I open my eyes, standing up on wobbly legs. I trip and feel someone catch me. I look up and see Colton. I look around and the room is blasted out of control, Alaska and Tess on the ground, and all of the windows shattered. I hug Colton tightly. I let go when I see a small ball of light pulsing in the center of the room. I feel a tug from it, but not the harsh tugs like usual. I step forward cautiously. I glance at Colton and he nods. I blink a little in the light coming through the shattered windows and slowly walk over to the little ball. I lift my hand and then shove it into the ball. Inside, I can feel something smooth. I pull it out and the ball flickers and fades away. A necklace with the golden crystal— which is now clean and shiny— is in my hand. I look down at it in awe.

“I think you just harnessed the power of the light crystal,” Colton whispers, coming over to me.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, do you feel it tugging anymore?” Colton asks. I shake my head.

“Now try *making* the crystal give you the power,” he says. I focus until I feel the tug again. I stop concentrating, and the tug disappears. I put the necklace on.

“So we can do this with all of the crystals?” I ask.

“I guess. Let’s just hope Tess wasn’t able to do that with the dark crystal, or even find out that’s what you did,” Colton replies.

I pick up the shiny black crystal on the ground and examine it, and I don’t see a necklace. Someone groans and I whip around. Alaska lifts her head slowly. I run over. Alaska notices the necklace right away, points it out, and Colton explains everything. When he finishes, Alaska nods.

“Do… you want to try with the dark crystal?” I ask softly.

“What about Tess?” Colton asks, glancing at Tess’s figure.

“I doubt she’ll be awake anytime soon,” Alaska replies. Colton thinks for a moment before nodding.

“How does it work?” Colton asks slowly.

“For me, it was really just instinct, but Tess seemed to have to command it a bit for it to actually start working,” I reply.

Colton nods again and I hand him the crystal. He grasps it and wobbles a little. I watch as he focuses on the crystal. Black shadows engulf him and I reach out for him. The shadows seem to have a mind of their own as they reach toward me. The shadows gag both Alaska and I, making Colton, trapped under the strain of trying to conquer the darkness, unable to hear us. They won’t touch me with my power, so they turn on Alaska. I start to move and the shadows freeze me to the spot. Then they turn back on Alaska. I quietly dissolve the shadows and gag with light and tiptoe over to Tess. I know my plan is risky, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save Alaska and Colton. And so, as the shadows realize I’m free and knock me down next to Tess, as I pretend to be unconscious, I grasp Tess’s hand and pull the two of us into a ball of light.

# Chapter Fourteen:

## Tess

Icy coldness brings me to reality with a shock.

“Charla? Crimson? Mother?” I call, my words echoing. I slowly stand up and take in my surroundings. Wherever I am is an endless abyss of darkness that stretches on forever. The darkness brings back a memory.

*I throw out my hands-* I’m in the same place as I was then.

*“Huh. You’d think your mind would be bright and shiny.” I say-* Who’s mind?

*“Trust me. My mind is nowhere close to that.” the girl responds*.

Dark hair.

Purple eyes.

Pale skin.

A suit of blinding gold.

*“Ah. So you’re Evadene Everson.” I smirk-* Evadene? Who was that version of me? What has happened to me? My mind begins to swirl as memories come back. Memories from my childhood and graduating Windspear last year with ultimate potential. And then the one that gets everything to click comes back.

*I lean forward, listening intently. “Listen, Eldon. Tess has no idea I’m with you and the rebels.” Mother hisses. “She thinks darkness isn’t meant to be used for bad, or whatever garbage she has learned to believe. I want it fixed. And if that means trying our new device on her to see if it works, so be it.”*

*I gasp. “Tess!” Mother calls, her voice changing to a sweet tone. “Come here!”*

*I suck in a shaky breath and walk into my mother’s room. The man, Eldon, comes at me and I block him with a wall of shadows. “Saleen!” my mother screams.*

*I turn just as a blonde female presses a black crystal to my forehead. I feel woozy as black shadows engulf me. Shadows fly around everywhere as Eldon says, “Sit back and relax, Tess. Soon we’re going to be the ones in control.”*

Tears stream down my cheeks as I shake hard. They controlled me. Forced me to hurt people. To hurt a bunch of teenage kids. But I’m free. Free of the crystal. Someone tackles me, holding up a golden-white dagger to my neck, the side ever so slightly drawing blood. I gasp in hard, deep breaths and look up.

“You. Y-you’re the girl. Evadene. The one I saw here earlier,” I gasp.

“What’s wrong with Colton?” Evadene hisses. The darkener of the team. Colton. They knew about the Power Crystals. If he found the crystal and thought it was the darkness one—

“What’s wrong with him?!” she shouts.

“Did he touch it?” I gasp. If he found it—

“The crystal?” Evadene asks, releasing some pressure. The tears let loose and pour down the sides of my face. Evadene steps off of me.

“What is *wrong* with you?” she asks curiously. “Why aren’t you trying to fight me… or… or *something*?”

I take shuddering breaths. “I’m not who you think I am.”

Evadene glares. “Yeah, you’re totally not the person who almost killed me.”

“That wasn’t me. They were using me.”

“I don’t understand,” Evadene says.

“They used the Controller on me. The crystal. My mother— she’s with— with them. The…” I shudder. “The rebels.”

“*What*?” Evadene asks. “They were controlling you?”

Then she shakes her head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Let me ask you this. When Colton took the crystal, did the shadows seem… *alive*?” I ask.

Evadene sucks in a breath. “You aren’t lying.”

“I can explain everything later. How long has Colton been holding it and believing it’s a Power Crystal?” I ask.

“At least five minutes.”

“Then we need to get out of your head and back to him.” I say. Evadene grabs my hand and pulls me out. I see a girl with white-blonde hair, covered in scratches as the living shadows repeatedly lunge at her.

“Alaska!” Evadene screams.

I whirl my hands around and the shadows wither. Evadene runs over to her as I walk over to Colton. I want revenge on the shadows that took me from my true life. Revenge on the rebels. And I won’t let them shatter an innocent teenage boy. I enter the sphere trapping Colton and it widens, making room for me. For me, everything outside the sphere looks blurred and with a filter making everything darker. I look to see one of Colton’s hands wrapped up tightly. I take his hand and force it open. The energy of the crystal slowly getting stronger pulses in his hand, and I look back at Colton’s eerily still body. And then I take the crystal.

Colton turns back into Colton. Weak, but still humane once again. He crumples as darkness floods me again. But this time, something inside me stops it. I concentrate until the Controller shatters. I drop to my hands and knees, and watch in awe as the shattered pieces reform themselves into a smooth opal-like stone with a silver chain attached to it. I reach out, grasp it in my hand, and don't feel anything.

“Try forcing it to work,” Evadene calls.

I focus until a rush of power floods through me. I make it stop and breathe hard. I’m me again. Tess. And I just turned the rebels’ greatest weapon into a Power Crystal.

# Chapter Ten:

## Ophelia

It’s been a week, and everything has been quiet. And tonight, we have the annual Winter Festival here at Windspear Academy. Miku and I are in our dorm room, finishing getting ready. I look at myself in the mirror. My hair is in a long braid, I have on some glittery eyeshadow, and I’m wearing a long red dress with glittery tulle sleeves. I look at Miku and smile. She looks *really* pretty. Her hair is in two buns with a strand of hair on each side of her face, and she has on a dress that reminds me of something Athena would wear in Ancient Greece. I smile and hug her. We walk downstairs together and meet up with our usual group of friends. Vera and Cylas are on an official date, and surprisingly, so are Colton and *Evadene*! They look like complete opposites, and yet Evadene can’t stop smiling. Alaska and Brooks also came together since they’ve become super close. Moon and Jade arrived together, and finally, Miku is with me. A slow song starts playing and Alaska, Brooks, Jade, and Moon sway to it together. Vera and Cylas dance as Colton and Evadene do the same. Miku and I just sway together, watching everyone else.

Brooks has also given most of us ‘official’ nicknames though she’s mainly the only one who uses them. I’m “Phelia” which doesn't seem to make sense to me, Evadene is “Eva” or “Ev” which makes sense, Cylas doesn’t really have one, Brooks has been nicknamed “Brookie” by Alaska and Moon, Miku also doesn’t really have one, Alaska is “Alli”, Jade tells us that her sisters call her “Jadie” but that Brooks didn’t come up with one for her, Colton also doesn’t have one, Moon is “Moony”, and Vera has always been “Vee”. Then the real music starts pumping, and I start joining in with the others. I laugh and smile for a while until I notice a small breeze pass me and reach Miku.

Miku freezes and then says urgently, “Guys, come with me!”

We follow Miku into one of the deserted halls and I ask, “What’s wrong?”

“Headmistress sent me a message saying that Lord Eldon, Jachove, the other guy named Callan, Alana, and Hanz have escaped. She thinks they’re looking for the other elemental crystals hidden around the castle,” Miku says.

“Just great,” Evadene hisses.

“Wait, do you still have the water crystal?” Brooks asks Alaska.

“Why?” Alaska asks.

“Two reasons. 1) We need to keep it safe, and 2) I should hold onto it so I can use it against people,” Brooks says.

“But you remember what happened last time! And you only *touched* it,” Alaska argues.

“Then why don’t you hold onto it, and go with Brooks?” Colton suggests. Alaska and Brooks nod in agreement.

“Split up like usual?” Moon asks. I nod. I grab Miku’s hand and we run up to our dorm room, quickly slip into our suits, and begin our search.

“One of them are probably in the tech lab,” Miku says.

“Yeah, let’s check.”

We race to the lab and freeze at the sight of Jachove. He’s shuffling through a drawer so I creep up on him, and singe his throat. He whips around and snarls. “You. Fire-Girl.” he hisses.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I smirk. “And we know *exactly* what you’re looking for.”

Miku throws him back with a blast of wind but it barely fazes Jachove as he creates some sort of incantation. He tries hitting us with a blast of light and I block it with a wall of fire. He thrusts his hands out and bonds wrap around Miku and I’s upper arms, middle arms, wrists, legs, and ankles. Then, he wraps gold light around our mouths, silencing us. I narrow my eyes and try breaking free. Wonderful. We just *had* to get the guy with the strongest powers.

“Looks like I have some bait,” Jachove grins. I glare at him as he uses another powerful spell to drag us behind him. He walks into the ice training room where Alaska works sometimes. I look and see Alaska and Brooks fighting Alana.

“Oh, Lani! I found some new toys!” Jachove calls in a sing-songy voice.

“Ophelia! Miku!” Alaska gasps.

“Ooh! Yay!” Alana grins.

Alaska snarls and throws out her hands, trapping Alana in a blizzard. Jachove shoves his hands out and freezes Alaska in a ball of light. This also makes Jachove lose his concentration on Miku and I and drop us to the ground, tied up. The golden ball begins torturing Alaska profusely. I watch as Alana climbs out of the blizzard. She turns to Brooks.

“Brookie, I’m not going to hide from you anymore. Trust me.” Alana smiles.

“No! Why would I—?!?” Brooks starts but she freezes as Alana begins pulling off an elaborate disguise.

“What’s up, sis?” she smiles.

Saleen. Brooks’ sister. Brooks’ *sister*! Brooks is frozen in shock. Then her face hardens. She pulls out the blue crystal and clutches it tightly. Water begins to swarm around Brooks and her eyes turn completely white. She throws out her hands and traps Jachove and Saleen/Alana in tidal waves. Alaska crumples to the ground, and mine and Miku’s bonds disappear. I take the crystal from Brooks, and Miku catches her as she collapses from the strain. I put the crystal in my pocket and trap Jachove and Saleen in fire cages.

I walk over to Saleen and hiss, “What you have just done to your sister will scar her forever. And someday, you’ll regret it.”

Saleen scoffs and I burn her. I release my hold and glare at her. I turn around as Jachove makes a loud grunting noise. Focusing all of his powers, he creates a glittering gold sphere. He covers his mouth and nose and Saleen does the same.

“No—” I start, but Jachove pops the bubble. I cough as gold mist fills the room, making me feel sleepy and tired. I collapse and watch Miku pass out beside me. My fire-cages flicker out and Saleen stalks over to me.

She holds my chin up and whispers, “Nice try, Fire-Girl.”

“No…” I start again as the world spins. I hold my breath.

“Don’t fight it. Just count back from five. Five… four… three… two… one…”

# Chapter Eleven:

## Cylas

We have the Callan guy, Lord Eldon, and Hanz. What we don’t have is Alana, Jachove, Ophelia, Miku, Alaska, or Brooks. “We should probably go looking for them,” I say.

Jade nods and Moon asks, “What if the girls got captured?”

“That’s why we need to find them,” I say.

We split up. Vera, Jade and I, and Colton, Evadene, and Moon. We scan different rooms until I hear laughing in the tech lab. No one should be in the tech lab during the Winter Festival. I peek in and see Jachove laughing with… Brooks’ sister? *Saleen* is *Alana*? I look around the room. Brooks and Alaska are crumpled on the ground, and Ophelia and Miku are covered in gold dust that reminds me of the pollen that was on them last week. We run into the room and Jachove and Alana/Saleen stop laughing. Saleen glares at us before nodding at Jachove. Jachove traps Ophelia, Miku, Alaska, and Brooks in light cages that look just like the ones Colton and Ophelia have made in the past.

“Jade, can you send a message to the others?” I ask.

“I can try.” Jade starts creating the message as Vera pulls out her light sword. She knows it won’t affect Jachove very much, so she turns on Saleen.

“I remember you,” Jachove says, and Vera freezes. She turns around and glares. Then she smiles and stabs Saleen in the waist. Jachove snarls as Saleen drops to her hands and knees. He throws a light dagger at me and I duck. It whizzes toward Jade.

“Jade, duck!” I yell.

Jade looks up just as she sends out the messages and jumps to the side. She turns the sword into a leaf and creates a thick cage around Saleen. Saleen looks up and uses her last bit of power to throw a ball of water at me. I duck and the water hits the wall. Jachove hits Jade with a ball of light and she falls to the ground. I watch Vera fight against Jachove until he throws her sword against the opposite wall and traps her in a cage of light.

“Cylas…” Jade gasps from the ground. “I don’t think my message worked.”

I force Jachove to freeze and hold him off as I brush the gold dust off of Miku. Miku opens her eyes, jumps up, and blows the dust off of Ophelia. Ophelia stirs and also stands up. I let go of my hold on Jachove and pant. Jachove turns instantly on Miku and blasts her against the wall, pinning her to it with golden daggers. He starts to send a dagger at Miku’s heart and I scream. Then, it bursts into ashes, inches from Miku’s chest. Jachove whips around. Ophelia stands, eyes narrowed, glaring at Jachove.

Fire erupts around Jachove and Ophelia yells, “Get ready to die, Light-Dude!”

She makes the flames circle in a huge cave around and then she closes it in on him. I can hear Jachove screaming and sweat drips down Ophelia’s face as she forces the flames to close in more. She raises her hands, swirls them around, and then clenches them into fists, ending Jachove like how a conductor would end a song. And then her eyes roll into the back of her head. I jump up, regaining my strength, and pull the daggers off of Miku’s suit, letting her jump down from the table under her. I look around as she runs over to Ophelia. The room is a mess. Chairs toppled over, a ball of flames that are slowly dying out, and broken things in general.

Saleen is on her side, clutching her waist, Vera is helping Jade up, and Ophelia, Alaska, and Brooks are all unconscious. I look at the dying flames and into them. I only see bones, and the smell is like burnt flesh. Ophelia just killed someone. Alaska stirs and I walk over to her.

“You okay?” I ask. I help Alaska into a sitting position as she realizes where she is. Then, she jumps up.

“The crystal!” she exclaims. “Oh my God, where’s the crystal?!?”

“Over here! Ophelia took it when Brooks collapsed,” Miku calls. Alaska looks confused.

“Okay, wait. What do you remember?” I ask, slowly getting up.

“Being tortured by something, and then… black,” Alaska says. I frown.

“Miku?” I ask. Miku explains what happened from her and Ophelia getting captured, up until she passed out.

“And I think Jachove may have found one of the crystals. He was looking in the drawer back at the tech room,” Miku says.

I run over to the tech lab and rifle through until I see a silk pouch that obviously doesn’t belong here. I open it and hold the smooth, shiny red crystal in my palm. I put it back in the pouch, and when I go back to the others, Miku puts the sea blue one in too. Miku sends a message to the others, and a few minutes later, they come running into the room. I hold up the pouch and explain everything.

“Well, guess what?” Evadene asks, the thing closest to a grin crawling across her face. “We found the earth crystal.”

# Chapter Twelve:

## Alaska

Life is hard. Like, really hard. Especially when you’re in a group of ten kids trying to defeat evil madmen. Especially when your best friend's sister turns out to be working with the madmen and you have to be the one she can lean on. Augh. Like I said, life is hard.

“Alli!” Brooks says, running over to me and snapping me out of my thoughts.

I let out an exasperated sigh. Why does she keep calling me that? We’ve been up all night, looking for the last crystal: the wind crystal. But I also have a theory about these crystals. A theory I’m not willing to admit because it isn’t any good.

“What?” I ask.

“Mophelia! It’s happening!” Brooks squeals.

“*What*?” I repeat. What in the actual heck is *Mophelia*?!?

“Ophelia and Miku! It’s finally happened!” Brooks squeals. She sighs dreamily and flops onto her bed, dangling upside down with her two braids touching the ground.

“I’m so confused…” I say. Brooks facepalms.

She sits up, places her fingers on her temples, and says, “Sometimes you can just be too clueless.”

“Then will you explain?” I ask.

“Ophelia and Miku are officially a couple! It was bound to happen at some point!” Brooks explains.

“It was?” I ask. Brooks rolls her eyes and nods. It takes me a minute to comprehend everything. Brooks seems to tell when it has sunk in, she nods.

“So how’d it happen?” I ask, slightly curiously.

“They were in the courtyard and were talking about… well… that they liked each other, and then Miku just kissed Ophelia,” Brooks explains. I nod. Then I go back to thinking.

Cylas and Vera enter our room, and Cylas asks, “What are you thinking about?”

I look up. “A theory.”

“What kind of theory?” Vera asks, sitting next to Brooks.

“What if there aren’t *only* elemental crystals?” I ask slowly. I was right about Saleen, but this could be going off on a limb here.

“I don’t follow…” Cylas says.

“Never mind. I think I’m gonna go find Colton and Evadene. I think they might see what I’m getting at,” I say, standing up. Brooks nods.

“Yeah, those two are more on the wise side like you,” Vera smiles. I give a small smile and walk out. I eventually find Colton and Evadene creating some gold and black ball together. The colors swirl and mix together, almost as if the two of them have combined their powers in a blender.

“Hey,” I say, walking over. “What are you guys trying out?”

“We’re trying to make a multi-powered spear for fighting,” Colton says, dropping the ball. “What did you need?”

“I have a theory. And the others don’t quite understand. I was wondering if you two could try?” I ask. Evadene nods. I sit down with Colton and Evadene.

“So, I was wondering… what if there aren’t only *elemental* crystals?”

“You mean like ones for ice, or light, or dark?” Evadene asks.

“Exactly,” I reply.

“Why do you say that?” Colton asks.

“Well, for one, they *really* want those crystals, and I’m sure it’s not just to get a matching set. Second of all, Jachove wasn’t powerful enough to stop Cylas that night in the woods, but suddenly, he was able to break *out* of prison *and* capture Ophelia and Miku. And we *all* know that Ophelia is super powerful after the way she killed Jachove,” I explain.

“And how would he have done that without a light crystal?!” Evadene finishes excitedly.

“But if they have light, they must have dark, too! Tess was also super strong when we fought her,” Colton adds.

“But wasn’t the light crystal destroyed?” Evadene asks.

“Um, I actually think I found it,” Colton says, pulling out a golden crystal with some scratches and black soot marks on it. Evadene’s eyes widen.

“Don’t ever let me have that,” she whispers softly. I know it’s because of what happened with Adalia. I change the subject as Colton puts it back in his pocket.

“They seem to be looking for more, so I doubt they have them all, but we need to search the school to see which they have. This whole time, we’ve found them in classrooms, so if any are left, that’s where they will be.” I say.

“You’re a genius! And much too wise to be only fourteen,” Colton laughs.

“Do you guys want to start searching together and I can send a message to the others?” Evadene asks. I nod.

Evadene, Colton, and I head into the school and head to the science lab as Evadene sends little stars to the others. All of the students and teachers are at home for the weekend, so the school is deserted besides us ten and the headmistress. I freeze when I hear someone making noise inside the room and my heart clenches. No one should be here! I look inside and my heart stops. Tess. I walk into the room and Tess whirls around. Colton and Evadene follow.

“Hey, *Tess*,” I hiss.

Tess hurls some shadow spikes at me and I throw them back at her as ice spikes. She redirects them into the wall. She throws me into the wall and I skid to the ground. She lifts me around the neck and wraps a black shadow rope around it. Then she slowly starts to clench her fist and I feel my windpipe closing. I choke and gasp. Tess makes a fist just as Colton sends her into a wall. I drop and gasp in breaths. I feel a stabbing pain in my waist and see broken glass from the picture I slammed into in my waist. The shards are like knives. I look up and watch the scene before me. Colton and Tess fight until she throws Colton into a chair. Tess is strong. Incredibly strong. Tess begins to create some sort of ball of shadow in front of her, focusing with her brows furrowed. A shiny black crystal floats in front of Tess’s face and her eyes widen a little.

Evadene closes her eyes and then says, “Colton, give me the crystal.”

“Evadene—” I start.

“Just give me the crystal!” Colton throws the crystal and she catches it in a golden net. She stares at Tess and then back at the crystal. Then, she grabs it.

# Chapter Thirteen:

## Evadene

Light pulls on my every cell.

Begging me.

Dragging me.

*Come with us. Come with us.*

“No!” I scream.

“Evadene?” Alaska asks from far off.

“It’s okay. She’s fighting it,” Colton adds distantly.

All I can see is gold. Gold light blinding me. And then, I start to lose myself. Who am I? Who is Evadene? Or any of the voices around me? The crystal floats in front of me in the golden haze, urging me to accept the power. And I almost do. Until I hear Adalia’s screams. The golden haze clears a little bit. Enough for me to see Tess ready to do some serious magic. And then I try something I’ve never tried before. I bring Tess into my mind. Golden light engulfs us, and when I blink, we’re in an endless black abyss. Just Tess and I. Tess throws out her hands and nothing happens.

“Huh,” she says. “You’d think your mind would be bright and shiny.”

“Trust me. My mind is nowhere close to that,” I say sharply.

“Ah. So you’re Evadene Everson,” Tess smirks.

That’s right. I’m Evadene Everson. And I am *not* afraid.

I rip open my eyes, and the calm black disappears. I’m back in reality. I reach out for the golden crystal. The only recognizable thing within the haze. Someone screams. I wrap my pale hand around the crystal and the power makes me sway. I feel numb. But somehow, I’m not losing it yet. I don’t know if it’s the practice or my determination, but it’s something. I just can’t feel it. I close my eyes trying to drown out the blinding light burning them. And for some reason, I open them back up. I keep my hand around the crystal and vaguely hear Alaska scream again. Someone grabs my hand and I don’t feel completely cold.

Someone else grabs the other one, and Alaska whispers, “You’ve got this. Kick her butt.”

I let go of their hands and throw my hands out. And then, before my eyes, a ball of light starts to form until it explodes, sending me flying back. I feel myself hit the wall. The light starts to fade and I open my eyes, standing up on wobbly legs. I trip and feel someone catch me. I look up and see Colton. I look around and the room is blasted out of control, Alaska and Tess on the ground, and all of the windows shattered. I hug Colton tightly. I let go when I see a small ball of light pulsing in the center of the room. I feel a tug from it, but not the harsh tugs like usual. I step forward cautiously. I glance at Colton and he nods. I blink a little in the light coming through the shattered windows and slowly walk over to the little ball. I lift my hand and then shove it into the ball. Inside, I can feel something smooth. I pull it out and the ball flickers and fades away. A necklace with the golden crystal— which is now clean and shiny— is in my hand. I look down at it in awe.

“I think you just harnessed the power of the light crystal,” Colton whispers, coming over to me.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, do you feel it tugging anymore?” Colton asks. I shake my head.

“Now try *making* the crystal give you the power,” he says. I focus until I feel the tug again. I stop concentrating, and the tug disappears. I put the necklace on.

“So we can do this with all of the crystals?” I ask.

“I guess. Let’s just hope Tess wasn’t able to do that with the dark crystal, or even find out that’s what you did,” Colton replies.

I pick up the shiny black crystal on the ground and examine it, and I don’t see a necklace. Someone groans and I whip around. Alaska lifts her head slowly. I run over. Alaska notices the necklace right away, points it out, and Colton explains everything. When he finishes, Alaska nods.

“Do… you want to try with the dark crystal?” I ask softly.

“What about Tess?” Colton asks, glancing at Tess’s figure.

“I doubt she’ll be awake anytime soon,” Alaska replies. Colton thinks for a moment before nodding.

“How does it work?” Colton asks slowly.

“For me, it was really just instinct, but Tess seemed to have to command it a bit for it to actually start working,” I reply.

Colton nods again and I hand him the crystal. He grasps it and wobbles a little. I watch as he focuses on the crystal. Black shadows engulf him and I reach out for him. The shadows seem to have a mind of their own as they reach toward me. The shadows gag both Alaska and I, making Colton, trapped under the strain of trying to conquer the darkness, unable to hear us. They won’t touch me with my power, so they turn on Alaska. I start to move and the shadows freeze me to the spot. Then they turn back on Alaska. I quietly dissolve the shadows and gag with light and tiptoe over to Tess. I know my plan is risky, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save Alaska and Colton. And so, as the shadows realize I’m free and knock me down next to Tess, as I pretend to be unconscious, I grasp Tess’s hand and pull the two of us into a ball of light.

# Chapter Fourteen:

## Tess

Icy coldness brings me to reality with a shock.

“Charla? Crimson? Mother?” I call, my words echoing. I slowly stand up and take in my surroundings. Wherever I am is an endless abyss of darkness that stretches on forever. The darkness brings back a memory.

*I throw out my hands-* I’m in the same place as I was then.

*“Huh. You’d think your mind would be bright and shiny.” I say-* Who’s mind?

*“Trust me. My mind is nowhere close to that.” the girl responds*.

Dark hair.

Purple eyes.

Pale skin.

A suit of blinding gold.

*“Ah. So you’re Evadene Everson.” I smirk-* Evadene? Who was that version of me? What has happened to me? My mind begins to swirl as memories come back. Memories from my childhood and graduating Windspear last year with ultimate potential. And then the one that gets everything to click comes back.

*I lean forward, listening intently. “Listen, Eldon. Tess has no idea I’m with you and the rebels.” Mother hisses. “She thinks darkness isn’t meant to be used for bad, or whatever garbage she has learned to believe. I want it fixed. And if that means trying our new device on her to see if it works, so be it.”*

*I gasp. “Tess!” Mother calls, her voice changing to a sweet tone. “Come here!”*

*I suck in a shaky breath and walk into my mother’s room. The man, Eldon, comes at me and I block him with a wall of shadows. “Saleen!” my mother screams.*

*I turn just as a blonde female presses a black crystal to my forehead. I feel woozy as black shadows engulf me. Shadows fly around everywhere as Eldon says, “Sit back and relax, Tess. Soon we’re going to be the ones in control.”*

Tears stream down my cheeks as I shake hard. They controlled me. Forced me to hurt people. To hurt a bunch of teenage kids. But I’m free. Free of the crystal. Someone tackles me, holding up a golden-white dagger to my neck, the side ever so slightly drawing blood. I gasp in hard, deep breaths and look up.

“You. Y-you’re the girl. Evadene. The one I saw here earlier,” I gasp.

“What’s wrong with Colton?” Evadene hisses. The darkener of the team. Colton. They knew about the Power Crystals. If he found the crystal and thought it was the darkness one—

“What’s wrong with him?!” she shouts.

“Did he touch it?” I gasp. If he found it—

“The crystal?” Evadene asks, releasing some pressure. The tears let loose and pour down the sides of my face. Evadene steps off of me.

“What is *wrong* with you?” she asks curiously. “Why aren’t you trying to fight me… or… or *something*?”

I take shuddering breaths. “I’m not who you think I am.”

Evadene glares. “Yeah, you’re totally not the person who almost killed me.”

“That wasn’t me. They were using me.”

“I don’t understand,” Evadene says.

“They used the Controller on me. The crystal. My mother— she’s with— with them. The…” I shudder. “The rebels.”

“*What*?” Evadene asks. “They were controlling you?”

Then she shakes her head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Let me ask you this. When Colton took the crystal, did the shadows seem… *alive*?” I ask.

Evadene sucks in a breath. “You aren’t lying.”

“I can explain everything later. How long has Colton been holding it and believing it’s a Power Crystal?” I ask.

“At least five minutes.”

“Then we need to get out of your head and back to him.” I say. Evadene grabs my hand and pulls me out. I see a girl with white-blonde hair, covered in scratches as the living shadows repeatedly lunge at her.

“Alaska!” Evadene screams.

I whirl my hands around and the shadows wither. Evadene runs over to her as I walk over to Colton. I want revenge on the shadows that took me from my true life. Revenge on the rebels. And I won’t let them shatter an innocent teenage boy. I enter the sphere trapping Colton and it widens, making room for me. For me, everything outside the sphere looks blurred and with a filter making everything darker. I look to see one of Colton’s hands wrapped up tightly. I take his hand and force it open. The energy of the crystal slowly getting stronger pulses in his hand, and I look back at Colton’s eerily still body. And then I take the crystal.

Colton turns back into Colton. Weak, but still humane once again. He crumples as darkness floods me again. But this time, something inside me stops it. I concentrate until the Controller shatters. I drop to my hands and knees, and watch in awe as the shattered pieces reform themselves into a smooth opal-like stone with a silver chain attached to it. I reach out, grasp it in my hand, and don't feel anything.

“Try forcing it to work,” Evadene calls.

I focus until a rush of power floods through me. I make it stop and breathe hard. I’m me again. Tess. And I just turned the rebels’ greatest weapon into a Power Crystal.