Forged With the Elements

(6) An Act of Violence

Chapter 6

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"Every mistake

is an opportunity

to learn something new."

~ anon

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Aithne

I was not fine.

Even though I didn't burn the whole garden, I managed to destroy the fountain. I created a giant crack down the middle and evaporated all the water. I even burned some patches of grass, black splotches replacing what was once green.

I can't believe I had gotten so cocky!

If I hadn't gotten so wrapped up in my head, maybe I wouldn't have gave myself unrealistic expectations.

Why, oh why did I convince myself that I would be naturally good?

I really let my reader self take over. I induced myself to believe that I was just like the protagonists in the fantasy books I read. I put myself into the mindset of being someone I'm not. Someone who'd be able to learn how to control their powers as easily as flipping a switch.

"I am so, so, so sorry!" I gasp, slapping my hand over my mouth, staring in horror at what I had done.

I feel my stomach twist. Terran and Kai both wear the same startled expression, their eyes wide open, their eyebrows so high up on their faces it could touch the sky.

And worst of all, Zephyr's face stays stoic, giving me nothing but a cold stare. Aldrich has his face buried in his hands, not wanting to look at the damage.

I met Aldrich a few moments ago once Terran, Kai, and I arrived at the main garden, where Zephyr and Aldrich were already waiting for us.

Kai and Terran had rushed up to him and gave him a hug, like they were old friends. Kai explained to me that Aldrich's twin brother was his personal mentor when he started learning about his powers, and that Terran and Zephyr knew him because he would always like to visit and train with them.

Aldtich is a short chubby man from the Fire Kingdom. His eyes glow a light brown, and when the sun hits him it shifts into a golden honey color. His hair is a fade of blonde, white, and gray. He his kind face makes me feel welcome.

He gave me a bow, but I had told him that he didn't need to do such a thing. He gave me a warm smile and lightly shook my hand. He explained to me that he was an old friend of my mother's and that she had specifically reached out to him to help me control my powers. Queen Kendra agreed that he was the best option to personally teach me and to also teach the four of us about the ceremony, given that he was a teacher.

Our lesson started off with an explanation to our questions about what the Elemental ceremony actually was.

He had ushered us to sit on the two benches by the fountain. Kai and I sitting on one side of the fountain and Zephyr and Terran sitting on the other.

I had felt eager to learn more about the place that I would've called home. I also felt a heavy weight on my shoulders because a bunch of strangers, old and young, were relying on me to strengthen our kingdom.

"Let's start with the basics," Aldrich said. "Who can tell me what the Elemental Ritual is?"

Zephyr flinched, like he wanted to raise his hand but thought better of it. Terran quickly raised his hand, while Kai eyed Zephyr skeptically. My own hand remained by my side.