Astrolic: Kingdom of the Psynergens

Hidden Realm

"Where are we going?" Xavier asked Griffin as they continued forward on their journey to the Psynergens' territory. "It is a short distance through the woods." He replied before he came to a stop. "After we leave the cover of our trees." He added, turning to Xavier. "Our realm is hidden from your kingdom." He said to the prince. Xavier looked at Griffin, not quite understanding what he meant.

Before he could say anything, a mysterious faint glow appeared as they walked closer. "Don't be afraid," Griffin said before walking towards the glow and vanishing through it. Xavier was stunned as he watched his, pausing for a moment before walking through it himself. On the other side was a completely different world, massive amounts of elemental energies spread throughout the realm. "Is this what your kind is truly capable of?" He asked Griffin. Griffin smiled. "This is only the entrance." He informed Xavier. "There's much more to see ahead." He added.

Griffin wasn't wrong. As he and Xavier walked further into the realm, it was revealed to be much more than anything he imagined. It was like all four seasons were happening at the same time. Flowers bloomed throughout the land with trees of fall colors. The sun shines brightly upon the realm as a light snowfall fell, turning into a light mist as it neared the ground. Xavier touched the snow and was surprised when it evaporated at contact. "This is incredible." He said looking around.

The two of them continued to walk through the land, Xavier looked at Griffin. "You say this person, Reaper, wants to meet with me." He said. "Why not my father?" He asked. Griffin stopped and turned towards Xavier. "He wouldn't say." He said. "Amazingly, he did, however, he knows we never interact with humans." He added. "Speaking of which, you need to understand that you might get unpleasant reactions from the tribes here." He warned. "We've never had a human in this realm." He explained.

Suddenly, something hit Xavier from behind, causing him to fall to the ground. He looked up to see that something similar to a tree was growing rapidly from the ground. "What!?" He exclaimed, having no idea what was going on. Griffin rolled his eyes seeing a few children laughing as one of them was controlling the tree. "Floras," He said to the group. "Don't test me on getting your leader." He warned. The child reverted the tree to its original form and the group left.

Xavier got to his feet. "Are you okay?" Griffin asked. "Yes, I'm alright," Xavier said, looking at Griffin. "You called them Floras," He said, confused. "What does that mean?" Griffin nodded and explained that they were the Psynergens born with plant-based magic. "There are eleven other groups for different elements." He explained. "Along with half of the groups belonging to two separate tribes." He added. "A tribe of light and a tribe of darkness, providing a balance." He explained. "Although many disagree with it." He added.

Xavier looked at Griffin, confused. "Twelve elements?" He asked. "There are only four of nature aren't there?" He asked. "Earth, air, fire, and water." He said. "While that is true there are other elements we can control." He explained. "More nature-based such as light, darkness, ice, and plant." He explained. "Along with less understood elements such as moon, telekinesis, lightning and time." He added. Xavier was stunned by this. "Even so I've never heard of time being an element." He insisted. "Time isn't an element," Griffin said. "It's more of a unique essence." He added before continuing to walk with Xavier.

Griffin's pace became faster and Xavier followed quickly behind. "We're almost there," Griffin said as they began to enter the outskirts of the tribal settlement. Groups of Psynergens were walking around while some were using their magic for entertainment. There were even some Psynergens teaching children to use magic. One child was holding up one of his hands, sparks manifesting from it. After a few moments, a small flame appeared with the child in surprise and joy. "Good job." A girl about Xavier's age said to the child with a smile. "Now try to put it out," She said calmly. "Stay calm and focus." She added, encouragingly.

The child took a breath and closed his hand slowly. As he did this, the flame slowly but surely extinguished and revealed to have no harm to him. "Good job." The girl said to him. "You always were a good teacher, Hestia," Griffin said as he and Xavier walked over. The child went to show people what he could do with excitement. Hestia chuckled and stood up. "It has its perks." She said before seeing Xavier. "Oh umm," She said with a bit of surprise. "Sorry I just never expected a human to be here." She admitted.

Xavier nodded in understanding but wasn't sure what to say. "Xavier, this is Hestia," Griffin said, introducing her. "She's the leader of the Sparks." He added. Xavier looked at Griffin and then at Hestia. "Sparks?" He asked. Hestia nodded and used both of her hands to create a ball of fire. She held it for a few seconds before extinguishing the flame. "I lead and tech the other Sparks." She explained. "It's one thing to have power," She explained. "But it's another to control it." She added. "Griffin here was offered to lead the Floras," Hestia said to Xavier. "Great opportunity but for some reason he refused." She added.

"The opportunity is great," Griffin admitted. "But it's just not me." He added. Hestia shook her head. "I don't know," She said to him. "You know how to connect with people." She explained. "I mean you brought a human here," She said. "That's a breakthrough for our kind." She added. "Reaper requested it," Griffin responded. Hestia looked at Griffin, confused. "Really?" She said in surprise. "Even after what happened to him?" She asked.

Xavier looked at Hestia. "You mean when the Psynergens were chased away?" He asked. Griffin looked at him. "That was before what happened to Reaper." He explained. "Years ago he came to the barrier of our realm," He said. "He discovered his powers and humans attacked him." He explained. Hestia nodded. "No one knew how bad it was until we saw him use his power." She explained. "Unlike everyone else he can control all of the dark elements." She added.

"Reaper was the first sign of a prophecy that we learned about as children," Griffin said. "A being of pure dark magic and another of pure light magic would reclaim what was taken." He explained. "So Reaper is the pure dark magic user," Xavier said. "Where's the one with pure light magic?" He asked. Hestia and Griffin looked at each other and then at Xavier. "We don't know," Hestia said. "But once they emerge we might be able to have peace again with humans." She said.

By now, looks had already been exchanged towards the group. Some looked at Xavier concerned or even scared, others looked frustrated. As it was said before, humans were not usually welcome here. Griffin noticed that Xavier was a bit uneasy from the staring. "We should get going." He said. "Take care, Hestia." He said. "You too," Hestia replied. "And good luck to the both of you." She said before the group headed their separate ways.

Griffin took Xavier to an ancient-looking castle, but more medieval-looking than Xavier's home. As they neared a figure in black armor was standing on a balcony watching them. Xavier noticed this and paused for a moment. Griffin noticed him and looked to see what he was staring at. The armored figure nodded at Griffin and then walked away from the balcony, into the castle. "He's ready for you," Griffin said to Xavier. "That's Reaper?" Xavier asked. Griffin nodded and the two of them entered the castle, with Xavier anxiously preparing to meet the leader of the Psynergens.