The Power of Four

Chapter 6 - Raine

I fled. I jumped over logs and ducked under branches. I sobbed more as I saw no matter where I stepped, I left a puddle, and the air I traveled through almost always grew moister. I almost tripped over a log because my foot got stuck in the mud I had made. All I knew was I wanted to get away. I don't know who that auburn-headed girl was, but being the shy person I am, I ran away. I pulled my blonde hair out of my face where it had been plastered. I ran until I couldn't run anymore. I thought I had put some good distance between me and the auburn-haired girl, until I turned back and realized I could still see the golden antlers of her deer sticking out of a gap in the trees.

Too tired to go any further after everything that happened today, I was panting for breath already, Waving my arm instinctively, water rushed up and over from the nearby stream and into a ball in front of my face. I was just about to lean my head over and take a sip when the ball of water started to shake, making my hand move as well. Trying to support the hand that was shaking, I grasped it with my free arm, attempting to steady it. Long story short, it didn't work. The tiny ball of water that seemed so helpless dragged me to my feet, and it turned me around a few times before exploding on my face. I sighed. At least I somewhat got a drink of water. Using a stretchy piece of twine from a nearby tree, I peeled the soggy hair out of my face again and tied it in a loose low ponytail hanging down my back.

Unpacking my sleeping bag from my backpack I collapsed again on the ground exhausted. Despite that fact, I kept tossing and turning all night, sleep refusing to come and claim me. After what felt like two hours, I finally gave up. Hauling myself to my feet, I dragged my sleeping bag over to the stream. Now don't get me wrong, I still partly hate water for killing my dad, but I can't help it, listening to the sounds of water running always calms me down. I heard my breathing slow down. A million dreadful thoughts threatened to rush through my head, but the steady flow of the river in the background chased them away, and sleep finally came to me.

I opened my eyes to find myself in a black void filled with stars. My initial thought was, this is a weird dream... Then I realized I was standing on absolutely nothing. I backed up a few steps, trying to get back on solid ground. My heart started to beat rapidly when I thought of the fact that I could probably fall down into absolute nothingness at any point. I stopped in my tracks when I noticed the redhead who yelled at me earlier, and a new girl standing a few paces away.

"Blazing embers and scorching suns!" The redhead exclaimed, "What is going on?!"

"Great, am I stuck with you forever?" The other girl growled, rolling her eyes.

"More like am I stuck with you?" The redhead asked, "Seems to me like I should be asking the questions."

As they argued, I cautiously stepped closer to them. I walked over to the girl I haven't seen before and offered a timid wave, immediately lowering my gaze to look at her flats.

The other girl waved back and she said, "Hi. I recognize you from when I met this overreacting redhead. What's your name?"

Without raising my gaze, I mumbled out a soft, almost inaudible, "Raine."

"I really want to ask you to speak up, but I'm not going to since I'm not the mean maniac you both seem to think I am." the redhead said, shaking her head in exasperation.

"HA!!" The other girl barked a laugh and looked away when the redhead glared at her. "Sorry, you're not a maniac. You're very pleasant and...uh... kind, I suppose?"

Not wanting them to fight, I looked up at the new girl and said, "Raine," in a louder voice.

"Moderately happy to meet you, Raine, I'm Ash." The redhead said.

I gave a little nod in Ash's direction and looked back down at my feet.

"I'm Aspen." The girl with tiny white flowers in her hair said, nodding at me with a half smile.

"Hi Aspen," I whispered, still nervous around new people.

Suddenly, the stars went out, and we were standing in a black void.

Breaking through the taut air, an ominous voice boomed,

Four were given unique gifts,

Though one is trapped by perilous cliffs.

Look into the cave where fire sleeps,

And then within the forest deep.

Look into the depths of the truth fountain,

And finally to the top of breezy mountain.

Air must be united with the other three,

For the world to thrive and truly be free."

"Worlds on fire," Ash muttered, almost in awe, "What was that?"

I squeaked in fear and jumped behind Aspen. Aspen jumped as well, getting into a defensive position, looking around with assessing eyes.

"Should we be writing this down?" Ash asked.

"Though all are united, the world is not yet saved.

The path of peril must now be braved.

A shard of darkness must be found,

In order for evil to then be bound.

If the shard is found by evil hands,

Death will spread across the lands.

Find the shard and destroy its power,

And keep evil in check til the final hour."

Silence followed.

"Uh... Why do I feel like this is personally related to recent events." Ash said, breaking the silence.

Suddenly, Ash burst into flames, fire raging around and on her. Similarly, vines erupted from empty space around Aspen, covering her feet in a green mass. I shrieked when I saw that a calming blue transparent bubble had formed around me, and it bounced whenever I took a step. The three of us glowed different colors, Ash orange, Aspen green, and me blue. A purple tornado formed a little ways away, swirling into the silhouette of a girl edged in purple.

"Is that the missing air element?" I whispered, mostly to myself.

"Elements... That must be it!" Ash exclaimed, and her flames went out. Aspens vines slunk away, and my bubble burst, literally, and both Aspen and Ash got splashed with water.

"How nice." Aspen grumbled, shaking her hair with one hand and brushing water droplets off her lap. Ash seemed to dry instantly, grumbling something under her breath.

I was about to mumble a sorry when Aspen let out a piercing scream. Then she was gone, and a moment later, Ash was too, and then I was back in reality.