Henry. Just. Henry.

Chapter 33|The Elemental Guardians

Hima, Portami and Atielle. The Elemental Ethereons. These magical beings protected Uldine, submerging stones of power deep beneath each Kingdom and suppressing nature’s wild magic.

The first bevy of humans settled in the country, building the now known Nine Kingdoms. As generations passed, protecting the stones from people like Kasimir Veltour was a priority. For without those stones, Uldine would enter an apocalypse.

Of course, one was missing, and the three children standing before Henry’s group looked nothing like her. Her shadow was cast over all five of them in the forest.

The three kids’ shadow barely touched Miyu’s shoe, who was at the front of the group. That Empress was completely coated in blue, as if she had a skin condition. The children, on the hand, looked… human, with White, Asian and Black descent.

And who could forget those striking, scintillating eyes? Not a pupil in sight. Although Hima, Portami and Atielle’s eyes glowed like ember after a fire, the group could still look into them.

Were these children really the almighty elemental beings?

“Ummm, excuse me.” Miyu raised her hand.
“I’m sorry, but… I’m confused. You guys look nothing like Wivoza. You know… the Empress of Water? A towering blue woman?”

“Ohhhh, so you’re the one she told us about,” Hima, the Emperor of Air, said.

“Yes ummm… where is sh-“

“I guess you met her in that form.” The Empress of Earth, Atielle, rolled her eyes, then sighed. “She’s always so dramatic, couldn’t just shrink down to size like the rest of us.”

“Now now…” Hima said. “Let her play goddess every once in a while. No harm, no foul.”

“Oh lots of harm, lots of foul! She always thinks water is better than every other element.”

“Umm, excuse me?” Miyu said.

“And what? You don’t think Earth is the best element?” Hima asked.

“Well of course! Because I’m right! Without earth, what would there be to sustain human life?”

“H-Hima? Ati-“ Miyu tried again, but was cut off.

“You can say the same for water… and well,” Hima shrugged. “I don’t know about you, but Earth and water could screw themselves. Without air, death is at your door in minutes, not days like water, and certainly not weeks like earth.”

“Hima, you’re picking a fight you surely won’t win! Do not argue with me!”

“I’m not arguing;” He shrugged. “I’m just explaining why I’m right.”

“Both of you stop bickering!” Portami said, snapping her fingers and sending a flare of fire into the air. “Can’t you see the girl is trying to say something? Be quiet for once.”

Hima and Atielle folded their arms and turned away from each other. Children indeed.

“Go ahead Miyu.” Portami said.

“Th-thank you. I was just wondering where Wivoza is.”

“Ah!” Atielle pointed to the sky, matter-of-factly. “Please excuse me.” She said, clearing her throat and looking at the night.

Taking in a deep breath, she cupped her mouth and yelled to the heavens. “Wivoza! I know you can hear me! Stop being such a child and get down here! I already apologized. Now hurry up!”

If tumble weed could roll through the pasture, six of them would pass by. The silence creeping in was so piercing even the crickets stopped chirping. The group of teens looked at one another for an explanation, but they all shrugged.