The Elemental Hymn

Chapter 12: the arrival of the emperor

Back in present day

Isaac wiped his mouth after a filling lunch, even though the Axalthi cuisine is a bit bizarre yet have a unique flavor. He couldn't stop thinking about Eleanor, seeing that not only did she went back in time, she is long dead in the present day. Then he saw the same Axalthi woman approach him, it was none other than Rhea.

"Enjoying your meal?" Asked Rhea.

"Yes, even though it's a bit bizarre, it has a good flavor" he replied.

"I am glad, the reason why I came to you is that I have reports on a huge craft coming this way" she said.

His eyes widen from shock, he realized that the Black Leaves are coming. No doubt that they are coming to pick him up, or kill off the Axalthi. Either case, he better prepare himself. It wasn't long until he saw a huge black airship soaring through the sky, before slowing to a stop. It wasn't like any other airship, it was metal and technological with glowing lines that run like veins. Then the hatches opened, and out came the rope ladders in which soldiers and magicians of the Black Leaves come pouring out. All of the Axalthi stood still, but it wasn't fear, it was curiosity. The huge airship lowered it's platform, and there stood Emperor Terra and Selene as they are surrounded by four guards.

"Its been awhile, Isaac" said Selene.

He didn't reply, but he glared at her as he remembered her killing his brother.

"There you are, Isaac! We were mad from worry, we already know the news about how the Apollo observatory is now under protection of the Order of the Nations" said Emperor Terra.

"And what of my brother Caelum?" He asked.

"He's... I'm afraid he's been captured by the Order of the Nations. Come, we shall rescue him soon after we take over the Water Colossus" replied Emperor Terra.

The news shocked him, but felt relieved that his remaining brother is still alive. However, he isn't sure about the part of taking over the Water Colossus. Then a group of Axalthi guards came in to defend, much to the emperor's confusion.

"Your majesty, just who are they glowing people?" Asked Selene.

"Axalthi, I presume. I've heard about how the Aquan disappeared at the same time the Axalthi have appeared, but it's not known what they really are" answered Emperor Terra.

"Your presence are not welcomed here, for we already sensed a foul aura emanating from you. Please leave" said Governor Argo.

"Hmph, it seems we have no choice but to take the Water Colossus with force" said Emperor Terra.

"Your majesty, please! These are innocent wish granting people from another dimension, just spare them!" Isaac pleaded.

Emperor Terra has grown tired of these games, even though he learned that the Axalthi can grant wishes, he just wants the Water Colossus and to enslave the Axalthi.

"Selene, see to Isaac as you saw to Destin. I am tired of these games!" Ordered Emperor Terra.

"Ugh, finally! This maudlin display has gone long enough!" Said Selene as she creates stairs made from shadows, before walking down.

Isaac prepares to fight the dark magician, by conjuring orbs of light. The orbs of light, however, are now grey colored instead of black before in the Wind Tower. It now symbolizes his neutrality, and his willing to defend others.

"You think your light can match with my shadows? Fool! I am trained to be an elite dark magician, and unlike the others, I have a keen sense of enchantment to mind control others. There's no one who has ever beat me, I never lose!" Selene boasted.

"Well your "keen sense" will be your downfall, Selene!" Isaac retorted.

The dark magician sent forth shadows in the shape of snakes to attack Isaac, but he counteract by forming a sphere of light around him and the shadow snakes dissipated like it was nothing. She was surprised, but was determined to end his life no matter the cost. She then cast a charm spell in an attempt to get the upper hand to distract him, and once he's under her charm spell, she'll swoop in for the kill. At first he was struggling to resist the charm spell, but he overcame it just in time to dodge her attack.

"Im- impossible! No one has ever resisted my charm spell!" Exclaimed Selene in disbelief.

"I've got some loyalty to Eleanor, and since she is in the past, all I can do is remember her. That's why that spell failed, and I've got some beef with you since you killed my brother" explained Isaac.

He rushed towards her, and despite her futile attempts to defend herself, he punched her in the mask. The attack almost knocked her to the floor, but she regained her balance. The impact from his punch caused her crescent moon mask to have numerous cracks to the point the lower right section broke off, exposing her mouth that has deep blue lips. He wasn't sure if it's natural or simply lipstick, but he can see that she was baring her teeth before screaming in fury. She retaliated by conjuring shadow based creatures that look like wildlife animals, in an effort to overwhelm him so she can finish him off once he is tired. One by one, he keeps on shooting beams of light on the shadow animals, and more was made. He knew he couldn't keep doing this forever, fortunately, one of the Axalthi knocked the statue down.

It landed on Selene's foot, causing her to scream in pain and lose focus, causing the shadow animals to dissipate. Rhea activated a trap door leading to a chamber of sharks, while Isaac runs towards Selene.

"This is for destin!" He growled, and kicked Selene in her stomach.

The blow caused her to fall into the trap door, thus spelling her demise of what the sharks will do to her. As for Emperor Terra, he was surprised at seeing Isaac besting his top member, but at the same time he was furious.

"Men, kill Isaac and capture every last Axalthi! I have some wishes that needed to be granted!" Ordered Emperor Terra.

Then every soldier and magician who are members of the Black Leaves charged forward, and the Axalthi fought against them to buy time for Isaac to escape. Rhea escorted him away from the battle, seeing that he isn't capable of taking on the whole organization. They made their way up to the top of the Water Colossus, only to find Governor Argo standing at the balcony.

"Ah, you came" he said.

"Why are you calm!? The Black Leaves, the organization that I formerly affiliated, wanted me dead!" Exclaimed Isaac.

"We, the Axalthi, fear no human magicians for we can resist their magic. I want you to make your last wish to escape, and I am willing to send one of my men over to whatever location you'll be in" answered Governor Argo.

Isaac turned around, and he can hear yelling coming from down below.

"I... I wish to be in the homeland of the Zephyr!" He said while panicking.

"Alright wish granted, and know that you used your last wish. But do not fret, you can still make a wish on a different member of the Axalthi except me. The homeland of the Zephyr is where the Wind Tower is located, and the region is littered with ruins that are poorly well kept. I advise you to take caution" replied Governor Argo as he snapped his fingers.

Then Isaac disappeared into a puff of smoke, having transported straight to the mountainous region that is the homeland of the Zephyr.

Authors note: this is how Selene, the one who killed one of the Noctua brothers, met her demise.