Terry, his face a mask of skepticism, scoffed. "A bedtime story? That's what you think this is? Melody, our supposed savior, waltzing in from the future with some magical clock? Preposterous!" He jabbed a finger towards Melody, his eyes narrowed. "And how do we know she isn't one of Raigan's spies? She could be feeding us misinformation, playing us all for fools!" His voice echoed in the tense War Room, the air thick with suspicion.
Before Melody could respond, Gail entered, her usual calm demeanor slightly ruffled. Gerry, her husband, followed close behind, concern etched on his face. "Gail, how was the check-up?" Gerry asked, his voice soft but firm. She gave a reassuring nod. She then turned her attention to Terry, her gaze unwavering. "Terry," she said, her voice laced with steel, "get away from our niece. This isn't the time for your doubts." The pregnancy glow on her face did little to diminish the authority in her voice; Terry visibly flinched.
Melody, unfazed by Terry's hostility, met Gail's gaze. "Torin," she said, the name rolling off her tongue like a familiar secret. "I've known about Torin since before she was even born." Gail's eyes widened. The revelation hung in the air, a silent confirmation of something profound. Melody continued, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, "I'm quite used to having my thoughts read, Aunt Gail. Go ahead. Probe my mind. See for yourself. I have nothing to hide."
The tension in the room was palpable. Terry remained unconvinced, his skepticism a stark contrast to the growing sense of wonder and dawning acceptance that spread among the others. The future, it seemed, was far stranger than anyone could have imagined, and the truth, however unbelievable, was about to be revealed. The air in the War Room crackled with tension, thick as the storm clouds gathering outside.
Terry, his face a mask of arrogant skepticism, stood defiantly before Melody, his words dripping with disdain. His brethren, a chorus of doubt, murmured their agreement. The black and purple hues of Melody's hair seemed to absorb the dim light of the room, highlighting the sharp angles of her face, a stark contrast to Terry's smug complacency. His accusation hung heavy in the air: 'How do we know she isn't one of Raigan's spies?'
Gail rested her forehead against Melody's, a silent plea for understanding. A torrent of images flooded her mind, a kaleidoscope of visions both horrific and hopeful. She saw the Elemental Masters, fallen in a brutal battle, their bodies lifeless on the blood-soaked earth. The Elemental Mistresses, their lives tragically cut short in childbirth, their hopes and dreams extinguished. The kingdom, once vibrant and proud, lay in ruins, a testament to Caius's cruelty. She saw Grenadine and Toxis, their faces etched with grief and despair, the last vestiges of a fallen generation. But there were others, too. Sixteen-year-old children, their faces alight with determination, stood around the Unwinding Clock, the very instrument of their escape. And there was Melody, disappearing into the swirling mists of time, her fate uncertain yet her purpose clear.
When Gail pulled back, her face was pale, her eyes wide with the weight of what she had seen. "Everything Melody says is true," she whispered, her voice trembling. "All of it. Your deaths by Caius's hand. Our deaths in childbirth. Them finding the Unwinding Clock. It's all true." Gerry, ever supportive, moved to cradle his wife, his concern palpable. Gail smiled weakly at him, her eyes still reflecting the shock of the vision. Turning back to Melody, she added, "But, to ease everyone's mind, Melody, please show us your Elemental Powers."
Melody, ever the scholar, hesitated for only a moment before responding. "I usually use them for medical and scientific purposes," she stated calmly, her voice measured and controlled. With a subtle gesture, purple flames, vibrant and controlled, danced around her fingertips, a mesmerizing display of power. "I took after my father, becoming a doctor. I'm a scholar, not a fighter."
Silver, his usual stoicism momentarily broken, rose from his chair. "If we're done interrogating my daughter," he stated, his voice low and resonant, "we have a conflict to prepare for." A subtle smile played on his lips as he glanced at Melody. "Raigan has the Lamp of Syran. We know she stole it from the Kingdom of the Sand and murdered King Kazim, who found the Lamp this time. And we also know that she plans to use it to resurrect Caius." The weight of their impending battle hung heavy in the air, the quiet resolve of the group a stark contrast to the chaos that awaited them.
YOU ARE READING
Dawn of the Elements - Book 4: Future Rewritten
FantasyA Kingdom, Shrouded in Darkness. Overrun by Dark Creatures, a New Elemental Mistress of Fire must go back to a better time, and stop the events that lead to the dystopian future she knows. Join her, as she rewrites the future, by saving the past.
