Hora of Moldova (Volume 1)

Chapter 4

Through the following two weeks, the team found themselves facing a series of minor threats that tested their newfound abilities and camaraderie. Each encounter, though not as daunting as the two-headed dragon, presented its own challenges and lessons.

One evening, they encountered a group of thieves attempting to break into a local bakery. Bianca, now known as Blossom, summoned thick vines from the ground to ensnare the thieves, while Marius, dubbed Glacial, froze their tools solid, preventing any further attempts at burglary. The grateful baker insisted on giving them a dozen freshly baked pastries as thanks.

On another evening, as they patrolled the bustling streets of their neighborhood, Dan spotted a pair of thieves darting out of a jewelry store with bags clinking full of stolen goods. Without a second thought, the team sprang into action, sprinting after the culprits through narrow alleys and crowded marketplaces. Just as they closed in, the thieves ducked into a building marked with a faded sign: "Abandoned Warehouse. No Trespassing."

Blossom attempted to pry open the rusty door, but it held fast, thwarting their pursuit. Crispshade, using her newfound strength, tried to force it open with a powerful kick, only to stumble back with a yelp of pain as the door held firm. Glacial, assessing the situation, gestured for them to step back. With a focused stare, he extended his hands towards the lock, and a delicate frost spread across its surface. With a satisfying click, the lock snapped open, allowing the team to burst inside.Inside, shadows danced along forgotten crates and dusty machinery. The thieves, cornered, turned to face their pursuers with defiant sneers. The air grew tense as Sofia, her face hidden by a carnival mask she had found lying around, stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with restrained power. With a steely gaze, she warned them to surrender.The thieves hesitated for a moment, but the resolve in Sofia's hazel eyes was enough to convince them. They dropped their loot and raised their hands in surrender, deflated but unharmed. As the authorities arrived to take them away, the team exchanged relieved glances, their unity strengthened by overcoming the obstacle together.

Another day, while patrolling a quieter part of town, they encountered a group of unruly teenagers causing havoc in a local park. Ignoring warnings to disperse, the teenagers challenged them, spoiling for a fight. Sofia, ever the diplomat, attempted to reason with them, but her words fell on deaf ears as tensions escalated. Breeze, sensing the situation slipping out of control, summoned a gentle breeze that rustled through the leaves overhead, momentarily distracting the teenagers. Blossom seized the opportunity, stepping forward with a calming presence and offering a compromise: if they agreed to leave peacefully, she'd conjure up a display of mesmerizing flowers as a parting gift.Intrigued and somewhat awed by the unexpected display of magic, the teenagers reluctantly agreed. Blossom's flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, weaving through the air in a graceful dance. The teenagers, momentarily enchanted, dispersed with laughter and smiles, leaving behind a park transformed by peace instead of chaos.

They trained together in Marius's backyard, experimenting with their powers and developing tactics for different scenarios. Sofia worked tirelessly to control her abilities, learning to channel her emotions more effectively to harness her elemental powers.

They were no longer just Marius, Bianca, Dan, Alina and Sofia. They were Glacial, Blossom, Breeze, Crispshade and someone who was yet to choose her alias but they were ready.

Despite facing perilous challenges together, Sofia and Marius found themselves in an amusing predicament after two weeks of intense teamwork, they still hadn't managed that first kiss. It had become a running joke among their friends, who teased them relentlessly.

One evening, after a particularly exhausting training session in Marius's backyard, the team gathered around a crackling fire pit. Alina, always the mischievous one, couldn't resist poking fun at the obvious tension between Sofia and Marius.