The Chosen

Chapter Eight (Wilder Cross)

 MAYA STERLING

A nagging feeling gnawed at the back of my mind—a sense that something was missing, something I still needed to understand. I felt a calling to me, it must be Thalassa. She has been reaching through me from any forms of water and my sleep. This time, she was calling from the pond.

Ollie, noticing my distracted expression, followed my gaze. "Uh-oh. I know that look." Walking  towards the small pond at the garden's edge. The water shimmered, reflecting the sky with an otherworldly glow. Thalassa was calling me. "Someone's about to get whisked away by their magical sea pen pal again."

Bowie gave me a concerned glance. "Are you okay, Maya? You don't have to go if you don't want to."

But I knew I had to. Whatever Thalassa wanted to show me, it was important. I nodded, stepping closer to the pond as the pull grew stronger, the water swirling as if welcoming me back. "I'll be fine. I just need to find out what's going on."

Zayne stepped forward, his eyes locked on mine. "We'll be right here when you get back."

I nodded, giving them a reassuring smile before I dipped my hand into the cool water. It wrapped around me like a second skin, and in a blink, I was pulled beneath the surface. The world blurred into a kaleidoscope of colours, and I felt the familiar rush of being transported to Thalassa's realm.

When I opened my eyes, I stood in the heart of the underwater world once more, surrounded by shimmering waves that seemed to pulse with a gentle rhythm. Thalassa stood at the center, her presence regal and serene, as if she were the embodiment of the ocean itself.

"Welcome back, Maya," she greeted me with a calm smile, her voice carrying the soothing lilt of a tide. "I see you've been learning quickly. But there is still much you need to know."

I stepped forward, the water parting around me with each step. "I need to understand, Thalassa. About Eldermoor, about my family—everything."

Thalassa's expression grew somber, and with a wave of her hand, the water around us shifted, forming scenes like vivid, living paintings. "Eldermoor is a place of convergence, where the lines of elemental magic intersect with the human world. Your ancestors were among the first to harness these powers, charged with the duty of maintaining balance."

I watched as the images unfolded, showing Eldermoor in its prime—a thriving hub of elemental power and harmony. Elementalists wielded their powers with precision, maintaining the fragile balance that kept the realms aligned. Among them, I recognized my parents, their figures strong and confident as they guided others in the mastery of their abilities.

Thalassa continued, her tone grave. "Your parents were leaders among the elementals. They stood against those who sought to disrupt the balance, to claim the elemental powers for their own gain. But such a stance made them targets. There was an incident—an accident when you were young. Your powers, still untamed, created a dangerous surge."

I watched the scene shift to a chaotic blur—waves crashing violently, and a young version of myself in the center, overwhelmed by the power she couldn't control. My parents fought to contain it, their faces etched with fear and determination. The image blurred, then went dark.

"They believed leaving Eldermoor was the only way to protect you," Thalassa said, her voice tinged with sadness. "With Felix's help, erasing your memories of this world, hoping you could grow up without the burden of these powers. But now, you're needed more than ever, Maya. Eldermoor's balance is tipping, and you have a crucial role to play."

The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders, and I felt a mixture of anger, sadness, and a strange sense of resolve. Before I could ask more questions, the realm around me began to waver, the water churning as if caught in a sudden maelstrom.