The First State Of Matter

the dance of elements

The training grounds of Castle Erikson thrummed with energy, the sun casting golden rays upon the lush grass and ancient stone walls. Dario and Dio stood poised for battle, their swords gleaming with a fierce determination. The air crackled with the potential of alchemy, drawing the eager gazes of their younger siblings, Margo and Sherman, who perched on a sturdy stone wall, their eyes wide with anticipation.

"Ready?" Dio called, a confident smirk curling his lips.

"Always," Dario replied, his grey eyes narrowing in focus.

In a blur of motion, they lunged at each other, swords clashing in a cacophony of metal and magic. Sparks flew as their blades met, and the ground beneath them vibrated with the force of their power. Dario conjured a surge of water, sending it spiraling towards Dio, who met it head-on with a wall of flickering flames.

"Water and fire don't mix!" Margo exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement. "But why do they fight like that?"

Dio smirked at his sister. "Because they're supposed to clash! It's all about the balance of the elements."

Sherman chimed in, leaning forward. "What balance? What does that mean?"

Dario, dodging a fireball hurled by Dio, seized the moment. "All forms of alchemy come from the Source," he explained, his voice steady despite the intensity of the spar. "The Source is a force that exists in another plane of existence, unreachable by humans. It's not alive; it's simply a force of nature."

"Force of nature?" Margo echoed, wide-eyed. "What does that mean?"

Dio kicked a plume of fire toward Dario, who deftly sidestepped. "It means some people can connect with it and manipulate it. There are four main forces: water, earth, wind, and fire. Each of us has our own strengths."

"Is that why you both can control different elements?" Sherman asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Exactly," Dario responded, striking at Dio with a wave of wind that knocked him off balance. "But no one can control all four elements. Some are lucky to wield two, and that's often seen in those with strong bloodlines, like royalty."

Dio rolled back to his feet, launching a volley of flames at Dario. "And trust me, you don't want to abuse alchemy. Disrupting the balance of nature takes a toll on your body," he warned, his expression serious.

"What kind of toll?" Margo asked, her curiosity piqued.

"If you push too hard, you can suffer from burnout," Dario replied, parrying Dio's attack. "It's a condition where your body essentially becomes the element you abused, and you... cease to exist."

"What?! That sounds terrible!" Sherman gasped, eyes wide.

"It is," Dio agreed, panting slightly from exertion. "Some theorize that when it happens, your essence returns to the Source, but no one really knows."

Margo's eyes narrowed in thought. "How do you prevent that?"

"Alchemists use a mark called a Dutch inhibitor," Dario explained, conjuring a small stream of water that flowed around his feet, emphasizing his point. "It's inked into the skin with a substance called liquidized ephrem."

"What's ephrem?" Margo asked, tilting her head.

"Good question!" Dio exclaimed, dodging another thrust from Dario. "No one really knows what it is. All we know is that it's a rare material that glows faintly when you use alchemy."

"Why do alchemists burn out?" Sherman interjected, eager for more details.

Both cousins clashed swords, simultaneously responding, "We told you already!"