The Elementiels

Ch. 4: RETURN OF THE KING

After Grandpa Mark discovered Jason's disappearance, he rushed outside, only to find Belle missing as well. His shoulders slumped, and with a downcast expression, he muttered, "I see. He must have taken Belle, too."

The scene shifts to Jason, astride his horse, galloping toward a lonely hillside. Tears welled in his eyes as he urged his steed forward. Reaching the hilltop, he dismounted, letting the reins slip from his hands. The wind whispered around him as he sank to the ground, his gaze lifting to the silver crescent of the moon hanging above.

"If I had known about these powers," Jason whispered, voice cracking, "I could have saved her. She wouldn't have died." His words echoed in the still night, each one soaked in regret.

Tears streamed down his face, and in a moment of raw emotion, he clenched his fists. "It's Grandpa's fault! He should have told me. He should have told me about my abilities! I could have done so much..."

His anger slowly faded, replaced by a hollow ache. Jason wiped his eyes and drew in a deep breath. "Why does everyone keep protecting me like I'm a child? I'm not. I can handle myself! I can..."

The memory of Stacey's final words rushed to the forefront of his mind, silencing him. The anger in his heart began to ebb, replaced by a quiet sorrow. He lay back on the grass, his eyes fixed on the moon above, searching for answers in its pale light.

"Was I too harsh on Grandpa?" he murmured. "I mean, I get why he didn't tell me, but..."

His thoughts drifted back to the moments he had shared with his grandfather, small, cherished memories of laughter and wisdom.

"What do you think, Belle?" he asked, turning to the horse standing nearby. Belle let out a soft neigh, and Jason smiled, reaching out to stroke her neck. "Thanks for listening, girl," he said softly.

Jason remained there, reflecting on his actions, until the chill of the night pushed him to return. Back at the bakery, Grandpa Mark, weary from worry, was about to retire for the night. His heart ached with the fear that Jason might not come back. Just as he began to turn in, the door creaked open. Jason stood there, his eyes brimming with emotion.

"Grandpa!" Jason began, his voice trembling, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ran off, and I shouldn't have yelled. I was just... angry and confused." Tears slipped down his cheeks, but before he could continue, Grandpa Mark rushed forward, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, Jason," Mark whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I should have told you the truth. You had every right to be angry at me."

Jason looked into his grandfather's eyes and said, "It's alright, Grandpa. I'm ready to listen now. Really."

They sat down together, the tension between them easing as they began to talk. After a long while, Jason spoke again, his voice curious but hesitant. "So, Dad fought alongside other Elementiels to stop 'HIM.' What happened to the other wielders? Did they survive?"

Mark sighed, his voice low with sorrow. "I don't know, Jason. It's possible they shared your father's fate."

"And Mum?" Jason's voice softened.

"She died after giving birth to you, as you know," Mark said quietly, "but there was something strange about her last moments. Her eyes... they changed into the color of a rainbow. Her final words were, 'He will be great.'"

Jason stared at his grandfather, his heart heavy with disbelief and wonder. "Oh," was all he could muster.

Mark placed a hand on Jason's shoulder. "I wanted you to live a normal life, son. I didn't want you to suffer as your father did. I thought keeping this from you was the right thing to do, but now I see it was a mistake."