The Elementals

Chapter 2

The day started out as any other for the two girls.  Artemis woke up and got ready to find Kate still in bed snuggling with phoenix. But there was something off, Artemis had a strange feeling so she looked around the room to find a letter on the floor next to their door. She picked it up to see her name on the back. Sitting on her bed she opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Artemis Lilly,

You have been invited to join military training at the moon place. Although you are very young you're skill are impressive and we would like to take you under our wing. You have two days to respond.

~Head of Military Defenses

"the Moon Place." She asked her self as she was lost in thought of what to do. Until a yawn snapped her back into reality. She hid the envelope under her pillow and walked closer to the sleepy roommate. "Ahhh, it is time to get up?" Kate asks with her usual smile. Artemis nods and grabs her hoodie. "Where are you going?" Kate asks rubbing her eyes. "Breakfast." Artemis replies. "Ok hurry back" Kate says as Artemis closes the door. She walked towards the main Kitchen area, but bumped into someone as she was still lost in thought. "Sorry." she says as she stepped backwards to see who it was. It was a boy that was her age with brown spikey hair and orange eyes. He was one of the popular pretty boys from her class, except he was way nicer than all the rest. "Hey it's cool, no harm done right." He smiled, she felt her heart skip a beat. "Y-yeah" she said but this time her voice had more emotion then what it usually had.  He put his hand out for her to shake it, she looked up to him confused. "Name's Tom. Yours?""Artemis." She replies.

"Hey you're the girl who sits in the back with Kate right?" A popular girl asked who was hanging on to Tom's arm. "The awkward girl who never says a word huh?" She asked again. Artemis hung her head down. "They say that they found you on the academy's doorstep, guess your parents didn't want a reject like you." The girl says and her friends start to laugh. While Artemis's eyes widen in shame and embarrassment. She got all these rude comments growing up in the academy. She turned around and started to walk back to her room. The girls just kept making rude comments and laughing while Tom just watched her walk away, he felt bad and didn't even want to be with these girls.

"Oh hey that was quick did you get anything for me?" Kate asks as Artemis enters their room and nods no. "It's cool." Kate shrugs. "We can go together before class. I think today Jacobs gonna help with combat. Maybe he'll let us practice together! Can you imagine, a swordswoman and an archer. It's the best combination!" Kate says excitedly but looks at Artemis. Kate was the only one who could ever tell what Artemis was thinking, there was one thing that always gave it away. "What happened when you went to get breakfast Artemis." Kate said sitting next to her. Artemis gave a slight blush thinking about. "You don't wanna talk about do you?" Artemis nods. Kate sighs "Fine let's go to class then."

As the two girls practice their skills in class Artemis looks over at Kate and Phoenix. They were like a perfect duo, as Kate practiced swift and clean cuts in the air with her sword Phoenix gave her pointers on her form and telling her what attacks to do. Kate was amazing in sword combat as her teacher was the strongest in all of Alaina. As for Artemis she still felt embarrassed for what happened earlier. Seeing Kate practice didn't help her much either. Even though she loved her best and only friend she wasn't as popular or outgoing as Kate. Artemis rarely talked and didn't like to show any emotion except when she was with Kate. The only combat she knew was archery. "No one would miss me if I leave anyway."

"Ahhhhh, practice always makes me feel better." Kate says as she walks down the hall to her room. "You are getting a lot better at your form." Phoenix complements her. "You really think so Phoenix!" Kate asks with excitement in her eyes. "Well Jacob was your teacher, I'm sure you'll be just as great as him." he replies landing on Kate's shoulder. "I wonder why Artemis left early?" He questions. "Me too! I wanted to show her some new techniques I've been working on!" As Kate and Phoenix enter their room expecting to see their friend what they find is an half empty room. Only Kate's stuff filled the room as Artemis's half was now barren. "Artemis...." Phoenix whispers.