Zephyr: The Elemental Clans

3 - Patriarch Zephyr

Xyder Zephyr - POV;

"You dont have to look so worried," Storm began as he threw me a canned drink, "Satella is a tough girl. She'll be just fine."

"I know that, but I can't help but feel uneasy," I said, sipping the energy beverage slowly.

"What's the worst that can happen?" he asked rhetorically.

"Mister Xyder, I have bad news," a nurse called out suddenly, making me jump.

"What is it?" I inquired.

"Miss Satella will be unable to move properly for atleast a week. While she will recover fully and without any permanent damage, she will need some time to get back on her feet. I ask that you all please leave at this time. You may return for visiting hours in the coming days however," she announced.

"Hah. What's the worst that can happen eh?" I murmered to Storm under my breath. He merely shrugged in response.

We trudged along slowly as we headed towards my home from the exclusive hospital within the closed community of Zephyr.

"So what are you gonna do?" Storm asked me.

"About?" I needed clarification.

"Your grandfather is supposed to meet with the other elders today to finalise the means by which the will pick the next Head of the Clan. Aren't you going to defend your rights as the heir to the spot?"

I contemplated for a second before shaking my head at my friend. "It's not that simple. All of those senile fools have had their minds poisoned by the venomous ideals of my grandfather. To them, my opinions are probably worth less than a commoner's- no... than a dog's," I concluded.

Storm nodded and spoke, "Hmm. I understand your predicament but it's still infuriating that we can't do much to convince the higher powers. Maybe if we could get some influential voices on our side, perhaps the Epitomes even, we would have a huge chance. I know! We could ask Dagan to-"

"No!" I cut him off, "I will not drop down to anyone and beg them for charity! If I must regain my place, it will be through my own word and deed."

Storm sighed, "You are always so proud and stubborn."

"Anyway, it's been six years since this ordeal went down. Why the sudden interest now?" I demanded an answer.

Storm looked off into the distance, lost in thought. "Maybe it's because I was just a small child when it happened. Now that I am mature, the fact that they are considering the next heir has spurred me to fight for your best interest," Storm answered.

"My interest? Why does it matter to you? It's not your problem," I commented.

"But it is! Xyder, you have always been a best friend to me and, honestly, more so a brother. Seeing you be unjustly persecuted and treated hurts and affects me, dare I say much more than it does to you. I may not be the strongest Vessel nor am I especially rich or noble. BUT, I will always do everything in my power to help you both now and in the future when you secure your place as the Leader," he explained.

"What?! Are you trying to make me blush? You don't know the first thing about me! For all you know I couldn't care less about a dumb position anyway. In fact I don't!" I shouted. I turned around and stoemed off.

"Actually I do know," he began, grabbing my shoulder and halting my retreat, "I know that you have been hurting all this time. You wouldn't have persevered through so much and dedicated your life to toiling so hard if you didn't believe you could achieve this wish of yours. The wish to succeed Patriarch Seraphim Zephyr III and prove his despotism wrong."