Drafts! Drafts EVERYWHERE!

The Hidden Element

I was never like anyone else. Firstly, I had purple eyes that shown bright like a polished amethyst. Third of all, I have white hair. I get made fun of for it.

Finally, strange things occurred whenever I was in danger. I would glow purple and I would feel strength pour into my body. Normally whatever threatened me would run away in fear.

I hated it though. People looked at me like I was some kind of monster. Everyone else had control over an element, like Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Light. I can't master any of them. I felt so left out and empty. Eventually I was declared a demon for my lack of power.

I didn't understand why people were so cruel. The best job I will ever get is a slave, which isn't really a job at all.
My parents told me I have a very special power, better than everyone else's. More like a curse.

I'm not even like my parents. They both had brown hair and eyes. They didn't seem to have powers, but they didn't glow when in danger either. They weren't declared demons. They were called alusa (pronounced a-lose-ah), or powerless. Why was I different? It didn't make sense.

They died yesterday, a week before my seventeenth year. Cause of death is unknown. I've been surviving on what food is here, bread and carrots. I turned seventeen years today. No celebration like usual. I ate the last piece of bread, which tasted a little stale. I was almost out of carrots too.

I heard a knock at the door and was so surprised I almost jumped out of my skin. No one else knows I'm here that I know of. I nervously walked to the door. My hands felt slick with sweat as I opened the door. A man stood there.
He had the ruby red eyes of a fire, black hair, and an almost too perfect face.

Fire controllers are known to be attractive but this is ridiculous. Even his voice was deep and seemingly designed to be attractive. I never trusted fire. They are also know for their tendency to get angry easy.

"Hello Artius. It's nice to finally meet you." I blinked in confusion. "Sorry I took so long to get here. I ran into some," he looked off thinking, then looked back at me. "Road trouble. I understand that you live alone and I tried to get here quickly."

"I'm sorry who are you," I asked in my still young voice. I'm only around fourteen. He perked up as if the opportunity to introduce himself was all too flattering.

"I'm sorry Artius. My name is Endrell. I know this is sudden, but it's time you learned the truth." I stood in confusion. "You must realize you're different." He said as if I might not know. I nodded to show I knew.

"You're very special. I know you've been told before by your, ah, parents." I didn't know what to say. He added more mystery and intrigue to this. "Do you want to know what you really are? Do you want to know why you're here in this world? Come with me. We can give you a home, food, safety. What do you say?"

What was he saying? Is this save? Is he telling the truth? Or does he just want to kill the "monster"? I guess it was better than starving. I nodded and he smiled, showing off too perfect teeth.

"I'm glad you decided to come. You will understand soon enough." He led me to a fuel powered transport, or FPT. They are small box like things on wheels. I was stunned. It was a new advance and few existed, yet here one was in front of me.

The scientists are normally alusa, but some who weren't good with their power would become a scientist. They work on making conveniences for everyone. Sometimes they come slow, other times not.

Because he had one, there are two possibilities. He's rich, or he's a scientist. His suit suggested he was rich, but his lack of power suggested scientist. He could easily be both. That's another thing. I can sense how much power someone has.

We got in and it has comfortable seats inside! There was one problem. It didn't start right away. Eventually it was started. I was completely fascinated. He began to drive, which I watched him and learned how in earnest. I soon learned everything there was to learn. After that it was silent.

Soon I became lost in thought. I did have one friend. An alusa. He wanted to learn and use magic and said he'd use science to do so. How would he do that? I didn't understand science, nor magic, but I don't think that will work. I still gave him hope. In return, he encouraged me to try magic in all of its forms. That's how I know I have no magic, nor the brains to be a scientist.

After a time the FPT stopped and I looked out to see a large science facility.
"Welcome, to Skybound Industry."