Queen of the Night (Book One of the Elementals)

V. Renuo

On their boat ride over to an island of Volentia close by to find Spirit, Helian sat down with him. At first, Renuo listened to him boast about being the Sun, and his utmost belief in the fact that they would defeat Fangril and forever be remembered as heroes.

When he exhausted his tale, he asked Renuo about himself. Knowing exactly how he would react, he told him through his cynical way of viewing things. He started with what he thought about the whole 'chosen as an Elemental' nonsense and went on to how he didn't think he was a good fisherman, even though that was his life.

Although he could hold his breath longer than anyone else underwater and received more energy and strength from being in the water, his tranquil sea-green eyes and circumstantial discovery of an ancient trident didn't mean he was the Water Elemental.

The more he talked, the more his doubts annoyed Helian. He couldn't help it; he had been like this his whole life. No one had thought he would ever become something, and they were right. If he somehow was Water, it didn't do that to him.

The Sun eventually got up and left, shaking his head in disbelief. That didn't bother him; he was used to people storming off, too. And he had talked knowing it would drive Helian away like he had wanted. Helian was too upbeat and oppressive to him.

His eyes drifted over to Zelenia. Her quiet and demure aura appealed to him. Maybe because Water was more in sync with the Moon...

Renuo quickly shook that thought out of his head. He just liked her; that was it. No Moon and Water link—just him preferring one person over another. He was nothing; would never be something. He came just to prove that, and nothing else.

Right?

***

Uneven boards, splintered and rotting wood on a rarely used pier usually discouraged boats from docking at Hibyscus. But they docked anyway—they had to find the Spirit Elemental—no matter how unfriendly the place looked. Nothing lining the shoreline hinted at inhabitants. No one came out to greet them to the dark island; in fact, the place looked deserted.

"Are you sure anyone is here?" Renuo asked, hesitant to step off the boat—it looked like a trap to whoever docked.

"Yes, they are just further up in the mountains." Zelenia pointed at the dark mountains looming over them.

"How far?"

She used Helian's hand to step out. "Spirit is inside of the Seiran Mountains."

After more hesitation, Renuo finally joined them up on the pier, trident already in his hands. If she hadn't been confident in her answer, he wouldn't have gotten out.

"You've never visited? They are your neighbors," Helian said as they carefully walked across the pier in shambles.

"No. No one ever visits the people of Volentia. They're gypsies; people who dabble in dark magic. You can't trust them. I mean, look at this place; the land reflects its people well."

Zelenia looked at him. "If we can't even look past a person's background, how can we possibly hope to defeat Fangril?"

She turned her eyes on Helian. "That goes for you too, Helian. I saw how you became defensive when we arrived."

"Maybe I am judging too quick, but when a place makes you cautious, you can't help that. I just want to keep us safe."

That deflated the offended air around her. Zelenia turned back around and didn't say anything else.

The trio made it safely across and found a small path winding toward the mountains through the craggy landscape. Renuo doubted he was the only one tense as they made their trek up the path; the wind whistling sorrowfully at them sent chills down his back.