The Six Elements

Chapter 5- An Uncomfortable Talk

Weeks passed and the Season of Raining Leaves came around. Whisper walked down the path to a spot she had recently discovered where she goes to study. Dark circles were under her eyes from her lack of sleep. She dedicated most of her time practicing, but it seemed almost impossible to get the spells to work.
She was missing something, she had to be! Everything was becoming so frustrating to her.
Whisper took a deep breath, sitting under her favorite tree. She was in a clearing in the forest, other townspeople relaxing in the area as well, enjoying the cooling temperature of the Season.
Whisper flipped through the pages again, looking for an answer. Crystals, All Seeing Eye, Shadow Walking, Summoning, Enchanted Artifact, wait what? She paused at this page, reading carefully.

To the next Elemental,
Tomorrow is the trial. Tomorrow the others will strip our magic from me, and in doing so, kill me. I left you this to ensure this never happens again. Stripping our magic will most likely leave you weaker and I do not wish that apon you.
In the village temple, I have hidden my most treasured possession. Once it is in your hands, you will need to activate its power. It is the key to helping you become stronger.
Remember, it will reveal its location only to you.
Sincerely, Your past incarnation

A hidden treasure in the temple? Whisper closed the book, excitement filling her. She moved to get up but stopped once she noticed someone standing over her with familiar, cold eyes. Whisper jumped and was immediately at her feet. "Hello, Miss Whisper."
"H- hello, H- Hikari..." She backed up a step.
"Mind if I join you?"
"O- oh, well I- I was about to h- head over to the temple..."
"I can walk you there."
"Y- you don't have to..."
"I insist." He loops his arm around hers and they make their way to the temple. Whisper remained tense as they walked. She kept her gaze down to her skirt.
"I would like to apologize to you for the other day. I was merely frustrated at myself." Hikari spoke.
"W- what for?"
"I feel like I'm falling behind. It feels as though the my magic isn't as potent as the others."
Whisper nodded in understanding but said nothing. They continued their walk in silence. Just as the temple was in sight, Hikari unhooked his arm from Whisper's.
They arrived and Whisper went inside. No one else was there besides the two Elementals. Whisper kept her walking calm and had a weary eye on Hikari, who had his eyes on her. She walked up to the alter, examining the five rune stones that lay on it. The darkness rune began glowing as it sensed her presence.
Whisper found herself placing a hand on the smooth stone. It radiated a soothing heat. She picked it up, finding it to be much lighter than it looked.
"What are you doing?" Hikari's words startled her, making her almost drop it. She had nearly forgotten he was there and quickly put the stone back.
"M- my apologies." Whisper said quietly.
Hikari approached and stood beside her. The light stone glowed as he got closer. "If I may ask," Hikari said. "What made you decide to come here?"
Whisper's gaze dropped back to her skirt. "I thought my stone would be what I need to unlock my last bit of power." She lied.
Hikari continued to stare at her, his cold eyes studying her, almost like he could see right through her. He placed a hand under her chin, causing her to flinch, and lifted her eyes to his. "Why do you look away when you speak to me?"
"I- I'm sorry." Whisper spoke quickly. "I- I am soft spoken. A- always h- have been."
Hikari nodded and let her go. "Forgive me for being rude." He looked away, his gaze falling on the light stone. He walked over and placed a hand on it, feeling the subtle warmth that it generated. When he received no reply, he looked back only to find Whisper not there.
She currently found herself in one of the dark corners of the temple where she had followed a faint purple shimmer. On one of the light pedestals, behind a put out torch, was a small wooden chest. She moved the torch and picked it up. She held it close to her, a smile forming on her face.
"There you are," Hikari's voice sounded right behind her. "Why did you run off like that?"
"S- something caught m- my eye." Whisper replied, truthfully this time.
"Come back into the light." Hikari guided her out of the corner. They stood in silence, Whisper's focus being mostly on the chest in her arms.
The silence was broken by Hikari speaking. "There is something I've been meaning to confess to you for a while now, Miss Whisper." He paused, waiting for her to look up at him. She didn't, only kept her gaze on her new possession.
Hikari was starting to get irritated. How dare she ignore him?! "Miss Whisper?" He tried again, only for not her not to respond. His anger got the better of him and he slapped the chest and her spell book out her arms and grabbed her wrists painfully tight.
Whisper stared wide eyed at him, struggling against his strong grip. "As I was saying," Hikari continued. "There is something I need to speak to you about."
"W- which is?" Whisper shakily replied.
Hikari's grip loosened and he quickly wrapped one of his arms around her, pulling her against him. A smile appeared on his face, but it didn't appear friendly, at least not to Whisper. No, it looked more predatory than friendly. Hikari leaned in close to her ear and said, "I find you so very beautiful, Miss Whisper." He placed a kiss just below her ear. "You're so pure." He added. "Much to pure for the darkness."
He placed another kiss down before slowly traveling down her neck, placing slow kisses. Whisper flinched with every one and tried pushing him away. "L- let me go!" She cried out, struggling against him.
Her knee met his stomach, which caught off guard, giving her time to push him away. She quickly scooped the chest and her book and ran back home.