Elements

Chapter 12

As the family walked towards the training rooms, Ira couldn't help but notice that Mother wasn't herself. She looked the opposite of what she had looked the day Ira met her; serious and stern, while on the day they met she was fun and amiable.

Mother Nature stopped, and Ira looked up. In front of her were giant, marble doors. They glittered and gleamed from the sun radiating through the windows. Mother Nature skimmed the door and stopped at a crack. She pulled open the crack to reveal a keypad. She punched in some numbers, but this time Ira couldn't see. The doors swung open, and Mother motioned them to follow her. Ira's siblings quickly entered the room, and Ira, who was surprised by how quickly they reacted, scampered off after them.

"Woah." Ira stood in awe as she took in the elegance of the room. It was ginormous, with walls as white as snow. But one thing confused Ira; the room was empty except for them. What exactly did they train with?

"This is the first room, Ira," Mother Nature explained. "For the most advanced trainees. They're the closest to accomplishing their full potential and joining us to protect the kingdom. However, now that the Destroyer is planning something, we must include everyone in this war. Everyone in the castle must fight. We will try our best to train you efficiently, Ira.

"Nick has completely mastered his abilities and succeeded in reaching potential, so he will be teaching Blake in this room. Nick? You may begin."

Nick nodded, and he and Blake strolled to the middle of the room. Mother Nature signaled for Samantha, Jane, and Ira to follow her to the next room. Samantha shot Ira a dirty look, and Ira looked at her with confusion.

The second room was a bit smaller but still breathtaking. Two fairies stood at the back, and Ira assumed they were practicing. The fairies, to say, were as big as any normal human being, yet could shrink back to their "average" size whenever they pleased. When Mother Nature entered the room, they looked towards the door and stopped. They faced her and bowed.

"Hello, Greta. Hello, Willow. Samantha and Jane are ready for their next training session." Mother Nature nodded. Greta and Willow nodded as well.

Samantha turned to face Mother Nature. "Mother, I think I'd have better progress if you trained me, personally. That way-"

"I told you, Samantha, no. You're not ready-"

"So Ira is!?" Samantha raged. "Just because she's the special child, just because she has unique powers, that means she's the best? I've tried my whole life for you to notice me, to make you see I'm number one! She doesn't deserve to be trained by you! I do!"

"ENOUGH, SAMANTHA!" Mother Nature's voice grew louder. "She is your sister, and you have to respect that!"

"No," Samantha shook her head. "She'll be the girl that came only when we needed her, the girl who's treated like the queen because she's special. She will never be my sister."

And with that, Samantha stormed off to joined Greta and Willow. Jane backed away from her when she reached them.

Mother Nature sighed, "Follow me, Ira."

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The last room wasn't like the others. It was made of gold. Pure gold. Mother Nature explained that this was the room where she taught her disciples. Ira nodded, and gawked at the beauty of the room. It was so enhancing, not like the previous rooms. It was extraordinary! It was very alluring, having grace, refined and detailed with the most unique designs. It was brighter than the cerulean fall sky outside, which was amazing, considering the sky seemed to radiate light itself.