Red Like Roses

Chapter 15

Heather and her team sit around a small fire as Summer's spirit stands before them.

"What's going on mom?" asks Heather. Summer sighs.

"A long time ago there was a hero. A person capable of using magic without dust, unlike most of the people today. He was capable of so much and would help anyone in need. But people were greedy they took him for granted in the end. He got old and tired of being used, so he disappeared into the forest. A few years later four young siblings came upon his home. They did not know who he was but they would not leave him in such a sorry state. The house was breaking down and the crops were dying. The eldest sister understood his fear and pain of being used. She taught him that being alone was good at times but that they should never cut their heart off from everyone else. The second sibling, a brother, taught him that he should look deep within him for strength. A passion that could drive people to do things they thought impossible. The third brother taught him that you must always hold your ground no matter what, whether in a battle or morally. Always believe. The fourth sister was the one most cherished by all of them. She was selfless and kind, she was able to make him smile for the first time in years. She taught him through example. The old hero was moved and decided to continue on with his mission of helping people. But before he left her gave the four girls a gift. Magic, the power to control one of the four elements. And with each came an artifact, the four keys to humanity's creation. Knowledge, creation, destruction, and emotion. No one alive today knows what these artifacts look like only that they are hidden in vaults that can only be opened by their corresponding elementalists. It's also known that there is one sister who their artifact corrupted. And therefore corrupted her magic. The magic has since become unstable. But no one knows which."

"The grotto where I found you," Heather muses.

"Yes, it was the vault of knowledge and you are now the water elementalist charged with protecting the artifact."

"WHAT?! But why me?! And doesn't that mean you've seen the artifact."

"Because you were the last girl in my thoughts. And that's how the magic is transferred for the elementalists. That last young person of the same gender as you in your thoughts gets the power. And while I have been in the vault I never unlocked the part that held the artifact. I never felt that I was the one to wield it. "

"Then who is," interjects Winter.

"I don't know," Summer responds. "There's one last thing. I am now but a spirit joining the other past water elementalists in the artifact. When you find it I will be able to talk to you again. For now goodbye."

"Mom! Wait! Don't leave!" Heather reaches out to grab Summer but she's already disappeared.

"What do I do with my powers," Heather mumbles. She sighs as the four begin to pack up their camp. Heather pulls out a map and sprinkles some dust on it. Blue dots begin to light up all over the map. All of which are groups and moving towards the Bermuda triangle. As planned, she sighs with relief.

"Time for a vacation."

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Genna groans, "No more teleporting." Crow chuckles from a few feet away.

"Yeah it doesn't feel too good the first few times. But you'll get used to it." Genna is instantly hit with a wave of nausea.

"I want my book," she says before she falls unconscious again.

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Genna wakes up a few hours later with a start.

"Wonder bread Percy! Use the wonder bread!"

"Who's Percy? More importantly what's wonder bread?" asks Meghan.

"N-nothing," Genna says getting up. She looks around and sees Crow and the boys pitching a tent. Meghan comes over with some water. Her expression faintly nervous.

"Here. Drink up," Meghan says.

"Thanks. Where are we?" She asks between sips.

"Egypt, we're at an oasis."

"Oh look, sand." she says dryly.

"Oh come on it's not that bad. And were just a half days walk from an airport. From there we go to Bermuda."

"Great! More sand!" Genna says. Meghan rolls her eyes.

"Come on we're gathering supplies and then heading out.

"Alright where's Trinity?"

"Um we haven't seen her...," Meghan murmurs.

"WHAT?!" Crow walks over.

"Yeah yeah chill out kid. I was just getting you guys situated. I'm gonna go find her." HE starts walking into the desert.

Genna paces like a caged tigress while they wait.

"Maybe quit wasting energy pacing and come help us," Ethan says rudely. Genna shoots him a glare that shuts him up.

"N-nevermind j-just ke-ep doing w-what you're doing. Hehehehe....," he trails off.

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Heather looks down at the water and concentrates. Slowly the water begins to rise into a wobbly ball. Heather waves to the others further along the bridge.

"Look I did it!" The others start to clap when the water explodes, drenching Heather. The others doubl over in laughter as Heather glares at them.

"Quit laughing!" Heather shrieks.

"Okay okay!" Winter says with a soft smile. She takes out some fire and air dust. She creates a hot gust to dry Heather off.

"Thanks Winter." Winter helps Heather get her clothes and hair back in order and then they head off. Later on Heather gasps and takes off ahead.

"We're in our old forest Solace!" Heather's face instantly relaxes and she looks like a true sixteen year old, just enjoying life. She runs around, acting like a small child. The other three grin and walk leisurely behind her. Solace's smile drops and while the others continues on, her gauntlets come out. Her hair turns t flames as she hears a low growl come from  behind. A bear grim charges from the shadows.

"Let's do this." She aims her gauntlets behind her and takes off with a shot. Her aura shines gold as she aims a punch at the oncoming bear. The bear stops the hit with a paw and swats her down. The bear tries to stomp on her but it's foot is stopped by Solace's hand. Solace's hair gives off sparks and her usually purple eyes turn red. The bear steps back and then charges, slamming solace into a tree as she tries to stand. Willow cries out and tries to go help her but Heather stops her.

"Just watch," Heather whispers.

Solace stands with her face down. Her legs wobble for a moment but when she looks up her hair turns to flames. Her aura shining a blazing gold. She shoots off a punch which is intercepted by the bear. There's a moment where time seems to stop before a sickening crunch comes from the bear's arm. The bones visible break. It growls in pain and then Solace's other fist shoots forward and punches the bear in its midsection.

"Woah," Willow says as the bear falls to the ground.

(I'm baaaaaack who missed me? *all my fans left cause I wasn't updating* Oh.... oops? I'm sorry! I had trouble getting to my computer and getting work done recently! But now I have an editor to help take some of the pressure off and should be updating much more frequently. Thanks to anyone who stuck around! -redlikerosescreator (Ruby) )