Fate of the Forest (A KaoEarth Story)

Twelve: Boun

Boun walked along the edge if the lagoon, but something wasn't right. Instead of the crystal clear blue-green water, the lagoon had turned a murky, yellow-brown.

The Meadow was sick.

"Isn't it lovely?" The voice hissed. The voice that had been haunting his thoughts for weeks. He tried not to let it phase him.

"I know this is a dream, Darkness," he said coolly, turning to the dark shadow. It had changed recently, becoming more defined. Boun could see long hair and the curves of a feminine figure now, but still featureless.

"You're a lot harder to get to than your Earth Spirit, High Elemental. He is weak."

"That's because I have the four Guardians shielding me. The only reason you can get to me is because Earth is weak from all the earth energy you have absorbed. I can still feed off the other elements."

"Not for long, because soon, I will start consuming the other elements one by one."

"Why are you doing this?"

The figure laughed. "Power," it said simply.

"You don't have to do this to have power. You can join us. You will still have power, but to will use it for good. It doesn't have to be this way."

"A touching offer, but no thanks. I'm going to get that Light Spirit of yours, Boun, and it's going to destroy your Earth Elemental," it laughed wickedly.

"Not if I can help it."

Boun pushed himself out of the dream, opening his eyes to see Prem, staring at him, his dark eyes worried.

Boun was back in their room of the cave where he and the Air Spirit were curled up together, resting.

"You saw it again, didn't you?" Prem asked, picking his head up from Boun's shoulder to look him in the eyes.

Boun nodded, making Prem shake his head in disagreement.

"It's not safe to go looking for it. This...thing...absorbs our energy. You should be staying away from it."

"But I need to gather all the information I can to help better understand this thing. It wants power. I offered for it to join us and use its power for good."

"Well, that never works," Prem scoffed.

Boun shrugged. "It was worth a shot if we don't have to resort to violence."

Prem sighed, fiddling with one of Boun's many earrings. "I still don't like you going to find it. It scare me that that thing could get to you like it does to Earth."

Boun kissed the top of Prem's head and chuckled. It was cute when he was worried.

"It won't get to me. I have more energy than Earth does at the moment. He's going to need us to be his strength more than ever right now. I'm going to talk to Bosston tomorrow to see how the other Meadows are doing."

"That sounds like a great idea. But after we rest," Prem said, nuzzling Boun's jawline with his nose. Boun smiled softly and turned Prem's face to place a sweet kiss on his lips as they settled back down.

Boun had been wanting to talk to the other High Elemental for a while now, but talking with the shadow confirmed it for him. They needed some sort of plan.

The next morning, the boys gathered by the lagoon that was still clear, not like his dream. Yet. Boun picked a particularly still part of the water and swirled his hand over it, concentrating.

"Boss? Can you hear me?"

The dark-haired boy's image soon appeared in the clear water.

"P'Boun," High Elemental Bosston smiled warmly at his friends. "I'm glad you called. I've been wanting to talk with you. How is your Meadow?"

Boun glanced at Earth, who had his arm linked with Kao's. "Not so good. Earth is really weak and the Darkness keeps tormenting him."

"Pineare is in bad shape right now, too," Bosston frowned, referring to his Earth Spirit. "The being taunted her constantly for a while and then suddenly stopped, like it found whatever it was looking for. But she is constantly on edge, afraid it will return.
Mix has been doting on her hand and foot though trying to cheer her up. And Mean and Plan are just over here ready to fight anything that moves." Bosston let out a short laugh and Boun thought that sounded very typical of the Air and Fire Spirits.

"Boss, I'm pretty sure we know what the Darkness was looking for." He motioned for Kao to join him so Bosston could see. Earth ushered Kao over, still refusing to let him go. Bosston's eyes lit up when he saw Earth.

"Oh, hi Earth! It's good to see you," he smiled and then cocked his head when he saw the stranger standing beside Earth. "Who is your friend?"

Boun took a deep breath. "Bosston, this is P'Kao, the Spirit of Light." Kao bowed his greeting.

Bosston took a sharp intake of breath. "Really? You found the Spirit of Light already?"

"Actually, he kind of found us. Earth has been in love with him for many years."

"Looks like that love goes both ways," Bosston chuckled, watching the two exchange loving glances. "It's nice to meet you, P'Kao. I am Bosston, the High Elemental of another Meadow. You will have to meet the rest of my Guardians when we come there."

"That was going to be my next question, Bosston. It might be easier to defeat the Darkness with more people. Is Pine able to travel?"

"We will make it work, P'Boun. I think strength in numbers will be our best option right now and Pineare and Earth can both use the extra energy."

"Then we can't wait to have you," Boun smiled.

"I will inform the others and then we will be there. Thank you, P'Boun." Bosston paused, his mouth slightly open as if he was deciding to say something else. He gave a slight nod. "P'Boun, there is something else important that you should know. I know the identity of the Spirit of Darkness and I envy Earth and Kao because..." Bosston paused, his eyes turning sad and pained. "Because Samantha is the human that I am in love with."