Elohim Academy: Genesis

Chapter 6: When Fire Meets Water

It is a beautiful Friday and Elohim City, a man-made island off the coast of California, is alive with students, soldiers, spectators and anxious contestants who are all participating in the tournament's festivities. From carnival games to cotton candy, they are enjoying it all. Everyone is having a fantastic time, everyone except a lieutenant named Titus Peterson.

Resting in his eyes are all three summoning shapes stacking on one another, such a rarity that he's the only Trinity Summoner alive. Titus sits on high cliff overlooking the entire city. He reads his Bible as he occasionally glances at the festival. Feeling heavily burdened, he looks up at the heavens and as his scruffy Afro weighs down his head, he prays, "Lord... what's wrong?"

Soon after, Chris teleports behind him and proceeds to place his hand on his shoulder and asks, "Can I join you?" Titus waves his hand to a spot right beside him. As Chris sits down on the dirt next to his good friend, he curiously questions, "Titus, why are you up here during an event like this? Even your wife is down there."

"Yes, I know Chris. I already told her that I'll be up here. I just needed some time to think."

"Something you want to talk about?"

"No. It's nothing serious. If the event is down there, why are you here with me?"

Chris nervously scratches his head. "I want you to come to the tournament tomorrow so you can choose your squad."

Titus remains silent as Chris's nervousness disappears. Chris glares at Titus and tells him in a stale, direct voice, "You're gonna have to be at the tournament, Titus."

"Oh, so we're making threats now?"

"I already submitted the paperwork."

"C'mon Chris, now you're tripping. Now what happens if I don't go?"

"You'll just get fined... about $5,000."

Titus stands up. "Are you kidding me?!"

"Nope. So, I guess I'll be seeing you and your friend Adler at the tournament tomorrow."

Titus gains his composure and rubs his chin, thinking aloud, "I think I have $5,000 in savings though."

"Titus, stop! Just go to the tournament, it's not that bad."

After a few moments, Titus gives off a friendly chuckle of defeat and Chris follows suit. Sitting back down in his warm spot on the dirt, he replies, "I'll think about it. Right now," Titus points down at the large athletic field in the city, "looks like you got bigger problems. I think 'they' just recognized each other."

Chris jumps up. "What!? Are you sure!?"

Titus sarcastically replies, "Not at all, Chris."

Chris ignores his comment. "Where are they?"

"The athletic center. You can catch 'em if you leave now." As Chris teleports away, Titus looks down at the sports field. This could be interesting.

Tau walks onto the soccer field with his soccer shoes hanging around his neck and headphones over his ears blasting music. He sits down on the side bench and begins to lace up his shoes. As he does, his vision suddenly blurs as an unbearable sharpness stabs his brain. His world seems to be spinning as he hears deafening voices all around him. He frantically searches his surroundings for an exit to the madness until he sees Ezekiel sitting in the bleachers on the north-side of the stadium and enters a trance-like gaze.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel is leaning back against the row behind him reading a fantasy novel, but his reading is interrupted by a presence disturbing him. He rises up and places his cowboy hat on his head as he begins to survey his surroundings. As he's searching, he feels an inner sensation that seems to guide his vision past the students and civilians playing soccer until his brazen red eyes finally connects with Tau's deep-blue pair.

The noise of playful children and the bustling festival slowly cease as the music and song of the city fall onto Tau's and Ezekiel deaf ears. Their world becomes utterly silent as darkness engulfs them within the gaze. Soon Tau's dreads slowly elevate from his shoulders as Ezekiel's eyes burn with fire from the energy erupting inside of him. Moving together in mirror-like synchronization, they rise from their feet and walk towards each other appearing to be under a trance. Their walk quickly turns into a full murderous sprint and they shove everyone out of their way.

Their energy continues to rise as a small fireball materializes in Ezekiel's right hand and Tau's fists are wrapped in swirling water. Then, without warning, Chris teleports behind Ezekiel and knocks him on the back of his head as his older brother, John, does the same to Tau to dissolve the situation.

Chris lets out a sigh of relief as John turns to the disturbed crowd to announce, "Do not be alarmed! Please continue with the festivities." Immediately after, Chris and John run into a small forested area to regroup.

John complains, "I knew this was a bad idea! The Water Lion and Fire Dragon's hatred for each other is overwhelming."

"So, what should we do?" asks Chris.

"We can probably suppress their power temporarily, but that would require somebody who is well-versed in suppression seals like Mom, Scott, or Titus."

Chris responds, "Okay, let's get Mom. I'm sure she and dad are at the house for lunch. Plus... I could use a sandwich."

They quickly travel to their parents' luxurious home on the outskirts of the city. As they walk into the house, General Ericson is relaxing on the couch watching the news as his wife, Linda, is in the kitchen making lunch. Chris states, "Hey, Mom, we have a problem," as they show their parents the unconscious Tau and Ezekiel on their shoulders.

Linda resumes her cooking as though nothing is out of the ordinary. "Would you boys like a sandwich?"

Chris excitingly says, "Yes, ma'am!"

Linda chuckles. "I'm assuming the two Sacred Beasts tried to kill each other... again?"

John responds, "Correct. We were wondering if you could suppress the Beasts' powers or if we should separate them? We could always send Tau back or send Ezekiel to another nation."

Chris questions, "Why would Scott approve this transfer?"

Still looking at the news on the television, their father answers, "Scott never does anything without a reason."

Linda asks, "So what do you want to do with them, hon'?"

"They're your sons, darling."

"I meant the beasts, John. You're always joking around."

Ericson chuckles. "We don't need to suppress their power, it was just a one-time incident that happened because the carriers of the beasts met each other for the first time. Just try to keep them separated and they'll be fine. If it happens again, we'll place a seal on them."

John replies, "Sounds good to me."

Ericson turns up his television while asking his family, "Hey, have y'all heard about this?"

They make their way to the living room as Ericson continues, "Two black men were lynched on a highway over in Texas. They each had a sign that read, 'We are the S.R.'"

Linda gasps, "Jesus! What do you think that means?"

"No clue, but as a nation... I thought we were past this already."

They let the news play for a few moments as Ericson changes the subject. "Go ahead and get them situated before they wake up." They nod their heads and exit their parents' house.