The Project

The Three

-Arista's POV-

He is one of us...

Those words are swirling through my mind and the dizziness they create in my head causes me to sit down heavily on my bed before I fall. What does he mean by that? I know I'm one of the Project's "recruits" but the way Cade said those words makes it sound as though I am yet another thing, a far more deadly thing than I was before the scan occurred. My voice is suprisingly steady as I manage to get my question out.

"What do you mean?'

"Arista, I'm going to tell you all I can. But please refrain from cutting in with words that will only slow me down, your little habit of interrupting can become tedious eventually you know."

"You bas.."

"Very good. Now, I think that the begining is always the worst place to start, don't you? It would just drag this out longer and that is the last thing we need. So I think I'll start in the middle so that this moves along nicely. Alright. Now you know my name, a few details about my eternally interesting self, but not much more. So I shall elaborate. I am not the first recruit of the Project, for while I have been here since I was young I was somewhere in the middle on the timeline of the people that make this place their home.

But, for all that, I am still the first of a very special genre of human that is housed in the Project. As you know the selected few that are held here are genetically altered from birth, so as to enhance or alter certain normal human traits to make them extra-ordinary and different. Some youth now have the ability to breathe underwater, or to run at a faster than average speed, and some like yourself have super strength.

But there is another skill-set that is far more deadly and therefore far more rare. You are the third Project recruit to have this skill. Nicolai was the second discovered. But I, my dear Arista, was the first. That is why I am the face of the Project. You, like myself and Nicolai, are an element weilder."

His words continue but I no longer hear them.

Element Wielder...Element Wielder....Element Wielder...

Wait...What's my element then?

I interrupt him yet again to ask the question.

"What element do I wield Cade?"

"I distinctly remember telling you not to interrupt."

"I don't take orders from long-winded pricks."

"You are quite disrespectful. But then again , you are only a child compared to myself. I guess your rudeness is to be expected.."

"Last I checked, respect was earned not given freely. But if a free handout of respect is the only way you get it, then I suppose your arrogence is to be suffered. It is the only thing you have, after all."

"I assure you my dear, I am not only well endowed with a substantial ego, but several other things as well."

He says with a suggestive smirk.

Damn him.

"Just tell me what my element is and leave."

"I'll comply with half of that sentence. The first half. Your elements are.."

"Wait, elements? As in plural?"

"I am coming to the belief that the day you cease to interrupt will be the day the world ends.."

"Oh shut up. How can I have plural elements? Do you have more than one too?"

He grimaces and looks away for a moment. Then simply states,

'No. It would seem Arista that you are a very special case. Now before you can cut in yet again I will enlighten you as to what your elements are. You will be the master of both Fire, and Wind."