The Elementalist

Chapter Eleven: Dreams or Memories.

I think I'm dreaming. Or is this a memory?

I'm in my old room, from when I was little in Honolulu.

I'm playing with my stuffed animals. It's really dark outside, I think I'm supposed to be asleep.
I hear footsteps and freeze. I listened again and when I heard the footsteps stop by my door, I scrambled up into my bed.
Just in time for my dad Leo, to open the door.

"I know you're awake, little one." He said flipping the light on.

I pouted. "I can't sleep."

I glanced at my dad, hes so young. This is many years before he got sick.

Leo thought for a moment. "How about a story?" He asked sitting in the chair beside my bed.

"Oh yes please!" I said, sitting up.
Leo smiled. "What kind of story? Adventure? Fantasy?" He asked.
"Both!" I'd said excitedly.

He thought for a second. "I have the perfect story!"
"There once lived a little princess. She lived in a big castle, she had her own room, bigger then our whole house. She loved it there. She had a great mom, who loved her dearly.
But her dad. He was consumed in darkness. He became a wicked man. He hurt the queen, so he could be in charge. While the queen was a great, kind leader. He wanted to be feared and he thought he would be a strong leader. Anyways. After he hurt the queen, he went to go get his kids."

I gasped. "Was he gonna hurt them too? Why would he do that?"

Leo sighed. "I'm not sure. I want to believe that he wouldn't hurt his own blood, but he really was a wicked man. There were rumors that he had another kid with another queen, a queen of darkness. But no one really knows if their really is a dark princess."

I nodded along with my tiny self.
I remember this story. But this was the first time little me had heard it.
"What happened to the princess?" I'd asked, pushing him to continue.

"Well, just before the King hurt the Queen, she sent her kids away. With two of her best warriors. She sent them somewhere they would be safe, until they can return and save their Kingdom from the evil King and the Queen of Darkness."

"Oh wow. So the Princess will be a hero? That's so cool! It's like Mulan." I cheered.

Leo laughed. "Yes. Anyone could be a hero. If they believe in themselves." He stood to leave.

"Wait!" I called. "Where is the Princess now?"

"She's safe. With her brothers, and her new mommy and daddy." He answered quietly.
"Go to sleep Kaikamãhine." He added before leaving my room.

I sat there, thinking about the Princess until I drifted to sleep.

~

As soon as my little eyes drifted shut. They opened again.

This time, I'm floating. There's nothing around me. Its all just black nothingness.
No not floating, flying. My wings flapping behind me.

"Kaikamãhine. Remeber that story." The words floated around me. Loud and echoing.
But I recognized the voice.

"Dad?" I called, spinning around, looking for him.
He was floating off behind me. I moved closer and gasped.

He's older then he was in the memory. This is how he looked right before he got sick.
"Dad? Where are we? I don't understand. Your dead. But this isnt a memory, right?" I asked rambling, tears flowing quickly. "Am I dead?"

"You're in a state of unconsciousness. It's the only way my spirit can reach yours." Leo explained. "Please, just tell your mom to find Colt. He has a story to tell you too. A prophecy."