THE ELEMENTALS

Chapter 1 First Day, First Battle

It was a bright sunny morning on the planet of Anthos. Her imperial Highness, Princess Joana Blaze was up early, and in her meditation pose while her younger sister, Princess Sapphire-Snow Blaze was still lazily yawning like a snow leopard. After two minutes, Joana was ready for her training session with her second-in-command, Stora. For her it was another regular day as a princess and a general. "Your Highness," said Stora as she saluted her princess. "Morning Stora, ready to train?" replied Joana with a smirk. "Ready when you are, Joana."

Stora and Joana were best friends right through their childhood. From the time they met when they were two years old, till now as they are 28,000 years with Joana being older than Stora by 1000 years. They trained for 5 hours until they heard someone call Joana's name. "Joanaaa", said the person with a whining tone. They both knew it was Sapphire. "What is it this time, your annoyingness?" replied Joana rolling her eyes. "Do you know where my bedazzled curler is?" asked Sapphire. Joana replied her with an eyebrow raised, "You left it on your makeup table next to your hair ornaments". "Oh, so that's where I left it", she said as her sister smacked her forehead, then she (Sapphire) said "Father's calling you though". Not again, Joana thought as she flew to her bathroom to take a hot swim. "Till afternoon then, Stor", she said as she winked at her bestie. After an hour swim in her bath pool, she was refreshed and clean. Her attendants were holding a towel behind her as she magically dried herself when her only cousin Mikal barged in. "Joana, uncle's..." he started as Joana looked at him with the corner of her right eye. He quickly covered his eyes as he said startling, "I...uh...um...sorry for intruding, your Highness...it's...uh...er". "It's alright, Commander Mikal", said Joana as she dressed up in her army uniform. He uncovered his eyes and heaved a huge sigh of relief as his beloved cousin stepped towards him. "You said that Father is what?" she asked with a neutral face. "Uncle's going to throw a fit if he doesn't see you in the dining hall. The guests are waiting." he said as they both made their way to her parents. Joana knew who the 'guests' were. She switched to her General mode as they greeted the Emperor and they sat down. His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Athon Blaze was already furious about the time his daughter wasted in coming out. He then started, "General Blaze, I am pleased to introduce to you...." "No need Father. I already know who they are and I have no intention of marrying this pompous airhead who insults the Anthonian monarchy", commented Joana as she kept a neutral look on her face. Here we go again, thought Mikal and Sapphire. "Joana Slate Blaze, will you watch your mouth?!" demanded Athon. "I cannot sugar-coat this neither as a General nor as an Imperial Princess, Father", she stated as she looked at her father slightly before she continued, "Let me state this fact, I cannot marry a prince who is fond of parading the streets with different women with no intention of making any of them his betrothed." The person in question was Prince Halson of the Talzar Region and with him was his father's advisor. Halson was embarrassed and infuriated by this statement as he said, "What proof do you have of me fondling with women?" with an intent look on his face. "I do have proof, you see." she stated. "I placed my phoenixes to keep an eye on the princes that wanted my hand in marriage, or how do you think I chased the last prince away from this palace?" asked Joana with an eyebrow raised. Then she summoned Terra, her favourite phoenix, to show them what she saw about the prince. In a burst of bright red flames, they saw that what her Highness said was true. The prince refused to accept it and challenged the Imperial princess to a duel. Finally, she thought, just what I need to teach him a good lesson about manners.

The duel was to take place in the Zaur Kelak(The grand battleground) within the palace premises which was also Joana's favourite training ground. When duels like this come up, she loves wearing her hair in a ponytail. Within minutes, the duel had started. Thanks to constant training, Joana was swift and flexible during the fight, while Halson was struggling to defend himself. Using the double-bladed glaive, her favourite weapon, she was able to give the prince some slight wounds. The duel ended with a straight kick from her Highness to the weakened prince as he landed face flat on the floor. The Emperor was thinking of removing the weak prince and their entire family from the monarchy when Joana spoke to him telepathically, "Don't do that Father, rather give it to his twin brother Hazor. He seems more responsible than his laid back father." With that, Joana went off to her favourite place to get a good drink, though she doesn't take alcohol.