Elemental souls, p.17
Elemental Souls, page 17
“I know she’s your mom and all, but you don’t get it. Without Greta, the rest of us are a bunch of lost kids. WE can’t lose her. Not just you, the rest of us. Look at Beth and how much stronger she has become since hanging out here. Look at Alice. She’s finally starting to come out of her shell around everyone, not just you. And now with Vossilyn, we need Greta more than ever. Vossilyn’s powers are so strong they could be used for evil if she didn’t have a strong influence right now.”
“And then there’s you.” Kai eyed him, feeling sorry for the past he had lived through. “Before I met you, you barely spoke. Now look at how out of your shell you’ve come. Making out on my sofa at every opportunity.”
Phoenix kicked Kai’s chair. “Yeah, look at me. I lived on the streets, pretty sure that I was Satan’s son. Now I have a home with people who care, so yeah I don’t want to lose her either.”
Kai nodded, “I know, I just don’t know what to do.”
“See? I figured you didn’t. Oh, fearless leader,” Phoenix rolled his eyes, and then leaned forward, “So I have a plan.”
Chapter 16
Beth stood waiting in the distance as Vossilyn and Kai approached the crest of the small hill. “Did you bring Alice?” The trees waved above her, branches rustling slightly.
Beth shook her head, “No, she refused to come with me. She said you would have to come and get her if you wanted her to be part of this.”
Kai rolled his eyes, “Great, like we have time for her drama today.” He turned to Vossilyn, “Ok, look you two stay here and try to play nice. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Kai jogged off towards the car, driving away and sent rocks flying with the speeding tires.
“Hey. So, all good with you?” Vossilyn asked awkwardly.
“Sure. Good as to be expected I guess.” They stood under the trees, away from the usual path of most park patrons. This late however, it stood empty, almost echoing the footsteps of the ended day’s visitors. Vossilyn fidgeted with her bracelet, waiting for Alice and Kai to finally join them.
Kai jumped out at Alice’s house, running up to the door. It swung open with an angry Alice standing in the way. “Can I help you with something?” Ice dripped from her words, as she stood with her arms crossed.
“Yeah, you can tell me why you are being so stubborn.”
Her brows went up, “I’m being stubborn? Really, oh that’s rich coming from you. I can’t even believe you have the nerve to show up here. Honestly, is Beth busy, is that why you are bothering with me?”
“No, Beth is waiting for both of us.”
“Oh, so you thought we would just share, is that right?” Alice’s usually calm demeanor had melted away into the abyss.
“Hey, we need to stay focused remember?” Kai’s voice level rose with irritation.
“Really? Focus this!” She slammed the door, making him jump from the force of air thrown into his face.
He got back into the car and grabbed his phone. “Hey, Phoenix, it’s me. Alice is pissed. Could you head over to the others and make sure they are good?”
“Sure man, whatever you need.”
Kai closed the phone. Focus. He must remain focused. He inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly, his throat ached slightly. Swallowing hard, he ignored it. Right now, he needed to keep his eye on the game. He couldn’t let anything distract him. Tonight, was entirely too important. He sped away without looking in the rearview mirror.
He approached the girls standing rigid under the tree. Vossilyn glanced over for a split second when Kai arrived. Her eyes returned to Eric, standing directly in front of her. Kai opened the car door, walking over towards them. “Hey Eric, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same question.” Eric wore a look of betrayal.
“I’m here meeting my friends.” Kai’s eyes shifted from Vossilyn to Beth’s worried expression.
Eric cocked his head to the side, “Is that right? They’re just your friends? Then if they’re just your friends why did Ethan say he saw you leave with them from the dance? Vossilyn lied, saying the fire freaked her out, so she just went home, but now I know that’s not exactly true.”
Kai looked from Vossilyn to Eric. “Look man, I don’t know what you think is going on, but right now isn’t the best time to try and sort this out.”
“I think it is the perfect time.” Eric moved lightning quick with a martial art sweep of Kai’s leg. He fell in pain, grasping his leg, wailing in agony.
Beth’s hands were in front of her now, pointed straight at Eric.
“No, Beth don’t.” Vossilyn stepped in between Beth’s aim and Eric, calling water at the same time.
Beth simultaneously called air, causing the two elements to crash into each other mid air. Eric dove down to the ground as the mini hurricane surrounded him.
“He hurt Kai, we need him. He is the center!” Beth yelled over the sound of the wind howling around them.
“He doesn’t know. He doesn’t have any idea what he’s getting in the middle of.” Vossilyn stepped left, aligning herself more directly with Eric’s new position of hugging the ground for support.
“We can’t fight each other. We need to keep our strength up.” Beth yelled again.
From the edge of the trees, a figure began to emerge. Kai looked up through the intense pain, willing himself to find the strength to stand and fight, for on the darkened horizon a figure approached. Now Kai could feel in his arm who. “Guys, it’s Lilith.” His words somehow carried over the sound of the wind and rain. Both girls dropped their attacks and turned towards Kai.
“Where is Alice?” Beth asked, taking a defensive position to the east of Kai’s.
“We kind of had a disagreement.” Kai commented without meeting her gaze.
“What? Seriously, now was the best time for this? Are you kidding me?”
“Where is Phoenix?” Vossilyn joined Beth on the opposite side of Kai.
“That’s a great question.” Kai looked from Vossilyn to Eric. “Hey Eric, do you trust Vossilyn?” He locked onto Eric’s gaze relentlessly, forcing a response.
Eric glanced up toward Vossilyn towering above him. “I think so.”
Her eyes went down to meet his, “Babe I know this is all a bit – overwhelming. But if you just hang on a little while, we can talk it all out.” She winked at the end giving a flirty flutter of her lashes.
Mesmerized, Eric simply nodded, “Ok, I’ll trust you.”
“Great. You need to do exactly what I tell you ok? No questions, no hesitations, got it?” Kai put his hand on his shoulder to emphasize the weight of the statement.
“Sure man, whatever.” Eric’s expression showed fear.
Unfortunately, it was exactly what Lilith saw as she approached. “Well look at what we have here? Eric, what are they telling you? Come over to me. Ethan wanted me to find you.” Her blonde hair flowed out from around her angelic facial features.
Eric began to stand slowly, but Kai’s hand went on his arm, “It’s a trap. Don’t go. Trust me.” Eric looked from Kai to Lilith and brushed Kai’s hand away.
“Eric what are you doing?” Vossilyn’s words dripped with desperation.
“His confused gaze shifted back to her for a moment before taking a step toward Lilith.
“No!” Vossilyn sent a fountain of water over Eric’s head, sending his feet flying.
“See Eric, they are trying to stop you from getting near me.” Eric’s body went limp on the ground, obviously passed out from the entire situation.
“You’re right about that.” Vossilyn shifted her focus to Lilith, shooting water up from behind her. Lilith simply flicked her wrist at the water, and it evaporated into steam.
“That was cute.” Lilith stepped closer. “Look, this doesn’t have to be difficult. You can simply hand over the crystal.” She looked around the area, “You are short a few friends it appears which puts you at a great disadvantage. If you hand over the crystal, I will let you live.”
“Never, Lilith.” Kai had pulled strength silently from deep inside, trying to ward off the pain. His right knee burned intensely. He had to muster up enough strength to fight.
“Really, never?” Lilith smiled widely, “What if I could assure you your mother would live through this as well?”
Kai swallowed hard. “You will never touch her.” His palms were sweating, his heart racing. How could he protect her now?
“Oops.” Lilith put her hand to her lips in fake embarrassment. The hair on Kai’s arms stood straight up as he saw, coming from behind Lilith, Greta in the grasp of Ethan. “Too late.”
Kai stood up slowly, testing the weight on his leg. “Let her go.”
“No, I don’t think so. You are going to give me the crystal first.”
“I can’t do that.” Kai’s conviction in his voice sounded weak.
Lilith smiled widely, “Then you will watch your mother die.” Ethan held Greta and Lilith took a finger and ran it down her arm. Greta screamed in pain, making Kai’s heart leap within his chest.
“Stop it. You don’t need to hurt her.”
“Kai, don’t.” Greta’s airy plea brought a lump to Kai’s throat.
“Mom. I can’t let you die.”
“I thought you would see things my way.” Lilith stepped closer, “Hand me the crystal and we can all call it a day.” Her lips curled back into a smile.
“I don’t think so, Bitch.” Phoenix appeared from behind Ethan, Lilith and Greta.
“Now!” Alice stood in position at the top of the circle. In unison they each called upon their element for strength and to build a circle of sacred space.
Ethan saw what was happening and stepped out of the way right before Phoenix sent a ring of fire around the circle. Greta’s arm brushed the flames sending her flinching back farther from the center.
“Mom!” Kai shifted his focus for a moment toward his mother, allowing Lilith to step closer to him.
“I don’t think so.” Kai held his hand out toward Lilith, pushing her back with air. She stumbled slightly.
“Ethan, let Greta go.”
“I – I can’t do that.”
“I think you can.” Vossilyn’s voice carried over the rage of the wind circling the group. A wave burst between them, pulling Greta away from him, but not clear from edge of the circle of fire.
“Do not break the circle. It must keep strong.” Kai yelled to the others.
Lilith looked again at the stone hanging around Kai’s neck.
“You will never touch it.” Kai followed her gaze and then smiled slightly, “Of course you were never supposed to touch it were you?” Lilith frowned, breaking her front of confidence. Kai continued, “You think you were ever going to leave this circle. This is exactly what he wanted.” Lilith dropped all pretenses, looking at Kai with complete confusion. Kai smiled, noting how rattled she appeared. “You were the pawn, weren’t you? This whole time we thought the pawn was Ethan, but in truth it was you. You were set up to be the focus of our attention so that he could get the crystal, isn’t that right, Ethan?” Kai looked over at the captor of his mother.
His lip curled slightly. “Very good.”
“I’ll tell you what Ethan, I’ll opt for a trade. My mom for Lilith. I’ll cut a door in the circle and she walks out to you, and Greta walks into us. What do ya say?”
Ethan laughed, “Never. The only thing that interests me is the crystal.”
Kai smiled again, “Really? I thought you loved Lilith. I thought you wanted to share the crystal with her?”
Ethan scoffed, “Nice try Kai, but unlike human girls, Lilith isn’t that stupid. She knows exactly what she was getting into.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that. I see how strong she is. I watched her almost defeat my friends the other night. She is probably as strong as you.”
Ethan’s arrogance won over, “Never. She is nothing. She could never be as strong as me.”
“Really? Never? You don’t see her as an equal?” Kai continued to bait, and Ethan continued to follow.
“My equal? You must be kidding me. Nothing is my equal, and once I have the crystal, I will be more powerful than anything anyone has ever seen!”
For a split second he released Greta’s arm. Seizing the opportunity, Phoenix directed a circle of fire to surround her. He reached for her again, but it was too late. The pure flames of Phoenix’s circle seared his arm.
Ethan grew angry and with his anger, his power intensified. “You think you can defeat me? It is impossible to defeat me. No one knows my secrets. You will never win.”
“It is possible to defeat you. I know how.” Kai’s face filled with excitement, “See, it only took Lilith getting so angry at you that she thought about defeating you. That’s all it took. Now I see what it will take, and I am willing to make the sacrifice.” Kai took the crystal off his neck holding it carefully in his hand.
With the crystal held out he began calling the ancient forces:
“Hail into thee who art Ra in thy rising.
Even unto they who are Ra in thy strength.
Banish the evil that threatens the ancient string,
Remove this threat and drain its power,
Let no man or beast bend in fear or cower.
I ask this ancient one.
I say it, so it will be done.”
Kai pushed the crystal deep into the palm of his hand, cutting the skin. He flexed the muscles, allowing the blood to flow out onto the ground. He grasped his hand tightly, slowing the blood flow.
His eyes appraised Ethan, standing on the outer edge. Nothing seemed to change except for his expression. He laughed mockingly, watching Kai’s reaction with great satisfaction.
“You are not defeating the likes of me with a simple banishing spell.” Ethan walked to the edge of Phoenix’s fire circle protecting Greta. She raised her chin in defiance at his approach.
Phoenix’s flames climbed, but suddenly didn’t have an effect on Ethan. Greta searched through the thick circle for Kai’s face. Finding it, she locked her eyes on his. She smiled slightly, and then looked away.
“You don’t want to do this,” Greta taunted Ethan slightly.
He stepped closer, “You don’t know what I want.”
“He will never let you have the crystal. He is smarter than that.” She pushed her shoulders back, “He is his father’s son. He is strong.”
“What makes you think I doubt that?”
She shrugged slightly, “He won’t avenge my death. He knows better. He will follow the path of which is destined. After all he is my son.” Her frame stood strong, no fear fleeting in her eyes. “If you do this, you will only hurt yourself.”
Ethan laughed ruefully, “I guess I am willing to take that chance.” He took another step, fully into the flames now. They licked his legs, not touching him in the slightest. He stole a glance at Kai, making sure he still had his full attention.
Silently the group watched as Ethan took his final step towards Greta.
The snap and grind were quick, followed by screams and natural rebuttals to the actions. Kai was the only one who remained silent. He knew without looking over at her lifeless body that she was gone. He felt it the moment her neck had snapped. He felt the tie that had connected him to her his entire existence snip in two like a giant pair of sheers had cut through it effortlessly. He exhaled, allowing the tears to roll down his cheeks, but refusing to move from his position. He knew what he had to do; it was his destiny. After all, he was her son. He swallowed hard, inhaling deeply, sending up a silent goodbye.
His hearing seemed to return to him, causing instant panic. Phoenix had built the flames even taller, while Vossilyn seemed to be working with Beth to create the hurricane wreath again. Meanwhile, Alice had created a deep trench surrounding Greta’s body, trying to shield it from Ethan further.
In the chaos, Kai realized Lilith had disappeared. It was impossible to leave the circle. She couldn’t have walked through. It was as if she had disappeared into thin air. At the same time, Kai watched as Ethan’s entire frame began to tremble. He released a loud roar of pain before collapsing on the earthen floor. He twitched several times, but finally fell still. Kai watched in awe as an eerie mist dissipated from his frame. It twirled cautiously, then completely evaporated.
Kai called to the others, “It’s time, we need to do this.”
In unison the elemental souls fell into their proper positions, rounding out the disheveled circle.
Kai held up the crystal, wincing slightly as it burned his wounded hand.
“North is Earth and East is Air,
Mighty ones attend me here.”
He looked towards the heavens pulling strength from the sky,
“South is Fire and West the Sea
Ancient ones please be with me.”
He turned towards Phoenix. His eyes were filled with silent tears, but his face read complete control. Kai smiled slightly at him and he smiled back. Kai continued;
“Rise o circle Queens great cloak
Hunter’s might and witch’s oath
Planets spin and kiss the stars
Hearken to the witches charge
Make the magick make the change
Nothing is beyond my range
Between the worlds this circle sealed
And naught within shall be revealed
as above and so below
as I say, it shall be so!”
Kai faced upward again, moving his arms upward toward the sky- raising the cradled crystal in his hands.
“Ye Elemental gates open here,
Bring your special powers near.”
He turned quickly in each direction, pointing intentionally at each person with the crystal,
“Earth!
Air!
Fire!
Water!”
His voice rang deep in the night air. He appraised the others and stood in awe.
“Do you guys see this?” Vossilyn whispered.
