Chapter 4

The next morning, Alex woke up staring at the ceiling of his dwelling. After a long argument last night, Alex and John had finally agreed with Drayton’s idea.

Alex highly doubted their success, but it was their only hope. As Alex walked out the door, his hopes were risen. In the Arena Lanca was Oliver with at least a hundred Clansmen, and Commander Maple, the leader of Daharu with about fifty men at arms.

Drayton and John stood next to Oliver and Maple, who were deep in conversation with each other.

Alex ran up to them, barely containing his excitement. Although their numbers were nothing compared to the Clamori’s, they still had a chance!

“Good, you’re awake.” Oliver said with a grin.

Alex turned to Maple. “Commander Maple, pleasure to see you again.” He said.

“We received word from your chief escort last night.” Maple told Alex.

“Wait, you mean Kyle is alive?” Alex asked.

“Kyle? No, Drayton sent the escort here last night. Why, was Kyle supposed to come?” Maple asked.

“Yeah, but we think he was captured.” John said.

*

Little did John know that he was right.

In the deepest part of the Crovisian Woods, Kyle and Luke labored hard. Overseeing the work was Lord Clamori himself, who stood next to Parker, laughing.

“Two ‘mighty’ warriors? Is this the best Halanca has to offer. It’s a wonder the Guilds haven’t been destroyed yet.” Lord Clamori taunted, cracking his whip.

Kyle stumbled forward, dropping his mining pick.

“Come on!” Clamori yelled, cracking his whip at Kyle.

Kyle fell under the blow.

Parker laughed. “Tired? Here, why don’t we kill you now, then you can get plenty of rest.”

Kyle, angered, threw his mining pick at Parker. Parker was caught by surprise, and fell off of his post. Kyle ran as fast as he could, already hearing the Clamori coming up from behind. He felt a burning sensation in his leg. Glancing down, he saw an arrow buried in his leg. But he kept on running. When he reached Crovisia, the Clamori weren’t following anymore.

As he tore the arrow from his leg, he noticed something familiar. This arrow… he knew this arrow.

It was Luke’s arrow.

*

Alex stood, silent on the Rock of Foreseeing. The Rock of Foreseeing was a place in the middle of the Creek of Mists that Alex came to reflect on things. That is why he came today, the thoughts in his mind like physical burdens.

Ever since the first raid on the Arena Lanca, he had doubt that he or his friends would make it out alive. But, after Kyle’s disappearance, he was almost sure that they would all die. But, after the recent battle, his hopes were risen. He was sure he would never see Drayton or Kyle again, than reinforcements came in, along with Drayton, he was filled with confidence and determination.

His thoughts were interrupted by an orange glow from behind. He turned to see an orange stone letting off an intense glare. Alex seemed drawn to it. Suddenly, the orange glow enveloped him. Alex wanted to scream, but no sound came from his mouth. His skin heated up, and he felt as if he was being burnt alive.

As soon as it started, it was over.

Alex fell to his knees, but felt stronger than ever. He got up, and suddenly, a flame formed in his hands. Startled, he almost screamed. But, surprisingly, it did not burn. He raised his hand and the flame turned into a jet of fire. With an enormous effort, he made the fire disappear.

I have power. Power over Fire! Alex thought.

*

Alex called a meeting, inviting John and Drayton to the Rock of Foreseeing.

It seems, each one of them was imbued with an Elemental Power. John obtained the power of Ice, and Drayton was imbued with the power of Light.

“So, we are each now in possession of Elemental Powers.” Alex told them.

“This was unexpected.” John said.

Alex thought of his dream. “Actually, not for me.” He said.

John and Drayton looked at Alex, wide eyed.

“I had a dream. We were all enveloped by an intense glow, and once I obtained my power, I knew it had something to do with my dream.” Alex answered their unsaid questions.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” John asked.

“I didn’t think it was important. But now… I knew had to tell you.” Alex replied.

*

In Kyle’s makeshift camp in Crovisia, Kyle was puzeled.

While Kyle was gathering edible plants, he found a green glowing stone. Then, suddenly, a green glow enveloped him. When it stopped, he went back to his camp, and with the slightest thought, his camp was covered with vines. But, with an enormous willpower, he sent them back into the ground.

Then he tried something. Focusing on a clump of grass in front of him, he strained his mind until a tree emerged from the clump of grass.

This is amazing! I have the power of Nature itself! Kyle thought.

*

Alex, Drayton, and John called a meeting and invited everyone in Halanca. They all gathered in the ruined Arena Lanca.

“Attention!” Alex yelled. The crowd obeyed, plunging into silence. “Listen to me, everyone! Tomorrow, we raid the Crovisian Woods!” The crowd gasped. “Not to worry, we have help from Daharu and the Clan. But, theres more news. Kyle, Luke, and Parker have not yet returned.” The crowd gasped yet again. “Finally, Drayton, John, and I have been imbued with strange Elemental Powers.”

The crowd started to yell.

“Yeah right! There hasn’t been any Stone Bearers in a thousand years.” Some yelled.

“Enough!” Alex yelled. “Drayton, John. Come here. Let’s show them.”

On Alex’s command, they each let out their elemental powers, sending the crowd into shock.

“Is this proof enough for you?” Alex asked. “Tomorrow, we will march across Crovisia and we will win!”

The crowd began to cheer.