eleMENTAL

~Michiko~

I blinked, trying to rid myself of the headache that'd been torturing me for most of the day. The pain in the rest of my body was gone, but something in my mind was missing...it was almost as if it had disapeared.

"Michiko..." The words were Berend's, "You're not yourself...I mean...you aren't all...what's the word...?"

"Not now, Berend." I said, staring off into nothing. Searching for this particular bird was hard, most birds think very similarily, but I've done it before. Nothing. Not a spark of it. No mission that I'd given it, no sense it was even...

"I'm going to kill Siry!" I screamed, startling everyone in the general vicinity, even Berend. Since I didn't like getting mad, I rarely did but what I'd just found out was inforgivable.

"Michiko!" Eosa said, trying to make sense of my sudden anger. Tears were now streaming from my eyes and everyone had stopped. Trying to calm myself, I wiped them away.

"Please...ah...excuse me." I ran for the castle, then for the stairs. If I ever had the chance, I'd kill him. Siry wouldn't stand a chance against my anger.

Berend-

"Shouldn't one of you go after her?" Shasti asked.

"It's better to leave her alone when she's like this," I commented and started spinning three stones in my hand. It was a habit.

"I'll continue the lesson. You need to find Michiko and make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble," said Eosa. No back bite. No sarcastic remark. I think I'm turning soft.

I did as instructed and went off to the castle to find Michiko. As I passed a hallway, I heard yelling coming from behind a door. I pressed my ear up against it and listened quietly to the shouts on the other side.

"How dare you let her!" It sounded like the queen.

"What was I supposed to do? She does have the right to defend herself!" that was the king.

"It doesn't matter! I didn't want her learning at all! Curse you for going behind my back!"

"Enough!" There was silence and obviously something bad happened. The queen's voice came in much lower.

"I shall have a maid prepare for my departure. I will not be this insulted in my own castle!"

Footsteps came closer to the door and I quickly moved away and down another corridor. The king and queen were seperating? I doubt this will turn out well.

Jae

Jae sat on the ground twirling a stream of water in the air. It had become a bit of a habit since she started my training. She was beginning to love my element, she had found it to be much more powerful than she had previously imagined.

"Daughter!" the shrill voice of the queen rang through the courtyard.

Jae quickly stood and faced her mother. Why is she so angry today? "Hello, mother." Jae curtsied. She noticed she hadn't changed into her princess attire, it was always so much easier to wear her preffered outfit.

"Jae, we are leaving." the queen insisted.

Jae's mouth dropped open. "W-where are we going?" She held some hope that they were only going to the town or on a short trip.

"We are leaving the castle." she said. "The way I am being treated in this castle in disgusting, and I will not allow my daughter to be trained to fight. Ladies do not fight, and ladies most certainly do not associate with these..nomads."

"No!" Jae yelled. "I will not leave the castle!"

The queen grabbed Jae by the arm. "You will respect your mother, Jae." she growled.

"Mother, please be reasonable." Shasti stepped closer to them.

The queen glared at him. "You will respect me too, son."

The queen pulled Jae out of the courtyard and into the castle. "A maid will be gathering your things." she stated.

Jae's mind was racing. What am I going to do? I can't be taken away from the castle, this is the happiest I have been in ages. I haven't attempted to escape in weeks! Jae glanced back into the courtyard just as they entered the castle. She knew her face looked worried and nearly tortured, she hoped one of those in the courtyard would think of something to do. I don't think I can stand up to the queen on my own...

King Paian

He stood alone in his chambers, looking out the picture window, watching his once love walking out of him, dragging their daughter with her. He did not understand, nor did he ever think he would be ever able to tackle the befuddlement of the female mind, but it seemed that she was talking his only daughter with her, and knowing Dominia, she would never come back.

His heart was broken, rendered useless. Such a trivial fight it truly was. Jae was supposed to be taught in the order of self defense, but her mother thought otherwise. Her mother thought otherwise for many things, particularly the way to run the kingdom.

The most upsetting aspect which started the fight was indeed that she said to attack the neighbouring kingdom, to strike them when they were down. Someone had informed her that they indeed were building an army against them, but he did not think that would ever happen. His reign was peacful, relying on trade and not war. War was a way to kill a country, and he did not wish to place his liege in turmoil. She had an opinion yet he did not listen, and what he had tried to prevent indeed was asctually going to happen.

Jae was looking around herself frantically, but the King could do nothing about it, no matter how horrible his feelings were. Jae was indeed his daughter, but the traits of her mother stood out more prominent in her. Jae was only wishing for someone to save her now, but later on she would be happier in her mothers care. He could not provide for her much longer anyways. Even though he was a young King, death was upon him, slowly taking the life out of him. Nobody knew about this illness except of course the select few physicians, but there was no other hope in saving him at this point.

Grim nudged his side lightly, the form of the big black dog looking up at him with widened eyes. What else could this old man do but sit and watch.

"Grim," King Paian began to speak, "Go find Eosa. Tell her she is needed. I wish for her to go with the Queen and Jae."

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I have such an idea at this moment in time! Discussion Thread people!

~Incognito

Shasti

Shasti watched numbly as his mother dragged Jae away. Shasti stood in the courtyard, still staring after them when they were out of sight.

Suddenly, Shasti started from his reverie. Father. The King. He must not know Mother had left yet... The King would do something, stop her.

Shasti ran out of the courtyard as quickly as he could. He raced through the castle corridors, only skidding to a halt when he reached the King's chamber.

Without preamble, Shasti entered the room. He saw his father standing by the window pensively. The King turned at Shasti's entrance.

"Father," said Shasti breathlessly. "The Queen, she - "

"Left the castle?" asked the King sadly. "I know."

Shasti sucked in a deep breath. "You know?!" he hissed furiously. "Father! Why aren't you sending out the guard, bringing her back?!"

"Shasti, I am no one to deny your mother's right to act."

"You are the King, Father!"

"That means nothing."

With a frustrated growl, Shasti turned away from his father. "I don't believe you, Father."

"Why is that, Shasti?"

"I thought you loved her. But I was obviously wrong."

"Shasti - "

The King was cut off when the room opened. Shasti spun around to see Eosa walk in.

"Your Majesty?" she asked, a bit nervously. "You sent for me?"

The King sighed tiredly. "I did, Eosa."

"I will take my leave, then, Father..." said Shasti acidly.

"No, Shasti. I want you to stay. Perhaps it will answer a few of your doubts."

Siry

I saw a glare in Michiko eyes, and quickly ran to her. I dropped the glare from my head, and said quickly.

"Meet me down near the garden," I whispered quickly, before disappearing again.

Zarin

I saw Michiko start running, right after I saw, briefly, a face. It had sent me into mild worry. This was abnormal for me. That was all I needed, I took off after her.

Siry

I made my way down to the castle gardens, Michiko behind me. When we arrived I made my self fully seen, and looked right at her. Immediately, she charged. Before she could hit me, I sent a blinding ray, and sent her off course. The girl collided with the bushes, and I walked right over.

"Now, I can’t have anyone knowing I'm here. So, you have now run away. I'll have a note to prove it," I spoke gently, and sent a burning bright ray down. He clothes went on fire, but not for long. Suddenly they stopped. I looked around, and was meet with the sight of a boy, his hands on fire, dressed in red and white.

Zarin

When I saw Michiko hurt, I sprang into action. My fists went up in flames, and the ones around her were gone with a thought. The boy in blue, looked at me, smiled and charged me, after he kicked Michiko into unconsciousness.

The boy was fast, and armed. He held two long swords, which seemed to be extra shiny. I learned a moment later, they were. Light beams bounced off of them, hitting me, and almost burning me. My hands let out a fire ball, which the other dodged, still charging. His swords sliced once in range, and I barley dodged it, before the other one nearly cut off my arm.

The fight was far from over though. Instinctively, my hand grabbed his arm, and he screamed. It was less then I thought, but he was sun, he probably had high tolerance to burns, after all he could burn anything with a thought. He did the same for me, and I felt a circle start to burn me. We both relapsed about a minute later, with permenate burns.

Fire balls jumped from my hands, hitting him, beams of sun burned into me. Sun may have been away from the base, but he sure knew how to use it to be as strong as mine. Maybe better. I sent a fire ball at him, moments before the grass around me went up in flames. Easily, I ran out of the circle, extinguishing it right away, but when I came out, I felt a blade pierce me. My opponent knew how to play. With a last breathe, before blacking out, I sent roaring flames up his blade.

Siry

I released my blade, and let the flames bounce off, they set fire around me. The blade was still hot when I picked it up, so I quickly sheathed it, and its twin blade. Sirens echoed around me, I had maybe ten seconds before the guards came. My body disappeared in the sun, and I ran.

Eosa

Before the king could speak, my eye caught a blase of light and fire. I knew what was happening. "Hold that thought!" I yelled to the king. He and Shasti tried to hold me back, but I was already in the air hurtling towards the ground.

I bent the air around me and landed lightly on the ground. Being of the twilight and dawn, I could control the core elements to a degree, and had some other random powers also.

I sprinted to the spot where I had seen the light and found Michiko and Zarin both on the ground unconscious. Immediately I pulled a dark force field around us, just in case Siry was there. If he was in the area, he would have been pushed out of the force field.

Zarin looked worse, so I started with him. I pulled the water from all the fountains to me. I then laid a thin later of the water over him - careful to leave holes for his ears, eyes, nose and mouth. I froze it all to help the swelling.

Michiko was next. I cradled her head in my lap and inspected the damage. She was bruised at random, and I put the rest of the water on her.

King Paian and Shasti found me moments after I finished my tasks. They called the guards to bring them to the doctors inside the castle.

"What is it you need to tell me, King Paian?"

~Michiko~

I woke with a start, breathing fast. Expecting pain, I clenched my fists. It was much less than I'd thought it'd be; Eosa must have gotten to me. The doctor was telling me to lay back down but I shook my head furiously. Pain was something I could deal with. Swearing loudly, I got up from the bed.

"Where is the prince?" The doctor mearly pointed. "I'm so going to get it for putting royalty in danger. Stupid teenage horomones." Shaking my head, I walked to the prince and kneeled by his bed. "Wake up." I urged. Of course, he didn't listen. Unconsious people rarely did. Turning around, I sat down and leaned against the bed. The doctor obviously didn't know what to do with me. People rarely did.

"You can leave." I told him, sighing, "I promise I won't do anything stupid and I'll protect the prince with his life. I owe him that much." The doctor nodded and left. As soon as he was out of even my hearing distance, I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. It was time to think. Which meant to talk to myself about practically nothing.

"You can't do that, Michiko...you're not strong enough. You're strong but..." I sighed. When I'd left, I'd been learning how to shapeshift into the animals I loved so dearly. It was much harder than just learning their language. "You were almost killed...and put the lives of your allies in danger."

Looking around, I saw walls. All stone. I was starting to hate stone. It was cold. It didn't move. It felt like a cage. I took my needles out and fingered one. Of course I hadn't thought of using my weapons. That didn't make sense at all, now did it.

"Eosa's going to kill me." I mumbled, "If Berend doesn't."

"That would be kind of stupid after I just saved you." A groan from the body behind me.

"Perfect. Just as I'm trying to have a meaningful conversation with myself, you decide to wake up."

I looked at him and he shrugged. You know, as if he hadn't nearly died because of my stupidity. Looking forward again, I sighed and stood up. My nerves were starting to shoot hyperness into my system and that bounce was in my step again. Turning, I gave him a, admitedly horrible, curtsey. "I thank you, Prince Zani," this next part was going to bite me in the butt sometime later in life. I just knew it, "I'm in your debt."

Definatly going to bite me in the butt.

Zarin

"No," I said lightly.

"No what?" Michiko asked.

"No, you’re not in my debt. If anything now we are even. If it wasn’t for you guys I would have died my self. You gave me the tools I used to save you. So if anything we are even," I explained.

"No. We are not you saved my life," She said, as if it pained her to admit it.

"Okay, let's say you do. Still it is no. I did not do what i did to get you in my debt. I did it because I'm nice, and you were in trouble. I'm not going to have you pay me for being a good person. I don't like people in my debt at all, I give, I don't lend. It is me, I hate having people owe me. Plain and simple, you don’t either."


She did not acknowledge it; she was dead set for some reason.

Fine," I finally said. "If you want to pay me back, tell me who I just fought."

Michiko took a long time to answer, finally though she spoke. "His name is Siry."

"That name sounds familiar," I interjected quickly.

"It should He is the heir of the Light county. He is the next in line, and evil like his whole family. We know him though because of other reasons. I don't remember much of it, but I know some. Back then we were street performers, in the light country. Siry liked to roam the streets, and found us. When he came Eosa was in the middle of an intricate routine, and it was going bad. Siry saved he life when it fell, I don't know how he saved her though, or what from, just he did. Eosa said he was in his debt, he asked for a date in return for it. She said yes. From there they dated, and one day we allied ourselves with a group of his friends, the JaKills. They were rebels, who hates there country and wanted to explore, we liked them, we liked Siry," She took a deep breathe, and looked away, this was hard for her to tell. "After that it gets foggy. It started with a fight, between Siry and Eosa, I don't remember what about. Next we were in a dungeon, for how long I don't know. But it was Siry's doing, he put us there for some reason. Eventually we escaped him, but when we got out, he found us, right away. Then he killed a friend of ours his name was Tabin, and he was part of our group, the voice of reason most of the time, and Siry killed him," She took another breath and looked up, she was crying. "That is all I know. And I won't look deeper, I won't."

"I won't make you. I am sorry for making you tell me anything. But now you don’t need to worry about being in my debt," I said.

**Boltage, way to have a fight with yourself buddy. xD

King Paian

"Eosa," The King looked at her wearily, "I need you to go with the Queen, where ever she might actually be going. She is taking Jae with her. You have to understand, no matter what the queen suggests, you must train Jae. It is for her own good. Take some of my soldiers with you, protect them with all costs."

Shasti looked at his father in disbelief, he seemed to look at him with almost disgust. "Why are you just letting her go? Why aren't you going to stop her!?"

"Because the answer is simply that she will not listen. She believes this country is hers to run, and the decisions and connections she has made are going to lead this place into ruin! I can't let that happen!" King Paian barked at his son. He wished at this moment just to lash out at him, and slap him across the face, but he would not brandish against his children, and that was probably why they were growing up as impudent as this.

"It isn't her leading this country into ruin! It is you! When will you finally see that? You are practically inviting an invasion with her gone! Mother was the only backbone in this country! There is nothing there! Your peaceful methods won't work any longer." The child yell seemed to echo around them, some guards turning their heads but absent-mindedly turned away to support the King's privacy. But that didn't stop them from pausing and listening. "It is because of you that this country may fall."

King Paian just stared at his child, hurt from the words. It wasn't him who was killing this country. It couldn't have been. They were prosperous with their land and trade routes. They had established a country from which harmony could be found. Why couldn't his son see that? It was simply because part of his voice was true. Their military was not up to par as it should be. There would not be a chance to save themselves if the occasion arrised.

"Other countries will come and help us when the time is needed. Our alliances are stronger then our enemies." King Paian spoke grimly, trying to reasure himself that those words were truly real.

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~Incognito

Berend-

The doctor told me which room Michiko was in. I marched in, fury written all over my face. Michiko looked up and smiled sheepishly.

"Hi."

"Hi? Hi is all you can Say!"

"How are you?" she asked, smirking. Ugh why did she have to do this? She knows she's going to get the rant.

"You were nearly killed! What were you thinking? Going up against Siry? That is the most stupidest, selfish, thoughtless, foolish-"

"I'm so glad you care Berend," she said, her voice borderlining laughter.

"I'm serious! We've already lost one of our number! Didn't-" My voice failed. Michiko sniffled back tears, but then reaffirmed a serious face.

"I knew what I was risking. But he deserved it."

"You risked your life for a dead bird." Michiko glared at me and stood up.

"You could never know! Never in a million years know what it felt like when he killed it! I got to know that bird and he had a family and three eggs waiting to hatch! How dare you!"

I was silent. I guess I did go too far, but that was no excuse. I looked from her to the prince that was staring at both of us.

"What are you looking at?" he snapped.

"Nothing. But if you please, I would like to get some sleep."

"Sorry you highness," I said sarcastically. Michiko sat back down and looked at the stone floor. "I'm sorry Michiko," I said quietly. Whether she heard it or not, I really meant it. Without another glance I walked out of the room and went off to find Eosa. I needed a fight right now.

Eosa

"Harder!"

When Berend was in a bad mood we'd fight to let the steam off; today was the worst I've seen him. I sent another small typhoon at him then a globe of light.

We went like this for some minutes before he collapsed. I ran up to him to see if he was okay, but it was a trick. He punched me in the stomach and started to wrestle me. We fought dirty. I used the wind to pin him to the wall and slapped him in the face.

"For the sake of Tabin's dawn you have to learn to control your anger. You don't have my younger brother anymore, and now you won't have me! I have to go help Jae."

***

It felt amazing to ride bareback again. I trotted Tabina, my white black-specked horse, around the courtyard. I knew the queen would have a hissy fit about not have a saddle, reins, proper dress, but I didn't care. Screw her. I was here for Jae.

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Sorry it's terrible, but it's all I got.

MJ

~Michiko~

I looked at the floor some more. When you’re thinking hard about something, the floor or the wall, well anything inanimate, seems terribly interesting all of the sudden. The prince was nearly asleep again, as well he should be after saving my life. There was a commotion and I ran to the window, then groaned when I saw Eosa and Berend fighting. She won, of course she won. It was what she said after she won that startled me.

“"For the sake of Tabin's dawn you have to learn to control your anger. You don't have my younger brother anymore, and now you won't have me! I have to go help Jae."

And now you won’t have me. Why were those words hitting me so hard? Why couldn’t I breathe?

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.” I said, grabbing my head and running my fingers through my hair. Panic. Yes, that was the word for my reaction. Eosa was leaving us in the hands of…well…the royals. It wasn’t that they were extremely bad or anything, but they were a bit annoying.

“Michiko?” The prince said, blinking. He’d nearly been asleep until I’d woken him.

“Sorry.” I said absently, starting to pace and knowing on my already non-existent fingernails. Not another one. I couldn’t bear to see one more pass from my sight to a place that, for some reason, I couldn’t go. It wasn’t like she was following Tabin but she kept my sanity in place most of the time. She couldn’t leave.

“I…need to talk to Eosa.” I put my hand out the window and a bird, the kind with that annoyingly shrill cry, landed on it. After instructing it to make sure no one came for the prince, I ran.

Twisting through the corridors of the castle, I had to have made so many people mad. I needed to get to that courtyard. Maybe I could stop her. Mabye I could…

No. I couldn’t stop her. I could only see her off now. She was stubborn, like all of us, and she liked helping people. She cared too much for people.

“Eosa.” I said when I reached the courtyard, panting. She was on Tabina already so I knew I had some chance. The horse looked me in the eye and, after a short command from me, stopped.

“Michiko I have to—“

“I know, and I don’t like it,” I interrupted her, “but before you go, you have to promise me something.” My shaking was making my words tremble. I was without that nervous bounce so my eyes were hard and my mouth was not twisted into that smile. “Don’t follow your brother. Protect Jae but don’t follow Tabin.”

Berend-

Her words were like a punch in the stomach, only much worse. I sighed, my angry finally ebbing away and walked over to where Michiko and Eosa were saying goodbye.

"Don't follow your brother. Protect Jae, but don't follow Tabin." I knew in her own wierd way Michiko was trying to tell Eosa to stay safe and don't die. I doubt anything could make Eosa fall, but then again... I thought that way about Tabin too.

"You can't leave Eosa," I said after a heartfelt pause.

"And why not? I told you-"

"No, it's not about the princess. What are we supposed to do? You can't just leave the two of us to look after the royal brats." I smirked and she smiled. Sarcasm, what a wonderful thing.

"I don't think you're going to die trying to teach them anything. Now be good children. I don't want to get any bad reports," Eosa said mockingly. Michiko coughed a laugh and the tension suddenly grew a bit stronger and more awkward.

"Well... have a safe journey," I said quietly.

"Keep safe," she said and then kicked her horse to a trot and waved back at us. She ran into the horizon like a wall and then dissapeared.

"Well, shall we see if the princes are ready for another lesson?" I asked Michiko. She sniffled and then cleared her throat.

"Race ya," she called and then took off.

"No fair!" I shouted after her.

**Berend shall always be a sarcastic child. Hee hee**

Wait how can you follow Tabin? He died. Does that mean don't fight Siry?