Young Writers Society

Estagria – Year 2030

I held my hands up in a defense position, but the punch was too fast for me to dodge or block. It hit my nose, sending my face to the ground, sand splashing as I fell.

‘Get up, son!’ Es Rana said, his voice booming. ‘Be more alert next time!’

I sighed and stood up, facing my opponent. Xes was bigger and taller than me, his body all muscles. I knew I didn’t stand a chance against him. No matter how much I tried, I just wasn’t born for fighting.

When I saw him, ready to strike me again, I squinted. Enveloping his body was a thin layer of air – so thin that I suspected only I could see it. I didn’t know what that meant, but after witnessing it many times, it sure didn’t help me to win my own battle.

After receiving a few more punches and kicks, I fell to the ground. The world became dark until I couldn’t think of anything else.

*

I opened my eyes to the sight of the clear blue sky. Pain needled me on my head and various parts of my body. I looked at my side and saw Es Rana tending to my wounds with a towel and healing oil. Shame surged in me; I couldn’t bear to disappoint this wonderful coach.

‘May – maybe I was too hard with him,’ Xes said from my other side. He watched me with a worried frown. I knew him; his big body came with a big heart.

I shook my head. ‘Nah, you were fine. I was the one who made it too easy.’

Es Rana didn’t say anything for a few seconds before he spoke up. ‘Xes, leave us alone.’

Xes looked at me for the last time before he left to spar with others. I closed my eyes, focusing on the chirping of birds. I found it harder to breath the fresh forest air. It seemed like Xes struck my chest too at some point.

‘Son, look at me,’ Es Rana said, prompting my eyes to open to him. ‘I know it’s hard to be in a class that is blatantly not suited for you, but you can’t give up. Other than fighting straight ahead, there are many ways to win a battle.’

I sighed. The Es’s prep talk wouldn’t make a difference. ‘How else am I going to defend myself if not by beating my opponent?’ I muttered. ‘Warrior, Assassin, Enforcer – I can’t be either one of them.’

Es Rana looked around him before leaning toward me. ‘You don’t have to be one of those – have you heard the legend about Elemental?’

I wanted to laugh. Was he implying I could be one? Elemental was a human that could create and manipulate one of the elements – fire, water, earth, wind. It was a blessing from the Naturals, the Four Corners Gods, that had deteriorated after the Earthly War. No Elemental was found since a century ago. ‘It’s a legend, Es. Nothing to do with me.’

Instead of frowning or snapping, Es said carefully, ‘I’ve noticed the way you fight, son. At first, I thought you just have a slow reaction to what’s happening, but that’s not the case, isn’t it? You saw something.’

My eyes widened and I gulped. He was thoroughly observing me the whole time? ‘Um, yeah. I – I saw something. Like – like a layer of air? Do you see it too?’

He shook his head, although he showed a hint of a smile. ‘From what I’ve read, son, seeing an element covering an Estagrian is one of the signs you’re an Elemental.’

‘It’s useless!’ I said, letting out my frustration. ‘It was remarkable the first time – hundred times later, it became a nuisance to the sight.’

‘Well, you should tell me about it, son,’ Es Rana said sternly. He stood up. ‘There’s nothing useless in the unusual. I’m not sure if I can train you how to make use of what you see, but I think I can get some ideas from the books. We’ll have extra class starting today.’ He held out his hand.

I took it and left the sparring field as he dismissed the class. Half of me thought it was a waste of time to focus on something you weren’t sure about; the other wondered if perhaps there was something to be gained out of this. At the end, I decided even if it didn’t work out, I had nothing to lose. Out of the sparring area, I joined Xes waiting for the bullet train – our houses were next to each other.

*

The next day on the sparring field, Xes volunteered to be the subject of my lesson, believing it was his duty to help a friend. Hopefully he didn’t put much attention in harming me.

‘Stay at ease, son,’ Es Rana instructed to Xes.

Xes obeyed him.

‘Do you see it?’ Es Rana asked me.

I took a step closer and squinted. I looked at his arms and legs and were surprised to see there was nothing strange enveloping them. Shaking my head, I said, ‘I’m not seeing it, Es.’

Es nodded. ‘Son, in offense position.’

Xes spread his legs, his fists ready in front of him. In a blink, a layer of air covered him.

I took a step back and saw the same thing. I nodded. ‘See it now.’

Es Rana cleared his throat. ‘From what I’ve read, the ability to create and manipulate elements – let’s call it a blessing, it’s shorter that way – has become something that activates when you are ready to fight. As an Elemental, you should be able to manipulate it. Go on – try to focus your will on it.’

The idea seemed silly, but I frowned and demand the layer to – to move? – do something. Nothing happened. Instinctively, I thought, Do something, asshole. Don’t embarrass me here.

The layer blurred for a second.

I blinked. ‘Hmph.’

‘What? What happened?’ Xes said. He was about to dismiss his form before remembering he had to maintain it.

‘You projected your thought to it, didn’t you, son?’ Es Rana asked, folding his arms and smiling.

I nodded. ‘That’s – what does that mean? It responded to my thought – does that mean it understood my thought?’

‘There are many phases in being an Elemental – some of them require him to utter Natural spells while the others practice the magic through their thoughts. Since not many people have faith in the Naturals, many of the Elementals are the second type.

‘Obviously, this can come in handy,’ Es Rana said, nodding. ‘We’ve found another way for you to fight, son.’

For the first time since I started taking fighting classes, I had some hope.

*

The tournament would start next week. Es Rana surprised everyone by listing me as one of the five-members team. I was the most dumbfounded – I meant, it had been almost a week since I practiced my Elemental skill, but I was still at the beginner level. Es Rana and I had found out I was an Air Elemental, but the only magical air I saw was one that enveloped the others. According to the books that I had come to read myself, the ability wouldn’t complete if I didn’t see the element wrapping me.

Es Rana wasn’t helpful enough, either, and I didn’t blame him. He wasn’t hired to coach students with magic; it was physical prowess that he was renowned for. His reputation as an Es would be questioned if I turned out to be a horrible combatant in the tournament – which was likely – so why took the risk?

‘See? Es Rana recognizes your potential,’ Xes said, a huge grin pasted on his face. He was listed too and had more than enough reasons to be chosen.

It was soon revealed that I was the last in the order, which was a relief. At least the chance I joined the group battles would be slim as most of them ended on the fourth individual battle. I prayed to Resha, the Deity of Progression everything would unfold in my favour.

I trained harder with Es Rana, manipulating the air surrounding him to mess with his movements. That was the main function of my Elemental ability – to disrupt or interfere. Since it still didn’t stop my opponent from dodging my attacks – I couldn’t disrupt his movements while launching an attack – Es Rana taught me a few movements that would ensure my victory. All of them were paralyzing attacks – if I managed to get one in, the opponent would be immobilized for sure.

It was still a risky fighting style, but for once, I felt like I needed to prove something.

*

We were now in the hall of the hosting school and fear started to haunt me. I still hadn’t progressed adequately; I still couldn’t see the air enveloping me. The twin girls in our team, Lila and Nali, and Xes assured me I would do fine in the tournament and it made me feel better, but every time it was our turn to participate in the group battle, the fear put me under its mercy again. Thank Resha we maintained our winning streak by securing three wins each time. It was Lila and Nali who paved way to our victory, being first and second in order. Xes finished it in the third round.

The fourth guy, a silent boy named Awen, never joined the battle. The same went to me. Although we barely talked with each other, whenever Xes put down his opponent, I thought we felt the same thing: that even if we weren’t here, the team would still win.

A/N: This one is for Story A Week (SAW), so I have a limited time frame to finish this. If there is a lack of description or the plot moves too fast, it might be because of that.