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The Elementi Chronicles Book I: The Stone of Serenity
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THE ELEMENTI CHRONICLES BOOK I: THE STONE OF SERENITY
Chapter I
___{:}___
The moonlight shone on the Lake's deep, fuchsia waters. Conifer trees fringed it, thickening into foreboding woods. The Lake was the center of the Faimón Forest, and it contained a great amount of magic. Its surface was smooth, undisturbed. All seemed well, yet it was not. A wild cry broke the peaceful silence. A shape tumbled down a path through the trees. Another shape hared after the first, who had a jagged gash down its side. "Tell me where it is and we can save a lot of trouble," the second animal growled. "Never! Never in my life!" the first cried, practically wailing. "Then I guess the information will die with you!" The second figure struck the first, shoving it into the Lake. After a while, its head bobbed up, gasping for air. "We. . . . won't. . . tell you! You'll never. . . find. . . . it. . . " The second animal chuckled quietly to itself. "And who's going to stop me?" It padded silently away into the trees.
__________
Sheena opened her eyes. Squinting through the thick water, she searched for the surface. She couldn't tell which way was which in the murky fuchsia water of the Lake, heavy with magic. It was the one body of water that Aquinas leopards couldn't swim skillfully in. There! A pinpoint of moonlight shone through the water. Sheena kicked strongly towards it, propelling herself through the Lake to that shaft of light. She could feel her breath slipping away. Just as she thought she would black out, her muzzle broke the surface. Sheena gasped for air, the gash Narwhal had given her stinging. She paddled for the shore, tail boosting her forward. The leopard reached the sandy beach and heaved herself up onto it. She shook her royal blue pelt out, shuddering.
Sheena knew that the Knowledge Protector would be proud. She would not reveal the Stone's location to anyone, especially not Narwhal, even if it cost her her life. The Aquai Leopards were the guardians of the Stone of Serenity and were part of the Elementi Leopards, along with the Ignis, Ventus, Aether, and Terra Leopards. Each kept a Stone of Harmony, like the Honesty Stone and the Joy Stone.
Each cult of Leopards selected one of their kind to keep all of said cult's lore, the Knowledge Protector. The tales and secrets of each cult were passed down through generations of Protectors. Sheena was training as the Apprentice Protector for her cult.
In addition to the Leopards in the five cults, there were Leopards that abandoned their birth cult and lived as enemies of the Elementi known as Rogues. Rogues banded together, and Narwhal lead his group, which he called the Rens. Narwhal and his group wanted to get everyone in Leovie who opposed the Stones of Harmony to join him, their goal being to capture the Stones, or destroy them, once and for all. Sheena didn't know what would happen if all balance in Leovie was destroyed, and she didn't really want to find out.
Lying on the shore now, gasping for breath, Sheena recounted the day she'd been selected for Apprenticeship by the Knowledge Protector, Ciel. . . .
________
I'll add more later, I promise! Enjoy the story! Oh, and, biae!
submitted by Scylla
(February 5, 2016 - 10:02 pm)
(February 5, 2016 - 10:02 pm)
Next part!
Five. She had finished five. And now she was on the sixth. Only one more after this! Sheena stretched out her aching muscles, wincing at their tightness. Exhaustion dulled her senses and she knew she couldn't take much more of this. She needed to place her paws once again on solid ground; not kelp, nor the side of a rock, nor endless water. She needed something that would support her weight. She wasn't used to swimming for so long. She yawned, causing a few bubbles to drift upward. She watched them for a bit, but then got tired of it when they disappeared. What was the point, anyway? It was just solid, unclear blue for all she could see. Blue and fish. Many fish.
Sheena sighed in impatience. What would standing--or treading water--going to accomplish? She needed to find and cross the sixth barrier.
It won't be that easy, the Hidden voice cautioned. You could use your power to make it over in a heartbeat.
Sheena didn't have the strength to drive it out. But she was so close. She needed to be strong to get to the Essence. She needed the strength to fight Narwhal, if she needed to. She needed the strength to talk to him. but would he want to talk to her? Why do I care? she asked herself. He gave up his friendship with me when he gave up his Element.
Sheena was hungry. She hadn't eaten since the fish on the previous day. The hunger had been a background sensation, grating away, but now it roared in her belly and she doubled over. She felt so empty. A tiny, amber-scaled fish swam by and she snapped it up. Her hunger was still far from satisfied, but it would have to wait. For now, she needed to save the world as she knew it.
Well, not exactly.
But close enough.
(December 28, 2016 - 6:50 pm)
I loved the plot-interest of Sheena's 'hidden' perspective!
And I liked your word-work when "a silver-blue spray of blood fanned through the water."
(December 31, 2016 - 10:38 am)
Thank you, everyone, for your constant support!
Sheena's tail lashed. She was growing impatient. What would the next protection be? Ciel had never told her. She needed to get past it.
"You will find the protections as we wish to expose them, not as you wish to overcome them," a silky, vaguely feminine voice said. It seemed to come from eveywhere and nowhere all at once.
"What does that mean?" Sheena asked. "Should I just sit here, waiting for Narwhal to destroy the Essence?"
"Is that his name? That one who came by just now, with the icy fur?" the new voice inquired.
Just now. The words thrummed in Sheena's heart. He had just come by. He had just beaten this. There's still hope. "Yes," she said aloud. "That's Narwhal."
"I suppose I should let you pass." The speaker became visible, and water seemed to slip aside like a curtain to show it--her. She was a tiny leopard, beautiful beyond description. Her fur was a pale pink, like the inside of a seashell and her big, round eyes were a deep royal blue. Her frame was small and delicate but her expression held the idea of immeasurable power. Her tail was exceptionally long, swishing through the water.
"You'll need to get past me to reach the Essence," she told Sheena, in her ringing voice.
That shouldn't be a problem, Sheena thought. I'm easily twice her size. I could overtake her quickly and get to Narwhal.
"Oh, I think you'll find that I won't be such an easy target," she purred, almost as if she had seen inside Sheena's mind.
She read my thoughts, Sheena thought. She can read minds.
"I saw them," the seashell-pink leopard corrected. "One cannot simple read a mind. It is far too complex."
"Enough chat," Sheena growled. This leopard was beginning to irritate her. "I need to get to Narwhal."
The pretty leopard sighed. "If you must. Well, we will begin."
(December 31, 2016 - 12:49 pm)
*squirms in seat, can't waiting to find out what's going to happen next!* This is a cliffhanger!
(December 31, 2016 - 10:19 pm)
This is so good, Scylla. I can't wait to see what comes next!
(January 4, 2017 - 11:26 pm)
*Gapes*
(December 31, 2016 - 2:19 pm)
*waits*
(December 31, 2016 - 4:18 pm)
*takes a seat next to Esthelle and waits, gaping*
(January 5, 2017 - 2:27 pm)
She closed her eyes and lifted her paws. A huge bubble rose around Sheena, encasing her in a pearly substance. It shimmered and shifted, colors swirling across its surface. The leopard stepped casually through the nearly opaque bubble to stand in front of Sheena. "I'm Keyla," she announced. "What's your name?"
"if you can 'see' inside my mind, then you already know me name," Sheena answered.
"Ooh, you're a tricky one," Keyla giggled. "That other one didn't tell me anything at all. He threatened to claw my throat out if I asked any more questions."
"Sounds like Narwhal." Sheena sighed.
"But of course, it's more polite to ask someone's name, even if you've already found it," Keyla continued. "Sheena."
"Yes."
"Now, are you ready to begin?"
"Yes," Sheena said again.
"Alright." Keyla sat down. "How will you get out of this bubble?"
Experimentally, Sheena unsheathed her claws, trying to slice through the bubble. It stretched a little under the pressure, but didn't tear. "Physical strength won't break it," she answered. "So this must be some sort of riddle."
"Yes," Keyla affirmed.
"Well, since you created it, you must be the only one who can deconstruct it."
"No."
Ciel's words so long ago flashed in her mind. "There is always another way." Had he been trying to tell her something, to prepare her for this?
"Ooh, you know Ciel?" Keyla squealed. "I love him! He came here a while ago to see me. He's so cute!"
"Er...." Sheena stammered. "Ciel's my mentor."
"Already? He's so young, though!"
Sheena began to wonder just how long Keyla had been inside the Black Hole.
"Oh, not that long," Keyla chattered. "They only put me here... what? A moon ago? Ten moons? Ten seasons? I don't know. Time doesn't really pass down here."
"Oh," Sheena said. "I'm sorry."
"No, no, it's fine! It just gets a little boring... and lonely..." Keyla trailed off. "Now, back to the present. How will you escape this bubble?"
"Ask you nicely?" Sheena tried.
Keyla laughed. "No. Use that logical mind of yours."
"How did you--" Sheena began, but closed her mouth. She wasn't even going to say anything. How can I get out of a seemingly solid bubble? she asked herself. More importantly, what was it made of? How did she just create it out of thin air--or water, I should say--?
"Ooh, you're getting somewhere!" Keyla interjected.
Sheena forced a smile, returning to her thoughts. It must be something in her claws, or something in the water. Maybe she has the ability to solidify or condense some kind of mineral in the water. If so, then I must figure out how to decondense it. But how? If she has a special ability, wouldn't I need the same ability to counteract it?
"Not necessarily," Keyla said. "By the way, I love listening to your thought process."
"Thanks," Sheena mumbled. She reviewed her special abilities. Stars. Why didn't I think of stars?
"The stars are up there, silly." Keyla gestured vaguely upward.
Sheena laughed. "Sometimes."
She turned her focus onto the starlight inside her. She remembered with a shudder how she had used uncontrolled star-water to kill Xiang and resolved to be more careful with her power this time. She herself was surrounded by water and therefore would need to contain it so she wouldn't hurt herself or Keyla.
"What are you talking about?" Keyla asked hesitantly, backing away from Sheena. "You killed someone? What's all this nonsense about stars?"
"You'll see," Sheena answered absently. "Let me concentrate."
Keyla fell silent, but watched Sheena with wary eyes.
Sheena unsheathed her claws. They were beginning to turn silver with a film of star-water. She siphoned a little bit through her claw-tips and into the water. It hung in front of her, small threads twisting and spiraling around it. She held it in her paws, comressing it to a small sphere, and bent down. She touched it to the floor of the pearly bubble. "Close your eyes," she warned. Keyla did so without question.
As soon as it made contact, Sheena shut her eyes against the searing white light. Small, bright cracks spread along the bubble and it burst into a thousand silver shards, falling to the ground and leaving Sheena and Keyla treading water. Keyla's eyes were still closed. She warily opened them, and when she saw the bubble gone, she was silent for a moment, mouth open. Eventually, she said, "That wasn't the right answer. But you're free to go."
The pale pink leopard waved her paw off to the distance, gesturing toward a rock form. Sheena squinted at it, noticing a blue glow emanating from it. The glow was especially bright at one place in particular. A cave.
"That's the Essence's shrine," she whispered.
Keyla gave a wry smile. "Not yet," she responded. "You're almost there. You have one more barrier to pass."
Sheena stared at the cave. "Thanks, Keyla," she mumbled. "I'll come back and talk to you one day."
Keyla grinned. "I'd like that. And it's safe to look down now," she added.
"What do you..." Sheena began, looking down, expecting to see the blue water fading to a mist as it had before. But, for the first time, she saw a bottom. She was at the bottom of the Black hole. "Great Elementi," she mumbled.
Keyla laughed. "Good luck, Sheena. I hope you find the essence."
"Good luck to you, too, Keyla," Sheena responded.
The tiny leopard sighed in contentment. "To hear my name again, spoken like a friend..." she mumured. Once again, Sheena's heart went out to this lonely leopard. "I'll come back to see you soon," she promised again. "Good luck to you as well."
"Goodbye!" Keyla said.
"Bye!" Sheena called back, already swimming away to the rocks.
She was almost there.
(January 7, 2017 - 1:23 pm)
Sheena let herself sink. She felt ground under her paws--solid, real ground. After what seemed like moons, she could finally feel the ground again. She bounded across the sandy floor, each jump slowed and elongated by the water. And as she landed, she felt again that wonderful ground. But she knew she must travel faster. She stopped playing, swimming swiftly toward the rock formation. The blue glow was intensifying, but not so much that it was unpleasant to her eyes. Shafts of aquamarine light filtered out from its opening, guiding her to it.
Her paws touched down on its surprisingly smooth surface. It was a plain, brown rock, and no plants grew on it. Even the fish seemed to stay away, as if in respect for this open display of power.
Or perhaps they stayed away because of the seventh barrier.
"We meet again, Sheena." The statement sounded from behind her. She whirled around, met face-to-face with sea-green eyes. She only knew one leopard with that color of eyes, and that one leopard was Narwhal.
Narwhal.
Sheena forced herself to stay calm. She mustn't show narwhal that she was afraid. She faced him. "Narwhal," she answered evenly. Suddenly she felt compelled to ruch into him, and bury her face in his fur, and wish this had never happened, and that they were still friends. But after all that had transpired, she knew that they may never be friends, or even close, again. And so her paws stayed in their place, planted firmly on the rock.
Narwhal broke the silence. "Mind the sharks," he said.
"What sharks?" she demanded, but her thoughts weere already answering her question. The last barrier is sharks. We have to fight and defeat sharks. Sharks, which most cub-stories are made of. Sharks.
"Sharks," she said eventually.
Narwhal turned away from her. The aquamarine light cast an eerie glow on his frost-blue fur. "Yes, there are sharks," he answered. "And one of us will pass. The other will be left to them."
Sheena unsheathed her claws defiantly. "It will be you, Narwhal."
He grinned in the half-light and somehow seemed scarier than he ever had. "Don't be so sure, Sheena."
"Oh, I am," she breathed. "And they're coming right for you."
"After you," he answered.
"Never."
(January 7, 2017 - 1:25 pm)
*plops down beside Kestrel and Esthelle, waiting, watching, gaping.*
(January 8, 2017 - 12:50 pm)
Wow. Wow. Wow. *sits down with the others, gaping* Whatś going to happen next?
(January 9, 2017 - 3:43 pm)
Here's the next part!
And around the rocks came seven sharks. Seven, the most magically powerful number. Sharks, nicknamed "The Scourge of the Sea." Sheena chased down her last inkling of fear, baring her teeth.
"Fight them," Narwhal ordered in an arrogant tone.
"Coward," she hissed. Should I use Aether for this? I had enough trouble controlling it enough to break the bubble. What if I lose control and kill myself and Narwhal? What would happen to the Essence if it were exposed to Aether? She shook her head, resolving to not use it. Besides, I can't expose myself to Narwhal.
She turned her attention to the encroaching sharks. They were massive, each longer than Sheena. They had gray backs and white bellies, and their eyes were like void. As one came closer, its eye flashed white and Sheena recoiled in horror. The sharks opened their mouths, revealing rows upon rows of sharp, triangular teeth. Sheena imagined herself being dashed against those teeth and shuddered. But she decided that she couldn't hold off any longer. She had to kill these sharks, or be killed herself. And she knew what path she was going to pick for herself.
"Alright," she said to Narwhal. "I will fight them to the death. As you sit here waiting for me to die," she added. "Are you really so cowardly as to let some wild, crazed beast do your dirty work? Can you not find it within yourself to kill me?"
Narwhal snarled. "I am no coward. They won't kill you."
"And how do you--" Sheena began, but was swept off her paws by the first shark. Suddenly she was immersed inside their whirling bodies, flashes of gray and white confusing her. She lashed out blindly with her claws and soon the water ran red with the sharks' blood. But they were fighting back. One's fin tore into her side an she gasped as a spray of silver-blue colored the water.
She fought hard, raking their sides and gouging their eyes. Eventually they backed away, circling her menacingly. She kept her eyes on them, afraid that one would attack from behind. All seven were still standing. Narwhal sat back, watching her with cold, calculating eyes.
One of the sharks jabbed toward her and she backed away, only to be buffeted forward by a shark from behind her. Once again they all converged on her. She began to panic. They were too fast! She couldn't possibly land a fatal blow on any of them. She lifted her head above their bodies, staring, wild-eyed, at Narwhal. "Help me!" she wailed. "How can you jsut sit there? We want the same things!"
He faltered. "Do we?"
"Yes!" she screamed, but was lost again inside the mass of sharks. "Help me..." she moaned.
Suddenly their weight lifted. Narwhal hooked his claws into a shark's side, pulling it away from the rest. He buried his jaws deep in its neck, biting until it fell limp. Its body fell, landing on the bottom of the Black Hole. But Sheena barely dared to look. The water was so thick with blood, she doubted she could see anyway, even if she tried. She raked her claws down one shark's face, half-blinding it. It thrashed, falling back. Now there were only five sharks. Narwhal swam to her side, and together, blow by blow, they fought the sharks off.
There was but one left. Narwhal and Sheena dove, as one, for its neck. Sheena bit through the rough skin and thick flesh, trying not to recoil at the foul taste. Narwhal did the same and together, they killed it.
Both leopards were panting and disheveled. Each had several scratches littering their pelt. They were silent as they regained their breath. Eventually, Sheena broke the silence. "Thank you."
"It wasn't for you," Narwhal answered gruffly. He pointed his muzzle to the cave entrance, now right in front of them. "It was for this."
Without another word, he padded forth over the rock and disappeared into the aquamarine light.
Sheena headed quickly after him. Her scratches stung, but the water helped the pain lessen. She was Aqua. And Aether. Narwhal didn't know that and she could use it against him. But would I?
Hallia says ounc. Ounce? You weigh an ounce? I know you were a pocket shape-shifter once, but aren't we past that now?
(January 9, 2017 - 11:14 pm)
I Looooove Your Book Sooooooooooo Much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You used jsut instead of just.
YOU ARE THE BESS, I LOVE YOUR BOOK SO MUCH PLEASE PLEASE MAKE IT A SERIES BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(January 12, 2017 - 9:58 am)
Where?
(January 12, 2017 - 8:46 pm)