In whose heart can I start to make my home again?
On whose time can I find the love I had way back when?
Everybody needs somebody, and this nobody needs someone too,
Is there anybody out there who needs somebody like I do?
* Songs of Jessa Hardu
Elementa
Prince Dravon Ferno woke up drenched in sweat. It was that dream again. The same dream that replayed nearly every single night. No matter what medication or diet was recommended, the dreams remained an ever-consistent part of his life.
In each one he was always looking for his mother, Queen Drelaine. Often, he was completely lucid when he was in the dreams. Totally aware that none of it was real. It still never stopped him from wanting to do what he had failed to do in life. It never stopped him from trying to save her. But just like the event that had transpired in life, his dreams too were complete nightmares.
She would die. In his dreams this would transpire in several different ways. Sometimes she would open the airlock and eject herself into space as he desperately pushed buttons to keep the doors from opening. Other times she would simply burst into flames and run away while he searched for anything that could put them out. One that he especially hated and feared was when she tied herself to an anchor and jumped into the sea. Dravon would swim as hard and fast as he could, but always just had to watch her fade away into the depths.
He threw the sheets off himself and reached for a towel on his bedside table. This was nothing new to him. He grabbed his spare sheets that had been washed and laid out to dry from the night before and exchanged them with the ones he had just perspired on.
A knock came from his window. Chren Twisters. The feathery blonde Aerosi who refused to believe his presence was ever unwanted. Dravon opened the window and Chren manipulated the wind to drift himself into the room.
Chren observed the pile of wet sheets on the floor. “Which was it this time?”
“Stabbed herself,” said Dravon. “Multiple times.” He stared down at the floor. Pieces of the dream were now growing foggy. “She stared at me while she did it. Like it was my fault. Like she had to do it, because of me.”
“A weight you’ll have to bear for the rest of your life,” said Chren.
“Right,” Dravon said nonchalantly. He had accepted it long ago. If not for him, his mother would still be alive. The only thing left to do now was keep her dying wish.
“And for punishment you have to protect the brat,” said Chren. “There should be a clause for the dying wishes of people who have gone cra—” He stopped himself by quickly covering his own mouth.
Dravon’s eyes widened with fury. He felt his bril instinctively rise in response to his emotions. He calmed himself with a deep breath. “The pregnancy was playing tricks on her mind.” He explained to Chren. It was the same thing his father had told him when Dravon had asked him why his mother was acting so strangely.
“She made you break quarantine and sail a starship out to the middle of nowhere,” said Chren. “All while she was having a baby! I mean if we want to get technical, Prince Jraken is just as guilty for her death as you are.”
Dravon had heard enough. His sheets were changed, and he was ready to give sleep another go. “Goodnight, Chren,” he said. But by the time he looked up, Chren had flown back out the window.
Dravon’s mind was already made up. He had failed to protect his mother. There was no way he would fail in protecting his little brother too. It was his sworn duty to keep the little brat safe.
Jessa Hardu couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was certain that her outburst two nights prior had been the end of Kaizo’s self-proclaimed love for her. Yet, here he was, begging for her to take him back just one day after Jraken, Mysti, and her had humiliated him in front of his uncle and numerous fellow students.
“That star is well passed supernova,” she told him.
“Listen, I can’t get you on the Rexians this year, but next year—”
“Next year all that will remain of the Rexians is Bonnette Howl!” Jessa interrupted, “And she’s average at best!”
“The team will still have a reputation,” Kaizo argued.
Jessa scoffed. “I’m already working on making my own team. It will have two Onyxians on it by the way, and a far more talented Pyran.”
She knew that one stung. She watched Kaizo angrily scour the courtyard. He knew exactly who it was that she was referring to. As soon as Kaizo spotted him, he looked back at her with a menacing smile. “A more talented Pyran? Let’s just see about that.”
Prince Jraken Ferno stood unwavering as he heard his name being called out by Kaizo Blaze. A growing suspicion had led him to believe that this day would inevitably arrive. Being a prince had its perks, but he now realized that attending the Jhori academy without drawing attention was a laughable endeavor.
“Prince Jraken!” Kaizo yelled across the courtyard.
The few students that had been near Jraken quickly vacated upon hearing Kaizo’s voice. Several others followed suit once they were aware of the situation.
Most of the advanced combat class gathered around the edge of the courtyard, staying behind the thin red trees with blue leaves that lined the perimeter. The cloudless purple sky was approaching maximum brightness as the academy was soon to arrive at high noon.
Instructor Hiazo stepped out into the courtyard. His presence let the boys know that a spar between them was officially warranted. All students were allowed to spar at any time, but a first-year like Jraken was supposed to spar under an instructor’s supervision.
Kaizo started stretching his muscles in anticipation of the fight.
“I hear tell that you’re supposed to be some kind of prodigy!” he shouted. “Yesterday was a fluke. You’re not going to sneak shot me like that today.”
Kaizo ran a hand through his short red hair. The face he made did nothing to hide his arrogance. He wore a black tank top and red trousers that were tucked into slim yellow boots. He was quite a bit larger than Jraken, who had only just started his growth spurt. If an outsider were to make a bet on the outcome, they would undoubtedly choose Kaizo based on physique alone, but the students who attended the Jhori academy for Elementi knew better than to base a warrior’s merit on only their size. “Why else would you be starting at the academy at such a young age on recommendation?” he asked.
“I am a prince,” Jraken replied. “Maybe I was an embarrassment and sent here for extra training.” He held a smirk that only someone with a secret would don. His wavy black hair fell to his shoulders, and his violet eyes remained unblinking. He had decided to wear a nice white button up and black trousers. He looked well composed as he kept his arms crossed and his stance wide. He displayed no fear despite being harassed by the current top student at the academy.
“Considering your brother is only the third ranked student, I can see why King Jrax would be getting worried!” Kaizo said, trying to strike a nerve. “We all know the only reason he’s still even number three is because he’s a royal!”
“Ouch. That burn probably hurts worse than the burns you got in your last fight with him,” said Chren to Dravon. They stood on a roof above the large crowd of students that had gathered to watch Kaizo and Jraken fight. Dravon had skipped his own class when he heard what Jraken had done to Kaizo the previous day. It seemed as though his suspicion that Kaizo was going to pick a fight because of it was dead on.
“You don’t really think your brother could beat him, do you?” asked Chren.
Dravon grunted and shook his head. His black hair was pulled back into a neat bun and shaved short on the sides. He wore a black scale leather vest over a loose white v-neck shirt, and his baggy gray pants were tucked into his black boots. His face was wearing the usual scowl that had made a home there at a young age. Unlike Jraken, who had a much more inviting personality, and a smile that seemed to be contagious to those around him. Contagious for everyone, but Dravon.
“Cause if he does beat him. It is not going to look good for you! Nope! Not at all!” Chren teased. “I can see it now, ‘Hey! You hear about Jraken?’ ‘No! What about Jraken?’ ‘He’s the best! We thought Dravon was the best. Then we thought Kaizo was the best, but no. Turns out Jraken was the best all along!’” He said back in forth while using a variety of voices.
Truth be told, Dravon had no idea how powerful Jraken had become in recent years. Being a last-year student, he never expected to see his 13-year-old brother at the academy before he graduated.
He was not quite as interested as everyone else was when it came to whether or not the rumors of his brother were true. It went without saying that people expected him to grow into a powerful warrior. Until recently, Dravon was considered the best fighter in the school. Their parents had been well renowned for their prowess by both sides during the war. Though, it seemed impossible to him that Jraken could possibly possess the ability to take on Kaizo, who was nearly on par with himself.
Aside from keeping the dying wish of his mother, this would be the best opportunity he would have in a long time to defeat Kaizo in front of an audience. That would be the only way he could earn back the title of number one.
Dravon then noticed two girls that he didn’t recognize watching from the roof on the other side of the courtyard. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who had skipped their class to come spy on this one. Except Dravon intended to do more than just watch.
He hopped down from the roof and pushed other students aside as he made his way towards his old nemesis. He walked out into the courtyard until he was sure he was in Kaizo’s line of sight. They were the same height, but Dravon was a bit thinner. Both, though, had inherited the red eyes of their Pyran ancestors.
Instructor Hiazo gave his nephew a curious look. As if to ask, ‘Should I intervene?’ but Kaizo shrugged him off.
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“Well, who would have guessed?” Kaizo shouted out to his classmates. “Older brother to the rescue! Already back for another humiliating defeat!”
Being of few words, Dravon wasted no time. He focused his bril above his palms. When he felt he had gathered enough, he ignited it. Small tongues of fire formed in each hand. He breathed deep and dashed towards his adversary.
Kaizo stretched his arms back and several small fires started to grow in the air above him. Just before Dravon approached, Kaizo threw his arms forward and the small fires went whizzing toward him.
Dravon avoided as many as he could but chose to let several of the fires make contact so he could get in close. He hurled his fist sized fires at Kaizo only for him to deflect them with the back of his hands. What Kaizo could not deflect was a hard kick to the chest that sent him flying seven paces back. When he hit the ground, he rolled a couple more paces before finally coming to a stop. The crowd of students cheered in response.
Dravon could hear Chren yell, “That’s showing him!”
“Nice one, bro!” shouted Jraken.
Dravon did not acknowledge any cheering. He stayed fixated on his opponent. Kaizo had surprised him before with how resilient he was to taking hits. They had fought countless times in various tournaments and sparring exhibitions over the years. Dravon had always won. However, the last tournament had been team based. It was tradition that royal families always compete together, and more often than not, they won. Though, that was not the case in the last tourney.
He had no way of proving it, but he was convinced there was a conspiracy to single out his teammates and eliminate them one by one. He wound up having to fight the last two matches alone. He eliminated two competent fighters in the semi-finals and was then left with fighting a well-rested Kaizo in the championship match.
“Not bad, Drav,” Kaizo said as he wiped some grass off his clothing. “You are pretty nifty when it comes to hand-to-hand.”
After he got up, he slapped his palms together and suddenly both of his hands ignited into flames that quickly grew to the lengths of his forearms. Staying engulfed in fire as he got back into his fighting stance.
This is exactly what Dravon had been anticipating. Kaizo had surprised everyone at the tournament when he revealed that he not only mastered but had actually improved the Dravon’s Fire-Fist technique.
A technique that Dravon had learned from his father, King Jrax. By controlling the flames that surrounded one’s fists, they could increase their speed and strength.
Being able to extend the flames to his elbows gave Kaizo even more control and drastically increased the speed of his punches. Dravon’s long reign over him had come to a short end.
This time would be different. This was what he had trained for. He slapped his own palms together and they immediately burst into flames that were a bit larger than Kaizo’s. Dravon then fused the flames and sent the hurling mass of fire at his rival.
Knowing he had to act fast, Kaizo did the same. The flames met, and a small explosion shook the courtyard. A mushroom cloud instantly formed between the two combatants.
Spectators were left unknowing as dust from the explosion made it difficult to see. All they could do was listen as the two young men exchange attacks.
As the dust cleared, streaks of fire could be seen bouncing off each other. Before long, enough dust had settled to see that Dravon’s entire arms were engulfed in flames.
Dravon knew that Kaizo and himself were close to matched on their ranged attacks, so he decided he would try to keep the fight to physical combat instead. A strategy that seemed to pay off. Proving to everyone that he had once again surpassed his rival.
He had trained harder than ever since tasting defeat in the last tournament, and it showed. He was overpowering Kaizo like he never had before. Pushing him back with every punch. Eventually he found his opening. An opening that resulted in an uppercut to the chin of Kaizo.
Kaizo spit out a mouthful of blood and jumped several paces back. With a voice full of wrath, he shouted, “That does it!”
He threw his hands to the sky and a large fire started manifesting above him. Several students fled to safety as the fire grew larger and larger.
Some Aerosi students used their ability to manipulate wind and helped fellow students up on to the roofs that surrounded the large courtyard. While Lunanite students used their ability to manipulate water and made walls of ice to absorb the potential shockwave of the blast.
Instructor Hiazo called out to his nephew demanding he stop what he was doing immediately. His demands fell on deaf ears.
Kaizo looked like a man possessed. His eyes were wild, and his mouth was twisted into a maniacal blood covered grin.
Dravon was not sure what to do. He had not anticipated that Kaizo would take things this far. He was not by any means well acquainted with him, but he knew him well enough to see that this behavior was out of character. With the rate the flames were growing, he was endangering not only Dravon, but any number of students who might not be able to get out of the way in time.
All Dravon could guess was that the pressure of being number one had really gotten to him. He knew that burden as well as anyone. Holding on to that title was a constant battle. There was always some fresh blood looking to dethrone you. Paranoia came hand in hand with the claim of being number one.
The only options he could quickly come up with were to flee like everyone else or try to throw a fireball with enough force to ignite Kaizo’s flames before it reached him. Unfortunately, he decided he could not risk either option. If the two flames met, there was no way to truly predict what direction the blast might take. It could end up being directed at bystanders and cause serious harm. He also could not flee, due to not wanting to put any of the other students in danger. He would just have to stay in the center of the courtyard and endure the blast as best he could.
Kaizo’s flames grew ever larger and brighter above his head. “Here, Prince Dravon! Catch!” He shouted with heinous laughter.
He threw his arms forward to send the fire at Dravon. Instead of going where he sent it, the huge ball of flame went twirling into the sky and exploded high up out of harm’s way.
“What the?” Kaizo asked, staring up at the remnants of the explosion. Suddenly, Jraken was right in front of him. Kaizo panicked and tried to punch him. Jraken was quicker and gave Kaizo a quick jab in the stomach. Causing the top ranked student to immediately fall to his hands and knees gasping for air.
“Did Jraken just save us?” asked a student from one of the roofs.
“No! Kaizo was just teasing. He threw the fire into the sky himself!” said another.
“I saw the whole thing! Jraken kicked that fire into the sky! It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before!”
“I saw the same thing!”
A consensus soon formed amongst the student body. Jraken had saved the day. He had saved the courtyard from having a huge crater, several students who could have been injured, and much to Dravon’s displeasure, he had saved his brother from potential death.
Instructor Hiazo apprehended his nephew as Instructors Lloyd Rivers and Instructor Skyla Reeves made their way through the crowd to speak with them. Skyla had heard the commotion and stopped by just in time to see Kaizo’s stunt.
“Sorry, uncle,” Kaizo said, too ashamed to look his uncle in the eye.
Hiazo replied in a low voice to keep the other instructors from hearing. “No, Kaizo. It is my fault. I push you too hard. It also seems I’ve given you my disdain for the royals. Now, stay down and let me do all the talking.”
Kaizo gave an understanding nod.
“Well, that got a little out of hand!” Lloyd said followed by a nervous laugh. He wanted to ease the situation as best as he could.
As the other two instructors knew she would be, Instructor Skyla was bewildered. “Little out of hand?! No. This behavior will not be tolerated in New Jhori. Nor will it go unpunished.”
Her matter-of-fact tone is what made Hiazo and Lloyd cringe most. Skyla was not Elementi, and she was the only Non-Elementi on Elementa and its five habitable moons.
“Kaizo has been in my classes. Passed them barely, but passed them, nonetheless. He is familiar with Jhori philosophy. We do not endanger bystanders!” Then she spoke directly to Kaizo. “Especially not for personal gain!”
Hiazo ran his hand over his head in an involuntary act of frustration. An act not missed by Skyla.
“They’ve been rivals for five years. Rivalries can sometimes cause one to forget how to hold back.” Hiazo explained.
“Believe it or not, Hiazo here was actually rivals with a Pyran prince himself back in his academy days,” Lloyd said with a smile. “And I’m willing to bet they had some pretty intense fights!”
“Those were times of war. A civil war I might add! This is exactly why I’ve been sent here to teach the next generation how to sustain a life of peace.” Skyla bobbed her head as she spoke. Something else that made Hiazo and Lloyd cringe.
Skyla made it sound like the Elementi’s long lasting inner turmoil was self-induced. Hiazo and Lloyd knew that the story was a bit more complicated than that. A story that seemed to be taught differently than when they were in the academy. A story that put all the blame of the war against Farako on the Elementi.
“Just what kind of punishment do you have in my mind?” Hiazo dared to ask.
“Expulsion,” was her short response.
Kaizo looked up from the ground for the first time since the conversation of his near future began. “That’s absurd!”
Hiazo quickly silenced his nephew with a strong squeeze of the shoulder.
“I don’t think the Jhori agencies that have been scouting him will be all too happy to hear that,” Hiazo tried to reason.
“I’ll tell you what they won’t be all too happy to hear. That the young man they’ve been scouting has a temper that could put them in enormous legal trouble!”
“Please, Skyla. It won’t happen again.” Hiazo pleaded.
Skyla crossed her arms and thought a moment. “Very well. It will be a temporary expulsion.”
A look of relief spread across the faces of Kaizo, Hiazo, and Lloyd.
“He will not attend the next tourney and therefore not qualify for the Jhori Championship.”
The look of relief left and Kaizo rose in defiance. Hiazo quickly shoved him back down on his knees.
“Still pretty harsh, but the kid can at least join an agency in the final exams.” Lloyd said, trying to calm the uncle and nephew.
“Fair is fair,” Hiazo said, hiding as much of his anger as he could manage. He lifted Kaizo up by the back of his shirt and escorted him off the courtyard.
Instructor Skyla turned around to speak to the congregation of students still looming around.
“It would be easy to judge Kaizo this afternoon. Easy to condemn him. I ask that we not criticize him too harshly. Anger is a symptom and pride the disease. You are already the most powerful species in New Jhori. From what I see on a daily basis, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were the strongest in the galaxy!”
Several students chuckled and some cheered.
“My point is you have nothing to prove. You are all incredible. This silly and ancient ranking system does nothing but incite hate and disconnect!”
She brushed her bright pink hair full of volume behind her ear. She was a little taller than most of the Elementi, and where Elementi skin was limited to light olive to dark brown tones, her skin was a fluorescent green. Most of the male students, and a few of the females, found her to be an exotic beauty. She always adorned small dresses that seemed to exaggerate her already attention demanding features.
“I know that non-Elementi instructors sent from the capital to teach New Jhori philosophies are never very popular at this academy. I am also well aware that you are a race of proud warriors. Your ancestors were hired to fight wars for thousands of years. They helped lay the foundation for this great democracy!”
Several students cheered and Skyla nodded and clapped while she walked over to Jraken, who had been welcomed and thanked by some older students for knocking Kaizo’s large flame into the sky.
“Some of you will one day join an agency. No matter which one you should join you will find that they all were created to promote peace!” She put her hands on Jraken’s shoulders as she mentioned the word agency. “Alone we can do only so little, but together we can accomplish anything!”
A bell rang across campus that ended the class. Everyone started shuffling around upon hearing it.
“If I’m not mistaken, you are on the way to my class,” Skyla said to Jraken.
“Yes. It’s my last class for the day.”
“Mine too! Will you walk with me?” she asked as she locked arms with the prince.
Jraken blushed. “Sure.”
“I know it is still early, but have you given much thought about which agency you might want to join? I have several connections. Though, it would depend on which one you have your eye on.”
Jraken truly had not put much thought into it. The one thing he had ever seen his family agree on was how suspicious it was that he would be joining the academy early. “I’m not sure my father would want me joining any agencies,” he replied truthfully.
“Your brother Dravon is who will inherit the crown. Your people require only one king, Jraken. You are your own man. I believe you were born to do amazing and wonderful things for the galaxy!”
His heart raced as this beautiful woman told him how amazing she thought he was. He wanted to say something, but no words would come. Did Locke have any idea how difficult it would be to suppress his abilities? Aside from that, was the secret not already out?
“Just give it some thought,” said Skyla. “A talent like yours should not be hidden. Nor should someone so powerful not be taught to use his powers wisely. It wasn’t just Kaizo’s pride that made him act rashly. His power is an insatiable temptation for anyone. If you can so easily get your way, then what is stopping you?”
Jraken shrugged. All he knew was that he could not stand seeing people get hurt.
“Wisdom,” said Skyla. “Wisdom to understand the importance of patience, empathy, kindness, and love. I believe you were born with this wisdom already within you. You just need someone to show you why you are the way you are.”
Jraken had never felt so inspired. His future had never looked so full of possibility. Everything Skyla said made perfect sense to him. If he had been blessed with extraordinary abilities, then why shouldn’t he use them?
“I want to help people,” he admitted. “And I would love to explore the galaxy.”
“I promise to do everything in my power to see that that happens, young Prince Jraken,” Skyla said with a warm smile. “I believe you may be a legend in the making.”