I walk into the library and look around for Aiden. He said that he would help me after all. Or would it just be better to wander up and down the book isle until he notices me and sees that I am looking lost?

I wish that I knew how these books were organized, but I don't. It can't be alphabetical. Is it by author? Even if it was by author though wouldn't it also be broken up into section? Blargh, is there a chart somewhere that tells me what the different sections are?

As I am reading through a list of books displayed on a random shelf, I hear a voice behind me say, "Can I help you in finding what you are looking for?"

I jump. I didn't hear him walk up behind me. I spin around and see Aiden looking down at me. He is close up as he had asked me in a soft voice if I needed is help. Close, too close. I try to take a step back but there is the bookshelf there.

Laughing Aiden takes a step back away from me. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." he says.

"You didn't startle me." I say, attempting to sound haughty but I am pretty sure that I just sound pathetic instead.

"Haha well then. I guess I have nothing to apologize for. Now then, did you need help finding something?" he asks me again.

"Actually, yes I do. Can you help me find books about the representation of elements?" I ask him.

"Do you mean books on the history of magic, or what each element does? The usefulness of each element?" he asks me.

"While I will want those books soon, that isn't what I am looking for. You see, for the artifact that I am making I need to carve a totem to represent each of the elements. I know that it needs to be my representation, but that doesn't mean that I can't get a little help from some research, right?" I ask hoping that he will agree with me. I am also hoping that I don't sounds like a crazy person.

"Hmm." he says, twirling his hair around his finger. "Ah yes, I think I know a book that might help you. There are books out there about everything now." he adds. Yes, I suppose there is.

"Thank you."

"Follow me" he says, so I do. I follow him up to the third floor. He leads me up against the right wall, six bookshelves away from the stairs we had come up.

Aiden leans down and flips through the books quickly before pulling one out. It is a bit of a thinner book titled: Magic and Animal Correlations Through the Ages.

"This should help you with what you are looking for." he tells me, dumping the book into my hands. "Anything else you think you may need?" he asks.

"A book about carving and one that also goes into how to permanently waterproof an item." I request of him.

"Fine. Go sit at one of the tables in the back and I will bring them to you once I have found them." he tells me. "Also did you know that you smell like flowers? It's nice." After saying that he walks away as if he had said nothing at all.

I give his strangeness no thought as I make my way to one of the tables in the back. I find a small table with a comfortable chair at each end and sit down. I set the book onto the table and examine the table of contents. Skimming through it shows that this book really might have the information that I need.

Wishing that I had something to write with I look around me and see that on every few tables there is paper and an ink quill. No inkwell with it. Curious I walk over and run the quill over the bottom left corner of the paper. To my surprise I find that the quill writes perfectly. How wonderful!

I take the paper back over to where I am sitting and write out a different sections for each element. I want to make sure that I am writing my ideas down and that I don't forget them.

I begin with wind. I flip the book open and begin to read through the sections. The book is so well written and presents its information in such an interesting way that I almost get sucked in. I remind myself that I want to get this item created with Alex before my birthday party. I am not sure if that is going to be a turning point for me in some way or not.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with wind:

Birds - Often represented by the wind element. They symbolize freedom and flight

Wind Fairies - They control wind. Obviously

Wind dragon - Creatures that embody wind

As I read through I realize that all of the animals are basically birds. Creatures that exist mainly in the air, that make their living through flight. I was already going to go with a bird but I didn't want to do that and realize that this world doesn't agree with me.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with fire:

Salamanders - These lizards live in places full of fire

Fire Dragon - Creatures that embody fire

Phoenix - A creature that bursts into flame and is reborn from the ashes

I am just going to assume that there is a dragon for each element and not write them down in each section. Saves some space. Also, I was already thinking about going with a phoenix. It just feels so appropriate.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with water:

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Mermaid - A magical creature that spends its life within the water. Also controls water

Kraken - A fearful creature that lives in the water and destroys ships

Kelpi - Water horses that drag people into the water and drown them

I was wanting to make a turtle. Turtles are cute. They aren't evil creatures that murder people. However, if these are the creatures in this world that people see as representing water, who am I to argue. No one that is who. I let out a small sigh and continue my research.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with earth:

Stag - Seen as noble. Some are mystical protectors of the forest

Wolf - These can be either magical or non-magical. They are loyal and fierce

Basilisk - A large snake with the power to turn its prey to stone

The stag huh? I had actually been thinking about deer. Deer are seen to be protectors of the forest in shows and movies that I had watched back in my world. However, a magical creature that can turn its prey to stone? Would that be something more common for this world to relate to? I groan and drop my head into my hands.

"Research not going well?" Aiden asks as he sets my other requested books on the table in front of me.

"No, I am groaning because it is going perfectly." I say, sounding a bit catty and sarcastic. Oops, that isn't going to help change the perception of those around me.

I hear Aiden laugh and sit down across from me. "Care to show me what you have so far?" he asks. Without saying anything I slide the paper across the table to him.

"Hmm. You are groaning and you have only gone through the common elements?" he asks, and chuckles softly to himself.

"I know right?" I tell him, lifting my head slightly and glancing at him.

"And to think, you haven't even gotten to the rare elements. I can't even begin to imagine how you are going to feel in researching the Spirit element. Most people argue that it doesn't even exist. I am surprised that you are including it in your project." he tells me.

The Spirit element is said to not even exist? Was that ever mentioned in the games? I don't think that it was. They really only focused on the elements of the male characters. I'm not even sure that the game was totally clear on what Iris's element is. Oh! Maybe the game just assigned her the same element as the boy whose path you choose. I really can't recall.

"Do you want my help?" he asks me. I really want to tell him yes, please help me.

"No. Thank you for the offer, but I think this is a decision that I am supposed to make alone, as I will be the one crafting these."

"Ah. That seems like a good reason. I hope at some point you will stop in and have enough time to converse with me." he says getting up out of his chair. He flashes me one more smile and walks away.

I look into my bag so see why Blizzie isn't commenting. He is curled up in a little ball in the bag, his little tail tucked between his paws as if he is snuggling with it. I suppose he can't comment if he is sleeping. The silly sweet baby.

I go back to looking at the book. Is it really going to get much harder from here? Thinking about it I don't even have any idea what I want to do for the next elements. Light, Dark, Time, Space and Spirit. Nope. No clue. I'm hoping this book helps.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with light:

Kirin - a maned creature with the torso of a deer, tail of an ox and horse hooves. They are judges of morality and the punishers of the wicked

Unicorn - Known as being pure and kindhearted

While it is very tempting to carve a Kirin, I think I am just going to go with a unicorn. It resonates with me as a being that represents the element of light. See, that one wasn't too hard.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with dark:

Dark Hound - Known as a servant of creatures of darkness

Bat - Sometimes seen as servants of the underworld

The Owl - Lives in the night and can be symbolic of it

An owl huh? I suppose that makes as much sense as anything. I am truly glad that we have common animals between this world and my own. It seems the darkness element is mostly represented by shadow beings and ghosts that lead people astray. Also it seems that people with the darkness element control shadows. I wonder how that works. I also wonder what my element is. It was suspected to be darkness, but no one ever confirmed it.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with time:

Immortal Jellyfish - Said to live forever unless killed, thus often used to symbolize defying time

That's it. It seems nothing else is used to represent the element of time. Time mages and wizards wear the symbol of the jellyfish as a patch on their clothing. They also wear symbols that represent a clock, but a clock is not an animal.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with space:

Gwyllgri - Large black dogs that can teleport and disappear

Another element that seems to have just one creature attached to it? There rarer elements don't get much love do they? That is kind of sad actually. I think all of the elements are deserving of love and representation. Or maybe people with these magics just like to have one symbol to quickly be able to recognize one another? That's what I am going with.

Animals and Magical Creatures that correlate with spirit:

Fae Fox - A creature that is only believed to exist. It is a spirit in the shape of a purple and silver colored fox. It is playful and affectionate if one can find and befriend it

Great so even the animal representation of this element is said to only maybe exist? I am glad that I did my research before just making up something in my head that might possibly fit the elements if you don't think too hard about it. I stare down at my list then go grab another piece of paper. I then create drawings for each of the creatures to use as a reference. Next to each picture I also include a description of the way that it is usually colored. That done my head drops to the desk and I just lay there. This reminds me of studying for exams.

Okay no time to let my energy flag. I need to figure out how I am going to make these. I flip through the book, reading up on technique. As I read I feel the knowledge sinking in to me. It seems that Aria did her own carvings for enchanted pendants and for parts of her charms. Nice! Muscle memory and textbook knowledge for the win! A winning combination.

Next I look at common materials used for carving and the different colors they come in. Skimming through them I decide on marble. Last thing. I grab the third book and flip through it. I only skim enough to get what I am looking for, common alchemy ingredients used to waterproof. I write down what they are, and stack up the books. As I am wondering what I am supposed to do for them Aiden approaches me.

"I take it that you are done?" he asks.

"Yes." I tell him.

"Very good. You can leave the books at the corner of the table. Someone will come by to collect them and put them away. We want to make sure they go back to the correct places." he tells me. Makes sense. I didn't even want to try to shelve them.

"Sounds good." I reply.

"I'm impressed. I didn't expect a princess to be able to work so hard. Don't you have people who do these sorts of things for you?" Aiden asks me, observing me closely as I respond.

"I'm sure that some do. I'm not one of them. I take responsibility for my own work. I decided to help with this project and I am going to do my part. And I am going to do it well!" I tell him. I feel too tired to try to justify myself to him. He can believe me if he wants, but I don't plan on convincing him.

"I can't wait to see how it turns out. I guess I will have to stop by Alexander's shop." he tells me. I see that he is good at remembering names.

"Yes, I suppose you will have to. His shop is called An Assortment of Magical Bits and Bobs. I'm sure he would like it if you stopped by." I tell him, carefully placing my papers into the bag. It seems that the ink dried instantly so I didn't have to worry about it smearing.

"I wonder if that is true." he says and gives a mysterious little smile. "Let me walk you to the door."

On the way to the door I glimpse some movement out of the corner of my eye. Is that...white fur? Curious I pause and focus on the movement.

Checkpoint

"What are you looking at?" Aiden asks me.

"I think I see white fur. Do you have an animal living here?" I ask him.

"Oh is that my Princess Sophianna. She is my cat. Come here sugar!" he calls.

I know that he is calling to his pet cat but my body reacts without me being able to stop it. "Bunny!' I say cheerfully, putting my hands up in my streamer pose. I freeze, horrified.

Aiden whips his head over to me so fast I wouldn't be surprised if he gave himself whip-lash. That could not have been pleasant. However why would he react like that. How would he have heard of sugar bunny? It simply isn't possible. He must just think that this was a very strange thing to say.

"How do you?" I hear him begin to ask when a furry missal launches itself right at him, cutting off what he was about to say.

"Well I should really be going." I say, stuttering.

"Right. Let's finish walking you to the door." I am too startled to argue and let him lead me to the door.

"I hope to see you soon." he says, leaning toward me and saying that right in my ear. I begin to blush and he chuckles.

I start walking away from the library when I feel hot all of the sudden and collapse to the ground, a sword stabbed through me, right in my heart killing me. I want to turn and see who killed me but am unable to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well that was strange." I say to Alias upon waking up.

"I agree."

"It seemed he knew who Sugar Bunny was, but that should be impossible."

"Hmm." is the only things Alias says.

"Can you sent me back to the last checkpoint?" I ask him.

"Of course. Just, maybe don't mention the cat this time?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

I start from the checkpoint and don't mention the cat. Aiden walks me to the door and again whispers, "I hope to see you soon." I blush again and he chuckles again. I make my way towards home.