Going to a magical cave is not what I had expected.

I thought that the Cave of Elements will be located somewhere on a island in the Pacific Ocean, and we will have to get through harsh obstacles and play mind games just to get into a cave that provides the sources of elements.

But no. All we have to do, is just to board a subway.

A few days after my birthday, Claude had brought me along with three guards; including General Kano in case some freak wants to assassinate my brother. I had rarely left the kingdom before, so I was awestruck by mostly everything I see in the city.

There were so many citizens out in the streets, and we have to squeeze in through the crowds, which wasn't many times since Claude is the King of Paxsalam, so many people will show respect and give way. The buildings, the tallest being at least thirty meters high, were lined in a row along the streets. Mostly stores had occupied the ground floors, and who knows what you might be able to purchase in there.

There are cars and buses here, driving on the roads, they are a quicker way to get to the driver's destination. But I don't know why doesn't Claude use a car since many people have it...

We walked for like, forty-five minutes. And we walked down a staircase (which brings back disturbing memories) that leads to underground. I saw a sign above the stairs that read, 'Paxsalam Subway'. Claude led us to the waiting area, with chairs that mostly taken by other people, so we had no choice but to... lean on walls.

"Brother?" I shook Claude's hand, he turned to me and smiled. "What is it? Not used to being underground?" He asked. "I'm fine with being underground, but... what is this place?" Claude pointed at the road that seemed to have some sort of tracks on it. "We are in a subway now, it is a place where people would travel to places, way much quicker on cars." That must be nice, there's a vehicle that can move way faster than cars, we can get to the Cave of Elements way faster. "But, what would be taking us there?" I asked again. "We'll board a train." Claude replied. A train? Under the surface? I really need to get out from the kingdom more.

Click, click.

Those sounds keep repeating itself at a very fast pace. And there it is, the subway train rushed past and came to a halt, with people coming off and boarding it. "That's our cue, Your Highnesses." Kano told us. "We should be going."

We were lucky this time. All of us managed to find a place to sit. After a few moments, the doors had closed. And I felt like the surroundings were moving, which they were. Because, the train had started moving. I am confused on why isn't moving as faster than I had expected... Or it probably was, we just don't feel like it.

The train had stopped a few times, where the sign above the doors flashed the name of the locations, and some people had come off as well had some came on again. For now, none of those locations are related to the Cave of Elements.

The train kept going and stopping like forever now. And I still don't know for how long will we be reaching the Cave of Elements. The train stopped again, and the sign flashed: 'The Hole of Sorcery'.

This was it, I guess.

It is obvious that it is the Cave of Elements, due to the name having the word 'sorcery' in it. You know, the word sorcery definitely means magic.

The doors opened, and the five of us stood up. Which was quite awkward and a little disturbing since we were basically the only ones who wanted to come here. After a few moments we exited, the doors closed, and the train moved on.

It was quite creepy in the darkness, especially in a cave. But Claude and the others waited patiently, so I guess that I should too. "So, have you decided yet?" Claude asked. Oh no. I thought, I haven't decided on what element to get yet... The good thing is, I already have some options. "Well, not yet. But, I have some choices about it, I want my element to be something more peaceful-like." "Alright. And after we see the guide, please be respectful. Hold my hand tightly if you're scared." After Claude finished his sentence, the cave lit up, revealing some staircases that heads down. "We must get going."

After we see the guide, please be respectful. Thanks to those words, I'm starting to regret a little about coming here. The guide must have been someone that will make someone panic. Maybe the guide had tortured people who disrespected them? Or their appearance might look like something straight out of hell?

Now, I'm starting to panic a little. We almost finished walking down, when a tall figure stepped out in front of us. It started to walk out from the shadows, and the figure revealed its, well his face. He had worn clothes that a normal blacksmith would had worn, his hands had scars as if a hammer had caused them, his face had a black beard and he had an owl, which looked more machine-like than animal, on his shoulder.

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"Good day to you Hephaestus, may we enter the cave?" Claude said as he and the guards bowed, and I did the same thing as them.

I know who Hephaestus is. He is the god of the forge, also the god of fire. But, I don't quite understand why the God of Fire would be here...

"Yeah, welcome to the Cave of Elements." Hephaestus said as if he had repeated those words many times already. "Who's the lad who wants to be a new magician here?" He looked at each every one of us. I raised my hand nervously, "Um, that would be me." "Alrighty then, now come along." The god of the forge went down deeper into the cave. I started to follow, but I realized something, Claude, Kano and the guards are not following... "Um guys?" I called out, "Come on!" "Edward." Claude replied. "You must go alone, it is the rule here, only people who want the elements are allowed to enter the cave." Alone? well, I'm no stranger to being alone, and besides, a literal god is with me, I have nothing to fear (except for Hephaestus's anger) . "Okay! Wish me luck." I replied, as we marched down.

It took a while to catch up to Hephaestus, it's probably because of my legs for walking down a lot of times. "So, Lord Hephaestus, sorry for any offense but, why would you be here?" I asked, I feared that he could had scorched me to death or something for asking that, but the god sighed. "No offense at all, everyone asks that when they first met me here." Hephaestus replied. "I was casted down here because" He shrugged, "The other Olympians were getting adapted to this new modern world. And many of them had convinced me to do the same, to try something new. So, I decided to be here, to give out these elements to new 'magicians'. instead of building new automations."

"I see..." Just as I finished those words, we finally made it to the cave.

The cave was filled with crystals so beautiful, it made my eyes hurt. They shined with different colors, that lit up the entire room. There are also other children here, all of them about the same age as me, with some either younger or older ones, talking to each other, which they were probably discussing about what elements they are going to have.

"Is this it?" I asked the god. "Where I'll get to choose?" Hephaestus nodded. "Yes, young lad, this will be the place where you get to pick your element." I rushed down, the view of the from looks more breath-taking from down there, but I was finished being dazed from the scenery when...

"Fairy?! But why!?" I heard someone yell from across the room. It was coming from a boy with a black jacket, about two years older than I am. I was worried those words were meant for me, but thankfully, or more appropriately, unfortunately, that was aimed at a another boy, with a girl by his side. "Because my... Someone important to me has used the Fairy Element?" The boy replied.

The older boy stepped closer to them. "You can't use the Element of Fairies! It hurts the people that you care about! It's a curse!" The crowd starts to look anxiously at the scene, with a look of concern in their eyes. "Knock it off!" The girl yelled. "Whatever element he chooses is not worth your business, got that?!" The black clothed dude turned to her. "Not my business? Hey, I'm trying to help this person!" He pointed to the boy, who gazed at the floor, with fear in his eyes.

I looked at the crowd, they all just stood there, watching the dude in a black jacket ranting about curses that the Fairy Element will bring in front of the other boy, possibly crushing his dreams of getting the Element. The girl by his side tried her best to defend the boy, but the older boy just ignored her counterattacks (don't worry, the counterattacks are verbal, not physical). But none of the crowd has the desire to help the poor boy (except for one red-haired girl, she looked like she was about to bolt into the scene and stop the older guy, but she looked too scared to do that).

I felt revolted by the crowd's actions, that they are okay with letting this happen. This is just like those people who would just watch a fight on the streets, not even bothering to break up the fight or at least yell 'Stop!'. I took a deep breath, if no one, with the exception of that red-haired girl (thank you young lady, for at least having the urge to help) wants to help that boy, I guess I'll have to do it instead.

"Hey you!" I yelled as I walked calmly towards the scene, the three people now turned their attention towards me, "Excuse me," I said, my voice more softer this time. "Why are you saying that kind of stuff to this poor guy? That, the Element of Fairy is a curse?" The older guy blinked. "But it's true. It does bring misfortune to the people who use it." I crossed my arms, in hopes of making myself more threatening.

"Dude, don't you realise what you're saying is hurting this guy's feelings?" I then turned to the crowd and waved at them aimless, like I was showing them a collection of my chemistry sets. "As well as those in this room that also wants to use the Fairy Element? And even if you're sayings are true, would you like can you prove it to everyone here?" The guy blinked again, and glared at me. "I-"

He was interrupted by Hephaestus, who had decided to dig his fingers into a blackboard that he had possibly created out of thin air (he's a god, they can obviously do something like that) and the god scratched it. The sound echoed across the room, with everyone of us covering our ears and cringing at the sound of the scratching.

"Okay! That's enough with the drama! Now move along!" The older boy sighed, he looked at his surroundings, and he must have realized that he was making a scene. He put on his hoodie over his head, and walked towards the corner of the room, finally leaving the boy and girl alone. "Now with that's over, it's about time that you get your elements." The crowd starts to go wild, and they began to talk about their desired elements, with others giggling in response.

"It's alright, take your time to let out your joy before you get to choose." The god said. I stretched, proud of my heroic actions just now. "Hey man." The boy who I helped said. "Thanks for backing me up there." I nodded. "When someone is getting berated, of course I will not step aside and watch." The girl pated my shoulder. "We really appreciate that." She said. "No prob." I replied. "So by the way, it'll be nice to know your names." I said. The two looked at each other. And replied at the same time. "Felix." The boy said, and "Aisha." The girl said.

I nodded again. "Well, you're welcome, Felix and Aisha."