The further they ventured from the castle, the more chaos littered the streets. Fires, destroyed buildings, broken glass, and plenty of trash to go around. It was an absolute mess to the point where they had to watch where they stepped or else it would have ended badly for them. The duo headed towards the eastern district, where Yarro’s home was located. His heart raced, and not just because he was rushing to reach it. It was part of the reason, of course, but he was more nervous and worried than anything.

Would his home be burnt to the ground? Looted? Destroyed? Would his family even be home? Thoughts of a worse-case-scenario played over and over again in his mind. His thoughts were interrupted when a loud crowd erupted in shouts and cheering close to home.

Yarro stopped, out of breath, and saw a group of civilians surrounding something. They were shouting insults and throwing things. For a second he thought it could have been his family trying to escape. But upon closer inspection, the people had surrounded only a pair of guards. One held fire in her hand, and another had her hand empty. Presumably empty. Both looked terrified, their backs to each other, and tensed on edge. “Hey!” Yarro shouted.

The crowd turned to him. “Stand back! We caught them snooping around.”

“I’m being honest! We’re just looking for the King!” One of the guards rushed to say. Her voice was desperate and wavering. Yarro could hear the fear in it. These guards probably never encountered a crowd larger than 4, and certainly none that were so hostile to them.

“Shut up!” one said.

“Likely Story!” another added.

“Please, it’s the truth!” the other guard pleaded.

“It is the truth. We can’t find the King, so the Guard Captain ordered her guards to help look for him,” Yarro said. He decided against letting it slip that Wen was no longer the King.

“And just who in all the stars are you?”

“I am a Demideity. Please let them go.” The crowd seemed to pause for a moment. They looked at each other, confused. Did they believe him? Or was he going to need to use force?

“Why should we let them go, huh? They’re just going to report back, and bring more guards and make all our lives more miserable than they already are." His heart broke that it had gotten to this point. He almost felt like laughing at his previous self. One that was so sure his fellow co-workers would never do anything against the people they were supposed to help and protect. One of the members of the crowd turned to the guards, still angry. He stepped forward, and Yarro could see the guard closest to him begin to wind up for a bast of her element.

“Stop!” Yarro shouted. “They are not your enemy. They are only doing their job.”

“Like we haven’t heard that one before.” One by one, more of the crowd turned away from him.

“I know you’re angry, but please don't give them a reason to come back. Don't give me a reason to fight you.”

“You’re just like them!”

“Don’t become the villain they think you are. You must be better than that.” Yarro watched as the crowd slowed down. Some of them seemed hesitant now. He took the opportunity to keep going. “There will be a time for a more civil discussion, but murdering and martyring a couple of innocent guards does nothing for your cause.”

Silence overcame the crowd while the gears in their head processed the statements. They all glanced at each other as they became more and more unsure of themselves. Whispers murmured among them. "If something goes wrong, it's your fault, then." There was some overall grumbling, but the crowd dispersed, leaving only the two guards and the duo.

Once the coast was clear, the two guards dropped their stance. Yarro sighed in relief. One was shaking hard while the other took a few deep breaths to calm herself. “Thanks for that. I thought we were goners!"

“Oh my stars. I thought I would have to fight! I’ve never fought in my life, not even with my brothers!” The woman who was shaking covered her cheeks in her hands. She looked about ready to vomit.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

The other guard consoled her with a hug. “She likes the desk, but we’re short on people at the moment.” That sounded like a huge understatement if they had someone from desk duty out in the field.

Kael pointed with his head. “Go on and get out of here. It’s died down quite a bit these past few hours.” They watched the both of them leave quickly, and once gone, Kael turned back to him. “You have a way with words.”

“I hope I actually got through to that crowd. It would be unfortunate if they took their anger out on someone who didn’t deserve it.”

“Just like they were taken advantage of.” Kael sighed. “We just need to get their pleas to the Queen.”

“And convince her to actually make changes.” Yarro rolled his eyes. Like that would ever happen.

“Yeah. That’s the hard part. But maybe she's more open to that change now than ever.”

The duo continued onwards to Yarro’s house through more disasters and chaos. Grouped roamed the alleys looking for someone to attack. People boarding up their homes trying to stay safe. And thankfully, there were no additional groups ganging up on the guards. But at one point, he began to smell something burning. The closer they got to his house, the more smoke and ashes he smelled. He became worried, and when they finally turned the corner, the entire house was up in flames.

Yarro rushed over, heart pounding in his ears, with Kael hot on his heels. He was fully prepared to go in and put out the fires himself. He thought Kael would stop him, and he was already coming up with a million excuses for why he had to go. Except it was the Fire Deity that appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye and blocked the way. Yarro screeched to a halt. “What are you doing? You need to save them!”

“I am. The fires are merely an illusion to protect their belongings while they themselves are out, someplace safe.” Their voice came out more raspy and gravely than the last time they spoke.

“My family is safe then? Are you sure?” Technically he shouldn't question a Deity, but he was too distraught to word it any nicer.

“I helped them myself. I can assure you they are safe and unharmed, just like you asked for in your prayer.”

Yarro breathed out a heavy sigh of relief, his chest clutched. So they did hear him. Why didn't they say so when he first prayed? He truly feared the worst for a moment. At least they were safe now. He could focus on other things instead. Always one for opportunities, he decided to take a chance at helping the people, still slightly doubtful of Queen Illa's intentions. “Since you’re here then, why don't you give those without elements some power?”

“This whole situation wouldn’t have happened if you stopped handing out elemental powers,” Kael agreed.

They frowned. “It’s not that simple.”

“Fuck yes, it is! You’re a Deity! Do some magic and give them powers!”

“I think you know by now that my Deity status is only in mortal name, rather than an innate ability. Elemental powers are determined at birth from external environmental factors that even we so-called Deities barely understand. Additionally, even if I could simply ‘hand out the elements,’ giving them such powers would only further exacerbate the situation.”

“No, it would absolutely help. They can finally fight their oppressors.” Why couldn't they understand? Were the Deities so detached from humans that they couldn't see the importance of everyone getting elements? Even if they couldn't give them out, surely there was a way to help them.

“Was it not you who said they must be better than their oppressors? Or are your words only for show?” Yarro pursed his lips together to stop himself from interrupting the Fire Deity. He didn’t know they were listening beforehand. “A lifetime of inequality can only be undone with the efforts of all. Starting with those at the top.”

“They’ll never listen to non-elementalists,” Kael said.

The Fire Deity looked in the direction of the castle. Their eyes squinted as if contemplating something. Yarro felt the first drops of rain land on his face and the illusions of the fire began to die down. The fire on the Deity’s head continued to rage one. “I think they’ll listen. Queen Illa is not as rigid in her beliefs as she makes you think. Her actions are merely a mask to keep herself in power.”

They took a step forward and placed their hands on Yarro's forehead.

—

A meeting between three countries. Candid and formal, they all draft plans and run calculations on the possibility of a new continent across the sea. All are excited for the wonders the new land will bring, but two want it so they could bleed it dry. The Deities are furious. Those lands are not for such consumption.

Fraternal twins excitedly signing up for the expedition. Constant chatter and planning and packing. The Queen is worried, what parent wouldn't be, but still she lets them go. Her husband continues to ignore them all. Logistics and supplies and emergencies and hiring a crew willing to go on such a long journey. One country is insistent on having the twins helm the ship.

The ship is loaded. They are sent of will a tearful goodbye. The Queen sees them off, alone. Whispers aboard the ship about two captains, neither of which with an element. Concern. Doubts. Disgust. They find allies in their Lacrussian crewmates, non-elementalists.

A storm rages on. Thunder and lighting. Strong winds and waves taller than buildings sway the ship from one extreme to the other. Desperate clawing at the ropes and rails. Tightening sails. Hunkering below deck. One by one they are lost. Not quick enough. Not strong enough. No elements to save them. The storm of the century.

Flotsam washed ashore. Bloated bodies pecked at by gulls. Twin survivors desperately cling to each other, saving each other in the process. Locals looking for treasure welcome them to their home. Parts of the ship made into their own. Small children run amok.