"Iruka, get up! Come on, we gotta go!"

Whoever it is, shut up. My first thought in the morning wasn't exactly encouraging. I hear your first thought in the morning will affect your whole day. Well, then I'm screwed.. Poor Haru has taken away this vile thought. Ugh, he can't read minds. I didn't get much sleep last night. I was getting to know my new ability, and I was reading the book at least an hour after I got back to my room. But I had completely forgotten that training with Haru was starting today.

How old do you think it is? I felt for the alarm clock on the table and pulled it toward me. I opened one eye very hard and looked at the time. Is he kidding me?! It's 5:00 in the morning?! Did I just sleep for two hours? No way! I'm going to bed. I burrowed and went back to sleep.

I felt like I'd been forgotten, and I've been sleeping here for, like, three days, but sleep-deprived time is different from reality. Because after Haru came and yelled at me again, it was only two minutes. Drowsy, I scrambled out of the warm nest and went to the shower to sort myself out. Luckily, I packed my things yesterday, because I don't think I could have done it in that condition. I took my trousers, T-shirt, hoodie and backpack and headed downstairs. Down below, Kenji and Haru were putting on their shoes.

"Good morning." He greeted a sleepy Kenji. He also didn't seem too happy about getting up early.

"Hi."I said in the same tone and put on my sneakers.

We went outside. All was dusk, and the cool wind of autumn filtered through my warm jacket. I fidgeted and crossed my arms. Haru jostled happily into the woods. Perhaps no human could be so action-packed in the morning.

That's what I said.

Hey Kenji! Don't read my mind, okay? This intrusion is private!

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help overhearing.

We just smiled at each other and, like two zombies, followed the blonde.

"Here you go. These fruits kick in more than coffee."

We gratefully accepted the red berries and carried on. They really started working. I felt as alive and sleep-deprived as I'd ever felt, even though I knew it wasn't.

"Now that you're awake and you can perceive, listen. Now we're heading to the heart of this according to the forest. I want to help you and make it easy for you, so that's why this expedition. It's a long way away, but it's a better place to connect with nature. No matter what planet you're on, nature is the same everywhere. At first glance it may not look like it, but at heart they're the same and that's what's so amazing about the element of the earth. As you have discovered, with the elements, there are endless spells. In fact, it's up to each of you what spells you'll want to learn or make for yourself. That's another elemental positive. You could say me and my brothers are the guardians of the elements, so you have a huge advantage. We can't teach you other spells or anything, but I think you two are smart and proficient. Now, that's enough chatter. I'll make the rest of my speech on the spot."He smiled and focused on the road again.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

•••••••••••••••

The sun was already in the middle of its journey. Fortunately, a dense forest shielded us from its harsh rays. But then clouds obscured the sun and the forest darkened. It was scary, and I rallied closer to Kenji. He looked pretty nervous, too. There was movement everywhere, and I felt like we were being watched. An uncomfortable feeling, but we have Haru with us, and it brings me back down to earth with firm feet.

"Here we are."He declared.

He grabbed the branches of a bush and brushed it away. In the midst of all this darkness was a glade that shone. Everything around it glowed greenish. It was mystical. Something as charming as I've ever seen. A small trickle of water ran through the glade. There was even a small waterfall to clear the water. There was a wonderful singing of birds around, hidden in the treetops. Cautiously we stepped in and followed Hara, who was again three steps ahead of us.

"So many colorful flowers."I gasped in amazement.

Butterflies flitted around us as close as if we were flowers ourselves. We crossed a small spring of crystal water and found ourselves on the other side of a clearing. There were no flowers here. Just grass, but there was something magical about it, too. It was so deep green, as if the painter had knocked over a dark green colour and spilled it on to this grass. She was like something out of a dream or some other world. I sat down carefully. So soft!! It's like sitting in cotton. I lay down and enjoyed the softness. I've never seen anything so wonderful, especially in the fall.

"So this is the heart of this forest."He said Haru, looking at the beauty in a startled way.

"I can see why you've been away lately. I'd run to hide in such beauty, too."Kenji quipped.

"Haha. It is. Autumn is a difficult time for me, so I hide where nature never sleeps. Now, let me tell you a few things about my element."I swung into a sitting position and fixed my hazel eyes on Haru.

"The earth is all around you. Plants, rocks, animals. You have to blend in with all that. Easy to say, I understand. But here is the strongest concentration of the country's magic. Show her your insides and she'll show hers. Be kind to her and she will be with you. It's all about your attitude about nothing else. I've left you alone with a list of basic and effective spells. So when we get back, I believe you'll learn them immediately. But now let's get in sync. That's the whole key to controlling the elements. Lay down on the grass and close your eyes. Try to sense the heat coming out of the soil. Feel how plants breathe., how they speak to you. become loose"

I lay down next to Kenji and started to follow instructions.

"Don't worry. We can do that."I was comforted by Kenji's white teeth and he closed his eyes.

I smiled, too, and began another pilgrimage to the next element.