I don't know how long I've been lying here on this earth. I'd forgotten all about Kenji lying next to me, even Haru I hadn't thought about. I feel like I've started to become part of the country. And they do. My arms and legs were trapped in the soil, and my body was slowly falling under the spell, too. Strange I didn't panic at all. I let it consume me. I wanted to be consumed by it. I won't find sympathy if I'm afraid. The darkness suddenly parted in front of me, and I was right in front of it. Gaia, mother of the Naruno brothers.

"How?" I blurted out and bowed quickly.

The woman smiled a little and put her hand on my shoulder. She squeezed it and began to tug at it slightly. I understood I was to rise. I stood and faced her oaky brown eyes again. She was wearing the same blue dress she wore in the portrait.

"I'm in this nature."She spoke and smiled slightly.

"But Haru..."I wasn't able to make a sound sentence, but luckily she understood me and was able to explain it to me.

"Haru and no one else knows. Haru talks to me and sees as you do, but I'm in disguise. I don't want to cause them pain. They've been through a lot and I can't stop them from living. She has to live it her way. My life ended when I saved them from certain death. Promise me, Iruka, you won't tell them. I'm not here for them right now, I'm here for you."

"Me? why"

"You want to adopt the element of the earth, and I'm simply the element of the earth. I'm helping everyone who's applying."

"Oh, so you're still in Kenji's head now, are you? What do you say she's dating your son? Come on, what?"

Yes, it's still me. I'm an expert at making jokes in inappropriate situations. But hey, it doesn't always have to be so boring. Mostly, the smile suited her. And now she was laughing beautifully.

"Yes, I am, and about 300 more apprentices, but for me the two of you are the most important thing right now. And I see you both like to make jokes about each other."

"What? What does he say about me?"

Gaia just laughed out loud and went on: "Will you say yes then? I don't want Haru to start worrying about you. He's so caring to others. Now come on, I'll take you through my world."

And she reached out to me. I gladly accepted it and walked with it towards the white light.

We've been through every corner of the Earth. We passed through the rainforests of South America, a dry yet beautiful desert in Africa. We've been through and through the tundra in Canada. I was able to travel the Earth, despite the fact that I never left Japan. Suddenly, we began to travel on other planets that perhaps no Earthling knew.

"May I ask?"

"Of course."

"You're the element, then?"

"Well, not exactly. The element has no form. It's intense. It's like imagining a pebble that's stronger than anything in the world. I'm carrying the stone inside me. I was chosen by a stone to be its living essence. "

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"Isn't this a prison for you?"

"No, silly. I'm glad he chose me. I am the only creature this power has chosen. The other elements have not taken this action. They chose the guardians."

"Guardian? You mean your sons?"

"Yes. They didn't want to risk putting some of their power into the wrong person, so they used my pregnancy to put some of their power into my sons. I persuaded the elements of the earth to put some of their power into Haru. They had to stick together like ancient elements. They wouldn't be equal without him."

"Oh. Do the boys know?"

"Yes. They are aware of their power."

I just grunted thoughtfully and kept on marching among nature.

"Here we are. Before you go, someone important wants to talk to you. This is where I give it to you for what you've come. Please keep an eye on them for me."

The woman touched my chest, and I felt a new force pass through me.

"Thank you. Don't worry, I will."

"You're as kind as your mother. Goodbye, Iruka."

"G-Goodbye."I stammered.

She knew my mother? I was out of my mind. If she knew my mother, she knows what happened to her and where I'm from. I wish I could talk to her the same way Haru did. But one paid off. My mother was good. She wasn't a bad fury, like the orphans at the orphanage had said. To them, my parents were evil, but I know my parents were good. A terrible roar snatched me from my paralysed mind.

"Eeeeee!! What the hell is that?"I turned and started to back away.

The ground began to shake and trees around it fell. Where the hell am I? I have to go. I started backing up, but I tripped over the root and fell. The monster was almost here. Only two more trees stood unveiled.

Screech. Wham!

The trees fell. A bloodcurdling roar cut through the air. What it said paralyzed me. dragon Another dragon! It had pale green scales. He spread his wings and showed me his immensity. He was scary, but he was beautiful. He had a nice slender long neck. His body was as graceful as his neck, but there were hints of massive muscle. Sharp spikes ran down his spine from head to tail, which I certainly wouldn't want to impale myself on.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. We have little time. Gaia only allowed me to talk to you like that for a moment."

"Wait, where am I?"

"You are in my country. For a while, Gaia connected your mind to my country. I'm your new dragon. I want you to see what I really look like and listen to my words." I just nodded in agreement. I didn't really know what was going on and let him talk.

"I want you to be careful. Our power is strong and could hurt you. I want you to hear that I'm going to die for you. We're together from now on, to the death. And I won't let anyone hurt you. It may take you time to fully connect, but I still wanted to tell you that we are behind you and we trust you. You have to go back now. They're calling you." The dragon smiled at me and turned to leave.

"Wait!"I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I got up quickly and ran towards him, unfortunately some power was pulling me back.

"Nooooo!"My screams and the sight of the dragon's graceful footsteps were the last thing I saw of this expedition.

"Iruka?! Iruka? Are you okay?"He asked Haru fearfully, shaking me.

"Yeah. forgive There was something else I had to take care of."

"So what?"He raised his eyebrows curiously.

"Dragon of the Earth!"

A green light shot out of my hand and formed my new friend with the leaves around him. Frankly, I wasn't sure if I could summon it, or if my call would be heard, and the Tee was already dormant in me anywhere. The boys were gasping when they saw the monument. It was beautiful, but it was even prettier in the flesh.

"I forgot to thank you and say something about it, too.. I won't let you down. I'll be the best dragon guard you could ask for. I swear I will never let you die through my guilt. From now on, you are my friends, and I will protect my friends."

The dragon smiled at me and, full of throats, roared and disappeared. With a smile that played on my lips, I looked at the two of them with their mouths in the hooch.

"Lock her up before anything goes in.”

I laughed and grabbed my backpack.

"I'm quite hungry. go" Only afterwards did I realize that the sun was no longer over me, with its fluffy clouds, but a dark sky filled with stars.

"Whaat? Is it night already??"

Now, for a change, the boys started laughing. I didn't hold back and joined them.