Opposites (6, 7, 8 & 9)

Chapter 61

Across the mighty Wind-tunnel Sea, the Great Elemental stood on her crystal podium, and wove four element mirrors around her and gazing into each one she spoke a name.2

"Mary, Lance, Jessica, Justin. Answer me."3

Jessica's face was the first to appear, shimmering in the Water mirror. She was the Seer of the group, and governor of the Water clan. Her features would calm any aura with her gentle blue eyes and silvery blond hair. The next face to appear was that of Mary. Her clan was that of Fire and her wild red eyes and brown hair shone with ferocity and the will to destroy at the command.4

Justin and Lance appeared at the same time. Lance's composure brought about an unstable feeling, as unstable as the Earth itself. His features were often distraught and confused, but he could calm anyone down at the sound of his voice. Justin was a descendant of the Air monks, one of the very first forms of Elementalists. And his features were always calm, even when he was angered.5

"My children," Saline began, acknowledging each of their presences. "I have been alerted of a disturbance between the clans."6

Mary cackled with delight. "I bet it's one of Earth's children doing the damage."7

"No, it was Jay. And I believe he is one of yours." commented Saline, amused by the sudden snickers from the other three.8

"What? Jay? Impossible!" Mary shrieked.9

"I believe so," said Jessica. "A birdie told me that he was moving against our laws."10

Mary seemed to suppress and angry scream, her red eyes looking even more devilish.11

"We do not know how Jay is interfering, although we have sources that explain he is meddling with Caleb's relationship with Kayli. I suggest that you, Mary, talk some sense into him. If you fail to do so, or promote the opposite of what I say, Jay will be severely punished."12

The realization of Saline's words seemed to smack Mary on the face and she nodded slowly. With a wave of her hand, Saline dismissed the four mirrors and sat on her throne. Jessica's second prophesy must be true, for Saline was reaching the end of her life. If Caleb and Kayli did not come to stable ground, the chain of Great Elementalists would crumble and the whole second world would collapse.13

Saline sighed and wove the fire from the torches with the air from the room and watched them entwine with each other. Using her talents, Saline wove Kayli's face with the element of Air and Caleb's with that of Fire.14

"May the next ruler of the Elementals be born before I die."15

Chapter 716

Three days had passed since Kayli was caught eavesdropping, and she spent around a day alone in the attic. Rumor that the missing daughter of the Arthur and Polly Reddens was kidnapped. A vast search was performed in and around the village of Endure. Caleb had only a matter of time to protect the house before the search party raided the house. It was of the utmost importance that they don't find Grace.17

"Kayli!" Caleb called. He smiled weakly as she approached. "Where is Grace? Justin warned me that a search party is coming, and that Saline had already placed a Blind enchantment on the house."18

"Pantxike is still alive?" his friend questioned sleepily. "She's in her room."19

Caleb suddenly cursed and removed the rug he was standing on. Underneath was an elaborate circle with strange writing and drawings in and around it. He mumbled words in a speech that was too quick for any ears to pick up.20

"That... that circle..." Kayli started, wide eyed. "It's... forbidden Air magic!"21

Her friend paused long enough to glare at her, "Of course,"22

"But..."23

"I know that, and I'm allowed to use this circle. Justin permitted me to use it."24

A grim smile set itself on Caleb's face and he returned to his work, while a stern knock was heard on the front door. Kayli shot fire at the fireplace and answered the door. Caleb shoved the rug over the now glowing Air circle.25

"You go over there, I'll search over here." One female voice said.26

"There is nothing over there." Another voice argued, as the house was practically invisible.27

"It won't hurt to look anyway." The voice said impatiently.28

A sharp knock sounded and the voice sounded out sharply. "They won't be gone long, you guys, let me in!"29

Kayli ran to the door and sung it open to the face of Fawne, an Earth Dragonist. Fawne smiled and poked herself into the front hall. Caleb then removed the rug and began working on the circle again.30

"Hiya, Caleb!" she said cheerily. Then noticing the circle on the ground, her brow furrowed and she glared at the magic on the floor. "Whoa. That monk is getting confused with his people. Aldous is still breathing as far as I know."31

Caleb sighed heavily and glared at Fawne. "He isn't that old, and I've heard Aldous is going mad."32

Fawne nodded solemnly. She was over a thousand years old but didn't look a day over twenty. "He is, but it's not his fault; your power will consume yourself like a flame overtime. That won't stop Pantxike, however, because I hear she's somewhere near the tip of Panthea."33

"Panthea, huh?" Caleb murmured. Panthea was the southernmost tip of Belle Vallée and was one of the only untainted place in the region because of its ferocious weather.34

Fawne looked around the house and smiled. "Where's the little one?"35

Kayli jumped and ran to the fireplace and was about to throw water on it when it flame roared up and a figure was thrown out of the fireplace, completely unscathed. Alarmed, Kayli looked down at Caleb who calmly stood up and replaced the rug.36

"Grace is in her room, Fawne, and I'm sure she would love to see you." Caleb said, his eyes closed. "But the search party is coming back. I suggest you get out there because without this house in the middle of the field, it just looks empty and anyone could see if anyone was hiding."37

Fawne nodded and exited the house, leaving the three in the room.38

Chapter 839

"Why are you here?" Caleb growled.40

"I'm checking in." Jay replied, forcing a smile.41

"I'm not holding a hotel here, get lost."42

Kayli, terrified, watched the tension grow between the two.43

"Where's Grace?"44

Caleb replied faster than Kayli could open her mouth. "What are you doing here?"45

Jay took a defensive step forward.46

"I thought I told you not to come back?" an angered Caleb asked.47

"Who pinned you to a tree?" Jay countered.48

They both seemed to have forgotten that Kayli was in the room.49

"Why don't you leave me in charge of Grace? I'm quicker than you will ever be."50

"Quick to make foolish decisions?" Caleb asked.51

Kayli noticed they could be arguing for a while and left to check on Grace. She was only gone for a few minutes before she cam rushing back, frantic.52

"Gone!" she yelled, interrupting Jay and Caleb's argument.53

"What?" Caleb exclaimed.54

Jay just sneered, "I thought you said you had everything under control?"55

"Where did she go?" Caleb asked, ignoring Jay.56

"Her window was open and I heard the search party not to far away."57

"Damn."58

He rushed to the window and peered out. Quickly weaving an Air mirror, he called upon Lily frantically.59

"What's wrong?" she asked.60

"Grace is gone and the search party is still looking for her!"61

Lily disappeared and with a splash of water extinguished the hearth as she came in through it, perfectly dry.62

"We need to find her,” she said hoarsely. "Tonight is the night before the night of Weirs, and with her a werewolf, she'll be in huge trouble!"63

Chapter 964

Lily organized a search group to scale the surrounding woodlands for Grace. She told Jay and Caleb to pair up and head North and then circle around East. She and Kayli would go South and the head West. When they had finished searching their given area, they would meet back up at Caleb's house.65

Kayli and Lily waved to Jay and Caleb as they departed from the house. After Jay and Caleb couldn't be seen anymore, Jay offered to split up, but Caleb laughed dryly. "And when you find Grace? No way!" They continued on their search, warily alert for signs of escape on either side.66

Down in the opposite direction, Lily offered to split up. "Hey, how about we make this a tad easier? You go West and I'll keep going South?"67

Kayli nodded. "Sounds good to me, and then we'll meet back up at the 'base' with the other two."68

Lily watched her partner disappear between the trees before continuing her search.69

After a few hours, Caleb and Jay returned to the 'base' to find Grace, who was told off for leaving without permission. A few moments later, Lily returned and greeted the two guys and, with an astonished look, Grace. They waited for Kayli for an hour, but she never showed up.70

"Okay, another search is in order, then?" Jay asked, smiling faintly.71

Caleb stood up and wordlessly headed out the door. The other two followed, ordering Grace to stay put or else.72

The three of them searched together, not daring to split up. They continued searching until early the next morning, when they were all too tired to keep going. To preoccupy themselves, they all worked on a remedy to stem the effects on Grace's condition that would take effect later that night; they didn't want to end up like her parents.73

"Damn," Caleb thought as he worked. "Please come back, Kayli. Say you aren't dead!"74

His mind raced with all of the possible answers, but nothing seemed to fit her disappearance. It was probably because it seemed impossible that his . . . well, were they still friends? After all, they did argue a lot, and it didn't seem likely that they would make up soon if Jay was still alive and breathing. If only she was here right now,what would he say?75

A sudden crash of thunder brought Caleb back to reality.76

"There was no sign of rain a minute ago!" he heard someone cry, as another person hurriedly closed the doors and windows to stop the rain from getting in.77

"The Fates are mourning," said a voice in Caleb's head. "But why?"