Chapter 1
The 5 Elements:
The classical elements typically refer to earth, water, air, fire, and (later) aether which were proposed to explain the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. Ancient cultures in Greece, Angola, Tibet, India, and Mali had similar lists which sometimes referred, in local languages, to “air” as “wind”, and to "Aether" as “space”.
Aristotle added a fifth element, aether (αἰθήρ aither), as the quintessence, reasoning that whereas fire, earth, air, and water were earthly and corruptible, since no changes had been perceived in the heavenly regions, the stars cannot be made out of any of the four elements but must be made of a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance.
Tess
“Eek!” A shrill squeal escapes my mouth as a pile of rocks come rolling down the side of the hill just past from where the lake sits at the top towards the edge of the campus grounds. “Ari, how is this so freaking hard? All I wanted was for the roots to grow upward from the ground,” I huffed out. “Instead, I caused the earth to quake! Gah!” Arista is laughing at me I just know it. Even though she’s not making a sound, her blue-green eyes sparkle and a smile is tugging at her lips which can only mean she’s holding the laughter inside! The Bitch!
In reality she’s far from a bitch. She’s my best friend! I met her within the first week of her arrival here at Tenebrae Academy. Prior to this she didn’t know anything about supernatural’s, Tenebrosity, Tenebrae City, nor the Veil that shields us from the BOWOM – Beings Operating WithOut Magic.
However, a magical beacon streamed through the human world’s internet system awakening her Elemental power before her 18th birthday. For some reason, Tenebrae who live beyond the Veil don’t receive their powers before turning 18. Anyway, the Dean sent someone to get her and here she is trying to help me sort out Elemental earth magic.
Did I just confuse you? Right, so, here’s the breakdown. The Academy had its annual Halloween party just about a month back now and some interesting things occurred. I cannot share what may or may not have happened to my friends, but I can say what happened to me. Midnight had just come to pass, and the party was in full swing. I had lost track of my brother River and his boyfriend Randy, but I wasn’t too concerned about them. The last thing I need to know is about my older brother’s love life! Uh, ew, no thank you! Suddenly there was an explosion of light that knocked me off my feet.
I’m not sure what caused it but the next thing I see is Arista’s hand waving in front of my face to help me up. As I took hold of hers a weird tingling sensation that I had never felt before when touching her zipped along my arm. Odd, right? Arista went to see if Storm and Lucas were moving, and River called me over to where he and Randy were kneeling over someone. Holly Lark. I’m not her biggest fan because she thinks way too highly of herself, but I can’t hold that against her if she’s hurt.
Mr. Tanner shows up and a few minutes later the doctor enters via portal. The Dean had asked if Holly had a pulse as he called the doctor on the phone for help. Since I know some medical things, like where a pulse can be found, I go to place two fingers against her neck in search of one. SHA-BAM! A blast unlike anything I’ve seen before blows me backward and onto my ass with a hard thud. My head hit the dance floor seconds later.
Holly was taken to the medical facility by the doctor and Mr. Tanner. Those who were left standing in the middle of the room were none other than me, Lucas, Storm, River, Randy, and of course Arista. Storm began to say that the Veil needs to come down. “The Veil is what’s causing the elements to fall out of balance. And why our own powers are so wonky. It should never have been erected in the first place. The BOWOM and supernatural creatures of the world were never meant to be split apart and divided. If the Veil is brought down, the Elemental balance will be restored.
Makes sense right? Except how does one go about breaking such a magical barrier? See the dilemma we’re faced with? And on top of that, Arista’s older sister was taken because they had mistakenly thought she was Arista. Okay, now that we’re all caught up on what happened to my ‘little’ group a month ago, let’s get back to why I can’t control this earth power I’ve inherited!
Clapping her hands together to get my attention, Arista, who towers a good four inches over me, pushes wisps of fading purple hair out of her eyes and tries to put a serious look on her face but it doesn’t match the look in her eyes causing me to giggle a little.
Rolling her eyes she sighs, “come on Tess, be serious and focus.” Placing her hands on her hips she adds, “we’re never going to be able to join the Rebels if we don’t have full control over our Elements.” Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that the Rebels are the ones keeping Racheal hostage? They are and Arista wants to rescue her but at the same time all of us have agreed that we need to join forces with them as well so that the Veil can come down for good.
I tried to school my facial expression to show one of seriousness, no, really! I tried. Epic fail though but whatever. Shaking her head in slight frustration, Arista’s eyes glow a bright teal color for half a second and she then threatens to call Miss Clark over! She wouldn’t really do that would she? She likes Liz even less than I do. However, I don’t want to tempt the fates, so I kneel down onto the ground placing my hands in front of me on the soft earth. Closing my eyes and breathing slowly, I picture grass growing in this small area where there is none.
To my delight little blades of grass begin to sprout! “Yeah, that’s right, baby!” Arista shouts as I stand up and she throws her arms around me excitedly in a hug. “See!” Arista exclaimed. “You just have to focus, and you’ll be wielding this Element like a God in no time!”
Crossing my arms over my chest I give her a hazel-eyed glare before snarking out, “okay mom!” She throws her hand to her chest and mock pretends she’s offended but before she can reply River comes up beside me.
We both glance at him and he gives us his adorable, dimpled smile that if he weren’t gay would have the females lining up all along campus. “Hey, Miss Clark is letting us go to lunch. Do you two want to walk over with me? Randy should be there by now too.” Heck to the yeah! I’m so freaking hungry I could eat a horse well, not a horse but you know what I mean. Who knew it was so draining trying to tap into an Elemental Power?
All five of us had been outside practicing our Element so we had to run back into the training facility to grab our belongings. After, Tess and I followed River over to the cafe. Storm was doing something and Lucas wasn’t far behind us.
