“So you found a prophecy linking a vanished culture as the only connection to the attacks on all of us?” Alex pondered.

  Kelile sighed and leaned back in his chair, "Unfortunately, all the leads disappeared into thin air.”

  “Really? A dad joke?” Alex laughed. “So why were they called Sky People?"

  “Well the legend was that they lived amongst the clouds. That they had a whole city up there. Of course no one could actually verify it since we can’t get up there,” Kelile replied.

  “A city in the sky? That sounds crazy. How do we not know if they are still there? How could they keep that hidden?” asked Alex.

  Kelile laughed, “Those are questions we may never know the answers to since they are believed to no longer exist.”

  “How can a whole people disappear? What about the others? Where do they live?” Alex questioned.

  “Well, legend says that the sky people could become one with the element of air. They would let their physical form go and ride the wind forever more. As for the others, we all live in our own communities. The people of fire live in the volcanoes of the planet. The people of water live everywhere there is water but their main city is in the western ocean. The exact location is not known. As for us, people of the earth, well we once had a beautiful kingdom,” Kelile said his thoughts trailing.

  “Im guessing not so much anymore, huh?” Alex asked.

  “No,” he said sadly, “Once word spread of the assassination of your true parents the kingdom spiraled into chaos. There was a power grab for the throne, wars broke out, factions formed. The realm was shattered from within. Not to mention there were attacks made from the outside.”

  Alex was quiet for a minute as he took in the information he was told. “I don't get it though,” Alex started, “Was there no military? Or line of succession? Some kind of government?”

  “The realms of the elements don't work like the human world, Alex,” Kelile said. “You were the line of succession, but you were just a toddler. After what had just happened I couldn't bring you back without making sure it was safe.”

  “I mean, I guess I get that, but what about the military?” Alex asked.

  “There is no military. At least not in the sense like humans have. We have… had a force we called the guardians. We protected the royal family mostly. If there were disputes we would be dispatched to monitor or intervene. For the most part there was never a need to have an army. We were at peace."

  “If I have ever learned anything, it's never let your guard down,” Alex said quietly as he looked into Kelile’s eyes. “After my parents died I was bounced from home to home. Some of the people were nice, but some, well you could tell they weren’t in it to help the kids there. I learned to keep to myself. The only times I ever felt truly safe was when I was outside,” he finished looking out the window.

  “Makes sense, you are a born Beweegist. Being in nature would have called to you even if you didn't know why,” Kelile replied.

  “So the other kingdoms, they can't help?” Alex asked.

  “They have their own problems currently, and honestly the different elements do not involve themselves in the others' business.” Kelile said simply.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “But this is bigger than all of us. All of our ‘kingdoms’ have been attacked. Why would this not warrant some kind of, I don't know, gathering?” Alex said in frustration.

  Kelile stared at Alex for a moment before answering. “Each element kingdom keeps their affairs to themselves. Each has their own rules and ways to deal with things. Honestly, they do not care about what happens to the others.”

  “Well, that’s stupid!” Alex exclaimed, flinging his arms in the air. “We all live on this planet together!”

  “You would think, but that doesn't seem to sway them,” Kelile said softly.

  “Well, what can we do? There has to be something that I can do. If I am truly the heir to the Earthen throne I can call a meeting or something. Couldn’t I?” Alex asked.

  “First we would have to prove that you are the true heir. Someone sits on the throne currently and they are not going to give it up willingly,” Kelile said in disgust.

  “Someone took the throne?” Alex said.

  “Like I said, there was chaos in the kingdom, but the faction that took over has done everything but bring peace to the realm,” Kelile replied. “I tried to gather support, but it wasn't enough. Everyone looked at me like the culprit. The only person to come back alive.”

  Silence hung heavy in the air between them. The wind could be heard whistling through the trees outside. Alex looked at Kelile, and could see the sadness and grief etched in his features. They stayed quiet while they finished their food. Afterwards they went back to the living room and sat down.

  “Well,” Alex began, “if any of this is real and I am not just knocked out and dreaming all of this, I would believe you.”

  Kelile laughed then, “You are definitely not knocked out somewhere, but thank you.”

  “So, if this is all real, and I'm not having a crazy dream,” Alex started, “What do we do now? I mean my team is going to be worried about me, the general is definitely looking for me, and now you are telling me there is some kind of threat that my parents might be after me.”

  Kelile sighed and leaned back in the chair. “Well, I am waiting for my contact to reach out to me. In the meantime I want to see what you can do. Before I take you anywhere I want to be sure you can defend yourself, or at least get away while I protect you.”

  “Uh, okay,” Alex said, grabbing his notebook.

  “No, you don't need that,” Kelile said pointing at the notebook. “Come with me.”

  Alex put his notebook back down and stood up to follow him. They walked to the back of the hallway to a door that led down to a basement. As they descended Alex noticed the area was lit by a gentle glow. Then he looked and saw that the floor was made of dirt. “Huh?”

  Kelile laughed, “You aren't the only one that likes to be close to the earth. All of our safe houses are like this. So that we can connect safely without prying eyes.”

  “Cool,” Alex said. “So where do we begin?”

  “Show me what you can do,” Kelile said simply with a sweep of his arms.

  “Okay,” Alex said, sitting down on the ground. Kelile sat on the stairs and watched as Alex’s hands began to glow. The ground around him began to change and harden slowly spreading out across the room. Alex opened his eyes as the glow of his hands faded and looked at Kelile.

  “Very good, you have learned the art of ntiannar. What else?” Kelile asked

  “Release,” Alex spoke softly, the ground returning to its loose state. Closing his eyes again and putting his hands on the ground he said to the earth, “Make a bowl and fill it with rocks.” As he finished his words his hands began to glow again as the earthen material did what he said. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at what he had created, a half grin splaying across his face.

  “Okay, this is a gift not many of our kind have. The selstebah is the ability to make items and have them stay permanently,” Kelile smiled.

  “Really?” Alex asked. “I found a bowl that I made when I was a child. I didn't know it then but when I touched it, well it was like I had a dream and remembered making it.”

  “What? You had a vision of your past?” Kelile asked.

  “I mean, I guess so? It was weird. I was holding the bowl and just thought, like, wow I made this. Then all of a sudden I was standing over my younger self and watched myself make it. Saying it out loud I sound kind of crazy,” Alex said scratching his head.

  “No, not crazy Alex. I told you your mother was a truly gifted seer, her gift to complete the gemeente was beyond most. It only makes sense that you would be able to do that as well. What is a little more rare is that you say you saw the past. That would be the art of sephwneeswe. Being able to commune with the earth and also see past events connected to it is amazing,” Kelile finished staring at Alex.

  Alex frowned and looked down at his hands. “So what does this..” He started but was interrupted by the ground opening beneath him and swallowing him whole.