Sayora

Explore the Depths

Eva's POV:-

My feet glued to the ground, I watched in horror, the room around me. A dark sinister fog hung in the room. While everything was as if a disaster struck.

Someone was here, I was sure of it. I was freaking out because even though I'm a bender, ghosts! they gave me chills, only because I could not see them. It was frustrating. An opponent that you can't touch or see is the one that should scare you.

Then again the more you give it attention, more it grabs matter creating its existence. I turned around brushing the matter away because obviously it creeped me and I didn't wanna think about it longer.

The energy circle was fading and a specific spot of the map was circled in both the colours of the energy; red and purple. I knew just what it meant.

My blood had dropped the cloaking of the stone. Maybe because of my powers? But why would my blood break it if it was a thousand years old plus I would know if I was related to the stone. Mother would have surely mentioned it to me while she was alive.

In the endless hours of isolation when I was forced to wait before coming back to Sayonara I would go over every single memory I had of mother or father and everything else. Something like this slipping out of that was not a possibility.

Anyway I picked up the piece uncharred map and headed outside brushing the matter away. I have to get that stone for now.

The diary did mention the beast but because Sandra's great grandfather hadn't seen it himself before he wrote the diary-I had no idea what I was walking into. Uncertainty is a danger in itself. What I don't know or have never seen, how could I fight?

This place was in the cemetery and I might be the only one of my kind in the world, a powerful bender yet still I was scared like a kitten, because let's face it this castle was beneath the graves of the city's inhabitants and half of that population or maybe more buried, was supernatural. I had to do a little spell which only included speaking some charms to get access inside.

Now I would not say this if I had no knowledge of this but someone really close to me once told me that witches dont really leave the world once they die.

All of their spiritual crap speaks for itself and it is believed that the body is only for containing the soul. Once the body desiccates the soul is free to roam about and it can still very much do magic, harming people if it was a bad spirit.

Every horror movie or story out there stems from a root of this belief. Humans, when they die move to a place between heave and hell they do not stay in the world. It is the cursed creatures like witches and other supernatural beings that roam the world. My mother used to tell me all of this as a bed time story. When I still had a mother and fearless sleep.

It was midnight when I reached the cemetery. Creepy much! The place was as dead as the people in here. I know it is a very disrespectful pun but when you love as long as me the meaning of death and departure really changes. When I reached the exact centre of the cemetery, I stopped and looked around.

There were four grave blocks on each corner and one exactly in the middle. I had to draw a circle around the centre one with paint that had my own blood and chant the spell the diary gave.

After that the beast inside, will be ready for me and I have to be ready for it. My heart raced for an unknown reason as if on a run from itself or the cage that my ribcage was. I was nervous and it was obvious as cold sweat trickled down my forehead and my palms became sweaty even in the two or three degree celcius cold night. As soon as I cut my palm and watched the thick red blood ooze through the split in my skin, strangely it made all that edginess, skittish feeling and the racing of my heart vanish into thin air.

I have done this before, I have been shown far worse than a beast that was unbeatable by a bunch of low class benders and witches. Or a powerful bender too drunk over his power and authority.

I am the most powerful and only one of my kind for all I know. I have the upper hand in this, the beast will not be aware of my abilities. I had my chances calculated and kept odds in favour of the beast yet still I could see myself at least surviving.

With determination I drew the line and pulled out the paper I tore of from Sandra's grandfather's diary-from my leather jacket that was protecting me from the light drizzle tonight and started chanting the spell.

"Nalvage dee, Nalvage dee, Nalvage dee" this went on for a good few seconds until I heard a hatch making a loud click and opened. This was an enochian spell. Which explains why no one was ever able to retrieve the stone. When I was in training enochian clicked to me more than any other ancient studies I would pair angels with that fairly tale stuff that is told as bedtime stories thought the truth lay further away than we think.

A hatch opened at the gate of the tomb block and went underground through a set of stairs. I pulled all the elements at my hand and both my arms lit up with blue fire, water, air and stones circling my arms in a powerful energy. Either I bring the stone or I don't come out alive.

Stepping on the stairs I made my way down cautiously, the first thing that hit me as I kept step after step on the stairs leading down was the smell. It was something I had never smelled before something absolutely overwhelming yet not too much to bare. It felt as though all my troubles faded away with the distinct smell that went up my nostrils. As if a starved human who had not seen food for a month suddenly smells a beautiful blend of spices cooking together, this was sweet though. However short lived as I realized there really was a beast inside. I only saw a fire ball coming my way, had I not kept my eyes open to search for where the smell was coming from I would not be able to pull a wall of earth in front of me. I'd be lying on the ground quiet lifeless by now. The fire was absolutely terrifying something that would kill a normal bender in a second, painless and clean.

So I began fighting my invisible opponent barely making making a successful hit. My left arm was cut up quiet deep, blood oozing out as if my skin was a tap. My back was a protective shield pretty much from every single attack of this monster and was now cut up every which way.

It felt like hours passed. At this point I was completely covered in blood, my own to be sure. If I kept at this defensive playing the remaining strength and my life would diminish like a candle.

My scarf had long gotten off my head laying on the ground while I fought the thing. My hair flowing like it used to when I trained in the olden days. However this was nothing like those olden days that was merely practice this was the real deal. This thing pulled strings on my body that no violence had ever incurred out of me. It was violently deadly.

One last blow hit somewhere within my soul that went as if electricity passing through my body. Finally I had enough hits and built an elemental storm around me standing at my spot. Blue red brown green circling around me.

"COME OUT AND FIGHT ME!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs inside the circle and lowered it enough to see beast standing unscathed in front of me. A momentary dissapointment washed over me seeing it stand there without a single scratch.

Golden and silver Rays emerging from its eyes, palms caught in green fire, the lethal of all. Lower body surrounded by a water and stone circle. Describing it best would be somewhat along the lines of; beast and human, certainly no beast I'd ever laid my eyes on. Dark chocolate velvety skin shimmering as if the sun shined on it though I couldn't spot the source of light in this place. A crown of gold and sliver was placed on its head as if it was a part of it's body.

"You made a mistake coming here, 'little girl'. You can put up a fight but you cannot take the stone unless of ofcourse you are the chosen one." it's voice was something never before heard; dangerous husky, growling like and unmistakably full of arrogance. It smirked and in half way through that moment it was on top of me twisting my bleeding arm. I had no time to react to its speed.

Something happened as soon as it touched my hair and stopped, I took my chance and drove my bare arm through its hard chest but surprise! surprise! no heart inside.

Before I had the chance to be shocked at this, the creature melted around my arm that was still buried inside it and a light emerged from it that circled me 3 times and then started moving towards my west side.

I was shocked but on high alert so flashed towards it and followed it for a good five minutes.This place really was a castle. It was exquisite, marveling, really. The cemetery has been here since I was born was smaller then, now its bigger yet still nobody not even my parents knew about it, not that I know of.

There were markings all around the walls, picture stories that caught my attention but I did not want to lose the light so I decided to look at them later.

For it to be buried down here for a millennium-the place certainly was cleaner than any place I've visited. I have what doctors refer to as obsessive compulsive disorder. In my time we didn't have doctors to even cure a common infection or fever of typhoid when people lay dying. Sometimes it really leaves me speechless how the world has changed that we now try to spot the trauma that is the root cause of a disease.

This light or energy, I was following-entered a chamber disappearing from my sight. A locked chamber.

I had no time to waste or else I'd lose the light, but no matter how hard I tried, kicking, punching with my full powers. Not as much as a nut moved on that ancient door. Finally I got tired of it and summoned all my bending abilities and pumped it on the lock that weirdly seemed like a big hole but showed nothing on the other side. Maybe melting the door with fire may as well do something to it.

The door opened with a thud as soon as I directed all my elements to it and soon as it opened I saw the same energy touching down once and moving outside from a vent above the stone that was gracefully standing without any support as if there was no gravitational pull.

Found it.

I breathed in a sigh of relief and walked towards the stone in the middle of the room that seemed small but as soon as I entered it took a dimension of itself as if creating space and adjusting to my presence or my movement. The stone on the other hand was the size of an infants fist.

I reached forward to pull the stone off but could not touch it. There was an invisible force, a field around the stone that was stopping me from doing so.

I tried to destroy the stand but nothing happened. Failing miserably I dialed Abelia's number but she didn't pick up. It was two past half in the morning. She must be knocked out.

Something caught my attention which was the drawings around the room and the ones on the stand of the stone.

The drawings on the portrait showed the stories of a bending couple, mates actually. It showed illustrations about their childhood and how they seemed to be good friends at first but then both stood adrift and away from eachother which could only be a depiction of a conflict.

The stand had something written on it in an ancient language used in the olden days, it was of my clan, I still remembered it but was a bit sketchy.

"Destiny of this physical world and the one that is untouchable and pure is to be balanced by the powerful bond between them. The stone will only be of the two pledged and will guard this bond. It all started with them and it will end with them." it took me a few seconds to read this and beneath ObzaPiap was carved; the name of the infamous lost stone.

And then a personal note was carved at the very end that read "It is you, the mother of all that walks amongst us, you have to explore the depths of what you can bring life to." usually text like this were things to be somewhere separate however this was right beneath the top carvings that indicated it was important.

Not even a word of what was written made any sense to me. Either it was absolute bullshit just phrases that played with words having literal meaning or it could be a secret to be deciphered. What I did understand was two supernatural species played an essential role. An unknown role. However what confused me was that there lived more than 10 different species of beings disguised as humans. Maybe even more. Where does one even begin their search. The personal note confused me even more.

As I was about to give another try in breaking the stand, I heard something faintly, it was unnoticeable but still my ears caught on. A noise that came from somewhere far. There was something else in here. Another creature, waiting to attack?

Turning around I walked out of the room and back to where I had fought the creature. Something or more specifically someone was standing behind one of the two the pillars at the entrance. I could almost see their bending powers emanating from them in colour. That had never happened before, I could only feel them like a strong gut feeling but it was never so strong as to let me see it in waves.

This was probably because of this place. All my powers and senses had suddenly gotten overwhelmed with power ever since I drove my arm through that thing. Comprehending everything that has been happening since I came here is something I was unable to do. Not that violence and challenge blurs my senses, surprisingly this time something different was happening.

I made sure to walk to the intruder discreetly to not let them know of my proximity. All my doubts were cleared when I saw the boy in front of me.

I had seen him at Raaky's mansion. My first instinct was to flip him far away from me on the ground. Thats when I realized my head scarf was lying on the ground.

So much for hiding. With this carelessness I'm sure Raaky will be having everything his way and throwing me out of Sayonara.

"I told Raaky to ask you all to stop following me. Miss the new briefing or had an overconfident boost to prove yourself to Raaky even more?" I asked him while he got on his feet.

"We were not following?" He flicked the blood off from his bottom lip, looking a me with anger and a hint of fear, the anger on his face was just there to hide the fear.

"Really then why are you here and most importantly where is the rest of the possy?" sauntering towards him casually I asked slowly but threateningly. He seemed to have dropped the arrogant look and one of complete fear flashed.

"I'm alone. I was eager to get inside and as soon as I walked in here the hatch closed, I dont know how to get out." He panicked a bit.

"Tell. Me. Why. Are. You. Here." I picked him up by his collar and off his feet. He was a class two bender and I could feel that he hadn't even mastered two of the three elements yet. I was much more powerful than him but if he was trained he could have put up a good fight.

"I cannot tell you. Please let me go."

Pulling my free hand up I pulled the water from the fountain far ahead of us and circled it around his neck and froze it removing my hand just in time. He gasped for air.

"You tell me why were you all trying to get in this place. When I said I would bring the stone to Raaky myself. I know he doesn't trust me but this is a matter of the council. I'm sure rules do apply. " I narrowed my eyes at him and froze some water beneath his feet to give him support. He was turning purple.

"We were only following orders okay. Please dont kill me." He spoke still short of breath. I picked up my scarf and covered my head carefully to put all the strays behind as he watched me with a bit of fascination I guess. Must be it I've never seen someone look at me that way it was always pure fear, yeah he had fear but was time and again being replaced by something I could only name as fascination or curiosity. It was hard to describe this.

Pulling my hand up I brought a piece of the earth above in the shape of a stool infront of him and sat on it crossing one leg over the other.

"What's your name sweetie?" an amount of water again circled around his neck on my command to keep him talking when he seemed reluctant. He seemed to be fighting the urge to talk to me.

"Trevor! Okay! My name is Trevor."

"So Trevor, darling, do tell me that even after being a second class bender and growing up in Sayonara why have you only mastered one element of the three to be able to combat and yet you're among Raaky's closest men. Here at this hour, being sent after a mysterious first class bender seems like an important mission, only for those who know how to fight, I guess. Not to mention you are quiet young to be doing all this. No school?" he was probably in his teens. I inched the circling water closer.

"I'm new and this was my first mission. My brother died last month, he used to work with Raaky. This is how it works in this city." He said this city with as much hatred as he possibly could. "Death is debt in this city. But I cannot tell you anything or Lord will kill me." He spoke fast and terrified. His words left me shook for a moment with whatever he said.

I recovered quick "Here's the thing even if you dont tell me anything Raaky will still kill you. Obviously the people outside wont hesitate to tell him you spent quiet some time here with me." a plan had already been worked out in my brain.

"What do I do then. I cannot run he will find me and murder me and my family too." he sat down when I released him.

"Here's the thing. I can save you but you have to tell me all that you know and I can also get you released from Raaky forever. But you have to help me first, it works both ways." he seemed to be pondering on the thought for quiet sometime.

"Whatever I'm a dead man even if I dont tell you. Better if I do some damage before going." He finally rubbed his palm over his face and through his chocolate brown hair. He seemed to hate Raaky, I thought all his minions were loyal to him.

"See you got the hang of it." okay I shouldn't be so excited as to make jokes over the fact that this boy thought he would die.

"Raaky sent us here to make sure you dont make it out alive. He was sure that the creature here would kill you, he couldn't kill you himself because it was against the law of the council. There are a few rules he cannot break he is blood bound due to his oath as the leader of supernatural population of this hemisphere. We are only five men and we came here to just be sure you were dead, after all you are a four element bender, he didn't want to take any chance. He could not be directly involved in your death." He paused and looked at me, I nodded for him to continue.

"The thing that lived in here could only come near the last step of the stairs that led down here, it could not leave so when it had been a long time with us waiting up out there, we decided to come see down here. But the plan was to just get a peak to see if you were dead. We couldn't risk coming under the attack of that creature incase you died." He was chatty now.

"I had seen you fighting it from outside because I was standing on top of a tomb block. I saw you drive your arm through it, I was ecstatic to come down here, it was as if something had possessed me to just rush inside. So being the i***t I am, I walked in first and thats when the hatch closed. I tried opening it but you heard that even though I was really discreet." he seemed confused at why I heard him. This boy was a child who still had so much to learn and that bastard sent him on such a dangerous mission, he could have died.

"Raaky knows that the stone is here?" I asked the obvious even though I knew the answer.

"Yes and my brother told me that Raaky had tried to fight that thing numerous times." he pointed to the left up residue of the creature "But barely made out alive and he went in with the council's most vicious fighters." he had this far away look in his eyes. I knew I couldn't harm the boy he was too innocent and to be honest too dumb for his own good.

"Okay boy it's been one hell of a steep sloped journey for you I suppose. Tell me about your mission mates. Who are they? What are their backgrounds? Any and everything you know."

"All of them joined in on their own will except me and they all are class three benders from circle three of the five trained groups of Raaky's people. Circle one is the most vile of them all and they are usually assigned on bigger missions. We were only sent to see if you were dead or not, if not we had to finish the work. All the men outside except me and Nero have no family that I know off." I had all the info I needed right there. He had quiet literally sent these men to their graves.

Whenever I would be training and there came times when I had to hurt any living being, I would chant in my head. "You're not the one giving the order. You're not the one who decided to do this sin. You're just following directives. That changed so much over all this time. Now I blame it on my needs of survival but never on the fact that I enjoyed the power, the overwhelming control I felt. The guilt is always too much. It eats away at me every day.

I stood up "buckle up buttercup, mommy's here to save you, but keep your mouth shut in front of Raaky about whatever we talked or whatever you saw okay. Its for your own good otherwise you will wish to have not done that." I walked towards the hatch.

"Oh and one more thing. Act victim infront of them outside and also a part of team Raaky." He nodded. I've not assessed Raaky in such depth. I suppose he is serious about all this stuff and not the immature i***t I have been seeing all this time.

"Nalvage dee. Nalvage dee...." I carried on until the hatch opened.

I grabbed the kid by his collar and put him in a dead lock around his neck forcing him to walk with me. We climbed out and saw the men above waiting and armed up.

"Boys I dont need any trouble, just let me and this boy through." I walked out carefully and the hatch closed behind us.

"How is this b***h alive Trevor! Lord Raaky clearly said she'd be dead." one of them freaked looking at the others.

"Who of you is Nero?" I questioned but when none of them answered I tightened Trevor's dead lock. "Black leather jacket, sand brown pants. That one!!" Trevor spoke instantly.

I dropped Trevor "Okay guys I'm sorry for all this but you had it coming. I cannot let you leave alive or with a sane mind. You do the math." I walked forward slowly while speaking to the huge men infront of me. I couldn't cut them the slack that they needed.

I flashed infront of one and as soon as I did a surprised gasp erupted from all of them. I never get enough of this, the surprise, the shock that is evidently clear on the faces of people when they underestimate me and I prove them wrong. Making a blade laced with rock and ice emerging from my hand, I slit the throat of the one in front of me and his blood splashed on my face. For a moment I felt squeamish and disgusted like any normal but would be but, this is what I have risen from. Its bound to be there through out my life. I moved forward brushing the sad thought.

Two of them came running towards me both in dark jeans and leather jackets, I wonder what is it with men like these and black clothing but then again nobody would take a man serious who has on colour like baby blue and lavender. They both had orange emerging at hands from both side I could see this and before that I could feel the heat of it, this would've hurt had I not sat on one knee and pulled slanted rock walls on either side. Both the men face palmed on them in the most hilarious way.

Nero came at me from the back but I encased him in an extremely thick ice so until I'm done with the other two he wont be able to set himself free. Trevor was still on his knees watching in horror. Thats when I got a fired punch on my side bringing me down to my knees, the shirt over there started burning but I put it out quickly wincing at the burning sensation.

It was clear that these men were extremely undertrained because that punch was really one I used to do my training with. Lis never went easy on me just cause I was a girl and maybe that was what I needed because being able to stand here at this moment is possible because of him.

I pulled the blade through his stomach and all the way up to his throat cutting through his bronchi, he fell to the ground immediately. His blood showered on me as if I just went overboard with fake blood for Halloween.

The one now left picked up a metal chain fired it up and threw it towards me, however I was fast enough to dodge it and then stood up and used my bending on the chain itself wrapping it around his own neck changing its shape and walked towards him.

"You should have trained better darling. I have trained with men who inflicted real pain, not tickles. The world does not let the weak live peacefully." the chains tightened until his head fell off slashing more blood on me.

"OH MY GOD!!! WHAT ARE YOU? You-yo-you bended that chain. Yo-you.....flashed. How????" Trevor got up and screamed in hysteria moving his hand in different directions.

"Shut up Trevor will you. Let me take care of this handsome here will you." agitated enough with Trevor's screeches I walked towards Nero.

"Now be a darling Nero and stop melting the ice, I'll just regenerate it." he tried backing away but obviously couldn't so he just settled on staring at me in fear. To be honest it was really creepy the way he stared at me.

I retrieved the handkerchief from my back pocket along with my phone. Wiped my hands and dialed Abelia's number. She picked up after I tried for the third time, it was obvious from her voice that she was sleeping.

"Dammit Eva-" I cut her short.

"I found the stone, get down here I need your help wit a few things." she was silent for a few moments then answered sighing.

"Fine where exactly?"

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