The three Elementalists

Clara looked at Flora, her voice hopeful. "Have you found anything about the Devil of the Seven Seas?" Flora pursed her lips. "A little," she admitted. "The strange thing is, he's been attacking Earth more than our realm. Never even once attacked us directly." Clara nodded slowly. "I've noticed that too. Maybe he's just too scared to invade us." "That's one possibility," Flora conceded, "but I think he might be searching for something, or someone." "Could be," Clara mused, "or maybe he has another reason entirely." Before she could elaborate, a royal guard arrived. A royal guard, bowing respectfully, interrupted them. "Lady Clara, Miss Flora," he announced, "your mother wishes to speak with you urgently." Clara raised an eyebrow, exchanging a puzzled glance with Flora. "What could she want?" she murmured. "I don't know," Flora replied, "but you probably shouldn't keep her waiting." Clara nodded in agreement. "Alright, goodbye for now," she said to Flora before following the guard. Clara followed Alex, the royal guard, down the palace's crystal-lit corridor, where the air shimmered with powerful magic. "Mother," Clara began as she entered the Queen's chamber, "I was just talking to Flora. We suspect the Devil of the Seven Seas is searching for something or someone on Earth. We also realized he's never attacked our realm." The Queen's eyes softened. "You are absolutely right, my dear. Do you remember the story of our past?" Clara hesitated. "Bits and pieces, Mother." The Queen nodded, then began to explain. "In ancient times, three kingdoms were united. A powerful king ruled Earth One, with two sons: one humble, one overambitious. The king chose the humble son as his successor. Enraged, the elder son stumbled into a f*******n dungeon. There, a strange voice whispered from a red gem, promising to take his pain away." "Tempted by power, the elder prince picked up the gem. Dark energy consumed him. He declared himself king, killed his father, and sought his brother. But the younger prince had already unlocked the elements: earth, water, fire, wind, and ice." The Queen looked directly at Clara. "That, my dear, is our history." "How does that connect to why I was summoned?" Clara asked. "The Devil of the Seven Seas," the Queen revealed, "is now searching for the Elementalists. There are three of them. If he absorbs their power, he will destroy the world." Clara's eyes widened in stunned disbelief. "Where is the third Elementalist? And what do I have to do with this?" "You," the Queen stated, "are the third, and the strongest." That is why you were summoned. You must find the other two before the Devil does. Clara stared at her mother, a desperate hope that this was all a joke flickering in her eyes. The Queen's expression remained serious. "Lydia, bring the bracelet and the ring," she commanded, already beginning to prepare the teleportation circle. Lydia approached Clara, holding out the items. "You must wear these," she instructed. Clara frowned. "Seriously? Jewelry?" "The ring is for teleportation," Lydia explained, "and the bracelet will help you track the other Elementalists." The Queen began her chant, her voice echoing with ancient magic. "Terra Firma rise and show the realm I seek. Passage flow, as I chant this sacred birth. Unveil the road that leads to Earth." As the circle pulsed with light, the Queen gave Lydia a subtle signal. "What's happening?" Clara asked, confused and alarmed. Lydia pushed her forward. Clara screamed as she was pulled into the pulsing light, vanishing in an instant. She landed hard on damp concrete, groaning as she sat up in a dark alley. A cold wind rustled through the scattered trash. Clara looked around, disoriented. She was alive. And she was on Earth. The bracelet on her wrist began to blink rapidly. It was glowing. Someone was nearby. One of the Elementalists. Voices drifted to her ears. "Leave me alone, you shrimp-head freak!" a boy shouted. Clara raised an eyebrow. Shrimp-head freak? That was a pretty weak insult. Another voice snapped back with a childish comeback. Clara stepped into view. "Stop it," she commanded. The bully turned, sneering. "Who are you? Want to play the hero?" "Shut up," she retorted. His sneer vanished. He looked at her closely. "What are you?" he whispered, his voice laced with fear. "You're not human." Clara responded calmly. "Guess," she challenged. He screamed, then turned and ran. Clara turned to the boy who had been picked on. "I'm Clara," she offered. He glared at her. "Leave me alone," he muttered, refusing to give his name. The bracelet on her wrist pulsed, blinking even faster now. Clara's eyes widened. It was him.