Fate, My Elementals & I (Breaking Borders)

Traitor

*** Addanon's Pov ***

"Wait, wait man! Come on, don't you think your being a bit overdramatic here?" I yelled at the overgrown brute. I play all types of sports, but being grabbed by someone three times my size was not my idea of a welcoming homecoming. When he wouldn't let go, I tried to wrench myself away. The struggle seemed to drain my energy and made him look annoyed. So I decided to voice my truth, "Listen, I may not be the most devoted of all the elementals, but I would never harm her! She's a wonderful person. Let go of me!"

"Shut up!" he hissed. Clamping my mouth shut, thinking he was going to smack me when he stretched out his hand, but it was placed in my hair and not my face. Litrally rummaging through my locks. "What the hell dude, do you know how hard it is to get that so neat again. Ouchhhh!!!" I yowled when he yanked my top knot down, taking a few strands with it. Before I could scream all the profanities I knew both in English and Spanish, I noticed he had what looked like a huge grasshopper wriggling in his hand.

"Ewwwww," the little one shrieked, from Cannon's arms. I looked at her in agreement. That thing was in my hair. Gross!

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*** Evony's Pov ***

I found myself breathing a sigh of relief that Fero was not accusing my earth elemental of betraying me, but confused as to how I did not sense a shape shifter Fatum was attached to him.

Fero looked at me in an I'll explain later look which I had to accept. Then he looked at Bren and said, "Relax Sparky, I got the creature, I was not going to hurt your brother." To which Bren replied, not exactly sounding like the unsure boy I spoke to back at the harbor, "You. Hurt him? Don't jest. My brother could handle himself. I want to burn the darkling. They are nothing but pests that feed on our core. Attaching themselves onto unsuspecting hosts, in hopes of regaining light. What they do, is the exact opposite. They snuff it out. Kill it! No trial, no chance. Just kill it!" Arms still ablaze and ready for a fight, Bren was not backing down. Which in turn caused the rest to rally. Cannon placed Willow in my arms, pushing me back, while Dev placed a shield barrier around us.

Addanon went and stood beside Bren, raising his fists, like that would do anything, but I am not surprised as the only form of his powers he's used thus far has been passive. Cannon's fists began to frost, and his icy boxing gloves that I had got used to, by now, formed. He looked at Fero, deep set icy blues, meeting gold as bright as the sun, "No offense, Fero, I believe you are, judging from how Evony chose not to question you as you grabbed hold of Addy, but when Bren says one of those things should be put to death, we would rather believe him. Destroy it or we will," Cannon said with that calm, authoritative voice that makes me swoon and my girly bits gush.

While I was fan girling over how protective they were, Willow burrowed further into the crook of my neck, scared, I heard Fero reply in his no-nonsense tone, "Good, quick response and you know your place. TO protect HER at all costs. You're not as hopeless as I thought. However, your reactions are unnecessary. I am an empath. Had this creature pose any threat to our queen. Any threat, I would know. Now soon enough, you will be taught how to use your powers properly. As you are now, Evony would be protecting you. As for this darkling, it just wanted to hitch a ride. Now it is time for them to show themselves and give answers."

Before any of them could open their mouths and piss Fero off again, I sounded a shushing from behind. The way they all turned in unison, with various variations of their mouths opened, was absolutely comical. "Don't look at me like that. Dev let me out, keep Willow protected. Fero knows what he is doing and he hates it when people question him in front of company. So you can get your explanations later, just like me. Lyon wipe that sh!t eating grin off your face. My elementals are not for you to mock!" I snapped. Making Lyon's face turn serious and the boys looked at him with HA! written all over their expressions. Men, I sighed internally.

Fero did not let go of one wing, as the shifter turned into its humanoid form, leaving Fero's grip on an arm. As it elongated, we knew it was a Caucasian female, with short blond hair, pretty, with blue eyes and definitely a rotting core like the doctor we encountered back at the facility. I knew the experience was traumatic, to say the least, but without the adrenaline and the need to save Bren, I was finally able to monitor one. It was as though she had no connection to the planet any longer. She existed outside of it. Darkness and death were her calling card now, but for some reason her face did not portray the same vile scowl that was expected from one who had turned away from life.

"I am Petrova. I was at the facility when all the doors came open. From your powers," she looked at me, "I knew you had to be the queen that they hoped I was," she scoffed, then continued, "So I transformed and hid in the child's hair. I followed you. I was angry at first, that I was tortured and turned, when you were out here...... Uck, cough, cough, ahhhh!!!" she growled as Fero yanked her closer and held her by the neck.

He then warned, "I am not playing with you darkling. Now you had better tell the truth. When I stopped you, it was beginning to sound like a lie, but I also felt like you left something out in the introduction as well. Have you ever seen what happens when you turn on a light in a dark room, how the dark just disperses?" as she nodded with great difficulty, Fero spoke again, "Good now I can either teach my ward to do that for you, there is a possibility it will work, or I can have her elemental burn you to a crisp. Personally, I think he deserves the opportunity to release some rage." He let go of her throat and we all waited for her to catch her breath to speak again.

"Fine. I worked at the facility. The damn assassin and his crows came in. I was scared, they had only just brought me onto staff. I was a prisoner before. I let the darkness take me over once......... when I found out that they had an elemental. I thought...... I thought it was my son," she began weeping and Fero did not react, so I knew this time she was telling the truth. After sobbing for a little, she said, "I thought once I got them to trust me, before I became bitter like them, I could break him out. The only thing I ever did for him was birth him. So I was willing to risk my life to save him from this miserable existence. I did not, young man, siphon any light from you. I could never. I did do it once for the doctor to believe me, but never again. You can feel that I am dying," she swore.

"You're not my mother. She died giving birth to me," Bren said, slightly lowering his fists but not his guard.

"I know that now. But....... my son is here though. He is......... and he is as handsome as his father," as she revealed this, when she looked at Cannon. He looked shocked and stood there frozen. "I knew you would be one. It felt so different. I didn't know which you would be. I stayed with you when you went to the computer room, to make sure you were safe, but I didn't know how long I would survive without proper nourishment. I wanted to be with you for as long as I could. You were not the first seedling they made me birth, but you were the only one I never saw after. I just wanted to be with you in my last days."

Cannon just blinked. It was as though his mind was overloaded and needed a reboot. I went forward and held him, pressing my body against his back. When I felt him start to breathe heavily, I let go and went around to face him. Holding his face in my arms, I knew he was over thinking and it would make him spiral, so I sang.

I sang the song that day we all first met. No undertones, or hidden agenda, just the regular lyrics, trying to get him to come back to us. It seemed to work by the time I got to the chorus as he focused on us and steadied his breath. "You are the surrogate? My Dad guessed you were alive and set free by my father. How did you get caught again?" Cannon questioned, blanking his face of any emotion. It broke my heart to know this was his coping mechanism, but he did ask a valid point.

"Your father did try, but they found me. I didn't have anywhere to go really and the money Carter gave me didn't last very long," she answered while ticking. Her eyes were wild and twitching, while her shoulder would go up and down. Fero noticed her odd behavior, and bared his teeth at her and told her to explain. "I.... You see.... The reason I got caught up with 'em is 'cause I like to gamble..... anddd..... and well, drugs. They took care of my debt and I had to make a baby for them. Carter he.......... he was married to a good man. He didn't take me like the others. He treated me really well. Once I was clean, we did the thing with a doctor. You came on the first try, heh... All he knew about was the drugs, not the gambling. So the bag of money was well,....... I went back. This time, they didn't want me to make anymore, they were using me for experiments on mortals. Seeing if they had blood transfusions, from one of us to them, if that would be enough for the darkened to survive on. I swear that's all I know. Carter never let me see you. He said you belonged to his husband, so I just..... I just wanted to be around you."

Cannon looked at her, then asked quietly, "Is she really dying? Is there any hope to cleanse her like you did with Bren?"

"Bren was different. He's permanently connected to me. My core resides in him, until his regains its own light. I do not know what my light would do to her," I answered.

Fero then replied, "Well, Ev can try, but she's pretty far gone. What did you do once the original light you stole wasn't enough anymore?" looking at Petrova.

To which she said, "I am a drug addict. I am fine once I get high. This, what you see now, is that I have not had anything for about a week now. I'm detoxing...." she shivered. Then she said something so heart breaking that I knew it would break even Cannon's ice-clad walls, "I do not want her to try. I told you everything I know. I only recently got to walk about and learn what they were doing. I do not even know who the big boss is. I have lived for eight hundred human years, in this realm alone. Not counting that I matured before moving here, back in our realm. I found no Fated. I gave birth to three seedlings, as I am a half breed, you being the last. You being the only one to survive. I felt them die. Your sisters and I did not care. Not then. Only after so long, did I meet a decent man, who loved so strongly despite his chaos-ridden core. His devotion to his husband was what made me want to save the elemental I heard whispers about. Please kill me. The loneliness I cannot bear any longer. The curse of living with all that I have done is torture. I do not want to live anymore. I have tried to end my existence on my own, but it never worked. I am not your mother, I am just a greedy, selfish bearer who has nothing else left to live for. Seeing your face was my last wish. Now please..... Kill me!" she screamed.

The lines of blackened veins that lined her arms visibly stretched. Her body was eating in on itself as she refused to snuff out the light of another. She was slowly killing herself, before we stormed the facility.

"No, I have already buried someone. I can't do it again," Cannon cried. Burying his face in my hair, he held on so tight, whispering, asking me to try, begging me.

"If the host refuses the light, then there is nothing Evony can do élément eau. I am sorry," Fero said, shutting him down further.

"Why won't you let her help youuuu!!!" he screamed at Petrova, causing her to sob harder.

"My blood was used on your other parent. I ............. they told me. They said that they had someone visit and Carter was not playing nice. They snickered as they tried to stick me. I knew who they were talking about. I saw what it did to another mortal. I fought them off at first, flew to the ceiling. Telling them they couldn't get it, but then one showed me a small bag of c0c@ine and I let them take it. Once I had free rein, I got my file. It was my old, drug-filled, toxic blood that was used on your father. I am the reason he died. For a bump," she admitted, leaving us all agast.

Devion didn't think twice before he grabbed onto Cannon. Leaving Addanon free to stalk towards her. Bren allowed his flame to burn out and stood in front of Addy and tried to talk him into reason. That this was still the woman who gave birth to Cannon, if for nothing else, we had to know that they would have gotten someone else's blood and done it all the same, still causing Eddie to die. Neither of them seemed to care and Lyon assisted Bren in holding Addy back. While Willow started crying in the back.

Being annoyed that my queen's command wouldn't really work on my elementals, I still attempted as they were all emotional and distracted. I shouted, "Kneel." The melee calmed down immediately. Lyon, Willow and Fero were on their knees, immediately. The darkling who was curled on the floor already, propped up on her knees, even though my command could barely affect her. My boys stopped and their heads bowed, but that was the closest they got to obeying.

"Now I know this is upsetting. I never met Eddie, but from the video alone I know he would have been someone special to me. I have yet to see a mortal with that much feeling and light. He was a great loss. Petrova was an unwilling participant, despite the bribes, aligned with her weaknesses. However, I believe that we all should have the choice of when we wish to move on. Living the life of an eternal was a curse Fate never intended for us. She cannot pass through the shield, either. Leaving her out here, she will die anyway if she continues to refuse to take the light of anyone else. Now which demise she prefers is the only option," I wearily expressed. Facing Petrova, I stated as kindly as I could, "The barrier will be quite painful. So please tell us your choice."

She looked up to me with a grateful expression that filled me with mixed emotions. Here was the woman, who gave birth to a wonderful young man, but had no other contribution to who he was. His mere existence was thanks to her, but now we have to discuss her choice of death.

"I wish for the fire elemental to turn me to ash. The darkness would burn along with me. That is my wish," she claimed.

Looking at Bren, I saw the distraught look on his face, then he voiced one word, "Why?"

"Because you understand the pain. Not the fact that I have done nothing worth speaking of in my lifetime, except for your brother. The torture, the experiments, knowing that they stripped you down, attempting to remake you in their chaotic rotting image. You know that. You lived it. I can see that my son has great admiration for you. You are also the only one who has tapped into the earth's center, not just your own. I saw and felt that heat. The power you wielded when you were unconscious. It will be quick and painless, more than I deserve. I want it done now, before my cowardice wins out and I take lives only to prolong my own. I may be a disgraced halfling, but I didn't live to this ripe 'ole age without learning a thing or two about people," she acknowledged.

"I could do it for my Spark. Give me command, surrender yourself to me, and I can take this burden," I suggested. He ignored me.

"Cannon?" Bren looked to him instead and asked. Unsurprisingly, his emotional state had been, for lack of a better word, bottled and he remained composed as ever, but he still hesitated.

She released another mortifying piece of news, "Your egg, it split, there were two of you. Your father refused to give more than one to the cause his ancestors made him a part of, so when I mentioned that the one on the left was special, he chose the right fetus to terminate. I happily allowed it."

After that, Cannon no longer hesitated. "Thank you Bren. Seeing as she is beyond hope and couldn't be bothered to try, I accept her request. She is right. I do admire the man you've become despite not even having the freedom to do so. Petrova, just so you know, I forgive you. Before you take your last breath, I want you to know that though we never knew each other and all you did was use your body as a vessel to bring me into this world, I appreciate it. I had a loving parent that gave me kindness, compassion and love to share. Another, despite his shortcomings, wisdom, looks and wealth. I will continue on this current journey with our queen and eradicate the leaders of the coup and all those who have been working with them. They will be punished for their crimes against all magical beings and mortals alike. Goodbye," Cannon expressed, then to Bren he ordered, "Do it........."

"Wait!" I yelled. "Are you sure you don't know anything else about the research they are doing or if there are any other facilities like that one?" I asked her.

"There are three others that I know of. In Europe, Asia and Australia," she confessed. Petrova was a defeated, tired woman and I couldn't understand what had driven her to such lengths. Had she really just only wanted to do drugs her entire existence, corrupt herself until there was nothing left.

"Why did you do this to yourself? Why did you waste your life this way?" I asked what I really wanted to know. I knew Cannon had all the information from their computers. This was my goal.

"You were all born in a different time, your highness. You wouldn't understand," she flippantly responded.

"Please," I begged as I kneeled next to her, saying, "I do not want to make the same mistakes as my predecessors. I need to know why you kept yourself this way."

"The ugly truth, both my bearers died, mortal hunters got them while they were in animal form. I was with our pod protected. For some odd reason, even after I matured, my ability to shift was stunted. This led them all to believe I was a half breed. That there was mortal in me. So the seedlings made fun of me. The elders no longer took care of me. I just went with it. So, when the past queen asked who wanted to visit the mortals, I volunteered. During the time period she sent me in, there were many distractions. Even during the recall, I never made my way back. I enjoyed watching human progress. I helped the wounded in battles. Found family with strangers. I did not feel rejected here. Then I found out what milk of poppy was and the different ways to experience it. The first time I had it, I shifted. The drug set me free from whatever was holding me back. So I kept on doing it. Now I do various ones and shift without them, but I keep going back," Petrova responded.

"Then I will make sure there is a strong foundation once we take our realm back. No discrimination and any orphans will be under the care of the crown. Thank you for your story, Petrova. For your willingness, I deem you no longer a Traitor," I proclaimed.

Seeing her lift her eyes with hope that her essence would go to Fate and not darkness made me believe my time with her was over. I backed away to give Bren room. Looking over, I saw Cannon standing with his back and shoulder muscles taut. He turned to me, sensing my gaze, and came to me willingly.

Bren moved forward, kneeled and lit his left hand, and said, "You will be cleansed. You will no longer suffer. Go in peace knowing your story will make a difference to other's lives." He gave a gentle sad smile and touched her. The moment he did, it was as though all the moister in her body dried up, charring her and her body crumbled into ash. It reminded me of the body we found next to him in the facility. He rose and looked in our direction, as tears fell from his eyes.

Addanon and Dev moved forward, working together. Dev kept the ashes together with his dome, as Addy concentrated on creating an earthen pot. Dev then used the air to get it all in. They walked over to Cannon and I, handing him it.

"Thank you. I ....... I didn't even consider what to do after she was gone. An urn good idea guys," he said softly., looking down at it.

"I think it would be best if you kept it for a year. By then, we would be back in our realm and Addy could grow a tiny garden of poppy flowers and you could scatter them there," Devion awkwardly suggested.

"Heh, that actually sounds nice. She'll like that, I think," Cannon agreed, looking lighter already.