The Maiden of Air

Chapter 6

While Luke went to go find this maid, I took another quick shower, to clean of the dirt and grim that got on me when I tumbled in the ditch. When I stepped out, I took a quick glance at the cub to find he was still sound asleep.

I probably needed to stop being so paranoid about watching it every second. I can’t tell you of how many times I poked my head out of the shower to sneak a peek at him. Layla has always told me that I can be overprotective at times. I practically hear her voice in my head saying, “Chill out.”

Pulling on my bathrobe, I walked back into my bedroom, and inspected my closet for a dress to wear. I discarded the colorful dresses and pulled out one of the black dresses. One by one, I would pull out a dress and hold it up to myself as I looked in the mirror, till I found the right one.

I walked back into the bathroom, and once again, looked at the cub before starting to get ready. I blow dried my hair, then put the top half of it in a braid that trailed down the back, with my bangs framing my face. For my makeup, I just wore foundation, mascara and a little bit of eyeliner.

I never really wore foundation that much, because, until recently my skin has always been relatively clear. But the month I spent on the run had not been good on my pale skin. I now had a few pimples and a sunburn on my cheeks and nose. I guess that’s what happens when a homeschooled, shut-in decides to tough it in the ‘wild’.

Once I was finished with my makeup, I threw off the robe and put on the dress. It was simple. A plain, black, high-low dress that was snug around the torso, but flowed, gracefully from my hips on down. The front of the dress reached down to my knees, while the back almost swept across the floor. The collar was a bit lower than what I was used to, but other than that, I loved the dress.

I went back to the closet, to see if there was a pair of shoes that would match it. But, to my surprise, I didn’t find any nice heels or flats. There was a new pair of tennis shoes, and a pair of rain boots. It completely baffled me, and that’s when I remembered Olivia and Valery. They weren’t wearing any shoes when I first met them. Was that the norm here? If so, I thought that it was pretty sweet. I didn’t very much appreciate wearing shoes all the time. I hated it how my feet would always get sweaty. But still, it was a bit odd that we didn’t have to wear shoes. I’d have to ask one of the Maidens about it.

“Erin?”

The sudden voice calling my name almost made me jump out of my skin. I turned around to find it was only Luke, standing in the doorway with a maid right behind him.

“Erin, this is Emma, the friend I was telling you about.” Luke gestured to women, who was maybe ten years older than us. She had plain brown hair in a tight bun, dazzling caramel brown eyes. above her left eyebrow was a scar that started just a fraction of an inch above her brow and ended just at the start of her cheekbone. It left a gap in her eyebrow. Whatever happened to her, she was lucky she didn't lose her eye.

She took a step forward and curtsied. “Pleasure to meet you, young Maiden Erin. How can I be of assistance?” She asked.

“Well that depends. What has Luke told you?” I questioned.

“Only that it was an urgent matter that he could only trust me with." She said, with her head still bowed ever so slightly.

“Okay. Give us just a minute.” I said and pulled Luke aside. “How do you know that she’ll keep this a secret?” I asked in a hushed tone.

“I have known her since I was born. I have trusted her with my live once before. I would trust her with anything.” He said with such certainty in his voice.

For the short while I have known him, he has acted like a child just having fun. This is the most serious I have seen him. There was a strong feeling in my gut that I should trust him. It was a strange feeling. I have never even felt this with Layla.

I sighed with defeat. Even without this feeling of trusting him, I had to admit that we didn't have many choices.

“Okay.” I turned back to Emma. “Follow me.”

The two followed behind me into the bathroom. When Emma saw the cub, she let out a gasp and covered her mouth. “Why is there a wild animal in here?” She asked.

“It’s a long story. One I don’t have time to tell. I just need you to watch it while we go to the ceremony and make sure she doesn’t die.” I said.

“Can you do that?” I asked Emma.

She looked back at the cub and sighed. “Alright. But just this time. All due respect, Young Maiden, but I don’t want to find myself in trouble.” She said with a worried tone. I could tell she must have gotten in trouble before.

“Fair enough. You will just have to make sure she doesn't make a mess of my room. Can you also find some better food for her? The milk cannot be good for her.”

“Just leave it to me, Young Maiden.” Emma said as she bowed her head.

“Alright, we need to go. We’re gonna be late.” Luke said.

“Right, let’s go.” I said bitterly.

We left my room at the same time Michael exited his. Without a word, the two of them escorted me to the ceremony.

***

As we walked down the halls, I could see out the windows that the sun was slowly disappearing behind the mountains. It was a bit awkward. No one said a word, until we finally reached the entrance to the stairs that would lead us all the way to the top of the “Maidens Tower”.

Yes. That’s it’s official title.

“Now we wait.” Michael said.

“Wait for what?” I asked.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I heard footsteps approaching. One by one, the other Young Maidens came around the corner with their Guardians. They all wore the color of their element.

Michael nudged me away from the door. Confused, I asked, “What are you doing?”

“Well, if you hadn't run away, you would have received your letter with all the information you would have needed for this ceremony. The Young Maidens are supposed to line up in order of their element.” He said, with that ever-present sound of annoyance.

“Meaning, I’m in the back.” I said.

“So, she can learn.” Michael teased.

I glared at him. “I may be stubborn, but I’m quicker than you think.”

As the other Maidens filed down the hallway, I could feel their curious stares, and hear their whispering.

“So, that’s her?”

“She actually came?”

“She doesn’t deserve the Maiden title. She has guts to show her face.”

Just by those comments, I could tell I wouldn’t get along very well with half the people here.

The other girls made their way into line, in order of their elements. Air, water, fire, earth, ice, metal, nature, light, darkness, life and death. And then it was my turn.

As I walked past all the Maidens, their stares followed me. Except for one. The Maiden of Death, who stood at the end of the line in front of me. She had a long, black hair, with pale skin. Her dark, brown eyes stared blankly at the ground, like she didn’t care about anything. Like she didn’t want to be here.

This interested me. Most girls would kill to be a Maiden. I thought I was the only one who didn’t want to be one.

I was just about to tap her on the shoulder and introduce myself. But as I started to race my hand, the door in front of us opened, and each Maiden was escorted through the door and up the stairs by their Guardians.

As I passed through the door, I gasped. The walls along the spiral staircase had a beautiful mural of the galaxy, and it was illuminated by a light coming from a crack in between the stairs and the wall. The lights shimmered and danced, almost like a fire. But I could tell that it wasn’t fire. It must have been the Maiden of Light’s doing.

We finally made it to the top, and entered a large, round room. All the Young Maidens families stood along the wall, including mine. There was a small stage in a spot along the wall, and there stood a single person.

Elisabeth Strike.

I had seen her enough on the news to know who she is. That, and my mother made me read the biography of all the Maidens in the previous cycle.

She was the Twelfth Maiden of the last cycle. Now, because it was the Eleventh cycle, she only wields the element of air. There is only one Maiden of All every twelve cycles.

Elisabeth had shoulder length, curly blonde hair, and light blue eyes. Her radiant smile was almost blinding.

Behind her on the stage, was the other Maidens of the Eleventh cycle. They all stood in order of their elements, just like we did. My eyes scanned across the line of Maidens, till they met Valery’s. She gave me a wink with a smile, as if to comfort me. Like I’m nervous. While I was nervous about something, it probably wasn’t what she was thinking.

The other Young Maidens and I stood along the front of the stage, with our Guardians right behind us.

As soon as we were all settled in line, Elisabeth began to speak.

“Young Maidens, and family. It brings me immense joy to announce the official start of the Twelfth Cycle!” There was a short applause. “And I am so honored to be the one to mentor the Young Maiden of All. And even though there were… complications, she was able to come and be here today.”

There were a few scoffs and giggles that went around the room. I know that everyone already knew what was really going on, but there was no need to point it out.

“Now, before we bestow the official title of ‘Star Maidens’ upon these beautiful ladies, I shall tell a story. The story of the very first Maiden Cycle.” Elisabeth said.

I rolled my eyes. My mother had read this story to me about a thousand times when I was young. If I must go through listening to it again, I would at least like to have a place to sit.

Elisabeth stood back in line with her other Maidens. Olivia, and the Maiden of Darkness took a step forward, and conjured their elements to make shapes and images that went along with Elisabeth’s story. The Maiden of Darkness made a large sphere out of her element, and the story began.

Many years ago, the world was filled with war, destruction and darkness. The Goddess of the Moon stared down at the earth and wept at all the innocent deaths. Unable to watch anymore, she sent our world twelve gifts.

On the first day of each month, a girl would be born with the power of an element. The girl born on the twelfth month was gifted with the power of all the element.

Air, Earth, Water, Fire, Ice, Nature, Metal, Light, Darkness, Life and Death.

When the sun would rise on the morning of each girls sixteenth birthday, their power would awake, and a mark would appear on the back of their hand. When each Maiden awakened, so did their Guardians.

Once each Maiden had awakened, the Moon Goddess appeared to them. She told then about their destiny. That they would bring order and piece back to the world. She guided each Maiden and their Guardians to this very mountain, where they met for the first time. The Moon Goddess was there to meet them. It was then that she gave them the title, Maidens of the Stars.

For two long years, they learned to use their new powers, and grew strong bonds with each other. Some even fell in love.

On the eve of the twelfth cycle, The Moon Goddess appeared to them. She told them, “Be prepared. For the Sun shall not rise in the morn. For tomorrow, Death and Darkness will try to claim the earth and swallow it whole.”

Just as the Goddess said, the sun never rose that morning. It was blocked by black storm clouds.

We were all startled when the Maiden of Darkness formed clouds of darkness, complete with thunder and lighting. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my sister jump. She must have dozed off and was snapped back to reality when the lighting sounded. I bit my lip to keep from snickering.

As the forces of darkness approached, the Maidens and their Guardians made their plan of action and faced the darkness head on. It was a long battle that lasted the entire day, but the Maidens emerged victorious. But, not without casualty.

The Maiden of Death’s life had slowly faded away with every time she used her power to save her friends who were on the brink of death.

The Maiden of Darkness went mad after using her power to hold off the darkness. Not herself anymore, she started to attack her dearest of friends. Her own Guardian put the knife through her chest, and then struck with overwhelming grief, he took his own life.

The fourth one that was lost that night was the twelfth Maidens first Guardian and lover. He died shielding her from her closest friend, the Maiden of Darkness.

Once the dust cleared on the battlefield, the Goddess appeared one last time. She gave the Maidens another mark. A Crescent moon on the back of their hands, along with the title,

Maidens of the Moon.