The First Syldine

11 - Mixture of Everything

I suggested that I should have a mock battle too with Aellah but Prince Rage said we can do it the day before the games, or the last day of our training.

To understand our elements, our powers and some secrets of Retheale is the first thing we should really tackle about.

Since they are Cheiums, they are somehow exposed to the deep links of fire, air, water and earth as it was taught to them in order to govern their own nations in the future. The heavy burden they carry at such young age until they sit on the throne, until they pass it, I am glad I am only a Stoiche, living life easier than them I guess. Well not including the stereotypes about us and the bad treatment we get because of it.

“First off, air goes well with water.” Prince Rage started.

“Only if we have brought Aquon with us.” Prince Zephyr added.

Maybe he is pertaining to their Undine friend?

“You see, water can freeze air, hardened it, giving air another form and property which one can take advantage of.” Prince Rage continued.

“Ice.” I remarked.

Prince Zephyr raised his both hands, started swaying it as air is slowly forming up above a lake that is in front of us. The water rose up as the turbulent air disturbed it. And with right timing, Prince Zephyr froze the rising water, making swirls of ice.

“Pretty!” Aellah commented.

“That’s cool……” I followed.

And why, in my entire life, that I haven’t thought of that combination? I have used water in various ways for so many times but never in my life that I considered making ice? Even Mother did not teach me to do so.

Or she was preventing me to accidentally reveal myself?

Using both my powers to make ice would only put the risk of discovering my true identity higher. But I can use it if I am with an Undine.

I should take note of that. Ice can be a great shield or an effective trap.

“While on the other hand, fire and earth can be a good combination too, depending on the fairies themselves.” Prince Rage’s talk made me come back to my senses.

“I told you, we should have brought the two, we could have demonstrated what we grew up with. And Mason would have loved this opportunity to show himself off.” Prince Zeph—rathe Zephyr sounded so serious at first but eventually almost laughing at the end.

“Fine, they will come with us on the other day.” Prince Rage sighed but smiled.

So the four of them are friends since childhood? And learned, practiced these combinations for years?

I am jealous. I only have Mother, not that I don’t want to be with her, but having friends could have surely brightened up my childhood more.

“And what the two elements can make?” Aellah asked.

She’s normally uninterested into this kind of topic but she’s really listening and catching up everything that’s being taught to us.

Is this her way to impress Zephyr? Or she’s really eager to get back on Ariesa? Maybe both?

“Meteor.” Prince Rage’s hand suddenly made a ball of fire while Prince Zephyr picked up a stone, as big as his fist and put it on top of Prince Rage’s palm.

The fire ball eventually covered up the rock, but it didn’t turn into ashes or dusts. He is controlling his red flame!

Now he’s like holding a small meteorite that’s freshly fallen from the green skies.

He aimed it and threw to a tree not so far from us, and there I saw what he made marked the tree, almost piercing through its thick trunk like a bullet.

“Wow.” Aellah and I both said.

Prince Rage coughed and fixed his posture in a proud manner. I am getting used to his boastfulness, but it is still sometimes an annoyance to see.

“Dude stop.” Zephyr gave a light punch on Prince Rage’s shoulder. They both looked into each other before laughing out loud like children.

I scratched my neck’s back. They are acting like 5 year olds.

Aellah laughed with them and I glared at her. The two princes noticed me and silence finally came in for a short moment.

“Going back, just like what Naia did with Pele in their Duellos, too much air with fire can only cause havoc for the fairies. Especially when one element dominated the other, specifically the air, making it harder for the Salamanders to control their combined powers.” Prince Rage mentioned.

He threw a huge fire ball in the air and was followed by an air sphere from Zephyr which collided with first. Prince Zephyr manipulated the sphere with his hands making the fire ball grew bigger and bigger until it exploded.

I grinned at the view of falling red and green mana bits and with the thought of how Pele lost herself over her raging fire. I should do better than that in the upcoming games.

“While with water and earth, too much water can only weaken rocks, earth, turning it into mud, which can be useful at times, but knowing most of Gnomes rely on strength, water can only destroy its good point.” Zephyr on the other hand explained.

I wonder if air fairies can freeze muds, or fire fairies can put up muds in flames. That would be awesome to see, a combination of three elements!

“Air and earth is a rare fusion since it is heavy to carry rocks in the midair, making the job harder and heavier for Sylphs. Though it is an ideal offensive move, executing it would be very difficult, unless mastered by both fairies.” Prince Rage continued.

“The last, we all know that water will only put flames out. Some believe it is the reason why Undines are not close with Salamanders, total opposites.” Zephyr stated.

But I would love to see a blazing water ball before my life ends.

These power combinations are insane and unbelievable. I should practice on my own to test out creating ices myself. A rain of ice arrows? Ice sword? Anything! Maybe I should freeze Pele?

Though fire can melt ices immediately.

I must think of a plan to use these new learnings rightfully and effectively. Shouldn’t waste such knowledge coming from Cheiums.

“Now for the second part, the secrets.” I suddenly felt nervous upon hearing the word secret from Zephyr.

Prince Rage looked at his friend before looking to me and Aellah.

“Secrets? Are we allowed to know that?” Aellah asked.

“Maybe? There’s no rule saying Stoiches shouldn’t.” Zephyr answered and Aellah let out a heavy sigh. As if she thought we would be facing serious consequences by knowing these so called secrets.

“Wisps and Shades are real.” Prince Rage opened the talk.

I didn’t look surprised but Aellah did. Probably she was not aware of anything, even the folklore about light and dark.

“Wisps and Shades?” she asked.

“The fairies of light and dark.” Prince Rage answered.

“Like the Pixies who can control plants, flowers, trees, the Yin and Yang fairies are said to appear small, that they are called lightflies by other Cheiums and books. Their existences are written as legends so that even if with imagination alone of the population’s majority, they are still part of this world. Yet they only show themselves when someone with great powers summon them unlike the Pixies who are mostly living in this forest. Meaning the chances of meeting a Wisp or a Shade is very low. And even us in line to the throne, we are yet to learn where they reside or the truth about them.” Zephyr answered.

The real question here is, why are they hiding? I bet that ninety percent of Stoiches are not aware of the existence of these fairies. I grew up believing there are only four types of fairies in Retheale.

Their home is only second to my concern, or third?

Seeing one with my own eyes can be the second.

Does this concern Aether and Reathe too? I guess so.

“It was rumored within the walls of royal bloods that asking for the Shades’ help is a lot easier than the Wisps’ and so, some fairies get powerful in an instant, in an overnight by doing a ritual. A ceremony that’s said to be offering one’s wholeness, including the soul in exchange of great power. A deal can also be arranged in this situation, more beneficial to the Wisp or Shade.” Prince Rage added.

Giving up your all for that? That’s absurd! Craziness! What if the Wisp or Shade asks for your life in order for the ritual to be completed?

“Are you sharing us this knowledge because some may use this technique for the annual games?” I asked.

Both Cheiums in front of us nodded without any hesitation. The cold wind blew and shivers were sent to my spines.

I can’t imagine how strong one will be after turning into a Wisp, or a Shade.

“It is hard to give proofs about one using this forbidden ritual, but it is punishable, not just by the school laws but also from Retheale’s. The problem is, the way to expose one using it.” Price Rage said.

The Grand Erutain Games seems to be more dangerous than I have thought it can be.

“Wait I am not following the talk. Can you guys repeat it from the top?” Aellah asked innocently with her confused face.