Rise Of The Elemental Hero

All of a Sudden

As Shiro and Korin walked along the training ground path, Shiro tried to practice his water abilities. There was no formal training today, so they walked round the grounds, students and instructors moving around too.

Shiro focused hard, attempting to form a steady stream of water as they moved. But it wasn’t working. The water kept slipping from his control, and frustration bubbled inside him.

Korin chuckled softly, his small antennae twitching with amusement.

Shiro gave him a curious glance. "What’s so funny?"

"You remind me of him," Korin said with a grin.

"Elro?" Shiro asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah," Korin replied, nodding. "He was just like you—impatient, always eager to master his elements."

“But he did learn eventually," Shiro said, “and saved Serevaal”

"Oh, he did. And fast, too, but you'll learn too, Shiro and save both Serevaal and Earth" Korin said with a small smile.

Shiro’s shoulders slumped slightly. " I am still struggling to make even a single drop," he muttered, discouraged.

Korin gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "You’ll get there, Shiro. It just takes time. Trust me—you’ll be fine."

Shiro glanced at him, still unsure,

"Shiro!"

He looked up to see Mei waving as she hurried toward them.

"There you are!" Mei said with a grin. "I was hoping I’d run into you." She gave him a playful nudge on the arm. "Hey Korin,” she added as she touched his little arm.

Before Korin could respond, someone else approached from the opposite direction. It was Yuki, his blue skin complimenting his eyes as he walked towards them.

Yuki’s gaze flicked between Shiro and Mei, lingering briefly on Shiro. "I thought I’d find you here," he said, giving a small smirk. "You’re hard to keep up with, I've been looking for you ever since the incident."

“I knew I'd see you again” Shiro replied. “This is my guardian, Korin and my friend, Mei,” Shiro introduced.

"Korin, Mei…..Yuki," Shiro said, introducing him with a slight tilt of his head. "Yuki and I met at the Festival."

Yuki gave Mei a once-over, his expression guarded but curious. “Hi, earthy girl"

Mei chuckled. “Hi, water boy"

Shiro glanced between the two of them, feeling at ease despite everything that had been bothering him. For the first time in a while, the weight pressing on his chest seemed lighter, and it felt good—normal, even—to just talk without worrying about anything.

Yuki turned to Shiro, lowering his voice slightly. "You okay, though? I heard the boy is in the council prison."

Mei’s smile faded a little at the mention, her expression softening with concern.

Shiro gave a slow nod. “I heard so, isn't it strange?"

"Strange is an understatement," Yuki muttered, running a hand through his messy hair.

Mei gave Shiro a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I know you’ve been through a lot.”

“ You know it's only the beginning right?” Korin said.

“It is” Shiro replied

As they all stood there, the wind picked up again, stirring the leaves at their feet. For a moment, everything felt still—too still, like the calm before a storm. The air seemed heavier, as if the world was holding its breath.

Mei glanced around, sensing the shift. "Something feels off…”

Almost suddenly, the sky shifted.

It started as a subtle flicker—a flash of light purple spreading across the horizon. At first, they thought it was just clouds passing, but soon the purple darkened, turning into a deep red. Moments later, streaks of blue, then black, rippled across the sky, as though someone were mixing paints above them.

The wind stirred violently, swirling fallen leaves and dust into chaotic circles. Shiro stumbled backward, shielding his eyes as a gust swept past him.

“What’s happening?” Shiro asked as he barely opened his eyes.

Mei put her hand on the ground for stability. The earth under her touch trembled faintly, shifting as if uncertain.

Korin’s antennae quivered. “The orb... it must be the orb….something’s wrong with the orb.”

“If the orb was destabilizing, it could mean the Dark One is closer than we imagined” Yuki stated in horror.

They sprinted through the streets, dodging the panicking people around them. Elements were going haywire—some student's powers misfired in every direction. Someone accidentally summoned a stream of fire that erupted toward a nearby tree, while another's wind element whipped uncontrollably through the air, sending debris flying.

“Everyone !! Get!! Inside!!” An instructor shouted.

Shiro's water, which had been struggling moments ago, now splashed wildly in the air, spreading and jerking out of his control. “I— I can’t stop it!” Shiro shouted, trying desperately to keep it from exploding into a wave.

Yuki clenched his fists, drops of water springing along his fingertips too. “This is bad...” he tried to form a mage but his attempts were void.

The ground beneath Mei shivered as if it were alive, small rocks jumping and vibrating. She clenched her jaw and whispered, “You can do it, Mei,” channeling all her strength to keep the earth from rising beneath their feet.

They ran with their elements going haywire till they reached the council grounds where the Helpers were stationed, only to find them struggling. Their elements were channeling into the glowing orb. As The Helpers stood around the well, channeling power that would go straight to the orb, their faces etched with strain. But it wasn’t enough—their efforts were vain.

“We need to get to the council! !” Korin shouted to Shiro.

When they got to the council room, The Protectors were tryinh to channel their elements to the orb but it wasn't working.

The orb suddenly flickered and the room plunged into sudden darkness. Then, just as suddenly as the chaos had begun, everything stilled. The orb settled, the sky returned to a clear purple, the winds died, and the trembling earth settled.

Silence followed—a heavy, uncertain silence. The Council Protectors, breathing heavily, exchanged confused glances.

“What just happened?” Alaric whispered looking at his fellow protectors.

“The orb... it was just losing strength,now everything is settled??,” Zerix said as confused as Alaric “Something is interfering with it.”

Shiro glanced at the others uneasily.

“But why did it stop so suddenly?” Rexar asked.

They didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the now-quiet orb.

“This... isn’t over, ” Rexar sighed looking at Shiro slyly.