Rise Of The Elemental Hero

Elemental Training: Earth

Shiro and Korin made their way to the training grounds, anticipation swirling in the morning air.

Today, Shiro would be learning about the Earth element, and he was also excited as he would train with Mei today.

As he arrived, he spotted his Mei, and waved. Together, they all walked towards the Earth training section where a small group of students were already gathered.

Korin then left them to practice.

Mrs. Rena stood at the front, her calm and commanding presence immediately catching everyone’s attention. Mrs Rena happened to be the best Earth controller in Serevaal.

She looked over the students with a focused expression before beginning.

"Good day, everyone," she greeted the group. "Today, we'll be working with the Earth element. I want you all to know that Earth is not just about moving rocks or controlling soil. It’s about feeling the steady force that grounds everything around us." she said, her voice carrying easily across the field. “Earth is a patient element, surely the most patient. It requires balance, strength, and calmness. It requires a deep connection with it to be able to control it well,”

With a slight movement of her hand, Mrs. Rena lifted a medium-sized stone from the ground beside her. The stone hovered at her command, and she guided it effortlessly, moving it in smooth circles in the air before letting it return to its original place. She looked at her students to see if they understood what she did.

“Now, try it yourselves,” she instructed. “Begin with a smaller rock. Focus on connecting with the earth, understanding it as an extension of your own strength.”

Shiro exchanged a look with Mei, who was clearly determined to make a strong first attempt. She focused on a small rock in front of her, her brow furrowing as she tried to make it move. After a few seconds, the rock began to lift—but only slightly before it dropped again, wobbling unsteadily.

Frustrated, Mei tried again, but this time, her focus slipped, and the rock rolled away from her, hitting a few students’ rocks, knocking them out of concentration.

She looked down, a hint of disappointment crossing her face. “I thought I had it,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shiro stepped closer, offering a reassuring smile. “You were really close.”

With renewed focus, she tried again, and this time, the rock lifted, staying steady. She glanced at Shiro, her face lighting up with a smile.

Mrs. Rena watched them both, nodding approvingly. “Well done,Mei—that’s the spirit. The earth is as strong as you make it. Always concentrate and connect with it,” she said, referring to everyone now.

Mrs. Rena continued, her gaze sweeping over the group. "To connect with the Earth element, you must first ground yourself. You must feel the solid ground beneath your feet. Sense its rhythm, its weight. Earth is stable and reliable, unlike the fire's rush or water’s flow. Focus on becoming one with that steadiness."

Shiro took a breath and focused on a small stone in front of him. He felt the subtle vibration of the earth, and as he concentrated, the stone began to rise. He grinned, feeling a wave of excitement—he was doing it!

Around him, other students were attempting the same exercise, some stones floating higher than others, and a few barely lifting at all. Mrs. Rena watched each of them closely, offering gentle corrections and words of encouragement.

"Very good, everyone. Controlling the Earth element requires patience, but you’re all doing well," she said, smiling at the class. "Now that you've grasped the basics, let’s move on to something a bit more challenging."

As they neared the end of their training, a pleased smile fell on Mrs Rena's face.

"Excellent work today, everyone," she said, her voice steady and encouraging. "You’ve all shown remarkable progress."

With a final word of encouragement, Mrs. Rena dismissed them.

**************************

As Shiro and Korin walked back to the quarters, Zerix appeared out of nowhere

"Protector Zerix?" Korin said, surprised. He then asked to speak with them.

They strolled down the street as Zerix spoke. "You must have heard about...the boy," he said, looking straight ahead and not at Shiro.

Shiro nodded, his expression slightly sad.

"Sad, isn't it?" Korin added.

Zerix’s gaze remained forward. "Do you really think he killed himself? I know he was possessed by the Dark One, but there were small stab marks on his body."

Shiro and Korin both looked at him, shocked.

"Y-you think someone from inside the council killed him?" Shiro asked.

Zerix stopped for a moment. "I don’t want to accuse anyone. It could’ve been the helpers, the watchmen, or even...one of us protectors," he said, lowering his head at the thought.

"Why do you think that, Protector?" Korin asked instinctively.

Zerix looked around before telling them what he had found in the dungeon.

Shiro’s mind then drifted back to the Festival incident where for a moment, he had felt like he knew the boy, like they had met before.

“Uh...,” Shiro stammered, unsure of how to explain it to them.

"His eyes...they looked familiar," Shiro said.

They were now close to the council grounds where their quarter was.

"You don't remember anything else about him?" Zerix asked. Shiro frowned, unable to place who the boy’s eyes reminded him of.

Zerix then left, still determined to uncover what was happening within the council.

Shiro and Korin finally reached their quarters, still feeling the weight of what Zerix had shared with them.

They entered the quiet room, closing the door softly behind them as if not to disturb the silence that had settled in their minds.

Shiro sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at the floor, while Korin leaned against the wall, arms crossed, deep in thought.

“Did you really see something familiar in that boy’s eyes?” Korin asked, breaking the silence.

Shiro nodded slowly. “It was like...a memory, just out of reach. I know it sounds strange, but when I looked at him, it felt like we had crossed paths before. Maybe it’s nothing, but it’s stuck with me ever since the festival.”

Korin considered this. “Maybe it isn’t nothing. Sometimes, small things like that turn out to be important. You’re a reborn Shiro so perhaps, who knows what memories would come back if you dig a little deeper.”

Shiro sighed. “Maybe. But how do I even begin to understand it? And now, with what Zerix told us...if someone in the council is actually involved, it might be bad.”

Korin pushed off the wall and took a seat across from Shiro. “You have to be careful, Shiro. If someone really is covering up the truth about that boy’s death, it could put you in danger just for asking questions. I don’t know what’s happening in the council, but it’s clear we’re caught in the middle of something.”

They fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Korin offered a faint smile. “At least we’re in this together.”

With that, they both fell silent again, each feeling the weight of what Zerix's revealed to them .