Chapter 38
"Primitia Locus," Thaddaeus seemed lost in thought. "I gotta admit, it's a cool name. And, this is pretty unbelievable, but I feel like I've become numb to seeing impossible things at this point. I know this should be shocking, but honestly, I'd probably be more surprised if you guys were born in a normal place." He paused for a moment, then looked at Lux, "How exactly does it work? Are you able to walk into the city as a baby, or do they know when someone is born, and they come get them?"
"It is complicated. I will explain everything once we are inside."
Just as he finished talking the familiar voice of Ignis called out from behind them, "We have retrieved our targets, Tempestas."
The stunned faces of the former gammas emerged from the forest. They stood motionless with their eyes fixed on the otherworldly building.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Thaddaeus questioned. "I thought you were going to lay low in that cabin to the north so you could hide from your old boss."
Taida's eyes reluctantly pulled away from the building, "Hello Thaddaeus, it's good to see you again. We were in the cabin, but he found us. These guys saved our lives and brought us here. We've been holed up in a hospital-type building in this really strange city. They've been trying to bring Iteya out of her coma, but it may be a lost cause."
"It will not be," Telu interjected abruptly. Then, she turned to Lux and held his arm, "Are we prepared to enter, My Light?"
Lux smiled, "We are, My Dewdrop." He raised his voice, "We have gathered all of you here to understand the war in which you find yourselves. Follow myself and this glowing princess into the Primitia Locus. There we will provide you with the answers you seek."
The couple turned and made their way toward the grand staircase leading onto something which resembled a porch. It wrapped completely around the outside of the building. The stairs stopped in front of a giant open door in the building.
Lux and Telu began walking up the stairs leaving Thaddaeus next in line to follow. He looked down in front of him. The first step was made entirely of water. It moved as the surface of a pond might. It didn't look like it would hold his weight. The next step was a blazing fire. The one after that, a continuous gust of wind. He was nervous about the reality of walking on these things. However, the stairs lifted the two in front of him well enough so he decided to take the first step. His foot hit the water, the surface rippled outward, but he did not sink. His foot stayed on the surface. It didn't feel solid, but it supported his weight. The next step placed his boot at the top of the flames. They bent and moved together as if they were hands holding him in place. He could feel the heat, but it didn't burn him. The wind made him feel as though he were floating rather than standing, but once again, the step held. He continued up the staircase. It felt unnatural. For a while it was difficult, but eventually he got the hang of it.
He continued behind Lux and Telu through the mysterious building with the rest of the group following him. He couldn't explain any of what he saw. Rooms were designed and there were even decorations created from the elements, yet none of it by human hands. Finally, the exploration was over. He found the other two standing in the back room. They waited next to something that was both familiar and puzzling. It looked like a portal. It was similar to the one on the mountain, but something was different. There was a strange design on it, and it seemed to hold no power. This one obviously wasn't used for travel as the other one was.
After a short while, everyone had gathered in the room. They stood in a circle around the portal. In total, three Gammas of the Imperials, six Elementals of the Primis and Thaddaeus were present in the building. They were ten warriors with nothing in common but their enemy.
"I am hoping we can all act in one accord after today," Lux said. "No one will be forced into fighting alongside us, but I do not believe anyone can afford to ignore the upcoming war. I will provide some information to help you establish a basis for the story we are going to tell you. However, I am no storyteller. I will allow Solis to relay the story of the Primis to you. First, this object in front of us is called a Spirit Portal. They are powered by spirit energy. The same energy that we Primis have flowing through us and is coursing through every part of Vellstone. This world is the origin for all such energy. It does not occur naturally in any other realm. Next, I must tell you that this is, in reality, not an actual world. This realm is purely spiritual in nature. It is not the realm of the dead, but it is not the realm of the living. It is a world which exists between all other worlds. Comparing this place to Atlas may assist your understanding. Atlas is a physical world surrounded by a moon and stars. One could travel to Atlas from another world because it has a physical form to approach from the outside. Vellstone is not like this. One cannot travel to Vellstone by physical means. It is only possible to reach this place by accessing spiritual energy. It has no form. It exists differently to all other realms. Perhaps this will become clearer when Solis tells our story. The last thing you must know is that we are not the same as the other Primis you have seen. We are called Elementals. All worlds and realms, including this one, are created from the eight elements. They are as follows: Lightning, Water, Fire, Rock, Light, Darkness, Wind, and Nature. There are eight elemental warriors among the Primis in any given generation. Each one is meant to be the embodiment of the element that corresponds to them. I am quite sure you all know which elements we represent, but I will clarify. Lightning dwells within me, I am quick and decisive. My Telucani embodies the calm and graceful nature of water. Solis and Luna are light and darkness respectively. He is cheerful and optimistic, she is withdrawn and a bit unlucky. Fira is wild and powerful like a raging fire. Ignis is steady and strong like a rock. The interesting thing about Ignis is that he is of the Caloral lineage. Calor means heat. In his case, his energy primarily presents itself in the form of magma. These are just a few key pieces of information which will hopefully help you understand our history." Lux turned to Solis and nodded appreciatively.
The storyteller took on his usual expression of childlike enthusiasm, "I suppose it is time for me to thrill you guys with the amazing story of The Origin of the Primis."