Aria looked at her grandfather, "Yup. Julius Alan. How come I have never before read about him in any book? If he could bend all the elements, he must have been really strong."
Christopher: "He was. He was strong Aria. And the reason why he is not mentioned in any book is because what he became, was barely human."
Aria was stunned upon hearing her grandfather. "What does it mean? Grandpa?" she asked.
Christopher: "Sadly, I cannot tell you his story. His story is only known to the current kings and queens. It is a story which a person hears when he defeats the current ruler."
Aria stood up from her grandfather's lap. She said, "So that means I'll never be able to know his story until I defeat you?"
Joseph was shocked upon hearing what she said. He wanted to say something but Christopher put up his hand in a motion to stop him. He said, "That's right, my child."
Aria: "I have two questions. Could you answer them grandpa?"
Christopher: "If I can, I will."
Aria: "What will happen if someone is able to bend all the four elements."
Christopher: "I don't know. Nobody has been able to do so ever since Julius. But I'm afraid...." he looked deep into Aria's eyes, "The person will most likely be killed before he is taken over by the spirits of elements."
At this point, Joseph looked from his father's face to his daughter's face. They both had the same expression. Fearless, curious and alert. In fact they both looked so much alike right now that he was afraid.
Aria spoke again, not breaking the eye-contact between her and her grandfather, "What happened to Julius?"
Christopher: "I'm afraid I cannot tell you that."
Aria: "Very well then." She suddenly turned around to face her father. The grave expression had vanished from her face as though it was a dream. It had already been replaced by her usual bright smile. She said, "Dad, let's go to mother. I wanna play with little sis."
Joseph nodded and they both bowed to Christopher, who nodded back.
While going to Natalia's room, the father-daughter duo was silent. They both had too much on their minds to speak. Joseph was wondering if something was wrong? Why had Aria suddenly brought up this topic before? And what was the side of her that he had seen when Aria was talking with her grandfather? Christopher seemed to be in warning mode, and Aria, instead of being afraid, seemed like was challenging him. It was too much for him.
Aria on the other hand was thinking about something much more terrifying. She had not lied today. She could not bend earth yet. But she had been feeling life from it just as she did with fire, water and wind. But she had now decided. Even if she was able to bend earth, Aria would never disclose this fact until she learnt what Julius Alan did, and what happened to him.
They were both pulled from their thoughts as they reached Natalia and Joseph's chamber.
Joseph pushed open the bedroom door and Aria ran towards her mother.