As night drew nearer, Atohmma kept in mind, that she was asked to re-visit the western mountain and to keep a closer eye on any changes to herself personally. She checked the time and decided the best time to go there would be later on that night. She didn't want anyone to see her expanded wings. In the meantime, she opened up some of her other gifts. She received, cups, bowls, dresses, shoes, ponytail holders, cushions and pillows, even the blankets she lent out were returned along with new ones. She had more than enough of those now, she thought to herself. She smiled and packed everything away. She looked at the sculpted pony Nucamma gave to her, that was placed on the wall by her bed. It was a good time for a snack and a glass of juice, so she fixed herself some and sat to indulge herself when she felt like her ears were burning. There was a stinging sensation and then she felt it pop. Atohmma sprang up and went to her tiny mirror on the shelf. Her ears were pointed, she gasped, and astonished, she held on to both ears as she felt it with her fingers. She looked again in the mirror, it was like that of an elf. Although their ears were strange, she thought elves ears were even more conspicuous and she wanted a way to hide it. She went quickly to her draw and she rummaged through to find a hat or scarf so she could tie it down or hide it somehow. She found a winter hat that was long enough to cover her ears. She put it on and wore it for the balance of the evening.
A bit nervous, she tried to convince herself that it was normal and she had to go through these changes. She believed that she was becoming an elf. She remembered the elf intruder and understood why he wanted to speak to her and no one else. She began to assume that she was one of them and that was the reason she had to place the bowl on the rock. Her mind was racing, and she was even more concerned with what could be the possible changes, that were yet to happen to her. She sat down to continue her snacking and she believed she was evolving, but into what, she would have to wait and see.
Later that night, she headed out of the village to go to the western mountain. As she was leaving, Venomma saw her passing, but she was not going in the usual direction. She was heading west and she had a strange winter hat on her head. Venomma thought it was suspicious, at that hour of the night, dressed like that. So she quickly ran into her room, grabbed a coat and followed Atohmma. She maintained some distance behind but she was determined to see what Atohmma was up to.
Atohmma didn't think anyone noticed her, so as soon as she cleared the village, she extended her wings and flew off. Venomma noticed the extension and the size of Atohmma's wings, so she covered her mouth in awe and opened her eyes wide, but she immediately gathered herself and flew behind. At the mountain, Venomma saw there was a very colourful spectrum of light and she had to maintain some distance behind so when she saw Atohmma fly up to where she was seeing the light, she intended to get closer, enough to see what was happening. So Venomma made her way to the other side of the mountain to get a better view. Atohmma was now before the spectrum of light. She noticed that this was the place where she placed the bowl. This was the rock, but it was now like a portal of light. She surrounded it and she noticed it was no longer solid rock. She realized it was some kind of metal also, the bowl with the water was not there, it was nowhere around.
"What is this? Could this be..." Atohmma questioned herself, "could this be the Elemental Shield?" She hovered over it and observed its spectrum of light, every color imaginable. This was like a flame of light. "It had to be." Atohmma thought to herself. "This is the elemental shield, or else the Shaman wouldn't have instructed me to re-visit. This explains the battle of the elements and..." as she whispered this to herself, she flew off. Venomma could have seen her movement but she didn't hear what Atohmma was whispering to herself. She flew behind Atohmma.
Atohmma headed straight for the Shaman. She went there, so she could get some answers or at least some clarification. Venomma was behind her. When Atohmma was in the Shaman's cave she entered and he said he was expecting her. She immediately dragged the hat off her head. Venomma was at the door and peeping in, she also saw Atohmma's ears. She was startled. The Shaman turned to Atohmma, and seeing her ears, said to her, "sit here my dear." Atohmma took a seat and he sat next to her. "You must have many questions or many answers. She looked at him, then he said to her, "you have come of age and these are the changes. He touched her wings. Looking at her he said, "You are the descendent of our earliest people. They were elves and leaders of the many ancient tribes that maintained this place. This is why it has become so easy for you to take on the role within the village and among the natives. You are a natural-born leader. You have their special traits and powers within you." "What about the spectrum of light on the mountain. I was there and it has some type of metal and very colorful flames of light like... "A portal?" he interjected. "Yes, like a portal," said Atohmma. "Yes my child, that is the rock that you placed the water upon. It transformed into the elemental shield." said the Shaman. "I knew it had to be that," said Atohmma. The Shaman said to her, "Now, you are aware of the battle of the elements. The night of your birthday, began because the elemental shield was transforming. Then you would have noticed it stopped. The cracks would have disappeared." "Yes! I noticed this," shouted Atohmma excitedly. "That's because it protects this world from the battle of the elements because you are here. You are the chosen one Atohmma. This world will be protected by the elemental shield. It will balance the elements and they will harmonize. It will keep us all safe until you are fully transformed and ready." "Transformed into what and ready for...?" asked Atohmma. "Your leadership of these people and this world," he replied. In days to come, you will become your evolved self and you will have to reach into the elemental shield for the gem of compassion. It will be ready when you are ready."
Out at the door, Venomma was frozen with what she heard. "I always knew there was something strange about her," she said to herself softly. "So that was the elemental shield on the mountain. I must warn the others. No, I must wait before I say anything," then she continued peeping inside.
"You must give yourself time to fully develop into your transformation. Do not rush to show who you are yet, but let the natives know about the presence of the shield." said the Shaman. "How can I not let them see who I am when it will be obvious, I cannot keep hiding." "I know and I understand, but it is necessary and you have to find a way, somehow you must allow yourself some time away from the village for a while at least. Everything will be fine without you for a few days. Don't worry." the Shaman comforted her with his words of encouragement. "Okay, thank you for your time, I will leave now." said Atohmma. "Stay safe child. I will see you again soon," said the Shaman.