"Catch!" Brod yelled, tossing the intruder in my direction.
The four deities surrounded the newcomer and me. He was tall and dark, with piercing blue eyes that appeared to look straight through me. I cast a peek in the deities' direction and inquired about the situation.
"This one told us something rather interesting that we thought was worth investigating." Jace summarized.
"You thought it was worth examining. "I wanted to burn him." Zane looked at the young man and summoned a flame in his hand.
"Go on. Speak. "We don't have all day." Brod muttered, annoyed at the stranger's presence in the hallowed woods.
"Did anyone else notice that he does not look anything like her?" Niam added, gently bending closer to study the young man.
The man locked his gaze on me. "Will someone tell me what's going on?" I blurted out. When the deities left to investigate the intrusion, I tidied up the area as best I could before heading to the pond where Niam had relocated my training. I was meditating when they launched the intruder near me, unaware of his identity.
"It's not easy to say, and it may not be credible either. However, it is the truth. The young man spoke with an anxious tone in his voice. He cleared his throat. "I am Derek, and I recently learned that I have abilities like yours." Derek sent a troubled gaze at Zane. The fire deity crossed his arms and repeatedly tapped his foot on the earth. "You are my twin sister." We were separated after we were born, I suppose." He sighed. "The darkness sent me to drag you out of the woods and steal you right from under the noses of your lightkeepers."
The newcomer's words didn't make sense. I did have siblings and sisters who I was certain were blood relatives to me. It seemed ludicrous to me that my parents would accept being separated from one of us.
"See? That is what happens when your natural instincts take over. Can I reduce him to ashes before he gains strength?" Zane asked Jace.
"Wait!" Derek exclaimed in distress. "I haven't awakened my abilities yet. I—" He halted. "I'm still not certain if I do have them or not. I'm repeating what I was told. It piqued my interest, though. I grew up alone in the city, so I figured it would be cool if it were true. "I've always wanted a sister or a brother."
"Why are you telling us this?" Niam inquired, putting himself near me.
"I have a pretty good survival instinct." Derek responded. "I feel like, hmm, it was wrong to listen to the bad guys."
"Did they promise you anything?" Jace inquired, moving closer.
"Of course they did." "That is how they get you, right?" Derek responded, putting his hands in front of him to relieve the mounting strain. "Please let me stay. "I will prove my worth."
"We don't doubt that you might become a fierce magic wielder." Jace started.
"Remember the ice maker." Zane coughed to make his point.
"Exactly." Jace directed his focus to Zane. "He was found by them first, and look what happened."
"You don't mean..." Zane began, casting a desperate look my way. "He can't remain, right?" He might be a spy."
"There is only one way to find out." Niam stated, considering the situation.
Brod smiled, realizing what Niam was referring to. "Alright. You're going to prove the truth of your words, buddy." The earth deity took Derek by the shoulder and walked away. Derek gave me a perplexed look.
"Where is he taking him?" I inquired, puzzled.
"To take part in the trial of truth." Jace responded.
"The what?" I asked. I scanned my memory. I had never heard of a word that was even remotely related to the trial of truth.
"The first trial entails drinking a unique potion that reveals the individual's genuine goals and beliefs. Anyone who takes the potion and is discovered to be lying will be punished with a severe curse, while those who tell the truth will be blessed with good fortune and protection." Niam explained with a smile.
"The second challenge requires walking through a pool of fire undamaged. This is a test of courage and purity, as only those with a clean conscience and a fearless heart can pass through unscathed. Those proved to be deceivers will face the wrath of the fire and burn." Zane recited with fire in his eyes.
"The final trial is the most challenging of all. It required confronting another version of yourself, a mystical being that reveals one's deepest thoughts and intentions. Those who are honest will see themselves as pure, while liars will see their genuine selves as twisted and ruined." Jace concluded the explanation, and I shivered. I wondered whether the gods knew that pure hearts were hard to find in the modern world, even in good people.
"You need not be concerned with the specifics of how we conduct things as immortal beings. We are going to go back to your training. I hope you will set aside your thoughts about this and focus. Otherwise, you'll end up hurting more than just yourself." Zane explained, seizing my hand and directing me to the greenery that overlooks the gods' territory.
Zane summoned a warm breeze from the flame, which felt surprisingly comforting. For some reason, I anticipated sweating near the searing scarlet element.
"Last night, your magic fell short. My power most certainly altered yours the night I kissed you to see if you were the person Jace suspected." Zane explained. "If you allow me, I'll help you get to the rest." The fire wielder took a stride toward me, and I turned red. I silently wished he would embrace me. I wasn't sure whether my feelings or powers were yearning for Zane.
I hastily nodded, and the fire deity grinned. He wrapped my waist and drew me closer to his body. Niam's warmth was nothing in comparison to his, but he had his own unique qualities that drew me in as well.
Zane gently caressed my cheek and slid his fingertip across my lips. I mashed my mouth on his without warning, and he snarled in surprise, bringing me closer. The fire within me showed itself like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The pleasure of power blew my mind. My flames circled Zane and me before erupting into a roaring inferno. The fire deity did not draw away, as engrossed in our embrace as I was. Did he relish the situation as much as I did, or was he merely attempting to test the boundaries of our connection?
A wave of water was hurled in our direction, extinguishing the flames and causing us to separate. Jace and Niam joined us with terrible expressions on their faces. Zane turned to face them, appearing to realize something I didn't.
"Damn." Zane snapped between his teeth.