Chereads / Master of the Six Elements / Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Shadows of the Past

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Shadows of the Past

 The air in the small house was suffocating. Jeremy lay awake, staring at the ceiling as the events of the day replayed in his mind. His fists clenched under the thin blanket, and his thoughts swirled with anger and fear. The elders would not stop until they found out the truth about Lila.

He turned his head slightly and saw her small figure curled up on the mat beside him, her face peaceful in sleep. How could someone so innocent be considered a threat? Jeremy knew he couldn't let the elders take her. He had made a promise to protect her, and he intended to keep it, no matter the cost

Hours later, Jeremy slipped out of bed, the house silent except for the soft breaths of his sleeping parents. He crept to the door, glancing over his shoulder one last time. He had to understand what was happening to him.

Outside, the cool night air greeted him. Jeremy's mind replayed the moment he had summoned fire and air in the same breath. It had been exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

He held out his hands and focused, trying to replicate the sensation. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a flicker of flame appeared in his palm. His breath caught as he felt the warmth, almost alive in his hand. He turned his focus to the other palm, willing air to come forth. A gentle breeze swirled around him, strands of his dark hair danced to the rhythm air in his palm.

His heart pounded. He was just like Lila, different, dangerous. But why now? Why hadn't his powers awakened before?

"Jeremy," a voice called softly behind him.

He whirled around to see his mother standing in the doorway, her face pale. She approached him, her gaze flicking to the flickering flame in his hand.

"You shouldn't be doing this," she whispered, her voice tight with fear.

Jeremy extinguished the flame, his eyes burning with shame, he could barely stand the sight of his mouth, he buried his head to the ground. "I didn't mean to... it just happened. I needed to know if I could control...."

She placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm. I think it's time I tell him the truth, she thought ,"There's something you need to understand. Our family... we weren't always without power."

Jeremy's face beam in surprise. His parents had always told him they came from a long line of the powerless, outcasts in a world ruled by elemental ties.

"A long time ago," his mother continued, "our family was one of the most powerful multielemental bloodlines in the realm. But our ancestors were hunted, feared for what they could do. To protect us, they sealed our powers, vowing to live as ordinary people. That's why we've always been marked as powerless. Until Lila your sister, whom has brought back what has long gone been forgotten."

"Why now?" Jeremy asked, his voice shaking.

"I don't know," she admitted. "But Lila's birth changed everything. And now, you too, you can wield all elements if you practice and put your heart and mind to it... But Jeremy, you must promise me, no one can know. If the elders find out you know what they'll do—"

"They won't," he interrupted, his jaw set. "I won't let them."

Her eyes softened, but the fear in them didn't fade. "Get inside. It's not safe out here."

 The next morning, the peace of their small home was shattered by the arrival of the elders. Jeremy's parents stood by the door, their faces pale as the elders, led by the imposing Elder Kael, demanded to see Lila.

"We have nothing to hide," Jeremy's father said firmly. "Lila is too young to be tested. She's just a child."

Kael's sharp eyes scanned the room, lingering on Jeremy. "Children don't summon water from thin air, as we witnessed yesterday."

"It was an accident," Jeremy blurted out, stepping forward. "The fire was out of control, and Lila just reacted. It doesn't mean anything."

Kael's lips curled into a cold smile. "Doesn't it? Accidents like that don't just happen. We'll return in three days. If you refuse to cooperate, the council will take matters into its own hands."

As the elders left, Jeremy's father slammed the door shut, his face red with anger. "They won't stop. We need to leave."

"And go where?" his mother asked, her voice trembling. "We'll be hunted everywhere we go."

Jeremy listened in silence, his mind racing. He knew his parents were right. Staying in Solarys wasn't safe, but neither was running. For the first time, he felt the crushing weight of responsibility.

 That night, while his parents debated their next move, Jeremy made a decision. He would take Lila and leave. If the elders wanted to threaten their family, he wouldn't let them.

He packed a small bag with food, water, and a blanket. Quietly, he woke Lila, who looked at him sleepily.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"On an adventure," he said with a forced smile. "But we have to be very quiet."

Lila nodded, trusting her brother completely. Together, they slipped out of the house and into the night.

The forest loomed ahead, its dark trees twisting into the sky like skeletal fingers. Jeremy hesitated at the edge, clutching Lila's hand tightly. The forest was said to be cursed, home to restless spirits and beasts born of elemental chaos.

But they had no choice.

They ventured into the shadows, the air growing colder with each step. Lila clung to Jeremy, her wide eyes scanning the darkness. Yet, strangely, she didn't seem afraid.

As they walked, Jeremy noticed something odd. The air seemed to hum around them, and Lila's marks began to glow faintly.

"Jeremy, look," she whispered, pointing to a faint light in the distance.

They followed it and found themselves in front of a hidden cave. The entrance was marked with ancient symbols that seemed to pulse with energy.

Inside, the air was thick with an otherworldly presence. The walls were covered in carvings depicting figures wielding all six elements. At the center of the cave stood an altar, its surface etched with runes.

Lila approached it without hesitation, her marks glowing brighter. Jeremy tried to stop her, but the moment she touched the altar, a wave of energy surged through the cave.

Jeremy fell to his knees as a vision flooded his mind. He saw a world in chaos, storms and fires consuming everything. At the center of the destruction was a figure, wielding all six elements with terrifying power.

"The cycle begins anew," a voice echoed in his mind.

When the vision faded, Jeremy found Lila staring at him, her eyes filled with tears. "What did you see?" she asked.

"I don't know," he lied.

As they left the cave, Jeremy felt a chill down his spine. They weren't alone.

A group of masked figures emerged from the shadows, led by Elder Kael.

"You thought you could hide from us?" Kael sneered. "The council will see you punished for your lies."

Jeremy stepped in front of Lila, his heart pounding. He tried to summon his powers, but his fear made them unstable. Sparks of fire and gusts of air collided chaotically, sending one attacker stumbling but leaving Jeremy drained.

Lila's marks glowed fiercely as she stepped forward. With a cry, she unleashed a wave of water and earth, forcing the attackers to retreat.

Kael glared at them. "You can't run forever."

As dawn broke, Jeremy and Lila sat outside the cave, exhausted but alive. Jeremy looked at his sister, her small face determined despite everything they had been through.

"We can't go back," he said. "But we can't keep running either. We have to fight."

Lila looked at him, her voice steady. "I'll help you."

Jeremy nodded, feeling a newfound determination. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing: he would protect Lila, uncover the truth about their powers, and defy the fears of Solarys.

The world might see them as threats, but Jeremy saw something else—a chance to change everything.