“So he thinks that there is an Elemental out there?”
Noiro nodded.
“How did Yun Zeru even know about this book’s existence?” Miela sighed. She looked at Argon. “Your sister mentioned it’s a family heirloom.”
“I don’t know.” Argon turned his head away. “It’s an old book that’s been passed down for generations… She’s also a proud historian. She might have showed it to her class? I don’t think she saw the harm in sharing it with others.”
Miela frowned. “Argon,” she said slowly. “Your sister said that you inherited the book after your father passed.”
Argon nodded. “That’s right.”
“In the time shadows, you were attacked. Your house was ransacked.” She bit her lip. “Do you think whoever attacked you was looking for the book? They might’ve not known the book was still at your sister’s.”
Argon shifted uncomfortably. It made sense. Everything that happened in the time shadows was somehow tied to him and his family, and a big part of the mystery was why.
Argon felt a deep pit in his stomach. Was his family the reason for Yun Zeru’s malevolent descent into chaos and massacres? The image of his sister slitting her own throat floated to the front of his mind. He shook his head vehemently, trying to get the image out of his head. Instead, he saw his own mother, slain and covered in blood in their own home. His blood boiled, and anger overtook him. He gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white as his head hung low.
“Hey,” Elara said softly, putting her hand on his arm. She could see him fighting internally, and could only guess what was going through his mind. “We’ve already stopped so much of what was supposed to happen.”
Argon sighed.
“Yun Zeru will never see this,” she said firmly. “We’ll make sure of it.”
He nodded, putting his hand on top of hers, squeezing hard. He was scared. There was no denying it. He squeezed her hand again. “We need to warn Estelle,” he whispered. “She was killed in the future, remember?”
“You’re right,” agreed Noiro. “We need to go, now.”
“Are you sure she’ll be up now? It’s late,” whispered Miela as the group slowly trudged through a small pathway.
“We’ll wake her up, then,” Argon replied, his voice hushed as they turned a corner. “Here we are.”
The group came to a stop in front of Estelle’s home, standing by the fence.
Argon frowned. “The door’s open,” he muttered, his heart sinking. Were they too late? He lurched forward, but was stopped by Miela’s sturdy arm holding him back.
“Lieutenant,” she uttered. “Remember protocol. We don’t know what’s waiting for us behind that door.”
“It’s my sister,” Argon said through gritted teeth, fiercely shaking her arm away.
“I know,” she replied calmly. She drew out her sword, and Argon did the same. “But we follow protocol. We move together. Let’s go.”
Argon and Miela led the way, moving cautiously toward the front door. Noiro walked carefully behind them, anxious as they drew closer. Had Yun Zeru figured something out? Had he already made a move?
“Hello?” Argon called out, slowly pushing the door open wider. The lights were off, and he could barely make out what was past the entryway.
Silence greeted them, and his voice echoed against the walls.
“Estelle?” Argon’s voice rose as his heart pounded in his chest. He felt cold sweat break across his forehead as he walked into the house. Framed pictures of him and his sister were hung onto the wall beside the door, staring silently at the group who followed the man into his childhood home.
“I’m going to check the—” Miela began, but the sound of a startled scream drowned out the rest of her sentence. She whirled around, her sword brandished before her, ready to strike.
“Don’t hurt me!” Estelle squealed, her arms thrown up in defense, a large fire iron clattering to the ground as it fell out of her grasp.
“Estelle!” Argon pushed past Miela, throwing his arms around her. “I thought something had happened! The door was open—”
“I heard a noise,” Estelle cried. “I came down to investigate.”
Miela’s eyes flashed. “The door was open.”
“What?” Estelle shivered, her voice sharply dropping to a whisper. “Do you think someone is in here?”
“I’ll take a look,” Miela assured, creeping past them.
“I’ll take the first floor,” Noiro asserted. Miela nodded and threw him a dagger. He caught it by the hilt, ready to investigate.
Estelle gawped at the group, flabbergasted. “What on Earth is going on?” she demanded. “You all scared me half to death!”
“Your door was open,” Argon repeated. “We had to make sure you were okay.”
“What are you all even doing here?” Estelle asked incredulously. “I’ve seen you more this week than I’ve seen you in the past couple of years!”
“It’s all clear,” Miela called out, her boots thumping against the wooden steps as she made her way back down to the main sitting room.
“All clear here, too,” said Noiro, emerging from one of the other rooms.
“Put down the weapons,” Estelle ordered. “Honestly! What is going on? I have to be up early tomorrow, and—”
“Estelle, we have some more questions to ask,” Noiro interrupted.
“Can’t it wait until morning? It’s late.”
“Estelle,” Argon implored, his eyes deep with concern. “It’s important.”
Estelle looked at her brother, and then sighed. “You owe me,” she told him, folding her arms.
Argon nodded.
“I need some caffeine,” Estelle muttered, going over to the kitchen. She certainly did not take kindly to her sleep being disrupted. “Tea, anyone?”
“I’ll have a cup,” said Miela. Estelle nodded, setting out another mug. She carried the tray out to the sitting room, and sat across from her unexpected guests. They sat in silence, each of them not knowing how to start. Miela sipped loudly on her tea, wincing as the hot liquid scalded her tongue.
“Where’s Elara?” Estelle asked, breaking the silence.
“She’s at home,” Noiro replied simply. As much as Elara wanted to come with the group to Estelle’s, she needed to stay back with Helia. It was far too late in the evening to impose on Tami again, and Helia was beginning to grow anxious when she saw the adults around her move about urgently as they were preparing to leave. The energy around them seemed familiar to the chaos Helia had grown up in, and no doubt it triggered some of the anxiety and stress in the child.
She needed her mother.
“Okay,” Estelle nodded. She took a sip of her tea, waiting for one of her visitors to speak.
“It’s about the book,” Noiro began.
“What?” Estelle frowned.
“The book,” Noiro repeated. “The one in the package you gave us.”
“Okay…” Estelle nodded, growing more confused. “What is this about?”
“Estelle, how much do you know about that book?” asked Noiro.
Estelle turned to him curiously. “I know the book by heart,” she replied. “It’s a book our parents used to read to us when we were children.”
“We have a few questions. About one of the stories,” Noiro clarified.
“Questions so important that you had to come in the middle of the night?” Estelle said sardonically, raising an eyebrow.
Noiro looked at her seriously. “Yes.”
Estelle felt her shoulders tense up as she took in the apprehensive trio before her. “Okay,” she sighed, taking another sip of her tea. “Ask away.”
Noiro cleared his throat. “The Ballad of the Ancient Princess.”
“Ah, my favorite story from Fital’s collection.” Estelle smiled. “What about it?”
“Is it real?”
Estelle frowned, confused. “I’m not following you. Are you asking if the ballad’s real?”
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“The story it tells,” Noiro asserted. “Is there any truth to it? We noticed some overlap with some historical events, and we wondered…”
Estelle shifted in her seat. “You must be referring to the War of Waters.”
Noiro nodded.
“Well, every story is based on some truth,” said Estelle thoughtfully. “According to my understanding, that ballad was supposed to be the story of Polaris’s beginning.”
“Really?” Noiro leaned forward, intrigued.
Estelle nodded. “For example, Fital refers to ‘the Northern mouth,’ in one of the verses. It’s a reference to Polaris.”
“Polaris is also the name of the North Star,” Miela chimed in. “Of course!”
Estelle smiled at Miela. “According to legend, the Ancient Princess’s connection to the elements saved humanity from going extinct,” she continued. “With her ability to influence the elements, she was able to bring forth fresh water, and built her empire, Polaris, around it.”
“So, she was an Elemental?” asked Miela.
“Technically, yes,” said Estelle.
“This Ancient Princess—was she a real person? Or was she fictional?”
Estelle laughed. “Well, it’s funny you ask that,” she said. “Fital’s stories were written as bedtime stories for his children, so they’re easy to dismiss as just that: a story. But as a historian, I can’t help but draw further conclusions.”
“And those are?”
“My conclusions? Well…” Estelle crossed her legs. “I believe the Ancient Princess’s story might be based on Princess Laelia.”
“Princess Laelia?”
Estelle nodded. “Much of the Royal Family’s history is well documented. She’s one who certainly had some strange accounts recorded about her. A lot of unexplained phenomena are tied to her time. Floods. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Magma eruptions…”
“In other words, strange events tied to the elements,” said Noiro.
Estelle nodded in agreement. “Exactly. If she truly was an Elemental, I reckon that she might have had trouble controlling the elements in the beginning. Or, perhaps, throughout her entire life.”
“Princess Laelia…” Noiro frowned. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
Estelle looked at him curiously. “Have you not visited the Old Archive before?”
Noiro looked taken aback by the question. “I’m a researcher for the Royal Family,” he said, almost defensively. “Of course I’ve been to the Old Archive.”
“I don’t mean to offend you,” Estelle responded, putting her hands up apologetically. “I’m just surprised.”
“About what?”
“Princess Laelia,” she said. “She’s the founder of the Old Archive. I thought you knew.”
Noiro’s eyes widened. “The statue by the entrance!” he gasped. “How did you know?”
“I’m a historian.” Estelle smiled. “And I come from a long line of historians who dedicated their lives to preserving Polaris’s history.”
“Noiro, you did say that we needed to go back to the roots of the Elementals in Polaris history,” Argon said contemplatively. He turned to Estelle. “Are the elements mentioned before Princess Laelia’s time?”
Estelle thought for a moment. “I don’t believe so,” she murmured. “If you’re looking for the starting point of the elements in the Royal Family history, then Princess Laelia is it. She’s even named her children after the elements.”
“Oh?”
“She had four heirs,” said Estelle. “And each were named after the elements: Prince Air, Princess Water, Princess Earth, and Prince Fire. Princess Laelia sent them out to the four corners of Polaris to watch over the lands and take care of the people, while Princess Laelia would rule from the center of Polaris. According to legend, each heir was bestowed the attribute of one of the Earth’s four elements, and their reigning territory would reflect the ruling heir’s element.
“Prince Air’s lands, the Mizar Cliffs, reflected the element of air. As you know, their lands are built on high cliffs that tower above the sea, and they built high towers from which they built their livelihoods in.
“Princess Water’s lands, the Ursa Isles, were a collection of small islands. Her people were one with the water, using the ocean’s tides to bring power to the realm, and reaping their harvests from the ocean’s depths.
“Princess Earth’s lands are in the Cepheus Forests, where ancient trees possessed trunks as thick and wide as small villages, and the tips of the trees touched the sky’s clouds. Princess Earth’s subjects lived in harmony with the trees, carving their homes and building communities within the forest’s massive trunks.
“Prince Fire’s people settled near the Drako Volcanoes, long dormant. They tapped into the magma that flowed beneath the Earth, harnessing its energy to melt down the Earth’s resources and provide useful materials for Polaris.”
Noiro leaned forward, thinking hard. “Estelle, if the Ballad of the Ancient Princess is, in fact, based on real people and real events”—he looked at Argon and Miela—“why did Fital hide the story in a children’s storybook? Why is this not captured in a history book?”
Estelle shifted uncomfortably and said, “Fital was a strange man.”
Argon narrowed his eyes, staring at his sister.
“Tell me more about Fital,” pressed Noiro. “He was your ancestor, according to Argon.”
Estelle chewed her lip nervously. “Yes,” she answered shortly.
“What else can you tell me about him?” Noiro probed.
“It’s getting late,” Estelle said abruptly, getting up. “I really must ask you to leave.”
Argon stood up. “Estelle,” he said, “answer the question.”
Estelle glared at him defiantly, her voice hard. “You would be able to answer the question, if you only stayed here.”
“Don’t change the subject, Estelle,” Argon uttered. “It’s important.”
Estelle shook her head. “You don’t understand.”
“It’s important,” Argon repeated.
“Why? Why should I answer anything, when you won’t even tell me why is it so important.”
“Because you don’t understand,” Argon growled. “Your life depends on it. All of our lives depend on it.”
Estelle’s face drained. “What? What do you mean?”
Miela put her hand on Argon’s shoulder. “You’ve said too much, Lieutenant,” she hissed.
Argon ignored her, staring at his sister. “Please, Estelle.”
“Tell me what’s going on,” she demanded. “I have a right to know.”
Argon turned to Noiro and Miela. “She’s right,” he agreed. “She has a right to know.”
“To know what?” Estelle asked.
“Are you sure?” Miela turned her attention to Argon. “You know what’s at stake, Lieutenant. It’s your sister. It’s your call.”
“She can help us,” Argon asserted.
Miela sighed, then nodded. She turned to Noiro, who gave a curt nod.
“Tell me,” Estelle ordered, her voice faltering as she saw the solemn exchange between the three. Argon sighed, and then began to fill her in.
Estelle’s face contorted in horror as she learned about Helia’s appearance, covered in her mother’s blood, the Aether Stone, the horrible events which unfolded in the time shadows, and Yun Zeru’s part in all of it.
“I…I die?” Estelle murmured blankly. “We…We all die?”
“Yes,” Argon said shortly. “But it’s bigger than that.”
“‘Mystified by the First and its power, She feared what might happen with hands that went sour,’” Estelle recited, her voice now a faint whisper. “Yun Zeru is after the Aether Stone?”
Noiro shook his head. “We don’t know if he knows about the Aether Stone, yet,” he said. “He was after ‘the Elemental,’ in the future.”
Estelle nodded, silent.
“What is it?” Argon tilted his head towards his sist
er.
“I know why,” Estelle murmured to herself. She lifted her head up to the three before her. “I think I know why our family was targeted in the future.”
“Why?”
“Think about it. You were the first victim in this whole venture,” she said, looking at Argon. “Your attack. And then I… I died. And then the attack against you and Mom at your home in Polaris. And then they were chasing after…your daughter.” The words sounded foreign in her mouth; she couldn’t wrap her head around her brother having a daughter.
“Yun Zeru is after our family?” Argon asked in disbelief. “What’s so special about our family?”
“You’d know if you stayed here,” Estelle repeated, tears welling up in her eyes. “If only you’d stayed…”
“Fital?” Noiro gasped suddenly.
Estelle nodded.
“What does Fital have to do with any of this?” Argon asked, his heart racing. “He’s just… He’s just an old historian.”
“Fital…” Estelle began, and then faltered. “Fital was Princess Water’s son. The Ancient Princess’s grandson.”
“Wh-what?” Argon’s mouth dropped open.
“It’s why our family is filled with historians,” Estelle explained, her voice thick with emotion as everything began connecting in her mind to make sense. “Princess Laelia wanted to hide away the knowledge of the Elementals. She wanted to destroy it. But Fital didn’t want the knowledge to get lost.”
“So he hid it in stories for his children,” Noiro finished.
“It’s why our family never leaves the Ursa Isles,” Estelle whispered and dipped her head down. “Once we learn the truth… If the knowledge, if the power, fell into the wrong hands…”
The group remained silent, taking it all in.
Estelle turned to her brother, a tear falling from her eye. “You didn’t want to follow in the family’s footsteps. You wanted to be a Guardian. You left…”
Argon’s guts wrenched with guilt as he watched Estelle slowly become wracked with a flood of emotions. He remembered how he felt when he had first learned of everything. Of the time shadows. Of his death. Of Elara. Of Helia.
Helia.
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