Blood of The Elementals

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. It was once a beautiful sprawling city of trade and diplomacy between the 2 kingdoms of Aquilo and Sinim. Now though, it's a city of ruins and skeletons.

The valley used to be the connecting point between the 2 kingdoms. Despite the fact that they were 2 very different environments, they used to live in harmony.

Aquilo was constantly battling the monsters of the north, so their agriculture was limited. Their military might though, was unparalleled. They used to protect the kingdom of Sinim from other monsters, while they, who focused on agriculture, traded for that protection with food and items unable to be produced in the north.

That all changed 25 years ago when the dragons descended on the valley.

Now, both kingdoms suffered. Sinim suffered constant attacks on convoys between towns, making internal trade dangerous and costly. Aquilo struggled to feed its citizens and keep the fight against monsters.

The kingdoms needed each other but the dragons made that impossible.

Their fiery rage scorched the land and whoever dared set foot upon the land.

Many were sent to try and slay the dragons, none returned. Train the dragons, none returned. Pacify the dragons, worship the dragons, sacrifice to the dragons...all were hopeless endeavors that none or few returned from.

Their rage has burned for hundreds of years and it would not be quenched until they find the one who they had been searching for 25 years earlier.

The dragons though were not the only ones searching. Both kingdoms were fervently combing their lands every year hoping to find the one to save them. Each one hoping to find them first and be the one that holds the right ro conquer the dragons.

The 25th anniversary of the dragons arrival has finally arrived. In the capitol of Aquilo the palace was overflowing with activity as the annual ball was to begin that night.

Queen Arabelle was prepping her outfit for the night with the help of her maids and her friend the Duchess was there to give the final special touches.

Well, her friend was supposed to be helping but kept getting distracted and looking out the window.

"Duchess, are you alright?" A frown crossed the queen's face as her friend didn't respond. She walks over and lays a gentle hand on her friends arm.

The Duchess startles and looks at the queen. "I apologize, Your Majesty, my mind can't settle and I'm all out of sorts." She pulled away from her friend and walks over to the queen's dress.

Reaching out and gently moving her fingers along the neckline, a blue glow shone and ice crystals formed, finally finishing the dress as it was designed. The blue glow would compliment the queen's complexion and make her stand out.

The queen smiled as she looked at her dress. "It never ceases to amaze me the skills the Elementals possess." Her smile dimmed as she stared at her friend though. "Why are you so troubled though? Everything is on schedule and we are prepared for hiccups."

The Duchess sighed. "Do you remember a few years ago? When we thought that perhaps we finally found the One."

The queen nods, "Yes,the young woman who had 3 elements instead of the usual 2. She also ran away before the test finished." The queen sneered, "slShe also somehow injured some of our best trained Elite with her untrained abilities."

The Duchess waved her hand to dismiss that "Reports said she was panicked, strong emotions make for highly volatile situations, untrained. But back to the point" the duchess walked to the window of the room. "I'm getting the same pull I felt at that time."

The queen rushed to the duchess and made her face her, "Are you sure? Because if you're right we need to mobilize the Elite. No doubt she is stronger than last she was here and we NEED her tested. Time is running out."

The Duchess turned to look outside again and she nodded, "I'm sure of it. She is here. Fate rests on her tonight. We need to summon Captain Seth Rogers. I'm sure he is raring for redemption."

The Queen agreed, sending a maid to find the Captain. "Let's hope he finds her before the ball."

Unknown to the 2 women,the one they were talking about was having quite the feast thanks to some generous patronage.

Alexandra happily bit into a fluffy roll slathered with a generous amount of butter. She looks at the array of food in front of her and smiles wickedly as her keen hearing picks up the outrage from the market next to her.

Pickpocketing is such a lucrative thing. Especially from those snooty customers. Oh my lord, the food tastes even better when it's for free from those greedy merchants overpricing everything. Ah, who am I kidding. Stealing is just fun.

Alexandra turns and goes down an alleyway into the backstreets. Amazing how just one street makes all the difference. She looks around at the sorry state of the people hanging around the doorways of the buildings.

Tch, 25 years and you'd think they'd have figured out better agriculture. Especially since Earth elemetalists can grow stuff at an insane rate. But no, they're only used for military purposes.

Alexandra rolled her eyes as she ignored the hungry stares at her bag and walked down the street to a dingy looking inn.

She walks in and the receptionist scoffs. "Goddamn it, why are you back after all these years? You should've stayed away. Especially since the Elite are getting more and more efficient."

Alexandra frowns at that piece of news. "Well, I came to settle my debt." She tosses a bag of coins on the receptionist desk. "Never meant to leave it unpaid."

The receptionist frowns. "Do I want to know where it's from?"

Alexandra chuckles "C'mon Molly, I know it's been a few years, but you know me." Alexandra tried to look innocent but failed. "It's mostly honest money." Alexandra looks a little sheepish.

Molly facepalmed. "No wonder you were always in trouble, Alexa. I see that hasnt changed."

"Pfft, yeah that's not my fault. The blame for that goes to someone else. Thanks to her, I can't ignore things that need my attention. If people leave something behind in the process, they obviously dont need it."

With a sigh Molly picked up the coin bag and turned to go put it in the safe, "3rd floor, same room. Try not to destroy it this time." She paused and seemed to hesitate, "And be careful. I don't think you can run this time of things go wrong."

Alexandra tilted her head and watched Molly walk away with a thoughtful look on her face. Something tells me, something big is gonna happen tonight. Eh, not my problem.

She walks up the stairs to her room and sits on the cot. She looks out the small window in the direction of the palace getting lost in thought.

Once again in the Capitol of Aquilo, the place I swore to never return to. She had promised her friend in Sinim to come here to settle her debt but there was more.

Alexandra has always been drawn to the Capitol, especially around this time. Maybe I'll find my answer, on this visit.

With a sigh she stopped looking out the window and looked at the room. Dusty and looking to be straight out of an abandoned home, she raises her hands. Time for some cleaning.

Fire in one, Air in the other she sanitizes and airs the room. The sad looking cot became fluffier, awls well as the pillow and the dust was gathered and incinerated.

Looking around the room Alexandra felt satisfied. Much better. Now I can actually relax. She flopped on the bed, falling asleep till the nightlife started.

Night fell and the ball started.

The royal family was becoming moodier and their tempers were less than benevolent as candidates failed to produce any results.

Sure some were strong but they all had 2 elements at most and were weak because they could not focus on either one.

The partygoers were uneasy as they could see the frowns on the royals faces and as the last candidate finished their test with lackluster results. Everyone held their breaths.

Except one. She couldn't care less as she was a having a ball, at the ball.

Claiming small trinkets here and there and eating to her hearts content, she wandered the room happy to enjoy the glamour and feed on the nobles greed and need for opulence.

Fascinating how half the kingdom is starving and yet there is so much extravagance at the capital. No wonder so many elementals are willing to sell their soul to be recruited and live here.

Alexandra thought back to her upbringing in the slums in an outer town of the kingdom. Mmm, perhaps if things had been different I would've done the same. Now though... She shrugged and spotted another food table. With a small lick of her lips she hurried over.

A servant noticed her scanning the table. "Sir, is there anything in particular you'd like?"

Alexandra didn't realize he was talking to her for moment. Oh! Right, I'm disguised as a male. She looked at the servant. Internally she frowned as how unhealthy he looked.

Unfortunately, that was what most of the partygoers looked like. Except for the elite, nobles, and royals, everyone was underweight and some form of sick.

Alexandra looked at the food and frowned. Taking a gamble she pointed to a random plate of food, "That looks horrid! I can't believe you'd put something like that out here for people to eat, take it away!"

The servants eyes lit up and Alexandra knew she had guessed correctly. Food that would be thrown away goes to the servants.

"Right away Sir! I deeply apologize that this food didn't meet your expectations, I shall go fix this immediately." He grabbed the food and rushed away.

Alexandra could see a few servants quickly follow looking excited. She couldnt help a small smile.

"How benevolent."

Alexandra internally flinched and the smile melted away as a voice she had hoped to never hear again greeted her ears. She turned to see the man that had changed her life forever and made her pratically hunted.

"Benevolent? I don't see how making sure the people who keep the palace running smoothly are fed their basic needs is benevolent." She sneered.

The man frowned "These are hard times. Everyone must make sacrifices."

Alexandra turned to walk away, "Sacrificing the people should never be an option."

Before she could walk away the man offered his hand, "I'm Captain Rogers of the 1st Legion. Perhaps we could talk this over tonight, Sir...?"

MC contemplated leaving him hanging and just disappearing into the crowd, instead she made her first major mistake in years, "Smith."

And shook his hand.

Captain Rogers froze and gripped her hand. She tried to pull away but could not. The captain's intense stare on her face made her frown.

"You! I know you!" His face twisted into a snarl and he finally pulled his hand away just to pull it back for a punch.

Alexandra blocked the attack but could not stop the effects of the impact. Being blown back she tucked and rolled to land on her feet and minimize any possible damage.

Looking around she realized she was now in full view of the crowd of party goers. She looked behind her with dread and silently cursed as she realized she was in front of the royal family and that stupid testing crystal. She turned back to the crowd when she heard the Captain laugh.

He walks out of the crowd with the biggest smirk on his face. "Finally where you're supposed to be you bi-"

"Captain!!" The queen quickly admonished him before he could finish.

The captain looked apologetic. "Forgive me, Your Majesty." He deeply bowed, "I let my emotions get the better of me." He looks up and at me with a grin, "but I finally have her to be fully tested. And in front of everyone too."

"Her?" The queen was confused as she looked at Alexandra, "this is a man."

Captain stood up straight and ordered, "Drop your disguise. You have no where to run. I knew who you were the moment we shook hands."

Alexandra shifted feeling a little uneasy as guards surrounded the area blocking her off from the crowd and creating no room for escape.

Well, good thing I'm not normal. She couldnt help smirking herself. "Ah dear old Cappytan, so nice to see you again after all these years." Sarcasm pratically dripped from her voice as it got progressively higher. Vocal modulation was simple for her. With a snap of her fingers her mask dissolved. The manly facial features replaced with delicate feminine aspects.

Many would have been entranced if it hadnt been for her vicious smirk and dark glint in those icy blue eyes.

The captain opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by the Queen speaking. "So you're the one who caused all that commotion years ago."

Alexandra turned around to look at the queen. "Commotion? I dont remember doing anything."

The queen frowned feeling her frayed nerves beginning to break, "So you don't remember being brought in for testing, revealing 3 elements, losing control and putting many people in the hospital?"

Alexandra looked thoughtful for a second, then a frown, "Oh that. Not my fault, wouldn't you have reacted the same way in my situation?" She looked at the Captain that ruined her life in this kingdom, "That was the dear captain's fault for forcing me to the testing, then instead of allowing me a break to process what was happening, tried to force the test to continue, making me lose control."

The queen frowned as she looked at the Captain. He looked away unable to meet her eyes.

"Interesting. Seems I have much to discuss later" The queen remarked, "Well now that you're here again, let us finish the test," she gestures to the testing crystal.

Alexandra looked and back and forth between the crystal and the queen a couple times before laughing. "Do you seriously think I'm going to do as you say?"

The queen frowned. "Yes, as a citizen of this kingdom, it is your obligation and duty to be tested, and as you have no where to go as well." She waved her hand to indicate the guards.

Alexandra chuckled and pointed at the guards, "You think they can stop me?"

The queen frowned, "Yes. You may have 3 elements, but between them all they have all 6 elements and you have little control to be able to fight. You're not leaving without being tested."

Alexandra couldnt help laughing again.

The queen was losing patience and gestured for some of the guards to come forth. "Restrain her and finish the test."

The laughter stopped. "Touch me and you won't like the consequences." The threat was clear in her voice.

The queen feels a chill run through her. She rallied herself though. "Finish the test willingly and I won't have you restrained." She gave her the most regal and commanding stare she could hoping to intimidate her into complying. Not many disobeyed her. "As your queen, I order you to do this for the good of our kingdom and prosperity of our people against the dragons."

Alexandra laughed but there was no humor this time. "You're not my queen and I couldnt give two shits about this kingdom and it's plight against the dragons. You've had years to better this kingdom but all you've done is make it worse." She walks over to the crystal. "All I wanted was to have fun tonight and you had to ruin it." She ran a finger along the pillow the crystal rested on. "Dear queen of this crappy kingdom, do you remember the 3 elements I presented before I stopped the test?"

The queen felt like the room was getting colder and the walls were closing in. She gestured the guards forward and they moved to surround the Alexandra but didn't get too close to her. "Air, Water, and Earth."

MC smirked. "Correct, Earth." She tapped the crystal and it shattered. "Water." The guards were frozen in place. "Air." She turned to the Captain and with a flick of her wrist she sent him flying into a pillar.

The pillar was heavily damaged and the captain was unconscious on the floor with blood dripping out of his mouth, still alive though.

The queen was frozen in place with shock as Alexandra walked up to her. No one moved. It seemed no one could, like an unseen force was stopping them.

Alexandra stopped next to the queen, close enough she could whisper in her ear, but she made it carry like a shout to the whole ballroom.

"Word of advice, never piss off an elemental you have no clue about. Especially if you know they have multiple abilities. Everyone is still alive right now, but" Alexandra lifted a hand and touched the queens shoulder, "this could've easily turned into a bloodbath if I had chosen to."

She removed her hand and turned to walk away. There was a visible handprint of light frostbite on the queen's shoulder.

The crowd and the guards, that weren't frozen, parted to let Aleandra walk through. Before exiting she turned and looked at the royal family.

"I refuse to be your pawn. I am not your savior or your ultimate weapon.

Try me again and the dragons will not be your only concern." With that she exited slamming the doors behind her with a flick of her wrist.

The ballroom was quiet enough you could hear clocks ticking before everyone seemed to unfreeze and panic set in.

Medics rushed to the Captain and the now unfrozen guards. The personal doctor of the queen ushered her out of the room to treat her shoulder.

Amidst the chaos, one being couldn't help a very reptilian like grin as the pupils of their eyes narrowed into slits. Excitement coursed through their veins at the unexpected events.

"Sir __!!!"

The being quickly collected themselves returning all their features back to human. He turned to the one that called his 'name'. "Come let us go check on the royals, I'm pretty sure they're very shaken up and need advice."

As each went their ways all could feel it. Something had shifted and the world was changing.

Good or bad? That depended on the one who had just decided drinking sounded like a great way to spend the night.