Chapter 5: New Partners! Felix and Aisha!

 

Going to a magical cave is not what I had expected.

I thought that the Cave of Elements will be located somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and we will have to get through harsh obstacles and play mind games just to get into a cave that provides the sources of magic.

But no. All we have to do, is just to board a subway.

A few days after my birthday, Claude had brought me along with three guards; including General Kano in case some freak wants to assassinate my brother. I had rarely left the kingdom before, so I was awestruck by mostly everything I see in the city.

There were so many citizens out in the streets, and we have to squeeze in through the crowds, which wasn’t many times since Claude is the King of Paxsalam, so many people will show respect and give way. The buildings, the tallest being at least thirty meters high, were lined in a row along the streets. Mostly stores had occupied the ground floors, and who knows what you might be able to purchase in there.

There are cars and buses here, driving on the roads, they are a quicker way to get to the driver’s destination. But I don’t know why doesn’t Claude use a car since many people have it…

We walked for like, forty-five minutes. And we walked down a staircase (which brings back disturbing memories) that leads to underground. I saw a sign above the stairs that read, ‘Paxsalam Subway’. Claude led us to the waiting area, with chairs that mostly taken by other people, so we had no choice but to… lean on walls.

“Brother?” I shook Claude’s hand, he turned to me and smiled. “What is it? Not used to being underground?” He asked. “I’m fine with being underground, but… what is this place?” Claude pointed at the road that seemed to have some sort of tracks on it. “We are in a subway now, it is a place where people would travel to places, way much quicker on cars.” That must be nice, there’s a vehicle that can move way faster than cars, we can get to the Cave of Elements way faster. “But, what would be taking us there?” I asked again.  “We’ll board a train.” Claude replied. A train? Under the surface? I really need to get out from the kingdom more.

Click, click.

Those sounds keep repeating itself at a very fast pace. And there it is, the subway train rushed past and came to a halt, with people coming off and abording it. “That’s our cue, Your Highnesses.” Keno told us. “We should be going.”

We were lucky this time. All of us managed to find a place to sit. After a few moments, the doors had closed. And I felt like the surroundings were moving, which they were. Because, the train had started moving. I am confused on why isn’t moving as faster than I had expected… Or it probably was, we just don’t feel like it.

The train had stopped a few times, where the sign above the doors flashed the name of the locations, and some people had come off as well had some came on again. For now, none of those locations are related to the Cave of Elements.

The train kept going and stopping like forever now. And I still don’t know for how long will we be reaching the Cave of Elements. The train stopped again, and the sign flashed: ‘The Hole of Sorcery’.

This was it, I guess.

It is obvious that it is the Cave of Elements, due to the name having the word ‘sorcery’ in it. You know, the word sorcery definitely means magic.

The doors opened, and the five of us stood up. Which was quite awkward and a little disturbing since we were basically the only ones who wanted to come here. After a few moments we exited, the doors closed, and the train moved on.

It was quite creepy in the darkness, especially in a cave. But Claude and the others waited patiently, so I guess that I should too. “So, have you decided yet?” Claude asked. Oh no. I thought, I haven’t decided on what element to get yet… The good thing is, I already have some options. “Well, not yet. But, I have some choices about it, I want my element to be something more peaceful-like.” “Alright. And after we see the guide, please be respectful. Hold my hand tightly if you’re scared.” After Claude finished his sentence, the cave lit up, revealing some staircases that heads down. “We must get going.”

After we see the guide, please be respectful. Thanks to those words, I’m starting to regret a little about coming here. The guide must have been someone that will make someone panic. Maybe the guide had tortured people who disrespected them? Or their appearance might look like something straight out of hell?

Now, I’m starting to panic a little. We almost finished walking down, when a tall figure stepped out in front of us. It started to walk out from the shadows, and the figure revealed its, well his face. He had worn clothes that a normal blacksmith would had worn, his hands had scars as if a hammer had caused them, his face had a black beard and he had an owl, which looked more machine-like than animal, on his shoulder.

“Good day to you Hephaestus, may we enter the cave?” Claude said as he and the guards bowed, and I did the same thing as them.

I know who Hephaestus is. He is the god of the forge, also the god of fire. But, I don’t quite understand why the god of fire would be here…

“Yeah, welcome to the Cave of Elements.” Hephaestus said as if he had repeated those words many times already. “Who’s the lad who wants to be a new magician here?” He looked at each every one of us. I raised my hand nervously, “Um, that would be me.” “Alrighty then, now come along.” The god of the forge went down deeper into the cave. I started to follow, but I realised something, Claude, Kano and the guards are not following… “Um guys?” I called out, “Come on!” “Edward.” Claude replied. “You must go alone, it is the rule here, only the starters can enter the cave.” Alone, well, I’m a pro at being alone. “Okay! I’ll see you all later then!” I marched down.

It took a while to catch up to Hephaestus, it’s probably because of my legs for walking down a lot of times. “So, Lord Hephaestus, sorry for any offense but, why would you be here?” I asked, I feared that he could had burned me or something for asking that, but the god sighed. “No offense at all, everyone asks that when they first met me here.” Hephaestus replied. “I was casted down here as punishment from my mother, Hera. The only reason is because I burned up the clothes that she offered me.” “Why would a goddess punish someone messing up her clothes?” “That’s because she wanted me to look more, fascinating. But those clothes couldn’t withstand the fire in my workshop! And Hera was furious with that, she berated me for burning them, which wasn’t even my fault that they aren’t fire-resistant, and…” He snapped his fingers, and carried on. “That’s how I’m here.”

That was a stubborn reason to outcast someone. Why doesn’t Hera want to get more new clothes when those had just got burned? Or maybe make a new one with her powers or something? As I finished those thoughts, I made it.

The cave was filled with crystals so beautiful, it made my eyes hurt. They shined with different colours, that lit up the entire room. There are also other children here, all of them about the same age as me, talking to each other, which they were probably discussing about what elements they are going to have.

“Is this it?” I asked the god. “Where I’ll get to choose?” Hephaestus nodded. “Yes young lad, this will be the place where you get to pick your element.” I rushed down, the view of the from looks more breath-taking from down there, but I was finished being dazed from the scenery when…

“Fairy!” I heard a guy called out, everyone turned to the direction of where the call came from. A boy in black clothes was pointing at another boy who was looking down, humiliated, and there was a girl, standing in front of the boy in despair, she seemed to be defending him for some reason. “This guy here wants the Element of Fairies!” The black clothed dude called out.

The others looked at the sad guys in disgust, while some laughed out, and some were confused. “Man, dude. Why do you want the Element of Fairies? I mean like, just why? There are way cuter elements than fairy!” He laughed out again. “Knock it off!” The girl yelled. “Whatever element he chooses is not worth your business, got that?!” “Defending this guy isn’t your business! Looks like he wanted to wear a dress and cast pixie dust!” The crowd giggled even louder and more gave out looks of disgust. The poor guy looked like he was going to break down and cry. “This is bad.” I heard a girl spoke beside me. “What are we supposed to do?” Good question, well, since none of you wanted to something, I might as well do something myself.

I sprinted towards the scene, and stopped at the black clothed dude. “What’s so wrong about that?” I asked. “Eh?” The guy grunted. “What’s so wrong about a fellow, choosing the Element of Fairies? There are guys who used it you know, why can’t he?” I turned to the duo, who were looking at me, like they can’t believe what had happened. “That’s not cool, man. You’re teasing him is like as if you’re teasing a girl who likes Star Wars. Even though it is aimed for boys, girls can like Star Wars too! Just like a dude can like the Element of Fairies!” I was too busy talking, that I didn’t realise that the dude was already inches from my face, giving me a deadly look. “Everything you just said.” He hissed. “Would you mind if you repeat it?”

I was about to, when Hephaestus blasted a fireball to the celling, causing most of the ones present to cower in fear. “That was really dramatic! Are you done yet!?” The god spoke. The black clothed guy gave me a look, that I’m sure that it meant; I hope you don’t bump into me in the future, and stormed off. “Good, now. I would like you all to line up one by one, because all of you are about to pick an element!” Hephaestus said. Everyone looked at each other in delight, some even screamed in joy, they have completely forgotten the god of fire had blasted a fireball at the poor celling.

“It’s alright, take your time to let out your joy before you get to choose.” The god said. I was about to prepare to line up, but before that… “Hey dude.” The guys who was getting berated said. “Thanks for backing me up there.” I nodded. “When someone is getting humiliated, of course I will not step aside and watch.” The girl pated my shoulder. “We really appreciate that.” She said. “No prob.” I replied. “So by the way, what are your names?” I asked. The two looked at each other. And replied at the same time. “Felix.” The boy said, and “Aisha.” The girl said.

I nodded again. “Well, nice to meet you, Felix and Aisha.”