Chapter 19: Contemporary

“I see that not only are your new comrades vulnerable and worthless but I have also noticed that none of the sacred animals have bothered to step forward,” Xana made conversation. It was difficult to see if he was smirking behind his hood, though it must have been really dark, what more at night, David thought. Vulnerable, he said? Well that’s one misconception that David won’t mind changing for the dark maniac in front of him. He felt an urge to correct him about the fact that at least one sacred animal is busy snoring its head off like a wild boar but since Tiadora had kept quiet, maybe she felt it was better off not talking about it. Giving them the disadvantage.

David scanned Xana’s friends. About nineteen people, mostly teenagers, stood at attention concentrating on the tension between both Tiadora and Xana. One of them, David saw, looked as if she would shred Tiadora to pieces as her eyes seethed with burning fury. Though, her extremely long blue hair made her beauty almost flawless. He stared at her for quite some time and in an eerie second when her eyes had been on Xana, it shifted into David’s direction. Her glare was uncomfortable to look at and David quickly turned away from the agony but he swore he’d seen her smile wickedly before he moved away.

Xana walked nearer to Tiadora, but instead, breeze passed her towards David. This time, Xana was nearer to David than he was to Tiadora. David was nervous, in case he would slip some important information. So despite the discomforting atmosphere, David raised his hand and said, “Err…Hi?”

“Hi?” Xana surprisingly answered back, “Is that the term you use if you meet someone?”

“Usually,” now David was really afraid. The guy was being too nice and formal for a bad guy.

“Hmm…I can see that you’re the guardian of Earth. A rather small thing, aren’t you?” Xana teased, making David frown. Although he’d been teased all his life, he never likes the idea of being small. Is it me, David wondered, or is this guy blind to see that I’m a fresh imitation of a body builder? But then if his schoolmates can’t see it, what more Xana? He thought of a comeback but Xana was too fast to catch up, “If you would be so kind, your name?”

Was this something that Tiadora would want me not to say? David thought quickly and shot a glance at Tiadora who wasn’t at all facing them. He inhaled the sea air and tried to form the words that were stuck in his throat, “It won’t be fair because you can match my name with my face whereas I can’t see yours one bit.”

“Does it matter? Will it change on what you think of me if I were to show you my true identity?” Xana prompted, “You don’t even know half of the population of Anastasia and you still insist on seeing how I look like. Ironic. Anyhow, I’ve already known your name. David Vincent Fields, am I right? What a mouthful, and a simple confirmation was what I needed to get my facts not incorrect.”

Shocked David felt pathetic and wanted to ask on how he knew but Xana turned his back to David and strolled in front of Tiadora again, only unlike last time, much closer. It became quiet again but was unexpectedly interrupted by a gush of wind which had flown through the trees behind them and Xana’s hood fell off his head. At first, David had expected him to frantically try to keep it hidden but in the end he didn’t had to. Cause what had been hidden was a face that held firmly to a mask which covered his eyes. A white mask that looked like it was made just for Xana as it fitted perfectly. The eye sockets were covered and no one could see his eyes. Xana’s pink lips were curved into a smile and his white skin was very pale.

David could see Xana’s hair had a shade of dark crimson, the colour of blood, and his voice was much clearer and deep, “Strange how it’s the guardian of Earth that you’re with, Tiadora. You and Galahad were as close as siblings since you knew that your rightful place would have been with your beloved spouse, Lancelot. And I’m also disappointed. Lancelot had always been my powerful competition and I have been meaning to meet the new guardian of Fire. It’s a pity I could only meet the plant-loving boy.”

“Man, you’ve got it all wrong. David has never been close to a plant and that includes his vegetables. It’s not nice to accuse people, you know,” Tiadora heard someone else’s voice from behind. She knew it wasn’t David’s voice so Tiadora stared into the thick forest that consumes the end of the shore and there was the mysterious intruder. Jason stepped out of the jungle and walked past both David and Tiadora as he slide in between Tiadora and Xana with an award-winning smile. Confidence and show no fear, Jason repeated to himself and dug his hands into his pocket jeans. He brushed his spiky blond hair like as if he was some model and spoke boldly, “You called me? Um not that I’ll come everytime you call, but I just couldn’t help overhearing the conversation on which was obviously about me.”

And it all happened in an instant. The blue-haired beauty had leaped from her position to the front of Xana and thrust her hand towards Jason’s neck. Her fingertips pressed against Jason’s neck, sending a stream of blood out from the wound as both stood still waiting for the next move. The pressure on Jason’s neck was forceful and he couldn’t bear it any longer, so he gripped her arm with his left hand and scalded her fair skin. Her scream of anger was painful as she pulled out a sword from no where and aimed for him but Xana pulled her back and soothed her, “My dear. Next time would be appropriate. It would not be fair to battle against amateurs.”

The lady calmed down and rubbed her burnt arm as the rest of the other teenagers started to walk towards the shore. Together with Xana leading the troop, they headed towards the city away from Tiadora, Jason and David. “Till we meet again,” Xana’s last words echoed through the forest as the villains finally cleared the beach.

"Why did you let them leave?" Jason blurted out at once.

"For the very same reason that he chose not to fight, you are not trained enough to be worth fighting," Tiadora made a point as Xana's footprints were swiftly covered by the other sands. Everything then became quiet. Nobody wanted to say anything until someone else came into view. "Kingston! Fields! Sanders! What are you doing here out in the middle of the night?” Mdm Marinda came to sight with a stern look as she howled again, "Even though it’s a school holiday, that doesn't mean that, both genders can wonder off playing goo-goo-gaa-gaa over the sea. Back to your rooms. All of you except..."

Tiadora and the rest had already started walking when they paused at her last word. All three of them turned to face the new principal who wore the same blazer as what David had seen just now. "I would like to..." she hissed, "have a little word with David. Both Tiadora and Jason can return."

Jason quickly grabbed Tiadora's hand and headed towards the dorms after he winked a good-luck gesture to David. As fast as possible, they managed to walk back to the clock tower. Tiadora looked back to where they had left David and worried, "Do you think it's wise to leave David out there?"

"No. The question is that do you think it's wise to linger around at night?" Jason eyed her.

"I couldn't sleep and neither could David."

"Still? You could have always knocked on Kiara's door which is directly in front of yours."

"Look. I didn't have any intention to wake anyone up just for company. I just happen to find David in this clock tower."

"Even if you didn't meet up with David, you'd still see those goons, right? It's twenty-one against one. Didn't you spare a thought for your well-being?"

"In case you had forgotten, Mr. Kingston, I am more capable of protecting myself from Xana than having you against them all. Unlike me, you, Jason Kingston, have absolutely no experience or whatsoever with your element,” Tiadora explained, “you think what? Just because you are able to fire up a sword and pull out the black spirit from Oberon that does not mean that you are strong! The world is full of obstacles for all of us and we should not feel so proud for ourselves yet, Jason.”

♥

"Hotdog?! Get your hotdog while it's still fresh from the oven!"

"I'll take, one, Mr. Lucas. How much is it?"

"Cornelia! How are you today? Going out for another round in the park?" the round man named Lucas greeted.

"As always," Cornelia smiled as she pulled out a five from her pouch, "Here. Keep the change." And before Mr. Lucas could decline the extra money, Cornelia had already bid him goodbye, took the hotdog and zoomed off following the smooth path.

Kids around the park, Cornelia saw, playing catching and hide-and-seek with their parents, almost every five seconds, wipe off the stains from their child's face. The trees were strangely refreshing this afternoon as Cornelia rollerbladed across the occupied benches. Rollerblading, her outdoor activity away from anything relating to volleyball. She loves just feeling the breeze run through her short hair. Her white sleeveless jersey with her pink shorts, her volleyball attire which she always feel comfortable in, too swayed with the wind. She took a bite from the hotdog and felt the usual sizzling sensation again whenever she ate Mr. Lucas' hand-made food. The afternoon Sun scorched her fair skin as she examined the darker colour on her arm.

Without realising it, Cornelia had gone off the path into the grassy patch. Losing control, she tried to grip onto the next used branch but instead tripped over one of its roots. Her landing pressure was reducing due to her landing with both hands on the ground. Feeling that she had made a complete fool of herself, Cornelia tried to stand up from her position but an awful pain zapped through her entire body. "Great. Just what I need. A sprain ankle three days before the damn tournament. Awesome work, Cornelia!" she mumbled furiously at herself as she tried to pull her legs closer to her body when she realised that she wasn't alone.

"Are you alright?" a boy came forward and kneeled beside Cornelia.

"Do I look like I'm alright to you? Help me," Cornelia was always a straight forward kind of girl and she didn't like people who are blind to see that she is already injured enough. Slowly and carefully, the stranger lifted her up and carried her like as if she was a damsel or a princess. Normally she would have kicked anyone who tried to make her look like a weakling but in this case, she didn't care. Once she was seated beside the tree, she saw his face clearly. A beautiful face with bronze hair and dazzling eyes stunned her. A competition that Jason would have to deal with if this stranger happens to enroll in the school. "Your ankle isn't sprained. It's wounded."

True enough, on her left leg, right above her ankle was a cut which oozed out blood profusely. The boy pulled out a white cloth from his jeans and wrapped the cut gently. He smiled at his work and praised himself, "Your injury has been sealed by the best sealer in the world!" Cornelia didn't care what he said but was mesmerised by his eyes. They were both of different colour. "Hey," Cornelia spoke, not caring for the pain in her leg, "your left eye is purple," she place her palm onto his soft face, "and your right eye is blue. Kind of reminds me of a friend of mine."

"Really? What's her name? Maybe we're separated from birth."

"Highly doubt it. She's Tiadora, a new friend of mine. Her right eye is blue but left eye is green. By the way," Cornelia held out her hand, "I'm Cornelia. Cornelia Kingston."

"Well that's a surprise, because my name is Ulrich Princeton. U. L. R. I. C. H. And don't pronoun it as ool-rich. It's more of ool-rick. The 'h' is silent. Please to meet you, Cornelia.," Ulrich grinned at her and took her hand as he continued, "though I must say that you interrupted an interesting part from the story that I was reading." Hearing that, Cornelia jerked her head to see an opened book facing down. He must have lost his page, she thought, whatever. Ulrich finished the last few touches on the bandage and looked back into her eyes, "So. Want me to carry you back home?" Cornelia looked to her watch. It was exactly 2.30pm, a time that she was supposed to remember. Cornelia sighed and stared back at him, "its okay. I'm meeting my friends at our secret hideout but thanks for the offer."

Cornelia stood up with Ulrich supporting her. "You're sure that you won't topple over another root again?" he chuckled as Cornelia nodded innocently as she answered his joke, "Of course not. I'm not that blind." He released her and patted her shoulder. His warm eyes distracted her again. Concentrate Cornelia, she talked in her mind, you're in love with your volleyball and you got to meet up at the bridge now! Cornelia got the message and started to skate pass Ulrich. She hesitated and turned her head back to Ulrich, "See ya."

And off she went as fast as she could. Cornelia remembered the discussion this morning about training the elements. Though she couldn't understand why Tiadora and Jason weren't talking to each other, but Jason decided to come along too. It was said to be very important to be there, at the bridge, for the special training. Ever since what had happened last night with Tiadora's encounter with Xana, she wanted them prepared and Cornelia was prepared and she felt it was time to kick butt.

♥

"Ten minutes is a long time to wait," David leaned near the bridge wall. They were all under it as the Yuna Bridge is known to be the oldest, biggest and most seldom-used bridge in the city. The ground that was perfectly clean, long and winding, though it was the best place Tiadora could think of. Yuna Bridge was the first place Tiadora had stepped on when she came. Who knew it'll come in handy? Mokona kept hopping around David, singing some lullaby that was making Kiara, who was seated down beside David, fall asleep. Jason was playing with his soccer ball, kicking it softly thro and fro but paused when he saw his sister drop by, "What's with the bandage?"

"Fell down o n a root and found some cloth lying near a tree to use as bandage," Cornelia said with ease as she removed her helmet and spotted Kiara dozing off. She rollerbladed pass Jason, knelt to Kiara and snapped her fingers in front of Kiara's face, "Baa Baa Black Sheep, have you any pom-poms?”

"Say anything relating to cheerleading," Kiara opened her eyes, "I'll strangle you. Sally gave me a bad time in front of the team."

"Okay, people," Tiadora walked slowly towards the group, wondering how to get it started, "Everyone gathered around in a circle." Everyone diligently did as they were told. Jason had almost gotten a seat next to Tiadora but decided to sit next to David and Cornelia. Kiara silenced her phone and crossed her legs. "This is going to be long and slightly complicated to understand so I'll need your fullest attention," Tiadora took a deep breath, "Now. Take a look at your two hands. You have the right and left hand. The elemental band is on the right arm. You see, both hands are able to send out your beams or rays or whatever you call it in your time.

“However, each hand has a different capability. David, remember that time when we were falling towards the beach shore, there was a moment when I happen to switch hands from where I was gripping your wrist. I changed from my right hand that was holding onto your wrist to my left hand instead and with my right hand, I casted a spell. Okay, at that time, everyone, I could have used my left hand and prevent any risks from releasing David's wrist but like I just said, both have different abilities.

“The left hand is for strength. This means that if you were to fire a beam of your element from your left hand, it'll be very forceful and power-consuming as it will blast off with full strength. On the other hand, its capability is imaginary. It is more difficult to understand but unlike strength, imagination has many varieties. For example, let’s say for Cornelia's element, Air, being used for imagination, I would want to build up a hurricane. So Cornelia will have to use her right hand and concentrate hard for a hurricane and it will appear. But for most battles, Sir Arthur would rather use both hands to make a hurricane as imagination for its creation and strength for its power so that the hurricane would have a strong power to attack enemies. Still, sometimes in some situations, it would be a better solution to use imagination than to strength aid you. One example would be the falling moment yesterday night."

"Imagination was the thing that made that purple swirls pattern thing yesterday night?? It would have looked like strength to me," David surprised to know that it was the power of imagination that saved his life.

"Do not underestimate imagination. It may be more powerful than strength sometimes," Tiadora corrected as she continued, "Another example would be maybe with Kiara's element, Water. Let's say you want to make a wave, you'll need imagination to make it. Strength is mainly there to boost the imagination or to do a quick counter-attack back to your opponent. If you finally got the enemy cornered and you would want to do a full-blast final attack, you can use your left hand or even both. It difficult to explain but once you try it out, you'll you get the hang of it."

“Wow. That’s a lot to digest in for information,” Jason tossed his soccer ball aside.

“Don’t worry,” Tiadora looked to everyone, “There’s more.”