『 P R A E T E R I T A 』

|Chapter 4: New Powers|

Anthony just silently looked down. "Please, Anthony. We have to give it try." Loke said, lowering his voice slightly. Anthony's eyes widen. Loke never once beg but, here he is. Begging him to agree on his idea of going on a journey to unknown landscape, possibly exprience near-death moments, and save the world. It really doesn't sounds like what teenagers like them going to do.

Anthony sighed and narrowed his eyes. "Fine then." He said, nodding slightly. Their eyes widen in hope and happiness. "But, you have to promise me that we're in this together. We fell into this world together and we're going home together." Anthony said, his voice hold seriousness they never heard before. They all looked at each other before smiling and nodded.

"Of course, we will. We're best friends!" Ash said. "Yeah, we're in this together!" Ben said as well. "Like we always do." Stacey looked at Anthony, smiling gratefully. "Thank you, Anthony" she said gently. Anthony merely smiled and shook his head.

"Then, it settles it. We'll meet Eleanor tomorrow and tell her about this." Loke said, ending the conversation. "Okay!" They said in unison. "Now, it's time to go to bed. Go back to your room guys. Good night!"

"Good night!"

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The next morning, they met Eleanor in her throne room and told her about their decision. Eleanor was beyond happy to heard that.

"I knew I could count on you. Thank you" Eleanor said, clasping her hands. "Now come, we need to get you ready." Eleanor said, beckoning them to follow her.

"Yes!"

They followed her to a room they had never seen before, Rubelle didn't show them there. Eleanor put her hand on the door and said something in a different language.

"Άνοιξε(Greek for "Open")!" She said firmly. A few seconds later, the big double doors opened. The room is wide and vacant with seven pedestals in the center of the room. The marble floor is an picture of seven people riding white horses. They wore victorian eras clothes. Behind the pedestals are seven stained glass windows. The pictures on each windows are the same people as the ones on the marble floor.

The pedestals are white and gold. On top of each pedestals are element symbols. On the first pedestal from the left, there is a flicker of flame. The flame is bright red. It ignites a spark inside of Ash. "What is this feeling?"

On the second pedestal from the left, there is a small swirls of wind. The gentle yet quick breeze washed over May, giving her chills. "Such weird feelings"

On the third pedestal from the left, there is a bright ball of light. The warm radiating from the light somehow soothes Stacey, as if beckoning her to approach it. "Why am I feeling this way?"

On the first pedestal from the right, there is a single floating snowflake. The cold aura from the snowflakes lures Anthony to approach it. "What is this?"

On the second pedestal from the right, there is a single vine growing from the pedestal. The vine grows and twists, luring Ben to approach it. "Why is the vine seems to be calling me?"

On the third pedestal from the right, there is a small shadow floating on top of the pedestal. It swirls and floats, pointing at Loke. "What...?"

Eleanor smiles as she turned to the kids. "These are the magical cores of Eptá. Can you feel them calling for you? Go ahead and approach the one." Eleanor said, stepping aside.

As if possessed, they approached the elements in awe. Ash approached the flame, May approached the wind, Stacey approached the ball of light, Loke approached the shadow, Ben approached the vine, and Anthony approached the snowflake. Eleanor smiles at the sight. "As expected..."

Each of them put a hand on the elements, feeling it crawling into their bodies. "How do you feel?" Eleanor asked. They all turned to the woman, eyes wide. "I feel...powerful...and weird." Loke said, the others nodded their heads in agreement.

"What just happened?" Stacey asked, feeling a bit lightheaded. "The core has entered your souls. They had chose you." Eleanor said. Stacey's and Loke's hands accidentally touched each others, sending electrical sensation through their bodies.

"Oh my!"

"Ouch!"

"What's wrong, you two?" Ben asked them. "Well, our hands accidentally touched. It feels like electrical surge crawl through our bodies. It feels weird." Stacey said, wrapping her hands around herself. Loke nodded in agreement.

"That's your powers reacting to each other. Stacey, you got the power of Starlight Garden and Loke, you got the power of Peaceful Darkness. The powers you possessed are connected to each others or as you can say as twins." Eleanor explained.

"Twins??" Stacey and Loke said in unison before looking at each other. "That's one of the reasons why an arranged marriage between the princess and the prince is held. Because of their twin powers." Eleanor explained again.

"Both powers need each others to neutralize the other. That's why, Stacey and Loke, you two have to look out for each other for your powers are very powerful." Eleanor said, putting her hands on each of their shoulders.

"As for the others, Ash, you got the power of Hellfire. You can control fire based objects or fire in general."

"Cool" Ash said, clenching his fists and observes them.

"May, you got the power of Whirlwind. You can control the wind."

"Awesome!" May said.

"Ben, you got the power of Wood Creation. You can control plants and create weapons from plants."

"I see..." Ben said in awe.

"Anthony, you got the power of Winter Fortress. You can control ice and snow."

"I see, thank you." Anthony said nonchalantly.

"Okay! now that you got your powers, it's time for training!" Eleanor said excitedly. They all stared at her.

"....eh?"

END OF CHAPTER 4