Delythena's POV
I woke up in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by towering trees with glowing green lights illuminating the area.
"Where am I?" I whispered to myself. I looked down and saw that I was standing on a stone circle that emitted a soft green light. I scanned my surroundings, and to my left, at the very center of the area, stood the largest tree I had ever seen, glowing a dazzling green. The roots of the tree sparkled, almost like gold.
"What is this place?" I murmured in awe.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from in front of me, near the massive tree.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady supreme."
I was startled. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
A moment later, a figure emerged a woman with green hair, dressed in clothing that seemed to be made of tree roots, yet she was undeniably beautiful.
"I am the Earth Spirit" she said, and my eyes widened in surprise.
"Earth Spirit?" I repeated, and then it hit me the Water Spirit. My mind raced as the memory flooded back.
The Earth Spirit smiled softly, her eyes glowing with an ancient wisdom. "Yes, I am the Earth Spirit. And just like the Water Spirit, I've been waiting for you."
My heart skipped a beat. "Waiting for me? But... why?"
Her gaze grew more serious, and she stepped closer, her presence calming but overwhelming at the same time. "Because you are the one who can restore balance. You have the power to bridge the realms, to connect the elements. You are the key."
I took a step back, trying to process her words. "Restore balance? What do you mean?"
"The land is dying" she explained, gesturing to the glowing trees and the vibrant surroundings that now seemed to pulse with life. "The elements are out of sync, and without the proper balance between them, the world will continue to crumble. The Rift is a sign of that imbalance. The creatures guarding it are there to prevent those who are meant to fix it from interfering."
I clenched my fists, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. "And... I'm supposed to fix it?"
The Earth Spirit nodded. "Yes. But you will need help. The Water Spirit is not the only ally you have. The other elements will aid you, but first, you must accept your role in all of this."
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to push away the uncertainty. But deep down, something told me that this was the path I had been meant to walk all along.
"What should I do?" I asked, my voice steady despite the fear swirling inside me.
She smiled again, this time with a sense of warmth. "You must learn to harness the power within you. Only then will you be able to restore harmony to the elements. The journey will be long and dangerous, but you are not alone."
As she finished speaking, the ground beneath my feet seemed to hum, and the air around me grew thick with energy. The Earth Spirit extended her hand toward me.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
I looked at her hand, feeling a strange pull toward it, as if the very earth beneath my feet was urging me to take it. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was truly ready for what lay ahead. But the weight of the situation was undeniable. The world was at stake, and I was the one meant to restore balance.
Slowly, I reached out and took her hand.
As soon as my fingers made contact with hers, a surge of energy coursed through me. It was like being connected to the very heartbeat of the earth itself. The ground beneath me trembled, and the trees around us seemed to glow even brighter, their roots shifting as if they recognized me.
"You must feel it now" the Earth Spirit said, her voice soft yet powerful. "The connection to the earth, to the elements. This is the power you carry within you."
I nodded, my body tingling with the intensity of the energy flooding through me. I had never felt anything like this before—like I was part of something greater, something ancient.
"The journey ahead will test you" she continued. "But trust in yourself, in the power you now wield, and the elements will guide you."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "I won't fail."
She nodded, her eyes glowing brighter. "I know you won't. But remember, you will not be facing this alone. You have allies waiting. The Water Spirit, the Fire Spirit, and the Air Spirit will all play their part. But first, you must learn to control the power within you."
The energy around us pulsed again, and I could feel the earth shift beneath my feet. It was as though the land itself was preparing for something.
"Come" the Earth Spirit said, motioning toward the glowing tree. "Your training begins now."
I followed her toward the glowing tree, each step feeling heavier as if the weight of my destiny was settling on my shoulders. The closer I got, the more the air seemed to hum with life, the roots of the tree shifting as though alive. The Earth Spirit stopped in front of it, her eyes closed as if in deep concentration.
"This tree" she said, "Is the heart of the earth's power here. It holds the memories of this world its history, its balance, and its life force. If you are to learn to harness the earth's energy, you must first connect with it."
She gestured toward the trunk, and I instinctively placed my hand on the bark. The moment I did, a rush of energy flooded my body, and images began to flash before my eyes visions of the world before it began to crumble, of lush forests, flowing rivers, and vibrant landscapes. But then, the images shifted to darkness landscapes drying up, rivers running dry, and the sky turning a sickly yellow.
I gasped, stumbling back as the visions overwhelmed me.
"The imbalance is spreading" the Earth Spirit said, her voice filled with sorrow. "And you are the one who must restore it. The earth has been wounded, just as the other elements have. You must heal it, but first, you must understand it."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The power I felt coursing through me was unlike anything I'd ever known, and it was both terrifying and exhilarating.
"What do I have to do?" I asked, my voice steady despite the whirlwind inside me.
The Earth Spirit looked at me with a knowing gaze. "You must learn to channel the earth's energy, to draw from it and heal what has been broken. Only then will you be able to move forward and restore the balance."
She stepped back, giving me space. "Focus on the earth beneath you. Feel the pulse of life, the connection to everything around you. Let go of your fear, and allow yourself to become one with it."
I closed my eyes and knelt down, my hands resting on the earth. I could feel the vibrations beneath me, the pulse of life in the soil, the trees, and the air around me. It was as though everything was waiting for me to tap into it, to let it flow through me.
I took a deep breath, reaching deep within myself, and allowed the earth's energy to surge through me. It was overwhelming at first the power was raw, untamed, but I focused, grounding myself, trying to direct it. Slowly, I could feel the energy responding, shaping itself to my will.
The ground beneath me began to tremble, and the tree in front of me seemed to glow brighter, its roots shifting as if they recognized the energy I was channeling. I opened my eyes, and the Earth Spirit's approving smile greeted me.
"You've done it" she said softly. "You've connected with the earth."
I felt a sense of accomplishment, but I knew this was just the beginning. There was still so much to learn, and the path ahead was uncertain. But one thing was clear: I was no longer just a bystander in this world. I was a part of it, connected to its very core, and now, I had to use that power to restore what had been lost.
The Earth Spirit smiled with pride, her glowing eyes flickering like the stars. "Now that you've connected with the earth's energy, it's time to learn how to wield it. This power isn't just about control it's about understanding. The earth, the trees, the roots, the very soil you stand on... they all have their own rhythms, their own needs. You must learn to listen."
I nodded, still feeling the raw energy coursing through me, vibrating through every fiber of my being. It felt both natural and foreign at the same time, like something that had always been a part of me but was only now awakening.
She gestured toward the nearby roots of the glowing tree. "You see these roots? They are the lifeblood of the earth. Without them, the trees would not grow, the land would not flourish. You must learn to heal the land by reconnecting the broken roots, just as you connected with the earth."
I stepped forward, unsure at first, but as my hands hovered near the roots, I could feel their energy, their connection to the earth beneath. The roots seemed to pulse, and I gently reached out, letting the power flow through my fingertips.
At first, nothing happened. But as I focused, the ground beneath me began to hum, and the roots in front of me started to twitch, slowly but steadily. Then, the most incredible thing happened: the roots began to glow brighter, as if they were responding to my touch, coming back to life.
I gasped in awe as the earth beneath me seemed to breathe, the land itself shifting and healing under my guidance.
"Good" the Earth Spirit said, her voice full of approval. "You are learning. But the true test will be when you leave this place and face the land beyond."
I paused, the weight of her words sinking in. "Will I be able to restore the land everywhere? The Parched Plains, the Rift... everything?"
The Earth Spirit looked at me with a knowing smile, her eyes flickering with the same ancient wisdom that had guided me so far.
"You will, because there is no one else but you" she said.
I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination rise within me. "I won't let you down."
She nodded, and the roots around me glowed even brighter. "You already are on the right path. Remember, you are never alone. The elements will guide you, and your connection to them will grow stronger with time. Now, go take what you've learned, and use it to heal the world." She said. "Just summon me whenever you need me" she added, With those final words, the Earth Spirit faded into the glowing green light, leaving me standing alone but filled with purpose. I was ready. It was time to face the challenges ahead, to restore balance and heal the world, one step at a time.
I was still trying to process what had just happened when I suddenly found myself teleported back to the Rift. My surroundings felt disorienting, the crackling air and the desolate land stretching out before me.
"My lady!" Zadkiel's voice called out urgently, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned around, startled to see him running toward me.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt? What happened to you?" His words tumbled out, filled with concern as he reached me.
I gave him a reassuring smile, even though my heart was still racing. "I'm fine" I said, trying to calm him.
He exhaled deeply, clearly relieved, but then something unexpected happened he suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace.
For a moment, I stood frozen in his arms, not knowing how to react. His warmth enveloped me, and I could feel the tension in his body, as if he had been carrying the weight of worry the whole time I was gone.
"You're safe now" he whispered softly, holding me tightly.
I felt a rush of emotions, a mix of gratitude and confusion. This wasn't something I had expected, especially with everything going on. But as I stood there, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against mine, something shifted.
It felt comforting, even if it was just for a moment.
I focused on the task at hand, drawing strength from the power of both water and earth. The energy flowed through me, and I carefully began to merge the two elements, letting them guide my hands and heart. As the water from the river and the earth beneath me intertwined, I could feel the land responding slowly but surely, the cracks that marred the Rift began to close, the earth healing itself.
The once-dry soil started to become lush again, and the trees, once wilted and withered, began to stand tall, their roots stretching deep into the revitalized earth. A river started to flow, its clear waters sparkling in the sunlight, carving its path through the land. It was as if the world itself was waking up, breathing again.
I stood back for a moment, watching the transformation, and a smile slowly spread across my face. The land, the trees, and the water everything was alive again. The Rift, once a symbol of destruction and imbalance, now felt whole.
It was beautiful, this world I was trying to restore. I had done it. I had brought it back to life.
I felt a presence behind me and turned to see Zadkiel standing there, watching me with a look of admiration.
"You did it" he said, his voice filled with awe. "The Rift is healing... everything is starting to come back."
I nodded, still absorbing the gravity of the moment. "It's not over yet, but we're one step closer."
Zadkiel took a step forward, a soft smile on his face. "I knew you could do it. You truly are the key to restoring balance."
I felt a surge of pride, but also a deep sense of responsibility. There was still much to be done, but seeing the land restored, even in this small way, gave me the strength to continue.
Together, we could fix what had been broken.
We had just arrived back at the palace when I suddenly spoke up as we were about to enter.
"Why didn't you ask?" I said, my voice a bit hesitant but curious.
"Ask about what?" he replied, glancing at me.
"About my powers" I said, finally voicing the thought that had been sitting with me. I hadn't told him yet that I had awakened all of my elemental abilities or what exactly I was capable of now.
He paused for a moment before answering.
"I don't need to ask" he said simply. "No matter what powers you have, I'll still come whenever you're in danger."
His words made my chest tighten, a strange warmth blooming inside me. There was no trace of doubt in his voice, no hesitation just certainty and quiet loyalty.
I lowered my head for a moment, not out of shame, but because of the weight of emotions slowly stirring in my mind. I didn't really know what kind of connection I had with Zadkiel, but with every word he said, it felt like it was growing deeper.
"Thank you" I said softly, almost a whisper.
He stopped walking and turned to face me. "You don't need to thank me, my lady," he said gently. "Everything I do, I do willingly. Because I want to. Because it's you."
I couldn't reply right away. It was like something tightened in my chest. Especially now that I was slowly accepting who I truly was... and how big my role was in this world.
"I don't need anything else from you" he said with a playful grin. "Just your answer... that you'll marry me."
There he goes again with that talk about marriage.
I gave him a look, half-annoyed, half-amused. "You're seriously bringing that up again?"
But he just chuckled, not the least bit fazed. "Always."
"We're not even done dealing with all the chaos in this world, and you're already thinking about marriage" I said with a sigh.
He stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face me, that smile still on his face. "Because even in the middle of all this chaos, I'd still choose you."
"You're so persistent" I muttered, partly covering my face.
He laughed softly. "But you're blushing."
"No, I'm not!" I quickly denied, though I knew my face was probably red as a tomato.
"Get some rest now, or I might just steal a kiss if I can't hold back" he said, catching me completely off guard.
"Crazy" I snapped, glaring at him but he only laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction.
I turned away, trying to hide the sudden warmth creeping up my cheeks, while he just kept chuckling like he'd won something.
"Good night, My lady" he said, his voice a mix of teasing and affection.
"Good night already, or I might slap you" I replied, trying to hold back a smile.