"What do you mean they left?" Nathan asked, pacing back in forth in front of the fountain as Sam explained what had happened while he went off on his little 'Memory Lane Trip'.

"They told me this, I kid you not. 'We do not need another Element as the predecessors before us did fine. We do not see a use for the new Element, and in short, we don't believe he is an Element'."

Nathan scowled. This is why he hated Nobles. He turned to look at Sam. "I know exactly what I am going to do!"

"Leave it be?" Sam asked, his voice hopeful, though still doubtful.

"I am going to follow them."

Sam groaned. He then exhaled. "Well, if you must. I will go with you."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"We have been together for as long as I can remember. Through hardships, easy times, everything. I can't just abandon you when you are about to go on your greatest adventure yet!"

Nathan grinned. "I expect no less from you, Sam."

Sam gave him a thumbs up before racing towards the house. Nathan looked around at the town again. He had lived here his whole life, and now, his life as a simple peasant boy trying not to look suspicious failed completely. He had lived like this for eight years, almost the same length as the blissful time. Instead of a brother trying to kill you, this one ended with the Nobles.

Once Sam came back, the pair said their goodbyes to people and shed a few tears. Nathan thanked everyone almost a million times for everything they did for him.

As they stood at the outskirts of the village, Nathan glanced back. He felt a tear roll down his face. He was going to miss this easy going life. Compared to what his life would be like now, it was definitely easy going.

He looked down at the dirt path, and then kicked some of the dirt up. He sighed, and then turned to look at town once again. Sam clapped him on the back. "Come on, then. We haven't got all day." Sam said in a mock accent. It sounded like someone from Darina, a kingdom near Nahara.

As they walked, Nathan's mind wandered. He began to think of all the countries and kingdoms there were.

Nahara was the most powerful. That is were the elements were born. Darina was Nahara's sister kingdom; allies since the day they began.

There was also Printona, a Kingdom far south, Takenyo, one to the far east, and lastly, Matetes. It was the most isolated if the kingdoms. It was across an ocean from the others, and didn't do much. That is were Nathan had been born.

His family lived there before, and they moved when he was a few months old. He had no memories of the place, but from what legends told him, it was a place were people grew lazy and fat. The few that couldn't survive were left to die on the streets with no hope. Nathan was lucky to live in Nahara.

He had never told anyone he had lived there. As soon as he realized he had powers, his parents told him never to tell anyone where he originally lived, even Sam. He always had to make up lies about living in a small town far away on the other side of the Kingdom. He never thought that he'd have to go to the town they always mentioned; that is, till they learned the Nobles were headed there.

Sam grinned at him as the man on the carriage moved on after Sam spoke with him. "They are headed to Grieg! Aren't you excited?"

Nathan sighed. "Yeah, I guess so."

In Nathan's mind, however, he was practically in cardiac arrest. This was it, his karma. The lies he told were finally swooping in and biting him in the ass. He knew this would be one thing people never let go of. How would they react to find an Element had been born in Matetes? everyone would probably go insane thinking that others could possibly be like him.

Sam gestured for Nathan to catch up with him, and Nathan trudged towards him, still trying to calm his body. As they walked, Sam blabbed on about finally leaving the village. It was something they planned to do before Nathan's family died. They were young back then, eager to see what dangers and excites the world had to offer.

And now, Nathan was being forced to go travelling when it was clear he didn't want to. He'd rather do it with the Nobles, only because then he would finally feel accepted. Only then would he finally be able to let go of the guilt he had. Only then.

Sam snapped Nathan out of his depressing thoughts when he stopped abruptly. Nathan raised an eyebrow. 'Bandits.' was all Sam thought to him.

Nathan furrowed his brow. Why were they so close to the village? He bit his lip as he tugged on Sam's arm, pulling him into the foliage.

He watched as the bandits laughed at something one of them said. Bottles rolled around on the floor near them, and some of them held bottles in their hands. Nathan sniffed the air and recoiled at the sting the alcohol brought to his nose. He gestured to Sam. They had to sneak off.

Sam nodded, turning to follow him. As the two crept through the bushes, Sam shrieked. Nathan whipped his head around to see the bandit holding a knife to Sam's throat as he clutched him to his chest. "Make a move, Element, I dare ya'."

Nathan gulped. Sam was telling him to run, but he couldn't. He couldn't leave his best friend. "What do you want?" He croaked.

"We just want you to die, you fuck." the man spat.

Nathan heard a few chuckles behind him. How did they get there? How did they know he was an Element? He couldn't think straight at the moment.

"Let my friend go and I'll stay here."

The bandit chuckled. "Like I'd do that..."

Nathan watched as Sam squirmed, unable to get out of the man's grasp. He watched his eyes widen as the blade broke skin. A trickle of blood ran down his neck. That was all Nathan needed to lose his mind.

♧

It was almost like walking through a haze. He could hardly feel his body moving, yet it was. He could feel the low vibrations sounding out of his throat, but he couldn't hear it, or anything for that matter. His sight was even dimmed. Everything was dull and lost it's color. Except for one thing.

The blood.

It exploded everywhere. He couldn't stop himself, he wasn't in control. All he knew was that once Sam was hurt, some deep, hidden rage within him exploded. He didn't understand it. He couldn't understand anything. it was all too hard to comprehend.

When the bandits were all dead, the person in control of Nathan's body surveyed the carnage, as if trying to make Nathan suffer. He was forced to examine every torn limb, every exploded head, every single thing this creature inside of him had done.

As Nathan looked at it, he realized the killing style reminded him of something. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but he had seen this type of destruction somewhere before, multiple times. He sighed as he thought about.

The creature forced Nathan to look at its bloodied hands. He wanted to scream. He had been keeping his cool for as long as possible, but this was too much. He swore he heard the being chuckle, as if it could understand him. The vibrations the creature made told Nathan he was speaking.

It turned his head towards Sam, who looked completely, utterly, scared shit less. he wanted to cry, to tell him he wasn't the one to do it, but no sound came out as he screamed. The low chuckle sounded out again, causing Nathan to growl. He wasn't one to usually get mad, but this was a special case.

Sam's mouth moved, and the low vibrations moved through his throat again. Sam bit his bottom lip, and Nathan could see tears threatening to slide out of Sam's eyes.

Suddenly, the black and white world started to return to get colored. Sam's voice started to bounce through Nathan's ears. The smell of blood made him want to vomit. When the being inside of him finally left, Nathan crumpled to his knees, tears falling out of his eyes like a waterfall.

Sam crept over to him and gently touched him. Nathan only wept more as soon as he did. Sam wrapped his hands around him and started telling him everything was alright. Nathan sniffed and eventually stopped.

Nathan and Sam searched for a river or any other kind of water source. When they found it, Nathan stripped his bloodied clothes off of him and jumped into the frigid water. The river wasn't extremely deep, but it was deep enough for everything but Nathan's neck and head to be rinsed off when he was sitting. Once the blood was off of his body, he dove his head into it.

He shook once he was all cleaned off, so Sam started preparing a fire. They hadn't made it that far today, but it was farther than either had gone. Sam his entire life, and Nathan almost his entire life.

Nathan laid in the small beds they made for themselves. "Sam?"

"Yes?"

"Are you scared of me?"

Sam didn't reply. Nathan sighed. "It is okay if you are. I won't hold it against you. You can even head back. I know I would if I were in your pla-"

"Nathan, shut up." Sam said. "I am not scared of you. Whatever happened back there, that wasn't you. Whoever was inside of you was not sane. You, Nathan Humphrey, are the most honest, kind, loving, selfless person I know. If that doesn't scream sane, then I do not know what does. I would never leave you alone out here. How could I still call you my friend after that? And besides, even if I was terrified back there, doesn't mean I am now. You are fine, Nathan. If you doubt that, then you shouldn't even attempt to go after the rest. Without you, I doubt they will ever defeat the Evil, no matter how hard they try. And if you still doubt yourself and your sanity after everything that I have told you, then pack up and go home. I don't want your fears getting in the way of your safety. If that guy comes back into you, then at least we know we are protected. he could've killed me, but he didn't. I think, Nathan, he is a part of you that comes out only when your friends are hurt. maybe he is a part of your abilities, maybe not. Perhaps he has something to do with the visions you get, who knows.

All I am saying is this: Nathan Humphrey, you deserve this. You deserve to wield the power you hold. Do not give up on it."

Nathan stared at his friend. Sam tried to plaster an annoyed look on his face, but it was clear he was worried about him. Nathan nodded. "Alright, Sam. I'll stay. Those Nobles need all the help they can get, especially if they are afraid to get wet."

Sam's jaw dropped. "Afraid to get wet? What? Damn. Even Lela?"

Nathan nodded, trying to hold back his laughter and grin, though he couldn't stop the grin from getting wider. Sam and Nathan burst into laughter. They talked about the Nobles for the rest of the night until they calmed down.

Sam was the first to fall asleep. His chest didn't rise and fall as quickly as usual, and he was lightly snoring. Nathan smiled, happy he was safe and alright. He looked at the small cut on his neck, and anger boiled through his body. He turned away, and realized he was too heated to sleep. He decided to go to the river to cool down.

When he got there, he looked down at himself. The moon shone directly behind his head, making him look more like a shadow. Suddenly, pain shot through his head.

♧

"Spirit, calm your shit down man." came the slurred voice of his best friend.

Spirit turned around and grinned at him. "Go home, Manuel, your drunk."

Manuel smirked. "You're one to talk." he slurred again.

"Yes, except I have an extremely high tolerance, which you, unfortunately, do not have."

Manuel stroked his beard. "The last time you and I drank like this, you had just come back from, oh, what was it again?"

"Vahara." Spirit said for him.

"Right, right."

"Yeah, there was some confusing going on in the palace there. The princess was a very lovely sight. If I wasn't already the way I am, I could've taken her."

"She is a young woman, in whom you should respect." snapped a woman's voice.

Spirit turned around, throwing one of his signature grins at her. "Come now, Venus. We were just playin' around."

Venus huffed. "Sure. next thing you know you will be going after a five year old, you fucking pervert."

"He is a pervert." Manuel said as Venus kissed his cheek. "Anyways, what do you think of the new government set up?"

Spirit scowled. "You know how I feel about the rich fuckers."

Venus narrowed her eyes. "Language."

"Like you didn't cuss just a second ago."

"No cussing in front of a lady." Came another man's voice. "Do I need to beat that into you again, Spirit?"

Spirit grumbled in reply as he watched Aaron sit down next to Venus. Aaron smirked at him before pulling his black hair back into a ponytail. He grabbed one of the bottles and chugged it, his green eyes glistening with delight.

Venus slapped his arm, causing the bottle to be pull d out of his mouth. "That is enough." she snapped.

Her vibrant red hair reminded Spirit of blood, just a bit lighter. Her eyes fell on him and she narrowed those beautiful blue eyes at him, probably thinking he was checking her out. Manuel laughed at something Aaron said, pulling her closer to him.

His dark brown was uncut, as usual. His beard was getting long, and he could tell Venus didn't like the beard, she kept glaring at it whenever it brushed her skin. His brown eyes rotated in their sockets to look at Spirit. "So, what do you think of the matter, Spirit?"

Spirit chuckled. "I was so lost in thought that have no idea what we are talking about."

Manuel chuckled. "Just more on the government."

Spirit stood up. "That is my cue to leave, nighty nighty, shit bags."

Aaron and Venus scoffed while Manuel fell on his rump, laughing his ass off. "You are the best man." he said before taking another chug of his drink.

Spirit turned around and walked off to the river. When he got there, he stared down at the reflection of himself. "Why must the rich always take over?" he muttered to himself as he traced his outline on the surface of the water. "I mean, they all want the same thing: money and power."

He sighed as he pulled his hand back to his shirt. "I wish things were easy in the world."

He leaned back and looked up at the moon. It reminded him of home. He closed his eyes, locking the tears threatening to come out inside. Suddenly, a sweet voice sounded out. "Spirit, the others are worried."

He looked over to see Marie. She was no older than twelve but still powerful. He sauntered over to them and stroked the back of her head. "Don't worry, we can go now."

She nodded, her black hair falling into her face. Her green eyes were filled with exhaustion. She was just like her brother, Aaron. Except, she didn't feel the need to flaunt her powers like they always did.

Marie led him back to the camp, where he lay in his bed, staring up at the small cloth that was used as the tent. He could hear Manuel snoring in the other tent while Venus murmured for him to shut up while she slept. He shook his head and walked out.

He wondered if he should tell them. If he did, he doubted he'd be accepted. He frowned as he looked at the forest surrounding them. He starting walking into the woods.

When he made it to an isolated place, he looked back up at the moon. "I miss home." he murmured.

Tears rolled down his cheeks, but he wiped them off. If only he could tell them.

But if he did

They might think he was a spy.

They were his homeland's enemy nation after all.