Quattuor - Uno gradu propius697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApFtzIDUTZ
(One Step Closer)697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VN9dWv4yO
“Your home is beautiful Vee,” I complimented as I lightly brushed my fingers over the grand cobble stone. “Is it only you that lives here?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl5boXQkbJ
“No,” She replied leading us into the sitting room where we sat on a tree branch that had soft cotton for cushions. “My parents are both on the air gifted council for Pryst Mountain, although, they are hardly ever here because of it.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2eAb0zqe0
“Even if it's only the three of you, this place is still incredible.” Blaze commented and I noticed that he didn't say it in a sarcastic manner or was he rude. In fact, he sounded like a respectful man! Was it only me he was so rude towards?697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn05LZ9D7HU
“Oh, excuse my manners,” Vee said suddenly standing. “You all must be famished, may I get you some food?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM99W4QRyl
But she didn't even wait to hear our responses before she zoomed upwards towards what I assume to be the kitchen. Not even a minute later, she flew back down to us and handed each of us a tray containing a pitcher of water, sandwiches and soup.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIJokZgaGW
My stomach instantly started growling when the delicious scent made it's way into my nostrils. I haven't eaten a decent meal since I got here.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JZukXgiTy
“Thank you so much Vee,” I said sincerely to her before taking a big bite out of my sandwich. I had no idea what it was but it was darn good!697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIWxAro3SL
“It's the least I can do for you, your majesty,” She said bowing her head.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHWB57x9ZZ
“It's ok for you to call me Tai,” I gave her smile. “Peri and Blaze-well...Peri calls me Tai all the time.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0ljRle3wK
Blaze snorted obnoxiously but he took a bite of his sandwich instead of remarking.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8G9wYfZI5
“You three are more than welcome to spend the night if you want,” Vee said as she floated to her feet. “I have two guest rooms that you can stay in.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRBuImyznc
“We don't want to intrude,” Peri said frowning slightly.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqzZso4PN8
“It's no problem at all, when your done eating I can show you to the guest rooms are.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUwt2GQpd2
But we'd already finished our tray of food and I don't know about Peri and Blaze but I was still hungry. Judging by their ravenous expressions, I would say that they still were as well.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhb7h79OgT
“Maybe some more food then we'll head to bed,” Vee chuckled as her gray as danced in amusement.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYgcP5BciB
...697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE9M7JIIoL
“Ah, being clean never felt so good.” Peri said as she flopped onto her side of the bed. She shaked her still wet head, making water fly everywhere.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DqY5Pap8C
“Hey,” I said shielding myself from the drops. “At least braid your hair so it doesn't drip everywhere.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjF77ob1bu
“It's too short to braid.” She said running her fingers through her short, sunny curls. I guess that was true, Peri's hair was only about an inch long.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA4MJNgtB7
“I'm done in the bath by the way.” She said playing with the belt of the lovely robes that Vee had set out for each of us.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsvuLGx8am
Peri and I shared a room while Blaze took the other for himself. Vee has to be one of the most hospitable person that I've ever met. We are complete strangers to her yet she gave us food, clothes and a place to spend the night. It's rare to find people like that in reality or Aralia.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNVJnYjkus
I gathered my clean clothes and made my way into the bathroom. But I stood frozen in my tracks when I caught sight of my reflection.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qbT01Cta3
I looked absolutely horrendous! I was wearing the same over sized shirt and basketball shorts since the first time I came here. My long black curls were knotted and frizzy, as if I'd been electrocuted. Dirt and grime covered my face and clothes. How did that Alvez guy even find me attractive? He must've been desperate.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj0cN8XGEF
"Gosh, no wonder Blaze insults me 24/7," I muttered to myself before turning on the hot water in the pond-like bath. I swear this bathtub is bigger than my actual bathroom back at home.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhFxPe7g1V
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Home.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziwBRpqqLR
I've been in Aralia for about three days now. But it felt like so much longer. I wonder what happened to my body. When that Alyza lady sent me here, I saw my body lying against some boxes unmoving. Could someone have found my body? They might've thought I was dead! My parents must be worried sick about me! What if I go back to reality and find out that I've been buried because they had thought that I was dead?697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDbnWYUxwK
"Calm down Tai, that wouldn't happen," I reassured myself as I stepped into the warm relaxing water. This felt absolutely amazing!697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP9vkVWLQo
I quickly scrubbed all of the dirt and grime off of my body before I laid back and relaxed in the beautiful bath. Who knows when I'll be able to have another one.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwY4HgfOMg
About fifteen minutes later, i finally decided to get out of the bath; only because the water was getting cold.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUhuufTFIQ
Peri was already asleep by the time I got back into the bedroom. I quickly braided my hair and crawled over to my side of the bed before slipping into a dreamless reverie.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpLH16XmmT
...697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh84hISvBF
"Thank you so much!" Peri's melodic voice said waking me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnv7ostamB
My eyes slowly opened and I blinked rapidly as I tried to clear my vision. Peri sat next to me on the bed, holding out a tray of food and clean clothes.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc8Iamkr9f
"Vee sent these for you," She said handing them to me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU7tRDlO8h
I unrolled to clothes to see a pair of silver pants made of a stretchy material and a soft white cotton shirt. She was kind enough to even add in a pair of slip-on shoes and undergarments.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFqtjawzMx
"Where is she?" I asked stuffing a piece of the soft, fluffy bread into my mouth.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPZZL1zI49
"She said that she will be outside and that we can join her when we are done getting dressed and eating breakfast."697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoOvTzZ8io
"I think I'm going to take another bath before I go outside. It was very lovely." I admitted.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Vh1JyM7x
"I'm way ahead of you on that one!"697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz6kznpUb8
...697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvk8LdSv5k
"Don't you think that this is too form fitting?" I asked Peri as we made our way to Vee's back terrace.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMj4nrGpYZ
"I think it fits you perfectly," Peri said spinning me to observe. “Who knew you were so voluptuous!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFYVMQSt31
My face immediately turned scarlet and I unconsciously placed my hand on my backside. “Stop it Peri you’re embarrassing me!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PY6YyLMwy
“But it’s true,” She giggled. “With your wearing those baggy clothes, you could have never tell!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDy8pV1pnU
I had been called “curvy” before, but it was only by my aunt at a party one time; and I knew she only said it to avoid telling me that I looked like a whale in my Christmas dress. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSCT4OCKc6
“I-It, just makes me uncomfortable ok,” I said letting my hair fall into my face.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VYi9K6xJ9
She frowned at me but thankfully decided to leave it alone; sensing that it was a “touchy” subject.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNKMUEzp5w
“Vee’s home really is extravagant,” I complimented as we neared the door to the back terrace.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnefclSepIs
“Everything’s extravagant if you come from a high ranking family,” Peri said pushing open the door. But we were astonished at what we saw.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKvoIrjyNF
Winds were whipping our hair all around us and the scorching heat of fire could be felt. Vee and Blaze were engaged in a heated battle!697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq8KBhN0PU
“Hey, what’s going on you two?” Peri said running towards them. “Why are you fighting?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4D7XpZWO1
Vee was at least 10ft in the air, sending harsh wind slices down to Blaze, and it looked like he was having a hard time blocking them. At least until Peri’s interruption became apparent to Vee, making her lose focus, and Blaze knocked her out of the sky with a powerful fire blast.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuEgEIEMcZ
“BLAZE! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?” Peri shouted at him.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiEYcOG8P5
“Calm down sis, we were just engaged in a friendly battle.” He smirked while offering a hand to a scowling Vee. “Which I won!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAljEZxN1Q
Friendly? He nearly set her on fire!697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ1RU81phK
“No fair, if Peri hadn’t interrupted, I would’ve gotten you.” She brushed away his hand and tried to stand on her own, but a painful looking burn was scarred on her alabaster skin.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBddT3DT3N
“Stay still Vee I’ll heal you,” Peri said resting her hands on the burn and the familiar light green glow emitted from her hands before the burn was completely gone.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCFlOzNFs1
“I must admit Vee, you surprised me,” Blaze admitted. “I wouldn’t have expected someone your age to be as strong as you are.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM71e11SxzC
“It’s because I practice everyday,” She said. “It’s mainly me here all the time so I have lots of time to practice with my gift.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21ThaFnMIO
“If you keep it up, you’ll definitely be a powerful Air Gifted,” Blaze complimented.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkqaoay6Qc
“Thanks,” She smiled before looking over at me and grin widened even more. “Tai you look beautiful, those clothes look wonderful on you.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThPQXhaD6p
Please don’t bring that up while I’m in front of Blaze. “Thanks.” I gave her a tight closed lipped smile.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIq0u4UveB
I watched as Blaze’s burnt orange eyes flicker over to me and he continuously eyed me from head to toe. I was so shocked and embarrassed that I didn’t even make a comment on it, that is until his eyes locked with mine and he realized what he was doing.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilPC5fiYsf
“SHUT UP!” He barked out before storming off, setting the grass beneath his feet on fire.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Urnwm3l0
“I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YOU PRICK!” I angrily shouted after him. The nerve of that guy. What is his problem?697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yqKpemfBd
“BLAZE COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND APOLOGIZE TO TAI!697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD16saFyY4
Peri shouted while running after his form.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwIlhWGo7A
“Why do I feel like this happens a lot?” Vee asked me amused as we slowly walked back towards the house.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUu5IkVHoX
“You have no idea” I mumbled.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUCIKdl3Bw
...
“You want me to accompany you?” Vee asked shocked as we sat in her sitting room.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ0b2ghnkT
“You don’t have to if you don’t want you,” I quickly added before she felt as if we were forcing her. “It’s just that we need an Air Gifted and you’re really powerful and really nice and since you said that you were always here by yourself I figured that you wouldn’t mind coming with us and exploring the world and-”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9yVziJzZq
“I would love to!” She said excitedly before flying up to retrieve something.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBteGWjbqh8
“Are you sure?” I called after her. “We don’t want to force you,”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzFET8m8cF
“She already agreed idiot, are you trying to get to change her mind?” Blaze growled at me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENdJIPNgdO
“Will you shut up?” I rolled my eyes at him.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRxF2tECmI
“Are you kidding?” She said while furiously scribbling on a piece of paper. “Of course I’ll go with you! Like you said, it’s only me here most of the time and now I have the opportunity to travel with three new friends!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJAZQ7VJ2b
“Thank you Vee, you have no idea how much this means to us,” I said sincerely. “But I have to warn you, this isn’t just some petty criminal that we’re trying to stop, we’re talking about Izeel, the most ruthless man known to Aralia.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELSweiYPmc
“I know,” She said as her silver streaked eyes shone with determination. “He has done so much harm to this world and feel as if it is my destiny to help you stop him. It’s the least I can do for my home world.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXIUtwo2Eb
She neatly rolled up the little paper she was writing on before tying it and resting it onto a table. “This is a letter to my family so they know where I went. Not like they’ll care anyway. They probably won’t even notice that I’m gone.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyMrgGL913
My heart tugged as I sympathized with her. I know what it’s like to not have your family care about you. Even when my parents were together, my father rarely spoke to me. Tessa was always the over-achiever in the family and accomplished every goal she planned with grace; and for that, she was always my father’s favorite child.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SBnie7hhB
Similarly, my brother Tevin is so mischievous and devious that my parents always had to keep their eyes on him, leaving them with no time to check on my well-being. Even now, I hadn’t spoken to my father in nearly two months but he always sends me money. I wonder if he even knew what had happened to me?697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp20D9eUSpi
“You may have felt that you didn’t have a family before,” Peri said rubbing Vee’s shoulder reassuringly. “But I promise you that you have one now.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF0SHHZzKS
Vee’s eyes lit up with glee before she gave Peri a huge hug. “Come on you guys, get in on the love!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXPrYIPyMs
Peri and Vee tugged Blaze and I in the hug and I was shocked when he didn’t respond immaturely to touching me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctttDsBpBz
“I’ll go pack my things and resources for us to have,” Vee said before zooming up above her.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66G2LjFIus
“One step closer Tai,” Peri grinned as she stood beside me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24moK3cgWV
One step closer.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJFG7sziZu
...
“Whoa check out this carriage!” Vee excitedly said as she flew up onto the seat. “What do you use for fuel?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7yj8VTqrR
Blaze lit his fit a flame and shot a blast of fire into the engine, making the carriage “come to life”.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVeWxffypz
“Well that’s convenient,” She grinned. “As long as Blaze is around, we’ll never run out of fuel.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWgckg5WqE
It was a long and tiresome journey down Pryst Mountain. Blaze was able to get us to the top but he couldn’t get us down, but thankfully, we have a very generous Air Gifted friend who was able to assist us. Though it tired her out immensely to carry three people at one time, Vee used her winds to gently float us, and herself, down the mountain. I knew she was absolutely exhausted but she wouldn’t admit it to us. I’m surprised she can still float!697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcECpk1HFPP
“Come on Tai, what are you waiting for?” She smiled as she offered me a hand.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw3yk1z2I3
A grateful smile etched itself on my face as I took her hand. I felt the air lift beneath me and I gently landed next to her in the carriage.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7vdrREePg
“Vee, please don’t overexert yourself” I frowned.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbML4FqT7Bh
“I’ll be fine, it’s you who needs to relax.” She said nonchalantly. But I could see the tiny beads of sweat forming on her forehead.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWV0yJ7RcB
“What’s the next stop?” Blaze asked folding his tan arms.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrLUeaV5so
“Well,” Vee started. “There is a place called the Ironvale Canyon. Powerful Earth gifted are known to live there.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrQVddCdHo
“Well then I guess that’s the next stop.” Peri said. “Set the course Blaze!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdvw41pEVF
He took control of the carriage and we set off While he at Peri sat at the front conversing, Vee sat at the rear, solemnly looking back at her home.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG7pxddd2p
“You’re going to miss it there aren’t you?” I asked as I gently sat next to her.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT2z8ONnnU
“I think it’s just because it’s the only place I’ve ever known, I’ve lived there all my life.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo0uv9apVQ
“You’ll go back one day,” I softly smiled at her.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ2fx2xpp6
“Thanks Tai,” She smiled. “I just hope when I come back, my parents will actually miss me.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u0hpnxXel
“I’m sure they will,” I wrapped my arm around her.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS5fAFP9sg
But I realized wasn’t just talking about Vee, I was also referring to myself. I hope that if I do ever return to reality, my family would’ve actually missed me.M
