John

John effortlessly floated in midair around his bedchambers, enjoying the utter weightlessness of his endeavor. He adored the way the air felt around him, welcomed him into its domain and and made him feel as if he were the breeze itself. He giggled besides himself and flew up toward the ceiling, and then all around his room. He let his freedom sink in short bursts, smiling the entire time.

He hated keeping his abilities secret. He and his twin sister were both like this; humans with elven abilities. Scholars had once speculated that humans with such abilities had elf blood within their family line but John had traced his ancestor's lineage as far back as he could and never found any trace of elven blood. However, he knew that he and his sister weren't the only blessed humans, and he took comfort in that fact, though he'd only heard tales of the others, never having come across anyone like himself.

A rough tap of knuckles against his door caused John to land swiftly on the ground and then hurry to sit on his bed. Captain Strider entered the room moments later. John smiled innocently at the older man, though he was truly upset with him.

"I guess this means that your brother has left already?"

"Yes," Dirk said coolly. He hadn't truly known of Dave's friendship with the prince of the human kingdom, not in full spectrum at least, so he wasn't aware of how badly Dave's departure hurt Egbert. The young prince had never truly had friends before, but when the younger Strider had become his own personal guard, the two had become fast friends. Dave accompanied John everywhere and the two exchanged many laughs and secrets. "I think his true potential will be fulfilled there, in my opinion."

"I'll miss him, but we will meet again in due time. I suppose, anyway," John said softly.

"My visit is actually on his wishes. He sends his warmest regards and his kindest farewell."

John smiled slightly. Dave could be so thoughtful if he wanted to be. This was definitely one of those times. John then curiously looked over Dirk, who remained by his door with determined eyes. His stance was professional as could be; back straight and arms behind him. His chainmail was light weight but made of the strongest metals, and his short sword was parallel to his leg. However, he did not show any sign of leaving his post.

"Is there something else, Captain?"

"Yes, the Queen has requested your presence as soon as possible. She insists that it is urgent."

"Right away, thank you!"

Without much more acknowledgement, Dirk quickly left to complete other tasks and duties that he may have. John eagerly got to his feet and began to run through the castle, turning down hallway after hallway and traveling up the stairs toward the tower room, where it was custom for the ruling monarch to live their days. When their parents were killed in combat, the throne was to go to either twin, but John knew that deep down that Jade would be a better ruler and he passed the crown to her. She still asks for his advice, though, and he appreciates the inclusion.

As he approached the tower, he found the nearest window and crawled up onto the ledge. He grinned to himself as he braced himself and leapt out into the open sky. He caught the window and began to soar upward. He was far enough up that he knew no one could make out what he was. At best, those below him would mistake him for a rather large bird. He flew up and up until he came to Jade's open window. Carefully, he glided into the room, watching as his sister stared at him from her mirror.

"Are you alright, sister?" He asked with caution as he landed. She just stared at his face in the mirror and then slowly shook her head.

"I just woke up awhile ago," she whispered and tried to smile. She must have just gotten out of bed, John thought. Jade's hair was still a tangled mess of black hair and her eyes were red and swollen under the eye itself. She also seemed to be crying, which scared John to his core. One of Jade's powers was that she had prophetic dreams. Most of the time, the dreams were of minimal importance. John had only ever seen one dream shake his sister so strongly; the one that showed her the upcoming death of their parents.

"What did you see?" He approached her slowly. He could have sworn he saw her flinch.

"Terrible things. But I feel as if it could be avoided. I really do."

"Jade. Calm down. Tell me what you saw."

But Jade didn't calm down. Her eyes got wide as if she were panicking and she talked through John's words as if they meant absolutely nothing. This frightened her twin more than she would ever know. "It can only happen if we're together. If we're apart, even just for awhile... It can be avoided. I'm so sure of it."

"Jade, you're starting to scare me," John reached out with a still and careful hand. He gently pressed it to his sister's shoulder but she jerked away as fast as she could. In fact, she evaporated completely and then reappeared behind him. "Jade! Please talk to me!"

When Egbert turned to face his sister, he saw that she was definitely crying now. She covered her quivering mouth with a pale hand and tried to choke back her sobs. She could only look down at her feet. "John, I'm sorry. Please don't come any nearer."

With a sad sigh and tears in his own eyes, he took a seat on the cold stone floor. He struggled besides himself and forced himself not to cry. "Please, just tell me what I have to do to make you happy."

"John, you have to leave. It's for the good of both of us," she whimpered. "It can't happen if we're not together. I'd leave if it weren't for the fact that I have a kingdom to rule. Please. It wouldn't be long. I'll write you when it's all said and done."

"Jade, please-"

"John, I love you. And that's why I'm asking you to go," she replied with her voice barely a whisper. She looked up at him and he could see it in her eyes. He knew that she would never ask something like this of him if she didn't know how to fix it. She looked at him with eyes that held fear and yet love, love for her brother and a sort of love that implied protection.

"I will go, then," John choked. He didn't want to leave. This was his kingdom as well. This was his sister. He hated the thought of leaving her like this. But he also trusted her and her dreams her decisions. If she said this was best, then he believed her. "But please let me hug you first. Please?"

Jade suddenly ran forward and crushed her body to his, arms wrapping around his neck. She sobbed into his chest as she rubbed his back. "I promise I'll tell you when it is all over," she whispered into his shoulder. He leaned down and kissed the very top of her head. "I'll miss you, John."

He pulled away gently and began to hover in place. He smiled warmly, yet with sorrow, at his twin before gliding back toward the window. She smiled back with a loving gleam to her emerald eyes and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "Goodbye sister," he breathed. And just like his words, he was gone out the window and flying with the wind.