Chapter 7
The Gangs All Here
Joey quickly pulled off his wet cloak and, to his surprise, was immediately taken away by the man standing by the front doors. He watched as he took the others cloaks the second they were off their shoulders, to their bewilderment. He's quick for a little guy, Joey thought.
"Thank you!" Serenity called politely after him. The man only turned and nodded. He would have waved but, Joey noticed this, you could barely see his feet he was holding so many cloaks.
Joey turned to look around the entrance. It was better kept than Old Jack's. The inn was more like a two inns. The bar was to his left. He watched a black haired man laugh at a something one of the drinkers had said. Looking in the other direction he saw a few empty chairs before a large fireplace that glimmered warmly and invitingly.
Anzu sat down in the middle of the chairs. She smiled as Yami sat down next to her and engaged her in conversation. Joey watched Seto walk to the bar and ask the black haired man for a drink. He turned around and saw Serenity still behind him. He smiled warmly at her. She smiled back and pointed for him to look around again. Turning he almost jumped. There was a pair of sharp grape colored eyes right up in his face.
Stepping back, Joey tried extremely hard not to let his mouth hang up in shock. A woman the exact same height as him was standing with her hands on her hips looking at him. She had long, wavy blonde hair and pale skin. She had red rose lips and wore white shirt, silk breeches, stockings and dress boots. She smiled at him and said something.
"Sorry, missed that," he said to the girl.
"Welcome to the Top of the Mountain Inn. I am the owner of this place. My name is Mai," she said sticking out her hand.
After being in court so long he bending down to kiss her hand. Before he could complete the task she snatched her hand away, making Joey straighten up, looking confused. She stuck her hand out again and said, "No need for that. A shake will do. Mr.?" She asked, raising an eyebrow gracefully.
He took her hand firmly and shook, "Joey of Sekina."
"Why have you come so far? Where in Sekina are you from?"
Joey replied, "The capitol, Vocara. We have business here."
He nodded to Serenity then showed Mai who Yami, Anzu and Seto were. "Well, you're all welcome here, DUKE!" Mai said loudly.
The black haired man at the bar looked up and put a glass down before walking over quickly. "Yeah Mai?" Duke asked, slightly irritated. He was just flirting with a girl down the road.
"He's a Duke?" Serenity asked.
"No hon, that's just his name. He's a friend of mine," Mai said, "Duke, get drinks for those two over there, "she pointed towards Yami and Anzu who were sill talking, "and these two."
Duke nodded towards Joey and winked at Serenity before leaving. "I'm going to sit with Yami and Anzu, okay Joey?" serenity asked, already walking towards them.
"Sure," Joey said, and then turned to talk with Mai again.
He was shocked to see she was already on the other side of the room talking with some girls. He sighed happily. Maybe that wish for adventure was going to come true?
Serenity sighed in content. This inn is very nice and so, Serenity thought, trying not to snicker, was the owner. She knew her brother liked her.
Serenity knew that the king had been looking for a girl for Joey since Joey turned sixteen. She had watched her brother twirl ladies in pretty dresses and lovely names around the ballroom. He always stared into space while they blabbed on about things mindlessly.
It was good that he finally found someone. She sighed again, this time in frustration. She wished she liked someone. She turned pink. Well, there could be someone…
She paused. Why wasn't there any noise? Why was it so quiet? She turned to see that it was just Joey, Mai, that man named Duke, Yami, Anzu, Seto and herself in the room. Strange… she thought; then gasped.
The lights had gone out. Serenity almost shrieked. What was going on? And then Serenity saw it. A pale white glow was coming from the center of the room.
She watched it grow steadily. A few moments later, the light seemed to shape…a body. A girl floated in the center of the room.
She was beautiful in an eerie sort of way. She was very tall, with pale white skin that glowed, lighting up the room in white. Her hair, which was white, was down to her ankles and seemed to blow behind her as if there was a breeze. Her outfit consisted off a gold dress that clung to her skin. Her sleeves drew the eyes to elegant hands and golden colored nails. She was barefoot.
Her eyes were beautiful. They were a rich golden color. The girl spoke, "Elements, it is very nice to see you again."
Serenity could only watch in awe. "Of course," the woman continued, "I haven't seen you in many, many years. Do you remember who am?"
The six shook their heads in unison. Duke, who had been talking with Yami, decided that this had nothing to do with him; He sat underneath the counter and listened to the conversation. "My friends," the women said, "I am Fatima. I am the daughter of the prophet."
Serenity eyes widened. The prophet that that man had spoken of? The prophet for the Clan of Elements? "Friends, I am here to help. I am here to give you your magic so peace will befall this Earth once again. Prince Joseph of Sekina?" Fatima asked and turned so she faced Joey.
Joey felt the need to bow. "Yes?" he asked quietly.
Fatima smiled at him, "You are blessed with Earth. Mai of Crishan?" She cocked her head towards Mai, "You are gifted in Air. Wind."
Mai's eyes widened. She had no idea what this woman, Fatima, was talking about. Fatima turned to the left where Yami and Anzu stood. "Prince Yami of Crishan?" Fatima said, "You are fire, and Anzu of Arilea, you are water."
Yami and Anzu looked puzzled but weren't as clueless as Mai was. "Prince Seto of Arilea," Fatima said, "You are Night. Dark."
Fatima bowed her head respectfully at Seto who only frowned. This wasn't a surprise. "And Princess Serenity of Sekina," Fatima said, golden eyes smiling down at her, "You, dear child, are Light."
Serenity held back a gasp. She knew she was involved with this elements thing. That didn't mean she was one of them!
"Chosen ones, I ask you, no," Fatima said, "The world asks you to stop the madness that will unfold. You must save us, you're the Earth's, the universe's only hope."
Serenity kept listening. "You're powers haven't shone themselves yet, but in time they will. That is why you must complete this task first. I need you to find the six stones that will help you one your journey. When the final one is found, I will come and find you. Until then, this is good bye!" Fatima disappeared in a blinding flash.
The flash lasted a few minutes passed and during it images flashed through Serenity's mind. First a bog, than a mountain, an ocean, a volcano, a cave, and then an ice path. Serenity shook her head and looked around the room. Joey had a look of determination on his face, Mai looked very confused, Yami was whispering with Anzu and Seto had his arms crossed and had a smirk on his face.
Seto was the last person she saw before green fog wrapped around her.
Thanks for readng. Please review!
-Em