TheFallenHer0: Yeah, there are going to be several bumps in the relationship between Marelda and Luca—but they will prevail because they're both as stubborn as heck! (At least Marelda is…). And last chapter is when, for Luca, everything clicked. To bad he won't be able to tell Selene for almost a month.

Daisy Pragnya: I'm glad you're liking all my additions to the history of Gedonelune. The Vanished Sisters are going to play a pretty big part in Warrior, and in Halfing (at least at a certain section of it). I have to say that I quite like Greek Mythology (along with various other kinds of mythology), mostly because of the books written by Rick Riordan (he's an amazing author, you should look him up). And since you asked three times in your review, I'll write a little mini lesson on the Fae. Fae is an old version of fairy. It's a word found in a lot of fairy-related stories. Where fairies are seen as more Tinker-Bell type creatures, the Fae are magical beings/creatures who are as likely to harm you as they are to help (more likely to harm in lots of cases). They can be seen as all sorts of non-human creatures, from trolls to the gentry (kind of like royal fae) to the will-o-the-wisp to shadows and demons. There are infinitely many kinds from all over the world, and are often used in literature. The best part is, you can create your own, use ones from legends, or twist old ideas. The possibilities are limitless. In the Elemental Spiral, I'm calling the fairies, fae, mostly because I don't see them all as kind and sweet (and they aren't in the original game, either). They, as a general populace, dislike humans. The fae in the Elemental Spiral include pretty much any type or kind I feel is needed, which is one of the joys of fiction writing, no?

Chapter 4

Marelda's

I decided that, after classes, I was going to go locate Luca and apologize for earlier. Not for what I said, but for the implication that he should be given up on. The whole "So you're saying we should just give up on the hopeless cases?" thing. I didn't mean for him to take it personally.

The problem is, while I knew where I was likely to find him during classes he skipped—library, archives, the lake, and a few other locations—I have no clue where he'd be after classes. So I ran to his classroom as soon as the bell rang.

He wasn't there. Crap.

I didn't know who most of the people who were exiting the door, but I did recognize one. It was hard not too, seeing as how everyone knew who his older brother was—it's true, they almost were twins. Only, Elias Goldstein was shorter and not so masculine. His manner screamed "book nerd," whereas his brother seemed to radiate authority.

"Excuse me, Goldstein?" I said as he walked out the door.

He stopped and turned to face me, "Yes?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, I'm Marelda Kramer, and I'm looking for Luca Orlem. Would you happen to know where he is?"

At the mention of Luca's name, he seemed to tense. So he really didn't like Luca. "What'd he do this time?"

"Nothing, really, if you can believe it. I actually have to apologize to him. I was kind of rude earlier, more than I needed to be. Would you know where he's likely to be after classes?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Sorry, I don't. And he rarely gets back to the dorms until right before curfew, so at least I can say he won't be there."

"Archives." Said a quiet voice. A boy with black-blue hair had just come out of the classroom. I had a really strange feeling that I'd seen him before, and he seemed really familiar. I pushed the feeling away. I'd probably just seen him around the academy somewhere. "I'm pretty sure he'll be there today."

"Oh." I blinked, a little surprised, "Thank you, I'll check there." I nodded my head to them and began walking away.

"How do you know he'll be there?" Elias asked the other boy.

"He was distracted after History. He tends to go the the archives when he's distracted. Distracted Luca is thinking Luca." Was the simple reply. Huh. That boy is clearly one who pays attention to his surroundings. I can admire that.

I didn't hear what else was said as I hurried towards the archives. I never really carried a bag around with me, so I didn't have to worry about one. I was armed, though, both with wand and with physical weapons concealed on my person. Looking back, it would have been a smart idea.

Luca was in the archives, towards the back. He had a large sketchbook open, and was surrounded by books. He seemed to be making some sort of chart with a timeline. He looked far more serious than I had ever seen him. He had some sort of strange writing utensil behind his ear—the one with the one green earring in the earlobe—as he flipped through the pages of an old book.

"Luca?" I said hesitantly.

He jumped, quickly closing the sketchbook and flicking his wand. All the books darted to different bookshelves. He looked up at me, trying to conceal his surprise behind a playful grin, "Bella? Whatever are you doing here? You're not really the bookish type."

I raised a suspicious eyebrow, "I came to apologize for offending you earlier. I wasn't trying to say we should give up on people like you. And that you're not hopeless. Not at all. You're just a bit lazy and not serious where you should be."

He laughed, but it was a bit forced. "We'll that was double edged, bella, just like you. Lovely and sharp."

"And now I'm thinking you're up to something. What were you just doing?"

"Ah, nothing too important. Just a project."

"Not for school, I assume, seeing as you don't really do projects for school. Personal, then?" I inched closer, in an out-of-character burst of curiosity. He inched back.

"Yup. Just found something interesting and decided to research it a bit." He grinned and tried to move past me, "Well, I'd better get going. Things to do and all. Have a lovely day, bella!"

However, I wasn't about to just let it go. I stayed perfectly still until he was almost past me and then snatched his notebook. His breath caught and he whirled, reaching for it. However, I was taller by a good two inches. And a lot faster. I darted out of the archives, his sketchbook clutched to my chest. He gave chase, but he was carrying a shoulder bag—which, by the way, throws off your center of balance and makes running more awkward than one you'd wear on your back—and he wasn't in nearly as good shape as I was.

I made it to the lake before I slowed to a stop. I'm pretty sure I'd lost him. I quickly began flipping through the pages, trying to ignore the used ones. This boy could draw. And draw well. Nature scenes, people, most of whom I didn't recognize, and one that was of me, holding a staff position. I hated those drills, where you had to hold as still as you could while balancing a heavy staff. But I needed them.

The picture of me made me pause, but I shook my head and continued flipping, eventually finding the page. It was a sort of family tree, with a lot of empty ovals where there would be people. He had labeled names, with dates of birth and death. Aurora, married to an unknown husband, both having death dates. They had seven children named, in order, Johnathan, who was the only one with a death date, Matthias, Matthew, Inan, Wade, Eric, Merlin. There was a seventh child, connected to the same mother but not father. Selene was the name underneath it. Could it be the family tree of Selene Fonix? Why would he be drawing that?

Then I notice something off to the side, connected as a sibling to Aurora. Aulelia. With a child connected. It says Luca with a question mark after it.

Wait. Aurora. Aulelia. Those are the names of the two Vanished Princesses. What do they have to do with…?

My thoughts are abruptly cut off as the sketchbook is pulled from my hands. Crap dang it! I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I missed his approach.

"Did you like your look?" Luca's voice contained a cool anger that surprised me. His breathing was heavy and he was winded, but that didn't have much of an effect.

I whirled around to face it, "Why are you putting yourself as the son of the younger Vanished Princess? And Selene as the daughter of the elder one, as well as what I assume to be her family?"

"That's none of your business." He glared at me, "And I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from touching my things."

"Luca." I sighed, calming down, "I've never seen you as distracted as you were when I walked in on you. I'm not going to say anything about this, but I'd appreciate your telling me. I hate to admit it, but I'm kind of worried."

That seemed to surprise him, because his glare ended and his eyes widened. I continued.

"Please, let me help you. You owe me, after all. That month of disrupting my training counts for something." I look him right in the eyes, and it seems to unnerve him slightly. I've been told my blank stare into someone's eyes can have that effect.

He sighed, "Fine, but I swear if you tell anyone anything I'm going to tell you, you'll regret it, bella."

"I can live with that." I replied, "No matter how talented you might be with magic, you don't put in nearly enough work to win against me, bud."

"Ha! There's the fiery spirit we all love!" He teases, relaxing.

I roll my eyes, "Shut up about useless things and start talking, moron."

Of the many weapons Marelda practices, the staff is her least favorite. While she can deal close-combat weapons, she prefers ranged ones, particularly throwing knives and things like her sling. The staff she uses for practice is about six feet long and about an inch and a half in diameter, with the last five inches of each end being closer to two inches. The one she uses in real-weapon practice is also six feet long, but the last six inches on each side are blades.