Saki had been in Britain for about six months now. She had been enrolled in a high end high school named Brighton Prep Academy. It was designed to aid children get a head start on colleges and careers early on. It was definitely not Misono. Their uniform colors were a dull grey, white and beige. Saki missed her old bright red vest and orange skirt.
While at Brighton Saki did meet a young girl named Fiona Mayfield. Saki reminisced on their first meeting.
Saki was sitting alone in the common room reading.
"Excuse me but you're new here." A petit voice said.
Saki looked up from her book to see a small brown haired girl staring at her with big blue doe eyes. "Yeah I guess it's tattooed on my forehead." Saki said sourly.
She looked at the girl's still innocent face. "You know what? I'm sorry for being snappy. It's not like it's your fault I'm here. My name Saki Tsuzura." Saki said extending her hand.
"I'm Fiona Mayfield. Nice to meet you." Fiona said shaking Saki's hand.
From that moment on they were inseparable. There was something about Fiona the reminded Saki of Heart. Maybe that's why they got along so well.
After classes Saki and Fiona would always hang out at the local park. They spent their time talking and confiding in one another.
"I don't really care for Brighton myself. Fiona said biting into one of the sandwiches she'd packed for their lunch. "See my family isn't rich and snobby like all the kids that go there."
Saki raised her eyebrow.
"I don't mean you of course!" Fiona said.
Saki continued to eat in silence.
"My family wanted the best for me so they sent me to Brighton on a voucher. I so dearly want to tell them that I just want to attend regular school, but they saved up and sacrificed so much for me to be here. I really would hate to do anything to disappoint them." Fiona said sadly.
Saki ate silently.
"So what about you?" Fiona asked breaking the silence.
Saki looked at Fiona. "Well my story is simple. My dad's a hot shot business man and wherever he gets promoted to we move there. So here we are."
Fiona noted a hint of sadness in Saki's tone. "So where are you from originally?" Fiona asked.
"Tokyo." Saki replied.
"You must really miss your home. You are so much more braver than me. I couldn't possibly handle being moved around the world like that." Fiona said.
Saki sighed. "Sometimes you have to put on a brave face even when you're scared half to death."
There was an awkward silence.
Fiona decided to lighten the mood. "Saki there is something I want to show you."
Saki looked at Fiona. "What is it?"
"A surprise silly." Fiona beamed. "Now come on." Fiona said grabbing Saki's hand pulling her off the bench.
They ran through the park into deeply wooded area.
"Where is this secret again?" Saki asked out of breath.
"Don't worry I know where I'm going." Fiona said still dragging Saki along.
They continued to run until they claim to a clearing.
Saki's mouth dropped. "What in the world is that?"
Fiona smiled proudly. "I knew you'd be impressed. I don't know what it is but it looks pretty doesn't it?"
In the clearing it looked like there was an archway that had bright colored lights that swirled around it. Fiona and Saki slowly moved closer.
"It seems to have gotten bigger since the last time I was here." Fiona said.
Saki was still in awe at what was before her.
Fiona reached out her hand.
"Fiona be careful! We don't know what that thing is!" Saki warned.
Fiona looked at Saki. "Weren't you just telling me about putting on a brave face in the presence of fear?"
"Yea but…"Saki said hesitantly.
Fiona extended her hand. The lights began to flicker and churn wildly.
"Fiona what is going on?" Saki yelled.
"I don't know. I just touched…" Before she could finish speaking Fiona disappeared inside the lights.
"Fiona!" Saki yelled. Then without the lights whirled all around her. She felt like she was falling through cotton. She tumbled and tumbled till she landed on something hard.
She opened her eyes. She was lying on what looked like deep blue/green grass. She stood to her feet and looked around. It looked like she had fallen into a coloring book. There were weird colors everywhere. The sky was a pale orange color and the tree bark was grey.
Something definitely isn't right. Saki thought. "Fiona?" Saki called at the top of her lungs. There was no reply.
Sake heard some bushes rustle. "Fiona is that you?" Saki asked.
An odd four legged creature hopped out of the bushes. It looked at Saki and roared showing its large fangs.
Saki ran for her life. She hopped over and ducked under branches as she ran through the odd colored world. The monster that chased her seem to run into every branch but it never slowed its pace.
I can't keep this up forever. Eventually I'm gonna get tired. I hope Fiona didn't encounter this thing. Saki thought.
Saki tripped over huge branch that sent her crashing to the ground and rolling downhill onto her back. She tried to muster up enough strength to stand but she could only scoot backward.
The wolf like beast slowly came closer to Saki. Her heart beat out of her chest. I'm going to die. I'll never see dad again. Or Fiona. Or Heart. I wish I could have seen her or heard her voice one last time.
Saki heard thunder rumble overhead. The beast lunged at her. Out of nowhere a bolt of lightning struck the beast directly causing it to drop hard to the ground. Its body sizzled and smoked as the beast lay unmoving.
Saki looked around. What happened?
"Rise child and fear no more."
Saki heard the voice yet saw no one. She stood to her feet and looked around. "Hello?"
Suddenly a woman appeared before her. Her skin was a pale blue and her jet black hair was piled on her head. She wore a tiara like crown and a long deep blue gown.
"I am an elemental. You may call me Bhanri." The woman said.
Saki looked confused. "An elemental? What's that?"
The woman looked at Saki. "You have much to learn young one. I was once a queen of a war torn country. Even though I stood alone, I stood in battle for people and I fought bravely. Until I was killed. But because the love of my people they continued to love and worship me. And because of their worship I became an elemental. What brings you to this world child?"
"My friend Fiona and I were pulled in. When I woke up I was by myself and that thing tried to attack me." Saki said pointing at the dead beast. God I hope Fiona is alright.
"You say another human girl has fallen into our world?" Bhanri closed her eyes. "I have been feeling a shift in air as of late. I wonder if that is what I have been sensing?"
"Do you think you can help me find Fiona?" Saki asked.
Bhanri nodded. "I will aid you child."
Saki smiled "Thank you so much." They began to walk in no particular direction.
"Can you tell me more about this, elemental world?" Saki asked.
"Many years ago our worlds were actually one. The humans began to grow increasing violent and they often invoked the power of us Arcana to fight for them." Bhanri explained.
"Arcana?" Saki asked.
"It is another name for elementals who have attached themselves to humans. Think along the lines of a guardian angel." Bhanri said.
Saki nodded. "Ok I get it."
"So with the humans at war, we Arcana decided to live in our own world separate from the humans. We pooled our power to create the Elemental world. We also erected a barrier that would keep humans out of our world and we out of the human."
"So how did Fiona and I end up here?" Saki asked.
"Like many things the barrier has waned in strength and sometimes humans cross over as well as elementals. That is the best that I can guess." Bhanri explained.
This is too crazy! Parallel worlds and elementals! I must be going out of my mind! Saki thought to herself.
Suddenly Bhanri put her to Saki's chest. "Something is happening ahead."
Saki looked and saw the same archway with swirling lights. Her eyes focused on the image in the archway. It looks like…the park! "I believe that's what I came through." Saki said.
The archway seemed to shrink in size. "Child, Saki; you must go now through the barrier before it closes!" Bhanri commanded.
Saki shook her head. "I can't! I have to find Fiona!"
Bhanri stared directly into Saki's eyes. "It will not profit this Fiona if you are trapped here. Dear girl I see a strength and a compassion I too possessed. I will become your Arcana and aid you in times of peril."
Bhanri's body turned into lighting and covered Saki. Saki felt a warn static wash over her body. Around her neck appeared a necklace with a blue lightning bolt. "Never remove the necklace. Now go Saki!" Bhanri said with thunder in her voice.
Saki ran as fast as she could toward the barrier of lights. She felt the familiar feeling of falling and tumbling. She opened her eyes to find herself back in the park all alone.
Maybe it was a dream. Maybe I fell and hit my head or something. Saki thought. But she felt something warm on her neck. She looked down to see a necklace with a blue lightning bolt. It was real! Everything! Her mind immediately went to Fiona. I lost Fiona. She was my only friend here. I hope wherever she is, she's alive.
That was two months ago. No one was able to find her at all. The school had a memorial service for her and everything.
Now Saki found herself on a train with her father. He hadn't even bothered to tell her where they going this time. She didn't even care anymore.
The train conductor voice came over the loud speaker. "Now departing, destination Tokyo, Japan."
Saki's heart jumped. Her father smiled at her. "We're going home sweetheart." He said warmly.
Tears welled up and ran down Saki's face as she repeated her father's words in her head. We're going home.