Ayden opened his eyes. The soft pillow underneath him and the heavy blanket told him he was still in the hotel room they had gotten for themselves. He groggily sat up and stepped out of bed.

Lela was at the other end of the room, her eyes wide. Ayden was confused at first till he realized why she was like that. He was naked.

It wasn't something he did for fun, it was how he slept. It was too hot with clothes, and whenever he was cold, he'd throw some clothes on in the areas. Lela was gawking at him, and he watched as her eyes trailed downwards. He quickly grabbed a pillow and covered it up, so her attention fixated back onto his face. "What. The. Absolute. Fuck." she said.

Ayden felt his face flush red. "I, uh..."

Wesley walked in, wearing only his pants. "Hey there-whoa. Getting it on, huh?"

Lela's head snapped to face him. She ran over and slapped him. "Prick!" she yelled as she ran out.

Ayden stared at Wesley. "It is okay to remove the pillow, there is no more girls in here."

Ayden nodded, silently thanking him as he dropped the pillow. he made his way over to his bag and began rummaging through it. Once he had on underwear, Wesley cleared his throat. "So...why were you naked?"

"That is how I sleep." He said, as he pulled on pants.

"Really? You strike me more as a guy who'd be ashamed of anyone who slept naked, not one of those guys who sleeps naked." Wesley said.

Ayden chuckled. "It is way to hot to sleep with clothes on where I come from." he replied, dragging 'way' out.

Wesley grinned. "I sleep without a shirt on. How do you think girls sleep?"

"I am not sure, you can ask, we have two girls here."

Wesley's face turned bright red. "I-I-uh..."

Ayden burst into laughter. "Let's just go met the Priest, alright?"

Wesley nodded. "Okay then."

They made their way into the main area, only for Lela to glare at them and Ashlee to ignore them completely. She finally glanced up. "I had the strangest dream last night."

Everyone stared at him. "What?" Ayden asked, confused.

"It was a woman, telling me to 'beware of Spirit'. Do you think she could be talking about Nathan?"

"Odd," Lela said. "I had a strange dream as well."

"Oh?" Ayden asked again.

"It was a man." she started. "He was told me this: 'Spirit is a crazy killer bent on murdering Nobles'."

"Hey, I had a girl tell me the same thing too." Wesley said. "'Spirit, sadly, is working his way back to end our government as we know it'."

Everyone turned to Ayden. "Do I have to repeat what mine said?" He asked, not wanting to repeat all the profanities.

"Just don't say them if you don't want to."

"'That dumb...piece of...Spirit! He wants to...murder your...off! Great job...ditching him'."

"Strongly worded." Ashlee said, rubbing her hands together.

"What do you think they mean?"

"I do not know." Lela said, replying to Wesley's question.

"They mean Nathan." Ayden said, sadness puncturing his voice.

"It makes sense...but he seems too nice."

"He has to be the Evil."

Everyone nodded. Ayden sighed as he sat down on one of the chairs. "How much more time do we have till we meet the Priest?"

"About three hours, sadly." Ashlee murmured in reply.

Ayden nodded before sprawling himself out on the couch. He heard a groan from Ashlee as his foot rested on her lap. She didn't shove it off though, and just went back to staring into space.

Ayden closed his eyes and drifted back into dreamland.

♤

"Spirit, why do you always have to try to sacrifice yourself?" A man with a beard said.

The man that was in his arm gurgled. "I don't...that."

A chuckle sounded from another man. "Yes, you do." he said, trying to ward off a smile.

"They just always...hurt me instead of...guys." he said, groaning once he finished the sentence.

"More like you throw yourself in front of their attacks." an older woman mused.

"Come now, Venus, I don't-" the man instantly coughed up blood, causing everyone around him to tense up.

A young girl crawled over to him. "Spirit, calm down. Don't strain yourself. Venus, start the healing process."

The older woman moved her hand over Spirit, and water gently poured onto his wounds. His back arched and he stifled a scream, but his body eventually relaxed and he fell asleep. "Why must he do this to himself." the second man said, his hair having fallen out of its usual ponytail.

"He feels the need to protect those closest to him." the man in the beard said, rubbing the top of Spirit's head.

"Why do you think he hates the new government?" the younger girl asked as she watched the water flow over his wounds.

"Spirit was raised who knows where, and he told me that the village was hard-wired to hate Nobles. He never went into detail why though." the bearded man answered.

"Manuel, did he ever tell you where he grew up?"

"No, he never did, Aaron. I ask him, but he never responds."

"That is great." the younger girl murmured angrily.

"Marie," Aaron started. "relax."

Marie grumbled but did as she was told. She looked at the ground and scooped some up in her hands. "What do you think Spirit is?"

"What do you mean?" Aaron asked, staring at her.

"I mean...well, last night, I heard him talking to himself."

"He does that a lot." Manuel said, costing him a glare from Marie.

"What did he say?"

"I caught him two times. The first time he said these things. 'Why must the rich always take over? I mean, they all want the same thing: money and power.' and 'I wish things were easy in the world'."

"And the second time?" Venus asked.

"He only said one thing: 'I miss home'."

The all sat in silence for what felt like forever, until a familiar voice sounded out. "As much as I love being talked about, it is awkward when people spy on others." he said, his violet eyes trailing over to Marie. he face flushed red, which only caused him to grin even more.

"I-I-I..."

"Nah, I am just foolin' with ya'."

Marie relaxed and then yawned. Spirit sat up and took off his wet shirt. He stood up and started taking off his pants until Aaron stood up, screaming about how there were woman and children here.

Spirit wandered off to go change into dry clothes, leaving the others alone. "Why do you think he doesn't go home?"

"I am not sure, maybe one day we will find out."

♤

Ayden groaned as he sat up, rubbing his head. It was an odd dream, something he didn't quite understand. He looked down at is feet and sat Ashlee curled around them, holding onto one of them. Ayden felt heat rising up his neck as he tried pulling his leg out of her grasp. She murmured something and only gripped it tighter. Ayden gave up and moved his top half back onto the couch.

Wesley groaned from across the room and Ayden saw him attempting to make food. "Why won't this damn thing work?"

Lela was in the kitchen, silently giggling at his struggle as she was busy making food as well. "Sh, you'll wake the two sleepy heads."

Ayden scoffed, drawing both of their attention to him. "Wow, my head does not look sleepy." he said, mocking an offensive tone.

Wesley smirked when he saw Ashlee. "Wow, two girls in one day, Ayden. Damn I wish I had your moves."

Ayden felt his face heat up again. He immediately starting trying to yank his leg out of her grasp. Lela burst into laughter, causing Ashlee to slowly open her eyes. She yawned, in an oddly cute way and then realized her face was on Ayden's leg. Her eyes traveled down to see her arms wrapped around them as well, and then they moved up to see Ayden's face, which just so happened to be as red as a tomato. She threw herself off of him and panted, quickly throwing on an angry face. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"He thought you were cute sleeping." Wesley said. Auden growled.

"I didn't want to awaken you because you looked so peaceful, so I tried yanking my legs out of your grip. However, it was practically impossible." he said, all while his face was bright red.

Ashlee's eyes moved between the two, and then she laughed The others joined in, hesitating at first. As soon as they started, he face darkened. "Mention this to anyone and you'll be six feet under, literally."

Ayden stopped laughing as fear crept onto his face. Everyone else laughed at his expression, which only made him blush more. Soon, the four were eating breakfast at the table.

"We have exactly ten minutes till we are due." Lela said through a mouthful of food.

Ayden nodded as he gulped down the rest of his food. He stood up and watched the others take one last bite before heading down to the lobby.

When they got to the lobby, people were whispering, casting glances their way. Ayden frowned, but then decided to tune into one of their conversations.

"Did you hear? They are the Elementals."

"But the Priest said..."

"Maybe they just haven't come yet."

"The Priest is just some delusional old man who thinks he was an Elemental. I don't trust a thing he says."

"Oh, sure. You believed him when he said Pigs Fly."

"Which he lied about."

Ayden returned to walking. He heard stories about this Priest. His strong followers said he was one of the original Elements, put they came over a thousand years ago. Many critics said he had some sort of brain or ego disorder if he thought that was true. Ayden didn't know what to think yet.

As they made their way though town, they asked where the Priest would be, and the person directed them to a modest cottage.

It wasn't much, especially if this guy was as celebrated as they said he was. They knocked on the door, and a young gentleman opened the door. "Are you the priest?" Ashlee asked, as she stared at him.

The man chuckled. "No, but I am his next in line."

The man led them inside and showed them where the Priest was. "By the way, my name is Gerard."

"Thanks for showing us the way, Gerard." Lela said as she opened the door to the Priest's office.

At the desk was an older man, thumbing through a worn book. When the door opened, he moved his head up and eyed them before standing up. "The Elements, correct?"

They nodded and he motioned for them to sit on the couch. "You are the Priest, right?" Wesley asked.

"Yes, my name is Manuel."

Ayden felt his jaw unhinge as he heard the name. Wasn't that the name of a man from his dream? Manuel chuckled when he looked at him. "You did get the message, good." he said as he started flipping though his book again.

"Message?" Lela asked, turning to look at Ayden. "What message?"

"How are you still alive?" Ayden managed to say.

"Simple my boy. I am still alive because the Original Elements are the most powerful of them all. We were granted immortality."

Wesley scoffed. "they all said you were senile, I just was hoping it wasn't true."

"No, he was in my dream, he was the original...uh, which one?"

Manuel chuckled. "Air."

"Great, the senile old man 'shared' my Element." Wesley said, scrunching up his face.

The door opened and Gerard poked his head through the door. "Manuel, are they annoying you?"

Manuel shook his head. "The Air, Water, and Earth are refusing to believe me."

Gerard looked at Ayden. "Suckers, huh?"

Ayden nodded, but didn't know if he should. Gerard turned towards Manuel. "You know he'll be hunting the other two, right?"

Manuel sighed. "He can't let go of a grudge, can he?"

"Never." Gerard agreed as he pulled his head out and shut the door. He then opened it again. "Should I-"

Manuel nodded his head vigorously. "Of course, we can't have him die."

Gerard shut the door and his footsteps quickly departed. Ayden turned his attention back to Manuel. "What is going on?" Lela asked.

Suddenly, the door opened again, revealing a young woman. She stared icily at the other girls before moving inside. "Manuel, must you keep the 'Old Priest' on?"

Manuel sighed. "For now, yes. Venus, Gerard went to go help Him."

Venus froze. "He-he-he is back?"

Ayden sat gawking at her. Lela nudged him. "Who is-"

"Water." he whispered.

Lela nodded, straightening herself up. Ayden turned to look back at Manuel, only to see him looking the exact same age he had been in Ayden's dream. Wesley was frozen. "O-kay...maybe he isn't senile, or old."

Manuel gave a good, hearty laugh. "Ah, thank the Divine up above! Hey, honey, do you know where the alcohol is?"

"Manny, not in front of them."

Manuel sighed. "Fine, but I'll have some tonight, definitely."

Venus rolled her eyes but looked back at the kids. "You know, you remind me a lot of us back in the glory days. Are any of you related?"

They all shook their heads, causing her to frown. "Odd, usually at least two are related. Remember that one time when all four were related?"

"Oh my Lord, don't remind me." Manuel groaned, massaging his temples. "I can never deal with triplets so long as I live."

"At least the Earth was nice." Venus said, shrugging.

"Nice my ass. Flirtatious, yes."

Venus rolled her eyes again, then turned back to them. "You want to stay here for the night? We are expecting some guests, once Gerard calms one of them down."

Ayden shook his head. "We have our own place, but thank you for offering."

Venus gave him a smile. "Of course, my dear. Gerard will come to your hotel once we have everyone."

The group got up and said their goodbyes before heading out. They cast glances at each other through out the uncomfortably silent walk to the hotel room. Once they made it there, they all sat on the couch in silence.

Finally, Wesley said something. "What the absolute shit was that?"

"You know what? I think we can all use another nap." Ashlee said, as she looked at Ayden.

Ayden said nothing. He was shocked. Those two knew Spirit, the man they were told to stay away from. Lela suddenly said something. "Here is what I don't get: Manuel was the man I saw in my dreams last night, telling me not to find Spirit or whatever."

"Venus for me as well." Ashlee said.

Ayden stretched his legs out, and found them resting on Ashlee again. She stared at them, then glared at him, pushing them off. Ayden rolled his eyes as he curled up. "Why not go to your own bed and sleep? It'd be awkward to see you naked again." Lela said, crossing her arms.

Ayden felt heat coursing through his whole body. "What...?" Ashlee asked, looking at Lela. "You saw Ayden, naked? Like, intimately?"

Lela scoffed. "No, I was walking through his room to borrow a towel, and I saw him naked as he got out of bed."

Ashlee chuckled. "What, clothes too much for you?"

"Yes, how else would you sleep?"

"With pajamas." Lela and Ashlee said at the same time.

"So that is how girls sleep..." Wesley muttered.

"Not every girl." Lela said. "My sister sleeps in a bra and underwear."

"How sexy is she?" Wesley asked.

Lela scoffed. "Like I'd tell you how pretty my engaged sister is."

Soon, Lela and Wesley were arguing, so Ashlee and Ayden sneaked off to go to their rooms. Before they entered, however, Ashlee stood in front of Ayden. "Do you think...do you think Manuel and Venus are the big deal?"

Ayden could feel the thick cloud of fear that hung around her. "Yes." He said, but it didn't calm her fears. Without thinking, Ayden brought her into a hug. Ashlee stiffened at his embrace, but relaxed. When he pulled away, she looked up at him. She leaned upwards and kissed his cheek, muttering good night.

Ayden was frozen in his spot as Ashlee shut her door. He could still feel her lips on his cheek as he entered his room. He sighed happily as he got ready for bed.

Tomorrow will be a long day.