Caia

I awake to the sound of ringing in my ears and pounding in my head, lost somewhere in the middle of a field on Earth. I take a moment to compose myself, my vision is nothing more than a blur.

I'm here. I've actually made it to Earth alive. Or so I hope. 

Slowly I place my hands down on the wet ground and push myself up, wincing at the pain coursing through my body as I move. Tree's tower over me as rain hammers down from above and I move my head slightly as I take in my surroundings. Everything around me is purple though it isn't until I take in a deep breath that I realise I'm lying in a field of lavender. I turn on the spot, hoping to find somebody else alive, but instead I'm left staring at the wreckage of the pod and the thick black smoke that contaminates the air.

The pod is completely ruined, it now looks like nothing more than a heap of scrap metal. My stomach churns at the sight of it, I can't see anybody else for miles. What if they're stuck in there, crushed beneath tons of heavy metal.

"Kane! Kaleb! Can you hear me?" I yell, pacing across the field. My brothers are here because of me. What if they didn't make it to Earth. As I turn around on the spot an arm appears from the long grass and I gasp.

"I'm good, where's Kane?" Kaleb asks, and I let out a sigh of relief before running towards him. My hair is soaked with rain water dripping down my back. I reach a hand out for my brother and pull him up off of the ground and he pulls me in for a hug.

"I have no idea," I say trying to pull away, when I hear something from behind me and I quickly turn on the spot.

"Caia," Kaleb says, standing in my way and I tilt my head to the side to look around him.

"Caia!" he says in a stern tone, pulling on my chin to get my attention. "You've got blood dripping from your nose."  I wipe my fingers along the bottom of my nose and look at the blood that covers the tips of my fingers.

"It's probably nothing, stop worrying," I say, wiping my hand on my black skin tight trousers. I move to look behind him and I smile when I realise who it is.

"Look," I say turning Kaleb around so we both face the pod. About five or six Warriors stand just before it. "We made it Kaleb." I begin to run through the lavender, lightning shoots across the sky followed by a rumble of thunder and I stumble to the side.

"Take it easy Caia!" Kaleb shouts from behind me. "You've taken a beating coming here."

"Judging by your top, you've taken a worse beating than I have Kaleb," I say, looking at the red stain covering his grey t-shirt.

"It's nothing, just a flesh wound," he says lifting his t-shirt to reveal a gash on his abdomen.

"That's a little more than nothing," I say slowing down as we now walk side by side. 

"I'm fine, Caia."

"Kaleb, even if you weren't fine you'd still put on a brave face and pretend everything is okay just so I don't worry, but I'm older now. I can see right through that smile and your innocent blue eyes, I'm not a child anymore, I notice things," I say and he lets out a sigh.

"Where's Elianna," Kane says from behind me, and panic fills my gut as my eyes frantically search the field for her curly brown locks.

"She was sat in the seat next to you Kane, I thought you had her," I say louder than I expected, as I start moving the long grass out of the way.

"I don't know what happened, one second she was there, the next she was gone," Kane says as he follows my lead in hurriedly moving the grass out of the way, as the rain starts to get heavier.

"If anything this is your fault. You has passed out, Kaleb had unbuckled you because a metal bar came loose, I panicked and let go of her trying to reach for you," he says in a stern tone and I purse my lips.

"So even unconscious I am still the reason for your mistakes?" I say and he grabs hold of my arm.

"I didn't want you to die either! Letting go of Elianna to save you, wasn't a mistake!"

"Then why are you blaming her? You were still lent across Elianna, she wouldn't have moved very far," Kaleb shouts from across the field and I look between the two of them.

"I'm just worried okay!"

"And I'm not? Jesus Kane, she's my best friend. I don't know what I'll do if we don't find her," I say and he lets out a breath.

"She's over here!" Kaleb yells. As I run over to them; I see Elianna unconscious in Kaleb's arms with a large gash on her forehead.

"Oh my god, Eli," I say as I get closer to them, crouching down into the wet grass. I place my fingers to her throat in order to feel for a pulse as she begins to stir and I breathe yet another sigh of relief.

"I hate flying," she groans as she begins to open her eyes, and I can't help but laugh. Finding her alive lifts so much weight. I feel like I can actually breath again. The people I care about most all made it. I no longer have to worry about finding their body mangled under the remains of the pod.

"How are you feeling?" Kaleb asks, helping her to her feet.

"Gonna take a lot more than a bump to the head to take me down," she says, wincing as she regains her balance.

"Where is everyone else?" she asks, and the expressions on my brother's face tell me they've just remembered we weren't the only ones on the pod; and that's when I hear the screams. I run in the direction of the pod, the rain soaking my face as I go.

"This is your fault!" Luna yells as she cradles Arctus in her arms before dropping his limp body to the ground as she scurries to her feet; her arms flying up in front of her as her already bright blue eyes begin to glow.

"Luna, calm down," Sawyer says in a calming tone and she glares at him.

"Calm down? Arctus is dead! Do not tell me to calm down!" she screams as she hurtles towards Elianna and I step in front of her. Not actually sure of what I'm going to achieve by doing so. 

"Back off, Luna!" I shout as she goes to reach for Elianna and I knock her hand away.

"You two better get your little psycho sibling under control before I knock her out," Elianna says glaring at Stella and Noctis as she tries to push past me.

"It's all her fault!" she yells as she goes to take another run at her and I hold my arm out.

"How is it Elianna's fault? She was way over there, completely unconscious."

"Her father sent us here, I can't hold him accountable whilst we're on a completely different planet, so she's the next best thing!" Every word the leaves her mouth comes with a scream, not once does she manage to lower her tone of voice.

"Elianna's father done what was necessary to save our Planet. But if anyone's father is to blame for us being here it's mine. This was his idea. Gage hated everything about this plan. So please; tell me how it is Elianna is responsible for my father's actions? And whilst we're at it; why don't you take the time to explain how it is you get to stand here and point the blame at someone for being here, not only blaming, but wrongly accusing. Our planet, our families, our people are under attack because Ferox has declared war against both Regnum and Earth. You're supposed to be a Warrior, these things happen, and no that doesn't mean everything is going to be okay when it does, but you are a Praeditus. You took an oath, Luna. As did Arctus, and he died on his travels to Earth standing by his oath to serve and protect. Don't dishonour him by harming another. Our people stand for more than that. You stand for more than that," I say and she begins to sob.

"He's really gone isn't he," she sobs, dropping down to the wet ground, her siblings sitting beside her and I slowly walk away not wanting to pry. 

"Give her a moment," I say quietly to the rest of the group. "But we need to move out quickly, this storm isn't going to hold up for much longer, the body-Arctus' spirit has already left his body, it won't be long before the body turns to dust."

"Can't we give her till then?" Elianna asks and I look at Luna and her siblings over my shoulder before turning to look back at Elianna, shaking my head slightly. She bows her head in agreement. She and I both knowing if we stay out here any longer we're putting ourselves at risk of exposure, we need to keep moving.

"Luna, I'm so sorry, but we need to go now. Whilst we still have the storm for cover," I say, as I crouch down beside her; placing my hand on her arm gently, but I am quickly shoved backwards landing hard on the ground as Luna rises to her feet.

"You think I'm going to follow orders from you?" she says, sadness gone from her eyes, replaced with hatred and anger, making the blue in them illuminate even more. I watch as sparks begin to appear at her fingertips, the anger and loss of Arctus triggering the power of her ability.

"Luna, you need to calm down," Eli says as she stands in front of me whilst I attempt to get up from the wet ground, when a hand reaches out in front of me. I look up to see Sawyer and I narrow my eyes before he tilts his head slightly as he shrugs his shoulders.

"You looked like you needed a hand," he says and I give him a thankful smile. I've never really spoke to him before now. I've always walked past with a quick glance and we both continue on our ventures. Even now I'm still unable to piece together a sentence as he pulls me up from the ground.

"If I'm not going to follow orders from the Blonde, what makes you think I'm going to follow orders from some Prissy Princess Bitch?" Luna says, as the other two of the Midnight Triplets stand either side of her, clearly not there to calm her down.

"Who you calling a bitch? I know your boyfriend just died, but you need to calm down before you get us all killed," Eli says, as she begins to walk towards the triplets, and I watch as the sparks in Luna's fingertips grow. Before I know it Elianna is zapped halfway across the meadow. I don't even have time to react before the triplets have disappeared into the woods and I let out a sigh.

"That Midnight Triplet Bitch, is really starting to piss me off," I hear Elianna say as she marches back across the meadow, fire in her eyes. Literally.

"Looks like someone's tapped into an element," Kaleb says as the others look at her wide eyed.

"What?" she asks, looking at him with a confused expression.

"Eli, sweety, your eyes, they're flaming," I say, walking over to the rest of the group, dusting off my wet bum.

"Seriously! Yes!" she says almost looking impressed with herself and I can't help but laugh. She has always thought the Fire Element was the best. She almost fan-girled over anyone she met that was born into the Fire Element.

"Where do you think they've gone?" Sawyer asks, and it takes me a moment before realising his question was actually directed at me.

"I-um. I'm not sure, I'm new here," I say with a forced smile and he bursts out with laughter.

"I like your sass," he says when suddenly I get a pain in my head and I place my hand on my forehead.

"Everything okay Caia?" Kaleb asks, lifting my chin as he looks into my eyes. The pain grows with each passing moment and I'm quick to pinch my eyes shut as I wince at the pain.

"Why is it so loud?" I say over the noise and I get a few odd looks from the other Warriors.

"Caia, you're shouting," Elianna says, and I can no longer hold myself up. I drop down to my knees as the pain intensifies, letting out a groan as I hit the ground. I clench my fists gripping onto the grass and close my eyes again, this time something different happens. I'm not sure what, or why it's happening. It's like I'm dreaming, but I'm still awake. I see three boys running through the woods in search for our pod, and the look on their faces when they find it, and then it stops. Everything turns to black, the pain gone. I open my eyes slowly to see Elianna looking at me like I'm some kind of endangered animal. Her eyes filled with fascination, yet her expression shows concern.

"We have to go-"

"Holy crap, why did she get it?" Kane says interrupting me and my voice trails off.

"Her eyes were black," Mikael says and I narrow my eyes.

"What?" I ask as I push myself up from the ground as if nothing happened. That's how I felt, like nothing had happened. I can't remember the pain I was in, but I know I was in pain. I know what I got to see, and I know it isn't good.

"You just had a vision didn't you," Kane says.

"Like jet black," Mikael says, though I have no idea what he's talking about.

"I don't know-"

"What did you see Caia?" This time Kaleb interrupts me and I purse my lips.

"Some boys, they were running through the woods trying to find the pod. They mentioned Aliens, and-" my voice trails off when I realise I don't know much more.

"Trying?" Sawyer says and I look at him as he stands beside Maxx and Mikael who both look just as startled as the other.

"No. They found it," I say and both the boys gasp. Everyone begins to talk over one another, each one panicking slightly more than the next.

"Did they find us?" Mara asks from the other side of the pod as she walks towards us and everybody stops talking.

"Where the hell did she come from?" Elianna whispers to me and I shrug my shoulders.

"No idea?"

"Did Minerva teach you nothing?" she says assuming I was talking to her and I glare in her direction. "Or maybe she did. Maybe she taught you how to lie."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't act offended Caia. Minerva lied to you for five years about your father," she says and I tuck my fingers into the palm of my hand, forming a fist.

"What has that got to do with Minerva teaching me?" I ask and she smirks.

"Your mother's name literally means intellect. For seven hundred-" Mara begins but Kaleb cuts her off.

"For seven hundred Regnuim years my mother's bloodline has passed down the ability of all knowing. However, Caia was never aware of this ability, because our father thought it was best she not know. Caia is an over thinker. She doesn't just take things as they are, she has to break it down and find an explanation of why things happen. Our mother taught Caia what Caia needed to know, and what Caia wanted to know. Nothing more. Nothing less. Do not come over here from out of nowhere and start bad mouthing our mother because I will personally make your life a living hell. You keep your mouth shut and you stay the hell away from my sister you power stealing little rodent."

"Oh. I thought I recognised her. That's Ella-Mara, Kaleb's first love, she's a psycho," I say and Elianna laughs.

"No seriously. I hear she slept with your brother in an attempt to steal his powers but it failed. Minerva put a spell on her under your father's orders," Sawyer says, turning his attention from me to Elianna. "She's probably just pissed at Caia, because visions are really rare, and Mara, thanks to the orders of Gage, and the power of Minerva can't steal the power of another Praeditus bloodline."

"Hold up Carson!" I hear a voice shout from the distance and my eyes widen. The name instantly triggers a memory of the vision as a bolt of lightning shoots across the sky, the rain falling heavily from the sky.

"We have to go, right now!" I say and we all begin to run away from the pod. Not knowing, and currently not caring where we're headed so long as we don't get caught.

"What about the body?"

"The body?"

"It hasn't turned to ash," Maxx says and I purse my lips.

"Shit!" I say, stopping on the spot and grabbing hold of Eli's arm.

"The rest of you keep going, we'll catch up in a moment," I say, running back towards the body with Eli.

"Incinerate it," I say and she furrows her brow, looking at me like I've gone completely insane.

"What? It's taking too long," I say and she gasps.

"Caia! You can't call him an it."

"Fine. Arctus is taking too long to turn to ash."

"You can't actually expect me to do that," she says and I sigh.

"I'm just thinking, maybe we turn to dust faster back on Regnum because of the heat. Our planet's temperature is much hotter than it is on Earth. What if that's the reason the Mundane rot? Earth is like, too cold or something?" I say and she too, lets out a sigh.

"Okay, I guess that could be true," she says, when I hear the voices of the boys getting closer. My heart pounding in my chest. The anxiety spreading across my body.

"We have to move," I say and Elianna just stares at me. "Now Eli!" We both move further from the body as the boys appear through the trees and I take a step back. Fire fills Eli's eyes and it takes a moment before the body finally turns to dust.

"Come on, it's done," she says, pulling on my arm but I just stare at the boys across the meadow.

"Caia, come on!" she says, when she realises I wasn't following behind her as she began to run ahead and I turn my back on the boys before running towards her.

"Shit!" she says and I narrow my eyes as she pulls me behind a tree.

"The tall one, dark hair, cute face, he see you Caia. We're screwed," she says and I take a deep breath.

"We aren't screwed, just take my hand," I say holding it out in front of me and she glares at it. "Just trust me, okay?" She takes a hold of my hand and I close my eyes. When I open them again I fall over top of her landing directly in front of Sawyer. I look up at him to see him stood with his arms fold across his chest.

"Did you know she could do that too?" Sawyer asks, looking across to Kaleb and Kane as I pull Eli up from the ground.

"She's had the ability of teleportation since we were children," Kane says, looking at me with his eyes widened, probably wondering why we needed to teleport back.

"Caia. Elianna," a voice says and I turn on the spot to see Caius and Nova stood before me.

"Holy shit."

"You can say that again," Elianna says and I take a deep breath.

"Just to clarify, we can use our elements on Earth? Right?" I say and Caius laughs.

"Who am I to judge," he says, and Nova smiles.

"Follow me," she says; blonde, beautiful, and well known for being one of the Guardian's of Regnum. The other Warriors and I begin to follow behind her, in hopes of her knowing where it actually is that she's taking us.