Pronunciation Guide:
Libbi~ Libb-i (long i)
Aristia~ Ar-is-tee-ya
Drageon~ Drag-ee-on
Westinshire~ West-in-shy-er
Eru~ Ee-roo
Rilipon~ Rill-a-pon
Grandof~ Grand- oaf

Chapter 2

I woke up feeling like I'd been dropped into the Arctic Ocean. My hands were tied and I felt groggy. I wanted to ask where I was, but my mouth was duct taped. Wow. I thought. Am I just so powerful they need to take every possible way to restrain and use it. But I was that powerful, and that wasn't even why they needed to restrain me. They were ordered by the government, but my thoughts were still too blurred to understand this, even if I was told. I went back to sleep.

By the time I woke up again, my hands were trapped inside of a box that was dead bolted shut. Do I summon in my sleep? This time I noticed two men in the back of the truck with me. As if they could feel my gaze, they both smiled, straightened up and walked over to me. They didn't say anything and it started to creep me out. They really know how to scare people, I thought.
"You put up a fight in your sleep, you know that. Nearly singed my eyebrows off."
Two more guys came into my view, "That's not what she did on my watch." The first one said. "Or mine!" The other one chimed in.
All the guards got into a heated debate on what element I used. They don't know I have more than one element, I thought hopefully.
"Well then ask her what her element is." Snapped the one claiming to be swept away by the air. They all faced me.
"Idiots," The fire guy said, "her mouth is taped and I doubt she'd tell the truth anyway." They murmured in agreement. I succomed to sleep in the middle of the next fight, which I think was about the best kind of doughnut-soda mush combo. Gross.

The third time I woke up, I was strapped onto a wall. I could hear voices but they sounded like someone stuffed a sock in their mouths. I opened my eyes to see a small mildly lit room. It was probably a 4-by-4 room with metal walls and a high ceiling. I was confused. What am I doing here? I couldn't see anyone else in the room.
I was considering going back to sleep when I heard a gruff voice say, "Well, well, well. Finally woken up have we?"
I looked over at the man. He seemed to be in his mid-thirties. He had short brown hair and dark brown eyes, just like mine. He reminded me of someone I'd seen a picture of. Someone everyone talked about. Then I remembered. General. The thought alone sent visible chills through me.
He smiled at my fear, "Yes, yes, Skylar Zill." I flinched when he said my name. Another smile, "Yes, I've heard all about you. The only thing no one, in fact, has heard is what your element is." He came closer, "The men from the Libbi who brought you in seem convinced that you have...multiple elements." He said multiple like it was a bad thing. "I assured them it could not be true...Could it though?"
That's when I realized I was supposed to talk because the tape was off my mouth. I didn't know what to say though, so I kept silent.
He sighed, "Honestly, I thought you would have told us. It would've made things easier in the long run, but alas! No one ever wants to tell us their element." His voice changed to a little more stern. I felt like cowering in a corner. He picked up a device from the table beside me. It was the size and shape of a Taser, but all black with a lot of flashing red buttons and about an inch wide screen. "Do you know what this is?" I was tempted to say, "A Taser," but I knew he probably didn't have a sense of humor. And if it really was one I didn't want to find out the hard way. "Of course you don't know. This device allows for us to learn your element. But you... You see, unlike with the other summoners, we can't tell yours." He leaned closer to me. So close I could smell his breath on my face, "So I suggest you tell me now, or I'll have to test you. Maybe you'd be lucky and the first test would be yours." He smirked, "Doubtful though. It always starts with water, and the man claiming to get burned is pretty convincing." He leaned back again, "But then so were the water, air, and earth men. Maybe we'll test you for them all, even after we find the first one."
He stood up, "Yes I think we'll do that." He faced the doorway, "Guards! Bring her to the testing site." He looked back at me," Unless you have something to tell me." He waited ten seconds. The terror must have been evident in my eyes because I could've sworn I saw sympathy from the man. The look vanished as soon as it came. He sighed again, "Very well. Take her."
At that moment I realized that my cot was leaning against the wall. I thought I was just strapped to the wall itself. Why I was thinking this I don't know, but something told me I couldn't, no matter what they did to me, reveal my elements. But that would be nearly impossible to accomplish. It was by miracle alone the device couldn't work on me. I know sooner or later they'd have to find out. Maybe I could---no, would only use them if the need arises. I was terrified by what the tests might be. I'd heard myths of course, and hopefully they were just that, myths.
The men lifted me up like I was a feather, and carried me out the door. There was no one around and I was thankful for that. My refusing to use the elements was going to be humiliating enough.
We reached the testing site; I have to say I was not impressed with it. Really, it was just dirt in a circle surrounded by the four elements. It had a couple bleachers on the sides, but really that was it. The only strange thing is that the bleachers were occupied by the people on the kingdom's committee. I could tell by the bronze badge on their black cloaks with the royal crest. What are they doing here? And what's this test General mentioned?
The guards unstrapped me from the cot, and I would've fallen if they hadn't kept their arms on mine. The committee never took their eyes off of me. I shifted uncomfortably. General walked into the testing site and everyone continued to stare at me.
General, fully aware of this, started to speak, "Skylar Zill," he began, "you refused to inform me of your element, so you will be tested in front of everyone here. As you know, whatever someone's element protects them. Like if you're in water, you can't drown. No burns from fire, you always have an air supply so you can't suffocate, and earth makes you tough so weight is easier for you to bear..." He looked over at me. "Well... Let's get started."