Mesfido’s cobalt eyes gazed down the length of the long corridor, it had been months since he last set eyes on it. At the far end of the hall his beloved Dome gardens lay in wait, inviting him to rejoin them and his training. During all his time spent travelling through the vast expanse of the Dome, the fallen angel had never felt more at home than he did in its beautiful gardens. A majestic statue of Aphrodite sat in the centre of a large fountain, it was the same fountain he had seen on that faithful day that he first met Kenjin the Encorna, his only ever true teacher. High above the plant life and sculptures lay a balcony; it was where Mesfido had spent most of his free time in the Dome. Every inhabitant of the Dome had their own room, their own personal quarters, however for some reason Mesfido had never found his, instead he had made the open air his sanctuary.

The massive fallen angel unfurled his wings, beating them with incredible strength. He lifted himself from the ground and made way to the one place in the universe, in all of existence that he could truly call home, humble though it may be. Mesfido landed gently, closing his eyes as his feet gracefully touched down on the stony surface, he felt the raw elements around him; they were so clear, so fresh here.

Opening his eyes again, the angel gazed down at the gardens below him, taking in every aspect, every detail from the tiniest ant to the most magnificent flower. A voice whispered in his ear.

“I can see why you wanted to come back here; it’s a truly spectacular place, a welcome change after years of imprisonment.” It was Lightning that had spoken; the angel and the element had developed a strong bond over the past few weeks. Mesfido found that of all his Seven Elements, it was Lightning that seemed to understand him the best.

“Yes, it is possibly the most beautiful I’ve ever come across, outdone only by the land of the Encorna. That is, without a doubt, the most fantastic place I’ve ever encountered, hopefully one day soon I’ll return there, all of you can then see its wonders for yourselves.”

Earth mumbled into the angel’s ear, his rich tones slowly forming into words. “I hope it’s a bit closer to the ground than here, you know how dislike of heights.”

“Well Earth, you’re going to have to accustom yourself, the master is an angel after all.” It was Fire that spoke this time.

Mesfido sat and leaned his back against the cool wall, crossing his legs and shutting his eyes once more, he saw the Seven Elements sitting around him in all their vivid, colourful glory. Lightning was scratching his long nose with a golden fox paw, Water was looking down over the edge of the balcony, gazing longing at the fountain of water, his form ever silent, Earth lay huddled against Light, her beautiful shining light chasing away his vertigo, Wind and Fire sat on either side of the angel’s broad shoulders, gazing blanking ahead. Dark hid in the corner by the shadows, his hands toying with some poor insect, ripping off its limbs one by one. The fallen angel thought how strange it was that less than two weeks beforehand, he hadn’t ever even heard of these amazing entities. He found that his life was richer and more fulfilling than ever now that he had their company. Water had warned him before he fused with the Seven that it would be a painful existence, sharing his essence and the space of his mind with seven other beings, but since joining with them, he had felt nothing but pure happiness. He began to think about the nature of each of his new subjects, or rather loyal friends.

“It’s odd that your names are simply what you are. It seems almost trivial, as though some lazy fate decided to call you by what you were and not by the nature of your spirits as would normally happen”

Light lifted her head, looking up from Earth whom she was comforting. “It’s how it always was, from the second we came into being we’ve had no other names.”

“It just doesn’t seem right, you’ve all done so much for me, you‘re all some much more than just elements. Without your powers I’d never have been free of Venalis, nor would I have learnt the truth of the Pact. Yet, I have done nothing for any of you.”

“Ah but you have,” Mesfido tilted his mind’s eye, looking now at a spot just above his shoulder where he now saw Wind, her wise owl eyes staring back at him. “You freed us from Vallaris, a feat that only you could accomplish.”

“Perhaps, I often wonder what would have happen if one of the other members of the group had had to face my trial. It was only because of my connection to the Pact that you seven let me pass. I don’t know if any of the others would have been so lucky.”

Lightning’s eyes flickered, gold sparks running through them, “Of course not, no one but our true master would have been able to open the final lock in Vallaris. We were put there to make sure no one could reach the depths of that temple, yet our captures never thought that the first person to enter our room would be our rightful master.”

Dark looked up from the insect he was tormenting, his dark eyes filled with dark emotion as always. “It’s strange how destiny plays out.”

“I try not to think too much of destiny. I prefer to believe that every choice is my own, without some already decided outcome.” He couldn’t stop his mind floating back to his last journey in the Encorna’s world. It had so nearly ended with the death of his beloved Jaina. The phoenix’s song still set shivers down his spine whenever he thought of it. He could remember its every verse. At this moment he thought of just two lines. “Fate has joined the game, Shall you join him?” - It’s all the same, fate, destiny. Is mine really so strictly written, so impossible to change?

The Dark Element rose from the shadows, breaking Mesfido’s silent thoughts, his eyes alight with mischief. “We came to train did we not? We’re wasting precious time idling about here.”

“Eager to begin as always, Darkness.” A hearty chuckle shook Earth’s serpent frame. “But you’re right, we should continue our training. Still we find it hard to fight united; it’s been so long since we last had to.”

Mesfido rose to his feet, facing the Seven Elements. “Soon, very soon. I need to take care of a few simple matters first. The first of which, involves every one of you.”

The angel had caught their interest. “For us to reach our full potential we must have complete respect and trust in one other. So far, as I said, you have done much for me, and I have done little for you. As a sign of my friendship, I shall give each of you a new name, one that gives you the respect deserved.”

Never in all of their existence had the Seven Elements been known as anything other than Fire, Wind, Water, Earth, Darkness, Light and Lightning. A true name, one that said who they were and not what they were something that each of them longed for deep inside.

“Fire and Wind come before me.”

The two birdlike entities stepped down from the angel’s shoulders and stood before him, waiting. Mesfido placed a hand on each of their heads; they felt his command coursing through them.

“Wind, to you I give the name Libra, to set free your spirit. To you Fire I give the name Arden, to fuel to your burning soul. Embrace your new names and rise.”

The phoenix and owl rose, circling high into the skies above. They could feel a new sense awaken within themselves, a sense of place. Slowly, they returned, taking their places on Mesfido’s shoulders, they’re heads held higher than ever.

“Water and Earth come before me.”

The pair of snakes slithered forward, lifting themselves as high as they could. The fallen angel let them place their heads in his open outstretched palms.

“Water, to you I give the name Moneo, to give your warnings new strength, and to you earth I give the name Verec, to honour your humble nature. Taste your new names and join me.”

The serpents looked at one another, and then their ancient forms crawled forth and draped themselves about the fallen angel’s legs.

“Light and Dark come before me.”

Mesfido beckoned the two human figures to him. They stood strong and proud.

“Dark, to you, so powerful and mysterious I give the name Umbru and to you Light, so wise and caring I give the name Sapia. Feel your new names and flourish”

The human forms drifted apart into shadows and light, and filled the air around Mesfido, highlighting his calm features. Only Lighting remained before the Master of the Seven Elements.

“And finally, Lightning, for your courage I name you Animo. See your new name and live it.” The fox leapt towards the angel, and faded into his chest, right where his heart belonged.

And so it was done, the Seven Elements, Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Light, Dark and Lightning had taken their final steps in pledging themselves to their master. By accepting the new names he had give them, they embraced their new natures as Libra, Arden, Verec, Moneo, Sapia, Umbru and Animo. The respect and trust they held for their lord was surpassed by none.

“There is one final thing we must do before our training continues. I want to introduce you all to someone.”

The fallen angel launched himself from the high balcony, the Seven Elements disappeared in a rainbow of colour and flowed into the handle of the Sword of the Pact, were they truly belonged. To anyone below, it was a magnificent sight, the powerful angel lit up by the radiance of his subjects. The whispers started once more, just like they had when the angel had first arrived in the Dome. This time, they were whispers of admirations and wonder instead of fear and horror.

A single message sped through the halls of the Dome.

The fallen angel has returned.

* * * *

Jaina Alsardor sat in a dimly lit room. The dark red currents were drawn across the windowpane, a fire was alive in the stone hearth, sending an orange light flickering across the bright red carpet. The young woman held a thin quill in her delicate hands; her fiery eyes were vivid with emotion. She dipped it in a vial of rich red ink, then touched the tip to a page of parchment and began to write.

March 12th

The whisperers say he’s back. It’s been soon long since I last saw him. They say he’s changed, they say there is something different about him now. I hope not, I don’t want him to change. I loved him just how he was the last time I saw him. I wish with all my heart to see him again, just as he was when he left. I shall search for him soon but in the Dome it can take days to find someone.

I wonder if he knows what’s happened in Kenjin’s world. He wasn’t here when I found the doors had shut me off. I still haven’t found out why nor have I found another way back to the Encorna. Perhaps he knows more; perhaps he’s found something since we left Spiritus Mundi those many weeks ago. Oh how may heart aches to see him again! It’s a painful existence without my Mesfido. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it would be impossible for me to love him anymore. I still don’t know how after spending such little time with him, he can have me so deep under his spell.

I long for him to take me with him on his journeys. I long for him to tell me again and again and again that he loves me.

The first thing I shall do when I next see him is to make him promise to never leave me alone again. I know he does it to protect me, but he should know I can look after myself.

I leave you here to go in search of my guardian angel.

Jaina shut her diary, closing it tight with a crimson locket. She lifted herself from the soft mahogany chair and pushed it under the wooden desk. Holding the diary in her left hand she open her dresser and placed the book in a draw with all her other most precious belongings, her twin swords and the touchstone Mesfido had given her among them.

Her eyes passed over the rune that hung from the stone. She could still remember Mesfido’s hands carefully shaping it. He had said it was a unique rune, a combination of the runes of beauty and protection. He said that it would protect her from harm. She took hold of it with her slender fingers, placing it in one of the pockets of her emerald dress.

Her eyes paused over her weapons. In the Dome, you never know what kind of danger you might find. After a moment’s thought she picked them up and fastened them about her waist.

The young maiden turned, closing over the dresser. She walked forward to her door, opening into and letting in the busy sounds of the Dome’s corridors. She glanced back briefly into her private quarters then shut the door.

Jaina’s feet made little noise as she walked across the marble floors. She knew all of Mesfido’s favourite haunts and was making haste to the gardens, where she knew he would most likely be. Her emerald dress flowed elegantly behind her, she moved swiftly but as graceful as ever.

The gardens were a long way away from her quarters, a good half hour’s walk but she was making good time, soon she saw the beautiful statue of Aphrodite looming ahead of her. It was then that she felt a hand on her shoulder. A smile lit up her face; she turned and faced the giant that stood behind her. She lifted her eyes to meet the fallen angel’s, his face was as joyful as she felt.

“It’s been too long.” Mesfido removed his hand from Jaina’s shoulder and whisked her into his strong arms.

“Next time you’re not leaving without me.” The smile still hadn’t left her face, and wouldn’t for a long time. She burrowed her head into his chest.

“Well, that depends on where I’m going.” He knew she’d have her way in the end, so he spoke with a playful, mocking tone. “Either way though, I intend to stay here for quiet sometime.”

The fallen angel smiled down at the woman that he loved. He saw the look of joy on her face change to one of surprise. She had just looked at his right arm.

“Your body, it’s changed! Oh I had heard you had, but never did I think it could have been for the better. I thought perhaps Venalis had managed to gain control again, but it seems the opposite has happened!” Jaina saw just how profoundly at peace Mesfido had become. He had a new calmness about him. No longer did his mind seem constantly distracted.

“Yes, he no longer plagues me. It’s a long story.”

The fallen angel placed Jaina back on her feet, the pair walked into the gardens. Mesfido towered above Jaina, standing nearly a foot above her auburn locks; his wings alone were larger than her petit figure. They took a seat on the bench beside the marble fountain, Jaina resting her head against Mesfido purified arm. He began to tell her all that had happened since they had last spoke. He told her the stories of the Saints and Sinners, the Legends of the Seven Archangels and the quest on which he had his friends had embarked upon. Finally, he told her of the Seven Elements and how they had freed him of Venalis.

“I woke up in the forest, miles away from Vallaris. How I got there, I don’t know. When I looked at my hands I saw that my right side had been cleansed. I searched my mind for any traces of that demon; there were barely even signs that he had ever existed. I found that my sword had transformed too. Without ever even been told it, I knew its new name – Verax.
The Seven Elements then explained to me what they had done, telling me that they had sealed him forever in the depths of my mind. I owe them much.”

Jaina could see just how much it meant to him to be free from his tormentor. She could only image the relief he must have felt after a thousand years of mental struggle to finally be free. She saw the peace in his face with a new found understanding.

“And these Seven Elements, they are here with you, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they and I are all but the same being. They live within my very essence.”

“Shall I ever me meet them?” Jaina was curious about the entities that now inhabited her love’s mind, body and soul.

One of Mesfido gracious smiles spread across his face, something that seemed to be happening more and more now. “There’s no time like the present, though I doubt you shall be able to see them, it seems no one but I can.”

Animo’s voice whispered in the angel’s ear. “She won’t even be able to hear us, but there is a way for us to converse with her.”

“And what’s that?” Mesfido said aloud.

“Who are you talking to? One of them?”

“Yes, perhaps you shall be able to hear his voice for yourself.”

“Relax your mind, master.” The fox spoke in Mesfido’s ear again. “Just let it go free, I’ll take care of the rest.”

The fallen angel soothed his mind, letting it fall into a deep state of silent peace, something that he never could have risked while Venalis had been present. It felt so good to be free. Suddenly, Mesfido’s cobalt eyes changed to a clear gold. The angel could see and hear what his body was saying and doing but he was not controlling it. It wasn’t anything like when Venalis had sought to control him. He still felt in command, it was just as though he was sharing his control with another. He then knew that Animo was using his body as a medium.

The angel’s lips opened, but it was the golden fox of Lightning that spoke. “It’s an honour to meet you Miss Jaina. I say it on behalf of all the Seven Elements.”

Slowly Mesfido felt Animo relinquishing his share of the power over the body. What really made it so different to when Venalis had controlled him was that the fox had only done it with consent; Mesfido doubted that any of the Seven would be able to do it without his permission. Jaina saw the clear blue streaming back into her angel’s eyes.

“They seem kind.”

“They are, but every one of them is unique. Maybe in time you shall meet them all.”

“Perhaps, oh but Mefi, I’m so glad to have you back. I know you well enough though to tell that you haven’t returned just for me. You’re here to train aren’t you?”

A deep cheerful laugh shook Mesfido’s frame, “You know me too well. I must learn to fight again. With the Seven Elements sharing my essence I’m going to have to completely retrain myself, relearning everything anew.”

“Well, you may have to do it without your teacher. It seems Kenjin has cut me off from his dojo, I would expect he’s done the same for you. I hear he has a replacement though.”

Jaina went on to explain how she had tried to return to the Encorna’s palace but had found the doors sealed.

“It’s seems I shall have to train alone then.”

Something flickered in Jaina’s memory, she remembered hearing that one of Kenjin’s other students, a man called Zorlo, had managed to graduate from the class of the Encorna’s replacement. Perhaps he could train with Mesfido?

“Mesfido, I heard that there was a student, another of Kenjin’s, who has been training long and hard in the Dome. Maybe he would be a suitable training partner? I would offer to help you myself, but we both know that I don’t have the strength, speed or endurance to keep up with you.”

“Hmm, what is this student’s name? I have meet some of the Encorna’s other students in the past. I may know him.”

“He is a man called Zorlo. I heard rumours that he managed to graduate.”

Zorlo... I remember him well even though I only meet him briefly. A man entered Mesfido memories. He had green hair, bangs reaching down to his eyebrows. Bright emerald eyes were set in his pale face. He was clad nearly purely in green armour and garments. He was strong of spirit and will. Indeed he would make an excellent sparing parent. I’m sure his skill will have increased too; he must be strong to have passed his training.

The moon was rising in the sky high above the garden. The stars sparkled into life in the night sky. Mesfido could see Jaina’s eyelids growing heavy with sleep. He picked her up in his arms once more. She gazed up dreamily at him. The Master of the Seven Elements rose from the sweet green grass, which quietly fell beneath him.

“Zorlo, tomorrow, I come for you. I need a strong opponent to help me learn to fight with the Seven Elements.” He spoke as much to the wind and clouds as to himself.

Mesfido landed quietly on his balcony and lay down against the wall, Jaina quickly falling asleep in his arms. He shut his eyes, his mind wondering what tomorrow would bring.

__________________


~Fabulous Siggy by Insaney~