The following day, the campus buzzed with the usual chaos—clubs setting up stalls, music echoing faintly from distant rehearsals, students rushing to classes. But Kael stood still, leaning against the iron railing of the rooftop terrace, his guitar case untouched beside him.
He hadn't spoken much since yesterday's audition.
Something didn't sit right.
He'd watched Zayn closely after the performance. The guy played like wind incarnate, sure—but Kael had noticed more than just talent. The way Zayn's eyes scanned the room too carefully. The way his fingers trembled for just a second before he unplugged his guitar. The way Rael and Lyra had gone quiet the moment the sound faded.
Kael's gut rarely lied.
And right now, it was twisting like a knot.
He turned around, headed for the library. Maybe a dive into the ancient texts Rael had once shown him would shake off the unease.
Elsewhere – A Hidden Chamber Beneath the Eastern Himalayas
The underground hall was ancient, lined with cracked stone pillars and thick, coiling vines. At its center, a stone dais now stood bare.
Moments ago, it had held a map—etched onto weathered parchment and sealed beneath magic.
Now, the parchment lay open in the hands of a man cloaked in red silk and shadows. His eyes gleamed gold as firelight danced in them.
Behind him stood three others—silent, powerful, and wrong in all the ways that made the earth tremble.
"The Earth mark," the cloaked man whispered. "It lies dormant. But this…"
He traced a finger down the map, which now pulsed faintly with green light.
"Southern Asia," he hissed. "Where the roots sleep deep."
One of the others, a woman with coal-dark hair and a serpent tattoo curling up her neck, stepped forward. "Should we alert the brokers?"
"No," the man snapped. "We go ourselves. The Chosen Vein's guardians are waking. If we don't get to her first—"
"She'll unlock it before we can bind the Earth."
The map folded itself shut as if it feared what was next.
The man smirked.
"Pack. We move tonight."
Back at the College – Library Balcony
Kael flipped through a tattered journal belonging to one of the original scribes of the elemental texts. The writings were difficult to read—mostly symbols and riddles—but one page stood out:
"When the wind bows to ice and light, beware the tremor in the roots. She who holds the earth shall awaken last… but not least."
Kael frowned.
Before he could process it, his phone rang.
Blocked number.
He answered with a wary, "Yeah?"
The voice was unfamiliar. Older. Rough, but not hostile.
"There's no time, Kael."
Kael straightened, every muscle in his body going alert. "Who is this?"
"You've walked too close to him. The wind stirs with secrets."
"You mean Zayn?" Kael hissed. "What's going on—"
"They have the map," the voice cut in. "They're going to Southern Asia. To find her."
Kael's heart pounded. "Her?"
"The one who holds the Earth," the voice said. "The Fifth. The final key."
Static crackled. "You have to find her before they do."
Then the call dropped.
Kael stood frozen. The words echoed in his head louder than any melody he'd ever played.
The Earth Element was awakening.
And someone—no, something—was already on its way.
The silence in Rhea's room was broken by a soft whisper of wind—an oddity, given the closed windows. She paused, hand hovering over the intricate designs of her locket, a family heirloom passed down through generations.
Her dreams had intensified that night. Towering roots, deep red stones, and an unshakeable pull in her chest. A presence, ancient and undeniable, called out to her. She knew what it meant.
Rhea stood, her pulse quickening. Her heart was racing, not out of fear, but from something else. The pull. The knowledge that the Earth was stirring.
Outside her window, the sky darkened. The winds shifted, eerie and unsettled. It wasn't just a storm. It was something far older than any weather pattern.
"Rhea," a voice called from the door.
She turned to see elena standing there, concern etched into her glowing features. "It's happening, isn't it?"
Rhea nodded, her fingers curling around the pendant. "I can feel it. The Earth… it's waking."
elena's gaze hardened. "again are you dreaming about things , don't worry you are safe."
Meanwhile – Hidden Village of Aleris
The journey to Aleris was unlike any other. Aleris was a hidden village, nestled deep within the mountains of a secluded region, far away from the prying eyes of civilization. The area itself felt untouched by time—an isolated sanctuary where elemental powers could thrive without interference from the outside world.
The moment he knew the villains were on their trail, he'd made the decision to get her to safety.
Aleris was quiet—too quiet—and Kael's serious demeanor when he arrived had only reinforced her unease. She felt like a bird caught in a storm, ready to be swept away at any moment.
"You'll be safe here," Kael assured her as he entered the room.
"But the map," girl said, her voice trembling. "They will come for it."
Kael walked to the window, watching the shadows creep over the mountain ridge. "I know. But you're not alone anymore."
Kael said quietly. "We'll figure this out together."
The Villains' Pursuit – Japan
Far from Aleris, the villains had reached Japan, just as Kael had anticipated. They stood in an ancient temple, its walls etched with forgotten runes. A map, torn and stained, lay open in front of them.
The cloaked man studied it, frustration mounting. The air felt wrong, as if they had walked into a trap.
"Where is it?" he growled, his voice thick with malice. "This is where the map pointed. She should be here."
Another of his allies—the woman with the serpent tattoo—approached the entrance, her dark eyes scanning the area. "Nothing. There's no trace of the Earth here."
The cloaked man slammed his fist against the stone. "Impossible. It's supposed to be here!"
His gaze darkened. "We've been played."
Aleris – The Sanctuary of Power
As night descended upon Aleris, the small village hummed with the quiet pulse of ancient magic. , surrounded by the towering trees that bordered the village. The air was crisp, the faint hum of elemental power swirling around them.
"You said others are here?" earth girl asked, glancing at the horizon.
Kael's eyes met earth girl's. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Faraway – The Villains' Frustration
Back in Japan, the cloaked man glared at the now-dimmed map. His hands clenched. "She's gone," he spat. "They've hidden her well."
But he knew this wasn't over. They had lost this round, but there were other ways to find her. He turned to his allies, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Get ready. This hunt is far from finished."
In Aleris, Kael turned to the group, his voice low and determined. "We stay hidden here for now. They won't stop looking for her. We need to be ready."
The fight had only just begun.