Lithius the Elemental King - Chapter 4 Part 2

After the defensive meeting was finished, it was Crobobolus who found me first. He walked up and sighed heavily. "What's wrong Crobobolus?" I asked rather worried. "It's the men that I lead, they do not respect me as a leader," He admitted rather frustrated. "Do you know why?" He nodded rather quickly to my question. "They hear your words and it's like I'm an idiot in comparison. I've heard murmurs from my men that they'd rather have you lead them all instead of just the defensive forces." I sighed heavily at his words. "They've voiced as much to me as well. They say it is because my strategies have more detail in how they are to be achieved and are adaptable to new situations rather than simple and repetitive." He looked at me rather offended. "What do you mean by "simple and repetitive" Lithormus?" I sighed heavily at my poor choice of words. "I'm only repeating what one of your metal elementals told me. I have yet to see your military strategies for myself. So I will not create any bias towards your command style until I've seen it for myself. The men do wish for me to take complete command of the combative forces in this city because they believe I will end the war much faster than you will." Crobobolus shook his head and looked me in the eye. "I would also like this bloody and hateful war to end sooner but Lithius won't dare let that happen so long as he draws breath." I nodded at his words, keeping my thoughts to myself. "Please answer me this though." Crobobolus' sudden demand was rather out of the ordinary at this particular moment. "Do you intent to do as they ask and replace me?" I noticed the worry in his tone and I chuckled softly. "Only if you prove to be someone I know you could never be."

After Crobobolus and I parted ways and he headed towards the tower, I stretched my limbs in a vain attempt to drive the weariness from my bones. Night was not as dark in the city, thanks to the many lava pedestals that dotted the roads. Each pedestal was filled with a type of lava that could not turn cold or solidify. The light provided by these pedestals was enough to drive away the dark of the night when the moon was in the new moon phase. I blinked a few times and rubbed my eyes to drive away an odd itch when I suddenly felt a soft breeze against my cheek. I froze for a second as to get an idea of the direction it was coming from, which was my left. I cracked an eye open and was extremely shocked and surprised to see an air elemental standing next to me, blowing into my face, her eyes were closed. Her fur was a soft, light grey with streaks of white and dark grey all over her. I sighed heavily at the sight and shook my head softly. 'Please don't be another one to jump on the bandwagon of potential lovers,' I thought to myself rather raggedly.

I tapped the air elemental's shoulder and she looked at me in surprise, her eyes the same color style as her fur. "You can see me?" She suddenly asked as if it wasn't painfully obvious. "I would have to be blind not to," I quickly answered back to her. She suddenly looked around to see if anyone else was present. To her luck, the roads were empty. She sighed in relief when no one attempted to attack her. "Who are you?" She suddenly looked at me surprised again. "I am Tempest." Her nervousness was extremely adorable and made it rather hard to consider her a threat to my life. "Why are you blowing air at me?" Her cheeks bloomed red and I sighed heavily in my mind at my new situation. "I won't make fun of you if you tell me." She suddenly looked around nervously and sighed heavily. "It's how I've been practicing my elemental abilities because no one will show me how to use them properly." Her cheeks were so red now that she could have been easily mistaken for a cherry. I sighed in relief without meaning to and she whimpered softly. "Are you making fun of me?" I chuckled and shook my head. "I would never." She sighed in relief at my kinds words. "Do not worry about my allegiance, the air elementals are neutral in this fight." Her smile was bright and beaming. "If you want, I could teach you how to use your abilities." Her eyes opened wide in surprise and then to a look of confusion. "How could a light elemental teach a wind elemental?" I laughed heartily at her words and she looked worried. "Did I say something wrong?!" I smiled at her and summon a single ball of fire and lightning. "I am definitely no light elemental."

"Follow the lightning if you really want training on your elemental abilities," I told her honestly. I quickly transformed into lightning and shot off to the south, away from prying eyes. When I landed I sat down and waited for her to arrive. I wasn't surprised when she arrived by flying on a small cloud. She hopped down and sighed in relief. "Thank the elements I was able to find you," She managed to say tiredly. I smiled softly at her determination and stood up. "Show me how much you know about your own abilities." She simply began to change the shape of the cloud into random shapes and ended with a whip and struck the ground with it. She then formed a ball of air in her palm but it was unstable, she wasn't concentrating on keeping it stable. "Don't concentrate on trying to gather as much air to your hand, just keep it stable." She looked at me surprised and then looked at the orb in her hand and it quickly stabilized. She gasped in pure joy and surprise. "How did you know what was wrong?" I smiled softly at her question. "Any elemental that controls an element that is partial wild and chaotic must have the ability to concentrate and stabilize the element they control. If you can master your control, anything is possible." I quickly created a lightning and fire soldier next to me. "Even things such as this will be possible." She simply stared at the soldier in awe. "You're amazing!" I blushed softly under her praise but I took a deep breath. "This is nothing." I snapped my finger and a small force of four thousand fire and lightning soldiers bloomed into life behind me and Tempest gasped in surprise. "If you have complete control over your mind, there is no limit to your abilities or what you can create."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, to my complete surprise, Tempest managed to create a thousand soldiers from wind. The only way you could notice them was due to the fact they were the same color as her fur. Each soldier also looked to be made from a type of light fog. I smiled at her abilities. "Congratulations, you've surpassed many elementals with just one lesson," I told her proudly and she partially opened one of her eyes and saw the soldiers she created. She stared in amazement at them. "I did this?" She asked rather nervously. I nodded to her happily. "You should be proud of yourself." She jumped for joy and, in the spur of the moment, embraced me happily. She quickly realized what she did and let her arms drop to her sides. "I'm sorry for hugging you." She sounded ashamed of herself. "There's no helping it if you're that happy. And I'm very comfortable with being hugged." She raised an eyebrow at me. "Even if it's a man who hugs you?" I looked at her confused. "And why would that matter?" She looked at me in genuine surprise. "Most of the male elementals where I live hate being hugged." I chuckled softly. "Probably instigated by Romst's hatred of getting close to people." She tilted her head at me confused. "You know the village chief?" "Of course I do, Romst was always a stubborn and head strong elemental. But he will always put others before himself, even if he does not always show it."

She suddenly gave me a following motion. "Then you should at least go see him," She suddenly told me. "I think he'd be happy to meet the person who taught his daughter how to manipulate the elements." I looked at Tempest in surprise. "His daughter?!" I asked completely surprised and then gave her another look over. The only feature of her that resembled Romst was her eyes. Romst always had strange looking eyes. The iris looked much like a vortex and was differing colors of gray, Tempest had the same eyes. "I only see it in your eyes." She chuckled softly. "My father has always been mad about that, he wanted a son though." She looked down rather depressed. "Has he treated you ill for it?" She looked up at me surprised. "Oh no, it was my mother who has." I didn't realize I had a look of anger on my face but Tempest jumped at my expression in surprise. "Please don't hate my mother!" I looked at Tempest confused. "I don't hate anyone, there are just some that need to learn that there are things that one should not do." Tempest smiled at me happily. "You're the first person who ever got angry for me other than my father." I chuckled softly. "That's Romst for you, if anyone he loves and cherishes is in trouble, he'll bring trouble to the culprit." Tempest nodded softly. "That's why no one dared try to teach me."

Although I shouldn't have, I found myself walking with Tempest into the air elemental village. It was as it was the years before I split from the shadow. Many of the air elementals gave me curious glances as I walked passed with Tempest. I quickly arrived at the largest cottage in the village, Romst's cottage and the town's center. The buildings were arranged much like a vortex with six spiraling roads leading from the center, Romst's cottage, which sat upon a hill. Tempest opened the door, grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. Romst suddenly stood up and gave me a quick look over. "Who are you?" He demanded and I quickly noticed the ball of air form in his hand. I sighed heavily. "You didn't have to rush me in here like this," I told Tempest, who looked at me innocently. "But I wanted you to meet him again," She offered up as her excuse. "Again?" Romst's curiosity got the better of him and the ball of air in his hand dispersed. "It has been three years Romst." I used my normal speech, which made him look at me surprised. "How is this possible, Lithius is a black elemental." I half smiled. "Notice his eyes are black now to." Romst nodded softly. "I found it odd his eye color changed." "That's because he's a shadow." Romst looked at me with skepticism. "And how would you know this." I sighed heavily. "Because of this." I formed a ball of fire and lightning and Romst gasped softly. "Only Lithius…" "Can manipulate more than one element, I know. But if you recall, Lithius originally had three and now has wind and lightning, not fire and lightning." Romst nodded softly and eyeballed the fire in my hand. "My heart tells me what my mind refuses." I nodded softly. "I am Lithius." Tempest looked at me in surprise and suddenly bowed her head. "There are none who bow to me and none who need to." Tempest raised her head and looked at me confused, along with her father. "How do I know you are who you say you are?" I half smiled. "Should I tell your daughter your old nickname?" Romst quickly blushed heavily and shook his head, to the confusion of Tempest. "Whisper it in my ear." I shook my head. "I can't do that Breeze Ease." Tempest looked at her father in surprise as he covered his face in embarrassment. "I was immature and stupid back then, don't go bringing that up in front of my daughter!" I chuckled softly. "Only two people know that nickname, me and you but now your daughter knows to." Tempest laughed softly at her father's embarrassment. "I didn't know father was so childish when he was younger." I nodded softly. "That's why I was surprised to learn he had a daughter and didn't teach her anything about how to control and use her element."

Romst looked down rather ashamed of himself. "I know I should have, but I was busy with trying to keep the air elementals out of this bloody conflict," He offered as an excuse. "But it is your responsibility as her father to teach her about her skills. No stranger should have to do that for you." He looked at me defeated and nodded softly. "I thank you for teaching her Lithius. But I do not lie when I say that I've been fighting for the past two and a half years trying to keep the air elementals out of the war." I sighed softly in relief. "I go by Lithormus now. I lead the defense of the rebel city." Romst and Tempest looked at me in a new light. "So they even dragged you into this?!" I shook my head softly. "It was my fight to begin with. He's not looking for a blood bath against innocent people, he wants revenge on me and any who are connected to me." Romst stomped his foot angrily. "I guess that means we won't be able to sit this war out then." I nodded softly. "Lithius will force you to pick a side. Freedom or his form of freedom, which amounts to slavery." Romst looked at me confused. "What's slavery?" I explained to him the torments of being owned by another and he fumed with rage. "Then there is no reason to think about it. I'll have the air elementals moved to the city as soon as I can." I smiled softly. "This may not seem like much now, but it's large victory against Lithius in my book." Romst looked at me confused. "What do you mean?" I smiled happily at his question. "I am able to keep more innocent lives from Lithius' rage." Romst patted my shoulder happily. "You've become a fine elemental in the time I haven't seen you."

Tempest suddenly looked at us confused. "Who's older, Lithormus or dad?" She asked innocently. Romst and I laughed heartily at her question. "There's no doubt that Lithormus here is," Romst answered very honest. "He's the oldest elemental alive, he's seen the world when it was being made." Tempest gave me a skeptic look. "Is that even possible?" I nodded softly and formed a small electric charge on my first to fingers. "What are you doing?!" I pressed the charge into her forehead and she suddenly looked up at me in surprise. "What did I just see?!" I smiled softly. "One of my memories, the time your father just spoke of." "How is it possible to show others your memories?!" I looked up at Romst. "The brain uses thousands of electrical impulses for the senses and our memories. I simply found the impulses for that memory and made a copy, which I gave to her." Romst shook his head softly. "You always were a genius when it came to the elements. I heard about that stunt with the twenty thousand fire and lightning soldiers." Tempest looked at me surprised. "You made that many?!" I nodded softly. "I almost died though." Romst shook his head. "I know it would take a hell of a lot more to kill you than simply element overuse. You always were a tough bastard." I nodded softly. "But I cannot allow myself to die while the shadow Lithius still lives." Romst nodded.

"I have a question about where we'll live in the city," Romst suddenly announced to me. "Where will we live?" I thought about it and then an idea popped into my mind. "Can air elementals stand on clouds?" I asked curiously and Romst laughed heartily. "Of course we can." I smiled happily. "Then why not live above the city?" Romst slowly nodded. "I think that could work. If everything were to be made from clouds and they were thick enough, any elemental could live in complete comfort. I always said you were a genius but this is outright revolutionary for air elementals." I nodded softly. "One question, how did you think of this?" I pointed to Tempest and she jumped in surprise. "How did you get it from me?!" She asked rather surprised. "When you showed me your cloud manipulation." Romst sighed heavily. "She got that from her mother." I looked at Romst curiously. "Who was her mother?" "A cloud elemental, that's why Tempest has the streaks." I smiled softly. "You always were the type to follow your heart rather than anyone else." Romst nodded proudly. "Damn right, she was the sweetest elemental around." "Where is she now?" Romst quickly looked down and saddened. "We lost her to a fire elemental who thought it was his right. He killed her for resisting." I grimaced with rage. "No elemental has the right to dictate the life of another." Romst nodded. "I agree with you, but I killed the fire elemental with no regret." I nodded. "I understand. I probably would have done the same."

The air elementals had been called to an assembly to announce Romst's decision to finally join the war against Lithius. Almost all of the village roared into a high cheer. There were some who thought the idea was madness until Romst had me join the stage. I spoke of the many battles that had taken place already and how many lives were lost in the attempt to silence innocent lives. I spoke of Lithius' unbridled rage towards any who hold the "lesser" elementals as equals. But I ended my speech with an omen, that if the elementals continued to stand divided, there would be no happiness regardless of element or status. That the world would tear itself apart from the hatred and rage and the entire race was to be doomed. Every last air elemental was in agreement after my speech.

The air elemental village was quickly demolished, with my aid. Only objects that were too valuable or precious were to be brought. I walked with them on a journey to find safety within the walls of the city. But walking to the city was far more dangerous than Romst originally thought. Six fire elementals and four lightning elementals had found us and spotted me at the head of the group. I was approached by the leader of this scouting band. "Who are you and where are these people going?" The fire elemental demanded as he approached me. "The air elementals are moving their village and I am here to assist them," I attempted to explain to the elemental. "What element are you?" I formed a ball of lightning in my hand to throw them off my real identity. "Are you from the castle or the lightning village?" A lightning elemental called to me. I smiled softly as I had thought this out already. "I am from the lightning village, I am a relative of Static." The lightning elemental bowed his head in respect. "How is he doing these days?" I smiled happily. "Rather well actually."

The scouting band quickly left after explaining our potential locations for relocation of the village. "Good thing you didn't fight them," Romst whispered to me after the scouts were out of sight. "That would have drawn a little too much attention." I nodded softly at his words. "My goal was to avoid unnecessary bloodshed," I told Romst honestly. "And yes, being this close to the castle, it would have been hard to avoid the fight being seen by unwanted eyes."

We managed to reach the city safely only to be greeted by a single shot made by one of the M777 guns. I launched a lightning bolt through the shell before it could reach the air elementals. I then quickly created the city's crest in fire and lightning for the gunners to see. Not a single shot was fired again while we traveled to the main gates. Static bowed in greeting when we arrived. "I see you've been recruiting again?" He asked curiously and I nodded happily. "I was surprised to find Romst leading them," I told Static and he laughed heartily. "I heard he had an embarrassing nick name." "I do not!" Romst shouted at Static, who simply laughed. "Your heart betrays you my friend." Romst grunted in frustration. "How lightning elementals do that is beyond me." I chuckled softly. "We can detect your heart beat even without seeing it."

The air elementals quickly set up their cloud village just above the tower. "I see you like making my life harder Lithormus," Crobobolus suddenly shout as he walked up next to me. "What are you talking about?" I asked confused. "I just managed to get the entire air village to switch to our side and you say that's a problem?" Crobobolus sighed heavily. "I won't be surprised if the elementals start calling you our leader or demanding we make you our leader." I sighed heavily. "I will never practice a monarchy again. If any leadership should be made, it should be a council made up of representatives from each respective group of elementals within the city." Crobobolus suddenly chuckled softly. "I just realized, we never thought up a name for this city." I tapped the side of my head in thought and suddenly snapped my fingers. "Sanctuary City." Crobobolus nodded softly at my suggestion. "I like it, I'll see if my brother thinks the same as we do."

Crobobolus walked off and I was suddenly patted on the back by a heavy hand. "I see you've been busy as always," Armor suddenly told me rather amused. I nodded and looked back up at the air elemental village. "How'd you convince them to join our cause?" I smiled happily. "Romst is another old friend of mine," I admitted happily. Armor sighed softly. "It seems you run into many of your old friends these days, how many did you know?" I thought about it for a bit and nodded to myself satisfied. "Romst and Static were not the only two. Sarathustra was also an old friend of mine, so were the twins." "I meant anyone we could possibly recruit." "I don't know about recruit but I do know a light elemental who might put in a good word for us." Armor patted my back heavily again. "Then you should go speak with them next." I sighed heavily at his suggestion. "I think there are three female elementals that would kill me if I did without telling them where I've been."

And as if fate decreed it was to happen, I was suddenly tackled from behind. "Where have you been?!" I heard Phoenix Blaze demand from upon my back. "I was at the air elemental village recruiting them for our cause," I managed to answer. "You had us worried sick!" I heard Sarathustra yell at me also from atop my back. "I see these two are giving you problems," Plasmis suddenly said in front of me. I looked up and she had her hands on her hips, crouched down in front of me. "Who are all these elementals Lithormus?" I heard Tempest ask curiously. "I see you're still a female magnet."

Phoenix Blaze and Sarathustra let me stand up. "Explain why there's another female elemental around you!" Phoenix Blaze and Sarathustra demanded. "He taught me how to use my element properly!" Tempest said happily. "I'm Tempest, Romst's daughter." "I don't care who your father is, why are you here?" She suddenly took a few steps back afraid of the trio and I stood in front of her. "Her father is a close friend of mine, she's probably here to thank me for helping them move their entire village here," I suggested, hoping she wasn't also in love with me. "Oh no," She suddenly said, which made a cold chill crawl up my spine. "My father has nothing to do with why I'm here. I'm here to confess my love to you." I sighed heavily and rubbed my forehead. 'Why do so many people become so attracted to me?' I thought to myself tiredly. "But you know how much older I am than you." Tempest looked at me confused. "Why should something like that matter?" I sighed heavily but she smiled happily. "I even got my father's approval!" I looked at her shocked and confused. "There is no way Romst approved of your love of me." Tempest didn't even bat an eyelash when she looked up and shouted, "Father, can you come here?" Romst was quickly by her side as he just dropped through the clouds overhead. He landed right next to her. "What is it sweetie?" He asked rather curiously. "Didn't you approve of my love earlier?" Romst nodded softly. "I did indeed." I raised an eyebrow. "Tempest didn't tell you who it was did she?" Romst shook his head. "It's me." He opened his mouth to speak and then looked at Tempest. "You're in love with Lithormus?!" Tempest nodded softly, expecting to be punished but, to all our surprise, Romst just sighed in relief. "I'm just happy she didn't fall for some hooligan in this city like me." "So you don't care she loves the oldest elemental alive?" Romst looked up at me and shook his head, to my surprise. "At least she likes someone who's dependable and won't hurt her in the future." He then looked at his daughter. "I definitely approve sweetie." He quickly launched back up into the clouds before I could attempt to change his mind.

Tempest suddenly hugged me tightly. "See, he did approve!" She shouted happily. Plasmis chuckled teasingly while Phoenix Blaze and Sarathustra glared at Tempest with pure venom. "Unfortunately I do not have the time to spare to you girls at the moment, I planned on visiting the light elementals to see if I can muster their support," I quickly began to explain to them but the four shook their head. "I'm coming with you!" They all shouted at me and then, except Tempest, glared at each other, Tempest simply put on her best pouting face. I sighed heavily at my situation. "Just so you know, the light elementals do not tolerate any form of public indecency. That includes kissing and hugging in public." They looked at me appalled by what they just heard. "Still want to come?" They all nodded together, very determined. "Fine, just don't say I didn't warn you."

We headed towards the main gates when we were suddenly stopped by Quick Silver. I blinked a few times confused by her suddenly stopping us. "Lithormus, I wanted to know if you'll allow me to accompany you to the light elementals," She asked rather earnestly. I looked at her confused because I saw no reason she would want to go to the light elemental village. "Have you also fallen for him?" Plasmis asked rather bluntly but Quick Silver simply shook her head. "I have no reason to like a man already loved so by four others. I just wish to visit the light elementals." I sighed in relief and nodded softly. "Alright, I'll bring you along." She smiled softly and bowed humbly. "Thank you for allowing me to join you."

We quickly departed through the main gates, I dreaded what the light elementals would say when they saw five females and a single male venturing to their village. Light elementals had different customs than the rest of us. They refused to participate in all conflicts, regardless of who's right and who's wrong. They were made up of entirely pacifistic elementals, thought the younger elementals were beginning to show an interest in showing Lithius was not right.

It did not take long to arrive at the light elemental village. Although it was far more developed, calling it a village would not due its current beauty justice. It was now a bustling city where a good portion of the populous was of "lesser" elements. They had a beautifully crafted wall made from marble, much like Sanctuary did. It was all unbroken white and glowed even when the sun did not shine upon the surface. The gates were just as elaborately designed and sophisticated as I had thought it would be. The elder of the village was always a vain individual, always caring for his outer appearance rather than take care of his people. I feared the state of the "lesser" elementals for they could attempt to attack us for anything of "worth" we had. Although, the gaudiest part of the city was what looked like the main government building. It looked much like a hybrid between Buckingham Palace and the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It was much like the light elementals simply found out how to build both buildings and managed to collaborate them into one another. All made from the same marble as the outer walls.

We approached the main gate and I was surprised to find it open before we reached it, but standing on the other side of it was fifteen light elementals. They were all pure, unblemished white with silver colored eyes. I raised an eyebrow at their appearance and chuckled softly to myself. "Worry not, they're not real," I told the others to put them at ease. They all suddenly vanished as another elemental that looked like the fake ones came forward. "You must be very talented to tell they were fakes," The elemental said to us, clearly a male elemental. "Only powerful light or lightning elementals could tell whether they were fake or not." I nodded softly to him. "I knew because I am a lightning elemental." He chuckled softly and shook his head. "You do not appear to be a lightning elemental but I've never seen streaks like those in any of our kind." I nodded confidently this time and created a small ball of fire and lightning. The light elemental looked upon it with surprise and then looked upon me with suspicion. "There is only one elemental I know that can manipulate multiple elements." "And I can guarantee I am not Lithius, my name is Lithormus and I am currently Lithius' number one hated individual for besting him in the field of combat multiple times." The light elemental chuckled softly. "We shall see whether you are speaking truth or not." A myriad of lights began to shine upon me from above. I raised an eyebrow and looked at the patterns of which it created upon my white fur. I was then surprised when my fur suddenly returned to the dark black it had once been so long ago. "What in the elements?!" I was just as confused as the light elemental. "How are you doing this?" "This light is to reveal the true identity, or at least a recognizable one from any elemental. Yet you take the form of Lithius." I looked up at him and he gasped. "Lithius does not have white eyes." I nodded softly. "The Lithius that you know," Quick Silver suddenly shouted from behind me. I shot her a glare that told her to hold her tongue. The light elemental looked upon her with suspicion. "What do you know about Lithius?" "He was a noble elemental that wouldn't harm a soul, that thing that claims to be Lithius is but a shadow of evil." The light elemental sighed heavily. "I cannot allow you to enter this city unless you are cleared to enter by the elder." I sighed heavily. "Then summon him quickly, I come in the name of Sanctuary city, home of the "lesser" elementals." The light elemental looked at me in surprise and nodded, dashing away as quickly as he could, the gates closing behind him.

I sighed heavily as the gates banged shut. "This will not be pleasant," I thought aloud without realizing. "Why do you say that?" Sarathustra suddenly asked me from behind. I looked at her surprised and then nodded. "Because the current elder never liked me when the other elemental villages began kowtowing to me, claiming I was their leader. He also never forgave me for showing off my superior sculpting skill in front of him." Sarathustra chuckled as she remembered and the others simply looked at her confused. "What did he make?" Phoenix Blaze asked curiously. "He made a giant rose made from glass he created from a wall I made to protect him from the light rays fired at him." They all laughed heartily, save Quick Silver. "I bet it was a beautiful sight to behold," She said in a daydream like manner. "It indeed was."

The gate opened once again, and an individual I had not expected stood before us. He was a solid white elemental with beautiful golden, crossing, spiral patterns on his feet and hands that faded into his lower legs and arms and disappeared before they reached the knees or elbows. His eyes were also golden and he stood proudly, as if there was nothing that could stand next to his majesty. I smiled softly as he looked upon me with suspicion. "It has been some time Testament," I told him quite happy to see him, but he looked at me surprised. "I do not know you elemental," He said just as proudly as he stood. "Stop being so stuck up already, I know this is not how you really act, or should I call you Light Bulb again?" He blushed softly and looked at me surprised. "How do you know that name?!" I shot a glare at him for forgetting who gave it to him. "Because I gave it to you, although you did not have the golden patterns back then either." He looked at me confused. "The man you claim to be is an evil tyrant." Without realizing I put on an offended face. "I am not!" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself. He smiled softly and chuckled. "I see you still have not mastered your tongue yet." I sighed softly in disappointment. "It appears not." "It is good to see you again my friend, why do you take this form?" "It would be best to explain this in private, all those with me already know. I come from Sanctuary city, the rebel city as it's called these days."

We were guided to the very building I had claimed to be gaudy as ever. We were rushed into one of the many private council rooms the building contained. When we were all seated around a large, circular table, I began to tell Testament all that had transpired the day I became Lithormus and fled the castle. "This is a lot to swallow in one sitting my old friend," He told me tiredly. I nodded softly. "Indeed it is, but it is all true," I began to tell him. "Whether you or I like it or not, I am stuck this way and I'm here for the light elementals' support against the shadow." He sighed heavily at my words. "We would not be able to easily aid you and you know this. It has been our long standing tradition to stay well and clear of any conflicts." I nodded at his words. "Now is not the time to divide our people, not when Lithius is trying to cover the land in blood, death and shadow. He cares not for the people he leads to their doom against Sanctuary's defenses. So long as he's able to crush us beneath his heal, he will do whatever he believes is necessary to win, even if he sacrifices all the elementals just to see my head upon a spike." Testament looked at me confused. "I thought this was a war against the lesser elementals." I shook my head. "Tis a war against any who would dare call themselves my friend. If he learns you lead the light elementals, there would be nothing to stop him from attacking this city. Sanctuary happens to have his full attention for we are a thorn in his side and have been for the last few years. Should we fall, his eyes will be set upon this city. His forces will crash upon your wall like a wave against rock. If you do not rise up and fight now, all Sanctuary's effort, all the innocent lives already lost to Lithius will have been for naught. Do you wish to see the day when all you love and cherish is but ash because of aid you did not give?" Testament sighed heavily and clasped his hands together. He leaned onto the table and pressed his hands against his mouth, his habit when he thought deeply.

A few hours pass as Testament sat in deep thought. He suddenly sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair. "You give a pressing argument my friend," He suddenly began to say. "But I must speak with my advisors on this matter." I looked at Testament confused. "What advisors, last I checked there were no advisors." Testament sighed heavily. "Much has changed since you've graced the light elementals with your presence, Lithormus. When the previous elder died, none knew what to do. So we asked the people what they wanted and they all chose me to lead them. But many of the previous elder's friends became my advisors, to help me get used to the job." I sighed heavily at his words. "Ultimately the decision is yours to make, no one else's." Testament bit his lip. "That's what I am afraid of. That I make the wrong decision." I sighed softly and looked Testament in the eye. "The only way to know that, my friend, is to follow through with the decision you have decided and never look back."

Testament looked at me happily and smiled. "You've grown wise in the time we have been apart my friend," Testament told me happily. "I wonder what brought this about. These ladies, perhaps?" I blushed at his suggestion. "I guess I hit the nail on the head with that one. So which one takes your fancy?" "I do!" All but Quick Silver quickly replied. "I see you've grown yourself quite the harem." I nearly chocked at his words, though I was not drinking anything. "They are not my harem!" I shouted at him and he raised an eyebrow at me. I was surprised to hear Plasmis suddenly say, "I wouldn't mind being in Lithormus' harem, would you girls?" Tempest quickly shook her head, Sarathustra simply blushed and Phoenix Blaze was giving it serious thought. "I guess I wouldn't mind as long as he loved us all equally," Sarathustra suddenly said still blushing. Quick Silver suddenly rolled her eyes at them. "I am not in love with Lithormus and I doubt I shall ever," She said rudely. "She likes Armor." Quick Silver blushed heavily when I revealed that to everyone present. "How did you?!" I smiled softly. "I am no fool, I noticed the way you look at him. You even have a tuft of his fur." Quick Silver blushed even harder and looked away. "I guess I would have to go with Sarathustra on this, as long as he treated and loved us equally," Phoenix Blaze suddenly announced and I sighed heavily. Testament laughed heartily. "And if I was the old elder I would have tried to chastise you for having a harem. But I will say I'm jealous of how you attracted so many attractive females to your side." "So, what have you decided?" Quick Silver's sudden question threw us all off. "I've decided that I will no longer sit and wait, we will join you in the fight against Lithius! We will fight him from two fronts, the west and the east. We need a way to communicate when we coordinate an attack." I nodded softly. I have an idea, send a few light elementals with me. Develop light signals to coordinate our forces." Testament sighed heavily at my words. "You sure haven't grown any dull in our time apart. When it comes to the elements or strategies, there is naught that can match your wit." I smiled at his honeyed words. "Either way, when we finally strike at Lithius' throat, it will be swift and deadly." "But what of the elementals that actually live there and do not fight?" I sighed heavily. "Spare all innocent life, we will not stoop to Lithius' level."