Elemental Reactions

By Vanessa Leigh Rupertus

Fifteen-year old Rai Solane is an Element Fire. Her people control where the sun shines and where the fires break out. She’s also an Undesirable, someone who looks different than the norm. That label has made it difficult for Rai to make friends. It’s also given her an overwhelming desire to prove that even though she looks different, she can accomplish something good.

Her life takes an unexpected turn on a day she’s relaxing and watching historical movies at her retreat, a home away from home. She meets two elements, the likes of which she’s not seen before. Jason Riverstone is an Ocean, and Ray Fauna is an Earth. From that moment, Rai’s existence spirals into a series of complications that include being pursued by the Queen of the Sea and an evil company.

During her adventure, Rai learns about herself and her world, including the other beings who inhabit it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483460611

Book preview

Rupertus

Copyright © 2016 Vanessa Leigh Rupertus.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6060-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6059-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6061-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016917477

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 10/26/2016

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Thanks to my soul sister, Chandni, for just being herself, as well as my group of friends fittingly named Codename KND, the Gatsby, Star Wars, Lang Gang, and the Breakfast Remix.

Thanks to Mr. Faella for reviewing my book over his summer vacation.

Thanks to the editors at Lulu who took an extra step to help me improve my story.

Thanks to Christina, who is the best person to talk to and makes sure my face stays pretty. Love you, girl! Thank you, Kristin, who is the best hairstylist ever. You two helped me get ready for my photo shoot, so lots of hugs and kisses for you!

Thanks to Richard Fraser Photography for an amazing book cover.

And lastly, an incredibly special thanks to my parents for supporting me all the way and funding my passion. Also, thanks to my mother for typing my written story because my handwriting can be hard to decipher at times.

Even the most seemingly insignificant soul can rise to do monumental actions.

CHAPTER 1

I wish I could feel the rain. I know it sounds like an odd statement, but no weather conditions other than stifling heat would blow into Sion’s Empire. Even in my armor, although muted, I can feel ripples of heat radiating off every surface, off every passing fire element. The heat evaporates any rain before it hits the ground.

My name is Rai Solane, and I am an Element Fire.

We—my people and I—control where the sun shines and where the fires break out. Well, not me specifically; I don’t have the power yet.

I am fifteen years old. My sister, Loli, is twelve.

Rai, Mommy said you can leave if you want. Loli’s big brown eyes with yellow flecks looked up at me.

I patted her golden hair. Thanks for telling me, Loli. I’ll be down in just a minute.

As Loli ran back downstairs, I looked back at myself in the mirror, frowning. I poked in disdain at my porcelain skin, emerald-green eyes narrowing. With a huffed sigh, I flipped my long black hair over my shoulder and walked out of the room.

It wasn’t that I disliked the shape of my eyes or the curve of my nose. Actually, my mother and sister have reassured me that I am gorgeous, despite the disgusted looks thrown my way on the street. The reaction was more of my label—an Undesirable.

Why the leaders of the elements would choose to categorize a handful of people because they look different than the norm is beyond me. All I know is that the title Undesirable has given me trouble making friends and an overwhelming desire to prove that looking different than what my element should look like doesn’t mean I can’t do something good. It was so difficult to get past the title with the armor we have to wear most of the time.

Despite this, it bothered me less than others because I loved my armor. Two red gems were set on each of my gloves, and a red swirl went up the length of the arms. A curved triangle began at the back of my neck and ended just above my abdomen. More red gems lined my blood-orange belt with a single, pure-orange gem in the center. Attached to the belt was a cape that ended halfway down my legs at the tops of my boots. The soles were a mustard-yellow color. It was extremely flashy, but in Sion’s Empire almost everything was flashy.

Strolling downstairs, I caught sight of my mother, Cindy. Mother had orange hair, eyes, and lipstick; her skin was slightly tanned; and she always wore an orange crystal necklace that shone brighter than the sun. She was the perfect image of a Fire. She could probably get a job right from Sion himself because of the beauty she was gifted with. But ever the angel, she stayed at home for Loli and me. She encouraged us to explore and to always ask questions. She was everything I aspired to be.

Going out, Rai-bread? she asked.

Yeah, I’m really hoping I can finish up that movie.

Anything’s possible, she responded with a warm smile.

With a slight wave, I exited through the front door and walked down the path outside my home, leaving myself to admire the empire. Yellow picket fences lined every lawn in Sol Meadows, and stone paths led up to homey cottages with old-fashioned shingled roofing and immaculately cut lawns. When the gold path I was on led me from the tranquil neighborhood to the lit-up streets with a plethora of shops, I passed with ease, most elements too engrossed with their choices of purchase to notice me. Before the golden gates, the guard attending it stopped me.

Identification.

I rolled my eyes and yelled, Oh, Nel!

The redheaded Nelly Witherspoon popped up next to the guard and greeted me with gusto. Rai! How are you? How’s everything going?

It’s going. As she opened the gates, she explained to the monotone guard who I was. I’ve known her forever! I was there when she was born. Hey, stop looking at me like that.

Jeez, Nelly, let him take a breath! I joked. I secretly admired her unchanging bubbly attitude.

Nelly merely shrugged in return, raising a brow as she sauntered back with confidence and handed me back my card. I have to keep him on his toes.

Uh-huh, I replied. Well, once I come back, you should stop by.

Oh, of course! To be honest, I need the break. Stone face over there isn’t good with girl talk.

I noticed the guard scowled at Nelly’s back, and I held in a laugh. Why do you think I offered, Nel?

The guard shifted his eyes to glare at me, and with a cheeky smile, I continued on my way. As I traveled farther and farther away from Sion’s Empire, I felt less and less heat. Soon enough, all the warmth I could feel was from my own aura.

I was in my own little haven between the elemental empires.

*     *     *

I skipped throughout the middle ground. No one lived there; it was just rock. No trees grew, no water flowed; it was only cracked earth. When the humans battled in something they called World War I, they used these things called trenches. In the middle of the two opposing trenches was a land named no-man’s-land. It was where many would die, and because any plant trying to grow in my haven died, I dubbed it as such. I pondered that maybe the elements canceled each other out, making this place a desert. Sun shone down, raindrops fell, and grass tried to creep into no-man’s-land, but the land was never affected. In a way, I envied this land. The elements didn’t change it as they changed me.

I stopped where a bent and dented wooden structure stood. This dilapidated structure was abandoned when I came across it, and I’ve made it my own.

It wasn’t the prettiest house, I’ll admit. Its better days had past if the slowly decaying wooden boards were any indication. Still, I think it’s beautiful in its own way. The slow decay and wear told a story of its past.

This was where I learned human history. There were many books on different wars and lots of movies for me to watch on television.

I slipped an old World War II movie into the DVD player and turned the television on. Halfway through the movie, I heard the battered door of the house groan loudly in protest of someone opening it.

I froze for a moment, looking around wildly before throwing the sun-kissed blankets off me and practically flying off the ratty couch. I fumbled with the remote to turn off the television, hearing my heart beat in my ears as my panic took hold. Once the screen went black, I bit my lip, scanning the area quickly for a spot to hide. Darting to the kitchen and dropping the remote, I clambered into one of the kitchen cupboards.

I listened closely, feeling as if every footstep shook the entire foundation, spooking me. Loud clanks that were steady and firm were all I heard until they came closer, much softer steps accompanying the heavy footsteps. Two elements? I peeked through a small gap in the cabinet door, only to muffle a gasp when I caught sight of the intruders.

The first man wore dark-blue armor with minimal plating and silvery fishnets covering his torso and legs. Bits of cyan were scattered across his attire, and there were light-blue gems on both shoulders. As frightened as I was, I couldn’t help but notice a certain peacefulness emanating from the glow of his reflective light-blue aura.

The second man was much less armored. His reflective emerald-green aura was complimented by a simple forest-green tank top and brown cargo pants with a leather belt strapped across his torso. He wore a pair of fingerless brown gloves and no shoes.

It was clear by their coloring that these men were ocean and earth elements, and although one of my dreams has been to meet other elements, I found myself rooted in place purely by fear and the cautiously wired movement of the elements. What the earth man lacked in armor, he made up for in his features. He had sharp emerald eyes like me, jet-black hair with bright-green tips, and porcelain skin. His lips were set into a firm line, indicating he was examining every detail of my little wooden house.

The ocean man’s icy-blue eyes practically burned holes into the wooden cupboard, and his pearly teeth were gritted. He had sharp eyebrows, tanned skin, dark-brown hair, and chiseled features.

By the stars, I was in trouble.

I hoped dearly that they would just leave and let me go on watching the movie, but Ocean spoke. Someone’s been here.

How do you know? Earth asked with a voice much deeper than the other’s.

The blankets are warm, and this…thing—I spied Ocean tapping the DVD player—is still on.

Hmmmm.

They stomped into the kitchen.

At this point, I was hyperventilating—silently, of course, but hyperventilating nonetheless.

While Earth gazed upon the rest of my home away from home, Ocean walked to the cupboards and began to search them. Fantastic. It was like something out of one of those horror movies. Ocean slowly opened each cupboard before he moved to the last one. Mine.

I prayed that he’d get distracted or be called home or something. My prayers weren’t heard, however, as he began to open the cupboard that I was hidden inside. When he caught a glimpse of me, his eyes went wide. I pushed him as hard as I could and jumped out of the cupboard. I barely took a step when Ocean grabbed both of my wrists.

I kicked at him and tried to break free, but his grip was too strong. My vision shifted to tints of orange as I thrashed around, panicked. Let me go! Let me go!

I’ve always heard ocean elements are supposed to be tough, be hardcore, and basically have a mindset to kill if attacked. This ocean, however, placed his hands on my shoulders and gazed at me calmly.

I’ve also heard earth elements are supposed to be protective of nature, the environment, and other earth elements. This earth stood to my left and kept a hard stare on the door as if he were daring someone to come in.

Hey, relax! We’re not going to hurt you. There’s no need to go all orange-eyed on us, Ocean said.

I stopped yelling, and to my surprise, my vision turned back to normal.

CHAPTER 2

W e were all sitting at the kitchen table. I had put covers on all the chairs and the table awhile back. I stared down at the yellow flowers on the cover.

So, Ocean began, my name is Jason Riverstone, and that’s Ray Fauna.

Ray nodded in greeting.

After a pregnant silence, Jason asked, What’s your name?

I looked up. Rai Solane.

Jason blinked. Huh, not only do you and Ray look alike, but your names are nearly the same.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

There’s a smile. Here I thought we’d be here all day.

I paused for a moment. I haven’t met another element before.

And we haven’t met an Element Fire before, Ray spoke.

I blinked, startled. Are you the only two out here?

As far as we know, yeah. We weren’t sure what this place was exactly, so that’s why we were so cautious, Jason explained.

I found this place five years ago and have visited here ever since. It’s my little home away from home, I said with a shrug.

Five years? How old are you exactly? Jason asked.

Fifteen. Why do you ask?

You’ve been out here since you were ten? Jason asked, surprised. Ray and I were just let out a year ago!

Really? How old are you two?

Jason is sixteen, and I’m eighteen, Ray answered.

That’s weird. I guess our elements have different age requirements for being let out of the empire, I pondered.

It seems so, Jason agreed. Anyway, I’m wondering…What kind of powers do you have?

Powers? Am I supposed to have powers at this point? I thought to myself before speaking. I don’t have any powers, I stated nervously.

Really? Then what was up with your irises glowing orange? Jason asked.

That only happens if I feel a strong emotion, like anger. I can fight pretty well, since my friend and I took lessons, and I can sprint really fast, if that can be considered a power.

Jason and Ray looked at each other. Sprinting isn’t exactly a power. Sprinting is just a fast run, Jason commented.

Oh, I know! I meant that my aura makes me go faster than I can regularly.

So that’s your element’s base power? Jason asked himself. Our elements have a base power too. Ocean elements can breathe underwater, while earth elements can use the wind as a faster means of transportation.

How do you gain other powers then? I questioned.

It depends on the element. Once ocean elements gain their base power, they start to train their element immediately. I think the same goes for the earth elements, Jason explained.

Not exactly. Earth elements have to wait until they know if they’re an offensive or defensive power. When that is determined, then they start to train accordingly, Ray added.

I think fire elements wait until they turn sixteen. I’m not positive, though, Jason finished.

I kept a thoughtful look on my face in order to look like I comprehended what they were explaining. Offensive and defensive powers? I’ve never heard of different types of elemental powers, I thought. Though if what Jason says is true, then I should begin training when I turn sixteen, and that’s only three months away.

*     *     *

Quit it, Jason! Ray barked as he tucked and rolled away from flying ice shards.

What’s the matter? Is it too cool? Jason taunted back.

Despite just meeting each other, I was having a lot of fun talking. At first we just talked of our empires and little things, like what sort of schools we attended and the like. Somehow, though, we ended up outside the cabin, and I could barely contain my laughter as Ray ran around trying to dodge Jason’s harmless attacks.

Not funny, man, Ray barked as he used his element to push himself into the air, soaring over a bombardment of ice cubes from Jason.

Are you gonna just let Jason bully you around, Ray? I shouted to the earth element.

Of course not, Ray replied, flipping in the air and surging down to the earth suddenly. Shock waves ripped through the hardened soil, causing Jason and I to stumble with the mini quake under our feet.

Ray ran forward, headed straight toward me without faltering, and I leapt out of the way. Bypassing me, he sprinted toward Jason and threw his arm forward, a sudden gust of wind knocking Jason off his feet and to the ground. A densely packed ball of ice formed, levitating a few feet above Jason, and he rolled to his feet, punching