Share:

Thursday, June 14, 1956

“It seems to be the case”, says Borias as he glances at Ether and Ignia. Ether asks, “What is?” “This, the long-lost civilization that we talked about. In the reports, it says there is a remote island, the one we saw, don't you remember?”. Ignia adds,” Saw as in, the one we passed by while returning here in Chicago?”. “Precisely”, says Borias. “Does this mean we are going to visit that island? I wonder what I should pack, maybe some lotion, glasses? Come on, tell me!”, chirped Ether. Ignia rolled her eyes, and added, “We have got to find a way to convince our one-of-a-kind, pinch-pennied boss.”

According to the reports, they were brought back from an abandoned temple, it hinted at the remains of a long-lost statue rumored to have once existed on a remote island. They wanted to get on board immediately and head over, but alas, they had first to get permission from their chief, and it was challenging to say. It took about an hour with 5 promises, and 2 half-truths that they were permitted to take a boat there, Ether and Ignia were the ones who talked the most while Borias stood off to the side nodding.

Friday, June 15, 1956

The team arrives at the island on a small boat. The island was lush and a gust of wind blew, revealing the excitement in their eyes and the smile plastered on their lips. “This feels like we are in our own little story, with us as protagonists!”, says Ether to Ignia and Borias as he engulfs them in a bear hug, with the three of them. Borias and IGnia, unable to stay composed much longer, joined in with their laughter.

Their laughter almost seemed like it echoed through the forest.

As they step into the woods, they immediately recognize the difference between the open environment of the beach and the enclosed space inside the forest. Walking around, pushing through from an under bush, they were walking through forwards following a compass. Ether says, “Look, isn't that a strange marking? Like on the tree?”. He says pointing to the bark of a tree. “You are right, this could be useful later on”, says Borias as he takes out a sketch pad and begins to draw the symbol which looks like wind blowing. “Wait, there are more! 2 more!”, says Ignia pointing to other symbols on the other trees near them, they were precisely two trees apart.  Boreas nods as he sketches them all, the two look like an ice crystal and a flame.

As they walked, they came across a clearing inside the woods, Ether being the lively one, was ahead of the group as he rushed forward and slowed down as he pointed ahead. “Look at that stone, doesn’t it look weird, it’s standing up straight unlike others.”, Ether says. “Hey don't- it could be dange-” Before Ignia could even complete her sentence, Ether had rushed to it and touched the stone, nothing happened so he looked back at them with a slightly disappointed expression when suddenly a gust of wind blew almost knocking him back as the rock glowed blue. The pieces of the sides falling off show the wind symbol on it.

“Anemo”

Was what they heard when it began to glow. They were all flabbergasted and Ether quickly stumbled back as a voice echoed throughout the woods,

”Follow”

As it said that, a bright blue light reflected off and began to show them a path through the woods. The monument wasn’t just a relic of the past; it was a beacon, calling to them. “Whatever this is,” Boreas said, his voice filled with determination, “it’s leading us somewhere important. We need to find out where.” Ignia looked at him with a questionable guess but she couldn’t deny the thrill as she nodded, looking at his friends, Ether nodded as well, not before adding, “Woohoo! This is magical, I never knew this could happen, I-It’s like we are the protagonists!”

They walked through the way and passed two giant trees when they came across another rock just like the one they saw a few moments ago. Excitedly, Ether moved forward to touch it but a force repealed him back as he winced on the ground, Ignia and Boreas rushing to help him up. “This looks dangerous, I don't think we should continue”, said Ignia but Boreas added,” No, this is not what it seems like. I think I know what it means.” He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out his sketchpad and turned to Ether. “Your name means god of wind in Greek, not exactly, well it's Aether but close enough and I feel like Anemo is related to the wind as well, I mean it has to be right, considering the situation?”

“You mean I am a god?”, asked Ether with a surprised look. Ignia smacked the back of his head lightly as he said,” Let him finish”.

“And, Ignia, your name means fire, my name is related to ice and all of that. First we saw the wind symbol, Ether touched it and it worked, then we saw the fire symbol, it could only mean one thing..”. Said Boreas.

“You are right, maybe this is a symbol of some sort that I should touch.”, said Ignia.

“Wait, wait, wait, how do you know all of this, is there something you are not telling us?” said Ether.

Boreas looked at him and shook his head as he said,” No, I know all of this from all the Greek we had to learn to solve that one Greek manuscript we found last time.”

“You mean you read that, I didn't even know!”, said Ether.

Ignia and Boreas sighed simultaneously as Ether continued to laugh sheepishly. Ignia stood up and walked to the monument as she placed a hand on it. The rock glowed red as a voice echoed.

“Pyro”

“Follow.”

Looking at Boreas, Ignia nodded and then they all began following the red light that highlighted a path, two trees past they found the last monument, Boreas walked towards it as he touched it, the light shined white as a white orb floating upwards. They looked at it in amazement as it slowly began to form a luminous circle a deep and throaty voice echoed,

“Congratulations, seekers of truth. You have finally reached the last monument, the three of you may proceed. You, Ignia, you are the chosen reincarnation of Hephaestus, god of fire. You, Ether, you are the living embodiment of Aeolus, and you, Boreas you are the reincarnation of great Boreas, himself, god of winter and ice, as well as the god of the north wind. Before you lie a portal, a gateway to the realms where your true destinies await. Step forth and journey to the place where you were always meant to be. “

“Cut!” the director's voice rang out as the scene came to a close. Boreas, Ignia, and Ether exchanged relieved glances as they walked off the set, their shoulders relaxing with the end of another successful take. They made their way toward the refreshment area, eager for a well-deserved break.

Boreas sank onto a comfortable sofa, his gaze drifting to the magazines on the table,  he picked one up while sipping on his juice. As he flipped through the pages, expecting the usual display of news and fashion, he was instead greeted by a map of an island. The top of the page boldly wrote  “Aetheria.”

Suddenly, words began to materialize on the paper, their appearance accompanied by a faint, white glow.

You are the chosen one, Boreas.

Looking at his friends, he saw the same look of shock on their faces as it synchronized with his. He knew they had seen it too. The words appeared as quickly as they disappeared. Now, Boreas and his friends were left only astonished.

"The path to Aetheria is closer than you think. Follow the signs before the veil is lifted forever."

A voice whispered in their ear and they knew they had to act quickly because although you can't see it, the clock is ticking.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock—was all they heard before the world went black. When they finally opened their eyes, they were greeted by the very path they had thought was merely a scene from a movie they were starring in, now vividly real before them.