Raymond Mark

PART 1: FLASHBACK: A FEW DAYS AGO

Raymond opened his eyes when he heard his name being called out many times. His eyes were hard to open, but he managed to get a good look around him. He was in his classroom. It was still hard to keep his blue eyes open.

"Would you do me a favour and leave my class, Mr Mark?" said a voice.

When Raymond looked at her, he realised that it was Mrs Rake. Raymond immediately got up and collected his things. His teacher was annoyed.

"A bunch of 17-year-olds who never learn to respect their teachers," said Mrs Rake.

"It was a mistake," said Raymond, "totally unintended."

But Mrs Rake was in no mood to say anything. She just pointed the door to Raymond and he had to leave. He heard everyone laughing at him.

Raymond washed his face from the cold water whooshing down the faucet in the washroom. Then he left the school as it was his last lecture for the day. His teacher did not know that he had just moved out yesterday. He stayed up for most of his night to unpack and get his school stuff ready. He was tired enough to sleep in the class.

He decided to go to his new home after taking a minute to sit quietly in the park. He thought that the wind and greenery would help him get over the regret he had. He was thinking of moving out of his parents' house since long, but the timing he chose was not nice. He realised it yesterday while unpacking. Now, because of his bad selection of timing, his mom and dad were hurt. They thought Raymond moved out because they opened up. But Raymond knew it was not just that. He knew he had to grow on his own.

Besides, his parents never treated him how he was supposed to. It was all about his younger brother, Patrick. Patrick was tall and muscular, good in studies, sports and was popular. This was always a matter of comparison between him and Raymond.

Raymond was not good at anything and his parents showed him how good Patrick was and how Raymond should try and be like him. They never even celebrated his birthday party. His parents would arrange a combined birthday party on Patrick's birthday with a banner with both of their names on it. Raymond hated that part, but he loved his parents anyway. Parents are the only people who don't ask anything back from their children.

A football came and hit Raymond's head. He fell from the bench. With his cheek hurting, he got up and looked who threw that at him. They were his classmates. Two boys and a girl. Raymond never cared about their names.

"Spacing out again? Weirdo!" said the girl.

"You don't need an apology do you?" said the big guy.

"Of course he doesn't," said the thinner guy. "Why are you sitting where we play?"

"No, it's okay," said Raymond, getting up. Raymond's phone started vibrating, he looked at it to see 'Work alarm!'. He prepared to leave.

"Don't leave, we're not done with you," said the girl.

Raymond did not listen to her. He began walking.

"Didn't you hear?" said that guy. He came and pushed Raymond.

Raymond was a tiny, thin boy. That jolt made him fall on the floor again. His bag fell and books dropped out. Those three laughed.

"That's enough," said Raymond, "just let me go." He was not at all a fighter. With his size and strength, it would be a miracle if he managed to make his opponent take a step back even with his full strength shove. But he never did that, he was afraid of getting hurt.

"What will you do?" said the thinner guy from the back.

"He can do nothing, Dave," said the big one, "he even took a slap from his prom partner and walked away without even saying anything — "

Raymond cut him off by saying, "Shall I leave now, I have satisfied the purpose of entertaining you all."

"No, we want more," said the small guy.

"I don't have anything more," says Raymond.

"We should call his girlfriend, she can slap him again, it'd be fun," said the big guy.

A punch came flying right at the big guy's nose. He shrieked. Those two standing behind got startled. Raymond Mark punched a guy! That was news.

"She's not my girlfriend!" said Raymond.

"What the heck!" said the big guy and shoved Raymond even harder than before.

"Stop it!" a voice yelled at a distance.

They all diverted in their attention. It was a girl, Emma. They all knew her. She was Raymond's prom partner. The girl who slapped him that night, according to the gossip.

"Here she comes, saving him again," said the bully girl.

"Let's go, it'll be a problem if she complains to the teachers about us, she knows too much," said the big guy, his hand still on his nose.

"We also don't want people gathering here," said the thin guy. "Besides, we've done enough."

"Why was his fist so hard and hot," said the big guy, "it's as if I was hit by a hot metal."

"Stop overreacting," said the girl, "Let's go."

Those three left before Emma reached. Raymond got up and collected his stuff. She worriedly asked,

"Are you okay? We will complain about this to the teachers tomorrow."

"I'm fine," Raymond said.

"Do you want me to go with you to the doctor?" Emma asked.

"No, it's not that serious," he replied. "And, don't come saving me again."

Emma had slapped Raymond on their prom, one of the classmates saw it and the news spread. Raymond did not mind that in that first place, it was okay. It was his fault. Emma felt sorry because her actions insulted Raymond. She wanted to make it right but there had been no such opportunities. Also, there was one more thing going on between them which pushed them away.

"Is it because of my decision?" Emma asked, "You know I can't change that."

"It's okay," said Raymond. "Everyone has a right to do what they've dreamt, you do too. You can stay with your decision, I won't hold it against you. "

"Okay. Would you like me to help you unpack?" asked Emma.

"No, Emma, but thanks for asking," Raymond said, trying to smile so that Emma would not think he was sad because of her. He started walking out of the park.

"Okay," Emma said, "we will meet tomorrow at school?"

"There is no way out of it, is there?" said Raymond without even looking back at her or stopping.

Emma saw Raymond walk away. She smiled. She knew Raymond was hurt, but he respected her decision. That's what she liked about him, ever since they were children, he was always supportive. She could do nothing but wish that someday, Raymond would find great friends, a place where he belonged.

PART 2: PRESENT

After Raymond and Katie were saved by Master Owens from those attackers, they walked to the store while Master Owens scolded Katie for her recklessness. However, they were back to normal after a few minutes. They collected their purchases and Master Owens paid for them.

The shop owner offered some pastries as a snack. Katie was unimaginably happy. If they had known that they would be offered pastries in snacks, Katie wouldn't have left the area. Then Master Owens handed his car keys to the shop owner and they walked where Master Owens directed.

They got to a railway station and took a train. Master Owens had booked a compartment. He directed the way and asked Raymond and Katie to place their luggage at the top. Master Owens sat opposite to them.

In this small amount of time, a lot was discovered by Raymond and Katie about a Master. People made way for them when they saw Master Owens. They had smiles on their faces. People also bowed in front of Master Owens even when he refused them to. Masters were really a great deal in this world. They were skilled too.

When Master Owens saved Raymond and Katie, he did not have to use his Elemental Powers. Also he used a trick where he directly appeared behind Raymond to stop the knife. He later described it as, 'Dive'. This skill could be used to go to anywhere on the same planet where the user had been before or could sense some Elemental Powers from that location to pinpoint it.

Katie even asked why they were taking the train when Master Owens could just take them to their destination directly. Master Owens replied that it was far and new divers like Raymond and Katie would not be able to handle that far. Also that he wanted to use this time for training them.

"What I am going to teach you two right now," said Master Owens, "is never taught in any academy, only a Master can teach this."

"I'm getting excited with every word," said Katie.

"Okay," said Master Owens, "this lesson is called Solidifying your Elemental Energy. The sad part is I can only describe it, only you can do that for yourself."

Raymond and Katie's ears were eager to listen more as Master Owens explained.

"Elemental Powers come from Elemental Energy. The Elemental Energy inside you right now is unbalanced. You have to balance it first — turn it into a solid shape — then control it. When you were at your home, you could not use it as it was not balanced. As to why people have Elemental Powers, no proof has been obtained, it's been considered that nature here has it and gives it to us.

"The reason Human Beings like you have this is that Human Earth also has these nature's Elements but the concentration is low, so not many people have these powers. To accomplish the task, close your eyes, and sit as if you were meditating, relax, you'd be able to sense something violent in your mind. This would be your Elemental Energy. When you see it in your mind, try to give that a shape. Try to change its form to solid."

Raymond concentrated, but he could not see anything. He was disappointed, but Katie shouted, "I can't sense anything!"

"Give it some time," said Master Owens, "If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it."

Katie clarified by saying, "I won't say I listened and understood everything because if I had I would have been snoring on the second sentence." Master Owens shook his head, being tired of Katie. She laughed.

"Anyway, only 5% of the people in the entire nation can do it," said Master Owens. "Learning this will help you in many ways, it will also make using your element easier later. For example, attack me, both of you, give me your best shot."

"What?" asked Raymond.

Master Owens smiled and raised his palm as a target for them. Katie raised her hand in front of Master Owens. Raymond did too. Katie shot a spark out of her hand. Raymond managed to release a fireball from his palm.

They saw that Master Owens was completely fine.

"Surprised?" said Master Owens, "I was unhurt because my Elemental Energy is solid inside of me, my body will get hurt or bleed only when that solid structure inside of me breaks."

"Means we won't get hurt if we learn this?" asked Katie, excited.

"Depends on your opponent's level," said Master Owens. "But this is worth learning; this will improve your attack intensity and all types of Elemental Energy controlling tasks as well. So continue."

The rest of their journey was under silence. Raymond and Katie silently meditated to solidify their Elemental Energy.

PART 3: ON THE HUMAN EARTH

A man in black robes was standing inside Raymond's house. He was Christopher, a member of Zortus — an organisation feared by everyone in the Elemental World. He was examining the damage from the explosion Raymond had caused earlier.

"It feels like I was late," said Christopher. He was not talking to himself. Another man was standing behind him, an old man. Christopher did not even need to turn to realise the old man's presence.

This old man was a human, probably a neighbour. He was pointing a rifle at Christopher. His legs were shaking from fear but he managed to keep his gun's aim stable.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" asked the old man.

"Do you know about the boy who lived here?" asked Christopher. He walked slowly towards the old man. The old man was afraid, he took a step back.

"I won't tell you anything," said the old man, "leave this place or I am calling the cops."

"Okay, have it your way," said Christopher.

He moved his hand towards the old man's chest, a shining rod appeared in Christopher's hand out of thin air. It was like a rod made from light itself. Christopher stabbed the old man with it. There was no blood coming out, the shining rod had passed through the old man's body. He yelled in pain.

"You won't die from this," said Christopher, "you'll just feel the pain until you answer my questions."

"The boy — moved out — months ago," the old man said, shivering with pain. "I — I don't know — where — he is now."

"Okay," said Christopher, he walked past the old man.

"Please," pleaded the old man, "don't leave me — like this."

"The rod will disappear in a few minutes and I will send someone to erase your memory of this meeting soon," Christopher said.

In the very next moment, he was surrounded by bright light and he vanished in it.

PART 4: ELEMENTAL AREA

In a place extending to the horizon on all sides, Raymond was standing on a very high cliff. There were dark clouds around him, the darkness was eating the vision. Raymond could only sit on that cliff, there was no space to move or even to get down. One slip would make him fall far down into the violent sea. Before the sea, there were bushes on that cliff which were under deadly fire.

The strong waves were hitting the cliff's bottom mercilessly. It was only a matter of time before the cliff would crack and fall with Raymond on it. Raymond was supposed to manipulate this Elemental Area of his into a solid shape. He had no idea how to do it.

Katie's Elemental Area was not much different. She was sitting on the cliff, concentrating or meditating to figure something out.

Raymond and Katie tried for hours but nothing happened. "Let's go." Master Owens called them. "Our stop has arrived"

Raymond and Katie opened their eyes and they all walked out of the train and out of the railway station. It was crowded like a normal railway station. It was full of taxis and other cars too. The city's name was Fruniv, it was as busy as a normal city would be.

"This blue cloak of yours attracts attention," said Raymond, "Why do you wear it?"

"It's something like my uniform, I have to wear it when I am outside as a Master," said Master Owens.

"One more question," said Raymond.

Master Owens had anticipated that. He looked at all the rush outside the railway station for a cab or bus.

"These people cannot dive," said Master Owens, "they never trained to use their Elemental Energy, they chose a normal life."

"Why?" asked Raymond.

"Not everyone on the Elemental Earth is blessed with Elemental Powers," said Master Owens. "Only 50% have them and even half of those decide to train and use their powers, more on that later, come on." Master Owens extended both of his arms out and said, "hold tight to my hands, Katie, Raymond, we're going to Dive, Don't let go of my arm, or you'll end up somewhere in the middle."

Raymond gripped Master Owens's hand as tight as he could.

"What is this place we are going to like?" asked Katie. "Is it a skyscraper? Or better, is it near a cake shop?"

"For the sake of your health, it is not near a cake shop," Master Owens said.

"Okay, then let's just get over with it," said Katie.

Raymond was a little too anxious to say anything.

"Ready?" asked Master Owens.

The surprising thing was that he did not wait for the answer and dived. Raymond saw himself going through a purple tunnel with innumerable white holes in it on every side. Then he felt his body getting squeezed into one of the holes. His mind was circling there for minutes and finally he fell on the ground to his knees.

He noticed he was in the middle of a path. He saw Master Owens and Katie beside him. His stomach was acting weirdly. He quickly let go of Master Owens's arm and ran to the side and puked. Surprisingly, Katie did the same on the other side of the street.

"It's my third time — still it's — always — like this," she said loudly.

"Third time, you say?" Raymond asked from the other side, "I think I'd die in my second. Now, I see why people prefer cars and buses."

Master Owens managed a smile. "It'll be alright in a few minutes," he said.

Master Owens waved his hand and the mess Raymond and Katie had caused was now covered under the sand. Raymond and Katie looked at him as he just used another Element. Earlier he had said that his Element was Fire.

"Masters are well trained to use all of the Natural Elements," said Master Owens. "The strongest is our own Element but others are quite handy."

After getting back to normal, Raymond looked around at the beautiful view. There was a sea on his right and green lands to his left. The view went straight to the horizon with a beautiful sunset at the sea. The cold wind from the sea breaking his face made him cheerful. There was a house a few meters away. The people living there must be lucky to have this beautiful view every day. Raymond wished he could live somewhere like this.

"Let's go inside," said Master Owens, "Master Wyngaf would be waiting for us."

Raymond's eyes filled with joy. He saw Katie's were the same. If Master Wyngaf was providing them with the space to live, and that space was a beach house then they were really lucky. Of course, meeting another Master would be nice too.

They walked to the house and entered when Master Owens opened the door. The house was simple from the inside. It was made of wood. The furniture was old too. But it was all cleaned well and looked pretty. Raymond would not mind living in this old house because the beach was just a few meters away. He was glad he bought shorts for swimming from that store back in Yepki. Master Owens had given a hint for good.

Raymond and Katie walked in and placed their bags on the couch, looking around. There was a huge window which gave the view of the sea.

"I want to take photos here," said Katie. "I wish I had my phone."

"Yeah," said Raymond. And that reminded him. "Hey, where is my phone?"

"Phones will not work in Elemental World," Master Owens replied. "Surely you could have used it for photos and all, but for talking, it's impossible."

"Why?"

"As you know, phones use high frequencies, but they damp Elemental Powers, so they were never developed in our world," explained Master Owens. "Besides, your phone was burnt after that fire in your house."

Raymond sighed for his luck. He looked at Katie.

"I dropped my phone on my way when I first came here through the portal," she said.

"It's okay. Here we can't — " said Raymond, but his voice was cut by someone's else's.

"You can use it."

Raymond and Katie turned towards the voice. The sound of rolling wheels on the wood was reaching their ears. A man was behind them, sitting on a wheelchair. His long black hair swaying due to the wind coming from the beach. He was Master Wyngaf.

"You might be able to use your phones in Capital City soon," he said. "Capital City is considered to be the safest as it has a wide damper network which does not allow anyone to use Elemental Powers in there. That basically means you can have phones there. Some companies are working on it."

Raymond did not know what to say. He was shocked. He had never predicted Master Wyngaf using a wheelchair. His body seemed fine from the look, just like a normal thirty-year-old man's.

"You don't have to worry about this, I was born like this," said Master Wyngaf. "It's fine. I'm Master Walden Wyngaf," he extended his hand with a smile for a handshake and the wheelchair moved automatically forward. Raymond and Katie shook hands with him.

"Your Element is different, how?" said Raymond.

"Yes, good anticipation," said Master Wyngaf, "I can use Telekinesis and various other things related to mind."

END OF CHAPTER. TO BE CONTINUED.