"Come with me," she said.
When we entered the room, my jaw dropped. There were runes carved into the walls, ancient artifacts on pedestals, scrolls floating in the air… It felt like I had stepped into one of those stories my sister loved to read — the isekais, where the hero ends up in a world full of magic.
I thought of her right away… She would've gone crazy seeing all this. Thinking about my sister still hurts. It hurts a lot, like there's a knife in my chest.
I wish I could move past the pain, but I know this scar will stay with me forever. Still, I made a promise to myself: I'll protect my new family, no matter what it takes.
Margareth called me, snapping me out of my thoughts. She asked me to step onto a kind of small stone altar in the middle of the room. On top of it, there were four stones arranged in a cross shape, each marked with runic symbols.
I stared at them, curious and a little hesitant. What was going to happen? Margareth noticed the look on my face and began to explain:
"Each of these stones represents an element," she said, pointing to the first one, on the right. "This is Fire."
I looked closely at the stone. The markings on it seemed to glow with a heat I could almost feel, like embers ready to ignite.
Then she pointed to the second stone, to the left of the Fire one:
"This one represents Earth."
The rune carved into it was thicker, with strong, straight lines. The stone looked heavier than the others, like it held the strength of the ground within it. As I got closer, I felt a solid, heavy energy — as if mountains lay beneath my feet.
Next, she pointed to the top stone, at the head of the altar.
"This one represents Air."
Its runes were thin, full of curves, almost dancing. The stone seemed to float slightly, barely touching the surface. When I leaned in, I felt a soft breeze on my face, even though there were no open windows. It was as if the stone were breathing.
Lastly, she pointed to the stone that completed the cross.
"And this one represents Water."
The markings on it were wavy, like ocean waves. The stone looked slightly wet, shimmering softly, reflecting the light like the calm surface of a lake. As I approached, I felt a deep peace, as if my heartbeat aligned with the rhythm of an invisible current.
Margareth stepped closer to the stones, her gaze calm, and began to speak softly, her voice carrying the weight of centuries.
"Each element isn't just a force of nature… they're part of our soul. To understand them is to understand yourself."
She pointed to the stone with the heavy runes.
"This is Earth. It represents the body, the foundation, what grounds us in the real world. What you touch, feel… the ground beneath your feet."
She paused and looked at me.
"Spiritually, it means discipline, patience, roots. Our ancestors rest in the Earth."
Then, she moved her hand to the stone with the flowing markings.
"This is Water. It flows, adapts, changes course. It represents emotion, intuition, the way you feel the world."
She smiled kindly.
"Water's spirituality is about empathy, healing, purification. Those who feel deeply often connect with this element."
Next, she touched the stone that felt hot even without fire.
"This is Fire. Impulsive, warm, transformative. It represents willpower, passion, the strength to create and destroy in order to begin anew."
Her eyes shone brightly.
"When Fire ignites in someone, it brings inspiration, courage, rebirth. It burns… but also brings light."
Finally, she indicated the lightest stone, with almost transparent runes.
"And this is Air. Invisible, yet always present. It represents the mind, thought, freedom. The breath of consciousness."
She paused and added with reverence:
"Air brings wisdom, vision, clarity. It goes wherever it wants, like a free spirit."
Then she turned to me.
"No element is better than the others. All of them live within us, but one always speaks louder… and that's what we're going to discover in you, Elian."
She paused, giving me time to process everything.
But before she could continue, I slowly raised my hand and asked:
"Before the test… can I ask a question?"
Margareth nodded silently, her eyes inviting me to speak.
"All the elements have a spiritual connection, right?"
She nodded again, quiet, attentive.
"Then… is it fair to say that the body and soul are a mix of the four elements, and that this mix creates a fifth element? Like… the spirit?"
She looked at me, surprised — that kind of mix between awe and admiration. She seemed to think, "How do you know that?" — but her expression soon softened, and a warm, proud smile appeared.
Of course… I know that sounds strange coming from a child not even three years old. But in my previous life, I studied a bit about spirituality, shamanism, and even the connections between ancient religions and Christianity. I remember that for some shamans, the four elements together formed the spirit. And it's not just pagan stuff — even in Christianity, the four elements were once seen as manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
But back to what mattered: what was happening right there, in that mysterious room.
Margareth stopped smiling, but her eyes still sparkled. Then she spoke:
"Yes… that's exactly it. I'm truly impressed you made that connection. But that conversation…" she took a deep breath and looked at the stones, "…is for later, for the future. Now, let's find out which elements your soul resonates with."
Margareth picked up the staff leaning against the wall. She tapped it lightly on the floor, and the four stones in front of me began to glow faintly, as if waking up.
"Now, Elian… stay still, take a deep breath, and just place your hands on the altar. The stones will respond to your soul," she said — calm, but serious.
I did as she said. I touched the altar and closed my eyes. It happened almost instantly.
The Earth stone, to my left, started to glow with a steady golden light, like a strong heartbeat. It was a warm energy, but calm, dense like fertile soil. I felt my body grow steadier, like my feet wanted to grow roots right there.
"Earth… a very stable affinity," Margareth commented with a smile. "That explains your discipline, even at such a young age."
Right after that, the Air stone above lit up with a soft silver hue, and a breeze began to swirl around me. My thoughts felt clearer, and I sensed my mind becoming lighter, more alert.
"Air too… How interesting. That enhances your perception, your intuition. It's rare to see such clear dual affinity in someone so young." She was speaking with real excitement now.
But then… nothing happened with the Water stone. It stayed dark, as if it didn't care about me. A strange silence filled the air, until Margareth said, gently:
"Water doesn't respond to you, Elian. That doesn't mean it's your enemy, just… not your path." She paused, thinking. "But know that some healing magics follow different routes. With discipline, you might still learn something in that area, even without a natural affinity for Water."
I nodded, not upset. It felt fair, in a way.
And then… everything changed.
The Fire stone, to my right, burst into golden and red flames, and a ring of light wrapped around my arms. The heat didn't burn me — on the contrary, it gave me strength. It was like something inside me woke up and shouted, "Finally!"
The entire room seemed to tremble a little. Margareth's expression turned serious.
"Fire… not just present," she whispered, "but dominant. It's as if Fire recognizes you, as if it's your home."
She stepped closer and gently touched my shoulder with her fingertips.
"Your soul burns with rare strength. You carry power, Elian. A power that can transform… or destroy. That's why, now more than ever, discipline will be your ally. And I'll be by your side, until you learn to control that flame."