Dark Element

Lanert slowly bent as he studied the Cubix. Another emblem shone darkly—the emblem of the crescent moon.

Alice claimed her power after saying the element's name loudly. How could Lanert say his element name if he didn't know the name?

"What are you waiting for?" Alice's warm breath landed on Lanert's ears as she squished his shoulders. "Come on, choose your element. Is this what you wanted, right? Find an element, and master it. Your father would be happy. Everyone would be proud of you."

"I know. But it would be my last and first time. I don't want to feel bad about it later. I want to choose wisely. I want the best element."

"The best element?" Alice chuckled. "You're a grad student of Mahesh Crown. You know there is no best element. Everything came with pros and cons."

"I know. Let me think it through." Lanert blew a series of short breaths. Suddenly he was thirsty. "It's not a dream, right?"

"You're funny. After we talk about those big words, now you ask me this?"

"Yeah. It'is real?"

"Let me help you." Alice pitched Lanert's waist, and yeah, it hurt a lot, and was a little tickled. It's real. "It hurt?"

Lanert nodded.

"Then it is real." Alice massages him. "Choose wisely, but don't spend too much time. What, are you confused? Let me help you."

"Help me, then."

"Alright, tough guy. You can choose Pyro. You love how Alrich burnt down bandit lairs, don't you? Or, choose Hydro. You like to help others. With Hydro, you could do more for others by healing them. Hydro resonated greatly with my new element. Hurry, let us get out of here, quick."

"What, you didn't like to be here?" Lanert asked. "Why so hurry?"

"I miss my bed. We passed the test, so what is the point of wasting more time here?" Alice pushed Lanert and walked out of the circle. She grabbed some mushrooms. "Do you not miss your Mom? Your brother?"

"I miss them a lot." How long has he not met Mom? He misses her potato soup. But there was something he must learn before choosing his element.

There were eight elements on the Cubix. He was sure. The last element was not on the wall but in the Cubix over time. It spreads a dark aura when it cane on Cubix. He never saw it before, not in the book or everywhere. It must be an ancient element. The rarest. The best. Yes, he wants the best element.

He talked using the Arth language. "I want a dark element. What is it called?"

[You sure want to learn the dark element? There is no turning back. Think wisely.]

So there was a dark element, after all. "What is it called?"

[The way out was there.] The light came on the wall. It aura welcoming everyone. [Choose an element and you can go out or participate in the third test.]

"Lanert, look. Is that a way out?" Alice spontaneously spoke after she saw the wall was open. "Hurry, ask her what that is. Ask her, should we return to our world from there? Hurry up, Lanert."

"I want my black element." Lanert returned to his feet. "Tell me, what is it called?" Without calling the element's name, he can't gain the dark element. But how did he say something he didn't even know? 

"Uhm, Lanert, what did you say?" Alice came closer to him. "What's wrong? What did you say in Arth? Are you speaking with her? What does she say?"

[Why do you want the dark element, young one?]

"Everyone can learn Magi, but few could use it. Not every Magi can master Seven elements. Pyro, Cyro, Hydro, Dendro, Electro, Geo, and Anemo are the normal element that everyone knows. I want the rarest. I want the greatest. I want a Dark element."

Lanert continued, "Tell me the name of Dark Element. You have a crescent moon symbol at Cubix, don't tell me that symbol means nothing."

The Female voice laughed. [You are the smart one, are you?] and she spoke a common tongue. 

"So, she could speak our language," Alice murmured. "Why does she speak using Arth, then?"

[Do you believe you can handle a dark element?]

"I didn't know," Lanert answered with a common tongue.

[Why did you choose the hard way? Why not claim a standard element and walk away?]

"Just give me the damn name."

Silence emerged for a while. Lanert shaken. He didn't know who he was talking to and the consequences awaiting him. 

A bombing female laughed and shredded the silence. [I like your style, young one. If you want dark element power, then come here.]

The smoke popped out beneath the floor and darkened it, shrouding it bit by bit. Reflexively, Lanert and Alice jumped out from the circle and witnessed the floor sink, creating a spiral staircase downward. 

Just like the wall, the staircase was built using an ancient stone. It is clear from vines and mushrooms, shrouded by mysterious thick dark clouds. 

"Should we enter?" Lanert created an orb that floated and spread the light. 

"Well, you ask it yourself. We already have the exit there." Alice nudged her head toward the light. "Just choose an element and walk off. Yet, you ask for another."

"I ask for the best."

"There is no best element. I'm sure the darkness element had its pros and cons. It is too dangerous. We didn't know what the black element was."

"I am already going too far by donning dark rituals. f I return with a normal element, it would get wasted."

"Then do whatever you want. As long as it is a good thing for us, I will support you."

The dup noise from below became softer and softer. It looks like they have a long way to go. 

Lanert sent his orb down the staircase, illuminating an old brick floor.

"I hope you chose the right thing, Lanert."

"Yeah, I hope so."

Together with Alice, Lanert follows his orb down to the darkness. After a long march, they came to a halt.

The monstrous ancient door awaited them.