Lir pulled himself onto the ledge of the pool, and his dads joined him.
Kylen: "There's still a few stories I haven't shared with you."
Aaron: "Can I tell this story?"
Kylen looked at Aaron: "Why not?"
Lir rolled his eyes. "Okay Dad, just tell me the story already."
Aaron: "We've told you about the Elementals, Calum, the Regent's Brother, and the Regent himself."
Lir: "Yeah, I know. They're a big deal in Sulani."
Aaron: "Only the merfolk know what they are, and we, the Kailani's protect this knowledge. You should know that there is a sixth Elemental. He's someone your father and I had to deal with a long time ago."
Kylen: "Damion Morbius. He's not someone you'd ever want to meet, and he's still out there. Although, he can't visit Sulani whenever he feels like it. He's the Elemental of Shadows, a Creature of Darkness..."
Aaron: "Hey, you said I could tell the story!"
Kylen: "Sorry. I'll let you tell the rest."
Aaron continued. "Damion tried to control the souls of Dylan and Zephyr. With their souls under his control, he could wield power over the Seas and Sky. Fortunately, the Twins were freed from his influence when the Ancient Elementals intervened."
Lir: "Okay, so there's an evil creature of darkness lurking in the shadows. Big deal? It sounds like he can't do any harm."
Aaron: "Damion can still influence Sulani. If anyone slips far enough into the shadows, he can use their darkness to return. That's why it's important to follow your father's rules. We'd hate for you to meet him."
Lir smiled. "Now your just messing with me."
Aaron: "I am, but it's still true. Damion can sense the Darkness in people's hearts. It's important to remember that. However, as long as you stay true to yourself and help others, I don't think you'd have to worry about him."
Kylen added. "Damion is the one being you should never make a contract with or underestimate. Watcher knows the games he'll play. A deal with him will never play out the way you'd want it to. Now, I think we all need some rest."
Before Lir shapeshifted into human form, his father stopped him. "Lir, son, we aren't telling you this story to scare you. But, it's an important story."
Lir: "Father, I know. I'll remember it."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51557242204_7186778aa2_h.jpgLir tried to imagine someone that could give his dads a hard time. In Lir's new room, he played on his guitar. The music helped to distract him from the thoughts circling in his mind.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51550229297_7052f74d23_h.jpgSaturday morning, Lir sat by the waters edge and did some more homework. He still couldn't stop thinking about the Elemental of Shadows, Damion.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51551262798_1dc5967619_h.jpgKylen: "It's nice to see you studying on your own for a change, but you seem distracted."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51550228522_4f66b6846b_h.jpgLir put the book to the side and slipped into the water. His father joined him.
Lir: "It's just that story about Damion. Are you sure we don't have to worry about him?"
Kylen: "I'm sure you won't have to worry about it. You see, Damion knows that he can't cause problems like he used to. As an Elemental himself, he knows that upsetting the balance wouldn't be in his favor. The wraith of the Ancient Elementals isn't worth it."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51551938710_688b9c586e_h.jpgLir: "Has anyone incurred the Wraith of the Ancient Elementals?"
Kylen: "That's a story for another time."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51550229162_980b8d2a9c_h.jpgBack in the Forgotten Hollow, a pale figure meditated in darkness. Shadows swirled around him, and in his mind's eye, he watched a young merboy with a white tail.
Damion thought. "Daddy dearest isn't wrong. I wouldn't want to get on their bad side. Watcher knows I wouldn't. However, I've lost Vlad and Rangi's souls. I do want a few souls to replace what I lost."
Damion breathed. "I can see all of you. The souls of eight princes would be a nice prize, but... they could be a better prize."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555579757_e51f47d721_h.jpgDamion visited the World of Oasis Springs and appeared next to Sarah Darkfin.
Sarah: "What do you want Elemental?"
The young mermaid scowled.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51556371571_3a8b9ebbe8_h.jpgDamion: "I just thought you might be interested in a little proposal. I know how your family despises the Royals as much as the elementals. How about stealing a few souls for me. I know you're good at that."
Sarah: "I'd rather see you in the dark netherworld then listen to you."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555579727_253a173f55_h.jpgDamion: "But, the Princes still live, and I know a couple twins that could be an easy mark if you know what I mean."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555579722_709fc77ef5_h.jpgDamion: "Of course, you can just wander around this watcher forsaken desert while they enjoy the sea and sunshine for all I care."
Sarah: "I'm listening."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51557063589_85338bcee4_h.jpgSarah sat next to Damion. "What do I have to do?"
Damion: "It's very simple, but we have to make this official with a contract."
Sarah: "Me and my siblings swore that the Royals and their legacies would end. I agree to your terms."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51556606993_cef9bb983f_h.jpgDamion: "That's great to hear. Your first problem will be a little merman. You'll have to deal with him if you want to succeed. It's very important that you don't forget that. He's also a prince. Thought that would be nice to know."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51556606978_fa1de6d906_h.jpgDamion: "After you take out the little merman, you'll have to steal two books for me. With them, you'll hold in your hands the souls of the two other princes. Those twins aren't easy to deal with, so I recommend getting them alone before you confront them. Actually, with your skill set, don't even confront them until you have the special books, the Wayfarer's Tide and the Wayfinder's Breeze. Give me the books, and I'll help with the rest."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555579507_3a420cfa9a_h.jpgDamion: "For a Darkfin, it would be as easy as taking a pearl from an oyster."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51556606958_9709f2f903_h.jpgSarah: "And what do you get out of this?"
Damion: "I just want more souls for my collection. Any soul would do, but personally, I want someone special for my collection. Just think of the stories I could tell my house guests."
Sarah: "For an Elemental, your a little strange."
Damion: "I'm an eccentric collector of strange and wonderful things. You can't blame me for wanting something as precious as a soul."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51557292620_9b85817573_h.jpgSarah stood up in a daze. Damion stood in front of her and cast a spell on her. "The deal is simple. Give me three souls of the sea, or I take one from thee."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51555579612_69231fa943_h.jpgDamion drank from Sarah's Life Spirit to seal the deal. One way or another, he'd have a new addition to his collection.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51557292580_6efb8d65a2_h.jpg
