The Elemental Aspect (Book 1 of the Caster Project Series)

Chapter 11: A Departure Not Forgotten

Aliana was scared out of her mind. Every little thing scared her, from a sneeze to a car engine. She couldn't keep her emotions in check, and as a result, her powers would begin to take shape. Her hands would shine that familiar purple color, and to prevent their destructive force, she would slam her hands against the ground and feel the force penetrate the earth. She just hoped that she didn't wreck a city on the other side of the world.

Aliana stepped back from where the barrier was supposed to be, and suddenly it began to glow. She gaped at it and wondered if anyone else could see it. The young woman looked at her surroundings and realized that she was in the forest. There was no one for miles in any direction. But immediately, she heard the clanking of armor. Her heart seized with fear, and she turned around to see a group of strange men approach her. Their swords were drawn, and their eyes were filled with vengeance.

Suddenly a concussive force blew the men off their feet and sent them flying into the ground. Purple energy departed from the barrier and began to entangle itself onto the young woman. She tried to move her body but found herself as still as a statue.

"Not again, not again, not again," she muttered continuously.

She felt the tingling between her fingertips as her powers emerged. Aliana braced herself for the inevitable, but it never occurred. Instead, she felt the power run through her body. Aliana suddenly felt energized, as if every sense she had was heightened. Her pursuers struggled to their feet as they redrew their swords. They were bent on taking her by whatever means necessary, and she would make them work for it.

With a grunt, she ran at them full speed and easily dispatched a soldier by grabbing his arm, twisting it, and flipping his whole body over her own. Upon instinct, she held an open palm out like a purple whip slowly materialized. It was made of pure energy as she swung it, entrapping her foes and sending them flying into each other. She flipped and turned, jumped and dodged, punched, and kicked every which way. Aliana didn't know how she was doing this, but it felt natural. It was like she had learned this before. Before she knew it, the soldier was on the ground, knocked out.

The young woman looked at her hands and laughed in delight.

Aliana turned to look at the barrier to find it still glowing. The closer she stepped to it, the more she felt it's power run through her veins. She touched it and laughed softly as it warped around her hands. As the energy snaked around her, an unfamiliar sound filled the air. Aliana scanned her surroundings but saw nothing.

Then, she felt a freezing gust of wind hit the back of her neck. The hairs on her body stood as she felt the cold. She shuddered as it whistled past her, the light breeze touching her skin. As soon as it came, it disappeared. The forest became silent and dead. Something was coming. She could feel it. Nothing moved as she looked around. As the sun slowly began to set, Aliana felt the wind again. But it had become aggressive. The wind picked up leaves and stones as the force became overwhelming. The young woman covered her face as the wind became even more violent. Then, Aliana was finally swept off her feet with a loud boom and landed hard on the ground. She groaned in pain and struggled to stand as she was met with a floating blue puddle.

Aliana's senses were heightened when she touched the invisible barrier, and she could sense that something, or someone, was waiting on the other side. She raised her fists in defense and prepared herself for what was to come. The puddle rippled in the air as three figures appeared. She paid no attention to them as she swung at the nearest person. The man easily sidestepped away from the attack and, in one swift motion, grabbed her outstretched arm, twisted it slightly, and held it against her back, restraining her other arm in the process.

Aliana struggled against the man's strength, refusing to give in to defeat. "Let me go!" she shouted.

"Aliana, calm down. We're not here to hurt you," a deep voice said.