//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: The Final Meeting // Story: The Sacred Elements // by Wind Typhoon //------------------------------// Chapter 16: The Final Meeting After heading back into his mind cave, Wind walked into the center of the room where the tree was. "I wonder where Conta is. I would usually see her sitting just under the tree." Wind thought as he looked around cautiously. It was at that point that he heard someone from behind the tree. "Hello?" Wind asked. "Hey, what took you so long?" a familiar voice responded as she walked out from behind the tree. When Wind saw who walked out from behind the tree, he just smiled. "You know, I knew that it was going to be you, but I still didn't know what you were going to look like." Wind said happily as he walked over to her. The person standing in front of him was Sonata and she was wearing the clothes she normally wears, but she also had translucent wings on her back. "Well, I can see why you would be wondering that." Sonata said with a smile. "So, what are we going to talk about?" Wind asked seriously. Sonata remained quiet as she thought of how to word it. "Well, what do you think we're going to talk about?" Sonata responded as she started to walk to the doors. Wind went quiet for a moment as he followed Sonata and thought about what the others had told him. "I'm going to completely honest, I have no idea." Wind told Sonata. "What I told you that it's going to be on why you have these dreams in the first place?" Sonata said. "Really? That's an interesting thing to talk about." Wind commented. "It's not the only thing you're going to see here." Sonata said happily as she stopped in front of the pale blue door. Wind briefly thought about asking a question, but stayed quiet and decided to ask later. "So, are you ready to learn the truth?" Sonata asked in a serious tone. "I am." Wind said confidently. Without saying anything else, Sonata opened the door and a light streamed through. "I should note that before you enter, there is someone that you are familiar with in here. Find them and they will guide you." Sonata told Wind. Wind simply nodded before stepping into the door, which Sonata closed behind him. At that moment, two of the doors opened and both Adagio and Aria came out. "He's on his way?" Adagio asked. "He is," Sonata said simply. "Do you think he'll be happy when he learns the truth?" Aria asked. "To be honest, I'm not sure. At this point, we have to rely on what he chooses to do." Sonata said with a smile. The other two girls simply put their hands on Sonata's shoulder as they prayed for Wind. After exiting from the light, Wind found himself in an underwater city. "This must be where Sonata and the others live." Wind said to himself. As he spoke, he heard some footsteps from around the corner. "Hello? Is anyone here?" a timid and familiar voice asked. As soon as Wind heard that voice, he turned around and saw that Sonata didn't come in with him. Without another thought he quickly walked in the direction of the voice as he saw the Sonata that he knew walk around the corner. "Hey Sonata!" Wind said in a welcoming tone as he got closer to Sonata. Sonata turned to Wind and a smile formed on her face when she saw him "Wind! What are you doing here?" Sonata asked happily. "Well, I suppose I could ask you the same thing." Wind responded. Sonata was about to say something about that comment, but she stayed silent. "In all honesty, to answer your question, I'm here because of these weird dreams I've been having lately." Wind told Sonata. "Really? That sounds like the same reason that I've came here." Sonata said. That comment got Wind interested very quick. "Out of curiosity, how did you get here?" Wind questioned as he started to fit some pieces together. "Well, after I fell asleep I started to have a weird dream that I can't remember, but I do recall something about a gamer. After a while, I started to hear a voice that said 'Go to the city. There, all will become clear.' After that, there was a bright light and I woke up here." Sonata explained. Wind was about to say something when they heard someone coming closer to them. "Hurry up, we're going to be late!" a voice said as it approached. When Sonata heard that voice, she immediately turned in the direction that the voice was coming from. Wind did the same, mostly because he was curious about whom the voice belonged to, and they both saw two anthro kids running around a corner. "Well, I guess we can just as the kids." Wind said as he walked forward. He was about to touch the kids when they just phased right through him. Wind said nothing as he realized what had just happened. "I know this place." Sonata said as Wind looked at her. "Wait, you know where we are?" Wind questioned. "I don't know yet, but I need to go check something first. If you want to come with me, feel free to do so." Sonata said in a determined voice. After she said that, Sonata quickly took off down a nearby alleyway with Wind following close behind. "Where are we going?" Wind asked Sonata after a few minutes of running. Sonata didn't respond, she only kept running forward. Wind was about to ask again when he noticed a tree in the distance. "Are we going to that tree?" Wind asked. "Yes, we are. I'll explain the significance when we get there." Sonata told Wind. Wind just nodded and stayed silent as they approached the tree. As they got closer, Wind noticed that there was a fairly large tree house in the tree and a cliff overlooking the ocean. When they got to the base of the tree, Sonata stopped and looked around while Wind stopped to catch his breath. "So, why did you just suddenly decide to come here?" Wind said as he laid down on the ground to rest. Sonata stayed quiet as she thought about what to say. "Before you even start, can I ask if we're in your memories?" Wind asked as he sucked in some air. "How were you able to tell that?" Sonata asked out of shock. Wind stayed silent for a moment before explained how he arrived there. "So, you have been having these dream meetings over the past week?" Sonata asked after he finished explaining. "Basically, that's also how I knew these were your memories." Wind said as sat up. Sonata stayed silent as she let that information sit in her mind. "What I'm wondering about is what connection I have between you and the others." Wind said as he looked over the city. "Well, it might have to do with this memory." Sonata said quietly. "What makes you say that?" Wind asked. "I don't if you've heard this before in one of your meetings, but me and the others have some hazy childhood memories." Sonata explained. "Hazy in what way?" Wind asked. "Well, it's like I can remember those memories, but I feel like there is something missing from them." Sonata told Wind. Wind stayed silent as he thought about what that meant. "So, is this one of the hazy memories that you have?" Wind asked as he stood up. "That is correct and it's actually one from our early childhood." Sonata told Wind. "You know, when I met Adagio and she told me that you there we're Sirens, I thought you would live in the sea, not on dry land." Wind said as he looked around the area. "Well, it's sort of a half and half thing. We do live in the sea, but we can also live on dry land." Sonata explained. Wind was going ask another question when they heard someone approaching the tree. Sonata and Wind turned to see two familiar girls arriving at the tree. "I'm going to assume that those children are Adagio and Aria." Wind commented. "That's right." Sonata said. "That was a long run, but at least we made it in time." Adagio said as she panted heavily. "I'll say, but you kind of need to relax. This isn't a meeting like the ones you have back at the castle." Aria said. "Castle?" Wind questioned. "Oh right, I don't know if she told you her full name when you meet the dream version of her, but her full name is actually Adagio Melody Dazzle and she was the princess of our home kingdom Melodia." Sonata explained. Wind thought back to when he met the dream Adagio and remembered something. "Now that I think about it, she did call herself Princess Melody." Wind said. "That's what a lot of people called her, she is a very good leader." Sonata told Wind. After Sonata said that there was silence for a good five minutes until Aria spoke up. "Hey, where is Sonata? I thought she would be here before us." Aria commented. "Sorry, sorry, I'm here." A young voice said as she approached the hill. Sonata then when quiet as a young Sonata ran up to the other girls. "Aw, you looked so adorable as a young girl." Wind commented, which made Sonata blush. "There you are; what took you so long?" Adagio asked in a slightly annoyed tone. "Sorry, I was on my way relatively quickly, but something came up." the young Sonata told the two. "Really? I'm interested about what came up that made you late." Adagio said. The young Sonata stayed silent for a moment as she thought about what to say "Well, I was asked by someone if they could join us up here." Sonata said instinctively. "You really do remember this day don't you?" Wind asked Sonata. "I remember it being very important, but I can't remember why." Sonata said as she put a hand to her head. "Well, I was asked by someone if they could join us up here." the young Sonata repeated. "Who asked you?" Adagio questioned. "It was that new guy at school, I forget his name." Sonata mentioned. "Oh, I think I know the one you're talking about. He's the quiet one who can use magic naturally right?" Adagio commented. Wind looked over at his Sonata and saw that she looked a little confused. "I'm going to take it that this isn't the version of events that you remember?" Wind asked Sonata. "You're right; this isn't the version of events I remember." Sonata said in a concerned tone. Wind stayed silent as he turned back to the conversation that the three were having. "So, what did you tell him?" Aria asked. "I told him that he couldn't come, but I did feel a little bad for him." Sonata said, a frown appearing on her face. "Well, do you think he actually listened?" Adagio questioned Sonata was about to respond when there was some shifting in the tree. "What was that?" Sonata asked in a scared tone. In response to that question, someone wearing a jacket jumped down off one of the tree's branches. Adagio quickly responded by conjuring Siren wings and stepping forward. "Who are you?" Adagio asked in a serious tone. "I'm just someone who wants to make an introduction." The person said in a very familiar voice. When Sonata and Wind heard that voice, they both looked at each other. "Is this part of your memory?" Wind asked Sonata. "No, it's not." Sonata said in a shocked voice before turning back to the scene in front of them. "What kind of an introduction?" Adagio asked, getting a magic spell ready. "Just the kind when you first meet someone." The person said as he brought his hands up. "How do we know you're not lying to us?" Aria asked. "Well, why don't you just check to see if I'm lying? After all, I'm pretty sure any of you would be able to check with magic." The person said in a calm tone. Adagio, Aria, and the young Sonata all looked at each other before Sonata nodded and walked up to the person. Sonata gathered her magic and put her hands on the person's head. After a few seconds, she took her hands off his head and turned back to Adagio and Aria. "He's telling the truth." Sonata told the others. "Are you sure that he didn't put up any magical words that might have messed with your magic?" Aria asked. Sonata was about to respond, but the person spoke up "I can safely say that I did not put up any wards. Even if I did, I know that Sonata here would have been able to tell." the person said. Sonata was about to agree with what the person was saying before realizing what he said. "Wait, how do you know my name?" Sonata asked cautiously. Adagio and Aria looked at each other before silently starting to cast some magic. "Well, I suppose you wouldn't know who I am. After all, I just started to go to school with you three a week ago." the person said before taking off the jacket. The person who had the jacket on was a young Wind, which cause Sonata to go wide eyed. Sonata was about to go forward and say something, but Wind held out a hand to stop her. "For now, just let this play out and you can voice your concerns after they leave." Wind told Sonata. Sonata looked at Wind for a moment before nodding and staying silent. "Oh right, I remember you now. You're the one who can use magic naturally without having to access your Siren form right?" the young Sonata said when she looked at him. "For the sake of you not having to say that again, call me Wind." the young Wind said with a smile. Aria and Adagio looked at each other before dispelling the magic that they had prepared. "Ok and why should we trust you after you just jumped out a tree waiting for us?" Aria asked cautiously. "Hey, I actually just came up here to relax. I like to find perches to rest on and was actually sleeping in the tree, when I heard you three showed up." the young Wind said. Adagio thought about that comment and realized something. "Sonata told us that you asked her if you could join her a few minutes ago." Adagio commented. "Well, I do know some teleportation magic." Wind told Adagio. "Come to think of it, we did feel a surge of magic before we got here." Aria commented. Adagio rolled her eyes and looked at Wind. "Ok, but how did you know where to teleport?" Adagio asked. "I'm not sure if you know this, but you do need to know where you want to teleport beforehand." Wind explained. "So, you've been here before?" Adagio asked. "I have, in fact, been here before. This is usually the place I go to when I need to think about stuff." Wind responded. At that point, Aria walked up to Wind and grabbed him by his shirt. "So you came up here to spy on us?"Aria questioned in a threatening tone. As Aria was holding him, she felt him shake a little. "Um, I promise that I wasn't trying to spy on you, so could you please let me go?" Wind responded in a quiet tone. Aria was about to say something until she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Just let him go Aria, he seems harmless." Adagio told Aria. Aria listened to her sister and let Wind's shirt go. "Are you sure about that?" Aria asked Adagio. "Yes, I am sure about that that. Besides, I think Sonata is a little worried for him." Adagio said. Aria then took a quick look at Sonata and saw her helping Wind up. "Alright, I'll leave him alone for now." Aria said with a sigh. Adagio gave Aria a smile in response and looked back at Wind and Sonata. "Sorry about my sis, she can be a bit forceful at times." Sonata apologized. "It's ok; I can understand why you would need someone to be protective." Wind responded in a calmer tone. "So, why did you come here?" Sonata asked Wind kindly. "Well, I was having a bit of a rough day so I decided to come here again. It had been a while since I have been up here, but I decided to come check this place out for old time's sake." Wind told Sonata. "And when you got, here you noticed our tree house?" Sonata asked. "I did and I was honestly surprised that someone built a tree house up here." Wind responded. Sonata went silent for a little before speaking up. "Do you want to go look at it?" Sonata asked nervously as she looked at her sisters. Aria and Adagio were shocked at what at Sonata said while Wind smiled. "I would like to, but I don't want to disturb you or your sisters." Wind said. Adagio stayed silent for a moment before she sighed and shook her head. "It's fine with me." Adagio said reluctantly. Aria then looked at Adagio before just face palming. "Same with me, just try not to break anything while you're up there." Aria said in the same tone. Wind simply looked back at the two other Sirens. "Are you two being serious or are you just saying that out of pity?" Wind asked. Wind then stayed silent for a moment as he realized something. "I'm sorry about any disrespect that I meant Princess Melody." Wind said in an apologetic tone. "It's fine; just try not to cause too much trouble. Also, just call me Adagio when we are by ourselves." Adagio said in a slightly annoyed tone. Wind simply nodded in response before turning around and walking towards the tree house. "If you spend a lot of time with them, you'll learn how to deal with them." Sonata commented as she walked behind Wind. "I can tell, but I have a feeling that they're not going to make it easy for me." Wind said. Everyone stayed silent as they walked to the tree house and went inside it. After they all went in, the older Wind and Sonata looked at each other. "So, did you remember this part at all before now?" Wind asked Sonata. "No, I honestly don't recall this ever happening." Sonata told Wind. Wind stayed silent for a moment as he thought about various possibilities. "You said that you did have some memories where you didn't remember anything clearly right?" Wind asked. "I did, but why do you ask?" Sonata responded in a confused tone. After getting that conformation with Sonata, Wind went thought of a possibility for the situation. "I have an idea of what could be happening here." Wind told Sonata. "Really?!" Sonata asked in an excited tone. "It's only a theory for now, but I believe that what we are watching are your true memories." Wind said. Sonata tilted her head in confusion which made Wind smile. "To explain in simpler terms, what we just saw is what actually happened in your memory." Wind explained. Sonata then nodded in response to that question. "You're not understanding this, are you?" Wind asked with a sigh. "Well, I understand it a little, but I'm curious as to why these are starting to happen just now." Sonata said. "That does make sense and brings up one big question. If you haven't been having these types of dreams before, why are you starting to have them now?" Wind said as he started to think again. The two stayed silent as they thought of things that could be happening. "Maybe it's because of you?" Sonata suggested. "Please, don't be ridiculous. There's no way it could be-" Wind got out as his mind started to think about those words. Sonata took note about the look on Wind's face and smiled. "Did I make a good guess?" Sonata asked in a happy tone. "Sonata, I think that you may have gotten it right on complete accident and I'm happy about it." Wind said as he realized something. Sonata smiled in response to that while Wind walked towards the nearby cliff. "I'll tell you about what I came up with in a little, but right now we need to go somewhere." Wind told Sonata in an excited voice. "Where are we going to go?" Sonata asked Wind as she followed him. Wind stayed silent as they approached the cliff. When they got to the cliff, Sonata was shocked to see another version of her standing in front of a door. "I was wondering why you took so long." the dream Sonata said Wind. "Sorry about that, we kind of had to take care of something." Wind sold the dream Sonata. "That's fine. Also, I should mention you can call me Dreamy Sonata just to have a bit less confusion." Dreamy Sonata said. Wind simply nodded in response while Sonata just stood there a bit confused. "So, this is the dream version of me?" Sonata asked Wind. "That's right, she is the one who actually let me in here and I'm pretty sure that she also brought you here." Wind told Sonata. Dreamy Sonata smiled at the last part of that comment. "You could tell that I did that?" Dreamy Sonata asked. "Well, I wouldn't say that. I just had a feeling and you confirmed it for me." Wind said with a smile. Dreamy Sonata laughed a little at that comment, which made Sonata smile. "I see that you're as sharp as ever, but there is a matter which I have to tell you about." Dreamy Sonata told Wind. "What did you want to talk about?" Wind asked. "I wanted to show you this door." Dreamy Sonata said before making a door appear next to her. Wind immediately recognized this door as the gray door he saw in the cave. "I recognize this door." Wind said immediately. "It should look familiar to you; after all, this is the door that leads to Cyclone's memories." Dreamy Sonata told Wind. Wind's eyes went wide when he heard that name. "Cyclone is the one who guided you for a while, right?" Sonata asked. "That's right, but why would Cyclone's memories be in my head?" Wind responded "You'll find out when you enter the door." Dreamy Sonata said. Wind walked up to the door and realized something. "Something happened to Cyclone?" Wind asked Dreamy Sonata in a serious tone. Dreamy Sonata responded by just looking down at the ground out of sadness. "I thought so." Wind said. "So, what are you going to do Wind?" Sonata asked. Wind stayed silent as he thought about that question. "I'll take a look at what is on the other side of this door. Sonata, I want you to stay in this memory to see what you can find out." Wind said in a very commanding tone. "I don't mind that, but why don't you want me to go with you?" Sonata asked. "He probably figured out that you won't be able to come with him through the door. The door itself will not let you enter unless the owner wants you to enter." Dreamy Sonata explained. "Which explains how I got in here." Sonata said to herself. "I can keep you company until you wake up." Dreamy Sonata offered her regular counterpart. "I wouldn't mind that, but it will be a little weird to talk to myself." Sonata said. While the two Sonatas talked to each other, Wind thought about something. "If Cyclone's memories are in my head, why are they there in the first place? More importantly, even if I get an answer in there, there is still one big question that I have." Wind thought to himself. "Hey, I thought you were going to go in there already." Dreamy Sonata said, breaking Wind's train of thought. "You know, a guy can have his privacy to do his own stuff. I do see your point though." Wind said as he opened the door. When he opened the door, he saw the familiar light that he had seen at all the doors. "Hey Wind, could you turn around?" Sonata asked from behind him. Wind did turn around expecting say goodbye to Sonata. What he got instead was a surprise hug from Sonata. "Please be safe." Sonata said while hugging him. "Hey, it's me you're talking about, I'll be fine." Wind responded. Sonata then smiled and gave Wind a quick kiss on the lips. "That's a bit of motivation for you." Sonata said before she stepped back. Wind simply looked stunned at that action before recovering and giving thumbs up. "That is some good motivation." Wind said before he entered the door. After Wind entered the door, it closed on its own and disappeared. "I hope he'll be ok with what he learns from there." Dreamy Sonata said while silently praying. "Why wouldn't he be ok with what he learns in there?" Sonata asked. "Well, let's just say that it has information about his true family." Dreamy Sonata said before she started to head for the tree. Sonata understood what her dream self meant and prayed for Wind's safely.