Chapter 6: The Secret Unveiled
The church bells rang, their deep, powerful chimes rolling across Lotardale, filling the streets with a solemn rhythm.
Alex felt a weight settle in his chest as he finally took in the full sight of the cathedral. It was immense, towering over the city like a guardian of history, its white marble walls catching the sunlight, making it almost glow.
The entrance was framed by an enormous stone archway, intricately carved with the symbols of the four elements—flames flickering upward, waves curling, clouds swirling, and jagged stones rising from the earth. Above it, a magnificent rose window of stained glass depicted the Four Heroes, their hands joined in unity as their elements spiraled around them.
Alex's footsteps slowed as he took it all in.
To the left of the entrance, a massive statue of the Hero of Earth stood tall, carved from deep green-veined stone, his expression one of unwavering determination as he held a mighty war hammer, his feet firmly planted on a rocky pedestal. His cloak was carved to resemble a rugged mountain, giving him the presence of something immovable, unshakable.
To the right, the Heroine of Water stood gracefully, her long robes flowing like the current of a river, her delicate fingers outstretched, as if guiding the movement of the cascading water carved at her feet. The polished blue-white marble of the statue shimmered, as though she was constantly bathed in morning mist.
Above them, at the peak of the entrance, stood the Heroine of Air, carved from light grey stone, her arms spread as if embracing the wind itself. Her hair, sculpted to appear windswept, trailed behind her, blending seamlessly into the swirling gusts of air that curled around her outstretched wings—a reminder that she had once been the swiftest warrior to walk the skies.
The Hero of Fire was missing.
Alex's gaze lingered on the gap where a fourth statue should have stood, but there was nothing—only an empty pedestal, smooth and untouched, as though no statue had ever been placed there at all.
"It's… enormous," he muttered, unable to look away.
Max grinned beside him, crossing his arms. "Told you. Biggest cathedral in the world."
Olana, walking a few steps behind them, glanced at Alex's expression.
"This isn't just a cathedral," she said softly. "This is where history was shaped"
Alex barely heard her.
The bells rang once more, their echoes vibrating deep in his chest.
For some reason, he couldn't stop looking at the empty pedestal.
The towering white marble walls of the cathedral stood behind them as Max led Alex through the gardens, a sprawling paradise of ancient sculptures, winding pathways, and vibrant greenery. The sun filtered through lush vines creeping along stone archways, casting intricate shadows on the cobbled paths.
In the center of the garden, an ornate fountain carved from pale blue stone shimmered under the sunlight, its water cascading in a rhythmic melody. The gentle sound of flowing water mixed with the distant hum of the city, creating a sense of peace that Alex hadn't felt in a long time.
He took a deep breath.
Everything about this place felt different.
"I used to come here a lot," Max said, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Back when I was first learning to control my abilities."
Alex glanced at him. "Did you always know you had powers?"
Max shook his head. "Not really. I was just a normal kid—until Olana told me otherwise." He smiled slightly, looking down. "I remember how excited she was. She wouldn't stop talking about it for days."
Alex listened intently.
He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear this—how much he needed to know he wasn't alone.
He hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I've only ever cast Sparks."
Max turned to him, surprised. Then, he grinned. "That's how we all start."
Alex exhaled, relieved.
They continued walking through the garden's winding pathways, past statues of past heroes and elegantly trimmed hedges shaped like swirling elements. The deeper they walked, the more the city's sounds faded, replaced by the quiet rustling of leaves.
After a while, Alex's curiosity got the better of him.
"What about your family?" he asked.
Max's eyes lit up with pride. "My dad's a blacksmith. One of the best. And my mom's a healer. She's amazing at what she does."
Alex smiled. "That's incredible."
Max glanced at him. "What about your parents?"
"They're lawyers," Alex replied, shrugging. "They work for the Grand Minister of Arindale."
Max's eyebrows shot up. "Wait—you must know a lot about government stuff, then!"
Alex chuckled. "I guess? But trust me, it's not as exciting as it sounds."
Max smirked. "Says you. I bet you know all sorts of secrets."
Alex laughed, shaking his head.
As they reached a clearing with a large reflecting pool, Max suddenly stopped, his expression shifting.
"You're lucky to have a sister like Olana," Alex said casually.
Max hesitated.
Then, his gaze lowered.
"Actually… I'm adopted."
Alex blinked.
Max looked up, offering a small, almost apologetic smile. "Olana's not my real sister."
For a moment, Alex didn't know what to say.
Max must have noticed, because he quickly added, "But that doesn't matter. She's always treated me like family. That's what matters."
Alex studied him, then nodded. "Yeah… that's what matters."
For the first time since arriving in Lotardale, Alex felt a warmth settle in his chest.
He wasn't alone in this.
As Alex and Max continued walking through the gardens, the soft murmurs of running water and rustling leaves were suddenly interrupted by excited laughter.
Alex turned his head and saw a group of children gathered near a wide-open cobblestone courtyard. They were chasing after a glowing ball, their feet moving quickly to keep up with its unpredictable bounces.
The ball shimmered with a faint golden light, darting wildly in different directions as if it had a mind of its own. It never stopped moving, never lost momentum, ricocheting off the ground and the stone walls with incredible speed.
Alex frowned slightly, watching the game unfold. "What is that?"
Max followed his gaze and grinned. "That, my friend, is a Ryzet Ball."
Alex glanced at him, waiting for an explanation.
"It's enchanted," Max continued, eyes gleaming with excitement. "No matter how hard you hit it, it never stops bouncing. The trick is keeping it in play without letting it fly too far. Once you lose control of it—well, good luck getting it back."
Alex watched as one of the kids smacked the ball mid-air, sending it shooting off toward another player, who barely managed to catch it.
It looked fast. Unpredictable.
Max suddenly grabbed Alex's wrist. "Come on, let's join them!"
Alex stiffened immediately.
"Wait—what?"
"Come on! It's fun!" Max insisted, already pulling him toward the game.
Alex hesitated. He wasn't used to this.
Meeting new people. Jumping into a game with total strangers.
Back home, he had always been the quiet one, the outsider, watching from a distance as the other kids played together.
Max, however, was already calling out to the group.
"Hey! Mind if we join?"
One of the kids—a tall boy with short brown hair—grinned and tossed the ball toward them. "You know how to play?"
Max caught it effortlessly, then elbowed Alex playfully. "We'll figure it out."
Alex took a deep breath.
Before he could overthink it, the ball was launched toward him. Reacting on instinct, he smacked it back, sending it bouncing high toward one of the other kids.
A ripple of excitement ran through the group.
Within moments, Alex was running, laughing, dodging, and hitting the ball alongside them.
His worries faded into the background.
For the first time in as long as he could remember, he wasn't just watching.
He was part of the game.
He belonged.
As Alex and Max disappeared into the grand gardens, their laughter fading into the distance, Olana turned back toward Sarah and David.
They stood at the entrance of the cathedral, its towering marble structure casting a long shadow over the square. The carved statues of the three known Heroes—Earth, Air, and Water—stood solemnly above them, their stone gazes watching silently.
Sarah noticed Olana's expression had shifted—her usual sharp confidence replaced by something more serious.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
Olana exhaled, glancing at both of them before speaking. "There's something I need to ask you."
David's brows furrowed. "What is it?"
Olana didn't hesitate.
"Is Alex adopted?"
The air around them seemed to still.
Sarah's breath caught. David's jaw tensed.
They exchanged a quick glance, an entire conversation passing between them in that single moment.
David's fingers curled slightly. "How did you know?"
Olana studied their faces, then spoke evenly.
"Because all Elemental Heirs are adopted."
Sarah's eyes widened in shock.
David took a step forward, his voice low but urgent. "What?"
Olana kept her tone calm but firm. "It's one of the greatest secrets within the Church. No Elemental Heir has ever been born into their power. Every single one—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—was abandoned as an infant. Just like Alex."
Sarah placed a shaking hand over her mouth, her heart pounding. "That can't be true."
David clenched his fists. "Then where do they come from?"
Olana shook her head, her green eyes clouded with uncertainty. "No one knows. Even the highest ranks of the Church only have theories."
A heavy silence followed.
Sarah swallowed hard. "We never wanted him to feel different."
David sighed heavily, rubbing his face before speaking. "Twelve years ago, we found Alex in the middle of a storm. It was late, we had just left work, and we heard crying from a nearby alley."
Sarah's eyes shimmered. "It was pouring… The streets were flooded, and when we saw him…" She paused, her voice breaking slightly.
David continued. "He was just a baby. Soaking wet, left in the mud, crying. We took him to a healer immediately, but… he was completely healthy. No sign of injury. Just alone."
Sarah took a shaky breath. "We couldn't leave him. We just… couldn't."
David's voice hardened with determination. "We chose to be his parents. To give him a home. And we never regretted it."
Olana watched them carefully, taking in their words.
Then, she softened slightly. "You did the right thing."
Sarah let out a trembling breath, her shoulders easing just a little.
But Olana's expression darkened once more.
She lowered her voice, her next words carrying a hidden weight.
"But there's something you need to know."
David's eyes sharpened immediately, his stance shifting.
"Even within the Church, there are those who do not want the Fire Heir to succeed."
Sarah's breath hitched, her grip tightening on David's sleeve.
David's gaze turned cold and sharp. "Why?"
Olana glanced around, ensuring no one was listening.
"Because fire is unpredictable. The Fire Hero's history is… incomplete. The records of the past don't add up. There are whispers that the Fire Heir is doomed to repeat past mistakes."
Sarah's eyes shone with fear.
David's fists clenched. "That's absurd."
Olana's voice remained steady.
"It doesn't matter if it's absurd. Some believe it. And those people will be watching Alex closely."
Sarah's voice came out barely above a whisper. "What do we do?"
Olana met their eyes, her voice firm.
"The Church will provide a home for you here. Alex will attend the Elemental Institute after the grand ceremony." She paused, then added with absolute certainty, "But do not let anyone separate you from him. No matter what happens."
Sarah and David exchanged a long, knowing look.
They had always known Alex was special.
But now, they understood—he was also in danger.
***
As Olana pushed open the grand doors, a rush of cool air met Sarah and David, carrying the faint scent of burning incense and old parchment.
The moment they stepped inside, the sheer grandeur of the cathedral unfolded before them.
Towering stained-glass windows lined the walls, their colorful reflections shimmering over the polished stone floor. Each one told a story—the rise of the Elemental Heroes, the wars against the teras, the foundation of the Church of the Elements.
The pillars stretched toward the high, vaulted ceiling, their marble surfaces carved with intricate patterns—swirling flames, crashing waves, rushing winds, shifting earth—each representing the four elements.
And at the very center, standing behind the main altar, was the largest mural of them all.
Sarah and David stopped in their tracks.
It was the Four Heroes.
Carved into the cathedral's sacred walls, three of them stood proud and powerful, their elements woven into the mural itself.
The Earth Hero stood strong, his feet planted like roots, arms raised as colossal stone pillars burst from the ground.
The Air Heroine had her cloak caught mid-motion, one hand lifted toward the sky as a roaring tornado curled around her.
The Water Heroine balanced atop a rising wave, her flowing hair mirroring the current that surged beneath her.
And at the very center… nothing.
There was a faded outline where the Fire Hero should have been.
David's brows furrowed. "Where is the Fire Hero?"
Sarah exhaled slowly, her gaze locked on the empty space. She had noticed it too.
Olana's expression darkened slightly as her gaze lingered on the missing figure.
"The Church claims that no accurate depiction of the Fire Hero exists," she said. "No one knows what he truly looked like."
David's jaw tightened. "That doesn't make sense. The Fire Hero was just as important as the others, wasn't he?"
Olana didn't answer right away. Instead, she turned to face them completely, her voice lowering slightly.
"That's not what they want you to believe."
Before Sarah could press further, the sound of soft footsteps echoed through the hall.
A group of figures in long ceremonial robes approached, their expressions solemn, their movements precise.
The Church Officials.
The tallest among them, a gray-haired man with piercing eyes, stepped forward. His voice was calm yet firm.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stern. Welcome to Lotardale."
Sarah and David straightened, exchanging a quick glance.
The official gestured toward the side chamber. "If you would come with us, we need to take care of some paperwork before we escort you to your new home."
Sarah and David smiled slightly, both knowing better than anyone how these legal matters worked. Without hesitation, they nodded and followed.
As Sarah and David followed the church officials through the quiet halls, Alex was outside, still caught up in the excitement of playing with Max and the other children.
The enchanted Ryzet Ball bounced wildly, darting between players, its faint glow pulsing each time it hit the ground. Alex had never played a game like this before, but for once, he wasn't thinking about being different. He was just another kid, laughing and running alongside a friend.
Then, a familiar voice called out.
"Alex!"
Max and Alex both turned to see Olana standing at the entrance of the cathedral, her expression expectant.
"It's time," she said, motioning for him to follow.
Alex hesitated. He didn't want to leave just yet. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged.
Max nudged him. "Go on, we'll have plenty of time to play later."
Alex nodded, giving one last glance at the game before rushing toward the cathedral entrance.
Inside, his parents were waiting for him. They stood near a table where several documents lay neatly arranged, the church officials speaking softly among themselves.
Sarah smiled as Alex arrived, brushing a bit of dust from his tunic.
"Have fun?" she asked.
Alex nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah… it was great."
David chuckled. "We could hear you from inside."
The official nearest to them cleared his throat, drawing their attention.
"Everything is in order. Your new home is ready."
As the official handed over the final parchment, Alex noticed something odd one of the robed figures wasn't looking at his parents. He was looking at him.
The man's gaze lingered a little too long, his eyes sharp, unreadable. It wasn't the look of someone admiring an important heir. It was assessing calculating.
Alex suppressed a shiver.
Olana must have noticed because she subtly stepped closer, her presence solid beside him. The moment she did, the official shifted his gaze away and returned to discussing formalities with David.
Alex wasn't sure if he had imagined it, but something about that man's stare didn't feel right.
Lotardale stretched before them, bigger than Alex had imagined.
The towering cathedral faded behind them, giving way to winding stone paths and lush green courtyards. The city was massive, alive with movement—traders shouting their wares, carriages rolling along cobblestone roads, and the ever-present sound of rushing water from nearby fountains.
Alex couldn't stop looking at everything.
"It's huge," he muttered, turning to his mother.
Sarah chuckled. "It certainly is."
Unlike the stone-and-marble grandeur of the cathedral, the further they walked, the more the buildings changed. The polished structures of the city center transformed into quieter homes of sturdy stone and dark wood, their windows glowing softly with candlelight.
Finally, they stopped in front of a small but charming cottage.
The house stood at the edge of a peaceful neighborhood, nestled between a large oak tree and a quiet, flower-lined path.
Its stone walls were strong but welcoming, the thatched roof giving it a rustic charm. A small garden lined the front, vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze. The door was made of dark oak, carved with simple yet elegant patterns of leaves and vines.
Alex's eyes widened. "This is ours?"
Sarah placed a hand on his shoulder. "It is."
The official nodded. "The Church provides housing for families of the Heirs. You will be well taken care of."
As they stepped inside, the warmth of the fireplace flickered across the stone walls, casting dancing shadows.
The living room was modest yet cozy, with a sturdy wooden table in the center and plush seats gathered around a soft rug. Simple tapestries hung from the walls, depicting scenes of Lotardale's history.
To the left was a small kitchen, already stocked with essential supplies. To the right, a narrow hallway led to their bedrooms—one for Sarah and David, and one for Alex.
Alex ran his fingers across the wooden table, still processing everything.
This was his home now.
After a small meal, the three of them sat together in the warm glow of the fireplace.
For a while, no one spoke.
Alex traced patterns on the wooden table, feeling the familiar stir of uncertainty in his chest. Everything was changing so fast.
His parents had always been his anchor, and now they were in an entirely new place, surrounded by an entire city of strangers.
Sarah must have noticed, because she reached across the table, taking his hand gently.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?"
Alex hesitated. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to be excited.
Instead, he found himself muttering, "I don't know."
David leaned back in his chair, exhaling through his nose. "I get it. This is a lot. A lot for all of us."
Sarah gave Alex's hand a small squeeze. "We're all adjusting, but you know what? We're here. Together. That's what matters."
Alex looked up, meeting her gaze.
For a moment, the words settled inside him, pushing away some of the doubt.
Then, he took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yeah. We are."
Sarah smiled warmly. "This is a new beginning for all of us."
Alex hesitated, then allowed himself a small smile.
"I guess so."
He felt like he was home.