Chapter Text
The silence at the dining table in the Griffin mansion is tense and cold.
Today marks exactly five years since everything changed.
The sweet memories of laughter and warmth that I keep in my mind from a happy time are just that. Memories. Since the day my father died, everything has broken down. It's as if with his death, he took all the joy and life from this house, from our family.
Since then there are only pieces that can't be put back together.
One of the waitresses puts the chicken and potatoes on the table while the other puts out the salad platter and then starts serving the drinks. Wine for my mother, juice for me and my sister. They ask to be excused and leave in silence after my mother's nod of approval. As every day, only the sound of cutlery is heard at the table.
No conversations, jokes or laughter like in the past.
The chicken is as delicious as ever, but I can't enjoy it as much as I used to. My stomach is upset because I'm nervous about tomorrow. Not about finally being able to go to Skyring, where the Elemental Academy is, but about having to leave Madi here in this mansion, alone. Because that's how she'll be from tomorrow.
Alone.
Before our father's death, Abigail Griffin hardly stayed at home anymore due to her duties as a healer. Her rare gift for healing wounds was always needed, so she spent most of the day at the Ark, the center of Arkadia's healers.
Now that she's the head healer, the Ark is her new home.
That's why the only times Madi and I are graced with her illustrious presence are at dinner time. Every day, at 8pm. According to the rules, this is the Griffins' family time and so we are all obliged to attend even if not a word is said. We all hate this obligation these days, but it's the only thing that remains from the past, the rule that Dad created when we really were a family.
When dinners really meant something.
I eat just a little more of the salad with the chicken and put it aside. I notice that Madi barely touches her plate and her face is a mixture of anger and sadness. It's something that's been going on for a whole week, but tonight it's on full display. The pain of not being able to take my sister with me to Skyring is like a knife in my chest, but there's nothing I can do about it.
Only those who have reached the age of majority can attend the Elementary Academy
Madi is still fifteen. There are still three long years before she can join me at Skyring. When my sister finally joins, I'll be a veteran. I'll be able to teach her everything I've learned over the years and help her in any way I can. We can be free and finally free ourselves from the chains of this mansion and everything that binds us here.
But that's still three years away.
The beginning of my freedom starts tomorrow, but it will only be complete when my sister can join me.
My mother's cold voice sounds from across the table, breaking the silence.
- What's the matter? Is something wrong with the food?
Madi glares at her angrily, but before she can retort with any offense, I reply.
- The food is as delicious as ever. We're just not hungry.
My mother raises an eyebrow at us.
- You're not sick or I'd know. So I don't see any reason for your lack of appetite. You know what a shame it is to waste a good meal, especially when there are people who would give anything to have the chance.
My sister retorts immediately.
- Do you really deign to talk to both of us just to lecture us about food? Instead of actually worrying about why we don't have an appetite? - asks Madi angrily.
- Madi. - I scold her and my sister turns to me.
- I'm tired of keeping quiet. And you won't be able to defend me anymore, so don't even start. I have to learn to fight for myself. - says Madi angrily.
I let out a sigh and our mother looks at us both skeptically.
- Don't tell me that all this rebellion is because your sister is leaving for Skyring tomorrow. Madeline, you know the rules. Every Arkadian must go to the Elementary Academy when they turn eighteen. Only there will they be given their element and thus be able to develop their powers and acquire their gift, as well as their guardian animal. You should be happy that your sister is finally realizing her dream, not jealous.
My sister lets out an indignant snort.
- I'm not jealous!
- It looks like you're acting this way. Your sister should be eating and resting for tomorrow, but because of you she's worrying about you. - says our mother seriously.
- That's not true. - I retort, even if it is.
My mother's gaze fixes on me.
- Of course it's true. Or do you think I don't know my own daughter? You've always been there, protecting, pampering and looking after Madeline all these years. And now you're forced to leave her alone and you don't know how she'll cope. You worry about who will take over the role you've played all these years, because you think I'm not fit to look after my own daughter.
- That's because you're not! - says Madi angrily.
- And whose fault is it that I think exactly that, Mom? Whose fault is it that I have to worry about what life will be like for my little sister in this mansion without my presence? You're never home. Showing up for just two hours for dinner every day isn't exactly being a mother. I'll only be able to talk to my sister through letters for a whole year and we all know that words can be illusory. Tell me how I'm supposed to be calm without knowing what's really going to happen in this house? - I ask coldly.
- This is no longer your responsibility, Clarke. Your priorities will change from tomorrow. The Elementary Academy is your new life now. Your priorities boil down to getting to know your element, developing your powers, and then becoming an Elemental.
Skyring will be your new home and your academy mates, your family. - says my mother in the same cold tone.
I roll my eyes at my mother's words.
- And you think I'm just going to forget about Madi?
My mother rolls her eyes at me.
- Don't be ridiculous. At no time did I ask you to forget her. Your sister will remain at home, protected and perfectly well looked after as she always was. You don't need to worry about her. I just want you to focus on what really matters, which is the academy and your powers.
Before I can retort, my sister gets up angrily and knocks over the chair, leaving the dining room without saying anything.
I get up to go after my sister, but before I leave I turn to my mother and say.
- Madi also matters.
I turn my back without waiting for an answer, not that I wanted one, and walk out after my sister.
I see that the doors leading to the gardens are open and I follow her. I walk towards the labyrinth because I'm sure that's where Madi ran. Whenever she's upset, she goes there. On the way, I hear a small growl and turn to face Asclepius, the Black Wolf guardian animal that belongs to my mother.
Asclepius looks at me with his yellow eyes and I nod in greeting.
Black Wolves are guardian animals that channel their strength from the night.
They are fierce and loyal, and are known for choosing humans blessed with the Earth Element. He chose my mother in her first year at the Academy and when the bond strengthened, he gave her the gift of healing. My mother is one of the few people in Arkadia who has this gift, considered one of the most powerful, which is why she became the chief healer.
Her ability to regenerate injuries and illnesses is fundamental to healing our people.
Asclepius is the god of medicine, so I suppose the name fits.
- I'm looking for my sister. Has she been here? - I ask softly.
The black wolf watches me for a moment and then turns his head towards the labyrinth, providing his answer.
- Thank you, Asclepius.
I leave in the direction of the labyrinth and after a few minutes, I find Madi sitting on the bench in front of our father's fountain. I look at the statue representing our father, Jake Griffin, riding his Golden Griffin, Febo. Our father died five years ago in the war against the rebels together with Febo. He was the general in charge of the army of Griffin pilots and was sent to defend Arkadia against the rebel armies.
Thousands of people died in that war to ensure Arkadia's victory over Bardo.
Including my father.
The King of Arkadia, Thelonious Jaha, had this fountain built for our family in the middle of the labyrinth as a kind of honor and thanks for our service. For both of us it became a symbol of tears and pain. The only place to escape from everything and everyone.
I sit down next to Madi and immediately hug her, feeling her tears fall down my body.
- I want you to remember that I will never forget you. You will never cease to be my responsibility. Even if I'm far away, I'll do everything I can to hear from you, to make sure you're okay. - I say firmly.
- I know... I'll be fine... -says Madi sniffling.
- I know you will, little one. But I need you to promise that you won't fight with our mother. You mustn't take her seriously. Without me here, I don't know what she can do...
- I won't keep quiet! - says Madi, pulling away from my embrace and glaring at me angrily.
I look at her seriously.
- Do you remember what Dad used to tell us? That we should choose which battles to fight? This battle against our mother is one you won't win.
- Dad should have taken his own advice. If he had, he'd still be here. - Madi retorts.
I swallow and look again at the statue of our father in the middle of the fountain.
- He chose to fight in the war to protect our family and all the people of Arkadia. Even though he knew it could cost him his life, he chose it because it was important to save those he loved. Don't compare the sacrifice he made with his rebellion. - I say seriously.
Madi doesn't answer me and I keep talking.
- I know you think you don't need my protection. I know you think you can cope with our mother on your own or with loneliness. But it won't be easy. If it were the other way around, if you were leaving tomorrow and I had to stay behind, I'd be scared. And it's okay to be afraid, Madi. You don't have to be strong all the time, you just have to be at the right times. You're smart and you know that standing up to our mother will lead to nothing but punishment. So try to circumvent your rebelliousness and behave yourself. Choose your battles. Follow the rules and we'll soon be together again. At the end of the school year, I'll be back. - I say quietly.
Madi looks at me with tear-filled eyes and I hug her again.
- Promise me that you'll write to me every week and tell me everything that's going on. Remember the code Dad taught us and the invisible ink. Mom won't be able to confiscate your letters if she doesn't know what's being written. And if I don't hear from you every week, I'll find a way back. So promise you'll write. - I say confidently.
- I promise. And you promise that you'll tell me all about the academy. And that you won't forget me when things get interesting. - says Madi softly.
I laugh softly.
- I couldn't forget you if I wanted to, Madi. And I promise to tell you everything.
We separate and smile at each other as I wipe away her tears.
- Are you afraid of the ceremony tomorrow? You'll have awakened your element by then.
I shake my head in denial.
- I'm not afraid. I've been waiting all my life for this moment.
- Do you think you'll be blessed with the Earth element, like Mom? Or Air, like our father?
I shrug my shoulders.
- I honestly don't know. I'd be happy with either. Or I could be blessed with Fire or Water, you never know.
Madi rolls her eyes.
- There are no Fire elementalists in the Griffin lineage. And being blessed with the Water element would be nice, I admit. I hope that when my turn comes, I'll be blessed with the Air element, just like our father. I don't want anything to do with Mama's element. - says Madi seriously.
- You know that the Earth element is just as strong as the others, don't you? There are many powerful earth elementalists. Our mother is one of them. Diyozia too. - I mean that sincerely.
- Just like the Jaha's. - says Madi with a grimace.
I let out a sigh as I stroke my sister's hair.
- It's true.
Madi looks at me curiously.
- Are you ready to see Wells again?
I shrug my shoulders, ignoring the twinge of pain in my chest.
- I have to be, after all, I don't have a choice, do I? At least he's a senior. I won't be attending most of his classes. - I say relieved.
- But if you're blessed with the earth element, you'll be part of his household. After all, he's the leader of the Earth house. And you can be doubly unlucky if your guardian animal is a Black Wolf like our mother's and Wells'. - Madi reminds me with contempt.
As if I hadn't already considered all these possibilities.
- If that's the case, it will be. Let's hope luck is in my favor.
Madi lets out a sad sigh.
- Luck left our family five years ago.
I don't say anything because I have no way of debating it.
We sit in silence for a long time until Madi falls asleep. I get up and cradle her in my arms to take her back home. Before I go, I look at the statue of my father for the last time. I won't be able to see it for almost a year before I go home and even though it's just a statue, it's the only thing that makes me feel close to my father.
- I hope you're looking after both of us up there. - I say softly.
Then I turn around and carry Madi in my arms back to the mansion.