Chapter 28

Sharon sat in the Michaels living room wondering where it was exactly that the entire family went. Sharon had felt like being alone that evening so she had gone out on a walk, so she missed the festivities. She was currently sitting in the living room wondering where everyone was.

She jumped back as with a large shimmer, Arrian and his family and friends came into view.

"Arrian! Helen! I've been worried about you all." Sharon said.

Arrian smiled at Sharon and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for worrying, to be honest though I'm glad you weren't with the family this time. You were lucky, we've been through hell."

"Everyone have a seat, I need to explain some things and fix others." Arrian said.

Everyone found seats in the living room. It was no surprise that Sarah leaned against Arrian's legs until Cindy put her on her lap and leaned on his legs herself. All around the living room, it was obvious who was with whom. Arrian side held his family; Greg was clutching his useless hand and Angela and Brandon were around him.

"Greg, if I'm not mistaken your injury was a result of trying to defend both your family and mine." Arrian said.

"You rescued my sister, I'm sorry I couldn't help you out like you did my family."

"I think your family has a lot to be proud of with you. Now, I'm not sure what you know about me, who, and what I am so I'm going to explain a bit. Then I would like to do something about your injury."

Greg just nodded and silence followed.

"I am what's known as an Elemental. To us it's what can best be described as a dragon. I am a reincarnation of the Caliph of the Elementals. His name was Arihah; it's fitting mine should be Arrian. I am special... well... I guess I should stop referring to Arihah as him when we are the same person. So, I am the Caliph of the Elementals."

"Stuart said something about that," Helen said.

"I figured he might have. By the way, that wasn't Stuart. It was a Harbinger fused with my Elemental brother Azrael. His name is Zareas, and he is as evil as they come."

Arrian spotted Ashley flinch at the mentioning of Stuart's name.

"No worries, I will always protect you," he assured her.

Ashley nodded and beamed Arrian a smile. Arrian turned back to address everyone.

"Tell me Greg, you have seen some of the things I can do. Would you like to be like me?" Arrian asked.

"You mean have your powers?" Greg asked clearly interested.

"Not my powers, but similar. I only have one request of you." Arrian said.

"What is that?"

"I need you to protect my family should I ever not be able to."

"I can do that, but it's pretty obvious you are way better than I am."

"Greg, Elementals wield control over the basic elements; fire, water, wind and earth. I wield all four but at the moment, I have access to only two. Do you accept my offer?"

"I think it's best if I do," Greg responded.

Arrian motioned Greg to come closer. He placed his left hand on Greg's right shoulder.

"This might hurt a bit," Arrian said.

Arrian's eye returned to his Elemental state. Arrian's right hand, which was still covered by his Cortex gloves, began to glow a golden color. Without warning Arrian drove his palm into Greg's gut; Greg clenched his fist in pain, but didn't cry out. The golden glow began to flow out of Arrian's hand and spread all over Greg's body.

"This is going to hurt even more," Arrian told the still glowing Greg.

Arrian grabbed Greg's broken wrist and pulled as hard as he felt necessary, he let his own energy flow into the broken wrist. Greg gave a small grunt at the pain emanating from his wrist. Slowly the pain faded and he could feel the injury healing.

"How do you feel?" Arrian asked still holding Greg's wrist.

"Different," Greg answered.

"I will take the time to teach you some control. We don't need you losing it and causing an earthquake." Arrian laughed.

"Are you serious?" Greg squeaked.

"Go sit down, I have more to say," Arrian stated.

"Sharon, would you please go get a knife from the kitchen?" Arrian asked the black beauty.

Brandon couldn't help but watch Sharon walk into the kitchen. She was an ebony goddess, that was for sure.

Arrian saw the looks Brandon was giving Sharon He couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Thank you," Arrian said as he took the knife from Sharon.

"Some things changed today, mostly in me. Most of you remember my short visit to the police station where I was beaten badly. I'm also positive you remember that I healed somewhat quickly, but not something too noticeable. Well..."

Arrian stopped speaking and shoved the knife completely through the palm of his gloved hand. Just as quickly he pulled it out; blood leaked from the wound and covered the knife. Everyone gasped when the wounds began glowing and healing, in a matter of seconds the entire wound was healed and not even a scar remained as a reminder.

"I think my body has finally lapsed into its Elemental form. Whether that was a result of the energy I gave off, or my anger, I'm not sure. Sarah, honey can I borrow my jacket?" He asked a snuggled Sarah.

Sarah unwrapped herself and gave him his jacket.

"This isn't just a jacket, it's armor. More specifically, it's my armor. Elementals gained this at different points in their life, for different reasons. Again, I'm not sure about mine, but I believe it had to do with what happened to Sarah. Speaking of which, that brings me to this point; Sarah is now like me."

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"What do you mean, she's like you?" A baffled Cindy asked.

"I'm positive that before, if we had taken a blood test to determine Sarah's paternity, it would show she isn't my daughter. I'm just as positive that if we do it now, it will show her to be my daughter. The seals I used to bring her back were very special. They channel an Elemental's life energy, or our soul if it's easier to understand. It allows the Elemental using the seals to sacrifice his own life to bring another back, within a 60 minute time limit."

"If you brought her back, how come you're still alive?" Helen asked.

"Two reasons. Actually, make no mistake, I would have died to bring Sarah back. That was never in question. My brother, Azrael, was locked inside Stuart; he somehow separated himself from Zareas and gave what remained of his soul to bring Sarah back. It still wasn't enough, so Dad gave what was left of his soul, too. I channeled their souls through my own, which is why I believe Sarah has changed. Her eyes now resemble mine and I'm positive she has some of my powers and maybe even some of my brothers' powers."

Almost as if on cue, Sarah sneezed and was launched into the air, where she remained floating. The women shrieked as they watched Sarah float higher and higher. Sarah on the other hand was giggling and laughing, pretending she was swimming in the air.

Arrian gave a small sigh and slowly he floated up himself until he reached a still overjoyed Sarah.

"Sarah honey, follow me,"Arrian said as he shimmered out of view.

"Ok Daddy." Everyone gasped when Sarah too shimmered out of view.

Zareas sat in his chair, slowly recovering from the battle. He couldn't believe Azrael had managed to detach himself; it had never before happened. Still, the wound the separation left was very real and needed to heal before he attempted to head for Farael. He had everything in his possession to return to his true form and leave behind this troublesome body. He looked around counting the bodies. Fourteen bodies lay around him in a circular shape. Each body had a wound at the juncture of their neck and shoulders, on both sides. The blood that had spilled flowed out and joined the other's blood before slowly oozing its way over to Zareas. It then took a tentacle form and attached itself to the wound on Zareas side and forced its way inside.

After absorbing the blood, the wound closed and Zareas gave a small, macabre smile. Had anyone been around they would have realized that he was never more dangerous than at that very moment.

"Time to make preparations; I must get to Farael before Arihah realizes where it is and beats me to it. Revenge will be mine, and I will enjoy making Arihah suffer."

Zareas stepped over a few bodies in his way out of the circle and walked out of the dark room.

Everyone jumped back when Arrian and Sarah shimmered in. They began with a multitude of questions. Arrian motioned them to be quiet for a moment.

"Sarah, honey, listen to me. You must do your best to never use your powers in front of anyone that isn't us," Arrian said, waving his arm to indicate everyone in the living room.

"Okay Daddy."

"I'm going to teach you control and some other things," Arrian said.

Sarah squealed in glee and jumped into Arrian's arms.

Arrian was curious about Sarah's eyes and their similarity to his own. He looked at them; they were an exact replica of his own.

"Sarah, look at my eyes."

Sarah looked at Arrian's eyes and watched as they turned red and the iris' formed cross-like slits.

"Can you do that?" Arrian asked.

Sarah just tilted her head to the side and then to the other and slowly her eyes changed color. Her gray eyes were gone, replaced with a deep sky blue iris and a single vertical slit.

Interesting, her eyes normally look like mine, but when activated, her Elemental eyes are sky blue and they don't form a cross like my own. Arrian thought.

"Greg, would you try doing the same thing as Sarah?" Arrian asked.