Elements: Age of Creation

Pushing Forward

Hikaru's body ached as he dodged another strike from Teshii. The safehouse's training room echoed with the sounds of heavy breathing, footsteps, and the occasional smack of impact.

"Come on, Sunshine! You call that a dodge?" Teshii taunted, his grin as obnoxious as ever.

Hikaru barely had time to roll to the side as Teshii's fist came crashing down where he had just stood. The impact left a small dent in the training mat.

Hikaru scowled. "You're ridiculous."

Teshii smirked, shaking out his hands. "And you're too slow."

Sweat dripped down Hikaru's forehead as he eppushed himself up. He could feel the Element of Light humming within him, its energy more familiar now, but still difficult to control on command.

He exhaled sharply, focusing.

The golden energy flickered to life around his fists.

"Better," Teshii admitted, stepping back. "But not enough. Agan."

Hikaru charged forward.

A Question on His Mind

After the training session, Hikaru slumped onto the floor, exhausted.

Teshii, of course, looked completely fine–as if he hadn't just spend the last hour dodging and beating Hikaru into the ground.

Hikaru shot him a tired glare. "Do you ever run out of energy?"

Teshii grinned. "Nope. I have unlimited gas."

Hikaru sighed, leaning back against the wall. His mind drifted back to their fight against Smokewraith.

"…Hey, Teshii," Hikaru started. "Who was Smokewraith?"

Teshii's smirk faded slightly. He folded his arms. "A mutant."

Hikarr blinked. "A what?"

Mutants: A Second Species

Teshii leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Mutants are people who have biological powers. It's a genetic thing–some people are born with them, others awaken them later in life. Their DNA is different from normal humans, which is why they can do things like control smoke or enhance their bodies."

Hikaru furrowed his brows. "So, it's just… a natural thing?"

Teshii nodded. "Yep. Mutants are the result of evoulution taking a weird turn."

Teshii shook his head. "Nope. You're something else."

Hikaru fronwed. "How?"

Teshii's gaze sharpened. "Because Elements are biological. They're chosen."

Hikaru's breath hitched slightly. "Chosen?"

Teshii nodded. "The Elements aren't like mutants powers–you weren't born with them in your DNA. The Element of Light picked you. It chose you to carry its power."

Hikaru swallowed hard. "So… I wasn't born with this?"

"Nope," Teshii confirmed. "The Elements have existed for centuries, passed down from warrior to warrior. Unlike mutants, who are just lucky or unlucky depending on their powers, Elemental Warriors are destined for something greater."

Hikaru felt a strange weight settle over him.

"So, what does that mean for me?"

Teshii smirked. "It means you better start living up to the destiny, Sunshine."

Hikaru sighed. Great. No pressure or anything.