The Elementiels

Adam and Cynthia stood frozen in place, their breaths ragged as they watched Jason, his silhouette framed by swirling flames and crackling lightning. Their minds struggled to process the raw power radiating from him.

"Is that really… baker boy?!" Cynthia's voice trembled, disbelief threading her words. 

Jason turned his gaze over to the battlefield. His eyes darkened with fury as they fell upon the wounded knights and fallen comrades strewn across the blood-soaked ground.

"You'll pay for this," Jason muttered under his breath, his voice low, but it reverberated through the air like thunder. 

In an instant, Jason launched himself forward, a blur of movement too fast for the eye to follow. Dragons shrieked in surprise as he cut through their ranks with deadly precision.

Bolts of lightning erupted from his hands, arcing through the beasts and exploding upon impact. The flames that surrounded him twisted and roared, spiraling like living serpents that burned through dragon scales as if they were paper. 

The sky became a theater of violence. Jason danced among the beasts, jumping as if gravity itself had yielded to his power. No claw could touch him, no flame could singe him, and every strike of his fist or burst of his energy sent dragons crashing to the earth. 

From the ground, Commander Elijah and the captains watched in stunned silence. 

"Who is that?!" Captain Sasha demanded, her voice tinged with awe and disbelief. "He's fighting without enhanced armor. That speed… that strength… it's impossible!" 

Captain Will's eyes narrowed as he watched the fire and lightning ripple across Jason's body. "That power… it's not human." He swallowed hard before adding, "Could he be… an elementiel?!" 

Jason landed hard atop a dragon, his fist driving through its skull in a flash of lightning. He straightened, his eyes locking onto the massive black dragon with the red crystal embedded in its head. The beast hovered in the sky, its wings blotting out what remained of the sun. 

The black dragon let out a guttural snarl, its massive form diving toward him. Its maw opened wide, unleashing a torrent of blue flames that roared across the battlefield, scorching everything in its path. 

Jason leapt skyward, dodging effortlessly. His body blurred in motion as he twisted mid-air and drove a fist into the dragon's snout with extreme force. The beast roared in agony, its massive form crashing to the earth with a tremor that shook the ground. 

Jason descended after it, landing with controlled precision just feet away. He advanced cautiously, his eyes fixed on the glowing crystal embedded in the dragon's forehead. 

Jason tilted his head, his sharp gaze narrowing as he studied it. "This one is odd. Its energy… it's much stronger than the others. I'd say… its even stronger than the one I fought back at the kingdom."

The dragon regarded him in eerie silence, its crimson crystal pulsing ominously. Then, with a beat of its massive wings, the beast launched into the air, turning its back on Jason. 

"Hey! Come back here!" Jason shouted, his voice carrying over the sound of flapping wings. Without hesitation, he prepared to give chase, lightning sparking from his feet as he pushed off the ground. 

But before he could close the distance, something erupted from the earth. A thick vine, shot up and coiled around the dragon's wing, dragging it forcefully back toward the ground. The beast bellowed in frustration, thrashing against its restraint. 

Jason hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the vine. "Where did that come from?" 

The black dragon turned its head in desperation, flames building in its throat. Jason surged forward, flying straight through the torrent of fire as if it were nothing but wind. Flames curled harmlessly off his body, and in one swift motion, he thrust his hand forward, a crackling bolt of lightning piercing the beast's gaping maw. 

The dragon convulsed, its roar shaking the earth as the energy consumed it from within. The beast fell lifeless to the ground, the tremor of its collapse echoing across the battlefield. 

Jason landed softly, the ground steaming beneath his feet. His gaze shifted toward the massive vine still coiled around the dragon's wing. For a moment, he stared at it with suspicion, then turned as the sound of armored footsteps approached. 

A ring of knights surrounded him, their swords trembling in their grips. Commander John emerged from their ranks, his face unreadable but his eyes sharp with curiosity—and a hint of fear. 

He stepped forward, his voice breaking the tense silence. "Who… what are you?" 

Jason turned to face him, his form illuminated by the flickering flames and faint glow of his lingering energy. The knights flinched as his lightning crackled softly into the air.

Finally, he spoke. "My name is Jason Marquoid. And I'm here to help." 

An hour later, Jason stood inside the commander's tent surrounded by the captains and Commander Elijah. The air was thick with tension—of grief, exhaustion, and questions that demanded answers.

Jason's voice broke the silence first, steady and clear. "My name is Jason Marquoid. I'm a citizen of Camelot… and I am an Elementiel. I came as soon as I heard you were in danger."

The captains exchanged glances, uncertain whether to regard him with awe or suspicion. Captain Will, unable to restrain his curiosity, stepped closer, circling Jason like a hunter observing rare prey. His eyes glimmered with something between fascination and disbelief.

"Incredible!" Will exclaimed, his voice rising. "I've heard of this power, legends passed down for generations… but to see one of you in the flesh…"

"Calm yourself, Captain Williams," Commander Elijah said as Captain Will straightened instantly.

Elijah's gaze locked onto Jason, piercing yet respectful. He stepped forward and said "I don't care what you are. If you hadn't shown up when you did, we would be counting far more dead among us. We owe you our lives."

Jason met his gaze and nodded, "Not a problem, Commander."

"Walk with me, Marquoid," Elijah said, gesturing to the tent flap. Jason followed him outside, the murmurs of soldiers and medics filled the space between the rustle of canvas and distant cries of the wounded.

Jason scanned the scene—the knights leaning against makeshift beds, some students huddled together, whispering prayers or silent fears, and the medics scrambling to stem the tide of injuries.

"What happened, Commander?" Jason finally asked. "I thought you all had enhancements."

Elijah's expression tightened as they walked. "Whatever that black dragon was, it had the power to shut off our crystals' power with its sound. While our Griff armor is strong on its own, it isn't strong enough to deal with these levels of dragons." 

Jason's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "I see." He paused, watching a medic wipe sweat from his brow as he sutured a knight's shoulder. "Will… they be okay?" 

Elijah followed his gaze, his tone softer. "Some will. Others…" He didn't finish the thought.

A soldier rushed up, saluting sharply before speaking. "Commander, I have the casualty report."

Elijah turned to face him "Speak."

"Commander," the soldier began, his voice steady but tinged with grief, "we've lost over thirty of our seasoned knights. Over ten of the students are badly injured, but the medics believe they'll recover. However…" He hesitated, glancing at Jason before continuing, "one of the students didn't survive. David Gifford."

Elijah closed his eyes briefly, his chest rising and falling with a slow breath. "Thank you for the report. You're dismissed."

The soldier saluted again and turned away, leaving Jason staring at the ground, motionless. His fists clenched at his sides.

Jason took a step back, murmuring, "Excuse me, Commander." Before Elijah could respond, Jason turned and walked briskly away.

As he wandered through the camp, Jason's mind swirled. "If I'd gotten here sooner… if I'd been faster, none of this would have happen."

"Jason! Over here!" 

Adam's voice pulled Jason from his thoughts. He turned to see his friend sitting on a low stool, a medic finishing up bandaging his arm. Jason approached, his footsteps heavy. 

"Adam," Jason said softly, kneeling beside him. "You okay, brother?" 

Adam forced a grin through the pain. "Don't worry about me. I'll live. You, on the other hand… you've got a lot of explaining to do." 

Jason managed a faint smile, but it quickly faded as he looked away. 

After a while, Adam spoke again. "Oh, so you've been training all through the week." 

Jason nodded. "Yeah. I wanted to tell you before you left, but… I didn't want to distract you." 

Adam studied him quietly. "I get that. But still… it's a lot to take in. You have the powers of a god, Jason. That's… that's crazy." 

Jason lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Adam. If I'd gotten here faster, none of this would've happened." 

Adam reached out, placing a firm hand on Jason's shoulder. "Hey, you got here when you could. If you hadn't shown up at all, it would've been far worse." 

"But it's not enough!" Jason's voice cracked, his frustration spilling out. "I need to be better! Or else… more people will die." 

Adam stared at him, his face filled with empathy.

Before Adam could respond, the tent flap opened, and Cynthia stepped inside. Her eyes were red, her expression heavy with sadness. 

"Hey, guys," she said quietly. "The commander's about to make an announcement." 

Adam nodded and stood, wincing slightly as he tested his arm. "We'll be right there."