"You're shitting me!" Remy exclaimed, as she stared at her mother's items, now restored. She scooted forward in the oversized, red armchair and stared at the assortment on the small, round coffee table, her eyes alight with awe. "I-I...don't know what to say!"

I smiled at her, laughing. "Noah managed to patch it up with Talia's help. I think this is the best that we could do." I leaned back, watching her stunned astonishment.

Remy launched into my arms and hugged me tightly. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

We hugged for several seconds, before we heard footsteps and a voice interrupting our moment "Isn't this a sight?"

We pulled away, as Remy turned to the source. I recognized it instantly as Devon's. Devon grinned at me, before he turned to Remy, his eyes taking in the sight of her. "Who do we have here?"

Remy looked at him, staring in wonder. Her gaze examined Devon all over, until they briefly landed on his red uniform marker. "Devon," I began. "This is Remy, my roommate. Remy this is Devon."

Devon reached out a hand and Remy grasped it. "Nice to meet you." He looked down at the tote bag half-filled with her mother's items, before he asked. "What do we have here?"

Remy seemed to catch herself. "Theresa was giving back some of my personal belongings. She had Noah repair them earlier after the fire." Remy began to collect the rest, putting them in the tote bag I brought them in.

Devon nodded, his expression going more serious. "I'm sorry about what happened."

Remy shrugged nonchalantly. "It's alright. It's not your fault." Remy said, turning up to him. She continued to look at Devon, who looked down with a knowing smile. I frowned, wondering why he was here.

Remy turned away and then said, "I have to head to class. So I'll see you around, okay? I owe you. Thank you again!"

Devon and I watched as Remy got up and made her way out of the common room of our complex. It was a Monday afternoon and the common room had plenty of foot traffic of people going about their day. Devon's presence here, startled me somewhat, but I couldn't say that I wasn't surprised considering Devon, Ian and Xavier all live here.

"Is there something you need?" I asked Devon, as he took the vacated seat. His lingering made me curious, because it wasn't everyday Devon made his way over to me to say hello. Our only real association was through Xavier, who, last I recalled, had attempted to pull me out of the way as Devon allowed Xavier to punch Hunter out.

He casually lifted one foot on the table, leaning back in the armchair. "Just curious."

"About what?" I asked indifferently.

"Xavier and I were supposed to hang out on Friday, but he texted that he had something to do," Devon began. I froze, immediately realizing where he was going with this. "I thought he was off on a mission task, but imagine my surprise when he came in the next morning wearing the same clothes, looking like he hadn't slept all night..."

I looked at him and pretended to play dumb. "So? What does that have to do with anything? Also, it's a little odd that you pay that much attention to him."

Devon sat up and leaned forward, like we were coconspirators. "I don't, but he strolled in at eleven in the morning. Since you two happen to be working on the same thing under Terrance, you don't happen to know how he got those hickeys on his neck do you?"

Fuck.

Devon continued talking, not realizing the tight-jawed look that was currently gracing my face. "Ian and I have been trying to grill it out of him, but he's been keeping silent on his missions. It was actually kind of funny because we seriously thought he had gotten attacked. There were so many. Turns out they were hickeys, who knew?"

I kept a poker face and turned to him. "If he can't say, what makes you think I can?"

Devon looked at me thoughtfully, as if trying to seek the answers on my face. "We know you aren't a fan of Xavier's."

"I really don't follow your logic here. Why would I know about his sleeping habits then?" I asked him.

Devon shrugged. "Any chance to embarrass him. Reveal dirt."

I shook my head. "Sorry, I don't know how he got those hickeys." I gave it another thought. "And honestly, I don't even think I want to know."

Devon didn't seem convinced, but he couldn't seem to get past it. With a shrug, he got up and waved me off, leaving me to my own thoughts. I felt the tension in my shoulders leave at his departure, but I reminded myself that I needed to be a little more discreet, if there was going to be a next time.

Not likely.

I didn't sound convinced. Xavier was a drug that was dangerously addictive. My heart sped up as memories of that night flashed through. My body grew heated at the thought and it struck me once more how out of control I was, so fueled by my own lust for the hardened warrior that I couldn't even string a rationale thought. My experience with men was limited, having only gotten hot and heavy with one guy as an experiment, but it was nothing like the passion-induced fever that I experienced. It was liberating, yet frightening, how easily I gave in to my own desires and yet the fulfillment of driving my own needs was indescribably satisfying.

Later that afternoon, I headed to my Advanced Elemental Analysis class and was pleasantly surprised when I received my report back with a solid A, flashing on the holo-pad screen. Dr. Hadley wasn't playing around and I could spot many of my classmates looking somewhat annoyed and disgruntled about their grade.

The assignment was to discuss the fundamentals of our elemental ability or elemental-imitative ability. There were several criteria for the written assignments and I had spent an inordinate amount of time on it. The history behind my water ability was extensive and dated back to the mythology of the Goddess Luna, which I was required to provide in the introduction, before moving into theory, mathematical proofs if any, and finally discussion and conclusion.

Hunter, who sat next to me today, leaned to the side and peeked over. With raised eyebrows he said. "Good job."

I turned to him. "This took a while." I looked back and scrolled through the comments. The assignment had taken me some time and in the end it was nearly sixty pages long.

Hunter whistled, when I scrolled through. "Jesus, how much did you write?"

"Her requirements for the assignment were somewhat open ended," I began. "I struggled to figure out how to tie in everything. Turns out elemental abilities have a very deep-rooted history and have been documented at the surface level. Most of the research is more suggestive than conclusive. The access to the archives helped, but not much."

"Which is exactly the point of the assignment," Professor Hadley spoke. She looked to the two of us, as the whole class turned in attention. "It's to do your own research and draw your own conclusion."

Hunter groaned and spoke in low tones. "Yes, because I really wanted to spend my weekend calculating the kinetic vibrations of the molecules when I heat them up. Because nothing says fun like calculating the difference between the energy in solution and in solid."

"Does she have super hearing or something?" I asked confused. How was Professor Hadley able to hear our conversation?

"Yes, to your answer," Hadley spoke, before directing her attention to Hunter. "And that's probably why you got marks off because you didn't even calculate it correctly and missed the rotational contribution to the energy of the atoms. In fact—," Professor Hadley turned to the rest of the class, moving away to the front again. "—most of you, if not all of you, with the exception of one person, were highly deficient in your analysis and discussion portion of your report. Honestly, it was crap."

Disappointment flowed through the small class, as Professor Hadley continued to speak. "Only one of you did an outstanding job on the analysis portion, which coincidentally is the only person in the class who earned an A. You guys could all probably learn from Theresa, herself."

Cue the hard glares.

The lecture continued, as she discussed the quantum mechanics of the atoms that governed the use of our abilities. I listened, intently, as she dove into the theory and the implications of quantum mechanically governing the atoms of our elemental or near elemental-imitative abilities. Many in the class, were lost in the details. You had to have some understanding of quantum mechanics prior to extrapolating the use of it with our abilities in order to be able to understand the atom's nature. Luckily, with my background, it wasn't hard to follow.

By the time evening class came around, Terrance had me once more practicing out in the open jungle setting by the massive waterfall. He was fast-tracking our lessons, pushing me further. It wasn't until today his eyes seemed to notice the gauntlet on my wrist.

"What is that?" Terrance asked, as he came over and snatched my wrist for further inspection. He turned it, examining the phoenix on the gauntlet in shocked disbelief. He masked it well, but I could observe he was profoundly disturbed or curious, I couldn't tell which. The sudden abruptness of his movements had me startled. "Where did you get this?"

"I got it when I visited town," I explained, pulling away. Terrance's gaze fixed on me. "This woman gave it to me."

Terrance frowned, before he spoke. "It's a power gauntlet. Those are exceptionally rare and worth a fortune."

"Wait, so she wasn't exaggerating?" I asked him. "She said it belonged to previous water users in the past, almost a millennia ago."

"What woman?" Terrance questioned. "Where did you get this?"

"Never mind," I dismissed. "She said that they call upon the user. She gave it to me for free."

"Yes," Terrance explained. "Some elemental ability users have them in order to exceed their internal energy capacity, but most were lost." He crossed his arms, titling his head, as if thinking. "The exceptional rarity of the object is the only reason it appears among the older generation of water users."

"Why?" I asked him.

"They were lost or destroyed, fearing that current scientists would try and exploit their tech, attempting to enhance abilities that weren't meant to be. The art of forging these were lost as well, as the knowledge passed away with each subsequent generation. Nowadays, they're passed down to those who harbor true elemental abilities."

"Why? Because enhancing one's ability beyond their capacity would kill them?" I asked him.

"Yes," Terrance confirmed. "It's also difficult to make. Only elemental engineers can do so."

"Elemental engineers?" I asked him. The shopkeeper had used the same term. I never got the chance to ask her what they did. "I didn't know there was such a profession."

"They use the elements to create equipment and weaponry to expand elemental abilities," Terrance explained. "Not all elemental ability users elect to serve in military roles."

"What happened to them?" I asked. "The United Federation would be all over that."

Terrance sighed. "Fear. Most went underground. They used to pass on their craft to the next generation of their kin, but as more demand came for these weapons and exploitation of their kind was beginning to grow commonplace, they began to hide and pass their craft in secret. There used to be sub-branches and disciplines cultivated for each type of elemental ability, but they're steadily dying out. Collectors know they are valuable to the United Federation and The Republic. They go hunting for them in order to sell them. Only elemental engineers can design such powerful items because of the material and the necessary infusion of power required."

My interest piqued. "What kind of things do they make?"

Terrance paused for a moment. He was pleased that I was interested. "For example, Earth users use their feet and fists to control their earth elements. There are equipment and boots made out of rare metal-alloys that can enhance earth users' ability to manipulate earth. For fire, wraps and guard-wear, solidified from lava and even a planet's mantle, can enhance those who manipulate fire."

I looked down at my gauntlet, shimmering silver under the moonlight. The phoenix, majestic and fierce in its pose, seemed to gleam under the moonlight. "You think this thing works? I kept it because it looks nice," I said. "Honestly, I'm not sure how it's supposed to work."

"We can test it," Terrance explained.

"Really?" I raised one skeptical brow.

Terrance nodded. "I want you to sit and meditate."

I sat down on the ground and crossed my legs, positioning my back straight. I listened to Terrance as he continued to speak. "I want you to breathe and follow the path of the water. I want you to mesh with your element and dig deep within."

"For what?" I asked him.

"You'll know."

I did as he asked, waiting. I tuned my mind to the flowing stream of water, following the rush as it fell into the lake below over the waterfall, before it flowed down the river. I felt the energy course through me, as if it was ready to shoot water from my hands. It was the normal level of warmth that I felt, but as quickly as it had begun, I felt something shift around me, as a massive wave of energy surged through me.

The warmth quickly grew, as the energy flowing around me seemed to burst to unfathomable levels. I could feel wind rushing around me, jostling the strands of my long hair. I felt the tingling in my fingertips, itching to manipulate the water around me and I could feel my body rising to new heights, like the phoenix wanting to soar, breaking through whatever walls were constructed to keep my energy tamed. I felt a rush of adrenaline move through me, my heart pounding relentlessly and before I had a chance to reach for new heights, I opened my eyes and gasped for air.

I fell forward, realizing that I had been suspended several inches above the ground. I felt the warm energy quickly dissipate, as if it was leaving my body, my concentration and focus completely frazzled. Terrance looked at me and snorted. "That's it?"

I narrowed my gaze at him. "I'm sorry I didn't meet your expectations." I brushed off the dirt from the front of my top and sat up. "Did it work?"

Terrance nodded. "Yes, but it looks like something is stopping you."

"Stopping me?" I asked.

"The phoenix on the gauntlet is not just there for design. The water symbol for those who can manipulate its ability is the Phoenix. At your max capacity it's been suggested that the most powerful water force takes the form of a Phoenix. There was one documented case where one water user had maxed out so far, that he managed to cause a three mile-high tsunami on a planet not far from here and covered an entire continent in several feet of water."

"That's a bit extreme," I said.

Terrance sighed, as his gaze turned, looking far off. "It was a controversial military decision. Either wipe out one of the deployed military units that was stationed there and had plans to destroy several planets worth of civilizations, or let the death toll climb by not going through with it, prolonging the war. The United Federation director at the time, called it and ordered the extermination of the deployed unit."

"That's...horrifying," I answered. "They must've killed innocent people in the process," I said. "A whole continent?"

"They did," Terrance said solemnly, as a heavy, dark weight depressed him. It was clear the memory was unpleasant. "He wiped out whole cities. They're still recovering from the damage to this day. He had irrevocably reshaped the landscape of the planet's continent," Terrance explained. "Power like that is not to be messed with. He was quite gifted."

"Where is he now?" I asked absently.

"He left the United Federation. He couldn't take the guilt of what he had done to all those lives. The eradication of a planet's majority population—women, children, families, was enough to end his servitude to the United Federation."

I grew quiet, pensive. The implication of Terrance's words were not lost on me. The United Federation would intend to utilize my powers the same way. They would use it in war to their benefit, even if it mean killing millions of innocent people.

"I'm sorry," I said in the silence that ensued. I wondered if Terrance knew that he was training me to fall into the same shoes as his colleague. "You sound like you knew him closely."

Terrance didn't say anything and instead glanced at me. The air changed and instead a somber mood took place. "Your power...it strongly resembles his in the same capacity."

Turning the subject to something else, "What does the Phoenix have to do with my ability to use my powers?"

"The spirit of the Phoenix is the one lending you the powers of those before you. However, there is a built-in safety mechanism that ensures that the users are ready first before harnessing it. That burst of energy you felt going through your blood is the Phoenix's way of probing your capacity. If it deems that you are not ready, it will refrain from imparting the gauntlet's true power," Terrance said. "Those of the water faction see each other as kin and ensure that those after them are taken care of."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"I can sense it," Terrance said. "The gauntlet won't work on other elementalists. The spirit of the Phoenix chooses the worthy."

I laughed. "I'm glad I'm worthy then."

Suddenly, I felt a strange familiarity within my soul. A familiar warmth brushed against me, as if pleased. It was spiritual, something that was just awakening. I frowned, wondering what this strange feeling was, but quickly ignored it. It was probably a sporadic moment of my imagination, fueled on by stress.

I briefly wondered if the gauntlet would allow me to practice blood manipulation. With enough power, I was certain I could manipulate it well enough. The last time I had done so, it required so much energy that I had passed out afterwards. I had never