Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2016 09:56:12 +0000
From: Mark Larner <markalarner@live.com.au>
Subject: Elemental Circle chapter 14

This story is a work of fiction, none of the characters are based on real
people, any similarities with people or places are coincidence, this story
contains sexual activities with consenting adult males, if the content of
this story is illegal in the area you are in to read this content read at
your own discretion it is illegal to copy this story all right are reserved
to the author

For comments and feedback contact me at markalarner@live.com.au

Hi all I'm very sorry for the massive delay between this chapter and the
last.  In all honesty I was annoyed at myself with the direction I took the
story.  At the time of writing it I didn't realise how much I had taken the
story line of a game and put it into my story.  If any of you are familiar
with the Dragon Age game franchise I'm sure you can see the blatant
similarities between this part of the story and part of the third game. Any
way I got over my sulk and hope you enjoy this chapter.  I am hoping now
I've gotten over my sulk to have more chapters out soon so enjoy.  As
always I love hearing from you guys, so email if you have questions or
requests, laters Mark



Pete sat staring at nothing.  He wasn't sure where he and Rich had fled to.
And at the moment he didn't really care.  He felt emptiness inside where
Greg had been.  He had felt the same emptiness before.  Rationally he knew
that this was the only way.  However it didn't make it feel any better.
Rich approached Pete not sure what to say.  "We need to make a move.  The
Dragons or whatever they are now will be hunting the others".  Pete said in
a voice barely above a whisper.  Rich was surprised to say the least at how
quickly Pete was bouncing back.

"Are you sure Pete, if you need a little time"?  Pete turned on Rich his
anger was evident.  Rich took a step back as raw energy crackled in the air
around the younger Fifth.  "Don't talk to me about the pain of losing
someone you loved.  I get it that in this time you have already lost your
circle.  But need I remind you it was you and your circle that took my
first elementals and parents from me.  So just don't, I will get back to
them and this future will never happen".  Pete abruptly turned and headed
toward the edge of the floating island that he and Richard had taken refuge
on.

"We will gather the others together and go back to the ship".  Richard
frowned not understanding why Pete wanted the ship.  Pete rolled his eyes.
"The ship is the temple Rich, we will need it".  Rich nodded his
understanding.  He wasn't sure how Pete knew the ship was the temple
however it did make sense.  "Where to first"?  Rich asked.  Pete sighed and
focused for a moment.  The closest to them was Derik.  However it made
sense to get Si first.  "We will go after Si first, then Derik, Jim and
finally Bren".  Rich nodded his understanding.



Si floated in the air currents.  He spent most of his time this way.  He
had been saddened by the death of Greg.  However it had been years since he
had seen the Key.  It was also easier to put the pain aside when he could
feel Pete close by.  He remembered the day that Pete and Richard had
vanished.  And the years that had come after it.  He smiled thinking of the
cute happy face of Pete.  He hoped that what had to happen would not
destroy Pete's sweet caring nature.

Si knew how Pete thought and figured that he would seek him out next.  With
a heavy heart he decided to seek out Derik who Pete would no doubt go
after, after he had found Si.  Floating through the air Si only had one
real regret and that was that he and Jim had not been as close in recent
years as they had been in the past.



Bren felt the death of Greg.  He felt silent tears roll down his face.
Over the years he and Greg had become close due to their proximity with
each other.  Still Bren felt relief it was finally time Pete had returned
to this reality from where ever he had been.  In the early days after the
disappearance Si had worked out that Richard and Pete had been pushed
outside of time.  Si had theorised that the pair may return at any time.

As events had unfolded and gotten worse the five of them had agreed on one
thing.  They had agreed that when Pete returned they were going to do
everything in their power to get him back to the time he had left.  They
all agreed that even if Pete returned now, the now was no longer really
worth saving.  It would be up to their little fifth to make sure that the
future was a better place.  Bren just hoped that Pete would be strong
enough to get through the next few days.



Derik looked up as Si landed beside him.  "The crops look good this year",
Si said in way of greeting.  Derik nodded looking over his work.  "Not that
they will be needed this year", was Derik's sad response.  "I saw people
gathering over there", Derik smiled sadly and looked over to where Si had
indicated.  "Tiff's doing no doubt, is it for Greg or Pete I wonder" Si
smiled thinking of Tiff.  It was remarkable that an elemental had lived so
long without a Fifth.

"I think she just wanted to tell Pete off for leaving us.  I'm guessing she
already has", Si grinned, thinking of the force that was Tiff.  "You know I
think she was the only one of us that always believed he would be back".
Derik said with a faraway look remembering the first days that he had known
Pete.  "I should imagine she is the only one who really knows what Pete has
been through.  And now he will feel more pain".  Both men looked over at
the gathering people and smiled sadly.  "Do you think they know what this
means"?  Si asked, Derik shrugged not really sure what to think.



Jim swam in the swirling waters that was all that remained of the Earths
water.  The giant sea serpent that swam next to him felt his change in
emotion.  Jim reassured the creature, he had discovered that they were
intelligent creatures and although they could not communicate with words.
They could communicate with emotions.  Jim was grateful for their
companionship.  Since the braking he had been almost always alone.  At
first other water elementals had tried to help.  However not having a fifth
they didn't really have the strength to help.  That and they needed to be
on the islands to interact with the air elementals to form rain clouds and
normalish weather patterns.

Jim smiled to himself thinking of Pete.  Pete had been their light before
him they had all been hiding from each other.  And then Pete appeared as if
out of nowhere.  Thinking about Pete made Jim think about the elemental
spirits.  He was not the only one who felt that the world around them was
truly dead and only a shell of what it had been without the elemental
spirits.  The parasites had a lot to answer for.  It gave Jim hope that
Pete would fix everything.  Pete would ensure that this future didn't
happen.  Jim just hoped it didn't crush Pete in the process.



Pete and Richard approached what had to be the largest island they had come
across.  From the air it looked like perfect farm land.  As they landed
they could hear the noise of a large crowed.  "I'm guessing your Air
Elemental has joined your Earth".  Pete nodded sadly.  Richard placed a
comforting hand on Pete's shoulder.  Pete looked at the other Fifth and
nodded indicating he was ready to face what they had come here to do.

Derik and Si stood on a raised platform.  As if by some unknown signal the
crowd fell silent and parted letting the two Fifths walk toward the raised
stage.  The hushed silence was unnerving for Pete.  Where ever he looked he
saw the look of hope on people's faces.  Pete felt guilty it was clear
these people didn't really know what the plan was.

Pete smiled as the first person to step forward was Tiff.  Tiff drew him
into a tight hug.  "Don't worry little one they all know, don't feel
guilty".  Pete looked up at Tiff's wrinkled face with tears in his eyes.
"Your men never once let on that you would save this world.  From the very
beginning they have said that they would send you back to try and make sure
that all this never happens".  Pete's shoulders slumped he sobbed on Tiff's
shoulder as he had done many times before.  "Come on little one none of
that you have two strapping men that have been waiting to see your smile
for a long time".  Pete nodded and rubbed his eyes.

Si and Derik lent down to give Pete a hand up on the stage.  The pair were
smiling although Pete could see the sadness in their eyes.  The crowd
cheered "Smile for the crowd little one they are going to be our
distraction".  Pete nodded at the whispered instruction from Derik.  Pete
turned and raised his arms giving a cheer for the gathered Elementals.  As
he did so he reached out to each of them with his power.  They watched as
the gathered crowd felt the power of a fifth flow over them.  The look of
wounder was perfect.  "There now they will remember what we are fighting
for", Pete murmured to Derik and Si.



The four men left shortly after.  The crowd would serve to distract the
Dragons that had no doubt felt Pete's power.  "Did they know what they were
doing", Pete asked Si.  Si shrugged, but Derik nodded.  "Yea we have all
just been holding out to make sure that we could send you back.  If you had
returned and there had been nothing here how would you have gone back"?
Pete understood what Derik was saying and what he was not saying.  Pete was
proud of his circle they had made sure that humanity continued for as long
as it took for him to return.  "They know that now I'm back that the world
is going to end".  Pete said bluntly not really trusting himself to say it
any other way.  Derik and Si nodded.  "Do you have somewhere we can go so
we can you know", the pair grinned and nodded understanding what Pete was
saying.



Pete felt safe nestled between the warm bodies of Si and Derik.  "Don't be
worried little one we have accepted this", Derik whispered into his ear.
Pete turned to face Derik pushing back into Si who pulled him tight to
himself.  "We understand that for things to be better this future must
never happen.  However we now understand that it had to happen for us to
gain the extra strength needed to fight the parasites".  Si said quietly
feeling the distress in Pete's body.  Pete gazed into Derik's eyes and saw
the same acceptance of his fate as he had seen in Greg's.

"Sorry, I just wish there was another way", Derik smiled sadly. He and Si
had transferred their power to Pete.  What Pete didn't know was that they
had also transferred their memories with the marks that were now part of
Pete.  Si nodded once to Derik indicating he should tell Pete.  "Our lives
here will live on as part of the time line you will follow". Pete frowned
not understanding.  "When we transferred the power back to you, we also
transferred our memories for our past selves".  A look of horror past
across Pete's face.  "Don't worry little one it will only give us the drive
to ensure that this never happens".  Derik tried to reassure Pete.

Pete nodded he kind of understood.  He realised that he was in a time
stream that could only end one way.  He also understood that providing he
succeeded the time stream would remain just one of many possibilities.
"Wont the parasites know of this time line.  As we all know dragons can see
the many possibilities and time threads".  Si laughed and hugged Pete
tighter.  Pete was confused at seeing his two Elemental so amused.  Derik
calmed first.  "The Dragons have kept that from the parasites.  I should
imagine they have been some of the most difficult hosts for the parasites".
Pete smiled remembering how the queen dragon had taken control of her own
body.

"Still if the dragons are such difficult hosts why didn't they transfer to
Humans"?  Si laughed and pulled Pete even tighter to himself.  "Would you
believe little one that we are too cold for them.  From the information we
have gathered on them we are considered practically freezing as is almost
every creature on Earth".  Pete's eyes widened, he had never thought of
himself as cold blooded before.  "Too cold who would have thought it, and
here we are considered warm blooded". The three shared a laugh knowing that
the next would most likely never occur.



Jim felt Pete enter the water.  Pete gave the water the feel that the
elemental spirits used to give the natural bodies of water around the
world.  Jim looked over at the giant sea serpent that was his constant
companion.  The creature gave of a pleased emotion.  Jim knew that Pete had
brushed across the sea serpents mind once before.  He conveyed his feelings
to the beast who seemed amused.  Jim had a feeling that the sea serpents
possessed the same kind of abilities as dragons where seeing the strands of
time were concerned.

Jim swam to an island that he had submerged.  As he reached it he formed a
wall or bubble around it creating a dry place for his visitors.  He knew he
couldn't wait to see Pete.  However he had sensed Si with his Fifth.  His
and Si's relationship had not been as it once was.  As such Jim wasn't sure
how Si would be toward him.



Pete knew that he only had a matter of hours left.  It didn't take a genius
to work out what he was doing.  The first thing Jim did was draw Pete into
a hug and kissed him deeply.  "Damn I've missed that, don't leave for so
long next time little one".  Pete couldn't help it he laughed.  "Now I do
have somewhere a little more privet, but we would have to go now honestly I
don't think I can wait much longer".  Pete looked down and sure enough Jim
was hard, which was easy to see as he was naked.  Grinning Jim picked Pete
up and carried him off.

Neither saw the slightly upset expression on Si face.  Derik walked up to
Jim and put his arm around the other mans shoulder.  "With luck this will
bring you together knowing how hard it was to be apart.  Si sighed and
nodded.  And if he was being honest it wasn't really any of their faults
that their relationships failed having to deal with their different
elemental responsibilities.  "You know I just wish things had been
different and we could leave them more happy memories".  Derik understood
what Si was saying.  "Do you think its right we give our past selves these
memories.  You know memories of lives they will never have".  Si asked.
Derik nodded; they had all agreed that it would make their past selves
better prepared to deal with what was to come.  "It's a weapon that the
parasites won't expect.  As was using a different time line to gain
knowledge and power".  Si nodded his agreement.



Jim lightly ran his hand over Pete waking him.  "I'm sorry little one but
it's time you and Richard went to Bren, he will see you safely back to the
ship".  Jim felt Pete tense up, "Don't worry little one we always knew this
would happen one way or another.  The important thing is you get back to
us".  Pete nodded once and stood to get dressed.  "Will they already know
what's happening, or will they not realize until after I return".  Jim
shrugged he wasn't sure.

Pete looked at his three Elementals he didn't know what to say.  The three
tried to smile for him.  Pete couldn't take it he threw himself at Derik
who was in the middle sobbing.  "Come on little one you need to be strong
now".  Derik tried to calm the clearly upset Pete.  The other two gathered
around him supporting him with their presents.  Pete took a deep shuddering
breath as he exhaled he tried to calm himself.  "You are right, I must do
what must be done, I will not fail you again".  The three were a little
stunned at the sudden change in Pete.  However they knew it was a necessary
change that Pete had to make.  "Remember always that we love you no matter
what", Derik said as the other two nodded.

Pete pulled himself away and straightened his shoulders.  "Thank you all,
know I love you and that what has to be done will be done".  The three
nodded their understanding.



Pete knew when the three were in battle and felt as each of them fell.
Richard watched the younger Fifth, waiting for him to falter in what he had
promised to do.  Pete knew Richard was waiting, he also knew now was not
the time.  He knew that what remained of the Earth would be falling into
its self now.  Without his three Elementals to keep everything on cause it
was only a matter of time before the atmosphere was gone and the floating
islands landed into the lava.  The lava and core being the only parts of
the planet still functioning thanks to Bren.

"Are you ok Pete, we can stop for a bit if you like".  Pete turned to Rich
with a determined look.  "Not this time, this time we have to go one no
matter what, we have little time left.  Rich nodded his understanding. It
had only been a few days for them however he had seen a change in Pete.  No
longer was there a lost little boy.  Now there was a strong willed young
man who had lost almost everything.  "You are right we must continue".
Pete nodded once and continued in Bren's direction.



Bren Felt the others fall and knew it was time.  He moved toward the
constructed island of the parasites.  He knew that it would be where Pete
would need to go.  As he waited for Pete to arrive he reflected on all that
had happened.  On a whim he took out a drawing pad.  It had been a long
time since he had drawn anything.  However for the first time in a long
time he felt the desire to draw.

"It's good", Pete said from over Bren's shoulder.  Bren finished the last
line and looked at his drawing critically.  "You have always been a fan
little one.  Pleas just don't let the younger me stop as I have".  Pete
hugged Bren from behind of all his Elementals he had always felt a special
emotional closeness to Bren.  He figured it was due to the fact that Bren
was so emotional and had been the only one to try and date him.

"Come on little one lets finish this.  Its time you went back to us to
prevent all this from happening".  Pete nodded once as Bren took him into
his arms.



Richard and Pete didn't travel with Bren.  Bren was to be their last
distraction.  Before the pair reached the ship Richard pulled Pete aside.
"I just want to apologise for everything that I did".  Pete frowned and
then shrugged.  "Rich I now understand you were manipulated.  It's clear
the parasites knew enough about the artefacts and my circle to try and
manipulate others against us.  And I'm sure when we get back none of us
will hold you and your circle responsible.  However I will make one
request".  Rich raised an eyebrow in question. "No more secondary circles
it's not good for the elementals involved".  Richard nodded once in
agreement, nothing more was said as the pair headed to the ship.

Unsurprisingly the ship was unguarded.  It was clear that the parasites had
not expected them to come back for the ship.  "So how do we do this"?  Rich
asked.  Pete grinned and started to form the patterns that he and his
circle had first formed in reverse.  Rich watched for a moment and laughed.
"It all seems so simple", Pete nodded his agreement.

Once all the symbols were drawn Pete approached Richard.  Before he reached
him he cried out in anguish.  Richard understood Bren was dead.  The older
Fifth took the sobbing Pete into his arms.  The bright light returned.
With the extra power Pete had in him it engulfed the entire ship.  Richard
prayed to any who might be listening that they would return to their own
present leaving this devastating future behind never to happen.

To be continued



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