Not having to wake up so early provided much more rest than Aeris realized she needed. Getting up hours before the sun had drained her; waking up like normal was refreshing. Addo once again resupplied them and escorted them out to where Pica had parked the hovercraft. He and the other Nyanians bestowed well wishes and watched them leave, waving in farewell.

On the hovercraft, they reached Haapavetsi within two and a half hours.

"We should keep it," Pica said as they stood outside a robot merchant's store. "Imagine the time we could save with it zipping us from temple to temple!"

Aeris was leaning toward Pica's reasons for keeping the hovercraft. It definitely would save them time and energy, and it would be nice having it chauffeur them everywhere. And since the Light Elemental was the only one who could control it, there was no risk of it being stolen.

Helian sighed. "I wish we could, but we can't. The ferry I saw at Ahkerrin didn't look big enough."

"Plus, a vehicle belonging to the desert seen in Elemonsina may draw unwanted attention," Zelenia said.

"Such size cannot maneuver within the jungles surrounding Estys," Tegen stated.

Pica huffed, defeated, as she looked at the hovercraft. "I guess you're right. But how can we sell it knowing it only works for me? How is it going to get back to Ibi?"

Like she had said the magic words to dismiss it, the vehicle shimmered before their very eyes. It grew more and more transparent until it was completely gone.

"Well," Helian grunted. "I guess that answers your question."

***

After stopping in Ahkerrin like before, they reached the port town of Kajaana a little after noon. Like Haapavetsi, Kajaana mainly consisted of robots, but there were more Rovaneim manning the docks than robots. The brilliant blue of the ocean was a balm on Aeris' eyes—her eyes didn't burn as she squinted around.

The ferry they boarded was purely welded metal and powered by roaring engines, not like the quiet paddleboat ferry Fangril had attacked. But it would cross the Lumien Strait much faster than regular boats. Pica literally bounced around with excitement in leaving Kefalon and getting to see something green for the first time.

Like promised, they landed in Polmuile in less than an hour and a half. Finally seeing something green and alive was better than seeing water. Aeris breathed in the temperate air, not the dry, moisture-less air of the desert—she didn't feel like she was choking.

Overwhelmed by the new landscape, Pica's mouth hung open as she eyeballed every tree, bush, and blade of grass. The gentle giant called Tegen picked a white flower and gave it to her. Light was thrilled to receive the gift—she hugged the Kemiji's thighs in thanks, since she couldn't reach his neck, then cradled the flower in her hands as she looked it over.

It was hard to believe that the young Rovaneim had never seen nature—all she knew had been metal buildings, factories, and smog-covered evening skies. Kefa was one place Aeris would never live in.

***

The distinct rumble of thunder ahead made Aeris falter her walk. They had entered a cave, so she wasn't able to see the warning signs of dark clouds of a storm rolling in. Maybe she could convince the others to stay the night in the cave and continue on tomorrow when the storm had passed.

Pica's skipping stopped. "I think I just heard thunder." She turned to the Kemiji. "That means we're nearing the Storming Plains, right?"

"Yes; this cave is the entrance."

"Cool!"

Aeris didn't like the fact that it sounded like the storm was permanent. "What are the Storming Plains?"

"Legend says that the Elements Fire and Air quarrel over ownership of this hundred-league stretch. Storms are unceasing here; rain or hail is common, but lightning is unending," Tegen answered.

Walking across the invisible boundary of the Storming Plains, Aeris jerked back—the static electricity was so thick, like walking into a block of electrified gel. The shock shot through her left arm and leg. She jumped back across the invisible line, back into air not pulsating with electricity.

"I can't go in there," she stated.

The Sun, Moon, and Elementals turned; surprise and puzzlement crossed their faces at finding her standing a way from them.

"Why not?" Renuo asked. "Are you scared of lightning?"

"Is something wrong, Aeris?" Zelenia asked.

"I just can't. Do we have to go through there?"

"It's the quickest way to Estys."

"There has to be a way around..." She turned to the knowledgeable Kemiji. "Tegen?"

"You could go to Yactim, take a boat through the Ventus Sea and dock at Jarnu in Caelestis—the 500-league trip takes up to a week and a half, though. Or you could go North to Ulat and skirt around the Plains and come to Estys in five days."

"Aeris," Zelenia began as she took a step forward. "We need to stay together."

"Why can't we go north like Tegen said? It only takes five days—that won't take up too much time."

"What are you so afraid of?"

This was her moment to let them in—the young Moon looked so concerned; she wouldn't shove Aeris away in disgust... Would she?

But she had held her secret for so long. She took an enormous risk telling Heela; he didn't shun her, but they might unconsciously. It was selfish, but safer for Aeris if she kept quiet. Fear of rejection made her shake her head. "I can't go in there."

"Aeris, please," Zelenia reached out for her.

She stepped back from her touch. "I'll see you in five days." With that, she turned to leave.

"Now, wait—" Geryon began.

Aeris was pulled back by her left arm. She turned back in fear to see realization dawning on his face: that there wasn't a pulse under his hand.

Before his mouth could open to call her out on it, she pulled a sword out of the air and placed it under his chin. Geryon jerked his head back in caution; the other Elementals gasped.

"Whoa!" Helian exclaimed.

Zelenia jumped in surprise. "Aeris, what?"

"Release me," she ordered.

Geryon responded by tightening his hold on her wrist—his jaw set and his eyes blazed in challenge. He wasn't backing down at the heat of her order.

"Stop this now! Geryon, let her go; Aeris, remove your sword, please," Zelenia begged.

His eyes never left hers. "What are you hiding?"

She pressed the tip of her sword in, nicking his throat. "That's no concern of yours."

"Explain."

"Not to you.

"I wouldn't, Tegen," she warned as he tried to discreetly move around her. Air was strong with her right now, invoked with Geryon grabbing her and now combating his Fire.

Zelenia continued to beg. "Aeris... please, let's talk."

Slowly, Geryon let go of her wrist and raised the hand. Aeris pulled her sword off his neck and it dissolved into the air as they stepped back from each other. Neither had taken their eyes off the other.

Zelenia sighed. "Thank you." She faced Aeris. "Now, Aeris, what was the meaning of this?"

Comfortable with the distance between her and Fire, her eyes switched to the young Moon, trembling from witnessing the confrontation. Seeing her shaken turned Aeris' anger into embarrassment. She looked at the other Elementals huddled together—puzzlement was plain on each face, but Pica's eyes were wide and on the verge of tears.

Aeris's eyes dropped in shame—she hadn't meant to hurt anyone. "I can't go into the Storming Plains because... because I could... die."

There was a quick second of silence. "Oh, Aeris, my magic's strong enough to protect you," Zelenia said.

"I don't think you can."

"What do you mean? Why not?"

She swallowed. "Because metal attracts lightning."

Zelenia still looked at her with confusion. Aeris took in a deep breath before looking at her covered left arm. Shaking fingers moved up to unfasten the first buckle, then undid another before unzipping the back of the wrap.

She hesitated before peeling down the wrap. "Please, don't disown me." Closing her eyes to avoid seeing their reactions, she pulled down to the ball of her shoulder—the sharp intakes of air couldn't be blocked.

Instead of a normal arm, a robotic arm was revealed. The titanium dipped with the natural curves of an arm and no wires showed—seamlessly closed off. Even though technologically advanced, it was still a metal arm, from the ball of her shoulder to the tips of her fingers. Stretched skin and burn marks were where the metal met tissue.

"Pica... this is the reason why I vanished. There was an explosion at a café, blowing off my left leg, some of my waist, and most of my arm. Surgeons installed these robotic limbs to save me. I was the only one to survive—twenty-four others were killed."

Aeris winced under the memory of Vel visiting her in recovery, looking at her with horror and disgust. His slicing words were still sharp. "It was implied that I could never be accepted. I had become a cyborg; a freak. I wasn't the perfect Aeris that everyone knew.

"So, I left without a word—I wouldn't have been able to take the looks if I had stayed. I met Heela on the railcar to Elemonsina; after some time, I trusted him with the truth of what I had become, and he accepted me." She ducked her head. "But now he's gone and I feel alone again. I've been trying to think of ways to tell you all, but thinking I would be disowned again has stopped me."

No one said anything for a long time. Aeris couldn't look up to see the horror or disgust written on their faces. She turned her attention to sliding the wrap back up, zipping it and redoing the buckles.

Slender hands joined hers on a buckle; her eyes lifted to see Zelenia. The young Moon gave a small smile as she helped refasten the buckle.

"How could we disown you?"

"You won't hear any of those words you feared from us," Kalisa said.

"Aeris." She looked up to Pica standing close with tears in her eyes—Light fidgeted, looking like she wanted to run to her. "I could never reject you."

Air looked behind her to the other Elementals, not seeing repulsion in their eyes but acceptance; even in Geryon's eyes, past the remorse. They were all just like Heela. Her heart swelled, and she had to take a calming breath to steady her emotions—she didn't realize how badly she wanted their acceptance.

Aeris turned back to Pica and gave a small smile.

It was the opening she needed; Pica ran at her and threw her arms around Air's midsection. "I'm so sorry, Aeris."

Aeris freed a hand to hug her back. "I'm not proud of my fault, but I have accepted it."

"You can't go," Zelenia began. "We need you."

Pica pulled her head back to look up at her. "Zelenia will keep you safe; I'm sure of it!"

The young Moon held out a hand. She took a deep breath, then took her hand. Zelenia smiled reassuringly as she tugged her along; Pica walked on her left, an arm hooked through hers. Aeris' hand squeezed Zelenia's in pain as she crossed the boundary of the Storming Plains.

Zelenia reacted by moving closer to her. The rest of the Elementals crowded around them as they moved further in.