of lights. He said he must find...” “Arianna!” Igus cut her off, walking into the clearing. “You were going to tell them!?” He asked sternly. “What is it Igus!? Why is it that Arianna cannot tell us something that might help!?” Gareth demanded. Igus raised his brows. “You would question me!? You have no right!” Igus insisted. “They need help Igus, and I do not want you to die!” Arianna now said, putting her arms around Igus. Igus calmed and looked at his friends. His gaze softened and he apologized.
“Do not think me ungrateful my friends. You have endured much, but what you ask for cannot be found here.” Igus said sadly. “Then tell us where to look. At least tell us where to find Corsea. Perhaps we can stop him before he escapes.” Devon said, noticing the look on Loanna’s face. “What do you mean, we Devon?” Loanna asked, knowing he would send her to the Blue Isle, alone. “Not now my love! Igus an answer must be given!” All eyes were on Igus. He had asked them to help, but he himself could not lift a finger. Igus thought back to his beginning, to the elders, to Artemus.
Artemus was considered the wisest of the wise. His gray hair covered his slightly pointed ears. His old, kind face was accented by light blue eyes under soft gray eyebrows. All the other elders were taught by him. He was truly ageless. He was the only being created by the four spirits.
All other Children of Nature were conceived and born much the same as human children. The big difference was their development. Each child was given to the elders at birth, who then nurtured them. By time they were but one human year, they had already begun to learn the lessons of nature. The spirits of nature, earth, wind, water and fire each taught the fledglings lessons. As they developed, the children would master just one of the four elements, then use it as their source of power. The only time there seemed to be a problem was when the children were identical twins.
Corsea was the oldest, by two hours. He grabbed the most nourishment and grew at an astounding rate. A normal child would master their lessons at seven years. Corsea was totally developed at five! Because of the lack of nourishment in the beginning, Igus did not develop until nine. The master of lessons, Artemus, chose to take Igus under his wing. That was the beginning of Corsea’s jealousy.
There was no place for jealousy in nature. Harmony was the only way nature could exist. Earth complimented water. Wind complemented fire. Wind spread the seeds over the earth. The heat of fire would cause water to evaporate, then wind would spread the rain. Earth would nurture the seeds. And so it went.
“Corsea! Why do you not help your brother?” Artemus would ask. “It seems he has all the help he needs! You coddle him too much. Let him learn as I learned!” Corsea sneered. “Your heart seems to distance itself from your brother. You will find that you will need someone one day.” Artemus chided. “I have completed my lessons. I actually find that I need no one!” With that, Corsea walked away.
“Why does he hate me so?” Igus asked. “It is hard to understand. The Children of Nature are normally very caring. It is not the first time, however. But it is not your worry Igus, you must concentrate on your lessons.” Artemus finished.
Because they were twins, Igus and Corsea were linked mentally and did not need crystals to communicate. Corsea used this link to disrupt Igus’ lessons on many occasions. Artemus and the other elders were well aware of Corsea’s interference, but allowed it. They understood that Igus would have to figure out a way to shield himself, or never develop. It was in Igus’ eighth year, while learning levitation, that he had a break through. He was about ten feet off the ground and suddenly Corsea was in his mind.
“Igus! You are an idiot!” Igus immediately lost his concentration and fell to the ground! Corsea walked from behind a tree laughing like a hyena.
“So my brother, does it hurt much!?” Igus glared at Corsea and did something totally unexpected. He rushed him! Before Corsea had time to react, Igus was on him, pounding him with his fists! Corsea was no match. He had spent all his time in mental endeavors. Igus on the other hand had to struggle and had learned to physically accomplish his chores.
“Get off me!” Corsea hollered, now in pain and afraid of his brother. “No! You have had your fun at my expense for the last time!” Corsea could not concentrate enough to counter Igus’ attack. The anger Igus had pent up inside was released and he would not be denied!
Artemus watched with intrigue, and allowed Igus to vent his anger. This day was long in the coming, he thought to himself. He also wanted to see what Igus would do after the fight.
Igus looked at his unconscious brother and felt ashamed. He could feel tears coming to his eyes. Igus took a blue crystal from his pouch and closed his eyes. A blue glow began to envelop Corsea. Igus was now helping Corsea regain his strength! As Corsea began to come around, Artemus walked up to them.
“Very admirable! Corsea, I believe you owe Igus your thanks!” “Thanks! He tried to kill me!” Corsea shouted. “You have learned nothing then! It was you who evoked Igus’ anger! How long did you think he would allow your cruelty!?” Artemus demanded. “I am sorry my brother, I have no excuse for the attack.” Igus now said, offering his hand to Corsea. Corsea ignored Igus’ gesture and glared at Artemus, “Is this what you teach Artemus!? Common brawling!?” “You have rode Igus for over eight years! The elders have allowed it because Igus needed to grow stronger, to find his own way! You have always been strong, but still do not know of the balance that Igus has displayed on this day!” Artemus insisted. “What are you saying? Do you want me to go and physically attack someone!?” Igus listened to the argument, also confused. “No Corsea! I want you to mull over what has taken place here. Think of what Igus could have done, then think of what he did! That is the lesson that you need to learn!” Artemus finish, then closed his eyes and began to fade.
“I hate you Igus! You are the cause of all this!” Corsea shouted as Artemus totally disappeared. Igus looked at his brother and wondered how he could reach him, “I know of anger but do not understand, hate. You say I am the cause, cause of what?” “Are you that stupid? I learned my lessons faster than anybody, but still the elders look down on me!” “You are the cause of everything in your life. The anger you feel is unfounded. I do not profess to know everything, but I do know that we all make our own choices.” Igus said sternly. “So your choice today was to near kill me!?” “That may well be, but I did not.” Igus said calmly, now realizing what Artemus meant, “I am sorry for that and have apologized. It is your choice now to reject or accept that apology.” Igus finished. “No Igus! I will not accept anything from you! And from this day forward, I no longer accept you as my brother!” Corsea shouted, as he turned and walked away. Igus felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.
“Igus, we need an answer! What is Corsea’s weakness!” Devon shouted. Igus snapped back to the present, “You still do not understand! We have laws to obey, we cannot divulge any information that would allow knowledge of how to destroy any of us!” Igus exclaimed, his patience growing short. “So, your laws allow the murder of innocent men, women and children. Is that what you are saying Igus?” Gareth asked calmly. Igus’ shoulders slumped and he looked to Arianna for help. She looked away, suddenly ashamed to be a child of nature. Igus closed his eyes and began to fade. He needed to return to the Isle of the Ages.
“Where did he go!?” Loanna shouted. “For the first time in his life, he is totally lost. Corsea has weakened him and he cannot think. I sense he has gone to the Isle of the Ages little one, to Artemus for guidance.” Arianna said sadly. “Igus told me of Artemus once. The wisest being alive!” Loanna said. “What is to be done? We have already noticed the dank odor returning to the forest.” Devon now said, then asked, “Corsea is gaining his strength back, is he not Arianna?” “Yes, but he will not make the same mistakes this time! He will not try to break the seal until he is sure of escape!”
“You have given up then Igus?” Artemus asked, as Igus materialized on the Isle of the Ages, “Cut and run, as the humans put it.” He finished. Igus was taken aback.
He came for guidance, not a lecture, “What are you saying!? You know what is happening! Corsea is using his power to separate me from my life force!” “Then do the same to him!” Igus looked at Artemus, “Do the same to him!? For nine years I was taught to conserve life, no matter what the cost! I do not understand your casual attitude! Even during the battle we fought all those years ago, I never tried to kill Corsea!” “The time has come to learn one final lesson.” Artemus said, as a blinding blue light emanated from his finger tips. Suddenly, Igus could not move. It was as if he had taken root! Then he felt a familiar surge as he was reconnected to his life force!
“How, how are you able to help me!? I can feel my strength returning!” Igus exclaimed. “Your previous battle with your brother was lost before it began, but luck was with you.” Artemus said, ignoring Igus’ question. “Yes, I was lucky. But that does not explain what has just happened!” “You have always known, that as twins, your life forces, and weaknesses were opposite. But you still will not use that knowledge to your advantage! You allow Corsea the edge! When will you learn that he does as he wishes because he