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Ruban pulled into a gradual dive, slowly descending past the mountains. His deep, sea blue scales glinted in the bright sun like sapphires. Two slightly curved horns adorned his head, and his tail was reminiscent of an eel. The lighter scales of his underbelly were the colour of the shallow sea. His wings were spread wide, but each beat was slow and tired. As he looked down upon the valley, he felt himself smile. After years of searching, he had finally found it.

The valley below was soft emerald green. Great mountains rose around it, shielding it from the worst of the weather. A waterfall fell from one side of the valley, the spray forming a shining rainbow that outlined the beginning of a river that split the valley in two. Ruban spotted hundreds of different animals within the forest below. Herds of deer, families of wild pigs, and he even spotted a large cat with orange fir and stripes stalking along one side of the valley. Fish schooled in the deeper parts of the river, and hundreds of coloured birds screeched through the trees. This had to be the place.

Ruban focused his eyes on the waterfall, searching along the cliff face for a small cave. He found it along a ledge, nearly directly behind the waterfall, like a dark blotch along the otherwise light grey wall. He beat his wings once more, skimming over the tops of the trees and frightening several of the birds below. He absent-minded snapped at one, missing. He wasn't too upset; he wasn't really hungry. He was however incredibly thirsty.

The dragon came in for a landing near the base of the waterfall, where it fell into a wide pool which then flowed into the river. Large stones nearly half his size occupied the bank, all wet and slippery which made it slightly difficult to grip onto as he leaned his head down, pushing his muzzle into the water and gulping it down with deep draughts, echoing relief down his parched throat. He sat back when he felt satisfied, looking around the small pond with a sigh. For once there were no other dragons around to judge his eager drinking. The looks of confusion and sympathy he received from the simple action were always painful.

He sighed as he looked up to the cave, anxiety rushing over him. He was sure he had found the right place. It matched the detailed image that had been placed in his head by a friendly mind dragon several weeks ago. Every question he had asked lead him here, every query, his entire search. But what if it didn't work? What if he didn't find his answer?

He gave a shuddering sigh, turning his head to look up at the cascading waterfall, a longing in his heart. His greatest wish. His one goal. All he had ever wanted for the first eleven years of his life... all he had ever wanted was to be connected to the element of his species. To be connected to the ocean. To pull the power of water from his gullet and out into the air. To be able to breathe in the life of his species. But he had hatched without that connection, hatched as one of the element-starved, or more accurately water-starved. It was a rare occurrence, but he happened to be the one that had landed with it.

But now... now he may have found the one dragon that could help. Ruban looked at the cave again, his conviction returning. If he didn't find the answer here, he could always look somewhere else. There had to be a way of connecting with his element somewhere, and he wouldn't stop until he found it. With a rumble, he gave a wing-assisted jump to land on the ledge leading into the cave. Small droplets of water caught his scales, sliding down in droplets. With his scales, he barely felt them.

As he walked into the cave he was struck with awe once again. The rugged walls were glowing with blue crystals, each giving more than enough light for the young dragon to find his way. The scent of wet rocks followed him into the cave, reminding him of his home, and despite how damp the surroundings were Ruban found it pleasantly warm.

The cave slowly began to open, and several dozen dragon-lengths ahead Ruban spotted the end of the tunnel. His pace quickened, his tail twitching nervously. But before he reached the exit a cool mental presence entered his mind. His entire body froze, not out of his own will, as the presence spread through him, taking control of every bodily function.

Panic began to rise within the drake as he tried to struggle for control, quickly finding himself defeated by the will of the other being. He didn't know what was happening, or why he couldn't move, all that he knew was that somehow, he was being controlled. But as suddenly as it appeared, the presence dissipated, leaving him in control again as he staggered forward with a gasp.

'I apologise,' a mental voice speaking in the language of dragons echoed through his head, 'I am unused to receiving visitors. When I felt your presence, I grew... concerned.'

"I... umm," Ruban looked around startled for the source of the voice, "I'm sorry for... worrying you."

A sense of amusement flowed through him, 'Come to the main cavern, young drake, I will wait for you.'

Shaking off the uneasy voice Ruban continued through. It had undoubtedly been a mind dragon that had taken control of him but never had he so easily been overcome by the mental control of a dragon like that. He regarded one of his strengths as the willpower, which, with enough of, one could easily push back against a mind dragon's mental control. However, his mental will seemed like nothing in comparison to how easily this other dragon had taken control of his mind.

Ruban walked through the other end of the tunnel into what he assumed was the main cavern. It was a wide-open space, big enough to comfortably fit a small family of dragons, with the same glowing blue crystals dotting the walls and roof. On the other side of the cavern, six more tunnels lead off in different directions. Toward the leftmost side of the cave was a single nest made for a larger dragon, pieced together with the emerald leaves of the forest outside. In the nest sat another dragon.

The blue hue of the crystals made the lighter blue of the other dragon's scales darker. He was an older drake, likely having passed his fourth century, and a soft aura radiated from him that seemed to encompass the entire cave with his presence. The drake was over twice the size of Ruban, one of the largest mind dragons the water drake had ever seen. The mind dragon's scales were unblemished and pristine, with long horns at the top of his head, and he stared at the younger drake intently, his eyes piercing right through Ruban and into the water dragons very soul.

"He... hello," Ruban stuttered, bowing his head, "Elder."

"No nee-" the elder dragon let out a huffing cough, shaking his head as though startled, "Sorry. It has been a long time since I have spoken out loud. There is no need for formalities Ruban. You have come a long way to find me."

"So... you are him? The Element Sage?" Ruban said, shuffling his wings uncomfortably, knowing the dragon was likely drawing the information from Ruban's own head.

"The one and only," The Element Sage replied with a smile, "It had been a while since a dragon with your particular... condition has seeked me out."

At those words hope filled the young dragon, "So you can help me then?"

"Possibly," the mind drake said, "Don't let your hopes grow too much young one. What you want is very difficult to achieve... and not at all guaranteed."

"But you know how to do it?"

"I do," The Sage got up from his nest, stretching out his wings and giving a large yawn, as though he had just woken up, "You element starved dragons always have the hardest of lives. Very painful minds. It usually breeds one of two dragons. The one who falls under the pressure, thinking themselves worthless, or the one that rises above it, and finds a purpose in their lives despite the lack of an element."

"I... I guess," Ruban stuttered, sitting down on his haunches as the large mind dragon walked up to him, the piercing eyes seeming to study not only his physiology but consciousness as well.

"But then there are the rare third types, who choose not to accept their lot in life and search for a way to fix it," The Element Sage lowered his head so he was staring directly into Ruban's eyes, "Like you. In fact, you remind me a lot of a young dragon that came by here perhaps... oh... seventy-eight years ago now. She was your age in fact. A right pain in my tail that one."

"Oh... did you help her reconnected with her element?"

"I tried. I was unsuccessful though."

"Oh," Ruban lowered his head.

"Don't despair young one. I will promise to try my best," he raised his head, shaking out his wings, "Now, there are two ways to achieve what you are looking for. The first is physical and can often be incredibly painful and risky. I have seen dragons die in the attempt. This is the one I can help you with, to an extent. The second requires mental anguish and physical strife. Even if you do succeed you will be stuck with a mental scar that will only grow over time, slowly devouring your very soul. This is one you need to achieve by yourself."

"Neither sound very... appealing," Ruban shivered.

"No, neither do. Perhaps this will help you decide. The first one requires me to contact your adjacent element, in your case Pho'ena, or water. If she does respond, it will be up to us to try and convince her to unite you with the element of your species, and even then, the process of doing so can be... traumatic. As long as you do exactly as she tells you, you should be fine though."

"Wait... you can... summon the elements?" Ruban's eyes widened.

"Summon is a strong word. I can contact them, talk to them, if they choose to respond that is. Sometimes that part can be difficult."

"Oh... okay."

"Anyway, the second way is for you to reach equilibrium."

Ruban frowned, "I didn't think element starved dragons could reach equilibrium."

"They can. All dragons have the potential of creation. We are created by the seven elements after all, and thus even if we are not directly connected to the element we are created by, we still have the potential within ourselves."

"Huh," Ruban allowed himself to daydream for a moment.

The idea of becoming a dragon of equilibrium was something every young dragon wished for. They were renowned dragons, powerful beyond belief, which was the reason why many became the leaders of their respective species. To achieve such power required a mental and physical strength that was rare. Despite the dangers of such a power, such as losing complete control the first time one used it, it was sort after a fair amount. It was those dragons that were the heroes, laying down their life and soul for their species and nation.

"Surely equilibrium can't be as bad as you say it is," Ruban said to the Sage.

"It's worse," The Sage sighed, "Pushing yourself into an equilibrium requires you to lose a part of yourself. Often it is the emotion or conviction that pushed you into it in the first place. When I found that power, well, I began to lose the ability to feel... emotion at all. It started slowly, but the more I used the power the more I began to lose. Now... now I only have the memories of that time. I can remember what it is like to feel... but I can no longer have any personal experience."

"That... is sad," Ruban said.

"It is, at least, it would have been," the sage chuckled, "But if you wish to reach equilibrium, you must be willing to carry a curse of equal standing."

"I... don't really want that."

"Good! No dragon should, and either way, I often advise to try the first way first, and then if it doesn't work and they still wish for their element, find a way to push yourself into equilibrium. That's what that other dragon did anyway."

"I thought you said she didn't get her element."

"No, I said I wasn't able to help her do it. She was a fire dragon. I managed to get in contact with Terrinian, but the element refused to unite with her. She was furious of course, and walked out of my cave, flying off. A couple of years later she returned with equilibrium, demanding to talk to Terrinian again. I didn't want to stop her, so I did as she asked. That was... interesting," The Sage turned around, beginning to walk to one of the tunnels, "Now follow me."

Ruban padded up beside him as they began to walk down into the tunnel, "Huh. Don't worry, I won't be like that if this doesn't work."

"I hope not," The Sage snorted, "Though, based on what I have seen, if you did reach equilibrium you would still want to come back and show me."

The water drake stared at the Sage for a moment, "You don't know that."

"You're right, I don't. Often it is difficult to predict what someone would do in a situation they have never been in, regardless of what you learn from their mind."

"Huh..." they padded along silently for a couple of moments before Ruban found himself wanting to ask another question, "Why would Pho'ena refuse to unite me with my element? I thought the reason for my condition was that she simply... forgot to connect with me when I hatched."

"That's not entirely untrue," The Sage answered, "But consider this. How many dragons do you think are alive at this very moment in time?"

"Uhh... no idea."

"It would be around two billion," the mind dragon answered, "And considering that you water dragons are quite a... vibrant species, I would guess that around two hundred million of them are water dragons, and nearly all of them rely on Pho'ena for their abilities. Now, being one of the elements, she isn't exactly conscious all the time. In fact, she is one of the harder ones to call forth. With this in mind, there will be the occasional hatchling that she doesn't connect with, as she has already connected with so many. The same is true with the other elements. It's no fault of her own, or at least she doesn't see it that way, and it is no fault of yours either. It simply... happens, and you were one of the unlucky few that suffered from it. The thing is, she doesn't owe you anything, and to unite with you requires a conscious effort, especially since you were not born with that natural connection."

"Oh... okay. Surely it wouldn't require that much effort though... from her anyway."

"But it will be an effort... something the elements don't like giving, to put it simply," The Sage sighed.

"They sound rather lazy," snorted Ruban.

The Sage snickered, "Well when you have lived as long as they have... all you really want to do is sleep. Even at my age, I tend to be resting most of the time. The only two that don't really sleep is fire and time. Terrinian because he likes to have fun with others, and O'hen because he is the only one of them with a sense of duty."

"I guess that's true," Ruban lowered his head, "So it'll be hard to contact Pho'ena then?"

"Hard? Yes. Impossible, no, and since I haven't talked to her in a century or two, I would actually say quite likely."

The water dragon perked up at that. The two dragons walked into another, smaller cavern. There were still the same blue crystals skirting the walls, and the damp wet smell of stone and earth was much stronger. A pool covered half the inside of the cavern, with clear water illuminating a deep drop into darkness. As Ruban investigated it he felt a chill run down his spine.

"How are you going to contact her?" he asked.

"Patience young one. That part is up to me. It may take a while though, so make yourself comfortable," The Element Sage stepped up to the pool, closing his eyes and letting out a deep breath.

Ruban watched for a couple of minutes, before getting bored and laying down next to the pool of water, looking down into it. The blue crystals still glowed from within the pool, but it was too deep for the drake to see the bottom. There seemed to be nothing living within the pool either, no fish, no kelp, leaving him with a rather eerie feeling. With a sigh he lay his head on his paws, relinquishing himself to the wait. He had been waiting for years for this moment, waiting a little longer would not hurt him.

As he waited his mind began to drift. As a water-starved dragon, he had never been able to breathe underwater like his friends or family, which didn't help as he hatched within an air pocket in an underwater cave. When his parents found out they had been extremely worried, and he had spent the first year of his life in that cave, watching as his siblings learned how to swim and play. Eventually, he was able to hold his breath long enough to make it to the surface of the ocean village in which he had lived, and from there had spent most of his time on the shore, hunting, flying, and genuinely just trying to live. His parents tried their best to look after him, but it had been hard when their other two hatchlings wanted to constantly explore the depths of the ocean.

It had left him with a sense of longing for the power he had missed, spending many days and nights simply daydreaming about the day he would be able to join them. On his eight hatchday he had set out in search of a way to find that power. That had been three years ago, and in all that time he had traveled around most of the known world in search of that answer. The only place he hadn't gone was the fire kingdom. Water dragons weren't really liked there.

A sudden ripple within the water broke Ruban out of his thoughts, and he scampered to his feet as a large mass seemed to materialize in the water. It was long, its coiling length disappearing into the inky darkness. Its scales were white, and painted blue splotches ran down its back accompanied by rows of fins with the same dark blue colour. The water dragon backed away in a panic as the creature's head breached the surface, stretching up so it looked down upon the two dragons.

The head was uncomfortably dragon-like, the only real difference was that it was longer, with the top teeth visible along the edge of its maw. The razor fangs were the size of a human. Instead of horns, it had blue frills, like a flower, that were spread outward in a ferocious display of elegance. Its eyes were small black pupils that were drilled into the creature's head, and it turned to and frow, studying the two dragons in front of it. It's head alone was easily the size of Ruban.

The most frightening thing however was the power that seemed to accompany the creature. Its aura swallowed the room, pressing down from all sides like a crushing weight. What's more, he felt he could taste the condensation in the air, as though it had just rained.

"Aah... Sage... you may want to wake up," Ruban said, "There is a sea serpent here! And it's massive!"

The Sage laughed, taking several steps back and bowing his head to the serpent, "Don't worry Ruban, and show your respect to the physical form of the element of water."

The water dragon's eyes widened, and he quickly bowed his head as well.

'What have you called me here for, Sage?' Pho'ena's mental voice echoed through the young dragon.

"I apologise for awakening you, Pho'ena," the mind dragon said, "But this young dragon here hatched without the connection to you that has been granted so many others. He wishes to gain that connection."

The serpent's piercing eyes turned toward Ruban, scrutinizing him.

'I am allowing you to hear her mental voice. She doesn't often speak out loud,' The Element Sage mentally told the water dragon.

'What is your name, dragon?' Pho'ena asked.

"I... uhmm... my name is Ruban..." Ruban kept his head bowed, trying to figure out how to address such a powerful being.

'Is what the Sage says true?' asked the element of water.

"Yes... elder," he decided to go with the most respectful term dragons often called each other.

The serpent seemed to study him for a moment, 'And why do you want to be united with me?'

The question stumped him for a moment, "Because... because it is my life's wish. I want to be able to live and breathe as the others of my kind do. I want to be with my family... my friends... and I want to be able to fight for my nation."

'And you cannot do this as you currently are?'

"My... my family lives in an underwater village. I can't be with them without a connection to you."

'So, your reasons for wanting my power are selfish, are they?'

Ruban froze, "No... no. I just want to be with my kind."

'Will being with your kind help them in any way? It seems to me you want this for your own benefit.'

The water dragon tensed, unable to find an answer to the words.

'Hmph. That is what I thought. If that is all I will take my leave Sage,' The serpent began to slide back into the pool.

"Wait!" Ruban cried out, "Wait please."

Pho'ena stopped, looking at him.

"Please... I will do anything you want," he begged, "I can't live like this anymore. I would sacrifice my life to be able to gain the abilities of my species. Please. I... will help my species. I will devote my life to the benefit of others. I won't take the powers for granted."

A long silence followed his outburst. The serpent regarded him with emotionless eyes, not giving away a singular one of her thoughts. She suddenly seemed to come to a decision.

'Very well, assuming you survive uniting with me, I only ask one thing of you.'

"Wh... what?"

'Ten years from today, you will leave your home and seek me out once more in the deepest parts of the ocean. There I will have a task for you.'

"What is the task?"

'That is my condition dragon.'

Ruban hesitated a moment, before letting out a deep breath, "If the task is within my abilities, I will do it."

'Good,' without warning the serpent struck forward, much like a snake.

The water drake was only able to let out a surprised yelp in response as the massive jaws swallowed him whole. Instead of being met with teeth and flesh, it was like he was suddenly surrounded in water, and he was being pulled down. He fought weekly, holding his breath as he struggled against the force of being dragged. The illuminating blue crystals showed he was in the pool, and it wasn't long before he lost sight of the surface as he was dragged deeper and deeper as he flailed desperately against the current, to no avail.

'Don't fight it young one. Open your mouth... and breathe.'

The dragon ignored the voice. He had breathed in water before, just to test if he could survive in it like the rest of his kin. The resulting experiment had left him nearly drowned, vomiting up gallons of it onto the ground. He had nearly died and really didn't want to try it again.

'I am with you this time. Don't be afraid. Just breathe.'

He struggled weakly a little more, eyes widened a bit as a pressure around his snout began to try and force his jaw open. He was panicking, not thinking clearly as he was pulled deeper into the never-ending chasm of the pool. His tail lashed side to side and his wings were thrown open to slow the descent. But nothing worked.

'If you want my power, you have to breathe.'

The voice broke through to him, and he stopped flailing. He forced himself to calm down, and he suddenly came to a stop. He didn't know how deep he was within the pool. The crystals no longer glowed, and he was simply in pitch blackness. There was a dim light above him, but he doubted he would be able to get there without being dragged down again. He just needed to breathe. That was what Pho'ena was telling him to do. Just breathe.

Struggling against his own flesh, struggling against his own mind, he slowly allowed the water around him to open his mouth, and he took a breath. Almost immediately water flooded down his throat and gullet, spreading into his lungs. He began to flail again as he began to suffocate under the pressure, water cascading into his body. He screamed, but no sound came out. Another gasp escaped him as his body desperately tried to draw in oxygen, only to allow more water to flow through him.

He couldn't breathe. His entire body was straining for oxygen but was unable to get any. His eyes widened, but he couldn't see anything, except the light far above him growing dimmer and dimmer. He clawed at the water to no avail. Each struggle growing weaker and weaker. His limbs stopped reacting to his will. It was as though his throat had closed on him, not allowing him to breathe any longer.

Suddenly a relief flowed through him, and he let out another gasp. Water flowed into his mouth again, but it didn't suffocate him this time. It flowed through him as though feeding him life. His entire body pulsed with the ocean, the water condensing into a part inside him that he never knew was empty until now. The relief was like a drink after a long day of flying, or food after weeks without eating.

The water around him then gripped him again and flung him upwards. He rapidly ascended, instinctually closing his wings and straightening his tail, making himself as streamline as possible. He reached the glowing crystals again, shotting past them rapidly as he was shot toward the surface. With a roar he broke through the water, shooting into the air with a cry, opening his wings to allow himself to glide onto rocky ground, a laugh escaping his as his body shivered with adrenaline.

The Element Sage smiled at him, nodding his head in a well done. Unable to help himself the water dragon opened his mouth, pulling at the new piece of him that had been filled, and the element came flooding through his float and mouth, turning into a high pressured stream that shot into the wall. Ruban snapped his mouth shut, cutting off the stream.

"Ha... haha!" he cried out, "Yes! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

He turned around, expecting to see the serpent, but only the Sage was there, watching in mild amusement.

"Where did she go?" Ruban asked.

The Element Sage shrugged, "I do not know. I see you have been cured now."

Ruban nodded his head with a smile, bowing his head, "Yes... thank you for your help."

"My pleasure," The mind dragon replied, "But don't forget the deal you made with Pho'ena. The elements keep those things rather close to heart."

"I won't," Ruban promised.

"Good."

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Alright everyone, how was that for a story. That was a really fun one to write. Sorry for those that didn't have their vote chosen. Each story had only one vote so I chose the one that was voted for first. Anyway, vote on the book if you did enjoy this story, and tell me what you think of The Element Sage, and Pho'ena. Both were fun characters, and Ruban was a great character as well. The next story will be around next week at around the same time. So vote on the next story below. I usually start writing the day before I publish the next story.

Mother of Dragons: Anastasia, Human Woman - 30Yrs BTA

Living Mountains: Aerial, Wind Dragoness - 39Yrs BTA

Blinding Light: Kibre, Light Drake - 21Yrs BTA

Until next time, See Ya!

Pennator^^