[ WP ] Our world is inhabited by hostile Elemental Creatures , even in modern times traveling is very dangerous because of them . In this world , the Eldest offspring of a family is sent off to find and tame new Elementals to protect the family home from the hostile Wild Elementals .

Izhi stepped forward slowly, stalking like a panther, gripping their lasso in their hands. They ’ d seen their parent do it before, always successfully, but now it was time for the torch to be passed. 
 
 The luminescent undergrowth buzzed as they stepped over the rise, high above them, the tendrils and trees of the forest hummed with life. 
 
 Gozi, the last elemental captured by Izhi ’ s second parent before they passed, was aging quickly, no longer able to perform its duties. It would soon pass back into the other-world, leaving the family farm open to wild creatures and untamed elementals. 
 
 Over the rise, a fire elemental stood quiet and still. According to Izhi ’ s father, the fire creatures were the best creatures to tame, still like stone until angered. They made the best, most trustworthy guardians. As long as you could capture it before it killed you. 
 
 This one was large, at least twice the height of the family ’ s tractor, but it was still young. If captured now, it would serve the family for at least three cycles before it succumbed. 
 
 Izhi held their breath. They readied the lasso, counted backwards from ten, then stood. With careful aim, like they were taught, Izhi cast the lasso towards the elemental. 
 
 The rope came to life with a bright, glowing energy, like electricity but stronger, brighter. 
 The lasso went wide, missing the head of the creature and instead tightening around one of its stone pauldrons. The beast, like a walking volcano, with stone skin and channels of magma as veins, reacted faster than any beast of its size should. 
 
 It roared, a horrific noise, just like Gozi used to make when packs of wild fear elementals would stray too close to the farm. It rushed into Izhi ’ s ears and made them cry out, but they didn ’ t loosen their grip on the lasso. 
 
 The elemental roared in its ancient, alien language, and stepped back. Izhi was dragged through the dirt, their bare feet scraping against sharp stones, long buried. 
 
 The lasso served only to weaken the creature. The most difficult part was trapping its essence in the crystal each tamer carried with them. 
 
 It was jagged and smaller than most crystals Izhi had ever seen - their parent said this was why the family ’ s elementals expired sooner than others did - but it was a family heirloom, and to buy another from one of the phase travellers would be sacrilege. 
 
 Izhi held the crystal aloft, towards the elemental, and began to chant in ancient. 
 
 The words were old and powerful, designed to tear the essence of the elemental from its body and store it in the crystal. Izhi did not know their meaning, but knew enough to speak them. 
 
 The elemental screamed, struggled, thrashed and let loose wicked plumes of fire and dust. Izhi hated to see them struggle, but knew the act was necessary. They felt the crystal begin to hum between their fingers. 
 
 The elemental stopped pulling against the lasso, taking a different approach. It unfolded its entire body, revealing more of the rivers of flame running beneath the plates of stone. 
 
 One of its huge arms lifted with a groan, pebbles and stones falling to the ground, and Izhi watched as it cast a shadow over them. 
 
 With a roar, the elemental brought the arm down, spitting flames. Izhi clamped their eyes shut, but did not drop the crystal. They waited for death, but it did not come. 
 
 Instead, the crystal chirped happily, and stopped humming. 
 
 Izhi opened their eyes to find the elemental on all fours, the lasso quiet now, the look of pain gone from its face. 
 
 The elemental sat back, then held out its huge hand. Izhi knew this bit, they responded by handing the crystal to it. The elemental considered it for a moment, then pressed it against the plate of stone that made up its chest. 
 
 The magma channels beneath its skin lit up as it absorbed the crystal. Then, it was silent. 
 
 
 Izhi rode the elemental, which they now called Arza, all the way home to the farm. Izhi ’ s parent and little sibling watched as they rode it through the silvergrain field and brought it to a halt behind the farmhouse. 
 
 It had been difficult, but the farm would be protected for at least the next two winters, and Izhi was proud of themselves. They hoped their parent was too. 

