Chapter 5: The Secret Unveiled

While Alex and Max were exploring the cathedral, Olana took advantage of their absence to have a private conversation with Alex's parents. She had a few questions about Alex, and wanted to clear some doubts.

Olana said, "Sarah, David, may I have a moment with you?"

Sarah said, "Of course, Olana. What is it?"

Olana replied, "I have some questions about Alex, if that's alright."

David nodded, "Sure, what do you need to know?"

Olana asked, "Is Alex adopted?"

Sarah and David looked at each other in shock, then Sarah started to cry.

David said, "How did you know that?"

Olana explained, "All heirs of elemental power are orphans, and it's a well-kept secret. Only a select group of people in the church know about it, and I promised that no one would tell Alex anything."

Sarah said, "I'm sorry, Olana. We just wanted to protect him."

David added, "But what happens now? What do we do?"

Olana said, "The church will provide a house for you, and Alex will attend the Elemental Institute of Lotardale (EIL), where all magicians learn to control their powers. This will all take place after the big ceremony scheduled after the arrival of the other two children in Lotardale."

Sarah asked, "And what about us?"

Olana replied, "You will be able to stay with Alex and provide him with support. The church will take care of everything."

David said, "Thank you, Olana. We appreciate your help."

Olana replied, "It's my pleasure. Let's continue the tour and I'll show you everything."

The cathedral was amazing. As they entered the Elemental Cathedral of Lotardale, they found themselves in a grand foyer with high ceilings and intricate, colorful stained-glass windows that cast a warm glow throughout the space. On the walls, there were murals depicting the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire.

The central area of the cathedral featured a towering altar made of white marble, with statues of the four elemental deities surrounding it. The altar was flanked by two ornate staircases that led up to a balcony where the choir performed during ceremonies.

On the left side of the cathedral, there was a small chapel dedicated to each of the elemental deities, with statues and icons of each deity placed on ornate altars. On the right side, there was a series of rooms for the clergy, including living quarters, a library, and a meditation chamber.

The cathedral also featured several stained-glass domes, each depicting a different scene from the history of magic in Lotardale. One of the most impressive domes showed a great battle between the four elemental deities and an ancient evil, which was said to have taken place thousands of years ago.

Olana continued the tour, pointing out the intricate details and explaining the history and significance of each part of the cathedral. Alex's parents were in awe of the grandeur and beauty of the cathedral.

As they left the cathedral, a group of church officials was waiting for them outside. The officials were dressed in long robes with the symbol of the church embroidered on them.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Stern," one of the officials greeted them. "We will be escorting you to your new home."

Alex's parents exchanged a look of surprise. They hadn't expected the church to provide them with a house so soon. It was a quaint, cozy cottage located in a quiet corner of the town.

The exterior was made of stone, with a thatched roof and a small garden in the front. Alex's parents were impressed by the cozy cottage and couldn't believe that the church had provided it for them. It was a big relief for them to have a new home in a new town where they knew no one.

As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a warm and inviting living room, complete with a fireplace and comfortable sofas. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes from Lotardale's history, and a large wooden table sat in the center of the room. Alex's parents felt at home already.

The kitchen was modest but functional, with a wooden table, chairs, and a stove for cooking. Alex's mom was delighted with the quaint decor and immediately began planning meals to cook for the family. She had always loved cooking, and having a new kitchen to work in was exciting for her.

The bathroom was small but had all the necessities, including a bathtub for soaking in after a long day of exploring. Alex's parents were grateful for the simple but functional bathroom, as it was more than they had ever had before.

And the bedrooms were simple but comfortable, with soft beds, wooden dressers, and windows that let in plenty of natural light. Alex's parents were happy to have a good night's sleep in their new home.

Overall, it was a charming little house that felt like a true home. Alex couldn't wait to start their new life in Lotardale and make many happy memories in their new home. He was glad that his parents were happy, and he hoped that he would be able to make new friends in Lotardale too.

As they settled into their new home, Alex's parents began to talk about their plans for the future. They wanted to make sure that Alex was safe and well taken care of, and they also wanted to explore their new town and get to know the people who lived there.

Olana had promised to show them around and introduce them to some of the other church officials and members of the community. Alex's parents were looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends, and they hoped that Alex would be able to do the same.

As they sat down to eat dinner that evening, Alex's mom looked at him and smiled. "This is going to be a new beginning for us, Alex," she said. "We have a new home, a new town, and a whole new world to explore. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

Alex smiled back at her, feeling grateful and excited for the opportunities that lay ahead. He knew that his life was about to change in ways that he couldn't even imagine, and he was ready for the adventure that awaited him.