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multiplying
     in intensity with each onslaught. I wasn’t sure how much more I could bear without
     Jace.
    First, I needed to work on releasing my other Elements, and then focus on breaking
     the bonds that held me. The throbbing in my head made concentration difficult, but
     I pushed through it.
    I was so weak that I had to pull the energy surrounding me into my aura. Closing my
     eyes and focusing on bringing the energy into myself eased some of my pain. I found
     this interesting as I continued to fill my aura, letting the energy rejuvenate my
     depleted strength.
    My mouth was dry, and I planned to use my Water to bring the liquid in the cup to
     my mouth so that I could relieve some of my dehydration. When I felt that I had enough
     power to move forward, I beckoned the liquid in the cup to come to me. It rippled
     before floating out of its container and streaming toward me. It was slower than normal,
     but it was better than nothing.
    Finally, the water reached my mouth, moistening my cracked lips and parched tongue.
     I drank greedily, letting it quench my thirst. Water had never tasted so good before.
     I conjured some more from the molecules in the air, refilling the cup and drinking
     twice more.
    As a precaution, I refilled it a final time so that Hades wouldn’t be suspicious as
     to how I had managed to drink from a cup that was out of my reach. I didn’t want him
     to know that I had released my power.
    I wanted to free my Air next, so I directed my attention to calling it. Just like
     with my Water, I could feel it struggling against some unseen force field. I channeled
     my energy into it while pulling more from around me. I didn’t want to pass out again
     from pouring all of my energy into the barrier. Slowly, I felt the obstruction crack,
     spreading outward across the transparent surface before the whole thing disintegrated.
    Yes! Two down, two to go. I swirled the air around, testing to make sure that it was free. I felt the breeze
     brush past my body, and I smiled, happy for the small victory. Hades would not defeat
     me. I would escape, and then I would take him and Uranus down.
    I repeated the process with my Earth, which was slightly more difficult, given that
     I was so drained. Even the extra energy I had pulled into my aura wasn’t helping,
     which I contributed to my separation from Jace. I weakened so much faster being away
     from him, and it took more to replenish my strength. Also, being strung up by my arms
     was taxing on my body, and the constant pain exhausted me.
    Suddenly, a young, beautiful woman entered the doors, interrupting my efforts. She
     wore a short, flowing, deep purple dress as she skipped through the room towards me.
     Her long, blonde hair and bright green eyes were definitely out of place.
    She carried a tray, which I assumed held food. I wondered what someone like her was
     doing in the Underworld, but looks could always be deceiving. She could have been
     a God in disguise, or some other mythical creature for that matter. Power didn’t radiate
     from her like a God, so I concluded it was the latter.
    Once she reached the steps, she spoke in a singsong voice, “Hi. I’ve brought you some
     food. Hades told me that you refuse to eat. You need to eat.”
    “Why do you care? Who are you anyway?”
    “I’m one of Hades’ nymphs. My name is Leuce.”
    “I thought nymphs were only found in nature, like around water and land. What are
     you doing down here?”
    “There are Celestial, Land, Wood, Water, and Underworld nymphs. All are associated
     with some type of nature, and contrary to popular belief, there is nature down here.
     People portray the Underworld as a barren, fire-filled wasteland, but only parts of
     the Underworld are like that.”
    “And it doesn’t bother you what Hades does down here? You stay willingly?” I asked.
    “He loves me. He loves all his mates,” she said, but I could tell she was unsure of
     her own words by the change of tone in