Uriel nodded.
"His name was Maël."
Aletha took a step forward.
Do you know where we might find him?"
Uriel seemed troubled by the question. He looked down, hesitating.
"I don't know..." he murmured. "It's been so long."
Seeing his hesitation, Aletha approached him gently. She placed her hands on his, with an almost filial gentleness.
"Please, Uriel. We don't mean him any harm. We're simply trying to understand what's happening to us. Look."
She rolled up her sleeve slightly, revealing the strange mark on his skin. Uriel frowned.
"That symbol... it looks like a sign of the zodiac," he murmured.
"Yes, but still..."
Caden intervened.
"We don't really understand what it means. But... I had a dream. A voice showed me this symbol, then directed me to a monastery. We believe it's there that we'll find the answers... about our marks. And perhaps... about our powers."
Uriel took a step back, amazed.
"Powers? You have... powers?"
Uriel slowly raised his head, looking at each of them in turn.
Zetch nodded.
"We believe it has to do with our marks. I'm a Capricorn. My element is earth."
Bella continued, "I'm a Libra. And my element is air."
Aletha added, "And I'm a Pisces. My element is water."
Caden opened his mouth:
"And I'm a Leo... and my element is..."
"Fire," Uriel added, to everyone's surprise.
Everyone stared at him, mouths open.
"How... did you know?" Bella stammered.
Uriel gave a sly smile.
"It's simple," he replied, smiling. "Because each symbol of the Zodiac is linked to an element. It's the basis of ancient magical teachings. Didn't you know that?"
The four young people exchanged embarrassed glances.
He walked over to his desk, grabbed a piece of paper, and began to scribble.
"Since your marks are linked to the signs, I advise you to learn as much as possible about them. Each sign can hide much more than it seems."
When he finished, he handed the paper to Aletha.
"Here is my friend Maël's address." But it's not next door. He lives in a village called Lunestelle, four days away. Perhaps he can help you.
Aletha shook Uriel's hand warmly.
"Thank you... thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to us."
Uriel didn't reply, but his smile spoke volumes. He watched them walk away, leaving his cabin, a breath of hope in them... and a new mystery to solve.