The Keepers of the Elements

Ashlyn

The three of them began running even faster than before. Whatever kind of beast possessed the roar followed. "WHAT THE HECK IS IT?!" Pippy screeched.

"I have no idea!" Ash yelled back, picking up the pace.

"I think it might be an Onar!"

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF ZYA IS AN ONAR?!"

The giant beast that jumped in front of them answered her question. It looked like a humanoid pig-cow-thing. Very unusual. It carried a large tree branch which Ash guessed was to act as a club.

"GRONADAR EAT YOU!" The Onar roared.

Pippy backed away. "No thanks?"

"Very nice manners." Gronadar turned to Pippy. "I don't think I'll eat you."

"Thank Zya!" Pippy breathed, letting herself loosen up.

Ash glared at Pippy. "That doesn't mean he won't eat us!"

"Girl right. Gronadar eat other humans. More meat on them."

"See?!" Ash lifted her hairbrush, which she had smuggled along with them when they escaped. "Don't make me use this!" She swung it around for extra measure.

Alex looked around for something to use as a weapon, after making the mistake of leaving his sword at the bunker. He settled for a large stone, which he was able to pick up easily.

"I won't hesitate b-" Gronadar swiped at the two of them with his ginormous hand. Ash toppled into Alex, smacking him in the head with her hairbrush, and he dropped his stone which barely missed his foot.

Pippy leaned up against a tree. "Nice."

"You could at least help us!!" Ash yelled, yanking Alex out of the way just as Gronadar stomped his foot.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Have the princess help fight a monster."

"I'm a princess too!"

Pippy scanned the ground for something she could use while Ash and Alex continued dodging blows. Gronadar was strong, but not fast. Every now and then, Ash would get close enough to swipe his legs with her hairbrush. It didn't do much damage to his thick hide, but it made her feel accomplished.

Alex panted. "He has to get tired soon. I don't know how long I can keep this up." He rolled away from Gronadar's foot and rested for a second before dodging another blow.

And then it hit her. The fire. The power. The... prophecy. "Dear Zya, we're the Keepers." she said out loud, clutching her head and stumbling back.

"Um... where'd you get that idea?" Pippy asked, still searching for a make-shift weapon.

"The powers awaken inside five. That has to be us and two other people. Who are destined to meet when the land is dark... well considering that our kingdom was just attacked I'd say the land is pretty dark. And then the light will poison the shadows... that has to be about the Keepers destroying the Shadow Army!!"

Alex and Pippy blinked. "Okay wh-"

"GRONADAR EAT YOU!!" Yelping, Ash dove out of the way. She had forgotten they were trying to avoid being smashed.

"Guys, if we're the Keepers then we could use our elements on Gronadar!" Ash grinned.

"How do we know what elements we have?"

"Well, I'm fire."

"That's helpful for us." Pippy rolled her eyes. "Do you even know how to shoot fireballs or whatever you do?"

Ash rolled away from Gronadar. "...No?"

"Great we're doomed." Pippy smirked. "Or at least... you are. Gronadar likes me."

"Yes I do, small child." Gronadar and Pippy shared a smile as if they'd been friends for years.

"Okay guys, new plan! Gronadar captures you and I go get help! Plan Pippy activate!" Pippy ran off into the forest before Ash could protest at how horrible the plan was. She and Alex exchanged looks. They really were doomed if their lives were in Pippy's hands.

Gronadar snatched the two of them up. "My children will think you're tasty."

Ash's eyes widened. "Uh... children?"

"Yes. Children." Gronadar stomped over to what looked like a giant campfire. Fun.

"Sooo... what are their names?" Alex asked, trying to stall the onar.

"Gronadar Junior, Little Gronadar, and Humphrey Buttons." Gronadar used his free

hand to wipe a tear from his eye. "I named them myself."

Alex laughed nervously. "Those are... interesting names."

Gronadar smiled. "You'll be Humphrey Button's first humans." He began tying the two

of them to a large stake. That was very possibly a tree. Ash couldn't really tell. "Well, we'll enjoy you. Haven't seen enough of you to make a meal in the past weeks."

Ash started to panic. "C'mon Pippy, just hurry up!" Gronadar kneeled next to the campfire and lit it up.

"Yum yum, humans in my tum." The onar sang, tending to the fire.

"PIPPY HURRY UP!" Ash screamed. "WE'RE GONNA DIE!"

Of course, her sister was nowhere to be found.

Gronadar picked up the stake-tree thing that Ash and Alex were tied to. He took it over to the fire and was about ready to cook them when Alex screamed, "GRONADAR NO! WE NEED SEASONING!"

"Oh yes, we need seasoning! We're going to be SEASONED!" Ash yelled that last part in case her sister was in hearing range.

Gronadar nodded. "Very well, I'll get some seasoning." The onar stocked off humming.

"Okay, how are we getting out of this?" Alex asked.

Ash thought for a moment before her eyes lit up. "I'm going to set us on fire!"

"So... to keep us from cooking alive, we're cooking ourselves? That's a great plan."

"I'm immune to it. So... I'll just burn the ropes off and then we get out of here."

Alex raised his eyebrow before sighing. "If you burn me alive, you have to work in the stables for the rest of your life."

"Deal." Ash grinned. "Now to figure out how to light myself on fire!"