EARTH II

Prologue

The young looking boy was strapped to an old wooden chair in the middle of a dark room lit with a faint orange glow from a small wax candle sitting on a small wooden table.

There was a creak as the door to the room was opened and a hooded figure entered. Before the boy could catch a glimpse of what lay beyond the room a harsh wind blew the door shut. The boy didn't know if he was seeing things but when the figure entered the candle seemed to glow brighter.

The hooded figure then pulled a blunt object from his cloak.

"W-w-who are y-y-you?" The boy asked weakly. In response the figure brought the heavy object down on the boys head and all went black.

Chapter 1

Visitor

It was a gorgeous day on Sapphire Lake's eastern shore. At first glance there appeared to be no form of life. But after looking for a while you could make out the outline of a small house in the thick foliage.

Outside the house stood a four foot tall black hound that smelled of death with teeth the size of daggers. The creature inside the house was a completely different story. It was ten times deadlier and ten times more powerful. Inside the house appeared to be......a girl.

* * *

The large dog gave a low growl as the wind picked up and large waves started to form on the one tranquil lake. Suddenly a boy entered the small clearing in front of the house. The hound's growl suddenly became louder and fiercer.

"Hello Josner," the boy said not seeming to be afraid of the beast.

"How do you know my name?" Josner growled.

"Who doesn't," he said smirking.

"Leave now!" Josner barked.

"What if I don't want to?" Then Josner charged. The boy stood his ground until the last minute he sidestepped and Josner got a face full of tree. This didn't affect the hound except for making him a little irritated. He charged again this time expecting the move and harshly pinning the boy.

"I've got you now," said Josner triumphantly.

"Or not," said the boy as a pillar of earth sent Josner spiraling into the air.

"I officially hate alchemists," Josner declared to no one in particular as he slipped into unconsciousness.

* * *

The girl snapped out of her daydream as soon as the wind picked up. She then hopped off her bed and watched the events that were evolving below from her second story window.

Even before the battle had begun she knew Josiner would not succeed in keeping him away from her. Now it was her turn to face the mysterious newcomer.

* * *

As she headed down the stairs she ran through the boys fighting techniques she had witnessed. She knew that he was cocky and arrogant. Those she could handle but the fact he was an alchemist could mean trouble.

"Hello Joni," He said as she stepped out of her house.

"How do you know my name?" she said stalling for time.

"Like I told your friend here," motions to Josner's limp body, "who doesn't."

"Do you know what I am?"

"Of course."

"Then why do you dare challenge me?"

"For that exact reason."