ELEMENT

Chapter Four: Remember The Plan

The metal of the gates sparkled with the setting sun, sending glints of rusted gold to the eyes of all who stared. It was nearly blinding, but beautiful, the old and yellowing steel a reminder that it must not have been opened in years. And Sage Stonewing felt like an ant, staring up at it.

At the behest of her own morality, she inhaled sharply. Staring down at the Light Emblem around her neck was the only thing that reminded her this was real.

They almost wanted to turn back.

But nevertheless, Sage pushed the gate open and walked directly through.

It seemed that the world began as she closed the gates behind her, lush grass rolling under Sage's boots. They stared out into the world, the blue skies overlooking the great forest.

At this point, everything seemed to be looking up for our young heroine. The cold chain around her neck, the Light Emblem emitted a type of energy Sage, a kid supposedly born without an Element (or so she thought) never felt. Although she didn't truly know, Sage now felt it in their heart that they were meant for something, something great.

The forest was vast, warm, yet draped with trees and wildlife. And Sage didn't know exactly how she was meant to traverse this new terrain, but she'd sure as hell try.

Looking up at the canopy, another feeling in this oddly large forest. The feeling that Sage wasn't alone.

She shrugged it off, continuing their journey deeper into the forest. Everything just seemed repetitive, like each tree was just copied and pasted into the same place. She knew she was lost, but had nothing to base it off of.

And, as a bird flew overhead, it squawked down at her, snapping her gaze up to it. She marveled at it, until noticing. The Light Emblem was glowing again.

They frantically looked down at the necklace, feeling the magical pressure shift through their soul. And she started running deeper into the forest, looking for anything.

She's right there. The one he told you about.

Brown hair, green eyes. It's exactly like he said. The Light Emblem looks pretty.

So what are you waiting for?

You can kill her, 193. Strike.

It still glowed. Brighter than ever, now. Sage's eyes darted to every direction, perking her ears.

...Strike. What am I doing?

"Hello?" The second was here. Sage knew it. They clutched the necklace tighter.

A rustling in the bush. Sage flinched, stepping back, hearing footsteps fall quickly away from the scene.

"Who's there?" Sage called, almost at a whisper.

And just as she called, something lunged at Sage from the bush, pinning her to the ground.

Roughly a six foot tall boy with a vibrantly brown complexion and dust colored eyes, wearing a heavy corduroy jacket and a blue shirt underneath, had her pinned down, holding a dagger over her. "Who are you? What are you doing out here?"

Sage was breathless, panicked. Stuttering, unable to say a word. The Emblem was glowing brighter now, and as the boy reached to grab it, it stopped glowing.

"Don't touch that!" Sage breathed out.

"I'll ask again," he squinted heavier, raising the knife higher. "Who are you?!"