Forgotten Truths (Book One of the Forgotten Truths Series)

Chapter Two

  "Silence!" Bloom called out for a second time, this time the crowd turned up to listen.

  A short girl, must've been about 4 feet tall, scowled at the leader. One of the guards that surrounded them whacked her thigh with the handle of her sword. Her tag read "Thought." Breeze Tribe always had strange names.

  When all of the sound faded away, Blossom started to speak.
"Ability Testing will tell us what ability all of you have. We will test you by pricking your finger with a needle, then dropping the blood onto a special cloth. After, wait a few minutes, then you will get your result."

  A taller girl next to Thought, shivered. Although Thought only went up to the girl's shoulder, she wrapped her arm around her. 

  The two looked like they could be sisters— Same body type, tribe, basically everything but hight, hair, and whether they were gray or more pale.

What's the big deal about abilities? Ji-ho questions as his gaze drifted to two Breeze Tribe Villagers. Why do we have to poke ourselves with needles just to find out our ability? Literally almost everyone in the tribes have the correct abilities.

  A few eager trainers, from each tribe, watched the crowd. They held little needles in their hands. The trainers almost seemed to enjoy the uncertainty radiating off of the crowd. Something was off about them.

  "Lineup!" Blossom barked.

  Ji-ho watched as one by one, other kids lined up. He then walked to a line with one other person— a Droplet Tribe Villager.

  Another boy from Leaf Tribe, probably a few years younger than him, stumbled forward. His ears were pinned back. He seemed startled by all of the commotion. It was a bit strange how animal-like Leaf Tribe villagers were. His tag read "Rustic."

  This "Rustic" accidentally stumbled over the foot of the Droplet Tribe villager, "Sorry— so sorry!" He mumbled quickly.

  The Droplet Tribe villager looked down at the boy wearily before helping him back up to his feet, "Just keep moving," He grumbled.

Straight away, Ji-ho noticed the four dots under the Droplet Tribe Villager's eyes. A small mischievous grin appeared on his face.

  A tag that hung around this royal's neck read: "Drought." Prince Drought from Droplet Tribe. "Is there a problem?" He turned to Ji-ho.

  "Oh no, there isn't." Ji-ho smiled in a more... friendly way. This wasn't the mischievous smile he had earlier.

  He nodded, and turned back to the trainers. "Next!" One of them barked to Rustic.

  As a less-decent looking Leaf Tribe trainer rather gingerly pricked Rustic's finger, a girl stumbled through. A large burn from her nose to her forehead was highlighted against her chalky grey skin. By the looks of it, another Flame Tribe villager.

  Her tag read "Edge." She was apart of their group— Great. "What's up with everyone stumbling around here?" Drought muttered.

  "Aye! Pick a line!" A Breeze Tribe guard that ranked of garlic barked to Edge.

  Ji-ho waved his right arm in the air. "Edge! You can join this line!"

  I can't believe I'm actually inviting the lonely Edge to this line. Ji-ho thought quite bitterly to himself. 'I don't know if what I'm doing is a good thing or a bad thing.' 

  Maybe I'll know Edge better if I talk to her. Ji-ho's mind whispered.

  "Oh thanks," Edge trotted over to stand behind Ji-ho. She winked at the guard, who scowled.