War of The Elements

1

There are four sections of our planet, water, fire,earth, and air. Each section was split, and ruled by their own kings and queens. They each specialize in the subject of their element, and every year, the kings send ten of their young to train for an ultimate competition. Nobody really knows of this competition, only those who are chosen, and those who make the competition. All we know is that the competition changes every year, and the winner takes home riches and even gets put in the line of the throne. Each August 5th for hundreds of years, the capital of each element does a draft, plucking ten children from the ages of 13 to 18, five boys, five girls.

August 5th, 2084

Today, ten of us get chosen for the competition. I am fairly hopeful I get chosen, I want to get out of here and explore the rest of Elemensia. I want to get to know the life of others, I'm sick of the trees and rocks. I want to see the oceans, the skies, and the glowing flames. I want to come back home feeling fulfilled, and being able to tell the most extravagant stories of my adventures beyond the border of stone. I will get out.

Hazel

There are several sections in the continent of earth, so we split up into ten sections to be chosen. I live at the edge of the soil, surrounded by small shops that sell outsiders goods, and a large stone barrier keeping us from interacting with the other elements. I carefully tie the back of my crochet top behind my neck, trying not to break the frail string. It is made to have a design of a sun in the front, but I was unsuccessful in making it like the others I've seen. I slide on an old pair of cargo jeans that I had recently cut to become a pair of shorts. I have my dark brown hair braided into two parts, and I leave the ends loose in a ponytail, I'm far too lazy to finish the braid. I hear the light footsteps of what must be my mothers tip-toe up the stairs. "Hazel, are you ready to go? We have to be there by noon." My mother says.

I nod my head. "Yes mom, I'll be down in just a minute." I finish tying my hair up and squirm down the creeky stairs.

Where I live, being chosen to participate in the competitions is an honor by our god. We pray to be chosen, and she gives us the chance if she thinks we're worthy. We must do deeds of good, and prove strength and power to her, or our chances are slim for being chosen.

We got a letter sent to us around two weeks ago, telling us where to meet for the draft, and what section I would be in. It read that I would be traveling to a large city in Calyshek, approximately two hours by train. The main transportation source in Calyshek, Peatskop, and Siltion are by train or horseback. My family owns several beautiful Appaloosas, but we decided to take the train today, we'd be traveling far too long for the horses, especially in this weather. Recently, we've had little access to water. There's a rumor going around that the Water king is trying to cut off everyone else's unlimited supply, because he's plotting something against us. It's just a rumor, though. The Water King was selfish, but he would never cut off the world's water supply.

We ride past beautiful, dark, and full forests, the most luscious fields of flowers, and towns filled with tapestries hanging over almost every house, announcing the upcoming draft. "Look, Mom!" I startle awake my sleeping mother. She groans, leans out the window, and immediately wakes up. We see sides of our home that we've never seen before, beauty, riches, and so much more we're deprived of back by the barrier.