In the grip of Elements

Prologue

At noon of their 18th birthday, the people of Doressea faced the inevitable moment that would define their lives: the Elemental Test. This test holds the power to awaken their abilities and cast them into distinct realms. Fire-users would ignite their futures in Greywold, Water-wielders would flow to Nargila, Earth manipulators would ground themselves in Orhton, and Air mages would ascend to Elerest. Those yet to reach the threshold of adulthood remained in Aelmor, their lives untouched by the elemental forces that shaped their world.

But not all would find their calling. A select few whose tests revealed no elemental affinity were banished to Ashen, a desolate place shrouded in mystery and guarded by vigilant soldiers. Whispers of the Outcasts—a fabled group even more elusive—echoed in the shadows. Rarely seen, their existence was the subject of hushed speculation.

As the clock struck midnight, Aella slipped out of her building, a familiar thrill coursing through her veins. It was a week before her own test, and while others prepared for the certainty of their futures, Aella craved the freedom of the night. She loved to wander to the border, where the flickering lights of the neighbouring cities painted the horizon. Aelmor, nestled in the heart of Doressea Isle, lay like a silent sentinel amidst the elemental realms—watchful and one of them waiting for her.

Tonight, the air crackled with anticipation. Aella felt the weight of the test pressing down on her as she stepped into the darkness, aware that whatever the test is going to reveal will alter her destiny forever. For while the test promised clarity, it concealed a hidden truth for Aella.

A faint memory flickered in her mind, a childhood friend rumored to have shared an extraordinary gift, whose fate had ended in whispers and shadows. As the night deepened, Aella knew only that she would have to navigate a world divided by elemental factions and their stark divisions.

Yet, there were those who rebelled against the System. The Rebellion simmered in the shadows, plotting battles in the dark corners of Doressea. Aella had always admired their courage and yearned to learn more about their cause. However, speaking of them was strictly forbidden, unless you had something to say that exposes their secret plans and whereabouts. Rumors swirled that they met after curfew, but in her midnight wanderings, Aella had yet to catch a glimpse of them.

She quickly pushed those thoughts aside. When she turned 18, she would be sorted into an element, just like everyone else. Determined to fit in, she resolved to embrace her fate. But deep down, she wondered: would she truly be able to conform to a world that demanded conformity, or would the lingering curiosity about the Rebellion continue to pull at her?