~In the Land of Aetheria~

Chapter 3

Keira walked through the stream, picking up her dress so it wouldn’t get wet. She turned around with a sigh.

“Wyatt, will you hurry up already? We’re gonna be late!” Keira exclaimed. Wyatt quickly crossed the stream and caught up with Keira quietly. They then arrived at the giant guild tree. Keira walked up to the others and Wyatt stayed hiding behind the bush. Aidan ran up to Keira, still full of energy.

“Hi! I’m Aidan, a Sky elf! You must be the Aquatic elf, what’s your name?” He was bouncing up and down. Keira slowly pushed him away with a disgusted look and Aidan ran off, finding something else to blabber about.

“I’m Keira, and the one behind the bush is Wyatt.” She said as she pulled out a mirror and fixed her hair.

“I don’t think I like the Aquatic elves so far…” Roxy whispered to herself. Eva tried to lighten the mood.

“C’mon guys, this’ll be fun! First, we should probably figure out why we’re here.” She says.

“I don’t know how she stays so positive…” Kaedyn whispered to Kendal.

“Yeah, it’s impressive. You wouldn't be able to do that for even five seconds.” Kendal whispered back. Kaedyn elbowed her playfully and answered with, “At least I could do it longer than you.”

“Keep dreaming.” Kendal answered.

Roxy walked over to the giant tree in the center of the area.

“Maybe this has something to do with it?” She asked. Aidan ran over to the tree.

“Woah, this is a big tree! Possibly bigger than my favorite tree near the sky castle, and that tree is HUGE, like enormously huge! Did you guys know that I named my favorite tree Oakley? Get it? Oakley, Oak tree. Hehehe.” Said the short boy, his dirty-blond hair bouncing up and down along with him, his gray eyes full of enthusiasm. Roxy looked slightly uncomfortable.

“Does he ever stop talking?” Roxy says.

“Not really. He even talks in his sleep…” Eva answered. Just then, the tree glowed and a spirit appeared.

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the guild. From now on, you will live here at the guild tree. If you don’t, there will be consequences.” The spirit said, its voice booming across the area.

“No way am I living here with these freaks!” Said Roxy and Keira at the same time. The spirit disappeared.

“Oh come on! Coward…” Roxy started to leave, but a magical barrier appeared in front of her, forcing her to stay.

“Okay… So that’s how you wanna play? Get out here already and fight!” Roxy yelled, but nobody answered. Keira walked over to her.

“Face it. We’re stuck.”