City of Fire

Chapter One

"Mother"

Life. Death. It was part of life. She knew this as she looked out over her beloved kingdom. She saw the darkening clouds, could hear the distant screams. Yet, she could feel the soft caress of the breeze and the gentle heartbeat that matched her own. Sky clear eyes looked down towards a small face. The little girl was sleeping, resting soundly while a little hand was curled around her own.

She smiled...

A tear trailed her cheek...

She had her father's eyes...

"You will have a hard life, my sweet child," she whispered as she gently rocked her, "but inside you are powers far greater than you will ever know." The wind picked up, washing over the balcony and the little girl giggled as her eyes flashed a bright, unearthly blue. Her mother smiled as well, though her clear eyes watered. The gentle breeze grew and the smell of earth and cinders filled the suddenly bitter air. "It is time for you to leave now, my sweet child." She felt her heart breaking as she summoned her Guardians. They appeared before her and her most trusted stepped forward. His eyes glittered like the falling cinders that filled the sky and she knew in those depths that he would guard her small treasure until the end of time. She placed her precious gift in his strong arms and gazed fondly down at her.

"We will protect her," he whispered and as one her Guardians bowed to her. She stared at their wistful figures before her eyes drifted to the blackened horizon. The screams drifted to her on the wind and she could feel their fear, their pain. She closed her eyes and nodded. The Guardians formed a circle, their arms spreading out to connect and link.

Fire...

It sprang through the air as the man who held her precious daughter began to sing of the dancing flames that raced across the sky and earth. The ground started to tremble and she could feel the world start to bend.

Earth...

The strong smell of it filled her nostrils and she felt the ground tremor as it rose up, halting the invading forces as its fury was unleashed upon them. The smallest of her Guardians slowly began to add his own voice. It was soft and lilting but as the earth grew in fury his voice rose as well until it matched the fiery anger of the roaring earth.

Wind...

It tore through the sky, biting and clawing as its voice rose up over the roar of the earth. Once more one of her Guardians added his own voice. It was as striking and swift as the wind, yet free and whimsical.

Ice...

She felt the air grow colder, felt the ice enter her veins as the world suddenly grew cold, unfeeling. Her last Guardian slowly began as well, his voice as unyielding as the ice that rained down around them.

Their voices as one began to chant and as the sky darkened their circle grew. The light was a sharp contrast against the blackened sky and as it grew she felt the world fading.

Crumbling...

Then in one instant they shimmered and were gone...

She stared at the blackened circle before her clear eyes went to the darkened sky. Before the boiling clouds she took in a steadying breath as she saw the face of her enemy approaching her. She knew she could not escape but she hoped as he bore down on her, that her little gift would one day save the rest of her born homeland from his tyranny.

From his cruelty...

His pain...

The man that was now the beast raised his sword and she closed her eyes.

A little face floated before her...

She smiled...

Then the world went dark...