Zhang's Journey

Prologue

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! The family's attention turned to the door. Mrs. Kye jumped up and quickly swung open the door. Behind the door, three men stood in blue and white robes with bored looks on their faces. "We came by request. What you say needs to be true, please show us your child,' said one of the men who seemed just as irritated as the other two.

"Yes sir, right this way," she swayed the men in and started towards her son's room,"He is very shy so please be patient." The men followed her to the door of a large room. "Zhang, these men are here to see you. They won't hurt you, they just want to see your talents,' Kye said the word like it was something that shouldn't be shown off. Zhang turned toward the men and away from his screen.

"H-hello," said the boy who did look very anxious. One of the men kneeled down beside him and began to speak

"Hello, son. We hear you have great gifts. Would you like to show us?" Zhang looked fearful. He peerd at his mother and she gave him a smile of confidence.

"I will," said Zhang with some confidence.

"Come with us,"

The ride in the Sautomobile was long for Zhang. He admired the city view but he rarely went out of the house, he was too afraid that people would see his gifts. His mother came too, the men insisted.

They arrived at a dark-colored, globe-shaped building. The men led the way to the entrance. The architecture of the building looked different from most of the other houses and things around. The inside of the place was magnificent. Chandeliers hung all over the ceiling, beautiful tapestries depicting the four elements lined the walls, color flooded the floor, the place was beautiful. The men led Zhang and his mother to a empty courtyard that was filled with grass and all sorts of nature.

"Go. Show us what you can do," said the same man who had asked Zhang to come here. Zhang walked to the center of the field with a limp from his amount of nervousness. "Show us earth," said the man.

Zhang cleared his mind, he studied the ground underneath him. He swept his arm in an upward motion and a few meters away, a rock followed the motion. Zhang pulled his hand down and the rock was forced down by gravity. He wasn't done yet. He stomped the ground and a large boulder sprang up. Immediately, he kicked it and the rock crumpled. The men and Zhang's mother stood wide-eyed and clapped. All except the man who was instructing him. "Fire," he said.

Zhang concentrated once more. He steadied his breathing and thought of his previous practice. He closed his eyes and brought up memories of anger and fear. He opened his eyes again and his breath had turned to fire. He swung his head around and scorched the surrounding grass. More applaud and cheers of approval came from his spectators. "Air,' said the man who seemed to finally be enjoying himself.

This element was a bit easier for Zhang. He could practice all the time and keep it secret. He cleared his mind. His hand pulled upward abruptly and a gust of wind fluttered throughout the field, shaking branches of trees and bushes and causing the robe of one of the men to flutter up. Zhang smirked at that. Once more a round of applause was given to him. "Water,' said the man who had the evilest smile.

Zhang was never good at using water, he couldn't even move it. "I-I can't," Zhang hung his head. He was afraid they wouldn't want him if he couldn't bend water.

"That is fine," the man clapped his hands twice which caused two men to arrive in the courtyard,"Take him," Zhang's eyes shot open. No, no, he thought, this can't be happening. The two man came to him and grabbed him roughly. His mother screamed with terror. Zhang tried bending them away. He had blown one against a brick wall but the other man caught him off guard and punched three specific parts of his back. Zhang was paralyzed with terror and sadness in his eyes. "Mother, I love you. I promise I'll escape," said avatar Zhang as his vision turned to darkness.