Journey to the Edge

Prologue

Shimmering sunlight flickered in and out of the tree branches above. Trees were abundant, as were many other beautiful trademarks of nature. The grass was a bright green, brighter than the leaves above. Scattered here and there were patches of flowers, only one color belonging to a patch. The bark of the trees were as dark as milk chocolate, but were more firm as they loomed over the beautiful forest.

The tweeting and chirping of birds were just barely audible over the many sounds of the various creatures dwelling within it. There were mostly the scattering tiny creatures, but there was some sounds of feet stomping through the underbrush. A large waterfall was audible, as well.

As the stomping grew louder, the being making the steps pushed through the underbrush. The figure was a tall human, tall for what looked to be her age, at least. Her hair was dirty blonde and pushed behind her shoulders. It was slightly ruffled; most likely because of the debris and forest she just walked through. Her blue eyes darted back and forth as she tried to grasp her surroundings. She had only been here once before, but had been in a different location of it.

She walked through the forest, mostly focusing straight ahead. She had a little dirt on her, mostly on her arms, legs, dark green shirt, and navy leggings. There was a little on her face, though. She kept walking until suddenly the trees stopped. She stopped walking, gazing at what was ahead of her.

There was a grassy ledge in front of her. The grass seemed brighter on it, but it was most likely due to there being no trees to block most of the sun. The ledge loomed over a vast cliff. As the girl approached, she could now see the waterfall. It was long and tall. She looked downwards, seeing the long drop down. She lifted her head up, trying hard not to think about it. As she gazed outwards, she noticed a tall rock poking out of the forest across the canyon. That was where she had been the last time she was here. She gave a slight smile upon seeing all of nature's bounty.

She jumped when she heard a voice.

"A true beauty, isn't it?" the voice said. It was a quiet tone, but had traces of echo to it. The girl turned around to see who was there, although she had already assumed who it was.

Standing behind the girl was a tall and lean figure. They were dressed in a light blue robe with wispy laces draping from it. There was a slightly darker blue wrap around their waist similar to a belt, but it covered their full waits. They were almost transparent, but their smile was clear to see.

Seeing this figure turned the surprised face of the girl into a relaxed and calm one. She, in turn, smiled to the figure as it walked to her side. The figure's strides were light and airy. They glided to the girl's side, almost like they weren't even touching the ground at all. The girl stared at the figure once it stopped walking to her side for a few more moments before following it's eyes to the beautiful scene in front of them.

"Nature truly is a beauty, isn't it?" the figure repeated.

The girl only nodded.

The figure turned its head, staring at the girl with calm, ice blue eyes. "You, of all people," they said. "Would certainly understand that."

The girl's eyes slowly shifted to the waterfall nearby. Every time she was here, this figure would always drag their powers into "nature's beauty." Then again, the girl did have to admit that they were right, as water is beautiful.

The figure placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, and the girl's eyes dropped to the water in the ridge below. "Come on," the figure said in its wispy voice. "You weren't so quiet when I was teaching you."

"That's because," the girl spoke for the first time since she had arrived. Her tone was lower than usual and laced with sadness. "That's when you were still teaching me."

The girl's mentor grabbed both of her shoulders and turned her so she was facing them. "Come now," they said. "I didn't bring you here again to be all melancholy."

The girl looked up at her former teacher. She managed to smile. Even when he was alive, he always made her smile. He didn't have to do anything special; he just did.

Once the girl was smiling again, her mentor turned to look over the landscape ahead of them. "That being said," he said. While his words were directed at the girl, he did not tear his eyes away from the forest on the other side of the cliff. The girl, however, turned to look at him. "I did bring you here for something important this time."

The girl tried to stay serious, but gave a tiny smirk when her mentor had to emphasize that it was important this time.

He still did not turn to the girl as he spoke. However, his tone was much more serious than the gentle tone he was using prior. Even his voice, in and of itself, echoed more than before. "You are familiar with the tales of the 'Four Guardians,' correct?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, of course," she replied. "You told it to us on one of our first days of our special lessons. But, why bring it up now?"

Her mentor finally turned to face her. His icy eyes were more solemn than they were before, and had worry shimmering in them.

"Are you meaning to say," the girl started. Her jaw dropped slightly and her blue eyes shimmered with excitement.

Her mentor shook his head. "I'm not completely, but I don't believe so." When he saw the girl's eyes and happiness fall, he ruffled her hair until she looked back up. "However, I believe one of them might be close to you, or at least in this region."

The girl titled her head in a confused manner. "So, what does that have to do with me, per-say?

Her mentor held her hands and looked into her eyes. "It's just a reminder to keep your friends close, even- and especially- in these dark times." He pulled her into an embrace once he finished his words. He looked down at the top of her head without moving his, his eyes displaying the same sadness he told his former student to put away.

Even if she was the the prophesied water hero, what a horrible fate to have been placed upon those children, he thought to himself. To have such a heavy burden placed upon them at a young age...

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Author's notes:

Hello everyone! This here is the prologue for a new story I'm starting! (Well, obviously.) Actually, this story was a really old one I had planned but never actually developed. I kept a few things the same, but I remastered most of it and have begun to rewrite it.

Car Salesman: *slaps roof of prologue*

Car Salesman: This bad boy can fit 1,100+ words in it.

I don't know whether I should consider that big or small. I guess it just depends on how long the other chapters end up. Of course, the other chapters will vary in size, as expected, but, you know.

Anyways, I think I'll leave it at that! Sayonara!