[u]Previously Written[/u] [i]A long time ago in a land unknown to us now, there was an Empire. This empire reigned over this land for hundreds of years. Their power, might, and majesty had become corrupt over time. Soon the kings to come to the throne became more and more cynical, sinister even. The current king on the throne was the most evil of all. He had many titles depending on the speaker who named him: King Gregory, The Blood King, Gregory the Mad, and simply, ‘Murderer.’ Soon after his crowning there was born a rebellion uprising. They were called the Celestial Vault, but their location was unknown. This angered King Gregory. Their security was of the utmost to battle the king efficiently. If they were not careful the extreme numbers of the Empire would crush them. Most importantly, they held a secret that the King most definitely was aware. They knew a history, and a one that shared and intertwined with the King’s. On the outskirts of the Empire was a town called Fife. In this town was where this story begins. An orphanage of the war was located here. Their stories are heartbreaking and consist of their parents dying horrible deaths. Usually the work of the Empire or beasts of many, but unknown to the town their demise was imminent. The townspeople were oblivious to the hell they were about to endure. Reasons unknown to them the Empire attacked. They pillaged, burned, and killed. When all was done mere ashes were left of Fife…and corpses. The only thing that had some shape to it was the church. A sign from god perhaps, or an omen for all others… There were five survivors. All of which were orphans of the same orphanage. The coincidence delves deeper they were all the same age of eleven years. To add to it, they were all born on the same day. Then there was a power that all five held inside themselves but were not awakened. They sat on a cliffs edge around a fire sobbing for their friends. The cliff looked over the remains of Fife as smoke rose like a column in the sky. Their own campfire imitated the town. The children had no idea there was someone watching. “They are the ones,” he said from behind the tree line under his breath. “The stars have led them here. I feel an urge, and I will fall on my instincts.” He sighed a great sigh, and continued, “Fire,” he pointed to one of the children. “Water, earth, wind, and spirit…” He sat down and watched the tears fall from their faces. He decided to stay concealed and watch them for a time. At the right moment he would reveal himself and guide them to their fates that they were still too young to realize. The roads of these children’s fates he could not foresee, only the outcome, which was a faint and slim chance of hope, but a real hope that he could (and all could) hold onto. These children’s destinies were full of anger, fear, and pain. Terrible pain, where many more tears than the ones they now cried, would fall. [/u] ___________ [b]Part 1[/b] ___________ He saw the smoke. He knew that where ever the smoke was coming from was why he was brought here in the first place. He felt a feeling inside him to acknowledge his thoughts, and this was why he knew it to be true. He made his way through the forest quickly, barely a rustle from the leaves as he went, not even a twig bending to break underneath his heel. He reached an overlook of the town soon enough, and the warm orange glow of a fire set washed over him. Making shadows dance all around, and he felt the warmth of a differently glow. There were five of them, and he knew that they were why he was brought here. He receded back into the forest and climbed a massive oak. High on his perch in the towering tree, he stared down upon the embers, a small church would seem to be the only surviving building intact, albeit severely charred and black. If he had gotten here sooner he would have seen the ones who did this. No matter, the real prize still was down there. He felt an urge. The stars had led him here. What wasn't known to him was the massive oak he had climbed was considered the trademark of Fife. In his mind he knew that it must be here that whoever was down there should come. At least that’s what he hoped, but if the forces at work had drawn him here, certainly they should call out to [i]them.[/i] He thought of making a fire on the top of the cliff, but dismissed that. If whoever it was had a sense in their head, they would not come to a strange fire on top of a cliff. He simply looked up at the stars from the torso sized trunk of a tree limb that he stood on and waited.