Previously Written

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]

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Part 1

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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.

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.

A tiny dirty hand picked up a stick and drew another crooked box in the dirt of the yard. Her other hand held tightly a mangy burlap doll against her chest as she tossed the stick aside and looked down happily at her work. It was a game she had seen a group of the older girls playing. She picked up a small stone she had ready and tossed it into one of the squares. Still grasping her doll she hopping into the first square on one leg, then the second two squares with both and again and again until she reached the stone and made her way back to the beginning.

Two blue eyes glowed with achievement as she finished the challenge flawlessly. She looked down at Lily who was still pressed against her; her broken button eyes unblinkingly looking back at her.

“Think I can do it again?”

She pulled a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear before tossing the rock again. This she did until dusk when the Matron called everyone inside.

Despite the large group of children of many diverse ages Viviann was still rather new to the place, and did not keep many friends. Still, none of that mattered; Lily was always there for her, as was Matron Robbins.

Supper was typical, a thin soup. Times had grown hard with the events of the world, that much she knew, despite lacking the details. Viviann ate quickly ( Lily resting on her lap) before she stood and took her bowl to be cleaned. Stories usually preceded bedtime, but not tonight. Vivi was tired and went to lay down in her bunk quickly falling asleep.

~ ~ ~ ~

Screams snapped her awake as everyone in the room sprang awake to the Matron yelling for everyone. The place was ablaze. Still a bit dazed Vivi sprang from her bed the wool blanket tripping her to the ground with a light thud. The Matron scooped her up from her snare almost dropping her doll in the process.

“Lily!” she cried as she felt it start to slip. She tightened her grasp just in time and clasped Lily tightly to her chest. Matron Robbins set her down just shy of the door, “Go and hide!”

“but-”

“GO!” she snapped as she ran back in.

Vivi ran outside, but what greeted her was horrifying. Screams of people, the galloping of horses and the song of metal on metal rang throughout the air. Stunned she walked out into the street almost trance-like of the surroundings. A large galloping steed bolted in her direction. She'd snap from her trance with the beast only a second away; she dove into the mud. The hooves of the beast barely missing to trample her. She didn't know what else to do but run and hide, just as Matron Robbins instructed.

Caked in mud from head to toe she ran and hid underneath an overhang of rocks, still close enough to witness everything going on in gruesome detail. She clasped her eyes shut and held Lily tightly unsuccessfully fighting back sobs.

~ ~ ~ ~

Soon it was over. Now only the sound of fire crackling filled the air. She heard no voices, no horses... nothing. Slowly she emerged from her hide and made her way back to the orphanage that had only a few hours before been her home. As she approached the building collapsed sending a fresh spray of embers into the air. She jumped back. Fresh tears began to flow as she started down the road. She picked up a stray sheet of wool, laying slightly smouldered on the ground. She wrapped it around herself.

“Matron!” she cried between sobs as she wandered aimlessly through the streets. “Matron!!”