In the First Fire Kingdom there were two friends, Ash and Hunter, which were coming back in their kingdom from a mission. They were doing missions daily in order to earn a living since they were just 16 and the only way to earn money was doing missions or join the army. Since both kids were orphans they lived in the same house left by ones ancestors so they could stay there as long as they paid their yearly payment of 150 gold coins or 500 silver coins since they serve four years in the army their payment was lower than the other villagers.

  They became friends since both started as thieves and after their meeting while robing a rich guy passing through their kingdom they started working together. After some time they both joined the army at the age of 12 since they were already stronger than most adults and spend 3 years on the battle field. They both owned weapons that would belong in the army because they were infused with elemental powers and combining that with their mastery over fire they were pretty much unstoppable.

  After taking their gold for the mission they met with some girls, old childhood friends of theirs, after some words exchanged they started to tell the two boys about a mountain in the nearby forest that if you defeat the monster at the top you can get an awesome weapon infused with air powers. After hearing that the boys started to prepare to go over there. On their way there Hunter asked Ash

  “What do you think we will get if we defeat that monster?”

  ?Probably something like an air staff or scroll. Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s ours it will be great.”

  “Yeah you’re right! Especially if another war breaks out.”

  “Huh? Say that again.”

  “What?”

  “The war part.”

  “Haven’t you heard? They say that there could be another war with the electricity kingdoms.”

  “Those bastards again. Haven’t they learned their lesson from last war! No matter the technology the fire kingdoms will always be victorious against that junk.”

  “Maybe but you never know. If they find out how to make fire proof armour we could be in danger.”

  “Yeah like that’s gonna happen.”

  After their little chat they arrived at the mountain and started to climb it. While climbing they were trying to keep their breath because if they can’t control their breath they can’t control the fire and faint because of exhaustion and heat. The higher they climbed the thinner the air got and they had to keep up until they reached the top. They managed to reach the top before noon and stopped to catch their breath a little before the fight.

  “Let’s be careful, a wind attack will kill us from this height if we fall.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “You use fire trail in order for him not to see me charging at him with my sword.”

  “Ok. Let’s do this!”

  And so the fight started, Hunter used fire trail in order to cover up Ash for his sneak attack. The monster extinguished the fire and saw Ash, but it was too late as Ash swung his sword and knocked the monster down. Ash was keeping the monster busy as Hunter charged up his fire ball and when it was time Ash hit the monster with a fire blade attack and jumped out of the monsters sight for Hunter to finish him off with the fire ball. After defeating the monster Ash found the key to the chest, opened it and inside there was a sword with a mark along the blade.

  “Cool. A sword, you could really do some damage with that.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t feel like carrying two swords so you take it.”

  “But I don’t know how to fight with a sword.”

  “Doesn’t matter I will teach you if you want.”

  “Really. Thanks Ash, you are a really good friend.”

  “No problem. Let’s go and see what we can do with this.”

  “With what?”

  As Hunter asked that Ash showed him a scroll and told him that in the library where he was reading a lot of books about elements when he was younger, because the librarian was an old lady which took care of him for years while he was going there learned a lot about scrolls and stuff like that and that they should go and see what ability that scroll possess. They arrived in the kingdom at sunset and the library was closing soon so they went there as fast as possible. At the library Ash waved and hugged the old librarian who remembered him and gave him a candy which he liked when he was younger. Then Ash asked her if they could stay a little bit after closing in the library in order to find something about a scroll. The old lady agreed, because she knew Ash since he was young and trusted him, she gave him the key and told him to lock the doors after leaving. As the boys went in the elements section and found a book about air scrolls they opened the scroll and started to search the same writings in the book. Hours later they found what the scroll was doing. It was an air sphere a protective ability since the air kingdoms were known mostly for their peaceful ways and fighting style.

  “There is no way we could learn that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we can control fire not air. I think that is a good reason.”

  “Maybe, but we haven’t tried it yet.”

  “Even if we did what good could it do us?”

  “The sphere allows protection against really powerful attacks and that would be helpful.”

  “As fire people we are among the strongest elemental users out there. We are known for our blood thirst, for our fighting spirit not for running away from fights and avoiding danger.”

  The boys closed the scroll and set on home. They closed the library and went home, but not before returning the keys to the old librarian. At home they decided to go in the forest tomorrow so no one could see them training with another element rather than fire. The next day Ash and Hunter put on their robes and masks and left the kingdom and went as far away as they could in the forest until they reached a point where no one else goes because the lack of animals or monsters that are in that area. As soon as they arrived they took out the scroll and started to learn the steps in order to create the air sphere. Hunter was the first to try and as he began to move his arms around him the air around him began to circulate along with his hands and as Hunter was about to create the sphere it collapsed.

  “See. I told you that we cannot use another element.”

  “It’s not true. We have the potential, but it’s been hundreds of years and no one was able to do it other than guardians. But remember everything started because someone thought to do so and he managed to do it.”

  “Maybe but ever since then the rules have been made.”

  “We still have that potential we just need to dig deep to find it. Let me give it a try.”

  As Hunter let Ash take his turn and he began to move his arms the air around him started moving like it was listening to his movement and didn’t dare to disobey him. The air became so strong around him that it started to take form, and when Ash was finally done with the movement a sphere formed around him and both boys were stunned. Ash could not believe what happened and Hunter was cheering him the sphere began to tighten with every second until it disappeared. Hunter went to congratulate him, but Ash was left speechless and was just looking at his hand in disbelief.

  “Did I really do that?”

  “Yeah, you sure did.”

  “Looks like you were right after all. And as it seems you have a greater potential than mine.”

  “That’s not true. You have this potential as well.”

  “Maybe, but I sure need more training to reach that potential.”

  “The only training you need is physical training and you could do it too.”

  “I will try again to see if I can manage to do it again.”

  Ash started to move his hands around him again and like the first try the air around started to form again, but this time faster and it became a sphere before Ash was done and when he was done the sphere was three times stronger than before and lasted longer. That’s when Ash realised that he had such a great potential that he can use two different elements, fire and air. They may seem different, but both have the same mind set, if not calm when using them or you lose focus disaster can happen. So the calmness to control fire helped Ash to control air as well. As the boys decided to go back home Ash said to go hunt a monster, because if anyone sees them coming back in the kingdom out of nowhere and no one knowing when they left they would be in trouble and be sent to the king. Hunter agreed and went to hunt a monster nearby while Ash was recovering his lost energy, because being the first time using another element it was more exhausting than using fire itself. While the boys were near the entrance of the kingdom a fire attack fell right in front of them, and as they looked up they saw a mysterious figure with bright red eyes.

  “Looks like you tow haven’t changed a lot since we last met. Still using those outfits as before, who are you trying to rob this time?”

  “Look, we don’t know who you are, but if you don’t tell us who you are there are going to be troubles.”

  “What are you talking about Ash, you are exhausted you can’t fight like this.”

  “Maybe I am exhausted, but my warrior spirit isn’t. I won’t go down without a fight.”

  “Very well then. Where would you like to battle.”

  “Right here. As Ash throws a fire ball at the mysterious person. The person dodges the attack, but doesn’t see Ash preparing a fire barrage and as it comes down Ash uses the fire barrage and burns the mysterious person cloak revealing a familiar face.”

  “Silver, it’s that you?”

  “Looks like you recognise me after all. How have you been?”

  Ash hugs Silver and says that they should enter the kingdom and go home to discuss this. And the three entered the kingdom and go to their house where they spent time during their childhood. Silver was a girl from The Kingdom of Eternal Fire, she got her name because at birth she had bright red eyes and silver hair so her parents decided to name her Silver and she had a few abilities including her hair. Back to the house the three kids began to talk about their lately doings, and as they were talking guards began to knock on their door. Hunter panicked as he had the air scroll on him and knew if he was found with that it will be given to the king. Ash told him to throw the scroll to him, and as soon as he got the scroll he threw it through the whole in the roof right between the attic and celling. Ash rushed to the door as quick as he could to open the door. The guard schooled him for not opening the door as son as he heard it, but said all three to come with him. Ash asked where they were going and the guard said to the king. The boys knew if they were called than something will happen to them, and because Silver was there she had to come too. As they were going to the castle Ash made a plan that if they want to search their house to go in the attic through the window and take the scroll and throw it in the hay stack behind their house since no one will search there. Arrived at the castle they all went inside with two guards in front of them and three behind, one for each if they tried to escape or run. As they reached the throne room they bowed to the king and Ash started.

  “Why have you called us here, your majesty?”

  “I have called you here because you have suspiciously left the library after it should have been closed and you were caring something while exiting the library. Care to explain what did you took.”

  “We didn’t take anything, and we were there after closing because we wanted to know about something we found and as the librarian was about to close it we asked her if she could let us stay a little bit after closing to find a book about it and see what it is.”

  “And what was that?”

  “A scroll found in the woods.”

  “And why haven’t you reported this and gave it to a guard?”

  “Because I found it and it’s nothing that would do any of your guards good.”

  “And what do you insinuate by that?”

  “I insinuate that it’s useless to you or anyone else since it’s another element scroll.”

  “And why would that do me no good. I can sell it to an air kingdom and get a lot of money on it.”

  “Maybe, but I found it and it should go to the army if you don’t want me owning it, since I served in the army for four years and you can’t do anything about it.”

  “Looks like you win this time Ash, but if I or any of my guards find it I will be the owner of this scroll.”

  “Sounds like a deal.”

  “Now go. I have to attend an important meeting with the elemental masters, would you like joining us.”

  “I am not going to be an elemental master we already talked about that last time.”

  “Fine. Guards take them outside.”

  As the guards were taking them outside Ash had a feeling of someone watching him so he looked back and so the princess staring at him. When the princess saw him looking at her she ran through the door behind her. Ash was always wondering why the princess spied him every time he was called to the king. Like she always knew when he was coming since when the king called Hunter two months ago he looked everywhere around the room and didn’t see the princess so she knew Ash wasn’t there and she didn’t show up either. Outside the castle Ash saw some guard coming back from somewhere empty handed and he knew they went to his house, but couldn’t find anything because the scroll was hid good enough that only a rat could find it if he was smart enough. At home Silver asked them what was the king talking about and Ash said the same thing he said at the castle without a care and decided to stay at home a bit more to find a way to hide all the things that him and Hunter has that would be confiscated if found. So they began to hide everything, every weapon, armour or books found outside the castle. After that Ash decided to go on and train, because he always had the feeling of being spied on and wanted to see if anyone came at that hour. Silver and Hunter went with him to train as well and talk about the scroll. On top of the rock where the boys were training Ash began to tell Silver everything about the scroll and what they did. Silver couldn’t believe a word and said that she would need a demonstration, Hunter said that it could be dangerous performing the ability there since it was near the kingdom especially the gate where there were always guards noticing every detail. Ash said he would show her during the night in order not to be caught by anyone since the sound can be masked by the wolves in the area. Ash said that without whispering because he wanted to know wo was spying on him while training.

  At the night fall all three went into the nearby woods and found a spot far enough from the kingdom and the guards that were patrolling during the night. As Ash began to use the air ability a screeching sound came from afar a sound that terrified all of them. Since Silver was stronger than them she said to the boys to go back and she would handle the monster that was approaching in the distance.

  “You should go back, I can handle any beast that roams these area.”

  “You’re crazy we won’t leave you behind. We’ll stay with you.”

  “She is right.” said Ash with a calm voice.

  “You as well.”

  “Huh, I wasn’t expecting that from you. Then go I will be behind you after I defeat this thing.”

  “Maybe if you are awake.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Silver asked as she fell on the ground and left Hunter frightened

  “What did you do?”

  “I put her to sleep, now it’s your turn.”

  “No… said Hunter as he fell down as well.”

  After putting them into a deep sleep Ash put them into some bushes and went forward to meet the beast. He arrived where the beast was last heard from, and as he turned his head around for a little bit and saw the monster the one who also gave him a scar the he would never forget, a scar on his chest that almost ripped his heart out that healed over the years and Ash swore to kill that beast one day. And that day was tonight as he took his sword out of its sheet the monster recognised the scent and knew who he was in seconds. As the beast approached Ash had no emotions in his eyes, the same eyes he used for killing people in the war and the same eyes he showed for not showing any mercy to anyone. But the beast was not frightened instead it was intrigued for a rematch after all those years and wanted to see if the boy got stronger. Ash swung his sword at the beast and it caught it in its teeth that were as sharp as the blade. Ash was prepared and shot a strong fire attack that sent the beast aside. The beast was smiling because Ash managed to hit him unlike last time when he barely touched him and the fight was not that interesting. Ash threw a fireball and used his flare attack in order that if the beast doges the fireball it will be harmed by his flare attack. The beast took the fireball and flare attack head on and remained unscarred. That frightened Ash, but he was still fighting and didn’t show any signs of giving up. They fought a log battle and Ash seemed to have the upper hand until the beast knocked him down and jumped on his ripping his shirt revealing the scar that was always hidden by bandages. The beast smiled and knew that Ash didn’t forget the last meeting and knew that this time it will be only one left alive and didn’t know which one. As the beast looked down Ash was running out of breath and couldn’t keep fighting if he got up so he threw a last attack that managed to knock the beast back a little bit. Ash stood up and grabbed his sword while smiling knowing that he will die soon no matter the outcome, as he was approaching the beast he heard in distance Hunter calling him. Ash looked back and saw Hunter barely capable of walking coming towards him, the beast saw him and sprung past Ash going towards Hunter. In that moment Ash knowing what was going to happen if the beast reaches Hunter, out of rage Ash sprung faster than the beast and with one kick sent the beast into some trees. He told Hunter to get out of there as he went to the beast like he was someone else or like he hasn’t fought the life out of him for hours. When he reached the beast he realised that it was hurt and couldn’t get up that’s when Ash knew he had to kill the beast, as he was holding his hand the beast said a word.

  “Inferno.”

  “What?” said Ash

  “Infer.. no?”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Let me live and you would see, kill me and you would never hear of it again.”

  “After everything you done you expect me to spare you, you wanted to hurt my friend and even then you showed no mercy, why would I show you mercy now?”

  “Do whatever you want, but at least end this.”

  Ash began to raise his hand and as he was about to kill the beast he stopped and healed the wound with a potion he had on him. The beast got on its feet and thanked Ash telling him that everything was a test to see if he is really worthy. Ash didn’t know what he was talking about, and said that it doesn’t matter as long as he won’t hurt anyone. The beast said that they will meet again when the fire that Ash will use will be hotter than the sun, brighter than any star in the universe, and stronger than hell itself. Ash asked the beast what ‘’ inferno’’ meant, the beast said that he will find out when a spirit will appear in his dreams and teach him everything he needs to know. Ash wanted to ask one more thing, but the best disappeared and could not be seen anywhere. Ash quickly collapsed on the ground and was sure he will die soon as he closed his eyes he heard a scream in the distance slowly fading away as he fell into a deep sleep.

  Ash woke up the next day with a headache and a body full of wounds and scars from the fight from last night. As Ash was trying to get up he fell back on his bed in an instant he could barely move and most wounds were on his legs and chest so walking or making efforts would not be possible for a few days. As he looked out the window he realised it was already afternoon and that he was all alone so he decided to at least go to town to buy some potions of healing or maybe some medicine. He stood up took a stick near the fire place and used it to balance himself so that he could at least walk, he went outside with a robe covering his bandages so that no one could see him in that state. As he was walking some girl came up to him and said “Are you hurt, do you need something?” Ash responded with a whisper “No” and continued walking, but the girl kept following him, but as long as she didn’t bother him constantly with questions he didn’t have a problem. When he arrived in town he went to the potion and medication stand and asked for two healing potions and one sheet of pills for his headache, the woman told him that would cost him 200 gold, after paying Ash was going to leave, but the girl was blocking his path, Ash was only looking down so he didn’t see who the girl was so he told her to move away that he could go back home, the girl responded with a worried voice “You are hurt and you need to be taken care of come with me and I promise I will make you feel better” Ash gently declined her offer and told her that he doesn’t need help and that he can take care of himself and that she doesn’t need to worry about him. Than Ash walked around the girl and went home, at home he sat on his bed thinking who was that girl, but h didn’t put much thought into it so he drank one potion and took two pills and went to sleep.

  After hours Ash woke up again to someone banging on his door like crazy, he got out of bed took the stick and walked slowly to open the door, at the door there were two soldiers that asked him to come with them, Ash declined and told them that any business they had with him can wait until the evening because he didn’t feel well and had no energy to deal with something like that at the moment. The soldiers said that was the kings orders, but Ash just said “If I can wait days to see him than he can wait a few hours to see me as well” and closed the door in their faces. The soldiers seeing that they couldn’t convince him went back to the castle.

  “Where’s the boy?”

  “He didn’t want to come with us.”

  “He said that he would come in a few hours and that you can wait to see him.”

  “This boy really has the nerves to do something like this to me his king. Fine, I can wait a few more hours to see him, you can go now.”

  “Thank you sire.”

  In the evening Silver and Hunter came back home with some loot and money from a few quest they went on and with some magic vines that would help Ash heal faster. Ash said that there was no time to do that and that he needs to go see the king, because enough time has passed and his patience must be running low. Ash left the house with the same stick and robe. At the castle Ash was welcomed inside and was brought to the king to find out what was he called for. The king said “I have heard that you are wounded from a fight. Care to explain what happened”, Ash was left speechless, the fight he had was far away from the kingdom only a war horn could be heard from there. Ash said “I don’t know what you are talking about, nothing happened and even if it did how would you have found out?” the king knowing that there was no way to evade question said “My daughter told me that you are hurt with severe wounds and that you took some potions and pills and that she requested that you come with her in order to make you feel better, but you refused so she came to me” Ash replied “So that’s why you sent the soldiers after me. I don’t need any help I can take care of myself so mind your own business and leave me alone, and if that is everything I will be on my way home”. But as he was about to turn around he found himself surrounded by soldiers not letting him pass, he couldn’t fight them because he was hurt so he turned back to the king and said with defeat in his voice “I will do what you say, but at least make it quick”. The king then took him to a room that can’t be seen from the outside with a fire master, an elemental master that is way stronger than the average soldier and is mostly seen around royal characters or in elemental temples. The king said to the elemental master to heal Ash with the magic water from the Water Kingdoms, the Water Kingdoms import their magic water for not only financial purposes but also to help others, the water can heal any wound, cure any disease, but its price was much than others could afford, but reasonable for its abilities. The elemental master told Ash to come closer in order to heal him, Ash has done as he said and the master took off his robe and took off bandages revealing all the wounds and bruises, but someone else saw them to, the princess, Charlotte, who was the girl that requested to help him in town. The master began to pour the water on his body and gave him a little glass with the same water to drink in order to heal any damage dealt on the inside and cure any disease if there was one, Ash has done as he said and did all that, in a couple of seconds he made a full recovery, he thanked the master and the king, but the king said “You should thank my daughter, she was the one that made me do it” Ash was still confused, but went along, too his things and left the castle feeling like a new person.

  As soon as he arrived home he was happy to see Silver and Hunter waiting for him patiently.

  “So why were you called?”

  “Someone told the king about my wounds and his daughter told him to heal me so he did.”

  “Oh, so the princess has a liking to someone.”

  “Don’t say that, nothing like that would ever happen.”

  “Why not. Because she is a princess doesn’t mean she is looking for a prince she is definitely looking for someone strong to protect her.”

  “Don’t ever try to say anything like that again, end of subject.”

  “If you say so.”

  Then they started talking about how Ash could use the air element and they couldn’t so they started going over some things that might have made that ability possible. Silver suggested that since both fire and air require intense concentration and dexterity to control they could also use since the Fire Kingdoms were close to the Air Kingdoms they weren’t that different except from the destruction. Hunter also pointed out that since Ash has never been chained to his past he could easily control an element that requires peace between mind and soul, but Ash quickly replied “I never let go of the past and never will that’s why I thought you could control it rather than me”. Hunter was shocked to hear that, but quickly understood, Ash had a rough past that made him the person he is now in front of him and if he ever let go of it he will live in a lie that he never wanted. Silver didn’t know his past, but only imagined what could of have happened after he went to war and before that. Ash said “Don’t start thinking about what happened, now it’s useless, let’s think about how you can also learn to use the air.” Silver answered “Than let’s see what tomorrow has for us since right now it’s too late to do anything and you have to rest you may be completely healed, but your energy is so low that I can barely sense you” so as Silver and Hunter were unpacking their things Ash went to change and go to bed and fell asleep knowing that if they weren’t here for him he wouldn’t be here for them. The next day Ash woke up first and started to prepare breakfast for the others, Silver soon woke up to the smell of the eggs and went down to the kitchen and decided to help Ash finish faster. After half an hour Hunter woe up as well and went down to eat along Silver and Ash, they hadn’t been this close in years since Silver lives in another kingdom and rarely has time to come and visit them especially now with an upcoming war being close to happening since the Electricity Kingdoms want to control most of the world and send their advanced technology everywhere, this may not sound bad, but since they control it and know more about it will just make the others pay in order to use them or worse destroy everything and leaving us in rumble like the in the Stone Age. Silver is a strong soldier who is also a high rank commander in her kingdom and is respected by all the soldiers despite being a girl. After eating breakfast Ash suggested going on a quick run through the kingdom to hype their training spirit and they all agreed, but knowing Silver she would make that run into a competition and so she did “Alright, the first to arrive at the other entrance in the kingdom gets 100 gold and the last one to arrive pays for lunch” “Agreed!” “Same here” and so the run started or the race, Silver is an athletic person and can outrun an erupted volcano, but can’t compete against the two that lived there their entire lives, as they were running another person joined them, it was the princess she tagged along with them, they said nothing and let her run along with them, near the end it was looking like Silver was about to win, but Hunter came first than Ash than her and last the princess. “What a bummer I was almost there” “Better luck next time Silver, now you have to pay for lunch” said Hunter, as Ash was smiling looking at the princess who had a bright smile on her face being happy since they let her tag along with them.

  “So Charlotte.”

  “Please call me Charlie, even if I am a princess I would like to be treated like a normal person from time to time.”

  “Ok Charlie. Why did you decide to tag along with us?”

  “I don’t actually have a reason I just saw you run so I decided to tag along as well and I am glad that you let me run with you.”

  “Of course why wouldn’t we let you stay with us you are a normal person just like us.”

  “Ash I thought that something like this would never happen.”

  “You keep your mouth shut before I weld it together.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing that you should know, so let’s keep it that way.”

  “Ok, as long as it’s nothing important.”

  “Trust me it’s not.”

  “So could I stay with you or you have things to do?”

  “You can stay with us as long as you want to.”

  “Great!”

  Ash was staring at Silver seeing a smile knowing that she would mock him with this for a long time. All four of them decided to go on a mission since staying in the kingdom was boring and Ash needed an excuse to go home and grab the air scroll with him. They selected an A rank mission which was paying a lot if completed and it had to do with something down the cave in the woods, they then stopped at Ash’s house to get the weapons and other necessities for the journey, Ash took the scroll knowing that if the princess sees it the king would demand it in an instant. On their way to the cave they started talking with the princess to learn more things about her life, the princess was responding with cheer in her voice while Ash was the only one quiet, Silver tried to make him talk but Hunter stopped her telling her that when he’s like that he doesn’t want to be bothered especially talking things about his life. Then out of nowhere the princess broke the ice “So what kind of monster have you fought in order to get those scars from yesterday Ash?” Ash was stunned and didn’t know that she saw his wounds, and that magic water healed him but what was already closed by the body remained as scars along with his old ones, than he said with a calm tone “Doesn’t matter, some things are best to be kept in the past where they belong, so don’t waste your time thinking about it”. Charlie wanted to know what Ash had fought in order to report to the guards to take it out in order to never hurt Ash again or anyone else for that matter. Charlie kept an eye on Ash all the way until they reached the cave, she was seeing no emotions in his eyes it was like he was about to die and he knew it but didn’t want to stop it, she pulled Hunter aside before entering the cave letting Ash and Silver go in front of them.

  “Why does Ash look like that?”

  “Like what, I don’t understand what you mean?”

  “He looks like he doesn’t have any life left in him, like he has no purpose left in life.”

  “That’s how he normally acts, but you haven’t been with him on quests or adventures so you don’t know how he acts.”

  “But he always acts so sweet and caring. Why does he seem changed all of a sudden?”

  “He seems changed because he has regrets, guilt. He never lets go of the past and told me to never let go of the past and to always remember where I came from.”

  “Has he ever tried to forgive himself and maybe let go of the worst things from the past in order to live a healthy life?”

  “No, and I am sure he never will. But maybe you could make his life more colourful.”

  “You mean like stay close to him and help him through hard times.”

  “Something like that, it doesn’t seem like a lot but for him is enough.”

  “Then I’ll try my best.”

  Hunter shouted for Ash and Silver to stay so they could catch up to them, as he and Charlie ran through the cave to reach the bottom where Ash and Silver were. They were stopped by Silver’s sword and when they looked in front of them they saw Ash at the head of the monster taking some scales to trade to the annual Which Festival. “The monster isn’t dead I just put it to sleep so it won’t bother others for a while and left it enough food because it already has water in this cave to last it until next month” said Ash as he was taking a few more scales for the journey. Ash never was a heartless person, he never wanted to hurt or kill, but it was in his nature since that’s what the fire people are known for, for their ruthless and aggressive behaviour, their thirst for fighting and the ways in which they evolved, they are one of the most powerful people and they are feared by almost all kingdoms in the world. They showed no mercy in each war and they only became stronger and stronger with each passing generations that’s why most parents train their kids when they are around 5 or 6 years old because they can use the fire element at that age and understand the difference between a real fight and a training match so they know not to use all their power. Ash was always proud of who he was or where did he come from, but people may change and the fire people are really polite but since a lot of wars targeted them first they are not seen the same by the others so they decided to act like how others think they will. Ash always knew that everyone deserves to live or to at least be given a second chance, so he showed mercy when needed because otherwise he will be considered a liar by others and would hurt him in an instant.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  After Ash took everything needed he said to get out of the cave and go back home, the others agreed and went on their way. At the entrance of the castle they saw a familiar wagon standing outside the gate “I didn’t know uncle was visiting” said Charlie while scratching her head, “Your uncle?” asked Silver “Yes, my father’s brother is a king to one of the Earth Kingdoms, but I didn’t know he was visiting”. Hunter shook Ash with such force that he dropped down, Ash was going to say something but soon remembered who always came with the other king, his daughter Kate, their princess and in their childhood she had a liking to Ash and her dad had promised to marry him to her one day, and unfortunately that day might have been today, but Ash wasn’t going to stay around and find out.

  “You can go home I will come back later when the others leave.”

  “Do you hate my uncle or why don’t you want to come?”

  “Is more of an “if” situation for him.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “He either enters the kingdom and will be married to your uncle’s daughter or he stays out until he leaves to hope he doesn’t come back for another 11-12 years.”

  “You were promised to my cousin?”

  “No, I was just told that I will be married to her one day and I don’t want to find out if it’s today.”

  “You can always fake your death.”

  “The king saw me yesterday so I don’t think that would work.”

  “How about you help us Charlie?”

  “I can’t help you with anything. If my uncle said that then he is dead serious and would do it right as he gets the chance.”

  “Then we are staying out here until he leaves.”

  “Something tells me he would come looking for me so there’s no point in hiding.”

  “So you would go and accept your faith.”

  “No. I will just avoid him and his daughter for how long I need to.”

  It was an interesting thing that Ash had brought up his promised marriage from childhood after so many years that even Charlie didn’t know about it. They soon entered the kingdom, but Ash and Hunter were wearing their robes in order not to be spotted by guards or the other king, since he was an earth user he could sense him walking so Ash and Hunter had to use fire in order for them not to touch the ground, Silver knew that won’t work for long and she suggested just to walk since they may be able to sense them but not know who they are. Ash agreed and put his feet on the ground, Hunter followed then they went to the stand to collect their rewards for the mission after that Charlie went home to see why her uncle is here and the others went home to put the thing they took in a safe place and then they decided to go into the mountains to try using the air element again. Unfortunately for them at the gate there was a girl waiting, it was Kate, she didn’t knew how Ash looked like after all these years, but was sure he would leave the kingdom as soon as he heard that she arrived. Hunter knew another way to leave, and went behind an old house where there was a hole “This is the place I usually used to leave during the night when we weren’t allowed to exit the kingdom, so I think we should give it a try”. Ash was the first to exit than Silver than Hunter, the exit took them through a bushy area near the walls so no one could see them leaving. As soon as Ash saw himself out of the kingdom he shot a huge fire attack in the distance in order to create a distraction and that all guards will be in one place, after that he said “I know some guards that stay in the high towers and when they see us they will inform the king faster than we can leave so now no one will be in those towers anymore” and ran as fast as he could, the two followed until they reached the bottom of a mountain. Ash slowly too out the scroll and decided to give it another try, he started to move his arms slowly around him and as he was expecting a strong breeze came out of nowhere and surrounded him and when he opened his arms a huge air sphere was formed around him. Silver was stunned she has never seen anything like it and knew that Ash was something special if he managed to somehow use the air. After the sphere disappeared Ash said “Well now you give it a try old friend and see how you do it” Silver stood up not knowing if she could do it but she gave it a try, while moving her arms she felt a little breeze and thought that was just her imagination, after opening her arms a little see through sphere formed around her, she was shocked while Ash and Hunter were cheering her up, after a while the sphere disappeared, but she was happy with what she did. Hunter went next and he did the same, but when he opened his arms the sphere was a little bigger than Silver’s but not as strong as Ash’s. After they all tried it a few more times a big appetite came to them, using another element wasted a lot more energy than the one they grew up with. They were lucky Ash brought lunch with him for a whole family, he knew that might happen so he decided to be prepared in any case. After they ate lunch they didn’t have anything else to do besides trying the air sphere again, but their energy was running low so they needed to preserve it in case anything happens, energy takes a lot to refuel so wasting all of it would not be a smart choice knowing that you live in a dangerous area. They all climbed the hill besides the mountain to look at the sunset, while the sun was going down Ash felt a familiar energy coming towards them, it was Charlie she was coming to look at the sunset with them, they all set down, Silver with Hunter and Charlie with Ash none of them cared if anything was going to happen they were happy they got to enjoy a moment like this together. After the sun set and the moon was about to rise they began their walk home. While they were walking Charlie looked at Ash and saw a big smile on his face, one that she has never seen before and she was happy to see him like this. When they arrived in the bushy area before entering Ash asked Charlie why was her uncle there for, Charlie replied “He said he came to finish some business and other stuff, he mentioned at one point a boy so I think he was referring to you” Ash knew he was looking after him and that hiding would not solve anything so he will just live his life and see what he will do when he meets him. They each entered the kingdom through the hole and walked along on the street while Ash and Hunter were hiding behind their robes, after they reached Ash’s house they all said goodbye to Charlie and went inside, the place looked like some investigations were made, Ash knew someone entered their house and that they knew what they were searching for “Looks like they were looking for the scroll, good thing I took it with me” Hunter agreed and Silver said to start cleaning before something else happens. After all that they went to bed, as two of them were asleep Ash was awake and stood on the roof with a cup of tea to clear his mind of the things that happened, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day even though he knew that no day would be a good one at least for him, seeing others happy while he was in a lot of pain and Hunter was the only one who could understand him, but mentally there was no one who could help or understand him, saying that he is a lost person in a world full of pain and suffering.

  Ash stood up until morning and made breakfast for his friends, while waiting for them Ash made three cups of coffee one for each. After his friends woke up they came down to find the table full of food , they thanked Ash and started to eat, as they were eating Ash was looking at them with joy in his soul, but his face was showing his lack of sleep and Hunter knew exactly what Ash has done and said “You should go to sleep, it’s the fourth night this week when you stay up all night” Silver didn’t know what Hunter was talking about, but she knew Ash very well and knew he might do stuff like that. Ash went to his room not long after they ate and Hunter locked the house in order for Ash not to leave and to stay inside and sleep.

  “Does he always do stuff like this?”

  “Yes, and at first I thought I could help him, but in the end I realised that I couldn’t understand him as well as he understands me, but he told me to try because you never know how you could save someone without knowing.”

  “He doesn’t want to be alive anymore, does he?”

  “No, but he holds on because I was there for him and he wants to be here for me.”

  “Is there nothing we can do?”

  “Only not to think about it and live a normal life like he always wanted, that’s the only thing that helps him.”

  “I hope Charlotte doesn’t find out about it.”

  “Why?”

  “She seems to like him and she wants him to be more active, more cheerful. If she finds out it will break her hearth and try anything to help him.”

  “Let’s keep it between us alright.”

  “Alright.”

  As they were on their way to town to sell some loot they didn’t need anymore, they saw the two kings with their princesses at the entrance, because they were wearing disguises they walked past them without being seen. Charlie felt their presence, but knew that if she said something than her cousin would want to know, but she was trying to see where Ash was. Her cousin asked her “What are you looking for Charlotte?” to which she replied “Nothing cousin, don’t mind me.” Kate knew something was up and tried to see what her cousin was looking for but saw nothing. When Hunter and Silver left they passed by them gain but this time they got stopped by the other king.

  “Where are going?”

  “Home.”

  “Do you know a boy by the name Ash?”

  “Unfortunately I don’t know anyone with this name.”

  “Maybe you know him by his other name. “

  “What other name?” , asked Silver.

  “The Silent Reaper, that’s how he was known during the war.”

  “Still don’t know anyone that goes by either names.”

  “Do you know about this boy brother?”

  “I don’t but I know someone with similar characteristics, come I will take you to his house.”

  In that moment Hunter knew that the king was referring to Ash, he never knew his name, but knew how he was and the name Silent Reaper was only known by enemy kingdoms and nations. Hunter told Silver to hurry up to tell Ash to leave the kingdom as fast as possible. Silver took flight and was jumping from building to building in order to reach home faster. Hunter was behind her trying to slow the kings down without throwing any attack, but that was impossible. They managed to arrive home faster and as they were trying to open the door they saw an open window and realised that Ash was no longer home, his room was empty and his robe was no longer in the wardrobe. While they were trying to figure out where Ash went to they heard a knock on their door, the kings and the princesses arrived. Hunter opened the door and asked “What do you need your majesty”. The king said that he was looking for his friend to see if he knows someone by the name “Ash” with a calm voice Hunter said “My friend isn’t home and I don’t know when he will come back” The other king offered them to come to the castle until night fall to see if he would come back by then. Hunter knew he couldn’t deny otherwise he would look suspicious. He agreed and together with Silver they were brought to the castle, while Kate was looking at him trying to see where she recognised him from. While they were at the castle Ash was in the forest looking for the beast because he saw him in his dream while the others were away and knew he had to come and look for him. He was searching every corner of the forest until he sensed his presence and went straight to him. He found the beast at the edge of a ravine outside the forest, the beast welcomed him and told him to come and sit next to him, Ash listened and did as he said.

  “Why did you come here Ash, this isn’t a place for you?”

  “I saw you in my dream so I came to see what that was about.”

  “Was there something else in your dream, besides me?”

  “Yes, before I woke up I saw a glowing silhouette coming towards me and then I woke up, but not before I heard a gentle voice saying “Welcome”. What does that mean?”

  “You saw the spirit I was telling you about.”

  “So why did he welcome me?”

  “You will find out very soon so don’t worry about that for now.”

  “How can I see him again outside from sleeping?”

  “Through meditation you will be able to talk with him and he will teach you a lot of stuff. But I got to warn you it will take some time before you can talk with him every single time you mediate.”

  “So that’s the only way to talk to him again, is it?”

  “Yeah, think you could pull that off?”

  “I will.”

  “If that’s everything I will take my leave, take care young one and don’t give up on your dreams.”

  The beast disappeared in the fog that formed around them and Ash couldn’t sense him anymore and decided to go back home. When he arrived he noticed the door was unlocked, but there wasn’t anyone at home. He thought of where they could be, but then it hit him, he knew that the only place they could be right now is at the castle and that they were waiting for him, so out of anger Ash went straight to the castle. Inside Hunter and Silver were trying to get out but couldn’t, the guards and kings would not let them. Then out of a sudden the huge door was forced open by a strong attack, the guards were ready to attack, but Ash was already in front of them with an expression that stuck fear into the guards souls making them stand aside. Ash then shouted at his king “If you ever try to take my friends in order to meet me or force me to come here I will turn the castle to ashes and you will know what I am truly capable of” they all looked at him with horror in their eyes, they had never seen a person so angry that he would threaten his own people to suffering. Ash then looked at Charlie who was also a bit afraid but knew that he didn’t want to harm any of them, she went down to tell him how his friends got to the castle and the whole thing about finding him. Ash soon understood everything and apologised, but told the king that he should keep in mind what he said. The other king asked him if he knew Ash, to which he responded “I am Ash” the king was left speechless, especially Kate who was questioning how he went from a little boy to a person that even the king fears.

  “So do you remember me?”

  “I do.”

  “So you remember your promise?”

  “I didn’t promise anything, you told me that this will happen one day and I didn’t say a word. Neither have I agreed or denied.”

  “But you have to marry her, you agreed.”

  “I did no such thing, so you can come here anytime you want, but I won’t agree to such thing. I was too young back then and now I know what’s right or not.”

  “So you don’t care about her then.”

  “I care about all my friends and she is no exception, we can still be friends, but I am not interested in such thing, she can take anyone she wants but I am not ready so maybe I will consider this, but until then I refuse.”

  “Ok then, I hope to see you again. You are a reasonable man even though you are still a boy.”

  “Thanks, and you will see me very soon.”

  Kate soon understood that Ash didn’t want to marry her and was happy that he would still be her friend. Ash said goodbye to her and went back home. At home Ash told Silver and Hunter about his dream and why he left so they could understand why he would need peace for a couple of days to see if he can contact the spirit again. Silver suggested that he meditated in the mountains that faced east where the sun rises so that he would be closer to their source of power and that would help him concentrate. Ash found the idea wonderful, but also hard to do since the mountains that faced east were located hundreds of kilometres after the ravine where he met the beast, I would take him half a day just to arrive there and half to get back, so he would be alone and would come back after days. But Ash knew that was the only option to meet the spirit again, so he decided to leave during the night so he would arrive there before sunrise. He packed essentials that would last him at least a week, but left the scroll, because to him was no use in this spiritual training. At nightfall he said goodbye to his friends and left the kingdom going towards to mountains. At the ravine he noticed traces of blood that marked either a huge fight or an escape. He looked down the ravine and saw nothing so he continued his journey, it took him hours and he was still not at the mountains yet. Before he reached the bottom of the mountains he saw another trail of blood, but this one was fresh meaning whatever happened there didn’t happen long ago. Ash was ready for anything and decided to go up the mountain, each step he took felt like torture to him, the cold of the night was getting to him the higher he went up the mountain. Ash had been in colder places, but this mountain felt like he was in those places again, but nothing could make him go back now, he lit up a torch and strapped it to his waist to keep him warm, since climbing up the mountain and controlling fire needed a lot of concentration he could keep going and keep the flame under control so it wouldn’t burn his clothes. Ash reached the top before the first ray of sun hit the ground, since he was exhausted from the journey he decided to start meditating to preserve energy and also to start the process in order to meet the spirit.

  When the sun rose up Ash felt its overwhelming pressure hovering over him, but he just stood there with no thought in his mind just his soul trying to find another. Ash knew that when he saw the spirit in his dream, he was calm so he tried to be how he was in his dream in order to meet him again. Only through a calm and clear mind would he be able to contact this spirit, he stood like that all day until night rolled around when he went to sleep. While Ash was sleeping in the mountains afar his friends were trying to master the air sphere however they could. Even though they were hundreds of kilometres away they knew that the other was safe that’s how strong their friendship was, they could be kingdoms away and still know if the other one was in trouble. Before the sun rose up on the second day Ash ate in order to keep his energy and also have a clear mind. While trying to meditate he heard a scream in the distance, he got up as fast as possible and looked around to see where the scream was coming from, since it was a huge forest he couldn’t see anything or anyone, but only hear, so he decided to go and see what that’s about. Getting down would have been a problem if he didn’t learn how to keep himself in the air, Ash jumped head first and managed to stop his fall with strong flames that kept him in the air. After he got down he went straight to where the screams were coming from, when he arrived he saw two soldiers trying to grab a little boy, when he looked closer he saw their suits had the black spiral on them meaning they were from a darkness followings clan. Ash threw a strong attack, the soldiers let go of the boy, when they tried to reach for him again they stumbled across Ash who without any hesitation he killed both of them with a quick swing of his sword. When he looked back he saw the boy going back to the village that was pretty far from where the soldiers took him, Ash quickly took what was valuable on them and burned their bodies leaving nothing but ashes. He went to the village because no one would let a child be kidnapped, especially by darkness followers and he knew that something might have happened. In the village there was a trail of blood that led to a house where the boy was standing, the soldiers killed his parents and took him by force and that might not have been the single time, Ash remembered the blood from yesterday and figured out that they did the same thing yesterday as well. He soon asked a local “What has been happening in this village? Why are darkness followers taking children and killing the parents?” the local told him that since their village was weak and no one protected it darkness followers began to came “They have taken 5 children so far, it would have been 6 if you didn’t help that boy. And killed their parents as a warning for us not to try to betray them.” Ash soon asked if they come regularly or not, the man told him that they would come tonight seeing that the other two won’t return. Ash was pleased to hear that, he wanted revenge, not only for this people but also for himself since the same kind of soldiers killed a lot of his friends or allies during the war. Ash helped cleaning the village and comforting the boy who lost his parents. Ash knew that killing them won’t be enough so he thought of a way to send a message, and that message being to never mess with anyone from the Fire Kingdoms. When night rolled around the people were waiting for the followers to come as Ash was hiding in a nearby tree, when the followers arrived they didn’t have a moment to speak or say anything that’s how quick Ash killed all of them, after that he cut off their heads put the fire symbol on their skulls and put them at the entrance and exit of the village in order to send a good message to the darkness followers. The villagers didn’t know how to react to his actions, but they were grateful that he helped them, Ash promised to send some troops to patrol around there from the neighbouring kingdoms around them so that their village would always be protected. Before Ash could leave the villagers invited him to stay with them a little longer, but Ash denied saying that he has work to do, but promised to come daily until he goes back home. On his way to the mountain Ash felt guilty because he couldn’t help all those other five kids and that he could have prevented something from what happened the day before, he climbed the mountain with so much guilt that he barely made it up. At the top Ash shed a tear, but knew that he didn’t have time for things like that and that he should be proud that not only has he saved one life, but hundreds from keeping the village safe, but deep inside his soul he wished he could have done more than that. After he calmed down he began to meditate once again, this time was a little harder for him to concentrate, but he managed to get over that wall since losing people was on a regular basis in the war, that might make Ash seem cold and heartless, but that’s how life treated him and he had to adapt in those times and even now. After his meditation session, he looked at the starry sky in the middle of the night, while looking at the sky he shot five attack that disappeared in the sky, he tried to place a new star for the children that were taken, but his guilt weakened him and he couldn’t control his abilities, as he looked at his hand, they were shaking and he didn’t know what to do and decided to go to bed in order to relive some of the stress while barely falling asleep due to his hearth being full of regret. While he was asleep he couldn’t sense that something was coming towards him, it was only until morning when he opened his eyes and saw what was standing beside him. It was a phoenix, a mythical creature born from the Eternal Fire that was considered the protector of the sky and the stars. Ash was too amazed to say anything, but frightened at the same time since every time someone saw the phoenix they either died or lost their powers forever, so Ash didn’t know which one was it. The phoenix soon spoke to him, the same as the best did before, and told him “If you want to honour the lost lives of the children through a permanent symbol like the stars you should ask their protector first.” Since Ash barely woke up he didn’t know what to say to the phoenix and he just apologised, the phoenix said that he would let Ash put the stars on the sky, but only after he was at peace with himself about the whole “guilt” thing and that he couldn’t save the others “In order to do the things I protect you have to forgive yourself and get over the stuff that hold you back including your past” Ash didn’t know if it was either a dream or a real meeting since such creature appears only in guiding others or taking others away, but Ash wasn’t going to ask anything. As he stood there silent the phoenix spoke again with his gentle and comforting voice “You blame yourself for something you can’t control, if you really want to pay homage to the children you need to first forgive yourself then forgive your actions that you took to avenge them” Ash understood what the phoenix was saying so without saying a word he went to the village in order to forgive himself and also try to help the children since their young souls could still be roaming the Earth and try to find who avenged them before they pass to the other side. When he arrived the villagers welcomed him with open arms, they told him that they slept without fear knowing that someone is there to protect them and Ash was happy to hear that, but he also wanted to speak to the boy. When he found him he took him aside and began apologising to him “I am sorry I couldn’t help your friends and that I didn’t get here in time, but I want to hear it from you, if you would forgive me or not” the boy said that he forgave him and that it wasn’t his fault for his friends deaths and that he couldn’t control if he was there or not. Ash lifted his head and looked at the boy with sadness in his eyes knowing that deep down he missed them and wanted to see them one last time. Ash told the boy to let it out and cry and that he was there for him. The boy burst into tears hugging Ash, who began to comfort him knowing that this incident would mark him for life. As Ash was comforting him he began to cry as well without noticing, because he went through something similar, when he was comforted by one of his comrades during the war since he was not ready for so many death, Ash had never forgot about him and still missed him to this day. After the boy finally felt safe and ready to embrace the truth he let go of Ash and reached for his pocket. The boy gave Ash a shiny rock he had found in order for Ash to remember him, Ash was stunned and took the rock and put it in the pocket of his robe “Thanks kid, I will make sure your village will never be attacked ever again, I will keep all of you safe, I promise” After that Ash wiped his tears and walked with the boy until they reached the exit of the village “You have to leave right now?” asked the boy, Ash responded “No, I will stay here for a few more days then I will leave, but I will come from once in a while to make sure you are all ok” Ash walked to the top of the mountain again and asked the phoenix if he could lend him five spots in the sky during the night in order to pay homage to the lost children once more. The phoenix said calmly “You can take any spot from the sky to put your stars, but you will have to protect them from the evil souls that want to hold their flames, otherwise the stars will corrupt and destroy the village underneath them” Ash responded without hesitation “I will give my life if that means the children will have peace, no matter the cost everyone deserves to rest after death.” The phoenix told him that he would come back at night to help him place the stars and fight the spirits so the stars wouldn’t corrupt. Ash looked as the phoenix left leaving nothing behind him thinking “One day I will repay you for what you did form me, friend.” Ash soon began to meditate again, since his mind had been clouded by guilt and needed to concentrate in order to be ready to protect the stars that night. As time passed by Ash was starting to get over his guilt and tried to forgive himself over the stuff that happened in the past, he didn’t fully forgive himself but he got over the deaths that he couldn’t stop and that was enough for him to continue his journey. Before nightfall Ash went to the village to see what the boy was doing. When he arrived he saw the people working and wondered around the village until he stumbled across the boy, he was playing with someone. Ash was happy to see the boy had moved on and started to live his life again. After Ash made sure that everyone was ok, he went back to the mountain where he waited for the phoenix. At midnight Ash sensed something approaching from the distance while meditating, it was the phoenix. It was flying without a care, but with small flames around him in order not to be spotted during the night. When it reached the top of the mountain he put down a scroll and with a calm but persuasive voice told Ash “Sign this with your blood and then we can continue with our night” Ash was lost and asked what the scroll for, the phoenix said “I will tell you after we do what we have to now sign it so we can get to it” Ash was still curious but did as the phoenix told him, he cut his right hand and then signed the scroll with his blood. After signing the scroll the phoenix told Ash to put his hand on its back, Ash did just that then the phoenix started flying with Ash floating behind him.

  “How am I doing this?”

  “You know how people of the Air Kingdoms can fly.”

  “Yes, what about it.”

  “The same can the people from the Fire kingdoms.”

  “So how do you do that exactly?”

  “You use the hot air you use when controlling fire and put it underneath yourself then you start flying. That’s one of the few things that the kingdoms have in common.”

  “I guess now I do.”

  “Try it for yourself you will need to learn it eventually.”

  “I guess I can give it a try”

  Ash then concentrated the hot air underneath his feet and let go of the phoenix slowly, after that he was flying. He was fascinated by it and was ready to teach it to his friend as soon as he got home. But now there was no time for play and flew alongside the phoenix until they reached the right place to put the stars. Ash was guided by the phoenix on how to form a star and how to place it. Ash did as the phoenix told him and his first attempts were not successful, but on his next attempt he managed to create his first star and place it where it belonged. And then he started to make the other four stars, but right when he was about to place the last one he sensed a dark energy coming towards him, when he looked back he saw the evil spirits coming at a rapid rate. Ash place the star quickly then put a wall of fire between him and the spirits, when he looked at the phoenix he saw it fighting two spirits, while he was facing four, the odds weren’t in his favour but he had a plan up his sleeve. He let the wall of fire down slowly and waited until the spirits surrounded him, as they were approaching him and when they least expected it Ash used the air sphere to catch them inside. As the spirits tried to escape Ash used a fire wave that indulged the sphere in flames. The spirits couldn’t escape and since Ash was immune to fire damage he could stay in there all night, but the spirits couldn’t. Ash soon took down the sphere after all the spirits inside were dead. After that he looked at the phoenix and saw an amazed expression on its face like he had never seen anything like that before. The phoenix, still in shock, told Ash that they could go down and admire the stars he had placed. As both of them were looking at the stars the phoenix asked Ash “Out of curiosity, how did you use an air technique?” Ash responded with a smile on his face “I don’t really know myself, but all I know is that I can do it and so can my friends” the phoenix was shocked to hear that others could do it, but soon understood why. Before he left he told Ash what he signed “The scroll you signed will grant you the ability to see spirits or ghosts and would help you get in contact with whoever you want to see from the Spirit World.” Ash wanted to ask something but stopped and smiled at the phoenix saying “Thank you, not only have you helped me get over my guilt and pay homage to the lost children, but you also gave me a gift and an easier way to access who I need to” the phoenix told him that those abilities were hidden within him and he just unlocked them faster. Ash was stunned but didn’t want ask any more questions so he just smiled. Right when the phoenix was ready to take flight he told him “If you ever get in trouble or need help you can always contact me through meditation or through the Spirit World and I will come as fast as possible” then he took flight, Ash looked at him flying through the night sky underneath the stars they had placed and then disappear like a breeze of wind. Ash looked at the stars once again, but this time he started to cry , since now he could grief the loss of the children after avenging and paying homage to them. Ash being exhausted from the fight decided to go to sleep and try to contact the spirit the next day.

  As the sun rose to the sky Ash was already in his meditation position trying to once more contact the spirit that he came to meet. After hours Ash could feel someone climbing up the mountain and decided to look down and see who was coming. Ash soon saw the little boy climbing the mountain, he jumped down and slowed his falling by flying to see if he remembered how and took the boy to the top slowly not to scare him. At the top Ash asks the boy why he came all the way to reach him knowing really well that the mountain is hard to climb even for the strongest people in those areas. The boy said with a tired voice “I wanted to see if you left” Ash told him that he would stay more than a week and then he would leave. The boy feels relieved and decides to go home, Ash told him that he would take him back to the village since the way back was way more dangerous and began to fly slowly down to the entrance of the village where Ash left the boy. He soon went back on the mountain and continued his meditation.

  He had kept it like that for a few days until one night while meditating like usual Ash felt a strong connection forming between him and someone else so he had to keep focus on it. The time it took to connect to the other person was a long one and Ash had to keep on focus in order not to lose the connection. When he couldn’t feel the connection anymore Ash thought he had lost it, but he soon found himself in a dark void with no one beside him. Ash tried to figure out what that place was, his first thought was that it was his mind since only he was there and could move freely. He stood there for what felt like hours until he heard a calm and mysterious voice saying “I thought you would never come looking for me” Ash turned around as soon as he heard the voice and he saw that standing behind him was a glowing blue silhouette with his arms crossed behind its back.

  “Are you the spirit the beast told me about?”

  “Indeed I am.”

  “Good. I would like to know what is with this connection.”

  “What connection?”

  “The one between you and beast, you and I, and so on.”

  “Ah, so you don’t know who I really am. I forgot that they decided to keep it a secret and no one knows anymore.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I can tell you directly or I can tell you with a story to understand it better. So how would you like it?”

  “I guess a story would be the better option and it’s not like I don’t have time so go ahead.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Long ago when they were still known by the world the guardians had to figure a way out to move their knowledge and stories to the next so the First Guardian had created me before his passing as a guide or teacher. Every single guardian contacted me after they unlocked a little part of their true potential in order to learn about the previous one and what they did and what their mission will be as the next one. All guardians have contacted me, except the last ones. This happened because they decided to keep it a secret so they wouldn’t be killed at birth so for the last generation of guardians they had made their connection with me but after their mission was done. The last guardians died before they could contact me and I think they didn’t even know about me so I couldn’t tell you anything about them even If I wanted to. So here you come in place. You are the next guardian of this time and your mission will be revealed once you master all the elements.”

  “What? Me the next guardian, you got to be kidding me. Do you even know how strong the guardians were?”

  “Yes, I am aware of their strength and you will have that strength as well once you master all the elements.”

  “But how could you be sure?”

  “The one you call the beast has lived for centuries and found the next guardian and guided them to me so I can guide them further.”

  “The beast knew I was the next guardian, then why did he try to kill me all those years ago?”

  “He knew you are the next guardian after unlocking part of your potential.”

  “And when did I do that?”

  “When using the air sphere.”

  “That unlocked the part that made him sure I was the next guardian?”

  “Yes and I am going to let you calm down before we move on to other stuff.”

  After Ash calmed down he asked the spirit what his purpose was like and most importantly if there were other guardians. The spirit was shocked and asked him what he meant by other guardians.

  “What do you mean others?”

  “There could be more guardians at a time and I want to know if the is another one.”

  “I forgot about that since I haven’t been contacted in years so I guess you lose track of time here.”

  “Answer my question.”

  “For the moment there aren’t others since they haven’t unlocked their potential so I don’t know.”

  “Guess only time could tell us if there is more.”

  The spirit soon decided to tell Ash what is going to happen and some rules “You will have to master all the elements by any means and you could tell others that you are a guardian but only people you could trust so that you won’t be hunted after revealing who you are”. Ash soon asked him if others could use the other elements since he told him that only he used the air sphere but the spirit didn’t know about Hunter and Silver. The spirit said that only people the guardians choose as apprentices or followers and asked why he said that. Ash told the spirit about Hunter and Silver and how they handled the air sphere as well, but saying that he never took them as apprentices or students. The spirit said that since they had a close relationship they didn’t need to be his students entirely. Ash sighted, and decided to ask him an important question, that being on how he could contact him again. The spirit responded by saying through meditation but he could enter his subconscious and talk with him every second while he is awake. Ash agreed and made the deal with the spirit, but right when Ash was about to take his leave the spirit asked him about the mark on his right arm. Ash was shocked when he said that and looked at his arm in an instant.

  “How could you see that?”

  “In your mind the bandages that cover your wounds are not to be found so I can see every scar and wound. So what’s that on your right arm?”

  “I don’t know, most said it was a scar, but it wouldn’t have stayed purple for years so it’s something else.”

  “A magic mark?”

  “No. I have a little idea of what it might be, but I am not sure.”

  “What’s your idea?”

  “It might be a mark left from my parents. No one just falls through the sky, everyone has parents for a while. I never knew mine so might have happened after my birth and they most likely died and left me this to remember them.”

  “It might be that, but it’s also a magic seal containing something even bigger so there’s that.”

  “We will have to see. When I find a mage I will ask him to tell me what it is.”

  “Good luck until then.”

  “Thanks, I guess.”

  Ash said his goodbye to the spirit and woke from his meditation state and looked up seeing the starry sky before going down the mountain. At the bottom Ash was making his way through the dense forest to look for something that had a meaning to him a long time ago. About 5 km away from the mountain there was a battle field were Ash had fought in the war, a battle field lost to nature since no one could tell that something has ever happened there. Ash went up to a bush and burnt it to reveal a box, in the box was a journal that had some timetables written and on the last pages there were the signatures of the soldiers Ash has been with through the war in that place. Unfortunately only he got out alive from that fight and had to endure the loss of his friends that he made in those tough times, he looked at the signatures knowing that he will never see them again and swore on his duty as the next guardian to avenge everyone and stop the possibility of an upcoming war before he loses more people he cares about. Ash put the box in a bigger bush so that no one finds it and goes back to the mountain where he goes to sleep.

  The next day he goes about as usual, looking over the village seeing if everyone is alright then goes back on the mountain. As night falls he stands there looking at the sky waiting for the days to pass so he could go back home and tell his friends about everything, but Ash had another thing in mind that he knew would hurt the others emotionally but knew it had to be done. He had a few more days. Those day were passing like sand grains on a windy day at the beach and sooner or later he had reached the last day. On the last day Ash went to the village to say his goodbyes to the villagers and right before he left he gave the little boy he has saved a pocket knife he had during the first year into the war and left with a smile on his face a smile that he had never shown before. On his way back he started to talk with the spirit about the decision he was about to make and tell his friends about it, the spirit was supportive and knew that not only are his friends going to hurt, but Ash will be isolated for a long time if he makes the decision. As they were approaching the kingdom Ash decided to slow the pace down so he could rest of what remained of the night and tell his friends what he did those days he was away. Before he reached the entrance of the kingdom he could feel Hunter close meaning that he was either on a mission and was coming back or he was waiting for him right after he enters through the gate. He decided to see which is true so he entered the kingdom while making sure the guards knew who he was to let him in. After wondering for a bit through the lonely streets he found himself in front of his house with the lights off like no one was there. He checked the door, locked, that meant the others were on a mission so he waited for them near a bench to make sure they are ok. When he sensed them he looked in that direction without hesitation and saw not two, but three. Ash thought to himself “Looks like Charlotte has finally joined the group, never thought that will happen so soon” and smiled under his mask. Hunter didn’t recognise Ash at first, but as soon as he sensed his presence he knew it was him and hugged him before the others figured it out who it was. Ash told them to wait until morning since he was tired from the journey and wanted to rest and that he will tell them everything once he is completely rested. They agreed and before they part ways Ash told Charlotte to come tomorrow morning for breakfast so he could tell all of them everything he did, while knowing the rest will be heart breaking. Charlotte agreed and said that she will come, Ash was happy to hear that and goes inside to take a shower and sleep.

  In the morning Ash woke up first and went on making breakfast before Hunter and Silver woke up and before Charlotte arrived. As he was making breakfast he heard a knock on the door, Charlotte arrived. Ash quickly opened the door and greeted her and told her to have a seat. After Ash had laid the table Hunter and Silver came down to eat. After everyone was at the table Ash began to tell them what he did while he was away, he told them about the boy he saved, how he met the phoenix and fought the evil spirits. They seemed fascinated by him and what he did but Ash then changed his tone and with a calm face he told them “I am going to tell you something that you have to promise you won’t tell anyone or we will all be in extreme danger” Their faces showed complete trust and Ash told them everything, the meeting with the spirit, the fact that he was the next guardian and the fact that his mission is still unknown. After that they all looked worried and began to have internal conflicts about what Ash had just told them, Hunter knowing how much he had been through knew that this was another burden Ash had to carry and was ready to help him, Silver knew that Ash was planning something and was ready to hear any of his ideas, while Charlotte was shocked and even though she didn’t know Ash for as long as Silver and Hunter knew that he will try to bear it alone. Then Ash decided to let them calm down before dropping the worst news. They each took it pretty hard but understood what he had been through. After they calmed Ash said, with a shake in his voice “I have to leave to train and learn the other elements, but I have to do it alone.” They all jumped at first and were about to say that they were against it, but they slowly understood that even if they were against Ash would still leave no matter what, since that was his duty.

  “You really have to do something like this, leave right after you had already been gone for almost two weeks?”

  “Unfortunately yes, I have to do this.”

  “Do you at least know how much time it will take for you to learn all of the elements?” Asked Charlotte

  “It can take up to years for just one element.”

  “When do you plan on leaving?” asked Silver

  “Tonight, since is the only way that I could have enough time to learn all of them if I leave today.”

  “And you don’t want any of us to come with you?”

  “No, I need to be alone so that if someone comes after me I will be the only one he knows about.”

  After their little chat Ash told them to come in front of the gate tonight to say his goodbyes so that he wouldn’t leave without saying something rather than just leaving all of a sudden. During the day Ash took all three of them and taught them how to fly since he knew an easier way to teach them. It took a few hours and many tries but each one learned how to fly and Ash was happy that he managed to at least teach them that before he left. That night all of them were at the gate with pain in their soul not knowing how long it would take before they would meet again. Ash started to say his goodbyes to each one “Goodbye Silver, I know that you won’t stay here for much longer but take care of the others before you leave, alright old friend. Goodbye Hunter, I know this hurts you more than it hurts me but be strong and take care of everyone especially Charlotte since she is now part of the group. Goodbye Charlotte, we may not have known each other for a really long time but take care and I promise that I will come back so don’t think of anything bad, because even in darkness there is light.” After his goodbyes Ash hugged each of them and gave them each an item to remember him, to Hunter he gave him one of his rings that he stole when they first met. To Silver Ash gave her the dagger he had promised her in childhood with his signature encrypted on the handle. And to Charlotte Ash gave her a watch with two dragons on it, one that resemblance the moon and one that resemblance the sun, that when worn it reached the hearth. After those things were done and everyone got their gifts Silver decided to give one of her own. She told Ash to lift his shirt, Ash did and Silver began to use her powers to do something, she placed a mark on his chest. When Ash asked what it was Silver told him that, that mark would let her know if anything bad happens to him from bad injuries to even sense if he dies and that she will always know where he is. Ash smiled and told them that he will be fine than he turned and went in the forest where he looked back one last time and waved to them before disappearing into the forest.