The gentle tide of the ocean splashes and recedes on the soft sandy beach. The chants of seagulls circling about compliments the tranquility of the reaching waves.
A young girl of about eleven is seen laying on the sand still and motionless, who exudes a peaceful aura full of life and innocence.
Suddenly, she jolts awake.
“Euggh…” she groaned. “I must’ve dozed off longer than expected..”
“I wonder what dad is doing.”
She stood up from her area in the sand and takes an intriguing gaze at the vast ocean in front of her.
The golden light of the setting sun illuminated the beach like shining beams from the heavens. The massive arboreal trees stood over the outcropping of the area like a giant canopy.
Since the beach was in a secluded cove, it provided numerous areas of natural shade. The cove was undeniably magnificent.
While admiring the gorgeous display of scenery, she dusts herself from the loose sand and treks back towards the interior of the island.
She makes her way along a small dirt path, avoiding every branch and bush like it was second nature.
After a bit of walking, she makes her way to a shabby cottage. The framework of the cottage was unorthodox, and clearly the work of an amateur. Smoke billows up from the large chimney on the side of the house.
“Dad, I’m home!” the young girl calls out.
The cabin of the door creaks open, and a large, stoic man steps out.
He had brown wavy hair, and a clean-shaven beard. His sharp eyes were full of life, like a dancing candle-fire.
“Where have you been, Annalise? Dinner is almost ready!”
“I was out by the beach dad; it was gorgeous today.”
“Hmph.” he sighed. “Well hurry up, we have much to discuss.”
Annalise beamed. She happily skipped towards the door and into the cottage.
The cottage, while plain, was neatly organized and kept tidy. A hand-crafted birch table sat nestled in the corner of the house, complimented by two chairs of same quality.
A large bookcase stood in the back corner of the cottage, filled with various books and novels.
The man went to the fireplace on the right side of cottage. He grabbed a wooden spoon and tended to the herbaceous stew suspended on the fireplace hook. It smelled extravagant.
“Did you practice your training exercises?”
“Of course, dad.” Annalise said while eyeing the stew. “I am practicing my spiritual meditation daily as you asked me to.”
“Good, it’s important that you are constantly honing your skills. After all, you inherited your mother’s skills in Water Style.”
Spiritual meditation is one of the core principles of Elemental Power. By channeling your spiritual energy, the first step of inner congruency is achieved.
Annalise is a natural talent, as she started to unlock her spiritual congruency at a very young age.
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She grabs a wooden bowl from the table, grabs the spoon and serves herself the stew.
“But dad… why won’t you teach me a combat art? I am old enough to handle a sword! You always tell me to practice my meditation.”
The man says nothing, as he also serves himself some stew and takes a seat at the table.
“Dad, what happens if I need to protect myself? I want to learn. Please teach me.”
He gives a long sigh, as if he awaited these questions.
“My daughter, the world outside of our home is a dangerous, and unforgiving place. By raising you here secluded on the island, I wanted you to escape the dangers that had plagued me while I was a child.”
“Dad, that doesn’t make any sense!!” Annalise exclaimed. “If our world is so dangerous as you said, then why am I not training to be stronger?! I want to prepare myself for what might come.”
He stroked his beard and had a sad gaze in his eye.
“Perhaps you’re right Anna. I wanted to protect you, but it seems that I was too careless in my thought process. I will train you in the Serpent Lord style. If you are serious, then we will start at the crack of dawn.”
Annalise’s face lit up. “Really?! You’ll finally teach me?! Thank you, Dad!”
“Finish your food and head to bed. You need to sleep.”
“Yes, sir!”
Annalise finishes her stew, and heads toward her bed in the back corner of the cottage. The bed was simple, but comfortable. It was handcrafted with different animal pelts.
She takes off her boots and climbs under the bed sheets.
***
The crickets buzz outside, playing a soft song. The breeze of the wind blows gently against the cottage.
Annalise lays in her bed, restless and unable to sleep. Her father’s response rubbed her the wrong way.
If he wanted me to be strong, then he would’ve taught me the way of the sword earlier in life. Why didn’t he?! It feels like I am wasting my time here. What am I really doing here? What is my purpose?
She pondered for a few moments, truly contemplating her inner desires.
I want to travel the world just like mom did. I want to get stronger at any cost and sail away from here.
Why does dad have to treat me like a little kid? Why does he not want me to become powerful? I’ve been doing these damn meditation exercises every day for years, and I still haven’t learned any arts in Water Style. He even compares me to mom.
If I ever make it from here, I’m going to learn everything I can about Elemental Power. This island is too constricting for me. I want to make new friends and meet other people.
Most importantly, I need to find my mom. Dad never told me anything about her. Only that I inherited her power and skill in Water Style.
Then it’s settled then. I will escape this island at any cost.
***
Hours passed as she tried to fall asleep, but to no avail.
As she turned over on the other side of her bed, she got the horrible feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
She suddenly sat up and observed her surroundings. The cottage was eerily quiet, like something was out of place.
“Dad?” she spoke softly. “Are you here?”
No response.
She started panicking a little. He is usually with me at this hour. Did he go out and take a walk or clear his thoughts?
No, he couldn’t have…
She glanced over at the cottage door, and to her utter disbelief, it was uncracked and slightly open.
She gulped.
Annalise shuffled out of bed and put her patch-skin boots on. By the side of the cottage door, an ax laid.
This was her dad’s prized ax as it had an unreal sharpness to it that cleaved wood like butter. She was perplexed as her dad never left without the ax, not once in her entire life living on the island.
It was a special ax, infused with spiritual power, and blessed by the lesser spirits. Only an Elemental Power user could wield it without fatal repercussions.
Utilizing her spiritual meditation technique, she balanced her spiritual power, and then picked up the ax.
She groaned. It was uncomfortable to use.
After arming herself, she slowly opened the door and peered out into the wilderness.
Nothing.
There were no immediate signs of a struggle. Her instincts were not convinced, however.
She made her way slowly down the dirt path to the soft sandy beach, clutching the ax tight to her chest.
As she reached the cove, her eyes widened in wicked fear.
On the beach was her father, sleeping on the sand. No, he was dead.
She had instant awareness. Her father was her guide on this planet, her benefactor, mentor, and master. He was patient and proud and would never back down from a fight.
Hot rage of anger brewed up inside her, but she ignored that for now.
Standing over her father, was a man. No, that wasn’t the right term. This thing was an abysmal shadow. A primordial entity of the void.
It had a black wraith-like appearance, of wispy dark tendrils of smoke engulfing its body. The entity had crimson, piercing eyes that glowed like two magnificent rubies.
The entity had noticed her presence, and she could feel it’s soulless gaze staring into her body and spirit.
Annalise knew she was done for. She held her ax firmly, and with the bravery of a hero, charged at the creature.
