1 The Prophecy

The city of Lotardale buzzed with activity as the sun began its descent. Crowds filled the bustling streets, hurrying to their homes, and the rhythmic clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages echoed through the narrow alleys. Yet, an undercurrent of unease lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the city.

In the heart of Lotardale, within a small, dimly lit room in the cathedral of the Church of Elements, a group of elders gathered around a massive wooden table. Ancient tomes and scrolls adorned the surface, capturing the attention of the esteemed members of the Church of Elements. The room exuded the scent of weathered leather and was illuminated by the flickering glow of countless candles.

"The prophecy speaks of four children, and thus far, we have only found three, one in here and two in Azurdale," voiced one of the elders, a stern-looking man with a thick gray beard. "We must hasten our search and locate these children."

A resonant voice filled the room, emanating from another elder with an imposing presence. "Calm yourselves, brethren. I have my people stationed in all three cities, ready to administer the orb exams. If the fourth child emerges, my people will bring the child and their family to us."

The others nodded, acknowledging the gravity of their mission. They understood that the prophecy held immense significance, and their relentless pursuit of these children had spanned years. The Church of Elements believed that the destiny of the world hinged upon the powers harbored by these children.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of Arindale, a young boy named Alex made his way home alone after school. Earlier that day, after class, all the students were required to gather in the school courtyard to place their hands upon a mysterious black orb. Though the orb remained unresponsive to everyone, Alex sensed an inexplicable heat radiating from his hands when he touched it, but maybe it was just his imagination.

Upon arriving home, Alex discovered that his parents had not yet returned from work. As they served the Great Minister of Arindale directly, their duties often kept them occupied, leaving Alex to fend for himself. He ventured into the kitchen, preparing his solitary dinner. In his hands, he clutched his cherished grimoire, containing his favorite spell: Sparks. Even at such a young age, Alex had mastered its execution, much to the astonishment of his parents. With confidence, Alex opened the grimoire and directed his gaze towards the fireplace, stacked with dry wood. Focusing his energy, he extended his hand, and with a flourish, cast the spell. A cascade of sparks erupted from his hands, dancing through the air and igniting the wood. The warmth and gentle crackle of the fire accompanied Alex as he continued his solitary routine.

Later that evening, while sitting alone in his room, engrossed in his homework, Alex found himself lost in thought. At around twelve years old, he possessed short, tousled black hair and inquisitive, deep brown eyes. Throughout his young life, Alex had always felt an innate sense of difference, a feeling of being set apart from his peers. Consequently, he struggled to connect with others his age, and the absence of close friendships weighed heavily on him.

As he sat there on his bed, there was a sudden knock at the door. Alex's heart raced as he got up to answer it, thinking it might be his parents returning home. When he opened the door, he found himself face to face with a woman he had seen before at school—an official from the Church, conducting the orb examination. She was a tall, slender young woman with long blonde hair that flowed down her back in loose waves. Her piercing green eyes seemed to hold a sense of determination and strength, and her sharp features gave her an almost regal appearance. Despite her youth, she carried herself with the confidence and poise of a wise mage, and her presence commanded respect. Her attire was simple yet elegant, consisting of a long black cloak and a white tunic that accentuated her curves in all the right places. Her boots were sturdy and practical, designed for long journeys through rugged terrain. Overall, she exuded an aura of power and authority that Alex couldn't help but be drawn to.

"Hello, Alex," she said, her voice calm but firm. "My name is Olana. I work for the Church." Alex tensed at the mention of the Church but tried to keep his expression neutral. Olana continued, "I've been sent to find you. Today, during the orb examination, it reacted only when you touched it, meaning you may be one of the children mentioned in the prophecy." Alex's heart raced as he tried to process this information. The woman's eyes searched his face for a reaction.

Feeling trapped, Alex decided to play along for now. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm just a normal boy."

Olana raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?" she asked, gesturing to the grimoire on the bookshelf. "I think you're hiding something."

Alex's heart sank as he realized that this woman wasn't going to leave. He knew that he couldn't trust Olana, but he didn't know what to do. He glanced around the room, looking for a way out.

"Please," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "What do you want?" Alex felt a shiver run down his spine at the mention of the Church. He had heard stories about their ruthless pursuit of power, and he didn't want to have anything to do with them.

Olana's expression softened. "I understand your fears, Alex, but I'm not here to harm you. I'm here to help you."

Alex narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "How do I know I can trust you?"

Olana sighed. "I know that trust isn't easily given, especially to those who claim to work for the Church. But please, hear me out. You have a gift, Alex, a rare and powerful gift. And we can help you learn to control it."

"Why me?" he asked. "And what powers?"

Olana leaned in, her green eyes intense. "Because, Alex, you are one of the four. The ones spoken of in the prophecy the heir to the fire element."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. He had heard whispers of the prophecy, but he had never taken them seriously. But if what Olana was saying was true...

"What does that mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Olana straightened up, her expression serious. "It means that you have a destiny, Alex. A destiny that could change the course of history. But you can't do it alone. You need the others."

Alex felt a surge of fear and excitement. He had never imagined that he could be a part of something so important. But he still didn't trust Olana, or the church.