Elemental Souls
Prologue
In the medieval times when there was light and darkness, mystical and supernatural creatures, knighthood and wizardry, there was never peace. Good and evil were always battling with each other until one triumphed. There was no such thing as peace until The Bringers of Light appeared. They were a group of people who practiced high level magic beyond comprehension of mere mortals. They suppressed all the evil from the world far away from Earth. This world was called Ellemape. Darkness was gone. The word “peace” finally could be used appropriately. As mortals would know, darkness and evil would never ever be totally eradicated. Darkness was gone at that time, for the time being. Darkness would find a place in a living being’s heart and take over the being.
Many mortals sought answers from The Bringers of Light if the evil mystical and supernatural monsters had also vanished. The Bringers of Light’s reply was that they gave these creatures a second chance. Mortals, on hearing the reply, dared not go near the Enchanted Forest where the World Tree was for fear that the monsters attacked them. They never believed that the creatures would turn over a new leaf as a leopard would never change its spots.
For years, the creatures lived in peace as there was no disturbance. For years, there was no evil. For years, the mortals lived in harmony and peace. For years, The Bringers of Light had nothing to do; they just recruited mortals with the potential to become a Bringer of Light. That happened for many years.
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Mary-Anne was lying on her bed lazily. She tossed and turned repeatedly, wondering why it had to be that way. Was she fated to walk this path? Endless thoughts ran through her mind like slide shows. Then, she sat upright and leaned against her pillow, slouching after which. She recalled the conversation with her mother just a few minutes ago.
"Mother, where and why are we leading these troops of mystical creatures? They look sooooo...... disgusting and eerie! Plus, where is Father? It's like I've never ever seen him before,” Mary-Anne asked inquisitively.
"Mary-Anne, why have you suddenly brought up this question? Anyway, you have grown up and you are old enough to know this. It's time we have a talk. Many years ago, when you were only one year old, your father and your brother......,"Mary-Anne's mother, Denise, explained.
"What? You mean that I also have a brother?! That's so cool!” Mary-Anne shouted in excitement, beaming.
"Yes, that's right. But when you were one year old, your father and brother committed a grave sin that broke the rules of The Bringers of Light,” Denise continued her tone heavy and serious.
"What is The Bringers of Light, Mother?” Mary-Anne asked again.
"The Bringers of Light protect our world from evil. They are a powerful lot so don't meddle with them for any apparent reason. Ok, back to the story. Your father and your brother committed a grave sin and as a result, they were locked up and sealed away from the faces of this world,” Denise said sadly.
"What? Where is……," Mary-Anne started to ask.
”Don't ask any more questions. Go back to your room. I do not wish to continue talking on this subject. That's enough for the day and this conversation.” Denise said coldly, irritated.
Mary-Anne left the room reluctantly, many questions unanswered.
She lay on her back, reflecting on the questions she wanted to ask and searching for the answers. What sin did Father and Brother commit that they had to be locked up and sealed away for their lifetime? Why did Mother have to gather these mystical creatures? How are they going to save Father and Brother? Mary-Anne was troubled. She thought and thought and gradually dozed off into dreamland.
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In the eastern part of Ellemape, there was a fortune teller. Someone had come to seek his fortune. The fortune teller looked at the crystal ball. His face suddenly turned serious. He looked up to that person and mumbled some words under his breath. Then, the fortune teller told the person’s fortune. The person looked at the fortune teller, put down 15 Ellons, the currency of Ellemape, on the table where the crystal ball sat and left hurriedly. The fortune teller looked at the person for the last time before departing to the other world. The fortune teller died mysteriously.
