"Welcome, my friends!"

Hanna and Rob look at the person who has just greeted them in such a friendly manner with confusion and suspicion.

"Allow me to introduce myself," the person continues. "I am 'The Ethereal', leader of the Elementals."

"The Ethereal?" Hanna asks with derision.

"Yes," the Ethereal confirms, a little put out.

"That's a stupid name."

"My, she's a feisty one," the Ethereal directs at Rob.

"Oh, stop all this garbage," Hanna snaps. "Just get on with whatever you're gonna do."

The Ethereal's expression darkens. "Forgive me for offering my hospitality."

"Please forgive her attitude," Rob interjects.

"You can shut up as well," Hanna snaps at Rob.

"If you give me a chance, I may be able to talk our way out of this." Rob asserts.

"Oh get real," Hanna counters. "All he'll do is go through a whole 'look how brilliant I am' routine, gloat over our capture, then kill us."

"You don't know that."

"Make sure you kill him first," Hanna requests of the Ethereal. "Actually, on second thoughts, kill me first; that way I won't have to put up with his stupidity any longer than necessary."

"Hey, I apologised for everything!"

"Enough!" the Ethereal booms. After a moment's silence, he continues: "Right, where was I? Oh yes, I remember now."

The Ethereal rises from his ornate throne, and descends from the dais. He approaches a glass display case on a pillar; the display case contains five crystals of similar size and cut, coloured red, green, yellow, blue and clear.

"These are the Elemental Crystals," the ethereal explains. "Two of these you already know about: the red Fire Crystal and the clear Metal Crystal."

"That you stole from us," Hanna mutters.

"Well, yes, we did do that. And if you stop interrupting, you'll find out why."

"Because you think if you get all five crystals, one for each element, it'll give you superpowers."

The Ethereal sighs in exasperation. "Almost, but not quite. Correctly utilised, the Crystals together would give the wielder unlimited power and mastery of all the elemental arts."

"So I was right: superpowers."

"She's got a point," Rob interrupts. "That does sound a lot like getting superpowers."

"I grow tired of this charade," the Ethereal declares. "Guards, fit her with the Collar."

A guard brings forward a collar-like device, and fits it round Hanna's neck. Once secured, the guard flicks a switch. The collar-device contracts forcefully, choking Hanna; she falls to her knees, unable to breathe.

"Get that off her now!" Rob pleads angrily.

"On one condition," the Ethereal demands. "You help me construct a device to harness the powers of the Crystals."

"Never!"

"Then she dies."