Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of JK Rowling's characters, locations, or terminology, but I (as well as ImaKeeper) "own" the "Four." There are also a few ideas that are mine, but most of this is built off of Rowling's work which I REPEAT: I DO NOT OWN IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM except in the books that fill my bookshelf lol! (Haha thought that was a funny ending to that)
I hope you enjoy my first revised chapter of ImaKeeper's "The Four." If anyone has a better title idea PM me or write it in a review!
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
(Chapter 1 Edited February 2, 2007)
In a damp and dusty building is a room of great importance. We see nothing more than the room. There are no windows or doors. The location of this building is unknown but it is not relevant to why the purpose of the room. Do not underestimate what you do not understand. New is not always better. Darkness has once more covered the world in a veil of sin, despair, and injustice. It is time for something to be done to rectify this wrong,
The darkness of the room was covering something that had not been seen in over a millennia. Here beneath a humble abode of materials of Earth Air, Fire, and Water lay something that may forever change the very balance of the world. For the world is maintained by these four elements and the minor elements created by them. They hold each other in balance or…at least they should…
For here in this room lay the "essence" of the Four greatest individuals in the history of magic (NO I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE FOUNDERS FOUR OF HOGWARTS: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin), long forgotten in name, but not in power. Before the Founders Four, Merlin, and Morgana Le Fey, there was an unfathomable amount of magic in the world. Magic was not a secret for it existed in many forms. Magic did not exist solely in the way our mind associates with the word. For when one thinks of magic they either think of wands or spell books. There was once a time where elementals existed. Alchemy outranked many of today's professions, and when 'muggles' simply "did not exist."
The world was a much better place. There were no wizards and muggles. Just human beings. Nothing more. Nothing less. The very balance of good and evil was carefully watched and held in check. One cannot exist while the other does not. It is a carefully controlled chaotic conundrum. Both must live for both to survive. It was a time where war did exist, but only control for power, not over racism or religious superiority. The wars were fought in battle with both swords and wands, armor and robes, horses and their winged equine counterparts. As crude and base we perceive the world to have been a millennia ago, it was far different from the materials that remain from that era. For the age of Philosophy and Magic came to a crumbling end with the rise of the FIFTH…
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
Now that the tale of our heroes begins. The time of the greatest four was after the supposed the sinking of Atlantis. In truth it was a tragic accident. The time in which these four individuals had risen to further themselves in body, mind, and heart, was not as simple or as harmonious as records from this time.
The selfless actions of these four heroes was able to stop the first major uprising of a dark figure/ leader with thousands of followers. The task was arduous, and many a time they did feel like giving up, but they knew that couldn't. There was no easy way out. There were damned if they tried. They were damned if they changed their ways. They were damned if they just sat there.
After intense planning they had done it. They had discovered something that would help them. It would be a long shot, but they were willing to take the shot for everything had begun to change… and not for the better…
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
The times were getting darker…
The times were getting cooler…
The times were getting harder…
The times were getting harsher…
The people were losing control…
The people were losing trust in each other…
The people were losing faith in themselves…
The people were losing hope for a brighter day…
---Nervous…
Brave…
Reckless…
Senseless…
Irrational…
Chaotic…
Trite…
Emotionless…
Cruel…
Insensitive…
Two faced…
Selfish…
Corrupt---
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
They had succeeded after many years of hard work and without many causalities. The final battle was not fought without a final blow to the Four. The outcome of the encounter with the Dark Force had changed their lives forever. With the time beginning to look brighter, our heroes went away into seclusion…
They were never heard from again or even seen… All traces of their existence had vanished from all of the hearts of the people they had touched. All traces of their existence was wiped from the minds of their remaining enemies and those they had slain. All traces of their existence had been removed from all of the books and scrolls. All traces of their existence had been deleted from the annals of time…except for two…
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
In this dark and secluded room, which you the reader have found, lay a stone floor inlayed with a circle of runes. Four in particular stand out in contrast from the grimy stone floor. Looking closer you see something written in the circle of the center in a cleaner and brighter stone floor.
Etched in the circle of the floor is the following message in some forgotten language. You blink and with a flash of light the characters on the center of the floor rearrange themselves and form words with the 26 letters of the English language:
"Once ever few centuries four children will be born with the powers of nature. The four will inhabit the legacies of the Four. Only one pure of heart may be one of the Chosen Four."
With another flash the message changes once more:
"The Four are older than the Founders and more mysterious. The power of the Founders is not even a fraction of that of the Four. The blood of one and only one of the Founders Four ties back to the Four and with good reason. Though all knowledge of the Four disappeared with their departure, their bloodlines did not.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
Upon further inspection you notice that the four cardinal runes have words around them.
The northern rune is for Earth. This rune influences the future of humanity. The very state of the environment could lead to our downfall for Earth brings stability, prosperity, and fertility.
The eastern rune represents Air. Air is the scholarly element. As ever changing as a summer breeze, the thoughts of man change. The morals and integrity of society relies on intellect which is brought forth by the spontaneity and intelligence of Air.
The southern rune of Fire is as red as the blood that stains battlefields. The fiery passion of the soldier is exhibited in courage and strength. Our hearts, hands, and minds dictate what we do. History repeats itself and opinions on outcomes change, but the courage and strength of Fire will all always burn bright.
The western rune of Water controls water in all forms. Water is the source of life. The wisest people do not fight the current, but travel with it. The element of Water emphasizes the level headed individual. Intelligence is important in society, but wisdom and clarity play bigger roles. Knowledge is nothing unless it is cooperating with the open minded sages of Water.
The cardinal runes are there for more than decoration. Even today the blood of the Dark One runs through the veins of muggles and wizards alike. These four runes describe the power and expectations for each element. The Four's names may be forgotten, but their teaching have not. The practice of elemental magic is all, but dead. By tapping into their hidden potential, the next Four shall unlock skills and knowledge unsurpassed by their contemporaries.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
The Galloping Element of Earth
Power over: Earth (and Wood)
Symbolized by: the (White) Tiger
Cardinal direction: North
Personality traits: Honest and reliable
Known for: Fertility and prosperity (Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures)
Rules over: Taurus (the bull), Virgo (the virgin), and Capricorn (the sea goat)
Earth associated with sensation, stability and practicality. In combination with the other elements, earth feels that air will dry it, fire will parch it, but water will refresh and nourish it.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
The Howling Element of Air
Power over: Wind (and Lightning)
Symbolized by: the (Blue) Dragon
Cardinal direction: East
Personality traits: Intelligent and spontaneous
Known for: Studying the sciences (Potions, Astronomy)
Rules over: Gemini (the twins), Libra (the scales) and Aquarius (the water bearer)
Air is associated with thought, perspective and communication. In combination with the other elements, air feels that water will obscure it, earth will suffocate it, but fire will inspire and uplift it.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
The Burning Element of Fire
Power over: Fire (and Light)
Symbolized by: the (Red) Phoenix
Cardinal direction: South
Personality traits: Courageous and strong
Known for: Transformation (Transfiguration, Charms)
Rules over: Ares (the ram), Leo (the lion), and Sagittarius (the archer)
Fire is associated with action, passion, and energy. In combination with the other elements, fire feels that earth will smother it, water will drown it, but air will fan and enliven it.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
The Flowing Element of Water
Power over: Water (and Ice)
Symbolized by: the (Black) Turtle
Cardinal direction: West
Personality traits: Wise and level headed
Known for: Intuition (Divination, Defense Against the Dark Arts)
Rules over: Cancer (the crab), Scorpio (the scorpion), and Pisces (the fish)
Water is associated with growth processes, identification and emotion. In combination with the other elements, water feels that fire will make it boil, air will evaporate it, but earth will shape and channel it.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
The time has come for the powers of these fallen heroes to once again thwart evil. Despite these profiles of their elements, it is not the element that defines the elemental, but the other way around. These are only generalization, but their validity may come into play as the tale of our heroes is underway. With these powers come with this silent warning:
One will stand above the rest. One shall betray the others. One shall die in defense of another. The last one will fall in love and bring peace.
-Unfortunately the new chosen ones are unaware of this.
xxxxxXXXXX-----THE FOUR-----XXXXXxxxxx
Hi y'all. My name is Griffin and I have taken over the story for Keeper. I have received some of his notes on his plans for the story and will adapt them as I see fit. He is abandoning the fic due to low amount of reviews which I hope to rectify! I am going to make some changes to the basic story and when we come to those points it will be you the readers (who review) that will help me make the decision by voting in review!
The biggest change so far is the title. The current title is a working title, but the line breaks will remain as xxx The Four xxx until I can get the line breaks to work on my computer. I really do hope that people will take the time to read and review this.
The story shares the ideas of heirs, elementals, and redemption/ vilification of some unlikely characters and will most likely have SLASH. I am not so sure about the later. There was slash in the original version, but I do not feel it was executed well. So for know there will be budding friendships instead of relationship right off the bat for I have realized how unlikely some of the stuff in the upcoming chapters may seem.
If anyone has title ideas or wants to provide me with some feedback feel free Thanks for reading this!
-Griffin