Almost 500 years ago, the human race had faced a great calamity. A vicious plague had swept up the Earth and decimated nearly half of the world's population. Because of a few scientists, they managed to stay the destruction, but the mentality of humans never recovered. People began to fear whether the sickness would mutate and come again. So money was poured into science as scientists were given funds to improve medication, technology, and the overall lifestyle of the human race. But a few groups of humans shied away from the cold, rationality of technology. These people saw the science world as a double-edged sword. Using rationality as a guide, the pompous scientists were selfish, greedy, and capable of great evil or great compassion. Instead, these outside sects sought out the wisdom from within the Earth. But they were in no means uneducated or weak. They used the natural substances of the earth to survive, and they created their own colonies as a system of organization and trade. As time passed, things were peaceful for them. The people who lived in the big cities were nicknamed Metallics for the metals they used and the other nature groups were called Ghosts, for the quiet way they lived their lives.

This story is set in this time. It is a simple tale of romance and compromise, of friendship and survival. There are always villains in every story, and hardship. But human nature is predictable, and so there is always hope. Hope for love and hope for life.


"THWACK!"

An arrow hit the trunk of a tree as it missed its target, a deer that was running away from its hunter. A man cursed as he notched another arrow into his bowstring and he chased after his prey. It was his personal mission to bring back meat for his wife and newborn child. He knew his siblings would care for his wife, but he wanted to bring food back just for her. Although it had been hours since he had started stalking his prey, he was resolute in his determination to catch that particular deer. His pride would not allow him otherwise. As he quickly climbed a tree for better vision, he said a quick prayer of thanks to the forest and the trees. The man quickly sat down on a thick bough and looked around for the deer. He saw it, running towards the river. He raised his bow, aimed, and fired. The deer sank from his line of vision as his arrow hit home. He ran to the now dead deer, and said another prayer of thanks, but this time to the spirit of the deer. He tied its legs and swung it around his back. The man left with his load, finally making his way home.

Night had fallen and the man walked into his home. He was part of a Ghost village, one of the smaller villages in the area. He gave the deer carcass to his parents and sisters, then went over to his wife and child. He kneeled at her bedside, taking her hand in his.

"Are you alright Luna? I am back with food. I hope you have not waited too long." He smiled a lopsided smile as he looked endearingly at the love of his life.

The woman named Luna looked up at her husband and gave a quiet smile. Putting a hand on his cheek, she replied, "I have been waiting for you, my love. Welcome back." She then turned towards her baby girl and asked, "What should we name her?"

Her husband Artemis looked at his baby daughter with pride. "How about Serenity? After the goddess of the moon. She has a crescent shaped moon birthmark on her foot."

"Serenity…" Luna whispered. She snuggled her child, who then began to cry. Chuckling, Luna brought the child to her breast to be fed as Artemis went to help his father prepare the deer meat.


In a Metallic city 50 kilometers away from the village, a young toddler was trying to lift a decorative sword. It was a broadsword, and much too heavy for the child, but he tried anyways, not knowing his parents were hiding behind the wall watching. They laughed quietly between themselves as their son grunted and panted while trying to lift the sword from the ground.

"Look at him. Only three years old and trying to lift that sword Lucas." the wife whispered quietly so that her son would not hear.

"We should begin to follow his progress on matters of strength and intelligence. He is much more active than the books say." the father said as he pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. He was a well-to-do scientist, working on various projects for weaponry and defense. His wife Gaia nodded. She understood her husband's desire to monitor the progress of their son Darien. She was a nurse at a nearby hospital and wanted to be sure her child would always be safe and healthy. Gaia watched as Lucas went into his study for machines, monitors, and charts. She walked out so that her son could see her and grabbed him playfully from the floor. He laughed as he was flung into the air and caught by his mother. Darien looked into his mother's eyes and saw love. He cuddled closer to her, and they both watched as Darien's father brought all his equipment out into the living room.

"Now Darien. We are going to play a game. Stay as still as possible while Dad puts on these stickers and you get a prize in the end, okay?" Lucas cooed as he tried to bribe his child. Darien nodded and sat quietly as the floor for a good fifteen minutes as his father made notes and calculated anything and everything. After Lucas was done, he put his equipment back and picked Darien up. As if by magic, he brought out a small vitamin. It was specifically for children, a health supplement that had the gummy taste that toddlers enjoyed. Darien knew what the treat was, and quickly put it in his mouse. He giggled in happiness and then promptly fell asleep. Lucas gave Darien to Gaia as he went back into his office, and Gaia took Darien to his bedroom, tucking him in.