Three Falling Stars burning bright

Come together to expel the Night

Should they fight or embrace the fall

Their choice will determine all


Hopediah Planter -affectionately known as Hop Pop- whipped the reins on the large horse as she carried the cart down the road. It was farming season and there was a plentiful harvest this year for the farmer. He whistled as the cart creaked.

"Almost home old girl. Almost home."

Suddenly the bull bucked and reared up in panic. Hop Pop attempted to calm Bessie down as she continued to make noises.

Hop Pop jumped down from his perch on the cart and race to the horse. It was then he saw a little girl curled up into herself as she sobbed softly. Hop Pop carefully approached her.

"Darling, are you hurt?"

The girl lifted her head and stared at him. She had mop of curly brown hair, dark skin, and brown eyes that were watery. She looked to be no older then six. Hop Pop reached out and touched her shoulder.

"What's your name? Where are you parents?"

The girl's lips quivered before launching into Hop Pop's arms.

"They…th…. Hic…they are….gone."

"Your parents?" She nodded her head as she wiped her tears. "Come on darling. Let's let get you out of the woods. It ain't safe for you here."

Hop Pop picked her up and carried her to the cart. He heard rustling in the bushes. He carefully grabbed a spear from his cart. Someone soon jumped out of tree line. They moved unnaturally. Limbs hung in front of them and their head tilted sideways. Joints cracked and popped as it stared at Hop Pop. He noticed their armor. It was thin, black and had an eye symbol in the middle of the chest area.

A Core Solider.

The girl cried out in fear at the strange being. It moved towards Hopediah with speed. It's arms moved wildly in front of it as it ran towards him. Hop Pop swung his spear at the head. The blunt part of the spear bounced of it's head. It throw the solider across the forest. Hop Pop circled around the cart as the creature got up. The limbs bent backwards as it lifted itself up. Once it was standing, it popped it's arms forward into place. It's head twisted to the sides. Hop Pop shivered as it stared at him. As it ran towards him, Hop Pop thrusted his spear forward. The solider ran right into the spear tip.

Once Hop Pop wiped the blood off of his spear, he placed it back into his cart. He patted Bessie's neck and saw the girl sitting on the cart, hugging herself.

"Are you hurt little lady?"

"No."

"What's your name?"

"Anne Boonchuy."

"I'm Hopediah Planter. But you can call me Hop Pop. Do you have family?"

"No. They killed them." Anne pointed her finger at the dead Core Solider.

"They are truly terrible creatures. At least I didn't have to fight a dragon. Now those are some fearsome beast."

"You have dragons here as well?"

"Oh yes. They are terrible creatures. They can even disguise themselves as us."

"Oh wow. They didn't have that ability in my home."

Hop Pop remained silent the rest of the way to his farm. Anne was also silent as she watched the land pass. Once the familiar lands of Wartwood appeared, he smiled.

"Well Anne, we are almost to my home." He paused. "Would you like to stay with us? It's not much but it's a home considering you just lost your family."

Anne looked up at him with those watery eyes.

"I can stay with you?"

"Sure you can. My daughter and her husband would adore you."

"Would they accept me?"

"I know they would. They have so much love to give. They will willingly give you their love."

"Okay. I'll stay with you."

Anne turned to Hop Pop and smiled at him. He patted her head. She giggled.


12 years later………

"Anne, it's time to get up!" Hop Pop shouted from up the stairs. "Get a move on girl. It's farming time."

Anne yawned as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She looked out her window and saw the sun barely peeking over the mountains. She stretched, feeling her back pop. She slowly slide out of bed and grabbed her overalls and boots.

"Pops, be gentle with Anne. She is a growing girl." Anne heard her adopted mother, Leif say.

"She is almost eighteen Leif. She is almost an adult by that standard."

Anne jumped up the last two steps and saw her adopted family in the dining area. Hop Pop eat his bread roll as Leif poured him a cup of coffee. Her younger brother and sister looked exhausted.

"You guys look tired." Anne teased. It was the first time Sprig and Polly were going to help with the farm chores. Hop Pop had considered they were old enough to start learning the basics.

"I'm so tired." Her brother slouched against the table.

"Jonathan Sprig Planter the second! We do not lean against the table like that. Sit up young man."

"Sorry mom." He quickly sat up.

"Morning Anne." Leif kissed the top of her head. "Help your grandfather for a bit then Stumpy is asking for your help at the tavern for the dinner rush." Leif dropped a plate of food in front of her. Anne was quick to dig right in.

"Alright." Anne said with her mouth food. Her mother turned to look glare at her. Anne swallowed quickly. "Sorry mom."

"Let's get moving kids. The farm isn't going to till itself." Hop Pop got up out of his chair and was already out the door.

All three kids groaned.

Wartwood was a peaceful village. Not much happened which was the bane of Anne's existence. She was bored. Her mother and Hop Pop always teased her that she should find a boy. But she definitely didn't want to find a boy. There was so so more of the world that she wanted to explore and she didn't have a preference for boys.

The Planter farm was just outside the village. She arrived at Stumpy's Tavern and walked in. It was already filled with it's normal patrons. She waved at One-Eye Wally and Miss Croaker. Stumpy was at the counter working on food.

"Eve'n Anne. Mind grabbing some plates and delivering them to our paying customers?"

"Sure Stumpy. How's the business so far?"

Stumpy leaned over Anne and whispered.

"Got a couple of unusual characters." He pointed his spatula hand towards the very back of the tavern. Anne looked over and noticed two strangers sitting in the far back of the tavern. "Just be careful there Anne. Y'ur ma would kill me if anything happen to y'u."

"I'm a big girl. I know how to handle myself."

Anne grabbed the plates and handed them out to the other patrons. She kept looking at the far back of the room. The figures were still sitting there. They were whispering softly to each other. Anne decided to attempt to make some friendly conversation and found out who they were.

She walked over to their table. Both of their heads turned to her.

"Howdy there folks. What can I get you?"

"Oh hi there." The youngest one with long black hair pipped up as she closed her journal. Anne noticed that the girl was from the East like her. She was no older then Anne was. The girl glanced Anne with brown eyes. Anne thought she was cute. "We would like to sample some of your finest food please."

"Master Marcy, we don't know what kind of food these simpletons have. It could be poison." A woman with slick back blonde hair. She had armor on which had a symbol that Anne couldn't put her finger on. Sprig would have loved to seen it though.

"Come on Mom. It's not like they would purposely poison us."

"Marcy, I'm just looking out for you and we talked about you calling me mom out in public like that."

"We may be country bumpkins but that doesn't mean we don't know how to cook. Stumpy here makes some of the best food in the valley."

"I highly doubt that." Anne heard the blonde woman whisper.

"I'll bring some ale to you."

"Water for Master Marcy. She doesn't need to get drunk."

"Hey. That was one time mom. One time." Anne left the two to bicker back and forth.

She went back to the counter and continued to wait tables for a couple of hours during the dinner rush. After their food, the two strangers were quick to leave. Once Stumpy let her go, she was quick to escape the tavern herself. She plopped down on the water fountain.

"This town is so boooring." Anne threw her face into her hands and groaned.

She wished something exciting would happen. It was the same thing day in and day out. She sighed as she glanced at the night sky. The stars were twinkling.

"The stars are so pretty here." Anne jumped out of her skin at the voice. She looked over to see the girl from the tavern there. "Definitely don't see them back home."

"Where are you from?"

"From Newtopia."

Anne glanced at the girl in shock. No one from Newtopia would willing come to Wartwood.

"You're from Newtopia? What are you doing way out here?"

"My mom and I are exploring."

"Anne Planter." Anne took it and shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you Anne Planter."

"Nice to meet you too Marcy Wu. So, why are you here in Wartwood?"

"I'm here too look at some rare plants. And maybe some rare creatures."

"Good luck finding those. Nothing exciting happens in these parts. The worse thing we may get is an deer infestation. That's it."

Marcy snapped her fingers. "Darn it. I guess it's time to go back to Newtopia then."

"You're already leaving?"

"Yeah. Mom and I spent too much time traveling that it is time to go back home." Marcy stared at her. "So Anne, what are your dreams?"

"I want to see the world."

"That's a nice dream to have."

"I've thought about joining the Night Rangers but my mother doesn't want me to. She says that they hunt dragons and that's a dangerous job. We've lost a few nearby villagers to them."

"What's stopping you Anne?"

"This is the only home that I have ever known."

Anne shuddered when she remembered the Core Solider. She would still have vivid nightmares of their attack on her village. She owed everything to the Planters for taking this strange girl from a far off land and raised her as their own. She may want to leave the village but she doesn't want to dream of hurting them. They were family.

"I understand that. The only home I've ever known was Newtopia. Heck, I wasn't allowed to leave the confides of the walls till just last year."

"Sounds like we share some common interest."

"Yeah we do. It's a shame that I will probably never see you again. I have a feeling we would have be best friends."

"Same."

"Welp. I better get going. I don't want to throw mom into a tizzy when she founds me gone. It was a pleasure meeting you Anne Planter."

"Same to you Marcy."


The sun beat down on the Planter family as they tilled their farmland. Anne wiped the sweat from her brow as she glanced at the sun. It was a bright, humid day. Anne lifted the hoe high above her head and swung it down. The dirt shifted and something shiny hit Anne in the face. She shielded her eyes for a moment before dropping her hand down. She dropped down to her knees and shifted the dirt away from the bright object. Anne gasped. It was a small blue gem but it was nothing Anne had ever seen before in her life. For a brief moment, the gem lit up as Anne touched it. She cradled it in her hands as she continued to stare at the gem. It felt like it was meant to be.

"Anne, you alright here girl?" Hop Pop walked over to her.

"Hop Pop, look at what I found." She cradled the gem in her palms and showed her grandfather. "I think it's a gem. Isn't it beautiful? Think we could sell it? I bet this would make a whole lot of money."

Hop Pop stared at it with a look of shock and fear in his eyes. Anne wondered why a small gem would cause her grandfather to have that look. Now she was concerned.

"Hop Pop?"

As if he was in a trance, he blinked once and then twice. He looked up at Anne.

"Sorry Anne. I was just lost in thought there. How about we hang on to this gem for awhile? It may be pretty but it probably ain't going to be worth anything."

"Okay Hop Pop." Anne was a little shocked by his reaction. She didn't understand why he was acting so strange.

She tucked the gem safely into her overall pocket. While she was working, her hands kept reaching up to touch the gem and make sure it was still safe. She had a weird feeling with the gem. Like she was meant to find it.

The family marveled at the gem as it sat in the middle of the table. They had various books scattered around the table as they tried to look at pictures of other gems to track down what this one was.

Anne shouted in surprise when she found the page.

"Here! Here! I found it."

"Where did you get that book from?" Leif asked.

"It's the Planters Family book. It has been in our family for generations. Anne, did you take this from my room?"

"Sorry Hop Pop but I figured our book would solve our mystery and it did. Look."

Anne pointed at the drawing of the gem. There was several harsh slashes under the bold lettering on the page.

Calamity Gems

Anne held the blue gem close to the picture. It was a perfect match. Hop Pop's face contorted into a look of displeasure. Anne didn't like it.

"Hop Pop, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing Anne. Just surprised to see an old gem like this in our little valley."

"What is it though?" Anne wanted to know.

"A calamity gem."

"Dad, isn't that something that King Andrias has been searching for?" Leif turned the gem over in her hands.

"Yes it is. It's the very same gem."

"We should give it to King Andrias." Anne pipped up. "He is asking for it. We have to travel to Newtopia."

"Anne, it may not even be the same gem."

"Hop Pop, it has to be. I'm sure of it. This gem is special. I can feel it. We need to go to Newtopia and deliver it to the king himself. If he is looking for then, then we need to return it."

"Anne, it's dangerous out there. There are Core Soldiers and dragons everywhere. I will take the gem myself."

"I'm almost eighteen! I'm particularly an adult! I can travel. I have to do this." Anne felt tears threatening to fall as she whispered out the last part. She was getting frustrated at Hop Pop. "Why won't you let me do this."

"Because I can't lose another family member!"

The room grew silent. Everyone stared at each other. They knew what each was thinking.

Jonathan Planter.

"I don't want to lose you Anne."

"I know Hop Pop but please."

Hop Pop sighed finally. He cradled his face in his hands before looking at her.

"I know, my girl. We just wanted to keep you safe especially after what happen your own family." Hop Pop sighed. "I will take you Newtopia myself. We will see the gem off together."

"What about us?" Sprig hopped up. "Polly and I want to go."

"It's too dangerous boy. You are too young. Your mother will need help with the farm."

"But Anne is our sister." Sprig whined out. Anne ruffled his dirty blonde hair.

"It's okay buddy. I'll be back before you know it. Hey Hop Pop, there happens to be a couple of folks in the town that are from Newtopia. Think we can hitch a ride with them?"

"We may have to ask if we can travel with them. It's safer to travel in numbers."

"I'll go see Marcy then."

"Anne, don't tell them why though. Keep that gem a secret. There are unsavory people out for them. The less people know about them, the safer our trip will be."

"Don't worry. I won't breathe a word."


Anne raced to the village to track down Marcy. She hoped that the girl was still in town. She soon spotted them both just on the outskirts of town. They looked like they had been exploring outside. They were covered in dirt.

"Hey Marcy. Wait." Anne skidded to a stop as she heaved for air. "I need to ask you something. Can me and my grandfather join you on your trip back to Newtopia?"

"You want to go to Newtopia?"

"Yeah. It's for a special reason. Um. Uh….My birthday is coming up and granddad wanted to take me there." Anne lied through her teeth. Marcy must of believed it because she was jumping up and down in excitement.

"Master Marcy!"

"Sorry mom. Can Anne and her grandfather join us?"

Marcy's mom sighed loudly.

"Master Marcy, we can't have these random strangers following us." She must have been quick to change her mind after seeing Marcy's face, who was pouting. "Fine. Your mother will not like it but fine. Miss….."

"Anne Planter."

"Miss Anne Planter, we leave in two days. Make sure you and your grandfather are packed and ready to leave at sun up. You will bring your own carriage as well."

"Yes Miss…." Anne went to salute before her arm fell. She had never gotten her name.

"That is Captain Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars. Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, and the youngest knight to ever achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army!"

Yunan struck a pose on top of the fence post. Marcy was holding in her laughter. It seemed to Anne it was a daily occurrence for her.

"Sorry. My mother is a little eccentric." Marcy whispered.

"I like your mother already."

"Come on Master Marcy, we should think about finishing up here, clean up and get something to eat."

As Marcy went to grab one of the bags, she tripped over her cape. Anne reached out to catch her. March had fallen into Anne's arms. Anne held Marcy close to her.

"You okay Marcy?" She looked down at the shorter girl. Marcy quickly pushed away, slamming her hands into Anne's face. Marcy's face was beet red.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. Happens all the time." Marcy stammered as she patted her body as if to dust herself. "Naturally klutz. Mom can't take me anymore. Well let's get going mom. Bye Anne. See you in two days."

Anne watched as Marcy made a break for it. Yunan glanced at Anne before looking at Marcy's fading figure. They both watched the girl take another spill.

"Marcy! Momma's coming!"

Yunan grabbed the two bags and was off to Marcy's side.

"Those two are both eccentric. They are definitely mother and daughter."


It was the night before Anne and Hop Pop left for Newtopia and also Anne's birthday. Lief had went all out for Anne's special day. Anne wasn't feeling very celebratory tonight though. It would be awhile till she saw her family. She looked at everyone at the table before her eyes landed on the painting of John Planter. She wished he had been here.

Happy birthday honey. Now you get your dream of traveling the world." Leif kissed the top of Anne's head. She was going to miss her mother.

"Thanks mom."

Anne opened up the large burlap sack in front of her. She stared at the present. It was a sword with a blue handle and a silver guard. The sheathe had gold and blue highlights with a large P right in the center of it. Anne felt like crying.

"It's beautiful. Thank you."

"To protect yourself from the dangers that exist outside of our small town while we travel."

Anne slide the blade out of it's sheathe and stared at the blade itself. It was shiny and looked brand new. Loggle must have been working on this in secret. She remembers a few times when he had kicked her out of his smithing shop, stating that he had something important he was working on and that she couldn't see it.

"Like I said, the whole village pitched in. We knew you were getting restless and decided you needed to have a sword handy." Hop Pop patted her hand.

"Thank you everyone. This is the best birthday present I could have ever asked for."

Once Hop Pop went to bed and dragged Sprig and Polly to bed, it was just Leif and Anne. Leif was staring at the painting of her late husband. Leif ran her thumb across his face.

"He believed in you. He knew you were going to do something special."

"But all I'm doing is delivering a gem to the king."

"This is so much more to you. I think John knew that. He said so himself. He loved you."

"I miss dad."

"Same here."

Leif held her arms out for Anne. Despite her age, Anne couldn't help but curl up into her mom's arm. Her mom had the power to make everyone in her presence comfortable. She was the first person to make Anne feel right at home. She felt her mother threaded her fingers through her hair. It was almost enough to cause Anne to fall asleep.

"Your father would of loved to have seen the woman you have become and will become. He was proud of you. He talked to everyone's ears off about you. Especially when you were younger."

"Did dad really do that?"

"Oh yes he did. Ask Miss Croaker. Anne, just be careful out there and watch over Hop Pop."

"I will."

"That's my girl. Now go to bed. It's getting late and you leave early tomorrow."

Anne was about to climb down the stairs before she paused. She looked over at her mom.

"I love you mom. Thank you for everything."

"I should be thanking you. You came in ours lives and made it better."


Anne threw the bag into the carriage and stretched. It was nearly time to leave. Marcy was chatting happily with Hop Pop about all of his planting secrets. Anne's hands went to the handle of her sword and tighten her grip around it. Sprig and Polly had ran to her leg and was hugging her.

"Anne, don't leave us." Sprig begged

"Yeah Anne. Don't leave."

"I have to. I will see you in about a month."

Anne ruffled Sprig's head before pushing his cap further down his face. Polly had tears running down her face.

"Then take Doris with you." Polly held the old rolling pin that she had affectionately named.

"I got my own Doris. You will your Doris to beat back any bugs that will bother our farm."

"Fine."

Anne laughed at her younger sister. She was going to miss Polly's growing antics.

"Sprig, don't let Ivy talk you into anymore potion making with Maddie. I don't need to came back to hear you three blew up a house. Again."

"Anne, it was one time."

Leif arrived to see her daughter off. Sprig and Polly pulled away from Anne. Leif pulled Anne into a hug. She gently cupped her cheek and plucked a leaf out of her hair.

"You may not be blood but you are a Planter through and through. Remember that during your travels. We Planter woman are tough and don't take shit."

"Always mom."

"Alright Planter family. It's time we leave." Yunan called out.

Marcy almost skipped to the her carriage before tripping. Yunan bent down to picked her daughter up and threw her onto the carriage. Anne hopped into the driver seat next to Hop Pop. She glanced at her mother as Hop a pop whipped the reins and the two carriages were off. She looked around to see if Sprig and Polly were around. They were nowhere to be around. They must have left. They probably didn't want to see Anne off. Leif waved at Anne till Anne couldn't see her anymore. She slowly turned to stare forward at the road ahead.

"Well kid. We are finally further past the village. You ready for this?"

"I want to feel ready but I don't know. I always wanted to see the world but never imagined I would do it. I actually never imagined what I would do in my life."

"Maybe you will figure that out over time."

"I hope so."

Anne watched the farmland soon turn to lust forest with towering trees. She was finally further away from the village then she had ever been. She snuck a peak at the gem. It briefly lit up again as if it sensed her mood.


Leif watched the carriage roll away. Once she couldn't see Anne or her father anymore, she dropped her hands down. She was going to miss her daughter. Blood or no blood, Anne was hers. Once she finally stopped thinking about the past, she inhaled before turning back to the farmhouse. It was time to farm.

"Alright Polly. Sprig. It's time for us to farm. We need to take good care of it while Anne and Hop Pop are gone."

Leif paused. The house was quiet. Too quiet for her liking. Where was Sprig and Polly fighting?

"Sprig? Polly?"

There was no response. Leif was beginning to panic. She searched the house high and low. There was no signs of her children and some of their belongings were missing. Sprig had his telescope missing and Polly's Doris wasn't in the house either. This wasn't good.

"JONATHAN SPRIG PLANTER THE SECOND! POLLY PETUNIA PLANTER! YOU GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANCE!"