Written in the Stars

Chibikan

Act One Scene Five

In the hammock he had included in his vision, Dark Heart awoke to the dawning sun glistening over the horizon. He sat up and stretched with a yawn. Boy, he'd slept better that night than he'd slept his entire life. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a night without dreams of food. Oh yeah, that's because he'd never had one. But then, last night had been the first real meal he'd had in his life.

A knock at the door snapped him out of his recollecting. "Just a moment." He scrambled from the bed and grabbed his pants from the line he'd set up and slipped them on, followed by his shirt. "Okay, I'm decent," he called, fairly certain who it was.

As he thought, Starshine stepped in. "Wow, I've never seen a sunrise like that," she commented.

He smirked. "What, do you not get out much?"

"No, I rarely leave the temple, let alone Etheria itself."

Dark Heart's smirk vanished. "Why not?"

She shrugged. "I'm needed here. I have no need to go to Earth, I'm not mortal, after all."

"No, you're not. Doesn't anyone here leave this place though? They don't stay here all the time? They go to Earth?"

Starshine nodded. "You do. That's your job. Which you start today."

"That's not an answer to my question, Lady Priestess. Does anyone ELSE go to Earth?"

She sighed. "No, they have their jobs here. And we have ways of watching the Earth from here. Various pools dotted along the landscape for example."

Dark Heart scowled. "You mean, they watch over the Earth but wouldn't be caught dead actually going there?"

Star thought maybe it would be prudent to change the subject. "Look, you get to go to Earth, it's not your place to judge what the others do. Now, here is your new clothing, I apologize for not having gotten it to you sooner." She waved her hand and his simple clothing was transformed into long red robes that bunched up at the waist and a cowl that was to protect his face from the elements. "And now, you must report to Fyre for your magic." She gave him a map and a list of other things he'd need, and left.

Dark Heart looked at the list, it wasn't a long list. Just the basic supplies, a rod and his magic. And finally was his, he supposed, his appointments for the day. So, he was supposed to help people with their problems to keep them from getting discontented and going bad. And was anyone going to tell him how? He didn't exactly have the best people skills, he couldn't possibly. All his life, all he'd had was Cats. How could he do this? He sat on his hammock and looked back at the list. "Well, it's not gonna complete itself."

Fyre looked much like Wind did, save for his eyes were a deep topaz shade and his hair, orange and wild. When Dark Heart came upon him, right outside the home he shared with his brothers, he was tending to large bonfire, speaking a string of latin. Dark Heart watched as an image appeared in the fire's face. It was a burning mass of red pudding-like liquid. "Come forward, Dark Heart." The tall man ordered without even turning, surprising the young boy.

"Ummm, sorry to interrupt sir….but…" Dark Heart began fidgeting. For some reason, he felt that this Elemental Lord was someone to fear.

Until the man turned around. His features were soft and kind. "Sir? Do I look old to you, sonny?" He mocked with an amused look in his eyes. "Just call me Fy. Everyone else does, well…except for Lady Priestess, she's just so proper, you know. Well, I suppose you're here for something?"

Dark Heart nodded. "Yes, Star to come to you for my magic."

"Oh yes, now what they really mean is for me to instruct you in your magic. It's already inside you, you just need to learn how to use it."

"So I just, what, think of what I want and it'll happen?"

Fyre shook his head. "Oh no, it won't be that easy for you just yet. Having it is a lot different than being able to control it. For the first few hundred years of study, you'll need your rod, you'll get that from Water. He should be here in about ten minutes."

"What about Earth, will I get to meet him?"

"Nahhhh, he does NOT like people, not at all. You saw him at the meeting yesterday, he was the sandstone haired man in the very back corner. You won't actually get to meet him though." Fyre turned and stuck his hand into the fire and pulled something from it, a red, glowing orb. "Here, take this."

Dark Heart accepted the orb. "But, what is it?" he asked with curiosity.

"This, boy, is a gift from me. It doesn't really do anything, it's a symbol."

"Of what?"

"Fire. Fire represents life, passion, persistence. Without fire, the world would die." He patted the boy on the shoulder. "You are filled with a fire yourself. Don't let it burn out."

Suddenly the sound of cracking leaves, a short cry and a thud, interrupted the Fyre's pearls of wisdom. They turned to see a man with deep jade hair cascading down his back, wearing emerald robes topped by a midnight blue cape, face-planted in the dirt.

"Ow." the man stated as he pulled himself to a sitting position. "Sorry…."

Fyre reached down a hand to help his brother up. "Don't apologize for falling, how many times must I tell you that."

The newest element laughed. "Yeah, you're right." He turned his gaze to Dark Heart. "Hey, I'm the Lord of the Element Water, Water's my name and water's my game." Silence greeted his weak joke. "Okay, okay.…So, I guess you're here for your rod, huh?" Dark Heart nodded. "Well, then, let's leave the pyro to his work and step into my workshop." Water started to lead the way, only to step on his long robe hem and trip. Yet again, he took a nosedive right into the dirt. "I'm okay."

Meanwhile, in a dark, sinister part of the forests, two of the immortals were also meeting.

"This is a problem, Flora, a large problem." the dark-skinned woman stated. She clasped her fawn-shaped amulet in her long, slender fingers.

Flora, the oriental Emperor, nodded in agreement. "Yes, I agree, my dear Empress. This is bad indeed. We'll never get the Great One's power now!"

"Why'd he have to bring in that little shrimp?!"

"Maybe for extra protection, maybe he suspected our intentions. And giving him an actual job to do, it was the perfect cover. Having him live in the temple, with that naïve priestess and her meddling brother. He's constantly going be guarded by one of them."

"Hmmph, well, we'll see about that! We are going to get his power! Mark my words, WE will be the ultimate ones!" Fauna promised with a dark gleam in her eyes.

"But how? With him being guarded, we'll never have a chance."

"Then….we will simply have to get rid of his guards…..trust me my friend, we will have this world! And I already have a plan….." Fauna put a hand to her mouth as she began laughing wickedly. Flora soon joined her, their evil laughter sending the blackbirds about them scattering.

AN: My longest chapter yet. Hope you all enjoy it. And I hope you see fit to review this time. Please, review. I'm doing my best on these chapters, I promise. Please review.