Forever Warring Elements

((hey guys sorry this is a late post. And I also apologize in advance, because this is going to be hard for me [I thought we'd be starting differently]))

August- (Shadow)

I was already exhausted, and it hadn't even been that long. Father had woken me up before the sun came up, though it would have been hard to tell because of the shadows were everywhere. Most of them from clouds that seemed to block their sunlight a lot, and then others shadows from buildings. I had practiced with throwing stars and with my sword-which I had slung over my back before I left- and he had tried to teach me a new technique. Of course, his way of teaching me this was yelling and then telling what use I'd be in the army if I could learn this move, and how I could go far. Somedays, I swear, I want to tell him that even though I'm in the Shadow Clan, I don't want to be stuck in someone's shadow (though with the skill I learned recently, I actually physically can now).

Father left for work at around noon, he's lucky its not five like others, and that's when I had left. My father doesn't know that I'm gone. I told him that I was going to visit my brother and see if I could learn some techniques from him. Father'll find out I'm gone in a while, maybe when Brother comes home and realizes that I'm not with him. I honestly hope he never does. I, in no way, want to join the Shadow Army. This I decided when, in the corner of my periphial I noticed a dark figure-one darker than all the other shadows- come in and then quickly leave. A plain letter was where the mystery person had once stood. I had picked it up. Directions, with the only explanation that I was "A Chosen one". I didn't know what it was, but I was off.

As I neared closer and closer to the Fire Clan, I noticed changes. First off, there were less and less shadows. Of course, the plants gave off shadows, but they were small and extremely uninteresting. There weren't that many trees, a good source of shadows. I miss the trees. We almost cut down some of our trees that weren't near the villages because of the war with the other clans. Of course, the person who had proposed it had been over ruled, but it was scary.

Later in the day, I arrived close to the Fire Clan after flying through the plains as a shadow. I wasn't sure if it was my nervousness or my complete exhaustion. The guards outside looked at me warily. I'm sure they noticed the shadow-like bags under my eyes (a side effect of being forced to practice so much, it makes you exhausted) and how my skin was normal looking yet slightly pale from always being in the shadows. They eyed the sword on my back suspsiously, along with my small special bag that makes things in it turn into shadows when I did. A glance passed between them and they ushered me through. I'm sure if they had seen my ShadowMark, they would have sent me back without a though.I could feel their eyes following me as I walked through. Once I was out of the village I turned into a shadow and followed the directions given.

When I arrived, I saw people around my age. It was such a difference. None of them wore their training suits or anything that looked like a black Hopkido suit with stripes indicating your rank. Nonetheless I bowed. I began to start off the regulatory introduction, which says your rank, name, parents and all, but instead I held my tongue. I didn't think I should tell them my clan. Not yet, at least.

((Sorry its really long guys. Oh, and by the way. Hopkido [probably spelled differently] is sorta like a sport, and the uniforms are actually thick, stiff like fabric, but I decided it would be black. He may have to go back to the Shadow clan everyonce in a while..but not often at all))

Korah and Nhara - Animal

Korah laughed lightly, and even though his new friend didn’t notice, he could feel Nhara stiffen in offense at what the Water girl had said. Rubbing Nhara behind her ears he turned to Jess and said, “Well she is great, but not really a pet. Nhara is more like... someone who watches over me. She serves me out of her own free will.”

“You mean...” the girl said, obviously surprised by the fact.

“You bet!” Korah said with a smile as he casually did a hand stand. He smiled at Jess from his upside down view as he tottered over to her on his hands, still explaining things to her. “We of the Animal Kingdom would never make an animal serve us, those who do, do so because they wish to serve. Nhara’s family is... kind of like royalty in the Animal Kingdom, her family has watched over and protected mine for years.”

“I see,” Jess said, turning to Nhara she bowed her head slightly as she whispered, “I am sorry if I offended you at all, I obviously was just ignorant on what I was speaking about.”

I like her Korah heard Nhara purr, And tell her I accept her appology

Smiling Korah turned back to Jess and said, “She says its fine, and she likes you!”

Blushing slightly Jess gave a nod of thanks, “I like you to,” she replied as she absentmindedly reached down toward the water and once again began to stir it with her hands. Korah rolled off of his hands, and gently leaned back against Nhara as he asked, “So do you know when we get to figure out what were actually doing here. I was given very little intelligence, and the information I do have is sketchy at best.”

Jess softly shrugged her shoulders, and right at that moment the gate opened and a rather pale youth walked in. Nhara stiffened immediately and a low growl escaped her throat as she slowly rose to her feet, muscles tense and ready to pounce. Korah was immediately alert and Jess noticed the Tigers reaction to. Nhara, what is it? Korah asked silently.

This smell the tiger growled, It reeks of the shadow country... that young man, who just entered by the gate.

“What is it?’ Jess whispered as she slowly slipped to her feet and stood next to Korah, obviously interested in what was going on.

“Things just took an unexpected twist,” Korah whispered. “See that young man over there, the one with the bags under his eyes?” Jess nodded so Korah continued, “He’s from the shadow country, and I must admit he was the last person I expected to see here.”

He looks like one... but are you sure Nhara? Korah asked.

Yesthe tiger tensely replied, that is not a smell I would soon forget, what should we do

“We should wait,” Korah said out loud, mainly so Jess would have some idea what they were talking about. “Just cause he is from the Shadow Land doesn’t mean he is dangerous. Keep a close eye on him, we’ll just have to see how things turn out...”

So when do we actually get to know what were all here for?

August-(Shadow)

I headed towards the tree, to get the most shade I could. It was burning. How was it even possible for people to stand this heat? As I walked, I unconsciously counted how many people I saw. It was something that had been pounded into our heads ever since we were little and we can count.

"How many exits are in this room?" Father would quiz me when I was little. I would look around the room, slowly count and tell him the answer. "No, you took too long. You must count as you come in." After I had started doing this, he would ask me how many people were in a room. Of course, I was never asked when the room was so crowded it would be impossible to tell, but it was relentlessly asked. I was only nine when I had started counting people who were below me in rank (which wasn't many at my age).

I took the sword off from my back put my pack front down below my head and carefully made sure my throwing stars were safely on the other side before putting all my weight on it. I examined the sword sheath as I lied down, the only way I could keep myself from falling asleep from exhaustion. From above it, I could see three eyes looking at me from the corner of their eyes. I ignored them and listened to the girl near the tree, who seemed to be talking to it. I resisted giving her an odd glance. I knew that if I started to talk to trees in my clan, then I'd be exiled because it would be considered a weakness to the armed forces.

Why was I even here? I asked myself.
Sadly, I didn't quite know the answer.

Zan- Metal

Apparently, what I thought was a few days worth of walking turned out to only take a day or so at the most. It was rare that somebody would come and offer any one of the Metals a ride; we were mostly solitary people. I glanced up at the large gates, noting the impressive construction. Maybe the metalwork could have been done a bit better, but it was very good nonetheless.

The guards looked at me warily and clutched their weapons tighter. I examined the metal. Sharpened well, obviously cared for. I'd have to find the blacksmith of those weapons sometime. They let me through the gates, and I noted that quite a few people were already there.

"Guess I'm a bit late, huh?" I asked out loud.

*Hey, Shadow isn't supposed to be with the group, are they? I thought Shadow Clan was taking over so that's why all the other clans are joining together to fight...*

*Sorry I forgot I was part of this storybook*

Joe fire clan

I lay on top of the garbage boat with a pillow, I looked up at the sky as rain cloud came in. To of the water clan soldiers came out and filled up their ammo tanks. Some soldiers didn't have element control powerful enough to turn water into a weapon. Without the help of a gun called a kipen is shot water out that the soldiers could then manipulate into deadly tendrils. The water clan army was small since they were a peaceful nation but with the declaration of war by the Shadow clan all water clan vessels were to be accompanied by soldiers if they were leaving their own territory. Two more soldiers walked out these two had water powers so didn't carry kipen but spears made out of ice that could be unfrozen and frozen instantly. I knew the rain wasn't natural because of how quick it came in I was heading to the meeting point to do this the boat that was taking me their had to travel right through Shadow clan waters. "Why the rain" I asked jumping of the roof my hair now soaking "Shadow clan ship, destroyer vessel at least fifty on board three catapults and a fire cannon but we don't have to worry out that last one do we" The seera said he could place his mind in water anywhere and see anything around it, being able to do this was a rare skill taking a great bender to be able to do it. The rain stopped as the destroyer went out of view. 8 seconds later and it was back a hundred fire balls raining down on us. That right their was why the shadow clan was winning all it's battles it wasn't afraid to waste weapons on even the smallest target. I exstugwhished the fire balls before they even got close. one of the soldiers nodded a thank you before a shadow ball landed on the deck.
Ten Shadow troops burst from the shadow ball the Kipen water troops firing randomly at them they both dead in two seconds. I hit one shadow troop with a fire ball and he got blasted off the deck I sliced another one into but wasn't fast enough to dodge a shadow ball from one of the soldiers, I crashed down into the holding deck. I felt the gaping hole at the begining of my stomach. The I fainted.

I woke up to the face of the seere looking down on me by the bumps I was feeling we weren't on water anymore but land. "Sorry I should of done more I could of been beter I just haven't thought another decent bender in forever and I was cocky"
"shhh you did good, you saved us from the fire balls and you took down two troops I took down six and my friend took down two just like you poor kipen though"
"how is your friend" I asked the seere face whent grim "I'm the only one left the other three died, now don't move were almost their and we've got a fire clan escort, we'll be fine, I'v also healed you up just you won't be able to move for a while the pain would still be two much so I numbed your body".
"A seere and a healer your a talented guy probably a diver two" He nodded and turned away looking out of the carige window.

*Ok, guys...can you make your posts a little smaller? Its hard for me to follow...just a little smaller. I'm so confused...*

Just popping this back up, and when are we gonna get our mission...

Probably when Purps vs. blue is over. Forever (along with most blues, me included) is a bit busy with critiques right now.

However, if you send her a PM, she might just post things to start.

*Edit* I have sent her a PM.

From out of the massive castle a huge voice rang that made everyone freeze in their tracks. "Please report to the first corridor in the castle, that you see to your right." Without hesitating, the voice drew everyone inside.

The corridor was brightly lit and and reeked of decaying documents. A man who looked equally decaying stepped out of a door with precise steps.

His voice was soft but stressed, "Sit down children, I would like to explain few things." The hallway was completely bare, besides a few torches and a carpet. Everyone looked around for chairs but eventually just sat on the carpet.

"Now I'm sure, you all know why you're here." The man said, paying no heed to the uncomfortable grimaces people flashed at him. "Yes, it is to succeed in a common goal. It is to bring peace and tranquility to our earth. Here we have decided to compile a children from each element that has succeeded well to send on this quest. We have studied where the Shadow clan has planned to strike and what it has planned to achieve. They are moving in the shadows and there for are hidden and hard to destroy..." he went on like this, but his voice was captivating and each person took his words to heart.

"Also, I have seen a pattern in the way the elements have chosen to act, given this uprising of the shadows. It has come to my attention that in fact, they are preparing for what is to come. I would like you to try to identify these clues and solve the natural riddles that the world has laid down for us. There is one weapon you need to find, and it is called the Eternal Glass. It is, in some ways, like the power of our looking glass travel devices, in the way that it can carry you from one destination to another, but different in it's overall ability. If the shadow clan were to fall in possession of this object then we would, in general, be in very big trouble. In fact, they would not only gain the control to travel different places, but also travel into time."

*I can't do anything else, try to work with this.*

Joe

the old Man continued walking "We must start are quest soon since the Shadow clan had already started searching for the Eternal glass in the ruins were it was created by the now extinct Element Eternal, Eternals had control of all the Element and were in control of all the other elements but them when one Eternal sacrificed his powers to make the Glass he also manged to take away the powers of all the other Eternal and took them away also and so the nothing clan was born after the Eternals a ruled so long the people angry after oppression pushed the Nothing clan underground but as I said before this Glass is the true weapon with it the Shadows clan could be every where we wouldn't stand a chance and that is why we are trusting you to retrieve the Glass however you shall not be completely alone" The old man said gesturing towards The seere Who'd saved me before.

*Sorry guys, I know your all busy, but I was itching to post*

August-(Shadow)

The castle was dark and gloomy. Normally, in the shadows, I feel somewhat relaxed to have a constant in my life. But this time I felt on edge. I was not in my domain, and the shadows could hold other shadows that were waiting to kill me for just being here. Unless I told them that I was here to spy for them. Maybe that would make them spare my life. With the thought, I searched the room for any shadows that were different. Thankfully, I saw none. No one had followed me here, but I had a gut sense that something might go wrong with them. I focused my attention back to the old man who was talking. The Eternal Glass, huh? It didn't sound very familliar. Then again, I wasn't in the army, to Father's disappointment. I'm not 'his perfect son' that joined the army, or took a Water Clan member's life. The old man pointed to another man. His didn't appear that old, but there seemed to be something in his eyes. As if he had faced too many things for his age. I thought of his age, but I couldn't think of one. I knew that there were at least four people who ranked higher than me in this room. The boy with the tiger, the tiger of course, the seer, and maybe the old man. The others I weren't so sure about and put them in the middle of my list. "Don't be cocky," my father told me, "Because if you do, your securing your failure in place." I would have to see about them.

Hey guys, sorry for going so fast before, and I will make sure to take it slower now. I didn’t know how busy you all were.

Korah and Nhara – Animal

Eternal Glass? Korah thought as he glanced over to Nhara with one raised eyebrow. I know I have heard that name before, do you remember it?

Yes Nhara softly growled. Korah noticed that her fur was almost standing on end, which meant whatever this whole thing was; it was getting her rather worked up. And you should remember it; it was something talked about in your studies of the ancient times. What the old man’s says is true about it, we will have to travel to the ancient ruins in the Nothing Clan’s territory.

Korah grimaced slightly at the thought. He did not relish entering the Nothing Clan’s Territory, especially not with this group. Casting a wary eye around, he mentally summed up everyone in the room… and he came up wanting more. They were all kids for sure, some he guessed had lived a harsher life then his, but others however looked to have little to no battle experience at all, in fact some looked to have walked straight out of a class room! The few he could pick out who looked to have some knowledge of what they were facing were the boys from the Light and Shadow clans, along with the girl from the Water. Each of their faces were stoic, hiding all emotion, though he could tell that all three sensed the urgency and danger in the mission they had just been handed. Besides himself they were probably the three with the most experience in the room when it came to real fighting, not mock battles set up in a classroom.

But you’re all still children Nhara’s voice suddenly said in his head, and he knew she had been listening to his thoughts.

I know Korah muttered darkly back, Which makes me question even more what is going on. This mission is dangerous and precious, why would they send children in, instead of trained warriors, those with the necessary skills which have been honed through battle and experience. I mean looking around you and I could easily take out half of these people in this room, mainly because none are even aware of their surroundings, they are distracted and easy targets. We could strike and they would never even know what hit them. Those three which I picked out earlier would probably react if we tried anything, but the others… they would be dead before they even realized what had happened.

Which makes you wonder what the true motives behind all of this is Nhara growled as Korah once again tuned into what the old man was saying.

“You’ll have to get into the Nothing Clan’s lands, to the Ruins of Exshelzar, we believe that is where the Eternal Glass his hidden. As many of you know the Nothing Clan’s mainly reside underneath the ground, so if all goes to plan you will be able to traverse the surface with little trouble. There are a few scattered villages on the surface where normal people live, and as of yet the Nothing Clan borders have not been closed. The quickest way to get there is by ship, I have already prepared a vessel for you and it will leave in four hours, so I recommend you head down to the docks soon. The ship will take you to the Harbor City of Kenton. It is the only Harbor town in Nothing, and is shared by both regular humans, and members of the Nothing Clan. It is the main entry into their. From there you will have to find some way to get to Exshelzar. The boat ride alone will take you four days if all goes well, and my friend here,” he said nodding towards the Seer, “Will guide you to the ruined city once you reach port. Be careful however, the Shadow Clan is after the Glass, and I have no doubt you may run into some of them. Good luck to you all.” Without saying another word the old man rose to his feet and glided out of the room, leaving all of the children behind to ponder what he had said. Soon however they all began to stand and leave the room, going in small groups as they headed down toward the docks. Korah watched the boy from the Shadow Clan go, and in truth he had been watching him the whole times. He made sure on eye, whether it was his or Nhara’s was always watching the boy. He didn’t trust him, not yet anyway.

“My my, this sure has gotten interesting, hasn’t it Nhara,” Korah whispered as he flipped up to his feet and slid onto her back. Nhara merely grunted in response as they trotted over to where Jessica was. “Hey Jess,” Korah called, “You want a ride down to the docks!” Most of the other kids avoided the tiger, trying to put as much space in-between them and the razor claws that scrapped against the floor. It was probably a wise idea for most of them, Nhara may be friendly, but she didn’t like everybody, and the last thing he needed was for her to go and rip someone’s arm off…

Zan - Metal

I peered around the room, glancing at everyone. I think the people from the Water, Animal, Light, and Darkness clans knew something that the rest of us didn't. They looked like something was definitely going to go wrong. In particular, one of them appeared to be thinking that the rest of us would be a burden. I frowned. I didn't have much experience in real fighting, aside from the Tournament. I remembered the smell of blood as I drew my sword out of my opponent's body... I never really learned his name. At least he didn't die. And I got knocked out the next fight. Still have that scar, I think. Jir was a damn good fighter.

Shaking myself out of my memories, I stayed quiet. Taking to the seas never really appealed to me. What small territory we had was most definitely not near any large body of water. I don't think I know how to swim. My parents had never thought that it was a necessary skill, unlike blacksmithing or hunting. I never thought that I'd need it either.

Oh boy. This was going to be a tough ride.

Joe-Fire

I looked around the room as the old man finished I couldn't helping laughing to myself as I looked at the light shadow water and Animal clan all thinking they were above the rest of us and thinking we were all burdens typical sure I didn't take care of myself but I'd lived a lot and fought a lot I had to admit I was a long way away from my days as a fire clan assassin oh well it was probably like riding a bike except just a little bit harder to get back on. The boy with the tiger trotted over too a girl animal clan I thought they thought they were so great with their abilities to talk to animals. If the shadow clan attacked the animal clan boy would be the first to die for two important reasons. 1 like the other three who looked superior they looked better than the rest of us meaning they would be the first to die any idiot could pick them out as good. 2 his tiger cast a big shadow and he stood right at his side meaning the distance for a shadow to travel would be minimum. On the bright side the Nothing clan territory was always an interesting place to be very official ,very diverse, very interesting. I decided to go talk to the shadow clan boy. "hey," I said swinging my raggedy coat off "wear this if a shadow clan person See's you all dressed up looking superior you'll be the first to die" I rapped the rag around him and he thanked me.
"It's gonna be tough moving around in the water with all the shadow destroyer ships moving around" I said swapping on a black coat and pulling on some leather like amour a chest piece and shin guards the tiger growled at me as I pulled them out "Why did she growl at you" The shadow clan boy asked curious.
"Ah you see the best material for blocking shadow balls in hide preferably tiger hide" That seamed to answer the boys question.

******

We walked on the ground comfly with are escort of about sixty fire clan soildiers.