Chapter 1

As the sun set in the distance, light reflected off of the puddles from that day’s rain. Winston enjoyed the way the sun illuminated the wet summer leaves, almost like the trees were covered in sparkles. This was the best part of his day, his trek home. Work that day had been quite uneventful, he had arrived early in the morning, he received a new topic to write about, climate change. He was going to have to do some research because he didn’t know that much about what this “climate change” thing was. He walked by the other shops starting to close up for the day, just like how he did with his. A thought struck him, he started to walk faster, a goal in mind. The candy shop. As he turned the corner, he saw it, its lights still on, and a sign saying it was open. He let out a sigh of relief and strode in. The sweet smell pervaded around the shop. He picked out a few of his favorites, a couple chocolate bars, a few peppermint sticks, and some candy corn. He paid, thanked the shopkeeper and continued his walk home. Popping a few of the candies into his mouth as he went. 

He had only gone a few feet in the street when he noticed something. He strolled towards it for a better look. It was an oddly iridescent stone on the ground that seemed to absorb the moonlight around it. He decided to pick it up and continued on his way. His eyes glittered as he walked back home, enthused by his new find. He twisted it in his palm. It was surprisingly smooth for being left on the street. He turned it over looking for any cracks or scratches, but he could find none. It was of a turquoise color with a glossy surface with swirls of the color inside. He rounded the last bend and walked towards his house. He began to wonder, who had lost what appeared to be a precious stone. After all, it was just randomly in the road perfectly intact. His walk home was usually pretty uniform. He closed up his shop, walked down the main street, hopefully before the candy shop closed, then turned the corner, which after that it was a straight shot home.

After a long day of work Winston just wanted to settle in and rest, though he had to prepare for the following day. He laid out his clothes and ironed them diligently, as he had done this many times before. He then packed a few of his clothes away into his wardrobe in their designated spot, so that he wouldn’t have to think about his outfit the following day.

He awoke, his eyelids slowly receding from his vision. As he looked around him, the scent of crisp fresh air filled his nostrils. He was in a grassy clearing, verdant foliage was surrounding it. As he started to get to his feet, the warm sunlight hit his face. He felt a slight pulsing in his left hand, as he looked down he noticed a strange glowing stone in his hand. He stared in wonder at the stone, the glowing gradually lessened. A branch snapped, he jerked his head upwards towards the direction of the sound. A young woman approached him. She wore brown and green clothing with a golden material highlighting it. She wore a golden tiara. He noticed that her ears were also slightly pointed. She spoke in an unfamiliar tongue,but strangely enough he understood it. 

“Where do you hail from, stranger?”

His lips started moving in an alien manner. “I do not know. I am afraid that I have no memory of my life at all.”

“You have lost your memory?” 

“I am afraid so. May I ask your name?”

“I am Princess Zora, unfortunately you have to leave. This land is under my protection and I cannot permit you to stay here without any documents of permission.”

Before he could respond he heard the swish of metal, a blade quivered below his chin. He felt a large figure behind him, his actions confirmed that this man was very confident, quick, direct, not to mention skilled. From his leather bracers Winston could tell that the large shadow’s owner was a soldier.

“Why are you here?”

The woman spoke. “Zeno do not harm him, he has no recollection of his life.”

“I will not harm him as long as he answers my questions.” He turned and asked, “Do you know why you are here, stranger?”

“No, I have no memory of anything at all. I awoke here not too long ago with this stone.” 

“What stone?” The woman asked, her voice piquing with curiosity.

He presented the stone, letting the sun’s rays illuminate it.

“Where did you get that?” Zeno’s voice rang out, he seemed to be put on edge by the stone.

“I awoke with the stone in my hand” Winston responded.

“Give it to me. Now,” Zeno bellowed. He held out his hand for the stone, and Winston moved his arm to drop the stone in his palm. The stone dropped. Green and blue light suddenly shone outward with an almost explosive force. Blinding all those nearby temporarily. A strange silence overtook the forest. When those around it could see again, it was noticed that a body had slumped to the ground. 

Zora screamed “What did you do?!”

Winston’s mouth moved but no sound escaped his lips. A stunned look had overtaken his figure, crouching down next to Zeno. His mind raced, hoping. He pressed his fingers to his neck, the resounding pulse calmed his nerves.

“He is still alive, just unconscious.” His voice shaking slightly as he spoke.

“Again I ask, what did you do?” All kindness, gone from her voice.

“I didn’t do anything, he touched the stone, there was a light, and he was on the ground, unconscious.”

Zora said no more, but stood rigidly, as a pensive look overtook her face. Eventually she spoke. “I’ll have to take you to the elders now.” Before he could react, Zora shot forward, her arm outstretched. Her palm hit his chest. He keeled over, before he knew it, he too, was unconscious.

He awoke in an elegant room. His eyes and mouth stuck wide open. Pillars of stone erupted around the room, twined with green vines. The ceiling glittered with an elaborate mural of battles past. A figure stood on a rock outcrop, overlooking the scene. The figure wore an amulet, with a turquoise stone. He looked up at the mural, and back down at his hand, awestruck.

A voice cut through his wandering thoughts, pulling him back to reality. “Ah you’re awake.”

An elderly figure sat across the room. He was leaning back in an old rocking chair. As he rocked back and forth he continued to speak, “I see you noticed the mural on the ceiling. It is of a legendary battle, with a faithful hero, who you can see standing atop the outcropping. Would you like to know about it?”

Winston spoke eagerly “Yes, of course I would.” The elder rose slowly walking gracefully towards him, his robe drifting elegantly in his wake. “Also can I ask, is that the same stone as the one here?” He said as he slowly raised his aching hand.

“All will be revealed.” Winston noted that he spoke in a calm and carefree tone. As he approached, Winston wondered what his intentions were. By the time the elder reached Winston’s bedside, he was starting to get anxious. Before he could protest, the elf reached his hand out towards Winston’s head and tapped his forehead with his finger.

A key opened a lock, a water droplet hit the surface, a door opened. Memories flooded into his mind. Death, life, light, and darkness. He saw prosperous cities fall to ruin. He saw gems, one turquoise, and one purple. A duel, between good and evil. Calm and chaos, in an ever forming vortex, until there he lay, the holder of the turquoise stone, on the ground, dead. An eerie silence had overtaken, tendrils had started to take hold. The turquoise stone appeared on the ground, picked up by a man on his way home.

His eyes opened, although they were different. They glittered with determination and resolve. The elder spoke, “The stone has chosen you, will you fight?”