Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
THE FIVE CHOSEN
Once upon a time, there were two worlds—the world of Humans and the world of Elves.
In the Elven kingdom of Briuston, there was a mysterious well where the souls of dead kings were said to come to rest. But the well was far more than an ordinary well. It possessed ancient magic, and those who were chosen by it were granted extraordinary powers.
Long ago, a young man discovered the secret of the well. After gaining its powers, he revealed the secret to five of his closest friends, who were pure of heart and good in nature. The others were also chosen by the well and received its powers and abilities.
Together, they established a kingdom known as Briuston.
The first chosen was known as King Gerald. Alongside his four faithful friends, he became one of the first five guardians of the kingdom. They were known as the Guardians of Briuston, chosen by the well itself.
King Gerald understood the importance of the well and the responsibility that came with being its chosen guardian. Whenever the kingdom needed guidance, he would return to the well and seek its wisdom.
The well eventually revealed that whenever a king died after four years of his reign, five new guardians would be chosen during the great carnival of the Elves.
The king solemnly agreed to this and made it a decree throughout the kingdom.
The tradition continued for generations.
Two hundred years later...
“Would you tell me about the five guardians again?”
Young Betty asked her father curiously. She had heard the story many times before, but she never seemed to grow tired of it.
“Isn't it too early, darling?” her father asked. “Why not save it for bedtime?”
“No, Father. I wish to hear it now,” Betty replied.
She walked beside him through the palace.
“It still surprises me how brave and ferocious they were,” she continued. “One day, I wish to be a guardian too.”
Her father smiled.
“But that can only happen if the well chooses you,” he reminded her.
Betty's expression fell slightly.
“Let me show you something,” King George said. “Something my father showed me, and something my great-grandfather showed him. It would be my pleasure to show it to you as well.”
Betty's eyes widened with excitement.
“Really, Father?”
“Of course. Come with me.”
King George led Betty through the palace and along a long stone pathway. Eventually, they arrived at a large gate guarded by two soldiers.
The guards immediately recognized the king and bowed before opening the gate.
King George and Betty walked through.
Beyond the gate stood five enormous statues.
Betty stopped in her tracks.
Her eyes widened.
There they were—the legendary Five Chosen Guardians.
“Father...” she whispered in amazement.
King George smiled.
“Yes, Betty. These are the five guardians.”
Betty stared at the statues, fascinated by every detail.
“The man in between the two women was your great-great-grandfather,” King George explained. “He was the first person ever to be chosen by the well.”
He pointed toward the statue.
“Following him came the others. The first chosen possessed the powers of wisdom and knowledge, along with great strength.”
Betty looked toward the woman standing on the left.
“What about the woman on the left?” she asked curiously.
“Her name was Magora. She was also known as your great-great-grandmother.”
Betty looked surprised.
“Your great-great-grandfather had many admirers,” King George continued. “The woman on the right once fought to win his heart, but she failed. Magora, however, eventually won his heart and became his wife.”
Betty looked at Magora's statue with renewed interest.
“Magora was also given the power of strength, but she was known as the Creator. She possessed the ability to control the minds of others through the power of her flute, and she was skilled with sleep darts.”
Betty's eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yes,” her father replied.
He paused for a moment before continuing.
“Don't be so sure about that, darling. The one who lost was the second chosen, and she was called Lara. She was the most skilled of them all. Even your great-great-grandfather admired her greatly when she was young.”
Betty looked at Lara's statue again.
“Lara was known as the Shadow Hunter,” King George continued. “She was also considered the strongest of them all. She was incredibly skilled, even from a young age.”
“Then why would she lose?” Betty asked.
“Perhaps she simply wasn't interested in your great-great-grandfather,” King George replied.
Betty thought about it for a moment before looking toward the two men standing beside the women.
“What about the two men?” she asked.
She looked at the man standing beside Magora.
“The one on the left was Lucas, also known as Lara's brother. He was the fastest swordsman and an exceptional archer. He was so skilled that he could fire a line of arrows with a single shot.”
Betty looked amazed.
“And the one on the right?”
“That one was renji,” King George answered. “He was a fierce warrior. Some even referred to him as Justice, because he fought for the weak and the needy.”
Betty looked at all five statues again.
“But why aren't we Elves like everyone else, Father?” she suddenly asked.
King George paused.
Betty waited for an answer.
“I married your mother in human form,” he finally said, “but that might be a story for another day.”
Betty frowned slightly.
“A story for another day?”
King George smiled and continued walking.
“Perhaps.”
The father and daughter continued deeper into the palace grounds, unaware that someone was watching them from a distance.
And somewhere beyond the ancient walls of Briuston, something long forgotten was beginning to stir.
