Prologue
The scene opens with absolute darkness. A steady breath is heard every two seconds. Suddenly, we see a girl, blue eyes open wide. She has tan skin, short, puffy hair, and scars all over. Her breathing increases as she becomes more conscious, a small panic setting in. She sits up quickly, darting her head around to find her surroundings. The girl seems to be in a forest of sorts, but nothing like she’s ever seen. The treetops are blue, trunks lined with blue vines leading up to the canopy. Purple, blue, green, and yellow leaves decorate the forest floor like a colorful rug. As the girl shifts around, the leaves beneath her shuffle and crunch. Various animals are calling from the sky, bugs whiz by the girl’s face. The air is thick and heavy, smelling of wet grass. She is startled by a sudden, thundering voice that seems to come from every direction:
Creature: Hello, my dear Sapphire. Welcome to the First Caves. Don’t be afraid, for you have shown favor to our forest dwellers. They have a great liking towards you. I would assume such, for I have selected you for a purpose.
The girl stands up quickly, twirling around and batting at the air around her.
Sapphire, fearful: Let me go! Please! Where’s my dad? I wanna go home!
Creature: You will come to know your purpose once I have finished explaining it to you. Your father is at home, safe and sound. Soon, you too will return to your home. Allow me to explain, please. Sapphire hears a loud crunch nearby her, then a snap. Trees bend to make way for the creature headed towards her. She sees almost nothing but silvery white eyes.
Sapphire, nervous: W-where is the rest of you? Why did you call me Sapphire?
Creature: You cannot see me, yet. Your eyes have yet to adjust to this world, your mind has yet to believe what it sees. The creature pauses, watching Sapphire’s facial expressions.
Creature: My name is Emery, and here, in my world, you are known as Sapphire, the guardian of the blue stone.
Sapphire stares at the pair of eyes for a moment, blinking, then chortles a bit.
Sapphire: Ha, you’re kidding right? A pair of floating eyes says I’m a guardian. Haha! She turns and walks around in a circle for a moment. Emery is silent, allowing Sapphire to take it in. I’m- I am the least qualified to be a guardian! I mean, come on, look at me! She looks up at the eyes, sweeping her arms out to show her small body.
Emery: My dear, that’s what makes you the most qualified. The more you come to this world, the more your eyes will adjust and reveal to you how fitting you are for this task. For now, we will slowly allow you to see what is before you. Time is limited, and we must gather all the guardians. However, first, you must find the stone you are to protect. Come with me, and I’ll show you what your purpose is. A low grumble escapes the creature’s mouth as it begins to move once more, crashing and crunching leaves and branches. Sapphire pauses before reluctantly following the enormous organism.
