Prologue

Ele: Ah… will you look at this.

Kla: This is Rio’s story?

Tab: Sure is, wonder where she is then?

Nic: Probably doesn’t even know the prologue is being posted.

Ele: Great, only a little of time to rejoice.

Light. Endless light that could blind someone normal. For an angel who lived up in the light would not be blinded for they are accustomed to it. The ground was like walking on clouds with wisps of cloud that flies into the air when someone takes a step. A young woman sat down on the clouded ground, her legs bent and tucked underneath her as she gazed at an endless orb that floated before her.

Keiketion, one of the seven messengers of the Lord, sat on her legs as she gazed at the orb. She had been summoned along with the other messengers but only she had arrived since the summoning. Her long brown hair flowed down to her knees. Her back hunched over the orb, her hair now flowed from behind her shoulders to hide her face like a veil.

The seven messengers of the Lord consisted of Keiketion, Inferno, Glasarg, Sky, Naina, Forona, and Dynu. Keiketion was known as the Morpher, for she had the power to morph into any animal, she had leather like wings like a bat, which made her different. Inferno was known as the Pyromancer, for he had the power of fire and flames. Graal was known for his ability to control the dirt and sand around his feet. Sky was known as the sky itself because of his ability to control the wind and the weather. Sky had real feather wings like a bird. Nyumi was known for her knowledge of human kind and for giving reason to man kind. Fanadi was known for passing down prophecies to make legends, she is known for giving courage to man kind. Den was known for giving strength and power to human kind, giving power of evil to man. These were the seven messengers of the Lord.

Keiketion gently rubbed her hands together, stretching out her folded wings that hid underneath her long thick hair. She was always patient during summons for she was always the first to arrive. A wisp of air blew past her and her hair flew past her face.

“You’re late Sky.” Keiketion said simply, smiling as she continued to stare at the orb.

The newcomer sighed and rested his chin on Keiketion’s shoulder, his chest laid against her back. His hair was a bleach blonde, barely white and his eyes a sparkling pure blue. His nose was slightly long but he didn’t let it bring him down, especially with his pure pale skin. He wore a pure white robe with a blue sash tied at the waist. His feet bare to show he was equal to anyone.

“How’d you know it was me, Keiketion?” Sky asked, smiling at the orb.

Keiketion shrugged in response. “Who wouldn’t? You make everything windy.” Suddenly three bursts of three different colors erupted near the two, colors of red, green, and blue. Three identical girls stepped forward draped in robes of white with sashes that matched the color of each one’s hair. Each wore a different pendant around their neck. The red girl wore a flame pendant, the green girl wore a thunderbolt, and the blue girl wore a drop of water pendant.

“You two are always here before us huh?” all three of the girls chimed. Keiketion laughed.

“It’s good to see you three as well. Naina, Forona, Dynu, you three are actually early for once. You got here before Glasarg.” Keiketion said, looking around for any sign of him.

“Too bad Inferno won’t be joining us.” Naina, the blue girl, piped in. “I’m still surprised about what happened to him.” Keiketion shot daggers at Naina and she quietly hid behind her sisters.

Sand whirled and Glasarg stood a white robe with a tan sash around his waist. “We agreed that no one would speak of him. Keiketion, you know Naina didn’t mean it. Don’t take it out on her.” Glasarg’s skin was a tan, like sand with his eyes the same color as his skin. Glasarg’s eyes were framed by a very tan ring that went with his tan eye brows and hair.

“Now that everyone is here. We can start the Summoning.” A voice called, the orb pulsating along with the words. Everyone glanced towards the orb and got to their knees. “First, everyone knows that Inferno has recently left suddenly.” Keiketion lowered her head from the orb as everyone else nodded in response. “Since then, Inferno has decided a plan to try to destroy the messengers. But, to stop this. I have looked upon a prophecy the Gladiorans possess. I hope to use it to our advantage, and find the 8th messenger in order to convince Inferno to stop his foolishness.” Keiketion and the others stared wide eyed in wonder.

“Artemis has given birth to a girl if you all remember. I hope to use her for this prophecy.” The voice responded, the orb clearing and an image appearing through the mist inside of it.

Everyone gathered around the orb and watched as an image of a girl appeared with a girl crying over a medical bed with a woman on it. “Five years ago, Artemis’s Gladioran wife died. The cause is unknown to the facility she was brought to. Unfortunately the poison she was injected with, dissolved out of her blood system when her heart stopped. Artemis still has enemies to this day.” The image shifted to show a man writing on a sheet of parchment. He scribbled furiously on a desk already covered with books and several other parchments covered in writing. A loud banging sounded through the orb. The man dropped his pen and hurried out the room to answer it. “This was only two years ago. Artemis answered the orb. A guest came in and they shared tea. The tea Artemis drank was spiked with the same poison that killed his wife. He was tricked, the man that poisoned the tea was supposed to be his friend who helped hide him from his enemies. Only to be betrayed.”

The image shifted again and a girl’s face appeared, wearing a red bandanna, walking around a barren house and tidying up the place. “The poison in his blood Artemis is already on his death bed as we speak. Alexis, his daughter, has been fending for herself in the household. However, she is the next to be attacked by Artemis’s enemies.”

Everyone gasped at the knowledge. “Why, Lord?” Keiketion asked.

The image shifted once more to the same girl outside her house, swinging around a stick at a boy who also held one. They both fought, the girl driving back the boy towards the wall of the house. “Because she is showing that she may have the same talent as her father. As we all know, Artemis’s enemies are after that one talent. But after their first attempt to capture it failed, they decided to weed out any carriers. Our job is… to save Alexis before they kill her.” Keiketion glanced towards Glasarg who ran his hand through his hair that dropped sand on the ground. “Keiketion will be in charge of keeping watch on Alexis. So you will be in personal contact of her at all time to insure her safety. You are capable of this because of your compassion.” Keiketion nodded, understanding her duty. “Glasarg, you will be in charge of stalling the attackers while Sky, Dynu, Naina, and Forona investigate any hidden knowledge on the prophecy. Once you have found out all of the prophecy, inform Keiketion and we will get it into action.”

“Do we know anything of the prophecy right now, Lord?” Sky asked, his hand rested on his knee as he kneeled.

“The prophecy foretells of a boy who will pull out a legendary sword deep inside the Clarnd Forest in the planet Glarnion. All of you go there now. I hope you all accomplish the tasks I have given you.” The voice finished. The images on the orb clearing and the orb brightening.

Everyone stood and placed their hands on the orb, the warmth of the glow heating their hands. “We do, Lord!” Everyone echoed. The orb brightened, the light engulfing all of them and suddenly fading to reveal everyone gone.

Ele: Freaky huh?

Kla: Wait… does this mean that Rio’s real name is Alexis?

Tab: oh yeah of course, you didn’t know that? You’ll find out later why her name turns into Riot.

Nic: Yeah, Kla. You seriously need to read more. Ele knows all of our lives inside and out. Except for her own.

Ele: Shut up.