During the early morning, the people of Clearwood all seem to take a collect breathe and begin the work for the day. Most of the women can be found near the well to collect the day's water before setting out on the immense amount of house chores set before them. Men of different shapes and sizes would head out into the forests, either to chop trees for the necessary lumber needed or to mine in the "diamond" rough caves for any sign of an instant fortune. The children of Clearwood would be the bright and sunny future, with everyone's hopes that the new generation could finally break out of this ruse of a town and finally create something worthwhile.

Clearwood was a simple, small town set on the outskirts of the large Darr Forest famous for its clearwood, hence, the name. Originally known for its beautiful views of the forest, it rapidly lost its popularity after a city a few miles away was constructed that was much closer to the road and farther from the monsters that ran rampant on the plains before Clearwood. Every year, life seemed be slowly sucked away from the little town until it could barely manage on its own.

That's why, every three years, the people of the town would gather at the town square to determine not only who would protect the town from monsters, but also represent the town in the Golden Combat Tournament. The eligible candidates for the "picking" must be between the ages 12 and 16; no exceptions. Clearwood may not have popularity or a strong presence, but what it did have were the Crystal Cores; pieces of the stars that took the form of weapons and were imbued with the experience of its previous masters. Anyone who so much as touched them knew all the skills that were needed to use the weapon properly. They were sacred relics from the ancestors of the forest, and were happened upon in an investigation in one of their mining caves. Since their founding, 5 masters have used each of the Crystal Cores; now, those that are chosen will become their 6th masters.

There were three Crystal Cores; one in the shape of a sword, another in the shape of a spear, and the last in the shape of a bow. Therefore, there would be three chosen ones within the group of candidates.

It was the year 3086, on a sunny fall morning, when the special ceremony began for the 6th time.

"I hope they don't draw my name…" the girl mumbled. She tried her best to remain inconspicuous in the group of teenagers that stood on a small stage. Her scruffy long hair bobbed back and forth, putting the girl behind her on edge.

"Would you stop it, Lisette…?" the girl behind her whispered. "It's seriously bothering me…!"

"Oh…!" Lisette turned around and bowed apologetically. "I'm sorry, Aria…! I'm just so nervous…! What if they pick me…?"

"Then you'd be lucky…! I'd do anything for a position like that…!" Aria answered.

"But…but fights are really scary…" Lisette mumbled. "I'm not a fighter, so I'd probably be hopeless…"

"With that attitude, you will be…!" Aria crossed her arms and glared down on Lisette. "Success comes through hard work and confidence…! If you don't have either, then you will never succeed…!"

"Hey!" a man in white robes shouted. "Quiet, you two!"

"Yes, sir!" the both of them answered. They both fell silent as the man shoved his hand into a basket filled with names of all the candidates of Clearwood. The sound of ruffling folded papers suddenly stopped as the man yanked his hand out with a single paper.

"Vanessa Azuren!" the man bellowed.

Almost immediately, a single girl appeared before the group of teenagers. She held her head high and proud. The tips of her red hair gently brushed her shoulders as she walked down and stood before the man in the white robe.

"Hey, isn't that the foreigner…?" Aria asked Lisette.

"What…?" Lisette replied. "Oh, you're right… She came to town just a year ago…"

"So why did she have to be picked…" Aria pouted in her irritation. "She's not fit to represent our town… I'm a much suitable candidate…!"

"W-well, let's quiet down so we don't get scolded again…" Lisette suggested. They both turned their attention back to the front.

"Vanessa?" the man asked.

"Yes." Her voice was as clear as water. The conviction in her eyes could burn through anyone's deceit as a mere glance.

"Congratulations, miss. You have been chosen to represent Clearwood in the annual Golden Combat Tournament. Now please, select your weapon of choice." The man stepped to the side, revealing a small white table. The three Crystal Cores lay before her, reflecting the sun's rays with their crystal-like bodies.

Vanessa stepped forward and made her choice swiftly.

"I choose the sword!" she shouted triumphantly, holding it in the air for all to see. Applause coming from the outer crowd roared forth as the birth of their new chosen one had come.

"Good, good," the man said. "Stand next to me. Now, the next chosen candidate shall be…" The man, without pausing, stuffed his hand into the basket and pulled another name from the bundle.

"Lisette Otulip!"

"Wh-what?" Lisette asked, speechless. "Me?"

"Go, Lisette," Aria coaxed. She gave Lisette a small push into the front of the stage. Then she gave her a small smile and disappeared back into the group.

"Lisette?" the man asked.

"Y-yes?" Lisette asked back.

"You don't look a day over 12. You must be quite young."

"Yes. My 12th birthday was…a week ago…" Lisette answered in a small voice.

"Well, better to start young, eh? Congratulations, Lisette! Now that you will be representing our town, please choose your weapon!" the man continued.

"Weapon…?" Lisette hesitated to walk up to the small table holding the remaining weapons. Her heart beat rapidly increased until her face went bright red. It took all of her strength to move forward and pick up the glistening bow.

"The young girl has chosen the bow!" the man shouted, followed by more applause.

Lisette realized they were cheering for her, and felt more at ease at that point. She slowly crawled out of her shell as a bright smile shimmered toward the crowd. Her confidence renewed, she took her place by Vanessa while making a small wave toward Aria.

"And now!" the man bellowed. "The final candidate shall be…!" He fumbled through the basket one last time and took his time taking out the final name.

"Aria Starfire!"

"Yes!" Aria answered boldly. She marched up to the man, her body stiff and soldier-like before the crowd.

"You may be the last candidate, but that does not mean you will be belittled because of it. Congratulations. Please pick the final weapon for yourself.

"Yes," Aria answered. She took the steps needed and grabbed the spear that lay before her. "The spear! With this, I bring glory to Clearwood!" she shouted with her weapon in the air. This time, the crowd roared even louder than before. Aria smirked at her results and walked to her own spot next to Lisette and Vanessa.

"My fellow citizens!" the man in the white robe spoke. "These three will be representing our town with their strength, their wit, and their pride! These are your heroes! These three—Vanessa, Lisette, and Aria—will bring honor to Clearwood!"

The crowd cheered with loud applause, some of them even throwing their hats toward the stage. The three girls exchanged acknowledged glances, as if they knew what would come next.

"Now!" the man spoke again. "To prove their worth as our heroes, their first goal will be...!" The man jolted his index finger upward. "To defeat the elder dragon on Rincold Mountain!"