Hi! So I originally published this short story as one whole part, but I realized it was too long.

I broke it down into four parts, so hopefully it's easier to understand!

Please read my very first written story!

Thank you!

~ ~ ~ ~

I sigh and roll onto my bed, curling up into a small ball. I look over and glance at my school assignment on my bed again.

​"Write how you would describe and explain talenters to a person who has never been to our land before."

I'm a talenter. How do I explain? I sit there for a few minutes before letting out another big sigh. I haven't really thought about that before.

"I guess I'll start by pretending to talk to someone, then make it into a paper," I resolve and sit up before arranging my stuffed pandas in front of me.

Although I am 15 years old, I am still very fond of stuffed animals – especially pandas. I stand up and look at myself in the mirror.

"So, Emily," I start to talk to myself (an old habit). A tan skinned face with long brown hair and brown eyes stares back at me.

"How would you explain this stuff to a foreigner?" I continue, still looking at myself as if expecting an answer.

I sigh for the third time. This won't be easy. I clear my throat and take a deep breath, turning back to my stuffed audience. Just think, and let the words roll off your tongue. I start to ramble like I'm telling an old tale or story.

"Our land is quite normal to me, but it might seem different to you. We are part of something called the 18 Games. 18 different territories. Our main big land is like a big island in the middle of the great waters. The formal name is 'The Erased Land of Games', but we call it the ELG. Some territories have much smaller islands off of them. I live on an island off the seventh game (the islands are part of the games). The ELG has the main ruler or the 'GameKeeper' living directly in the middle. Now to explain a talenter. A Talenter - Someone born with certain powers or talent. There are four different types of talenters. The weapon, protector, element, and exception types. Someone born as a talenter is one of these four types. But, to use them in battles and such, we 'transform' or change our appearance as we get our powers. For example, I am a weapon type. Under the weapon type, there are hundreds of different weapons. I'm a long sword, so when I transform I hold a long sword. For the protector type, they have a method of protection such as making themselves invisible, healing, camouflaging, shapeshifting, and other ways of adapting. The next type is an element. Fire, ice, wind, nature, even things like darkness or light. Lastly, exceptions are exceptions. Mind reading, levitating, telekinesis, super speed, super strength, they are the odd ones out. On this land, there are many different schools where the talenters go."

I start to walk around my room, making it sound more like a speech now.

"Did I forget to mention that most of the population of the 18 Games is human? Oops, the ratio of talenters to human is around eight to one. Only about two to three schools for talenters are across each game. The rest are normal humans, living normal human lives. As a talenter, I go to the only school for talenters on the island I live on. Instead of learning normal human things and getting human jobs, talenters learn in school all about their types and the others' as well; How they work, the history, and how to fight. Talenters get jobs to catch criminals or create peace, kind of like the police of the land. They get to work with the police often and can take jobs offered by them. Most just do a job that suits them."

I suddenly hear a few knocks and look up toward the door where I see my older sister leaning on the door frame.

"That's an interesting way to put it. I see you're still talking to your stuffed animals," she says as she stifles a chuckle.

"It's for a school assignment. And how long have you been standing here?" I ask irritably.

"From a few minutes ago I think," she replies before yawning and raising her hands, stretching. "Anyways Emily, you should get to bed soon. It's gettin' pretty late and I'm guessing you have a little while before that project is due," she states with a wave before exiting the room.

~ ~ ~ ~

The following day is a normal Year 10 school day. Going to class, taking tests, and looking for new job opportunities.

I put my books in my locker when suddenly I hear the school intercom go on.

"Attention all students and teachers," the principal begins. "The annual Talenters Open will take place in two weeks. If you don't know what that is, it's a yearly three part/challenge tournament. Each school for talenters will participate and have students to represent their school. Any further details will be told to the participants. The student with the highest grades or scores from each block will be representing our school. That is four students in total representing our school, and they will be announced next week. Thank you for listening, and have a great week!"

I continue putting away my books. Suddenly, I hear a loud squeal and see a figure running down the hall.
"Emilia! Emily!" one of my friends Aracel exclaims excitedly while running.

"What?" I ask when she reaches me.
She sighs and catches her breath.

"Emily, don't you have one of the highest grades in the weapon block? You have a good chance of competing in this years' competition! This is your one and only chance to show how strong you are and go to Teardrop Island - your dream."

She is right, in some ways. Only Year 10 students have the chance every year to have a shot at the competition. Our school hasn't won a single yearly competition for the last 55 years, so if we win this year it'll be a big breakthrough for our school. Going to Teardrop Island has always been a big dream of mine, for certain reasons.

"As much as I'd love to represent the weapon block, I'm sure there are many strong fighters out there," I answer.

"What happened to the usually positive and cheerful Em I know? When you fight in battles and for jobs, you suddenly change into another person. Not literally, but it's like you have another personality- Oh my gosh! Do you have split personalities? I mean, the normal you is so cheerful and fun but the you in battles and jobs is so serious and strong. I've never really seen you get seriously hurt before."

I laugh. "No Ce, I don't have split personalities. I just don't like getting hurt or losing." I start to unconsciously fiddle with my bracelet.

I trained so I could be strong enough to go to Teardrop Island and fulfill a promise.

I continue to pull at my small bracelet, losing myself in thought. I never take it off, even during battles. It's very precious to me. It is a beautiful silver chain bracelet with a small teardrop jewel in the middle.

"You ok Em? You kinda spaced out there," Aracel asks, waving her hand in front of my face.

I quickly shake my thoughts away and look at her again, smiling "Oh, I'm fine. Thanks for the encouragement though. Anyways, shouldn't we be heading to class soon? It's starting soon."
"Ok! Let's go then."

~ ~ ~ ~
The following week flies by fast. It's finally the day that the competitors are being announced. The principal turns on the loud speakers and tells everyone that they will be announced sometime today after all the calculations are done.

Towards the middle of the day, I'm by my locker again when I hear from the principal again. "Attention all students. The results are in, and we have the four people participating in this years' tournament. Listen up.

Nolan West, Lillianna McColm, Hunter Mullins, and Emilia Preston – Please report to my office. Congratulations. You four had the highest scores in your block. Good bye, and have a nice day."

The message ends and my eyes are wide open, my jaw drops. I immediately start to smile and finish putting my books away. I start skipping to the principal's office. My hard work paid off! Look at me now Kaitie! I have a chance.

On my way, Cel and my other friends congratulate me with squeals and congratulations!!

~ ~ ~ ~
After a long and happy skip to another building, I finally make it to the principal's office. I quickly rap on the door and patiently wait for an answer. I tap my fingers on my side and take a deep breath, calming myself down. When I hear a 'come in', I cautiously enter and look around.

"He-hello. I'm here for the competition?" I nervously ask quietly.

I spot the principal at a desk and observe another person sitting in one of the waiting chairs.

I notice he is reading a book. When he looks up, I see he has short blond hair, messy bangs, and blue eyes.

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Nolan West – protector type. Have a seat. What's yours?" he formally asks me when he stands up to introduce himself.

He's around 5'6, having a few inches on my short 5'3 figure.

"Emilia Preston. Call me Emily though. Weapon type. Nice to meet you, too Nolan!"

I sit down next to him and ask, "So Nolan, what book are you reading?"

"Oh. I'm reading a book on the history and change of protectors over time."

"Interesting! Do you take any jobs?" I remember protector types don't have a weapon but are good in hand to hand combat.

"I don't usually take any jobs, but I hope to become a bodyguard for the GameKeeper when I get older."

"Cool! Do you know any of our other teammates? Sorry, I ask a lot of questions."

"It's ok, but yeah, I've heard of Hunter. Haven't met the other girl before though."

Right then, a boy burst into the principal's office as if right on cue.

"Hi! I'm Hunter Mullins, an exception type! Nice to meet you! Sorry I was late, I was caught up talking to all my friends. So, is this everyone?" he rushed loudly.

"No, Mr. Mullins, we are waiting on one more girl. But next time please knock before coming in, and mind your manners please. It's a good thing you get good grades," the principal says looking up from his desk.

He answers with an 'ok', and sits down next to Nolan and me. I observe his short brown hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin. Maybe an inch or so taller than Nolan.

"So, you guys are my teammates? Cool!"

"Yup," I answer and we all sit in awkward silence.

A few minutes of silence later, a girl knocks then opens the door. I look up.

"My name is Lillianna McColm, element type, and I refuse to compete in this tournament," she states in a monotone voice. She has short pitch black hair with bangs at different lengths, blue eyes, and pale skin.

​"Your name is McColm?? As in the Tatum McColm? Wow! We are lucky to have you on our team!" Hunter says excitedly.

​"Tatum McColm is my grandmother, and didn't I just say I refused to participate?" she fires at him, seeming a little annoyed. For someone small she had a fierce attitude.

​"Who's Tatum McColm? And why is she so famous?" I ask, confused.
​"She's the reason I don't want to participate, and that's that. Good-bye, don't ever bother me again," she states coldly and immediately leaves the room, not saying a word to the principal.

​"Wait! Lillianna!" I yell after her, getting up to follow her. "Watch out!" I yell again as she slips on some water on the floor.

​"Are you ok?" I asked worriedly, rushing over to her. When she doesn't respond, I take her to the nurse's office (with the help of Nolan and Hunter).

~ ~ ~ ~

So this was part one! I'm so sorry it's sorta long...hope you enjoyed!

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