Rhiana (Ri-an-a) here! Whew! I am from the best Nation, the Ruby Nation. I mean, the power of fire, is pretty sick! And we are the strongest Nation, too. As well as the fiercest and the wealthiest! And that is an understatement. We are the closest Nation to the Jade Nation.

Everything started when my father took me to the store. Mother stayed home, for she wasn't feeling well. She looked fine to me, but Mother has been acting weird lately. Riko, my cousin, was coming with us. His twin sister, Reyna, was talking with her friend, Reece. All of us were getting ready for the big ceremony. Today, my brother Roy, will return, with other fathers and sons. As well as nurses.

Riko and Reyna were waiting for their father and mother, who were both at the Jade Palace with Roy. Nobody knows what they are doing there. I was waiting for Roy. He is seventeen, a few years older than me. They are celebrating the return home of half the town, all of the souls who went to the Jade Palace. It will be at the town square, and I was performing a speech. 

Father and I walked into Rhino's Ripper Rack, the best clothes store in town. Riko doesn't like their clothes though, for he isn't the 'black punk' style like me. He headed over to Ready Riri, which mostly is a baby store, but he enjoys the red hoodies, for the Ruby Nation. 

Father gave me twenty remoes (remoos), the Ruby Nation's from of money. Rhino greeted me right away. She wore a black T-shirt that read "Ruby Nation Ceremony" and red leggings that were ripped. She wore ruby earrings.

"Hey yo Riley!" She called. She calls me everything but my name, which is fine with me. "What's up?"

"Roy is coming home today. I want to look my best for the ceremony," I explained. Rhino is twenty, and she is dating Roy. She smiled at the sound of his name.

"Roy? Well then, you should get a discount, Remmo!" Rhino announced.

"That is so nice of you!" I exclaimed. I had the urge to say a rude comment, but Rhino was my friend, and it was a special day. I couldn't be the one to mess it up for her.

"Margret, you are my number one customer, and I am dating your brother Roy. So yeah, you get a discount."

A lady behind me smiled. "Thank you Rhino. That was very sweet. Also, my brother Roy is fourteen. How old are you? Thirty?"

"Umm... She was talking about me!" I snapped. "Also, your name is Margret?" The lady sneered and walked out. I spent my remoes. Father and I waited for Riko. 

"What did you get?" Father asked us both. I showed him my simple outfit I picked out, Roy doesn't like me to look overdressed. Riko's outfit was more complex, but neverless showed his pride for the Ruby Nation.

We were all smiling when someone shouted "Fire!" Father looked around, and saw a lady desperately throwing barrels of water at her house. Everyone has the power of fire, but not everyone learned to control it, and the lady, Riley, never learned to control it. Father had taught me how to control my powers, though.

"Where's Reyna?" Riko panicked. "We told her to wait here..."

Father helped the lady, and Riley, and told the two of us to run home. We had to assure him that Reyna was at our house. When we got there, Mother and Reyna were having tea. "Mother. Reyna. How are you having tea? There is a fire!"

"When is there not?" Reyna asked.

"Doesn't matter," Riko panted, "You're alive!"

"Yeah. We should go... I have got ten remoes for ice cream!" Reyna said. The two twins walked out together. I wanted to go too...

"Don't."

"What?" I asked.

"Don't leave me here alone." 

"Why not?" I questioned.

"Because."

A new voice started talking. It put shivers down my spine, and chills on my arms. "Young Rhiana, you and the five other kids are going to The Jade Palace to serve the Jade King like your fathers. There is a murderous plan, and you are going to risk your life to save the king." I couldn't tell the gender of the faint voice.

I noticed that Mother quietly sitting through the whole thing. "Mother? Who is this talking?" I demanded. I was scared. I made a small fire in my palm, ready to attack. "I am not afraid of you!" I shouted, even through I felt like whimpering.

"Poor Rhiana, do not lie to me," Mother said, her voice was different. It was just like the one that spoke of few minutes ago.

"What is going on?" I asked desperately, the fire in my palm growing slightly. Mother used her powers to wisp it out, and before I could light it again, everything went dark. That was all I remember from before the blackout that was important.