Something just didn't feel right. The tight unsettling feeling that twisted in Eboni's gut just wouldn't go away.

Perhaps it was the emotionless stares from the Empress's staff that were constantly at her side- watching. Or the sickeningly high placement of the groups quarters.

Kas had remained on the other side of the room to the open windows, breaking into a visibly nervous sweat at even the smallest of glances to the long unobstructed decent to the land below.

They were treated well enough, each retiring to their rooms and falling straight to sleep after their long day.

They awoke late the next morning to the suns shining high in the sky, and after taking a bath, Eboni joined the others in their communal room. They spent the day reading, watching the world go by out of the window and played board games.

The exchange of wary glances towards the staff and the hostile feeling that had settled over them was unsettling. Each time Eboni found herself alone with one of the others, and they had begun to talk about what they should do next, a servant had found an excuse to interrupt their conversation or invade their personal space.

A messenger arrived as the blue sky was beginning to be blotched by vivid orange and red, swirling together in an enticing dance across the horizon- Informing them of the time of the feast the Empress had promised to throw.

Sitting together in the communal lounge that connected their chambers they were extremely aware of the fact that nothing they said around the servants would be kept in confidence. They had made idle chit chat before their conversations of meaningless blab ran dry.

Kas stood suddenly, stretching with a sleepy yawn.

"I'm going to go and take a rest, I will be out in time for the feast so do not bother to wake me. Enjoy your evening." He nodded to the group- smirking at his brother- before retreating to his bed.

Atu sighed, rolling his eyes. "Eboni- why don't you go and keep my brother company?"

Bren choked on the gulp of water he was drinking, Orlan raised a pointed eyebrow and Iasa blushed, giggling quite as Eboni sat speechless, staring at Atu.

"Excuse me?" She asked, utterly perplexed.

"Eboni- go and keep my brother company." Atu repeated, more sternly this time.

Eboni retreated into Kas's room hesitantly while wondering what in God's Land had possessed Atu to make such a demand of her.

Shutting the door behind her she looked to the large bed that dominated the bedroom expecting to see Kas sprawled out on top of the sheets.

It was empty.

A small chuckle from the window caught her attention and Eboni froze in horror as she saw Kas stood on the open windowsill- as though he were about to jump.

"What are you doing!?" Eboni hissed running forward to his side.

"I honestly expected my brother, but being with you shall be even more enjoyable." Kas grinned, hoisting her up so they stood toe to toe.

"Answer the question Kas! I thought you were afraid of heights?" Eboni gripped onto his cloak tightly, afraid of falling.

"Here." He swung a cloak that had been thrown over his shoulder onto hers. Drawing up the hood around her face. "A show for the people who have been watching us, nothing more."

"Why would you want to trick them into thinking you were afraid of heights?"

"When I was a young boy- to evade doing something I did not want to do I would tell my mother and father that I was going for a rest- then I would jump out of the window and run off into the forest to have fun. Atu would join me sometimes, and so, here we are."

"Jump? Kas I hate to break it to you but this isn't a single-story hut, we are at the top of a mountain!"

Kas rolled his eyes. "Haven't you wondered why I'm not cowering in fear on the other side of the room?" He said.

"No, I was too busy thinking about the fact that you- we- are about to jump to our certain death!" She whispered fervently.

"Look at my legs." Kas said holding her out at arm's length.

"Your legs? Oh!" Realisation dawned on her as she took in the thick tree branches that were twisted around Kas's legs, planting him firmly onto the window sill.

He smirked, pulling her to his chest "Ready?" He wrapped his arms around her, the branches twisting around her own legs and waist before spiralling down the side of the mountain.

"Do I have a choice!?" She whispered scowling at Kas before breaking into a huge grin.

"Nope." Kas said, a huge grin stretching across his own face.

Biting back a scream Eboni was lurched out of the window and down the mountain, branches growing at alarming rates grabbing them as they travelled down the mountains side. Looking up at Kas he had his eyes shut, at first, she thought it was from the fear of falling, but then she realised he was concentrating hard on getting them down the mountain safely.

Wrapping her arms around his shoulders she held on tightly as they raced past giant boulders and avoided the open windows. The ground grew closer at an alarming rate, burying her face into his shoulder she braced herself for the impact.

They were jerked to a stop. Prising herself from Kas's embrace she looked around. They were hanging about half a meter from the ground, the branches from around the legs slowly unwrapping themselves, leaving them hanging from a branch that had snaked around their waist.

"Oh Elementi." Eboni sighed as she realised they had not plummeted to their death.

Kas chuckled his eyes bright with excitement.

"You didn't trust me?" He asked his tone mischievous.

"It's not that I didn't trust you, I just- Um, I didn't-"

"Trust me." Kas finished her sentence for her. "That's a shame, it really is, considering we are still dangling from the floor."

"I don't understand?" Eboni said, unwrapping her arms from his shoulders she leaned back so she could see him properly.

Grinning he raised a hand and flicked his wrist. The branch holding Eboni's in the air loosened its hold and she fell to the floor with a small thump.

"Ow! Kas!" She said angrily, looking up and glaring at him, the branch was lowering him down slowly until he was stood by her side, reaching down he picked her up off of the floor, dusted her down and pulled the hood of her cloak back up.

"You didn't trust me." He said matter of factly as he did the same to himself.

Without waiting for a reply, he took her hand and pulled her down a ragged path that circled the mountain.

They made their way in silence towards the city, looking out for guards on their way not wanting to start to contemplate what might happen if they were caught sneaking through her city without the Empress's permission.

Together they wound their way through the city's streets, stopping to smell spices and watch street performers. Even though the hour was late and the second sun had disappeared the city was still light and vibrant, the sky a mottled orange and purple.

Eboni was wondering how the sky stayed such beautiful colours when other lands skies turned to darkness when the second sun set when a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Whirling around Eboni came face to face with an old lady, her hair grey with streaks of gold, eyes wide as she stood and stared, her face covered by a red and gold cloak, pinned across her face to show only her eyes. She looked first at Eboni and then at Kas as he hugged Eboni to his chest.

"What do you want?" Kas said, his eyes narrowing, his tone hard and unforgiving.

The grip of the old lady's hand on her wrist tightened before loosening off all together. She looked around nervously before coming closer to them.

"You are not safe here, chosen ones. Come, I need to speak with you." She tugged Eboni's wrist and with another nervous look around the lady disappeared down an alley way.

"She knows who we are?" Kas said staring after her.

"Come on, let's see what she knows." Eboni pulled a reluctant Kas along behind her as they followed the direction the lady had gone.

"What if it's a trap?" Kas whispered as the alley way grew narrower.

"No one knows we are here, if they did I am sure that the Empress would have sent their guards." Eboni replied.

The old lady was waiting for them outside an old battered wooden door, as they approached she looked around before opening it and ushering them through.

Eboni had expected the door to reflect what was on the inside, but she couldn't be more wrong. Inside was a large hall ornately decorated with statues, paintings and pottery lining the walls between the many doorways leading off in all directions. Red and gold filled her vision, the walls colours swirling together into intricate patterns.

She watched as another cloaked woman entered the hallway from one of the open rooms off the side, her eyes lighting up as she saw them, but turning away under the gaze of their guide.

They followed silently, entering a courtyard. A small fountain sat in the middle, water trickling delicately from the centre. Six stone arches circling the centre, more cloaked figures appearing and disappearing.

Eboni gazed in wonder, their hoods made of red sheer fabric, with gold threading creating patterns that caught the light. On closer inspection, she noticed that each of the women did not have their faces covered, instead, they had the same lines and symbols that were inked on Kas's back.

"Where are we?" Kas asked their guide as she led them across the courtyard and down another hall, stopping at the opening to a room with a small low table in the middle surrounded by four chairs.

"Welcome to the House of Elementi." She finally answered, turning to them as they entered. With a flourish, she unhooked the piece of fabric that was covering her face, the same markings as they others decorating her skin.

"The House of Elementi?" Eboni asked.

"We are his daughters and servants. We respect his creation and work hard at keeping the world balanced. As with all things, they depend upon the equilibrium of Water, Earth, Fire, Water, Spirit and Darkness." She pointed as she said each element, to the respective symbol on her face. "But I do not have to tell you this, do I Warrior Kas?"

Kas nodded slowly, accepting the woman's explanation. "Who are you?"

"I am Frey- a Seer, my child. As is every other person in this house. We are bound to the Empress by out God Elementi, to serve and foresee dangers. I saw you arrive- but I do not see you leave." She motioned for them to sit down at the table.

"What is a Seer?" Eboni asked staring at her incredulously, in all her time studying this land she had not come across the term once.

"A Seer is someone who was gifted the power of either the past, present or future. I am a future Seer.

"What have you seen?" Eboni asked, her heart pumping through her chest as Frey's words echoed through her chest.

"I only see omens, but I have been having visions of you both for a very long time. What has come to pass and what is yet to come." She smiled as she looked between them both.

"I don't understand." Kas said, clenching his fists. Eboni laid her hand over his and he started to relax.

"Tell us everything you know, please." Eboni asked again.

"I have seen your journey to this land and the struggles along the way, but they are nothing compared to what is yet to come. The Darkness is here, it arrived many moons ago, and has poisoned the Empress's mind."

Kas stood quickly "We have to get to the others, they are in danger!" He grabbed Eboni's hand and tugged her to his side.

"They are in no danger." Frey said calmly, gesturing for them to have a seat again.

"How could you possibly know that?" Kas said, narrowing his eyes at her as Eboni took her seat again.

"I am sorry about your mother- Kas. Rest assured that she has found peace with your father and they will always look over you." Frey said softly, patting his hands as he slowly sat down to hear what she had to say.

Kas opened his mouth, before closing it, the words of reassurance about his mother's soul bringing him peace.

"They are not in danger? I do not understand." Kas said after putting together his thoughts.

"The Darkness cannot win unless all six of you are dead. There are only five of you right now. It would be easier for The Darkness to let you all do his work for him."

"There are only four of us right now- Myself, Eboni, my brother and the Princess." Kas said confused.

Frey looked between the two of them "You have not read the prophecy?"

"Yes, of course." Eboni replied, going through the prophecy in her mind.

"Then you will know that there are six on your quest- Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Spirit and Darkness." Frey said quoting the last part of the text.

"Darkness is not one of us." Kas growled.

Eboni sucked in a sharp breath. "Yes, he is," she said turning to Kas. "Bren is Darkness, isn't he?"

"He is." Frey replied, smiling softly.

"So- What do we do?" Kas said turning to Frey.

"You continue as though this conversation never happened. Only tell the others once you have left Admari, the Empress's soldiers will not follow you there. When you return, as a newly formed group you will be at your weakest- that is why The Darkness has chosen to strike you then, using the Empress and her army as puppets."

She paused, her eyes closing, her shoulder and head drooping to the table. Eboni and Kas looked on with wide eyes and bated breath.

"You have a choice to make." Frey continued. "You flee and train become the strongest you can be-but the people of Admari will be consumed by Darkness- or you stay and fight knowing that you may lose and doom the entire world to The Darkness."

Frey lifted her head and looked Eboni in the eyes.

"If we fight and we win- The Darkness loses an army and the people of Admari are set free from the curse about to consume them." She said, not breaking eye contact.

"You know the consequences. It is your decision to make." Frey turned to a large clock on the wall "You must leave, the feast is fast approaching and you will raise suspicion if you are late."

They stood and followed Frey back through the hall, across the courtyard and to the small battered door in silence, the gravity of the information sinking into their minds.

"Good luck, I shall help you as much as I can. But I see I am not long for this world now." Frey said ushering them through the old door and out into the alley way.

"Be safe." Eboni whispered to her before Kas nodded in thanks and grabbed her hand.

Lifting their hoods, they slipped out of the building and into the night, winding their way wound back through the city streets, through the markets and around the buildings leading to the base of the mountain.

Keeping their heads low and concealed by the hoods of their cloaks they reached the path that wrapped around the base of the mountain and climb onto a stump that had newly grown out of the ground.

"Hang on tight, I'm going to go fast, we are late." Kas said, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Wrapping her arms around Kas's shoulders she hugged him tight as the branches snaked around theirs legs.

"I trust you."