"Daddy!" Princess Iasa sobbed, snapping out of her daze. "You said I was the only special one, you said only I had power! Why does this bitch have one too? I mean she's hardly worthy of it, look at her- she's a peasant. Just look at her awful clothes and awful hair. Daddy! -" she sulked before dry sobbing again.

"Enough!" The High Priest shouted, stopping a now glaring Princess from continuing her hateful speech.

"What is the meaning of this?" bellowed the King, standing and moving to his daughter.

Holding her head high Ebony met the narrow gaze of the King who was slowly starting to turn beetroot red. Following the High Priestess, Bren stood and walked to her side, Eboni sent him a reassuring smile, thankful for his support especially in front of the King.

"You will lower your voice King Gregor." High Priestess Elena hissed "Follow me" she turned on her heal and lead the King and the Princess out of the temple. High Priest Jon followed motioning for Eboni and Bren to join them. Two soldiers also stood and followed their King.

Together the group made their way to the Library. Closing the door, Eboni sat at the table next to Bren who in turn was sat next to the High Priestess. King Gregor paced the floor next to the small fire wringing his hands, while the two soldiers stood protectively and rigid at the door

The Princess was stood in the middle of the floor, silently glaring at Eboni.

"How dare you make a mockery of my daughter?" The King sneered rounding on Eboni, his face contorted in anger.

"Sit down Gregor- You too Iasa" The High Priestess sighed tapping the table to get their attention.

"It's Princess Iasa you." The Princess snarled

Everyone stared open mouthed at the Princess, she had just insulted the High Priestess openly and yet the Priestess still looked calm and collected.

"No Iasa, on this land everyone is equal. There are no titles or amount of money that makes someone more important, only myself and High Priest Jon have titles. Our titles were given to us by our God, so sit down and show some respect." High Priestess Elena ordered.

After a moment of deliberation the Princess slowly sat in the chair opposite Elena.

"Iasa, embodiment of Fire. Meet Eboni, embodiment of Spirit. You are two elements of five."

"Five!" Princess Iasa groaned

Seriously? There are only five of us and she's still annoyed that she isn't special enough? Eboni tried very hard not to roll her eyes.

"King Gregor, join us please. There is much that needs to be discussed." High Priest Jon said, as Eboni and Bren both sat at the table.

He nodded sullenly, sitting at the head of the table looking between his daughter and High Priest Jon.

"I will get right to the point, Gregor. You have heard of the Prophecy our creator wrote before he left this world?" High Priestess Elena said.

Eboni watched as King Gregor visibly paled. His righteousness posture deflating as he slumped back into the chair.

"I have." He replied.

"Then you will know why we are here, and what your daughter and Sister Eboni meeting means." High Priestess Elena reached into her robes and pulled out the old scroll, placing it on the table in front of the king.

"I had my suspicions when she first began to show her element, but I never thought this day would actually come. I thought the prophecy was just an old story." He replied, his eyes scanning the scroll sadly.

"Does someone want to explain what is going on?" The Princess said, snatching the scroll from her father.

"That scroll is by our Creators hand, Iasa. Treat it with some respect." The High Priest scolded, receiving a glare in reply.

"What is this? It doesn't even make any sense." Iasa said, reading the scroll again.

"It is a prophecy, Princess. Foretelling the rising of the Darkness. You are one element of five, and together you are the only people who have the power to stop it."

"I thought the Darkness was gone? Who is there to fight?" She asked, sliding the scroll back across the table to her father.

"The Darkness is- was- simply dormant. Waiting. Showing off your power will not have helped. They are waiting for the prophecy to begin as much as we are." High Priest Jon said.

"The elements are not together yet. You are weak. The two of you cannot stop what is coming alone, we must find the others." High Priestess Elena said.

"Then we find the others." King Gregor said, pulling himself up in his chair, a look of determination settling on his face.

Eboni looked over to Iasa, who was sat silently, watching. Eboni couldn't help but feel unnerved. The Princess seemed to be taking the news very well. No fear and no questions.

"Orlan." King Gregor said, standing from his chair to look over at the two soldiers guarding the door.

The taller of the two soldiers walked forward slowly, his gaze intimidating as he looked around the table.

"You have been listening?" The King asked.

"I have." Orlan's voice was deep and gravelly, small scars on his cheeks becoming defined as he talked.

"The Princess is not allowed to be alone. Not anymore."

"What?!" The Princess whined, her eyes fixing once more into a glare.

"Understood." Orlan replied, going to stand behind the Princess's chair. His hand settling on a sword that hung from his belt.

"Why?" Iasa asked.

King Gregor sighed, not giving his daughter a response.

"I want to go home. I want to go home now!" Iasa said, her fist slamming down onto the table.

Eboni looked back and forth between the Princess, the King and High Priestess Elena, who was looking less than pleased with the Princess.

"The Darkness is coming Iasa. You are a part of a team not whether you like it or not. You must learn how to properly control your power. Eboni has been training since her power manifested, she has near perfect control. It is why I am also suggesting that you stay here, so you can develop your power properly and safely."

"No! I'm not staying here." Iasa pouted to her father.

"Are you absolutely certain? This could all be one huge mistake." King Gregor asked pulling nervously at his collar while ignoring his daughter.

"The prophecy has begun." High Priest Jon nodded.

"Then my darling daughter we have no choice." The King smiled sadly.

"But why!?" Iasa wined.

"Your father has been very foolish, showing you off. There are people who want to hurt you Iasa and I fear it is but a matter of time before they find out where you are, if they have not done so already." High Priestess Elena explained softly

"The Prophecy foretells the coming of Darkness, and Darkness is not something even you can run from my daughter." The King said realising Iasa still hadn't grasped the danger of the situation.

"Daddy?" Iasa dry sobbed, seemingly confused by her father's seeming betrayal.

"I am sorry Iasa, my decision is final. Orlan will stay with you for your protection when I leave."

The King stood "I have a lot to think about. This has implications from my country and my people too. We have had a long journey and terrible news. Come Iasa, we will all talk more tomorrow."

As they left the library, Eboni and Bren stood with the High Priest and Priestess, Iasa glaring at Eboni as she followed her father.

Once they were out of the library they sat down once more.

"Well, she seems nice." Bren scoffed trying to lighten the mood.

"Go to bed, the both of you. An early night will do you good. We will call on you tomorrow." High Priest Jon instructed with a weary sigh, ignoring Bren's quip.

"Good night my children" Elena smiled as they left.

Once outside they wrapped their cloaks tightly around their bodies, protecting themselves from the bitter evening wind that had sprung up in the past hour.

"Don't worry, I'm sure the Princess will change after being away from her father after a while." Bren said smiling softly as they walked to their dorms.

"She is one of five, we will all have to work together and something tells me she isn't a team player." Eboni replied.

Bren pulled her into a hug as they reached the doors to the dorms. Eboni sighed in his comforting hold.

"She'll have no choice. The prophecy has begun, get some sleep Eboni, I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Bren." Eboni sighed again before she made her way to her room.