Eboni smiled up at the young boy jumping from one foot to the other, his hands twisting together, a nervous twitch or to release pent up energy she couldn't tell.

"Raus, why don't you sit down and join us?" She said, the others murmuring in agreement smiling and waving hello.

Iya flushed a darker shade of red than Eboni thought was humanly possible, and chuckled to herself as their new companion did the same when he looked at her.

"Welcome, water." Atu said, nodding a greeting, looking over the boy with a stern eye, a disapproving glint in his eye, though why, Eboni couldn't tell.

"So... this is really awesome." Raus said, his leg jumping up and down even as he was sitting down, crossed legged on the floor.

"This is it, we are all together now, finally we have a chance at defeating The Darkness" Iasa replied, looking around the group a broad smile growing on her lips.

"The Darkness?" Raus replied, his back becoming poker straight, eyebrows creasing in confusion.

"It is a tale we do not tell the children in the villages." Jolon answered, asking their silent question.

"Do not worry many of us were not told the tale either." Bren reassured Raus, nudging him with a smile.

"What is The Darkness? No one has actually explained what it is." Kimi piped up, leaning forward.

"It is something we all should fear. If it overcomes the light, the world as we know it will end." Jolon spoke, his voice low and foreboding.

"Well that explains everything dad, thanks." Kimi replied, rolling her eyes.

"The Darkness was born when our creator Elementi created the light. It has hidden in the shadows, creeping into the mind of people who let it in. The people of Tozaro were blinded by the pure beauty of their land, or so our legend goes. Darkness seeped into their souls, and now they do its bidding." Atu explained, his expression solemn.

"How do we come into it? Our powers?" Raus asked, transfixed on Atu.

"I think the prophecy explains that best." Eboni offered, Atu nodding in agreement.

Raus's eyes widened in "There is a prophecy? About us?"

"Dawn begins as Fire rises,

Joining with the spirit of light. This is when Darkness will come. That which holds the bond between brothers shall fall, Bringing all Elements together. Spirit, Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Darkness, one will fall."

The group sat in silent contemplation.

"I am Spirit." Eboni said, breaking the silence, wanting to introduce herself properly to their new ally's.

"I am Earth." Kas offered, giving her a small smile, her heart fluttering at the sight of it. She brushed the feeling off and looked over to Iasa, who rolled her eyes.

"I am Fire." Eboni couldn't help but chuckle as the Princess announced herself.

"And I am Wind." Atu said.

"Then that leaves me, Water." Raus grinned again, his hands almost clapping with excitement.

"Don't forget the Darkness, we shall make sure that it is the one to fall, as the prophecy says." Jolon growled, stopping Raus and quelling his enthusiasm.

"Well, not exactly." Iasa piped up, before she got a chance to correct him.

"Not exactly? What is that supposed to mean?" He scoffed.

"The prophecy included Darkness, but it does not refer to the Dark Ones." Kas replied, setting a hand on Jolon's shoulder.

Eboni felt Bren shuffle uncomfortably next to her. She rested a hand on his, hoping it would bring him comfort and reassurance.

"In this case, Darkness refers to one of our group. Brother Bren, servant of light, has Tozaro blood running through his veins." Kas said slowly, glancing over at Bren, then Eboni.

Bren squeezed her hand, waiting for someone to say something.

"What?" Kimi asked in disbelief, giving Bren a disgusted look.

"You are allies with someone who has dark blood? Are you out of your minds?" Jolon replied, jumping up resting one hand on his sword.

Everyone stood in one swift movement, Kas standing between them, no sign of a smile left on his lips.

"Brother Bren was written into the prophecy, and I have it on good authority Elementi meant for him to join our journey." He replied coolly.

"Release your hand from your sword, Jolon." Atu said, stepping forward to join his brother.

Kimi stepped forward, pointing a menacing finger towards Bren. "How can you trust him?"

"Because he had the opportunity to join them and he didn't." Atu replied calmly.

"And he has one of the purest hearts, and is the kindest person I have ever met." Iasa said, stepping in front of him too.

"And because he is my brother." Her breathing was laboured, ready for a fight. She had never been so ready to defend what she believed in before, but she was ready now.

"Stop it. All of you stop it!" Raus shouted out, the water from the small stream quivering as he stood and watched. "I trust him too."

"You have never met him." Jolon argued back.

"It doesn't matter. I trust these people, and I trust him." Raus stepped forward, looking Jolon in the eyes, daring him to say something else.

"You do?" Kimi replied, her eyes widening in shock.

"I do."

"Then I do too." Iya said, her voice floating from behind Jolon as she stepped out from behind him and smiled at them all.

"Your father will never allow you to travel with this group alone." Jolon replied, his hand finally falling away from his sword.

Kimi stepped forward. "Then he will not go alone."

"I am not letting you go." Jolon scoffed.

"I am grown now father, and you have taught me well. Raus will need a friend, someone to watch his back and you cannot well go with him while you are rallying our people." She reasoned.

"We are happy for her to join us." Iasa said, "Raus will need guidance with his power, like I did mine and a friendly face will help him with that. Plus, another sword and set of eyes won't do us any harm."

"Kimi, reconsider, please." Jolon whispered, stepping forward and grasping her hands in his. "I cannot lose you."

"I am going to be a part of this battle no matter what, at least let me be useful." She looked over at Raus. "Plus, I think it is the only way we can convince his father to let him go."

Raus paled at her words, his shoulders drooping, eyes growing sad as he looked over towards the cottage.

"He will never let me go." He whispered sadly.

"It is not up to him, Raus." Atu said, patting him on the shoulder.

Raus looked around the group, and after taking a deep sigh, he nodded his head.

"What is the plan then?"

"We cannot, in good conscience, let the innocent people of Admari succumb to the Darkness." Kas said, the others nodding in agreement.

"So, we return?" Iasa asked

"Yes, and we bring down the Empress. Let the people decide their own fate." Bren chipped in, his eyes looking past them into the horizon. Eboni knew he was remembering the feeling on the Darkness that Admari had brought onto him.

"No running. We save this world- all of it." Atu replied.

"And then what? Where is safe enough to go?" Kimi asked.

They stood in silent contemplation.

"We go to the Barren Land."

Eboni said, the words tumbling from her mouth before she realised what she had said.

"There is nothing there worth going to?" Iasa replied, looking at her like she had lost her mind... then again, perhaps she had.

"Not yet. But we are the elements of Elementi. Together we could build a land, the land that Elementi intended to be built."

"It's perfect. We could make sure we had the advantage then, when the time for battle does come. there is nothing more perfect than a battle field of our own design." Kimi replied, her eyes shining at the idea.

"Is it possible?" Jolon asked.

"Yes, I do not see why not." Kas replied, smiling over at Eboni admiration in his eyes.

"Then that is where I will send our troops. We will meet you there." Jolon said his voice now laced with determination.

"We have the space to train then too, properly unleash our powers, see what our full potential can unfold." Atu said.

"Oh, this is so exciting!" Raus said jumping from one foot to the other, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. "I can't wait to start!"