Note: I've been busy lately so updates may be slow. Sorry!

Let me get one thing straight: I've never been the type of girl to write about my feelings and garbage like that. The only reason I'm writing this is because Navila is making me keep a record of my life. I guess it makes sense, but if it was my choice I'd be out of this stupid place. I've been in the camp for two years, and why would the war stop solely for my benefit? Both sides are determined to win.

However, I must have faith in the Alendrian Army. After all, they are fighting for my life. I do wish I had less responsibility, but as the last remaining relic of Zodius, I'm our only hope against the Dark Fighters. I already lost my family to them and I refuse to lose the only thing I have left: Myself.

For the sake of history, and anyone in the future who may be reading this, I suppose I should describe how this all began. How I was pulled from my peaceful life and thrown into the war. How I was the key to forming an alliance. And most importantly, how I ended up meeting... Well, you'll see.

It started when the storm came. I was with my sister Janet when it happened. We were supposed to be weaving baskets, but Janet was too persuasive for her own good, and somehow got me to agree to go to the park. I was sitting on the bench listening to her.

"Come on, Alina! Push me on the swing!"

I rolled my eyes

"Janet, you're 10. You're old enough to push yourself."

She huffed and began swinging. I sat down and sniffed my hand. It still smelled of pumpkins, from when I was baking with my mother. When I lowered it, I could smell the salty scent of the ocean surrounding Alendria. I squinted into the horizon and saw a faint mass of land. The island of Curipe. The two islands are in a constant argument over resources and dad spends most of his time with the council to try and figure things out.

Above the ocean between us and our enemy, a wind began to brew. I first noticed it when a faint howling noise reached my ears, and soon after that I saw the dark mass of storm clouds approaching us. I took Janet's hand and started walking home, ignoring her cries of protest.

"Alina! Let go!"

She yanked her hand from my grip and I scowled. She glared at me but her eyes soon widened.

"Alina... Above you."

I looked up and saw something I hoped to never see. A huge storm was right above our heads, and it cast darkness over the island. I grabbed Janet and broke into a sprint. Branches from the sides of the overgrown path scraped my legs, and I regretted not wearing a longer skirt. I shoved leafs from my path and soon made it home, panting heavily. Janet was shaking and I got her inside.

"Mom?" I called quickly. When there was no reply, my heart skipped a beat.

"Mom!" I ran to her room and saw her with a bow and arrow.

"Alina, my dear girl." She kissed me gently.

"Listen to me. No matter what sort of things happen during the storm, don't be foolish. I'm trusting you to keep Janet safe."

I nodded quickly. Who was I to disobey my mother in such a time? I got a knife from the kitchen and went to get Janet, leading her to the cellar. She was shaking.

"I don't like it here. It's cold and dusty and I think I hear a rat."

I pressed a finger to her lips.

"Shh, Janet. Just pretend we are princesses locked in a tower up high, and we're waiting for a prince to rescue us."

I lit a candle and a flickering circle of light surrounded us. I saw Janet cross her arms with a pout. Her light brown hair and big hazel eyes made her look so innocent in comparison with the frown.

"I can rescue myself."

"I know you can, but if you do you won't meet Prince Charming."
She giggled, teeth chattering slightly. I quickly got an old quilt from a storage bin and wrapped it around her. She curled into it and I started making a little shelter. I got a table that had broken and leaned it sideways. Barrels were sturdy enough to make walls and an old bedsheet spread over the top formed a sagging roof. But it helped keep the warmth in, and Janet was happy.

"A fort!" She exclaimed with a smile. I nodded, trying to share her enthusiasm. But when I did, a snap was heard. Then another. I pulled Janet close to me and prayed that everything would be okay. Janet was poking my side to make sure I was okay and I snapped.

"For the love of Cyana, quit it, Janet."

She stopped and shook a bit.

"Sis, what's going on?"

I looked at her and ran my fingers through her hair, helping her to relax.

"There's a very bad storm, we need to stay here to be safe."

"What about mommy? And daddy?"

"Mom and Dad..." I paused, not knowing what to say.

"They can take care of themselves."

Janet nodded and I felt as if I had lied. Although I had plenty of trust in my parents, I wasn't sure if they could survive a storm like that out in the open. I wasn't sure anyone could. Surely Cyana would stop it, right? Surely Alendria's main goddess could stop it. After all she did many things similar in the past, if I remember correctly. And if by some chance she couldn't, maybe Leron, the god of war, could. Or Runare, god of stealth. In any case, someone had to be able to stop it. I kept telling myself that until I believed it. Someone had to stop it eventually.

Lost in thought, I almost didn't see the shadow on the wall until Janet screamed. I grabbed the knife I had gotten earlier and stood up, shaking. I helped Janet hide in a barrel and pressed a finger to her lips. Stay quiet. I tiptoed out slowly, and when I heard a creak I turned around quickly, heart pounding. Nothing was there but an old box.

To my left was a crate of bottles and I grabbed one. Inside was just a little bit of alcohol. My dad always kept the bottles and I didn't quite know why, but at least I had a use for them. I knew what happened when fire and alcohol met, so I grabbed a match and lit it. I put it in the bottle and flames erupted from it as I threw the thing across the room. It broke, and I cursed quietly. Of course that wouldn't be enough for an explosion. I was getting another one when I heard the same creaking noise again and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

Something was in the cellar with us. I felt a presence behind me and slowly, slowly turned. I jumped when I saw something there.

"Janet! Don't scare me!"

To my surprise she pointed a sharp stick at me.

"Who are you?!" She shouted. I flinched as the sound echoed.

"Janet, it's me, Alina!" I put my hands up slowly.

"No you're not." She said through gritted teeth.

"Alina just gave me this stick to-"

I cut off her sentence as I lunged for the shape behind her. I plunged my knife into it and it vanished into scraps of shadows.

"W-what was that?"

It seem Janet realized I was truly Alina. Upon realizing so she grabbed my arm and refused to let go.

"Janet, it's gone. I'm not certain but it seemed to be a m-monster of some kind... Hey, let's find Mom, okay?" I knew since I was older I should stay calm and be a good example, but my heart was racing in my chest and my 15 year old brain was filled with thoughts. I blew my bangs from my eyes and sighed.

"Come on." I took her hand and gently led her up the stairs. I blinked in the bright light and Janet coughed. When my eyes adjusted, I was gazing upon a wreckage.

"I guess the storm passed." Janet said in a timid voice.

"Yeah. Come on, quickly. Watch your step."

I led Janet outside and up a pile of broken stones. Cries of people could be heard and I looked at Janet.

"We should make our way to the palace, where Mom told us to go if there was an emergency."

Janet simply nodded and her eyes were filled with water. I gave her a hug.

"It will be okay. I'll keep you safe."

"Alright."

I walked with her to the edge of town, where a large field showed signs of a battle. There was no blood, simply torn up grass. Janet knelt and pulled up a clump.

"Come on, Janet."

She let it fall down as she stood up. We walked until we came across the forest.

"Alina, I'm scared."

So was I, but I wasn't about to admit it.

"It will be fine. It's only some trees."

Janet gripped my hand tightly and took a few steps. We walked forward and were quickly surrounded by trees.

Mother, I will find you.