I pulled out a map. I could see the enchanted forest, in all it's glory. Great, just great. I think to myself. One of the reasons the Finding is such a big deal around here is because the High Council can then determine who will graduate and what job they are most fit for. The Elven Council is our main council. It's like the biggest council here. See, each realm is a little different. For example,the realm of Hylla (Hylla is my home realm, in other words the Elven realm) has around 5 councils. That's techinically not a lot, but since the 5 regions are so large, the number of Council members is extremely large. The High Council is like the superior to all the rest. It's located in the Capitol city of Lavernia. Anyway, the Finding is a large series of tests, the main objective is to get one of the fake relics stashed around the forest. As soon as you touch the relic, a transporting spell takes you back to Town Central. It's not too harsh,but you do have to have quick reflexes and sharp wits, two qualities an elf should have mastered. Right now i'm hanging upside-down on a thick branch with my knees securely wrapped around it.

Not too comfortable,if I do say so myself.

I see a shadow and hear sounds of footsteps approaching, extremely soft footsteps. Using my feet as a hold,I swing upwards into a sitting position. The mystery person comes into view. Skylar, of course. I'd know that unique shock of neon green hair anywhere.

"Watcha' doing?" I say loudly. She visibly jumps. And then looks up. And then kills me with her death glare. "Are you trying to get killed, Brandon?" She says,obviously furious I'd managed to sneak up on her. 'Nope," I start,popping the p just to annoy her." But you might, considering how little it took to scare you."

"I wasn't scared, just surprised,is all." Skylar muttered.

"Uh huh, sure." I retort,not believing a word. I'm pretty sure it always got under her skin when I sneaked up on her. which was pretty much every other day. "So Velvet Feet, is a relic stuck in a tree knothole, cause I can see no other reason for you to be hanging on that branch. Except of course what I already know to be true." I look at her with a twitch of a smile." and what would that be." Skylar just shrugged and said "You have brain damage, of course."

I swing over to the next branch."Yeah ok, bye Rudeface,see you at the Town Centre." And with that satisfying comment, I disappear into the thick foliage of leaves. I scan my surroundings, looking for anything unusual. Trees,trees,and a tiger. I stiffened my muscles, ready to move on when..wait a tiger? I looked again,just to make sure. Yup, definitely a tiger. And by the look of it, it had the relic in its mouth.

Gross.

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So...yeah. I know this chapter is different then what it looked like in the beginning, but I decided to drag out the Finding a little bit more, just so you can see a little more in-depth what it's like. Also I'm remaking this book so,yay!

Have a cookie. Seriously.

-StarShiner