"Are you sure?" He stated, nervousness in his voice. He had been dreading the whole time.

Another boy nodded at him, "Of course. If not, then why would I want both of us to do this?"

"Ok," replied the boy. He looked into the mirror, and saw himself. He tried to put on a poker face, a pointless attempt. He hated his look. He was the epitome of a loser, he thought. Most people could pull off the glasses look. He failed miserably at it. His pimples made things worse, his braces giving the same effect. He was that nerd, cliché character in every story with a cool friend that had befriended him since his childhood.

His friend beside him laughed. "Don't be so afraid. I'm here with you. I'm just as nervous as you!"

The boy envied his friend, his bestfriend- really, his only friend.

He was the tall type with a lean muscle build. He was also a cliché character from a story: he was the boy that was oblivious to pretty girls liking him. He was smart, athletic, and had a smooth way of talking.

He's the main Character in this story, the boy thought, not me. I can never forget that.

The boy sighed then looked at his friend. "Once we do this, I'll be on the road to success! Thanks again for your help!"

His best friend looked surprised at his enthusiasm, then he let out a wide grin. He stuck out his fist for a bump. "That's the spirit!"

Hope awoke from the dream. She sat up to look around in her room. A tapestry hung over to the left side of her wall. It held the image of a large diamond, a person at it's center, flames at the corners of the diamond. She held her head, sighing. Sleep hadn't help her escape too much from the problems at hand. She thought it odd how she couldn't remember any of the faces in her dream, like a blur where there faces should have been.

She threw her legs over the bed and stood up. Now that she had an afternoon's nap, she could focus at the task at hand. She would have to convince her entire village not to kill Malachi.

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Malachi was surrounded by darkness. He was inside of a hut, a faint light shining in through the cracks of the walls.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

After being knocked unconscious by ninjas, he awoke to being tied to a chair.

His immediate thought had been about Hope. Was she ok? That was answered shortly. A man- most likely the one to strike him before- entered the hut and told him of what was to come.

Malachi was a threat to the entire island, until proven otherwise. He was going to be judged by the people come the afternoon. The elders would be present, but ultimately the Islanders were to choose his fate.

The man-ninja- told his name. It was Titus.

Titus was tall. His dark clothes wrapped around his body, tightly. It showed his muscles underneath. It made no point to Malachi. Why wear something so trivial, especially on an island? It proved no protection from the looks of it. Titus was around the age of 25 cycles. Cycles, their apparent measure of time. Malachi still wasn't sure how long that was.

"And what of Hope?" Malachi had asked.

Titus had only smirked. "Do you concern yourself with the gray girl? You truly concern me, as no one cares but you. That might be a sign of your danger."

Malachi gritted his teeth. He hadn't cared for his remarks of her skin color, just her well being.

Titus laughed, and assured him Hope was alive and well. He walked out of the hut, saying an intriguing thing.

"The elders have said that a visitor was to arrive soon. They also stated that something evil shall come as well. They never specified which one would be here first."

◇◇◇◇◇◇

Where's Agredon, he thought. Is he even real? No, he has to be. I remember him striking me... What happened to him after that?

Malachi heard his stomach rumble. He hadn't eaten since who knew when- well maybe Agredon knew.

His chest still ached and his face had swelled. It was on the scarred, burned side of his face.

I suppose it'll add to my already scathed-look, Malachi thought.

He laughed a little bit. He had no idea where he was- other than on the island he assumed. What made matters worse was the whole being thrown onto an island with no memories.

Lost memories, Malachi thought. That sounds... familiar.

"That cliché moment where the character with amnesia regains all of his memories," he said under his breath. Amnesia.

Titus came walking in. He had a grim look on his face. He still wore the same dark uniform from before- the only difference being his hood was down, exposing his face. He was tan, and his hair was silver.

"We are going to take you before the village now," Titus said harshly. "Royalty will be there. If you give me any reason to doubt your cooperation, I will end you."

Malachi nodded.

Titus studied him for another minute, then gave a gesture with his hand.

"You may untie him," he said looking past Malachi.

Malachi felt hands begin to untie his binds from the chair.

There is only one opening in this hut, Malachi thought. When did someone else have time to enter? Has he been been here watching me this whole time?

Malachi felt arms on either side of him, grabbing his arms and twisting them behind his back. They lifted him up.

There were two people behind me? He thought.

Titus walked forward and loosened the ropes tying his legs to the chair.

Titus threw the ropes to the side, then stepped off to the left. "You'll be escorted by theses two. They'll take you to the Elder's circle.

Malachi didn't say a word as they hauled him off.

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Hope stared at the elders. She stood before them in their conference room. All six of them sat on their dark red cushions, legs criss-crossed. Their seating arrangement made a half circle, facing towards the door to their room.

Hope was used to the uneasiness in the current situation. She felt their hollow stares. They all had long hair, longer than hers. Their eyes were a dark orange- versus her dark green eyes. Their hair was also silver, only growing on the sides, a majority of the center balding.

Their unique red robes had black sash around the waist. Their nails were long and cracked. It was a tradition to let their nails grow a few inches before they cut them no shorter than half an inch.

"Are you to stand on the boy's behalf?" An elder at the right end asked. His name was Lost. The oldest of the elders, he had the most power, thought they claimed to have equality. He was also the skinny elder of the group.

"Yes," Hope answered. "I believe he is the one to save this island from the evil that will soon come."

Lost nodded. "The evil will come, as will the one to interfere. We must not let our hope decide our course of decision. In the past, one came before as he did. He was of great kindness, assisting us in a time of great loss. But... we knew when of his coming, the evil we did not. How is it with this boy, we knew not his presence the day he arrived?"

"I knew of his arrival," Hope responded. Her look was as empty as the elders. "I waited for him to wake this presence ( Their word for day, presence of light) . He arrived last absence ( Opposite of presence ). He holds not his memories. His face is also mysteriously scarred. He's frail and far from the warrior I believe you sought. He may be lacking in strength, but his mind is what interest me."

Lost looked at the elder to his left, Kohn. "What are your thoughts, brother?"

Kohn let out an exhale through his nose. "What you suggest is intriguing. What grounds do have to speak these things?"

"None," Hope stated.

Kohn clasped his hands together in front of him. "We shall see if that will be enough to convince the Islanders."

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Malachi was led to a large platform sitting in the middle of a village. He over heard his escorts speaking of more than one village. From the sounds of it, there were about five or so.

There was a small set of steps leading to the platform. Malachi looked around and spotted a large crowd of people looking at him wide-eyed. A few gave worried looks at seeing him. All of the people there were tan-skinned, nothing strange about them.

Most of the women wore large, brown loose dresses that came to their knees. A small, white rope was wrapped around their waist. Their hair was long and well groomed. One thing that they all had in common was their beauty.

Malachi hadn't spotted a woman less than pretty.

The men were all slim and tan as well. Malachi noticed that the hair varied more in them. One of the men even had blue hair.

He had expected for everyone else to resemble Hope, but the only thing in common was their being human.

He had noticed other things that were different. There were no children to be seen, only full, grown adults.

His escorts took him to the middle of the platform- where a large pole protruded from the middle- and stood on either side of him.

Malachi look to the his left and saw- twenty yards away- a small tower built of the mysterious palm, pine tree- as was everything else on the island.

The top was large, also having a balcony. Half of the balcony was covered by a large palm leaf.

He noticed guards- ninjas- standing a the corners, then someone in the middle. It was a girl siting in a high decorated chair. Her skin was white, near pale, her hair golden. She was beautiful. Her yellow dress fit around her body perfectly. Her red eyes caught his attention the most.

Royalty, thought Malachi. That must be what Titus meant.

The girl caught Malachi's eye, then studied him for a moment. She then gave him him a wink, followed by a smile.

Malachi blushed and looked forward. What was that for?

He felt like this had happened before, seeing a pretty girl with power of importance notice him. But where?

An image flashed into his mind.

He was at a party, looking around nervously. Important, rich people were there, which made him feel nervous. What was he doing at at place like this?

A girl, unlike any other, with a beautiful face- yet cold expressions or none at all- was coming down a pair of large, spiraling stairs. She wore a beautiful dress, with the confident look of a ruler.

He was sure she was near his age. He also knew she wouldn't ever bother to look his way. There were others, actual suitors. He sighed and lowered his head. He was there to work anyway, serve and nothing more.

But at the last moment, she looked at him, even though he was behind the large crowd, and way in the back.

And he knew for sure as she looked away, barely a tenth of second's worth of eye contact. They - females, the nobles, and pretty much everyone- always did. But there was a faint movement at the end of her lips, whether it was a frown or a smile, he never knew.

Malachi snapped out of the memory and founds himself tied to the pole. His escorts had their swords out. One had their foot on his chest, yelling at him.

Malachi couldn't hear his words, only seeing the movement of his mouth.

He raised his sword and some of his words came through to Malachi.

"... something like that again and I won't think twice of killing you!"

His eyes were focused, his hand still, yet ready to strike at any moment.

"What-" but Malachi stopped the rest of his sentence. It was probably another cliché moment where he did something and didn't remember. Of course, the people wouldn't believe his account.

"I'll stop" Malachi said.

His escort- nearly his executioner- scowled. He took his foot off his chest, then sheathed his sword on his back. He spat, then hit Malachi across his face.

It stung, but Malachi wasn't paying attention to that.
He looked at the surrounding people. Many of them had looks of disgust, fear, and hatred. Whatever he had done; it did not appease the people.

What shall happen to me now? It is most certain that I will be judged as dangerous now. I - I can't die.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Malachi thought for sure he would be happy when he saw Hope, but that was not to be.

She look displeased as she was led to the platform. Instead of a group of ninja- like before- warrior type Islanders led her. They wore sleeveless, blue tunics that covered most of their chest, exposing their midsection. Their shorts came down to their upper knee. Everything on them was blue, even their hair. They wore leather sandals, instead of the boot type wear the ninja wore. The warrior group was definitely more intimadating than the ninja group.

A group of older people- whom Malachi supposed were the elders- followed behind. He stared a bit at their eyes. They were the only ones who resembled Hope.

Titus had also arrived, standing in front of the platform. He sent a glare towards the leader of the warriors.

The leader gave a smirk, never even looking at Titus.

The group stopped at the front of the platform. Hope was led up the stairs by the leader of the warriors and one elder.

They made their way in front of Malachi, their backs facing him, looking directly at the large crowd in front of them.

What will happen now? Malachi thought.

The elder spoke in a loud voice, surprising Malachi with his volume.

"Good to all of you this pre-absence!" He began. "We stand before you with a trial. All of you have seen this being behind us. He was found very early this presence."

There were murmurs, whispers in the crowd.

"All of you," said the elder, "have been told of the prophecy that is to come. A great evil shall descend upon our island, while a great good will come to confront it. This boy has come. It will be Hope's and a few others words that will convince you to accept this boy as that savior. Or, you shall decide if he is the very threat!"

Malachi stayed quiet. He had to put faith in a person who he had just met this morning, or presence.

The elder and the warrior stepped off to the side.

Hope turned to look at Malachi. She looked at his face on the left side.

She must have noticed the bruising, a somewhat concerned look on her face. She mouthed a word to Malachi.

Sorry.

She then faced the crowd, exhaling.

Her voice was clear and projected.

"How can this frail boy be the threat?" She asked. "As far as I can see, our very own kurrs have easily wounded him. I was with him this presence, as I knew of when his arrival was to be. Our threat in the past was merciless and killed swiftly and without thought. I believe him to the one to intervene."

There were nods in the crowd.

Titus made his way up to the platform, as it was his job to convince the people that Malachi was the new threat. He stopped at Hope's side.

He waited for Hope to finish, then stated his arguement.

"A frail boy," he said. "How is it that at frail boy can be our savior? I highly disagree. The enemy could easily be acting the part. The hero that came before was strong, and trusted from the very beginning. This boy on the other hand is at different story. Look upon the scar on his face. Does that look like a hero to you? My men reported that before I came, he violently lashed out. Would a savior of this island commit such things?"

A few nervous looks discouraged Malachi.
He realized his chance of freedom was slim.

What do I do if they deem me a threat?

Hope countered. "I say we put the charge of him with the Arns. They are more than capable of handling him, even should he be a threat. As for his outlash, would you not behave that way if your were treated the same? He knows not where he is, and barely who he is. I know he is the one to intervene. I sense we will have more say in the future's course. Will you let this opportunity slip by? Will you end it here? If he is the evil, what will become of the hero?"

Titus snickered. "We will be our own heroes this time. Believe me my kin, we shall take full control of the next great descent! We - the kurrs- have been preparing for it!"

More people seemd to agree with Titus.

Hope still remained relaxed.

She must have a plan of some sort, thought Malachi.

"So be it," Hope stated. "It seems most of you seem convinced by Titus' claim this quickly. I shall not argue anymore. It appears pointless."

Titus' eyes widened, then he snickered. He spread out his arms towards the crowd. "Do I have any objections towards the Kurrs' decision over the boy?"

"You have one." A voice stated from the platform. It was the leader of the warrior group. There was a silence. Titus had spun his head to the voice immediately.

Malachi saw Hope give the faintest attempt of a smile. Had she expected it?

Titus let his jaw go slack for a second, then clenched it in rage.
"Benjamin! I will not let you interrupt anything this time."

Benjamin crossed his arms. He gave a sideways grin. "I agree with Hope. He can be put in our care. He doesn't seem like a threat to me, especially since your group easily captured him."

Benjamin turned and walked towards Malachi.

Malachi realized how tall he was as he stopped in front of him. His chest was like a large barrel. His arms were thick and muscled, resembling the deep carvings found in a canyon.

"You've been quiet this whole time, boy. What is your name?" He asked.

"Malachi," he replied, unsure of what else to say.

"Malachi," Benjamin stated. "Titus here isn't exactly a people person. I, on the other hand, am all about judging a person on his or her actions. What do you say? Would you rather be in our care or Titus'?"

Malachi knew his next words would be important. But instead of sweetening them, he stated what was on his mind.

"I know not where I am and only part of my name. I would like to know about this other person that came before me."

He nodded. "Agree to come with me and all that shall be told."

"How dare you intervene in this matter, Benjamin!" Titus spat.

Benjamin looked over at the elder, Lost.

"Elder, my lord. Do I have your permission to abide by my actions?"

Lost was silent, the tension hanging in the air. The crowd went quiet.

Malachi noticed the girl of royalty was longer sitting down but standing up. Her eyes held the look of anticipation.

"Yes, I will allow your actions." Lost said.

There was a qouir of spontaneous murmurs following the elder's decison.

Titus gave a frustrated grunt, crossing his arms.

Benjamin walked near the edge of the platform, speaking to the crowd. "Do you agree to let me hold custody of this boy? Do you trust the Arns as you have before in the past or as we fight the dark beast? Do you so trust us this task as we have protected you several times before?"

"Yes!" A man yelled from the back. Soon many more followed.

"Without a doubt, Benjamin!"

"No need to ask us!"

"We have faith as we have in the past!"

Benjamin turned around and walked towards Malachi, a bigger grin on his face this time.

"Do you hear that, Malachi? They've already accepted you as I have!"

Malachi's heart ached at that very moment. He knew he should be happy. So why was he feeling this pain? Was it a sadness of some sort? Was it because those words or the current situation reminded him of something bad subconsciously?

Malachi looked around, seeing everyone's expression.

Titus was clearly enraged. The elder had an eerily satisfied look on his face. Hope was plain faced as ever, but didn't look worried as before.

At the top of the tower, the girl had a smile, her amusement clear.

But Benjamin's trusting look was the most compelling when it came when it came to friendliness.

"I agree to go with you," Malachi replied.

Benjamin responded by pulling out a dagger and cutting easily through the thick ropes that bound Malachi.

"You should thank Hope," Benjamin whispered to him. "She was able to convince me. Not quantity, but quality she said. Clever girl, that she is."

Malachi nodded and looked over at Hope. She was already making her way off the platform. She seemed to be the type to only do what was necessary and nothing more.

"It's time to get you ready for tomorrow," Benjamin said, waving over a boy about two or three years younger than Malachi. He had been in the back of the group that led Hope to the platform.

"Tomorrow?" Malachi asked.

"Terx shall lead you to the quarters for the youngling entry."

The boy called Terx made his way to Benjamin's side.

He was wiry, but fit enough. He stood right below Benjamin's shoulder. He looked to be around 12 or so. His hair was blue and spiked upwards naturally. The uniform he wore was a miniature version of Benjamin's.

"Terx," Benjamin said. "Would you escort this boy to the Youngling's entry? He's made it just in time for the next wave of Arns potentials."

Terx's eyes widened, but nodded and waved for Malachi to follow him.

Malachi gave a flabbergasted look.

"I know you have many questions, Malachi." Benajmin smiled. "All of it will be answered, but trust me and follow Terx for now."

Malachi nodded and went after Terx.

As he made his way off the stage, he was greeted by looks of curiosity from the villagers. He turned to look at Benjamin once more, and saw that he was arguing with Titus. He glanced up to to see the girl of royalty look at him. He thought she mouthed something to him, but wasn't sure. He looked for Hope, but saw no sign of her. It appeared she had already left.

Malachi decided to focus on the task at hand, trying to keep up with Terx. He was much faster than he had expected.

Terx kept leading them deeper into the forest away from the village.

For all I know, Malachi thought. Benjamin could have secretly ordered him to kill me out here. But that would be too un-cliché for this story. A book with only four chapters? What author would do that.

Malachi's head filled with thoughts, some much more irrelevant than others, until Terx had led him through an opening and out of the forest.

They were now on the beach, running along side the water. The sun was setting, the waves getting stronger. Tall brush was on the other side of the beach, running parallel with the water.

Terx slowed down to a jog.

"What is all this talk about a youngling's entry?" Malachi inquired, panting. He was tired from the run, yet Terx looked to be just fine. It was probably just a starting warmup for him.

Terx looked back, shaking his head. "I don't know what Benjamin is thinking. Most people prepare greatly for the youngling's entry. You have to pass a series of test to be even considered."

Malachi wondered how much more they had to jog. His legs were already tired.

"What is that? The youngling's entry?"

"It's a rite of passage," Terx said, looking ahead to see a small hut. "You have to go through that before you enter into the Arns' claim to title. After you finish that, you may become one of us."

"Are you an Arns?" Malachi asked.

"It's Arn," Terx said. "Arns is plural. And yes, I am an Arn. I'm the youngest in the history of Arns. It took me 180 whole skies to complete the ritual."

"A skies?" Malachi asked, "You'll have to forgive me. But what do you refer to when you say that?"

"Skies for us refers to one whole absence and presence."

"So a day," Malachi stated. "I have some knowledge of my past I guess. For instance, a year holds 365 days. A day is comprised of 24 hours. An hour is made up 60 minutes, while a minute is equal to 60 seconds."

Terx laughed. "That sure is different from our manner of time here. A cycle holds 248 skies, while a sky holds one absence and one presence."

"Aren't the days- I mean presences longer than the absences?" Malachi asked. "How about when the season changes?"

Terx shook his head. "Absences and presences always stay the same length. It never changes. Our method to measure it would be the-"

"Terx!" A voice half chimed, half yelled.

Malachi looked over and saw a girl come out from a thicket. She was a ninja from the looks of it and she was running towards Terx. He thought Titus' suit was tight, but this girl's suit was like like a second skin.

She seemed to be about the same age as Malachi, or somewhere in between him and Terx.

Her hood was down, her face cover off as well. Long, silver hair came out that lay against the middle of her back. Her skin was light compared to Terx's.

She was pretty, but every girl on the island was in Malachi's opinion. Her eyes were a deep ocean blue. Odd, that didn't seem to match. Her eyebrows looked thin, less hair than anybody else he had seen, and her lips were small.

Terx stopped his jog altogether, his look perplexed. "Ve-" He attempted to say, but the ninja girl had been there in an instant covering his mouth.

Malachi was shocked. How had she covered a distance of eighteen feet in less than a second.

"Shh!" She said, bringing her finger to her lips. "Don't say my name. I believe the other Kurrs are looking for me. I don't want them to know I came to see you."

Malachi had halted right behind Terx.

Terx peeled the girl's hand from his mouth.
"Veela, that's doesn't make sense. Don't you think they would recognize your voice shouting my name? That defeats the purpose of silencing me."

Veela backed away, putting her hands behind her. She gave a sheepish smile. "I suppose it does."

Terx made a hand motion to Malachi.

"This is Veela, Malachi."

"Hi," Malachi said awkwardly.

Veela gave a big grin, moving around Terx to get a better view. "Hi! I'm Veela."

"You probably saw when Benjamin ordered me to led Malachi here," Terx stated. "Were most of the Kurrs there, up in the trees?"

"Yeah..." Veela replied. She dug the toe of her boot into the sand. "I came when no one was looking. I made sure I wasn't followed."

"What's wrong with her meeting up with you?" Malachi asked.

Veela raised a brow. "I thought it would be obvious to even an outsider. The Kurrs and Arns don't exactly see eye to eye."

"Excuse Veela," Terx smirked. "She doesn't realize not everyone thinks like her."

Veela smacked his arm. "You don't gotta be rude. Besides, the Kurrs are talking about keeping a watchful eye on your friend here."

"He's not my friend." Terx said.

Malachi felt hurt at that, but didn't blame him. He was a complete stranger, though it was still terrible not having a friend.

Veela shook her head. "I can be your friend. You don't look dangerous to me, the way Titus was presenting you and all."

Malachi smiled weakly. "Thank you."

"So are you the new watchful eye?" Terx asked. "Because if you are, I don't think you were supposed to let me know."

Veela frowned and pushed him back. "I said I came to see you. It's been awhile."

Terx gave a lopsided smile. "It hasn't been that long. You don't have to be an older sister or a mother to me. Beatrix is already doing that."

Veela gave a scowl. "She's all you ever talk about now a days."

"Is Veela your sister?" Malachi asked.

They both looked at him, Terx grinning, and Veela deepening her scowl.

"No," Terx answered. "She's an old friend of mine, a long story, one I don't feel like explaining. Besides, I have to get you to that hut. I still have to report back to Benjamin."

Veela whined. "But I came all this way to see you!"

"I know. We don't get to see each other much. But still, I have my duties now."

Veela gave a sad face.

Terx sighed. "Fine, I'll meet you in three absences from now."

Veela smiled. "Okay, near that one tree we used to climb as kids!"

Terx nodded and Veela ran back towards the bush. She turned around mid-run and waved at Terx and Malachi before doing a large back flip into the brush.

Terx grinned after her. "I don't know what to do about her, honestly."

Malachi though he saw something else hidden deeply in that grin, but he decided it wasn't his place to say.

"Come on," Terx said walking towards the hut. "I still have alot to tell you."

"I believe so," Malachi said.

Hopefully I'll get some real answers, he thought.

And with that, they both made their way into the hut.

                        End Of Chapter

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