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A gentle gust blew across an open meadow, the grasses swaying with lazy ease in the breeze. All seemed calm despite the impending circumstances. Simply the calm before the storm that was soon to be upon them.
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          Hooded figures emerged from various points of a densely wooded forest, which spanned around a large meadow the size of a small kingdom. The forest bred trees that grew twice as tall as a normal oak, with branches that stretched up endlessly. Their leaves created a canopy of darkness over the forest floor. Little grew amongst the great giants roots except a special species of ivy known for it's deathly poison. It took around a week for it's symptoms to begin to show, but by that time it was nearly incurable. The only other foliage that grew in the forest was a breed of glowing mushrooms with tall stalks with illuminated caps of various colors. To the north  of the forest a large rocky mountain stretched into the sky. It held many jagged peaks and precarious cliffs and pathways. Many knew it as the 'Impassible Peaks' for it's freezing temperatures and harsh terrain. There was only one known way over the peaks, and that path wasn't much better than the rest that littered the mountain. It's twisted path traced it's way to the very peak of the mountain, where the temperatures reached far below freezing. The path down to the other side was much less perilous, but it was riddled with pitfalls and crevices, although they could easily be avoided if one payed careful attention.  Most sensible creatures traveled around the mountain.

          Then there was the meadow the size of a kingdom. It was known as the Lion's Meadow, for lions truly ruled the plains. Prides were spread across it's expanse, and it was very near impossible to cross it without stumbling across a lion. The grasses of the meadow crunched beneath the shoes of the seven figures as they proceeded forward.

          Their individual paths would lead them to the very center of Lions Meadow, which was devoid of grass. It was almost like a large dirt bullseye rested in the center of the meadow. One of them trailed behind, however. A pride of lions stood between them and their destination, but they where not alarmed. The pride began to stir from their slumber as the alarm was sounded among them, but the sole cloaked figure remained as they were.

         They waited for the lions to approach with a calculated patience, the ends of their lips curling upwards in the hints of a smile. The King led the way forward cautiously, as the cloaked figure did not seem to react to his approach. If they were not scared of him and his lions, then there must be a reason.

          It was then that the figure took action, as their arms shot out to their sides suddenly in one swift motion, palms outward as if to indicate to the beasts to pause. Surprisingly the great beasts did, and the hooded person's slender fingers gripped their black hood rimmed with a deep forest green and pulled it down.

            The figure was revealed to be a young woman with rich dark skin, almost like the rich soil of the earth itself. Her hair was short and was paler than the normal spectrum of blond. It was like the wheat that the earth bore, and the ends stirred slightly as the light breeze that drifted across the moor upped its ferocity. It whirled around her, her jet black robes blowing  against her form like a leaf in the wind, and her forest green cloak was almost torn from her shoulders despite the clasps that held it in place. "Hear me creatures of the moor, for I am among the Elem-Kin! I am Earth, and I hold the origin power of the earth itself, the ground upon which you walk and the seeking vines and tendrils of plants as they grow!" She declared, and the lions stilled.

          Minutes passed before the woman would receive a response that had been preordained since the beginning of the Elm-Kim. "Earth, supply us with the name gifted to you by the Crystal Gamma." The King spoke in the common tongue, his tone rich and rough, foreign to the language that he spoke.

           And she supplied what the King sought, "From sky above to earth below let my true Elem-name ring, for I am Earth Upon Which The Living Tread!" Earth's voice was rhythmical as she spoke, and she unflinchingly met the King's amber gaze.

            The King bowed, lowering himself to the grass, in which his pridemates followed suit. Only some of the cubs did not, and they were swiftly forced to by their parents and or guardians. "We will spread the word through the plains that you are passing your judgement,  and that hard times are ahead. We will seek shelter in the cave on the foot of the unpassable peaks for the night, we will expect word for when to return." The mighty King said, before bellowing out an earthshaking roar that reached the farthest edges of the plains.

          It was as if a great migration was taking place, although Lions do not generally migrate. Their prides were temporarily forgotten as they grouped together and made their way north. The lions still held an aura of power even if they did heed to the Elem-Kin so easily.

          The rest of the hooded figures were waiting patiently for their fellow sister of the ways to join them in the center of the now empty meadow. "Must you always take pride in your dramatics?" A clearly masculine voice asked. Their black hood was rimmed with a bold cardinal yellow, and the cloak that was clasped to his shoulders was of the same bold color.

          Earth fluttered her thick lashes with a lazy smile playing on her lips, "Honey when you've been alive as long as I have you end up finding excitement in the little things in life." She retorted smoothly. Her eyes were a vivid green and they simply sparkled mischievously.

          "I have been around for only a few years less than you." He grumbled irritably, "Actions that serve no purpose have no reason. Reason is our way of living." He stated knowingly, which served to test a different member of their groups patience.

          "Will you refrain from acting like a spoiled child?" A distinctively feminine voice snapped. Her sole eye was narrowed in a fiercesome glare from beneath her hood, which was rimmed with an icy blue. It was the color of steel, and there was a harsh and unforgiving temperament about her gaze.

She held no pity for her brother* as she observed the faint tremble that his fear inflicted upon him, "Earth has always had her ways, Lightning. It would not do for you to discourage her from being herself. Now let us get this meeting underway." She said.

Lightening, the male with yellow accents to his black robe, scoffed angrily. "You dare to defy our commandments, Ice That Traps The Water?" He demanded. There was a certain gleam in his hazel eyes that simply begged for trouble.

          Unfortunately for him he wasn't going to receive any, "The delicate nature of what we must discuss is fair grounds to address each other by name, brother, and you did just address Ice by her full name. Are you truly that quick to anger?" Yet another of the Elem-Kin replied. His voice was rather soothing, although not in a parental sense. It was somewhat like the sea with it's temperamental spirit.

          Their hot tempered ally bit back a sharp response, "Don't act so smug about it...Rain." Lightning growled irritably.

          "Smug? Was I truly acting smug?" Rain inquired curiously as he lowered his own hood, which was rimmed with a deep blue. Lightning chose to not reply, and Rain let the conversation fall into silence.

          Of course it didn't remain silent for terribly long, as a young woman that appeared to be just barely out of her teens cleared her throat meaningfully. Her hood was rimmed with a light blue, and her features were soft and easy on the eye. "Has anyone seen Air? I'm beginning to grow worried for her." She tentatively asked whilst she brushed a particularly long bang out of her face. Her dirty blond hair was relatively short and didn't even brush her shoulders, while her eyes were the clearest of blue.

          She squared her shoulders when Lightning took a step towards her, and attempted to appeared firm and bold despite her small stature. "Your sister is not one of us you fool, she is now among the forgotten! Her name a disgrace to the Elem-Kin and what we stand for." He spat senselessly, and he welcomed the challenging gleam in her eyes.

          "Wind..." A particularly calm male voice warned the angry female, and her blue eyes met his calm grey-blue gaze. "Come, sister." He urged.

          At first Wind didn't move towards him, but she eventually gave in and silently crossed over to him. He was a male with unkept scruffy jet black hair and calm grey-blue eyes. The rim of his hood, along with the base color of his cloak, was cyan. "I just want her to return, Water." She murmured, and Water silently comforted her.

         Before Lightning had a chance to say anything else insensitive, a well muscled as well as tanned arm barred his path forward. "That is quite enough, don't you think? We have more important things to discuss after all." The unannounced figure pointed out. His voice was rich and comforting, and the unannounced male promptly pulled his crimson red rimmed hood down.

          "Flame..." Lightning grumbled half-heartedly, but he took the point and backed down. Flame ran a hand through his long red hair, and released it from the messy ponytail that had contained it. His hair was pretty much a replica of a fire, and not merely ginger.

          The night air grew heavy as the Elem-Kin finally settled down. Tonight was the night of judgement, and the night in which they would cast the future's die.

          It was as if the world stilled when Ice first held out her hands to each side, and her brothers and sisters of the ways followed suit. They took each other hand in hand, and Ice prepared to speak.

          Her words burst forth with such power that the ground beneath them shook, "From the fridged Artic to the frosty gale let my true Elem-name ring, for I am Ice That Traps The Water. By the will of the Crystal Gamma we seek to hold judgement upon a sister forgotten to us by the wishes of our Sacred Commandments." Ice proclaimed to the stillness of the night.

          She could hear the hums of conformation rise from her brothers and sisters, and her heart swelled with pride. Their ways may have been twisted into something unsatisfying over the years-but this bond that they all shared with the elements...It was a bond that would never be broken.

          As one they broke the circle and let their hands fall to their sides. Their cry had erected a soundproof barrier that would allow them to carry out their rites undisturbed. Ice then raised a hand to her left eye, which was covered by white bandages, and she slowly began to unravel them."We have all gathered in this den of lions to decide the fate of our sister known as Air That Chases Wind. We must decide weither we shall allow her to be amongst us or cast her out." Ice announced, and looked to the others, "What say you all?" She prompted.

"Why is this even a question? By the decree of our commandments the forgotten one is to be cast out, and our commandments are what we have always lived by." Lightning stated dryly. A predator like gleam entered Wind's clear blue eyes and she moved to stalk towards the arrogant male, but Water was quick to get a firm grasp on her left wrist. He shook his head to tell her that it wouldn't be worth it, and she reluctantly backed down for the time being.

"I'm hesitant to agree with Lighting, but he makes a valid point." Flame admitted reluctantly, and flashed an apologetic smile in Wind's direction. "Our Sacred Commandments are to be followed. They're here for a reason, right? I don't wish to cast Air out to fend for herself, but these are the rules. We don't have to like it, but rules are rules." He reasoned.

          Ice sighed, "We didn't always have them you know. I'm sad to say that I was among the fools who created them-and that generation was particularly...Lacking in intelligence." She commented, and did not falter under the fierce glares she received for making such a comment. "When you've seen more than you ever should like Earth and I, then you have the right to make comments like that. Let a woman have her peace." She grumbled as she absentmindedly waved off their glares.

          Speaking of the earth loving woman, she appeared to be deep in thought, although at the mention of her name she perked up a bit. "Air should not be cast out. She is a vital piece to our family. If she were to become corrupted because of our foolish ways then who knows what will occur? We have no idea who could replace her, and there would be little time to find one." Earth reasoned.

          It hurt to listen to her brethren speaking of her sister in such a manner, but Wind lept at the practical viewpoint. "It's beneficial to allow my sister to stay among us. So those of you that have nothing but a cold lump where your heart should be would be wise to vote in favor of her staying." She stated quite bitterly.

The Elem-Kin put the decision up to vote, and there was a landslide in favor of Air that Chases the Wind staying, much to Wind's relief. This was not the only matter that was to be discussed however. "Our sister is no longer among the forgotten, then. Our Sacred Commandments shall be put to the side in her case-you shall seek her out tomorrow at first light, Wind." Ice instructed. The stoic female showed her first hint of warmth, and her mouth just barely curved upwards at the immense relief that Wind displayed.

          "What is to be done about the..." Flame began, but simply could not find it within himself to complete his question. This was a threat that had them all concerned, and it was not a matter that they discussed lightly.

          Lightning never brought such fear into conversation however, and so he gladly continued. "That Self-Proclaimed 'God' cannot be ignored any longer! We must take action while there is still time for our trials to be carried out, and there is not much time left. This is an undeniable fact." He stated firmly, and his words rung true. His brothers and sisters understood that a call must be sent, and a hero-their Champion, must be selected.

           "Are we certain that a single person can overcome this threat?" Rain inquired. He voiced the question that many of them were wondering, but none wished to answer. Their way was to select one hero, but in the face of such a threat did they have any other choice but to assemble a team of hero's?

          "That doesn't need a debate. This is the largest threat our world has seen since the dawn of time. We cannot afford to operate undermanned. We shall assemble a worthy team of hero's and put them through our trials. Tonight we plan, and tomorrow we act. Understood?" Ice explained in a rather authoritative tone-although this was commonplace for her. Her brothers and sisters silently agreed, and their council adjourned.

The night sky was truly beautiful that night, but beauty veils many things. Even hard truths that the world wishes to shy away from.

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