Past...

Six years ago, my grandmother brought me to one of her city council meetings. Being a kid, I didn't even care that going with her would mean sitting in a room with a bunch of old timers while they argued the difference between a speed hump and a speed bump. I didn't care that I would have to sit for hours with no company my age in a room with the air conditioning turned all the way up to popsicle. All I could think about was the journey that awaited me, the adventure that could be, and even though the city hall was less than six blocks away, it didn't ease my erratic excitement. When you're a kid even the shortest journey is like an expedition into the vast world beyond your backyard. My grandmother would always tell me stories of when she was a little girl growing up on the island of Grenada. My grandma or Nana as I fondly refer to her, was the sweetest lady on the planet. She'd always smell of lavender oil and her long, thick, kinky grey hair would always fall loosely round her face. She didn't believe in confiding her hair to the holds of hair bands and scrunchies. " Let it lose Nini like your heart. Let it flow where it wants to, do what it pleases" she'd say to me.

That day however, there weren't any stories. My Nana was stiff as board and her face, which was caked with wrinkles and smile lines, was expressionless. Occasionally I would catch her grey eyes staring down at me like she was lost deep in thought. The bus ride to city hall was uneventful and so to pass the time I counted the number of mail boxes I could spot. Suddenly my grandmother's hand squeezed mines and she spoke almost in a whisper,

"Nini I need you to listen carefully to what will be said at the meeting today. It concerns you."

"Aww, but grandma I want to play with my dolls. Your meetings are always boring."

"Child, you have no idea what's about to happen. I need you to pay attention and to understand. It is your destiny that's about to begin Nini, and you need to treat it with reverence. Your life and this world's survival depend on your actions. My role is almost at it's end."

I looked at her puzzled. Her eyes pierced mine like daggers.

"What's my destiny Nana?"

She stayed silent for a while and then spoke in an even quieter voice.

"You are the chosen one Niya."

I flinched. Grandma never uses my real name, not even when I'm in trouble.

The bus stopped and we got off. Standing before us was the stone building of the city hall. It's concrete walls were unpainted and on either side of its massive wooden doors stood two stone lions in mid roar, as if they had been petrified that way. As I braced myself to begin the climb up the long flight of steps, my grandmother changed direction and guided me down the street towards a shabby looking building. The red paint on the walls were peeling and the front door was literally hanging off its hinges. I turned to look back at the looming building of city hall and for a split second I thought I saw a blurry, dark figure standing near one of the statues. By the time my eyes focused themselves, it was gone.

Nana opened the door.. well it kind of was already opened since it couldn't really close either. The inside was a bit better than the outside. Its walls were a pale yellow and lined with shelves stacked full with books. "A bookstore" I remember muttering to myself. Every window housed a window seat with stripped cushions, while chairs and couches occupied most of the room's floor space. At the back of the room was a large, round, wooden table that was partially hidden by a drawn back curtain that ran from one end of the wall to the other. It really was a strange decorating choice. The store was quite empty except for a few teenage girls and a middle age man. The lady at the front desk who I assumed was the owner was organizing some books, but as soon as she looked up and saw my grandmother her face tensed and some type of message was passed between them. She quickly stood up and rushed over to the customers, telling them that they had to leave right now because the store was closing for a meeting. The girls left after paying for a few books, but the man just stood there with his hands in his pocket staring at the floor. The owner approached him again and he looked up startled as if he hadn't heard her the first time. That's when his eyes landed on me. They were dark and cold. His lips curled into a gruesome smile that exposed his yellow teeth. His body was tensing and he was now in a crouching position as if in any minute he would leap into the air and pounce on me like a tiger.

Quick as lightening my grandmother released my hand and pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. Adorned on her wrist was the most beautiful bracelet I'd ever seen. It was lined with five different color gemstones -red, pink, white, blue and green- all glowing like they radiated their own power. The structure that held them in place was gold with intricate carvings and shapes. At the sight of the bracelet the man recoiled and jumped back knocking into a chair. He glared at my grandmother and muttered something that sounded like an ancient language. He began making his way to the door. Suddenly, he stiffened and grabbed his head like it was on fire. His body doubled over and his face withered in agony as groans of discomfort escaped his lips. As abrupt as his behavior had begun, it came to an end. His face slipped into calmness and his eyes blinked rapidly as he stared around the room in shock.

"Where am I?" he asked. My grandmother looked at the shop owner and she quickly took the man by the arm and led him outside as she answered his questions.

By this time, my little brain was pulsing with questions, but as I opened my mouth to speak, grandma held up her palm and silenced me.

"It's not over yet child," she spoke and led me to the back of the room. Sitting around the table were four elderly people; two males and two females with stern faces. I almost did a double take. I was sure that when we first walked in here there was nobody sitting at the table and now it was occupied by old folks. There must be a back door.

"I assure you that there isn't a one Niya," One of them said. It was a woman with curly, black, grey streaked hair. I stared at her and she smiled. My expression must have been hilarious.

"How did you get in here?" I asked her.

"Speak when you're spoken to young lady," The grandpa on my left croaked "You can't just speak to a council elder just cause you feel like. There are protocols to follow. These young'uns I tell you no res-"

"Oh put a sock in it Adonis. The girl just got here," she answered.

The other woman next to her spoke, "Deborah did address her."

She then turned to me, "We transported here sweetie," she answered matter- of- factly, as if that should answer my question.

"Thank you Gladis. You just saved Adonis from receiving a much deserved head slap," Deborah replied.

"Now you be nice to the young lady Adonis or no pecan pie when we get home, you hear?"

"Yes woman." Adonis glared at me and then folded his arms over his chest like a child about to have a tantrum.

"Well then, if you all are finished arguing like five year olds, I'd like to start this evenings meeting," the man to the right of me said. He stood up and gazed down at me with his icy, blue eyes.

"Thora I assume you've told the girl what's about to happen to her?"

My grandmother bowed a little before him.

"Not exactly Leo,"

"So she still doesn't know then?" he asked her. Grandma didn't answer. Leo glowered at her, and then his gaze softened as their eyes met.

"I'll do it myself then."

He turned to me and for a split second his eyes didn't seem so cold, just guarded like he'd been dangerously hurt before.

"Young lady, today you will inherit your grandmother's duty and The Amarii. Your grandmother has protected you and this world all her life. Just as her grandmother did before her, it is time to continue the tradition, and hand down The Amarii to you. You are to pick up the mantle, and continue the lineage of mortal protectors."

I stared at him. I wanted to laugh. The way he talked about protecting the world was just crazy. Me? Saving the world? I could hardly protect my lunch from being stolen much less the whole planet. I glanced at my grandmother. She wasn't laughing. They were serious.. but all of this sounded so made up. And what exactly was The Amarii? Then it hit me.

"The Amarii is your bracelet Nana?" I turned to her.

"Give it to her Thora," Leo said. Grandma tapped the bracelet twice and the gems went dim. Gently, she took it off and placed it in my tiny hands. The metal was cold to the touch.

"This bracelet holds an incredible amount of power, enough so that even one of our own has made attempts to claim it. As tradition goes, you're next in line to preserve it and this world. However, I do fear that your turn will be the most dangerous. Luvan has been trying time and time again to assert ownership of The Amarii. His hate for mortals and even us has grown over the years to the point where none of us can approach him without being destroyed.. not even the one who loved him." Leo glanced at my grandmother and she turned away.

"I'm not sure if I can do this Nana-"

"Niya," Deborah called, "we know this is a lot for you to take in, but please make an effort to understand. Don't reject your destiny."

"She can't reject it. She hasn't a choice or say in the situation. The Codex has clearly prophesied that Thora's first born grandchild will wear the five and receive his or her's destiny as The White Glory; mortal protector. It's been twelve generations of handing down without hiccups and it will remain that way!" Adonis stated slamming his hands on the table.

"Adonis, her decision affects all of us. Her acceptance or rejection of her fate could decide whether or not this world lives or if Luvan's reign begins. We mustn't rush her," came Gladis' voice.

She turned to my grandmother, "I know you and those before you have accepted their fate at this age, but perhaps Niya needs some more time to adjust and rethink all that's been said."

"We don't have time Gladis you of all people know that. Thora isn't immortal it won't be long before Luvan himself or one of his creatures succeed in tearing her to-"

"No need for the reminder Adonis," grandma interrupted.

"Nini I'm sorry but Adonis is right, there isn't any time to wait. You need to accept and fulfill your destiny. This world depends on it," she whispered.

I looked her in the eyes and nodded.

"Alright Nana I accept."

Leo looked alarmed and knelt before me.

"Niya this is a big responsibility. It requires your full dedication and no distract-"

"I'm ready mister. I accept my destiny."

"But-"

Adonis spoke up, "You heard her Leo. Let her recite the ancient oath and be done with it. I've got some pecan pie to introduce to my stomach." He smiled but it wasn't a warm one.

Leo stood up, watched me over one more time and then waved his hand in front of him. Where the air displaced, words started forming before my eyes.

"Recite the following," he instructed, "And Niya, don't make me regret this. My gut says you're not ready. My gut is never wrong. I hope you truly understand what you're putting at risk here and if not, you will come to know in time child."

As I said the words something eerie began to happen. My skin started glowing, and my hair which was pulled in a tight ponytail had some how been undone and was floating loose around me. When I finished, The Amarii was fastened around my wrist, and the once dim gems began glowing again, as if sensing its new wearer. Grandma smiled at me wearily, like if she hadn't slept in days.

"You've been relieved of your duty Thora," Leo announced to my grandmother.

"I suppose congrats are in order to the new wearer of The Amarii so... congrats child," Adonis scoffed.

Nana turned to me. "Your responsibility is great. Humans have a hard time accepting anything that's different, even if it's for their benefit. This is why you can't tell or show anyone the power of The Amarii. They just won't understand. We can't risk it. Not even your parents can know Nini. Do you understand?"

"Yes grandma, I understand."

"Well then we're finished here," Adonis announced, "Deborah let's go please."

Deborah and Gladis came over to me and embraced me with hugs, and words of encouragement. Leo nodded at me, and adjusted his tie.

"We will see each other again Niya, hopefully it's on good terms. I would hate to be right about my gut. Until then, goodbye."

"Leo give the girl a chance, she just may surprise you." Gladis called. Leo shrugged, took out a small white pearl-like object, and smashed it against the floor. In a split second, a mist erupted from the ground and wrapped around his body.

"It was good seeing you again Thora," he called to my grandmother. She smiled and nodded. A few seconds later Leo disappeared with the mist, leaving behind a strong aroma of tulip flowers.

"Leo missed you Thora," Gladis said softly,"We all did."

With that she extracted a pearl from her purse and smashed it on the ground. She was gone in two seconds. Adonis and Deborah, who I figured were married, stood up hand in hand and exited the same way the others did. Nana and I stood in silence for a bit, then I turned to her and asked,

"Did you use to date Leo Nana?" My question seemed to have caught her off guard, but her blushing face already betrayed the answer.

"Nini it was much more complicated than that. Leo and I have... history yes. Things didn't end well." Her voice was a bare whisper by now.

"Anyways,' She turned to me, "I'm so proud of you baby. You'll serve this world well I know it."

I smiled up at her. If only I knew what awaited me. This hero stuff wasn't going to be easy.

Whoop! Whoop! Finally finished my first chapter. Hope you guys like it. Feel free to drop a vote and comments. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks a lot. Will start chapter two right away. I could also use some help renaming the bracelet. The Amarii sounds okay but I don't mind changing it to something else. Comment your suggestions <3