The massive gates groaned open, dust rising in swirls beneath the blazing sun. The five teenagers — tired, dirty, and bruised — stepped through the entrance after completing the drop. The guard waiting for them gave a nod, his expression unreadable.
Guard (firmly): "Well done."
He moved aside to reveal a narrow path leading back toward the palace outskirts.
The team exhaled in relief. Some were smiling weakly, others just thankful to be alive. As they began walking forward, the gates clanged shut behind them, echoing like a final punctuation mark.
But just as the team passed the threshold—
BWOOOOHHHHH!!!
A sharp siren blared, cutting through the air.
Red lights flashed across hidden panels above the palace wall. The silence broke into sudden movement.
Every Guardian and palace personnel turned alert.
From nearby speakers, a firm announcement followed:
> "All units return to position. Guardians — report to the underground chamber. Emergency council is in session."
Guards in armor scattered in organized precision, disappearing through side doors and vanishing behind stone archways. The teenagers watched with wide eyes as the once calm palace turned into a storm of movement.
Inside the palace, a group of guards had already formed a tight circle. In the center stood the Masked Man, hands behind his back, awaiting their report.
One of the guards stepped forward.
Masked Man: "Did he complete his steps?"
Guardian: "Yes, sir."
Masked Man: "In how many minutes?"
Guardian: "Five."
Masked Man (nods): "Chosen for?"
Guardian: "Water."
The group fell silent.
Without another word, they moved into a deeper chamber for a confidential discussion. Voices lowered. Plans whispered. Strategies drawn in shadows.
They debated, they confirmed, they planned.
After several minutes, the meeting was resolved. Guardians moved with purpose, each heading to their secret rooms located underground, accessible only through hidden paths in the palace.
---
🛡️ Scene Shift – Two Guardians Walking Through the Hall
Two Guardians walked down a dim hallway lit by flickering lanterns. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor.
One of them was new, his armor still shining, his expression curious.
New Guardian: "Why was there talk about water? And why are those kids dressed in red, blue, white, and green?"
The older Guardian smirked, keeping his pace.
Senior Guardian: "Each color represents an elemental power — fire, water, air, earth. Those who pass the elemental test earn control of that element. It's ancient law."
The young one nodded slowly.
New Guardian: "So… if one of them completes all tests — does that mean they get all the powers?"
Senior Guardian: "No. The rules forbid that. A single person can't hold every element. A team is necessary. It keeps balance — and stops power from corrupting."
New Guardian: "Do you think the teenagers even know any of this?"
Senior Guardian (quietly): "No. And we won't tell them yet. Maybe tomorrow."
New Guardian: "But… what if they don't accept the powers? Ethan already has that water mark on his chest. What if they say no?"
The senior Guardian stopped walking, his tone darkening.
Senior Guardian: "Then Ethan still has to live with it. He's been chosen. There's no undoing it."
New Guardian: "You mean… once marked, there's no way back?"
Senior Guardian: "Exactly. And with powers like these… comes danger. The villains, the fallen ones — they'll sense the mark. They'll come for him. Try to take the power for themselves."
A long pause.
New Guardian: "So what if Ethan says no?"
The older Guardian looked ahead, voice heavy.
Senior Guardian: "Then he lives with it until the day he dies."
The massive gates groaned open, dust rising in swirls beneath the blazing sun. The five teenagers — tired, dirty, and bruised — stepped through the entrance after completing the drop. The guard waiting for them gave a nod, his expression unreadable.
Guard (firmly): "Well done."
He moved aside to reveal a narrow path leading back toward the palace outskirts.
The team exhaled in relief. Some were smiling weakly, others just thankful to be alive. As they began walking forward, the gates clanged shut behind them, echoing like a final punctuation mark.
But just as the team passed the threshold—
BWOOOOHHHHH!!!
A sharp siren blared, cutting through the air.
Red lights flashed across hidden panels above the palace wall. The silence broke into sudden movement.
Every Guardian and palace personnel turned alert.
From nearby speakers, a firm announcement followed:
> "All units return to position. Guardians — report to the underground chamber. Emergency council is in session."
Guards in armor scattered in organized precision, disappearing through side doors and vanishing behind stone archways. The teenagers watched with wide eyes as the once calm palace turned into a storm of movement.
Inside the palace, a group of guards had already formed a tight circle. In the center stood the Masked Man, hands behind his back, awaiting their report.
One of the guards stepped forward.
Masked Man: "Did he complete his steps?"
Guardian: "Yes, sir."
Masked Man: "In how many minutes?"
Guardian: "Five."
Masked Man (nods): "Chosen for?"
Guardian: "Water."
The group fell silent.
Without another word, they moved into a deeper chamber for a confidential discussion. Voices lowered. Plans whispered. Strategies drawn in shadows.
They debated, they confirmed, they planned.
After several minutes, the meeting was resolved. Guardians moved with purpose, each heading to their secret rooms located underground, accessible only through hidden paths in the palace.
Two Guardians walked down a dim hallway lit by flickering lanterns. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor.
One of them was new, his armor still shining, his expression curious.
New Guardian: "Why was there talk about water? And why are those people dressed in red, blue, white, and green?"
The older Guardian smirked, keeping his pace.
Senior Guardian: "Each color represents an elemental power — fire, water, air, earth. Those who pass the elemental test earn control of that element. It's ancient law."
The young one nodded slowly.
New Guardian: "So… if one of them completes all tests — does that mean they get all the powers?"
Senior Guardian: "No. The rules forbid that. A single person can't hold every element. A team is necessary. It keeps balance — and stops power from corrupting."
New Guardian: "Do you think the teenagers even know any of this?"
Senior Guardian (quietly): "No. And we won't tell them yet. Maybe tomorrow."
New Guardian: "But… what if they don't accept the powers? Ethan already has that water mark on his chest. What if they say no?"
The senior Guardian stopped walking, his tone darkening.
Senior Guardian: "Then Ethan still has to live with it. He's been chosen. There's no undoing it."
New Guardian: "You mean… once marked, there's no way back?"
Senior Guardian: "Exactly. And with powers like these… comes danger. The villains, the fallen ones — they'll sense the mark. They'll come for him. Try to take the power for themselves."
A long pause.
New Guardian: "So what if Ethan says no?"
The older Guardian looked ahead, voice heavy.
Senior Guardian: "Then he lives with it until the day he dies."