Chapter Four

"Look! Over there! Next to the water fountain!" someone shouted. Everyone turned to look in the direction of the fountain. A blueish, purplish, circle just hung suspended from nothing. It was beautiful but scary at the same time, with three or four other colours bordering the circumference. "What my world is that?" questioned Venomma as she slowly took careful steps toward it. The others followed in the same rhythm. Atohmma was silent and observant about it, but she somehow seemed unafraid, as she made her way past them all. Rushing up to inspect the mirror-like object, Atohmma stretched out her hand to stop everyone from coming any closer. They all stopped. As Atohmma was about to walk up to it, she heard, "No! Atohmma, be careful, do not go any further." The cool, calm, authoritative voice, manifested. There, hanging from the oak tree, was the Diamond-Back Cobra, the oracle of their world, the leader and spirit guide to the natives. He slithered his way across to Atohmma and the gathering with slow cautious confidence. Raising his head, he settled himself into a seated pose and said to them, "the time is near, this object is known as the Elemental Shield. It was foretold that, when one of you, has come of age, according to the legend, the elements will be in disagreement for a claim of honor. At such time, the Elemental Shield will appear in the world, where the chosen one will reside, and it will remain untouched, but it will protect that world until the chosen one realizes her true powers and embraces them. When that happens, the elemental shield will be used by the chosen, to restore balance and agreement among the elements, where it will be decided, that none is more worthy of honor than the others, but all are worthy. It is said, that the chosen one, will then have to reach into the portal that the elemental shield will create, and take the gem of compassion, in order to lead the people, this world, and take their rightful place as the queen or king. Until such time, no one must touch or come any closer to the elemental shield. Guards, come with me, I will instruct you further on how you must ensure the safety of the natives and their adherence to my instructions from this moment." The guards followed the Cobra to the forest for their instructions. Atohmma bowed her head and walked away along with the rest of them. Venomma looked at Atohmma and with a sly glance, ran off.

Atohmma, not knowing what to make of all the information she just heard, wondered briefly about the chosen one. "Who might that 'chosen one' be among us?" she asked herself. She couldn't think of any prospects. She didn't know anyone brave enough to hold that role. She just settled within herself, that it will soon be revealed.