The Reclamer-The Four Heros Rise

May 5, 2010

This is a script i started ages ago as an offshoot from a writing topic presented in class. the orignal scipt never got turned in and was eventualy scraped and rewritten into the work in progress you see below. Please feel free to comment. Enjoy!

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The Reclaimers- The Four Heroes Rise

Chapter 1: The Sacred Stones

Alex wasnï¿½t sure what was going on. He seemed to be floating in mid air. His light brown hair wafted around him as if he was underwater. He was a young, healthy boy of seventeen. His muscles quite toned, considering his genius. His height was nearing fiveï¿½ eleven and his deep blue eyes where as sharp as the sword on his side.

As his eyes adjusted and he got his bearings he began to survey his surroundings. At first he saw nothing, but after his eyes adjusted a little more he caught a glimpse of four pedestals with four gemstones settled, almost proudly, in shallow sockets on top. They were of four different colors, a deep brown, a brilliant blue, a fierce red, and the last was crystal clear.

Alex stood, well hovered if you will, in awe of their beauty. He thought he could stare at them for hours, but a light behind him tore him away reluctantly. He turned and saw an opening in the wall. As he moved through it, it closed behind him. As it finished closing, he saw a circle segment slide back in to place. He tried to memorize the location not knowing why he cared, it just seemed important. He began to recognize where he was. He was in a small alcove where he and his friends used to play when they where little.

Suddenly, Alex involuntarily shot as if from a slingshot, through the air as everything below him faded away.

Alex awoke with a start and small yelp causing his lifelong friend John to jump.

ï¿½Donï¿½t do that man!ï¿½ he said, a slight quiver in his voice, ï¿½Youï¿½re gonna give me a heart attack!ï¿½

ï¿½Sorryï¿½ï¿½ Alex remarked slowly. That was the third time in a row heï¿½d had this dream. He looked up at John. He was built roughly the same as Alex except that his hair was a light blue and hung to his shoulders they were the same age. He was practical and relied more on instinct than anything else. He was always willing to take a risk. In spite of all this, Alex would trust him with his life because of the years of companionship that had forged a deep trust between them.

There was a trait they both shared that kept them in trouble. They both were very protective of the people they loved. When their parents were attacked they tried to fight back, even though they were only five years old. John escaped with only a scar over his left eye he liked to call ï¿½a souvenir from the psychos that killed my parentsï¿½. Alex, however, was lucky he escaped with his life. He had been sliced across the chest. The wound healed faster than anyone expected, but today that scar was the drive that made Alex put everything he had into whatever he did.

ï¿½How long have you been up?ï¿½ Alex asked wiping the crud from his eyes.

ï¿½Not long. Did I wake you?ï¿½

ï¿½Nah, weird dream... Iï¿½ll explain over breakfast.ï¿½

ï¿½Great. Iï¿½m starved!ï¿½

Karon and Julie woke to the smell of bacon, eggs, and toast wafting in from the kitchen. Karon was a fiery red head that wore her hair in a ponytail. She was striking for sixteen but could be stubborn and quick to judge. Julie was a quiet blonde with streaks of silver in her hair. She looked almost fragile and was the voice of reason among them. She was also the youngest of the group at fifteen.

ï¿½Something smells good.ï¿½ Karon said pulling off the covers.

ï¿½Yeah, Alex sure can cook.ï¿½ Julie said stretching out her arms

ï¿½Thatï¿½s about all heï¿½s good for.ï¿½ Karon remarked, causing a fit of giggles.

Alex busied himself at the stove while John set the table.

ï¿½Alex, nobody wants to see that!ï¿½ Karon groaned remarking at his sleep shorts and tank top.

ï¿½Is it not enough that Iï¿½m cooking for you?ï¿½ Alex said.

ï¿½Not if weï¿½ve got to look at that.ï¿½ Julie remarked.

Alex stomped his foot, pulled his exasperated mother tone and said ï¿½Well I never!ï¿½ and went noisily back to the eggs trying not to laugh but the others, who where all at the table now, were obviously not trying as hard as the room roared with laughter.

ï¿½All right, all right, cool it people! Come on now! Shut up and eat! Iï¿½ve got to tell you something!ï¿½

Alex flew headlong into the story of the dream. As he told it, it was as if he was reliving it. When he finished the food was gone and the others where sipping on their drinks, apparently concocting their opinion of Alexï¿½s story.

ï¿½Wellï¿½ What do you guys think? Should we try to find these stones?ï¿½ Alex asked.

ï¿½Iï¿½m game.ï¿½ John replied without hesitation.

ï¿½I figured that. Youï¿½re up for anything thatï¿½ll get you out of the house. What about you two?ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t know?ï¿½ Karon said.

ï¿½What if youï¿½re wrong?ï¿½ Julie asked.

ï¿½Then Iï¿½m wrong. Itï¿½s not the end of the world. One way or another, thereï¿½s only one way to find out.ï¿½ Alex said a glint in his eye.

ï¿½Oh boy,ï¿½ John said suddenly becoming excited; ï¿½you know your right about this, donï¿½t you?ï¿½

ï¿½Iï¿½ve got a good idea.ï¿½ Alex said with a smile.

At this statement the girls looked at each other shrugged, turned back to Alex, and nodded.

ï¿½All right, get ready and letï¿½s go.ï¿½

As he finished dressing, Alex examined his blade.

ï¿½That was your dadï¿½s right?ï¿½ John asked sheathing his own.

ï¿½Yeahï¿½ï¿½ he replied

ï¿½So what do you think was up with those stones?ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t knowï¿½ï¿½

ï¿½How do you think they got there?ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t knowï¿½ï¿½

ï¿½Why woul-ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t know! What makes you think I have all the answers?!ï¿½

ï¿½ï¿½ Sorryï¿½ï¿½

ï¿½No, donï¿½t be. Iï¿½m just really stressed out.ï¿½

ï¿½One dream has you this stressed?ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t get it eitherï¿½ï¿½ He sighed and sheathed his blade. ï¿½I just donï¿½t get how we couldnï¿½t have found them before or where these dreams are coming from.ï¿½

ï¿½Me neitherï¿½ï¿½

The girls dressed in silence due to the deprivation of sleep. They sheathed their blades, which were considerably lighter than the boys. When they finished they went and sat in the living area and waited for the guys.

ï¿½You think Alex is on to something?ï¿½ Karon asked. Julie merely shrugged and kept staring at the floor. ï¿½Are you ok?ï¿½

ï¿½Mmm, oh yeah, I'm just tiredï¿½ thatï¿½s all.ï¿½ She responded and went back to staring at the floor.

ï¿½Are you sure thatï¿½s all?ï¿½

ï¿½Yesï¿½ï¿½But Karon wouldnï¿½t give in.

ï¿½Are you compl-ï¿½

ï¿½Just leave it alone, ok!? Itï¿½s nothing!ï¿½

ï¿½Ok, ok, moving on.ï¿½

There was a momentï¿½s silence.

ï¿½Iï¿½m just confused.ï¿½ Julie said.

ï¿½Confused about what?ï¿½

ï¿½Alex.ï¿½

ï¿½Alex?ï¿½ Karon wanted to indulge further but Alex and John stepped out of their room and John said, beaming ï¿½All right pile out people!ï¿½ Alex gave him a look. ï¿½What?ï¿½ he asked, but Alex just shook his head laughed.

As they walked Alex stayed deep in thought, Julie followed a bird with her eyes as it streaked across the sky.

ï¿½Amazingï¿½ï¿½ Karon piped in.

ï¿½What?ï¿½ John asked turning around and walking backwards. Julie, who had lost interest in the bird turned and watched this conversation.

ï¿½ï¿½Thatï¿½that even after all weï¿½ve been through, our parents, the orphanage, that there can still be suchï¿½ peaceï¿½ya know?ï¿½ She hung her head. ï¿½Itï¿½s almost not fairï¿½ï¿½

ï¿½I never thought about it like tha-ahh!ï¿½ John tripped over his own feet and landed flat on his back.

ï¿½You can be so stupid sometimes.ï¿½ Julie said.

ï¿½Thatï¿½s the understatement of the year.ï¿½ Alex said, and was answered with laughter from all the others.

John got up and dusted off. He turned around and stopped dead. ï¿½Look,ï¿½ he said pointing, ï¿½there it is.ï¿½

Alex followed Johnï¿½s finger and saw where he was pointing. There was a small alcove in the face of the mountain.

ï¿½Weï¿½re back!ï¿½ John said in a singsong tone. The others just sighed and laughed.

As soon as he stepped in the cave, Alex began running his hands on the wall.

ï¿½Didnï¿½t this place used to beï¿½I donï¿½t knowï¿½?ï¿½ Karon started

ï¿½ï¿½Bigger.ï¿½ Julie finished.

ï¿½Yeah, biggerï¿½thanks.ï¿½

ï¿½No problem.ï¿½

ï¿½Found it!ï¿½ Alex shouted. He pushed hard on the spot where his hand was and a circle of the wall slid back. This revealed the four stones from Alexï¿½s dream. That dream did the magnificence of the stones no justice.

ï¿½Well, Iï¿½ll be.ï¿½ John said and took a step towards the gems and the blue one began to shine.

ï¿½Dudeï¿½ï¿½John said.

ï¿½What in the worldï¿½ï¿½ Alex said and moved closer. The Brown gem started to glow, the light from both clashing on the wall. Julie swallowed hard and took one-step foreword, the crystal gem responded. Karon stepped forward and was greeted by the red gemï¿½s glow. They looked up and saw that the glow of the gems merged and shone with a bright white light.

ï¿½Amazingï¿½ï¿½ Julie said, but Alex was more concerned with the gems. He reached out to the gem that had reacted to him and touched it. John and the others followed. Suddenly the gems sprung to life and rose up.

ï¿½Whatï¿½s going on?ï¿½ Karon shrieked.

ï¿½Iï¿½I donï¿½t know!ï¿½ John shouted over the din of the gems, ï¿½Alex!?ï¿½ he continued.

ï¿½Take the gems!ï¿½ Alex yelled reaching out.

ï¿½What?ï¿½ Julie shouted causing Alex to draw back.

ï¿½Just do it!ï¿½ he said, reached out again and grabbed the gem and cradled it in his hands. The others did the same. The moment all four of them held their respective gems there was a blinding light and by the time they could see again the gems where gone.

ï¿½What? No! Where are they?ï¿½ Alex shouted and slammed his fist on the perfect pedestal which crumbled. ï¿½What in the world?ï¿½ he said examining his hand. He looked up at John who simply replied ï¿½Cool.ï¿½

ï¿½Uh, guys?ï¿½ Karon said. Alex and John turned and saw that Karon was engulfed in flames. ï¿½Help me!ï¿½

ï¿½Drop and roll!ï¿½ John yelled. Karon fell and began to roll on the ground causing dust to fly everywhere.

About this time Julieï¿½s allergies kicked in and she sneezed. When she did an enormous blast of air erupted from her nose blowing away the dust and extinguishing the flames on Karon. The others all looked at Julie who proceeded to say ï¿½Ouch.ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t get it. Whatï¿½s going on?ï¿½ Karon asked.

ï¿½Maybe...ï¿½ Alex said. He held out his hand and lifted it up. The pedestal that he had destroyed repaired itself. ï¿½I think I get it now.ï¿½

ï¿½Please, enlighten us.ï¿½ John said producing water from his fingertips and forming various shapes in the air.

ï¿½You guys know the old legend about the heroï¿½s of the elements right?ï¿½Alex asked.

ï¿½Vaguelyï¿½noï¿½ John replied. Alex sighed.

ï¿½The legend speaks of four heroesï¿½ who were given power over the four elements and rose up to defeat the darkness that the world had accepted and been consumed by. To defeat this darkness the four combined their power to create pure light. With the darkness defeated and the world at peace the heroes used their powers to repair all the damage caused by the commander of the darkness, and when the heroes died the power they had was concentrated into four stones that hid themselves away waiting for the time that their power would be needed again, at which time they would chose new owners to give their powers to.ï¿½

ï¿½How do you know all this stuff?ï¿½ John asked bewildered.

ï¿½Itï¿½s called a book, dude.ï¿½ Alex said.

ï¿½Do you really think weï¿½re the ones?ï¿½ Julie asked massaging her nostrils.

ï¿½Like I said, nothing else makes sense.ï¿½ He replied, checking the pillar that he destroyed and reassembled. There were some cracks that were not there before meaning their powers would have to be developed just like anything else.

ï¿½So what happens next?ï¿½ Karon asked, checking herself for burns.

ï¿½I dunnoï¿½ï¿½ he said sitting down and leaning back against the pillar. ï¿½Getting these powers was not chance, we were chosen for a reason.ï¿½

ï¿½Which is?ï¿½ John asked

ï¿½No idea.ï¿½

ï¿½Finally ran outta answers huh?ï¿½

ï¿½Shut-up, itï¿½ll come.ï¿½ He grabbed the necklace around his neck and held it in his fist. The charm stood for the trinity, Father, Spirit, Son. Alex and the others were all strong christens by faith. One of the few things Alex received from his father, besides his sword, was an old bible that heï¿½d found refuge in when he lost his parents. God had never steered him wrong before. ï¿½I donï¿½t know what your entrusting me with, but as long as you lead.ï¿½ He prayed silently.

ï¿½Until then we figure this out we need to expand our power.ï¿½ Alex told them.

ï¿½Sounds like a plan.ï¿½ John responded.

ï¿½Iï¿½m in.ï¿½ Julie said.

ï¿½Me too.ï¿½ Karon said.

ï¿½All right, letï¿½s do this.ï¿½ Alex said getting up and dusting off his pants, ï¿½thereï¿½s no telling what weï¿½ve gotten ourselves into now, but itï¿½ll put all weï¿½ve got on the line.ï¿½

May 5, 2010

Chapter 2: The dream and the journey One Month Later

It was late and John and Karon had already turned in. The scholar in Alex had reared its head and reading glasses, which John had dubbed his “scholar specs” once again and he was deep in study. He had dug up some ancient texts from town records about the four Hero’s. He had made a few connections, but for every lead there was another dead-end. There was just too much information he didn’t have, too much information missing from his documents. He put the text to the side, let his head fall back, and groaned in frustration. Julie was dosing on his shoulder.

“Julie, Julie…you up?” he sighed and gently laid her back across the couch. Then he picked her up and carried her to her room where he laid her in her bed and covered her up.

“Thanks.” She mumbled and situated herself.

“No problem. Sleep well.” Alex said and quietly slipped out shutting the door behind him. He stretched and looked around the room. His eyes landed on the clock, 1:40.

“Man,” he muttered, “bed time.”

Alex made his way to his room and lay out across the bed. He heaved a satisfied sigh and pulled the covers over him. At first it seemed sleep would come easy, but restlessness soon settled in. He rolled onto his back, stared at the ceiling, and let himself fall to the back of his head. He would often do this to get his mind together because when he was like this he could see his thoughts like books on a shelf, which made manage and interpret his thoughts better.

His mind wondered to the powers that they had obtained. Alex’s connection with the earth had given him a sixth sense of sorts. He could feel vibrations as they passed through the ground. John could control any state of water. He could condense the vapor in the air in to liquid and even freeze water into ice. Karon could well… she could set stuff on fire and was impervious to burns. She could completely control and manipulate fire. Julie could control air currents around her to the point where she could fly.

Julie… Alex kept her image in his mind as his thoughts danced around head. One surfaced at the forefront of his mind suddenly. “I love her…” True but he had not told anyone, not even Julie. Another one pushed forward. “There’s a connection between the two of us that’s always been there. She must feel it to…” Where was all of this coming from? He had put all these feelings behind him when all of this started. Why? What was he afraid of, distraction? No, just waiting for the right time…

Alex wasn’t exactly sure when he drifted off to sleep. What he did know is that he was in another one of those dreams, this time on solid ground. But something wasn’t right. As he searched his surroundings, nothing became clear. Everywhere there was nothing but darkness and a sinister laughter that echoed all around him. Suddenly the darkness began to conform.

Alex watched, horrified, something was taking shape before him. It was not human. It looked human but the evil that emanated from around it…

“I gotta get outta here!” he thought and tried to move, but something grabbed his leg and he fell. He turned over.

“Where do you think you’re going boy?” the being hissed. The darkness that had a hold on him began to engulf his entire body.

“No! No! Get off! Help, somebody help!”Alex was struggling and screaming, his entire body was constricted and he couldn’t breathe.

“Snap out of it!”

John was over Alex shaking him, Julie and Karon where standing at his bedside, tears streaming down Julie’s face. Alex was drenched in cold sweat.

“John, stop it! I can’t breathe!” Alex managed. He sat up, his breath coming in gulps. He was shaking all over. He snatched the covers back thinking he’d still find the thing on his leg. He was relieved to find nothing. He then slid his back to the headboard for support. He patted the bed next to him and Julie sat down next to him. He put his arm around her.

“I’m fine, don’t worry.” He told her. After he regained his composure he retold the dream. As he told it he watched the expressions that crossed the faces of his friends.

John was completely concentrated. His face had not broken since the story started. That was one thing Alex liked about John, even in the midst of goofing off he always was dead serious when it came to things like this. Karon’s face was filled with sheer terror. Great, all input from her was shot for the night. She was next to useless when she got like this. Julie’s face was empty, but Alex knew better than to judge by her face, he watched her eyes. Those eyes, that where usually so distant, where filled a mix of concern and fear which tore at Alex. He held her close to comfort her.

“I think that this…this…thing is the ‘commander of the darkness’ the legends speak of.” Alex said, he noticed his voice was shaking. “Got to get it together,” He thought to himself, glancing at Julie.

“What are we gonna do?” Karon asked.

“I… I don’t know.”Alex said. He hung his head.

“We’ll get it all sorted out in the morning.” Julie said and, to the surprise of everyone in the room, including her, kissed Alex who in his surprise pulled back. “Sorry” she said.

“No, don’t be.” Alex said and kissed her back. In this moment nothing else mattered to him. His mind was empty, he felt like he was floating. He even forgot that they weren’t alone in the room…

John coughed and the two separated. They laughed awkwardly and looked down.

“We’ll uh… we’ll talk later,” Julie said, “Get some sleep.” She kissed him on the cheek and her and Karon left the room. Karon was overcome with a fit of giggles, and Julie said “Shut up!” as she pushed her out of the room.

“Wow…” John said.

“What?” Alex said.

“Little bit of love.”

“Shut up.” Alex said and turned over.

“Right, time for bed,” and John fell on the bed.

“Will this light bother you?”

“You’re not afraid of the dark, are you?”

“If you’d seen what I just saw, you’d be to.”

“True… Go ahead. You ain’t botherin’ me.”

“Thanks.” Alex flipped his bedside lamp on and rolled back on his back. The light was comforting but he was still uneasy. He closed his eyes and, nevertheless, soon drifted off to sleep.

The dream picked up right where it left off, but this time Alex wasn’t the one being attacked. Alex watched in horror as the person who replaced him was crushed. Then he was pulled out and was able to look down on the world like a map.

“You drew this?” Karon asked in astonishment. It was the morning after and Alex had made a map using his dreams and his sixth sense.

“We’re about here.” He said, pointing out the location of their cave hide-away. Alex and John had found the cave after being released from the orphanage and made it a home with running water and electricity. Thirteen was of-age in his town. Karon stayed in an extra year so Julie wouldn’t be alone.

“Now the place I saw darkness gathering is here, a place known only as the Northern Ruins.” Alex continued.

“That’s really far away. How are we gonna pull this off?” Karon asked.

“I know it seems impossible-” Karon cut him off.

“Impossible? You really are smart!” Karon groaned with frustration.

“Will you let me finish?!”Alex yelled. He jumped up from his seat. “You didn’t see what I saw! You didn’t feel the power this thing controlled! I haven’t been that scared since I watched them kill my parents!” The memories brought tears to his eyes. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing when I was given the power, the responsibility, to take care of this! If we don’t do something about this thing then everyone it kills, their blood is on our hands! So you stay here if you want to but I’m going, alone if I have to!” Alex was trembling now. The other three looked stricken. It took a lot to get Alex this worked up. He sat down and placed his head in his hands, breathing deeply. “I’m sorry. I… I don’t know what came over me.”

“No, you’re right. I’m just scared.” Karon said. Alex looked up. He looked exhausted.

“Me too, but if we just stay here it’ll just come after us. If I’m gonna die, I’m going down fighting.”

“So… when do we leave?” John said.

“One week.” Alex replied.

“Let’s do this.” Julie said. Alex saw a spark of determination in her eyes that he’d never seen before.

“Yeah… let’s go”

Chapter 3: And So It Begins

Alex was up early that morning. He got up and moved to the living room where he laid across the couch and fell back into his mind. His thoughts drifted to their training. He could control the earth with just a flick of his fingers. The power was energy. It required motion that directed that energy. Alex had controlled personality so he could release massive amounts of energy with little effort. He’d also learned how to synchronize his powers with his attacks which was easy once he had learned the flow of his sword. The trick to the more complicated maneuvers was to think without limits… Just like prayer

John, however, was on the complete opposite of the scale. His lively personality caused for his powers to respond to more exaggerated movements. It made him appear less in control when using a sword. It also left him open to attack more often so he tried working with a staff. Long story short, problem solved. The added speed and follow-up suited his style perfectly. He even devised an x-strap harness to carry it that was really nothing more than the harness with a strip of leather fastened to the back, but he was proud of it.

Alex was so deep in thought he almost didn’t notice John walk in.

“M-m-mornin” He said stifling a yawn.

“You all set to go?” Alex asked.

“You know it. What about you?”

“Yea, I just wish I could take my research. A lot went into it.”

“It’s not like your losing it. It’s not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, still though…I feel like I’m gonna be walking blind…”

“I feel ya…what’s for breakfast?”

Alex sighed. “You got a one track mind, dude.” John just laughed.

Before long, Julie walked in.

“Good morning.” Alex said and kissed her on the cheek. Over the past few days Alex and Julie had taken time to talk to each other. They would walk through the near-by woods and fields and talk. One conversation stuck out in both their minds though.

“You know, I saw my parents die too…” Alex told her as they sat by a lake-side.

“But you’ve always been so strong.” She replied.

“Not always…” Alex sighed and closed his eyes. “For a while I was angry… then depressed… and finally despondent. John will tell you, it wasn’t pretty. I kept to myself, never talked, only ate by instinct to live. I never hit suicidal but I lived as one who only did it because they had no other choice… then I found my dad’s old bible.” He opened his eyes and looked at the sky. “It was no split-the-sky-with-a-booming-voice moment but… it was enough to let me know that I wasn’t alone…” It was quiet a moment before Julie responded.

“You were my escape…” she said staring at the ground.

“How do you mean?”

“When I was around you…I don’t know…you just had an uplifting personality about you…it was easy to open up around you…I was myself again…it was like freedom.” Alex put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. Alex broke the silence.

“I felt so hopeless when I watched them kill my parents but now…I feel like I’ve got some control…and I promise that I’ll always protect you…with my very life if I have to.” he said to her.

“Alex…” Julie said. She was startled at the last statement. Alex seemed to pick up on this.

“Sorry” he said. “Didn’t mean to get all dramatic on you… it’s just…” Tears came into his eyes “If I lost someone else… I don’t know what I’d do…”

Now they were closer than ever before. The relationship was still in the eager/awkward stage but it was love, and that’s all that mattered to them.

“You all ready to go?” Alex asked her.

“Not quite, but it won’t be long.” She replied.

“It’s cool. We’re not pullin outta here till around noon”. Alex said.

“Mornin everybody,” Karon said as she walked in.

“Hey you,” John said cheerfully. Karon smiled and sat at the table. Alex fixed himself a cup of coffee and leaned back against the counter.

The girls had been training too. Julie had taken to a rapier as her weapon. The thin sturdy blade paired with her speed and accuracy made for a deadly combination. Karon had decided on a katana. Every strike she took was precise and the heat she instilled into her blade brought new meaning to the saying “like a hot knife through butter.”

“Hey guys.” He said, “Thanks for stickin’ with me on this one. This isn’t gonna be easy.”

“That’s what’s gonna make it fun.” Karon said, and they all shared a laugh.

“I’m gonna take a quick walk.” Alex headed for his favorite spot. It was a cliff that overlooked a lake. This place was always windswept. He stood on the peak, his right hand resting on the sheath of his sword, his left outstretched to his side. As he prayed he simply soaked God in.

“Here I find you again.” A calm voice said. Alex turned and found a familiar face smiling back at him.

“It’s been a while Daniel.” Alex said. Daniel was Alex’s guardian angel. He had been with Alex ever since he gave his heart and life back to God.

“Indeed it has.” Daniel said.

“Where have you been hiding?”

“I’ve been here all along. You know that.”

“Yeah, yeah, I wish you’d stop in and say ‘hey’ every now and then.”

“All that I do is,”

“Is in God’s time, I know… This is about our journey isn’t it?”

“Yes…”

“You gonna enlighten me or is that all you got?”

“I’m only here to remind you that your power is from God and that you must remember to use it for his glory.”

“I will only do what I have to.” Alex said. Daniel nodded.

“You are truly wise.” He said.

“You give me too much credit.” Alex said and turned back towards the lake. Daniel put his hand on Alex’s shoulder.

“You give yourself too little.”Alex turned to him. “I’m serious!” Alex smiled but then sighed and turned back toward the lake.

“I just don’t know if we can handle this. What are we gonna do if someone tries to kill us? Does God support kill or be killed?” He said.

“The enemy has declared war on you,” Daniel said. “His hoards of troops, both voluntary and… acquired, will come at you with the full intent to kill. You will have to defend yourselves.”

“I wouldn’t do much good dead.”

“Indeed.”

“I’m glad you agree.” Alex laughed.

“Just be wary you don’t let battle consume you.” Daniel warned. “Blood lust is a hard addiction to break.”

“What about Julie?”

“Keep your hearts pure and your mindset on God and he will flourish your relationships.”

“And how do I keep them safe?”

“Do not bear this burden alone. It will tear you apart. Your friends are powerful as well.”

Daniel put his hand on Alex’s shoulder. Alex turned and he was gone. He sighed and hung his head then fell back into his mind. How was he going to pull this off? So much rode on his actions, his decisions. Lives hung in the balance. “Do not bear this burden alone…” Daniel’s words echoed in his mind. He pulled himself back to reality and headed back to the cave. They had to get moving. He could think on the road.

When he walked in the door, the others were waiting on him.

“Well guys, if you’re ready, let’s hit the road.” Alex said.

“Let me change my clothes.” Karon said and left the room. Julie walked up to Alex and leaned on his shoulder.

“You should tell her,” she said.

“Not yet.” Alex replied.

“She deserves to know.”

“I know but right now she wouldn’t understand. She needs to know what I was protecting her from. Right now she knows no real danger. I’ve done my job so far. Soon the enemy will have us figured out and they’ll be after her anyway, that’s when I’ll tell her.”

“Ok, but if it gets to that point and you don’t, I will.”

“Sounds fair.” Alex tapped her on the back so she would know he was about to move. She stood back up and Alex went to grab his bag. They had all packed rucksacks for the sake of convince. Alex and John had packed light. Two changes of clothes plus some sleep clothes. Julie and Karon had packed a little more but it wasn’t nearly as bad as Alex had feared.

“Ok, all set. Let’s go.” Karon said emerging from her room.

“Alright. I’ll kill the breaker, John shut off the water.” Alex said. After this was done the all met outside where Alex locked the door and covered it with a huge slab of stone that melded perfectly with the stonework around it.

“There, perfect.” He said.

“Do you really think someone would try to get in?” John asked.

“I don’t know, but better safe than sorry.” Alex replied.

“True. Let’s hit the road.” And with that they set out. Not knowing what they would find.

Chapter 4: The First Test

“How far is it to town?” Karon whined.

“We’ve only been walking half an hour!” Alex shouted.

“That doesn’t make me any less tired!” Karon shouted back. Alex groaned and let his head fall back.

“Want me to carry your bag?” John asked.

“You’d do that?” Karon said taking the bag off her shoulder. John took the bag and through it over his shoulder. He took a few quick steps, caught up with Alex and said quietly so only he could hear, “Anything to shut her up.” Alex laughed and turned to look at Karon. She was talking with Julie and obviously had not heard what John had said.

Alex turned back around and scanned the horizon. Somewhere out there the enemy was watching, waiting. The weight of this fell on his shoulders all at once. What in the world where they thinking? “It will tear you apart…” Alex shook his head. This was no time to start doubting they could pull this off. His eyes fell on a small town.

“There it is Karon.” Alex said. “Think you can last till we get there?”

“Shut up,” She said. “I’m not that pathetic.”

“If you say so,” Alex laughed.

August 30, 2011

Square free repost

The Reclaimers- The Four Heroes Rise

Chapter 1: The Sacred Stones

Alex wasn’t sure what was going on. He seemed to be floating in mid air. His light brown hair wafted around him as if he was underwater. He was a young, healthy boy of seventeen. His muscles quite toned, considering his genius. His height was nearing five’ eleven and his deep blue eyes where as sharp as the sword on his side.

As his eyes adjusted and he got his bearings he began to survey his surroundings. At first he saw nothing, but after his eyes adjusted a little more he caught a glimpse of four pedestals with four gemstones settled, almost proudly, in shallow sockets on top. They were of four different colors, a deep brown, a brilliant blue, a fierce red, and the last was crystal clear.

Alex stood, well hovered if you will, in awe of their beauty. He thought he could stare at them for hours, but a light behind him tore him away reluctantly. He turned and saw an opening in the wall. As he moved through it, it closed behind him. As it finished closing, he saw a circle segment slide back in to place. He tried to memorize the location not knowing why he cared, it just seemed important. He began to recognize where he was. He was in a small alcove where he and his friends used to play when they where little.

Suddenly, Alex involuntarily shot as if from a slingshot, through the air as everything below him faded away.

Alex awoke with a start and small yelp causing his lifelong friend John to jump.

“Don’t do that man!” he said, a slight quiver in his voice, “You’re gonna give me a heart attack!”

“Sorry…” Alex remarked slowly. That was the third time in a row he’d had this dream. He looked up at John. He was built roughly the same as Alex except that his hair was a light blue and hung to his shoulders they were the same age. He was practical and relied more on instinct than anything else. He was always willing to take a risk. In spite of all this, Alex would trust him with his life because of the years of companionship that had forged a deep trust between them.

There was a trait they both shared that kept them in trouble. They both were very protective of the people they loved. When their parents were attacked they tried to fight back, even though they were only five years old. John escaped with only a scar over his left eye he liked to call “a souvenir from the psychos that killed my parents”. Alex, however, was lucky he escaped with his life. He had been sliced across the chest. The wound healed faster than anyone expected, but today that scar was the drive that made Alex put everything he had into whatever he did.

“How long have you been up?” Alex asked wiping the crud from his eyes.

“Not long. Did I wake you?”

“Nah, weird dream... I’ll explain over breakfast.”

“Great. I’m starved!”

Karon and Julie woke to the smell of bacon, eggs, and toast wafting in from the kitchen. Karon was a fiery red head that wore her hair in a ponytail. She was striking for sixteen but could be stubborn and quick to judge. Julie was a quiet blonde with streaks of silver in her hair. She looked almost fragile and was the voice of reason among them. She was also the youngest of the group at fifteen.

“Something smells good.” Karon said pulling off the covers.

“Yeah, Alex sure can cook.” Julie said stretching out her arms

“That’s about all he’s good for.” Karon remarked, causing a fit of giggles.

Alex busied himself at the stove while John set the table.

“Alex, nobody wants to see that!” Karon groaned remarking at his sleep shorts and tank top.

“Is it not enough that I’m cooking for you?” Alex said.

“Not if we’ve got to look at that.” Julie remarked.

Alex stomped his foot, pulled his exasperated mother tone and said “Well I never!” and went noisily back to the eggs trying not to laugh but the others, who where all at the table now, were obviously not trying as hard as the room roared with laughter.

“All right, all right, cool it people! Come on now! Shut up and eat! I’ve got to tell you something!”

Alex flew headlong into the story of the dream. As he told it, it was as if he was reliving it. When he finished the food was gone and the others where sipping on their drinks, apparently concocting their opinion of Alex’s story.

“Well… What do you guys think? Should we try to find these stones?” Alex asked.

“I’m game.” John replied without hesitation.

“I figured that. You’re up for anything that’ll get you out of the house. What about you two?”

“I don’t know?” Karon said.

“What if you’re wrong?” Julie asked.

“Then I’m wrong. It’s not the end of the world. One way or another, there’s only one way to find out.” Alex said a glint in his eye.

“Oh boy,” John said suddenly becoming excited; “you know your right about this, don’t you?”

“I’ve got a good idea.” Alex said with a smile.

At this statement the girls looked at each other shrugged, turned back to Alex, and nodded.

“All right, get ready and let’s go.”

As he finished dressing, Alex examined his blade.

“That was your dad’s right?” John asked sheathing his own.

“Yeah…” he replied

“So what do you think was up with those stones?”

“I don’t know…”

“How do you think they got there?”

“I don’t know…”

“Why woul-“

“I don’t know! What makes you think I have all the answers?!”

“… Sorry…”

“No, don’t be. I’m just really stressed out.”

“One dream has you this stressed?”

“I don’t get it either…” He sighed and sheathed his blade. “I just don’t get how we couldn’t have found them before or where these dreams are coming from.”

“Me neither…”

The girls dressed in silence due to the deprivation of sleep. They sheathed their blades, which were considerably lighter than the boys. When they finished they went and sat in the living area and waited for the guys.

“You think Alex is on to something?” Karon asked. Julie merely shrugged and kept staring at the floor. “Are you ok?”

“Mmm, oh yeah, I'm just tired… that’s all.” She responded and went back to staring at the floor.

“Are you sure that’s all?”

“Yes…”But Karon wouldn’t give in.

“Are you compl-“

“Just leave it alone, ok!? It’s nothing!”

“Ok, ok, moving on.”

There was a moment’s silence.

“I’m just confused.” Julie said.

“Confused about what?”

“Alex.”

“Alex?” Karon wanted to indulge further but Alex and John stepped out of their room and John said, beaming “All right pile out people!” Alex gave him a look. “What?” he asked, but Alex just shook his head laughed.

As they walked Alex stayed deep in thought, Julie followed a bird with her eyes as it streaked across the sky.

“Amazing…” Karon piped in.

“What?” John asked turning around and walking backwards. Julie, who had lost interest in the bird turned and watched this conversation.

“…That…that even after all we’ve been through, our parents, the orphanage, that there can still be such… peace…ya know?” She hung her head. “It’s almost not fair…”

“I never thought about it like tha-ahh!” John tripped over his own feet and landed flat on his back.

“You can be so stupid sometimes.” Julie said.

“That’s the understatement of the year.” Alex said, and was answered with laughter from all the others.

John got up and dusted off. He turned around and stopped dead. “Look,” he said pointing, “there it is.”

Alex followed John’s finger and saw where he was pointing. There was a small alcove in the face of the mountain.

“We’re back!” John said in a singsong tone. The others just sighed and laughed.

As soon as he stepped in the cave, Alex began running his hands on the wall.

“Didn’t this place used to be…I don’t know…?” Karon started

“…Bigger.” Julie finished.

“Yeah, bigger…thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Found it!” Alex shouted. He pushed hard on the spot where his hand was and a circle of the wall slid back. This revealed the four stones from Alex’s dream. That dream did the magnificence of the stones no justice.

“Well, I’ll be.” John said and took a step towards the gems and the blue one began to shine.

“Dude…”John said.

“What in the world…” Alex said and moved closer. The Brown gem started to glow, the light from both clashing on the wall. Julie swallowed hard and took one-step foreword, the crystal gem responded. Karon stepped forward and was greeted by the red gem’s glow. They looked up and saw that the glow of the gems merged and shone with a bright white light.

“Amazing…” Julie said, but Alex was more concerned with the gems. He reached out to the gem that had reacted to him and touched it. John and the others followed. Suddenly the gems sprung to life and rose up.

“What’s going on?” Karon shrieked.

“I…I don’t know!” John shouted over the din of the gems, “Alex!?” he continued.

“Take the gems!” Alex yelled reaching out.

“What?” Julie shouted causing Alex to draw back.

“Just do it!” he said, reached out again and grabbed the gem and cradled it in his hands. The others did the same. The moment all four of them held their respective gems there was a blinding light and by the time they could see again the gems where gone.

“What? No! Where are they?” Alex shouted and slammed his fist on the perfect pedestal which crumbled. “What in the world?” he said examining his hand. He looked up at John who simply replied “Cool.”

“Uh, guys?” Karon said. Alex and John turned and saw that Karon was engulfed in flames. “Help me!”

“Drop and roll!” John yelled. Karon fell and began to roll on the ground causing dust to fly everywhere.

About this time Julie’s allergies kicked in and she sneezed. When she did an enormous blast of air erupted from her nose blowing away the dust and extinguishing the flames on Karon. The others all looked at Julie who proceeded to say “Ouch.”

“I don’t get it. What’s going on?” Karon asked.

“Maybe...” Alex said. He held out his hand and lifted it up. The pedestal that he had destroyed repaired itself. “I think I get it now.”

“Please, enlighten us.” John said producing water from his fingertips and forming various shapes in the air.

“You guys know the old legend about the hero’s of the elements right?”Alex asked.

“Vaguely…no” John replied. Alex sighed.

“The legend speaks of four heroes’ who were given power over the four elements and rose up to defeat the darkness that the world had accepted and been consumed by. To defeat this darkness the four combined their power to create pure light. With the darkness defeated and the world at peace the heroes used their powers to repair all the damage caused by the commander of the darkness, and when the heroes died the power they had was concentrated into four stones that hid themselves away waiting for the time that their power would be needed again, at which time they would chose new owners to give their powers to.”

“How do you know all this stuff?” John asked bewildered.

“It’s called a book, dude.” Alex said.

“Oh yeah, I‘ve heard of those.”

“Do you really think we’re the ones?” Julie asked massaging her nostrils.

“Like I said, nothing else makes sense.” He replied, checking the pillar that he destroyed and reassembled. There were some cracks that were not there before meaning their powers would have to be developed just like anything else.

“So what happens next?” Karon asked, checking herself for burns.

“I dunno…” he said sitting down and leaning back against the pillar. “Getting these powers was not chance, we were chosen for a reason.”

“Which is?” John asked

“No idea.”

“Finally ran outta answers huh?”

“Shut-up, it’ll come.” He grabbed the necklace around his neck and held it in his fist. The charm stood for the trinity, Father, Spirit, Son. Alex and the others were all strong christens by faith. One of the few things Alex received from his father, besides his sword, was an old bible that he’d found refuge in when he lost his parents. God had never steered him wrong before. “I don’t know what your entrusting me with, but as long as you lead.” He prayed silently.

“Until then we figure this out we need to expand our power.” Alex told them.

“Sounds like a plan.” John responded.

“I’m in.” Julie said.

“Me too.” Karon said.

“All right, let’s do this.” Alex said getting up and dusting off his pants, “there’s no telling what we’ve gotten ourselves into now, but it’ll put all we’ve got on the line.”