YinYang city sat in the centre of the globe. It was a jewel of perfection. A city and land that reflected the perfect symmetry within the world, life and forces. 

Grand Sorceress Melia was the leader of the people who lived there. Like the sanctum, they were neutral or were supposed to be. Melia was tasked with only one thing, keeping the balance. 

Out of all leaders, she had the most control over all the elements and forces. All of the others try their best to win her support and as such, she was constantly attending functions (which were just meetings but with exquisite meals and drinks) and formal meetings with the other nations.

Scholars from far and wide travelled to YinYang city to visit their ancient library and learn as much as they could about all kinds of different subjects. 

Her best student, who would meditate with her daily, was Sloane Dawson. She, like Melia, could feel the forces within the world and how subtle they were and how delicate the balance is, one tip too far one way, would be catastrophic for all.

“Sloane, my darling, I must tell you about your history, our history. But first, read this book.” Melia said softly after she had led Sloane to the Library vaults, where no one was allowed except for the librarian and Melia herself.

Sloane bowed slightly as she took up a seat at the table with the lamp on and opened the book. 

It was titled ‘The ancient days with the gods and the elementals’.

The book looked ancient. It was a dark brown book, leather bound with crisp white pages.  

“I’ll let you have a little read, I’ll be back soon,” Melia said softly, then slipped back out and disappeared into the main part of the library.

Sloane got to leafing through the book, it looked like it was going to take her a while to get through. She huffed out a sigh as she dreamed of travelling the world and one day find out who her real parents really were and why they abandoned her here with Melia. She was her mother as far as she was concerned. She took them in as a sweet little baby boy and brought them up as her own and blossomed into a bright young woman. Sloane owed her everything. Yet still, she had so many questions yet to be answered and so many things to feel, to experience, to find out about. 

“Hmm, it seems with these shifts we’ve been experiencing, risking the balance daily, Lady Melia wants to tell me more about myself. But why not just tell me? What does all this have to do with me? And this book?!?” Sloane wondered out loud to herself in the large vault, surrounded by all manner of objects and books, some were dark and foreboding, while others looked playful and magical.

-_-_-_-_-

The very foundations of the palace of Gallium seemed as if they trembled with fear and disgust at the booming voice of High wizard Libor.

“I want that dirty, little, rat, thief found! Now!!!” High wizard Libor shouted at his second in command, Cassius. Cassius seemed like he didn’t even notice the shouting. He was a small man with a long beard and looked as old as the hills. He had been a trusted advisor to Libor and his family for most of his life, which probably explains his indifference to Libor’s wild mood swings but Cassius knew exactly when Libor’s short fuse would actually blow and threaten every one with his volatile power.

“Yes, Master Libor, I will have Dregen send out the troops”, the man said before bowing formally and exiting the room.

“Argh! How the hell did that little worm manage to get out of the city and the lands?!? That little rat! I’ll find you and drain you of everything until you are nothing but a mere shell! You will pay for what you’ve done!” Libor said to himself out loud as he thought of all the nasty things he could do to Michael when he finally had him back, caged up like a little yellow canary. Libor’s dark thoughts were becoming more frequent and more violent these days; sometimes, the deep hoarse voice he heard didn’t quite sound like his own voice but instead of being alarmed by the change, he couldn't help but enjoy this new powerful presence growing from within.

Michael was ripped from his sleep by his own screams from a nightmare he didn’t want to believe in. 

Sitting up in his dusty rented bedroom, covered in sweat, he looked around the room with ragged breathing, searching every corner with his weary eyes for any sign of Libor, Cassius or Dregen. 

With a huff, he flopped back onto the lumpy pillow and tried his best to think of something other than Libor’s face coming towards him. He fell asleep again, thinking of a certain kind Wood elemental.