[The Beginning]

After about forty-five minutes Daisy had finished her homework and was bored. She walked out into the living room and plopped down on the soft cushion of the couch as she waited for her brother to return. She was more excited to play the new game than she let on. Despite her appearance and personality, she was very good at video games. Probably better than her brother, but she let him win to support his fragile ego. Her phone vibrated signaling that somebody had messaged her. Daisy flipped her phone over to find that it was Rose. Her fingers danced across the screen as she responded

Rose: What time were you going to go out?

Message sent 4:49

Daisy: 6. Then we could meet at the front of the store at like 6:15. It doesn't take too long to buy junk food.

Message sent 4:50

Rose: Okay. Text me when you leave to go to the store then.

Message sent 4:51

Daisy: Sounds good.

Message sent 4:51

Daisy put her phone back down on the table and leaned back. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. Her quiet moment quickly ended when Bellis burst into the house holding the bag high in the air. "I got the game!!" He shouted and ran over to the TV to start it. He pulled the case out of the bag and admired the cover art that he hadn't noticed because of his rush to get home.

The title was sprawled across the top of the cover. Behind it was a clear blue sky and beneath that was an odd statue that held out its hands. Water fell like a waterfall from one hand, while fire flickered in the other. The chest depicted a grey half moon and vibrant orange sun. Vines wrapped around the sides which flowed into the earth. The ground was cover in viridian and gold, thick grass. Most intriguing was the face. It was split into two halves with one side being darker than the other. A third eye resided in the center of its forehead. He opened the case and popped the disk into the game console.

Slowly sitting up, Daisy rubbed her dry eyes. "What took you so long? Were you flirting again? Can you not see how uncomfortable that makes him in public?" She nagged.

"Exactly. In public." He winked. Music started playing softly through the speakers and the TV lit up brightly. The title screen appeared and after a short clip a start game button illuminated. The siblings stared at the beautiful art. Bellis handed Daisy a remote and using his, started the game.

The color that once occupied the screen faded into black. Dark music started lowly, and two figures appeared in the shadows. They wore cloaks that covered their skin and hid their faces from the players. Dialogue started underneath them.

1: Sir, it is almost time.

2: I know, but there is still some time before they come.

1: We have but a few hours. Are we truly ready?

2: How ready could one be for the destruction of all?

1: Is the portal set up? Is everything in place?

2: Even if it weren't set up, they would still come here anyways. That is the future I see, and the future cannot change.

1: Tell me again about the end.

2: This is common knowledge among our society.

1: I understand that sir, but...

1: I just want to hear it again from you before it starts.

2: When the outsiders come, they will unlock the elemental powers of the five stones. However, one will be consumed by her power and destroy his creation. They will kill us too. After I die, all will be dark. Very dark. Then, suddenly, light shall appear again.

The dialogue ended and the screen changed. The color lightened to a character select screen. "You can choose your character first." Bellis offered. Daisy nodded and chose the air player. The character selection allowed her to design the character, but with a color scheme that matched the chosen element. After she made the character resemble her likeness, Daisy entered her name in.

Once she finished, the game lit up a spot for another player. Bellis chose the water player. When he was done he started the playable version of the story. Again the screen melted into black before displaying more text.

Are you sure you want to continue? You will not be able to change your characters, but you can add players later.

~Yes~ ~No~

Bellis looked over at Daisy. "Once we start we can't restart or start a new game, so are you sure your stuff is good?" He asked. She gave a silent thumbs up. He selected "yes" and the game started for real. It showed their characters in a lively, emerald field.

"The art is so pretty." Daisy commented as her character ran across the field. Bellis' character followed until they reached a tree. The game play cut to a short video scene.

The camera panned to the sun as its rays were blocked by the stretching branches of the tree. The wind blew and the long grass swayed around the character's feet. They walked up to the tree and 'Daisy' reached into the gaping hole at the base of the trunk to pull out a vibrant green orb. It glowed for a moment, then faded.

Daisy: 'Bellis' this is not ours. We must come back later with its owner." 'Daisy said.

Bellis: Where is it's owner?

Daisy: They are not yet here.

The scene cut back to the game. Bellis and Daisy gave each other a look. "Do you find it odd that the voices sound just like us?" Daisy questioned.

"Naw. Video games today are just so innovative. Maybe its like some sort of voice recognition thing, you know?" He tried to give a reasonable explanation, but he had a hard time believing it. Daisy shrugged it off and moved her character.

"The game didn't really give us an objective, but it looks like there is a town nearby. Maybe we can buy stuff there or talk to people." Bellis suggested.

"The objective is to find our powers and destroy the world remember?" Daisy joked. They laughed together as their character ran down the endless field. Once they made it into the town, a clock chimed. "Wow, look how realistic the clocktower is!" She admired. Her character started talking to herself, but they didn't hear it.

Daisy: I can feel the power here.

"Such amazing architecture!" He added. "Why is your character glowing? Wait. Hold on. Get closer to the clock tower." Daisy did as her brother told her,and the aura of light engulfing her character grew in intensity. "That is so weird. Go check what's inside."

The screen cut to another video as 'Daisy' went into the clocktower. The scene showed the winding set of stairs that led to the top of the tower. A circle of light grew unbearably bright as she started going up. It skipped her entire accent, but as soon as 'Daisy' got to the top, the scene was completely white.

The game resumed, but Daisy's side of the screen was black. Bellis moved his around, but her character was nowhere to be seen. "What happened? Did I die?" Daisy fiddled with the controller. Bellis jumped suddenly when Daisy's character appeared out of nowhere drenched in a rusty liquid. Her skin had changed to a pale light blue. The character's once lively eyes were white and cold. The only emotion on her face was the wicked grin that spread inhumanly from one flushed cheek to the other. Bellis's character covered his face with his hands in horror and screamed just before the screen and sound faded.

The siblings stared at the TV for a while before text appeared on the screen.

???: Yoü shoüld know dear friends, that in my garden, the weak shall fall by my hand.

The game menu popped up, but the character selection was reduced to a fire, earth, and the mystery player. The music returned to it's normal cheeriness and pedals floated down the menu screen. Daisy snapped out of her dumbfounded state when she realized how late it was.

"Um. I have to go get food at the market and pick up Rose, so I'm gonna go now." She broke the silence and stood up. "Need anything?"

"I need my mind back because it was just blown." Was all he could manage to say as he continued to stare at the TV.

"I don't think they sell that. Sorry." she picked up the car keys and headed out the door. Bellis nodded as he finally regained control of himself. He tried to select a new character, but the game wouldn't let him. Eventually he got frustrated and went to his room to do something else.