Chapter One

Like a throbbing tooth, vibrations pulsed within the earth, raging at Seth and drowning him as his palm felt the cool ground. "What could have caused such a disturbance in nature?" he wondered, a frown creasing his face as his head lifted, eyes searching. Fingers fisting in the freshly dew dampened soil, shivers racked his body as a malicious chill seared through him carried by the soft whisper of wind breathing over him. "What is this I feel?"

Settling back on his heels, Seth's hand slipped between the folds of his tattered back pack, skimming over the scattered items within until they brushed against the thicker bulge inside. Gripping the spine of the book, he carefully drew it out, fingers edging open the cover to slide over the pages of drawings. Eyebrows furrowing, his eyes narrowed as they drifted from his rough sketches of Amolia's boundaries to the official map of Amolia's lands. "This can't be right. The Great Wall should run along the shoreline, but it doesn't. This doesn't make any sense."

Pressing his pencil against the drawn map, long fingers danced across the page, carefully sketching the wall along Amolia's border before slipping the book inside the back pack. Rising to his feet and shifting towards the wall, his hand trailed over the rough stone. Fleeting images and emotions from the past surged through the contact, filling his mind before his mental shields strengthened to force back the flow of history.

Existing as the greatest collaboration to be born from the joined efforts of the once warring kingdoms, the wall endured and remained strong throughout the past century as it protected the four kingdoms sheltered within. "But what exists beyond it?" Seth's eyes traced over the seal, his fingers sliding along the heavy latch. "Using this type of welding, they never intended for the northeastern gate to be reopened." Head tilting back, Seth's gaze wandered upward. "What is it? Maybe twenty feet high?"

Eyes closing, his mind reached out, searching for any plants beyond the wall that could aid in climbing over. Earth magic flaring through him, his energy drifted out to the vines crawling up the wall to coax them downward. Power filling them, the vines grew, thickening as they snaked down to just below shoulder level.

A satisfied smile curving his lips, Seth's hand tightened around the vines, pulling himself up and using the edges of his boots against the wall to balance himself as he climbed upward. Falling would likely kill him, but Seth felt confident that the vines would hold and that his natural climbing abilities would not fail him. As he pulled himself further and further up, the vines gently curled around his body, offering support and easing the weight on his aching arms. Reaching the top and hoisting himself onto the ledge, a sigh of relief spilled from his lips as he relaxed against the warm stone.

"It was well worth the climb," he mused, his gaze sweeping out over the beauty of Amolia. The sun crept slowly across the sky, its golden rays spreading and reflecting a colorful spectrum off the clouds, illuminating the treetops lining the distance for miles. Mountains stretched skyward just beyond Amolia's borders, disappearing into the clouds and casting shadows over the glistening river winding along their edge.

"Breathtaking. The Spirits truly blessed Amolia with such magnificence. My home." Pride blooming within his chest, his lips curved upward, the rare smile easing the seriousness of his expression. Breathing in deeply, Seth tasted salt on the air and felt it settling over him as his face tilted towards the sky to allow the sun's warmth to wash over him. "This is nice."

Reluctantly tearing his gaze away, Seth peered down over the side of the wall, heaving a heavy sigh. Shifting to lower himself over the ledge, he carefully edged down the wall, the descent passing quickly. Boots touched the ground as vines fell away from his waist and began slithering upward along the stone. Turning to survey the ominous land before him, his breath caught in his throat.

Where a town had once thrived, only shattered buildings remained, their haunting images reflecting back at him. Overwhelming grief and terror weighed upon him, the air hanging deathly silent around him and disturbed only by the soft crunch of Seth's boots against rocks and shattered glass. "This destruction reaches deeper than these broken homes. The earth itself weeps, scarred from whatever battle swept through this town," he whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.

His senses opened, searching for the familiar life essences of plants and animals that always welcomed him, but felt only emptiness and despair. "It's as if all life has been torn away." Dropping to his knees, his palms pressed firmly against the barren ground, and his eyes drifted shut as his thoughts cleared to focus on the magic stirring within his veins. Drawing from its warmth, he channeled the power deep within his soul and willed it outward.

Driving it deep into the land beneath him, he sent Earth magic spiraling out in pulsing waves across the ground, his mind pulling forth images of Amolia's gardens. Dirt trembled, shifting as buds of grass burst through the soil. A mass array of blossoms ranging from roses to lilies, from wildflowers to dandelions, sprouted from the ground, shimmering with new life as they mirrored the pictures within his thoughts. The gentle blue glow of his magic showered over the flowers, seeking deep within their roots and willing life into them. Flowers bloomed, opening to their fullest and stretching toward the sky.

"Now this is what is meant to exist." Grin spreading over his lips, he watched the ground thrive with magic, feeling the sudden influx of new life calling out to him. Rising and continuing forward, his gaze swept over the forlorn buildings. "Only Nature Beings with total disregard for life could have reaped such devastation upon the earth. Who would have dared launch such an attack against this town? Why?"

Eyes traveling across the distance, a sliver of unease crept down his spine as its presence weighed against his suddenly faltering steps. Focusing on the rectangular stone platform in the center of the square, his hands clenched into fists. Dread taking root within his chest, he reluctantly crept forward to brush trembling fingers over the markings carved into the stone. "The ancient language…. It can't be." But it made sense. A battle raged between Nature Beings would have caused this kind of devastation.

Delving deeper into the town, his apprehension grew with each step as he neared the coastline. The calming roar of ocean waves crashing against the shoreline shattered the dreary silence lingering over Seth. The thought of finally seeing the ocean had filled him with excitement at the beginning of his journey, but now it faded, dampened by the new thoughts and questions racing through his mind.

Strangely, the mansion overlooking the ocean remained intact, the stones still planted firmly. Only the damage to the splintered door and broken windows indicated that anything foul had taken place. Pulling aside what remained of the front door and cautiously stepping inside, Seth paused, familiarity tugging at his mind as he glanced up the flight of stairs leading to the upper floor. Hesitant steps led him upward as he pressed forward, slowly taking in the dust covered hallway lined with doors left open by fleeing occupants.

Drawn into the first room on his left, Seth froze at the sight of the small child's bed with blankets tossed aside haphazardly. A cold pit forming in his stomach, he forced himself further into the room. Leaning down, trembling fingers carefully lifted one of the scattered books from the floor and flipped through the pages as he straightened. I know I've never read this, but the story seems so familiar.

Closing it, he slid the book into his cloak as he withdrew from the room, his throat suddenly dry as a hauntingly sweet perfume still lingering in the air filled his nose and lured him towards the farthest room. His reflection staring back at him from the mirrored dresser drew him across the room. Skimming his fingers over the finely carved wood, his hand stilled as it brushed across the cool surface of a glistening gem. Frowning, he lifted the necklace gently by its silver chain and rubbed his thumb over the gem. Not jade or diamond and more beautiful and than any stone he had ever seen.

Ice blue but as he shifted towards the window streaks of other colors shined through as sunlight reflected off its surface. "Perhaps father can identify it," he murmured, wrapping it in a piece of cloth and slipping it into his pocket. Closing the door behind him, he quickly descended the stairs and stepped outside to breathe in deeply as fresh wind caressed his face. The smell of the ocean greeted him, but the perfume lingered in his senses.

Shaking his head, Seth cautiously made his way down the narrow path leading to the shore. All his life Seth had dreamed of seeing the ocean, and, as he sank down onto the sand, he found himself left breathless by the beauty before him. His fingers dipped into the sand, reveling in its silky smooth texture. "Amazing. Despite everything I have seen and been troubled by, I would not sacrifice this moment for anything." Staring out over the roaring waves, he drew his knees to his chest and rested his arms around them.

"Somehow this feels like home, almost just as much as Amolia. How strange. I wonder if Father knows of this place. He must. How could he not? So he must know of this devastation as well. Who else could have ordered the alteration to the map? Somehow he is involved in all this," Seth whispered, dropping his head forward onto his knees.

"What do we have here? Our crown prince so far from home. What a pleasant surprise for us," a taunting voice called from behind him, sending Seth springing to his feet. Whirling to face the men stepping out from the path, unease swept through Seth as his fists clenched at his side. Unlike Seth's nearly silver hair and eyes, they were like most Nature Beings, their hair and eyes dark, and carried barely five and seven feet in height. Despite the king's laws strictly forbidding Amolians from crossing the Great Wall Boundary, they seemed unfazed by Seth's presence as they dropped the large duffle bags they carried onto the sand and advanced towards him.

"I am not the only one far from home, Darnel. Care to explain what brings you to this side of the Great Wall?" He warily watched the four, bracing himself as his mind sought theirs. They mean to harm me. Barely contained violence coursed through their bodies, their emotions assaulting his senses.

"Well, my lord, we have business across the ocean. A little selling and trading." Darnel spoke with obvious disdain, the 'my lord' filled with contempt. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement as he glanced towards the men at his back, finding united agreement on their faces as they spread out to block Seth's path.

Noticing the small nods and hands lowering towards the weapons at their hips, Seth's own hand brushed against the hilt of his sword. "I see. Safe travels to you, but I should be on my way. Night is falling quickly, and I have a long journey ahead of me." Reflecting a neutral expression across his face, Seth moved to step around the men, hoping to avoid the coming confrontation.

"I don't think you will be leaving," Darnel sneered, stepping towards Seth menacingly.

"Attacking me is treason against Amolia, Darnel. Forrester, are you willing to become a fugitive? How about you, Alder? My father will have you all put to death. Linden, you have a young child at home. Is attacking me really worth losing everything?" Seth attempted to reason, beads of perspiration forming against his brow.

"It is only treason and punishable by death if we're caught. Out here, no one will hear you scream, and no one will know what misfortune befell our beloved prince," Darnel assured him, chuckling softly. "You will simply disappear."

Ignoring the faint traces of fear surging through him, Seth's eyes narrowed, defiance glinting within their icy depths. "Of course, you are correct. There is no one else for miles, and you are also correct in that if something were to happen to me, then no one would ever know. It is also true that the four of you against just the one of me does put me at a disadvantage. However, I am prince and future king of Amolia, and the blood that fills my veins is centuries old. The four of you might overwhelm me, but I can guarantee that none of you will walk away. Consider your next actions carefully because there will be no turning back."

"You talk bravely for a lad who has never seen battle."

Seth felt the earth around him stir as the men attempted to draw power from its depths. He extended his hand, palm outward, and willed away the magic. Shock filled the eyes staring back at him as he shook his head, a soft sigh drifting from his lips. "You can not use nature's gifts against me. I am one with the earth, and its favor shines upon me. If you wish to kill me, it will have to be from your own hand."

The sound of metal sliding from sheaths filled the air as the men advanced toward Seth. His natural agility and speed taking over, Seth whirled, his sword appearing in his hand as his body twisted to easily dodge the sloppily aimed strikes. Sunlight gleamed off his blade as it arched through the narrow space surrounding him. His attackers fell away, their swords knocked from their hands as his blade connected with each. Wind rushed from Seth, sweeping up the swords and carrying them into the sea.

"Today I show mercy. My father will not be as kind as I. Do not return to Amolia." Seth sheathed his sword and started away from the shore.

A slight rustling from behind served as too late warning. Seth turned seconds before the dagger aimed at his spine sliced into his side. His hand flew out, commanding vines to wrap tightly around the men as he fell to his knees with blood spilling down his body. Chest heaving with his ragged breaths, his fingers closed around the hilt of the dagger. Cringing as the cool metal moved against his flesh, he pulled it free and dropped it against the sand as a pained hiss whispered from his tightly drawn lips.

Seth's palm pressed against the wound, blood streaming between his fingers as he forced himself to his feet. Faulty, stumbling steps carried him across the distance, his mind latching onto a malevolent realization. I will never reach Father or Jeff. Even if he crossed the wall again, hundreds of miles separated him from anyone who could aid him from within Amolia's borders.

"My bag," he whispered, remembering it. Reaching the wall, Seth's trembling hand directed magic through the vines creeping along the stone. Stretching downward, the vines gently coiled over his waist as his fingers wrapped around them, tightening as he struggled to climb upward. Stabbing pain seared through his side and sent his strength flowing from his body as his knees buckled. Grip slipping from the vine, he collapsed against the suddenly crimson stained dirt below him.

Jeff, I need you, his mind whispered through their connection, seeking out his twin's mind across the distance. Jeff's presence reared within, his mind joining Seth's. Shock pulsed through their bond as Jeff skimmed through Seth's thoughts. My brother, I am coming. You must hold on, Jeff's voice urged within Seth's mind, but darkness pushed its way inside, drowning Seth in it as his body slumped forward. Crashing against the ground, Seth's eyes drifted shut as soothing numbness spread through him.