Chapter Text
A girl runs, her stringy brown hair whipped by the wind. Her tunic is in tatters, the white cloth stained with dirt, grime, and food. Her feet are bare, stung by sharp rocks and sand, but she still runs, her face a mask of terror. She runs from the burning city behind her, which, just a moment ago, had been her home. The girl dashes for the woods, and hides behind a tall oak. She tries to steady her breathing. The fire will never reach these ancient trees. She is safe here.
The girl walks beneath the trees, her bare feet making no sound on the spongy moss and bracken. She walks deeper and deeper, away from the burning city, and the trees suddenly give way to a meadow. The girl sits, glad for a rest, her breathing ragged and her feet sore. The sun sets, turning the smoke-filled sky blood red.
The ground rumbles.
“Hello?” the girl calls, getting up.
Suddenly, the ground splits open with a CRACK, revealing a dark chasm. Golden-clad warriors climb out of the chasm, bows drawn and spears readied.
The terrified girl screams, and scrambles behind a boulder as the warriors run toward her.
The lead warrior steps forward.
“Who dares put a foot in the sacred field of Time?” he rumbles.
The girl creeps out.
“I didn’t know what it was! Please, I was just taking a rest, please, sire!” she squeaks.
The warrior raises his hand. The warriors lower their weapons. He extends his hand toward the girl, and she hesitantly grabs it.
“What is your name, girl?” the warrior asks. His face betrays no emotion.
The girl stays quiet for a moment.
“Atana,” she whispers.
The warrior pulls a glowing key out from behind his armour. The key hangs on a string, pulsing with a powerful golden light.
“And, Atana, do you know what this is?” he asks.
The girl shakes her head, and the warrior smiles, his forest-green eyes crinkling.
“This is the Key of Time, and we are the Timekeepers.”