The sky above Elandrion crackled with energy, the tension in the air thick enough to feel like the storm was about to break. The sun hung low, a fiery disk setting the horizon ablaze, reflecting the power within the heart of the kingdom—the Flame Crystal, the most sacred of all the elemental gems. Its fiery glow cast long shadows across the citadel, where the four brothers stood, each a sentinel of their realm.
Kaelion, the eldest, stood at the edge of the palace balcony, his fingers twitching with the restless energy of the flames he commanded. His fiery red hair blew wild in the wind, eyes sharp and full of unspoken thoughts. The Flame Crystal, now resting securely in the heart of the citadel, had always been a symbol of power. But to Kaelion, it was much more—a bond. His bond. One he swore to protect above all else.
To his right, Auren, the prince of the air, gazed out at the distant mountains. His pale blue cloak rippled like the very sky itself, a stark contrast to the fiery essence of Kaelion. Auren's thoughts were always quieter, more methodical, and it showed in the serene, calculating look in his ice-blue eyes. The wind whispered to him, and in return, he listened, always one step ahead of any storm.
Zephros, the third of the brothers, stood apart from the others, his feet planted firmly on the ground. The Earth Crystal, like the mountains themselves, resonated with him. He was grounded, solid—yet within his dark brown eyes burned a fierce protective nature. He didn't speak much, but his silence spoke volumes. The earth always knew where to stand, and so did he.
And then there was Naeris, the youngest. His quiet strength was an enigma. Though he was the bearer of the Water Crystal, his emotions ran deeper than any ocean. His dark hair, the color of midnight, fell over his storm-gray eyes, which always seemed to be staring into something no one else could see. Unlike the others, who were firm in their identities, Naeris often found himself drifting between worlds—neither entirely of land, sky, or fire, but deeply connected to the life force of the seas and all that moved within it.
They were the Sang'ro, guardians of the elemental crystals, the last line of defense against an ancient evil that no longer lingered in the realm's conscious memory. Or so they believed.
"Do you feel it?" Kaelion's voice broke the silence, pulling the others from their thoughts.
Auren's eyes narrowed, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his blade. "Something is wrong. The winds have shifted, and it isn't natural."
Zephros looked over at him, sensing the same unease. "The earth has been restless for days. No sign of quakes, but… something beneath the surface is awakening."
Naeris shifted, his fingers brushing the surface of the crystal that hung from his neck. He didn't say anything, but the weight of the Water Crystal seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment.
The brothers turned their gaze toward the towering spire of the Flame Crystal, its glowing intensity flickering, pulsing in a rhythm they had never witnessed. It was as if the crystal itself was breathing, awakening from a long slumber.
"Something has stirred the heart of the realm," Kaelion said grimly. "We need to find out what before it's too late."
As the sun set, a deep shadow began to spread across the land, and the sky seemed to darken unnaturally fast. In the far distance, beyond the borders of Elandrion, a figure stood alone—shrouded in darkness, watching them.
It was then that the crystal pulsed again, louder this time.