Journals of The Earth Guardians - Series 1

By L.C Webb

Lila Winters, a mother of two, learns that she has the ability to control natural elements-abilities that exceed that of a normal human. Others like her, Guardians, are being hunted and manipulated by those who seek to control their powers.

After

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Knights Corner Publishing
• Release date: Jul 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9780645887822

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Last One

Journal entry by Adela Eden

My story is not the kind of fairy tale that most people want to hear about, there’s been no prince Charming, now or in the foreseeable future. No rags to riches moments. Although I don’t think my family has ever been – I think the political term is worse off. But my life has been pretty awesome. I’m currently on a mission to uncover the secrets of a dark and evil organisation that has been abducting people like me.

Tonight’s the night that we find answers.

At the end of a dark carpark in the bushes outside a shipping warehouse called Pack-n-Send, I hid in the shadows, and with dark green eyes peering from the bushes, I watched as a small bluebird flew from the rooftop of the warehouse and into the bushes where I waited for a sit-rep.

Suddenly, the warehouse door flew open as the last factory worker clocked off for the night, completely oblivious to the world around him, listening to ridiculously loud music through his headphones. He locked the warehouse door while he danced and shimmied then began to whistle as he strutted to his car.

The bluebird chirped, and the leaves of the bush rustled as I shushed the bird to stay quiet, unfortunately causing the factory worker to stop. He pulled one of the headphones away from his ear, and looked cautiously back at the bushes.

Hello? he shouted, now pulling the headphones fully away from his ears and resting them around his neck. Is someone there?!

Slowly, he walked towards the bushes, fearfully reaching into his pocket to retrieve his flashlight. He then looked around the carpark with his eyes following the shaking light of the torch.

Hello? he shouted again.

The light stopped on the bushes where I hid, so thinking of a counter measure, the bluebird flew from the bushes to startle the worker and began to encircle him with low swoops. I stayed quiet, hiding in the bushes as my green eyes began to glow blue, just slightly, then I looked up at the sky, watching as small rainclouds formed over the factory carpark.

The bluebird hurryingly flew back into the bushes as heavy rain began to fall and drench the factory worker. So now frustrated and soaking wet, the worker scurried back to his car, attempting to cover his head with his jacket as he ran.

The bluebird watched on from the safe cover of the bushes as the factory worker’s car lights disappeared out of sight. Once in the clear, he slowly hopped towards the factory but then stopped, glanced back at the bushes and whispered, Adela.

That’s right, he can talk. – And sometimes never shuts up.

He called out again, this time much louder, looking up at the grey clouds and shaking his wings profusely to loosen the water from his feathers. His predicament made want to laugh, but I didn’t. Instead I closed my eyes and the rain stopped. I then stood up and climbed out of the bushes before pulling my hoodie up to cover my long brown hair. – To paint you a picture, I also have one red streak of hair from my fringe leading back into my pony tail.

In my family I’m the rebel.

While looking around at the empty carpark, a small hint of doubt crossed my mind, so I stared down at the small bluebird, and asked with a slightly annoyed tone in my voice, Are you sure this is the right warehouse?

Positive, he responded and flew up to confidently perch himself on my shoulder before adding, Now please, stop stalling and continue with the mission.

I drew a deep breath, and I admit I was a little scared as I looked up at the warehouse rooftop, and very hesitantly said, Okay then. Now it’s just a case of finding out how to get in… Any clues, Blue?

I had a pretty good guess at what Blue’s answer was going to be. – And I felt pretty sure that I was not going to like it.

Bluey! the bluebird responded. You are aware my name is Bluey. I do not understand why you insist on calling me Blue.

With a flutter, Bluey, the bluebird flew up onto the rooftop, disappearing into the dark. And I sighed in disappointment.

Fruits… I was afraid you were going to do that.

While looking around the carpark, I wandered to the far wall of the warehouse and found a long ladder leading high up onto the rooftop, locked behind a large steel fence. I couldn’t help but smile smugly, and I rubbed my hands together before taking a running jump over the fence like it was a small playground hurdle.

Bluey was still waiting at the top of the warehouse, staring down at the empty carpark as I timidly climbed over the last rung of the ladder. I then laid down on the flat roof and held onto the railing while taking some quick and calming breaths.

If you haven’t guessed, heights are not my thing. – Like ever.

Bluey chirped and asked if I was okay, and I nodded as I regained control of my nerves and got up onto my knees, vigilantly avoiding to look up as I crawled slowly towards a rooftop skylight.

He tweeted as if to say hurry up, and angered by his domineering attitude towards me, I growled, Blue, seriously! One more tweet from you, and I’ll drop a giant snowball on your tiny head!

Bluey, unshaken by my threatening remarks, snapped back, Given that there is no snow and that we are in Melbourne in the middle of summer, it is unlikely that you will follow through on that threat. So I will note that this fear of heights is irrational and…

Before Bluey could finish his sentence, I looked up at him with glowing blue eyes just as a large ball of snow fell from the sky and covered him completely, silencing him momentarily. And it made me smile as I watched him attempt to dig his way out of the snow.

What would you know about fear? I asked sarcastically. You’re half robot. You let a computer run your brain!

Grabbing the side of the skylight, I ripped the plastic sheeting and its bolts away from the roof, creating a large enough hole to fit through. Just as I was about to jump happily off the roof and into the office below, I heard the sound of that shivering bluebird failing to dig itself out of the snow.

Urgh.

Letting out an unwilling huff, I reached into the pile of snow and lifted Bluey up out of the cold and onto my shoulder. I then jumped down into the office space below and smiled as I felt my confidence return and my fear disappear.

I left Bluey in the safety of the office window, overlooking the darkened warehouse floor, then while walking out of the office and down a flight of stairs, I adjusted the small earpiece inserted in my ear, whispering, Bluey, can you hear me? There doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious here… I’m going to look through the back of the warehouse.

Needing to stop at the base of the stairs, I stared into the almost pitch-black warehouse, closed my eyes and took several slow deep breaths. When I opened them again, the outer rim of my iris glowed a faint blue, and I looked around the warehouse now finding it much easier to see.

That’s right. – I’ve got night-vision, baby.

As I looked around, I spotted some piles of papers and a few stacks of boxes, and in the distance I could make out a large shipping container sitting at the very front end of the warehouse.

Curious? I muttered under my breath, cautiously adjusting my earpiece. Bluey, are you sure this is the right warehouse? There’s nothing here except boxes and an empty shipping container.

Suddenly, a large rat ran across the floor of the warehouse, and I jumped in fear as it sent shivers through my body. – Eerk! I totally hate rats. – I looked over at the rat again to see it nibbling on some stale bread, and softly whispered, I’m starting to really regret leaving Alex behind.

Continuing on, I warily moved to inspect the empty shipping container to find absolutely nothing inside. – I was right to think Bluey had been given a dead lead.

I’d tell you what we were looking for, but that’s classified.

The shipping container was empty but it did make me curious, and I began to wonder why only one factory worker was leaving this late at night from a warehouse with very little in the way of supplies and boxes, plus one empty shipping container. – It kind of felt… off.

I snapped back to reality when I heard the sound of thick oozing mud exuding from the roof of the shipping container. It wrapped around my feet, trapping me inside the container. I moved quick and tried to run but it was like the mud was alive. It chased after me and dragged me back into the shipping container, somehow slamming the door shut.

All I could do was scream, Bluey! Bluey! It’s a trap! Run, Bluey! RUN!!!

That’s all I remember before everything went dark.

Journal entry insert by Agent Bluey

My name is Bluey. – And yes, I am a bluebird with a robotic brain. – I was sitting at the office window, watching the horror of Agent Adela being chased by what looked like mud. But when I heard the floorboards creak in the office, I turned my head to see the factory worker from the carpark standing behind me, holding a bag out ready to catch me.

Remembering my training, I flew in a weaving pattern and clawed at his hand and face before circling the room, flying up and out of the hole where the skylight once was. I then flew as fast as I could into the darkness to hide.

I perched myself high in a tree in the carpark across the road from the warehouse, and watched a man step out of a parked SUV and stand in the shadows. He watched as the shipping container, presumably with Adela still locked inside, was loaded onto a truck and driven away. – This man’s name is unknown to us. We’ve nicknamed him The Darkman because we’ve only ever seen him in the dark.

The factory worker approached the Darkman carefully and spoke timidly, avoiding eye contact. Sir… we got one. But her partner was not on site.

The man remained in the shadows of the warehouse, obscuring his identity, and he crushed his coffee cup, trying to hold back his anger as he responded sternly through gritted teeth, Never call me sir… do I look like your boss?

No Sir… I mean, I apologize Si… err?

The worker seemed unsure what exactly to say, and in seeing the Darkman distracted by the worker, I took the opportunity to fly away.

I’m not sure but I think he spotted me leaving.

As I flew down the back alleys of the city, my eyes glowed red as my robotic brain sent a coded message to my operations centre, reading, Mission Failed. Mother Bird Captured.

I received a response almost instantly and my eyes glowed blue to read, Find the Last on before they do.

Something broke my attention, hearing a faint sound in the distance, so I flew up to the very highest building and hid on the roof. I stayed in the shadows and peered down just as the Darkman appeared in the streets below. He looked around and then disappeared into the shadows of the night.

Knowing I was being followed, I waited about an hour before I started to move again. Then I flew through the night across the city, past the bright night lights of Melbourne, and rested on the windowsill of a small townhouse in the Dandenong Ranges.

Exhausted from the flight, I peeked into the window of the townhouse to see who I believe to be the last one. – Lila Winters. – Our last hope.

Chapter 2

Why Me?

Journal entry by Lila Winters

My name is Lila Winters, and I have the best family ever. My husband and I have both made it to the late 20’s part of our lives, and we are loving every second of it. We have two adorable children. Danny, my cheeky little 4-year-old man who luckily got his father’s good looks with his beautiful brown hair and blue eyes. And Ruby, she’s 3-years-old but I swear she acts like a 5-year-old bossing her brother about. – It’s very funny to watch. – She was also lucky to get her father’s genes with the same blue eyes and brown hair.

I on the other hand, had honey blond hair growing up, and as a teen I hated it. Everyone I met would comment on my hair and how beautiful and sweet it made me look.

Yuck! – I am anything but sweet!

In the end, I rebelled and dyed my hair purple. Not because people thought I looked sweet but because my dad, the General, hated it. He’s a military man and wanted so badly for me to join the army and be like him. But you can’t have coloured hair in the military, so I’ve kept my hair purple ever since.

The wonderful man currently sleeping next to me is my husband, Matt. He… and I mean this in the nicest way, is my sexy science nerd. He has brown hair and handsome blue eyes that are enhanced by his glasses.

He only wears his glasses when he’s reading. – But when he reads, damn does he look dreamy!

As the morning sun rose, I woke to the sound of stampeding little footsteps running towards my bedroom, and I braced for impact as Danny opened the door, shouting as he jumped on the bed, Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!

Moving quickly, Matt sat up to grab hold of Danny and tickle him, and it wasn’t long before Ruby ran into the room, trying to rescue her brother from the tickling hands of their Dad. But she was soon caught in a trap as I grabbed Ruby and tickled her as well. Both of them wriggled all over the bed as they laughed, but the laughter broke when we were interrupted by the sound of the alarm clock.

Matt stopped tickling Danny to turn off the alarm, and sighed half-humorously, You know, just once it would be really nice to be woken by the alarm clock… I just can’t seem to remember that feeling of being woken abruptly by the sound of annoying beeps.

I responded with my usual ‘Yes dear’ look then snickered, Well, when we’re old and grey maybe it’ll happen.

He smiled at my thought, and gave all three of us kisses before he got up to get dressed. But my stomach began to grumble, and I grinned at the kids before asking, So, who wants pancakes for breakfast?!

Me! Me! Me! They both shouted loudly as they ran downstairs to the kitchen, and I rushed to get dressed into some yoga pants and the last clean work top I have in my draws.

Looks like its laundry night tonight.

Do you reckon they’ll ever get sick of pancakes? Matt asked while walking out of the walk-in robe, buttoning up his work shirt. – He works in a research lab at the University of Melbourne. Genetics is his specialty, but I think if he had the opportunity, he would specialise in all things scientific.

I scoffed at his remark and laughed as I walked out of the room, No-one could ever get sick of pancakes. Then while walking downstairs I yelled back, Hurry up or you’ll hit traffic!

Just as I got to the base of the stairs, Matt’s phone vibrated on the dresser, receiving a text message. He read the message as he tightened his tie then shouted down the stairwell, Hey Lila, Kevin’s called in sick! He wants me to teach his class this afternoon… That means I’ll be late home tonight!

Okay! I yelled back up the stairs from the kitchen. I’ll leave your dinner in the microwave!

Rushing down the stairs with his briefcase, Matt hurried into the kitchen to give me a kiss and to steal some pancakes, mumbling goodbye with his mouth stuffed full as he left out the back door. Ruby stayed sitting at the table, waving goodbye to Matt as I served up the remaining pancakes and poured her some juice. Danny on the other hand, darted to turn on the television the moment the garage door had closed, but I intercepted him before he reached the remote.

Uh-huh… No TV until you’ve had breakfast!

He walked back to the table with his head hung and lips pouted, and I couldn’t help but smile and laugh a little.

Children and their cuteness. – It is their super-power.

While eating breakfast, Ruby looked out the window and pointed at a bluebird sitting on the windowsill of the dining room, and said gleefully, Birdy!

I looked at the bluebird and felt very confused. – It’s not every day you see a bluebird in Melbourne. – But I replied while taking a seat at the table next to her, Very good, Ruby! It is a birdy. That one’s called a bluebird.

The bird appeared to be watching us as we ate breakfast, then it just flew away. – Which wasn’t at all weird. – I peered into the backyard to see if it flew back into a neighbouring house, but I couldn’t see it, so I went back to getting ready for the day.

Alright, guys! Time to go… Grab your bags and head out to the car.

Ruby and Danny raced each other upstairs to grab their day-care bags while I cleared the table and grabbed my keys and handbag. We walked out to my car, parked out the front, and I let the kids in and helped to buckle their seatbelts. But as I walked to the driver’s side, I spotted the same bluebird sitting on my letterbox, staring at me.

Okay…? – Now it’s getting creepy.

Shrugging my shoulders, I tried not to think much of it and got in the car. I dropped the kids off at day-care and went to work for the day. I didn’t finish until close to dinner time but as my car pulled back into the driveway again, the bird was still sitting on my letterbox.

What the…? – Why?

Danny and Ruby ran into the house, dumping their bags at the door before turning on the television. I walked in, picked up their bags and walked upstairs to put them away then after getting changed into some gym clothes, I headed out into the backyard to exercise. – Today is Tai-chi and kick-boxing.

My punching bag stand is called Bruce, and I painted an angry face on him to keep me motivated. But the entire time I was training, I kept getting distracted. I started to feel like I was being watched by that small bluebird that is now perched on our back fence. I tried to ignore it by shaking my head and saying, It’s nothing… it’s just a bird. But it just sat there on the fence, watching me.

Shoo! I shouted and made a menacing face trying to scare it away, but it seemed undeterred.

It watched me walk back inside to make dinner. It watched from the fence as we ate dinner and as we watched TV, and when we ran to welcome Matt home from work. – That bird just sat there watching.

This is now more than creepy. – It’s weird.

At the end of the night, after saying goodnight to Danny and Ruby, I walked around the house to turn off all the lights. I took a quick glance outside to check if the bluebird was still there, and sure enough, it was. – Maybe he’s a lost pet or something.

Again trying not to think much of it, I went upstairs to my room to get changed into my pyjamas, and Matt watched while laying comfortably in the bed as I started brushing my teeth.

Matt… which country are bluebirds native to? I asked.

Um? I don’t know… North America, I think, he responded in an unsure tone. Yet confused by my seemingly random question he looked at me quizzically, and probed, Why?

With a mouth full of toothpaste, I managed to burble …ust …ondering. Then thankful for no further questions from it, I spat out the toothpaste and climbed into bed, kissing Matt goodnight before turning off my bedside light.

Journal entry insert by Agent Bluey

I was still perched on the fence in the backyard as I watched the house go dark, and when the last light was switched off, I chirped and my eyes glowed red, sending another message.

Target Found.

An immediate response was received, reading, Secure Target.

I acted quickly, flying up and into the house through the young female child’s open window. I flew silently through the rooms and down the hall then into my target’s bedroom, landing on the edge of the bed. Carefully I crept up toward her head and ruffled the feathers of my wing, pulling out a small red gem and gently placing it in the curve of the target’s neck. I then used the claw of my foot to cut the skin just under the gem.

The target must have felt the pain and woke up, holding her neck and unknowingly rubbing the gem into the wound. I hopped off the bed and onto the floor, then made my way behind the dresser to hide before the target got out of bed. She looked around the room and out the window to check the street below, and found nothing out of the ordinary, but on her way back to the bed she became disoriented, which was expected, then she fell back onto the end of the bed.

I watched from behind the dresser as the wound healed almost instantly with the gem now embedded in her neck, and it began pulsating a red glow, creating a tribal tattoo-like mark.

Journal entry continued by Lila Winters

Matt woke up earlier than me, and was already dressed and had his briefcase ready to go when I finally decided to wake up. He brushed the hair from my face and smiled at the odd position I had ended up in on the bed, and then with a gentle whisper, he said, Hey.

Hey. I yawned and stretched out my body. I then looked out the bedroom door to see Danny and Ruby running down the stairs with their day-care bags, and I quickly looked over at the clock to realise I had slept in. It’s 8.30, why didn’t you wake me?

I hurried off the end of the bed to get dressed but as soon as I stood up, I began to feel dizzy and the lights became very bright. Matt held onto my arms to prevent me from falling then gently placed me back into the bed and pulled the blanket back up to cover me.

That’s why, he responded. – And I detected an underlying worried tone in his voice. You had such a rough night sleep last night, so I let you sleep-in… I’ve called your work, and they said they can manage without you today. So I’m going to take the kids to kindergarten and day-care, and you are going to stay in the bed and get some rest. Okay?

He looked at me sternly, knowing that rest and sick days were something that I wasn’t very good at. I mean, I rarely ever get sick. – And I mean ever. – There are days when I’ve called in sick but that’s usually when Danny and Ruby want to do something fun like go to the swimming pool or park, or go on a random adventure to the city to eat at mine and the kids favourite Chinese restaurants. – From memory, I think this is the first time since childhood that I’ve actually been sick, so this is new for me.

I nodded to his request and laid back down on the pillow before suddenly realising I was naked. But thankfully Matt noticed my shocked and confused face, and explained, You had a fever during the night. I stripped you off to keep you cool… Now get some rest.

Again, I nodded and he kissed my forehead then quietly walked out of the room as I drifted in and out of sleep. From my bed, I stared out the window, listening as Matt’s car pulled out of the driveway, then I closed my eyes for what felt like a few moments. – But it was actually two hours. – And I woke to a small bluebird sitting on my bedside table, staring at me.

What the…FRAC?!?

Completely freaked out, I screamed and moved to the other side of the bed so fast that I fell to the floor, but still kept my eyes on that little bluebird. I had to stop screaming to take a breath, and seriously thought I heard the bird speak, saying, Please, remain calm. My name is Bluey.

Holy Fracs! – I’m hallucinating!

I screamed again, petrified at the thought of a talking bird and began to edge slowly back towards my ensuite door, reassuring myself, This is all a dream. This can’t be real. If I just close my eyes, it will…

This is not a dream, the bird quickly interrupted. Here…

He then hopped onto the bed, moving closer towards me then flew over and pecked at my shoulder.

Ouch! That hurt! I exclaimed as I swatted the bird away.

It landed back down on the end of the bed, so I grabbed Matt’s pillow to try to hit him but I missed as he flew out of the way. I kept trying to swat him again and again, but he kept dodging and flying around the room, shouting intermittently, If you… would please… calm down… for just… one moment!… I am not going to hurt you!

Eventually, after missing him several times, I gave up and threw the pillow in a desperate last attempt to hit him. – But I missed again. – The bird then perched on the top of the curtain and looked back at me, cautiously waiting as I began to pace back and forth on Matt’s side of the room, occasionally looking up at it.

Okay then… if I’m not dreaming and I’m not nuts then what is happening? More importantly, what are you?

I stared at him, waiting for an answer, watching as he flew back down onto the bedside table and replied, I am a bluebird. My name is Bluey, and I will explain everything in time. But first I think you may want to get dressed.

What? – Frac!!!

Quickly grabbing the blanket to cover myself, I took a slightly calming breath. Okay, fine, I’ll play along… I’ll get dressed, but you need to wait in the kitchen.

Bluey looked back at me as if he were offended. I assure you, your nudity is of no interest to me. I am a bird after all.

Look, I don’t care what you are or who you are. I shrugged my shoulders, continuing to cover myself. The fact is, I don’t feel comfortable right now. So if you want me to stay calm and not start screaming again, I strongly recommend you wait in the kitchen.

He chirped in protest but then flew out of my bedroom and down the stairs, and I watched and waited until he had disappeared before I let out a breath and sat down on the bed, looking dumbfounded and dazed. I shook my head in disbelief but after a minute – maybe three – I got dressed.

Once dressed, I went into the bathroom to brush my hair but when I looked into the mirror, I gasped in panic, staring at what looks to be a tribal tattoo on my neck just behind my right ear. Horrified, I tried to rub it off. I used anything I could find in the bathroom, soap, a cloth, even nail polish remover. But nothing helped.

When I realised the mark was permanent, I just knew this had something to do with that pesky little bird. So I stormed out of the bedroom and down the stairs double-time, marching into the kitchen in a huff, and furiously glared at Bluey.

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! I shrieked, pulling my hair back to show Bluey the new-found tribal tattoo.

Bluey, quite conscious of the rage in my voice, edged backwards cautiously and explained, That is your birthmark.

Birthmark? I don’t have a birthmark!!! I shouted, still very enraged and wanting answers as I glared back at him.

The pesky bird continued to keep his distance and answered again, I assure you that I am not lying. The mark appeared when I inserted a Nano-chip into your neck.

YOU DID WHAT TO ME?!

Oh, this bird is so going to get it.

I struggled to get any words out of my mouth as I tried to process my thoughts through the rush of rage and other emotions that I can’t possibly or accurately describe right now. The best I could do was start pacing the floor again.

Alright, bird, start explaining, right now, before I crush and cook you in a frying pan! And trust me, I will catch you this time. I meant every word as I glanced over at the frying pan drying on the sink.

I do not doubt your ability to catch me, Bluey replied, searching around to see no open doors or windows. As previously stated, my name is Bluey. And the Nano-chip I inserted into your blood stream is programmed to monitor your body and track your development. It is designed to give your body a kick-start to activate a dormant gene.

Why? I asked, and still enraged I glanced over at the frying pan again.

Bluey flew over to the table to keep his distance from me. – As if I didn’t notice! – Then he continued his explanation. You are what we call a Guardian. You have abilities other humans do not have.

While Bluey was talking, I started to walk over to the sink to grab the frying pan, and Bluey became more and more nervous. Wait! Please! If you let me explain… Guardians are able to harness and control the elements. There are Guardians of Fire, Water, Wind, Rocks and Soil. There are also Guardians of the Flora and Fauna. You are a Guardian, and we need your help… Please… People are dying!

He held his wings up to shield his body, but I’d stopped and instead stood in front of him, still wielding the fry-pan, gripping it firmly in my hands. All I did was stare at him and took a long moment to process what he had said. Then slowly and cautiously, I walked towards a dining chair at the end of the table, placing the frying pan on the bench before sitting down, still staring at Bluey.

Alright, I said calmly. I’ll make a deal with you.

Still sceptical and still half-thinking that I’m in a dream, I was at least willing to hear him out. – Mainly because my father always told me to hear people out before you punch them in the face. That way you know the reason as to why you punched them.

It’s not the best parenting advice. – But tactically it confuses most people and causes them to let down their guard.

I will listen to what you have to say and I will do my best to understand, I negotiated, calmly placing my hands on the table before adding, But… if in the end I am not convinced, I want you to promise me that you will leave and not come back. Deal?

I stared at Bluey, waiting for his response, and he needed a moment to think, probably wondering why I became calm all of a sudden. – Honestly though, at this point I’m still analysing the best and fastest way to catch him while minimising the damage to my kitchen. – But eventually he reluctantly responded, Deal.

Hearing that, I grabbed a piece of fruit from the fruit bowl before getting comfortable at the table, and I smiled very kindly at him. Okay, tell me your story.

Very well. He said, seeming a little confused as he hopped to the centre of the table and carefully positioned himself beyond my arm’s distance before starting to explain, Do you know the story about Adam and Eve?

Everybody knows that story. I remarked, rolling my eyes. God makes earth. God makes man and woman. Man and woman eat the fruit and get kicked out of the garden.

Yes, we all know that part of the story, Bluey interrupted. But do you know the finer details of the story?... It is believed that the first humans ever created were given the power and the knowledge to work and care for the earth, where humans and elements work in harmony together. And this power has been handed down from generation to generation.

He paused for a moment, probably to see if I was following along. – I really wasn’t, but I stuck to my end of the deal and tried to understand. – He jumped in a slight fright when I stood up to throw my fruit in the bin, and I turned back to him to ask a question.

So this power is passed on through generations, right? I asked and waited for Bluey to nod in confirmation. Then why me? Why not choose the guy next door?

Bluey looked almost chipper at the fact that I was following along with his story, and happily answered, The abilities are passed on only to the eldest child. We are unsure why. Throughout history and cultures, it was common for the eldest child in one house to marry the eldest child of another. However, over time that custom was forgotten. Leaving most blood lines impure and eventually completely void of the gene containing these abilities.