---

---

"Hello, and welcome all to the great Choosing Ceremony! As do every generation, the elements have weakened and our land with them. It is time for Fate to appoint our new Elements. They will be sent to a top-secret facility where they can learn to benefit our nation. May Fate be with our eight new Soulmates!

"First, the Shimmering Peace of Water and Time-
For Water, Fate has Chosen Wes Aguarra! And Time is in the hands of Mari Kamei!

"Next, the Steadfast Courage of Life and Earth!
Into our hands, Fate has delivered Adrian Hackett for Earth! And the mystery of Life belongs to Orpheus Vladislav!

" Now, the Blazing Spirit of Space and Fire!
Fate has given us Sven Fainric for Fire! And Space will be explored by Henri Jonrin!

"And last but certainly not least, the Boundless Freedom of Sky and Void!
As Sky, Fate has Chosen Skye Keilani! The depth of the Void is seen by Issac Haywood!

Water and Time, our blood.
Air and Void, our every breath.
Earth and Life, our body.
and Fire and Space, our spirit.

Fate has Chosen well this year! All Soulmates, please report to the Locuritus."

Skye shuffled her feet as the announcer called out names. She almost hoped to be one of them- no chance, however. Her parents would probably condemn her to a life of picking herbs. Sighing, she sat on a gleaming white bench. The Capitol was so pristine it almost made her sick.

Listening in, she heard some names being called. When the announcer got to Sky, she heard her repeat herself. However, another word was added on...

Skye stood up sharply, almost ramming into some of the audience members. Skye for Sky... She almost sprinted up to the stage, but stopped herself and walked up calmly. She was freaking out inside, but tried to keep her face... mostly neutral. She couldn't help when a smile broke out however. Taking her spot behind the announcer, she waited for the end.


Her new life started now.

Wes

Wes covered his mouth with his hand as he yawned, uncomfortably shifting in one of the seats in the back of the hall. Besides him, Zack sat still, but the fingers tapping against his thigh and the bored look on his face was all Wes needed to see to know that his brother felt the same as he did - they both wanted the Ceremony to just hurry up and get started already. Ah, wait, the announcer had arrived. He was spouting the necessary announcements and now he was calling out the nam - wait, did the announcer just call his name?!

All feelings of boredom forgotten, Wes twisted to look at Max, meeting his gaze. They both stared at each other wide eyed in shock. His brother was the first to speak, voice low and urgent, "they called your name. Bro, they called your name for the elements."

"No, it can't be," Wes muttered back, no longer listening to the announcements, "maybe it was just a mistake or something, I can't just le - "

"Don't," Max hissed, grabbing Wes's arm. "Like it or not, bro, you've been chosen. Nothing can change that. And besides," he said; eyes softening, "me and Anna can take care of ourselves. Don't worry, we'll send you letters and everything. You're not abandoning us, you know that, right?"

Wes smile didn't reach his eyes, but he pulled Max over and crushed him in a hug. Max returned it, and if he was trembling Wes didn't say anything. "Gotcha," Wes muttered, rubbing Max's back. "You too. Don't worry about me. I'll write to you and Anna whenever I can, ok?" They let go of each other and Wes stood, resolutely turning and walking towards the stage. He shove his emotions deep into the back of his mind and smiled again, making sure that it looked genuine this time before taking his spot behind the announcer, standing in line with a brown haired girl.

Adrian

When Adrian heard his name, he choked on the water he was drinking. By the time he recovered, his friend was already grabbing him and urging him up to the front, making sure not to bang into anyone in the process. When Adrian shook Charlie's hands off his shoulders and stared reproachfully at him, his friend shrugged, grinning. "You were chosen, man. You can't go against that. Don't worry about the apartment, I'll just accept that offer mum made to stay with her friend." He patted Adrian's shoulder reassuringly before making go on motions with his hands, trying to shoo him up the stage.

Adrian frowned, but he nodded and turned to go. Just before he went to the front, Adrian turned and gave him a brief hug, solemnly muttering into Charlie's ear "I'll write to you. Thanks for everything." Before letting go. He smiled at his friend and walked up to the stage, taking his position behind the announcer. He slipped his hands into his pockets, face neutral, waiting for the next stage in the Choosing Ceremony.

Mari was not paying attention to the speaker. No way. She did not want to be called. Not even a little bit. Who needs to be a part of something so amazing anyway? It's not like she deserves it anyway...

Mari was so deep in her self loathing that she almost didn't hear her name ring out. She froze and stood up straight. This wasn't happening right? There must of been a diffrent Mari. A few people whispered and looked to her.

'They picked the handicapped girl?'

'Bad idea. She'll trip over herself and get her partner killed.

Mari growled and started a stable walk forward. Even if she felt that this was a huge mistake she'd still show them. And who knows, doing this may help her make up for leaving her father to die.

Her walk to the stage went well until she got to the stairs. Upon walking up the first her metal leg slipped and she went face first onto the ground. The crowd erupted with laughter behind her causing her to whip around. Mari's death glare did nothing to still the laughing people so Mari just continued her walk to the stage. The laughing finally quieted once she stood next to a brown haired boy.

'Why'd they have to call me....'

---

---

Issac was surrounded by loud, screaming, smelly people. Sure he had been cruel to that maid, but his parents sending him here was the real cruel punishment. How did they expect him to deal with all these.... cretins?

He shook his head and focused on the announcer. If only they'd call his name. Then he could prove to his parents that this was an bad idea. Their son, appointed an element! It would be expected of course. Who wouldn't want him?

Names where called and people made their way to the stage. One girl mad an absolute fool of herself and tripped on the stairs. Issac was laughing so hard he missed the other names. It wasn't until someone tapped his shoulder did he come back.

'What?!' He snapped angrily.

The girl who got his attention looked small and pale, but kept talking. 'They called you sir. You're part of the Void.'

Issac blinked in silence as the laughter died. Him? Really? He was actually chosen?

A sly smile spread across his face. This would go beautifully. Ignoring the girl he strostrode confidentiality to the stage and took his place. He waved out to the crowd and blew a kiss to a large group of girls. They gasped loudly and Issac's grin only grew.

Oh just how powerful he'd be now.