Prologue
"The world changed only 217 years ago. That was the year that arcane fluctuation stigmata, nicknamed 'stigma', began to appear on the hands of children. The stigma became active on their 13th birthday and when they did odd events would happen. Water, fire, air, or sand would burst from the mark and show them what their designated element was. After that day the child would be able to control their element through the stigma.
At first no one knew what to think of these events. The children were often killed as demons or praised as gifts from gods. His did not last long though as these children began to appear more and more often. Not a year passed before every new born child was born with the stigma.
Countries first thought to use these people as war machines. They would take large numbers of the children away from their homes or recruit them and begin training them harshly as super soldiers. They would perform cruel tests on them to draw out more power from their stigma. Many died to this.
War broke out within a matter of 10 years and raged on for decades. The ground was soaked with and bodies would litter the ground for miles. The air would smell of death and burned flesh from the fire users. The war raged on until finally most of the leaders were killed off and peaceful kings were returned to the throne to rule. Many treaties were forged, allies made, and wars stopped. This announced the end of the horrid Hundred Year War.
After all the war was over people began to use their powers for more conventional uses. Since everyone was born with the abilities people began to use them for every day uses, job tasks, and for fun. To prevent from misuse of the stigma things called 'runes of sealing' were worked on. When a stigma user is too close to one they are unable to use their abilities at all. Those who committed unforgivable crimes would have this rune carved into their back and both hands.
It took a while but eventually things were calm. The 7 nations fell into peace, the stigma became normal, schools opened up for users, parties held for the 'coming of power' ceremony, and the stigma were viewed as blessings.
Chapter 1
The air was alive with the scents of alcohol mixed with sweets, sounds of cheer amusement, and feeling of celebration. Yes- everyone's 13th birthday was like this. It was the coming of power ceremony that everyone eventually goes through. Today was Alistair Ravencloak's birthday. There was cheer all around as his friends and family and even politicians moved throughout the dance floor. Slowly the mood began to turn sour and people became impatient. His hour of birth had long since passed and his family began to turn nervous. His power, the thing everyone got, it was not awakening.
"Happy nameday, Alex!" snapped him out of his trance as his friends shouted well tidings to his little brother. While others felt happiness all he could feel was pity. He was too young to understand that he was just an attempt to try and make up for Alistair's failures. As his friends and family spoke to his brother Alistair let his eyes fall down onto the stigma that covered his whole right arm.
From a few dozen feet away sparks began to appear above the heads of people and it was obvious that Alex awakened into a fire user- thought to bve the most useful of all the stigma. As a person bumped passed Alistair he could make out the words, "Looks like he isn't as big a failure as you," over the noise everyone was making.
***
Twigs and vines ripped away at Alistair's face as he ran through the forest outside his parents estate. His memories flashed back to the special treatment his family got when he was younger, to be called a prophet when someone saw his stigma, to the incident at his coming of age ceremony, to the shouting of his parents after his sitgma didn't awaken, and finally on the special attention they gave to his younger brother. He had been tossed aside because he was not what was expected.
"Dammit, dammit, dammit" he shouted while running until finally he stopped and rested his hands on his knees as he panted. Beads of sweat fell off his face as he closed his eyes tight and blocked out the world.
Suddenly a scream split the air from the direction of the manor. When the boys eyes darted back he saw smoke raising in the air and there was dozen of shouts and screams... also the sounds of fighting.
***
