• The rotting floorboards groaned in agony under the man’s footsteps as he entered the room. This room had been left to gather dust for thousands of years along with the only thing it contained. The precious object it held inside was a box the size of a jewelry box. Now many people say, “Great things come from small packages.” That couldn’t be any truer than that is now. You see, this box holds something more powerful than the world could even comprehend for it is Pandora’s Box. Very few people even knew that this actually existed until…now because of this dense man named William Edith.
    William’s eyes rested on the musty object lying there on the floor in the center of the room. They were glazed with lust, curiosity, and madness. He took another step forward causing the floor to squeak once again. His heart pounded with adrenaline. I suppose I can’t blame him for he had dedicated his very life to finding this power and harnessing it but, you cannot have everything you wish for. The foolish man kneeled down and placed his hands on the box. It seemed like this object had been beckoning him, pleading him, to open it so it would release every sort of evil possible. He lifted the lid slowly.
    A black mist started to spill out and out of shock, William had opened unintentionally opened the lid all the way as he stumbled backwards. As the items of the box were being released into the world, William sat paralyzed in fear. His life flashed before his eyes and his body became limp. Death had washed over him in mere seconds but for poor foolish William each second brought more horrid suffering.
    The burden of putting as much evil back into Pandora’s Box was given to a 17 year old boy named Xavier Hearth. The reason the Greek Gods had given this young man such a task is simply because it was his great(x9) grandfather who had put the evil back in Pandora’s box the first time it was released which was thousands of years ago. So now, let’s see this story unfold…

    Chapter One

    Droplets of rain pinged on the window as Xavier sighed heavily. He put one hand on the back of his neck and looked doubtfully three objects laid out on his table. One was a compass that his father had given him today along with the sheathed sword. The last was Pandora’s Box…empty. “This is insane,” the corners of his mouth pulled down into a frown.
    It was just supposed to be a regular day but instead he had been called down to meet the Greek Gods due to an important issue and gave him the box. It was so spontaneous and unbelievable. How could they expect Xavier to just jump into action? His father didn’t help much either. He had just given his son the compass and sword telling him to use these items for the sword was the only thing that would help put everything in order. The compass was for showing where to find the evil.
    Xavier ran his fingers through his dark brown hair and let out a groan. There was a loud ding dong noise that echoed throughout the 2-story house. He listened intently to the footsteps and the sound of the door opening. “Xavier! It’s for you!” his mother called out.
    Relief replaced frustration as he darted down the stairs. His navy blue eyes fell to his friend standing in the doorway. Her name is Maire Zamboile. Maire was Xavier’s childhood friend who he had known since he was five years old.
    Maire had short brown hair that was just above her shoulder and framed her face perfectly. Her skin was a nice tan colour and made her emerald green eyes stand out more. Maire wasn’t exactly what you would label normal either. It wasn’t just her personality but it was also the black feathered wings that were attached to her back. Why did she have these? It was simply because she was an Irken or a person with animal-like appendages.
    She flashed a bright smile at Xavier. “Hey there,” she waved as she walked in casually. She stopped in front of the boy and placed both hands on her own hips. “Now why in the world did you miss school, Mister Hearth?”
    Xavier couldn’t help the grin that crept to his face but he managed to surpress it a tad bit. “Come on,” he grabbed the girl’s wrist and led her back up to his room. He pointed to the table with the items he was supposed to use to help save the corrupted world.
    Maire walked over and observed them. She picked up the box first and ran her fingertips over the designs. Next was the compass. “It doesn’t even point north,” she stated then looked at the sword. “How does this explain why you missed school?” Maire questioned as she turned to face her childhood friend.
    The boy closed his eyes and began to explain everything. There were a few nods and awes as she listened intently. “So now I have to go ‘save’ the world,” Xavier said as he waited for some sort of interesting reaction to occur. To his surprise though, Maire had just sat down on his bed and stared off into space. “Are you okay?” His forehead had furrowed with worry.
    There wasn’t an immediate response like he hoped for but she looked up at him. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement. “I can’t exactly let clumsy ole you out on an adventure like this without some assistance now can I?” Maire hopped off the bed and landed on her feet with a small thud. Her wings unfolded and spread out due to her anxiety. “Of course Sparks will have to come too!”
    Xavier stared at the girl in disbelief. “Are you mad Woman?” he yelled, “I can’t let you go with me and Sparks isn’t coming either!”
    “Why not?” Maire jutted out her lower lip and battered her eyelashes.
    “It’s dangerous and Sparks hates me!”
    “She doesn’t hate you,” she sighed, “she just dislikes males in general.”
    “Yeah! That makes it so much better!” Xavier rolled his eyes.
    The two seemed to quarrel on for hours. Maire ended up being the winner though. “Sparks will completely freak out!” she exclaimed triumphantly.
    Now for those wondering who Sparks is, she’s Maire’s other best friend who she has known even longer than Xavier. Her real name is Victoria Wintergreens but most people call her Sparks due to the fact she is an Elemental and her personality. Elementals are those who can manipulate things such as water, wind, and lightning. Although Sparks has neither of those abilities but rather the ability to control fire.
    Xavier let out a long sigh. His throat was sore from all the yelling he had done and now it was nearly 8 P.M. “Maire you should go start convincing your parents and telling Sparks. We’ll be leaving as soon as possible tomorrow,” he said as leaned against the edge of his bed.
    Maire smiled and saluted. “Yes Sir!” she laughed and waved good-bye.
    It was going to be a long day tomorrow. Xavier closed his eyelids and inhaled deeply. “Is this really okay?” he asked himself when he had heard the front door being slammed behind his overexcited friend.