It was dark and musty. The boys stood quietly in the early morning, a cold chill shivered through Jakes body. The meeting place for The Brotherhood was a creepy abandoned building. Crumbling walls and decrepit floors as far as the eye could see. He hopped around lightly to keep himself warm. Another smaller group of three stood talking nearby. Jake recognised Kevin, the boy from Nathan’s semi, and George, another regular from the tournament. Just off to the side, a tall African girl stood, she held a dark wooden case wrapped in her arms.

“You think this is someone’s idea of a joke?” groaned Jake, hands stuffed deep in his pockets for warmth.

Nathan frowned. We are early, but surely someone should be here to meet us, we’re not that early…

“It better not be,” came a light female voice from the building’s entrance. They spun to see a small girl stomp up, her short brown hair escaping her ponytail and flying about her face. Her eyes were wide and bright as she gave the guys a smug smile, “If it’s a hoax you better believe some skulls will be cracked,” her cracking fist waving around threateningly.

“Hi, I’m Jake,” Jake said, outstretching his hand.

The tiny girl glanced at his hand then turned towards Nathan.

“I'm Paige,” she offered, holding out her hand, “winner of the Girls division in the Rogue Island tournament. I know all about you, Nathan Cross,” she stated, ignoring Jake completely. “You’re the Champion of Rogue Island,” she smiled, “but that is only because they don’t let the girls fight the boys.” Jake and Nathan shared a look of disbelief before the girl continued to ramble. “Well enjoy the title while you have it,” She said sweetly, blinking up at the two boys with hands on her hips, “I plan to kick your ass at next year’s tournament. They are having a mixed grade.” She grinned cockily. The two boys raised their eyebrows and the small woman began to laugh, “I am tougher than I look,” she assured them.

“You’d need to be,” came a deep rumble and a small giant stepped out of the shadows. “You’re as small as an ant and about as fierce.” He looked around their age but had a bald head. A large scar ran from the top of his left eye, up above his shaved hairline, he was huge. He wore a baggy navy blue hoodie, baggy jeans and large brown boots.

Paige scowled at the new comer, fire burning in her eyes, “And you’re tall as a mountain and about as useful as the rocks it was made out of,” she retorted.

The giant let out low chuckle before patting the short girl on her head, “That’s cute. Now run along back to mommy before she misses you,” he spoke condescendingly.

Growling, Paige gripped the offending hand and before anyone could blink the giant was on his back. “That’s what I thought,” She sniffed, “as useful as a handful of rocks. I think I’m going to call you Rocko!” she announced.

“Rocko?” the giant growled, rising slowly to his feet.

Paige shrugged, feigning innocence, “You got a problem with that Rocko?” she taunted, holding a cupped hand to her ear.

“No, I have just never had a nickname before.” Rocko laughed, stalking over to a corner and sat heavily, giving tiny Paige a satisfied smile. “Where is everyone anyway?” he asked, turning his focus to Nathan, who was now being occupied by an incessant stream of chattering from Paige. He shrugged lightly, but Paige ignored the question altogether.

“They can’t be too far away,” commented Jake, eyeing up the chattering Paige. Not missing Jake’s stare, Paige rolled her eyes before turning completely towards Nathan, launching into a brand new topic of samurai swords and their proper care.

Jake chuckled at his trapped friend, Rocko stayed completely silent.

“Excuse me?” came a soft lilting voice, “Is this where the meeting for the Brotherhood is being held?” The group stilled, even Paige paused to take in this stranger. She wasn’t a fighter. That much was apparent just from the look of her. She was tall, thin and draped in an elegant green outfit – stunning loose fitting pants with a wavy silk top. The barest hint of muscle graced her arms, unlike Paige who was ripped from years of lifting and manipulating weapons. Long ebony hair fell to her waist, shining brilliantly with health. Perfectly manicured hands wrapped tightly about a small scroll. Identical to the ones that each one of them had.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” burst out Paige, “The Brotherhood recruited this princess?” she doubled over with laughter and the pretty stranger flushed a delicate red. “They must be letting anyone in these days!”

Ben shot Paige a dirty looked, while approaching the beautiful newcomer, “Hi I’m Rocko,” he declared confidently, owning Paige’s insult.

Paige just rolled her eyes at him.

Nathan ignored the two, stepping around Paige, “Yes this is the meeting place. My name is Nathan,” He extended his hand, unable to stop staring at her.

“I’m Sophie,” the girl provided shyly, still standing in the doorway, green eyes fixated on the floor.

“Really, this is a joke,” Paige spat out as Sophie slowly inched into the building, “no one is here to meet us, then she turns up?” she gestured to Sophie who kept her eyes downcast.

“I’m not sticking around for the punch line,” Paige hissed, drawing herself up to full height.

“No one is making you,” rumbled Rocko. The two of them had not started well. Paige wheeled about to stare daggers at him. She opened her mouth, no doubt a tirade of insults about to pour out when a deep clear voice resounded through the musty room.

“Only eight came huh?” was a simple call.

The group spun around with fright to find a young man standing quietly in the middle of the room. He looked normal enough, wearing jeans, a T-shirt and white sneakers. A short sword was hiding in its sheath on his hip.

“My name is Sam,” he continued, stepping toward the group, “and you are the select few initiates chosen to join our cause. Please join me in the center of the room,” he motioned, stopping Paige from interrupting, she crossed her arms angrily and walked with the others towards him, “All will be explained in good time,”

Quietly growling, Paige gave Rocko a venomous look, ignored Sophie and darted out in front of Jake and Nathan.

“Ladies first,” she said, grinning nastily as the rest of the group fell behind.

The group formed around Sam, the floor beneath them sinking way into the earth. It silently plummeted them all into darkness, the floor above them sealing back up. Low lights flickered on, illuminating the area from various points on the travelling floor. Jake cautiously moved to the centre of the platform, noticing the earthy wall gliding by under the soft light. The elevator began to slow in its descent, coming to a quick halt inside the hole. The group stood silent for a few seconds before the Earth began to crumble and part. Fluorescent bulbs flickered in the darkness, causing a bright light to spill into the elevator shaft. Blinking in the white light, Jake walked forward as Sam led them all down the bright, white hallway. At the end, they walked into a large rocky cavern, flaming torches lighting the area. Two more figures greeted them as they entered. Sam walked in front of them, motioning to stand in a line. A tall cloaked woman with two dark brown braids snaking out of her hood, casting a dark shadow over her face stared blankly at the new arrivals. Beside her, an old wizened man. He had a long flowing beard, the wiry hair tumbling over his clasped hands. His frail body swathed in deep grey robes.

His grey eyes watched them with keen interest. “Congratulations!” The old man spoke, his voice surprisingly clear, “you have been selected for the chance at great honour!” when the room stayed silent the man continued, “You all have come here today as impressive warriors.”

There was a snort as Paige stifled her laugh, her eyes flickering at Sophie, who looked like she’d rather be anywhere but there.

“I am sorry young lady, did I say something funny?” the old man’s eyes were serious.

Paige shook her head stifling a laugh, “No, you implied something funny…” she finished, gesturing for the old man to continue.

He stared intently at her as he continued, “As I was saying. You are all impressive warriors, but how would you feel if I told you that you haven’t yet scratched the surface of your abilities? That you could become so much more? What if I told you, that I could make you exceptional?”

At this, Paige couldn’t stay silent, “Look... whatever your name is,” she began rudely, hands on hips and eyes blazing, “I am already exceptional! I can take down any one of these guys,” she exclaimed, gesturing to the immobile group. “And now some guy I don’t even know, is telling me that all I have learned is squat? No offence but what can I learn from an old man like you?” she finished, crossing her arms stubbornly.

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All in the room held their breath as the cloaked woman took a step towards her. The old man however, simply held up his hand waving her off. Complying, she sat on a stool in the corner of the strange cavern, her purple eyes glowing from the shadows, tracking Paige carefully.

In the blink of an eye, the old man was standing before Paige. The small woman paled and stared up into his dull grey eyes, “You, young one, need to learn respect,” he whispered softly, ”until you can respect others, you have no worth on the battlefield. You’re arrogant and cocky, that is the kind of attitude that will get people killed.”

Paige was silent as the old man shuffled away.

Turning once again to the group, he addressed them all, “You may call me Master Hyung!” He drew a small dagger, the faint glow emitting from it becoming dimmer, “This is my weapon, 'Chronos'. It is one of the Twenty Ultimate Blades. To wield one is an unmatched honour. There are twenty blades with twenty unique attributes. Two are in this room,” Chronos gleamed brightly and before they could say anything, he was at the opposite end of the room, standing next to Sam, “Sam here, holds another.”

Sam drew the short sword from his side. It was stunning, with strange symbols trailing down its length. Gorgeous swirls and flowing designs creating the hilt with a charcoal orb at its base. Without warning, a sword was resting against Jakes throat. He panicked momentarily, before realizing in horror the steel against his throat was his own. Looking around at the others, he found them all in a similar state of near panic.

“What's going on?” Sophie cried, she was the only one without a weapon in her hand, “What is going on?” she repeated, staring down the line of recruits, each holding themselves prisoners.

Jake couldn't take his eyes off Sam. His sword glowed a dull grey and power seemed to emanate from him. He gave a small smile and the glow receded. Swords and other weapons flew from their throats and back into their sheaths.

Hyung watched as the group regained their composure. When they were all reasonably calm he spoke again, “I have five of the ultimate blades here without owners. You each will be tested. If you pass the test, a unique power and blade will be yours,” He stared at each member of the group, “if you have no desire to be tested, please leave now.”

No one moved.

“Then we shall begin…” Hyung said simply, walking the group towards a large pair of ornate doors. Magnificent dragon carvings stretched up, twisting across the amazing doors. Four incredible dragons. A forest green dragon filling in the lower section of the door, its emerald eyes deep with purity and life. The rest of the sleek body was covered in dark green chromed scales, and sharp claws sat ready, at the base of its powerful legs. A fiery red dragon, entwined with an identical deep blue, swirled amongst each other, rising up through the center of the door. They had snake-like bodies - the red dragon looked as though it had been burnt into the door, while the blue with its sapphire eyes, looked so much like water, Jake thought it would ripple if he touched it. The amazing beast that commanded the top of the door was a powerful white dragon, the only one to have giant wings rippling out of its back. Large diamonds in its eyes and claws created a sparkle across the room; this dragon flew majestically above the other three. Jake stared wide eyed at the magnificent carvings, one finger outstretched as if he longed to touch them.

“Inside you will meet one of the four guardians,” Hyung instructed, “you will all enter one at a time and be tested.”

The African girl spoke up, holding up her case for Hyung to see, “Can we take our weapons into the test?”

Hyung stared for a moment, “Joan… Joan Ryder?”

“You can call me Jo.” She said simply.

Hyung smiled, “We have high hopes for you Jo. Your work with a bow is truly impressive. But no weapons are allowed in the testing area.”

Paige fidgeted, nervously hopping about on one foot as Hyung motioned for Jake to come forward.

“Good luck,” Nathan called, watching his friend approach the old man.

“Step through the doors Jake. You are the first to take the test,” Hyung instructed quietly. With frightened, shaking hands, Jake pulled open the giant doors.

He found himself within a circular room, shimmering walls reached up endlessly towards the sky. Fresh grass crunched beneath his hiking boots, soft and spongy underfoot. A crystal clear waterfall gushed out from within the far wall, cascading gracefully down the smooth rock wall, into a sparkling blue pool below. Jake started cautiously towards it, ten candles imprinted evenly around the circular wall, a clear glass shield between Jake and the flames. They flickered unnaturally slow, casting eerie shadows upon the walls. Reaching the small pool, he bent down to examine the water, a large ripple suddenly formed on the pool’s surface. Before Jake could think, water surged out of the pool and into the air. He stumbled backwards as more and more water streamed out and twisted in the air.

“You have come to be tested?” came a sharp female voice. Large glowing eyes stared at Jake as the watery head came to a stop in front of his nose, light aqua eyes staring deeply into his. Cool drips rained down on the stunned boy.

Jake stared at the creature open mouthed. The water swirled around like a floating river, creating a giant tubular body, the top of it forming the head of a dragon. The thing that frightened Jake the most was its sheer size. Its body wrapped around the edge of the room, filling up most of the space, its head tilted down to keep him in view.

“Wh... Who are you?” Jake finally mustered the words to his mouth.

“I was not blessed with a name. I am but one of the four elemental Leviathans, created to guard this sacred place.”

Jake fell to a knee, bowing before the great beast, “I am Jake. I have come to be tested,” Jakes eyes were fixed on the ground. Droplets of water fell upon his exposed neck.

“Stand up!” the creature yelled, “No man should bow before another created being; only the creator.”

Jake jumped back to his feet and once again stared terrified at the creature. Despite all its power and ability, it had a fear… a fear that it was watched by something much more powerful.

Slowly Jake righted himself.

“I shall give you a riddle then,” the leviathan spoke, “ten minutes will be all you have to solve it. If you fail. Be prepared to die.

Surrounded by power,

With no time to lose,

Throughout all the lies,

You're seeking the truth.”

“What? That riddle doesn't make any sense... And how will I know when the times up?” Jake asked.

“Time will be apparent as you begin your test. And that, my little one, begins now.” The large leviathan twisted in the air and retreated back to her pool, the large swirling amounts of water somehow fitting into the tiny pool under the waterfall. Just as the last drops began to fall the room began to magically shift. The circular walls closed in, the ground changing beneath his feet, becoming hard and smooth. The candles remained, but slowly dimmed until there was no light left until a small light began filtering down from the circular roof.

“Word of warning little one,” came the water dragon’s rumbling voice, “People are met with their true selves in these rooms. Are you ready to find out who you really are?”

The pool, now in the centre of the room began to bubble violently as it began to overflow. Jake froze when the water slowly flowed around his feet. His heart sank as he searched for the door where he had entered. It was gone. Time had become apparent. Judging by what the monster had said, he had ten minutes until the room was flooded with water. Ten minutes until he was dead.

He searched the room frantically, trying to find a way out, but even the doors had disappeared, replaced by more slippery rock wall. The water now lapped around the ankles of his boots, and as the cold drops splashed through his pants, a shiver ran up his spine. I'm going to die here… The reality of drowning sent a wave of sadness crashing over him, the Dragons riddle ran through his mind like the nonsense of a babbling child as tears began to fall from his eyes.

Standing passively, he did not search for escape. His own sadness held him prisoner, the water slowly creeping up his legs. The leviathan's last words echoed in his head. 'People find out who they really are in these rooms.'

“So this is who I am? Someone ready to accept their own death? Ready to die without even trying?!” Jake slammed his hands into the water that was now up to his waist. It splashed back up on his face, somewhat awakening him from his pity.

A small light caught his eye. A globe of light reflected off the wall. Jake waded quickly over to it. A beautifully designed orb protruded from the wall. He reached out to touch it but it was only an illusion. It was then that he noticed the room was covered in hundreds of little glowing orbs.

“The creature's poem! Surrounded by power with no time to lose, it's the water rising. Throughout the lies you're seeking the truth. There must be a real one amongst the illusions,” he splashed around checking different globes.

A few minutes more had passed, the cold water relentlessly flooding the room. Jake was now treading water, sucking in air as he continued to search. When only a meter of air was left, he was becoming more and more desperate. He swam fast, trying to check as many as he could. Each one looked so real he had to literally touch it to make sure his hand went through. The problem was that the more the room filled with water, the more the globes multiplied. He let out a frustrated scream.

His head was pressed against the ceiling when he noticed the ray of light flowing through. The only light source for the room. The reflections are made by the light! If I block that, it will make the fakes disappear! He swam over and placed his hand over the beam. The beam however, carried on shining as if his hand wasn't there. “What the hell’s going on?” Jake screamed, head pressing hard against the ceiling.

A heavy silence fell as the room completely filled. Jake’s mouth was all that could escape the water. Tears of panic were hidden by the water as he took his final breath. In one last effort, he swam directly down from the beam. It was then that he saw it. Of course! If that beam is constant and so are the illusions, then the focus of the beam will be what is sending the reflections! The real orb hid directly beneath the beam, it was hidden in the dragon’s pool when he entered. He gave it a pull and it slid easily out, attached to a steel rod.

Once it was in his grasp the room quickly emptied, Jake gasped for breath as the water sunk below his head. He lay on the cold floor, coughing and spluttering up water, he eventually had enough air in his lungs to look around, noticing the room had returned to its original shape. A new door had formed on the other side of the room, Jake pulled himself up and sloshed his way over. Wet, cold and still coughing, he slowly pushed the door open and made his way out of the chamber, into the next room. It was warm. A white room with a few seats scattered around, fluorescent lights casting a sterile glow over everthing.

“Take a seat,” a kind voice greeted him.

Jake was supporting himself with the door frame, “Sam?”

“Well done Jake. You passed the test…”

“The others… I need to see them,” Jake coughed again.

“You will see them after they finish their tests. Not before,” he murmured quietly.

Jake was too exhausted to argue. “But how will they know I made it?”

Sam had a serious look on his face. “That's part of the test.”