. make a pilgrimage into the past with me .... -- Stranded: Advertising

So much uncounted time had passed; everything lay in ruins- untouched. No longer did the hideous stench of dying corpses envelope the bare trees that had died along with many inhabitances. Lush grass no longer billowed in the breeze, only the most lifeless soil spilled before them. Such nakedness stabbed at their emotions, wretched their very hearts from their bodies from what had happened. During the passing time new homes had arisen that welcomed them, yet none could fill that empty aching spot that filled them all. Time was running out, and no longer could any of them stand the loss.

Slowly had they all met within the deserted lands of the element, their bodies feeble with hunger and thirst after countless hours of futile exploring. They each then lay down to rest, their sides heaving with exhaustion and their faces blanketed with lost hope. How softly did each slip into a sleep, all but one who lay awake, drowning in memories. She moved away so quietly, her lithe body quickly entering lands with charred logs and singed grass. She inhaled so deeply; it was her home, The Flames. So cautiously did she lower herself to the world of ash, her sapphire eyes swelling with tears. She had made up her mind, to sacrifice herself for the good of the lost Element - though she knew it would do nothing.

She lay limp within the world driven down, her eyes fluttering closed as a single tear slid down her cheek to touch the cold, hard, and lifeless ground to which she lay upon. So calmly did a soft wind make it's way in right then, embracing her ravenous body to which she paid no attention. Everything had grown so dark within just mere moments, yet she was succumbed in her hopes of sacrifice. She did not stir nor even breathe until a single and cool drop slid down her now heaving sides. Her beautiful eyes opened wide, rain had begun to fall from the clouds that were pushed in by the breeze that had then developed into a rather fierce wind.

From beneath her did green grass thrive, wrapping around the nearest dead tree, bringing it back to life in the blink of an eye. So quickly did it spread on mere hopes coming from the mare, who listened to the faint rumbles and crackles that echoed hollowly through the lands. And then it came - electricity from the sky that slashed aimlessly through the clouds to strike upon the highest tree, a tree that had not been revived quite yet. So quickly did it burst into flames, endless flames that leapt from tree to tree, trees that surrounded her. She was trapped and she knew it, and she would not even try to escape, not even a cry of help departed her mouth, or even a cry of help from her wide eyes. And everything grew still. The fire had hushed after it had captured what it desired - The Shining, a past queen of The Flames. Her body lay so still upon the charred grounds, yet nothing had touched her, no burns nor marks or anything of the sort.

The others awoke, no reasons provided yet they all strangely awoke, their weak legs carrying them towards the limp figure. Yet they all stood, some how being separated farther and farther apart, each to where realms used to be. The world rushed around them, seething and contorting with its newfound life before it settled into silence and stillness. They had found what they were looking for. They had filled that hollow, empty place in their souls. The Shining remained in fire, When Hell Froze Over to earth, Java to electricity, Steel to wind, and Karida to water. The world was watchful, waiting; awaiting the people who would replenish its starving soul.

It is the element, it calls you to awakened from it's sleep.