Beneath the monsoon of massacred martyrs across the streets, Captain Alister Sinclair and King Hammerhead were busy traversing through a series of finely carved out caves beneath the city - mostly created to serve as an escape route for royalty in times similar to the situation above the two. Whilst the captain was leading the rocky, dimly lit path to a guaranteed safe haven, his mind was still at an uneasy temperament. For many, these caves had been vastly unheard of, with only a select few knowing of the truth behind them. So, upon seeing the King hastily walking through them beside him, Alister was cautious.

"It is quite strange how he knows the caves so well, while only being the King for a short time. But maybe he should know these caves well?" He pondered pessimistically.

"Alister, you're being very quiet you know, perhaps you still haven't warmed up to me yet?" Chuckled the King, his voice echoing through the caves dismally as he received no response. "If you're going to be like that, I can cause quite the punishment on you." He grinned grossly.

"How so?" Asked Alister.

"Well, how about I remove you from being my captain?" The King threatened.

"I'm afraid that is not possible for you to do so. You already know your general and captains will change in the next Contest of Champions, where I will make sure not to lose my position." Said Alister.

"Yes, it's a shame. You're so very persistent, but for the wrong reasons." Sighed the King.

"I'm persistent for the kingdom, not for you." Alister concluded in thought, as the two had arrived at a golden opening filled with perfect peace.

This serenity was the west of Bournington, a location precisely known as the Western Woods. Such a location was incredibly well hidden, providing both a good safe haven and a stunning set of views. Also arriving at this secluded location, Maxwell gently swooped in and noticed the captain's arrival with the King. He lightly landed and rubbed his sore cheek, a rotten red sight.

"Make sure he is well guarded here. I have business with Frederick to attend to." Said Alister with his eyes on a great tree, after handing over the King to a pair of knights.

"Looking for Fred?" Asked Maxwell, as he sneaked up behind Alister with a cheerful tone that was painfully a façade.

Frederick Hirving was another of the guardians, being the Guardian of Earth - a master of earth magic. Compared to the lucrative lifestyle Maxwell had for a home and lifestyle, Frederick was nothing like his fellow guardian. Frederick was quiet and always locked away in his home in the woods, which was a great oak tree that had been carefully carved into a home for him. This suited his appearance generally well, as his hair was a rough brown and his eyes were an emerald green. The rest of his face was concealed by a beard of shrubbery and a line or two of deep scars, as he rarely lent the time to look after himself. Despite his lacking attitude, Frederick was still important to the city of Bournington, and thus Alister needed him.

"What do you need Maxwell? And what have you gone and done? Your face is beet red." Asked Alister, weakly acknowledging him.

"I've been caught out already then? This is a brand of failure, I guess." Maxwell rubbed against his cheek. "I did something very wrong, I think." He added.

"My ears are only available now, so go on." Said Alister.

"You see, I saw something within my friend when he was fighting. Something that seemed terrifyingly unsafe. So, I jumped in to stop them. But, at the cost of that, I cost another life." Said Maxwell.

"Poor judgement. You sought to fight his battle for him when you could have fought alongside him." Said Alister.

"Poor indeed, I feel like I may have somehow saved the wrong person, in a strange sort of way?" Maxwell broached the idea.

"The wrong person? Are you an idiot? You saved someone, did you not?" Stopped Alister, as he furrowed his eyes in anger.

"Yes, I saved someone. But I -" Maxwell was seized the right to speak, his lips had been sealed by the captain's fast finger.

"You saved someone. There should be no further thoughts." Said Alister, walking along.

"Yes, I did. But I hope Alsop understands my decision." Said Maxwell.

"Alsop? My follower, Alsop Dusseldorf?" Pondered Alister.

"Yes, I saved him, but left his wife in the open." Said Maxwell guiltily.

"I see. I hope he does not go off track then. He is a genuine young man, from my observations. Are you close with him? He did mention you." Asked Alister.

"Yes, we've been good friends since we were young." Said Maxwell.

"Hm, well make sure you look over him. Do not let him go down that wrong path." Affirmed Alister.

Maxwell was intrigued and desired to ask more of Alister's wise words, but the two had reached their destination, the oak tree. A towering piece of nature, the tree had branches that spiralled into several labyrinths, whereby just gazing at them would leave a person nauseous. Surrounding the thick, sloped roots of the tree had been an ecosystem of fresh life, which breathed new air to the lost location. The door of the tree had been thrown to the ground, the hinges broken into shards and scattered across the ground.

Something had broken in.