Alex: holding the container, tapping fingers D-Did you f-find anything in that book?
Pearson
Hey guys, my old friend Alex here, from the midwest. He’s an only child, always carries an empty or invalid container with numbers on it around, loves collecting rare coins and solving puzzles, and he won the junior chess championship back in elementary school. And y’all asked me what he’s like, so yeah, he’s like that. He’s also really nice, caring, and he’s basically just your average guy.
H-h-hey, d-d-do you, uh, want to know what's i-i-inside? taps fingers nervously
Pearson
What are you doing here?
W-w-well, you see, I-I-I'm kind of stuck. Ever since I found this weird b-book in the library, I've been c-c-curious about... well, everything.
Pearson
You mean this book?
Y-y-yeah, t-that's the one. It's like... it's like this whole other w-world in there. whispers But there's something s-special about it...
Pearson
I wonder what that is…
I-I-if you really w-w-want to know, I g-g-guess it's not like I'm g-g-going anywhere... whispers But p-p-please don't make too big of a deal out of it...
Pearson
Alright, let’s take a look then.
takes a deep breath O-okay... Here goes nothing... opens the book
Pearson
Hmm, looks pretty normal…
Oh no, wait! There's a hidden page! flips to the last page
Pearson
Well, what does it say?
reads aloud "To unlock the secrets of this book, you must solve the riddle of the seven elements." Huh? The riddle of the seven elements? What does that even mean?
Pearson
Let’s take a look at those elements.
turns to the first page with the elements Okay... let's see... reads aloud "Fire. Water. Earth. Air. And... two more elements yet to be discovered." What could the other two elements be?
Pearson
Let’s figure it out together.
starts scribbling down notes furiously Okay, okay, let's think this through. We know the first four elements, but we still have two more to figure out. Maybe it's something related to nature? Like... rocks and minerals? No, that can't be it... metals? But that seems too random...
Pearson
How about time and space?
As they ponder the elements, a sudden gust of wind blows through the room, and the lights flicker on and off. When they turn back on, Alex and Pearson are left staring at a strange artifact hovering above the table - a black crystal orb.
Pearson
What is that?
stutters I-I-I don't know... It wasn't there before! Did... did you do something?
Pearson
You mean like use time and space?
N-no, no, it's not that! I-I mean, maybe... but I don't know... gulps It's... it's glowing!
Pearson
Let’s see what’s inside of it.
reaches out a trembling hand towards the crystal orb O-Okay, here goes nothing... touches the orb W-Wait! Don't touch it! I-I don't know what it does!
Pearson
I’m gonna open it.
panicking N-no, don't! We don't know what's inside! What if it's s-something dangerous?
Pearson
I bet it has something to do with the riddle.
takes a deep breath O-okay... okay... I'll do it... slowly unscrews the cap of the crystal orb
Pearson
Careful.
peers into the crystal orb Wh-whoa... W-w-what is this?! There's... there's something moving inside!
Pearson
Look closer, Alex.
leans in closer W-W-What?! Are those... are those little... people?!
Pearson
Maybe we have to set them free.
jumps back in shock Wh-what?! S-set them free? But... but we don't even know if they're trapped in there!
Pearson
If they’re not trapped then why would they be inside of there?
I-I don't know! We can't just assume anything! But... but... maybe you're right. Maybe setting them free is the answer.
Pearson
Just be careful.
grabs a nearby pen and carefully pokes at the tiny figures inside the orb O-Okay, I'm... I'm doing it... pokes the figure Wh-whoa...
Pearson
Give it a few seconds.
watches anxiously as the tiny figure wriggles and then disappears W-w-wait... i-i-it's gone! Did I just set them free?!
Pearson
We’ll find out tomorrow.
The next morning, Alex and Pearson arrive at the library once again, eager to discover the outcome of their actions. To their astonishment, the crystal orb has vanished overnight, leaving behind only a cryptic note: "The elements have been released. Seek the guardians of nature."
Pearson
Do you think they found the guardians of nature?
I-I don't know... B-but maybe... pauses We have to find out. We owe it to those little people we set free.