With a sigh, Everest reluctantly agreed. Jenario was aware of his mount's laid-back ears, but he stayed still long enough for her to hop on its back. It took a moment to figure out which leg needed to go over the saddle, awkwardly positioning herself so not to scratch along the side. Only when she was finally situated and holding to his waist did they start into a slow walk.

"Easy, boy."

"Throw me, and I eat good tonight."

"Hear that?" Jenario patted along the neck. "Treat the lady nice."

"Flatterers get eaten too, you know," Everest teased.

"Wait... What?" At the tighten of reins, the horse instantly bolted forward. It was an action even Jenario was not prepared for, as the harpy's talons dug through his leather belt for a more secure hold. Hooves pounded into the ground just as rapidly as his heart raced when he felt the harpy's feet latch hold of to his legs for extra support. An ear-splitting screech rang in his ear, and for a moment he thought she might bite his shoulder. "Slow it!"

Yanking hard on the reins, his mount skidded to a halt and started back up with slight prance to its gate.

"Whoa, I say!" He felt Everest release her death-grip and slide off.

"I outta skin the lot of ya!" she bared her fangs.

"I swear I didn't do it on purpose!" Jenario dismounted, but a single glance around the area soon raised suspicions. "I don't remember seeing this last time."

Everest puffed out her feathers in irritation, but soon forgot her anger when she realized where he was looking.

In their mad dash, the horse had brought them into the southern part of Sapphire. It was a dense stretch of trees, but unlike the thick trunks seen where Lo-ans'rel lived, these were leaner. Branches stretched upward with moss strung along in tangles of sagging strands. Even the leaves were covered in moss. It crept down the sides of tree trunks and spread out along the forest floor where rays of sunlight highlighted pea-green patches. Green – entirely too much for one area, which lead to only one conclusion.

"Moss dragon," Jenario breathed.

What are Healers?

A Healer is a shape-shifter who takes on animal forms, depending on what element it has chosen. While actual healing abilities are limited to certain elements, Healers are hands-down the masters of magic, are fairly social but stubborn beings!

There are four basic elements: Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. These elements are what comprise the magic within Nature. And yet a Healer is born with no bond to Nature whatsoever. To become One with it, they must first accept one of its elements, and has the option to purge all magic in order to change over to a different element – but can only change up to three times.

The Great Elemental Masters

Throughout history, Nature has controlled the seasons without the need of Healers. But times change. Now, these three masters have been selected for their powerful talents to help balance out what Nature has done for millennium.

To become a master of the elements, one must be "reborn." Once reawakened, their connection to Nature intensifies. Energy does not burn out as quickly as regular Healers.

Masters cannot die, unless Nature no longer needs them. When death does come, they are simply regenerated to the level they left off. This, however, may not be possible due to the growing Darkness infesting the land, sucking away at Nature's energy needed for regeneration.

EDIT: I've been rethinking this and I think theses masters ARE their actual element, making it impossible for them to die until the Darkness affects their abilities.