By Kylie Cheung
Please note that the epic is currently down because I am modifying the chapters.
*AGES 9 AND UP
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This story is dedicated to...
This story is dedicated to my second grade teacher, Ms. Tong. She taught me to love writing, and if it weren't for her, I would just HATE writing. So I owe it all to her, and that's why this little series of mine is dedicated to her. That is the story of why ALL of my stories are dedicated to her. She's amazing.
PREQUEL:
Myuri was once your average land, which was no larger than a forest in the massive realm of Questalia. Questalia was ruled by a valiant young lady named Espiosa. She soared to the very top of the tallest tree within the entire realm, and there, she could see it all. Before her, a realm of havoc beyond havoc, streams of blood, and countless cries of agony. She was beyond infuriated, and banished nine-hundred-ninety-eight of the dimensions within the realm. She left a lone Myuri and Perestrella, but at her death, both kingdoms were infuriated, and decided to break the alliance. Both kingdoms then claimed war, and day and night fought furiously. Arabella, the new ruler of the realm of Nuria loved war, unliked her dead mother, Espiosa. She brought back the kingdoms from wherever they were, and to the surprise of most elders, Nuria grew more peaceful. All kingdoms were restless with which to battle, and there was always more time spent planning for war, than the actual battling.
PROLOGUE:
There are many reasons why opinion and judgment simply cannot work together. Like for instance what one sees as a nightmare could be one’s dream, and you’re great envied for something that you wish to simply get rid of. And that is where you wish to trade lives with one. But what can be a nightmare, or what was once a dream could just turn into a reality that you have to accept, get used to, or even learn to enjoy. For this is how you make the best of life, although you resent the truth. And so you may venture to many places to escape it, or perhaps voyage upon more adventures than you’d ever dream of, maybe sail through every ocean, every island, every village, town, city, or unexplored place? Or maybe a destiny that may be a nightmare could turn around into a dream come true, allowing you to do far beyond what any believe you are capable of doing. Life is an unpredictable thing, but in Myuri, no one knows whether right-side up is upside-down, or the other way around! For life is a mesmerizing quest in this dimension, that reflects off whether you’re a villager, a royal, a warrior, a soldier, a ruler, or even a protector. But for four protectors everything has changed, from a destiny- a prophecy, a dream for many skillful warriors, to a nasty nightmare that the four long to be awoken from. But with new thoughts, new people, new allies, and completely new lives, the four may just see the situation, as everyone else sees it…
Chapter 1- Start
from Small
The sun shone with
great enthusiasm and jubilee, its gentle rays lining the stone flight of stairs,
as Kanata trailed on, staring into the dusk sky with her curious, violet eyes
that had gotten her into much trouble before. Loving adventure was the key to
getting lost, and appearing in a dark soul’s life.
Kanata
had had this experience many times in the past, but she would never forget her
trip to Congrella, the main village of the entire Myuri. She had once lived
happily in a foster home with loving, middle-aged foster parents and many other
children, but after overhearing men in a carriage speak of a path in the forests
leading to a land of great fortune, Kanata set off at once. She was positive
that there would after all be nothing in the forests, no path or anything such,
but instead found herself following a sandy, beige hued path that cut through
the forest and many jungles ahead. Kanata could no longer see the pleasant,
Evergreens that made up the main forest of Mei, but instead spotted an old,
battered, wooden billboard that read CoNgReLlA
in very odd print. Paint of all colors was
splattered upon the sign, and behind it stood the most magnificent, wealthy
village Kanata had ever laid eyes on.
Two
long aisles of small wooden cabins or adobes stood, with a long, wide path that
cut in between both aisles with great ease. Carriages, stands, horses, and
pedestrians all strode here and there, dotting the place and chattering. In the
center, what seemed to intersect both strips of homes stood a bold, chestnut
hued, wooden well. She even well recalled the voices of the three officials that
spotted her, and carried her by her elbows all the way up to the main castle all
the way in the back of the village, and how the young man in charge that seemed
to be at most fourteen sat at the throne with great pride and confidence
gleaming in his coal-like eyes.
The
young man by the name of Ardin gave a drained, crackled laugh and stared
abundantly into Kanata’s bold, cat-like eyes. But what she mainly remembered,
was how she was his queen for many months, until claiming her rights and
escaping the castle.
However,
the foster home she called hers was now a miserably failing market of fruits
with mold and coal along with torches and swords. The men that she had known as
neighbors could hardly remember her, seeing as it had been long ago since she
lived there, but finally explained that it was burned down by bandits of
Espiarus, a long time enemy of Myuri, although it was a distant island still in
the dimension.
Kanata’s
heart sank, she had lost her birth parents, and now the only two people in the
world that loved her, and once took care of her. But she refused to be cut down,
and fought with herself to let go and simply live a new life in a small adobe
home at the rare of Mei. But no time had passed before men that served under
Ardin at long lost found her a year later, and only a few days ago, explained
that she would be a protector of Myuri, and defend it forever with her life. And
now, here she was in preparation of becoming a protector by meeting a withering
man in a mountain in the farthest back mountain of Mei.
And
here she was today, at this very moment, climbing the flight of stairs leading
into the entrance of the withering man’s castle.
Just
then, the great doors of the large, stone castle very slowly opened, showing a
small room of dull, soft colors and dust. The very step in which she stood on
began to float, and soon stood in the large doorway of the castle. “Greetings,
young one.” The relatively aged man spoke with a cracked but somewhat peaceful
voice.
Kanata
dipped her head in respect and smiled slowly. “Good evening, sir. And thank
you very much for the… lift.”
The
elderly, jolly, old man said no more but just smiled and gestured toward the
plush red couch beneath a large gaping window of red, velvet curtains, in which
was covered with dust. Kanata simply obeyed and took a seat on the hard, lumpy
couch.
“Dear
sir, I am wondering if the other protectors would be here,” Kanata questioned
in a small, shy voice. The wide smile on her face shrunk until it was entirely
diminished into a tiny frown.
“They’ve
already come and gone at separate times,” he explained. “Now enough with the
‘sir,’ and please do call me Terrance, as what many called me in my days of
youth.”
“Why
of course, sir- Terrance,” Kanata stammered with great hesitation. Terrance
took a seat on the couch by her, and smiled fondly.
“Ardin
explained that he made an excellent choice choosing the protectors he did, and
so he wishes for me, an old gentleman to put a spell-“
“I’m
sorry to interrupt, sir- Terrance, but I’ve heard many times in my fourteen
years that there is simply no magic in Myuri,” Kanata uttered, afraid to anger
the elderly man.
Giving
a long, crackled laugh that was if anything not smooth, Terrance sighed, and
spoke again, “I was once a great ruler of the most powerful empire in
Perestrella, as you know a neighboring land, a very large one. I made a trip to
Myuri, and settled down, where I lived a happy life, and finally submit to your
new customs. I served under Ardin from then up till now, and now will be giving
the upcoming protectors eternally their current ages. So in other words, forever
shall you be of fourteen years even when you’re to be forty, and when I’m to
be perhaps a goner.”
Kanata
smiled gently, and laid a hand on Terrance’s shoulder. “Sir, I mean
Terrance, how are you to do that?”
“You’ll
know if you be silent and follow me,” Terrance explained, and jumped to his
feet. He strode down the hallway of mahogany carpeting and pale, peach, hued
wallpaper.
He
gestured into a small room of wooden floorboards and plain, white walls, then
continued down the hallway.
Kanata
entered slowly, and stared around. There was nothing but an empty closet in which was wide open, and a tall, wavy mirror. Kanata
stared into the mirror and gazed at her dark, night-sky, hued short silk dress,
slightly above her knees. Her elbow length, copper hair was pulled back into a
bun with two wisps sticking out from behind her ears.
At
that very moment, Terrance stepped through the doorway grinning. “I found the
old heap back in my bedroom, and I truly am sorry for the rather long
hold-up.” Terrance heaved the thickest spell book one had ever seen. He
flipped right into the core of the book, then began chanting some words after
setting as wrinkled, pale, hand on Kanata’s shoulder.
“Well,
you are free to go,” Terrance shrugged. “Perhaps if you are done packing, I
would always love some help exploring those ancient underground tunnels the
basement leads to.”
Kanata
couldn’t believe she was saying this, but knew it was for the better. “No
thanks, sir. That sound much delightful, there isn’t enough time in the days
anymore.” Kanata could still not catch on to what she had just muttered, but
decided that all she wished to do was return home and sleep, for some reason the
little bit of excitement for being a protector had faded, although she was
grateful of Terrance’s doings.
The
two days sped by, and now it was a frigid midnight, of the hot Sundime night
Kanata was to leave and rise to power as a protector of Myuri. She simply stood
and stared through the gaping window of her home, until a very executive looking
carriage lead by five black stallions stopped outside of the adobe. The
stagecoach smiled, and waved politely at Kanata, but nothing could make her feel
better, except for a smiling girl of her very age that sat waving and staring at
the same time with her melodic, purple eyes, that somehow reminded Kanata of
butterflies.
Kanata
slipped in through the open door of the pumpkin shaped- and for that matter
colored, carriage. “Hi,” she mumbled, without the slightest bit of
enthusiasm.
“Hi,”
the girl dressed in pale pink explained. Her long hair was tied in two thick
loops, flowing down her shoulders. “I’m Reina, who are you?”
Kanata
turned away slowly. “I’m Kanata.” Sighing, Kanata leaned back on the
plush, soft, velvet seat in the back of the carriage; it was of some sort of
rowan hue.
Reina
only grinned, then turned to the stagecoach up in the front. “How many more
days, my good sir?”
“Wait…
days?” Kanata exasperated.
“Of
course,” Reina explained, yawning, as she began to lean very far back on her
seat. “It took us about three days to get from Royalty Village, Ara to Mei,
Corrionder your village.”
Kanata
was silent. “Sir, where else shall we be going?” She turned to the
stagecoach after what seemed to be about five minutes of silence.
“Revendra
and Eurandala,” the man explained, grabbing a whip and giving one of the
horses a slash.
“Oh,”
Kanata murmured.
Reina
sighed, thinking about her life seeing as Kanata was obviously not in the mood
to talk. If anything, Reina had lived a tough, miserable life, in which at some
point, anyone would have given up on, but Reina was always optimistic and
joyful.
She
had once been the lovely princess of Ara, when she was eleven years old.
However, soon enough, her father, Revony, a great warrior was slain, although
days before, he had killed the almighty Loom, the ruler of Espiarus. He was the
only thing his daughter, Kylani, had left, seeing as only a moon ago, his wife
passed away with the Ebony Fever.
Kylani
swore revenge on the man, but after his death realized there was only one way to
avenge her dead father: through killing Reina, the pride and joy of Revony.
However,
the moment Revony died, everything changed for Reina. Her own mother banished
her from Ara, claiming she never wished to see her face again. And never did
she. Reina lived with a couple of farmer and his family, until she was
discovered by Kylani. Kylani captured her at once. But Reina remained determined
to live. She pleaded to Kylani to spare her, and she would fight and serve under
Kylani.
Kylani
agreed, but a year later when Reina was thirteen she turned an entire army of
Kylani’s guards against her, and persuaded them into assisting her to escape.
They helped Reina to Congrella, where Aaron, the great ruler of them wished for
her to be his fiancé, enchanted by her beauty. But the next day, Aaron was
dead, and once Reina had found out the devious secret behind his death, she
escaped Congrella, and returned to the Fishing Village in Ara, where she lived
alone in the back of a market.
Reina
heaved a sigh of exhaustion. “Do you know, sir, of where Espiarus is?”
Looking
puzzled, the stagecoach turned back, his gentle gaze awkward and mildly
suspicious. “Of course I do, but I don’t suppose you would want to go there,
now would you? It’s been an enemy of Myuri for a millennium now.”
“Ah,”
Reina hesitated. “Thanks, sir.”
Kanata
sighed. “Eurandala and Revendra are both distant, you know. I think that
it’s about time we stop for the night.”
“I
suppose you’re right,” sighed the stagecoach with a sluggish yawn. His gaze
fell upon Reina, whom was obviously fighting sleep.
Kanata
in the meanwhile set her duffel bag on the floor and pulled out of it a gleaming
clarinet of some sort of black materiel that had to be made of iron,
unless it would have long been broken after all the great scraps she and it had
fought together.
Reina
pinned her with a curious stare and a small grin. “What’s that? A clarinet?
For what?”
Kanata
hesitated. “It’s my weapon… and it’s a clarinet.”
“Oh,
I see,” Reina explained, and heaved to pale pink fans. “You seem pretty
down. Why’s that?”
“Well,
firstly, I was down since two days ago,” sighed Kanata. “And now it’s just
misery to be so far from home. And the fact that my birth parents didn’t want
me… or died, and my foster parents, dead- it’s just…”
“Oh,”
Reina muttered. “I’m sorry. Maybe I can tell you a pity story of my own some
other time. As for now I must say, I am rather exhausted.” Reina sighed, and
lay on her side as if the well-cushioned bench was a bed.
Kanata
in the meanwhile stepped out of her seat and ventured up and out of the
carriage. Her gaze fell upon the many trees in the surrounding. The trees seemed
to be a large ocean, and where the carriage stood on, a small island, so tiny
you could call it part of a channel.
All
of a sudden, from every bush that bordered the island, men dressed in heavy
armor rose. She couldn’t see their faces through their heavy helmets, but
could already see the smirks on their faces, when one spoke, almost as if he
were laughing. “You’re surrounded.”
“Am
not!” cried Kanata, holding a strong fist. She heaved her clarinet and pointed
it forward. “I’m a protector of Myuri, and of myself!”
The
captain of the soldier squad gave a cold, icy cackle. He simply lifted his
sword, and the vast army charged. Kanata sunk into a split to avoid one of the
soldier’s slashes, then thrust her left leg into the air, sending a forceful
kick upon the outraged, soldier’s nose.
Kanata
slipped through the army, and upon a strong, yet rather rigid tree branch where
she grabbed up a vine and practically soared across to another tree. A handful
of soldiers marched up, but only a handful. Kanata stared awkwardly as she
watched the army slowly diminish, as if being their lives were quickly being
vacuumed away. Finally, the crowd-clearer revealed herself: Reina, wielding
twin, pale pink, horizon fans. Kanata smiled, somersaulting off the branch and
onto her feet.
The
only word she found appropriate, was, “Whew!”
Momentarily,
the stagecoach climbed out of the carriage smiling briskly. “Whuh was that?”
Kanata
shrugged. “It’s as if those men knew we would be coming, sir, I would hope
that we could perhaps advance to a more safe, public place.”
Shrugging,
the stagecoach gestured into the carriage, and heaved a tired sigh. “If old
Charlie ever hears of that, I am so fired!”
Reina
only smiled, following Kanata into the carriage. The somewhat young man closed
the door behind himself, and gave the horses each a powerful whipping. The
carriage was soon bounding forward, until reaching what seemed to be a parking
lot outside a large inn.
Reina
lay awake, alone in the frigid, carriage, shivering. She heaved a sigh of great
exhaustion and opened her heavy, thick, pink backpack and pulled out a quilt of
many colorful patches, and soon faltered to sleep, dreaming of her grandmother.
When
dawn arrived, the carriage was already on the go, but what awoke Reina
the most, was the young man sitting in front of Kanata, eating what seemed to be
an egg salad sandwich. He was smiling gleefully, although he said nothing.
Behind
him, Kanata was knitting what looked like a fuzzy, baby blue materiel.
“Who’re you?” perked Reina, poking her head at the blue-eyed boy.
Jumping,
the young man glanced behind him. “Darren. I suppose you are Reina.”
“You
suppose correct,” Reina grinned. “Hey, we must have just passed through
Eurandala, by now!”
“We
have, we’re in the rare of Revendra, we should be meeting your little friend
momentarily, and make the way back to Congrella. It’s quite a distance, but I
think we’ll make it in time, at about late dusk.”
“I
hope,” sighed Reina. “I can’t wait to arrive at the beach home on the
Protector’s Island.”
Kanata
gazed behind her. “We stopped at a lake earlier to wash off, you know.”
Reina
sighed. “Now I do, and I wish I didn’t. All the more reasons we should stop
or hurry up so I can take bathe in a spring on the island.”
Darren
sighed. He was simply reading an ancient book, its pages hugged by two thick,
chestnut colored leather covers. Golden words were engraved, reading: Myuri
Records.
Just
then, a very fine young man with musty, dark brown hair, pale skin, and emerald
eyes pulled up, wearing a black duffel bag, its handles gripping onto his
shoulders.
He
entered the carriage, looking much miserable and hesitant. “Hi,” it looked
like he had gone through a great battle in his heart, on what to say.
Reina
beamed. “Hi, and you are?”
Staring
awkwardly, the wide-eyed boy made a small smile. “I’m Eric, I suppose you
are Reina.”
“How
would you know?” Kanata cocked her head and stopped knitting, then returned to
the pale, baby blue sweater.
“Well,”
Eric uttered, sheepishly.
“Cut
it out, Kanata,” Reina smiled and gave her a playful push on the shoulder.
Hours
passed, many of them. In fact the sun was setting above the horizon, as the
carriage paraded through the gates of Congrella. Never did a larger smile spread
across Reina’s face.
“Hold
your horses,” the stagecoach grinned, once he saw the look on Reina’s face.
“We still have ought to cross the ferry, it’s a short distance to the
Protector’s Island, as you know, and soon you’ll arrive and spend the night
of the rest of your lives.”
The
villagers roared with excitement, throwing countless flowers at the carriage.
Kanata couldn’t help but grin and wave out the small window.
Finally,
the carriage arrived at a large station of multiple ferries. Kanata could
already see the Protector’s island, in fact it was right in front of them, a
meter or two across. The ferry ride took but only ten seconds, then the
carriage, and the protectors, not to mention the stagecoach, stood standing in
the white, soft, sand, face to face with the largest beach house one had ever
seen.
It
had a dainty white roof, with glass walls, brick intersecting along with wood. A
large gaping window stood lined with glass.
Kanata
smiled, but her smile faded at the sight of Ardin standing inside the beach
home. He thrust open the door, and grinned, opening the door. Reina smiled as
she exited.
“Well,
I wish you good luck,” Ardin explained. “Through all the hardships we’ve
faced, you are here to end them. Your work will most likely begin tomorrow. I
shall send a messenger with a book to guide you through your training.”
Kanata
sighed, and sat down in the sand as she watched the stagecoach leave. Her heart
sank farther, and farther as every moment passed. She was homesick and
miserable, thinking of what she would be doing, if she were to be back in Mei.
Finally,
she followed Darren into the beach home, and glanced around, her frown very much
turning upside down. Her feet stood on copper tiles as her violet eyes observed
the many picture frames hung on the white walls. A foot of from leaning on the
glass wall, a white, leather sofa stood, with four wooden legs that looked like
four pirate peg legs. Two sequined, red pillows were sat on the couch.
Ahead,
a dining table of a crimson, chestnut sort of hue stood, four wooden chairs,
padded with a red cushion stood by the table. In the center was a flower vase,
of one red rose and a pink tulip.
“Come
on, Kanata,” Reina perked, poking her head out of the kitchen. Kanata
entranced the kitchen through the sliding, white, wooden door. It was a formal
kitchen of gleaming, orange square floorboards, with a black, granite counter,
and solid orange cabinets, with tinted windows revealing floors of glass plates.
“I’m
sorry,” Kanata muttered, turning to Reina. “I know exploring would be an
awful fun, but I am rather tired, after all that. I’ll see you in the
morning.”
Chapter 2- A Battle in Flames
Reina sat up in bed, and glanced out the window behind her. Hot pink,
velvet curtains angrily slapped the window, in which showcased a magnificent sun
rise. The large orange ball of heat gazed over the luscious, dark blue waves
tenderly, and shone upon the hot, white beach sand. A forest of Palm trees and
Sycamores stood, their branches and leaves swaying to the song of the joyous
bird’s chorus. She didn’t waste anymore time, but instead hastily climbed
out of bed and tore open the scarlet wardrobe praying it would contain clothes.
Sure enough, a wardrobe of all sorts
of clothing articles of all lovely hues hung, and Reina grinned at the sight.
Although it looked like as if a forest, everything was very much well organized.
Cautiously choosing, Reina selected a skin-tight white tank top of sequins, and
a pale, pink, layered mini skirt in which seemed to be made entirely of flowery
lace. She combed her silky, chestnut colored hair and pulled it back into two
thick loops in the shape of the outlines of a butterfly’s wings, fastened with
hot pink ribbons. Slipping into knee length pale pink boots, she zipped out the
doors, to find Kanata in the kitchen, already working on fragrant breakfast.
“Hi! Morning,” Reina smiled.
“Why are you making breakfast, I was thinking the others could help you while
I take five and go for a swim!”
“No way!” Kanata smiled and gave
a forced laugh. “Firstly, you’re not going anywhere, and second of
all, those guys… help?”
“Oh.”
Kanata smiled and turned to Reina.
“I’ve gotten quite a lot done: four platters of acorn mush, one LARGE bowl
of salad, four platters of diced up and mixed fruit, bacon, freshly baked bread,
blueberry pancakes, Jasmine tea, and freshly squeezed orange juice.”
“Yum!” Reina squeaked, although
truthfully, she had never in her life had most of the foods Kanata had listed.
“Reina, there’s some acorn
cereal in the cabinet, if you don’t want to eat… there’s always that,”
Kanata remarked, giving a tiny, forced smile. She began setting the table, first
with the glass, white plates containing acorn mush, to the salad, which was set
down in the center, along with; the blueberry pancakes bread slices, tea, orange
juice, mixed fruit, and bacon.
“What makes you think I don’t
want your delectable sounding breakfast if I’ve never tried it?” Reina
beamed. “You seem like a great cook to pull something like that off.”
“Thanks,” Kanata sighed. “I
suppose I now have a large breakfast to share. Like the old days in the foster
home, with the sweet but strict foster parents. I would always cook the meals,
you see.” She seemed as if to be distant from Myuri, very distant.
“Oh,” Reina made a tiny grin.
“I never quite got to telling you my pity story, did I? Anyways, perhaps we
can spend sometime on the beach and I can tell you.”
Kanata didn’t quite, care, but
knew it would be most obnoxious if she declined. There was great hesitation,
though, in her answer. “Why- well… of course.”
Reina shrugged and took her seat,
but didn’t dig into her plate to Kanata’s surprise. “Really, Reina, you
can start eating. You don’t have to wait for Eric, nor Darren.”
“Oh, I suppose there’s no reason
why I shouldn’t” Reina quite hesitated when shoveling her spoon into the
acorn mush. She put in her best effort not to make a face, but seeing as this
wasn’t working, she simply plunged the spoon into the mush, and into her
mouth. All of a sudden, the greatest taste sensation ran through her body, and
the most delightful smile one had ever seen fluttered upon her lips. “Great!
Truly great!”
“Thanks!” Kanata yowled.
At the very moment, coming down the
staircase, and making a great deal of noise for that matter, Eric and Darren
appeared. Darren was dressed in rather light, silver armor, with a huge smile
spread on his face, while Eric was dressed in relatively heavy black armor. He
grinned.
“Yummy- yuh- I mean, uhh…”
Eric hesitated, very much embarrassed. “I mean- err… looking good…
breakfast.”
“OK,” shrugged Kanata, smiling
with her very many pale pink lips. Her copper hair was down, although a small
bun clung to the back of her head. She was dressed in an aqua-hued, body-hugging
dress, slightly above her knees, with spaghetti straps tightly hugging her
shoulders. She sat herself down in a seat across Reina, Darren sitting beside
her. Eric simply took a seat by Reina, and began his breakfast.
Kanata simply couldn’t believe it,
but all four were actually getting along! There was a great amount of chatter,
and it sounded as if a mad party was taking place at the building, although
there were only four, bold people in the entire tower.
“So… what do you want to do
today?” Reina called out, grinning. “I was thinking of swimming, or taking
those mean pedal boats at the dock for a spin? How’s about that?”
Kanata simply heaved a tired sigh.
“Reina, it’s as if we have a choice, you know.”
Darren, on the other hand gave a
smile of great approval. “Look, look, let’s take the pedal boat that’s all
blue and-“
Just then, swooping through the
gaping window, a lovely dove appeared, dropping a rather small scroll. With the
message delivered, the eager bird launched itself back to home… wherever home
was.
Eric snatched it from the white,
leather sofa, and read carefully. FiRe
In ToWn, Go NoW aNd HuRrY! “Hurry- Congrella,
we’re needed.”
“We are the protectors, I
suppose,” Reina shrugged, and the four began way. “What about the small
waterway?”
“Bah,” Kanata scowled.
“We’ll swim.” The four jerked across the stream and mounted the dock of
ferries, then were off to Congrella. Troops dressed in heavy, silver army and
wielding swords and spears, bows and arrows, torches and matches, zoomed in vast
armies.
“They’re trying to burn us down,
no doubt bandits of Espiarus,” Eric exasperated. “No need, we’ve ought to
hurry- spread out!”
Reina heaved her twin fans and
launched herself at what looked like a knight, mounted on a powerful, but speedy
stallion. She set her hand on the ground, and carefully pushed off, landing a
forceful kick on the knight’s side, he fell off at once, although the horse
gave a mighty leap, although Reina clenched onto its mane tightly.
In the meanwhile, Kanata finished
off a heap of men, blood tinting her clarinet. Darren, mounted on a white
stallion grinned, throwing a soldier into the heap mightily.
Eric’s eyes widened, as great
flames caught his sight. Dead villagers lay in heaps, soon turning into nothing
but piles of ash. Boldly, he tore through the crowds, his great spear, cutting
through the bandit armies. Every torch dropped. With wide eyes, Eric turned to
Reina. “Water- hurry! Get water!”
Reina nodded, and without another
word or sign, she hurried to the stream behind the forest of trees and lowered
bucket after bucket of water. Darren hurried to retrieve them, seeing as the
well had now nothing but dust the bandits had poured.
“They’re such a menace,”
Kanata sighed to herself, as she paced towards a great pump of water. “Those
insects evidently do cause harm, as what they did to the place in which I
cherished and grew up in.”
The bandits had now formed in a
swarm and were retreating back to Espiarus. “Not if I can help it!” Reina
charged, giving a flurry of cartwheels and kicks, as well as slices with her
fans.
Countless villagers returned behind
Darren with cartloads of buckets containing water. The raging fires were soon
diminished, although much damage had been taken by them.
“What a rush,” muttered Reina as
she returned. “Something tells me, this isn’t going to be so easy.”
Chapter
3- Espiarus
Reina remained mounted on her white welsh pony, gazing at the lovely
mountain views. It was early dawn, and heavy mist clouds were piling in the sky.
There was no sign of the sun, but its gentle, timid rays, a path to the large
ball of sunshine. Everywhere, large Sycamore trees were huddled together, as if
a great army- swarm! Ahead a pure lake dotted with floating cherry blossoms of
the most elegant pale pink shade floated, making the scene all the more serene.
Sighing to herself, Reina glanced
behind her, spotting the rest of the protectors: Kanata, Darren, and Eric.
Snowflake, her pony, sprinted toward the lake, hoping to quench her thirst by
drinking the icy water.
“Where did you come
from?” Darren turned to Kanata with an odd look. She had been busily speaking
with Eric about daily life, while he failed to listen, but was simply dreaming
of a vacation to Ra Fei.
Kanata glanced up at him. “I was
born in a very distant gorge in Mei, in its rear, in fact. Eventually, the day
after I was born, I was sent to a foster home. I still believe my parents are
alive, but for some reason… got rid of me.”
Darren smiled. “At least they
didn’t do away with you. That’d be a shame. And quite frankly, cruel.”
“Darren, there was probably some
sort of… odd reason why her birth parents did what they did,” Eric
remarked. “No offense- of course. No offense was intended, and I hope that no
offense was gained.”
‘’Don’t worry. I’m not the
type of person, anyways, I don’t see how anyone would be offended,” Kanata
grinned over at Eric.
Reina sighed and finally dismounted.
Two days had passed, ever since the flourishing showdown in flames- the
protectors against the mighty, rebellious bandits of Espiarus, in which were no
doubt sent by Kylani, the wicked ruler of Espiarus. But what Reina couldn’t
understand, was why she let herself fall before the devious lady in the
first place. It was true that Kylani had captured her for the sake of her dead
father, and that the only way to escape death was to serve under her. But there
were other ways, of course.
But how would Kanata, Darren, and
Eric see the story… perhaps as a lie, and how would they see her? Most likely
as a decoy- a decoy trying to send word to Kylani, and perhaps her hidden
strategist.
Reina arched over upon the lake, the
others following, and washed her face. Her hair was now a musty black, tied back
into a small braid. She was dressed in a lovely pale pink dress, which seemed to
have a gorgeous nature scene faded upon it. The scene contained multiple bamboo
shoots, a sycamore, a small pond, and flowers. Reina slipped out of her wedged
sandals and dipped her feet into the frigid water.
Kanata glanced over at Eric, then
Darren with her violet eyes. She was dressed in a magnificent sky blue dress in
which hugged the top half of her body, spaghetti straps grasping onto her
shoulders. On her feet was a pair of black walking sandals, her copper hair
simply flowing down to her shoulders, combed to perfection. “Darren, I don’t
quite understand your homeland… as in… where- err… is your homeland?”
‘’Eurandala, slightly west of
Mei,” Darren shrugged. “An awful far from Royalty Village, Ara.”
Reina only glanced at Eric, who
seemed to be a mite distant. “Where’d you come from, Eric?”
Eric had obviously been taken by
surprise, seeing as he gave a frightful jump. “Revendra, Head Village.”
“Ahh…” Reina smiled and
whisked around. “Maybe we should get back. We never told Ardin about the
little morning trip, He would be appalled to find about that we didn’t tell us
of this.”
Kanata shrugged. She said nothing,
but simply set down a picnic basket- a large one for that matter, and a picnic
blanket, dark blue and thick.
“You’re really helping
the cause, Kanata!” Reina laughed, smiling. “I guess we had hardly anything
this morning, and your sandwiches and oranges are truly the best.”
Darren beamed as Kanata pulled a
large pitcher of lemonade and set it on the ground, as she got out the ham
sandwiches. Reina fetched the plastic cups and poured four cups of lemonade, as
Kanata set the sandwiches down on the blanket. The four bent over, each giving
cheers with their cups. Reina giggled and sat herself down on a tree stump.
After the breakfast had been
devoured, the four rode on home, where they set their horses away in a stable,
and sat at the beach. Reina hurried into her room, returning in a skin-tight,
one piece, hot pink swimsuit. She lay on a red beach towel, and gazed at the
rising sun. The rifting waves licked the sandy shore, as the other protectors
explored the island.
Just then, a screaming falcon
swooped overhead. It grasped a scroll that read, “Follow me. The destination
is distant, take a boat.”
Reina had always wanted to take one
of the snazzy pedal boats, and now was her chance. Although anyone had the right
to scold her for trusting the falcon fully, she didn’t care. Instead she was
the care free, fun sort of person. It bothered many, but it was simply who she
was.
Three days had passed, although five
minutes later when the rest of the protectors returned, they were quite frankly
already bothered by Reina’s disappearance, and were at once searching the
beach home as if for buried treasure.
Reina parked the boat as soon as she
spotted soldiers dressed in heavy, rowan armor. The falcon as well paused, then
flew away, vanishing in the dark sky. Three days, thought Reina to
herself. I must have turned Congrella upside down.
“Welcome,” a tangy voice purred.
A young woman stepped up dressed in a red, light armored dress. “Reina.”
“Kylani.”
“Reina.”
“Why am I here?”
Reina glared. “This no doubt has nothing to do with you, by any chance?”
“Maybe…” Kylani glared. “For
one thing, you’re not escaping- not this time. For the other, those moronic
losers don’t even know where you are.”
“So what do you want, Kylani?”
Reina glared. “Service until I die?”
“And how in Myuri did you know?”
Kylani gave a cunning smile, and snapped her fingers, turning to the soldiers.
“Bring the prisoner to the throne room.”
The soldier captain gave a brisk
glare to Reina, then clapped his hands together, performing a martial dance,
then two soldiers each grabbed Reina’s elbows, while the other surrounded her.
Chapter
4- The Shimmer’s Secrets
Reina grimaced. The island was sure enough familiar. It was covered
entirely with sand, the finest, and whitest for that matter. Palm trees dotted
the small place, until at some point the sand stopped flowing, and the life
vanished- the sand, covered up by stone tiles, and the trees seemed to simply
vanish, as if this portion of the island had been cursed. And it had been, the
moment Kylani had set foot on it.
“Whatever you want from me- never
shall you get it!” Reina yowled, once the soldiers dropped her upon the hard,
frigid stone ground. Kylani gave a bitter laugh and narrowed her eyebrows giving
a wretched, dainty glare.
“I’ll get what I want. Five
years- too many. If you think your stay was miserable last time, I’ll give you
a some time,” Kylani cackled mercilessly. “We’re heading down to Ra
Fei for an invasion, that is, unless you have an issue with this?”
“I do,” Reina simply
spoke, glaring. “Ra Fei is an ally of Myuri- unlike you.”
“Whatever makes you think I want
to be an ally of your pathetic force. “To the dungeons with you. And don’t
think the guard will be as shameless as lastime!”
Reina glared, but could say nothing
more. A hand full of guards grabbed her elbows violently, and took her to an
intense looking garrison. Within it, a grueling prison cell, in which chased
away Reina’s rather heavy appetite at once. The walls were of pure iron, while
the floor was of steel, covered in fry, golden hay. A wooden bench sat at the
rear of the cell, a withering man sat, sorrow burning in his coal colored eyes.
The guards shut the iron door the
moment Reina reluctantly entered. “And who are you?” Reina whispered to the
miserable man.
“Hungry… famished,” he spoke with a trembling
voice. “Starved for five days. Might be fed to day. Must escape. No door. No
help. No one know I alive.”
“Now I do, but I really would understand things
better if I knew who you were…” Reina tried to make a smile, although fright
and sadness had tore through her heart. “I’m Reina.”
“I know,” the man spoke. “I Jeremy, Terrance
brother.”
“Terrance? He’s a fine, fine man,” Reina grinned.
Thinking of Terrance made her feel a whole lot better, as if somehow he would
show up and save his brother, and herself, of course.
“But… I need tell you much,” Jeremy uttered. He
whisked around for a few moments, as if to make sure no one else was there but
the two of them. “Revony is still alive. Your father lies somewhere in Ra Fei,”
Reina was silenced. She felt her heart pound and her
eyes water, at the same time sweat, which abundantly rolled down her cheeks. The
thought of her father still being in Myuri- somewhere, she couldn’t think
straight, nor could she waste another second. But at the moment, there was
nothing she could do. “How do you know?”
“In the battle, he simply escaped knowing he would
die if he had stayed. So he left, and it was… assumed that he was burned to
ash… in the flame,” Jeremy spoke in a grave, crackled voice.
Reina grimaced. She stood to her feet and gave multiple
hard pounds on the door. “Fine, I shall go to Ra Fei, but only if you free
this worthless old man. He remembers nothing. Go easy.”
Kylani set her hand on the door slowly, then it crashed
to the ground, Reina jumped back. “So he remembers nothing, does he? I know
it’s a cold, hard lie but a good one. And he is worthless, so just let’em
out. There’s nothing anyone can do, anyways.” Kylani rolled her eyes and
tore herself backwards. “We’re attacking Ra Fei’s mainland. We’ve
already overtook the Ra Fei prison, and if all goes wrong you’re toast, put to
simpler words.”
Reina rolled her eyes.
“Just like old times, Kylani. I will never serve to you loyally. And I warn
you, don’t trust me to the death… something may go wrong.” She gave a
smile of deceit, a cunning one and directed it into Kylani’s infuriated eyes.
She simply glared and gestured towards the large bolted door.
“We’ll take the Shimmer and be off for the trip to
Ra Fei. The ride should take… one day the very most,” Kylani explained.
“Now, let’s march.”
Shimmer… Reina thought to herself. Must be
some sort of ship.
Multiple guards and officers grabbed a hold of Reina,
dumping her upon the gleaming large ship. It shimmered in the soft, blue skies
and its large, white sail told a story of beauty and grace the way it danced in
the strong winds. She could see colors, and many mixed hues swirl in many
motions as the sail whirled, but decided to look away, wishing not to be
hypnotized in any sort of way.
As she was thrown upon the hard, wooden decks of the
ship, Reina could smell the intense scent of mothballs. It was so strong she
felt ready to puke, or as if the air was poisoned very heavily, and the person
in that was responsible was obviously merciless. Sighing, she gave up the heavy
attitude she had been giving, and decided she would get along alright here on
the ship, or at least find something to do to pass time. They were rather far
from Ra Fie, but in some time, no doubt, they would arrive. She finally decided
that the Shimmer was a large ship, and that it would be quite some fun to
explore, as long as the guards hadn’t a problem with this.
Reina hurried through a door, the only one there
displayed on deck, for that matter. Kylani had stepped on deck and gazed here
and there, shrugged, and simply began down a flight of stairs through a trap
door on the deck. The rest of the men simply began the ship, and were off.
Kylani began her way down to the headroom, far in the
back of the hallway. A handful of guards thrust open the door. “I don’t need
you. Find that Reina and keep her under heavy watch. She’s a quick one,
can’t give her a moment of vulnerability- she’ll ride it, trust me.”
The guards were off, and Kylani lay on the plush, red,
velvet bed, grinning into the mirror in which sat on a barrel before her.
“It’s all yours, Lani,” she smiled to herself.
At the moment, Reina had been running down the long
hallway of wooden floorboards, her gaze fell on every guard she caught sight of,
and how their words were all the same: “Whose she? What she doing here?
Isn’t she that prisoner girl? Shouldn’t we be watching her?”
Reina dashed here and there until she finally threw
open the door of what seemed to be a long room, seeing as doors stopped popping
up until a while. The room was empty, except for a queen sized bed, and a
closet. The closet door all of a sudden began to slowly open as if her heart
couldn’t beat faster! Reina heaved her twin fans and pointed on forward.
“I’m not afraid to use these!”
Slowly, very slowly, a brisk man climbed out. He was
breathing heavily… and he was Revony, for sure.
Reina jaw dropped at least a foot. She sprinted up and
threw her arms around him. “Father…” she felt tears run down her cheeks,
warm and salty.
“Reina… why in Myuri are you here?” Revony
demanded, resting both of his hands on her shoulders.
“Father, why are you in a closet?” Reina wanted to
know. Her lonely, frightful heart was now warm and content, filled with great
jubilee.
“Do shush up, Reina,” Revony whispered to her,
slowly. “I had to climb on board and escape to Ra Fei. I heard of the
invasion, and quickly mounted the Shimmer. I didn’t count on meeting you,
Reina. But I’m glad I did. There’s going to be a little change in plan.”
“What, father?”
“I- won’t be going with you…” Revony hesitated.
“Only a slight change in plan, OK?”
“No way, Father,” Reina shook her head. “Why?”
“They won’t let it happen. They’ve taken control
over the Ra Fei Prison. Trust me on this,” Revony explained. ‘’Espiarus is
a mighty kingdom. They’ll find us if we slip away together, and I have other
plans to get home to Ara. I hear the Shimmer is taking it north to land an
attack on the land.”
“No!”
“Now, look,” Revony explained. “I promise you it
will be OK, I trust you, and in return, you have to trust me.” Revony smiled.
“I don’t want to lose you, Father,” Reina’s
voice trembled as tears zipped down her face.
“I don’t want to lose you, either, but I know
it’s for the best,” Revony spoke, slowly. He sounded much unsure, but
finally grinned.
Just then, the room door shot open, and a brisk guard
pointed his spear. “Seize him!” an army of powerful guards blasted into the
room like bullets. Reina jumped to her feet.
“Father…” Reina murmured. She watched in agony as
the guards grabbed him mercilessly. She shook herself out of it and shot
forward, with her fans outstretched. She sent forward a flurry of kicks, flips,
ducks, dices, slices, and simple hits. Revony dropped to the ground the moment
the guards let go of him.
“They’ll throw us overboard, if this continues,”
Revony turned to Reina giving her a grave look. He then glanced at all the dead
guards at his feet. “Reina, there’s no way.”
“There will have to be, we’re almost at Ra Fei,”
Reina remarked. All of a sudden, an infuriated glare met her eye as Kylani
stormed down the hall, glaring.
“Give it a rest,” Kylani hissed. She heaved twin
maces from out of nowhere, and set them both at Revony’s neck. She then simply
tossed him over her back, and a handful of guards simply took him away. Kylani
then glared at Reina.
“You win this time, Kylani,” Reina finally blurted
out. “But in so many ways you still lose and trust me, you always
will.”
“Shut up,” Kylani narrowed her eyes into little
slits of anger. “You’re now a prisoner, waiting to be saved. But you never
will, thanks to the elaborate scheme of Aranea. Overtaking the Ra Fei Prison
would have to be the most critical move we’ve ever made, and the most critical
ending for you, I could swear by this.”
Chapter 5- Not
just Another Battle
Reina gaped as the ship pulled over at the large,
wooden dock. The dock was connected to the most lovely land Reina had by far
ever seen. Her heart warmed with great admiration, not even Ara, the most
ravishing land she knew of, didn’t even compare to the beige ground, flowing
into a sandy beach of trees, tropical fruits, people, and sea.
Just then, every little bit of joy that had once
developed in her confused heart was gone. It was gone the moment every innocent
person of Ra Fei ran for their lives; Espiarus had obviously attacked them in
the past. Instead of appearing to be the hero of the moment, it looked as if she
had turned against Myuri, and now served Espiarus. But she was soon to be shut
up in the most gruesome prison in the universe perhaps for eternity. Although,
if she was one of the fortunate, beheaded. Reina couldn’t take the though of
this, but then again, she couldn’t stand being copped up in a prison cell all
day.
Kylani sniffed the air. “I want a battle. And I want
this land.” Her gaze then fell flatly upon Reina, then gestured towards her
with a dainty arm. “I know she’ll escape her cell, but we’ll have to hope
for the best. Take her away, and keep her busy with gruesome activities. Aranea,
the guards are obviously not up to watching her. Go along. Aaron!” She cried.
And just then, off the Shimmer’s ramp, a very fine, handsome young man walked.
His smile was much faded and grim, and he was dressed in black head to toe.
“Whose he?” Reina found the courage to say, as she
glared up at Kylani. “Your slave, I’m assuming?”
Kylani glared. ‘’You answer that, Aaron!”
Aaron smiled, his sly grin sent shivers down Reina’s
spine. “I’m Kylani’s little I mean… younger brother!”
Reina glared. “I think not!”
“Oh whatever,” Kylani hissed. “Aaron you’re humiliating
me. Now c’mon and leave the ugly fool to Aranea.
Aaron grinned and turned to Aranea. Seeing this, Aranea
turned and winked with her jade eyes, along with a flirtatious smile. Reina,
after spotting this, felt like puking. But there was more to think about than a
relationship that just wouldn’t work out.
The guards, gripping onto Reina tightly and carefully
turned to Aranea. “Which cell, my lady?”
Aranea glared impatiently. “Fools,” she simply
spat. ”Come along.”
The guards followed Aranea down to the rear of the
village. A tall, lonely, stone building stood. A rust colored door stood in
place, multiple gaping windows stacking. Aranea heaved open the large rustic
door. “Get her in.”
“But… my lady,” hesitated the guard captain.
“Which cell is hers?”
“You misheard me, fools,” Aranea hissed. “Just push her in. Escaping is impossible,
anyways.”
The guards obeyed, and slammed the door of the large
prison tower. Through the door, Reina decided that it was much rank, smelling of
certainly the opposite of sweet and fresh. Gazing around, she decided that she
best escape the room at least, or which ever guards were near, would most likely
lock her away in a gruesome cell, where she would be sustained for the rest of
her now miserable, hopeless life. No, she couldn’t think this way. Reina
quickly dashed all the way across a hall. There was no wall to its right, but
countless guards and a counter. Quickly, Reina rushed up the great flight of
stairs leading to simple hallway of wooden tile. But just then, a tauntingly
mysterious door stood, covered in dust, calling out and pleading for her to
enter. No other door seemed to be able to speak to the frightened soul at the
moment. Finally, sighing, Reina summoned all her courage and began towards the
door, when from out of the ceiling, Aranea dropped, a great hole forming in the
wall. She landed in an odd crouch, a shield on her elbow and a long war fork in
her grasp.
Reina’s eyes widened. Something told her that
whatever was behind that door, Aranea wouldn’t let her see, meet or
acknowledge. Gulping, Reina drew out her twin fans from out of nowehere.
Aranea gave her a sly, cunning smile. “Are you challenging
me?” she snorted. “Oh you have got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not you idiot,”
Reina hissed. “It was your mistake to not lock me up.”
“It’s your mistake to think you can get through
this with your head,” Aranea hissed. There was a long, silent pause, no one
moving. When just then, climbing back into that same crouch, Aranea tumbled on
her shoulders forward, sinking into a split the moment Reina dodged. She simply
jumped into the air doing a 360 spin, and pushed off the wall the moment her
feet touched it.
As Reina landed herself slowly upon the ground, Aranea
lifted into what looked like a drop stance, and lifted her extended leg higher,
giving Reina a forceful kick.
Angrily, and also much agonized, Reina climbed back to
her feet. Aranea charged at full force, but was much irritated as Reina slipped
out of the way.
Reina, now fully healed bound forward delivering a
powerful slice on Aranea’s back.
Crying out in great pain, Aranea crashed to the ground,
glaring up at Reina. Handfuls of guards charged, some after Reina, and some to
help Aranea back to her feet.
Chapter 6- The
Might of an Army
Kanata turned to the glaring sun; its gaze was so
strong, especially in the heat of Sundime days. She would most likely be out in
the pool, horsing around with Darren, or drinking whatever was cold. But not
today, not for the past week, anyways. Reina was gone, missing, maybe even dead.
And Kanata simply couldn’t bear it.
She sighed, her gaze falling upon the village, past a
handful of Pine trees. Ardin was in much distress according to Darren, and
Kanata couldn’t be more miserable, at the moment.
“Kanata,” Darren called out as he began towards the
wooden table on the porch of the beach house. “Ardin wants to see us.”
“Well… OK, where’s Eric?” Kanata reasoned, to
stall time. She stood up, dressed in a sequined, dark blue tank top and slipped
into a pair of black walking sandals.
“What the-“ Eric muttered. He had just chose that
moment to arrive into the scene, returning from his fishing trip. He seemed to
be in denial that he was worried about Reina, but everyone knew he was. In his
grasp was a large, black fishing net, filled with silver, scaly fish, leaving an
unpleasant odor.
“Come on, Eric. I know that Ardin’s not in a
good mood for sure. We’ve best not be tardy,” remarked Darren. He climbed
out of his seat and onto his feet, then began towards a very random boat. It was
white and plain with five seats and a steering wheel.
Kanata and Eric reluctantly followed to the boat, and
climbed in without a moment’s hesitation. It was dusk, for sure, and the great
sun was setting, releasing great heat, and smothering Myuri in shadows.
Everything seemed to gleam with its intense power, and the sun’s rays
performed such a show, that a smile was practically forced on Eric’s face.
Moments later, the boat landed on the dock in which
stuck out like a cape from the rest of the large Corrionder Island. The three
mounted the dark green grass, and zipped towards the great castle in the center
of the entire Congrella village, which was very large. It stood in the rear, and
center.
Ardin would always sit boldly on his plush,
well-cushioned seat, writing whatever on a scroll.
Gulping, Darren walked up the small staircase leading
up to the great, iron doors of the large castle. He whisked around to make sure
Kanata and Eric hadn’t ditched him, and then pushed over the very creaky door.
Kanata turned to Eric, nodded her head, and made her
way up to Darren’s side. Hesitantly, Eric followed. The three started up the
great flight of stairs, until reaching a hallway of brisk, red carpeting. After
arriving at Ardin’s office, the three paused, and stared at it with wide eyes.
“Come on Darren, please,” moaned Kanata, in a quiet
voice. She tugged at his arm multiple times, until a reluctant Darren pulled
open the door very slowly.
Ardin only looked up with his narrow eyes, and his
dreadful gaze faded just turning into a normal stare. “Where the heck is
Reina?”
Kanata took her seat, and glanced up, cleared her
throat, and spoke, seeing as no one else would. “Sir, I’m erm…
sorry. We… sorta don’t know where exactly she is.”
“I don’t care,” explained Ardin. “You’re
going to find her if it means searching through hell.”
“Sir, yes sir,” Darren yelped, he jumped to his
feet and saluted. Ardin simply stared flatly.
“Whatever, boy. Just go to Espiarus- tomorrow, and get
her,” Ardin spoke, coldly. He then gestured towards the door, and without
a moment’s hesitation, the three jerked out of their seats in unison, and
exited so quickly that Ardin was almost insulted.
Kanata whipped the sweat off her face, and turned to
the others, sharply. “Ardin is so… demanding,” she whispered, in case
anyone in his castle was to hear.
“I know,” Darren retorted. “I just couldn’t agree
more. There are other words though.”
Eric was silent, and was the first to exit the
building. It was late by now, and the sun had vanished. He sighed, his gaze
landing on Kanata. “Dinner?”
Kanata managed a small smile, and sighed.
“Whatever.” The three arrived home and Kanata set to work in the kitchen.
She simply cooked a nice, warm chowder, with an alluring scent and hot wisps of
steam fluttering from the large bowl. She set it down in the center of the table
on the porch, and sat herself down to a warm bowl of chowder.
Dawn came very slowly, as it always did. Darren had
long awaited it, seeing as the past few days had been dreadful, being yelled at
by Ardin, and searching day and night for Reina, although it was simply no use,
and he didn’t feel like putting his all in this, knowing that it would take
him to many places.
He sighed, and sat up in bed. The sun glared at him,
pleading for him to just get up already. But Darren always took his time in
whatever he was doing, and two minutes or so later, he began towards his
wardrobe, but halfway there, he had a five minute debate with himself, on
whether he actually wanted to start another miserable day of being a protector,
or lie in bed and go on hibernation.
Finally, Darren tore open his wardrobe door, and pulled
on silver light armor, yanked out his lightning sword from wherever, and dashed
out the door, down the hall, and down the staircase, and to the ground floor.
Scowling to himself, he saw breakfast being served between Eric and Kanata,
meaning he was last. But of course, it was seldom if he wasn’t.
Kanata burst out into giggles seeing the look on
Darren’s face, and simply set down a platter of acorn mush before him. She
then took her seat and dug into a bowl of corn flakes. There was no chatter
between the three, just busy munching and swallowing.
“I don’t really… feel like seeing Espiarus,
today,” sighed Kanata. She turned to Eric, and watched him shake his head
wildly.
“Me neither.”
Darren just continued eating, as if he had been set to
mute.
“Let’s just swim, and hope that Ardin doesn’t
catch us,” Kanata smiled. She was always for the wrong side, it seemed.
“Oh, we will,” Eric explained, sounding much
confident. “But for a few minutes, he wouldn’t.”
Kanata smiled, and began towards the door, a lovely
dove dropped a scroll in through the wide-open window, and dashed off back to
wherever it had come from. Heaving a tired sigh, Eric read. “Oh, you have got
to be kidding me. Come on, you two, it’s time to get going. There are four
warriors of a kingdom called AutumnRain that are here to… fight.”
“Drat,” muttered Kanata to herself, then heaved her
clarinet from out of nowhere. “I’ll meet you guys over in Congrella, hurry
up with whatever you’re doing.” Kanata sped out of the building, and through
the sandy beach so quickly that she nearly tripped. She jumped to her feet at
once, and dove into the river, swam across, and jumped out in a drenched heap.
Trying not to care, she sprinted into the village square, to find everything in
tatters. Sure enough, four figures stood. A slender girl of her age stood,
glaring and holding a scythe like object, while the slightly taller girl at her
side wield a sturdy whip. Two boys stood at her side, one with a rapier and the
other with what looked like a staff.
“And who are you, barging into Congrella like it’s
yours?” Kanata glared, folded her arms, and stepped forward.
“Well,” laughed the girl that wield the scythe.
“We will, soon.”
“Nuh-uh!” cried Kanata, glaring. She was fully
aware of the baby in which she sounded like, but didn’t care at the moment.
“Let’s get down to business. Who are you?”
The girl with the whip stepped forward, and threw her
hands on her hips. “Brianna.” Her voice was cold, flat, and dry.
Rolling her eyes, the other female in which held the
scythe glared with her catty eyes. “Phanarie.” Phanarie had thick,
golden-bronze hair and was dressed in light armor. Her eyes were amber and
looked as if burning lava.
“Aiden,” a very gruff voice yowled. A boy with
musty brown hair and coal like eyes stepped forward.
The last male, slender figure trudged forward. Kanata
could see it right in his bright, blue eyes that he was a timid boy, although
corrupted as well. “Patrick,” he mumbled.
Kanata would have burst out into laughter, if she
didn’t feel so sorry for the boy, that looked as if he had been dragged into
this, although was being blamed, as well.
Just then, two wet, breathless figures stood at her
side, panting heavily.
“Kanata,” Kanata gave a sly smile. “I’m always
hesitant to kick some backyards, but not if the backyards are just of a
insect’s.”
Eric stepped forward, returning to her side. “Eric”
“Darren.”
“Oh you pathetic little posse, of not even four
members?” taunted Brianna.
Kanata had long decided that she hated the warrior, but
said nothing, only turned red fuming. There was a tortuous pause, then Kanata
charged at full speed towards Brianna. However, Phanarie jumped in the way.
Their weapons clanged multiple times, then Brianna
pushed in front of Phanarie. She gave Kanata a powerful slap in the face with
her whip, then gave her a forceful jab in the stomach. Kanata yowled in pain and
was sent flying, but quickly landed in drop stance.
Brianna glared. “I’ll handle her, Phanarie. Help
Patrick.”
“Oh no, you’re not!” cried Kanata. She
heaved her clarinet and began playing what sounded like an odd hymn for a few
seconds. Brianna quite enjoyed it, for those moments, then gave Kanata a
spellbound look and all of a sudden, cried out in agony. She fell to the ground
on her knees, digging her face into the ground, while she threw her hands on her
ears, still screaming.
Aiden, Patrick, Phanarie, Eric, and Darren winced over
at her for a few seconds, then continued bashing each other.
The battle was long and tired, Kanata was beat, but due
to luck, the warriors had retreated.
“That hymn of yours is obviously deadly,” Eric
smiled over at Kanata as they reached their home, and were sitting together in
the sand.
Chapter 7- Within
Its Heart
